Orientation diffusions.

PubMed

Perona, P

1998-01-01

Diffusions are useful for image processing and computer vision because they provide a convenient way of smoothing noisy data, analyzing images at multiple scales, and enhancing discontinuities. A number of diffusions of image brightness have been defined and studied so far; they may be applied to scalar and vector-valued quantities that are naturally associated with intervals of either the real line, or other flat manifolds. Some quantities of interest in computer vision, and other areas of engineering that deal with images, are defined on curved manifolds;typical examples are orientation and hue that are defined on the circle. Generalizing brightness diffusions to orientation is not straightforward, especially in the case where a discrete implementation is sought. An example of what may go wrong is presented.A method is proposed to define diffusions of orientation-like quantities. First a definition in the continuum is discussed, then a discrete orientation diffusion is proposed. The behavior of such diffusions is explored both analytically and experimentally. It is shown how such orientation diffusions contain a nonlinearity that is reminiscent of edge-process and anisotropic diffusion. A number of open questions are proposed at the end.

Statistical Image Properties in Works from the Prinzhorn Collection of Artists with Schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Henemann, Gudrun Maria; Brachmann, Anselm; Redies, Christoph

2017-01-01

The Prinzhorn Collection preserves and exhibits thousands of visual artworks by patients who were diagnosed to suffer from mental disease. From this collection, we analyzed 1,256 images by 14 artists who were diagnosed with dementia praecox or schizophrenia. Six objective statistical properties that have been used previously to characterize visually aesthetic images were calculated. These properties reflect features of formal image composition, such as the complexity and distribution of oriented luminance gradients and edges, as well as Fourier spectral properties. Results for the artists with schizophrenia were compared to artworks from three public art collections of paintings and drawings that include highly acclaimed artworks as well as artworks of lesser artistic claim (control artworks). Many of the patients’ works did not differ from these control images. However, the artworks of 6 of the 14 artists with schizophrenia possess image properties that deviate from the range of values obtained for the control artworks. For example, the artworks of four of the patients are characterized by a relative dominance of specific edge orientations in their images (low first-order entropy of edge orientations). Three patients created artworks with a relatively high ratio of fine detail to coarse structure (high slope of the Fourier spectrum). In conclusion, the present exploratory study opens novel perspectives for the objective scientific investigation of visual artworks that were created by persons who suffer from schizophrenia. PMID:29312011

Publications about Products - Naval Oceanography Portal

Science.gov Websites

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Social Significance of Fundamental Science Common to all Mankind

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zel'Dovich, Ya. B.

It is a challenge of science to play a great role in solution of the problem of meeting material and spiritual human demands. The argument is known that science has become a productive force. When characterizing economy of one or another country or region, it is a practice to speak about science-intensive works, i.e., those where production and competitiveness are directly related to a science level. The science-intensive works include, for example, production of microelectronic circuits and their application in computer and information science or production of pharmaceutical preparations using gene engineering. This list could be continued indefinitely…

Crack orientation and depth estimation in a low-pressure turbine disc using a phased array ultrasonic transducer and an artificial neural network.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaoxia; Chen, Shili; Jin, Shijiu; Chang, Wenshuang

2013-09-13

Stress corrosion cracks (SCC) in low-pressure steam turbine discs are serious hidden dangers to production safety in the power plants, and knowing the orientation and depth of the initial cracks is essential for the evaluation of the crack growth rate, propagation direction and working life of the turbine disc. In this paper, a method based on phased array ultrasonic transducer and artificial neural network (ANN), is proposed to estimate both the depth and orientation of initial cracks in the turbine discs. Echo signals from cracks with different depths and orientations were collected by a phased array ultrasonic transducer, and the feature vectors were extracted by wavelet packet, fractal technology and peak amplitude methods. The radial basis function (RBF) neural network was investigated and used in this application. The final results demonstrated that the method presented was efficient in crack estimation tasks.

Crack Orientation and Depth Estimation in a Low-Pressure Turbine Disc Using a Phased Array Ultrasonic Transducer and an Artificial Neural Network

PubMed Central

Yang, Xiaoxia; Chen, Shili; Jin, Shijiu; Chang, Wenshuang

2013-01-01

Stress corrosion cracks (SCC) in low-pressure steam turbine discs are serious hidden dangers to production safety in the power plants, and knowing the orientation and depth of the initial cracks is essential for the evaluation of the crack growth rate, propagation direction and working life of the turbine disc. In this paper, a method based on phased array ultrasonic transducer and artificial neural network (ANN), is proposed to estimate both the depth and orientation of initial cracks in the turbine discs. Echo signals from cracks with different depths and orientations were collected by a phased array ultrasonic transducer, and the feature vectors were extracted by wavelet packet, fractal technology and peak amplitude methods. The radial basis function (RBF) neural network was investigated and used in this application. The final results demonstrated that the method presented was efficient in crack estimation tasks. PMID:24064602

Who's Minding the Store? A Guide for Educators Working with School-Based Enterprises. Activities and Strategies for Creating and Operating Innovative and Productive Learning Experiences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Larson, Rick

Intended for educators who work with or plan to establish a school-based enterprise (SBE) in their school, this guide provides tools and strategies to establish and operate an SBE that provides a context for students to learn a range of academic and career-oriented skills. Section 1 suggests steps educators can take to help their enterprise--an…

Drafting standards on cognitive accessibility: a global collaboration.

PubMed

Steel, Emily J; Janeslätt, Gunnel

2017-05-01

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is working on accessibility of products to support people with cognitive impairment. Working Group 10, within the technical committee 173 (assistive products for persons with disability) was formed in 2014 to draft standards for assistive products that support people with cognitive impairment. This article explains the scope and purpose of the working group and the context for its formation, and describes the plans and process for drafting and publishing new international standards. The proposed suite of standards is presented, with examples from a draft standard on daily time management. It draws on international research evidence for the effectiveness of assistive products designed to support time management in people with cognitive impairment. Examples of assistive products and their key features are provided based on domains of time as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY). The proposed standards will provide design recommendations for features and functions that increase the accessibility of products used by people with cognitive impairment. They are intended to be used by designers, manufactures, educators and services providers, to facilitate their commitment to inclusion and demonstrate their willingness to work with accessibility regulation. Implications for Rehabilitation New standards based on universal design (UD) principles can guide the design of more user-friendly assistive products for people with cognitive impairment. Greater usability of assistive products, whether mainstream or specially-designed, will make it easier for practitioners to find and introduce assistive solutions to individuals with cognitive impairment. Greater usability of assistive products for daily time management can decrease the need for user training and support and enable participation.

Origins and Outcomes of Judgments about Work

PubMed Central

Johnson, Monica Kirkpatrick; Mortimer, Jeylan T.

2010-01-01

We evaluate the importance of judgments about work for the attainment process in the “new economy.” Findings show continuing links between social origins and work orientations at age 21/22, as well as significant impacts of work orientations on occupational outcomes at age 31/32. Higher socioeconomic status background, and stronger self-perceived ability, are tied to weaker extrinsic orientations. Young women are more intrinsically oriented than young men. Stronger intrinsic orientations predict holding jobs that offer more intrinsic rewards, self-direction, and security. Stronger extrinsic orientations predict higher biweekly earnings (largely via work hours), but not more prestigious, better paying, or more secure jobs. Judgments about work, and especially intrinsic orientations, thus remain important precursors of occupational attainments, despite economic turbulence and change in the transition to adulthood. PMID:21765555

Orientation filtering for crystalline films

DOEpatents

Smith, Henry I.; Atwater, Harry A.; Thompson, Carl V.; Geis, Michael W.

1986-12-30

A substrate is coated with a film to be recrystallized. A pattern of crystallization barriers is created in the film, for example, by etching voids in the film. An encapsulation layer is generally applied to protect the film, fill the voids and otherwise enhance a recrystallization process. Recrystallization is carried out such that certain orientations pass preferentially through the barrier, generally as a result of growth-velocity anisotropy. The result is a film of a specific predetermined crystallographic orientation, a range of orientations or a set of discrete orientations.

Nurses' bodywork: is there a body of work?

PubMed

Shakespeare, Pam

2003-03-01

The work that many nurses do involves the use of their own body as one of the tools of their occupation. Being a nurse, in many cases, means controlled, purposeful use of her or his own body oriented to the patient. This paper discusses some of the ways in which nurses' bodies and the work that those bodies do are represented in professional and academic research accounts and made relevant in literature. Using instances of bodies and bodily activity mentioned in a variety of literature, the paper discusses three categories of accounts of nursing bodywork: those which are problematised and where the nurse's body is seen as a topic for investigation, and those which are unproblematised either explicitly discussing bodily activity (for example, touch) or implicitly dealing with bodywork (for example, taking blood pressure). Four ways in which nurses' bodies are made relevant in accounts are proposed: relational, corporate, instrumental and human. The paper discusses the prominence (or not) nurses' bodies are given in professional and academic accounts, as a contribution to preliminary work of generating a topic for investigation and concludes with some suggestions as to how this investigative project might be taken forward, focusing primarily on an examination of methodic practices, or how bodywork is brought off and executed as a skilled but taken-for-granted activity.

Object-oriented Bayesian networks for paternity cases with allelic dependencies

PubMed Central

Hepler, Amanda B.; Weir, Bruce S.

2008-01-01

This study extends the current use of Bayesian networks by incorporating the effects of allelic dependencies in paternity calculations. The use of object-oriented networks greatly simplify the process of building and interpreting forensic identification models, allowing researchers to solve new, more complex problems. We explore two paternity examples: the most common scenario where DNA evidence is available from the alleged father, the mother and the child; a more complex casewhere DNA is not available from the alleged father, but is available from the alleged father’s brother. Object-oriented networks are built, using HUGIN, for each example which incorporate the effects of allelic dependence caused by evolutionary relatedness. PMID:19079769

The influence of build parameters on the microstructure during electron beam melting of Titanium6Aluminum4Vanadium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puebla, Karina

With the demand of devices to replace or improve areas, such as: electronic, biomedical and aerospace industries. Improvements in these areas of engineering have been in need due to the customer's needs for product properties requirements. The design of components must exhibit better material properties (mechanical or biocompatible) close to those of any given product. Rapid prototyping (RP) technologies that were originally designed to build prototypes may now be required to build functional end-use products. To carry out the transition, from RP to rapid manufacturing (RM), the available materials utilized in RP must provide the performance required for RM. The specific technology being used should be capable of producing reliable parts in regards to their mechanical properties. The research presented in this work investigated the effects of building parameters (build orientation and melt scan rate) on microstructure and the mechanical properties of test specimens fabricated via Electron Beam Melting (EBM) using Ti6Al4V. EBM, a rapid prototyping technology, has the potential to manufacture complex 3-dimensional end-use products layer-by-layer. In this work, a design of experiments approach was performed to determine the effects of build orientation and melt scan rate on both the microstructure and mechanical properties of test samples fabricated using EBM. Two randomized setups were designed to build two batches of 18 specimens. The experimental designs were carried out to determine the effect of different build parameters (build orientation and melt scan rate) in the mechanical properties of the fabricated specimens. The results demonstrated that EBM manufactured specimens built with different melt scan rates and build orientations have different microstructures and mechanical properties. Different melt scans produced variations in particle sintering resulting in dissimilar porosities and in mechanical properties (hardness and tensile testing). The mechanical properties decreased as the porosity increased for tensile testing and Rockwell C-scale (HR C), while Vickers hardness (HV) measurements increased and are related to the microstructure. The different build orientations of the specimens produced different mechanical properties since the orientation of the fabricated specimens impact the local heat transfer flow. This influenced the microstructure where the specimens oriented horizontally cooled more rapidly than those built vertically. Statistically significant differences in mechanical properties were found as an effect of melt scan rate. The statistical analyses that were done can help identify and classify fabrication parameters on mechanical properties for EBM-fabricated products. Optical images demonstrated the presence of alpha and beta phases, and alpha'-martensite with slight differences in microstructure. Dislocation substructures were observed in acicular alpha-plates from TEM images and alpha, beta, and alpha'-phase features. Mechanical and thermal treatment on Ti6Al4V can generate different microstructures promoting Ti6Al4V as an evolutionary alloy. Tailored mechanical properties of complex 3-dimensional end-use products can be achieved by modifying the building parameters of the EBM system. The EBM system can facilitate the process of manufacturing components by varying build parameters in order to obtain desirable physical and mechanical properties. Once the desired properties for Ti6Al4V are established, the fabrication process will lead to more successful end-use products.

The Power of Audience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levy, Steven

2008-01-01

Teachers in Expeditionary Learning schools have discovered that finding an authentic audience for a genuine product is the key to getting students to take responsibility for their own work. The author, a school designer for Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound, describes three examples of projects in which students worked on curriculum…

Transition from the labor market: older workers and retirement.

PubMed

Peterson, Chris L; Murphy, Greg

2010-01-01

The new millennium has seen the projected growth of older populations as a source of many problems, not the least of which is how to sustain this increasingly aging population. Some decades ago, early retirement from work posed few problems for governments, but most nations are now trying to ensure that workers remain in the workforce longer. In this context, the role played by older employees can be affected by at least two factors: their productivity (or perceived productivity) and their acceptance by younger workers and management. If the goal of maintaining employees into older age is to be achieved and sustained, opportunities must be provided, for example, for more flexible work arrangements and more possibilities to pursue bridge employment (work after formal retirement). The retirement experience varies, depending on people's circumstances. Some people, for example, have retirement forced upon them by illness or injury at work, by ill-health (such as chronic illnesses), or by downsizing and associated redundancies. This article focuses on the problems and opportunities associated with working to an older age or leaving the workforce early, particularly due to factors beyond one's control.

The NASA land processes program - Status and future directions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, R. E.

1984-01-01

For most of the past decade, NASA focused its efforts on the immediate exploitation of space-based sensors in earth-oriented programs. After an assessment of the current situation with respect to the conducted programs, NASA has restructured its earth-oriented programs to concentrate on the scientific use of its satellites while other agencies and private enterprise have assumed responsibility for programs of interest to them. In making this change of direction, NASA has conducted a series of studies to obtain information as a basis for its planning activities regarding future programs. Attention is given to a plan for Land Global Habitability, the development of a basic structure for the land program, a program plan for global biology, and a study on the role of biochemical cycles. The three major facets of the land processes program are discussed along with some examples of current work.

High-level context effects on spatial displacement: the effects of body orientation and language on memory

PubMed Central

Vinson, David W.; Abney, Drew H.; Dale, Rick; Matlock, Teenie

2014-01-01

Three decades of research suggests that cognitive simulation of motion is involved in the comprehension of object location, bodily configuration, and linguistic meaning. For example, the remembered location of an object associated with actual or implied motion is typically displaced in the direction of motion. In this paper, two experiments explore context effects in spatial displacement. They provide a novel approach to estimating the remembered location of an implied motion image by employing a cursor-positioning task. Both experiments examine how the remembered spatial location of a person is influenced by subtle differences in implied motion, specifically, by shifting the orientation of the person’s body to face upward or downward, and by pairing the image with motion language that differed on intentionality, fell versus jumped. The results of Experiment 1, a survey-based experiment, suggest that language and body orientation influenced vertical spatial displacement. Results of Experiment 2, a task that used Adobe Flash and Amazon Mechanical Turk, showed consistent effects of body orientation on vertical spatial displacement but no effect of language. Our findings are in line with previous work on spatial displacement that uses a cursor-positioning task with implied motion stimuli. We discuss how different ways of simulating motion can influence spatial memory. PMID:25071628

High-level context effects on spatial displacement: the effects of body orientation and language on memory.

PubMed

Vinson, David W; Abney, Drew H; Dale, Rick; Matlock, Teenie

2014-01-01

Three decades of research suggests that cognitive simulation of motion is involved in the comprehension of object location, bodily configuration, and linguistic meaning. For example, the remembered location of an object associated with actual or implied motion is typically displaced in the direction of motion. In this paper, two experiments explore context effects in spatial displacement. They provide a novel approach to estimating the remembered location of an implied motion image by employing a cursor-positioning task. Both experiments examine how the remembered spatial location of a person is influenced by subtle differences in implied motion, specifically, by shifting the orientation of the person's body to face upward or downward, and by pairing the image with motion language that differed on intentionality, fell versus jumped. The results of Experiment 1, a survey-based experiment, suggest that language and body orientation influenced vertical spatial displacement. Results of Experiment 2, a task that used Adobe Flash and Amazon Mechanical Turk, showed consistent effects of body orientation on vertical spatial displacement but no effect of language. Our findings are in line with previous work on spatial displacement that uses a cursor-positioning task with implied motion stimuli. We discuss how different ways of simulating motion can influence spatial memory.

Acquisition parameters optimization of a transmission electron forward scatter diffraction system in a cold-field emission scanning electron microscope for nanomaterials characterization.

PubMed

Brodusch, Nicolas; Demers, Hendrix; Trudeau, Michel; Gauvin, Raynald

2013-01-01

Transmission electron forward scatter diffraction (t-EFSD) is a new technique providing crystallographic information with high resolution on thin specimens by using a conventional electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) system in a scanning electron microscope. In this study, the impact of tilt angle, working distance, and detector distance on the Kikuchi pattern quality were investigated in a cold-field emission scanning electron microscope (CFE-SEM). We demonstrated that t-EFSD is applicable for tilt angles ranging from -20° to -40°. Working distance (WD) should be optimized for each material by choosing the WD for which the EBSD camera screen illumination is the highest, as the number of detected electrons on the screen is directly dependent on the scattering angle. To take advantage of the best performances of the CFE-SEM, the EBSD camera should be close to the sample and oriented towards the bottom to increase forward scattered electron collection efficiency. However, specimen chamber cluttering and beam/mechanical drift are important limitations in the CFE-SEM used in this work. Finally, the importance of t-EFSD in materials science characterization was illustrated through three examples of phase identification and orientation mapping. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Production and delivery of a fluid mixture to an annular volume of a wellbore

DOEpatents

Hermes, Robert E [Los Alamos, NM; Bland, Ronald Gene [Houston, TX; Foley, Ron Lee [Magnolia, TX; Bloys, James B [Katy, TX; Gonzalez, Manuel E [Kingwood, NM; Daniel, John M [Germantown, TN; Robinson, Ian M [Guisborough, GB; Carpenter, Robert B [Tomball, TX

2012-01-24

The methods described herein generally relate to preparing and delivering a fluid mixture to a confined volume, specifically an annular volume located between two concentrically oriented casing strings within a hydrocarbon fluid producing well. The fluid mixtures disclosed herein are useful in controlling pressure in localized volumes. The fluid mixtures comprise at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one inhibitor. The processes and methods disclosed herein allow the fluid mixture to be stored, shipped and/or injected into localized volumes, for example, an annular volume defined by concentric well casing strings.

Project Portfolio Management for Academic Libraries: A Gentle Introduction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vinopal, Jennifer

2012-01-01

In highly dynamic, service-oriented environments like academic libraries, much staff time is spent on initiatives to implement new products and services to meet users' evolving needs. Yet even in an environment where a sound project management process is applied, if we're not properly planning, managing, and controlling the organization's work in…

WORLD OF WORK TRAINING PROGRAM. STUDENT-TRAINEE ORIENTATION.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

CANGEMI, JOSEPH P.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG STUDENTS TO STAY IN SCHOOL UNTIL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND TO DEVELOP THOSE ATTITUDES, HABITS, AND SKILLS THAT PRODUCE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS AND PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYEES. THE PROGRAM IS AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST STUDENTS ON THE JUNIOR HIGH AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. STUDENTS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE ATTEND…

Career Pathways for a Productive and Self-Reliant Workforce: A To-Do List for Adult Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jurmo, Paul

2011-01-01

The adult basic education field in the United States is now being encouraged to shift to a "career pathways" orientation by policy research organizations, federal and state agencies, community college organizations, business groups, and private foundations. In such an approach, adult basic education programs work with workforce…

Causes and Consequences of Water Flux on the Example of Transverse Heading Mina in the Salt Mine "Wieliczka" / Przyczyny i Skutki Dopływu Wody na Przykładzie Poprzeczni Mina w Kopalni Soli "Wieliczka"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonet, Andrzej; Stryczek, Stanisław; Brudnik, Krzysztof

2012-11-01

The causes of disastrous water flux in the historical Salt Mine "Wieliczka" have been presented on the example of transverse heading Mina at the IV level at a depth of 175 m bsl. The complex geological setting of direct environment of the transverse heading Mina has been described paying attention to unfavorable hydrogeological conditions in the northern part of the salt deposit. The main activities oriented to limiting the water hazard in the Salt Mine "Wieliczka" and the reconstruction of inner safety pillar, which had been seriously damaged by mining activities, have been analyzed. A selection of objects inside the mine, saved from flooding thanks to protection works has been visualized in photos.

pFUnit 3.0 Tutorial Advanced

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clune, Tom

2014-01-01

This tutorial will introduce Fortran developers to unit-testing and test-driven development (TDD) using pFUnit. As with other unit-testing frameworks, pFUnit, simplifies the process of writing, collecting, and executing tests while providing clear diagnostic messages for failing tests. pFUnit specifically targets the development of scientific-technical software written in Fortran and includes customized features such as: assertions for multi-dimensional arrays, distributed (MPI) and thread-based (OpenMP) parallellism, and flexible parameterized tests.These sessions will include numerous examples and hands-on exercises that gradually build in complexity. Attendees are expected to have working knowledge of F90, but familiarity with object-oriented syntax in F2003 and MPI will be of benefit for the more advanced examples. By the end of the tutorial the audience should feel comfortable in applying pFUnit within their own development environment.

Considerations for higher efficiency and productivity in research activities.

PubMed

Forero, Diego A; Moore, Jason H

2016-01-01

There are several factors that are known to affect research productivity; some of them imply the need for large financial investments and others are related to work styles. There are some articles that provide suggestions for early career scientists (PhD students and postdocs) but few publications are oriented to professors about scientific leadership. As academic mentoring might be useful at all levels of experience, in this note we suggest several key considerations for higher efficiency and productivity in academic and research activities. More research is needed into the main work style features that differentiate highly productive scientists and research groups, as some of them could be innate and others could be transferable. As funding agencies, universities and research centers invest large amounts of money in order to have a better scientific productivity, a deeper understanding of these factors will be of high academic and societal impact.

High Performance Object-Oriented Scientific Programming in Fortran 90

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norton, Charles D.; Decyk, Viktor K.; Szymanski, Boleslaw K.

1997-01-01

We illustrate how Fortran 90 supports object-oriented concepts by example of plasma particle computations on the IBM SP. Our experience shows that Fortran 90 and object-oriented methodology give high performance while providing a bridge from Fortran 77 legacy codes to modern programming principles. All of our object-oriented Fortran 90 codes execute more quickly thatn the equeivalent C++ versions, yet the abstraction modelling capabilities used for scentific programming are comparably powereful.

Topographic Independent Component Analysis reveals random scrambling of orientation in visual space

PubMed Central

Martinez-Garcia, Marina; Martinez, Luis M.

2017-01-01

Neurons at primary visual cortex (V1) in humans and other species are edge filters organized in orientation maps. In these maps, neurons with similar orientation preference are clustered together in iso-orientation domains. These maps have two fundamental properties: (1) retinotopy, i.e. correspondence between displacements at the image space and displacements at the cortical surface, and (2) a trade-off between good coverage of the visual field with all orientations and continuity of iso-orientation domains in the cortical space. There is an active debate on the origin of these locally continuous maps. While most of the existing descriptions take purely geometric/mechanistic approaches which disregard the network function, a clear exception to this trend in the literature is the original approach of Hyvärinen and Hoyer based on infomax and Topographic Independent Component Analysis (TICA). Although TICA successfully addresses a number of other properties of V1 simple and complex cells, in this work we question the validity of the orientation maps obtained from TICA. We argue that the maps predicted by TICA can be analyzed in the retinal space, and when doing so, it is apparent that they lack the required continuity and retinotopy. Here we show that in the orientation maps reported in the TICA literature it is easy to find examples of violation of the continuity between similarly tuned mechanisms in the retinal space, which suggest a random scrambling incompatible with the maps in primates. The new experiments in the retinal space presented here confirm this guess: TICA basis vectors actually follow a random salt-and-pepper organization back in the image space. Therefore, the interesting clusters found in the TICA topology cannot be interpreted as the actual cortical orientation maps found in cats, primates or humans. In conclusion, Topographic ICA does not reproduce cortical orientation maps. PMID:28640816

Topographic Independent Component Analysis reveals random scrambling of orientation in visual space.

PubMed

Martinez-Garcia, Marina; Martinez, Luis M; Malo, Jesús

2017-01-01

Neurons at primary visual cortex (V1) in humans and other species are edge filters organized in orientation maps. In these maps, neurons with similar orientation preference are clustered together in iso-orientation domains. These maps have two fundamental properties: (1) retinotopy, i.e. correspondence between displacements at the image space and displacements at the cortical surface, and (2) a trade-off between good coverage of the visual field with all orientations and continuity of iso-orientation domains in the cortical space. There is an active debate on the origin of these locally continuous maps. While most of the existing descriptions take purely geometric/mechanistic approaches which disregard the network function, a clear exception to this trend in the literature is the original approach of Hyvärinen and Hoyer based on infomax and Topographic Independent Component Analysis (TICA). Although TICA successfully addresses a number of other properties of V1 simple and complex cells, in this work we question the validity of the orientation maps obtained from TICA. We argue that the maps predicted by TICA can be analyzed in the retinal space, and when doing so, it is apparent that they lack the required continuity and retinotopy. Here we show that in the orientation maps reported in the TICA literature it is easy to find examples of violation of the continuity between similarly tuned mechanisms in the retinal space, which suggest a random scrambling incompatible with the maps in primates. The new experiments in the retinal space presented here confirm this guess: TICA basis vectors actually follow a random salt-and-pepper organization back in the image space. Therefore, the interesting clusters found in the TICA topology cannot be interpreted as the actual cortical orientation maps found in cats, primates or humans. In conclusion, Topographic ICA does not reproduce cortical orientation maps.

Noise analysis in professional office chairs.

PubMed

Alves, E J W; Filho, J N; Silva, S J; Câmara, J J D

2012-01-01

The noise caused by the movement of users on their chairs in the work environment may indicate structural weaknesses and risk, and still significantly reduce productivity by increasing employees stress level. By understanding the activities to be developed in a work place one may understand what should be necessary to a good development, thereafter a search for improvement of labor activity with the aim of better use of resources in the operation of product use may be done. The analysis of the incremental variation of noise in professional chairs aims to identify its origin and the time the emission of noise starts during the period of use, its development and the major causative agents. Determining the characteristics of the sound of different materials and adjustments mechanisms of the chair can determine how different materials interact with each other. The measurement of these noises in an acoustic isolated room using directional microphones, if recorded and analyzed properly makes it possible to investigate and orientate to suspect elements in order to propose solutions and identify the quality of other similar chairs. Based on the results recommendations can be established for the orientation of users, managers and people responsible for the acquisition of the products, inducing them to review the employment of materials and the choice of the processes of production. These aspects are not covered in the Brazilian ergonomics norms and standards in the use of chairs.

Induced polarization research at Kennecott, 1965-1977

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nelson, Philip H.

1997-01-01

Geophysics research and development (R&D) was a small research group at Kennecott Inc. (KEI), a subsidiary of Kennecott Copper Corporation. The research group served Geophysics-Operations, which in turn worked for another subsidiary, Bear Creek Mining Company (BCMC). BCMC did Kennecott's exploration work such as reconnaissance mapping, staking and proving up claims, and assessment drilling. The working environment at Geophysics R&D included emphasis on instrument development and being strongly field oriented; having entrepreneurial leaders engaged in technical work; interaction between R&D and its `customer', the Operations group and; emphasis on lowering costs and increasing production.

IT Project Success w\\7120 and 7123 NPRs to Achieve Project Success

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walley, Tina L.

2009-01-01

This slide presentation reviews management techniques to assure information technology development project success. Details include the work products, the work breakdown structure (WBS), system integration, verification and validation (IV&V), and deployment and operations. An example, the NASA Consolidated Active Directory (NCAD), is reviewed.

The Modulation of Biological Production by Oceanic Mesoscale Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lévy, Marina

This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge on bio-physical interactions at mesoscale and at sub-mesoscale. It is focused on the mid-latitudes open ocean. From examples taken from my own studies or selected in the literature, I show how high-resolution process-oriented model studies have helped to improve our understanding. I follow a process oriented approach; I first discuss the role of mesoscale eddies in moderating the nutrient flux into the well-lit euphotic zone. Then I address the impact on biogeochemistry of transport occurring on a horizontal scale smaller than the scale of an eddy. I show that submesoscale processes modulate biogeochemical budgets in a number of ways, through intense upwelling of nutrients, subduction of phytoplankton, and horizontal stirring. Finally, I emphasize that mesoscale and submesoscale dynamics have a strong impact on productivity through their influence on the stratification of the surface of the ocean. These processes have in common that they concern the short-term, local effect of oceanic turbulence on biogeochemistry. Efforts are still needed before we can get a complete picture, which would also include the far-field long-term effect of the eddies.

OR.NET RT: how service-oriented medical device architecture meets real-time communication.

PubMed

Pfeiffer, Jonas H; Kasparick, Martin; Strathen, Benjamin; Dietz, Christian; Dingler, Max E; Lueth, Tim C; Timmermann, Dirk; Radermacher, Klaus; Golatowski, Frank

2018-02-23

Today's landscape of medical devices is dominated by stand-alone systems and proprietary interfaces lacking cross-vendor interoperability. This complicates or even impedes the innovation of novel, intelligent assistance systems relying on the collaboration of medical devices. Emerging approaches use the service-oriented architecture (SOA) paradigm based on Internet protocol (IP) to enable communication between medical devices. While this works well for scenarios with no or only soft timing constraints, the underlying best-effort communication scheme is insufficient for time critical data. Real-time (RT) networks are able to reliably guarantee fixed latency boundaries, for example, by using time division multiple access (TDMA) communication patterns. However, deterministic RT networks come with their own limitations such as tedious, inflexible configuration and a more restricted bandwidth allocation. In this contribution we overcome the drawbacks of both approaches by describing and implementing mechanisms that allow the two networks to interact. We introduce the first implementation of a medical device network that offers hard RT guarantees for control and sensor data and integrates into SOA networks. Based on two application examples we show how the flexibility of SOA networks and the reliability of RT networks can be combined to achieve an open network infrastructure for medical devices in the operating room (OR).

Learning from Consumer-Oriented Review Efforts To Guide the Development of a System of Expert Panels To Identify and Share Promising and Exemplary Products and Programs. Working Papers. Volumes One and Two.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. Office of Reform Assistance and Dissemination.

These volumes contain working papers related to the development of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) Facilitated System of Expert Panels. Introductory papers by Susan Klein, Michael Scriven, Sharon Bobbitt and Susan Klein, and Michael Scriven and Lois-ellin Datta (printed in both volumes) set the stage for the discussions…

Fuzzy-logic detection and probability of hail exploiting short-range X-band weather radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capozzi, Vincenzo; Picciotti, Errico; Mazzarella, Vincenzo; Marzano, Frank Silvio; Budillon, Giorgio

2018-03-01

This work proposes a new method for hail precipitation detection and probability, based on single-polarization X-band radar measurements. Using a dataset consisting of reflectivity volumes, ground truth observations and atmospheric sounding data, a probability of hail index, which provides a simple estimate of the hail potential, has been trained and adapted within Naples metropolitan environment study area. The probability of hail has been calculated starting by four different hail detection methods. The first two, based on (1) reflectivity data and temperature measurements and (2) on vertically-integrated liquid density product, respectively, have been selected from the available literature. The other two techniques are based on combined criteria of the above mentioned methods: the first one (3) is based on the linear discriminant analysis, whereas the other one (4) relies on the fuzzy-logic approach. The latter is an innovative criterion based on a fuzzyfication step performed through ramp membership functions. The performances of the four methods have been tested using an independent dataset: the results highlight that the fuzzy-oriented combined method performs slightly better in terms of false alarm ratio, critical success index and area under the relative operating characteristic. An example of application of the proposed hail detection and probability products is also presented for a relevant hail event, occurred on 21 July 2014.

Effect of Thermomechanical Processing and Crystallographic Orientation on the Corrosion Behavior of API 5L X70 Pipeline Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohaeri, Enyinnaya; Omale, Joseph; Eduok, Ubong; Szpunar, Jerzy

2018-04-01

This work presents the electrochemical response of X70 pipeline steel substrates thermomechanically processed at different conditions. The WE sample was hot rolled at a temperature range of 850 °C to 805 °C and cooled at a rate of 42.75 °C/s. Another sample WD was hot rolled from 880 °C to 815 °C and cooled at a faster rate of 51.5 °C/s. Corrosion tests were conducted electrochemically by potentiodynamic polarization in hydrogen-charged and non-hydrogen-charged environments. A lower corrosion rate was measured with hydrogen charging due to the rapid formation of corrosion product film on pipeline substrate, but WE specimen emerged as the most susceptible to corrosion with and without hydrogen charging. Variations in thermomechanical rolling conditions influenced grain orientation, protective film properties, corrosion, and cracking behavior on both specimens. Cracks were seen in both specimens after hydrogen charging, but specimen WE experienced a more intense deterioration of protective corrosion product film and subsequent cracking. A large part of specimen WD retained its protective corrosion product film after the polarization test, and sites where spalling occurred resulted in pitting with less cracking. Despite weak crystallographic texture noticed in both specimens, WD showed a higher intensity of corrosion-resistant 111||ND-oriented grains, while WE showed a more random distribution of 111||ND-, 011||ND-, and 001||ND-oriented grains with a lower intensity.

Effect of Thermomechanical Processing and Crystallographic Orientation on the Corrosion Behavior of API 5L X70 Pipeline Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohaeri, Enyinnaya; Omale, Joseph; Eduok, Ubong; Szpunar, Jerzy

2018-06-01

This work presents the electrochemical response of X70 pipeline steel substrates thermomechanically processed at different conditions. The WE sample was hot rolled at a temperature range of 850 °C to 805 °C and cooled at a rate of 42.75 °C/s. Another sample WD was hot rolled from 880 °C to 815 °C and cooled at a faster rate of 51.5 °C/s. Corrosion tests were conducted electrochemically by potentiodynamic polarization in hydrogen-charged and non-hydrogen-charged environments. A lower corrosion rate was measured with hydrogen charging due to the rapid formation of corrosion product film on pipeline substrate, but WE specimen emerged as the most susceptible to corrosion with and without hydrogen charging. Variations in thermomechanical rolling conditions influenced grain orientation, protective film properties, corrosion, and cracking behavior on both specimens. Cracks were seen in both specimens after hydrogen charging, but specimen WE experienced a more intense deterioration of protective corrosion product film and subsequent cracking. A large part of specimen WD retained its protective corrosion product film after the polarization test, and sites where spalling occurred resulted in pitting with less cracking. Despite weak crystallographic texture noticed in both specimens, WD showed a higher intensity of corrosion-resistant 111|| ND-oriented grains, while WE showed a more random distribution of 111|| ND-, 011|| ND-, and 001|| ND-oriented grains with a lower intensity.

["... so that Theo knows what he should do better". Client orientation in social-therapeutic child group work--an experiential report of quality management at a child guidance clinic].

PubMed

Bobzien, Monika; Hausmann, Verena; Kornder, Theo; Manz-Gill, Brigitte

2004-09-01

Within the framework of internal evaluation and self-evaluation activities in a child guidance clinic, measures of success have to date been based primarily on the degree to which the delegating organisations are satisfied with the results of the counselling. The orientation of the success of counselling towards the results stems from the fact that the process of helping is not generally manifest to parents, schools, and education staff. It takes place in the context of direct contact between therapists and children, the immediate addresses of help, and therefore often remains "hidden". Since the children's perspective--their impressions and appraisals--has often been neglected in past assessment methods, it hardly plays any role at all in the discussion of quality at counselling centres. This made it all the more stimulating for all those involved to initiate improvement measures within the framework of quality management on the basis of a client survey and in this way to launch a shared learning process as to how client orientation can flow directly into everyday practice. This is certainly the first attempt of its kind in the work of child guidance clinics to develop an understanding of client orientation in line with the expectations of parents and children and to link this to the quality development of the service. In the first part of this experiential report, the external process coach provides a brief summary of the assessment method employed in connection with the introduction of internal quality management at the counselling centre. This is followed by the centre's own description of the concrete performance of the client survey with children using the example of social-therapeutic child group work. The study concludes with a discussion of the benefit drawn from this process for the improvement of this pedagogical project.

Europe Report, Science and Technology.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-29

for example, research is being conducted on the synthesis of antibiotics from slime bacteria (myxobacteria), the formation of pigments with...nannocystis, and the formation of steroids. In cooperation with the enzyme technology division, work is also being done on cofactor regeneration in L-amino...also supporting work in product development at Asea Cerama in Robertfors, where they are working with silicon carbide and zirconium dioxide. 12507

Approach to an Affordable and Productive Space Transportation System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McCleskey, Carey M.; Rhodes, Russel E.; Lepsch, Roger A.; Henderson, Edward M.; Robinson, John W.

2012-01-01

This paper describes an approach for creating space transportation architectures that are affordable, productive, and sustainable. The architectural scope includes both flight and ground system elements, and focuses on their compatibility to achieve a technical solution that is operationally productive, and also affordable throughout its life cycle. Previous papers by the authors and other members of the Space Propulsion Synergy Team (SPST) focused on space flight system engineering methods, along with operationally efficient propulsion system concepts and technologies. This paper follows up previous work by using a structured process to derive examples of conceptual architectures that integrate a number of advanced concepts and technologies. The examples are not intended to provide a near-term alternative architecture to displace current near-term design and development activity. Rather, the examples demonstrate an approach that promotes early investments in advanced system concept studies and trades (flight and ground), as well as in advanced technologies with the goal of enabling highly affordable, productive flight and ground space transportation systems.

Cartographic services contract...for everything geographic

USGS Publications Warehouse

,

2003-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Cartographic Services Contract (CSC) is used to award work for photogrammetric and mapping services under the umbrella of Architect-Engineer (A&E) contracting. The A&E contract is broad in scope and can accommodate any activity related to standard, nonstandard, graphic, and digital cartographic products. Services provided may include, but are not limited to, photogrammetric mapping and aerotriangulation; orthophotography; thematic mapping (for example, land characterization); analog and digital imagery applications; geographic information systems development; surveying and control acquisition, including ground-based and airborne Global Positioning System; analog and digital image manipulation, analysis, and interpretation; raster and vector map digitizing; data manipulations (for example, transformations, conversions, generalization, integration, and conflation); primary and ancillary data acquisition (for example, aerial photography, satellite imagery, multispectral, multitemporal, and hyperspectral data); image scanning and processing; metadata production, revision, and creation; and production or revision of standard USGS products defined by formal and informal specification and standards, such as those for digital line graphs, digital elevation models, digital orthophoto quadrangles, and digital raster graphics.

Integrated modeling: a look back

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briggs, Clark

2015-09-01

This paper discusses applications and implementation approaches used for integrated modeling of structural systems with optics over the past 30 years. While much of the development work focused on control system design, significant contributions were made in system modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) environments. Early work appended handmade line-of-sight models to traditional finite element models, such as the optical spacecraft concept from the ACOSS program. The IDEAS2 computational environment built in support of Space Station collected a wider variety of existing tools around a parametric database. Later, IMOS supported interferometer and large telescope mission studies at JPL with MATLAB modeling of structural dynamics, thermal analysis, and geometric optics. IMOS's predecessor was a simple FORTRAN command line interpreter for LQG controller design with additional functions that built state-space finite element models. Specialized language systems such as CAESY were formulated and prototyped to provide more complex object-oriented functions suited to control-structure interaction. A more recent example of optical modeling directly in mechanical CAD is used to illustrate possible future directions. While the value of directly posing the optical metric in system dynamics terms is well understood today, the potential payoff is illustrated briefly via project-based examples. It is quite likely that integrated structure thermal optical performance (STOP) modeling could be accomplished in a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) tool set. The work flow could be adopted, for example, by a team developing a small high-performance optical or radio frequency (RF) instrument.

Contextual imitation of intransitive body actions in a Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas): A "do as other does" study.

PubMed

Abramson, José Z; Hernández-Lloreda, Mª Victoria; Esteban, José-Antonio; Colmenares, Fernando; Aboitiz, Francisco; Call, Josep

2017-01-01

Cetaceans are remarkable for exhibiting group-specific behavioral traditions or cultures in several behavioral domains (e.g., calls, behavioral tactics), and the question of whether they can be acquired socially, for example through imitative processes, remains open. Here we used a "Do as other does" paradigm to experimentally study the ability of a beluga to imitate familiar intransitive (body-oriented) actions demonstrated by a conspecific. The participant was first trained to copy three familiar behaviors on command (training phase) and then was tested for her ability to generalize the learned "Do as the other does" command to a different set of three familiar behaviors (testing phase). We found that the beluga (1) was capable of learning the copy command signal "Do what-the-other-does"; (2) exhibited high matching accuracy for trained behaviors (mean = 84% of correct performance) after making the first successful copy on command; (3) copied successfully the new set of three familiar generalization behaviors that were untrained to the copy command (range of first copy = 12 to 35 trials); and (4) deployed a high level of matching accuracy (mean = 83%) after making the first copy of an untrained behavior on command. This is the first evidence of contextual imitation of intransitive (body-oriented) movements in the beluga and adds to the reported findings on production imitation of sounds in this species and production imitation of sounds and motor actions in several cetaceans, especially dolphins and killer whales. Collectively these findings highlight the notion that cetaceans have a natural propensity at skillfully and proficiently matching the sounds and body movements demonstrated by conspecifics, a fitness-enhancing propensity in the context of cooperative hunting and anti-predatory defense tactics, and of alliance formation strategies that have been documented in these species' natural habitats. Future work should determine if the beluga can also imitate novel motor actions.

Contextual imitation of intransitive body actions in a Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas): A “do as other does” study

PubMed Central

Hernández-Lloreda, Mª Victoria; Esteban, José-Antonio; Colmenares, Fernando; Aboitiz, Francisco; Call, Josep

2017-01-01

Cetaceans are remarkable for exhibiting group-specific behavioral traditions or cultures in several behavioral domains (e.g., calls, behavioral tactics), and the question of whether they can be acquired socially, for example through imitative processes, remains open. Here we used a “Do as other does” paradigm to experimentally study the ability of a beluga to imitate familiar intransitive (body-oriented) actions demonstrated by a conspecific. The participant was first trained to copy three familiar behaviors on command (training phase) and then was tested for her ability to generalize the learned “Do as the other does” command to a different set of three familiar behaviors (testing phase). We found that the beluga (1) was capable of learning the copy command signal “Do what-the-other-does”; (2) exhibited high matching accuracy for trained behaviors (mean = 84% of correct performance) after making the first successful copy on command; (3) copied successfully the new set of three familiar generalization behaviors that were untrained to the copy command (range of first copy = 12 to 35 trials); and (4) deployed a high level of matching accuracy (mean = 83%) after making the first copy of an untrained behavior on command. This is the first evidence of contextual imitation of intransitive (body-oriented) movements in the beluga and adds to the reported findings on production imitation of sounds in this species and production imitation of sounds and motor actions in several cetaceans, especially dolphins and killer whales. Collectively these findings highlight the notion that cetaceans have a natural propensity at skillfully and proficiently matching the sounds and body movements demonstrated by conspecifics, a fitness-enhancing propensity in the context of cooperative hunting and anti-predatory defense tactics, and of alliance formation strategies that have been documented in these species’ natural habitats. Future work should determine if the beluga can also imitate novel motor actions. PMID:28636677

Orientation filtering for crystalline films

DOEpatents

Smith, H.I.; Atwater, H.A.; Thompson, C.V.; Geis, M.W.

1986-12-30

A substrate is coated with a film to be recrystallized. A pattern of crystallization barriers is created in the film, for example, by etching voids in the film. An encapsulation layer is generally applied to protect the film, fill the voids and otherwise enhance a recrystallization process. Recrystallization is carried out such that certain orientations pass preferentially through the barrier, generally as a result of growth-velocity anisotropy. The result is a film of a specific predetermined crystallographic orientation, a range of orientations or a set of discrete orientations. 7 figs.

An Investigation of the Effects of Interactive Whiteboards as Perceived by Ohio High School Foreign Language Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Langan-Perez, Julie

2013-01-01

Grounding education in technology with a global orientation is relevant to educating students in the United States today. A technology-oriented education with a global orientation can prepare students to be in a position to use technology and interact with others on a global scale. One example of a technology tool is Interactive Whiteboards…

Using a health and productivity dashboard: a case example.

PubMed

Riedel, John E

2007-01-01

Health and productivity management is complicated and requires some strategies that help simplify the endeavor for employers. The use of a "dashboard" concept implies that raw information about employee health can be arranged in ways that help decision-makers better understand the scope and magnitude of health issues within their work force. In this edition of the Art we look at a case study of the use of a health and productivity dashboard within an employer organization. As health promotion professionals that work in worksite settings struggle with portraying the economic importance of worker health, a health and productivity dashboard (HPD) may provide a very real strategic advantage.

What are the Dominant Factors of Students’ Productive Skills in Construction Services?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oroh, R. R.; S, Haris A.; Sugandi, R. M.; Isnandar

2018-02-01

The purpose of this study to determine the dominant factors of students’ productive skills in doing the work of concrete structures that fit the needs of construction services. Sample of the respondents is vocational high school students from several districts and cities in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data are obtained through the performance test instruments of student. Whereas, data analysis is performed using factor analysis. The result of this research show the dominant factors of the students’ productive skills in doing the work of concrete structures that is according to the need of construction services, namely: (a) factor the working of concrete casting consists of making scaffolding from good materials and conducting concrete casting according to working method; and (b) factor the working of concrete reinforcing consists of read the working drawings for concrete reinforcement and make the concrete formwork from good material. Some of the respondent’s students in doing some concrete structure work have done well, but not yet according to working drawings, working methods and technical specifications of the work. The learning is done in accordance with the competency-oriented school curriculum but the teaching materials given have not been maximized in accordance with the needs of productive skills required construction services industry. The results have an impact on the low absorption of graduates in the implementation of the construction services industry.

Where do students struggle in the field? Computer-aided evaluation of mapping errors from an undergraduate Field Geology summer course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, K. A.; Petrie, G.

2014-12-01

Extended field-based summer courses provide an invaluable field experience for undergraduate majors in the geosciences. These courses often utilize the construction of geological maps and structural cross sections as the primary pedagogical tool to teach basic map orientation, rock identification and structural interpretation. However, advances in the usability and ubiquity of Geographic Information Systems in these courses presents new opportunities to evaluate student work. In particular, computer-based quantification of systematic mapping errors elucidates the factors influencing student success in the field. We present a case example from a mapping exercise conducted in a summer Field Geology course at a popular field location near Dillon, Montana. We use a computer algorithm to automatically compare the placement and attribution of unit contacts with spatial variables including topographic slope, aspect, bedding attitude, ground cover and distance from starting location. We compliment analyses with anecdotal and survey data that suggest both physical factors (e.g. steep topographic slope) as well as structural nuance (e.g. low angle bedding) may dominate student frustration, particularly in courses with a high student to instructor ratio. We propose mechanisms to improve student experience by allowing students to practice skills with orientation games and broadening student background with tangential lessons (e.g. on colluvial transport processes). As well, we suggest low-cost ways to decrease the student to instructor ratio by supporting returning undergraduates from previous years or staging mapping over smaller areas. Future applications of this analysis might include a rapid and objective system for evaluation of student maps (including point-data, such as attitude measurements) and quantification of temporal trends in student work as class sizes, pedagogical approaches or environmental variables change. Long-term goals include understanding and characterizing stochasticity in geological mapping beyond the undergraduate classroom, and better quantifying uncertainty in published map products.

Medical teachers' attitudes towards science and motivational orientation for medical research.

PubMed

Cvek, Mario; Hren, Darko; Sambunjak, Dario; Planinc, Mislav; Macković, Maja; Marusić, Ana; Marusić, Matko

2009-01-01

Research is an important motivating factor for pursuing a career in academic medicine, but the relation between motivation and other factors involved in scientific research are not clear. To explore the motivational orientation for doing research and its relation with attitudes towards science and publication practice among members of faculty at a medical school. We used a Science Attitude Survey and the Work Preference Inventory (intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientation using 4 Likert-type scales of motivation, possible range 1-5) to survey two groups of teachers at the Zagreb University School of Medicine (n = 327, 66% response rate): professors, elected to tenure-track positions (n = 150), and instructor/research fellows working on or just completing their thesis (n = 177). Overall, teachers scored highest on the Enjoyment subscale of intrinsic motivational orientation (mean score +/- standard deviation 4.3 +/- 0.42 for professors vs 4.1 +/- 0.42 for instructors/research fellows, P = 0.001, t-test). Professors also scored higher than instructors/research fellows on the Challenge subscale of intrinsic motivational orientation (3.8 +/- 0.55 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.64, P < 0.001, t-test), whereas instructors/research fellows scored higher on the Compensation subscale of extrinsic motivational orientation (3.5 +/- 0.74 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.71, P < 0.001, t-test). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the number of publications was positively associated with scores on the Science Attitude Survey and the Challenge subscale of intrinsic motivation, and negatively associated with scores on the Compensation subscale of extrinsic motivation. Members of the medical faculty differ in motivational orientation for research depending on their academic status, and their motivation is associated more with requirements for academic advancement than with research. These findings have important implications for developing strategies for enhancing academic research production.

Bringing the Firms into Globalization Research: The Effects of Foreign Investment and Exports on Wages in Mexican Manufacturing Firms

PubMed Central

Villarreal, Andrés; Sakamoto, Arthur

2011-01-01

Researchers specializing in organizations and labor markets have paid insufficient attention to the effects that foreign ownership of a firm and its orientation towards export production may have on the wages it pays to its workers. Using information from a nationally-representative sample of manufacturing firms in Mexico, a paradigmatic case of a developing country that is highly integrated into world markets, we find that foreign-owned and export-oriented firms pay considerably more than nationally-owned firms engaged in the production of goods for sale in the domestic market. Second, beyond paying higher wages to their workers, foreign-owned firms also raise the wages paid by domestic firms operating in the same regional labor markets. The wage premium in foreign and export-oriented firms cannot be explained by their size, industry, geographical location, productivity, use of advanced technology, or the sociodemographic composition of their workforce. We find evidence that wages in foreign-owned companies in Mexico are dependent on the country of origin of the capital investment. A greater difference between the industry-specific wages paid in the country of ownership and Mexico is associated with a higher wage premium in Mexican affiliates. Future work should strive to link information from foreign-owned affiliates with their parent companies abroad. PMID:21566699

[CMACPAR an modified parallel neuro-controller for control processes].

PubMed

Ramos, E; Surós, R

1999-01-01

CMACPAR is a Parallel Neurocontroller oriented to real time systems as for example Control Processes. Its characteristics are mainly a fast learning algorithm, a reduced number of calculations, great generalization capacity, local learning and intrinsic parallelism. This type of neurocontroller is used in real time applications required by refineries, hydroelectric centers, factories, etc. In this work we present the analysis and the parallel implementation of a modified scheme of the Cerebellar Model CMAC for the n-dimensional space projection using a mean granularity parallel neurocontroller. The proposed memory management allows for a significant memory reduction in training time and required memory size.

Astronomy in the City for Astronomy Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ros, Rosa M.; Garc, Beatriz

2016-10-01

Astronomy is part of our culture. Astronomy cannot be isolated in a classroom, it has to be integrated in the normal life of teachers and students. ``Astronomy in the city'' is an important part of NASE (Network for Astronomy School Education) (Ros & Hemenway 2012). In each NASE course we introduce a ``working group session'' chaired by a local expert in cultural astronomy. The chair introduces several examples of astronomy in their city and after that, the participants have the opportunity to discuss and mention several similar examples. After this session all participants visit one or two sites proposed and introduced by the chair. After more than 5 years using this method we visited and discovered several examples of astronomy in the city: •Astronomy in ancient typical clothes. •Archaeological temples oriented according to the sunrise or set. •Petroglyphs with astronomical meaning. •Astronomy in monuments. •Sundials. •Oriented Colonial churches. •Astronomy in Souvenirs. In any case, teachers and students discover that Astronomy is part of their everyday life. They can take into account the Sun's path when they park their car or when they take a bus ``what is the best part in order to be seat in the shadow during the journey?'' The result is motivation to go with ``open eyes'' when they are in the street and they try to get more and more information about their surroundings. In summary, one of the main activities is to introduce local cultural aspects in NASE astronomy courses. The participants can discover a new approach to local culture from an astronomical point of view.

A Problem-Oriented Record System for Counselors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Law, Joseph; And Others

1981-01-01

Recommends the adoption of Weed's Problem Oriented Records System by practitioners and supervisors. Also discusses the purposes of recordkeeping in counseling and establishes criteria for adopting documentation systems. Case examples illustrate the applicability of Weed's approach in counseling and practicum supervision. (Author)

Code query by example

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaucouleur, Sebastien

2011-02-01

We introduce code query by example for customisation of evolvable software products in general and of enterprise resource planning systems (ERPs) in particular. The concept is based on an initial empirical study on practices around ERP systems. We motivate our design choices based on those empirical results, and we show how the proposed solution helps with respect to the infamous upgrade problem: the conflict between the need for customisation and the need for upgrade of ERP systems. We further show how code query by example can be used as a form of lightweight static analysis, to detect automatically potential defects in large software products. Code query by example as a form of lightweight static analysis is particularly interesting in the context of ERP systems: it is often the case that programmers working in this field are not computer science specialists but more of domain experts. Hence, they require a simple language to express custom rules.

Geometry of warped product pointwise semi-slant submanifolds of cosymplectic manifolds and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Akram; Ozel, Cenap

It is known from [K. Yano and M. Kon, Structures on Manifolds (World Scientific, 1984)] that the integration of the Laplacian of a smooth function defined on a compact orientable Riemannian manifold without boundary vanishes with respect to the volume element. In this paper, we find out the some potential applications of this notion, and study the concept of warped product pointwise semi-slant submanifolds in cosymplectic manifolds as a generalization of contact CR-warped product submanifolds. Then, we prove the existence of warped product pointwise semi-slant submanifolds by their characterizations, and give an example supporting to this idea. Further, we obtain an interesting inequality in terms of the second fundamental form and the scalar curvature using Gauss equation and then, derive some applications of it with considering the equality case. We provide many trivial results for the warped product pointwise semi-slant submanifolds in cosymplectic space forms in various mathematical and physical terms such as Hessian, Hamiltonian and kinetic energy, and generalize the triviality results for contact CR-warped products as well.

Extended orientational correlation study for molecular liquids containing distorted tetrahedral molecules: Application to methylene halides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pothoczki, Szilvia; Temleitner, László; Pusztai, László

2010-04-01

The method of Rey [Rey, J. Chem. Phys. 126, 164506 (2007)] for describing how molecules orient toward each other in systems with perfect tetrahedral molecules is extended to the case of distorted tetrahedral molecules of c2v symmetry by means of introducing 28 subgroups. Additionally, the original analysis developed for perfect tetrahedral molecules, based on six groups, is adapted for molecules with imperfect tetrahedral shape. Deriving orientational correlation functions have been complemented with detailed analyses of dipole-dipole correlations. This way, (up to now) the most complete structure determination can be carried out for such molecular systems. In the present work, these calculations have been applied for particle configurations resulting from reverse Monte Carlo computer modeling. These particle arrangements are fully consistent with structure factors from neutron and x-ray diffraction measurements. Here we present a complex structural study for methylene halide (chloride, bromide, and iodide) molecular liquids, as possibly the best representative examples. It has been found that the most frequent orientations of molecules are of the 2:2 type over the entire distance range in these liquids. Focusing on the short range orientation, neighboring molecules turn toward each other with there "H,Y"-"H,Y" (Y: Cl, Br, I) edges, apart from CH2Cl2 where the H,H-H,Cl arrangement is the most frequent. In general, the structure of methylene chloride appears to be different from the structure of the other two liquids.

A forestry application simulation of man-machine techniques for analyzing remotely sensed data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berkebile, J.; Russell, J.; Lube, B.

1976-01-01

The typical steps in the analysis of remotely sensed data for a forestry applications example are simulated. The example uses numerically-oriented pattern recognition techniques and emphasizes man-machine interaction.

Constraints Militating against the Implementation of Production/Service Work in Technical Colleges in North Central Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agu, Peter A.

2016-01-01

Skill acquisition is a critical component of any vocational technical training program. When this component is missing or falls below expectation, it tends to defeat the objectives of the program. In Nigeria, many skill-oriented schools experience great challenges in trying to provide for the necessary facilities required for effective technical…

Marvelous Signals: The Usefulness of the In-Class Essay.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crafton, John Micheal

Based on his experience of being trained in a process-centered pedagogy and of working in a product-centered program, a writing instructor discovers that the in-class essay is not only a useful or workable part of a regressive curriculum, but that it is effective and necessary for any progressive process orientation as well. Pragmatic, ethical,…

A Tutorial in Creating Web-Enabled Databases with Inmagic DB/TextWorks through ODBC.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breeding, Marshall

2000-01-01

Explains how to create Web-enabled databases. Highlights include Inmagic's DB/Text WebPublisher product called DB/TextWorks; ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) drivers; Perl programming language; HTML coding; Structured Query Language (SQL); Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programming; and examples of HTML pages and Perl scripts. (LRW)

[Work quota setting and man-hour productivity estimation in pathologists].

PubMed

Svistunov, V V; Makarov, S V; Makarova, A E

The paper considers the development and current state of the regulation of work quota setting and remuneration in pathologists. Reasoning from the current staff standards for morbid anatomy departments (units), the authors present a method to calculate the load of pathologists. The essence of the proposed method is demonstrated using a specific example.

What it means to work here.

PubMed

Erickson, Tamara J; Gratton, Lynda

2007-03-01

What distinguishes a company that has deeply engaged and committed employees from another one that doesn't? It's not a certain compensation scheme or talent-management practice. Instead, it's the ability to express to current and potential employees what makes the organization unique. Companies with highly engaged employees articulate their values and attributes through "signature experiences"--visible, distinctive elements of the work environment that send powerful messages about the organization's aspirations and about the skills, stamina, and commitment employees will need in order to succeed there. Whole Foods Market, for example, uses a team-based hiring and orientation process to convey to new employees the company's emphasis on collaboration and decentralization. At JetBlue, the reservation system is run by agents from their homes, a signature experience that boosts employees' satisfaction and productivity. Companies that successfully create and communicate signature experiences understand that not all workers want the same things. Indeed, employee preferences are an important but often overlooked factor in the war for talent. Firms that have engendered productive and engaged workforces address those preferences by following some general principles: They target potential employees as methodically as they target potential customers; they shape their signature experiences to address business needs; they identify and preserve their histories; they share stories--not just slogans--about life in the firm; they create processes consistent with their signature experiences; and they understand that they shouldn't try to be all things to all people. The best strategy for coming out ahead in the war for talent is not to scoop up everyone in sight but to attract the right people--those who are intrigued and excited by the environment the company offers and who will reward it with their loyalty.

Towards deep inclusion for equity-oriented health research priority-setting: A working model.

PubMed

Pratt, Bridget; Merritt, Maria; Hyder, Adnan A

2016-02-01

Growing consensus that health research funders should align their investments with national research priorities presupposes that such national priorities exist and are just. Arguably, justice requires national health research priority-setting to promote health equity. Such a position is consistent with recommendations made by the World Health Organization and at global ministerial summits that health research should serve to reduce health inequalities between and within countries. Thus far, no specific requirements for equity-oriented research priority-setting have been described to guide policymakers. As a step towards the explication and defence of such requirements, we propose that deep inclusion is a key procedural component of equity-oriented research priority-setting. We offer a model of deep inclusion that was developed by applying concepts from work on deliberative democracy and development ethics. This model consists of three dimensions--breadth, qualitative equality, and high-quality non-elite participation. Deep inclusion is captured not only by who is invited to join a decision-making process but also by how they are involved and by when non-elite stakeholders are involved. To clarify and illustrate the proposed dimensions, we use the sustained example of health systems research. We conclude by reviewing practical challenges to achieving deep inclusion. Despite the existence of barriers to implementation, our model can help policymakers and other stakeholders design more inclusive national health research priority-setting processes and assess these processes' depth of inclusion. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Action versus Result-Oriented Schemes in a Grassland Agroecosystem: A Dynamic Modelling Approach

PubMed Central

Sabatier, Rodolphe; Doyen, Luc; Tichit, Muriel

2012-01-01

Effects of agri-environment schemes (AES) on biodiversity remain controversial. While most AES are action-oriented, result-oriented and habitat-oriented schemes have recently been proposed as a solution to improve AES efficiency. The objective of this study was to compare action-oriented, habitat-oriented and result-oriented schemes in terms of ecological and productive performance as well as in terms of management flexibility. We developed a dynamic modelling approach based on the viable control framework to carry out a long term assessment of the three schemes in a grassland agroecosystem. The model explicitly links grazed grassland dynamics to bird population dynamics. It is applied to lapwing conservation in wet grasslands in France. We ran the model to assess the three AES scenarios. The model revealed the grazing strategies respecting ecological and productive constraints specific to each scheme. Grazing strategies were assessed by both their ecological and productive performance. The viable control approach made it possible to obtain the whole set of viable grazing strategies and therefore to quantify the management flexibility of the grassland agroecosystem. Our results showed that habitat and result-oriented scenarios led to much higher ecological performance than the action-oriented one. Differences in both ecological and productive performance between the habitat and result-oriented scenarios were limited. Flexibility of the grassland agroecosystem in the result-oriented scenario was much higher than in that of habitat-oriented scenario. Our model confirms the higher flexibility as well as the better ecological and productive performance of result-oriented schemes. A larger use of result-oriented schemes in conservation may also allow farmers to adapt their management to local conditions and to climatic variations. PMID:22496746

Propensity for intimate partner abuse and workplace productivity: why employers should care.

PubMed

Rothman, Emily F; Corso, Phaedra S

2008-09-01

It has been demonstrated that intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is costly to employers, but little is known about the economic consequences associated with employing perpetrators. This study investigated propensity for partner abuse as a predictor of missed work time and on-the-job decreases in productivity among a small sample of male employees at a state agency (N=61). Results suggest that greater propensity for abusiveness is positively associated with missing work and experiencing worse productivity on the job, controlling for level of education, income, marital status, age, and part-time versus full-time employment status. Additional research could clarify whether IPV perpetration is a predictor of decreased productivity among larger samples and a wider variety of workplace settings. Employers and IPV advocates should consider responding to potential IPV perpetrators through the workplace in addition to developing victim-oriented policies and prevention initiatives.

Science Software in High-Button Shoes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dyrli, Odvard Egil

1984-01-01

Discusses inquiry-oriented science instruction and experientially based programs that support newer instructional strategies. Also provides examples of six process-oriented programs (Cat Lab, Geology Search, Rocky's Boots, Tell Star, Volcanoes, What's in Your Lunch?). Level, hardware needed, publisher, and description are provided for each…

Enrichment of light hydrocarbon mixture

DOEpatents

Yang, Dali [Los Alamos, NM; Devlin, David [Santa Fe, NM; Barbero, Robert S [Santa Cruz, NM; Carrera, Martin E [Naperville, IL; Colling, Craig W [Warrenville, IL

2011-11-29

Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.

Enrichment of light hydrocarbon mixture

DOEpatents

Yang,; Dali, [Los Alamos, NM; Devlin, David [Santa Fe, NM; Barbero, Robert S [Santa Cruz, NM; Carrera, Martin E [Naperville, IL; Colling, Craig W [Warrenville, IL

2010-08-10

Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.

On Some Methods in Safety Evaluation in Geotechnics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puła, Wojciech; Zaskórski, Łukasz

2015-06-01

The paper demonstrates how the reliability methods can be utilised in order to evaluate safety in geotechnics. Special attention is paid to the so-called reliability based design that can play a useful and complementary role to Eurocode 7. In the first part, a brief review of first- and second-order reliability methods is given. Next, two examples of reliability-based design are demonstrated. The first one is focussed on bearing capacity calculation and is dedicated to comparison with EC7 requirements. The second one analyses a rigid pile subjected to lateral load and is oriented towards working stress design method. In the second part, applications of random field to safety evaluations in geotechnics are addressed. After a short review of the theory a Random Finite Element algorithm to reliability based design of shallow strip foundation is given. Finally, two illustrative examples for cohesive and cohesionless soils are demonstrated.

The effect of orientation difference in fused deposition modeling of ABS polymer on the processing time, dimension accuracy, and strength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanoto, Yopi Y.; Anggono, Juliana; Siahaan, Ian H.; Budiman, Wesley

2017-01-01

There are several parameters that must be set before manufacturing a product using 3D printing. These parameters include the orientation deposition of that product, type of material, form fill, fill density, and other parameters. The finished product of 3D printing has some responses that can be observed, measured, and tested. Some of those responses are the processing time, the dimensions of the end product, its surface roughness and the mechanical properties, i.e. its yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and impact resistance. This research was conducted to study the relationship between process parameters of 3D printing machine using a technology of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and the generated responses. The material used was ABS plastic that was commonly used in the industry. Understanding the relationship between the parameters and the responses thus the resulting product can be manufactured to meet the user needs. Three different orientations in depositing the ABS polymer named XY(first orientation), YX (second orientation), and ZX (third orientation) were studied. Processing time, dimensional accuracy, and the product strength were the responses that were measured and tested. The study reports that the printing process with third orientation was the fastest printing process with the processing time 2432 seconds followed by orientation 1 and 2 with a processing time of 2688 and 2780 seconds respectively. Dimension accuracy was also measured from the width and the length of gauge area of tensile test specimens printed in comparison with the dimensions required by ASTM 638-02. It was found that the smallest difference was in thickness dimension, i.e. 0.1 mm thicker in printed sample using second orientation than as required by the standard. The smallest thickness deviation from the standard was measured in width dimension of a sample printed using first orientation (0.13 mm). As with the length dimension, the closest dimension to the standard was resulted from the third orientation product, i.e 0.2 mm. Tensile test done on all the specimens produced with those three orientations shows that the highest tensile strength was obtained in sample from second orientation deposition, i.e. 7.66 MPa followed by the first and third orientations products, i.e. 6.8 MPa and 3.31 MPa, respectively.

Risk-taking orientation and injury among youth workers: examining the social influence of supervisors, coworkers, and parents.

PubMed

Westaby, James D; Lowe, J Krister

2005-09-01

Despite youths' susceptibility to social influence, little research has examined the extent to which social factors impact youths' risk-taking orientation and injury at work. Drawing on social influence and behavioral intention theories, this study hypothesized that perceived supervisory influence, coworker risk taking, and parental risk taking serve as key exogenous variables of risk-taking orientation at work. Risk-taking orientation was further hypothesized to serve as a direct predictor and full mediator of work injury. The effect of parental risk taking was also hypothesized to be mediated through global risk taking, which in turn was posited to predict risk-taking orientation at work. Longitudinal results from 2,542 adolescents working across a wide spectrum of jobs supported hypothesized linkages, although there was some evidence of partially mediated mechanisms. Coworker risk taking was a relatively strong predictor of youths' risk-taking orientation at work. Copyright 2005 APA, all rights reserved.

Embracing "Soft Skill" Diversity in the Workplace (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, T.

2010-12-01

Embracing "Soft Skill" Diversity in the Workplace Terri Thomas, Sr. Director Global Customer Support ShoreTel INRODUCTION Truly successful diversity programs go beyond gender, age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and spiritual practice. They include diversity of thought, style, leadership and communication styles, the so called “soft skills”. The increasing need for global workforces is stronger than ever and high performance teams have fully embraced, successfully harnessed and put into practice robust diversity programs than include a “soft skill” focus. Managing diversity presents significant organizational challenges, and is not an easy task, particularly in organizations that are heavily weighted with highly technical professionals such as engineers, accountants etc.. The focus of this presentation is on leveraging the “Soft Skills” diversity in technical work environments to create high performance and highly productive teams. WHY DIVERSITY and WHY NOW? Due to increasing changes in the U.S. population, in order to stay competitive, companies need to focus on diversity and look for ways to become inclusive organizations because diversity has the potential of yielding greater productivity and competitive advantages . Managing and valuing diversity is a key component of effective people management, which can improve workplace productivity (Black Enterprise, 2001). Changing demographics, from organizational restructuring, women in the workplace, equal opportunity legislation and other legal issues, are forcing organizations to become more aggressive in implementing robust diversity practices. However, YOU do not need to wait for your organization to introduce a formal “Diversity” program. There are steps you can take to introduce diversity into your own workgroups. There is no “one single answer” to solve this issue, however this discussion will provide thought provoking ideas, examples of success and failure and a starting point for you to implement “soft skill” diversity practices in your work environment. Most workplaces are made up of many aspects of diversity already so why not embrace it and use it to your competitive advantage.

Object-Oriented/Data-Oriented Design of a Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liechty, Derek S.

2014-01-01

Over the past decade, there has been much progress towards improved phenomenological modeling and algorithmic updates for the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, which provides a probabilistic physical simulation of gas Rows. These improvements have largely been based on the work of the originator of the DSMC method, Graeme Bird. Of primary importance are improved chemistry, internal energy, and physics modeling and a reduction in time to solution. These allow for an expanded range of possible solutions In altitude and velocity space. NASA's current production code, the DSMC Analysis Code (DAC), is well-established and based on Bird's 1994 algorithms written in Fortran 77 and has proven difficult to upgrade. A new DSMC code is being developed in the C++ programming language using object-oriented and data-oriented design paradigms to facilitate the inclusion of the recent improvements and future development activities. The development efforts on the new code, the Multiphysics Algorithm with Particles (MAP), are described, and performance comparisons are made with DAC.

A consideration of the nature of work and the consequences for the human-oriented design of production and products.

PubMed

Bubb, Heiner

2006-07-01

In this article, it is shown that human work can be understood as a process of creating order, and that order can be seen as a form of information. Since information can be considered as negative entropy, work is associated with energy consumption. Therefore, it is important to investigate the nature of human necessities in more detail in order to meet the desire for comfort through the efficient application of energy. Temporary increases of information cause accelerated increases in entropy. This explains the appearance of living organisms, and the historic development of increasingly complex technology. Through technical progress, repetitive human work is being replaced by automation, so that primarily creative work remains. Now the question arises of how much creative work a human can manage. In addition, one goal of automation should be the reduction of human errors, but in doing so, an optimal balance should be found between supporting the operator both during normal procedures and during unforeseen circumstances.

Rheticus: a cloud-based Geo-Information Service for the Detection and Monitoring of Geohazards and Infrastructural Instabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiaradia, M. T.; Samarelli, S.; Massimi, V.; Nutricato, R.; Nitti, D. O.; Morea, A.; Tijani, K.

2017-12-01

Geospatial information is today essential for organizations and professionals working in several industries. More and more, huge information is collected from multiple data sources and is freely available to anyone as open data. Rheticus® is an innovative cloud-based data and services hub able to deliver Earth Observation added-value products through automatic complex processes and, if appropriate, a minimum interaction with human operators. This target is achieved by means of programmable components working as different software layers in a modern enterprise system which relies on SOA (Service-Oriented-Architecture) model. Due to its spread architecture, where every functionality is defined and encapsulated in a standalone component, Rheticus is potentially highly scalable and distributable allowing different configurations depending on the user needs. This approach makes the system very flexible with respect to the services implementation, ensuring the ability to rethink and redesign the whole process with little effort. In this work, we outline the overall cloud-based platform and focus on the "Rheticus Displacement" service, aimed at providing accurate information to monitor movements occurring across landslide features or structural instabilities that could affect buildings or infrastructures. Using Sentinel-1 (S1) open data images and Multi-Temporal SAR Interferometry techniques (MTInSAR), the service is complementary to traditional survey methods, providing a long-term solution to slope instability monitoring. Rheticus automatically browses and accesses (on a weekly basis) the products of the rolling archive of ESA S1 Scientific Data Hub. S1 data are then processed by SPINUA (Stable Point Interferometry even in Unurbanized Areas), a robust MTInSAR algorithm, which is responsible of producing displacement maps immediately usable to measure movements of point and distributed scatterers, with sub-centimetric precision. We outline the automatic generation process of displacement maps and we provide examples of the detection and monitoring of geohazard and infrastructure instabilities. ACK: Rheticus® is a registered trademark of Planetek Italia srl. Study carried out in the framework of the FAST4MAP project (ASI Contract n. 2015-020-R.0). Sentinel-1A products provided by ESA.

Potential for using indigenous pigs in subsistence-oriented and market-oriented small-scale farming systems of Southern Africa.

PubMed

Madzimure, James; Chimonyo, Michael; Zander, Kerstin K; Dzama, Kennedy

2013-01-01

Indigenous pigs in South Africa are a source of food and economic autonomy for people in rural small-scale farming systems. The objective of the study was to assess the potential of indigenous pigs for improving communal farmer's livelihoods and to inform policy-makers about the conservation of indigenous pigs. Data were collected from 186 small-scale subsistence-oriented households and 102 small-scale market-oriented households using interviews and direct observations. Ninety-three percent of subsistence-oriented and 82 % of market-oriented households kept indigenous pigs such as Windsnyer, Kolbroek and non-descript crosses with exotic pigs mainly for selling, consumption and investment. Farmers in both production systems named diseases and parasites, followed by feed shortages, inbreeding and abortions as major constraints for pig production. Diseases and parasites were more likely to be a constraint to pig production in subsistence-oriented systems, for households where the head was not staying at home and for older farmers. Market-oriented farmers ranked productive traits such as fast growth rate, good meat quality and decent litter size as most important selection criteria for pig breeding stock, while subsistence-oriented farmers ranked good meat quality first, followed by decent growth rate and by low feed costs. We conclude that there is high potential for using indigenous pigs in subsistence-oriented production systems and for crossbreeding of indigenous pigs with imported breeds in market-oriented systems.

Metachronal wave of artificial cilia array actuated by applied magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsumori, Fujio; Marume, Ryuma; Saijou, Akinori; Kudo, Kentaro; Osada, Toshiko; Miura, Hideshi

2016-06-01

In this paper, a biomimetic microstructure related to cilia, which are effective fluidic and conveying systems in nature, is described. Authors have already reported that a magnetic elastomer pillar actuated by a rotating magnetic field can work like a natural cilium. In the present work, we show examples of a cilia array with a metachronal wave as the next step. A metachronal wave is a sequential action of a number of cilia. It is theoretically known that a metachronal wave gives a higher fluidic efficiency; however, there has been no report on a metachronal wave by artificial cilia. We prepared magnetic elastomer pillars that contain chainlike clusters of magnetic particles. The orientation of chains was set to be different in each pillar so that each pillar will deform with a different phase.

High-temperature tensile cell for in situ real-time investigation of carbon fibre carbonization and graphitization processes

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

Behr, Michael; Rix, James; Landes, Brian

2016-10-17

A new high-temperature fibre tensile cell is described, developed for use at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to enable the investigation of the carbonization and graphitization processes during carbon fibre production. This cell is used to heat precursor fibre bundles to temperatures up to ~2300°C in a controlled inert atmosphere, while applying tensile stress to facilitate formation of highly oriented graphitic microstructure; evolution of the microstructure as a function of temperature and time during the carbonization and higher-temperature graphitization processes can then be monitored by collecting real-time wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns. As an example, the carbonizationmore » and graphitization behaviour of an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibre was studied up to a temperature of ~1750°C. Real-time WAXD revealed the gradual increase in microstructure alignment with the fibre axis with increasing temperature over the temperature range 600–1100°C. Above 1100°C, no further changes in orientation were observed. The overall magnitude of change increased with increasing applied tensile stress during carbonization. As a second example, the high-temperature graphitizability of PAN- and pitch-derived commercial carbon fibres was studied. Here, the magnitude of graphitic microstructure evolution of the pitch-derived fibre far exceeded that of the PAN-derived fibres at temperatures up to ~2300°C, indicating its facile graphitizability.« less

The Functional Breakdown Structure (FBS) and Its Relationship to Life Cycle Cost

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeHoff, Bryan; Levack, Danie J. H.; Rhodes, Russell E.

2009-01-01

The Functional Breakdown Structure (FBS) is a structured, modular breakdown of every function that must be addressed to perform a generic mission. It is also usable for any subset of the mission. Unlike a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), the FBS is a function-oriented tree, not a product-oriented tree. The FBS details not products, but operations or activities that should be performed. The FBS is not tied to any particular architectural implementation because it is a listing of the needed functions, not the elements, of the architecture. The FBS for Space Transportation Systems provides a universal hierarchy of required functions, which include ground and space operations as well as infrastructure - it provides total visibility of the entire mission. By approaching the systems engineering problem from the functional view, instead of the element or hardware view, the SPST has created an exhaustive list of potential requirements which the architecture designers can use to evaluate the completeness of their designs. This is a new approach that will provide full accountability of all functions required to perform the planned mission. It serves as a giant check list to be sure that no functions are omitted, especially in the early architectural design phase. A significant characteristic of a FBS is that if architecture options are compared using this approach, then any missing or redundant elements of each option will be ' identified. Consequently, valid Life Cycle Costs (LCC) comparisons can be made. For example, one architecture option might not need a particular function while another option does. One option may have individual elements to perform each of three functions while another option needs only one element to perform the three functions. Once an architecture has been selected, the FBS will serve as a guide in development of the work breakdown structure, provide visibility of those technologies that need to be further developed to perform required functions, and help identify the personnel skills required to develop and operate the architecture. It also wifi allow the systems engineering activities to totally integrate each discipline to the maximum extent possible and optimize at the total system level, thus avoiding optimizing at the element level (stove-piping). In addition, it furnishes a framework that wifi help prevent over or under specifying requirements because all functions are identified and all elements are aligned to functions.

The interplay between customer participation and difficulty of design examples in the online designing process and its effect on customer satisfaction: mediational analyses.

PubMed

Chang, Chia-Chi; Chen, Hui-Yun; Huang, I-Chiang

2009-04-01

In the current consumer-centric economy, consumers increasingly desire the opportunity to design their own products in order to express more effectively their self-image. Mass customization, based on efficient and flexible modulization designs, has provided individualized products to satisfy this desire. This work presents an experiment employed to demonstrate that customer participation leads to higher satisfaction. Specifically, the increment in customer satisfaction due to participation is greater when an easy example is provided than when either no example or a difficult one is provided. Additionally, self-congruity plays a mediating role on the customer participation-satisfaction relationship, and this mediating effect varies across different levels of the design example provided in the design process. When an easy design example is present, customer participation has a direct effect on satisfaction, in addition to the indirect effect of self-congruity. When a difficult example is provided, customer participation does not have incremental effects on either self-congruity or customer satisfaction. Finally, when no design example is shown to customers, contrary to our expectation, participation still enhances customer satisfaction due to an increased sense of self-congruity.

The Validation by Measurement Theory of Proposed Object-Oriented Software Metrics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neal, Ralph D.

1996-01-01

Moving software development into the engineering arena requires controllability, and to control a process, it must be measurable. Measuring the process does no good if the product is not also measured, i.e., being the best at producing an inferior product does not define a quality process. Also, not every number extracted from software development is a valid measurement. A valid measurement only results when we are able to verify that the number is representative of the attribute that we wish to measure. Many proposed software metrics are used by practitioners without these metrics ever having been validated, leading to costly but often useless calculations. Several researchers have bemoaned the lack of scientific precision in much of the published software measurement work and have called for validation of software metrics by measurement theory. This dissertation applies measurement theory to validate fifty proposed object-oriented software metrics.

User-oriented evaluation of mechanical single-channel axial pipettes.

PubMed

Sormunen, Erja; Nevala, Nina

2013-09-01

Hand tools should be designed so that they are comfortable to use, fit the hand and are user-oriented. Six different manual, single-channel axial pipettes were evaluated for such objective outcomes as muscular activity, wrist postures and efficiency, as well as for subjective outcomes concerning self-assessed features of pipette usability and musculoskeletal strain. Ten experienced laboratory employees volunteered for the study. The results showed that light and short pipettes with better tool comfort resulted in reduced muscular activity and perceived musculoskeletal strain when they were compared with a long and heavy pipette. There were no differences in the efficiency between the different pipettes. Combining both the objective and subjective measures enabled a broader evaluation of product usability. The results of this study can be used both in product development and as information on which to base the purchase of new pipettes for laboratory work. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Polarimetric Enhancements to Electro-Optical Aided Navigation Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

encouraging me in every step of the way. I give a sincere thanks to the folks in AFRL/RYJT that started me working with polaremetry. Especially Bab Mack ...57 3.14 Polarization Products Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 ix Figure Page 3.15 Hue, Intensity, Saturation Pseudo- color ...Figure 3.6: Example output image from the DIRSIG software. This image shows the intensity of three glossy black objects being illuminated by the sun

Measurement of the alignment of the surfaces and the edges of aspheric lenses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beutler, Andreas

2016-09-01

A single aspheric or freeform lens contains the elements front and backside surface, edges and maybe other reference surfaces or structures. In this paper is demonstrated how a high precision form tester is capable of measuring these elements utilizing an optical and a tactile probe system. The measurements can be used to determine the orientation or alignment of the different surfaces and structures. Different measuring examples are presented and the influence of the measuring uncertainty from the instrument and the measuring strategy are shown. This information may be useful for tolerancing of lenses and an optimization of the production process.

Finding time over time: Longitudinal links between employed mothers' work-family conflict and time profiles.

PubMed

Lee, Soomi; McHale, Susan M; Crouter, Ann C; Hammer, Leslie B; Almeida, David M

2017-08-01

Drawing upon the Work-Home Resources model (ten Brummelhuis & Bakker, 2012), this study examined the links between work-family conflict and employed mothers' profiles of time resources for work and parenting roles. Using a person-centered latent profile approach, we identified 3 profiles of time use and perceived time adequacy in a sample of mothers employed in the extended-care industry (N = 440): a Work-Oriented profile, characterized by spending relatively more time at work, perceiving lower time adequacy for work, spending less time with children, and perceiving lower time adequacy for children; a Parenting-Oriented profile, characterized by the opposite pattern; and a Role-Balanced profile, characterized by average levels across the 4 dimensions. Mothers in the Work-Oriented profile reported greater work-to-family conflict and family to-work conflict than those in the Role-Balanced and Parenting-Oriented profiles. Greater work-to-family conflict was linked to membership in the Work-Oriented profile, net of personal, family, and work characteristics. Longitudinal latent profile transition analysis showed that increases in work-to-family conflict across 12 months were linked to greater odds of moving toward the Work-Oriented profile (relative to staying in the same profile), whereas decreases in work-to-family conflict were linked to greater odds of moving toward the Parenting-Oriented profile. Results illuminate the heterogeneity in how employed mothers perceive and allocate time in work and parenting roles and suggest that decreasing work-to-family conflict may preserve time resources for parenting. Intervention efforts should address ways of increasing employees' family time resources and decreasing work-family conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

A review of over-the-counter drug therapy.

PubMed

Esmay, J B; Wertheimer, A I

1979-01-01

The authors review the extent of the use of nonprescription drugs as well as possible variables influencing such consumption. Various studies indicate that age, sex, personality characteristics, perceptions of health status, socioeconomic factors, parental example, and pharmacists all play parts in determining over-the-counter (OTC) drug utilization. Several sources express concern about the inaccessibility of accurate OTC drug information to the consumer. Indeed, even the FDA has occasional difficulty obtaining reliable facts on both the numbers and formulae of such products. Several studies indicate that consumers acquire information about their home remedies through advertising, friends and relatives, physicians, pharmacists, and product labels. By far the most influential of these is advertising, and much concern has been voiced over consumers' unquestioning faith in drug ads. Examples are cited of deceptive, inaccurate, and unfair advertising practices used by some OTC drug manufacturers. The pros and cons of the "drug-oriented society" theory are discussed, including an analysis of its underlying origins. Testing of the safety and efficacy of nonrescription remedies has proved to be controversial, especially when considering the ramifications of the placebo effect. Different surveys report widespread misuse of OTC's by consumers through overuse, taking several drugs concurrently, and using home remedies to treat potentially serious diseases.

39 CFR 3004.50 - Fees-definitions as used in this part.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... particular product or industry. Representative of the news media means any person or entity that gathers... materials into a distinct work, and distributes that work to an audience. The term “news” means information that is about current events or that would be of current interest to the public. Examples of news media...

Better understanding work unit goal orientation: Its emergence and impact under different types of work unit structure.

PubMed

Dragoni, Lisa; Kuenzi, Maribeth

2012-09-01

With a multisource sample comprising 1,150 employees and 230 supervisors, we investigate the effect of leader goal orientation on leader's perceptions of unit performance. We propose that a leader's goal orientation indirectly impacts performance perceptions via the shared achievement goal adopted within the unit (i.e., unit goal orientation). Further, we hypothesize that the presence and impact of unit goal orientation depend on the work unit structure. We find general support for this moderated mediation model, with the strongest evidence being associated with the learning and prove dimensions of goal orientation.

Comprehensive Testing of ASL-Owned Accelerometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, J. R.; Hutt, C. R.; Ringler, A. T.; de la Torre, T.

2011-12-01

The Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory (ASL) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has undertaken detailed testing of several commercial, off-the-shelf accelerometers to characterize production-standard examples of each instrument. The models tested are the Geotech PA-23, Guralp CMG-5TC, Kinemetrics ES-T (Episensor), Nanometrics Titan (sensor only), and RefTek RT-147-01/3. All are ±4 g accelerometers excepting the CMG-5TC at ±2 g (self noise could be depressed relative to 4-g variant). For dynamic tests, all were recorded on Quanterra Q330 (24-bit) or Q330HR (26-bit) recorders; for static tests high-precision multimeters were used (generally Agilent 3458A 81/2-digit or 34401A 61/2-digit). We also used a translational shake table (Anorad LW10-18-P-E-A-A-B-0) to input controlled test motions. We performed the tests described by Hutt et al. (2010; U.S. Geol. Surv. Open File Rep., 2009-1295, http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1295/) for these strong-motion sensors (Section 7, Recommended Testing for Strong Motion Acceleration Sensors). These recommended tests result from a public/private effort called "GST2" (the second Guidelines for Seismometer Testing workshop) and represent a consensus of experts in government, academia, and industry (a secondary goal of this work is vetting the tests in this consensus document). The recommended accelerometer tests are: 7.1 Power Demand (Start-up and Steady-State) 7.2 Static Sensitivity, Offset, and Linearity 7.3 Frequency Response and Bandwidth 7.4 Clip Level 7.5 Self Noise and Operating Range 7.6 Distortion 7.7 Orientation (Case to Actual) and Orthogonally 7.8 Translational Cross-Axis Sensitivity 7.9 Temperature Effects (Sensitivity and Offset) 7.10 Power Supply Voltage and Voltage-Noise Effects (Offset and Sensitivity) 7.11 Double Integration (Band-Limited Displacement Square Wave) To the degree the tests and analyses have progressed at this writing, the results are generally good but have revealed a number of issues needing attention. A complete set of test results will be provided at the conference. For example, median self noise of all units is within ANSS guidelines but some are as quiet as ~12 dB below the guidelines, while sensitivities of all but one (malfunctioning) channel are within the 1% guideline, and the orientations of axes relative to instrument cases are nearly all within the 1° guideline. (Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.)

Working memory capacity and mind-wandering during low-demand cognitive tasks.

PubMed

Robison, Matthew K; Unsworth, Nash

2017-07-01

Individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) typically predict reduced rates of mind-wandering during laboratory tasks (Randall, Oswald, & Beier, 2014). However, some studies have shown a positive relationship between WMC and mind-wandering during particularly low-demand tasks (Levinson, Smallwood, & Davidson, 2012; Rummel & Boywitt, 2014; Zavagnin, Borella, & De Beni, 2014). More specifically, Baird, Smallwood, and Schooler (2011) found that when individuals with greater WMC do mind-wander, they tend entertain more future-oriented thoughts. This piece of evidence is frequently used to support the context-regulation hypothesis, which states that using spare capacity to think productively (e.g. plan) during relatively simple tasks is indicative of a cognitive system that is functioning in an adaptive manner (Smallwood & Andrews-Hanna, 2013). The present investigation failed to replicate the finding that WMC is positively related to future-oriented off-task thought, which has implications for several theoretical viewpoints. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Embedding CLIPS in a database-oriented diagnostic system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conway, Tim

1990-01-01

This paper describes the integration of C Language Production Systems (CLIPS) into a powerful portable maintenance aid (PMA) system used for flightline diagnostics. The current diagnostic target of the system is the Garrett GTCP85-180L, a gas turbine engine used as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) on some C-130 military transport aircraft. This project is a database oriented approach to a generic diagnostic system. CLIPS is used for 'many-to-many' pattern matching within the diagnostics process. Patterns are stored in database format, and CLIPS code is generated by a 'compilation' process on the database. Multiple CLIPS rule sets and working memories (in sequence) are supported and communication between the rule sets is achieved via the export and import commands. Work is continuing on using CLIPS in other portions of the diagnostic system and in re-implementing the diagnostic system in the Ada language.

The mediating effects of self-leadership on perceived entrepreneurial orientation and innovative work behavior in the banking sector.

PubMed

Kör, Burcu

2016-01-01

Innovative work behavior has been one of the essential attribute of high performing firms, and the roles of entrepreneurial orientation and self-leadership have been important for promoting innovative work behavior. This study advances research on innovative work behavior by examining the mediating role of self-leadership in the relationship between perceived entrepreneurial orientation and innovative work behavior. Structural equation modelling is employed to analyze data from a survey of 404 employees in banking sector. The results of reliability measures and confirmatory factor analysis strongly support the scale of the study. The results from an empirical survey study in the deposit banks reveal that participants' perceptions about high levels of entrepreneurial orientation have a positive impact on innovative work behavior. The results also provide support for the full mediating role of self-leadership in the relationship between participants' perceptions of entrepreneurial orientation and innovative work behavior. Additionally, this study provides some implications for practitioners in the banking sector to facilitate innovative work behavior through entrepreneurial orientation and self- leadership.

Leap Second Announcement - Naval Oceanography Portal

Science.gov Websites

section Advanced Search... Sections Home Time Earth Orientation Astronomy Meteorology Oceanography Ice You are here: Home › USNO › Earth Orientation › Leap Second Announcement USNO Logo USNO Navigation Earth Orientation Products GPS-based Products VLBI-based Products EO Information Center Publications

Safety of stationary grinding machines - impact resistance of work zone enclosures.

PubMed

Mewes, Detlef; Adler, Christian

2017-09-01

Guards on machine tools are intended to protect persons from being injured by parts ejected with high kinetic energy from the work zone of the machine. Stationary grinding machines are a typical example. Generally such machines are provided with abrasive product guards closely enveloping the grinding wheel. However, many machining tasks do not allow the use of abrasive product guards. In such cases, the work zone enclosure has to be dimensioned so that, in case of failure, grinding wheel fragments remain inside the machine's working zone. To obtain data for the dimensioning of work zone enclosures on stationary grinding machines, which must be operated without an abrasive product guard, burst tests were conducted with vitrified grinding wheels. The studies show that, contrary to widely held opinion, narrower grinding wheels can be more critical concerning the impact resistance than wider wheels although their fragment energy is smaller.

Dehydration breakdown of antigorite and the formation of B-type olivine CPO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagaya, Takayoshi; Wallis, Simon R.; Kobayashi, Hiroaki; Michibayashi, Katsuyoshi; Mizukami, Tomoyuki; Seto, Yusuke; Miyake, Akira; Matsumoto, Megumi

2014-02-01

Peridotite formed by contact metamorphism and dehydration breakdown of an antigorite schist from the Happo area, central Japan shows a strong olivine crystallographic preferred orientation (Ol CPO). The lack of mesoscale deformation structures associated with the intrusion and the lack of microstructural evidence for plastic deformation of neoblastic grains suggest that olivine CPO in this area did not form as a result of solid-state deformation. Instead, the good correspondence between the original antigorite orientation and the orientation of the newly formed olivine implies the CPO formed by topotactic growth of the olivine after antigorite. Ol CPO is likely to develop by a similar process in subduction zone environments where foliated serpentinite is dragged down to depths where antigorite is no longer stable. The Happo Ol CPO has a strong a-axis concentration perpendicular to the lineation and within the foliation-commonly referred to as B-type Ol CPO. Seismic fast directions parallel to the ocean trench are observed in many convergent margins and are consistent with the presence of B-type Ol CPO in the mantle wedge of these regions. Experimental work has shown that B-type CPO can form by dislocation creep under hydrous conditions at relatively high stresses. There are, however, several discrepancies between the characteristics of natural and laboratory samples with B-type Ol CPO. (1) The formation conditions (stress and temperature) of some natural examples with B-type CPO fall outside those predicted by experiments. (2) In deformation experiments, slip in the crystallographic c-axis direction is important but has not been observed in natural examples of B-type CPO. (3) Experimental work suggests the presence of H2O and either high shear stress or relatively low temperatures are essential for the formation of B-type CPO. These conditions are most likely to be achieved close to subduction boundaries, but these regions are also associated with serpentinization, which prevents strong olivine CPO patterns from forming. We show B-type Ol CPO can form as a result of static topotactic growth of olivine after high-temperature breakdown of foliated serpentinite. These results resolve the discrepancies between experimental and natural examples of B-type CPO and show the need to rethink the formation process of olivine CPO in convergent margins. Topotactic growth of olivine after antigorite can account for the inferred distribution of B-type Ol CPO in the mantle wedge more successfully than dislocation creep.

Creating effective social marketing: let your customer be your guide.

PubMed

Brookes, R

2000-02-01

Social marketing uses commercial marketing techniques to change behaviors that benefit individuals or society in general. Unlike conventional marketing, which seeks to sell products or services, social marketing aims to promote voluntary behavior change. Some examples of behaviors that have changed due to social marketing are: using seat belts, wearing bike helmets, child immunizations, and smoking cessation. Although good social marketing campaigns use the same techniques as that of commercial marketers, by letting the customer be the guide for all major decisions, it is not primarily advertising and is not about top-down planning and decisions. Instead, it is about having a consumer orientation, which means understanding the target audience very well. An effective social marketer must be committed to ongoing communication with the audience in order to create programs, products, or practice that enable them to make the changes desired.

Visual Orientation in Unfamiliar Gravito-Inertial Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oman, Charles M.

1999-01-01

The goal of this project is to better understand the process of spatial orientation and navigation in unfamiliar gravito-inertial environments, and ultimately to use this new information to develop effective countermeasures against the orientation and navigation problems experienced by astronauts. How do we know our location, orientation, and motion of our body with respect to the external environment ? On earth, gravity provides a convenient "down" cue. Large body rotations normally occur only in a horizontal plane. In space, the gravitational down cue is absent. When astronauts roll or pitch upside down, they must recognize where things are around them by a process of mental rotation which involves three dimensions, rather than just one. While working in unfamiliar situations they occasionally misinterpret visual cues and experience striking "visual reorientation illusions" (VRIs), in which the walls, ceiling, and floors of the spacecraft exchange subjective identities. VRIs cause disorientation, reaching errors, trigger attacks of space motion sickness, and potentially complicate emergency escape. MIR crewmembers report that 3D relationships between modules - particularly those with different visual verticals - are difficult to visualize, and so navigating through the node that connects them is not instinctive. Crew members learn routes, but their apparent lack of survey knowledge is a concern should fire, power loss, or depressurization limit visibility. Anecdotally, experience in mockups, parabolic flight, neutral buoyancy and virtual reality (VR) simulators helps. However, no techniques have been developed to quantify individual differences in orientation and navigation abilities, or the effectiveness of preflight visual. orientation training. Our understanding of the underlying physiology - for example how our sense of place and orientation is neurally coded in three dimensions in the limbic system of the brain - is incomplete. During the 16 months that this human and animal research project has been underway, we have obtained several results that are not only of basic research interest, but which have practical implications for the architecture and layout of spacecraft interiors and for the development of astronaut spatial orientation training countermeasures.

Production-orientated education and training of the mentally disabled in sheltered employment (PIONIER).

PubMed

Eicker, A; Schneider, S

2000-03-10

The development and realization of a production-orientated education and training system for mentally disabled people in sheltered employment in the course of the project PIONIER. It focuses on the metal and electronic branches of a workshop with a mentally disabled workforce in Alsdorf, Germany. For the development of the modules an assessment tool called MELBA was used to determine the abilities of the disabled people and the requirements of the tasks. Methods for the collection of this information was: observation, questionnaires and documents. Three months after the introduction of educational measures the improvements of the capacity for learning and education of disabled persons was visible. In the same way the development of their self-reliance and social abilities was recorded. The metal working branch was capable of fulfilling every task with respect to quality issues and within set delivery times. The electro working branch was accomplished enough to create new workplaces and to get orders from the computer industry. By the use of a qualification system like PIONIER the tasks of the disabled employees have been enlarged and enriched. In order to cope with the increase competition sheltered workshops have to realize new ways of vocational training for mentally disabled employees.

Object-oriented programming with mixins in Ada

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seidewitz, ED

1992-01-01

Recently, I wrote a paper discussing the lack of 'true' object-oriented programming language features in Ada 83, why one might desire them in Ada, and how they might be added in Ada 9X. The approach I took in this paper was to build the new object-oriented features of Ada 9X as much as possible on the basic constructs and philosophy of Ada 83. The object-oriented features proposed for Ada 9X, while different in detail, are based on the same kind of approach. Further consideration of this approach led me on a long reflection on the nature of object-oriented programming and its application to Ada. The results of this reflection, presented in this paper, show how a fairly natural object-oriented style can indeed be developed even in Ada 83. The exercise of developing this style is useful for at least three reasons: (1) it provides a useful style for programming object-oriented applications in Ada 83 until new features become available with Ada 9X; (2) it demystifies many of the mechanisms that seem to be 'magic' in most object-oriented programming languages by making them explicit; and (3) it points out areas that are and are not in need of change in Ada 83 to make object-oriented programming more natural in Ada 9X. In the next four sections I will address in turn the issues of object-oriented classes, mixins, self-reference and supertyping. The presentation is through a sequence of examples. This results in some overlap with that paper, but all the examples in the present paper are written entirely in Ada 83. I will return to considerations for Ada 9X in the last section of the paper.

Patterns of activity and use of time in rural Bangladesh: class, gender, and seasonal variations.

PubMed

Zaman, H

1995-04-01

Tarapur is a village in the district of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, covering an area of 821.05 acres. 342 households with a total population of 1981 were identified in the village by the 1985 census. The author investigated the use of time during 1984 and 1985 in busy, intermediate, and slack seasons among the village population to examine the variation in time use by gender and social class. Activity patterns were found to vary from one season to another, and also across social classes. The study highlights the need to refine some of the conceptual and methodological issues in the collection of data on women and work. The study also presents useful data on home-based production and market-oriented work. It could be useful to adopt an anthropological approach in order to understand the allocation of time by men and women from the perspective of household production and the local economy and culture. Study findings focus upon the following policy issues: the need for a better understanding and recognition of the significant role of women in field agriculture and postharvest processing, creation of further nontraditional employment and business opportunities for poor women in rural areas, and consciousness-raising and the challenge of cultural barriers affecting women. Rural women, especially those in need of employment and involved in market-oriented production, should be the target of mainstream development activities in future planning.

C++ Programming Language

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaykhian, Gholam Ali

2007-01-01

C++ Programming Language: The C++ seminar covers the fundamentals of C++ programming language. The C++ fundamentals are grouped into three parts where each part includes both concept and programming examples aimed at for hands-on practice. The first part covers the functional aspect of C++ programming language with emphasis on function parameters and efficient memory utilization. The second part covers the essential framework of C++ programming language, the object-oriented aspects. Information necessary to evaluate various features of object-oriented programming; including encapsulation, polymorphism and inheritance will be discussed. The last part of the seminar covers template and generic programming. Examples include both user defined and standard templates.

Collaboration for Actionable Climate Science in Hawaii and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keener, V. W.; Grecni, Z. N.; Helweg, D. A.

2016-12-01

Hawaii and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) encompass more than 2000 islands spread across millions of square miles of ocean. Islands can be high volcanic or low atolls, and vary widely in terms of geography, climate, ecology, language, culture, economies, government, and vulnerability to climate change impacts. For these reasons, meaningful collaboration across research groups and climate organizations is not only helpful, it is mandatory. No single group can address all the needs of every island, stakeholder, or sector, which has led to close collaboration and leveraging of research in the region to fill different niches. The NOAA-funded Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences & Assessments (RISA) program, DOI Pacific Islands Climate Science Center (PICSC), and the DOI LCC the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative (PICCC) all take a stakeholder oriented approach to climate research, and have successfully collaborated on both specific projects and larger initiatives. Examples of these collaborations include comprising the core team of the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA), the regional arm of the US National Climate Assessment, co-sponsoring a workshop on regional downscaling for scientists and managers, leveraging research projects across multiple sectors on a single island, collaborating on communication products such as handouts and websites to ensure a consistent message, and in the case of the Pacific RISA and the PICSC, jointly funding a PIRCA Sustained Assessment Specialist position. Barriers to collaboration have been around topics such as roles of research versus granting groups, perceived research overlap, and funding uncertainties. However, collaborations have been overwhelming positive in the Pacific Islands region due to communication, recognition of partners' strengths and expertise, and especially because of the "umbrella" organization and purpose provided by the PIRCA structure, which provides a shared platform for all regional groups working on climate science and adaptation, not owned by any one group. This work will give examples of successes and barriers encountered in the region.

Dynamical behavior of lean swirling premixed flame generated by change in gravitational orientation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gotoda, Hiroshi; Miyano, Takaya; Shepherd, Ian

2010-11-01

The dynamic behavior of flame front instability in lean swirling premixed flame generated by the effect of gravitational orientation has been experimentally investigated in this work. When the gravitational direction is changed relative to the flame front, i.e., in inverted gravity, an unstably fluctuating flame (unstable flame) is formed in a limited domain of equivalence ratio and swirl number (Gotoda. H et al., Physical Review E, vol. 81, 026211, 2010). The time history of flame front fluctuations show that in the buoyancy-dominated region, chaotic irregular fluctuation with low frequencies is superimposed on the dominant periodic oscillation of the unstable flame. This periodic oscillation is produced by unstable large-scale vortex motion in combustion products generated by a change in the buoyancy/swirl interaction due to the inversion of gravitational orientation. As a result, the dynamic behavior of the unstable flame becomes low-dimensional deterministic chaos. Its dynamics maintains low-dimensional deterministic chaos even in the momentum-dominated region, in which vortex breakdown in the combustion products clearly occurs. These results were clearly demonstrated by the use of nonlinear time series analysis based on chaos theory, which has not been widely applied to the investigation of combustion phenomena.

Discordant timing between antennae disrupts sun compass orientation in migratory monarch butterflies

PubMed Central

Guerra, Patrick A; Merlin, Christine; Gegear, Robert J; Reppert, Steven M

2014-01-01

To navigate during their long-distance migration, monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) use a time-compensated sun compass. The sun compass timing elements reside in light-entrained circadian clocks in the antennae. Here we show that either antenna is sufficient for proper time compensation. However, migrants with either antenna painted black (to block light entrainment) and the other painted clear (to permit light entrainment) display disoriented group flight. Remarkably, when the black-painted antenna is removed, re-flown migrants with a single, clear-painted antenna exhibit proper orientation behaviour. Molecular correlates of clock function reveal that period and timeless expression is highly rhythmic in brains and clear-painted antennae, while rhythmic clock gene expression is disrupted in black-painted antennae. Our work shows that clock outputs from each antenna are processed and integrated together in the monarch time-compensated sun compass circuit. This dual timing system is a novel example of the regulation of a brain-driven behaviour by paired organs. PMID:22805565

Density functional theory calculations of the turbostratically disordered compound [ ( SnSe ) 1 + y ] m ( VSe 2 ) n

DOE PAGES

Rudin, Sven P.; Johnson, David C.

2015-04-30

Among composite materials that layer constituent substances of nanoscale thicknesses, [(SnSe)1+y ]m(VSe2)n emerges as an example where the constituents retain incommensurate lattice structures. Perpendicular to the stacking direction, the system exhibits random translations and random rotations on average, i.e., turbostratic disorder, with local regions showing twelvefold diffraction patterns. Earlier theoretical work on these structures showed that combining density functional theory with an empirical treatment of the van der Waals interaction gave structural parameters in good agreement with experiment, but no attempt was made to examine the relative orientations. Here we approximate the extended system with one extended constituent and onemore » finite constituent, which allows the treatment of all relative orientations on equal footing. Furthermore, the calculations show how the twelvefold periodicity follows from how the ions of the SnSe layer lock in with favored positions relative to the VSe2 layer, and the associated energy scale supports arguments for the overall turbostratic disorder.« less

Mechanics of Lamellipodia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quint, D. A.; Schwarz, J. M.

2008-03-01

The actin cytoskeleton is a morphologically-complex assembly of cross-linked F-actin filaments. The cytoskeleton provides rigidity for the cell within appropriate time scales so that it can change its shape to, for example, crawl along surfaces. In addition to cross-linking proteins, many other proteins are involved in the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton such as branching proteins, capping proteins, and severing proteins. Presumably these proteins work cooperatively toward the dynamic formation of rigidity. We will initially focus on the role of branching proteins. The F-actin filaments in lamellipodia---protrusions of the mobile edge of a crawling cell---have some overall orientation due to the branching. Branched filaments emerge at a 70 degree angle from the mother filament's growing end.^1 This overall orientation is modelled as an anisotropy in an effective medium theory determining the cytoskeleton's elasticity in the static regime. The potential for a splay rigid phase, in addition to a rigid phase, is also investigated. ^1T. M. Svitkina and G. G. Borisy, J. Cell Biol. 145, 1009 (1999).

Temptation at work.

PubMed

Bucciol, Alessandro; Houser, Daniel; Piovesan, Marco

2013-01-01

To encourage worker productivity, companies routinely adopt policies requiring employees to delay gratification. For example, offices might prohibit use of the internet for personal purposes during regular business hours. Recent work in social psychology, however, suggests that using willpower to delay gratification can negatively impact performance. We report data from an experiment where subjects in a Willpower Treatment are asked to resist the temptation to join others in watching a humorous video for 10 minutes. In relation to a baseline treatment that does not require willpower, we show that resisting this temptation detrimentally impacts economic productivity on a subsequent task.

Removing Vestiges: Research-Based Strategies To Promote Inclusion, September 1999.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kent, Norma, Ed.; Carey, Donna, Ed.; Kee, Arnold M., Ed.

1999-01-01

The four articles in this issue of Removing Vestiges reflect on institutional, curricular, and classroom approaches to freshman orientation. This issue provides examples of ways institutions meet the needs of their students. The first and last articles involve institutional orientation. Vrondelia Chandler, in "Preparing Community College…

Quick Prototyping of Educational Software: An Object-Oriented Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Simon C-H

1994-01-01

Introduces and demonstrates a quick-prototyping model for educational software development that can be used by teachers developing their own courseware using an object-oriented programming system. Development of a courseware package called "The Match-Maker" is explained as an example that uses HyperCard for quick prototyping. (Contains…

Gender and work orientations in conditions of job insecurity.

PubMed

Charles, Nickie; James, Emma

2003-06-01

This paper explores women's and men's work orientations in conditions of job insecurity, arguing that it is time to move beyond essentalist conceptions of work orientations and central life interests in order to understand the significance of paid work in people's lives. Data from a qualitative study are presented which show that the significance of paid work and the priority given to home and work are affected by experiences of job insecurity, changing domestic circumstances and stage in the life cycle and that this is the case for both women and men. Conversely, the significance of paid work can affect how job insecurity is experienced and its impact on individuals and their families. The assumption that men's work orientations are homogeneous and that work is their central life interest is not supported by the findings presented here and it is argued that the significance of work in men's and women's lives is more variable than has hitherto been recognized. To capture this variability it is time to move away from the acrimony of the debate over women's work orientations and notions of a central life interest which underpin it.

Switching among graphic patterns is governed by oscillatory coordination dynamics: implications for understanding handwriting

PubMed Central

Zanone, Pier-Giorgio; Athènes, Sylvie

2013-01-01

Revisiting an original idea by Hollerbach (1981), previous work has established that the production of graphic shapes, assumed to be the blueprint for handwriting, is governed by the dynamics of orthogonal non-linear coupled oscillators. Such dynamics determines few stable coordination patterns, giving rise to a limited set of preferred graphic shapes, namely, four lines and four ellipsoids independent of orientation. The present study investigates the rules of switching among such graphic coordination patterns. Seven participants were required to voluntarily switch within twelve pairs of shapes presented on a graphic tablet. In line with previous theoretical and experimental work on bimanual coordination, results corroborated our hypothesis that the relative stability of the produced coordination patterns determines the time needed for switching: the transition to a more stable pattern was shorter, and inversely. Moreover, switching between patterns with the same orientation but different eccentricities was faster than with a change in orientation. Nonetheless, the switching time covaried strictly with the change in relative phase effected by the transition between two shapes, whether this implied a change in eccentricity or in orientation. These findings suggest a new operational definition of what the (motor) units or strokes of handwriting are and shed a novel light on how coarticulation and recruitment of degrees of freedom may occur in graphic skills. They also yield some leads for understanding the acquisition and the neural underpinnings of handwriting. PMID:24069014

Object/rule integration in CLIPS. [C Language Integrated Production System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donnell, Brian L.

1993-01-01

This paper gives a brief overview of the C Language Integrated Production System (CLIPS) with a focus on the object-oriented features. The advantages of an object data representation over the traditional working memory element (WME), i.e., facts, are discussed, and the implementation of the Rete inference algorithm in CLIPS is presented in detail. A few methods for achieving pattern-matching on objects with the current inference engine are given, and finally, the paper examines the modifications necessary to the Rete algorithm to allow direct object pattern-matching.

Emotional responses to work-family conflict: an examination of gender role orientation working men and women.

PubMed

Livingston, Beth A; Judge, Timothy A

2008-01-01

The present study tested the effect of work-family conflict on emotions and the moderating effects of gender role orientation. On the basis of a multilevel design, the authors found that family-interfering-with- work was positively related to guilt, and gender role orientation interacted with both types of conflict (work-interfering-with-family and family-interfering-with-work) to predict guilt. Specifically, in general, traditional individuals experienced more guilt from family-interfering-with-work, and egalitarian individuals experienced more guilt from work-interfering-with-family. Additionally, a higher level interaction indicated that traditional men tended to experience a stronger relationship between family-interfering-with-work and guilt than did egalitarian men or women of either gender role orientation. 2008 APA

The Effect of Process Oriented Writing Activities on the Achievement and Attitude of the Preservice Primary School Teachers: An Example of Mixed Method Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özenç, Emine Gül

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study is to find out whether process oriented writing exercises/activities have any effect on the achievement and attitude of preservice teachers as well as to set forth the opinions of primary preservice teachers on process oriented writing approach. In the research one classroom was designated as experimental group (N = 35)…

Practical-oriented teaching of gifted youth in the field of natural sciences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khalikova, F. D.; Gilmanshina, S. I.

2017-09-01

In the article it is presenteds the author’s concept of practice-oriented teaching of gifted adolescents to natural-science subjects on the example of chemistry. The main provisions of the concept are substantiated, on the basis of which individual educational trajectories have been developed. The essence of practice-oriented learning is revealed. Particular emphasis is placed on the formation of practical experience in applying theoretical knowledge to solve specific problems.

Facing Off: Comparing an In-Person Library Orientation Lecture with an Asynchronous Online Library Orientation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gall, Dan

2014-01-01

A study to compare the effectiveness of an in-person library orientation with an online asynchronous orientation was conducted with three sections of Social Work Research Methods, a required course in the University of Iowa's Master of Social Work program. Two sections of the course received an online orientation involving short videos, text and…

The history of neurosurgical treatment of sports concussion.

PubMed

Stone, James L; Patel, Vimal; Bailes, Julian E

2014-10-01

Concussion has a long and interesting history spanning at least the 5 millennia of written medical record and closely mirrors the development of surgery and neurosurgery. Not surprisingly, much of the past and present experimental head injury and concussion work has been performed within neurosurgically driven laboratories or by several surgically oriented neurologists. This historical review chronicles the key aspects of neurosurgical involvement in sports concussion as related to the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, and prevention of injury using the example of American football. In addition, we briefly trace the developments that led to our current understanding of the biomechanical and neurophysiological basis of concussion.

Software Model Checking Without Source Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chaki, Sagar; Ivers, James

2009-01-01

We present a framework, called AIR, for verifying safety properties of assembly language programs via software model checking. AIR extends the applicability of predicate abstraction and counterexample guided abstraction refinement to the automated verification of low-level software. By working at the assembly level, AIR allows verification of programs for which source code is unavailable-such as legacy and COTS software-and programs that use features-such as pointers, structures, and object-orientation-that are problematic for source-level software verification tools. In addition, AIR makes no assumptions about the underlying compiler technology. We have implemented a prototype of AIR and present encouraging results on several non-trivial examples.

Bringing functions together with fusion enzymes--from nature's inventions to biotechnological applications.

PubMed

Elleuche, Skander

2015-02-01

It is a mammoth task to develop a modular protein toolbox enabling the production of posttranslational organized multifunctional enzymes that catalyze reactions in complex pathways. However, nature has always guided scientists to mimic evolutionary inventions in the laboratory and, nowadays, versatile methods have been established to experimentally connect enzymatic activities with multiple advantages. Among the oldest known natural examples is the linkage of two or more juxtaposed proteins catalyzing consecutive, non-consecutive, or opposing reactions by a native peptide bond. There are multiple reasons for the artificial construction of such fusion enzymes including improved catalytic activities, enabled substrate channelling by proximity of biocatalysts, higher stabilities, and cheaper production processes. To produce fused proteins, it is either possible to genetically fuse coding open reading frames or to connect proteins in a posttranslational process. Molecular biology techniques that have been established for the production of end-to-end or insertional fusions include overlap extension polymerase chain reaction, cloning, and recombination approaches. Depending on their flexibility and applicability, these methods offer various advantages to produce fusion genes in high throughput, different orientations, and including linker sequences to maximize the flexibility and performance of fusion partners. In this review, practical techniques to fuse genes are highlighted, enzymatic parameters to choose adequate enzymes for fusion approaches are summarized, and examples with biotechnological relevance are presented including a focus on plant biomass-degrading glycosyl hydrolases.

Exploring Research Contributions of the North American Carbon Program using Google Earth and Google Map

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, P. C.; Wilcox, L. E.; Morrell, A.

2009-12-01

The central objective of the North American Carbon Program (NACP), a core element of the US Global Change Research Program, is to quantify the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane in North America and adjacent ocean regions. The NACP consists of a wide range of investigators at universities and federal research centers. Although many of these investigators have worked together in the past, many have had few prior interactions and may not know of similar work within knowledge domains, much less across the diversity of environments and scientific approaches in the Program. Coordinating interactions and sharing data are major challenges in conducting NACP. The Google Earth and Google Map Collections on the NACP website (www.nacarbon.org) provide a geographical view of the research products contributed by each core and affiliated NACP project. Other relevant data sources (e.g. AERONET, LVIS) can also be browsed in spatial context with NACP contributions. Each contribution links to project-oriented metadata, or “project profiles”, that provide a greater understanding of the scientific and social context of each dataset and are an important means of communicating within the NACP and to the larger carbon cycle science community. Project profiles store information such as a project's title, leaders, participants, an abstract, keywords, funding agencies, associated intensive campaigns, expected data products, data needs, publications, and URLs to associated data centers, datasets, and metadata. Data products are research contributions that include biometric inventories, flux tower estimates, remote sensing land cover products, tools, services, and model inputs / outputs. Project leaders have been asked to identify these contributions to the site level whenever possible, either through simple latitude/longitude pair, or by uploading a KML, KMZ, or shape file. Project leaders may select custom icons to graphically categorize their contributions; for example, a ship for oceanographic samples, a tower for tower measurements. After post-processing, research contributions are added to the NACP Google Earth and Google Map Collection to facilitate discovery and use in synthesis activities of the Program.

Rheticus Displacement: an Automatic Geo-Information Service Platform for Ground Instabilities Detection and Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiaradia, M. T.; Samarelli, S.; Agrimano, L.; Lorusso, A. P.; Nutricato, R.; Nitti, D. O.; Morea, A.; Tijani, K.

2016-12-01

Rheticus® is an innovative cloud-based data and services hub able to deliver Earth Observation added-value products through automatic complex processes and a minimum interaction with human operators. This target is achieved by means of programmable components working as different software layers in a modern enterprise system which relies on SOA (service-oriented-architecture) model. Due to its architecture, where every functionality is well defined and encapsulated in a standalone component, Rheticus is potentially highly scalable and distributable allowing different configurations depending on the user needs. Rheticus offers a portfolio of services, ranging from the detection and monitoring of geohazards and infrastructural instabilities, to marine water quality monitoring, wildfires detection or land cover monitoring. In this work, we outline the overall cloud-based platform and focus on the "Rheticus Displacement" service, aimed at providing accurate information to monitor movements occurring across landslide features or structural instabilities that could affect buildings or infrastructures. Using Sentinel-1 (S1) open data images and Multi-Temporal SAR Interferometry techniques (i.e., SPINUA), the service is complementary to traditional survey methods, providing a long-term solution to slope instability monitoring. Rheticus automatically browses and accesses (on a weekly basis) the products of the rolling archive of ESA S1 Scientific Data Hub; S1 data are then handled by a mature running processing chain, which is responsible of producing displacement maps immediately usable to measure with sub-centimetric precision movements of coherent points. Examples are provided, concerning the automatic displacement map generation process, as well as the integration of point and distributed scatterers, the integration of multi-sensors displacement maps (e.g., Sentinel-1 IW and COSMO-SkyMed HIMAGE), the combination of displacement rate maps acquired along both ascending and descending passes. ACK: Study carried out in the framework of the FAST4MAP project and co-funded by the Italian Space Agency (Contract n. 2015-020-R.0). Sentinel-1A products provided by ESA. CSK® Products, ASI, provided by ASI under a license to use. Rheticus® is a registered trademark of Planetek Italia srl.

Object-oriented productivity metrics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connell, John L.; Eller, Nancy

1992-01-01

Software productivity metrics are useful for sizing and costing proposed software and for measuring development productivity. Estimating and measuring source lines of code (SLOC) has proven to be a bad idea because it encourages writing more lines of code and using lower level languages. Function Point Analysis is an improved software metric system, but it is not compatible with newer rapid prototyping and object-oriented approaches to software development. A process is presented here for counting object-oriented effort points, based on a preliminary object-oriented analysis. It is proposed that this approach is compatible with object-oriented analysis, design, programming, and rapid prototyping. Statistics gathered on actual projects are presented to validate the approach.

DataToText: A Consumer-Oriented Approach to Data Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kenny, David A.

2010-01-01

DataToText is a project developed where the user communicates the relevant information for an analysis and DataToText computer routine produces text output that describes in words, tables, and figures the results from the analyses. Two extended examples are given, one an example of a moderator analysis and the other an example of a dyadic data…

Variables influencing food perception reviewed for consumer-oriented product development.

PubMed

Sijtsema, Siet; Linnemann, Anita; van Gaasbeek, Ton; Dagevos, Hans; Jongen, Wim

2002-01-01

Consumer wishes have to be translated into product characteristics to implement consumer-oriented product development. Before this step can be made, insight in food-related behavior and perception of consumers is necessary to make the right, useful, and successful translation. Food choice behavior and consumers' perception are studied in many disciplines. Models of food behavior and preferences therefore were studied from a multidisciplinary perspective. Nearly all models structure the determinants related to the person, the food, and the environment. Consequently, the overview of models was used as a basis to structure the variables influencing food perception into a model for consumer-oriented product development. To this new model, referred to as food perception model, other variables like time and place as part of consumption moment were added. These are important variables influencing consumers' perception, and therefore of increasing importance to consumer-oriented product development nowadays. In further research, the presented food perception model is used as a tool to implement successful consumer-oriented product development.

Mechanisms of two-color laser-induced field-free molecular orientation.

PubMed

Spanner, Michael; Patchkovskii, Serguei; Frumker, Eugene; Corkum, Paul

2012-09-14

Two mechanisms of two-color (ω+2ω) laser-induced field-free molecular orientation, based on the hyperpolarizability and ionization depletion, are explored and compared. The CO molecule is used as a computational example. While the hyperpolarizability mechanism generates small amounts of orientation at intensities below the ionization threshold, ionization depletion quickly becomes the dominant mechanism as soon as ionizing intensities are reached. Only the ionization mechanism leads to substantial orientation (e.g., on the order of ≳0.1). For intensities typical of laser-induced molecular alignment and orientation experiments, the two mechanisms lead to robust, characteristic timings of the field-free orientation wave-packet revivals relative to the alignment revivals and the revival time. The revival timings can be used to detect the active orientation mechanism experimentally.

Object-oriented Persistent Homology

PubMed Central

Wang, Bao; Wei, Guo-Wei

2015-01-01

Persistent homology provides a new approach for the topological simplification of big data via measuring the life time of intrinsic topological features in a filtration process and has found its success in scientific and engineering applications. However, such a success is essentially limited to qualitative data classification and analysis. Indeed, persistent homology has rarely been employed for quantitative modeling and prediction. Additionally, the present persistent homology is a passive tool, rather than a proactive technique, for classification and analysis. In this work, we outline a general protocol to construct object-oriented persistent homology methods. By means of differential geometry theory of surfaces, we construct an objective functional, namely, a surface free energy defined on the data of interest. The minimization of the objective functional leads to a Laplace-Beltrami operator which generates a multiscale representation of the initial data and offers an objective oriented filtration process. The resulting differential geometry based object-oriented persistent homology is able to preserve desirable geometric features in the evolutionary filtration and enhances the corresponding topological persistence. The cubical complex based homology algorithm is employed in the present work to be compatible with the Cartesian representation of the Laplace-Beltrami flow. The proposed Laplace-Beltrami flow based persistent homology method is extensively validated. The consistence between Laplace-Beltrami flow based filtration and Euclidean distance based filtration is confirmed on the Vietoris-Rips complex for a large amount of numerical tests. The convergence and reliability of the present Laplace-Beltrami flow based cubical complex filtration approach are analyzed over various spatial and temporal mesh sizes. The Laplace-Beltrami flow based persistent homology approach is utilized to study the intrinsic topology of proteins and fullerene molecules. Based on a quantitative model which correlates the topological persistence of fullerene central cavity with the total curvature energy of the fullerene structure, the proposed method is used for the prediction of fullerene isomer stability. The efficiency and robustness of the present method are verified by more than 500 fullerene molecules. It is shown that the proposed persistent homology based quantitative model offers good predictions of total curvature energies for ten types of fullerene isomers. The present work offers the first example to design object-oriented persistent homology to enhance or preserve desirable features in the original data during the filtration process and then automatically detect or extract the corresponding topological traits from the data. PMID:26705370

Productivity, or quality of work as the decisive factor in marketing ergonomics? Design considerations for a new ergonomic welding-table.

PubMed

van der Veen, F; Regensburg, R E

1990-04-01

Quality tools should be designed from the starting point of adjusting tasks and equipment to human possibilities and limitations. Companies should consider an investment in ergonomic equipment as a profitable addition to indispensable productive machinery. As an example to support this statement, the authors describe the health risks of welders and the possible solutions. As the result of investigations a list of requirements was drafted for a product that would have less of the disadvantages of the products mentioned. The designed product, the 'ergonomic welding-table', aims to be a quality tool for welders working at small and medium-sized tasks. The product consists of a cabin (2.35 m wide) with a built-in ventilator for very efficient welding-fume extraction (90%-95%). Welders can set their preferred working height at any time. Another advantage is the option of performing the welding task while standing or sitting. The results of user-evaluation among welders and purchasers indicates considerable satisfaction.

Reflective practices at the Security Council: Children and armed conflict and the three United Nations

PubMed Central

Bode, Ingvild

2017-01-01

The United Nations Security Council passed its first resolution on children in armed conflict in 1999, making it one of the oldest examples of Security Council engagement with a thematic mandate and leading to the creation of a dedicated working group in 2005. Existing theoretical accounts of the Security Council cannot account for the developing substance of the children and armed conflict agenda as they are macro-oriented and focus exclusively on states. I argue that Security Council decision-making on thematic mandates is a productive process whose outcomes are created by and through practices of actors across the three United Nations: member states (the first United Nations), United Nations officials (the second United Nations) and non-governmental organizations (the third United Nations). In presenting a practice-based, micro-oriented analysis of the children and armed conflict agenda, the article aims to deliver on the empirical promise of practice theories in International Relations. I make two contributions to practice-based understandings: first, I argue that actors across the three United Nations engage in reflective practices of a strategic or tactical nature to manage, arrange or create space in Security Council decision-making. Portraying practices as reflective rather than as only based on tacit knowledge highlights how actors may creatively adapt their practices to social situations. Second, I argue that particular individuals from the three United Nations are more likely to become recognized as competent performers of practices because of their personality, understood as plural socialization experiences. This adds varied individual agency to practice theories that, despite their micro-level interests, have focused on how agency is relationally constituted. PMID:29782586

Reflective practices at the Security Council: Children and armed conflict and the three United Nations.

PubMed

Bode, Ingvild

2018-06-01

The United Nations Security Council passed its first resolution on children in armed conflict in 1999, making it one of the oldest examples of Security Council engagement with a thematic mandate and leading to the creation of a dedicated working group in 2005. Existing theoretical accounts of the Security Council cannot account for the developing substance of the children and armed conflict agenda as they are macro-oriented and focus exclusively on states. I argue that Security Council decision-making on thematic mandates is a productive process whose outcomes are created by and through practices of actors across the three United Nations: member states (the first United Nations), United Nations officials (the second United Nations) and non-governmental organizations (the third United Nations). In presenting a practice-based, micro-oriented analysis of the children and armed conflict agenda, the article aims to deliver on the empirical promise of practice theories in International Relations. I make two contributions to practice-based understandings: first, I argue that actors across the three United Nations engage in reflective practices of a strategic or tactical nature to manage, arrange or create space in Security Council decision-making. Portraying practices as reflective rather than as only based on tacit knowledge highlights how actors may creatively adapt their practices to social situations. Second, I argue that particular individuals from the three United Nations are more likely to become recognized as competent performers of practices because of their personality, understood as plural socialization experiences. This adds varied individual agency to practice theories that, despite their micro-level interests, have focused on how agency is relationally constituted.

On the molecular anisotropy of liquid crystalline and flexible polymer systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Horn, Brett L.

The demand for products of ever increasing quality or for novel applications has required increasing attention to or manipulation of the anisotropy of manufactured parts. Oriented plastics are used everywhere from recording film to automotive body parts to monofilament fishing line. Liquid crystals are also used in a wide array of applications including their dominance in the flat panel display industry, color changing temperature sensors, and woven bullet resistant fabrics. Anisotropy can also be detrimental, for instance sometimes leading to poor fracture resistance or low yield stress along specific directions. Controlling and measuring anisotropy of materials has become increasingly important, but doing so is wrought with challenges. Measuring physical properties of isotropic liquids, such as water or most oils can be done in a straightforward fashion. Their viscosities and densities, for example, have unique values under a given set of conditions. With anisotropic fluids, like liquid crystals, the viscosity, for instance, will not only depend upon temperature, concentration, etc. but also upon the direction of observation, degree of anisotropy, source of anisotropy, and so forth. This added degree of complexity complicates our ability to define the state of the material at which the measurements are made and generally necessitates the use of more sophisticated measurement strategies or techniques. This work presents techniques and tools for investigating anisotropy in liquid crystalline and stretched polymeric systems. Included are the use of conoscopy for the determination of birefringence and orientation of nematic liquid crystals and stretched polymers, the shear response of flow aligning nematic liquid crystal monodomains, and the design of a novel linear rheometer that allows for in situ optical or scattering investigations.

More than Just a Game: The Role of Simulation in The Teaching of Product Design and Entrepreneurship to Mechanical Engineering Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Costello, Gabriel J.

2017-01-01

The purpose of this work is to contribute to the debate on the best pedagogical approach to developing undergraduate mechanical engineering skills to meet the requirements of contemporary complex working environments. The paper provides an example of using student-entrepreneur collaboration in the teaching of modules to Mechanical Engineering…

Engaging Disconnected Young People in Education and Work: Findings from the Project Rise Implementation Evaluation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manno, Michelle S.; Yang, Edith; Bangser, Michael

2015-01-01

Educational attainment and early work experience provide a crucial foundation for future success. However, many young adults are disconnected from both school and the job market. Neglecting these young people can exact a heavy toll on not only the individuals but also society as a whole, for example, through lost productivity and tax…

Hydroclimatological data and analyses from a headwaters region of Mongolia as boundary objects in interdisciplinary climate change research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venable, N. B. H.

2017-09-01

Collaborative work on increasingly complex hydroclimatic investigations often crosses disciplinary boundaries. Elements of scientific inquiry, such as data or the results of analyses can become objectified, or capable of being adopted and/or adapted by users from multiple disciplinary realms. These objects often provide a bridge for collaborative endeavors, or are used as tools by individuals pursuing multi-disciplinary work. Boundary object terminology was first formalized and applied by social scientists. However, few examples of the application of this useful framework are found in the hydrologic literature. The construct is applied here to identify and discuss how common research products and processes are used both internally and externally through providing examples from a project examining the historical and paleo proxy-based hydroclimatology of a headwaters region of Mongolia. The boundary object concept is valuable to consider when conducting and critiquing basic research, collaborating across multiple disciplinary teams as when studying climate change issues, as an individual researcher working in a cross boundary sense using methods from differing disciplines to answer questions, and/or when one group adapts the work of another to their own research problems or interpretive needs, as occurred with selected products of this project.

The surprising economics of a "people business".

PubMed

Barber, Felix; Strack, Rainer

2005-06-01

When people are your most important asset, some standard performance measures and management practices become misleading or irrelevant. This is a danger for any business whose people costs are greater than its capital costs-that is, businesses in most industries. But it is particularly true for what the authors call "people businesses": operations with high employee costs, low capital investment, and limited spending on activities, such as R&D, that are aimed at generating future revenue. If you run a people business-or a company that includes one or more of them how do you measure its true performance? Avoid the trap of relying on capital-oriented metrics, such as return on assets and return on equity. They won't help much, as they'll tend to mask weak performance or indicate volatility where it doesn't exist. Replace them with financially rigorous people-oriented metrics-for example, a reformulation of a conventional calculation of economic profit, such as EVA, so that you gauge people, rather than capital, productivity. Once you have assessed the business's true performance, you need to enhance it operationally (be aware that relatively small changes in productivity can have a major impact on shareholder returns); reward it appropriately (push performance-related variable compensation schemes down into the organization); and price it advantageously (because economies of scale and experience tend to be less significant in people businesses, price products or services in ways that capture a share of the additional value created for customers).

Resource Use in Small Island States: Material Flows in Iceland and Trinidad and Tobago, 1961-2008.

PubMed

Krausmann, Fridolin; Richter, Regina; Eisenmenger, Nina

2014-04-01

Iceland and Trinidad and Tobago are small open, high-income island economies with very specific resource-use patterns. This article presents a material flow analysis (MFA) for the two countries covering a time period of nearly five decades. Both countries have a narrow domestic resource base, their economy being largely based on the exploitation of one or two key resources for export production. In the case of Trinidad and Tobago, the physical economy is dominated by oil and natural gas extraction and petrochemical industries, whereas Iceland's economy for centuries has been based on fisheries. More recently, abundant hydropower and geothermal heat were the basis for the establishment of large export-oriented metal processing industries, which fully depend on imported raw materials and make use of domestic renewable electricity. Both countries are highly dependent on these natural resources and vulnerable to overexploitation and price developments. We show how the export-oriented industries lead to high and growing levels of per capita material and energy use and carbon dioxide emissions resulting from large amounts of processing wastes and energy consumption in production processes. The example of small open economies with an industrial production system focused on few, but abundant, key resources and of comparatively low complexity provides interesting insights of how resource endowment paired with availability or absence of infrastructure and specific institutional arrangements drives domestic resource-use patterns. This also contributes to a better understanding and interpretation of MFA indicators, such as domestic material consumption.

Resource Use in Small Island States

PubMed Central

Krausmann, Fridolin; Richter, Regina; Eisenmenger, Nina

2014-01-01

Iceland and Trinidad and Tobago are small open, high-income island economies with very specific resource-use patterns. This article presents a material flow analysis (MFA) for the two countries covering a time period of nearly five decades. Both countries have a narrow domestic resource base, their economy being largely based on the exploitation of one or two key resources for export production. In the case of Trinidad and Tobago, the physical economy is dominated by oil and natural gas extraction and petrochemical industries, whereas Iceland's economy for centuries has been based on fisheries. More recently, abundant hydropower and geothermal heat were the basis for the establishment of large export-oriented metal processing industries, which fully depend on imported raw materials and make use of domestic renewable electricity. Both countries are highly dependent on these natural resources and vulnerable to overexploitation and price developments. We show how the export-oriented industries lead to high and growing levels of per capita material and energy use and carbon dioxide emissions resulting from large amounts of processing wastes and energy consumption in production processes. The example of small open economies with an industrial production system focused on few, but abundant, key resources and of comparatively low complexity provides interesting insights of how resource endowment paired with availability or absence of infrastructure and specific institutional arrangements drives domestic resource-use patterns. This also contributes to a better understanding and interpretation of MFA indicators, such as domestic material consumption. PMID:25505367

TRMM Common Microphysics Products: A Tool for Evaluating Spaceborne Precipitation Retrieval Algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kingsmill, David E.; Yuter, Sandra E.; Hobbs, Peter V.; Rangno, Arthur L.; Heymsfield, Andrew J.; Stith, Jeffrey L.; Bansemer, Aaron; Haggerty, Julie A.; Korolev, Alexei V.

2004-01-01

A customized product for analysis of microphysics data collected from aircraft during field campaigns in support of the TRMM program is described. These Common Microphysics Products (CMP's) are designed to aid in evaluation of TRMM spaceborne precipitation retrieval algorithms. Information needed for this purpose (e.g., particle size spectra and habit, liquid and ice water content) was derived using a common processing strategy on the wide variety of microphysical instruments and raw native data formats employed in the field campaigns. The CMP's are organized into an ASCII structure to allow easy access to the data for those less familiar with and without the tools to accomplish microphysical data processing. Detailed examples of the CMP show its potential and some of its limitations. This approach may be a first step toward developing a generalized microphysics format and an associated community-oriented, non-proprietary software package for microphysics data processing, initiatives that would likely broaden community access to and use of microphysics datasets.

Psychotherapeutic and work-oriented interventions: employment outcomes among young adults with work disability due to a mental disorder.

PubMed

Mattila-Holappa, Pauliina; Joensuu, Matti; Ahola, Kirsi; Koskinen, Aki; Tuisku, Katinka; Ervasti, Jenni; Virtanen, Marianna

2016-01-01

We examined the extent to which psychotherapeutic and work-oriented interventions were included in a medical treatment and rehabilitation plan and whether they predicted future employment among young adults with work disability due to a mental disorder. Data were obtained from the treatment and rehabilitation plans of 1163 young adults aged 18‒34 years, who in 2008 were granted fixed-term work disability compensation due to a mental disorder and were followed for 5 years. Forty-six percent had no proposal for psychotherapy or a work-oriented intervention in their treatment and rehabilitation plan, 22 % had a plan for only a psychotherapeutic intervention, 23 % had a plan for only a work-oriented intervention, and 10 % had both types of interventions planned. Having a planned psychotherapeutic intervention (HR = 1.35, 95 % CI 1.07-1.69) and of the work-oriented interventions, planned rehabilitative courses and training (HR = 1.34, 95 % CI 1.03-1.70) predicted quicker entry into competitive employment. Having a plan for both a psychotherapeutic and work-oriented intervention was associated with being employed at the end of the follow-up (OR = 1.77, 95 % CI 1.07-2.95). Young adults with a long-term psychiatric work disability episode rarely have a recorded plan for rehabilitation in their treatment and rehabilitation plan although psychotherapeutic interventions and a combination of a psychotherapeutic and work-oriented intervention might help them gain employment.

How Building Systems Affect Worker Wellness

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-01

spatial configuration must strike a balance between the objective needs of the organization and the more subjective human ingredient. Good building...sense, building design for thermal comfort involves a balance between the building’s orientation, its windowing scheme, the use of thermal mass, and the...stated above. An improved quality of worklife and a humanized work environment are psychological incentives that can increase productivity. Worker specific

Geometric constraints for shape and topology optimization in architectural design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dapogny, Charles; Faure, Alexis; Michailidis, Georgios; Allaire, Grégoire; Couvelas, Agnes; Estevez, Rafael

2017-06-01

This work proposes a shape and topology optimization framework oriented towards conceptual architectural design. A particular emphasis is put on the possibility for the user to interfere on the optimization process by supplying information about his personal taste. More precisely, we formulate three novel constraints on the geometry of shapes; while the first two are mainly related to aesthetics, the third one may also be used to handle several fabrication issues that are of special interest in the device of civil structures. The common mathematical ingredient to all three models is the signed distance function to a domain, and its sensitivity analysis with respect to perturbations of this domain; in the present work, this material is extended to the case where the ambient space is equipped with an anisotropic metric tensor. Numerical examples are discussed in two and three space dimensions.

Lactate shuttles in nature.

PubMed

Brooks, G A

2002-04-01

Once thought to be the consequence of oxygen lack in contracting skeletal muscle, the glycolytic product lactate is formed and utilized continuously under fully aerobic conditions. "Cell-cell" and "intracellular lactate shuttle" concepts describe the roles of lactate in the delivery of oxidative and gluconeogenic substrates, as well as in cell signalling. Examples of cell-cell shuttles include lactate exchanges between white-glycolytic and red-oxidative fibres within a working muscle bed, between working skeletal muscle and heart, and between tissues of net lactate release and gluconeogenesis. Lactate exchange between astrocytes and neurons that is linked to glutamatergic signalling in the brain is an example of a lactate shuttle supporting cell-cell signalling. Lactate uptake by mitochondria and pyruvate-lactate exchange in peroxisomes are examples of intracellular lactate shuttles. Lactate exchange between sites of production and removal is facilitated by monocarboxylate transport proteins, of which there are several isoforms, and, probably, also by scaffolding proteins. The mitochondrial lactate-pyruvate transporter appears to work in conjunction with mitochondrial lactate dehydrogenase, which permits lactate to be oxidized within actively respiring cells. Hence mitochondria function to establish the concentration and proton gradients necessary for cells with high mitochondrial densities (e.g. cardiocytes) to take up and oxidize lactate. Arteriovenous difference measurements on working cardiac and skeletal muscle beds as well as NMR spectral analyses of these tissues show that lactate is formed and oxidized within the cells of formation in vivo. Glycolysis and lactate oxidation within cells permits high flux rates and the maintenance of redox balance in the cytosol and mitochondria. Other examples of intracellular lactate shuttles include lactate uptake and oxidation in sperm mitochondria and the facilitation of beta-oxidation in peroxisomes by pyruvate-lactate exchange. An ancient origin to the utility of lactate shuttling is implied by the observation that mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain flavocytochrome b(2), a lactate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase that couples lactate dehydrogenation to the reduction of cytochrome c. The presence of cell-cell and intracellular lactate shuttles gives rise to the notion that glycolytic and oxidative pathways can be viewed as linked, as opposed to alternative, processes, because lactate, the product of one pathway, is the substrate for the other.

From Safe Nanomanufacturing to Nanosafe-by-Design processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuster, F.; Lomello, F.

2013-04-01

Industrial needs in terms of multifunctional components are increasing. Many sectors are concerned, from the integrated direct nanoparticles production to the emerging combinations which include the metal matrix composites (MMC), ductile ceramics and ceramic matrix composites, polymer matrix composites (PMC) for bulk application and advanced surface coatings in the fields of automotive, aerospace, energy production and building applications. Moreover, domains with a planetary impact such as environmental issues, as well as aspects for instance health (toxicity) and hazard assessment (ignition and explosion severity) were also taken into account. Nanotechnologies play an important role in promoting innovation in design and realization of multifunctional products for the future, either by improving usual products or creating new functions and/or new products. Nevertheless, this huge evolution in terms of materials could only be promoted by increasing the social acceptance and by acting on the different main technological and economic challenges and developing safe oriented processes. Nowadays, a huge number of developments of nanoparticles are potentially industrial up-scalable. However, some doubts exist about the handling's safety of the current technologies. For these reasons, the main purpose was to develop a self-monitored automation in the production line coupling different techniques in order to simplify processes such as in-situ growth nanoparticles into a nanostructured matrix, over different substrates and/or the nanopowders synthesis, functionalization, dry or wet safe recovery system, granulation, consolidation in single-step, by monitoring at real time the processing parameters such as powder stoichiometry. With the aim of assuring the traceability of the product during the whole life, starting from the conception and including the R&D, the distribution and the use were also considered. The optimization in terms of processing, recovery and conditioning, permits to increase its versatility, thus leading to the increase of the added value to the production. This review put in evidence -by different examples- the progress achieved since the beginning of Nanosafe integrated initiative developed by CEA and its partners as well as promoting, firstly the safety at work place, and then extending to an integrated and controlled in-situ production by of Nanosafe-by-Design controlled processes.

Embodied practice: claiming the body's experience, agency, and knowledge for social work.

PubMed

Tangenberg, Kathleen M; Kemp, Susan

2002-01-01

Although social work practice typically is concerned with physical conditions and experiences such as poverty, addiction, and violence, relatively little attention has been given to the body in professional literature. Emphasizing both physical and sociocultural dimensions of the body, this article argues for an invigorated, more complex understanding of the body in social work theory, practice, and research. Drawing from scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and social work, a framework involving three dimensions of the body is proposed for integration with accepted ecological practice models. The nature and implications of three primary dimensions of the body for multiple domains of social work practice are explored, citing examples from narratives of mothers living with HIV disease: (1) the experiencing body, focused on the physicality of daily life; (2) the body of power, focused on the physicality of oppression and marginality, typically based on race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical appearance, and illness; and (3) the client body, reflecting the bodily experiences of those identified as clients who participate in relationships with social workers.

Etomica: an object-oriented framework for molecular simulation.

PubMed

Schultz, Andrew J; Kofke, David A

2015-03-30

We describe the design of an object-oriented library of software components that are suitable for constructing simulations of systems of interacting particles. The emphasis of the discussion is on the general design of the components and how they interact, and less on details of the programming interface or its implementation. Example code is provided as an aid to understanding object-oriented programming structures and to demonstrate how the framework is applied. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

CdTe layer structures for X-ray and gamma-ray detection directly grown on the Medipix readout-chip by MBE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, A.; Schütt, S.; Frei, K.; Fiederle, M.

2017-11-01

This work investigates the potential of CdTe semiconducting layers used for radiation detection directly deposited on the Medipix readout-chip by MBE. Due to the high Z-number of CdTe and the low electron-hole pair creation energy a thin layer suffices for satisfying photon absorption. The deposition takes place in a modified MBE system enabling growth rates up to 10 μm/h while the UHV conditions allow the required high purity for detector applications. CdTe sensor layers deposited on silicon substrates show resistivities up to 5.8 × 108 Ω cm and a preferred (1 1 1) orientation. However, the resistivity increases with higher growth temperature and the orientation gets more random. Additionally, the deposition of a back contact layer sequence in one process simplifies the complex production of an efficient contact on CdTe with aligned work functions. UPS measurements verify a decrease of the work function of 0.62 eV induced by Te doping of the CdTe.

The Influence of Motivational Orientations on Academic Achievement among Working Adults in Continuing Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Pei-Ling; Pang, Vincent

2014-01-01

This paper reports on a study of five motivational orientations in continuing education among working adults. The influence of motivational orientations on their academic achievement was identified. The study involved 159 working adults who enrolled into part-time programs in an Open University in Sabah. Boshier's Education Participation Scale…

The Role of the Relationship with Parents with Respect to Work Orientation and Work Ethic.

PubMed

Leenders, Monique V E; Buunk, Abraham P; Henkens, Kène

2017-01-01

We examined the extent to which individual relationships with mother and father, social support from partner, and quality of the relationship with the partner, are related to work orientation and work ethic. Survey data were obtained from 3841 respondents from the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (wave 2). The results showed that, overall, people with a more positive relationship with their parents had a more positive work orientation and a stronger work ethic. A positive relationship with the father had a greater influence on these work aspects than a positive relationship with the mother, particularly for men. Partner support and the quality of the partner relationship partially mediated the association between the relationship with one's parents and work orientation only for women. There were no significant relationships between partner support or the quality of the partner relationship, and work ethic. Research on the relationship with parents and work-related variables is discussed.

49 CFR 178.603 - Drop test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... aluminum boxes, Composite packagings which are in the shape of a box Five—(one for each drop) First drop... impact. Where more than one orientation is possible for a given drop test, the orientation most likely to... example a closure or, for some 7 cylindrical drums, the welded longitudinal seam of the drum body. Boxes...

An Exploration and Analysis of the Relationships among Object Oriented Programming, Hypermedia, and Hypertalk.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Milet, Lynn K.; Harvey, Francis A.

Hypermedia and object oriented programming systems (OOPs) represent examples of "open" computer environments that allow the user access to parts of the code or operating system. Both systems share fundamental intellectual concepts (objects, messages, methods, classes, and inheritance), so that an understanding of hypermedia can help in…

Multi-point objective-oriented sequential sampling strategy for constrained robust design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Ping; Zhang, Siliang; Chen, Wei

2015-03-01

Metamodelling techniques are widely used to approximate system responses of expensive simulation models. In association with the use of metamodels, objective-oriented sequential sampling methods have been demonstrated to be effective in balancing the need for searching an optimal solution versus reducing the metamodelling uncertainty. However, existing infilling criteria are developed for deterministic problems and restricted to one sampling point in one iteration. To exploit the use of multiple samples and identify the true robust solution in fewer iterations, a multi-point objective-oriented sequential sampling strategy is proposed for constrained robust design problems. In this article, earlier development of objective-oriented sequential sampling strategy for unconstrained robust design is first extended to constrained problems. Next, a double-loop multi-point sequential sampling strategy is developed. The proposed methods are validated using two mathematical examples followed by a highly nonlinear automotive crashworthiness design example. The results show that the proposed method can mitigate the effect of both metamodelling uncertainty and design uncertainty, and identify the robust design solution more efficiently than the single-point sequential sampling approach.

A cross-media content analysis of motivational themes in direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising.

PubMed

Sumpradit, Nithima; Ascione, Frank J; Bagozzi, Richard P

2004-01-01

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs is a widely discussed issue in health care. However, little is known about the characteristics of the motivational themes used in this type of advertising. The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent presentation of motivational themes in DTC print and television advertisements. The content analyses focused on advertisements of 2 targeted drug classes (cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme inhibitors and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) in magazines and on television. Targeted print advertisements (for celecoxib, rofecoxib, atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin) from September to December 2001 and targeted television advertisements (for celecoxib, rofecoxib, and simvastatin) from November 2001 were investigated. The motivational themes were assessed using a theoretical framework based on self-regulatory focus theory and cultural orientation. Self-regulatory focus was examined in terms of goal orientation (promotion vs prevention) and emotional aspects, (e.g., cheerfulness, dejection, quiescence, agitation). The cultural orientation was examined in terms of individualism versus collectivism. The visual-verbal match was categorized as direct if the audio and visual information was semantically redundant, as partial if it was partially related, and as no match at all if it was different or conflicting. Twelve print advertisements in 10 magazines and 4 television advertisements on 4 television networks were examined; the interrater reliability scores from 3 independent, trained judges ranged from 0.93 to 0.99. The score was low (0.57) in the visual-verbal match measurement for television advertisements. Products in the same category appeared to be promoted using different self-regulatory foci. For example, celecoxib and atorvastatin advertisements tended to be promotion oriented, whereas pravastatin advertisements tended to be prevention oriented. Motivational themes were found throughout the print advertisements (e.g., pictures, headlines, main text). Only a few advertisements illustrated factual information about a product in a pictorial format. The cultural orientation of the advertisements was similar across brands, with individualistic appeals being common. On television, visual-verbal matches (either direct or partial matches) were generally found, except in the section where risk information was presented. In this content analysis, prescription drugs in the same class appeared to be promoted using different self-regulatory foci, but individualistic appeals were found more often than collectivistic appeals across brands.

Optimum runway orientation relative to crosswinds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falls, L. W.; Brown, S. C.

1972-01-01

Specific magnitudes of crosswinds may exist that could be constraints to the success of an aircraft mission such as the landing of the proposed space shuttle. A method is required to determine the orientation or azimuth of the proposed runway which will minimize the probability of certain critical crosswinds. Two procedures for obtaining the optimum runway orientation relative to minimizing a specified crosswind speed are described and illustrated with examples. The empirical procedure requires only hand calculations on an ordinary wind rose. The theoretical method utilizes wind statistics computed after the bivariate normal elliptical distribution is applied to a data sample of component winds. This method requires only the assumption that the wind components are bivariate normally distributed. This assumption seems to be reasonable. Studies are currently in progress for testing wind components for bivariate normality for various stations. The close agreement between the theoretical and empirical results for the example chosen substantiates the bivariate normal assumption.

Uncertainty Modeling and Evaluation of CMM Task Oriented Measurement Based on SVCMM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hongli; Chen, Xiaohuai; Cheng, Yinbao; Liu, Houde; Wang, Hanbin; Cheng, Zhenying; Wang, Hongtao

2017-10-01

Due to the variety of measurement tasks and the complexity of the errors of coordinate measuring machine (CMM), it is very difficult to reasonably evaluate the uncertainty of the measurement results of CMM. It has limited the application of CMM. Task oriented uncertainty evaluation has become a difficult problem to be solved. Taking dimension measurement as an example, this paper puts forward a practical method of uncertainty modeling and evaluation of CMM task oriented measurement (called SVCMM method). This method makes full use of the CMM acceptance or reinspection report and the Monte Carlo computer simulation method (MCM). The evaluation example is presented, and the results are evaluated by the traditional method given in GUM and the proposed method, respectively. The SVCMM method is verified to be feasible and practical. It can help CMM users to conveniently complete the measurement uncertainty evaluation through a single measurement cycle.

Porous ceramics mimicking nature—preparation and properties of microstructures with unidirectionally oriented pores

PubMed Central

Okada, Kiyoshi; Isobe, Toshihiro; Katsumata, Ken-ichi; Kameshima, Yoshikazu; Nakajima, Akira; MacKenzie, Kenneth J D

2011-01-01

Porous ceramics with unidirectionally oriented pores have been prepared by various methods such as anodic oxidation, templating using wood, unidirectional solidification, extrusion, etc. The templating method directly replicates the porous microstructure of wood to prepare porous ceramics, whereas the extrusion method mimics the microstructures of tracheids and xylems in trees. These two methods are therefore the main focus of this review as they provide good examples of the preparation of functional porous ceramics with properties replicating nature. The well-oriented cylindrical through-hole pores prepared by the extrusion method using fibers as the pore formers provide excellent permeability together with high mechanical strength. Examples of applications of these porous ceramics are given, including their excellent capillary lift of over 1 m height which could be used to counteract urban heat island phenomena, and other interesting properties arising from anisotropic unidirectional porous structures. PMID:27877451

[Establishment of design space for production process of traditional Chinese medicine preparation].

PubMed

Xu, Bing; Shi, Xin-Yuan; Qiao, Yan-Jiang; Wu, Zhi-Sheng; Lin, Zhao-Zhou

2013-03-01

The philosophy of quality by design (QbD) is now leading the changes in the drug manufacturing mode from the conventional test-based approach to the science and risk based approach focusing on the detailed research and understanding of the production process. Along with the constant deepening of the understanding of the manufacturing process, the design space will be determined, and the emphasis of quality control will be shifted from the quality standards to the design space. Therefore, the establishment of the design space is core step in the implementation of QbD, and it is of great importance to study the methods for building the design space. This essay proposes the concept of design space for the production process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations, gives a systematic introduction of the concept of the design space, analyzes the feasibility and significance to build the design space in the production process of traditional Chinese medicine preparations, and proposes study approaches on the basis of examples that comply with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine preparations, as well as future study orientations.

Correlation between academic achievement goal orientation and the performance of Malaysian students in an Indian medical school.

PubMed

Barkur, Rajashekar Rao; Govindan, Sreejith; Kamath, Asha

2013-01-01

According to goal orientation theory, achievement goals are defined as the terminal point towards which one's efforts are directed. The four academic achievement goal orientations commonly recognised are mastery, performance approach, performance avoidance and work avoidance. The objective of this study was to understand the goal orientation of second year undergraduate medical students and how this correlates with their academic performance. The study population consisted of 244 second year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students of Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal campus, Manipal University, India. Students were categorised as high performers and low performers based on their first year university examination marks. Their goal orientations were assessed through a validated questionnaire developed by Was et al. These components were analysed by independent sample t-test and correlated to their first year university examination marks. Confirmatory component factor analysis extracted four factors, which accounted for 40.8% of the total variance in goal orientation. The performance approach goal orientation alone explained 16.7% of the variance followed by mastery (10.8%), performance avoidance (7.7%) and work avoidance (5.7%). The Cronbach's alpha for 19 items, which contributed to internal consistency of the tool, was observed to be 0.635. A strong positive correlation was shown between performance approach, performance avoidance and work avoidance orientations. Of the four goal orientations, only the mean scores in work avoidance orientation differed for low performers and high performers (5.0 vs. 4.3; P = 0.0003). Work avoidance type of goal orientation among the low performer group may account for their lower performance compared with high performer group. This indicates that academic achievement goal orientation may play a role in the performance of undergraduate medical students.

Making Sense of Complex Problems: A Resource for Teams

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

instruments, interviews, and a writing assignment to mirror those characteristics and skills. Candidates were evaluated in terms of that set of criteria, and...and those who are metacognitive thinkers, and can reflect and comment on how the team is thinking about a particular topic...The Cognitive- Style Inventory (see Tools and Resources for references). Writing samples and other examples of work products These products can

Estimating Global Precipitation for Science and Application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huffman, George J.

2013-01-01

Over the past two decades there has been vigorous development in the satellite assets and the algorithms necessary to estimate precipitation around the globe. In particular the highly successful joint NASAJAXA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, also joint between NASA and JAXA, have driven these issues. At the same time, the long-running Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) continues to extend a stable, climate-oriented view of global precipitation. This talk will provide an overview of these projects and the wider international community of precipitation datasets, sketch plans for next-generation products, and provide some examples of the best use for the different products. One key lesson learned is that different data sets are needed to address the variety of issues that need precipitation data, including detailed 3-D views of hurricanes, flash flood forecasting, drought analysis, and global change.

Consistency Across Standards or Standards in a New Business Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russo, Dane M.

2010-01-01

Presentation topics include: standards in a changing business model, the new National Space Policy is driving change, a new paradigm for human spaceflight, consistency across standards, the purpose of standards, danger of over-prescriptive standards, a balance is needed (between prescriptive and general standards), enabling versus inhibiting, characteristics of success-oriented standards, characteristics of success-oriented standards, and conclusions. Additional slides include NASA Procedural Requirements 8705.2B identifies human rating standards and requirements, draft health and medical standards for human rating, what's been done, government oversight models, examples of consistency from anthropometry, examples of inconsistency from air quality and appendices of government and non-governmental human factors standards.

The Use of Monte Carlo Techniques to Teach Probability.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newell, G. J.; MacFarlane, J. D.

1985-01-01

Presents sports-oriented examples (cricket and football) in which Monte Carlo methods are used on microcomputers to teach probability concepts. Both examples include computer programs (with listings) which utilize the microcomputer's random number generator. Instructional strategies, with further challenges to help students understand the role of…

Psychology of Learning for Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Driscoll, Marcy P.

This cognitively-oriented book focuses on learning and instruction. Specific applications and implications of learning theories are discussed and examples are drawn from educational situations and educational problems. Theoretical concepts are illustrated in concrete terms and a wide variety of examples are provided. The text embodies a theme of…

Techniques in teaching statistics : linking research production and research use.

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

Martinez-Moyano, I .; Smith, A.; Univ. of Massachusetts at Boston)

In the spirit of closing the 'research-practice gap,' the authors extend evidence-based principles to statistics instruction in social science graduate education. The authors employ a Delphi method to survey experienced statistics instructors to identify teaching techniques to overcome the challenges inherent in teaching statistics to students enrolled in practitioner-oriented master's degree programs. Among the teaching techniques identi?ed as essential are using real-life examples, requiring data collection exercises, and emphasizing interpretation rather than results. Building on existing research, preliminary interviews, and the ?ndings from the study, the authors develop a model describing antecedents to the strength of the link between researchmore » and practice.« less

The psychosocial atmosphere in community-based activity centers for people with psychiatric disabilities: visitor and staff perceptions.

PubMed

Jansson, Jan-Åke; Johansson, Håkan; Eklund, Mona

2013-12-01

This study investigated how visitors and staff in community-based activity centers in Sweden perceived the psychosocial atmosphere and whether this could be explained by the centers' orientation (work-oriented versus meeting place-oriented centers). Eighty-eight visitors and 37 staff members at three work-oriented and three meeting place-oriented centers participated. The Community-oriented Programs Environmental Scale was used to estimate the psychosocial atmosphere. The result showed that the psychosocial atmosphere at the centers was in accordance with a supportive ward atmosphere profile. Visitors and staff perceived several aspects of the psychosocial atmosphere differently, especially in the meeting place-oriented centers. The visitors in the meeting place-oriented centers did not perceive the psychosocial atmosphere differently from those visiting the work-oriented centers. The results indicated that the psychosocial atmosphere at the centers was in line with what previous research has shown to be beneficial for visitors regarding outcome and favorable for promoting a good therapeutic alliance and a good functioning in daily life.

Accurate Molecular Orientation Analysis Using Infrared p-Polarized Multiple-Angle Incidence Resolution Spectrometry (pMAIRS) Considering the Refractive Index of the Thin Film Sample.

PubMed

Shioya, Nobutaka; Shimoaka, Takafumi; Murdey, Richard; Hasegawa, Takeshi

2017-06-01

Infrared (IR) p-polarized multiple-angle incidence resolution spectrometry (pMAIRS) is a powerful tool for analyzing the molecular orientation in an organic thin film. In particular, pMAIRS works powerfully for a thin film with a highly rough surface irrespective of degree of the crystallinity. Recently, the optimal experimental condition has comprehensively been revealed, with which the accuracy of the analytical results has largely been improved. Regardless, some unresolved matters still remain. A structurally isotropic sample, for example, yields different peak intensities in the in-plane and out-of-plane spectra. In the present study, this effect is shown to be due to the refractive index of the sample film and a correction factor has been developed using rigorous theoretical methods. As a result, with the use of the correction factor, organic materials having atypical refractive indices such as perfluoroalkyl compounds ( n = 1.35) and fullerene ( n = 1.83) can be analyzed with high accuracy comparable to a compound having a normal refractive index of approximately 1.55. With this improved technique, we are also ready for discriminating an isotropic structure from an oriented sample having the magic angle of 54.7°.

Cabaret dancers: “Settle down in order to stay mobile?” Bridging theoretical orientations within transnational migration studies.

PubMed

Dahinden, Janine

2010-01-01

Adopting a transnational perspective has become essential in understanding the contemporary practices taking place across borders, especially with respect to migrants. In this article, I argue that we can distinguish two theoretical orientations within transnational migration studies: one theorizing the complexity of transnational processes and focusing on established migrants settled in host countries; and the second theorizing transnational practices on the basis of different but continuous forms of mobility. Using the example of cabaret dancers in Switzerland, I show how they develop a very specific form of transnationality, which corresponds at first sight to the second theoretical orientation. Some of them are genuinely “world travelers”—they work in erotic clubs in Switzerland, Japan, or Lebanon, go home regularly to visit their families, or continue their studies. As such, their transnational morphology is highly influenced by gender as well as by the (transnational) nature of the sex industry and the opportunities and legal structure in Switzerland. Nevertheless, to remain in circulation, the dancers need to develop a kind of mobility capital, which involves, paradoxically, becoming “sedentarized” to a certain degree in Switzerland. The article thus advocates a theoretical framework that better captures the experiences of settled as well as of circulatory migrants.

Learning to lead at Toyota.

PubMed

Spear, Steven J

2004-05-01

Many companies have tried to copy Toyota's famous production system--but without success. Why? Part of the reason, says the author, is that imitators fail to recognize the underlying principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS), focusing instead on specific tools and practices. This article tells the other part of the story. Building on a previous HBR article, "Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System," Spear explains how Toyota inculcates managers with TPS principles. He describes the training of a star recruit--a talented young American destined for a high-level position at one of Toyota's U.S. plants. Rich in detail, the story offers four basic lessons for any company wishing to train its managers to apply Toyota's system: There's no substitute for direct observation. Toyota employees are encouraged to observe failures as they occur--for example, by sitting next to a machine on the assembly line and waiting and watching for any problems. Proposed changes should always be structured as experiments. Employees embed explicit and testable assumptions in the analysis of their work. That allows them to examine the gaps between predicted and actual results. Workers and managers should experiment as frequently as possible. The company teaches employees at all levels to achieve continuous improvement through quick, simple experiments rather than through lengthy, complex ones. Managers should coach, not fix. Toyota managers act as enablers, directing employees but not telling them where to find opportunities for improvements. Rather than undergo a brief period of cursory walk-throughs, orientations, and introductions as incoming fast-track executives at most companies might, the executive in this story learned TPS the long, hard way--by practicing it, which is how Toyota trains any new employee, regardless of rank or function.

Organization of Individual Work of Students under Competence-Oriented Approach to Education in Higher School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ualiyeva, Nazym T.; Murzalinova, Alma Z.

2016-01-01

The main objective of this research is to identify the essence, content and specifics of organization of individual work of higher school students under competence-oriented approach. The research methodology is related to the choice of competence-oriented approach to ensure transformation of individual work into individual activity in…

Internal marketing, customer orientation, and organizational commitment: moderating effects of work status.

PubMed

Huang, Meiju; Chen, Mei-Yen

2013-08-01

Associations among internal marketing, customer orientation, and organizational commitment were examined, particularly with regard to the moderating effects of work status on the relationships between internal marketing and customer orientation or organizational commitment, in a cross-sectional design with structural equation modeling. Two studies (Ns = 119 and 251) were conducted among full- and part-time service employees at Taipei Sports Centers. Internal marketing was associated with organizational commitment and customer orientation. Customer orientation was associated with organizational commitment and partially mediated the relation between internal marketing and organizational commitment. Furthermore, work status significantly moderated the relationships between internal marketing and customer orientation but not between internal marketing and organizational commitment. Implications and directions for future research were discussed.

48 CFR 9.507-2 - Contract clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Contract clause. 9.507-2 Section 9.507-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION ACQUISITION PLANNING..., for example, when the first production contract using the contractor's specifications or work...

48 CFR 9.507-2 - Contract clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract clause. 9.507-2 Section 9.507-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION ACQUISITION PLANNING..., for example, when the first production contract using the contractor's specifications or work...

48 CFR 9.507-2 - Contract clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Contract clause. 9.507-2 Section 9.507-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION ACQUISITION PLANNING..., for example, when the first production contract using the contractor's specifications or work...

48 CFR 9.507-2 - Contract clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Contract clause. 9.507-2 Section 9.507-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION ACQUISITION PLANNING..., for example, when the first production contract using the contractor's specifications or work...

78 FR 45567 - Proposed Collection, Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-29

... eating patterns, physical activity, and BMI; time- use patterns of food assistance program participants.... It measures, for example, time spent with children, working, sleeping, or doing leisure activities... comparisons of production between nations that have different mixes of market and non-market activities. The...

The Performance Appraisal: A Crucial Business Process and Product.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ewald, Helen Rothschild; McCallum, Virginia

1989-01-01

Discusses the process of work performance self-assessment, noting the importance of understanding performance appraisal as a rhetorical situation. Describes the process of setting goals, establishing criteria, assessing performance, and adapting to an organizational format. Provides examples of performance evaluation charts. (MM)

Sintered rare earth-iron Laves phase magnetostrictive alloy product and preparation thereof

DOEpatents

Malekzadeh, Manoochehr; Pickus, Milton R.

1979-01-01

A sintered rare earth-iron Laves phase magnetostrictive alloy product characterized by a grain oriented morphology. The grain oriented morphology is obtained by magnetically aligning powder particles of the magnetostrictive alloy prior to sintering. Specifically disclosed are grain oriented sintered compacts of Tb.sub.x Dy.sub.1-x Fe.sub.2 and their method of preparation. The present sintered products have enhanced magnetostrictive properties.

A dyadic model of the work-family interface: a study of dual-earner couples in China.

PubMed

Ho, Man Yee; Chen, Xuefei; Cheung, Fanny M; Liu, Huimin; Worthington, Everett L

2013-01-01

This study adopted a spillover-crossover model to examine the roles of personality and perceived social support as antecedents of the work-family interface among dual-earner couples in China. Married couples (N = 306) from 2 major cities in China (Shanghai and Jinan) completed questionnaires measuring a relationship-oriented personality trait (i.e., family orientation), perceived family and work support, and work-family conflict and enhancement. The results showed that family orientation and perceived family support was positively associated with family-to-work enhancement and negatively associated with family-to-work conflict for both husbands and wives. Perceived work support was positively associated with family-to-work enhancement for wives and negatively associated with work-to-family conflict for husbands. Similarities in family orientation between partners were positively correlated with the individual's family-to-work enhancement. This study also illustrated the crossover of the work-family interface between dual-earner couples by using the actor-partner interdependence model. The pattern of associations between personality trait and perceived social support varied by gender. Husbands' family orientation was negatively correlated with work-to-family enhancement experienced by wives, and husbands' perceived work support was positively correlated with work-to-family enhancement experienced by wives. Wives' perceived work support was positively correlated with family-to-work conflict experienced by husbands.

Digital multicolor printing: state of the art and future challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kipphan, Helmut

1995-04-01

During the last 5 years, digital techniques have become extremely important in the graphic arts industry. All sections in the production flow for producing multicolor printed products - prepress, printing and postpress - are influenced by digitalization, in an evolutionary and revolutionary way. New equipment and network techniques bring all the sections closer together. The focus is put on high-quality multicolor printing, together with high productivity. Conventional offset printing technology is compared with the leading nonimpact printing technologies. Computer to press is contrasted with computer to print techniques. The newest available digital multicolor presses are described - the direct imaging offset printing press from HEIDELBERG with new laser imaging technique as well as the INDIGO and XEIKON presses based on electrophotography. Regarding technical specifications, economic calculations and print quality, it is worked out that each technique has its own market segments. An outlook is given for future computer to press techniques and the potential of nonimpact printing technologies for advanced high-speed multicolor computer to print equipment. Synergy effects from the NIP-technologies to the conventional printing technologies and vice versa are possible for building up innovative new products, for example hybrid printing systems. It is also shown that there is potential for improving the print quality, based on special screening algorithms, and a higher number of grey levels per pixel by using NIP-technologies. As an intermediate step in digitalization of the production flow, but also as an economical solution computer to plate equipment is described. By producing printed products totally in a digital way, digital color proofing as well as color management systems are needed. The newest high-tech equipment using NIP-technologies for producing proofs is explained. All in all it is shown that the state of the art in digital multicolor printing has reached a very high level in technology, productivity and quality, but that there is still space for improvements and innovations. Manufacturers of equipment and producers of printed products can take part in a successful evolution-changes, chances and challenges must be recognized and considered for future orientated activities and investments.

Proceedings of the First Workshop on Service-Oriented Architectures and Software Product Lines

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-01

Addison-Wesley, Har- low, 2000. [8] Kang, K., Cohen, S., Hess, J., Novak, W., & Peterson, S. Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis ( FODA ) Feasibility...Intensive Systems-Description, 2000. [17] K. Kang, S. Cohen, J. Hess, W. No- vak, and S. Peterson. Feature- Oriented Domain Analysis ( FODA ...product models. SPF modeling employs many approaches such as Feature- Oriented Domain Analysis and extensions to existing approaches such as UML

Strategies of performance self-monitoring in automotive production.

PubMed

Faye, Hélène; Falzon, Pierre

2009-09-01

Production in the automotive industry, based on assembly line work, is now characterized by lean manufacturing and customization. This results in greater flexibility and increased quality demands, including worker performance self-monitoring. The objectives of this study are to refine the concept of performance self-monitoring and to characterize the strategies developed by operators to achieve it. Data were collected based on the method of individual auto-confrontation, consisting of two steps: eleven assembly-line operators of a French automotive company were individually observed and video-taped while they were working; an interview then allowed each operator to discuss his/her activity based on the video-tape. This study expands the concept of performance self-monitoring by highlighting three types of strategies directly oriented toward quality: prevention, feedback control and control action strategies.

An Assessment of GEO Orbital Debris Photometric Properties Derived from Laboratory-Based Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cowardin, H.; Abercromby, K.; Barker, E.; Seitzer, P.; Mulrooney, M.; Schildknecht, T.

Optical observations of orbital debris offer insights that differ from radar measurements (specifically the size parameter and wavelength regime). For example, time-dependent photometric data yield lightcurves in multiple bandpasses that aid in material identification and possible periodic orientations. This data can also be used to help identify shapes and optical properties at multiple phase angles. Capitalizing on optical data products and applying them to generate a more complete understanding of orbital space objects, is a key objective of NASA's Optical Measurement Program, and a primary driver for creation of the Optical Measurements Center (OMC). The OMC attempts to emulate space-based illumination conditions using equipment and techniques that parallel telescopic observations and source-target-sensor orientations. The OMC uses a 300 Watt Xenon arc lamp as a solar simulator, a CCD camera with Johnson/Bessel colored filters, and a robotic arm to orientate/rotate objects to simulate an objects orbit/rotational period. A high-resolution, high bandwidth (350nm-2500nm) Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD) spectrometer is also employed to baseline various material types. Since observation of GEO targets are generally restricted to the optical regime (due to radar range limitations), analysis of their properties is tailored to those revealed by optical data products. In this connection, much attention has been directed towards understanding the lightcurves of orbital debris with high area-to-mass (A/m) ratios (> 0.9 m2/kg). A small population of GEO debris was recently identified, which exhibits the properties of high A/m objects, such as variable eccentricities and inclinations -- a dynamical characteristic generally resulting from varying solar radiation pressure on high A/m objects. Materials such as multi-layered insulation (MLI) and solar panels are two examples of materials with high area-to mass ratios. Lightcurves for such objects can vary greatly (even for the same object under different illumination conditions). For example, specular reflections from multiple facets of the target surface (e.g. Mylar or Aluminized Kapton) can lead to erratic, orientation-dependent lightcurves. This paper will investigate published color photometric data for a series of orbital debris targets and compare it to the empirical photometric measurements generated in the OMC. The specific materials investigated (known to exist in GEO) are: an intact piece of MLI, separated layers of MLI, and multiple solar cells materials. Using the data acquired over specific rotational angles through different filters (B, V, R, I), a color index is acquired (B-R, R-I). As a secondary check, the spectrometer is used to define color indexes for the same material. Using these values and their associated lightcurves, this laboratory data is compared to observational data obtained on the 1m telescope of the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AUIB) and the 0.9 m Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS) telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO). We will present laboratory generated lightcurves with color indexes of the high A/m materials alongside telescopic data of targets with high A/m values. We will discuss the relationship of laboratory to telescope data in the context of classification of GEO debris objects.

Pulsed-Laser-Induced Melting and Solidification of Thin Metallic Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Min Hwan

This thesis focused on investigating excimer-laser induced melting and solidification of thin metallic films on SiO2. Two distinct topics were pursued: (1) microstructural manipulation and optimization of Cu films via SLS of as-deposited Cu films on SiO2, and (2) investigation of oriented heterogeneous nucleation via complete melting and subsequent nucleation-initated solidification of Ni films on SiO2. Close examination of laterally grown grains, which quickly develop rolling direction crystallographic orientation texture due to occlusion of differently oriented grains, reveal, furthermore, that low-angle grain boundaries as well as twins can be generated during the growth. These intra-grain defects are found to appear in a systematic manner (as they are located at specific regions and observed under specific incident energy densities). Significantly longer lateral growth distances observed in Cu films (compared to that of Si films) was attributed to the fact that substantially higher growth rates are expected with simple metallic films at a given interfacial undercooling. The implementation of SLS using Cu films was accomplished quite effectively, as can be expected from the above lateral-growth-related results involving single-shot expeirments. We were able to achieve a variety of large-grained, grain-boundary location and grain-orientation controlled Cu films via various SLS techniques. When performed optimally in accordance with the findings made in chapter 2, the resulting microstructure exhibits large grains, which are primarily devoid of intra-grain defects. For example, 2-shot SLS processed Cu films led to strong rolling direction orientation, while avoiding the formation of low-angle grain boundaries and twin-boundaries. The highlight of SLS on Cu films correspond to a version of SLS (referred to as "2-Shot plus 2-Shot" SLS) in which the second 2-shot SLS is performed in the direction perpendicular to the first one. Through this approach, we were able to achieve grain-boundary-location controlled microstructure with a strong orientation texture in all three dimensions (forming, effectively, an ultra-large quasi-single crystal material). Nucleation of solids in laser-quenched Ni films was investigated using EBSD analysis. The surface orientation analysis of nucleated grains obtained within the complete melting regime reveal a clear sign of texture. From these and additional findings from previous work involving Al films, we were able to conclude that systematic heterogeneous nucleation has taken place, and, furthermore, that oriented nucleation of the solids must have taken place. Although always suspected to be the case, it is typically extremely challenging to prove with certainty, in conventional nucleation experiments, that the mechanism of nucleation corresponds to that of a heterogeneous one. Furthermore, although it has been suspected theoretically for over 50 years, experimental results that clearly show that oriented nucleation actually transpires have not been obtained until our work involving Al films; the present findings involving Ni films further strengthen this conclusion as the Ni system removes some of the experimental uncertainties that are associated with Al films, and, furthermore, suggests that the process of oriented nucleation is a general and rather pervasive phenomenon. Additionally, it was observed that the selected orientation changed as a function of incident energy density; in the low energy density regime (above the completed melting threshold) {110}-surface texture was observed, while {111}-surface texture became more dominent at higher densities. Motivated by our experimental work involving Al and Ni that clearly indicates that oriented heterogeneous nucleation is a major path through which heterogeneous nucleation of solids occurs, we have also carried out a 2-dimensional Winterbottom-type thermodynamic analysis that can be used to obtain a better understanding of the phenomenon. In contrast to the previous work on the subject, we consider in our modelling the anisotropic nature of both the solid-liquid and solid-substrate interfacial energy; we advocate that this is the only physically consistent combination. The results show that oriented nucleation can be systematically accounted for as stemming from the expected anisotropic nature of the involved interfacial energies. Furthermore, the analysis also suggests possible reasons for observing a transition in surface texture from one orientation to another. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Microparticle based morphology engineering of filamentous microorganisms for industrial bio-production.

PubMed

Walisko, Robert; Krull, Rainer; Schrader, Jens; Wittmann, Christoph

2012-11-01

Filamentous microorganisms are important work horses in industrial biotechnology and supply enzymes, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, bulk and fine chemicals. Here we highlight recent findings on the use of microparticles in the cultivation of filamentous bacteria and fungi, with the aim of enabling a more precise control of their morphology towards better production performance. First examples reveal a broad application range of microparticle based processes, since multiple filamentous organisms are controllable in their growth characteristics and respond by enhanced product formation.

CrossTalk: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering. Volume 19, Number 12, December 2006

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis ( FODA ) FODA is a domain analysis and engineer- ing method that focuses on developing reusable assets [9]. By examining...Eliciting Security Requirements This article describes an approach for doing trade-off analysis among requirements elicitation methods. by Dr. Nancy R...high-level requirements are addressed and met in the requirements work products. 3. Unclear requirements Mitigation Perform requirements analysis and

Client-oriented Building Mass Customization (CoBMC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Xia Sheng; Faris Khamidi, Mohd; Kuppusamy, Sivaraman; Tuck Heng, Chin

2017-12-01

Although much later compared to other industries including aerospace, automobile, oil and gas etc., digital technology development has been cresting towards an exponential curve in the construction industry. Technological diversity and abundance change the game from “what you can” to “what you want”. Society is changing at an unprecedented rate. Consequently adaptability will be crucial. This research paper explores the integration of digital adaptive technologies that transform the construction industry from the mass production to that of a possible client-oriented mass customization. The focus on the design, construction and performance stages of a building project, currently undergoing major overhaul faces a paradigm shift globally that will impact and compel attention for the next three decades with viable solutions such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) to manage massive data cum information. Customization maximizes clients’ participation during the design process thereby achieving greater effective value and higher satisfaction. A study between customized and standardized examples will investigate how adaptive customization will shift the design paradigm from cost to value centric. This action research will explore different aspects of emerging innovative systems already in place pushing the edge of frontiers, and transforming the building industry landscape whether micro or giga, to compliment new technologies to create an unprecedented exhilaration of freshness over the mundane, routine and mediocrity. Three identified fundamental aspects that are instrumental to Client-oriented Building Mass Customization (CoBMC) are design option visualization, parametric product information and n-dimensional modelling. The study concluded that a paradigm shift is therefore inevitable for every stakeholder including clients who will need to re-examine their roles, capabilities, and competencies in preparation towards challenging future.

Discrimination of dynamical system models for biological and chemical processes.

PubMed

Lorenz, Sönke; Diederichs, Elmar; Telgmann, Regina; Schütte, Christof

2007-06-01

In technical chemistry, systems biology and biotechnology, the construction of predictive models has become an essential step in process design and product optimization. Accurate modelling of the reactions requires detailed knowledge about the processes involved. However, when concerned with the development of new products and production techniques for example, this knowledge often is not available due to the lack of experimental data. Thus, when one has to work with a selection of proposed models, the main tasks of early development is to discriminate these models. In this article, a new statistical approach to model discrimination is described that ranks models wrt. the probability with which they reproduce the given data. The article introduces the new approach, discusses its statistical background, presents numerical techniques for its implementation and illustrates the application to examples from biokinetics.

Organization of knowledge and the complex identity of history of science.

PubMed

Alfonso-Goldfarb, Ana M; Waisse, Silvia; Ferraz, Márcia H M

2013-09-01

History of science as a formal and autonomous field of research crosses over disciplinary boundaries. For this reason, both its production and its working materials are difficult to classify and catalog according to discipline-based systems of organization of knowledge. Three main problems might be pointed out in this regard: the disciplines themselves are subject to a historical process of transformation; some objects of scientific inquiry resist constraint within rigid disciplinary grids but, rather, extend across several disciplinary boundaries; and the so-called digital revolution has replaced spatial with temporal display sequences and shifted the traditional emphasis on knowledge to user-oriented approaches. The first part of this essay is devoted to a conceptual analysis of the various approaches to the organization of knowledge formulated over time, whereas the second considers the new possibilities afforded by a faceted model of knowledge organization compatible with user-oriented relational databases to the research materials and production of history of science.

The validation by measurement theory of proposed object-oriented software metrics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neal, Ralph D.

1994-01-01

Moving software development into the engineering arena requires controllability, and to control a process, it must be measurable. Measuring the process does no good if the product is not also measured, i.e., being the best at producing an inferior product does not define a quality process. Also, not every number extracted from software development is a valid measurement. A valid measurement only results when we are able to verify that the number is representative of the attribute that we wish to measure. Many proposed software metrics are used by practitioners without these metrics ever having been validated, leading to costly but often useless calculations. Several researchers have bemoaned the lack of scientific precision in much of the published software measurement work and have called for validation of software metrics by measurement theory. This dissertation applies measurement theory to validate fifty proposed object-oriented software metrics (Li and Henry, 1993; Chidamber and Kemerrer, 1994; Lorenz and Kidd, 1994).

Constructing a working taxonomy of functional Ada software components for real-time embedded system applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, Robert

1986-01-01

A major impediment to a systematic attack on Ada software reusability is the lack of an effective taxonomy for software component functions. The scope of all possible applications of Ada software is considered too great to allow the practical development of a working taxonomy. Instead, for the purposes herein, the scope of Ada software application is limited to device and subsystem control in real-time embedded systems. A functional approach is taken in constructing the taxonomy tree for identified Ada domain. The use of modular software functions as a starting point fits well with the object oriented programming philosophy of Ada. Examples of the types of functions represented within the working taxonomy are real time kernels, interrupt service routines, synchronization and message passing, data conversion, digital filtering and signal conditioning, and device control. The constructed taxonomy is proposed as a framework from which a need analysis can be performed to reveal voids in current Ada real-time embedded programming efforts for Space Station.

Beyond Batteries and Bulbs, Circuits and Conductors: Building Green, Activist-Oriented Student Communities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haun-Frank, Julie; Matthews, Catherine E.; Allen, Melony Holyfield

2012-01-01

In this article we provide an example of how to foster an activist-oriented student community by critically examining green technology. We designed this curriculum unit to teach students about the fundamentals of electricity, green technology, and experimental design. Additionally, we viewed this activity as an opportunity for students to apply…

Transforming Space Missions into Service Oriented Architectures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mandl, Dan; Frye, Stuart; Cappelaere, Pat

2006-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the vision of the sensor web enablement via a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). An generic example is given of a user finding a service through the Web, and initiating a request for the desired observation. The parts that comprise this system and how they interact are reviewed. The advantages of the use of SOA are reviewed.

Special problems of women in psychotherapy.

PubMed

Friedman, H J

1977-07-01

Feminist critics have failed to acknowledge the usefulness of Freud's neutral observations about female sexual development. This paper is an attempt to refute the prejudiced, incorrect view of the modern psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist as sexist in orientation. Several detailed case examples are utilized to illustrate the interpretive treatment of excessive passivity in women patients with a variety of neurotic difficulties.

"My Major Is English, Believe It or Not:)" -- Participant Orientations in Nonnative/Native Text Chat

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vandergriff, Ilona

2013-01-01

In their interactions with native speakers (NS), nonnative speakers (NNS) often position themselves as relative novices. For example, they may orient to the language expertise differential by apologizing for their linguistic ineptness or by making self-disparaging remarks about their second language (L2). This is true even for advanced learners in…

The V-Flex, Triangle Orientation, and Catalan Numbers in Hexaflexagons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iacob, Ionut E.; McLean, T. Bruce; Wang, Hua

2012-01-01

Regular hexaflexagons mysteriously change faces as you pinch flex them. This paper describes a different flex, the V-flex, which allows the hexahexaflexagon (with only 9 faces under the pinch flex) to have 3420 faces. The article goes on to explain the classification of triangle orientations in a hexaflexagon and gives an example of the…

The use of empathy and transference as interventions in psychotherapy with attention deficit hyperactive disorder latency-aged boys.

PubMed

Conway, Francine

2014-03-01

Psychodynamic-oriented therapies are uniquely positioned to address the internal experiences of a child whose external presentation is consistent with an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, an area of treatment intervention that is conspicuously absent from common ADHD treatment modalities. This article presents two psychodynamic psychotherapy treatment interventions that demonstrate (1) the importance of empathy in the therapeutic relationship and (2) the use of transference in psychotherapy with ADHD children. Through the use of case examples, the use of empathy is demonstrated in developing the therapeutic alliance, facilitating the development of the child's reflective capacity on affective states, and organizing the child's affective experiences. The benefits of transference interventions with ADHD children are reviewed, and case examples are provided to demonstrate how the therapist worked with the idealized and mirroring transference. Interventions are presented in the context of Object Relations and Self-Psychology Theories. (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Virtues in participatory design: cooperation, curiosity, creativity, empowerment and reflexivity.

PubMed

Steen, Marc

2013-09-01

In this essay several virtues are discussed that are needed in people who work in participatory design (PD). The term PD is used here to refer specifically to an approach in designing information systems with its roots in Scandinavia in the 1970s and 1980s. Through the lens of virtue ethics and based on key texts in PD, the virtues of cooperation, curiosity, creativity, empowerment and reflexivity are discussed. Cooperation helps people in PD projects to engage in cooperative curiosity and cooperative creativity. Curiosity helps them to empathize with others and their experiences, and to engage in joint learning. Creativity helps them to envision, try out and materialize ideas, and to jointly create new products and services. Empowerment helps them to share power and to enable other people to flourish. Moreover, reflexivity helps them to perceive and to modify their own thoughts, feelings and actions. In the spirit of virtue ethics-which focuses on specific people in concrete situations-several examples from one PD project are provided. Virtue ethics is likely to appeal to people in PD projects because it is practice-oriented, provides room for exploration and experimentation, and promotes professional and personal development. In closing, some ideas for practical application, for education and for further research are discussed.

Globalization and occupational health: a perspective from southern Africa.

PubMed Central

Loewenson, R.

2001-01-01

Increased world trade has generally benefited industrialized or strong economies and marginalized those that are weak. This paper examines the impact of globalization on employment trends and occupational health, drawing on examples from southern Africa. While the share of world trade to the world's poorest countries has decreased, workers in these countries increasingly find themselves in insecure, poor-quality jobs, sometimes involving technologies which are obsolete or banned in industrialized countries. The occupational illness which results is generally less visible and not adequately recognized as a problem in low-income countries. Those outside the workplace can also be affected through, for example, work-related environmental pollution and poor living conditions. In order to reduce the adverse effects of global trade reforms on occupational health, stronger social protection measures must be built into production and trade activities, including improved recognition, prevention, and management of work-related ill-health. Furthermore, the success of production and trade systems should be judged on how well they satisfy both economic growth and population health. PMID:11584735

Structuring Formal Requirements Specifications for Reuse and Product Families

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heimdahl, Mats P. E.

2001-01-01

In this project we have investigated how formal specifications should be structured to allow for requirements reuse, product family engineering, and ease of requirements change, The contributions of this work include (1) a requirements specification methodology specifically targeted for critical avionics applications, (2) guidelines for how to structure state-based specifications to facilitate ease of change and reuse, and (3) examples from the avionics domain demonstrating the proposed approach.

Twin Research and the Arts: Interconnections / Twin Research: Twin Studies of Sexual Orientation; A Historical Biological Twin Gem; GWAS Approach to Who Has Twins / Newsworthy: Twins on College Campuses; 'Brainprint': Personal Identification by Brain Waves.

PubMed

Segal, Nancy L

2016-08-01

The interrelatedness between twin research and the arts is explored via a new play about a famous case. In the 1960s, identical twin David Bruce Reimer was accidentally castrated as an infant during circumcision to correct a urinary problem. The decision to raise him as a girl, and the consequences of that decision, are explored in the new theatrical production of Boy. Other examples of the arts mirroring science, and vice versa, are described. Next, brief reviews and summaries of twin research on sexual orientation, 1860s' knowledge of placental arrangements and twinning mechanisms, and genes underlying multiple birth conception and fertility related measures are provided. This article concludes with a look at twins on college campuses and the identification of individuals by their brain waves. A correction and clarification regarding my article on the Brazilian Twin Registry in the last issue of THG (Segal, 2016) is also provided.

Work disability resulting from chronic health conditions.

PubMed

Lerner, Debra; Allaire, Saralynn H; Reisine, Susan T

2005-03-01

To describe current programs and policies for addressing work disability among adults with chronic health conditions, and to identify opportunities for new research aimed at reducing the problem. The authors conducted secondary data analysis and a literature review. Millions of Americans with a chronic health condition have a work disability or are at risk of developing one. This public health problem is costing hundreds of billions of dollars a year nationally in lost productivity and diminishing the quality of life of millions of Americans. The medical care system, employers, and government--three traditional sources of help for adults with chronic health problems--are not sufficiently oriented toward the primary or secondary prevention of work disability. New research is urgently needed to reduce the burden of work disability on individuals and society.

Neurobehavioral effects of aspartame consumption.

PubMed

Lindseth, Glenda N; Coolahan, Sonya E; Petros, Thomas V; Lindseth, Paul D

2014-06-01

Despite its widespread use, the artificial sweetener aspartame remains one of the most controversial food additives, due to mixed evidence on its neurobehavioral effects. Healthy adults who consumed a study-prepared high-aspartame diet (25 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days and a low-aspartame diet (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days, with a 2-week washout between the diets, were examined for within-subject differences in cognition, depression, mood, and headache. Measures included weight of foods consumed containing aspartame, mood and depression scales, and cognitive tests for working memory and spatial orientation. When consuming high-aspartame diets, participants had more irritable mood, exhibited more depression, and performed worse on spatial orientation tests. Aspartame consumption did not influence working memory. Given that the higher intake level tested here was well below the maximum acceptable daily intake level of 40-50 mg/kg body weight/day, careful consideration is warranted when consuming food products that may affect neurobehavioral health. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Neurobehavioral Effects of Aspartame Consumption

PubMed Central

Lindseth, Glenda N.; Coolahan, Sonya E.; Petros, Thomas V.; Lindseth, Paul D.

2017-01-01

Despite its widespread use, the artificial sweetener aspartame remains one of the most controversial food additives, due to mixed evidence on its neurobehavioral effects. Healthy adults who consumed a study-prepared high-aspartame diet (25 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days and a low-aspartame diet (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days, with a 2-week washout between the diets, were examined for within-subject differences in cognition, depression, mood, and headache. Measures included weight of foods consumed containing aspartame, mood and depression scales, and cognitive tests for working memory and spatial orientation. When consuming high-aspartame diets, participants had more irritable mood, exhibited more depression, and performed worse on spatial orientation tests. Aspartame consumption did not influence working memory. Given that the higher intake level tested here was well below the maximum acceptable daily intake level of 40–50 mg/kg body weight/day, careful consideration is warranted when consuming food products that may affect neurobehavioral health. PMID:24700203

Interactions between visual working memory representations.

PubMed

Bae, Gi-Yeul; Luck, Steven J

2017-11-01

We investigated whether the representations of different objects are maintained independently in working memory or interact with each other. Observers were shown two sequentially presented orientations and required to reproduce each orientation after a delay. The sequential presentation minimized perceptual interactions so that we could isolate interactions between memory representations per se. We found that similar orientations were repelled from each other whereas dissimilar orientations were attracted to each other. In addition, when one of the items was given greater attentional priority by means of a cue, the representation of the high-priority item was not influenced very much by the orientation of the low-priority item, but the representation of the low-priority item was strongly influenced by the orientation of the high-priority item. This indicates that attention modulates the interactions between working memory representations. In addition, errors in the reported orientations of the two objects were positively correlated under some conditions, suggesting that representations of distinct objects may become grouped together in memory. Together, these results demonstrate that working-memory representations are not independent but instead interact with each other in a manner that depends on attentional priority.

Integration of object-oriented knowledge representation with the CLIPS rule based system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Logie, David S.; Kamil, Hasan

1990-01-01

The paper describes a portion of the work aimed at developing an integrated, knowledge based environment for the development of engineering-oriented applications. An Object Representation Language (ORL) was implemented in C++ which is used to build and modify an object-oriented knowledge base. The ORL was designed in such a way so as to be easily integrated with other representation schemes that could effectively reason with the object base. Specifically, the integration of the ORL with the rule based system C Language Production Systems (CLIPS), developed at the NASA Johnson Space Center, will be discussed. The object-oriented knowledge representation provides a natural means of representing problem data as a collection of related objects. Objects are comprised of descriptive properties and interrelationships. The object-oriented model promotes efficient handling of the problem data by allowing knowledge to be encapsulated in objects. Data is inherited through an object network via the relationship links. Together, the two schemes complement each other in that the object-oriented approach efficiently handles problem data while the rule based knowledge is used to simulate the reasoning process. Alone, the object based knowledge is little more than an object-oriented data storage scheme; however, the CLIPS inference engine adds the mechanism to directly and automatically reason with that knowledge. In this hybrid scheme, the expert system dynamically queries for data and can modify the object base with complete access to all the functionality of the ORL from rules.

[A computer-aided image diagnosis and study system].

PubMed

Li, Zhangyong; Xie, Zhengxiang

2004-08-01

The revolution in information processing, particularly the digitizing of medicine, has changed the medical study, work and management. This paper reports a method to design a system for computer-aided image diagnosis and study. Combined with some good idea of graph-text system and picture archives communicate system (PACS), the system was realized and used for "prescription through computer", "managing images" and "reading images under computer and helping the diagnosis". Also typical examples were constructed in a database and used to teach the beginners. The system was developed by the visual developing tools based on object oriented programming (OOP) and was carried into operation on the Windows 9X platform. The system possesses friendly man-machine interface.

Computing arbitrary defect structures on arbitrary lattices on arbitrary geometries from arbitrary energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, Brian; Travesset, Alex

2004-03-01

Dislocations and disclinations play a fundamental role in the properties of two dimensional crystals. In this talk, it will be shown that a general computational framework can be developed by combining previous work of Seung and Nelson* and modern advances in objected oriented design. This allows separating the problem into independent classes such as: geometry (sphere, plane, torus..), lattice (triangular, square, etc..), type of defect (dislocation, disclinations, etc..), boundary conditions, type of order (crystalline, hexatic) or energy functional. As applications, the ground state of crystals in several geometries will be discussed. Experimental examples with colloidal particles will be shown. *S. Seung and D. Nelson, Phys. Rev. A 38, 1005 (1988)

Between orientalism and normalization: cross-cultural lessons from Japan for a critical history of psychology.

PubMed

Burman, Erica

2007-05-01

Cross-cultural research performs a vital role within the confirmation of psychological "truths." Its differentiations work simultaneously to establish their general applicability and the superiority of Anglo-U.S. ways of living and relating. Taking three examples of how "Japan" figures within English language psychological accounts (i.e., group/individual, shame/guilt societies, and attachment styles), I indicate how the apparent stability of these truths suppressed the violent history of their generation. Moreover, I suggest how resisting the assimilation of cultural specificity into a discourse of mere variation can challenge the hegemony of Anglo-U.S. psychology and reframe the vexed question of specificity versus universality.

Microstructure Evolution During Warm Working of Ti-6Al-4V with a Colony Alpha Microstructure (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

6 maps such as those shown in Fig. 4 ; typical examples of the cumulative misorientation are given in Figs. 5 and 6 , respectively...misorientation line scans shown in Figs. 5 and 6 . Fig. 5. Typical line scans from EBSD maps in Fig. 4 showing the variation of orientation over a long...e g 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 (b) Distance, μm 0 20 40 60 80 100 C u m u l a t i v e m i s o r i e n t a t i o n , d e g 0 5 10 15

Test-driven programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgiev, Bozhidar; Georgieva, Adriana

2013-12-01

In this paper, are presented some possibilities concerning the implementation of a test-driven development as a programming method. Here is offered a different point of view for creation of advanced programming techniques (build tests before programming source with all necessary software tools and modules respectively). Therefore, this nontraditional approach for easier programmer's work through building tests at first is preferable way of software development. This approach allows comparatively simple programming (applied with different object-oriented programming languages as for example JAVA, XML, PYTHON etc.). It is predictable way to develop software tools and to provide help about creating better software that is also easier to maintain. Test-driven programming is able to replace more complicated casual paradigms, used by many programmers.

Reconstruction of the extent and variability of late Quaternary ice sheets and Arctic sea ice: Insights from new mineralogical and geochemical proxy records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stein, R. H.; Niessen, F.; Fahl, K.; Forwick, M.; Kudriavtseva, A.; Ponomarenko, E.; Prim, A. K.; Quatmann-Hense, A.; Spielhagen, R. F.; Zou, H.

2016-12-01

The Arctic Ocean and surrounding continents are key areas within the Earth system and very sensitive to present and past climate change. In this context, the timing and extent of circum-Arctic ice sheets and its interaction with oceanic and sea-ice dynamics are major interest and focus of international research. New sediment cores recovered during the Polarstern Expeditions PS87 (Lomonosov Ridge/2014) and PS93.1 (Fram Strait/2015) together with several sediment cores available from previous Polarstern expeditions allow to carry out a detailed sedimentological and geochemical study that may help to unravel the changes in Arctic sea ice and circum-Arctic ice sheets during late Quaternary times. Our new data include biomarkers indicative for past sea-ice extent, phytoplankton productivity and terrigenous input as well as grain size, physical property, XRD and XRF data indicative for sources and pathways of terrigenous sediments (ice-rafted debris/IRD) related to glaciations in Eurasia, East Siberia, Canada and Greenland. Here, we present examples from selected sediment cores that give new insights into the timing and extent of sea ice and glaciations during MIS 6 to MIS 2. To highlight one example: SE-NW oriented, streamlined landforms have been mapped on top of the southern Lomonosov Ridge (LR) at water depths between 800 and 1000 m over long distances during Polarstern Expedition PS87, interpreted to be glacial lineations that formed beneath grounded ice sheets and ice streams. The orientations of the lineations identified are similar to those on the East Siberian continental margin, suggesting an East Siberian Chukchi Ice Sheet extended far to the north on LR during times of extreme Quaternary glaciations. Based on our new biomarker records from Core PS2757 (located on LR near 81°N) indicating a MIS 6 ice-edge situation with some open-water phytoplankton productivity, the glacial erosional event should have been older than MIS 6 (e.g., MIS 12?).

A Kalman-Filter-Based Approach to Combining Independent Earth-Orientation Series

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gross, Richard S.; Eubanks, T. M.; Steppe, J. A.; Freedman, A. P.; Dickey, J. O.; Runge, T. F.

1998-01-01

An approach. based upon the use of a Kalman filter. that is currently employed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for combining independent measurements of the Earth's orientation, is presented. Since changes in the Earth's orientation can be described is a randomly excited stochastic process, the uncertainty in our knowledge of the Earth's orientation grows rapidly in the absence of measurements. The Kalman-filter methodology allows for an objective accounting of this uncertainty growth, thereby facilitating the intercomparison of measurements taken at different epochs (not necessarily uniformly spaced in time) and with different precision. As an example of this approach to combining Earth-orientation series, a description is given of a combination, SPACE95, that has been generated recently at JPL.

Modelling poly(p-phenylene teraphthalamide) at Extreme Tensile Loading using Reactive Potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yilmaz, Dundar

2015-03-01

Aromatic polyamides classified as rigid-rod polymers due to orientation of their monomers. Because of their excellent mechanical and thermal properties, aramids are widely used in the industry. For example DuPont's brand Kevlar, for its commercial aromatic polyamide polymer, due to wide usage of this polymer in ballistic applications, habitually used as a nickname for bulletproof vests. In order to engineer these ballistic fabrics, material properties of aramid fibers should be studied. In this work we focused on the poly(p-phenylene teraphthalamide) PPTA fiber, known as brand name Kevlar. We employed Reactive potentials to simulate PPTA polymer under tensile loading. We first simulated both amorphous and crystalline phases of PPTA. We also introduced defects with varying densities. We further analysed the recorded atomic positions data to understand how tensile load distributed and failure mechanisms at extreme tensile loads. This work supported by TUBITAK under Grant No: 113F358.

Challenges in Measuring Benefit of Clinical Research Training Programs--the ASH Clinical Research Training Institute Example.

PubMed

Sung, Lillian; Crowther, Mark; Byrd, John; Gitlin, Scott D; Basso, Joe; Burns, Linda

2015-12-01

The American Society of Hematology developed the Clinical Research Training Institute (CRTI) to address the lack of training in patient-oriented research among hematologists. As the program continues, we need to consider metrics for measuring the benefits of such a training program. This article addresses the benefits of clinical research training programs. The fundamental and key components are education and mentorship. However, there are several other benefits including promotion of collaboration, job and advancement opportunities, and promotion of work-life balance. The benefits of clinical research training programs need to be measured so that funders and society can judge if they are worth the investment in time and resources. Identification of elements that are important to program benefit is essential to measuring the benefit of the program as well as program planning. Future work should focus on the constructs which contribute to benefits of clinical research training programs such as CRTI.

Cell Sheet-Based Tissue Engineering for Organizing Anisotropic Tissue Constructs Produced Using Microfabricated Thermoresponsive Substrates.

PubMed

Takahashi, Hironobu; Okano, Teruo

2015-11-18

In some native tissues, appropriate microstructures, including orientation of the cell/extracellular matrix, provide specific mechanical and biological functions. For example, skeletal muscle is made of oriented myofibers that is responsible for the mechanical function. Native artery and myocardial tissues are organized three-dimensionally by stacking sheet-like tissues of aligned cells. Therefore, to construct any kind of complex tissue, the microstructures of cells such as myotubes, smooth muscle cells, and cardiomyocytes also need to be organized three-dimensionally just as in the native tissues of the body. Cell sheet-based tissue engineering allows the production of scaffold-free engineered tissues through a layer-by-layer construction technique. Recently, using microfabricated thermoresponsive substrates, aligned cells are being harvested as single continuous cell sheets. The cell sheets act as anisotropic tissue units to build three-dimensional tissue constructs with the appropriate anisotropy. This cell sheet-based technology is straightforward and has the potential to engineer a wide variety of complex tissues. In addition, due to the scaffold-free cell-dense environment, the physical and biological cell-cell interactions of these cell sheet constructs exhibit unique cell behaviors. These advantages will provide important clues to enable the production of well-organized tissues that closely mimic the structure and function of native tissues, required for the future of tissue engineering. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Gender in health technology assessment: pilot study on agency approaches.

PubMed

Panteli, Dimitra; Zentner, Annette; Storz-Pfennig, Philipp; Busse, Reinhard

2011-07-01

Gender as a social construct is a recognized health determinant. Because best practice in reporting health technology assessment (HTA) clearly specifies the need to appraise a technology's social impact within the target population, the extent to which gender issues are taken into account in HTA production is of interest, not only in light of equitable practices but also for reasons of effectiveness. The aim of this study is to provide a first assessment of the degree of gender sensitivity shown by HTA agencies around the world today. The Web sites of sixty HTA agencies were analyzed. The consideration of gender aspects was specifically looked for in each agency's general mission statement, its priority setting process, and its methodological approach. Additionally, specific gender-oriented initiatives not belonging to any of the aforementioned categories were identified. Of the sixty agencies, less than half mention a commitment to addressing the social implication of health technologies. Only fifteen institutions make information on their priority setting principles available on their Web sites and gender was an issue in two of those cases. Data on methodology were obtainable online from 18 agencies, two of which mentioned gender issues explicitly. Finally, gender-oriented initiatives were identified by thirteen agencies. A gender-sensitive approach is apparently rarely adopted in current HTA production. Exceptional practices and relevant tools do exist and could serve as examples to be promoted by international collaborative networks.

The effects of sexual orientation on state legislators' behavior and priorities.

PubMed

Herrick, Rebekah

2009-01-01

This article explores whether sexual orientation, surrogate representation, and political factors affect legislators' work on gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) interests, and whether the latter explains away the influence of sexual orientation. A survey of openly GLB state legislators and their colleagues was conducted to measure legislators' campaign issues, legislative priorities, surrogate representation, and ambition. This information is supplemented with bill introduction and district data. The results indicate that legislators' sexual orientation strongly influences their work on GLB issues and although surrogate representation and electoral considerations also affect GLB work, they do not explain away the importance of sexual orientation. The implications of this for the relationship between descriptive and substantive representation are explored.

Project-based teaching in health informatics: a course on health care quality improvement.

PubMed

Moehr, J R; Berenji, G R; Green, C J; Kagolovsky, Y

2001-01-01

Teaching the skills and knowledge required in health informatics [1] is a challenge because the skill of applying knowledge in real life requires practice. We relate the experience with introducing a practice component to a course in "Health Care Quality Improvement". Working health care professionals were invited to bring an actual quality problem from their place of work and to work alongside students in running the problem through a quality improvement project lifecycle. Multiple technological and process oriented teaching innovations were employed including project sessions in observation rooms, video recording of these sessions, generation of demonstration examples and distance education components. Both students and their collaborators from the work place developed proficiency in applying quality improvement methods as well as in experiencing the realities of group processes, information gaps and organizational constraints. The principles used to achieve high involvement of the whole class, the employed resources and technical support are described. The resulting academic and practical achievements are discussed in relation to the alternative instructional modalities, and with respect to didactic implications for similar endeavors and beyond to other fields such as systems engineering.

ECUT (Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies) program: Biocatalysis project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baresi, Larry

1989-01-01

The Annual Report presents the fiscal year (FY) 1988 research activities and accomplishments, for the Biocatalysis Project of the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies (ECUT) Division. The ECUT Biocatalysis Project is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. The Biocatalysis Project is a mission-oriented, applied research and exploratory development activity directed toward resolution of the major generic technical barriers that impede the development of biologically catalyzed commercial chemical production. The approach toward achieving project objectives involves an integrated participation of universities, industrial companies and government research laboratories. The Project's technical activities were organized into three work elements: (1) The Molecular Modeling and Applied Genetics work element includes research on modeling of biological systems, developing rigorous methods for the prediction of three-dimensional (tertiary) protein structure from the amino acid sequence (primary structure) for designing new biocatalysis, defining kinetic models of biocatalyst reactivity, and developing genetically engineered solutions to the generic technical barriers that preclude widespread application of biocatalysis. (2) The Bioprocess Engineering work element supports efforts in novel bioreactor concepts that are likely to lead to substantially higher levels of reactor productivity, product yields and lower separation energetics. Results of work within this work element will be used to establish the technical feasibility of critical bioprocess monitoring and control subsystems. (3) The Bioprocess Design and Assessment work element attempts to develop procedures (via user-friendly computer software) for assessing the energy-economics of biocatalyzed chemical production processes, and initiation of technology transfer for advanced bioprocesses.

ECUT (Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies) program: Biocatalysis project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baresi, Larry

1989-03-01

The Annual Report presents the fiscal year (FY) 1988 research activities and accomplishments, for the Biocatalysis Project of the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies (ECUT) Division. The ECUT Biocatalysis Project is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. The Biocatalysis Project is a mission-oriented, applied research and exploratory development activity directed toward resolution of the major generic technical barriers that impede the development of biologically catalyzed commercial chemical production. The approach toward achieving project objectives involves an integrated participation of universities, industrial companies and government research laboratories. The Project's technical activities were organized into three work elements: (1) The Molecular Modeling and Applied Genetics work element includes research on modeling of biological systems, developing rigorous methods for the prediction of three-dimensional (tertiary) protein structure from the amino acid sequence (primary structure) for designing new biocatalysis, defining kinetic models of biocatalyst reactivity, and developing genetically engineered solutions to the generic technical barriers that preclude widespread application of biocatalysis. (2) The Bioprocess Engineering work element supports efforts in novel bioreactor concepts that are likely to lead to substantially higher levels of reactor productivity, product yields and lower separation energetics. Results of work within this work element will be used to establish the technical feasibility of critical bioprocess monitoring and control subsystems. (3) The Bioprocess Design and Assessment work element attempts to develop procedures (via user-friendly computer software) for assessing the energy-economics of biocatalyzed chemical production processes, and initiation of technology transfer for advanced bioprocesses.

Processing-microstructure models for short- and long-fiber thermoplastic composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phelps, Jay H.

The research for this thesis has explored the important microstructural variables for injection-molded thermoplastic composites with discontinuous fiber reinforcement. Two variables, the distributions of fiber orientation and fiber length after processing, have proven to be not only important for correct material property prediction but also difficult to predict using currently available modeling and simulation techniques. In this work, we develop new models for the prediction of these two microstructural variables. Previously, the Folgar-Tucker model has been widely used to predict fiber orientation in injection molded SFT composites. This model accounts for the effects of both hydrodynamics and fiber-fiber interactions in order to give a prediction for a tensorial measure of fiber orientation. However, when applied to at least some classes of LFTs, this model does not match all components of experimental fiber orientation tensor data. In order to address this shortcoming of the model, we hypothesize that Folgar and Tucker's phenomenological treatment of the effects of fiber-fiber interactions with an isotropic rotary diffusion contribution to the rate of change of orientation is insufficient for materials with longer fibers. Instead, this work develops a fiber orientation model that incorporates anisotropic rotary diffusion (ARD). From kinetic theory we derive a general family of evolution equations for the second-order orientation tensor, correcting errors in earlier treatments, and identify a specific equation that is useful for predicting orientation in LFTs. The amount of diffusivity in this model used to approximate the effect of fiber-fiber interactions in each direction is assumed to depend on a second-order space tensor, which is taken to be a function of the orientation state and the rate of deformation. Also, concentrated fiber suspensions align more slowly with respect to strain than the Folgar-Tucker model predicts. Here, we borrow the technique of Wang et al. (2008) to incorporate this behavior in an objective fashion in this new model. Model parameters are selected by matching the experimental steady-state orientation in simple shear flow, and by requiring stable steady states and physically realizable solutions. Utilizing two separate techniques, we identify model parameters for three different materials. We then show that once a set of parameters that meets all previously established criteria has been identified, the differences in model behavior are negligible within that set of parameters. The final model with the proper parameter set is suitable for use in mold filling and other flow simulations, and does give improved predictions of fiber orientation for injection molded LFTs. Although significant fiber length degradation in LFTs has been observed both in literature and in this work, there are no quantitative fiber breakage models to predict either fiber length distributions or average fiber length measures. This work reviews the suspected causes of fiber breakage during the processing of discontinuously-reinforced thermoplastics, specifically LFTs, and introduces a phenomenological fiber breakage model based on the buckling force in a hydrodynamically loaded fiber. This breakage model is incorporated into a conservation equation for total fiber length, and a phenomenological model for the evolution of the fiber length distribution is developed. From this model, we also develop separate, approximate models for the evolution of both the number-average and weight-average fiber length measures. By applying these models to both a simple numerical example and a more complex mold-filling simulation, a qualitative agreement between experiment and prediction is observed. Although these results are promising, the breakage models have only been applied to the mold cavity in injection molding simulation. Both a literature review and our experimental data strongly suggest that the majority of fiber length degradation occurs in the earlier stages of injection molding, in the screw nozzle, runners, and gate. A better understanding of the melting and flow conditions upstream of the mold cavity, the simulation of which is beyond the scope of this work, is needed before these breakage models can be properly applied to the entire injection molding process. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Work experiences among attendees of day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities.

PubMed

Eklund, Mona; Sandlund, Mikael

2015-01-01

It is possible that people with psychiatric disabilities who visit day centres have previous work experiences that may be seen as resources for their current engagement in day centre activities. Research in this respect seems to lack, however. To investigate work experiences among attendees at day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities and relationships with current type of day centre (work-oriented, meeting place-oriented or mixed), engagement in day centre activities, motivation and socio-demographic and health-related factors. Seventy-seven attendees responded to questionnaires. Global Assessment of Functioning, GAF, was also used. Work was categorised into Group I (professionals, semi-professionals), Group II (clerical support, services workers) and Group III (e.g. craft workers, elementary occupations). Almost everyone had previously had open-market employment; more than half for ≥ 10 years. Group I was more common in mixed centres, Group II in meeting place-oriented ones and Group III in work-oriented ones. Group I more frequently had college degree and was rated high on GAF functioning. Women were over-represented in Group II, and men in Group III and in meeting place-oriented centres. Attending mixed centres was more likely when having a college degree, scoring high on GAF functioning and being highly engaged in activities. Attendees at work-oriented day centres were characterised by being motivated for spending time alone and reporting a diagnosis of psychosis. The participants had unused working capacity. No clear-cut relationships were found between work experiences and the investigated correlates.

Towards aspect-oriented functional--structural plant modelling.

PubMed

Cieslak, Mikolaj; Seleznyova, Alla N; Prusinkiewicz, Przemyslaw; Hanan, Jim

2011-10-01

Functional-structural plant models (FSPMs) are used to integrate knowledge and test hypotheses of plant behaviour, and to aid in the development of decision support systems. A significant amount of effort is being put into providing a sound methodology for building them. Standard techniques, such as procedural or object-oriented programming, are not suited for clearly separating aspects of plant function that criss-cross between different components of plant structure, which makes it difficult to reuse and share their implementations. The aim of this paper is to present an aspect-oriented programming approach that helps to overcome this difficulty. The L-system-based plant modelling language L+C was used to develop an aspect-oriented approach to plant modelling based on multi-modules. Each element of the plant structure was represented by a sequence of L-system modules (rather than a single module), with each module representing an aspect of the element's function. Separate sets of productions were used for modelling each aspect, with context-sensitive rules facilitated by local lists of modules to consider/ignore. Aspect weaving or communication between aspects was made possible through the use of pseudo-L-systems, where the strict-predecessor of a production rule was specified as a multi-module. The new approach was used to integrate previously modelled aspects of carbon dynamics, apical dominance and biomechanics with a model of a developing kiwifruit shoot. These aspects were specified independently and their implementation was based on source code provided by the original authors without major changes. This new aspect-oriented approach to plant modelling is well suited for studying complex phenomena in plant science, because it can be used to integrate separate models of individual aspects of plant development and function, both previously constructed and new, into clearly organized, comprehensive FSPMs. In a future work, this approach could be further extended into an aspect-oriented programming language for FSPMs.

Towards aspect-oriented functional–structural plant modelling

PubMed Central

Cieslak, Mikolaj; Seleznyova, Alla N.; Prusinkiewicz, Przemyslaw; Hanan, Jim

2011-01-01

Background and Aims Functional–structural plant models (FSPMs) are used to integrate knowledge and test hypotheses of plant behaviour, and to aid in the development of decision support systems. A significant amount of effort is being put into providing a sound methodology for building them. Standard techniques, such as procedural or object-oriented programming, are not suited for clearly separating aspects of plant function that criss-cross between different components of plant structure, which makes it difficult to reuse and share their implementations. The aim of this paper is to present an aspect-oriented programming approach that helps to overcome this difficulty. Methods The L-system-based plant modelling language L+C was used to develop an aspect-oriented approach to plant modelling based on multi-modules. Each element of the plant structure was represented by a sequence of L-system modules (rather than a single module), with each module representing an aspect of the element's function. Separate sets of productions were used for modelling each aspect, with context-sensitive rules facilitated by local lists of modules to consider/ignore. Aspect weaving or communication between aspects was made possible through the use of pseudo-L-systems, where the strict-predecessor of a production rule was specified as a multi-module. Key Results The new approach was used to integrate previously modelled aspects of carbon dynamics, apical dominance and biomechanics with a model of a developing kiwifruit shoot. These aspects were specified independently and their implementation was based on source code provided by the original authors without major changes. Conclusions This new aspect-oriented approach to plant modelling is well suited for studying complex phenomena in plant science, because it can be used to integrate separate models of individual aspects of plant development and function, both previously constructed and new, into clearly organized, comprehensive FSPMs. In a future work, this approach could be further extended into an aspect-oriented programming language for FSPMs. PMID:21724653

The Fraunhofer MAVO FASPAS for smart system design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melz, Tobias; Matthias, Michael; Drossel, Welf-Guntram; Sporn, Dieter; Schoenecker, Andreas; Poigne, Axel

2005-05-01

The Fraunhofer Gesellschaft is the largest organization for applied research in Europe, having a staff of some 12,700, predominantly qualified scientists and engineers, with an annual research budget of over one billion euros. One of its current internal Market-oriented strategic preliminary research (MaVo) projects is FASPAS (Function Consolidated Adaptive Structures Combining Piezo and Software Technologies for Autonomous Systems) which aims to promote adaptive structure technology for commercial exploitation within the current main research fields of the participating FhIs, namely automotive and machine tools engineering. Under the project management of the Fraunhofer-Institute Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF the six Fraunhofer Institutes LBF, IWU, IKTS, ISC, AiS and IIS bring together their competences ranging from material sciences to system reliability, in order to clarify unanswered questions. The predominant goal is to develop and validate methods and tools to establish a closed, modular development chain for the design and realization of such active structures which shall be useful in its width and depth, i.e. for specific R&D achievements such as the actuator development (depth) as well as the complete system design and realization (width). FASPAS focuses on the development of systems and on the following scientific topics: 1) on design and manufacturing technology for piezo components as integrable actuator/sensor semi-finished modules, 2) on development and transducer module integration of miniaturized electronics for charge generating sensor systems, 3) on the development of methods to analyze system reliability of active structures, 4) on the development of autonomous software structures for flexible, low cost electronics hardware for bulk production and 5) on the construction and validation of the complete, cost-effective development chain of function consolidated structures through application oriented demonstration structures. The research work will be oriented towards active vibration control for existing components on the basis of highly integrated, both, more or less established and highly innovative piezoelectric actuator and sensor systems in compact, cost-effective and robust design combined with advanced controllers. Within the presentation the project work will be shown using the example of one demonstration structure which is a robust interface, here for being integrated within an automotive spring strut system. The interface is designed as a modular, scalable subsystem. Being such, it can be used for similar scenarios in different technology areas e.g. for active mounting of vibration-inducing aggregates. The interface design allows for controlling uniaxial vibrations (z-direction) as well as tilting (normal to the uniaxial effect) and wobbling (rotating around the z-axis).

Relationship between age and promotion orientation depends on perceived older worker stereotypes.

PubMed

Bowen, Catherine E; Staudinger, Ursula M

2013-01-01

Research has consistently revealed a negative relationship between chronological age and promotion orientation, that is, the motivational orientation toward approaching possible gains. In addition, experimental research has demonstrated that activating positive self-relevant stereotypes (e.g., for men, the stereotype that men are good at math) can stimulate increases in promotion orientation. Integrating and applying this research to the work context, we hypothesized that the relationship between age and promotion orientation would depend on employees' perceptions of the stereotype of older workers in their work context, such that there would be no negative relationship between age and promotion orientation when individuals perceive a more positive older worker stereotype. We analyzed the relationships between age, perceived older worker stereotype (POWS), and promotion orientation using a sample of working adults (N = 337) aged 19-64 years. Results revealed a significant age by POWS interaction such that there was a negative relationship between age and promotion orientation when POWS was less positive. However, there was no relationship between age and promotion orientation when POWS was more positive. Results suggest that the negative relationship between age and promotion orientation depends on contextual factors such as POWS.

For the Love of Science: Learning Orientation and Physical Science Success

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazari, Zahra; Potvin, Geoff; Tai, Robert; Almarode, John

2010-02-01

An individual's motivational orientation serves as a drive to action and can influence their productivity. This study examines how the goal orientation of students towards the pursuit of their graduate degree in physics and chemistry influences their future success outcomes as practicing scientists. Two main orientations are focused on: performance (or ego/ability) orientation and learning (or task/mastery) orientation. The data was obtained as part of Project Crossover, which applied a mixed methodological approach to studying the transition from graduate student to scientist in the physical sciences. Using regression analysis on survey data from 2353 PhD holders in physics and chemistry, we found that individuals exhibiting a learning orientation were more productive than those exhibiting a performance orientation in terms of first-author publications and grant funding. Furthermore, given equal salary, learning-oriented physical scientists produced more first-author publications than average. )

EO Information Center - Naval Oceanography Portal

Science.gov Websites

are here: Home › USNO › Earth Orientation › EO Information Center USNO Logo USNO Navigation Earth Orientation Products GPS-based Products VLBI-based Products EO Information Center General Information GPS User Information Frequently Asked Questions Read Me Files Publications about Products Software

A Performer's Notes on Parody.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Margolin, Deb

2003-01-01

Contends that parody is the direct result of an attempt to make room for oneself within an airtight, closed, or exclusive social, cultural, or theatrical construct. Provides examples from the author's work, such as an all-women production of "Hamlet" as well as a parody of "The Glass Menagerie." (PM)

Digital video technology and production 101: lights, camera, action.

PubMed

Elliot, Diane L; Goldberg, Linn; Goldberg, Michael J

2014-01-01

Videos are powerful tools for enhancing the reach and effectiveness of health promotion programs. They can be used for program promotion and recruitment, for training program implementation staff/volunteers, and as elements of an intervention. Although certain brief videos may be produced without technical assistance, others often require collaboration and contracting with professional videographers. To get practitioners started and to facilitate interactions with professional videographers, this Tool includes a guide to the jargon of video production and suggestions for how to integrate videos into health education and promotion work. For each type of video, production principles and issues to consider when working with a professional videographer are provided. The Tool also includes links to examples in each category of video applications to health promotion.

Recycling-Oriented Product Characterization for Electric and Electronic Equipment as a Tool to Enable Recycling of Critical Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rotter, Vera Susanne; Chancerel, Perrine; Ueberschaar, Maximilian

To establish a knowledge base for new recycling processes of critical elements, recycling-orientated product characterization for Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE) can be used as a tool. This paper focuses on necessary data and procedures for a successful characterization and provides information about existing scientific work. The usage of this tool is illustrated for two application: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panels. In the first case it could be shown that Neodymium and other Rare Earth Elements are concentrated in magnets (25% by weight) and contribute largely to the end demand of Neodymium. Nevertheless, recycling is limited by the difficult liberation and competing other target metals contained in HDD. In the second case it could be shown that also for this application the usage of Indium is concentrated in LCDs, but unlike in magnets the concentration is lower (200 ppm). The design of LCDs with two glued glass layers and the Indium-Tin-Oxide layer in between make the Indium inaccessible for hydro-metallurgical recovery, the glass content puts energetic limitations on pyro-metallurgical processes. For the future technical development of recycling infrastructure we need an in depth understanding of product design and recycling relevant parameters for product characterization focusing on new target metals. This product-centered approach allows also re-think traditional "design for recycling" approaches.

Marketing foods to children through product packaging: prolific, unhealthy and misleading.

PubMed

Mehta, Kaye; Phillips, Clare; Ward, Paul; Coveney, John; Handsley, Elizabeth; Carter, Patricia

2012-09-01

To investigate marketing techniques used on the packaging of child-oriented products sold through supermarkets. Food and beverage products which met criteria for 'marketed to children' were recorded as child-oriented. The products were analysed for food categories, nutritional value, and type and extent of marketing techniques used. A major supermarket chain in Adelaide, South Australia. Child-oriented food and beverage products. One hundred and fifty-seven discrete products were marketed to children via product packaging; most (75·2 %) represented non-core foods, being high in fat or sugar. Many marketing techniques (more than sixteen unique marketing techniques) were used to promote child-oriented food products. Claims about health and nutrition were found on 55·5 % of non-core foods. A median of 6·43 marketing techniques per product was found. The high volume and power of marketing non-core foods to children via product packaging in supermarkets should be of concern to policy makers wanting to improve children's diet for their health and to tackle childhood obesity. Claims about health or nutrition on non-core foods deserve urgent attention owing to their potential to mislead and confuse child and adult consumers.

Library orientation on videotape: production planning and administrative support.

PubMed

Shedlock, J; Tawyea, E W

1989-01-01

New student-faculty-staff orientation is an important public service in a medical library and demands creativity, imagination, teaching skill, coordination, and cooperation on the part of public services staff. The Northwestern University Medical Library (NUML) implemented a video production service in the spring of 1986 and used the new service to produce an orientation videotape for incoming students, new faculty, and medical center staff. Planning is an important function in video production, and the various phases of outlining topics, drafting scripts, matching video sequences, and actual taping of video, voice, and music are described. The NUML orientation videotape demonstrates how reference and audiovisual services merge talent and skills to benefit the library user. Videotape production, however, cannot happen in a vacuum of good intentions and high ideals. This paper also presents the management support and cost analysis needed to make video production services a reality for use by public service departments.

[Information production by scientists and the history of science: typological study of personal archives].

PubMed

Silva, Maria Celina Soares de Mello E; Trancoso, Márcia Cristina Duarte

2015-01-01

This article addresses the study of document typology in the personal archives of scientists and its importance in the history of science studies and for the archivist's work. A brief history is presented of diplomatic to typological information, emphasizing that identifying document production activity as essential for its classification. The article illustrates personal archive characteristics as regards the diversity of documental types and, in particular, those belonging to physicists. Furthermore, it presents five examples of documental types found in the archives of physicists as examples of research in progress. It also highlights the elaboration of a glossary of different documental kinds and types found in the private archives of Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences in Rio de Janeiro.

Consumers' convenience orientation towards meal preparation: conceptualization and measurement.

PubMed

Candel, M

2001-02-01

Consumer researchers consider convenience orientation towards meal preparation to be a relevant construct for understanding consumer behavior towards foods. This study set out to conceptualize this construct and to develop a scale that measures it. As examined in two different samples of meal preparers, the resulting scale is reliable, satisfies a unifactorial structure and has satisfactory convergent validity. The scale's nomological validity is supported in that it conforms to expectations regarding various psychographic constructs and various food-related behaviors. Convenience orientation was found to be negatively related to cooking enjoyment, involvement with food products and variety seeking, and to be positively related to role overload. The analyses also suggest that the lack of relation between the meal preparer's working status and convenience food consumption, as found in many studies, is due to convenience food not offering enough preparation convenience. Consuming take-away meals and eating in restaurants appear to satisfy the consumer's need for convenience more adequately. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

The polarity protein Baz forms a platform for the centrosome orientation during asymmetric stem cell division in the Drosophila male germline.

PubMed

Inaba, Mayu; Venkei, Zsolt G; Yamashita, Yukiko M

2015-03-20

Many stem cells divide asymmetrically in order to balance self-renewal with differentiation. The essence of asymmetric cell division (ACD) is the polarization of cells and subsequent division, leading to unequal compartmentalization of cellular/extracellular components that confer distinct cell fates to daughter cells. Because precocious cell division before establishing cell polarity would lead to failure in ACD, these two processes must be tightly coupled; however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. In Drosophila male germline stem cells, ACD is prepared by stereotypical centrosome positioning. The centrosome orientation checkpoint (COC) further serves to ensure ACD by preventing mitosis upon centrosome misorientation. In this study, we show that Bazooka (Baz) provides a platform for the correct centrosome orientation and that Baz-centrosome association is the key event that is monitored by the COC. Our work provides a foundation for understanding how the correct cell polarity may be recognized by the cell to ensure productive ACD.

VLBI-based Products - Naval Oceanography Portal

Science.gov Websites

section Advanced Search... Sections Home Time Earth Orientation Astronomy Meteorology Oceanography Ice You are here: Home › USNO › Earth Orientation › VLBI-based Products USNO Logo USNO Navigation Earth determine Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) is Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). USNO provides both

Usability Guidelines for Product Recommenders Based on Example Critiquing Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, Pearl; Faltings, Boi; Chen, Li; Zhang, Jiyong; Viappiani, Paolo

Over the past decade, our group has developed a suite of decision tools based on example critiquing to help users find their preferred products in e-commerce environments. In this chapter, we survey important usability research work relative to example critiquing and summarize the major results by deriving a set of usability guidelines. Our survey is focused on three key interaction activities between the user and the system: the initial preference elicitation process, the preference revision process, and the presentation of the systems recommendation results. To provide a basis for the derivation of the guidelines, we developed a multi-objective framework of three interacting criteria: accuracy, confidence, and effort (ACE). We use this framework to analyze our past work and provide a specific context for each guideline: when the system should maximize its ability to increase users' decision accuracy, when to increase user confidence, and when to minimize the interaction effort for the users. Due to the general nature of this multi-criteria model, the set of guidelines that we propose can be used to ease the usability engineering process of other recommender systems, especially those used in e-commerce environments. The ACE framework presented here is also the first in the field to evaluate the performance of preference-based recommenders from a user-centric point of view.

JPRS Report West Europe

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-10-28

analysis effort can start. This analysis work will be done in the spring of 1989, and the Defense Commission is to be ready with its report at the end...production processes, electronic equipment and weapons promptly. JPRS-WER-88-061 28 October 1988 21 MILITARY The project JF 90 will eclipse all of the...by the numerical superiority of a potential enemy, his attack-oriented military doc- trine and equipment , and his continually improving all-weather

ECUT: Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies program. Biocatalysis project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The Biocatalysis Project is a mission-oriented, applied research and exploratory development activity directed toward resolution of the major generic technical barriers that impede the development of biologically catalyzed commercial chemical production. The approach toward achieving project objectives involves an integrated participation of Universities, Industrial Companies and Government Research Laboratories. The Project's technical activities were organized into three work elements: molecular modeling and applied genetics; bioprocess engineering; and bioprocess design and assessment.

Analysis of the Possibilities for Discussing Questions of Global Justice in Geography Classes on the Use of Methods of Empirical Social Research When Analyzing the Teaching of Geography in Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Applis, Stefan

2015-01-01

This study examines students' orientations with regard to questions on the implementation of justice in production structures of the global textile industry. The students worked with the Mystery Method from the Thinking Through Geography approach by David Leat and with Lawrence Kohlberg's Method of Dilemma Discussion. During this process, the…

Global outcome, productivity and epilepsy 3--8 years after severe head injury. The impact of injury severity.

PubMed

Skandsen, Toril; Ivar Lund, Tom; Fredriksli, Oddrun; Vik, Anne

2008-07-01

To assess long-term outcome in survivors after severe head injury and relate outcome to injury severity. Follow-up 3-8 years post injury in a retrospectively collected sample. A neurosurgical department in a regional trauma centre. Of 146 individuals admitted, 135 were actively treated. Twenty-four per cent of these died within six months. Ninety-three of the 94 (aged 1-88 years) who survived more than three years were included in the follow-up. They were separated into groups based on their level of consciousness at four weeks post injury: oriented (n = 39), confused (n = 22) or in a minimally conscious/vegetative state (MCS/VS) (n = 26) and not possible to assess (n = 6). Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE), participation in work/education (productivity) and posttraumatic epilepsy. GOSE scores were: vegetative state: 3%, severe disability: 28% (22% lower level, 6% upper level), moderate disability: 39% (22% lower level, 17% upper level) and good recovery: 27% (10% lower level, 17% upper level). Productivity was 34% (aged 7-64 years). The three severity groups had different GOSE scores (P<0.001) and different proportion of productive individuals (P<0.001). Twenty-three per cent experienced posttraumatic epilepsy and this was significantly associated with the highest injury severity (P<0.001) and intracranial surgery (P = 0.01). Being independent in daily life but unable to work was the typical long-term outcome. Stratifying the patients based on consciousness at four weeks we found different outcomes. Among oriented patients, almost all regained independency, whereas in the most severe group, poor outcomes and posttraumatic epilepsy was common.

Beyond parenting practices: extended kinship support and the academic adjustment of African-American and European-American teens.

PubMed

Pallock, Linda L; Lamborn, Susie D

2006-10-01

This study examined adolescents' perceptions of parenting practices and extended kinship support in relation to academic adjustment for 104 African American and 60 European American 9th and 10th graders (14 and 15 year olds). For African-American teens, parental acceptance was associated with school values, teacher bonding, and work orientation. Higher levels of behavioral control and lower levels of psychological control were associated with a stronger work orientation. After accounting for the demographic variables and the three parenting practices, higher levels of extended kinship support related to stronger school values, higher teacher bonding, and a stronger work orientation. For European-American teens, parental acceptance related to academic adjustment, including stronger school values, higher teacher bonding, and a stronger work orientation. European-American adolescents with stronger extended kinship networks reported higher teacher bonding and a stronger work orientation. Results indicate the importance of extended kinship support for both African-American and European-American adolescents.

Biomarkers of cigarette smoking and DNA methylating agents: Raman, SERS and DFT study of 3-methyladenine and 7-methyladenine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harroun, Scott G.; Zhang, Yaoting; Chen, Tzu-Heng; Ku, Ching-Rong; Chang, Huan-Tsung

2017-04-01

3-Methyladenine and 7-methyladenine are biomarkers of DNA damage from exposure to methylating agents. For example, the concentration of 3-methyladenine increases significantly in the urine of cigarette smokers. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has shown much potential for detection of biomolecules, including DNA. Much work has been dedicated to the canonical nucleobases, with comparatively fewer investigations of modified DNA and modified DNA nucleobases. Herein, Raman spectroscopy and SERS are used to examine the adsorption orientations of 3-methyladenine and 7-methyladenine on Ag nanoparticles. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level are used to support the conclusions via simulated spectra of the nucleobases and of Ag+/nucleobase complexes. The results herein show that 7-methyladenine adsorbs upright via its N3 and N9 atoms side, similarly to adenine. 3-Methyladenine adsorbs in a very tilted or flat orientation on the Ag nanoparticles. These findings will be useful for future SERS or other nanoparticle-based bioanalytical assays for detection of these methyladenines or other modified nucleobases.

From scenarios to domain models: processes and representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haddock, Gail; Harbison, Karan

1994-03-01

The domain specific software architectures (DSSA) community has defined a philosophy for the development of complex systems. This philosophy improves productivity and efficiency by increasing the user's role in the definition of requirements, increasing the systems engineer's role in the reuse of components, and decreasing the software engineer's role to the development of new components and component modifications only. The scenario-based engineering process (SEP), the first instantiation of the DSSA philosophy, has been adopted by the next generation controller project. It is also the chosen methodology of the trauma care information management system project, and the surrogate semi-autonomous vehicle project. SEP uses scenarios from the user to create domain models and define the system's requirements. Domain knowledge is obtained from a variety of sources including experts, documents, and videos. This knowledge is analyzed using three techniques: scenario analysis, task analysis, and object-oriented analysis. Scenario analysis results in formal representations of selected scenarios. Task analysis of the scenario representations results in descriptions of tasks necessary for object-oriented analysis and also subtasks necessary for functional system analysis. Object-oriented analysis of task descriptions produces domain models and system requirements. This paper examines the representations that support the DSSA philosophy, including reference requirements, reference architectures, and domain models. The processes used to create and use the representations are explained through use of the scenario-based engineering process. Selected examples are taken from the next generation controller project.

[Process optimisation in hospitals: from process to business organisation].

PubMed

Eberlein-Gonska, Maria

2010-01-01

Apart from a multidimensional quality definition and the understanding of quality as a company-wide challenge, a third essential element of quality management is prevention. Thus, company quality policy has to be prevention-oriented and requires both customer and process orientation as important prerequisites. Process orientation especially focuses on the critical analyses of work flows as a condition for identifying early intervention options which, in turn, may influence the result. Developing a business organisation requires the definition of criteria for space planning, room assignment and room integration in consideration of both medical and economic aspects and the architectural concept. Specific experiences will be demonstrated as a case study using the example of a new building in the midst of the Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital in Dresden, the Diagnostic Centre for Internal Medicine and Neurology. The hospital management placed an order to develop a sustainable as well as feasible business organisation for all the different departments. The idea was to create a medical centre where maximum use was made of all planned spaces and resources on the basis of target processes which had to be defined and agreed upon with all the persons concerned. In a next step all the personal, space and operational resources required were assigned. The success of management in all industries, including the health care sector, crucially depends on the translation of ideas into practice, among them the critical factor of sustainability. In this context, the support by the management as a role model, a formal frame for the respective project group and the definition of controlling via defined indicators have special importance. The example of the Diagnostic Centre for Internal Medicine and Neurology demonstrates that the result of changed processes may release a cultural change where competition can be replaced by cooperation step by step. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Naval Procurement Problems: Theory and Practice

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

contrast when construction is contracted for the product may be modified before delivery and new information of relevance to both parties may be learned en...defense policy which may be desirable. For example, what price are we willing to pay for flexibility and surge capacity is a defense policy question...work force by an order of magnitude and achieve the productivity used as a basis for contract pricing was a primary factor in the schedule slippage

Social and economic aspects of aquatic animal health.

PubMed

Adam, K E; Gunn, G J

2017-04-01

Aquaculture is an increasingly important source of animal protein for a growing global population. Disease is a major constraint to production, with resultant socio-economic impacts for individuals, communities and economies which rely on aquaculture. Aquatic animal health is also strongly influenced by human factors, ranging from international trade regulations to the behaviours of individuals working in aquaculture. This article summarises the human factors associated with aquaculture production using international examples for illustration.

Directing change: a contemporary administrative challenge.

PubMed

Hardwick, D F; Hardwick, W G; diZerega, A

1997-04-01

Although most individuals who head clinical laboratories are still named Director of Laboratories, their training for this has focused principally on management training in addition to their postgraduate medical education. The implicit assumption seems to be either that direction and management are synonymous or that management is the most important aspect of laboratory administration. Common usage, albeit imprecise, fosters both of these paradigms. The proposition of this article is that directing and managing are two discrete activities of sufficiently different orientation as to require different training, attitudes, and values. Management as a generic phenomenon was codified early in this century through the works of F.W. Taylor (1), whose concepts of scientific management were embraced with zeal during World War I and were also an important conceptual basis for the managed economy of the Soviet Union as proposed by Lenin. Gradually, management with concern for efficiency and hierarchic control structures has diffused throughout social as well as business systems. Many will remember the introduction of the corporate governance system into hospitals beginning in the 1930s and its spread throughout the medical system until at present administrators of hospitals, for example, are called CEOs or presidents. Management, as narrowly defined and as traditionally practiced, is based on control of a system by adherence to prescribed standards for uniform production, to particularized timelines for delivery of product or service precisely when needed, and to predetermined budgets for efficiency and predictability. All of these are laudable and essential to the internal administration of any system. They also require a specific set of values and a set of behaviors that center on adaptability and compliance.

Self-interest and other-orientation in organizational behavior: implications for job performance, prosocial behavior, and personal initiative.

PubMed

De Dreu, Carsten K W; Nauta, Aukje

2009-07-01

In this article, the authors develop the self-concern and other-orientation as moderators hypothesis. The authors argue that many theories on work behavior assume humans to be either self-interested or to be social in nature with strong other-orientation but that this assumption is empirically invalid and may lead to overly narrow models of work behavior. The authors instead propose that self-concern and other-orientation are independent. The authors also propose that job performance, prosocial behavior, and personal initiative are a function of (a) individual-level attributes, such as job characteristics when employees are high in self-concern, and (b) group-level attributes, such as justice climate when employees are high in other-orientation. Three studies involving 4 samples of employees from a variety of organizations support these propositions. Implications are discussed for theory on work behavior and interventions geared toward job enrichment and team-based working.

Design And Implementation Of Integrated Vision-Based Robotic Workcells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Michael J.

1985-01-01

Reports have been sparse on large-scale, intelligent integration of complete robotic systems for automating the microelectronics industry. This paper describes the application of state-of-the-art computer-vision technology for manufacturing of miniaturized electronic components. The concepts of FMS - Flexible Manufacturing Systems, work cells, and work stations and their control hierarchy are illustrated in this paper. Several computer-controlled work cells used in the production of thin-film magnetic heads are described. These cells use vision for in-process control of head-fixture alignment and real-time inspection of production parameters. The vision sensor and other optoelectronic sensors, coupled with transport mechanisms such as steppers, x-y-z tables, and robots, have created complete sensorimotor systems. These systems greatly increase the manufacturing throughput as well as the quality of the final product. This paper uses these automated work cells as examples to exemplify the underlying design philosophy and principles in the fabrication of vision-based robotic systems.

FMEA and consideration of real work situations for safer design of production systems.

PubMed

Lux, Aurélien; Mawo De Bikond, Johann; Etienne, Alain; Quillerou-Grivot, Edwige

2016-12-01

Production equipment designers must ensure the health and safety of future users; in this regard, they augment requirements for standardizing and controlling operator work. This contrasts with the ergonomic view of the activity, which recommends leaving operators leeway (margins for manoeuvre) in performing their task, while safeguarding their health. Following a brief analysis of design practices in the car industry, we detail how the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) approach is implemented in this sector. We then suggest an adaptation that enables designers to consider real work situations. This new protocol, namely, work situation FMEA, allows experience feedback to be used to defend the health standpoint during designer project reviews, which usually only address quality and performance issues. We subsequently illustrate the advantage of this approach using two examples of work situations at car parts manufacturers: the first from the literature and the second from an in-company industrial project.

Textures on Mars: evidences of a biogenic environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rizzo, V.; Cantasano, N.

Sediments on Mars could be explained as the result of simple coalescing structures having the ability to produce oriented concretions and more complex forms, as are intertwined filaments of microspherules, laminae and "blueberries", growing from a microscopic scale to a macroscopic one. Of which we have examples in some terrestrial microbial community, especially in regards to cyanobacteria and their organosedimentary products named stromatolites. This study aims to describe the most-often structural features that occur, showing their mutual relations in passing from simple to complex forms. These relationships could explain the genesis and the funny shapes of "blueberries" as the result of two different processes: by an enrolling sheet of microspherules or by an internal growing of minor spherule aggregates.

Genomics and the Public Health Code of Ethics

PubMed Central

Thomas, James C.; Irwin, Debra E.; Zuiker, Erin Shaugnessy; Millikan, Robert C.

2005-01-01

We consider the public health applications of genomic technologies as viewed through the lens of the public health code of ethics. We note, for example, the potential for genomics to increase our appreciation for the public health value of interdependence, the potential for some genomic tools to exacerbate health disparities because of their inaccessibility by the poor and the way in which genomics forces public health to refine its notions of prevention. The public health code of ethics sheds light on concerns raised by commercial genomic products that are not discussed in detail by more clinically oriented perspectives. In addition, the concerns raised by genomics highlight areas of our understanding of the ethical principles of public health in which further refinement may be necessary. PMID:16257942

Analysis of methods of processing of expert information by optimization of administrative decisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Churakov, D. Y.; Tsarkova, E. G.; Marchenko, N. D.; Grechishnikov, E. V.

2018-03-01

In the real operation the measure definition methodology in case of expert estimation of quality and reliability of application-oriented software products is offered. In operation methods of aggregation of expert estimates on the example of a collective choice of an instrumental control projects in case of software development of a special purpose for needs of institutions are described. Results of operation of dialogue decision making support system are given an algorithm of the decision of the task of a choice on the basis of a method of the analysis of hierarchies and also. The developed algorithm can be applied by development of expert systems to the solution of a wide class of the tasks anyway connected to a multicriteria choice.

Interaction between photons and leaf canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knyazikhin, Yuri V.; Marshak, Alexander L.; Myneni, Ranga B.

1991-01-01

The physics of neutral particle interaction for photons traveling in media consisting of finite-dimensional scattering centers that cross-shade mutually is investigated. A leaf canopy is a typical example of such media. The leaf canopy is idealized as a binary medium consisting of randomly distributed gaps (voids) and regions with phytoelements (turbid phytomedium). In this approach, the leaf canopy is represented by a combination of all possible open oriented spheres. The mathematical approach for characterizing the structure of the host medium is considered. The extinction coefficient at any phase-space location in a leaf canopy is the product of the extinction coefficient in the turbid phytomedium and the probability of absence gaps at that location. Using a similar approach, an expression for the differential scattering coefficient is derived.

Impact of self-orientations and work-context-related variables on the well-being of public- and private-sector Turkish employees.

PubMed

Imamoğlu, E Olcay; Beydoğan, Başak

2011-01-01

The authors (a) explored the impact of individual differences in self-orientations (i.e., relatedness and individuation) of 383 Turkish public- and private-sector employees on their basic need satisfaction at work and their well-being (i.e., life satisfaction and psychological well-being); (b) considered differences in perceived autonomy- and relatedness-supportiveness of the work contexts; and (c) tested a model in which the relationship between self-orientations and well-being is partially mediated by the perceived supportiveness of the work context and the need satisfaction of employees at work, using structural equation modeling. Results suggest that self-orientations of employees predict their well-being both directly and indirectly through the mediation of perceived supportiveness and need satisfaction provided by the work context, which seem to vary according to sector type.

What Works May Hurt--Side Effects in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhao, Yong

2018-01-01

Medical products are required to disclose both their intended outcomes and known side effects. Educational policy and practice, however, carries no such labels. Thus, teachers, school leaders, and the public are not told, for example, that "this program helps improve your students' reading scores, but it may make them hate reading…

The Museum and the Gifted Child.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rogers, Karen B.

1985-01-01

The article presents questioning strategies that can be used when introducing gifted children to the art museum. The strategies utilize eight creative processes and seventeen content, process, and product modifications, based on the differentiation models of Frank Williams and June Maker. A single work of art is used and examples of questions…

The effect of workstation and task variables on forces applied during simulated meat cutting.

PubMed

McGorry, Raymond W; Dempsey, Patrick G; O'Brien, Niall V

2004-12-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors related to force and postural exposure during a simulated meat cutting task. The hypothesis was that workstation, tool and task variables would affect the dependent kinetic variables of gripping force, cutting moment and the dependent kinematic variables of elbow elevation and wrist angular displacement in the flexion/extension and radial/ulnar deviation planes. To evaluate this hypothesis a 3 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 2 (surface orientation by surface height by blade angle by cut complexity by work pace) within-subject factorial design was conducted with 12 participants. The results indicated that the variables can act and interact to modify the kinematics and kinetics of a cutting task. Participants used greater grip force and cutting moment when working at a pace based on productivity. The interactions of the work surface height and orientation indicated that the use of an adjustable workstation could minimize wrist deviation from neutral and improve shoulder posture during cutting operations. Angling the knife blade also interacted with workstation variables to improve wrist and upper extremity posture, but this benefit must be weighed against the potential for small increases in force exposure.

Impacts of Learning Orientation on Product Innovation Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calisir, Fethi; Gumussoy, Cigdem Altin; Guzelsoy, Ezgi

2013-01-01

Purpose: The present study aims to examine the effect of learning orientation (commitment to learning, shared vision, open-mindedness) on the product innovation performance (product innovation efficacy and efficiency) of companies in Turkey. Design/methodology/approach: A structural equation-modeling approach was applied to identify the variables…

Unmasking quality: exploring meanings of health by doing art.

PubMed

Kelly, Moira; Rivas, Carol; Foell, Jens; Llewellyn-Dunn, Janet; England, Diana; Cocciadiferro, Anna; Hull, Sally

2015-02-27

Quality in healthcare has many potential meanings and interpretations. The case has been made for conceptualisations of quality that place more emphasis on describing quality and less on measuring it through structured, vertically oriented metrics. Through discussion of an interdisciplinary community arts project we explore and challenge the dominant reductionist meanings of quality in healthcare. The model for structured participatory arts workshops such as ours is 'art as conversation'. In creating textile art works, women involved in the sewing workshops engaged at a personal level, developing confidence through sharing ideas, experiences and humour. Group discussions built on the self-assurance gained from doing craft work together and talking in a relaxed way with a common purpose, exploring the health themes which were the focus of the art. For example, working on a textile about vitamin D created a framework which stimulated the emergence of a common discourse about different cultural practices around 'going out in the sun'. These conversations have value as 'bridging work', between the culture of medicine, with its current emphasis on lifestyle change to prevent illness, and patients' life worlds. Such bridges allow for innovation and flexibility to reflect local public health needs and community concerns. They also enable us to view care from a horizontally oriented perspective, so that the interface in which social worlds and the biomedical model meet and interpenetrate is made visible. Through this interdisciplinary art project involving academics, health professionals and the local community we have become more sensitised to conceptualising one aspect of health care quality as ensuring a 'space for the story' in health care encounters. This space gives precedence to the patient narratives, but acknowledges the importance of enabling clinicians to have time to share stories about care.

China Report, Red Flag, No. 17, 1 September 1983.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-24

of a normal man and food and drink cures for a sick man. He noted down his experiences in using food cures for such illnesses as diabetes , coronary...go out to work, society and the family can improve the house- work conditions for women. For example, we can vigorously develop the food industry...products of these enterprises. The scrap nonferrous metal collected in localities has also been trans- ferred to their own disposal. Successively

View-Based Organization and Interplay of Spatial Working and Long-Term Memories

PubMed Central

Röhrich, Wolfgang G.; Hardiess, Gregor; Mallot, Hanspeter A.

2014-01-01

Space perception provides egocentric, oriented views of the environment from which working and long-term memories are constructed. “Allocentric” (i.e. position-independent) long-term memories may be organized as graphs of recognized places or views but the interaction of such cognitive graphs with egocentric working memories is unclear. Here we present a simple coherent model of view-based working and long-term memories, together with supporting evidence from behavioral experiments. The model predicts that within a given place, memories for some views may be more salient than others, that imagery of a target square should depend on the location where the recall takes place, and that recall favors views of the target square that would be obtained when approaching it from the current recall location. In two separate experiments in an outdoor urban environment, pedestrians were approached at various interview locations and asked to draw sketch maps of one of two well-known squares. Orientations of the sketch map productions depended significantly on distance and direction of the interview location from the target square, i.e. different views were recalled at different locations. Further analysis showed that location-dependent recall is related to the respective approach direction when imagining a walk from the interview location to the target square. The results are consistent with a view-based model of spatial long-term and working memories and their interplay. PMID:25409437

A Framework to Move Forward on the Path to Eco-innovation in the Construction Industry: Implications to Improve Firms' Sustainable Orientation.

PubMed

Segarra-Oña, María-del-Val; Peiró-Signes, Angel; Cervelló-Royo, Roberto

2015-12-01

This paper examines key aspects in the innovative behavior of the construction firms that determine their environmental orientation while innovating. Structural equation modeling was used and data of 222 firms retrieved from the Spanish Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) for 2010 to analyse the drivers of environmental orientation of the construction firms during the innovation process. The results show that the environmental orientation is positively affected by the product and process orientation of construction firms during the innovation process. Furthermore, the positive relation between the importance of market information sources and environmental orientation, mediated by process and product orientation, is discussed. Finally, a model that explains these relations is proposed and validated. Results have important managerial implications for those companies worried about their eco-innovative focus as the types of actions and relations within firms most suitable for improving their eco-innovative orientation are highlighted.

Commercial Activities Baseline Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-01

object oriented programming technology) that automated processing . This report documents that methodology, reviews the candidates and criteria for source data, and provides examples of the output reports.

ZERODUR: progress in CTE characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jedamzik, Ralf; Kunisch, Clemens; Westerhoff, Thomas

2013-09-01

In 2010, SCHOTT introduced a method for the modeling of the thermal expansion behavior of ZERODUR® under arbitrary temperature profiles for an optimized production of material for the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) projects. In 2012 a new product was introduced based on this method called ZERODUR® TAILORED. ZERODUR® TAILORED provides an evolution in the specification of the absolute Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) value by including the individual customer requirements in this process. This paper presents examples showing the benefit of an application oriented approach in the design of specifications using ZERODUR®. Additionally it will be shown how the modeling approach has advanced during the last years to improve the prediction accuracy on long time scales. ZERODUR® is known not only for its lowest CTE but also for its excellent CTE homogeneity as shown in the past for disc shaped blanks typical for telescope mirror substrates. Additionally this paper presents recent results of CTE homogeneity measurements in the single digit ppb/K range for a rectangular cast plate proving that the excellent CTE homogeneity is independent of the production format.

Establishing a `Centre for Engineering Experimentation and Design Simulation': a step towards restructuring engineering education in India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkateswarlu, P.

2017-07-01

Reforms in undergraduate engineering curriculum to produce engineers with entrepreneurial skills should address real-world problems relevant to industry and society with active industry support. Technology-assisted, hands-on projects involving experimentation, design simulation and prototyping will transform graduates into professionals with necessary skills to create and advance knowledge that meets global standards. To achieve this goal, this paper proposes establishing a central facility, 'Centre for Engineering Experimentation and Design Simulation' (CEEDS) in autonomous engineering colleges in India. The centre will be equipped with the most recent technology resources and computational facilities where students execute novel interdisciplinary product-oriented projects benefiting both industry and society. Students undertake two projects: a short-term project aimed at an engineering solution to a problem in energy, health and environment and the other a major industry-supported project devoted to a product that enhances innovation and creativity. The paper presents the current status, the theoretical and pedagogical foundation for the centre's relevance, an activity plan and its implementation in the centre for product-based learning with illustrative examples.

Strategies for the Optimization of Natural Leads to Anticancer Drugs or Drug Candidates

PubMed Central

Xiao, Zhiyan; Morris-Natschke, Susan L.; Lee, Kuo-Hsiung

2015-01-01

Natural products have made significant contribution to cancer chemotherapy over the past decades and remain an indispensable source of molecular and mechanistic diversity for anticancer drug discovery. More often than not, natural products may serve as leads for further drug development rather than as effective anticancer drugs by themselves. Generally, optimization of natural leads into anticancer drugs or drug candidates should not only address drug efficacy, but also improve ADMET profiles and chemical accessibility associated with the natural leads. Optimization strategies involve direct chemical manipulation of functional groups, structure-activity relationship-directed optimization and pharmacophore-oriented molecular design based on the natural templates. Both fundamental medicinal chemistry principles (e.g., bio-isosterism) and state-of-the-art computer-aided drug design techniques (e.g., structure-based design) can be applied to facilitate optimization efforts. In this review, the strategies to optimize natural leads to anticancer drugs or drug candidates are illustrated with examples and described according to their purposes. Furthermore, successful case studies on lead optimization of bioactive compounds performed in the Natural Products Research Laboratories at UNC are highlighted. PMID:26359649

Aspect-Oriented Model-Driven Software Product Line Engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groher, Iris; Voelter, Markus

Software product line engineering aims to reduce development time, effort, cost, and complexity by taking advantage of the commonality within a portfolio of similar products. The effectiveness of a software product line approach directly depends on how well feature variability within the portfolio is implemented and managed throughout the development lifecycle, from early analysis through maintenance and evolution. This article presents an approach that facilitates variability implementation, management, and tracing by integrating model-driven and aspect-oriented software development. Features are separated in models and composed of aspect-oriented composition techniques on model level. Model transformations support the transition from problem to solution space models. Aspect-oriented techniques enable the explicit expression and modularization of variability on model, template, and code level. The presented concepts are illustrated with a case study of a home automation system.

Study of capabilities and limitations of 3D printing technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemu, H. G.

2012-04-01

3D printing is one of the developments in rapid prototyping technology. The inception and development of the technology has highly assisted the product development phase of product design and manufacturing. The technology is particularly important in educating product design and 3D modeling because it helps students to visualize their design idea, to enhance their creative design process and enables them to touch and feel the result of their innovative work. The availability of many 3D printers on the market has created a certain level of challenge for the user. Among others, complexity of part geometry, material type, compatibility with 3D CAD models and other technical aspects still need in-depth study. This paper presents results of the experimental work on the capabilities and limitations of the Z510 3D printer from Z-corporation. Several parameters such as dimensional and geometrical accuracy, surface quality and strength as a function of model size, orientation and file exchange format are closely studied.

An Example of Inquiry in Linear Algebra: The Roles of Symbolizing and Brokering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zandieh, Michelle; Wawro, Megan; Rasmussen, Chris

2017-01-01

In this paper we address practical questions such as: How do symbols appear and evolve in an inquiry-oriented classroom? How can an instructor connect students with traditional notation and vocabulary without undermining their sense of ownership of the material? We tender an example from linear algebra that highlights the roles of the instructor…

Future orientation: a construct with implications for adolescent health and wellbeing.

PubMed

Johnson, Sarah R Lindstrom; Blum, Robert W; Cheng, Tina L

2014-01-01

Multidisciplinary research has supported a relationship between adolescent future orientation (the ability to set future goals and plans) and positive adolescent health and development outcomes. Many preventive strategies - for example, contracepting, exercising - are based on taking actions in the present to avoid unwanted or negative future consequences. However, research has been hampered by unclear and often divergent conceptualizations of the future orientation construct. The present paper aims to integrate previous conceptual and operational definitions into a conceptual framework that can inform programs and services for youth and efforts to evaluate future orientation as a target for intervention. Recommendations focus on furthering the study of the construct through measurement synthesis as well as studies of the normative development of future orientation. Also suggested is the need to pair environmental intervention strategies with individual level efforts to improve future orientation in order to maximize benefits.

Future Orientation: A Construct with Implications for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing

PubMed Central

Lindstrom Johnson, Sarah; Blum, Robert W; Cheng, Tina L.

2016-01-01

Multi-disciplinary research has supported a relationship between adolescent future orientation (the ability to set future goals and plans) and positive adolescent health and development outcomes. Many preventive strategies—for example contracepting, exercising—are based on taking actions in the present to avoid unwanted or negative future consequences. However, research has been hampered by unclear and often divergent conceptualizations of the future orientation construct. The present paper aims to integrate previous conceptual and operational definitions into a conceptual framework that can inform programs and services for youth and efforts to evaluate future orientation as a target for intervention. Recommendations focus on furthering the study of the construct through measurement synthesis as well as studies of the normative development of future orientation. Also suggested is the need to pair environmental intervention strategies with individual level efforts to improve future orientation in order to maximize benefits. PMID:24523304

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

Jiang, J.; Walters, D. M.; Zhou, D.

Vapor-deposited glasses can be anisotropic and molecular orientation is important for organic electronics applications. In organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), for example, the orientation of dye molecules in two-component emitting layers significantly influences emission efficiency. Here we investigate how substrate temperature during vapor deposition influences the orientation of dye molecules in a model two-component system. We determine the average orientation of a linear blue light emitter 1,4-di-[4-( N,N-diphenyl)amino]styrylbenzene (DSA-Ph) in mixtures with aluminum-tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq 3) by spectroscopic ellipsometry and IR dichroism. We find that molecular orientation is controlled by the ratio of the substrate temperature during deposition and the glassmore » transition temperature of the mixture. Furthermore, these findings extend recent results for single component vapor-deposited glasses and suggest that, during vapor deposition, surface mobility allows partial equilibration towards orientations preferred at the free surface of the equilibrium liquid.« less

Product-Process Distinctions in ELT Curriculum Theory and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wette, Rosemary

2011-01-01

ELT theory classifies curricula as belonging to one of two contrasting approaches: either process or product. While foundation-level teacher education literature offers strongly product-oriented advice, research- and theory-oriented texts stress the need to negotiate with learners, and to take language-learning processes into account. This article…

Origins and Outcomes of Judgments about Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Monica Kirkpatrick; Mortimer, Jeylan T.

2011-01-01

We evaluate the importance of judgments about work for the attainment process in the "new economy." Findings show continuing links between social origins and work orientations at age 21/22, as well as significant effects of work orientations on occupational outcomes at age 31/32. Higher socio-economic status background, and stronger…

Supporting Students' Pedagogical Working Life Horizon in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Penttinen, Leena; Skaniakos, Terhi; Lairio, Marjatta

2013-01-01

In this article, we introduce a model of a pedagogical working life horizon. It encompasses questions posed by individual students concerning their future and incorporates the idea of a working life orientation to the pedagogical possibilities within education. Working life orientation consists of three elements: individual relationship, knowledge…

Switchable polarization-sensitive surface plasmon resonance of highly stable gold nanorods liquid crystals composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qingkun; Qian, Jun; Cai, Fuhong; Smalyukh, Ivan I.; He, Sailing

2011-12-01

In this work, we demonstrate the bulk self-alignment of gold nanorods (GNRs) dispersed in lyotropic nematic liquid crystals (LCs) with high optical absorption coefficient at the surface plasmon resonant wavelength. The polymer-coated GNRs which show spontaneous long-range orientational ordering along the director of LC host exhibit long-term stability as well as high concentration. External magnetic field and shearing allow for alignment and realignment of the orientation of gold nanorods by changing the director of the liquid crystal matrix. This results in a switchable polarization-sensitive surface plasmon resonance exhibiting stark differences from that of the same nanorods in isotropic fluids. The devise-scale bulk nanoparticle alignment may enable optical metamaterial mass production and control of surface plasmon resonance of nanoparticles.

Metal surface coloration by oxide periodic structures formed with nanosecond laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veiko, Vadim; Karlagina, Yulia; Moskvin, Mikhail; Mikhailovskii, Vladimir; Odintsova, Galina; Olshin, Pavel; Pankin, Dmitry; Romanov, Valery; Yatsuk, Roman

2017-09-01

In this work, we studied a method of laser-induced coloration of metals, where small-scale spatially periodic structures play a key role in the process of color formation. The formation of such structures on a surface of AISI 304 stainless steel was demonstrated for the 1.06 μm fiber laser with nanosecond duration of pulses and random (elliptical) polarization. The color of the surface depends on the period, height and orientation of periodic surface structures. Adjustment of the polarization of the laser radiation or change of laser incidence angle can be used to control the orientation of the structures. The formation of markings that change their color under the different viewing angles becomes possible. The potential application of the method is metal product protection against falsification.

Impact of Malaysian Polytechnics' Head of Department Multi-Dimensional Leadership Orientation towards Lecturers Work Commitment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ibrahim, Mohammed Sani; Mujir, Siti Junaidah Mohd

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study is to determine if the multi-dimensional leadership orientation of the heads of departments in Malaysian polytechnics affects their leadership effectiveness and the lecturers' commitment to work as perceived by the lecturers. The departmental heads' leadership orientation was determined by five leadership dimensions…

Measuring Achievement Goal Orientations of Pharmacy Students

PubMed Central

Muthart, Thomas; Khan, Ghous M.

2014-01-01

Objectives. To measure the achievement goal orientations of pharmacy students attending a 3-year (accelerated) doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program. Methods. A 16-item survey based on the Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ) was administered to first-year (P1) and second-year (P2) pharmacy students at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP). Students were instructed to indicate to what degree each statement was true for them using a 7-point Likert scale (1=not true of me, 7=very true of me). Results. One hundred twenty of the 155 students (77%) completed the survey. Most students had mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, and/or performance-avoidance goal orientations; few had work-avoidance goal orientations. Second-year students and male students had higher work-avoidance mean scores than did P1 students and female students (p<0.05). Conclusion. Pharmacy students were mastery- and performance-oriented learners, and most did not have work-avoidance goal orientations. Male students and P2 students had higher work-avoidance than did female students and P1 students, respectively. More longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings. PMID:24761015

Assessment on Language Rights in Education Domain: Shift-Oriented, Maintenance-Oriented or Something Else?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ping, Wang

2016-01-01

There is a trend towards the shift of the Uyghur language as the language of instruction in schools in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. This article presents several examples of such a shift first and then it reviews the concept of language rights (LR) and applies them to the current situation of the Uyghur language in education…

The Two Modes of Visual Processing: Implications for Spatial Orientation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leibowitz, H. W.; Shupert, C. L.; Post, R. B.

1984-01-01

The roles of the focal and ambient visual systems in spatial orientation are discussed. The two modes are defined and compared. The contribution of each system is illustrated through examples such as spatial disorientation/motion sickness, vehicle guidance/night driving, visual narrowing under stress/cortical brain damage, and aircraft instrumentation. Emphasis is placed on the need for testing procedures for the ambient system.

Quantum Support Vector Machine for Big Data Classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebentrost, Patrick; Mohseni, Masoud; Lloyd, Seth

2014-09-01

Supervised machine learning is the classification of new data based on already classified training examples. In this work, we show that the support vector machine, an optimized binary classifier, can be implemented on a quantum computer, with complexity logarithmic in the size of the vectors and the number of training examples. In cases where classical sampling algorithms require polynomial time, an exponential speedup is obtained. At the core of this quantum big data algorithm is a nonsparse matrix exponentiation technique for efficiently performing a matrix inversion of the training data inner-product (kernel) matrix.

LINDENS: A program for lineament length and density analysis*1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casas, Antonio M.; Cortés, Angel L.; Maestro, Adolfo; Soriano, M. Asunción; Riaguas, Andres; Bernal, Javier

2000-11-01

Analysis of lineaments from satellite images normally includes the determination of their orientation and density. The spatial variation in the orientation and/or number of lineaments must be obtained by means of a network of cells, the lineaments included in each cell being analysed separately. The program presented in this work, LINDENS, allows the density of lineaments (number of lineaments per km 2 and length of lineaments per km 2) to be estimated. It also provides a tool for classifying the lineaments contained in different cells, so that their orientation can be represented in frequency histograms and/or rose diagrams. The input file must contain the planar coordinates of the beginning and end of each lineament. The density analysis is done by creating a network of square cells, and counting the number of lineaments that are contained within each cell, that have one of their ends within the cell or that cross-cut the cell boundary. The lengths of lineaments are then calculated. To obtain a representative density map the cell size must be fixed according to: (1) the average lineament length; (2) the distance between the lineaments; and (3) the boundaries of zones with low densities due to lithology or outcrop features. An example from the Neogene Duero Basin (Northern Spain) is provided to test the reliability of the density maps obtained with different cell sizes.

Toward an Intersectional Approach in Developmental Science: The Role of Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Immigrant Status.

PubMed

Ghavami, Negin; Katsiaficas, Dalal; Rogers, Leoandra Onnie

2016-01-01

Developmental theory and research have often focused on a single social identity category, for example, race or sexual orientation, and examined the consequences of that category on life outcomes. Yet intersectional models of social disadvantage (eg, Cole, 2009; Crenshaw, 1995; King, 1988) suggest that social categories combine to shape the experiences and life outcomes of individuals across life domains. In this chapter, we review empirical research that offers insight into the intersectionality of social identities across three critical developmental periods, namely, middle childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood. We also consider the consequences of intersecting identities across several life domains, including intergroup relations and political and civic engagement. Recognizing that the body of work on social identities is expansive, we focus our review on race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and immigrant status. In each developmental stage, we discuss what we know, drawing from the limited empirical literature, and offer suggestions on where we need to go moving forward. We conclude that research that focuses on as a single category and ignores the specific domain of development provides an incomplete and inaccurate picture that will hinder efforts to develop culturally appropriate and clinically effective prevention and intervention programs to meet the needs of our diverse children and youth living in the United States. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Saving genetic resources of native pigs in Occidental and Oriental countries - practical examples of the characterization and utilization of native pigs in Hungary and Laos.

PubMed

Rátky, Jozsef; Egerszegi, Istvan; Toth, Peter; Keonuchan, Soukanh; Nagai, Takashi; Kikuchi, Kazuhiro; Manabe, Noboru; Brüssow, Klaus-Peter

2013-10-01

Worldwide, only a few "fatty" pig breeds exist with different and/or regional utilization. Using the Hungarian Mangalica, which almost went extinct in Europe and the Lao Moo Lat pig, which still has a large population in South-East Asia as exemples, we wanted to demonstrate that indigenous (fatty) pig breeds may represent both national value and tremendous economic potential. Since these less prolific and less productive breeds cannot contribute to mass production, new market roles and methods should be established for them in the premium segment of pork trading. Thus their preservation and propagation needs the comprehensive collaboration of commercial, governmental actors and researchers. Briefly summarizing the history, we report the current results of reproductive physiology research. The commercial renaissance of Mangalica pigs is indebted to the enthusiastic efforts of basic scientists, pig breeding experts and dedicated Mangalica producers. Scientific achievements were applied to practical breeding and production of delicious pork and processed products, which ultimately made the economic success in the Mangalica sector possible. Both, research on and utilization of endangered (pig) breeds maintain not only breed diversities, but also may improve the livelihood of farmers worldwide.

Analysis of Measurement Error and Estimator Shape in Three-Point Hydraulic Gradient Estimators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKenna, S. A.; Wahi, A. K.

2003-12-01

Three spatially separated measurements of head provide a means of estimating the magnitude and orientation of the hydraulic gradient. Previous work with three-point estimators has focused on the effect of the size (area) of the three-point estimator and measurement error on the final estimates of the gradient magnitude and orientation in laboratory and field studies (Mizell, 1980; Silliman and Frost, 1995; Silliman and Mantz, 2000; Ruskauff and Rumbaugh, 1996). However, a systematic analysis of the combined effects of measurement error, estimator shape and estimator orientation relative to the gradient orientation has not previously been conducted. Monte Carlo simulation with an underlying assumption of a homogeneous transmissivity field is used to examine the effects of uncorrelated measurement error on a series of eleven different three-point estimators having the same size but different shapes as a function of the orientation of the true gradient. Results show that the variance in the estimate of both the magnitude and the orientation increase linearly with the increase in measurement error in agreement with the results of stochastic theory for estimators that are small relative to the correlation length of transmissivity (Mizell, 1980). Three-point estimator shapes with base to height ratios between 0.5 and 5.0 provide accurate estimates of magnitude and orientation across all orientations of the true gradient. As an example, these results are applied to data collected from a monitoring network of 25 wells at the WIPP site during two different time periods. The simulation results are used to reduce the set of all possible combinations of three wells to those combinations with acceptable measurement errors relative to the amount of head drop across the estimator and base to height ratios between 0.5 and 5.0. These limitations reduce the set of all possible well combinations by 98 percent and show that size alone as defined by triangle area is not a valid discriminator of whether or not the estimator provides accurate estimates of the gradient magnitude and orientation. This research was funded by WIPP programs administered by the U.S Department of Energy. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Leadership Style of School Head-Teachers and Their Colleague's Work-Family Conflict

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tatlah, Ijaz Ahmed; Quraishi, Uzma

2010-01-01

This paper aims to investigate the relationship of people-oriented and task-oriented leadership styles with the work-family and family-work conflicts and the intensity of mutual relationship between work-family and family-work conflicts. Data for the research were collected through a survey of public sector elementary and secondary school teachers…

An evaluation of the Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) program in small enterprises in Vietnam.

PubMed

Nguyen, Toai Phuong; Khai, Ton That

2014-01-01

Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) has been known as a practical training methodology for improving health and safety at work, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our hypothesis is that PAOT is a better approach than a traditional local method, and the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PAOT and to make suggestions for improvement. An intervention was performed for one year at 20 volunteer SMEs. PAOT was applied in 10 factories, and a traditional local method was applied in the other 10 SMEs as a control. Two cross-sectional studies were performed consisting of a questionnaire and environmental measurements. Data were also collected on the number of factory improvements, productivity, worker income, accidents, and health costs. There were significant improvements among the intervention factories in terms of work environment, number of improvements and health costs between the pre- and post- intervention phases. In terms of productivity, significant increases were seen in the civil engineering, metal, garment, and rice mill industries in the intervention group, while the metal casting and, garment industries in the control group also showed significant increase in productivity. The findings support the idea that a PAOT program produces better outcomes in SMEs. It is recommended that a PAOT program be widely applied to SMEs to improve health and safety. A fuller examination could be obtained with more environmental measurements taken over a much longer period of time, together with data on sickness absence and accidents that have been independently validated.

Stress state reconstruction and tectonic evolution of the northern slope of the Baikit anteclise, Siberian Craton, based on 3D seismic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moskalenko, A. N.; Khudoley, A. K.; Khusnitdinov, R. R.

2017-05-01

In this work, we consider application of an original method for determining the indicators of the tectonic stress fields in the northern Baikit anteclise based on 3D seismic data for further reconstruction of the stress state parameters when analyzing structural maps of seismic horizons and corresponded faults. The stress state parameters are determined by the orientations of the main stress axes and shape of the stress ellipsoid. To calculate the stress state parameters from data on the spatial orientations of faults and slip vectors, we used the algorithms from quasiprimary stress computation methods and cataclastic analysis, implemented in the software products FaultKinWin and StressGeol, respectively. The results of this work show that kinematic characteristics of faults regularly change toward the top of succession and that the stress state parameters are characterized by different values of the Lode-Nadai coefficient. Faults are presented as strike-slip faults with normal or reverse component of displacement. Three stages of formation of the faults are revealed: (1) partial inversion of ancient normal faults, (2) the most intense stage with the predominance of thrust and strike-slip faults at north-northeast orientation of an axis of the main compression, and (3) strike-slip faults at the west-northwest orientation of an axis of the main compression. The second and third stages are pre-Vendian in age and correlate to tectonic events that took place during the evolution of the active southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton.

Class and ideological orientations revisited: an exploration of class-based mechanisms.

PubMed

Bengtsson, Mattias; Berglund, Tomas; Oskarson, Maria

2013-12-01

Studies of the relationship between class position and political outlooks still only have a limited understanding of the class-related mechanisms that matter for ideological orientations. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms that link class position and left/right and authoritarian/libertarian orientations. Besides main factors such as income, career prospects, job security, education, class origin and class identification, the significance of work-related factors such as work autonomy, working in a team, a physically demanding job and a mentally demanding job is studied. The findings are based on a survey specifically designed for this purpose and collected in Sweden in 2008/2009. A great deal of the association between class position and left/right orientations is explained by socio-economic conditions; different classes sympathize with policies that will benefit them economically. Another important factor is class identification. Work-related factors also have relevance, but the effect of class position on left/right orientations works mainly through the remuneration system. Class position is also related to authoritarian/libertarian orientations. However, this relationship is less explained by socio-economic position per se, but is rather an effect of the educational system and its allocation of the workforce into different class positions. It also turns out that work-related factors do not explain the class effects; however, a physically demanding job shows a unique effect. Overall, our findings suggest that besides factors such as class position, income, education and class identification, we need to consider work-related aspects to derive a more complete understanding of the distribution of ideological orientations in Western societies. © London School of Economics and Political Science 2013.

Reservoir characterization of the Clough area, Barnett Shale, Wise County, Texas. Topical report, January-July 1995

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

Hill, N.C.; Lancaster, D.E.

1995-07-01

The objective of this work was to learn more about the reservoir characteristics in the Barnett Shale. Specifically, from an analysis of pressure, production, interference, and fracture treatment data in three Mitchell Energy Corporation Cough area wells, the authors can infer the relationship between the induced hydraulic fractures and the natural fracture system in the reservoir. The authors are learning something about drainage area size, shape, and orientation.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of the Implementation of the Production Oriented Maintenance Organization (POMO) on Aircraft Maintenance

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-09-01

Division AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS School of Systems and Logistics’ Air Force Institute of Technology,WPAFB,OH II. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS 12 ...STRUCTURE) ............. ................ 9) 12 . SUMMARY OF ALL ANALYSIS RESUILT,"S ........ ........ 94 vii i LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Deputy...ness Rate (Variable 4) .... ............ ... 81 12 . Graph of Data Values for Abort Rate (Variable 5 e) . ..................... 82 13. Graph of Data

Substrate temperature controls molecular orientation in two-component vapor-deposited glasses

DOE PAGES

Jiang, J.; Walters, D. M.; Zhou, D.; ...

2016-02-22

Vapor-deposited glasses can be anisotropic and molecular orientation is important for organic electronics applications. In organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), for example, the orientation of dye molecules in two-component emitting layers significantly influences emission efficiency. Here we investigate how substrate temperature during vapor deposition influences the orientation of dye molecules in a model two-component system. We determine the average orientation of a linear blue light emitter 1,4-di-[4-( N,N-diphenyl)amino]styrylbenzene (DSA-Ph) in mixtures with aluminum-tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq 3) by spectroscopic ellipsometry and IR dichroism. We find that molecular orientation is controlled by the ratio of the substrate temperature during deposition and the glassmore » transition temperature of the mixture. Furthermore, these findings extend recent results for single component vapor-deposited glasses and suggest that, during vapor deposition, surface mobility allows partial equilibration towards orientations preferred at the free surface of the equilibrium liquid.« less

Composite Material from By-products and Its Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šeps, K.; Broukalová, I.; Vodička, J.

2017-09-01

The paper shows an example of utilization of specific textile admixture - fluffs of torn textiles from waste cars in production of composite with aggregate consisting entirely of unsorted recycled concrete. The admixture in the mixture of recycled concrete and cement binder fills the pores and voids in composite. The elaborated composite has working title STEREDconcrete. In the article, basic mechanical-physical properties of the composite are presented also the fire resistance of STEREDconcrete, which was determined in tests.

Polyfire project- an example of an industrial research project promoting safe industrial production of fire-resistant nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaquero, C.; López de Ipiña, J.; Galarza, N.; Hargreaves, B.; Weager, B.; Breen, C.

2011-07-01

New developments based on nanotechnology have to guarantee safe products and processes to be accepted by society. The Polyfire project will develop and scale-up techniques for processing halogen-free, fire-retardant nanocomposite materials and coatings based on unsaturated polyester resins and organoclays. The project includes a work package that will assess the Health and Environmental impacts derived from the manipulation of nanoparticles. This work package includes the following tasks: (1) Identification of Health and Environment Impacts derived from the processes, (2) Experimentation to study specific Nanoparticle Emissions, (3) Development of a Risk Management Methodology for the process, and (4) A Comparison of the Health and Environmental Impact of New and Existing Materials. To date, potential exposure scenarios to nanomaterials have been identified through the development of a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) of the new production processes. In the next step, these scenarios will be studied and simulated to evaluate potential emissions of nanomaterials. Polyfire is a collaborative European project, funded by the European Commission 7th Framework Programme (Grant Agreement No 229220). It features 11 partners from 5 countries (5 SMEs, 3 research institutes, 2 large companies, 1 association) and runs for three years (1st September 2009 - 31st August 2012). This project is an example of an industrial research development which aims to introduce to the market new products promoting the safe use of nanomaterials.

Soft 2D nanoarchitectonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ariga, Katsuhiko; Watanabe, Shun; Mori, Taizo; Takeya, Jun

2018-04-01

Nanoarchitectonics is a new paradigm to combine and unify nanotechnology with other sciences and technologies, such as supramolecular chemistry, self-assembly, self-organization, materials technology for manipulation of the size of material objects, and even biotechnology for hybridization with bio-components. The nanoarchitectonic concept leads to the synergistic combination of various methodologies in materials production, including atomic/molecular-level control, self-organization, and field-controlled organization. The focus of this review is on soft 2D nanoarchitectonics. Scientific views on soft 2D nanomaterials are not fully established compared with those on rigid 2D materials. Here, we collect recent examples of 2D nanoarchitectonic constructions of functional materials and systems with soft components. These examples are selected according to the following three categories on the basis of 2D spatial density and motional freedom: (i) well-packed and oriented organic 2D materials with rational design of component molecules and device applications, (ii) well-defined assemblies with 2D porous structures as 2D network materials, and (iii) 2D control of molecular machines and receptors on the basis of certain motional freedom confined in two dimensions.

Determinants of choice of market-oriented indigenous Horo cattle production in Dano district of western Showa, Ethiopia.

PubMed

Alemayehu, Befikadu; Bogale, Ayalneh; Wollny, Clemens; Tesfahun, Girma

2010-12-01

Based on a survey data collected from 150 farming households in Dano district of western Showa of Ethiopia, this paper analyzes determinants of smallholders' choice for market oriented indigenous Horo cattle production and tries to suggest policy alternatives for sustainable use of animal genetic resource in the study area. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic model were employed to analyze the data. Eight explanatory variables including age of the household head, size of the grazing land, total size of cultivated land, farmer's experience in indigenous cattle production, farmer's attitude towards productivity of local breed, off-farm income, fattening practice, and availability of information and training of the head of the household regarding conservation, management and sustainable use indigenous cattle were found to be statistically significant variables to explain farmers' choice for market oriented indigenous cattle production activities. Besides, possible policy implications were made in order to improve conservation, management and sustainable use of market oriented indigenous cattle genetic resources.