Fast Model Generalized Pseudopotential Theory Interatomic Potential Routine

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

2015-03-18

MGPT is an unclassified source code for the fast evaluation and application of quantum-based MGPT interatomic potentials for mrtals. The present version of MGPT has been developed entirely at LLNL, but is specifically designed for implementation in the open-source molecular0dynamics code LAMMPS maintained by Sandia National Laboratories. Using MGPT in LAMMPS, with separate input potential data, one can perform large-scale atomistic simulations of the structural, thermodynamic, defeat and mechanical properties of transition metals with quantum-mechanical realism.

Using critical realism as a framework in pharmacy education and social pharmacy research.

PubMed

Oltmann, Carmen; Boughey, Chrissie

2012-01-01

This article challenges the idea that positivism is capable of representing the complexity of social pharmacy and pharmacy education. It is argued that critical realism provides a framework that allows researchers to look at the nature of reality and at mechanisms that produce, or have the tendency to produce, events and experiences of those events. Critical realism is a framework, not a method. It allows researchers to make observations about phenomena and explain the relationships and connections involved. The researcher has to look for mechanisms and structures that could explain why the phenomena, the connections, and the relationships exist (or do not) and then try to show that these mechanisms do exist. This article first contextualizes critical realism, then briefly describes it, and lastly exemplifies the use of critical realism in a discussion of a research project conducted in pharmacy education. Critical realism may be particularly useful in interdisciplinary research, for example, where practitioners and researchers are working together in a social pharmacy or pharmacy education setting. Critical realism requires the practitioners and the researchers to question and make known their assumptions about their own realities and to think of a complex problem or phenomenon in terms of a stratified reality, generative mechanisms, and tendencies. Critical realism may make research more rigorous and also allow researchers to conceive of a greater breadth of research designs for their work. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Mock LISA Data Challenge Round 3: New and Improved Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, John

2008-01-01

The Mock LISA Data Challenges are a program to demonstrate and encourage the development of data-analysis capabilities for LISA. Each round of challenges consists of several data sets containing simulated instrument noise and gravitational waves from sources of undisclosed parameters. Participants are asked to analyze the data sets and report the maximum information they can infer about the source parameters. The challenges are being released in rounds of increasing complexity and realism. Challenge 3. currently in progress, brings new source classes, now including cosmic-string cusps and primordial stochastic backgrounds, and more realistic signal models for supermassive black-hole inspirals and galactic double white dwarf binaries.

Psychology Needs Realism, Not Instrumentalism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haig, Brian D.

2005-01-01

In this article, the author presents his comments on "Realism, Instrumentalism, and Scientific Symbiosis: Psychological Theory as a Search for Truth and the Discovery of Solutions" by John T. Cacioppo, Gun R. Semin and Gary G. Berntson. In the original article, the authors recommended the combined use of the philosophies of scientific realism and…

Ethical Realism: A Guide to Action?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matkin, Gary

2008-01-01

This article presents the author's response to Gary Miller's essay entitled "Ethical Realism and Continuing Education." In his essay, Dr. Miller has provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the practice of continuing education (CE) leadership. Dr. Miller reviews six principles that are encapsulated in the concept of ethical realism, but are…

Mario Bunge's Scientific Realism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cordero, Alberto

2012-01-01

This paper presents and comments on Mario Bunge's scientific realism. After a brief introduction in Sects. 1 and 2 outlines Bunge's conception of realism. Focusing on the case of quantum mechanics, Sect. 3 explores how his approach plays out for problematic theories. Section 4 comments on Bunge's project against the background of the current…

Response: Critical Realism--Response to Longhofer and Floersch

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Briar-Lawson, Katharine

2012-01-01

This article addresses key challenges posed by critical realism, proposed by Longhofer and Floersch, as a philosophical underpinning for a science of social work. As a response to Longhofer and Floersch, it is argued that critical realism may be instructive in debates about structural conditions that dictate more inclusive interventions and…

Getting Real: Is Realism a Blind Spot in Research Methodology?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McPhail, Graham; Lourie, Megan

2017-01-01

In this paper we outline a case for including realism as an approach for carrying out research in education. Realism is often missing or under-represented in methodology text books which tend to misrepresent positivism and over-claim the epistemic authority possible for interpretivism. While interpretivism is arguably the dominant research…

The Interaction of Color Realism and Pictorial Recall Memory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berry, Louis H.

This study investigated the interaction of variations in color realism on pictorial recall memory in order to better understand the effects of variations in color realism, and to draw comparisons between visual recall memory and visual recognition memory in terms of color information processing. Stimulus materials used were three sets of slides,…

Revisiting Folk Moral Realism.

PubMed

Pölzler, Thomas

2017-01-01

Moral realists believe that there are objective moral truths. According to one of the most prominent arguments in favour of this view, ordinary people experience morality as realist-seeming, and we have therefore prima facie reason to believe that realism is true. Some proponents of this argument have claimed that the hypothesis that ordinary people experience morality as realist-seeming is supported by psychological research on folk metaethics. While most recent research has been thought to contradict this claim, four prominent earlier studies (by Goodwin and Darley, Wainryb et al., Nichols, and Nichols and Folds-Bennett) indeed seem to suggest a tendency towards realism. My aim in this paper is to provide a detailed internal critique of these four studies. I argue that, once interpreted properly, all of them turn out in line with recent research. They suggest that most ordinary people experience morality as "pluralist-" rather than realist-seeming, i.e., that ordinary people have the intuition that realism is true with regard to some moral issues, but variants of anti-realism are true with regard to others. This result means that moral realism may be less well justified than commonly assumed.

Experimental Test of Nonlocal Realism Using a Fiber-Based Source of Polarization-Entangled Photon Paris

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-25

J. F. Clauser and M. A. Horne, Phys. Rev. D 10, 526 1974. 6 A. Zeilinger , Rev. Mod. Phys. 71, S288 1999; A. Aspect, Nature London 398, 189...Jennewein, M. Zukowski, M. Aspelmeyer, and A. Zeilinger , Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 210406 2007; C. Branciard, A. Ling, N. Gisin, C. Kurt- siefer, A. Lamas

Aircrew Training Devices: Fidelity Features.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

providing artificial cues for glideslope and lineup . He found that an adaptive strategy for using augmenting cues, where the presence or absence of the...with continuously available sources of augmented information for lineup and glideslope in the simulatot, they performed more poorly on test trials...flown: fighting wing, barrel roll attack, sequential attack, free engagement, aileron roll and loop. Results indicated higher ratings of realism for

Three Forms of Neuro-Realism: Explaining the Persistence of the "Uncritically Real" in Popular Neuroscience News

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gruber, David R.

2017-01-01

Neuro-realism is a widely cited concept describing a textual phenomenon in popular science news wherein brain research uncritically validates or invalidates the "realness" of particular beliefs or practices. Currently, no research on neuro-realism examines the variable rhetorical roles of such statements, that is, how they support…

Marxist Influences and South Asian Literature. South Asia Series Occasional Paper No. 23, Vol. II.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coppola, Carlo, Ed.

This document is the second of two volumes of papers dealing with various aspects of Marxist literary influence, and more specifically socialist realism, in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Included in this volume are articles that deal with such subjects as socialist realism and the progressive movement in Malayalam, realism in Marathi creative…

Propagation properties of cylindrical sinc Gaussian beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eyyuboğlu, Halil T.; Bayraktar, Mert

2016-09-01

We investigate the propagation properties of cylindrical sinc Gaussian beam in turbulent atmosphere. Since an analytic solution is hardly derivable, the study is carried out with the aid of random phase screens. Evolutions of the beam intensity profile, beam size and kurtosis parameter are analysed. It is found that on the source plane, cylindrical sinc Gaussian beam has a dark hollow appearance, where the side lobes also start to emerge with increase in width parameter and Gaussian source size. During propagation, beams with small width and Gaussian source size exhibit off-axis behaviour, losing the dark hollow shape, accumulating the intensity asymmetrically on one side, whereas those with large width and Gaussian source size retain dark hollow appearance even at long propagation distances. It is seen that the beams with large widths expand more in beam size than the ones with small widths. The structure constant values chosen do not seem to alter this situation. The kurtosis parameters of the beams having small widths are seen to be larger than the ones with the small widths. Again the choice of the structure constant does not change this trend.

Earth Observation System Flight Dynamics System Covariance Realism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaidi, Waqar H.; Tracewell, David

2016-01-01

This presentation applies a covariance realism technique to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Observation System (EOS) Aqua and Aura spacecraft based on inferential statistics. The technique consists of three parts: collection calculation of definitive state estimates through orbit determination, calculation of covariance realism test statistics at each covariance propagation point, and proper assessment of those test statistics.

Exorcising the Racism Phantasm: Racial Realism in Educational Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blaisdell, Benjamin

2016-01-01

Based on a 3-year ethnographic project at a public elementary school in North Carolina, this article discusses how the concept of racial realism can be useful to researchers trying to live up to the goals of critical race studies in school-based research. Racial realism maintains that racism is a permanent aspect of U.S. society and schools. A…

Get real: how current behavior influences perceptions of realism and behavioral intent for public service announcements.

PubMed

Nelson, Michelle R; Zhu, Xuan; Li, Yingying; Fiese, Barbara; Koester, Brenda

2015-01-01

This research examined how realism and current behavior influence message reception and processing for public service announcements (PSAs) designed to help parents with meal planning. Findings from 19 in-depth interviews revealed that the perceived realism of the message, the similarity, and the wishful identification with informants' lives influenced message acceptance, in line with the Message Interpretation Process (MIP) model. Results of an online survey with mothers show that realism matters more for those individuals who already engage in the featured behavior. In line with theory, "experts" (meal planners) show increased behavioral intent of the featured behaviors when viewing the more realistic PSA.

USACDEC Experimentation Manual

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-01

Commander, Instrumentation Command (Prov) who is responsible for the cinematic form of the films. The writing requirements for discrete sections of the...level of simulated realism required. Higher levels of simulated realism will require higher degrees of control to insure the test events occur as...experimentation, the "enemy" created to add realism . Aggressor forces may be represented by live troops In the field or by mechanical targets with or

Cosmology and the Demise of Color Realism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hockey, Thomas

2011-04-01

Scientific realism is a bulwark of modern metaphysics, especially entity realism. Scientists expect there to be real objects in nature that may be enumerated and measured using objective properties. (Rest mass is an example.) Is color one of these properties? The question, "What is the color of the Universe?" unexpectedly leads to the conclusion that it is not. Astronomers use the concept of color at their ontological peril.

A new paradigm for nursing: the potential of realism.

PubMed

Wainwright, S P

1997-12-01

Realism has been the dominant approach in the philosophy of science for the last 20 years. Realist philosophy has also been widely employed across a range of social sciences. Unfortunately, these powerful intellectual currents have not reached the shores of nursing which appears trapped in a time-warped debate about 'qualitative' (constructivist) and 'quantitative' (positivist) approaches. This paper argues that both positivism and constructionism are seriously flawed as philosophies of social and natural science. This is in marked contrast with realism which is a philosophy of both the natural and social sciences. I therefore propose that realism should be adopted as a radically different new paradigm for a unified biopsychosocial nursing.

The methodological defense of realism scrutinized.

PubMed

Wray, K Brad

2015-12-01

I revisit an older defense of scientific realism, the methodological defense, a defense developed by both Popper and Feyerabend. The methodological defense of realism concerns the attitude of scientists, not philosophers of science. The methodological defense is as follows: a commitment to realism leads scientists to pursue the truth, which in turn is apt to put them in a better position to get at the truth. In contrast, anti-realists lack the tenacity required to develop a theory to its fullest. As a consequence, they are less likely to get at the truth. My aim is to show that the methodological defense is flawed. I argue that a commitment to realism does not always benefit science, and that there is reason to believe that a research community with both realists and anti-realists in it may be better suited to advancing science. A case study of the Copernican Revolution in astronomy supports this claim. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Increasing the realism of a laparoscopic box trainer: a simple, inexpensive method.

PubMed

Hull, Louise; Kassab, Eva; Arora, Sonal; Kneebone, Roger

2010-01-01

Simulation-based training in medical education is increasing. Realism is an integral element of creating an engaging, effective training environment. Although physical trainers offer a low-cost alternative to expensive virtual reality (VR) simulators, many lack in realism. The aim of this research was to enhance the realism of a laparoscopic box trainer by using a simple, inexpensive method. Digital images of the abdominal cavity were captured from a VR simulator. The images were printed onto a laminated card that lined the bottom and sides of the box-trainer cavity. The standard black neoprene material that encloses the abdominal cavity was replaced with a skin-colored silicon model. The realism of the modified box trainer was assessed by surgeons, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Results suggest that the modified box trainer was more realistic than a standard box trainer alone. Incorporating this technique in the training of laparoscopic skills is an inexpensive means of emulating surgical reality that may enhance the engagement of the learner in simulation.

The Morality of Employing Remotely Piloted Weapon Systems in Combat

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

ethics of remotely piloted weapon systems involve utilitarianism and Just War Theory. Although the other two perspectives, pacifism and realism, do...perspectives of utilitarianism , Just War Theory, pacifism, and realism are evaluated to justify the claim. With the exception of pacifism, each of these...of utilitarianism , Just War Theory, pacifism, and realism are evaluated to justify the claim. With the exception of pacifism, each of these

European Scientific Notes. Volume 37, Number 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-31

instantoneous sea-state condition can be tions vary widely in their realism , with computed from a special data base coded some producing dynamic color pictures...between the variables of accuracy, approach channels, the alignment of practicality, realism , and expense. jetties, and the establishment of Because the...tidal current variables The system certainly seems to be valid, have been played into some of the and the smooth dynamics, realism , and simulator runs

The Troubled Relationship Between Israel and the European Union: An Empirical Explanation

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

the state, and the architecture of the international system.17 Classical realism and structural realism qualify the effects of human nature and the...outcomes in IR is highly constrained by the architecture of the international system. The result is unavoidable competition and power politics...42 Constructivism, like realism, focuses on the architecture of the international system and defines the international system as anarchical in

Did Ptolemy make novel predictions? Launching Ptolemaic astronomy into the scientific realism debate.

PubMed

Carman, Christián; Díez, José

2015-08-01

The goal of this paper, both historical and philosophical, is to launch a new case into the scientific realism debate: geocentric astronomy. Scientific realism about unobservables claims that the non-observational content of our successful/justified empirical theories is true, or approximately true. The argument that is currently considered the best in favor of scientific realism is the No Miracles Argument: the predictive success of a theory that makes (novel) observational predictions while making use of non-observational content would be inexplicable unless such non-observational content approximately corresponds to the world "out there". Laudan's pessimistic meta-induction challenged this argument, and realists reacted by moving to a "selective" version of realism: the approximately true part of the theory is not its full non-observational content but only the part of it that is responsible for the novel, successful observational predictions. Selective scientific realism has been tested against some of the theories in Laudan's list, but the first member of this list, geocentric astronomy, has been traditionally ignored. Our goal here is to defend that Ptolemy's Geocentrism deserves attention and poses a prima facie strong case against selective realism, since it made several successful, novel predictions based on theoretical hypotheses that do not seem to be retained, not even approximately, by posterior theories. Here, though, we confine our work just to the detailed reconstruction of what we take to be the main novel, successful Ptolemaic predictions, leaving the full analysis and assessment of their significance for the realist thesis to future works. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chinas Soft Power: Changing the World Perception

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

46 Kenneth Waltz, Theory of International Politics (New York: McGraw- Hill, 1979 ), 60–78. 47 John Mearsheimer, The...population soars , finding and extracting new sources of supply is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive.”124 Michael Klare, a Five College...Realism after the Cold War.” International Security 25, no. 1 (Summer 2000): 32. ———. Theory of International Politics. New York: McGraw- Hill, 1979

Some directions in ecological theory.

PubMed

Kendall, Bruce E

2015-12-01

The role of theory within ecology has changed dramatically in recent decades. Once primarily a source of qualitative conceptual framing, ecological theories and models are now often used to develop quantitative explanations of empirical patterns and to project future dynamics of specific ecological systems. In this essay, I recount my own experience of this transformation, in which accelerating computing power and the widespread incorporation of stochastic processes into ecological theory combined to create some novel integration of mathematical and statistical models. This stronger integration drives theory towards incorporating more biological realism, and I explore ways in which we can grapple with that realism to generate new general theoretical insights. This enhanced realism, in turn, may lead to frameworks for projecting ecological responses to anthropogenic change, which is, arguably, the central challenge for 21st-century ecology. In an era of big data and synthesis, ecologists are increasingly seeking to infer causality from observational data; but conventional biometry provides few tools for this project. This is a realm where theorists can and should play an important role, and I close by pointing towards some analytical and philosophical approaches developed in our sister discipline of economics that address this very problem. While I make no grand prognostications about the likely discoveries of ecological theory over the coming century, you will find in this essay a scattering of more or less far-fetched ideas that I, at least, think are interesting and (possibly) fruitful directions for our field.

Survey of CIG Data Base Generation from Imagery.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

world as measured by training transfer. There is no conclusive research as to therequired degree of realism or fidelity necessary to train. In order to...driving force behind emphasizing perceptual fidelity as opposed to realisn is the high cost of realism . Replication of all sensible attri- butes of the...and specification of visual simulation systems will con- tinue to je based on physical fidelity to the real world until those trade-offs on realism

Generating realistic environments for cyber operations development, testing, and training

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berk, Vincent H.; Gregorio-de Souza, Ian; Murphy, John P.

2012-06-01

Training eective cyber operatives requires realistic network environments that incorporate the structural and social complexities representative of the real world. Network trac generators facilitate repeatable experiments for the development, training and testing of cyber operations. However, current network trac generators, ranging from simple load testers to complex frameworks, fail to capture the realism inherent in actual environments. In order to improve the realism of network trac generated by these systems, it is necessary to quantitatively measure the level of realism in generated trac with respect to the environment being mimicked. We categorize realism measures into statistical, content, and behavioral measurements, and propose various metrics that can be applied at each level to indicate how eectively the generated trac mimics the real world.

Testing local-realism and macro-realism under generalized dichotomic measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debarshi; Mal, Shiladitya; Home, Dipankar

2018-04-01

Generalized quantum measurements with two outcomes are fully characterized by two real parameters, dubbed as sharpness parameter and biasedness parameter and they can be linked with different aspects of the experimental setup. It is known that sharpness parameter characterizes precision of the measurements and decreasing sharpness parameter of the measurements reduces the possibility of probing quantum features like quantum mechanical (QM) violation of local-realism (LR) or macro-realism (MR). Here we investigate the effect of biasedness together with that of sharpness of measurements and find a trade-off between those two parameters in the context of probing QM violations of LR and MR. Interestingly, we also find that the above mentioned trade-off is more robust in the latter case.

Phenomenological Modeling of Infrared Sources: Recent Advances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leung, Chun Ming; Kwok, Sun (Editor)

1993-01-01

Infrared observations from planned space facilities (e.g., ISO (Infrared Space Observatory), SIRTF (Space Infrared Telescope Facility)) will yield a large and uniform sample of high-quality data from both photometric and spectroscopic measurements. To maximize the scientific returns of these space missions, complementary theoretical studies must be undertaken to interpret these observations. A crucial step in such studies is the construction of phenomenological models in which we parameterize the observed radiation characteristics in terms of the physical source properties. In the last decade, models with increasing degree of physical realism (in terms of grain properties, physical processes, and source geometry) have been constructed for infrared sources. Here we review current capabilities available in the phenomenological modeling of infrared sources and discuss briefly directions for future research in this area.

Translations of Eastern Europe, Political, Sociological, and Military Affairs. Number 1398.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-06-09

concentrated realism . Finally, "Tanase Scatiu," a film based on fragments of Duiliu Zamfirescu’s works and put together in a screenplay by MLhnea Gheorgiu...trans- position but rather recreated an actual and psychological universe, the world of the original novels of a century ago, with penetrating realism ...acquire, as well as the atmosphere of an era. A judicious equilibrium is established between the crude realism of the framework and the figurative

Reality and the Physicist

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Espagnat, Bernard; Whitehouse, Translated by J. C.

1989-03-01

Preface; Introduction; Part I. Instrumentalism and Science: 1. The positivism of the physicists; 2. Positivism and fallibilism: philosophical controversies; 3. Border areas of instrumentalism; Part II. Physical Realism and Contemporary Physics: 4. Physical realism and fallibilism; 5. Microrealism and non-separability; 6. Physical realism in trouble; Part III. Causality, Reality and Time: 7. Irreversibility; 8. Sensible reality; 9. Independent reality; 10. The dilemma of modern physics: reality or meaning?; 11. Questions and answers; 12. Summary and perspectives; Appendixes; Addendum; Notes; References; Index.

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

Ragan, Eric D.; Bowman, Doug A.; Kopper, Regis

Virtual reality training systems are commonly used in a variety of domains, and it is important to understand how the realism of a training simulation influences training effectiveness. The paper presents a framework for evaluating the effects of virtual reality fidelity based on an analysis of a simulation’s display, interaction, and scenario components. Following this framework, we conducted a controlled experiment to test the effects of fidelity on training effectiveness for a visual scanning task. The experiment varied the levels of field of view and visual realism during a training phase and then evaluated scanning performance with the simulator’s highestmore » level of fidelity. To assess scanning performance, we measured target detection and adherence to a prescribed strategy. The results show that both field of view and visual realism significantly affected target detection during training; higher field of view led to better performance and higher visual realism worsened performance. Additionally, the level of visual realism during training significantly affected learning of the prescribed visual scanning strategy, providing evidence that high visual realism was important for learning the technique. The results also demonstrate that task performance during training was not always a sufficient measure of mastery of an instructed technique. That is, if learning a prescribed strategy or skill is the goal of a training exercise, performance in a simulation may not be an appropriate indicator of effectiveness outside of training—evaluation in a more realistic setting may be necessary.« less

Realism Assessment of Sonic Boom Simulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, Brenda M.; Davies, Patrica; Hodgdon, Kthleen K.; Salamone, Joseph A., III; Pilon, Anthony

2008-01-01

Developments in small supersonic aircraft design are predicted to result in low-intensity sonic booms. Booms generated by current aircraft are similar to those that led to the ban on commercial supersonic fli ght over the US, so are unsuitable for parametric studies of psychoac oustic response to low-intensity booms. Therefore, simulators have be en used to study the impact of predicted low-intensity sonic booms. H owever, simulators have been criticized because, when simulating conv entional-level booms, the sounds were observed to be unrealistic by p eople experienced in listening to sonic booms. Thus, two studies were conducted to measure the perceived realism of three sonic boom simul ators. Experienced listeners rated the realism of conventional sonic boom signatures when played in these simulators. The effects on percei ved realism of factors such as duration of post-boom noise, exclusion of very low frequency components, inclusion of ground reflections, a nd type of simulator were examined. Duration of post-boom noise was f ound to have a strong effect on perceived realism, while type of simu lator had a weak effect. It was determined that post-boom noise had t o be at least 1.5 seconds long for the sound to be rated very realist ic. Loudness level did not affect realism for the range of sounds pla yed in the tests (80-93 dB ASEL).

Earth Observing System Covariance Realism Updates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ojeda Romero, Juan A.; Miguel, Fred

2017-01-01

This presentation will be given at the International Earth Science Constellation Mission Operations Working Group meetings June 13-15, 2017 to discuss the Earth Observing System Covariance Realism updates.

[Depressive realism: happiness or objectivity].

PubMed

Birinci, Fatih; Dirik, Gülay

2010-01-01

Realism is described as objective evaluations and judgments about the world; however, some research indicates that judgments made by "normal" people include a self-favored, positive bias in the perception of reality. Additionally, some studies report that compared to normal people, such cognitive distortions are less likely among depressive people. These findings gave rise to the depressive realism hypothesis. While results of several studies verify the notion that depressive people evaluate reality more objectively, other studies fail to support this hypothesis. Several causes for these inconsistent findings have been proposed, which can be characterized under 3 headings. One proposed explanation suggests that what is accepted as "realistic" in these studies is not quite objective and is in fact ambiguous. According to another perspective, the term "depressive" used in these studies is inconsistent with the criteria of scientific diagnostic methods. Another suggests that the research results can only be obtained under the specific experimental conditions. General negativity and limited processing are popular approaches used for explaining the depressive realism hypothesis. Nowadays, the debate over this hypothesis continues. The present review focuses on frequently cited research related to depressive realism and discusses the findings.

Realism and Pragmatism in a mixed methods study.

PubMed

Allmark, Peter; Machaczek, Katarzyna

2018-06-01

A discussion of how adopting a Realist rather than Pragmatist methodology affects the conduct of mixed methods research. Mixed methods approaches are now extensively employed in nursing and other healthcare research. At the same time, realist methodology is increasingly used as philosophical underpinning of research in these areas. However, the standard philosophical underpinning of mixed methods research is Pragmatism, which is generally considered incompatible or at least at odds with Realism. This paper argues that Realism can be used as the basis of mixed methods research and that doing so carries advantages over using Pragmatism. A mixed method study into patient handover reports is used to illustrate how Realism affected its design and how it would have differed had a Pragmatist approach been taken. Discussion Paper. Philosophers Index; Google Scholar. Those undertaking mixed methods research should consider the use of Realist methodology with the addition of some insights from Pragmatism to do with the start and end points of enquiry. Realism is a plausible alternative methodology for those undertaking mixed methods studies. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A new twist to the No Miracles Argument for the success of science.

PubMed

Wray, K Brad

2018-06-01

J. D. Trout has recently developed a new defense of scientific realism, a new version of the No Miracles Argument. I critically evaluate Trout's novel defense of realism. I argue that Trout's argument for scientific realism and the related explanation for the success of science are self-defeating. In the process of arguing against the traditional realist strategies for explaining the success of science, he inadvertently undermines his own argument. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Examining pediatric resuscitation education using simulation and scripted debriefing: a multicenter randomized trial.

PubMed

Cheng, Adam; Hunt, Elizabeth A; Donoghue, Aaron; Nelson-McMillan, Kristen; Nishisaki, Akira; Leflore, Judy; Eppich, Walter; Moyer, Mike; Brett-Fleegler, Marisa; Kleinman, Monica; Anderson, Jodee; Adler, Mark; Braga, Matthew; Kost, Susanne; Stryjewski, Glenn; Min, Steve; Podraza, John; Lopreiato, Joseph; Hamilton, Melinda Fiedor; Stone, Kimberly; Reid, Jennifer; Hopkins, Jeffrey; Manos, Jennifer; Duff, Jonathan; Richard, Matthew; Nadkarni, Vinay M

2013-06-01

Resuscitation training programs use simulation and debriefing as an educational modality with limited standardization of debriefing format and content. Our study attempted to address this issue by using a debriefing script to standardize debriefings. To determine whether use of a scripted debriefing by novice instructors and/or simulator physical realism affects knowledge and performance in simulated cardiopulmonary arrests. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, factorial study design. The study was conducted from 2008 to 2011 at 14 Examining Pediatric Resuscitation Education Using Simulation and Scripted Debriefing (EXPRESS) network simulation programs. Interprofessional health care teams participated in 2 simulated cardiopulmonary arrests, before and after debriefing. We randomized 97 participants (23 teams) to nonscripted low-realism; 93 participants (22 teams) to scripted low-realism; 103 participants (23 teams) to nonscripted high-realism; and 94 participants (22 teams) to scripted high-realism groups. INTERVENTION Participants were randomized to 1 of 4 arms: permutations of scripted vs nonscripted debriefing and high-realism vs low-realism simulators. Percentage difference (0%-100%) in multiple choice question (MCQ) test (individual scores), Behavioral Assessment Tool (BAT) (team leader performance), and the Clinical Performance Tool (CPT) (team performance) scores postintervention vs preintervention comparison (PPC). There was no significant difference at baseline in nonscripted vs scripted groups for MCQ (P = .87), BAT (P = .99), and CPT (P = .95) scores. Scripted debriefing showed greater improvement in knowledge (mean [95% CI] MCQ-PPC, 5.3% [4.1%-6.5%] vs 3.6% [2.3%-4.7%]; P = .04) and team leader behavioral performance (median [interquartile range (IQR)] BAT-PPC, 16% [7.4%-28.5%] vs 8% [0.2%-31.6%]; P = .03). Their improvement in clinical performance during simulated cardiopulmonary arrests was not significantly different (median [IQR] CPT-PPC, 7.9% [4.8%-15.1%] vs 6.7% [2.8%-12.7%], P = .18). Level of physical realism of the simulator had no independent effect on these outcomes. The use of a standardized script by novice instructors to facilitate team debriefings improves acquisition of knowledge and team leader behavioral performance during subsequent simulated cardiopulmonary arrests. Implementation of debriefing scripts in resuscitation courses may help to improve learning outcomes and standardize delivery of debriefing, particularly for novice instructors.

Ways of knowing: realism, non-realism, nominalism and a typology revisited with a counter perspective for nursing science.

PubMed

Garrett, Bernard M; Cutting, Roger L

2015-06-01

In this paper, we reconsider the context of Barbara Carper's alternative ways of knowing, a prominent discourse in modern nursing theory in North America. We explore this relative to the concepts of realism, non-realism and nominalism, and investigate the philosophical divisions behind the original typology, particularly in relationship to modern scientific enquiry. We examine forms of knowledge relative to realist and nominalist positions and make an argument ad absurdum against relativistic interpretations of knowledge using the example of Borge's Chinese Emporium of Benevolent Knowledge. We propose a contentious postpositivist practical classification for nursing knowledge that demonstrates and supports the idea that knowledge has both individual and subjective components. This classification supports the practical application of nursing knowledge within the paradigm of realist postpositivist science. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of Field of View and Visual Complexity on Virtual Reality Training Effectiveness for a Visual Scanning Task

DOE PAGES

Ragan, Eric D.; Bowman, Doug A.; Kopper, Regis; ...

2015-02-13

Virtual reality training systems are commonly used in a variety of domains, and it is important to understand how the realism of a training simulation influences training effectiveness. The paper presents a framework for evaluating the effects of virtual reality fidelity based on an analysis of a simulation’s display, interaction, and scenario components. Following this framework, we conducted a controlled experiment to test the effects of fidelity on training effectiveness for a visual scanning task. The experiment varied the levels of field of view and visual realism during a training phase and then evaluated scanning performance with the simulator’s highestmore » level of fidelity. To assess scanning performance, we measured target detection and adherence to a prescribed strategy. The results show that both field of view and visual realism significantly affected target detection during training; higher field of view led to better performance and higher visual realism worsened performance. Additionally, the level of visual realism during training significantly affected learning of the prescribed visual scanning strategy, providing evidence that high visual realism was important for learning the technique. The results also demonstrate that task performance during training was not always a sufficient measure of mastery of an instructed technique. That is, if learning a prescribed strategy or skill is the goal of a training exercise, performance in a simulation may not be an appropriate indicator of effectiveness outside of training—evaluation in a more realistic setting may be necessary.« less

Evaluating the Effect of Display Realism on Natural Resource Decision Making

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chong, Steven S.

2018-05-01

Geographic information systems (GIS) facilitate location-based decision making. Despite the improved availability of GIS software to non-professionals, training in cartographic design has not followed suit. Prior research indicates that when presented with map choices, users are influenced by naïve realism, a preference for realistic displays cotaining irrelevant, extraneous details, leading to decreased task efficiency. This study investigated the role of naïve realism in decision making for natural resource management, a field that often employs geospatial tools. Data was collected through a GIS user ability test, a questionnaire and direct observation. Forty volunteer expert and non-expert resource managers evaluated the suitability of different sites for a land management scenario. Each participant was tested on two map display treatments containing different levels of realism - a simpler 2D display and a more complex 3D display - to compare task performance. Performance was measured by task accuracy and task completion time. User perceptions and preferences about the displays were also recorded. Display realism had an impact on performance and there were indications naïve realism was present. Users completed tasks significantly faster on the 2D display and many individuals misjudged which display they were most accurate or fastest with. The results are informative for designing information systems containing interactive maps, particularly for resource management applications. The results also suggest that the order displays were presented had a significant effect and may have implications for teaching users map-based tasks.

An Essay for Educators: Epistemological Realism Really is Common Sense

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cobern, William W.; Loving, Cathleen C.

2008-04-01

“What is truth?” Pontius Pilot asked Jesus of Nazareth. For many educators today this question seems quaintly passé. Rejection of “truth” goes hand-in-hand with the rejection of epistemological realism. Educational thought over the last decade has instead been dominated by empiricist, anti-realist, instrumentalist epistemologies of two types: first by psychological constructivism and later by social constructivism. Social constructivism subsequently has been pressed to its logical conclusion in the form of relativistic multiculturalism. Proponents of both psychological constructivism and social constructivism value knowledge for its utility and eschew as irrelevant speculation any notion that knowledge is actually about reality. The arguments are largely grounded in the discourse of science and science education where science is “western” science; neither universal nor about what is really real. The authors defended the notion of science as universal in a previous article. The present purpose is to offer a commonsense argument in defense of critical realism as an epistemology and the epistemically distinguished position of science (rather than privileged) within a framework of epistemological pluralism. The paper begins with a brief cultural survey of events during the thirty-year period from 1960-1990 that brought many educators to break with epistemological realism and concludes with comments on the pedagogical importance of realism. Understanding the cultural milieu of the past forty years is critical to understanding why traditional philosophical attacks on social constructivist ideas have proved impotent defenders of scientific realism.

Earth Observing System Covariance Realism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaidi, Waqar H.; Hejduk, Matthew D.

2016-01-01

The purpose of covariance realism is to properly size a primary object's covariance in order to add validity to the calculation of the probability of collision. The covariance realism technique in this paper consists of three parts: collection/calculation of definitive state estimates through orbit determination, calculation of covariance realism test statistics at each covariance propagation point, and proper assessment of those test statistics. An empirical cumulative distribution function (ECDF) Goodness-of-Fit (GOF) method is employed to determine if a covariance is properly sized by comparing the empirical distribution of Mahalanobis distance calculations to the hypothesized parent 3-DoF chi-squared distribution. To realistically size a covariance for collision probability calculations, this study uses a state noise compensation algorithm that adds process noise to the definitive epoch covariance to account for uncertainty in the force model. Process noise is added until the GOF tests pass a group significance level threshold. The results of this study indicate that when outliers attributed to persistently high or extreme levels of solar activity are removed, the aforementioned covariance realism compensation method produces a tuned covariance with up to 80 to 90% of the covariance propagation timespan passing (against a 60% minimum passing threshold) the GOF tests-a quite satisfactory and useful result.

Being There in the Midst of the Story: How Immersive Journalism Affects Our Perceptions and Cognitions.

PubMed

Sundar, S Shyam; Kang, Jin; Oprean, Danielle

2017-11-01

Immersive journalism in the form of virtual reality (VR) headsets and 360°-video is becoming more mainstream and is much touted for inducing greater "presence" than traditional text. But, does this presence influence psychological outcomes of reading news, such as memory for story content, perceptions of credibility, and empathy felt toward story characters? We propose that two key technological affordances of VR (modality and interactivity) are responsible for triggering three presence-related cognitive heuristics (being-there, interaction, and realism), which influence news readers' memory and their perceptions of credibility, empathy, and story-sharing intentions. We report a 3 (storytelling medium: VR vs. 360°-video vs. Text) × 2 (story: "The displaced" and "The click effect") mixed-factorial experiment, in which participants (N = 129) experienced two New York Times stories (that differed in their emotional intensity) using one of the three mediums (VR, 360°-video, Text). Participants who experienced the stories using VR and 360°-video outperformed those who read the same stories using text with pictures, not only on such presence-related outcomes as being-there, interaction, and realism, but also on perceived source credibility, story-sharing intention, and feelings of empathy. Moreover, we found that senses of being-there, interaction, and realism mediated the relationship between storytelling medium and reader perceptions of credibility, story recall, and story-sharing intention. These findings have theoretical implications for the psychology of virtual reality, and practical applications for immersive journalism in particular and interactive media in general.

Queer Genes: Realism, Sexuality and Science.

PubMed

Griffiths, David Andrew

2016-10-19

What are 'gay genes' and are they real? This article looks at key research into these hypothesized gay genes, made possible, in part, by the Human Genome Project. I argue that the complexity of both genetics and human sexuality demands a truly critical approach: one that takes into account feminist epistemologies of science and queer approaches to the body, while putting into conversation resources from agential realism and critical realism. This approach is able to maintain the agential complexity of genetic materiality, while also critically challenging the seemingly stable relationships between sex, gender and sexuality.

Information transfer in auditoria and room-acoustical quality.

PubMed

Summers, Jason E

2013-04-01

It is hypothesized that room-acoustical quality correlates with the information-transfer rate. Auditoria are considered as multiple-input multiple-output communication channels and a theory of information-transfer is outlined that accounts for time-variant multipath, spatial hearing, and distributed directional sources. Source diversity and spatial hearing are shown to be the mechanisms through which multipath increases the information-transfer rate by overcoming finite spatial resolution. In addition to predictions that are confirmed by recent and historical findings, the theory provides explanations for the influence of factors such as musical repertoire and ensemble size on subjective preference and the influence of multisource, multichannel auralization on perceived realism.

Audience Activity and Television News Gratifications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rubin, Alan M.; Perse, Elizabeth M.

1987-01-01

Indicates that (1) affinity, selectivity, and involvement predicted intentionality; (2) pass time motives, perceived realism, and reduced intentionality predicted nonselectivity; (3) pass time motives and reduced affinity predicted distractions; (4) information and nonentertainment motives, perceived realism, and intentionality predicted…

Comparison of ocean surface solar irradiance in the GLA General Circulation Model and satellite-based calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chertock, Beth; Sud, Y. C.

1993-01-01

A global, 7-year satellite-based record of ocean surface solar irradiance (SSI) is used to assess the realism of ocean SSI simulated by the nine-layer Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres (GLA) General Circulation Model (GCM). January and July climatologies of net SSI produced by the model are compared with corresponding satellite climatologies for the world oceans between 54 deg N and 54 deg S. This comparison of climatologies indicates areas of strengths and weaknesses in the GCM treatment of cloud-radiation interactions, the major source of model uncertainty. Realism of ocean SSI is also important for applications such as incorporating the GLA GCM into a coupled ocean-atmosphere GCM. The results show that the GLA GCM simulates too much SSI in the extratropics and too little in the tropics, especially in the summer hemisphere. These discrepancies reach magnitudes of 60 W/sq m and more. The discrepancies are particularly large in the July case off the western coast of North America. Positive and negative discrepancies in SSI are shown to be consistent with discrepancies in planetary albedo.

Testing quantum mechanics against macroscopic realism using the output of {chi}{sup (2)} nonlinearity

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

Podoshvedov, Sergey A.; Kim, Jaewan

2006-09-15

We suggest an all-optical scheme to generate entangled superposition of a single photon with macroscopic entangled states for testing macroscopic realism. The scheme consists of source of single photons, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in routes of which a system of coupled-down converters with type-I phase matching is inserted, and a beam splitter for the other auxiliary modes of the scheme. We use quantization of the pumping modes, depletion of the coherent states passing through the system, and interference effect in the pumping modes in the process of erasing which-path information of the single-photon on exit from the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. We showmore » the macroscopic fields of the output superposition are distinguishable states. This scheme generates macroscopic entangled state that violates Bell's inequality. Moreover, the detailed analysis concerning change of amplitudes of entangled superposition by means of repeating this process many times is accomplished. We show our scheme works without photon number resolving detection and it is robust to detector inefficiency.« less

The three-dimensional angular widths of CMEs and their relations to the source regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, X.; Feng, X. S.

2017-12-01

The angular width of a coronal mass ejection (CME) is an important factor to determine whether the corresponding interplanetary CME (ICME) and its preceding shock will reach our Earth. However, very few studies are involved to study the decisive factors of the CME's angular width. In this study, we use the three-dimensional (3D) angular width of CMEs obtained from the Graduated Cylindrical Shell (GCS) model based on observations of Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) to study the relations between the CME's 3D width and characteristics of the CME's source region. We find that for the CMEs produced by active regions (ARs), the CME width has some correlations with the AR's area and flux, but these correlations are not strong. The magnetic flux contained in the CME seems to come from only part of the AR's total flux. For the CMEs produced by flare regions, the correlations between the CME angular width and the flare region's area and flux are strong. The magnetic flux within those CMEs seems to totally (even not enough) come from the flare region. Our findings prefer to support that the CME's 3D angular width can be generally estimated based on observations of Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) for its source region instead of the observations from coronagraphs onboard Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and STEREO.

Queer Genes: Realism, Sexuality and Science

PubMed Central

Griffiths, David Andrew

2016-01-01

What are ‘gay genes’ and are they real? This article looks at key research into these hypothesized gay genes, made possible, in part, by the Human Genome Project. I argue that the complexity of both genetics and human sexuality demands a truly critical approach: one that takes into account feminist epistemologies of science and queer approaches to the body, while putting into conversation resources from agential realism and critical realism. This approach is able to maintain the agential complexity of genetic materiality, while also critically challenging the seemingly stable relationships between sex, gender and sexuality. PMID:28058037

Realism on the rocks: Novel success and James Hutton's theory of the earth.

PubMed

Rossetter, Thomas

2018-02-01

In this paper, I introduce a new historical case study into the scientific realism debate. During the late-eighteenth century, the Scottish natural philosopher James Hutton made two important successful novel predictions. The first concerned granitic veins intruding from granite masses into strata. The second concerned what geologists now term "angular unconformities": older sections of strata overlain by younger sections, the two resting at different angles, the former typically more inclined than the latter. These predictions, I argue, are potentially problematic for selective scientific realism in that constituents of Hutton's theory that would not be considered even approximately true today played various roles in generating them. The aim here is not to provide a full philosophical analysis but to introduce the case into the debate by detailing the history and showing why, at least prima facie, it presents a problem for selective realism. First, I explicate Hutton's theory. I then give an account of Hutton's predictions and their confirmations. Next, I explain why these predictions are relevant to the realism debate. Finally, I consider which constituents of Hutton's theory are, according to current beliefs, true (or approximately true), which are not (even approximately) true, and which were responsible for these successes. Copyright © 2017 The Author. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Realism and Romance: The Study of Media Effects.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tuchman, Gaye

1993-01-01

Compares and contrasts two studies representing diametrical approaches (Romanticism versus Realism) toward the issue of agency and media effects: P. Willis's "Common Culture" and W. A. Gamson's "Talking Politics." Argues that both studies find that people make their own uses of media. (SR)

Dependence of Microlensing on Source Size and Lens Mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Congdon, A. B.; Keeton, C. R.

2007-11-01

In gravitational lensed quasars, the magnification of an image depends on the configuration of stars in the lensing galaxy. We study the statistics of the magnification distribution for random star fields. The width of the distribution characterizes the amount by which the observed magnification is likely to differ from models in which the mass is smoothly distributed. We use numerical simulations to explore how the width of the magnification distribution depends on the mass function of stars, and on the size of the source quasar. We then propose a semi-analytic model to describe the distribution width for different source sizes and stellar mass functions.

Improving the realism of hydrologic model through multivariate parameter estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rakovec, Oldrich; Kumar, Rohini; Attinger, Sabine; Samaniego, Luis

2017-04-01

Increased availability and quality of near real-time observations should improve understanding of predictive skills of hydrological models. Recent studies have shown the limited capability of river discharge data alone to adequately constrain different components of distributed model parameterizations. In this study, the GRACE satellite-based total water storage (TWS) anomaly is used to complement the discharge data with an aim to improve the fidelity of mesoscale hydrologic model (mHM) through multivariate parameter estimation. The study is conducted in 83 European basins covering a wide range of hydro-climatic regimes. The model parameterization complemented with the TWS anomalies leads to statistically significant improvements in (1) discharge simulations during low-flow period, and (2) evapotranspiration estimates which are evaluated against independent (FLUXNET) data. Overall, there is no significant deterioration in model performance for the discharge simulations when complemented by information from the TWS anomalies. However, considerable changes in the partitioning of precipitation into runoff components are noticed by in-/exclusion of TWS during the parameter estimation. A cross-validation test carried out to assess the transferability and robustness of the calibrated parameters to other locations further confirms the benefit of complementary TWS data. In particular, the evapotranspiration estimates show more robust performance when TWS data are incorporated during the parameter estimation, in comparison with the benchmark model constrained against discharge only. This study highlights the value for incorporating multiple data sources during parameter estimation to improve the overall realism of hydrologic model and its applications over large domains. Rakovec, O., Kumar, R., Attinger, S. and Samaniego, L. (2016): Improving the realism of hydrologic model functioning through multivariate parameter estimation. Water Resour. Res., 52, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016WR019430

48 CFR 5215.605 - Evaluation factors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... appropriate premiums for measured increments of quality. When a cost/benefit approach is used, cost must carry... recent Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRAs)). (iv) Cost realism evaluation generally will be performed... realism data are required, the contracting officer shall not request a formal field pricing report but...

THE INTERSECTION OF INDEPENDENT LIES: INCREASING REALISM IN ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

EPA Science Inventory

In 1966, Levins presented a philosophical discussion on making inference about populations using clusters of models. In this article we provide an overview of model inference in ecological risk assessment, discuss the benefits and trade-offs of increasing model realism, show the...

Ontic structural realism and quantum field theory: Are there intrinsic properties at the most fundamental level of reality?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berghofer, Philipp

2018-05-01

Ontic structural realism refers to the novel, exciting, and widely discussed basic idea that the structure of physical reality is genuinely relational. In its radical form, the doctrine claims that there are, in fact, no objects but only structure, i.e., relations. More moderate approaches state that objects have only relational but no intrinsic properties. In its most moderate and most tenable form, ontic structural realism assumes that at the most fundamental level of physical reality there are only relational properties. This means that the most fundamental objects only possess relational but no non-reducible intrinsic properties. The present paper will argue that our currently best physics refutes even this most moderate form of ontic structural realism. More precisely, I will claim that 1) according to quantum field theory, the most fundamental objects of matter are quantum fields and not particles, and show that 2) according to the Standard Model, quantum fields have intrinsic non-relational properties.

Must Metaethical Realism Make a Semantic Claim?

PubMed

Kahane, Guy

2013-02-01

Mackie drew attention to the distinct semantic and metaphysical claims made by meta ethical realists, arguing that although our evaluative discourse is cognitive and objective, there are no objective evaluative facts. This distinction, however, also opens up a reverse possibility: that our evaluative discourse is antirealist, yet objective values do exist. I suggest that this seemingly far-fetched possibility merits serious attention; realism seems com mitted to its intelligibility, and, despite appearances, it isn't incoherent, ineffable, inherently implausible or impossible to defend. I argue that reflection on this possibility should lead us to revise our understanding of the debate between realists and antirealists. It is not only that the realist's semantic claim is insufficient for realism to be true, as Mackie argued; it's not even necessary. Robust metaethical realism is best understood as making a purely metaphysical claim. It is thus not enough for antirealists to show that our discourse is antirealist. They must directly attack the realist's metaphysical claim.

Must Metaethical Realism Make a Semantic Claim?

PubMed Central

Kahane, Guy

2012-01-01

Mackie drew attention to the distinct semantic and metaphysical claims made by meta ethical realists, arguing that although our evaluative discourse is cognitive and objective, there are no objective evaluative facts. This distinction, however, also opens up a reverse possibility: that our evaluative discourse is antirealist, yet objective values do exist. I suggest that this seemingly far-fetched possibility merits serious attention; realism seems com mitted to its intelligibility, and, despite appearances, it isn’t incoherent, ineffable, inherently implausible or impossible to defend. I argue that reflection on this possibility should lead us to revise our understanding of the debate between realists and antirealists. It is not only that the realist’s semantic claim is insufficient for realism to be true, as Mackie argued; it’s not even necessary. Robust metaethical realism is best understood as making a purely metaphysical claim. It is thus not enough for antirealists to show that our discourse is antirealist. They must directly attack the realist’s metaphysical claim. PMID:23525148

Child witnesses' metamemory realism.

PubMed

Allwood, Carl Martin; Granhag, Pär Anders; Jonsson, Anna-Carin

2006-12-01

This study investigated the degree of realism in the confidence judgments of 11 to 12-year-olds (41 girls and 40 boys) of their answers to questions relating to a short film clip showing a kidnapping event. Four different confidence scales were used: a numeric scale, a picture scale, a line scale and a written scale. The results demonstrated that the children showed a high level of overconfidence in their memories. However, no significant differences between the four confidence scales were found. Weak gender differences were found in that the girls were slightly, but significantly, better calibrated than the boys. In addition, although both boys and girls overestimated the total number of memory questions they had answered correctly, the boys gave higher estimates compared with the girls. In brief, the results indicate that, at least in the context investigated, 11-12 year-old children's confidence in and estimations of their own event memory show poor realism (overconfidence and overestimation). A comparison with previous research on adults indicates that 11 to 12-year-old children show noticeably poorer realism.

The quantum Hall effects: Philosophical approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lederer, P.

2015-05-01

The Quantum Hall Effects offer a rich variety of theoretical and experimental advances. They provide interesting insights on such topics as gauge invariance, strong interactions in Condensed Matter physics, emergence of new paradigms. This paper focuses on some related philosophical questions. Various brands of positivism or agnosticism are confronted with the physics of the Quantum Hall Effects. Hacking's views on Scientific Realism, Chalmers' on Non-Figurative Realism are discussed. It is argued that the difficulties with those versions of realism may be resolved within a dialectical materialist approach. The latter is argued to provide a rational approach to the phenomena, theory and ontology of the Quantum Hall Effects.

Pilot Task Profiles, Human Factors, And Image Realism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCormick, Dennis

1982-06-01

Computer Image Generation (CIG) visual systems provide real time scenes for state-of-the-art flight training simulators. The visual system reauires a greater understanding of training tasks, human factors, and the concept of image realism to produce an effective and efficient training scene than is required by other types of visual systems. Image realism must be defined in terms of pilot visual information reauirements. Human factors analysis of training and perception is necessary to determine the pilot's information requirements. System analysis then determines how the CIG and display device can best provide essential information to the pilot. This analysis procedure ensures optimum training effectiveness and system performance.

Piloting Augmented Reality Technology to Enhance Realism in Clinical Simulation.

PubMed

Vaughn, Jacqueline; Lister, Michael; Shaw, Ryan J

2016-09-01

We describe a pilot study that incorporated an innovative hybrid simulation designed to increase the perception of realism in a high-fidelity simulation. Prelicensure students (N = 12) cared for a manikin in a simulation lab scenario wearing Google Glass, a wearable head device that projected video into the students' field of vision. Students reported that the simulation gave them confidence that they were developing skills and knowledge to perform necessary tasks in a clinical setting and that they met the learning objectives of the simulation. The video combined visual images and cues seen in a real patient and created a sense of realism the manikin alone could not provide.

Bell Test experiments explained without entanglement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyd, Jeffrey

2011-04-01

by Jeffrey H. Boyd. Jeffreyhboyd@gmail.com. John Bell proposed a test of what was called "local realism." However that is a different view of reality than we hold. Bell incorrectly assumed the validity of wave particle dualism. According to our model waves are independent of particles; wave interference precedes the emission of a particle. This results in two conclusions. First the proposed inequalities that apply to "local realism" in Bell's theorem do not apply to this model. The alleged mathematics of "local realism" is therefore wrong. Second, we can explain the Bell Test experimental results (such as the experiments done at Innsbruck) without any need for entanglement, non-locality, or particle superposition.

Analysis and Synthesis of Tonal Aircraft Noise Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Matthew P.; Rizzi, Stephen A.; Burdisso, Ricardo; Okcu, Selen

2012-01-01

Fixed and rotary wing aircraft operations can have a significant impact on communities in proximity to airports. Simulation of predicted aircraft flyover noise, paired with listening tests, is useful to noise reduction efforts since it allows direct annoyance evaluation of aircraft or operations currently in the design phase. This paper describes efforts to improve the realism of synthesized source noise by including short term fluctuations, specifically for inlet-radiated tones resulting from the fan stage of turbomachinery. It details analysis performed on an existing set of recorded turbofan data to isolate inlet-radiated tonal fan noise, then extract and model short term tonal fluctuations using the analytic signal. Methodologies for synthesizing time-variant tonal and broadband turbofan noise sources using measured fluctuations are also described. Finally, subjective listening test results are discussed which indicate that time-variant synthesized source noise is perceived to be very similar to recordings.

Beyond Iconic Simulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dormans, Joris

2011-01-01

Realism remains a prominent topic in game design and industry research; yet, a strong academic case can be made that games are anything, but realistic. This article frames realism in games in semiotic terms as iconic simulation and argues that games can gain expressiveness when they move beyond the current focus on iconic simulation. In parallel…

Weird Reality, Aesthetics, and Vitality in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oral, Sevket Benhur

2015-01-01

This paper discusses the repercussions of a new metaphysics--speculative/weird realism--for education and pedagogy. A historic shift is taking place in present-day continental philosophy, which involves an explicit and renewed call for "realism." One of the most salient features of this development is a revitalised interest in…

What's Really Wrong with Ethnography?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Banfield, Grant

2004-01-01

In asking the provocative question: "What's wrong with ethnography?" Hammersley draws attention to what he sees as the conceptual and methodological confusion arising from two competing strands of practice: "naive realism" and "relativism". As a solution, he offers "subtle realism" to steer a path through and beyond the confusion. This paper…

Somewhere between What Is and What If: Fictionalisation and Ethnographic Inquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, Malcolm

2011-01-01

Fictionalisation seems to render ethnographic inquiry suspect as research appropriate to the social sciences because it subverts a claim of realism or objectivity. This leads some ethnographers to propose alternative criteria for validation, such as participation and evocation, which offer alignment with realism; others suggest that scientific…

Testing nonlocal realism with entangled coherent states

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

Paternostro, Mauro; Jeong, Hyunseok

2010-03-15

We investigate the violation of nonlocal realism using entangled coherent states (ECSs) under nonlinear operations and homodyne measurements. We address recently proposed Leggett-type inequalities, including a class of optimized incompatibility inequalities proposed by Branciard et al. [Nature Phys. 4, 681 (2008)], and thoroughly assess the effects of detection inefficiency.

Standpoint Theory, Realism and the Search for Objectivity in the Sociology of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Gail

2014-01-01

This paper evaluates the contribution of "social realism" in resolving questions of knowledge and curriculum in the sociology of education. Social realists argue that, in the interests of educational equality, all pupils should have access to "powerful" knowledge produced by specialist intellectual communities. Social realism…

Aesthetic Description and Realism in Art Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Neil C. M.

1989-01-01

Looks at the usefulness of a stable realism for questions related to the description and understanding of art works. Explores two theories which may resolve the antagonism between representational meanings and their assertion as true properties of the work: (1) Wiggin's concept of authentic effect; and (2) Petit's theory of rectification and…

Struggling for a New Identity: A Critique of the Curriculum Research Effort in Technology Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zuga, Karen F.

Historically, technology education evolved from several strands: Bacon's realism, Pestalozzi's belief in the practical application of knowledge, Rousseau's naturalism, Herbart's sense realism, Dewey's progressive and social reconstructionist thinking, and the influence of vocationalism. The mainstream practice of industrial arts was more a study…

Ontological and Epistemic Claims of Realism and Instrumentalism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lau, Michael Y.

2005-01-01

This article presents comments on "Realism, Instrumentalism, and Scientific Symbiosis: Psychological Theory as a Search for Truth and the Discovery of Solutions" by John T. Cacioppo, Gun R. Semin and Gary G. Berntson. While Lau admires the authors efforts to negotiate symbiosis with seemingly incommensurate realist and instrumentalist positions in…

A Critical Realist Orientation to Learner Needs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ayers, David F.

2011-01-01

The objective of this essay is to propose critical realism as a philosophical middle way between two sets of ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions regarding learner needs. Key concepts of critical realism, a tradition in the philosophy of science, are introduced and applied toward an analysis of learner needs, resulting in…

Correlation between Angular Widths of CMEs and Characteristics of Their Source Regions

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

Zhao, X. H.; Feng, X. S.; Feng, H. Q.

The angular width of a coronal mass ejection (CME) is an important factor in determining whether the corresponding interplanetary CME (ICME) and its preceding shock will reach Earth. However, there have been very few studies of the decisive factors of the CME’s angular width. In this study, we use the three-dimensional (3D) angular width of CMEs obtained from the Graduated Cylindrical Shell model based on observations of Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory ( STEREO ) to study the relations between the CME’s 3D width and characteristics of the CME’s source region. We find that for the CMEs produced by active regionsmore » (ARs), the CME width has some correlations with the AR’s area and flux, but these correlations are not strong. The magnetic flux contained in the CME seems to come from only part of the AR’s total flux. For the CMEs produced by flare regions, the correlations between the CME angular width and the flare region’s area and flux are strong. The magnetic flux within those CMEs seems to come from the whole flare region or even from a larger region than the flare. Our findings show that the CME’s 3D angular width can be generally estimated based on observations of Solar Dynamics Observatory for the CME’s source region instead of the observations from coronagraphs on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and STEREO if the two foot points of the CME stay in the same places with no expansion of the CME in the transverse direction until reaching Earth.« less

Imaging irregular magma reservoirs with InSAR and GPS observations: Application to Kilauea and Copahue volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundgren, P.; Camacho, A.; Poland, M. P.; Miklius, A.; Samsonov, S. V.; Milillo, P.

2013-12-01

The availability of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry (InSAR) data has increased our awareness of the complexity of volcano deformation sources. InSAR's spatial completeness helps identify or clarify source process mechanisms at volcanoes (i.e. Mt. Etna east flank motion; Lazufre crustal magma body; Kilauea dike complexity) and also improves potential model realism. In recent years, Bayesian inference methods have gained widespread use because of their ability to constrain not only source model parameters, but also their uncertainties. They are computationally intensive, however, which tends to limit them to a few geometrically rather simple source representations (for example, spheres). An alternative approach involves solving for irregular pressure and/or density sources from a three-dimensional (3-D) grid of source/density cells. This method has the ability to solve for arbitrarily shaped bodies of constant absolute pressure/density difference. We compare results for both Bayesian (a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm) and the irregular source methods for two volcanoes: Kilauea, Hawaii, and Copahue, Argentina-Chile border. Kilauea has extensive InSAR and GPS databases from which to explore the results for the irregular method with respect to the Bayesian approach, prior models, and an extensive set of ancillary data. One caveat, however, is the current restriction in the irregular model inversion to volume-pressure sources (and at a single excess pressure change), which limits its application in cases where sources such as faults or dikes are present. Preliminary results for Kilauea summit deflation during the March 2011 Kamoamoa eruption suggests a northeast-elongated magma body lying roughly 1-1.5 km below the surface. Copahue is a southern Andes volcano that has been inflating since early 2012, with intermittent summit eruptive activity since late 2012. We have an extensive InSAR time series from RADARSAT-2 and COSMO-SkyMed data, although both are from descending tracks. Preliminary modeling suggests a very irregular magma body that extends from the volcanic edifice to less than 5 km depth and located slightly north of the summit at shallow depths but to the ENE at greater depths. In our preliminary analysis, we find that there are potential limitations and trade-offs in the Bayesian results that suggest the simplicity of the assumed analytic source may generate systematic biases in source parameters. Instead, the irregular 3-D solution appears to provide greater realism, but is limited in the number and type of sources that can be modeled.

Explanation and Quantification in Educational Research: The Arguments of Critical and Scientific Realism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nash, Roy

2005-01-01

The influence of Bhaskar's critical realism has become increasingly evident in the debate on the nature of educational research. This philosophy, dedicated to the overthrow of positivist doctrines, in particular those of empiricism, nominalism, and causation as constant conjunction, is the foundation of contemporary proposals for new perspectives…

An Evaluation of Student Perceptions of Screen Presentations in Computer-based Laboratory Simulations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edward, Norrie S.

1997-01-01

Evaluates the importance of realism in the screen presentation of the plant in computer-based laboratory simulations for part-time engineering students. Concludes that simulations are less effective than actual laboratories but that realism minimizes the disadvantages. The schematic approach was preferred for ease of use. (AIM)

Realism, Instrumentalism, and Scientific Symbiosis: Psychological Theory as a Search for Truth and the Discovery of Solutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cacioppo, John T.; Semin, Gun R.; Berntson, Gary G.

2004-01-01

Scientific realism holds that scientific theories are approximations of universal truths about reality, whereas scientific instrumentalism posits that scientific theories are intellectual structures that provide adequate predictions of what is observed and useful frameworks for answering questions and solving problems in a given domain. These…

The Canvas Mirror: Painting as Politics in the New Deal.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fogel, Jared A.; Stevens, Robert L.

2001-01-01

Explores four artistic classifications prominent in depression-era art examining and contrasting examples of each: (1) Regionalism; (2) Social Realism; (3) American Idealism; and (4) Anti-Fascism. Focuses on artworks by the artist Seymour Fogel because his work demonstrates that Regionalism and Social Realism were not mutually exclusive and that…

Depressive Realism and Attributional Style: Implications for Individuals at Risk for Depression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Michael T.; Fresco, David M.

2007-01-01

Prior research has found that depressed individuals are more realistic in their interpretations of certain events than nondepressed individuals. However, the implications of this finding for the etiology of depressive disorders have never been clarified. The current investigation sought to remedy this situation by exploring realism in the context…

Sociological, Postmodern, and New Realism Perspectives in Social Constructionism: Implications for Literacy Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hruby, George G.

2001-01-01

Offers an historical definition of social constructionism, a review of its conceptual bases, and an exploration of its epistemological implications. Describes a history comprised of three paradigmatically distinct waves: a sociological, a postmodern, and an emerging third wave grounded in new realism or neonaturalism. Suggests potential uses of…

Pragmatic critical realism: could this methodological approach expand our understanding of employment relations?

PubMed

Mearns, Susan Lesley

2011-01-01

This paper seeks to highlight the need for employment relations academics and researchers to expand their use of research methodologies in order for them to enable the advancement of theoretical debate within their discipline. It focuses on the contribution that pragmatical critical realism has made to the field of perception and argues that it would add value to the subject of employment relations. It is a theoretically centred review of pragmatical critical realism and the possible contribution this methodology would make to the field of employment relations. The paper concludes that the employment relationship does not take place in a vacuum rather it is focussed on the interaction between imperfect individuals. Therefore, their interactions are moulded by emotions which can not be explored thoroughly or even acknowledged through a positivists' rigorous but limited acknowledgment of what constitutes 'knowledge' and development of theory. While not rejecting the contribution that quantitative data or positivism have made to the field, the study concludes that pragmatic critical realism has a lot to offer the development of the area and its theoretical foundations.

Perceived realism and Twitter use are associated with increased acceptance of cosmetic surgery among those watching reality television cosmetic surgery programs.

PubMed

Fogel, Joshua; King, Kahlil

2014-08-01

Reality television programming is a popular type of television programming, and features shows about cosmetic surgery. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter are increasingly popular methods of sharing information. The authors surveyed college students to determine among those watching reality television cosmetic surgery programs whether perceived realism or social media use was associated with attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Participants (n=126) were surveyed about their reality television cosmetic surgery program viewing habits, their perception of the realism of reality television programming, and social media topics of Twitter and Facebook. Outcome variables were the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scales of social, intrapersonal, and consider. Perceived realism was significantly associated with increased scores on the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale subscales of social (p=0.004), intrapersonal (p=0.03), and consider (p=0.03). Following a character from a reality television program on Twitter was significantly associated with increased social scores (p=0.04). There was no significant association of Facebook behavior with attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgeons may benefit by advertising their services on cosmetic surgery reality television programs. These reality television programs portray cosmetic surgery in a positive manner, and viewers with increased perceived realism will be a potential receptive audience toward such advertising. Also, advertising cosmetic surgery services on Twitter feeds that discuss cosmetic surgery reality television programs would be potentially beneficial.

The use of short and wide x-ray pulses for time-of-flight x-ray Compton Scatter Imaging in cargo security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvert, Nick; Betcke, Marta M.; Cresswell, John R.; Deacon, Alick N.; Gleeson, Anthony J.; Judson, Daniel S.; Mason, Peter; McIntosh, Peter A.; Morton, Edward J.; Nolan, Paul J.; Ollier, James; Procter, Mark G.; Speller, Robert D.

2015-05-01

Using a short pulse width x-ray source and measuring the time-of-flight of photons that scatter from an object under inspection allows for the point of interaction to be determined, and a profile of the object to be sampled along the path of the beam. A three dimensional image can be formed by interrogating the entire object. Using high energy x rays enables the inspection of cargo containers with steel walls, in the search for concealed items. A longer pulse width x-ray source can also be used with deconvolution techniques to determine the points of interaction. We present time-of-flight results from both short (picosecond) width and long (hundreds of nanoseconds) width x-ray sources, and show that the position of scatter can be localised with a resolution of 2 ns, equivalent to 30 cm, for a 3 cm thick plastic test object.

Working with Cultural-Historical Activity Theory and Critical Realism to Investigate and Expand Farmer Learning in Southern Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mukute, Mutizwa; Lotz-Sisitka, Heila

2012-01-01

This article uses the theoretical and methodological tools of cultural historical activity theory and critical realism to examine three case studies of the introduction and expansion of sustainable agricultural practices in southern Africa. The article addresses relevant issues in the field of agricultural extension, which lacks a theoretical…

Impact of Dysphoria and Self-Consciousness on Perceptions of Social Competence: Test of the Depressive Realism Hypothesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chau, Phuong M.; Milling, Leonard S.

2006-01-01

Depressive realism refers to a cognitive style wherein depressed people sometimes have more accurate perceptions of reality than nondepressed people. The notion of depressives being "sadder yet wiser" was controversial when first presented, and continues to be heavily debated. Self-perception studies provide maximum external validity,…

The Effects of Talking-Head with Various Realism Levels on Students' Emotions in Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohamad Ali, Ahmad Zamzuri; Hamdan, Mohd Najib

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of various realistic levels of talking-head on students' emotions in pronunciation learning. Four talking-head characters with varying levels of realism were developed and tested: a nonrealistic three-dimensional character, a realistic three-dimensional character, a two-dimensional character, and…

The Cultural Work of Magical Realism in Three Young Adult Novels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Latham, Don

2007-01-01

Magical realism as a literary mode is often subversive and transgressive, questioning the values and assumptions of the dominant society that it depicts. Young adult literature, by contrast, is typically thought to serve a socializing function, helping to integrate young readers into adult society. What then is the cultural work of magical realism…

Televised Entertainment-Education to Prevent Adolescent Alcohol Use: Perceived Realism, Enjoyment, and Impact

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Leeuwen, Lonneke; Renes, Reint Jan; Leeuwis, Cees

2013-01-01

Alcohol use among adolescents is a concern in the Netherlands because of its high prevalence and risks. To discourage adolescents from drinking alcohol, a televised entertainment-education (E-E) intervention was developed. This study investigated responses of adolescents on perceived realism and enjoyment of the E-E intervention, as well as its…

A Proposal for Testing Local Realism Without Using Assumptions Related to Hidden Variable States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryff, Luiz Carlos

1996-01-01

A feasible experiment is discussed which allows us to prove a Bell's theorem for two particles without using an inequality. The experiment could be used to test local realism against quantum mechanics without the introduction of additional assumptions related to hidden variables states. Only assumptions based on direct experimental observation are needed.

Conflicting Goals of Educational Action: A Study of Teacher Agency from A Transactional Realism Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bergh, Andreas; Wahlström, Ninni

2018-01-01

This study focuses on the different ways in which teachers relate their situational agency and professional assignment to the national curriculum content and curriculum dilemmas. It builds theoretically on transactional realism and empirically on analyses of interviews with teachers, exploring the nature of teacher agency during the enactment of a…

Analysing an Audit Cycle: A Critical Realist Account

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boughey, Chrissie; McKenna, Sioux

2017-01-01

This paper reports on the use of a framework developed from Bhaskar's critical realism and Archer's social realism to analyse teaching- and learning-related data produced as a result of the first cycle of institutional audits in the South African higher education system. The use of the framework allows us to see what this cycle of audits did…

Depressive Realism and Outcome Density Bias in Contingency Judgments: The Effect of the Context and Intertrial Interval

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Msetfi, Rachel M.; Murphy, Robin A.; Simpson, Jane; Kornbrot, Diana E.

2005-01-01

The perception of the effectiveness of instrumental actions is influenced by depressed mood. Depressive realism (DR) is the claim that depressed people are particularly accurate in evaluating instrumentality. In two experiments, the authors tested the DR hypothesis using an action-outcome contingency judgment task. DR effects were a function of…

Fighting with Reality: Considering Mark Johnson's Pragmatic Realism through Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Method

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Alexander David

2015-01-01

This dissertation considers the supportive and complementary relation between Mark Johnson's embodied realism and Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do as a philosophical practice. In exploring this relationship, the emphasis on one's embodiment condition and its relationship with metaphor and self-expression are the primary focus. First, this work involves…

An Exploration of Adolescents' Perceptions of Videogame Realism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malliet, Steven

2006-01-01

An attempt is made to translate the concept of perceived realism from the domain of general media studies to the domain of videogame studies. In order to make such a translation, a thorough knowledge and integration is required of the simulation aspects that distinguish videogames from older media such as film or television. The different meanings…

Adding computationally efficient realism to Monte Carlo turbulence simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, C. W.

1985-01-01

Frequently in aerospace vehicle flight simulation, random turbulence is generated using the assumption that the craft is small compared to the length scales of turbulence. The turbulence is presumed to vary only along the flight path of the vehicle but not across the vehicle span. The addition of the realism of three-dimensionality is a worthy goal, but any such attempt will not gain acceptance in the simulator community unless it is computationally efficient. A concept for adding three-dimensional realism with a minimum of computational complexity is presented. The concept involves the use of close rational approximations to irrational spectra and cross-spectra so that systems of stable, explicit difference equations can be used to generate the turbulence.

Dynamics of a "low-enrichment high-retention" upwelling center over the southern Senegal shelf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ndoye, Siny; Capet, Xavier; Estrade, Philippe; Sow, Bamol; Machu, Eric; Brochier, Timothée.; Döring, Julian; Brehmer, Patrice

2017-05-01

Senegal is the southern tip of the Canary upwelling system. Its coastal ocean hosts an upwelling center which shapes sea surface temperatures between latitudes 12° and 15°N. Near this latter latitude, the Cape Verde headland and a sudden change in shelf cross-shore profile are major sources of heterogeneity in the southern Senegal upwelling sector (SSUS). SSUS dynamics is investigated by means of Regional Ocean Modeling System simulations. Configuration realism and resolution (Δx≈ 2 km) are sufficient to reproduce the SSUS frontal system. Our main focus is on the 3-D upwelling circulation which turns out to be profoundly different from 2-D theory: cold water injection onto the shelf and upwelling are strongly concentrated within a few tens of kilometers south of Cape Verde and largely arise from flow divergence in the alongshore direction; a significant fraction of the upwelled waters are retained nearshore over long distances while travelling southward under the influence of northerly winds. Another source of complexity, regional-scale alongshore pressure gradients, also contributes to the overall retention of upwelled waters over the shelf. Varying the degree of realism of atmospheric and oceanic forcings does not appreciably change these conclusions. This study sheds light on the dynamics and circulation underlying the recurrent sea surface temperature pattern observed during the upwelling season and offers new perspectives on the connections between the SSUS physical environment and its ecosystems. It also casts doubt on the validity of upwelling intensity estimations based on simple Ekman upwelling indices at such local scales.

The evolution of offensive realism.

PubMed

Johnson, Dominic D P; Phil, D; Thayer, Bradley A

Offensive realism, a theory of international relations, holds that states are disposed to competition and conflict because they are self-interested, power maximizing, and fearful of other states. Moreover, it argues that states are obliged to behave this way because doing so favors survival in the international system. Debate continues as to whether modern states actually do, or should, behave in this way, but we are struck by a different question. In this article, we ask whether the three core assumptions about behavior in offensive realism-self-help, power maximization, and outgroup fear-have any basis in scientific knowledge about human behavioral evolution. We find that these precise traits are not only evolutionarily adaptive but also empirically common across the animal kingdom, especially in primate and human societies. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that states behave as offensive realists predict not just because of anarchy in the modern international system but also because of the legacy of our evolution. In short, offensive realism may really be describing the nature of the human species more than the nature of the international system. If our hypothesis is correct, then evolutionary theory offers the following: (1) a novel ultimate cause of offensive realist behavior; (2) an extension of offensive realism to any domain in which humans compete for power; and (3) an explanation for why individual leaders themselves, and not just states, seek power. However, a key insight from evolution is that the primacy of self-help, power maximization, and outgroup fear does not necessarily condemn individuals or groups to competition and conflict; rather, these traits can in themselves give rise to cooperation and alliances.

Realism and Impartiality: Making Sustainability Effective in Decision-Making.

PubMed

Bastons, Miquel; Armengou, Jaume

2017-08-01

There is both individual and collective widespread concern in society about the impact of human activity and the effects of our decisions on the physical and social environment. This concern is included within the idea of sustainability. The meaning of the concept is still ambiguous and its practical effectiveness disputed. Like many other authors, this article uses as a starting point the definition proposed by the World Commission on Environment and Development (Our common future, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1987), considering it to be a proposal for changing the assessment of the effects of decisions, from at least two perspectives: (1) what effects we should consider and (2) how we should assess them. Based on this double perspective, sustainability is explored as a method for decision-making which both expands the assessment of the consequences, and also provides an objective criterion for such assessment. It will be argued that the idea of sustainability, seen from this perspective, brings to decision-making two qualities which had been partially lost: realism and impartiality. In turn, the criteria for realism and impartiality in decision-making can be used to identify the limitations of some partial approaches to sustainability, which suffer from insufficient realism (emotional altruism), insufficient impartiality (tactical altruism) or both phenomena at once (egoism). The article concludes by demonstrating how realism and impartiality provide the basis for a new form of sustainable decision-making (ethical sustainability), which is dependent on the development of two moral virtues, prudence and benevolence, and which brings practical effectiveness and ethical sense to the concept of sustainability.

Emotions Bias Perceptions of Realism in Audiovisual Media: Why We May Take Fiction for Real

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Konijn, Elly A.; Walma van der Molen, Juliette H.; van Nes, Sander

2009-01-01

This study investigated whether emotions induced in TV-viewers (either as an emotional state or co-occurring with emotional involvement) would increase viewers' perception of realism in a fake documentary and affect the information value that viewers would attribute to its content. To that end, two experiments were conducted that manipulated (a)…

Realism, functions, and the a priori: Ernst Cassirer's philosophy of science.

PubMed

Heis, Jeremy

2014-12-01

This paper presents the main ideas of Cassirer's general philosophy of science, focusing on the two aspects of his thought that--in addition to being the most central ideas in his philosophy of science--have received the most attention from contemporary philosophers of science: his theory of the a priori aspects of physical theory, and his relation to scientific realism.

The JPL Cost Risk Analysis Approach that Incorporates Engineering Realism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harmon, Corey C.; Warfield, Keith R.; Rosenberg, Leigh S.

2006-01-01

This paper discusses the JPL Cost Engineering Group (CEG) cost risk analysis approach that accounts for all three types of cost risk. It will also describe the evaluation of historical cost data upon which this method is based. This investigation is essential in developing a method that is rooted in engineering realism and produces credible, dependable results to aid decision makers.

China Report, Political, Sociological and Military Affairs

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-15

method of writing in the socialist literature of the new period; basically, the creative method of revolutionary realism is adopted, such...resolutionary realism regarding revolutionary romanticism as an important component part, and not in the least rejecting the independent existence and...Chinese Cinematic Performing Arts discussion meeting at the Nanhu Guesthouse in Guangzhou on the afternoon of 16 January, Entrusted by Comrade Ren

Questioning the Value of Realism: Young Adults' Processing of Messages in Alcohol-Related Public Service Announcements and Advertising.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andsager, Julie L.; Austin, Erica Weintraub; Pinkleton, Bruce E.

2001-01-01

Finds that: (1) perceived realism and themes that students could identify with are important factors in increasing the salience and persuasiveness of alcohol-related public service announcements (PSAs) among undergraduate students; (2) realistic but logic-based PSAs were not as effective as unrealistic but enjoyable ads; and (3) low production…

Future Orientation among Caucasian and Arab-American Adolescents: The Role of Realism About Child-Rearing and Perceptions of Others' Acceptance of Adolescent Pregnancy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mirza, Saima A.; Somers, Cheryl L.

2004-01-01

Future orientation in adolescents is an important concept to study because of its relations with academic performance and success levels. This study examined adolescents' realism about childrearing and their perceptions of others' approval of teen pregnancy to examine their association with future orientation. Participants were 476 high…

Brain networks, structural realism, and local approaches to the scientific realism debate.

PubMed

Yan, Karen; Hricko, Jonathon

2017-08-01

We examine recent work in cognitive neuroscience that investigates brain networks. Brain networks are characterized by the ways in which brain regions are functionally and anatomically connected to one another. Cognitive neuroscientists use various noninvasive techniques (e.g., fMRI) to investigate these networks. They represent them formally as graphs. And they use various graph theoretic techniques to analyze them further. We distinguish between knowledge of the graph theoretic structure of such networks (structural knowledge) and knowledge of what instantiates that structure (nonstructural knowledge). And we argue that this work provides structural knowledge of brain networks. We explore the significance of this conclusion for the scientific realism debate. We argue that our conclusion should not be understood as an instance of a global structural realist claim regarding the structure of the unobservable part of the world, but instead, as a local structural realist attitude towards brain networks in particular. And we argue that various local approaches to the realism debate, i.e., approaches that restrict realist commitments to particular theories and/or entities, are problematic insofar as they don't allow for the possibility of such a local structural realist attitude. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The History and Significance of the Incommensurability Thesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearce, James Jacob

The incommensurability thesis (IT) maintains that there are no non-prejudicial means of choosing between competing theories in the empirical sciences. If true, IT would entail that natural science is a fundamentally subjective or irrational activity. Should this latter claim prove justifiable, then empirical science cannot be regarded as an organ of objective knowledge, and "scientific realism" is eo ipso false. I follow the origin of IT from its pre-history in Logical Positivism, through certain preliminary philosophical developments in the work of Karl Popper, W. V. O. Quine, Stephen Toulmin and N. R. Hanson, to the eventual formulation and introduction of IT by Thomas Kuhn and Paul Feyerabend. I then examine the rigorous criticism of IT by various philosophers since about 1964, and discuss different methods of objective theory comparison which have been advanced by such philosophers as Hilary Putnam, W. H. Newton-Smith, Michael Devitt, Hartry Field, Philip Kitcher and Howard Sankey. I conclude by arguing for two counterintuitive claims: (1) Even if true, IT fails to provide evidence against scientific realism. (2) In fact, the truth of IT actually furnishes evidence for a necessary condition for scientific realism, and hence evidence which can be construed as indirectly favorable to scientific realism.

Searching for realism, structure and agency in Actor Network Theory.

PubMed

Elder-Vass, Dave

2008-09-01

Superficially, Actor Network Theory (ANT) and critical realism (CR) are radically opposed research traditions. Written from a realist perspective, this paper asks whether there might be a basis for finding common ground between these two traditions. It looks in turn at the questions of realism, structure, and agency, analysing the differences between the two perspectives and seeking to identify what each might learn from the other. Overall, the paper argues that there is a great deal that realists can learn from actor network theory; yet ANT remains stunted by its lack of a depth ontology. It fails to recognize the significance of mechanisms, and of their dependence on emergence, and thus lacks both dimensions of the depth that is characteristic of critical realism's ontology. This prevents ANT from recognizing the role and powers of social structure; but on the other hand, realists would do well to heed ANT's call for us to trace the connections through which structures are constantly made and remade. A lack of ontological depth also underpins ANT's practice of treating human and non-human actors symmetrically, yet this remains a valuable provocation to sociologists who neglect non-human entities entirely.

Simulating 3D deformation using connected polygons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarigan, J. T.; Jaya, I.; Hardi, S. M.; Zamzami, E. M.

2018-03-01

In modern 3D application, interaction between user and the virtual world is one of an important factor to increase the realism. This interaction can be visualized in many forms; one of them is object deformation. There are many ways to simulate object deformation in virtual 3D world; each comes with different level of realism and performance. Our objective is to present a new method to simulate object deformation by using a graph-connected polygon. In this solution, each object contains multiple level of polygons in different level of volume. The proposed solution focusses on performance rather while maintaining the acceptable level of realism. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of our solution and show that this solution is usable in performance sensitive 3D application such as games and virtual reality.

Decoherence-free emergence of macroscopic local realism for entangled photons in a cavity

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

Portolan, S.; Rossi, F.; Di Stefano, O.

2006-02-15

We investigate the influence of environmental noise on polarization entangled light generated by parametric emission in a cavity. By adopting a recent separability criterion, we show that (i) self-stimulation may suppress the detrimental influence of noise on entanglement, but (ii) once it becomes effective, a noise-equipped classical model of parametric emission provides the same results of quantum theory with respect to the separability criterion. More generally we also show that, in the macroscopic limit, it is not possible to observe violations of local realism with measurements of finite order n-particle correlations only. These results provide a prototypical case of themore » emergence of macroscopic local realism in the presence of strong entanglement even in the absence of decoherence.« less

Philosophy of race meets population genetics.

PubMed

Spencer, Quayshawn

2015-08-01

In this paper, I respond to four common semantic and metaphysical objections that philosophers of race have launched at scholars who interpret recent human genetic clustering results in population genetics as evidence for biological racial realism. I call these objections 'the discreteness objection', 'the visibility objection', 'the very important objection', and 'the objectively real objection.' After motivating each objection, I show that each one stems from implausible philosophical assumptions about the relevant meaning of 'race' or the nature of biological racial realism. In order to be constructive, I end by offering some advice for how we can productively critique attempts to defend biological racial realism based on recent human genetic clustering results. I also offer a clarification of the relevant human-population genetic research. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Species distribution models predict temporal but not spatial variation in forest growth.

PubMed

van der Maaten, Ernst; Hamann, Andreas; van der Maaten-Theunissen, Marieke; Bergsma, Aldo; Hengeveld, Geerten; van Lammeren, Ron; Mohren, Frits; Nabuurs, Gert-Jan; Terhürne, Renske; Sterck, Frank

2017-04-01

Bioclimate envelope models have been widely used to illustrate the discrepancy between current species distributions and their potential habitat under climate change. However, the realism and correct interpretation of such projections has been the subject of considerable discussion. Here, we investigate whether climate suitability predictions correlate to tree growth, measured in permanent inventory plots and inferred from tree-ring records. We use the ensemble classifier RandomForest and species occurrence data from ~200,000 inventory plots to build species distribution models for four important European forestry species: Norway spruce, Scots pine, European beech, and pedunculate oak. We then correlate climate-based habitat suitability with volume measurements from ~50-year-old stands, available from ~11,000 inventory plots. Secondly, habitat projections based on annual historical climate are compared with ring width from ~300 tree-ring chronologies. Our working hypothesis is that habitat suitability projections from species distribution models should to some degree be associated with temporal or spatial variation in these growth records. We find that the habitat projections are uncorrelated with spatial growth records (inventory plot data), but they do predict interannual variation in tree-ring width, with an average correlation of .22. Correlation coefficients for individual chronologies range from values as high as .82 or as low as -.31. We conclude that tree responses to projected climate change are highly site-specific and that local suitability of a species for reforestation is difficult to predict. That said, projected increase or decrease in climatic suitability may be interpreted as an average expectation of increased or reduced growth over larger geographic scales.

Origins of sharp cosmic-ray electron structures and the DAMPE excess

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xian-Jun; Wu, Yue-Liang; Zhang, Wei-Hong; Zhou, Yu-Feng

2018-05-01

Nearby sources may contribute to cosmic-ray electron (CRE) structures at high energies. Recently, the first DAMPE results on the CRE flux hinted at a narrow excess at energy ˜1.4 TeV . We show that in general a spectral structure with a narrow width appears in two scenarios. The first is spectrum broadening for the continuous sources with a δ -function-like injection spectrum. In this scenario, a finite width can develop after propagation through the Galaxy, which can reveal the distance of the source. Well-motivated sources include minispikes and subhalos formed by dark matter (DM) particles χs which annihilate directly into e+e- pairs. The second is phase-space shrinking for burstlike sources with a power-law-like injection spectrum. The spectrum after propagation can shrink at a cooling-related cutoff energy and form a sharp spectral peak. The peak can be more prominent due to the energy-dependent diffusion. In this scenario, the width of the excess constrains both the power index and the distance of the source. Possible such sources are pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) and supernova remnants (SNRs). We analysis the DAMPE excess and find that the continuous DM sources should be fairly close within ˜0.3 kpc , and the annihilation cross sections are close to the thermal value. For the burstlike source, the narrow width of the excess suggests that the injection spectrum must be hard with power index significantly less than two, the distance is within ˜(3 - 4 ) kpc , and the age of the source is ˜0.16 Myr . In both scenarios, large anisotropies in the CRE flux are predicted. We identify possible candidates of minispike and PWN sources in the current Fermi-LAT 3FGL and ATNF catalog, respectively. The diffuse γ -rays from these sources can be well below the Galactic diffuse γ -ray backgrounds and less constrained by the Fermi-LAT data, if they are located at the low Galactic latitude regions.

Enhancing the violation of the einstein-podolsky-rosen local realism by quantum hyperentanglement.

PubMed

Barbieri, Marco; De Martini, Francesco; Mataloni, Paolo; Vallone, Giuseppe; Cabello, Adán

2006-10-06

Mermin's observation [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 1838 (1990)] that the magnitude of the violation of local realism, defined as the ratio between the quantum prediction and the classical bound, can grow exponentially with the size of the system is demonstrated using two-photon hyperentangled states entangled in polarization and path degrees of freedom, and local measurements of polarization and path simultaneously.

A Theory of State Behavior under Threat: The Tragedy of Domestic Realism

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

Domestic realism draws upon events and concepts from history, psychology , philosophy, ethics, comparative politics, and upon the realist tradition in...Government Against the People (New York: Random House, 1976). 5 Andrew Silke, ed., Terrorists, Victims, and Society: Psychological Perspectives on...governments go about policing violence; some cases exhibit little restraint in accomplishing that.9 The fields of psychology and sociology provide

Conflict: Operational Realism versus Analytical Rigor in Defense Modeling and Simulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-14

Campbell, Experimental and Quasi- Eperimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. [7] R. T. Johnson, G...experimentation? In order for an experiment to be considered rigorous, and the results valid, the experiment should be designed using established...addition to the interview, the pilots were administered a written survey, designed to capture their reactions regarding the level of realism present

JPRS Report, China, Red Flag, Number 9, 1 May 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-07-08

constantly being consummated and deepened. In China as in other countries, writers and artists of classi- cal realism , particularly writers and artists...of modern critical realism , as well as philosophers and aestheticians living in the same age, have all written on the reflection of life in...exhibition, performance, cinematic production, circulation and broadcasting are the main forms of dissemination. There is hardly any author who

An Annotated Bibliography of Objective Pilot Performance Measures

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

realism . (Author) 224 NAVTRAEQUIPCEN IH-330 t 667. PROPHET, Wallace W., and Caro, Paul W., Simulation and Aircrew Training and Performance, Human... cinematic simulation and air training appears to be the most promising cost-effective method of developing NOE visual perception skills. Of other...flight and control dynamics. Informal trials were run with research staff and carrier-qualified pilots to evaluate realism of the displays; amount of

Virtual Manufacturing (la Fabrication virtuelle)

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-05-01

with moving parts and subassemblies, • verification of product subcomponents and systems operations through kinematics studies, and • realism ...dimensions, parts moved in mechanism based directions, and realism of interaction is increased through use of sound, touch and other parameters. For the...direct converters from CAD systems. A simple cinematic package is also high on the requirement to be able to simulate motions as well as an interface to

Streamlining Simulation Development using a Commercial Game Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

few years. The realism is stunning and the Commercial Game Industry fuels the fire of cutting edge advances in hardware and immersive experiences...Technology applies to Military training in more than just the obvious upgrades in game engines and hardware. The increased visual realism and performance...elaborate storytelling and cinematic effects provide a more immersive and compelling experience to the player. The underlying game engine technology

Images of Inherited War: Three American Presidents in Vietnam

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

Dependent Realism to demonstrate how theoretical advances in modern physical science correlate to cognitive theories in International Relations. We...Quantum Physics and Model-Dependent Realism In his book, The Grand Design, theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking draws on theoretical...exhibited wave-like properties and that existing scientific laws could not account for their behavior. Newtonian physics was “built on a framework

TU-A-17A-02: In Memoriam of Ben Galkin: Virtual Tools for Validation of X-Ray Breast Imaging Systems

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

Myers, K; Bakic, P; Abbey, C

2014-06-15

This symposium will explore simulation methods for the preclinical evaluation of novel 3D and 4D x-ray breast imaging systems – the subject of AAPM taskgroup TG234. Given the complex design of modern imaging systems, simulations offer significant advantages over long and costly clinical studies in terms of reproducibility, reduced radiation exposures, a known reference standard, and the capability for studying patient and disease subpopulations through appropriate choice of simulation parameters. Our focus will be on testing the realism of software anthropomorphic phantoms and virtual clinical trials tools developed for the optimization and validation of breast imaging systems. The symposium willmore » review the stateof- the-science, as well as the advantages and limitations of various approaches to testing realism of phantoms and simulated breast images. Approaches based upon the visual assessment of synthetic breast images by expert observers will be contrasted with approaches based upon comparing statistical properties between synthetic and clinical images. The role of observer models in the assessment of realism will be considered. Finally, an industry perspective will be presented, summarizing the role and importance of virtual tools and simulation methods in product development. The challenges and conditions that must be satisfied in order for computational modeling and simulation to play a significantly increased role in the design and evaluation of novel breast imaging systems will be addressed. Learning Objectives: Review the state-of-the science in testing realism of software anthropomorphic phantoms and virtual clinical trials tools; Compare approaches based upon the visual assessment by expert observers vs. the analysis of statistical properties of synthetic images; Discuss the role of observer models in the assessment of realism; Summarize the industry perspective to virtual methods for breast imaging.« less

Mapping new theoretical and methodological terrain for knowledge translation: contributions from critical realism and the arts

PubMed Central

Kontos, Pia C; Poland, Blake D

2009-01-01

Background Clinical practice guidelines have been a popular tool for the improvement of health care through the implementation of evidence from systematic research. Yet, it is increasingly clear that knowledge alone is insufficient to change practice. The social, cultural, and material contexts within which practice occurs may invite or reject innovation, complement or inhibit the activities required for success, and sustain or alter adherence to entrenched practices. However, knowledge translation (KT) models are limited in providing insight about how and why contextual contingencies interact, the causal mechanisms linking structural aspects of context and individual agency, and how these mechanisms influence KT. Another limitation of KT models is the neglect of methods to engage potential adopters of the innovation in critical reflection about aspects of context that influence practice, the relevance and meaning of innovation in the context of practice, and the identification of strategies for bringing about meaningful change. Discussion This paper presents a KT model, the Critical Realism and the Arts Research Utilization Model (CRARUM), that combines critical realism and arts-based methodologies. Critical realism facilitates understanding of clinical settings by providing insight into the interrelationship between its structures and potentials, and individual action. The arts nurture empathy, and can foster reflection on the ways in which contextual factors influence and shape clinical practice, and how they may facilitate or impede change. The combination of critical realism and the arts within the CRARUM model promotes the successful embedding of interventions, and greater impact and sustainability. Conclusion CRARUM has the potential to strengthen the science of implementation research by addressing the complexities of practice settings, and engaging potential adopters to critically reflect on existing and proposed practices and strategies for sustaining change. PMID:19123945

Constructivism in Science and Science Education: A Philosophical Critique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nola, Robert

This paper argues that constructivist science education works with an unsatisfactory account of knowledge which affects both its account of the nature of science and of science education. The paper begins with a brief survey of realism and anti-realism in science and the varieties of constructivism that can be found. In the second section the important conception of knowledge and teaching that Plato develops in the Meno is contrasted with constructivism. The section ends with an account of the contribution that Vico (as understood by constructivists), Kant and Piaget have made to constructivist doctrines. Section three is devoted to a critique of the theory of knowledge and the anti-realism of von Glaserfeld. The final section considers the connection, or lack of it, between the constructivist view of science and knowledge and the teaching of science.

[Dispositional optimism, pessimism and realism in technological potential entrepreneurs].

PubMed

López Puga, Jorge; García García, Juan

2011-11-01

Optimism has been classically considered a key trait in entrepreneurs' personality but it has been studied from a psychological point of view only in recent years. The main aim of this research is to study the relationship between dispositional optimism, pessimism and realism as a function of the tendency to create technology-based businesses. A sample of undergraduate students (n= 205) filled in an electronic questionnaire containing the Life Orientation Test-Revised after they were classified as potential technological entrepreneurs, potential general entrepreneurs and non-potential entrepreneurs. Our results show that technology-based entrepreneurs are more optimistic than non-potential entrepreneurs, whereas there were no statistical differences in pessimism and realism. The results are interpreted theoretically to define the potential entrepreneur and, from an applied perspective, to design training programmes to support future technological entrepreneurs.

Positioning positivism, critical realism and social constructionism in the health sciences: a philosophical orientation.

PubMed

Cruickshank, Justin

2012-03-01

Positioning positivism, critical realism and social constructionism in the health sciences: a philosophical orientation This article starts by considering the differences within the positivist tradition and then it moves on to compare two of the most prominent schools of postpositivism, namely critical realism and social constructionism. Critical realists hold, with positivism, that knowledge should be positively applied, but reject the positivist method for doing this, arguing that causal explanations have to be based not on empirical regularities but on references to unobservable structures. Social constructionists take a different approach to postpositivism and endorse a relativist rejection of truth and hold that the task of research is to foster a scepticism that undermines any positive truth claim made. It is argued that social constructionism is a contradictory position. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Neon and [CII] 158 μm Emission Line Profiles in Dusty Starbursts and Active Galactic Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samsonyan, A.; Weedman, D.; Lebouteiller, V.; Barry, D.; Sargsyan, L.

2017-07-01

Identifying and understanding the initial formation of massive galaxies and quasars in the early universe is a fundamental goal of observational cosmology. A rapidly developing capability for tracing luminosity sources to high redshifts is the observation of the [CII] 158 μm emission line at redshifts z > 4 using ground based submillimeter interferometers, with detections now having been made to z = 7. This has long been known as the strongest far-infrared line in most sources, often carrying about 1% of the total source luminosity, and is thought to be associated with star formation because it should arise within the photodissociation region (PDR) surrounding starbursts. The sample of 382 extragalactic sources has been analysed that have mid-infrared,high resolution spectroscopy with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) and also spectroscopy of the [CII] 158 μm line with the Herschel Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS). The emission line profiles of [NeII] 12.81μm , [NeIII] 15.55 μm , and [CII] 158 μm are studied, and intrinsic line widths are determined. All line profiles together with overlays comparing positions of PACS and IRS observations are made available in the Cornell Atlas of Spitzer IRS Sources (CASSIS). Sources are classified from AGN to starburst based on equivalent widths of the 6.2 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon feature. It is found that intrinsic line widths do not change among classification for [CII], with median widths of 207 km s-1 for AGN, 248 km s-1 for composites, and 233 km s-1 for starbursts. The [NeII] line widths also do not change with classification, but [NeIII] lines are progressively broader from starburst to AGN. A small number of objects with unusually broad lines or unusual redshift differences in any feature are identified.

Can Virtual Reality Increase the Realism of Role Plays Used to Teach College Women Sexual Coercion and Rape-Resistance Skills?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jouriles, Ernest N.; McDonald, Renee; Kullowatz, Antje; Rosenfield, David; Gomez, Gabriella S.; Cuevas, Anthony

2009-01-01

The present study evaluated whether virtual reality (VR) can enhance the realism of role plays designed to help college women resist sexual attacks. Sixty-two female undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either the Role Play (RP) or Virtual Role Play (VRP) conditions, which were differentiated only by the use of VR technology in the VRP…

Experimental Limits on Local Realism with Separable and Entangled Photons

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

DATES COVERED (From - To) OCT 2009 – SEP 2011 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE EXPERIMENTAL LIMITS ON LOCAL REALISM WITH SEPARABLE AND ENTANGLED PHOTONS 5a...realization of the quantum state must be chosen. Entangled photons or electrons provide the most viable choices. In this work we consider a simplified...fewer measurements, and is more advantageous in its conceptual clarity. 15. SUBJECT TERMS polarization- entangled photons , Bell inequalities, local

USSR Report: Political and Sociological Affairs, No. 1478.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-11-18

June (1983) Plenum of the CPSU Central Committee stressed the important role which the party attributes to literature and the art of socialist realism ...appearances they proudly speak of the high calling of literature and art of Socialist Realism , expose with publicistic and artis- tic force the...documentary films on the farm. However, cinematic practice also has its problems. Sometimes films are screened for which absence of ideals, banality

Asymptotically optimal data analysis for rejecting local realism

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

Zhang, Yanbao; Applied and Computational Mathematics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado 80305; Glancy, Scott

2011-12-15

Reliable experimental demonstrations of violations of local realism are highly desirable for fundamental tests of quantum mechanics. One can quantify the violation witnessed by an experiment in terms of a statistical p value, which can be defined as the maximum probability according to local realism of a violation at least as high as that witnessed. Thus, high violation corresponds to small p value. We propose a prediction-based-ratio (PBR) analysis protocol whose p values are valid even if the prepared quantum state varies arbitrarily and local realistic models can depend on previous measurement settings and outcomes. It is therefore not subjectmore » to the memory loophole [J. Barrett et al., Phys. Rev. A 66, 042111 (2002)]. If the prepared state does not vary in time, the p values are asymptotically optimal. For comparison, we consider protocols derived from the number of standard deviations of violation of a Bell inequality and from martingale theory [R. Gill, e-print arXiv:quant-ph/0110137]. We find that the p values of the former can be too small and are therefore not statistically valid, while those derived from the latter are suboptimal. PBR p values do not require a predetermined Bell inequality and can be used to compare results from different tests of local realism independent of experimental details.« less

Beyond the realism debate: The metaphysics of 'racial' distinctions.

PubMed

Lemeire, Olivier

2016-10-01

The current metaphysical race debate is very much focused on the realism question whether races exist. In this paper I argue against the importance of this question. Philosophers, biologists and anthropologists expect that answering this question will tell them something substantive about the metaphysics of racial classifications, and will help them to decide whether it is justified to use racial categories in scientific research and public policy. I argue that there are two reasons why these expectations are not fulfilled. First of all, the realism question about race leads to a very broad philosophical debate about the semantics of general terms and the criteria for real kinds, rather than to a debate about the metaphysics of racial categories specifically. Secondly, there is a type of race realism that is so toothless that it is almost completely uninformative about the metaphysics of race. In response to these worries, I argue that the metaphysical race debate should rather be focused on the question in what way and to what extent 'racial' distinctions can ground the epistemic practices of various scientific disciplines. I spell out what I mean by this, and go on to demonstrate that trying to answer this question leads to a more fruitful metaphysical debate. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential effects of face-realism and emotion on event-related brain potentials and their implications for the uncanny valley theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schindler, Sebastian; Zell, Eduard; Botsch, Mario; Kissler, Johanna

2017-03-01

Cartoon characters are omnipresent in popular media. While few studies have scientifically investigated their processing, in computer graphics, efforts are made to increase realism. Yet, close approximations of reality have been suggested to evoke sometimes a feeling of eeriness, the “uncanny valley” effect. Here, we used high-density electroencephalography to investigate brain responses to professionally stylized happy, angry, and neutral character faces. We employed six face-stylization levels varying from abstract to realistic and investigated the N170, early posterior negativity (EPN), and late positive potential (LPP) event-related components. The face-specific N170 showed a u-shaped modulation, with stronger reactions towards both most abstract and most realistic compared to medium-stylized faces. For abstract faces, N170 was generated more occipitally than for real faces, implying stronger reliance on structural processing. Although emotional faces elicited highest amplitudes on both N170 and EPN, on the N170 realism and expression interacted. Finally, LPP increased linearly with face realism, reflecting activity increase in visual and parietal cortex for more realistic faces. Results reveal differential effects of face stylization on distinct face processing stages and suggest a perceptual basis to the uncanny valley hypothesis. They are discussed in relation to face perception, media design, and computer graphics.

MMORPG escapism predicts decreased well-being: examination of gaming time, game realism beliefs, and online social support for offline problems.

PubMed

Kaczmarek, Lukasz D; Drążkowski, Dariusz

2014-05-01

Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) escapists are individuals who indulge in the MMORPG environment to avoid real world problems. Though a relationship between escapism and deteriorated well-being has been established, little is known about particular pathways that mediate this relationship. In the current study, we examined this topic by testing an integrative model of MMORPG escapism, which includes game realism beliefs, gaming time, offline social support, and online social support for offline problems. MMORPG players (N=1,056) completed measures of escapist motivation, game realism beliefs, social support, well-being, and reported gaming time. The tested structural equation model had a good fit to the data. We found that individuals with escapist motivation endorsed stronger game realism beliefs and spent more time playing MMORPGs, which, in turn, increased online support but decreased offline social support. Well-being was favorably affected by both online and offline social support, although offline social support had a stronger effect. The higher availability of online social support for offline problems did not compensate for the lower availability of offline support among MMORPG escapists. Understanding the psychological factors related to depletion of social resources in MMORPG players can help optimize MMORPGs as leisure activities.

Importance of Matching Physical Friction, Hardness, and Texture in Creating Realistic Haptic Virtual Surfaces.

PubMed

Culbertson, Heather; Kuchenbecker, Katherine J

2017-01-01

Interacting with physical objects through a tool elicits tactile and kinesthetic sensations that comprise your haptic impression of the object. These cues, however, are largely missing from interactions with virtual objects, yielding an unrealistic user experience. This article evaluates the realism of virtual surfaces rendered using haptic models constructed from data recorded during interactions with real surfaces. The models include three components: surface friction, tapping transients, and texture vibrations. We render the virtual surfaces on a SensAble Phantom Omni haptic interface augmented with a Tactile Labs Haptuator for vibration output. We conducted a human-subject study to assess the realism of these virtual surfaces and the importance of the three model components. Following a perceptual discrepancy paradigm, subjects compared each of 15 real surfaces to a full rendering of the same surface plus versions missing each model component. The realism improvement achieved by including friction, tapping, or texture in the rendering was found to directly relate to the intensity of the surface's property in that domain (slipperiness, hardness, or roughness). A subsequent analysis of forces and vibrations measured during interactions with virtual surfaces indicated that the Omni's inherent mechanical properties corrupted the user's haptic experience, decreasing realism of the virtual surface.

Differential effects of face-realism and emotion on event-related brain potentials and their implications for the uncanny valley theory

PubMed Central

Schindler, Sebastian; Zell, Eduard; Botsch, Mario; Kissler, Johanna

2017-01-01

Cartoon characters are omnipresent in popular media. While few studies have scientifically investigated their processing, in computer graphics, efforts are made to increase realism. Yet, close approximations of reality have been suggested to evoke sometimes a feeling of eeriness, the “uncanny valley” effect. Here, we used high-density electroencephalography to investigate brain responses to professionally stylized happy, angry, and neutral character faces. We employed six face-stylization levels varying from abstract to realistic and investigated the N170, early posterior negativity (EPN), and late positive potential (LPP) event-related components. The face-specific N170 showed a u-shaped modulation, with stronger reactions towards both most abstract and most realistic compared to medium-stylized faces. For abstract faces, N170 was generated more occipitally than for real faces, implying stronger reliance on structural processing. Although emotional faces elicited highest amplitudes on both N170 and EPN, on the N170 realism and expression interacted. Finally, LPP increased linearly with face realism, reflecting activity increase in visual and parietal cortex for more realistic faces. Results reveal differential effects of face stylization on distinct face processing stages and suggest a perceptual basis to the uncanny valley hypothesis. They are discussed in relation to face perception, media design, and computer graphics. PMID:28332557

Development of stable, narrow spectral line-width, fiber delivered laser source for spin exchange optical pumping

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

Liu, Bo; Tong, Xin; Jiang, Chenyang

2015-06-05

In this study, we developed a stable, narrow spectral line-width, fiber delivered laser source for spin exchange optical pumping. An optimized external cavity equipped with an off-the-shelf volume holographic grating narrowed the spectral line-width of a 100 W high-power diode laser and stabilized the laser spectrum. The laser spectrum showed a high side mode suppression ratio of >30 dB and good long-term stability (center wavelength drifting within ±0.002 nm during 220 h of operation). Finally, our laser is delivered by a multimode fiber with power ~70 W, center wavelength of 794.77 nm, and spectral bandwidth of ~0.12 nm.

Reforming Military Command Arrangements: The Case of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

protected. Organizational theory has identified actions that organizations normally pursue or avoid in order to increase—or at least preserve—their...thesis. See note 1 for details. 85 179. Jeffrey W. Taliaferro, Steven E. Lobell, and Norrin M. Ripsman, “Introduction: Neoclassical Realism, the State...and For- eign Policy,” in Steven E. Lobell, Norrin M. Ripsman and Jeffrey W. Taliaferro, eds., Neoclassical Realism, the State, and Foreign Poli- cy

Simultaneous Contrast: Examining the Use of American National Power

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-09

Assistance Command, Vietnam in 1962, or at the end of World War Two with the withdrawal of Japanese forces, or somewhere even earlier under French ...Half-Century Although the concepts of a middle way or some higher realism seemed to show the path as World War Two ended, it is only with the full...46Arthur S. Link, “The Higher Realism of Woodrow Wilson,” Journal of Presbytarian History, Vol 41 (March

Bat 21: A Case Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-04-02

whether or not the account represents the people, period and place with bona fide realism . The thematic review is a broad attempt to capture the...through with a simplified and believable narrative. A degree of realism is maintained that sustains the reader’s professional interest, even in light...ground instead of eleven and a half is clearly a cinematic device to close the film. The film does close with two exceptionally appropriate subtitles, both

Alternative Audio Solution to Enhance Immersion in Deployable Synthetic Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-09-01

sense of presence. For example, the musical score of a movie increases the viewers’ emotional involvement in a cinematic feature. The character...photo-realistic way can make mental immersion difficult, because any flaw in the realism will spoil the effect [SHER 03].” One way to overcome spoiling...the visual realism is to reinforce visual clues with those from other modalities. 3. Aural Modality a. General Aural displays can be

USSR Report, Political and Sociological Affairs

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-23

travelers don’t skimp even on other advertised shows. This situation is common for cinematic forums of recent years. Every year this official competition...between the various groupings of artists in the twenties consisted in the forging and establishment of socialist realism , a process which ended with the...definitive victory of socialist realism and its heyday in the thirties." /9716 CSO: 1800/582 73 JPRS-UPS-86-046 23 September 1986 CULTURE

Translations of JEN-MIN JIH-PAO Articles on Sociological and Economic Subjects

DTIC Science & Technology

1960-06-23

atmosphere filled, with fiery enthusiasm and the spirit of realism . kchie ver/ients At fcributabie_to_Poli^ios^SBjirning Taking for example the...but also gradually achieved good -quality. The stage play is different from the cinematic film. At the beginning of its performance, there might...forward the combination of revolutionary realism with revolutionary romaticism, &t-<x this is a creative method’which is in keeping with the spirt

Violation of local realism with freedom of choice

PubMed Central

Scheidl, Thomas; Ursin, Rupert; Kofler, Johannes; Ramelow, Sven; Ma, Xiao-Song; Herbst, Thomas; Ratschbacher, Lothar; Fedrizzi, Alessandro; Langford, Nathan K.; Jennewein, Thomas; Zeilinger, Anton

2010-01-01

Bell’s theorem shows that local realistic theories place strong restrictions on observable correlations between different systems, giving rise to Bell’s inequality which can be violated in experiments using entangled quantum states. Bell’s theorem is based on the assumptions of realism, locality, and the freedom to choose between measurement settings. In experimental tests, “loopholes” arise which allow observed violations to still be explained by local realistic theories. Violating Bell’s inequality while simultaneously closing all such loopholes is one of the most significant still open challenges in fundamental physics today. In this paper, we present an experiment that violates Bell’s inequality while simultaneously closing the locality loophole and addressing the freedom-of-choice loophole, also closing the latter within a reasonable set of assumptions. We also explain that the locality and freedom-of-choice loopholes can be closed only within nondeterminism, i.e., in the context of stochastic local realism. PMID:21041665

Violation of local realism with freedom of choice.

PubMed

Scheidl, Thomas; Ursin, Rupert; Kofler, Johannes; Ramelow, Sven; Ma, Xiao-Song; Herbst, Thomas; Ratschbacher, Lothar; Fedrizzi, Alessandro; Langford, Nathan K; Jennewein, Thomas; Zeilinger, Anton

2010-11-16

Bell's theorem shows that local realistic theories place strong restrictions on observable correlations between different systems, giving rise to Bell's inequality which can be violated in experiments using entangled quantum states. Bell's theorem is based on the assumptions of realism, locality, and the freedom to choose between measurement settings. In experimental tests, "loopholes" arise which allow observed violations to still be explained by local realistic theories. Violating Bell's inequality while simultaneously closing all such loopholes is one of the most significant still open challenges in fundamental physics today. In this paper, we present an experiment that violates Bell's inequality while simultaneously closing the locality loophole and addressing the freedom-of-choice loophole, also closing the latter within a reasonable set of assumptions. We also explain that the locality and freedom-of-choice loopholes can be closed only within nondeterminism, i.e., in the context of stochastic local realism.

CG2Real: Improving the Realism of Computer Generated Images Using a Large Collection of Photographs.

PubMed

Johnson, Micah K; Dale, Kevin; Avidan, Shai; Pfister, Hanspeter; Freeman, William T; Matusik, Wojciech

2011-09-01

Computer-generated (CG) images have achieved high levels of realism. This realism, however, comes at the cost of long and expensive manual modeling, and often humans can still distinguish between CG and real images. We introduce a new data-driven approach for rendering realistic imagery that uses a large collection of photographs gathered from online repositories. Given a CG image, we retrieve a small number of real images with similar global structure. We identify corresponding regions between the CG and real images using a mean-shift cosegmentation algorithm. The user can then automatically transfer color, tone, and texture from matching regions to the CG image. Our system only uses image processing operations and does not require a 3D model of the scene, making it fast and easy to integrate into digital content creation workflows. Results of a user study show that our hybrid images appear more realistic than the originals.

Accuracy, Authenticity, Fidelity: Aesthetic Realism, the "Deficit Model," and the Public Understanding of Science.

PubMed

Vidal, Fernando

2018-03-01

Argument "Deficit model" designates an outlook on the public understanding and communication of science that emphasizes scientific illiteracy and the need to educate the public. Though criticized, it is still widespread, especially among scientists. Its persistence is due not only to factors ranging from scientists' training to policy design, but also to the continuance of realism as an aesthetic criterion. This article examines the link between realism and the deficit model through discussions of neurology and psychiatry in fiction film, as well as through debates about historical movies and the cinematic adaptation of literature. It shows that different values and criteria tend to dominate the realist stance in different domains: accuracy for movies concerning neurology and psychiatry, authenticity for the historical film, and fidelity for adaptations of literature. Finally, contrary to the deficit model, it argues that the cinema is better characterized by a surplus of meaning than by informational shortcomings.

Effect of electrode design on crosstalk between neighboring organic field-effect transistors based on one single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Mengjie; Tang, Qingxin; Tong, Yanhong; Zhao, Xiaoli; Zhou, Shujun; Liu, Yichun

2018-03-01

The design of high-integration organic circuits must be such that the interference between neighboring devices is eliminated. Here, rubrene crystals were used to study the effect of the electrode design on crosstalk between neighboring organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Results show that a decreased source/drain interval and gate electrode width can decrease the diffraction distance of the current, and therefore can weaken the crosstalk. In addition, the inherent low carrier concentration in organic semiconductors can create a high-resistance barrier at the space between gate electrodes of neighboring devices, limiting or even eliminating the crosstalk as a result of the gate electrode width being smaller than the source/drain electrode width.

Long-distance measurement-device-independent multiparty quantum communication.

PubMed

Fu, Yao; Yin, Hua-Lei; Chen, Teng-Yun; Chen, Zeng-Bing

2015-03-06

The Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) entanglement, originally introduced to uncover the extreme violation of local realism against quantum mechanics, is an important resource for multiparty quantum communication tasks. But the low intensity and fragility of the GHZ entanglement source in current conditions have made the practical applications of these multiparty tasks an experimental challenge. Here we propose a feasible scheme for practically distributing the postselected GHZ entanglement over a distance of more than 100 km for experimentally accessible parameter regimes. Combining the decoy-state and measurement-device-independent protocols for quantum key distribution, we anticipate that our proposal suggests an important avenue for practical multiparty quantum communication.

The Effect of Changes in the ASCA Calibration on the Fe-K Lines in Active Galaxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yaqoob, T.; Padmanabhan, U.; Dotani, T.; Nandra, K.; White, Nicholas E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The ASCA calibration has evolved considerably since launch and indeed, is still evolving. There have been concerns in the literature that changes in the ASCA calibration have resulted in the Fe-K lines in active galaxies (AGN) now being systematically narrower than was originally thought. If this were true, a large body of ASCA results would be impacted. In particular, it has been claimed that the broad red wing (when present) of the Fe-K line has been considerably weakened by changes in the ASCA calibration. We demonstrate explicitly that changes in the, ASCA calibration over a period of about eight years have a negligible effect on the width, strength, or shape of the Fe-K lines. The reduction in both width and equivalent width is only approximately 8% or less. We confirm this with simulations and individual sources, as well as sample average profiles. The average profile for type 1 AGN is still very broad, with the red wing extending down to approximately 4 keV. The reason for the claimed, apparently large, discrepancies is that in some sources the Fe-K line is complex, and a single-Gaussian model, being an inadequate description of the line profile, picks up different portions of the profile with different calibration. However, one cannot make inferences about calibration or astrophysics of the sources using models which do not describe the data. Better modeling of the Fe-K in such cases gives completely consistent results with both old and current calibration. Thus, inadequate modeling of the Fe-K line in these sources can seriously underestimate the line width and equivalent width, and therefore lead to incorrect deductions about the astrophysical implications.

Configurable Semi-Autonomic Animated Animal Characters in Interactive Virtual Reality Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

animal characters that can behave with a high degree of realism. The re- alism can be measured in two aspects. One is behavioral realism, or how real the...representations of animal characters in our training applications. This study is focused on animal behavior and animation for VR applications. A simple...of animal characters in our training applications. One such example is that dogs are used ex- tensively in security and law enforcement environments

Supporting Flight Control for UAV-Assisted Wilderness Search and Rescue Through Human Centered Interface Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

have found that increased realism typically makes a more impressive looking interface, but not always a more effective interface [53]. Some display...intended positions. Other, more cinematic meth- ods may look more impressive, but looking better is not necessarily more effective at supporting... realism : Misplaced faith in realis- tic displays. Ergonomics in Design: Magazine of Human Factors Applications, 13(3):6–13, 2005. [54] H. S. Smallman, M. St

Predicting the ungauged basin: model validation and realism assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Emmerik, Tim; Mulder, Gert; Eilander, Dirk; Piet, Marijn; Savenije, Hubert

2016-04-01

The hydrological decade on Predictions in Ungauged Basins (PUB) [1] led to many new insights in model development, calibration strategies, data acquisition and uncertainty analysis. Due to a limited amount of published studies on genuinely ungauged basins, model validation and realism assessment of model outcome has not been discussed to a great extent. With this study [2] we aim to contribute to the discussion on how one can determine the value and validity of a hydrological model developed for an ungauged basin. As in many cases no local, or even regional, data are available, alternative methods should be applied. Using a PUB case study in a genuinely ungauged basin in southern Cambodia, we give several examples of how one can use different types of soft data to improve model design, calibrate and validate the model, and assess the realism of the model output. A rainfall-runoff model was coupled to an irrigation reservoir, allowing the use of additional and unconventional data. The model was mainly forced with remote sensing data, and local knowledge was used to constrain the parameters. Model realism assessment was done using data from surveys. This resulted in a successful reconstruction of the reservoir dynamics, and revealed the different hydrological characteristics of the two topographical classes. We do not present a generic approach that can be transferred to other ungauged catchments, but we aim to show how clever model design and alternative data acquisition can result in a valuable hydrological model for ungauged catchments. [1] Sivapalan, M., Takeuchi, K., Franks, S., Gupta, V., Karambiri, H., Lakshmi, V., et al. (2003). IAHS decade on predictions in ungauged basins (PUB), 2003-2012: shaping an exciting future for the hydrological sciences. Hydrol. Sci. J. 48, 857-880. doi: 10.1623/hysj.48.6.857.51421 [2] van Emmerik, T., Mulder, G., Eilander, D., Piet, M. and Savenije, H. (2015). Predicting the ungauged basin: model validation and realism assessment. Front. Earth Sci. 3:62. doi: 10.3389/feart.2015.00062

Challenging local realism with human choices.

PubMed

2018-05-01

A Bell test is a randomized trial that compares experimental observations against the philosophical worldview of local realism 1 , in which the properties of the physical world are independent of our observation of them and no signal travels faster than light. A Bell test requires spatially distributed entanglement, fast and high-efficiency detection and unpredictable measurement settings 2,3 . Although technology can satisfy the first two of these requirements 4-7 , the use of physical devices to choose settings in a Bell test involves making assumptions about the physics that one aims to test. Bell himself noted this weakness in using physical setting choices and argued that human 'free will' could be used rigorously to ensure unpredictability in Bell tests 8 . Here we report a set of local-realism tests using human choices, which avoids assumptions about predictability in physics. We recruited about 100,000 human participants to play an online video game that incentivizes fast, sustained input of unpredictable selections and illustrates Bell-test methodology 9 . The participants generated 97,347,490 binary choices, which were directed via a scalable web platform to 12 laboratories on five continents, where 13 experiments tested local realism using photons 5,6 , single atoms 7 , atomic ensembles 10 and superconducting devices 11 . Over a 12-hour period on 30 November 2016, participants worldwide provided a sustained data flow of over 1,000 bits per second to the experiments, which used different human-generated data to choose each measurement setting. The observed correlations strongly contradict local realism and other realistic positions in bipartite and tripartite 12 scenarios. Project outcomes include closing the 'freedom-of-choice loophole' (the possibility that the setting choices are influenced by 'hidden variables' to correlate with the particle properties 13 ), the utilization of video-game methods 14 for rapid collection of human-generated randomness, and the use of networking techniques for global participation in experimental science.

On the contributions of astroparticle physics to cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falkenburg, Brigitte

2014-05-01

Studying astroparticle physics sheds new light on scientific explanation and on the ways in which cosmology is empirically underdetermined or not. Astroparticle physics extends the empirical domain of cosmology from purely astronomical data to "multi-messenger astrophysics", i.e., measurements of all kinds of cosmic rays including very high energetic gamma rays, neutrinos, and charged particles. My paper investigates the ways in which these measurements contribute to cosmology and compares them with philosophical views about scientific explanation, the relation between theory and data, and scientific realism. The "standard models" of cosmology and particle physics lack of unified foundations. Both are "piecemeal physics" in Cartwright's sense, but contrary to her metaphysics of a "dappled world" the work in both fields of research aims at unification. Cosmology proceeds "top-down", from models to data and from large scale to small-scale structures of the universe. Astroparticle physics proceeds "bottom-up", from data taking to models and from subatomic particles to large-scale structures of the universe. In order to reconstruct the causal stories of cosmic rays and the nature of their sources, several pragmatic unifying strategies are employed. Standard views about scientific explanation and scientific realism do not cope with these "bottom-up" strategies and the way in which they contribute to cosmology. In addition it has to be noted that the shift to "multi-messenger astrophysics" transforms the relation between cosmological theory and astrophysical data in a mutually holistic way.

Exposure Render: An Interactive Photo-Realistic Volume Rendering Framework

PubMed Central

Kroes, Thomas; Post, Frits H.; Botha, Charl P.

2012-01-01

The field of volume visualization has undergone rapid development during the past years, both due to advances in suitable computing hardware and due to the increasing availability of large volume datasets. Recent work has focused on increasing the visual realism in Direct Volume Rendering (DVR) by integrating a number of visually plausible but often effect-specific rendering techniques, for instance modeling of light occlusion and depth of field. Besides yielding more attractive renderings, especially the more realistic lighting has a positive effect on perceptual tasks. Although these new rendering techniques yield impressive results, they exhibit limitations in terms of their exibility and their performance. Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT), coupled with physically based light transport, is the de-facto standard for synthesizing highly realistic images in the graphics domain, although usually not from volumetric data. Due to the stochastic sampling of MCRT algorithms, numerous effects can be achieved in a relatively straight-forward fashion. For this reason, we have developed a practical framework that applies MCRT techniques also to direct volume rendering (DVR). With this work, we demonstrate that a host of realistic effects, including physically based lighting, can be simulated in a generic and flexible fashion, leading to interactive DVR with improved realism. In the hope that this improved approach to DVR will see more use in practice, we have made available our framework under a permissive open source license. PMID:22768292

pacce: Perl algorithm to compute continuum and equivalent widths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riffel, Rogério; Borges Vale, Tibério

2011-08-01

We present Perl Algorithm to Compute continuum and Equivalent Widths ( pacce). We describe the methods used in the computations and the requirements for its usage. We compare the measurements made with pacce and "manual" ones made using iraf splot task. These tests show that for synthetic simple stellar population (SSP) models the equivalent widths strengths are very similar (differences ≲0.2 Å) for both measurements. In real stellar spectra, the correlation between both values is still very good, but with differences of up to 0.5 Å. pacce is also able to determine mean continuum and continuum at line center values, which are helpful in stellar population studies. In addition, it is also able to compute the uncertainties in the equivalent widths using photon statistics. The code is made available for the community through the web at http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~riffel/software.html .

Tests of alternative quantum theories with neutrons

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

Sponar, S.; Durstberger-Rennhofer, K.; Badurek, G.

2014-12-04

According to Bell’s theorem, every theory based on local realism is at variance with certain predictions of quantum mechanics. A theory that maintains realism but abandons reliance on locality, which has been proposed by Leggett, is incompatible with experimentally observable quantum correlations. In our experiment correlation measurements of spin-energy entangled single-neutrons violate a Leggett-type inequality by more than 7.6 standard deviations. The experimental data falsify the contextual realistic model and are fully in favor of quantum mechanics.

The Central Role of Tether-Cutting Reconnection in the Production of CMEs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Ron; Sterling, Alphonse; Suess, Steve

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation describes tether-cutting reconnection in the production of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). The topics include: 1) Birth and Release of the CME Plasmoid; 2) Resulting CME in Outer Corona; 3) Governing Role of Surrounding Field; 4) Testable Prediction of the Standard Scenario Magnetic Bubble CME Model; 5) Lateral Pressure in Outer Corona; 6) Measured Angular Widths of 3 CMEs; 7) LASCO Image of each CME at Final Width; 8) Source of the CME of 2002 May 20; 9) Source of the CME of 1999 Feb 9; 10) Source of the CME of 2003 Nov 4; and 11) Test Results.

49 CFR Appendix B to Part 564 - Information to be Submitted for Long Life Replaceable Light Sources of Limited Definition

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... indexing the bulb base in the bulb holder. B. Diameter, width, depth, and surface finish of seal groove... interchangeability dimensions for indexing the bulb base in the bulb holder. B. Mating diameter, width, depth, and...

49 CFR Appendix B to Part 564 - Information to be Submitted for Long Life Replaceable Light Sources of Limited Definition

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... indexing the bulb base in the bulb holder. B. Diameter, width, depth, and surface finish of seal groove... interchangeability dimensions for indexing the bulb base in the bulb holder. B. Mating diameter, width, depth, and...

Julio Cortázar quotes on normal and abnormal movements: magical realism or reality?

PubMed

Merello, Marcelo

2006-08-01

Together with Mario Vargas Llosa and Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar was one of the most representative authors of the Latin American magical realism genre. Within his extensive body of work, many descriptions of characters suffering physical disabilities, as well as situations suggesting such medical conditions, can be extracted. In this review, two short stories by Cortázar are presented. In the first one, the main character could easily be a man suffering from corticobasal degeneration; in the second, an old woman with symptoms suggestive of progressive supranuclear palsy is clearly depicted. Despite the fact that one of the main ingredients in Cortázar's magical realism is fiction, cases described here fit real medical conditions quite well, making it hard to believe that they represent purely fantastic descriptions rather than the product of Cortázar's inquisitive observation and the description of real patients. (c) 2006 Movement Disorder Society

Drench effects of media portrayal of fatal virus disease on health locus of control beliefs.

PubMed

Bahk, C M

2001-01-01

Drawing on the notion of the drench hypothesis proposed by Greenberg (1988), the author proposes a preliminary theoretical framework to explain "drenching" effects of dramatic media. Three drench variables-perceived realism, role identification, and media involvement-were identified and tested regarding their role in mediating the impact of virus disease portrayals on health locus-of-control belief orientations. Participants in the experimental condition watched the movie Outbreak (a portrayal of an outbreak of a deadly virus disease). Perceived realism, role identification, and media involvement were measured concerning the movie depiction of the virus disease. The findings indicate that the dramatized portrayal significantly weakened the viewers' beliefs in self-controllability over health and strengthened their beliefs in chance outcomes of health. Beliefs in provider control over health were affected by the viewers' perception of realism regarding the movie portrayals. Effects of role identification were different between male and female viewers. The results are discussed in relation to drench analysis as a theoretical approach to media effects.

About the Undecidable Thing of Onthologic Truth of the Reality of the Fundamental Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amaya, J. M.; Carbonell, M. V.; Martínez, E.; Flórez, M.

2007-04-01

In the philosophy of contemporary science, different currents from thought have been arising, each one of which, it has developed methodologies that include a set of normative rules for the evaluation that must decide the acceptance or rejection of the scientific theories already elaborated. These methodologies, rivals to each other, are: "Inductivism", "Conventionalism", "Falsacionism" and the "Theories like structures" (Kühn and Lakatos). These evaluative methodologies of the quality and validity of the scientific knowledge (or metatheories of science) associate a epistemological validation as soon as until limit or border of science forms, it presents/displays and it describes the observable world as well as the one that there is behind the appearances. Consequence of it has been the appearance of different valorative interpretations from the representation that the scientific theories give us of which reality is called, such as "Scientific realism", "Antirealism", "Conjectural realism", "Structural realism" etc that has based their theses on the problem on language, truth and reality.

Beyond Gisin’s Theorem and its Applications: Violation of Local Realism by Two-Party Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Steering

PubMed Central

Chen, Jing-Ling; Su, Hong-Yi; Xu, Zhen-Peng; Wu, Yu-Chun; Wu, Chunfeng; Ye, Xiang-Jun; Żukowski, Marek; Kwek, L. C.

2015-01-01

We demonstrate here that for a given mixed multi-qubit state if there are at least two observers for whom mutual Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering is possible, i.e. each observer is able to steer the other qubits into two different pure states by spontaneous collapses due to von Neumann type measurements on his/her qubit, then nonexistence of local realistic models is fully equivalent to quantum entanglement (this is not so without this condition). This result leads to an enhanced version of Gisin’s theorem (originally: all pure entangled states violate local realism). Local realism is violated by all mixed states with the above steering property. The new class of states allows one e.g. to perform three party secret sharing with just pairs of entangled qubits, instead of three qubit entanglements (which are currently available with low fidelity). This significantly increases the feasibility of having high performance versions of such protocols. Finally, we discuss some possible applications. PMID:26108704

Critical Realism and Empirical Bioethics: A Methodological Exposition.

PubMed

McKeown, Alex

2017-09-01

This paper shows how critical realism can be used to integrate empirical data and philosophical analysis within 'empirical bioethics'. The term empirical bioethics, whilst appearing oxymoronic, simply refers to an interdisciplinary approach to the resolution of practical ethical issues within the biological and life sciences, integrating social scientific, empirical data with philosophical analysis. It seeks to achieve a balanced form of ethical deliberation that is both logically rigorous and sensitive to context, to generate normative conclusions that are practically applicable to the problem, challenge, or dilemma. Since it incorporates both philosophical and social scientific components, empirical bioethics is a field that is consistent with the use of critical realism as a research methodology. The integration of philosophical and social scientific approaches to ethics has been beset with difficulties, not least because of the irreducibly normative, rather than descriptive, nature of ethical analysis and the contested relation between fact and value. However, given that facts about states of affairs inform potential courses of action and their consequences, there is a need to overcome these difficulties and successfully integrate data with theory. Previous approaches have been formulated to overcome obstacles in combining philosophical and social scientific perspectives in bioethical analysis; however each has shortcomings. As a mature interdisciplinary approach critical realism is well suited to empirical bioethics, although it has hitherto not been widely used. Here I show how it can be applied to this kind of research and explain how it represents an improvement on previous approaches.

Exploring the relationship between object realism and object-based attention effects.

PubMed

Roque, Nelson; Boot, Walter R

2015-09-01

Visual attention prioritizes processing of locations in space, and evidence also suggests that the benefits of attention can be shaped by the presence of objects (object-based attention). However, the prevalence of object-based attention effects has been called into question recently by evidence from a large-sampled study employing classic attention paradigms (Pilz et al., 2012). We conducted two experiments to explore factors that might determine when and if object-based attention effects are observed, focusing on the degree to which the concreteness and realism of objects might contribute to these effects. We adapted the classic attention paradigm first reported by Egly, Driver, and Rafal (1994) by replacing abstract bar stimuli in some conditions with objects that were more concrete and familiar to participants: items of silverware. Furthermore, we varied the realism of these items of silverware, presenting either cartoon versions or photo-realistic versions. Contrary to predictions, increased realism did not increase the size of object-based effects. In fact, no clear object-based effects were observed in either experiment, consistent with previous failures to replicate these effects in similar paradigms. While object-based attention may exist, and may have important influences on how we parse the visual world, these and other findings suggest that the two-object paradigm typically relied upon to study object-based effects may not be the best paradigm to investigate these issues. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Does Height to Width Ratio Correlate with Mean Volume in Gastropods?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barriga, R.; Seixas, G.; Payne, J.

2012-12-01

Marine organisms' shell shape and size show important biological information. For example, shape and size can dictate how the organism ranges for food and escapes predation. Due to lack of data and analysis, the evolution of shell size in marine gastropods (snails) remains poorly known. In this study, I attempt to find the relationship between height to width ratio and mean volume. I collected height and width measurements from primary literature sources and calculated volume from these measurements. My results indicate that there was no correlation between height to width ratio and mean volume between 500 to 200 Ma, but there was a correlation between 200 Ma to present where there is a steady increase in both height to width ratio and mean volume. This means that shell shape was not an important factor at the beginning of gastropod evolution but after 200 Ma body size evolution was increasingly driven by the height to width ratio.

Lab experiments are a major source of knowledge in the social sciences.

PubMed

Falk, Armin; Heckman, James J

2009-10-23

Laboratory experiments are a widely used methodology for advancing causal knowledge in the physical and life sciences. With the exception of psychology, the adoption of laboratory experiments has been much slower in the social sciences, although during the past two decades the use of lab experiments has accelerated. Nonetheless, there remains considerable resistance among social scientists who argue that lab experiments lack "realism" and generalizability. In this article, we discuss the advantages and limitations of laboratory social science experiments by comparing them to research based on nonexperimental data and to field experiments. We argue that many recent objections against lab experiments are misguided and that even more lab experiments should be conducted.

[The biolaw anthropological basis. A philosofical reflection of biolaw].

PubMed

Chávez-Fernández Postigo, José

2015-01-01

From a basic terminological clarification, we seek to examine briefly what can be acknowledged as the two biggest attempts of foundation in the Biolaw contemporary area, that of the Kantian tradition and that of the anthropological and metaphysical realism. Through a critical examination of the first one, we attempt to show that only from a freedom or an autonomy assumed from the anthropological and metaphysical realism, is possible to hold a Biolaw as a true impervious limit against the technological power regarding human life and human procreation.

Multipartite nonlocality and random measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Rosier, Anna; Gruca, Jacek; Parisio, Fernando; Vértesi, Tamás; Laskowski, Wiesław

2017-07-01

We present an exhaustive numerical analysis of violations of local realism by families of multipartite quantum states. As an indicator of nonclassicality we employ the probability of violation for randomly sampled observables. Surprisingly, it rapidly increases with the number of parties or settings and even for relatively small values local realism is violated for almost all observables. We have observed this effect to be typical in the sense that it emerged for all investigated states including some with randomly drawn coefficients. We also present the probability of violation as a witness of genuine multipartite entanglement.

Mediated realism and the representation of a health care controversy.

PubMed

Petraglia, J

1994-01-01

Psychologists have recently identified "situated cognition" as an important issue for educators across disciplines. Accordingly, instructional technologists have been working on ways to make classroom materials more true-to-life and affectively engaging. In this article I review a study designed to investigate the ways in which differing realism conditions (delivered through interactive video) influenced users' understanding of the issue of euthanasia and the case of Dax Cowart. Based on the study's findings, I raise the issue of a possible trade-off between traditional values of objectivity and authenticity.

Marxist-Leninist Doctrine and Humanitarianism - Communist China

DTIC Science & Technology

1960-11-20

34Maacueraeda Tonr 1 h., praired it. ParticvLarlvy in his wo rks jItouch-ing on the French Revt..lution, he’ý even protected itA an~d helnted it to res~ist...of this school is its sharp rational’am a•d criti cal spirit. The creators of such realism were mostly people mentally siuperior to their conte... realism ; coud: rnot int. the paust’ and ca irao toay foster the soilsthae~tr ecaiuse; it; only c.riticimes bu~t does not a-ffirm agr~thinig, or which is

Missing pulse detector for a variable frequency source

DOEpatents

Ingram, Charles B.; Lawhorn, John H.

1979-01-01

A missing pulse detector is provided which has the capability of monitoring a varying frequency pulse source to detect the loss of a single pulse or total loss of signal from the source. A frequency-to-current converter is used to program the output pulse width of a variable period retriggerable one-shot to maintain a pulse width slightly longer than one-half the present monitored pulse period. The retriggerable one-shot is triggered at twice the input pulse rate by employing a frequency doubler circuit connected between the one-shot input and the variable frequency source being monitored. The one-shot remains in the triggered or unstable state under normal conditions even though the source period is varying. A loss of an input pulse or single period of a fluctuating signal input will cause the one-shot to revert to its stable state, changing the output signal level to indicate a missing pulse or signal.

Strong influence of regional species pools on continent-wide structuring of local communities.

PubMed

Lessard, Jean-Philippe; Borregaard, Michael K; Fordyce, James A; Rahbek, Carsten; Weiser, Michael D; Dunn, Robert R; Sanders, Nathan J

2012-01-22

There is a long tradition in ecology of evaluating the relative contribution of the regional species pool and local interactions on the structure of local communities. Similarly, a growing number of studies assess the phylogenetic structure of communities, relative to that in the regional species pool, to examine the interplay between broad-scale evolutionary and fine-scale ecological processes. Finally, a renewed interest in the influence of species source pools on communities has shown that the definition of the source pool influences interpretations of patterns of community structure. We use a continent-wide dataset of local ant communities and implement ecologically explicit source pool definitions to examine the relative importance of regional species pools and local interactions for shaping community structure. Then we assess which factors underlie systematic variation in the structure of communities along climatic gradients. We find that the average phylogenetic relatedness of species in ant communities decreases from tropical to temperate regions, but the strength of this relationship depends on the level of ecological realism in the definition of source pools. We conclude that the evolution of climatic niches influences the phylogenetic structure of regional source pools and that the influence of regional source pools on local community structure is strong.

Modeling of dislocation channel width evolution in irradiated metals

DOE PAGES

Doyle, Peter J.; Benensky, Kelsa M.; Zinkle, Steven J.

2017-11-08

Defect-free dislocation channel formation has been reported to promote plastic instability during tensile testing via localized plastic flow, leading to a distinct loss of ductility and strain hardening in many low-temperature irradiated materials. In order to study the underlying mechanisms governing dislocation channel width and formation, the channel formation process is modeled via a simple stochastic dislocation-jog process dependent upon grain size, defect cluster density, and defect size. Dislocations traverse a field of defect clusters and jog stochastically upon defect interaction, forming channels of low defect-density. And based upon prior molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in-situ experimental transmission electron microscopymore » (TEM) observations, each dislocation encounter with a dislocation loop or stacking fault tetrahedron (SFT) is assumed to cause complete absorption of the defect cluster, prompting the dislocation to jog up or down by a distance equal to half the defect cluster diameter. Channels are predicted to form rapidly and are comparable to reported TEM measurements for many materials. Predicted channel widths are found to be most strongly dependent on mean defect size and correlated well with a power law dependence on defect diameter and density, and distance from the dislocation source. Due to the dependence of modeled channel width on defect diameter and density, maximum channel width is predicted to slowly increase as accumulated dose increases. The relatively weak predicted dependence of channel formation width with distance, in accordance with a diffusion analogy, implies that after only a few microns from the source, most channels observed via TEM analyses may not appear to vary with distance because of limitations in the field-of-view to a few microns. Furthermore, examinations of the effect of the so-called “source-broadening” mechanism of channel formation showed that its effect is simply to add a minimum thickness to the channel without affecting channel dependence on the given parameters.« less

Modeling of dislocation channel width evolution in irradiated metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doyle, Peter J.; Benensky, Kelsa M.; Zinkle, Steven J.

2018-02-01

Defect-free dislocation channel formation has been reported to promote plastic instability during tensile testing via localized plastic flow, leading to a distinct loss of ductility and strain hardening in many low-temperature irradiated materials. In order to study the underlying mechanisms governing dislocation channel width and formation, the channel formation process is modeled via a simple stochastic dislocation-jog process dependent upon grain size, defect cluster density, and defect size. Dislocations traverse a field of defect clusters and jog stochastically upon defect interaction, forming channels of low defect-density. Based upon prior molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in-situ experimental transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations, each dislocation encounter with a dislocation loop or stacking fault tetrahedron (SFT) is assumed to cause complete absorption of the defect cluster, prompting the dislocation to jog up or down by a distance equal to half the defect cluster diameter. Channels are predicted to form rapidly and are comparable to reported TEM measurements for many materials. Predicted channel widths are found to be most strongly dependent on mean defect size and correlated well with a power law dependence on defect diameter and density, and distance from the dislocation source. Due to the dependence of modeled channel width on defect diameter and density, maximum channel width is predicted to slowly increase as accumulated dose increases. The relatively weak predicted dependence of channel formation width with distance, in accordance with a diffusion analogy, implies that after only a few microns from the source, most channels observed via TEM analyses may not appear to vary with distance because of limitations in the field-of-view to a few microns. Further, examinations of the effect of the so-called "source-broadening" mechanism of channel formation showed that its effect is simply to add a minimum thickness to the channel without affecting channel dependence on the given parameters.

Modeling of dislocation channel width evolution in irradiated metals

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

Doyle, Peter J.; Benensky, Kelsa M.; Zinkle, Steven J.

Defect-free dislocation channel formation has been reported to promote plastic instability during tensile testing via localized plastic flow, leading to a distinct loss of ductility and strain hardening in many low-temperature irradiated materials. In order to study the underlying mechanisms governing dislocation channel width and formation, the channel formation process is modeled via a simple stochastic dislocation-jog process dependent upon grain size, defect cluster density, and defect size. Dislocations traverse a field of defect clusters and jog stochastically upon defect interaction, forming channels of low defect-density. And based upon prior molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in-situ experimental transmission electron microscopymore » (TEM) observations, each dislocation encounter with a dislocation loop or stacking fault tetrahedron (SFT) is assumed to cause complete absorption of the defect cluster, prompting the dislocation to jog up or down by a distance equal to half the defect cluster diameter. Channels are predicted to form rapidly and are comparable to reported TEM measurements for many materials. Predicted channel widths are found to be most strongly dependent on mean defect size and correlated well with a power law dependence on defect diameter and density, and distance from the dislocation source. Due to the dependence of modeled channel width on defect diameter and density, maximum channel width is predicted to slowly increase as accumulated dose increases. The relatively weak predicted dependence of channel formation width with distance, in accordance with a diffusion analogy, implies that after only a few microns from the source, most channels observed via TEM analyses may not appear to vary with distance because of limitations in the field-of-view to a few microns. Furthermore, examinations of the effect of the so-called “source-broadening” mechanism of channel formation showed that its effect is simply to add a minimum thickness to the channel without affecting channel dependence on the given parameters.« less

[Microsecond Pulsed Hollow Cathode Lamp as Enhanced Excitation Source of Hydride Generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry].

PubMed

Zhang, Shuo

2015-09-01

The spectral, electrical and atomic fluorescence characteristics of As, Se, Sb and Pb hollow cathode lamps (HCLs) powered by a laboratory-built high current microsecond pulse (HCMP) power supply were studied, and the feasibility of using HCMP-HCLs as the excitation source of hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) was evaluated. Under the HCMP power supply mode, the As, Se, Sb, Pb HCLs can maintain stable glow discharge at frequency of 100~1000 Hz, pulse width of 4.0~20 μs and pulse current up to 4.0 A. Relationship between the intensity of characteristic emission lines and HCMP power supply parameters, such as pulse current, power supply voltage, pulse width and frequency, was studied in detail. Compared with the conventional pulsed (CP) HCLs used in commercial AFS instruments, HCMP-HCLs have a narrower pulse width and much stronger pulse current. Under the optimized HCMP power supply parameters, the intensity of atomic emission lines of As, Se, Sb HCLs had sharp enhancement and that indicated their capacity of being a novel HG-AFS excitation source. However, the attenuation of atomic lines and enhancement of ionic lines negated such feasibility of HCMP-Pb HCL. Then the HG-AFS analytical capability of using the HCMP-As/Se/Sb HCLs excitation source was established and results showed that the HCMP-HCL is a promising excitation source for HG-AFS.

Measuring consciousness in dreams: the lucidity and consciousness in dreams scale.

PubMed

Voss, Ursula; Schermelleh-Engel, Karin; Windt, Jennifer; Frenzel, Clemens; Hobson, Allan

2013-03-01

In this article, we present results from an interdisciplinary research project aimed at assessing consciousness in dreams. For this purpose, we compared lucid dreams with normal non-lucid dreams from REM sleep. Both lucid and non-lucid dreams are an important contrast condition for theories of waking consciousness, giving valuable insights into the structure of conscious experience and its neural correlates during sleep. However, the precise differences between lucid and non-lucid dreams remain poorly understood. The construction of the Lucidity and Consciousness in Dreams scale (LuCiD) was based on theoretical considerations and empirical observations. Exploratory factor analysis of the data from the first survey identified eight factors that were validated in a second survey using confirmatory factor analysis: INSIGHT, CONTROL, THOUGHT, REALISM, MEMORY, DISSOCIATION, NEGATIVE EMOTION, and POSITIVE EMOTION. While all factors are involved in dream consciousness, realism and negative emotion do not differentiate between lucid and non-lucid dreams, suggesting that lucid insight is separable from both bizarreness in dreams and a change in the subjectively experienced realism of the dream. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Radical constructivism: Between realism and solipsism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez-Delgado, Alberto

2002-11-01

This paper criticizes radical constructivism of the Glasersfeld type, pointing out some contradictions between the declared radical principles and their theoretical and practical development. These contradictions manifest themselves in a frequent oscillation between solipsism and realism, despite constructivist claims to be an anti-realist theory. The paper also points out the contradiction between the relativism of the radical constructivist principles and the constructivist exclusion of other epistemological or educational paradigms. It also disputes the originality and importance of the radical constructivist paradigm, suggesting the idea of an isomorphism between radical constructivist theory and contemplative realism. In addition, some pedagogical and scientific methodological aspects of the radical constructivist model are examined. Although radical constructivism claims to be a rational theory and advocates deductive thinking, it is argued that there is no logical deductive connection between the radical principles of constructivism and the radical constructivist ideas about scientific research and learning. The paper suggests the possibility of an ideological substratum in the construction and hegemonic success of subjective constructivism and, finally, briefly advances an alternative realist model to epistemological and educational radical constructivism.

Critical realism: a practical ontology to explain the complexities of smoking and tobacco control in different resource settings

PubMed Central

Oladele, Dunsi; Clark, Alexander M.; Richter, Solina; Laing, Lory

2013-01-01

Background This paper presents critical realism (CR) as an innovative system for research in tobacco prevention and control. CR argues that underlying mechanisms are considered and explored to ensure effective implementation of any program/policy or intervention. Any intervention or program/policy that is transposed from one country to another or one setting to another is complex. Methods The research was undertaken and analyzed through a critical ethnography lens using CR as a philosophical underpinning. The study relied upon the following components: original fieldwork in Nigeria including participant observation of smokers, in-depth interviews and focus groups with smokers, and in-depth interviews with health professionals working in the area of tobacco control in Nigeria. Results Findings from this small ethnographic study in Nigeria, suggest that Critical Realism holds promise for addressing underlying mechanism that links complex influences on smoking. Conclusion This paper argues that understanding the underlying mechanisms associated with smoking in different societies will enable a platform for effective implementation of tobacco control policies that work in various settings. PMID:23561029

Overcoming the barrier of narrative adherence in conflicts through awareness of the psychological bias of naïve realism.

PubMed

Nasie, Meytal; Bar-Tal, Daniel; Pliskin, Ruthie; Nahhas, Eman; Halperin, Eran

2014-11-01

One significant socio-psychological barrier for peaceful resolution of conflicts is each party's adherence to its own collective narrative. We hypothesized that raising awareness to the psychological bias of naïve realism and its identification in oneself would provide a path to overcoming this barrier, thus increasing openness to the adversary's narrative. We conducted three experimental studies in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Studies 1 and 2, conducted among Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Israelis, respectively, revealed that participants with hawkish political ideology reported greater openness to the adversary's narrative when they were made aware of naïve realism bias. Study 3 revealed that hawkish participants at the baseline adhered to the ingroup narrative and resisted the adversary's narrative more than dovish participants. They were also more able to identify the bias in themselves upon learning about it. This identification may explain why the manipulation led to bias correction only among hawkish participants. © 2014 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

Multichannel extremely broadband near-IR radiation sources for optical coherence tomography

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

Wojtkowski, M; Fujimoto, J G; Lapin, P I

The construction and output parameters of two experimental samples of near-IR radiation sources based on the superposition of radiation from several superluminescent diodes are described. The first, three-channel sample emitting 18 mW of cw output power in a spectral band of width 105 nm through a single-mode fibre, is optimised for ophthalmology coherence tomography. The second, four-channel sample emits the 870-nm band of width more than 200 nm, which corresponds to the record coherence length smaller than 4 {mu}m. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)

Magical realism: a cultural intervention for traumatized Hispanic children.

PubMed

De Rios, M D

1997-01-01

A case study is presented of two Spanish-speaking immigrant children who were run over in an automobile accident and hospitalized, to describe a culturally congruent play-therapy technique. Drawing on the work of Pynoos and Nader, the author argues for an anthropological approach in play therapy to create hyperaroused states for the traumatized child and to use cultural super heroes-what is termed "magical realism." Such an approach can be used with Latin American traumatized children as well as with children from other Third World countries to provide a culturally appropriate intervention to treat the psychological sequelae of trauma.

Advancing renal education: hybrid simulation, using simulated patients to enhance realism in haemodialysis education.

PubMed

Dunbar-Reid, Kylie; Sinclair, Peter M; Hudson, Denis

2015-06-01

Simulation is a well-established and proven teaching method, yet its use in renal education is not widely reported. Criticisms of simulation-based teaching include limited realism and a lack of authentic patient interaction. This paper discusses the benefits and challenges of high-fidelity simulation and suggests hybrid simulation as a complementary model to existing simulation programmes. Through the use of a simulated patient, hybrid simulation can improve the authenticity of renal simulation-based education while simultaneously teaching and assessing technologically enframed caring. © 2015 European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association.

Nosology, ontology and promiscuous realism.

PubMed

Binney, Nicholas

2015-06-01

Medics may consider worrying about their metaphysics and ontology to be a waste of time. I will argue here that this is not the case. Promiscuous realism is a metaphysical position which holds that multiple, equally valid, classification schemes should be applied to objects (such as patients) to capture different aspects of their complex and heterogeneous nature. As medics at the bedside may need to capture different aspects of their patients' problems, they may need to use multiple classification schemes (multiple nosologies), and thus consider adopting a different metaphysics to the one commonly in use. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A note on sound radiation from distributed sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levine, H.

1979-01-01

The power output from a normally vibrating strip radiator is expressed in alternative general forms, one of these being chosen to refine and correct some particular estimates given by Heckl for different numerical ratios of strip width to wave length. An exact and explicit calculation is effected for sinusoidal velocity profiles when the strip width equals an integer number of half wave lengths.

Violation of Bell’s inequality: Must the Einstein locality really be abandoned?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Kurt

2017-08-01

Since John Bell has established his famous inequality and several independent experiments have confirmed the distinct polarization correlation of entangled photons predicted by quantum mechanics it is evident that quantum mechanics cannot be explained by local realistic theories. Actually, the observed polarization correlation can be deduced from wave optical considerations. The correlation has its origin in the phase coupling of the two circularly polarized wave packets leaving the photon source simultaneously. The experimental results violate Bell’s inequality although no non-local interactions have to be assumed. In consequence the principle of locality remains valid in the scope of quantum mechanics. However, the principle of realism has to be replaced by the less stringent principle of contextuality.

The aspiration for holism in the medical humanities: Some historical and philosophical sources of reflection.

PubMed

Pilgrim, David

2016-07-01

The relationship between the arts and health is now of interest to policy makers, patients, professionals and health researchers. This article historicises the potential for holism, a current aspiration within the medical humanities. This contemporary debate in the research community reflects philosophical positions about idealism and realism, with their traceable historical roots. This article summarises those roots and draws attention to their current relevance for health researchers. Starting with the recognition within the medical humanities that biomedical reductionism now attracts criticism, it moves to exploring the history of ideas in philosophy, the arts and science about holism and the challenge of researching health and illness within the complexity of being fully human. © The Author(s) 2015.

Developing a Simulation to Study Conflict in Intensive Care Units

PubMed Central

Chiarchiaro, Jared; Schuster, Rachel A.; Ernecoff, Natalie C.; Barnato, Amber E.; Arnold, Robert M.

2015-01-01

Rationale: Although medical simulation is increasingly being used in healthcare education, there are few examples of how to rigorously design a simulation to evaluate and study important communication skills of intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. Objectives: To use existing best practice recommendations to develop a medical simulation to study conflict management in ICUs, then assess the feasibility, acceptability, and realism of the simulation among ICU clinicians. Methods: The setting was a medical ICU of a tertiary care, university hospital. Participants were 36 physicians who treat critically ill patients: intensivists, palliative medicine specialists, and trainees. Using best-practice guidelines and an iterative, multidisciplinary approach, we developed and refined a simulation involving a critically ill patient, in which the patient had a clear advance directive specifying no use of life support, and a surrogate who was unwilling to follow the patient’s preferences. ICU clinicians participated in the simulation and completed surveys and semistructured interviews to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and realism of the simulation. Measurements and Main Results: All participants successfully completed the simulation, and all perceived conflict with the surrogate (mean conflict score, 4.2 on a 0–10 scale [SD, 2.5; range, 1–10]). Participants reported high realism of the simulation across a range of criteria, with mean ratings of greater than 8 on a 0 to 10 scale for all domains assessed. During semistructured interviews, participants confirmed a high degree of realism and offered several suggestions for improvements. Conclusions: We used existing best practice recommendations to develop a simulation model to study physician–family conflict in ICUs that is feasible, acceptable, and realistic. PMID:25643166

Bell inequalities for falsifying mesoscopic local realism via amplification of quantum noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reid, M. D.

2018-04-01

Macroscopic realism (MR) per se specifies that a system which has two macroscopically distinct states available to it (such as a cat being dead or alive) is at all times predetermined to be in one or other of those two states. A minimal assumption of a macroscopic realistic theory therefore is the validity of a hidden variable λM that predetermines the outcome (whether dead or alive) of a measurement M ̂ distinguishing the two states. Proposals to test MR generally introduce a second premise to further qualify the meaning of MR. Thus, we consider a model, macroscopic local realism (MLR), where the second premise is that measurements at one location cannot cause an instantaneous macroscopic change δ to the results of measurements made on a second system at another location. To provide a practical test, we define the intermediate concept of δ -scopic local realism (δ -LR), where δ ≠0 can be quantified, but need not be macroscopic. By considering the amplification of quantum fluctuations, we show how negation of δ -LR is possible using fields violating a continuous variable Bell inequality. A modified Bell-Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality is derived that tests δ -LR, and a quantitative proposal given for experiments based on polarization entanglement. In the proposal, δ is the magnitude of the quantum noise scaled by an adjustable coherent amplitude α that can also be considered part of the measurement apparatus. Thus, δ is large in an absolute sense, but scales inversely with the square root of the system size, which is proportional to |α| 2. We discuss how the proposed experiment gives a realization of a type of Schrödinger-cat experiment without problems of decoherence.

Forensic 3D Visualization of CT Data Using Cinematic Volume Rendering: A Preliminary Study.

PubMed

Ebert, Lars C; Schweitzer, Wolf; Gascho, Dominic; Ruder, Thomas D; Flach, Patricia M; Thali, Michael J; Ampanozi, Garyfalia

2017-02-01

The 3D volume-rendering technique (VRT) is commonly used in forensic radiology. Its main function is to explain medical findings to state attorneys, judges, or police representatives. New visualization algorithms permit the generation of almost photorealistic volume renderings of CT datasets. The objective of this study is to present and compare a variety of radiologic findings to illustrate the differences between and the advantages and limitations of the current VRT and the physically based cinematic rendering technique (CRT). Seventy volunteers were shown VRT and CRT reconstructions of 10 different cases. They were asked to mark the findings on the images and rate them in terms of realism and understandability. A total of 48 of the 70 questionnaires were returned and included in the analysis. On the basis of most of the findings presented, CRT appears to be equal or superior to VRT with respect to the realism and understandability of the visualized findings. Overall, in terms of realism, the difference between the techniques was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Most participants perceived the CRT findings to be more understandable than the VRT findings, but that difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CRT, which is similar to conventional VRT, is not primarily intended for diagnostic radiologic image analysis, and therefore it should be used primarily as a tool to deliver visual information in the form of radiologic image reports. Using CRT for forensic visualization might have advantages over using VRT if conveying a high degree of visual realism is of importance. Most of the shortcomings of CRT have to do with the software being an early prototype.

Femtosecond soliton source with fast and broad spectral tunability.

PubMed

Masip, Martin E; Rieznik, A A; König, Pablo G; Grosz, Diego F; Bragas, Andrea V; Martinez, Oscar E

2009-03-15

We present a complete set of measurements and numerical simulations of a femtosecond soliton source with fast and broad spectral tunability and nearly constant pulse width and average power. Solitons generated in a photonic crystal fiber, at the low-power coupling regime, can be tuned in a broad range of wavelengths, from 850 to 1200 nm using the input power as the control parameter. These solitons keep almost constant time duration (approximately 40 fs) and spectral widths (approximately 20 nm) over the entire measured spectra regardless of input power. Our numerical simulations agree well with measurements and predict a wide working wavelength range and robustness to input parameters.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping Project: The C IV Blueshift, Its Variability, and Its Dependence Upon Quasar Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Mouyuan; Xue, Yongquan; Richards, Gordon T.; Trump, Jonathan R.; Shen, Yue; Brandt, W. N.; Schneider, D. P.

2018-02-01

We use the multi-epoch spectra of 362 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping project to investigate the dependence of the blueshift of C IV relative to Mg II on quasar properties. We confirm that high-blueshift sources tend to have low C IV equivalent widths (EWs), and that the low-EW sources span a range of blueshift. Other high-ionization lines, such as He II, also show similar blueshift properties. The ratio of the line width (measured as both the full width at half maximum and the velocity dispersion) of C IV to that of Mg II increases with blueshift. Quasar variability enhances the connection between the C IV blueshift and quasar properties (e.g., EW). The variability of the Mg II line center (i.e., the wavelength that bisects the cumulative line flux) increases with blueshift. In contrast, the C IV line center shows weaker variability at the extreme blueshifts. Quasars with the high-blueshift C IV lines tend to have less variable continuum emission, when controlling for EW, luminosity, and redshift. Our results support the scenario that high-blueshift sources tend to have large Eddington ratios.

Determination of electron energy, spectral width, and beam divergence at the exit window for clinical megavoltage x-ray beams.

PubMed

Sawkey, D L; Faddegon, B A

2009-03-01

Monte Carlo simulations of x-ray beams typically take parameters of the electron beam in the accelerating waveguide to be free parameters. In this paper, a methodology is proposed and implemented to determine the energy, spectral width, and beam divergence of the electron source. All treatment head components were removed from the beam path, leaving only the exit window. With the x-ray target and flattener out of the beam, uncertainties in physical characteristics and relative position of the target and flattening filter, and in spot size, did not contribute to uncertainty in the energy. Beam current was lowered to reduce recombination effects. The measured dose distributions were compared with Monte Carlo simulation of the electron beam through the treatment head to extract the electron source characteristics. For the nominal 6 and 18 MV x-ray beams, the energies were 6.51 +/- 0.15 and 13.9 +/- 0.2 MeV, respectively, with the uncertainties resulting from uncertainties in the detector position in the measurement and in the stopping power in the simulations. Gaussian spectral distributions were used, with full widths at half maximum ranging from 20 +/- 4% at 6 MV to 13 +/- 4% at 18 MV required to match the fall-off portion of the percent-depth ionization curve. Profiles at the depth of maximum dose from simulations that used the manufacturer-specified exit window geometry and no beam divergence were 2-3 cm narrower than measured profiles. Two simulation configurations yielding the measured profile width were the manufacturer-specified exit window thickness with electron source divergences of 3.3 degrees at 6 MV and 1.8 degrees at 18 MV and an exit window 40% thicker than the manufacturer's specification with no beam divergence. With the x-ray target in place (and no flattener), comparison of measured to simulated profiles sets upper limits on the electron source divergences of 0.2 degrees at 6 MV and 0.1 degrees at 18 MV. A method of determining source characteristics without mechanical modification of the treatment head, and therefore feasible in clinics, is presented. The energies and spectral widths determined using this method agree with those determined with only the exit window in the beam path.

The Outcome of Neutron Star Mergers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foucart, Francois

2014-10-01

Black hole-neutron star and neutron star-neutron star mergers are among the main sources of gravitational waves which will be detected in the coming years by the Advanced LIGO/VIRGO/KAGRA observatories. In some cases, these mergers can also power bright electromagnetic emissions: they are the most likely progenitors of short gamma-ray bursts, and the radioactive decay of neutron-rich material ejected by the merger can power optical/infrared transients days after the merger. Finally, they may provide important constraints on the equation of state of cold dense matter, and on the source of heavy elements in the universe. I will discuss the general relativistic simulations which are required to properly model these events, and what they have told us so far about the outcome of neutron star mergers. I will also discuss efforts to improve the physical realism of the simulations by improving the treatment of the most important effects beyond general relativistic hydrodynamics: magnetic fields, neutrinos, and the properties of nuclear matter.

The Metaphysics of Morris R. Cohen: From Realism to Objective Relativism.

PubMed

Cahoone, Lawrence

2017-01-01

Morris Cohen is mainly remembered as a philosopher of history and law, a friend of jurists (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Felix Frankfurter), and a teacher of more prominent philosophers (e.g., Ernest Nagel, Paul Weiss, Morton White). But his unique position as a student of the work of Russell and Peirce led him to make a distinctive contribution to the debate over realism in in the 1910s. Largely ignored and completely uncited, his early papers formulated what would later be called "objective relativism," influencing the later work of Columbia naturalism, hence American philosophy, from the 1940s to the 1960s.

The Effect of Realistic Appearance of Virtual Characters in Immersive Environments - Does the Character's Personality Play a Role?

PubMed

Zibrek, Katja; Kokkinara, Elena; Mcdonnell, Rachel

2018-04-01

Virtual characters that appear almost photo-realistic have been shown to induce negative responses from viewers in traditional media, such as film and video games. This effect, described as the uncanny valley, is the reason why realism is often avoided when the aim is to create an appealing virtual character. In Virtual Reality, there have been few attempts to investigate this phenomenon and the implications of rendering virtual characters with high levels of realism on user enjoyment. In this paper, we conducted a large-scale experiment on over one thousand members of the public in order to gather information on how virtual characters are perceived in interactive virtual reality games. We were particularly interested in whether different render styles (realistic, cartoon, etc.) would directly influence appeal, or if a character's personality was the most important indicator of appeal. We used a number of perceptual metrics such as subjective ratings, proximity, and attribution bias in order to test our hypothesis. Our main result shows that affinity towards virtual characters is a complex interaction between the character's appearance and personality, and that realism is in fact a positive choice for virtual characters in virtual reality.

Holism and structuralism in U(1) gauge theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyre, Holger

After decades of neglect philosophers of physics have discovered gauge theories-arguably the paradigm of modern field physics-as a genuine topic for foundational and philosophical research. Incidentally, in the last couple of years interest from the philosophy of physics in structural realism-in the eyes of its proponents the best suited realist position towards modern physics-has also raised. This paper tries to connect both topics and aims to show that structural realism gains further credence from an ontological analysis of gauge theories-in particular U (1) gauge theory. In the first part of the paper the framework of fiber bundle gauge theories is briefly presented and the interpretation of local gauge symmetry will be examined. In the second part, an ontological underdetermination of gauge theories is carved out by considering the various kinds of non-locality involved in such typical effects as the Aharonov-Bohm effect. The analysis shows that the peculiar form of non-separability figuring in gauge theories is a variant of spatiotemporal holism and can be distinguished from quantum theoretic holism. In the last part of the paper the arguments for a gauge theoretic support of structural realism are laid out and discussed.

A systematic review of phacoemulsification cataract surgery in virtual reality simulators.

PubMed

Lam, Chee Kiang; Sundaraj, Kenneth; Sulaiman, Mohd Nazri

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to review the capability of virtual reality simulators in the application of phacoemulsification cataract surgery training. Our review included the scientific publications on cataract surgery simulators that had been developed by different groups of researchers along with commercialized surgical training products, such as EYESI® and PhacoVision®. The review covers the simulation of the main cataract surgery procedures, i.e., corneal incision, capsulorrhexis, phacosculpting, and intraocular lens implantation in various virtual reality surgery simulators. Haptics realism and visual realism of the procedures are the main elements in imitating the actual surgical environment. The involvement of ophthalmology in research on virtual reality since the early 1990s has made a great impact on the development of surgical simulators. Most of the latest cataract surgery training systems are able to offer high fidelity in visual feedback and haptics feedback, but visual realism, such as the rotational movements of an eyeball with response to the force applied by surgical instruments, is still lacking in some of them. The assessment of the surgical tasks carried out on the simulators showed a significant difference in the performance before and after the training.

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

Murray, S. G.; Trott, C. M.; Jordan, C. H.

We present a sophisticated statistical point-source foreground model for low-frequency radio Epoch of Reionization (EoR) experiments using the 21 cm neutral hydrogen emission line. Motivated by our understanding of the low-frequency radio sky, we enhance the realism of two model components compared with existing models: the source count distributions as a function of flux density and spatial position (source clustering), extending current formalisms for the foreground covariance of 2D power-spectral modes in 21 cm EoR experiments. The former we generalize to an arbitrarily broken power law, and the latter to an arbitrary isotropically correlated field. This paper presents expressions formore » the modified covariance under these extensions, and shows that for a more realistic source spatial distribution, extra covariance arises in the EoR window that was previously unaccounted for. Failure to include this contribution can yield bias in the final power-spectrum and under-estimate uncertainties, potentially leading to a false detection of signal. The extent of this effect is uncertain, owing to ignorance of physical model parameters, but we show that it is dependent on the relative abundance of faint sources, to the effect that our extension will become more important for future deep surveys. Finally, we show that under some parameter choices, ignoring source clustering can lead to false detections on large scales, due to both the induced bias and an artificial reduction in the estimated measurement uncertainty.« less

X-ray spectrometer having 12 000 resolving power at 8 keV energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seely, John F.; Hudson, Lawrence T.; Henins, Albert; Feldman, Uri

2017-10-01

An x-ray spectrometer employing a thin (50 μm) silicon transmission crystal was used to record high-resolution Cu Kα spectra from a laboratory x-ray source. The diffraction was from the (331) planes that were at an angle of 13.26° to the crystal surface. The components of the spectral lines resulting from single-vacancy (1s) and double-vacancy (1s and 3d) transitions were observed. After accounting for the natural lifetime widths from reference double-crystal spectra and the spatial resolution of the image plate detector, the intrinsic broadening of the transmission crystal was measured to be as small as 0.67 eV and the resolving power 12 000, the highest resolving power achieved by a compact (0.5 m long) spectrometer employing a single transmission crystal operating in the hard x-ray region. By recording spectra with variable source-to-crystal distances and comparing to the calculated widths from various geometrical broadening mechanisms, the primary contributions to the intrinsic crystal broadening were found to be the source height at small distances and the crystal apertured height at large distances. By reducing these two effects, using a smaller source size and vignetting the crystal height, the intrinsic crystal broadening is then limited by the crystal thickness and the rocking curve width and would be 0.4 eV at 8 keV energy (20 000 resolving power).

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

Borisova, Elena; Lilly, Simon J.; Cantalupo, Sebastiano

A toy model is developed to understand how the spatial distribution of fluorescent emitters in the vicinity of bright quasars could be affected by the geometry of the quasar bi-conical radiation field and by its lifetime. The model is then applied to the distribution of high-equivalent-width Ly α emitters (with rest-frame equivalent widths above 100 Å, threshold used in, e.g., Trainor and Steidel) identified in a deep narrow-band 36 × 36 arcmin{sup 2} image centered on the luminous quasar Q0420–388. These emitters are found near the edge of the field and show some evidence of an azimuthal asymmetry on themore » sky of the type expected if the quasar is radiating in a bipolar cone. If these sources are being fluorescently illuminated by the quasar, the two most distant objects require a lifetime of at least 15 Myr for an opening angle of 60° or more, increasing to more than 40 Myr if the opening angle is reduced to a minimum of 30°. However, some other expected signatures of boosted fluorescence are not seen at the current survey limits, e.g., a fall off in Ly α brightness, or equivalent width, with distance. Furthermore, to have most of the Ly α emission of the two distant sources to be fluorescently boosted would require the quasar to have been significantly brighter in the past. This suggests that these particular sources may not be fluorescent, invalidating the above lifetime constraints. This would cast doubt on the use of this relatively low equivalent width threshold and thus also on the lifetime analysis in Trainor and Steidel.« less

Optimization of a Focusable and Rotatable Shear-Wave Periodic Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers for Plates Inspection

PubMed Central

Qiu, Gongzhe

2017-01-01

Due to the symmetry of conventional periodic-permanent-magnet electromagnetic acoustic transducers (PPM EMATs), two shear (SH) waves can be generated and propagated simultaneously in opposite directions, which makes the signal recognition and interpretation complicatedly. Thus, this work presents a new SH wave PPM EMAT design, rotating the parallel line sources to realize the wave beam focusing in a single-direction. The theoretical model of distributed line sources was deduced firstly, and the effects of some parameters, such as the inner coil width, adjacent line sources spacing and the angle between parallel line sources, on SH wave focusing and directivity were studied mainly with the help of 3D FEM. Employing the proposed PPM EMATs, some experiments are carried out to verify the reliability of FEM simulation. The results indicate that rotating the parallel line sources can strength the wave on the closing side of line sources, decreasing the inner coil width and the adjacent line sources spacing can improve the amplitude and directivity of signals excited by transducers. Compared with traditional PPM EMATs, both the capacity of unidirectional excitation and directivity of the proposed PPM EMATs are improved significantly. PMID:29186790

Optimization of a Focusable and Rotatable Shear-Wave Periodic Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers for Plates Inspection.

PubMed

Song, Xiaochun; Qiu, Gongzhe

2017-11-24

Due to the symmetry of conventional periodic-permanent-magnet electromagnetic acoustic transducers (PPM EMATs), two shear (SH) waves can be generated and propagated simultaneously in opposite directions, which makes the signal recognition and interpretation complicatedly. Thus, this work presents a new SH wave PPM EMAT design, rotating the parallel line sources to realize the wave beam focusing in a single-direction. The theoretical model of distributed line sources was deduced firstly, and the effects of some parameters, such as the inner coil width, adjacent line sources spacing and the angle between parallel line sources, on SH wave focusing and directivity were studied mainly with the help of 3D FEM. Employing the proposed PPM EMATs, some experiments are carried out to verify the reliability of FEM simulation. The results indicate that rotating the parallel line sources can strength the wave on the closing side of line sources, decreasing the inner coil width and the adjacent line sources spacing can improve the amplitude and directivity of signals excited by transducers. Compared with traditional PPM EMATs, both the capacity of unidirectional excitation and directivity of the proposed PPM EMATs are improved significantly.

Determination of natural line widths of Kα X-ray lines for some elements in the atomic range 50≤Z≤65 at 59.5 keV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kündeyi, Kadriye; Aylıkcı, Nuray Küp; Tıraşoǧlu, Engin; Kahoul, Abdelhalim; Aylıkcı, Volkan

2017-02-01

The semi-empirical determination of natural widths of Kα X-ray lines (Kα1 and Kα2) were performed for Sn, Sb, Te, I, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd and Tb. For the semi-empirical determination of the line widths, K shell fluorescence yields of elements were measured. The samples were excited by 59.5 keV γ rays from a 241Am annular radioactive source in order to measure the K shell fluorescence yields. The emitted K X-rays from the samples were counted by an Ultra-LEGe detector with a resolution of 150 eV at 5.9 keV. The measured K shell fluorescence yields were used for the calculation of K shell level widths. Finally, the natural widths of K X-ray lines were determined as the sums of levels which involved in the transition. The obtained values were compared with earlier studies.

Nanowire size dependence on sensitivity of silicon nanowire field-effect transistor-based pH sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Ryoongbin; Kwon, Dae Woong; Kim, Sihyun; Kim, Sangwan; Mo, Hyun-Sun; Kim, Dae Hwan; Park, Byung-Gook

2017-12-01

In this study, we investigated the effects of nanowire size on the current sensitivity of silicon nanowire (SiNW) ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs). The changes in on-current (I on) and resistance according to pH were measured in fabricated SiNW ISFETs of various lengths and widths. As a result, it was revealed that the sensitivity expressed as relative I on change improves as the width decreases. Through technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation analysis, the width dependence on the relative I on change can be explained by the observation that the target molecules located at the edge region along the channel width have a stronger effect on the sensitivity as the SiNW width is reduced. Additionally, the length dependence on the sensitivity can be understood in terms of the resistance ratio of the fixed parasitic resistance, including source/drain resistance, to the varying channel resistance as a function of channel length.

Charge plasma based source/drain engineered Schottky Barrier MOSFET: Ambipolar suppression and improvement of the RF performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kale, Sumit; Kondekar, Pravin N.

2018-01-01

This paper reports a novel device structure for charge plasma based Schottky Barrier (SB) MOSFET on ultrathin SOI to suppress the ambipolar leakage current and improvement of the radio frequency (RF) performance. In the proposed device, we employ dual material for the source and drain formation. Therefore, source/drain is divided into two parts as main source/drain and source/drain extension. Erbium silicide (ErSi1.7) is used as main source/drain material and Hafnium metal is used as source/drain extension material. The source extension induces the electron plasma in the ultrathin SOI body resulting reduction of SB width at the source side. Similarly, drain extension also induces the electron plasma at the drain side. This significantly increases the SB width due to increased depletion at the drain end. As a result, the ambipolar leakage current can be suppressed. In addition, drain extension also reduces the parasitic capacitances of the proposed device to improve the RF performance. The optimization of length and work function of metal used in the drain extension is performed to achieve improvement in device performance. Moreover, the proposed device makes fabrication simpler, requires low thermal budget and free from random dopant fluctuations.

Approximation for the Rayleigh Resolution of a Circular Aperture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mungan, Carl E.

2009-01-01

Rayleigh's criterion states that a pair of point sources are barely resolved by an optical instrument when the central maximum of the diffraction pattern due to one source coincides with the first minimum of the pattern of the other source. As derived in standard introductory physics textbooks, the first minimum for a rectangular slit of width "a"…

ION PRODUCING MECHANISM

DOEpatents

MacKenzie, K.R.

1958-09-01

An ion source is described for use in a calutron and more particularly deals with an improved filament arrangement for a calutron. According to the invention, the ion source block has a gas ionizing passage open along two adjoining sides of the block. A filament is disposed in overlying relation to one of the passage openings and has a greater width than the passage width, so that both the filament and opening lengths are parallel and extend in a transverse relation to the magnetic field. The other passage opening is parallel to the length of the magnetic field. This arrangement is effective in assisting in the production of a stable, long-lived arc for the general improvement of calutron operation.

An Improved Statistical Point-source Foreground Model for the Epoch of Reionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, S. G.; Trott, C. M.; Jordan, C. H.

2017-08-01

We present a sophisticated statistical point-source foreground model for low-frequency radio Epoch of Reionization (EoR) experiments using the 21 cm neutral hydrogen emission line. Motivated by our understanding of the low-frequency radio sky, we enhance the realism of two model components compared with existing models: the source count distributions as a function of flux density and spatial position (source clustering), extending current formalisms for the foreground covariance of 2D power-spectral modes in 21 cm EoR experiments. The former we generalize to an arbitrarily broken power law, and the latter to an arbitrary isotropically correlated field. This paper presents expressions for the modified covariance under these extensions, and shows that for a more realistic source spatial distribution, extra covariance arises in the EoR window that was previously unaccounted for. Failure to include this contribution can yield bias in the final power-spectrum and under-estimate uncertainties, potentially leading to a false detection of signal. The extent of this effect is uncertain, owing to ignorance of physical model parameters, but we show that it is dependent on the relative abundance of faint sources, to the effect that our extension will become more important for future deep surveys. Finally, we show that under some parameter choices, ignoring source clustering can lead to false detections on large scales, due to both the induced bias and an artificial reduction in the estimated measurement uncertainty.

Faithful test of nonlocal realism with entangled coherent states

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

Lee, Chang-Woo; Jeong, Hyunseok; Paternostro, Mauro

2011-02-15

We investigate the violation of Leggett's inequality for nonlocal realism using entangled coherent states and various types of local measurements. We prove mathematically the relation between the violation of the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt form of Bell's inequality and Leggett's one when tested by the same resources. For Leggett inequalities, we generalize the nonlocal realistic bound to systems in Hilbert spaces larger than bidimensional ones and introduce an optimization technique that allows one to achieve larger degrees of violation by adjusting the local measurement settings. Our work describes the steps that should be performed to produce a self-consistent generalization of Leggett's original argumentsmore » to continuous-variable states.« less

Casuistry and its communitarian critics.

PubMed

Kuczewski, Mark G

1994-06-01

Communitarian critics have derided case-based reasoning for ignoring the need to arrive at a shared hierarchy of goods prior to case resolution. They claim that such a failure means that casuistry depends on either a naive metaphysical realism or an ethical conventionalism. Casuistry does embrace a certain unobjectionable moral realism and can require appeals to narrative histories, but despite this dependence on the surrounding culture, casuists possess a way to remain critical of society through the concept of practical wisdom and the use of a moral taxonomy. Therefore, casuistry's viability depends upon the existence and employment of this Aristotelian virtue. Furthermore, the casuistry that emerges is a sophisticated type of communitarianism rather than a free-standing method.

Methods of sound simulation and applications in flight simulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaertner, K. P.

1980-01-01

An overview of methods for electronically synthesizing sounds is presented. A given amount of hardware and computer capacity places an upper limit on the degree and fidelity of realism of sound simulation which is attainable. Good sound realism for aircraft simulators can be especially expensive because of the complexity of flight sounds and their changing patterns through time. Nevertheless, the flight simulator developed at the Research Institute for Human Engineering, West Germany, shows that it is possible to design an inexpensive sound simulator with the required acoustic properties using analog computer elements. The characteristics of the sub-sound elements produced by this sound simulator for take-off, cruise and approach are discussed.

Quantum entanglement with Freedman's inequality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brody, Jed; Selton, Charlotte

2018-06-01

The assumption of local realism imposes constraints, such as Bell inequalities, on quantities obtained from measurements. In recent years, various tests of local realism have gained popularity in undergraduate laboratories, giving students the exciting opportunity to experimentally contradict this philosophical assumption. The standard test of the CHSH (Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt) Bell inequality requires 16 measurements, whereas a test of Freedman's inequality requires only three measurements. The calculations required to test Freedman's inequality are correspondingly simpler and the theory is less abstract. We suggest that students may benefit from testing Freedman's inequality before proceeding to the CHSH inequality and other more complicated experiments. Our measured data violated Freedman's inequality by more than six standard deviations.

Hypochondriacal Concerns: Management Through Understanding

PubMed Central

Holder-Perkins, Vicenzio; Wise, Thomas N.; Williams, Darren E.

2000-01-01

The medically unexplained complaint is often a symptom of hypochondriacal concerns. Patients with hypochondriasis may be managed with either naive realism or consideration of morbid categorization or via dimensional assessment of illness beliefs and behaviors. Naive realism will foster focus somatization and promote regression as well as lead to needless tests and treatments. Attention to categorical entities such a major depression or anxiety disorders will alert the clinician to comorbid psychiatric disorders that respond to traditional psychiatric treatments. Finally, by assessing the domains of illness behaviors such as disease conviction, beliefs in organic versus psychological causes, and denial, the clinician can document and then confront abnormal cognitive schema that revolve around somatic concerns that are a proxy for psychosocial difficulties. PMID:15014644

Dynamic and fluid-structure interaction simulations of bioprosthetic heart valves using parametric design with T-splines and Fung-type material models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Ming-Chen; Kamensky, David; Xu, Fei; Kiendl, Josef; Wang, Chenglong; Wu, Michael C. H.; Mineroff, Joshua; Reali, Alessandro; Bazilevs, Yuri; Sacks, Michael S.

2015-06-01

This paper builds on a recently developed immersogeometric fluid-structure interaction (FSI) methodology for bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) modeling and simulation. It enhances the proposed framework in the areas of geometry design and constitutive modeling. With these enhancements, BHV FSI simulations may be performed with greater levels of automation, robustness and physical realism. In addition, the paper presents a comparison between FSI analysis and standalone structural dynamics simulation driven by prescribed transvalvular pressure, the latter being a more common modeling choice for this class of problems. The FSI computation achieved better physiological realism in predicting the valve leaflet deformation than its standalone structural dynamics counterpart.

Simulation of the alpha particle heating and the helium ash source in an International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor-like tokamak with an internal transport barrier

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

Ye, Lei, E-mail: lye@ipp.ac.cn; Guo, Wenfeng; Xiao, Xiaotao

2014-12-15

A guiding center orbit following code, which incorporates a set of non-singular coordinates for orbit integration, was developed and applied to investigate the alpha particle heating in an ITER-like tokamak with an internal transport barrier. It is found that a relatively large q (safety factor) value can significantly broaden the alpha heating profile in comparison with the local heating approximation; this broadening is due to the finite orbit width effects; when the orbit width is much smaller than the scale length of the alpha particle source profile, the heating profile agrees with the source profile, otherwise, the heating profile canmore » be significantly broadened. It is also found that the stagnation particles move to the magnetic axis during the slowing-down process, thus the effect of stagnation orbits is not beneficial to the helium ash removal. The source profile of helium ash is broadened in comparison with the alpha source profile, which is similar to the heating profile.« less

Discovery of a GeV blazar shining through the galactic plane

DOE PAGES

Vandenbroucke, J.; Buehler, R.; Ajello, M.; ...

2010-07-14

The Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) discovered a new gamma-ray source near the Galactic plane, Fermi J0109+6134, when it flared brightly in 2010 February. The low Galactic latitude (b = –1more » $$ο\\atop{.}$$2) indicated that the source could be located within the Galaxy, which motivated rapid multi-wavelength follow-up including radio, optical, and X-ray observations. Here, we report the results of analyzing all 19 months of LAT data for the source, and of X-ray observations with both Swift and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. We determined the source redshift, z = 0.783, using a Keck Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer observation. Finally, we compiled a broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) from both historical and new observations contemporaneous with the 2010 February flare. The redshift, SED, optical line width, X-ray absorption, and multi-band variability indicate that this new GeV source is a blazar seen through the Galactic plane. Because several of the optical emission lines have equivalent width >5 Å, this blazar belongs in the flat-spectrum radio quasar category.« less

Balancing practicality and hydrologic realism: a parsimonious approach for simulating rapid groundwater recharge via unsaturated-zone preferential flow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mirus, Benjamin B.; Nimmo, J.R.

2013-01-01

The impact of preferential flow on recharge and contaminant transport poses a considerable challenge to water-resources management. Typical hydrologic models require extensive site characterization, but can underestimate fluxes when preferential flow is significant. A recently developed source-responsive model incorporates film-flow theory with conservation of mass to estimate unsaturated-zone preferential fluxes with readily available data. The term source-responsive describes the sensitivity of preferential flow in response to water availability at the source of input. We present the first rigorous tests of a parsimonious formulation for simulating water table fluctuations using two case studies, both in arid regions with thick unsaturated zones of fractured volcanic rock. Diffuse flow theory cannot adequately capture the observed water table responses at both sites; the source-responsive model is a viable alternative. We treat the active area fraction of preferential flow paths as a scaled function of water inputs at the land surface then calibrate the macropore density to fit observed water table rises. Unlike previous applications, we allow the characteristic film-flow velocity to vary, reflecting the lag time between source and deep water table responses. Analysis of model performance and parameter sensitivity for the two case studies underscores the importance of identifying thresholds for initiation of film flow in unsaturated rocks, and suggests that this parsimonious approach is potentially of great practical value.

The Width of a Solar Coronal Mass Ejection and the Source of the Driving Magnetic Explosion: A Test of the Standard Scenario for CME Production

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Ronald L.; Sterling, Alphonse C.; Suess, Steven T.

2007-01-01

We show that the strength (B(sub F1are)) of the magnetic field in the area covered by the flare arcade following a CME-producing ejective solar eruption can be estimated from the final angular width (Final Theta(sub CME)) of the CME in the outer corona and the final angular width (Theta(sub Flare)) of the flare arcade: B(sub Flare) approx. equals 1.4[(Final Theta(sub CME)/Theta(sub Flare)] (exp 2)G. We assume (1) the flux-rope plasmoid ejected from the flare site becomes the interior of the CME plasmoid; (2) in the outer corona (R > 2 (solar radius)) the CME is roughly a "spherical plasmoid with legs" shaped like a lightbulb; and (3) beyond some height in or below the outer corona the CME plasmoid is in lateral pressure balance with the surrounding magnetic field. The strength of the nearly radial magnetic field in the outer corona is estimated from the radial component of the interplanetary magnetic field measured by Ulysses. We apply this model to three well-observed CMEs that exploded from flare regions of extremely different size and magnetic setting. One of these CMEs was an over-and-out CME, that is, in the outer corona the CME was laterally far offset from the flare-marked source of the driving magnetic explosion. In each event, the estimated source-region field strength is appropriate for the magnetic setting of the flare. This agreement (1) indicates that CMEs are propelled by the magnetic field of the CME plasmoid pushing against the surrounding magnetic field; (2) supports the magnetic-arch-blowout scenario for over-and-out CMEs; and (3) shows that a CME's final angular width in the outer corona can be estimated from the amount of magnetic flux covered by the source-region flare arcade.

A review of vegetated buffers and a meta-analysis of their mitigation efficacy in reducing nonpoint source pollution.

PubMed

Zhang, Xuyang; Liu, Xingmei; Zhang, Minghua; Dahlgren, Randy A; Eitzel, Melissa

2010-01-01

Vegetated buffers are a well-studied and widely used agricultural management practice for reducing nonpoint-source pollution. A wealth of literature provides experimental data on their mitigation efficacy. This paper aggregated many of these results and performed a meta-analysis to quantify the relationships between pollutant removal efficacy and buffer width, buffer slope, soil type, and vegetation type. Theoretical models for removal efficacy (Y) vs. buffer width (w) were derived and tested against data from the surveyed literature using statistical analyses. A model of the form Y = K x (1-e(-bxw)), (0 < K < or = 100) successfully captured the relationship between buffer width and pollutant removal, where K reflects the maximum removal efficacy of the buffer and b reflects its probability to remove any single particle of pollutant in a unit distance. Buffer width alone explains 37, 60, 44, and 35% of the total variance in removal efficacy for sediment, pesticides, N, and P, respectively. Buffer slope was linearly associated with sediment removal efficacy either positively (when slope < or = 10%) or negatively (when slope > 10%). Buffers composed of trees have higher N and P removal efficacy than buffers composed of grasses or mixtures of grasses and trees. Soil drainage type did not show a significant effect on pollutant removal efficacy. Based on our analysis, a 30-m buffer under favorable slope conditions (approximately 10%) removes more than 85% of all the studied pollutants. These models predicting optimal buffer width/slope can be instrumental in the design, implementation, and modeling of vegetated buffers for treating agricultural runoff.

Fresnel's laws, ceteris paribus.

PubMed

Wright, Aaron Sidney

2017-08-01

This article is about structural realism, historical continuity, laws of nature, and ceteris paribus clauses. Fresnel's Laws of optics support Structural Realism because they are a scientific structure that has survived theory change. However, the history of Fresnel's Laws which has been depicted in debates over realism since the 1980s is badly distorted. Specifically, claims that J. C. Maxwell or his followers believed in an ontologically-subsistent electromagnetic field, and gave up the aether, before Einstein's annus mirabilis in 1905 are indefensible. Related claims that Maxwell himself did not believe in a luminiferous aether are also indefensible. This paper corrects the record. In order to trace Fresnel's Laws across significant ontological changes, they must be followed past Einstein into modern physics and nonlinear optics. I develop the philosophical implications of a more accurate history, and analyze Fresnel's Laws' historical trajectory in terms of dynamic ceteris paribus clauses. Structuralists have not embraced ceteris paribus laws, but they continue to point to Fresnel's Laws to resist anti-realist arguments from theory change. Fresnel's Laws fit the standard definition of a ceteris paribus law as a law applicable only in particular circumstances. Realists who appeal to the historical continuity of Fresnel's Laws to combat anti-realists must incorporate ceteris paribus laws into their metaphysics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integration of role-playing into technical skills training: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Nikendei, C; Kraus, B; Schrauth, M; Weyrich, P; Zipfel, S; Herzog, W; Jünger, J

2007-11-01

Recently, efforts have been undertaken to enhance the face validity of technical skills training by introducing role-plays and standardised patients. Since little is known about the effects of role-playing with respect to the realism of a training situation and students' objective performance, we performed a randomized controlled trial. 36 medical students participated in videotaped small group skills-lab sessions on the topics of Doppler sonography and gastric tube insertion. One half of the students participated in role-plays and the other half practised without role-playing. Realism of the training situation was analysed by means of post-intervention self-selected student survey evaluations. Technical performance and patient-physician communication were assessed by independent ratings of the videotaped sessions. The physician's role was regarded to be significantly more realistic when performing role-plays. Assessment of videotaped sessions showed that practising technical skills by performing role-plays resulted in significantly better patient-physician communication whereas students' technical performance did not differ between groups. Introducing role-plays enhances the realism of technical skills training and leads to better patient-physician communication. Students do not seem to be overstrained by practising clinical technical skills using role-plays. We conclude that role-playing is a valuable method in practising technical skills.

Seven R's for the Student Teacher.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newson, Graham

1983-01-01

Briefly discussed are seven qualities which provide a significant basic platform for teaching mathematics effectively: reinforcement, responsiveness, reliability, realism, reversibility, range, and radicalism. (MNS)

Design of a variable width pulse generator feasible for manual or automatic control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vegas, I.; Antoranz, P.; Miranda, J. M.; Franco, F. J.

2017-01-01

A variable width pulse generator featuring more than 4-V peak amplitude and less than 10-ns FWHM is described. In this design the width of the pulses is controlled by means of the control signal slope. Thus, a variable transition time control circuit (TTCC) is also developed, based on the charge and discharge of a capacitor by means of two tunable current sources. Additionally, it is possible to activate/deactivate the pulses when required, therefore allowing the creation of any desired pulse pattern. Furthermore, the implementation presented here can be electronically controlled. In conclusion, due to its versatility, compactness and low cost it can be used in a wide variety of applications.

Measured pulse width of sonoluminescence flashes in the form of resonance radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giri, Asis; Arakeri, Vijay H.

1998-09-01

Recent studies have shown that the measured flash widths from single and multibubble sonoluminescence are in subnanosecond or even picosecond regime. Here, we provide conclusive evidence for the existence of nanosecond multibubble sonoluminescence. This has become possible by our ability to find a medium from which exclusive sodium D line resonance radiation as a form of sonoluminescence is possible. The measured flash width of this emission is found to be in the range of tens of nanoseconds and is sensitively dependent on experimental parameters. Our finding is important since all the earlier pulse width measurements have been limited to emission with the physical source or species responsible for observed optical radiation not being clearly identified. We propose that the presently observed resonance radiation is from ``soft'' bubble collapse as analyzed by V. Kamath et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 94, 248 (1993)].

Measurements of solar transition zone velocities and line broadening using the ultraviolet spectrometer and polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, G.; Mein, P.; Vial, J. C.; Shine, R. A.; Woodgate, B. E.

1982-01-01

The UVSP instrument on SMM is able to observe solar regions at two wavelengths in the same line with a band-pass of 0.3 A. Intensity and Doppler velocity maps are derived. It is shown that the numerical values are sensitive to the adopted Doppler width and the range of velocities is limited to within 30 km/sec. A method called Double Dopplergram Determination (DDD) is described for deriving both the Doppler width and the velocity (up to 80 km/sec), and the main sources of uncertainties are discussed. To illustrate the method, a set of C IV 1548 A observations is analyzed according to this procedure. The mean C IV Doppler width measured (0.15 A) is comparable to previous determinations. A relation is found between bright regions and down-flows. Large Doppler widths correspond to strong velocity gradients.

An Analysis of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Dimensions for the Existence of Golden Proportion: Clinical Study.

PubMed

Sandeep, Nalla; Satwalekar, Parth; Srinivas, Siva; Reddy, Chandra Sekhar; Reddy, G Ramaswamy; Reddy, B Anantha

2015-09-01

Appearance of the face is a great concern to everyone, as it is a significant part of self-image. The study analyzed the clinical crown dimensions of the maxillary anterior teeth with respect to their apparent mesiodistal widths, width-to-height ratio to determine whether golden proportion existed among the South Indian population. A total of 240 dentulous subjects were chosen for the study (120 males and 120 females) age ranging between 18 and 28 years. Full face and anterior teeth images of the subjects were made on specially designed device resembling a face-bow, mounted onto the wall under a standard light source. The width and height of the maxillary central incisors were measured on the stone casts using a digital caliper. The mean perceived maxillary lateral incisor to central incisor width ratio was 0.67 in males and 0.703 in females. The mean perceived maxillary canine to lateral incisor width ratio was 0.744 in males and 0.714 in females. The mean width-to-height ratio of the maxillary central incisor was 79.49% in males and 79.197% in females. The golden proportion was not found between perceived mesiodistal widths of maxillary central and lateral incisors and nor between perceived mesiodistal widths of maxillary lateral incisors and canines. In the majority of subjects, the width-to-height ratio of maxillary central incisor was within 75-80%. There are no statistically significant differences in maxillary anterior teeth proportions between males and females. The results may serve as guidelines for treatment planning in restorative dentistry and periodontal surgery.

The Width of a Solar Coronal Mass Ejection and the Source of the Driving Magnetic Explosion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Ronald L.; Sterling, Alphonse C.; Suess, Steven T.

2007-01-01

We show that the strength of the magnetic field in the area covered by the flare arcade following a CME-producing ejective solar eruption can be estimated from the final angular width of the CME in the outer corona and the final angular width of the flare arcade. We assume (1) the flux-rope plasmoid ejected from the flare site becomes the interior of the CME plasmoid, (2) in the outer corona (R greater than 2R(sub Sun)) the CME is roughly a spherical plasmoid with legs shaped like a light bulb, and (3) beyond some height in or below the outer corona the CME plasmoid is in lateral pressure balance with the surrounding magnetic field. The strength of the nearly radial magnetic field in the outer corona is estimated from the radial component of the interplanetary magnetic field measured by Ulysses. We apply this model to three well-observed CMEs that exploded from flare regions of extremely different size and magnetic setting. One of these CMEs is an over-and-out CME that exploded from a laterally far offset compact ejective flare. In each event, the estimated source-region field strength is appropriate for the magnetic setting of the flare. This agreement (1) indicates that CMEs are propelled by the magnetic field of the CME plasmoid pushing against the surrounding magnetic field, (2) supports the magnetic-arch-blowout scenario for over-and-out CMEs, and (3) shows that a CME s final angular width in the outer corona can be estimated from the amount of magnetic flux covered by the source-region flare arcade.

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of [Ne II] Emission from AA Tau and GM Aur

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Najita, Joan R.; Doppmann, Greg W.; Bitner, Martin A.; Richter, Matthew J.; Lacy, John H.; Jaffe, Daniel T.; Carr, John S.; Meijerink, Rowin; Blake, Geoffrey A.; Herczeg, Gregory J.; Glassgold, Alfred E.

2009-05-01

We present high-resolution (R = 80,000) spectroscopy of [Ne II] emission from two young stars, GM Aur and AA Tau, which have moderate to high inclinations. The emission from both sources appears centered near the stellar velocity and is broader than the [Ne II] emission measured previously for the face-on disk system TW Hya. These properties are consistent with a disk origin for the [Ne II] emission we detect, with disk rotation (rather than photoevaporation or turbulence in a hot disk atmosphere) playing the dominant role in the origin of the line width. In the non-face-on systems, the [Ne II] emission is narrower than the CO fundamental emission from the same sources. If the widths of both diagnostics are dominated by Keplerian rotation, this suggests that the [Ne II] emission arises from larger disk radii on average than does the CO emission. The equivalent width of the [Ne II] emission we detect is less than that of the spectrally unresolved [Ne II] feature in the Spitzer spectra of the same sources. Variability in the [Ne II] emission or the mid-infrared continuum, a spatially extended [Ne II] component, or a very (spectrally) broad [Ne II] component might account for the difference in the equivalent widths. Based on observations obtained at the Gemini Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the NSF on behalf of the Gemini partnership: the National Science Foundation (United States), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (United Kingdom), the National Research Council (Canada), CONICYT (Chile), the Australian Research Council (Australia), Ministrio da Cincia e Tecnologia (Brazil), and SECYT (Argentina).

Determination of projection effects of CMEs using quadrature observations with the two STEREO spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bronarska, K.; Michalek, G.

2018-07-01

Since 1995 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been routinely observed thanks to the sensitive Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraphs (LASCO) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission. Their observed characteristics are stored, among other, in the SOHO/LASCO catalog. These parameters are commonly used in scientific studies. Unfortunately, coronagraphic observations of CMEs are subject to projection effects. This makes it practically impossible to determine the true properties of CMEs and therefore makes it more difficult to forecast their geoeffectiveness. In this study, using quadrature observations with the two Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecrafts, we estimate the projection effect affecting velocity of CMEs included in the SOHO/LASCO catalog. It was demonstrated that this effect depends significantly on width and source location of CMEs. It can be very significant for narrow events and originating from the disk center. The effect diminishes with increasing width and absolute longitude of source location of CMEs. For very wide (width ⩾ 250°) or limb events (| longitude ⩾ 70°) projection effects completely disappears.

A laser-Compton scattering prototype experiment at 100 MeV linac of Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics.

PubMed

Luo, W; Xu, W; Pan, Q Y; Cai, X Z; Chen, J G; Chen, Y Z; Fan, G T; Fan, G W; Guo, W; Li, Y J; Liu, W H; Lin, G Q; Ma, Y G; Shen, W Q; Shi, X C; Xu, B J; Xu, J Q; Xu, Y; Zhang, H O; Yan, Z; Yang, L F; Zhao, M H

2010-01-01

As a prototype of the Shanghai Laser Electron Gamma Source in the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, an x-ray source based on laser-Compton scattering (LCS) has been installed at the terminal of the 100 MeV linac of the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics. LCS x-rays are generated by interactions between Q-switched Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser pulses [with wavelength of 1064 nm and pulse width of 21 ns (full width at half maximum)] and electron bunches [with energy of 108 MeV and pulse width of 0.95 ns (rms)] at an angle of 42 degrees between laser and electron beam. In order to measure the energy spectrum of LCS x-rays, a Si(Li) detector along the electron beam line axis is positioned at 9.8 m away from a LCS chamber. After background subtraction, the LCS x-ray spectrum with the peak energy of 29.1+/-4.4|(stat)+/-2.1|(syst) keV and the peak width (rms) of 7.8+/-2.8|(stat)+/-0.4|(syst) keV is observed. Normally the 100 MeV linac operates with the electron macropulse charge of 1.0 nC/pulse, and the electron and laser collision repetition rate of 20 Hz. Therefore, the total LCS x-ray flux of (5.2+/-2.0) x 10(2) Hz can be achieved.

Dynamic and fluid–structure interaction simulations of bioprosthetic heart valves using parametric design with T-splines and Fung-type material models

PubMed Central

Kamensky, David; Xu, Fei; Kiendl, Josef; Wang, Chenglong; Wu, Michael C. H.; Mineroff, Joshua; Reali, Alessandro; Bazilevs, Yuri; Sacks, Michael S.

2015-01-01

This paper builds on a recently developed immersogeometric fluid–structure interaction (FSI) methodology for bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) modeling and simulation. It enhances the proposed framework in the areas of geometry design and constitutive modeling. With these enhancements, BHV FSI simulations may be performed with greater levels of automation, robustness and physical realism. In addition, the paper presents a comparison between FSI analysis and standalone structural dynamics simulation driven by prescribed transvalvular pressure, the latter being a more common modeling choice for this class of problems. The FSI computation achieved better physiological realism in predicting the valve leaflet deformation than its standalone structural dynamics counterpart. PMID:26392645

Processing Digital Imagery to Enhance Perceptions of Realism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodell, Glenn A.; Jobson, Daniel J.; Rahman, Zia-ur

2003-01-01

Multi-scale retinex with color restoration (MSRCR) is a method of processing digital image data based on Edwin Land s retinex (retina + cortex) theory of human color vision. An outgrowth of basic scientific research and its application to NASA s remote-sensing mission, MSRCR is embodied in a general-purpose algorithm that greatly improves the perception of visual realism and the quantity and quality of perceived information in a digitized image. In addition, the MSRCR algorithm includes provisions for automatic corrections to accelerate and facilitate what could otherwise be a tedious image-editing process. The MSRCR algorithm has been, and is expected to continue to be, the basis for development of commercial image-enhancement software designed to extend and refine its capabilities for diverse applications.

Happiness, Psychology, and Degrees of Realism

PubMed Central

Lavazza, Andrea

2016-01-01

The recent emphasis on a realist ontology that cannot be overshadowed by subjectivist or relativist perspectives seems to have a number of consequences for psychology as well. My attempt here is to analyse the relationship between happiness as a state of the individual and the states of the external world and the brain events related to (or, in some hypotheses, causally responsible for) its occurrence. It can be maintained that different degrees of realism are suitable to describe the states of happiness and this fact might have relevant psychological implications, namely for the so-called positive psychology. This is especially true now that there are methods available to induce subjective states of happiness unrelated to the external conditions usually taken to be linked to such states. PMID:27536261

Factors affecting individual foraging specialization and temporal diet stability across the range of a large “generalist” apex predator

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rosenblatt, Adam E.; Nifong, James C.; Heithaus, Michael R.; Mazzotti, Frank J.; Cherkiss, Michael S.; Jeffery, Brian M.; Elsey, Ruth M.; Decker, Rachel A.; Silliman, Brian R.; Guillette, Louis J.; Lowers, Russell H.; Larson, Justin C.

2015-01-01

Individual niche specialization (INS) is increasingly recognized as an important component of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. However, most studies that have investigated INS have focused on the effects of niche width and inter- and intraspecific competition on INS in small-bodied species for short time periods, with less attention paid to INS in large-bodied reptilian predators and the effects of available prey types on INS. We investigated the prevalence, causes, and consequences of INS in foraging behaviors across different populations of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), the dominant aquatic apex predator across the southeast US, using stomach contents and stable isotopes. Gut contents revealed that, over the short term, although alligator populations occupied wide ranges of the INS spectrum, general patterns were apparent. Alligator populations inhabiting lakes exhibited lower INS than coastal populations, likely driven by variation in habitat type and available prey types. Stable isotopes revealed that over longer time spans alligators exhibited remarkably consistent use of variable mixtures of carbon pools (e.g., marine and freshwater food webs). We conclude that INS in large-bodied reptilian predator populations is likely affected by variation in available prey types and habitat heterogeneity, and that INS should be incorporated into management strategies to efficiently meet intended goals. Also, ecological models, which typically do not consider behavioral variability, should include INS to increase model realism and applicability.

Factors affecting individual foraging specialization and temporal diet stability across the range of a large "generalist" apex predator.

PubMed

Rosenblatt, Adam E; Nifong, James C; Heithaus, Michael R; Mazzotti, Frank J; Cherkiss, Michael S; Jeffery, Brian M; Elsey, Ruth M; Decker, Rachel A; Silliman, Brian R; Guillette, Louis J; Lowers, Russell H; Larson, Justin C

2015-05-01

Individual niche specialization (INS) is increasingly recognized as an important component of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. However, most studies that have investigated INS have focused on the effects of niche width and inter- and intraspecific competition on INS in small-bodied species for short time periods, with less attention paid to INS in large-bodied reptilian predators and the effects of available prey types on INS. We investigated the prevalence, causes, and consequences of INS in foraging behaviors across different populations of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), the dominant aquatic apex predator across the southeast US, using stomach contents and stable isotopes. Gut contents revealed that, over the short term, although alligator populations occupied wide ranges of the INS spectrum, general patterns were apparent. Alligator populations inhabiting lakes exhibited lower INS than coastal populations, likely driven by variation in habitat type and available prey types. Stable isotopes revealed that over longer time spans alligators exhibited remarkably consistent use of variable mixtures of carbon pools (e.g., marine and freshwater food webs). We conclude that INS in large-bodied reptilian predator populations is likely affected by variation in available prey types and habitat heterogeneity, and that INS should be incorporated into management strategies to efficiently meet intended goals. Also, ecological models, which typically do not consider behavioral variability, should include INS to increase model realism and applicability.

THE CORES OF THE Fe K{alpha} LINES IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI: AN EXTENDED CHANDRA HIGH ENERGY GRATING SAMPLE

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

Shu, X. W.; Wang, J. X.; Yaqoob, T.

We extend the study of the core of the Fe K{alpha} emission line at {approx}6.4 keV in Seyfert galaxies reported by Yaqoob and Padmanabhan using a larger sample observed by the Chandra high-energy grating (HEG). The sample consists of 82 observations of 36 unique sources with z < 0.3. Whilst heavily obscured active galactic nuclei are excluded from the sample, these data offer some of the highest precision measurements of the peak energy of the Fe K{alpha} line, and the highest spectral resolution measurements of the width of the core of the line in unobscured and moderately obscured (N {submore » H} < 10{sup 23} cm{sup -2}) Seyfert galaxies to date. From an empirical and uniform analysis, we present measurements of the Fe K{alpha} line centroid energy, flux, equivalent width (EW), and intrinsic width (FWHM). The Fe K{alpha} line is detected in 33 sources, and its centroid energy is constrained in 32 sources. In 27 sources, the statistical quality of the data is good enough to yield measurements of the FWHM. We find that the distribution in the line centroid energy is strongly peaked around the value for neutral Fe, with over 80% of the observations giving values in the range 6.38-6.43 keV. Including statistical errors, 30 out of 32 sources ({approx}94%) have a line centroid energy in the range 6.35-6.47 keV. The mean EW, among the observations in which a non-zero lower limit could be measured, was 53 {+-} 3 eV. The mean FWHM from the subsample of 27 sources was 2060 {+-} 230 km s{sup -1}. The mean EW and FWHM are somewhat higher when multiple observations for a given source are averaged. From a comparison with the H{beta} optical emission-line widths (or, for one source, Br{alpha}), we find that there is no universal location of the Fe K{alpha} line-emitting region relative to the optical broad-line region (BLR). In general, a given source may have contributions to the Fe K{alpha} line flux from parsec-scale distances from the putative black hole, down to matter a factor {approx}2 closer to the black hole than the BLR. We confirm the presence of the X-ray Baldwin effect, an anti-correlation between the Fe K{alpha} line EW and X-ray continuum luminosity. The HEG data have enabled isolation of this effect to the narrow core of the Fe K{alpha} line.« less

Numerical characterization of landing gear aeroacoustics using advanced simulation and analysis techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redonnet, S.; Ben Khelil, S.; Bulté, J.; Cunha, G.

2017-09-01

With the objective of aircraft noise mitigation, we here address the numerical characterization of the aeroacoustics by a simplified nose landing gear (NLG), through the use of advanced simulation and signal processing techniques. To this end, the NLG noise physics is first simulated through an advanced hybrid approach, which relies on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational AeroAcoustics (CAA) calculations. Compared to more traditional hybrid methods (e.g. those relying on the use of an Acoustic Analogy), and although it is used here with some approximations made (e.g. design of the CFD-CAA interface), the present approach does not rely on restrictive assumptions (e.g. equivalent noise source, homogeneous propagation medium), which allows to incorporate more realism into the prediction. In a second step, the outputs coming from such CFD-CAA hybrid calculations are processed through both traditional and advanced post-processing techniques, thus offering to further investigate the NLG's noise source mechanisms. Among other things, this work highlights how advanced computational methodologies are now mature enough to not only simulate realistic problems of airframe noise emission, but also to investigate their underlying physics.

Efficient extreme ultraviolet plasma source generated by a CO2 laser and a liquid xenon microjet target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueno, Yoshifumi; Ariga, Tatsuya; Soumagne, George; Higashiguchi, Takeshi; Kubodera, Shoichi; Pogorelsky, Igor; Pavlishin, Igor; Stolyarov, Daniil; Babzien, Marcus; Kusche, Karl; Yakimenko, Vitaly

2007-05-01

We demonstrated efficacy of a CO2-laser-produced xenon plasma in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral region at 13.5nm at variable laser pulse widths between 200ps and 25ns. The plasma target was a 30μm liquid xenon microjet. To ensure the optimum coupling of CO2 laser energy with the plasma, they applied a prepulse yttrium aluminum garnet laser. The authors measured the conversion efficiency (CE) of the 13.5nm EUV emission for different pulse widths of the CO2 laser. A maximum CE of 0.6% was obtained for a CO2 laser pulse width of 25ns at an intensity of 5×1010W/cm2.

The optimal on-source region size for detections with counting-type telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klepser, S.

2017-03-01

Source detection in counting type experiments such as Cherenkov telescopes often involves the application of the classical Eq. (17) from the paper of Li & Ma (1983) to discrete on- and off-source regions. The on-source region is typically a circular area with radius θ in which the signal is expected to appear with the shape of the instrument point spread function (PSF). This paper addresses the question of what is the θ that maximises the probability of detection for a given PSF width and background event density. In the high count number limit and assuming a Gaussian PSF profile, the optimum is found to be at ζ∞2 ≈ 2.51 times the squared PSF width σPSF392. While this number is shown to be a good choice in many cases, a dynamic formula for cases of lower count numbers, which favour larger on-source regions, is given. The recipe to get to this parametrisation can also be applied to cases with a non-Gaussian PSF. This result can standardise and simplify analysis procedures, reduce trials and eliminate the need for experience-based ad hoc cut definitions or expensive case-by-case Monte Carlo simulations.

Emergence of realism: Enhanced visual artistry and high accuracy of visual numerosity representation after left prefrontal damage.

PubMed

Takahata, Keisuke; Saito, Fumie; Muramatsu, Taro; Yamada, Makiko; Shirahase, Joichiro; Tabuchi, Hajime; Suhara, Tetsuya; Mimura, Masaru; Kato, Motoichiro

2014-05-01

Over the last two decades, evidence of enhancement of drawing and painting skills due to focal prefrontal damage has accumulated. It is of special interest that most artworks created by such patients were highly realistic ones, but the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains to be understood. Our hypothesis is that enhanced tendency of realism was associated with accuracy of visual numerosity representation, which has been shown to be mediated predominantly by right parietal functions. Here, we report a case of left prefrontal stroke, where the patient showed enhancement of artistic skills of realistic painting after the onset of brain damage. We investigated cognitive, functional and esthetic characteristics of the patient׳s visual artistry and visual numerosity representation. Neuropsychological tests revealed impaired executive function after the stroke. Despite that, the patient׳s visual artistry related to realism was rather promoted across the onset of brain damage as demonstrated by blind evaluation of the paintings by professional art reviewers. On visual numerical cognition tasks, the patient showed higher performance in comparison with age-matched healthy controls. These results paralleled increased perfusion in the right parietal cortex including the precuneus and intraparietal sulcus. Our data provide new insight into mechanisms underlying change in artistic style due to focal prefrontal lesion. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement contextuality is implied by macroscopic realism

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

Chen Zeqian; Montina, A.; Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, 31 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 2Y5

2011-04-15

Ontological theories of quantum mechanics provide a realistic description of single systems by means of well-defined quantities conditioning the measurement outcomes. In order to be complete, they should also fulfill the minimal condition of macroscopic realism. Under the assumption of outcome determinism and for Hilbert space dimension greater than 2, they were all proved to be contextual for projective measurements. In recent years a generalized concept of noncontextuality was introduced that applies also to the case of outcome indeterminism and unsharp measurements. It was pointed out that the Beltrametti-Bugajski model is an example of measurement noncontextual indeterminist theory. Here wemore » provide a simple proof that this model is the only one with such a feature for projective measurements and Hilbert space dimension greater than 2. In other words, there is no extension of quantum theory providing more accurate predictions of outcomes and simultaneously preserving the minimal labeling of events through projective operators. As a corollary, noncontextuality for projective measurements implies noncontextuality for unsharp measurements. By noting that the condition of macroscopic realism requires an extension of quantum theory, unless a breaking of unitarity is invoked, we arrive at the conclusion that the only way to solve the measurement problem in the framework of an ontological theory is by relaxing the hypothesis of measurement noncontextuality in its generalized sense.« less

Ecological Realism of US EPA Experimental Stream Facility ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The USEPA’s Experimental Stream Facility (ESF) conducts meso-scale ecotoxicology studies that account for both structural and functional responses of whole stream communities to contaminants or other stressors. The 16 mesocosms of ESF are indoors and consist of a tiled run section (0.152 m W x 4.268 m L x 0.105 m D) that widens to a gravel riffle section (0.305 m W x 4.268 m L x 0.19 m D). They are intermediate size among studies reporting stream mesocosm results. Their set-up is unique for their size, with a high degree of engineering controls for continuous flow-through dose-response designs, yet fixed, chronic exposures to contaminants under conditions that quantifiably mimic real stream riffle/run habitat with consistent upstream renewal. With fifty standard operating procedures serving ESF studies, the background and boundary condition information is collected to determine the realism critical to the field relevance of the results. Parallel ex situ and in situ single species exposure formats including fish survival and fecundity metrics are also included. With this framework studies at ESF provide scientifically defensible evaluation of proposed aquatic life criteria. This presentation discusses the relevance and realism of USEPA's mesocosms studies conducted using the Experimental Stream Facility in Milford, OH within the context of understanding the role meso-scale results can play in validating aquatic life criteria for streams and, more generally, man

Studies on the Extraction Region of the Type VI RF Driven H- Ion Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McNeely, P.; Bandyopadhyay, M.; Franzen, P.; Heinemann, B.; Hu, C.; Kraus, W.; Riedl, R.; Speth, E.; Wilhelm, R.

2002-11-01

IPP Garching has spent several years developing a RF driven H- ion source intended to be an alternative to the current ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) reference design ion source. A RF driven source offers a number of advantages to ITER in terms of reduced costs and maintenance requirements. Although the RF driven ion source has shown itself to be competitive with a standard arc filament ion source for positive ions many questions still remain on the physics behind the production of the H- ion beam extracted from the source. With the improvements that have been implemented to the BATMAN (Bavarian Test Machine for Negative Ions) facility over the last two years it is now possible to study both the extracted ion beam and the plasma in the vicinity of the extraction grid in greater detail. This paper will show the effect of changing the extraction and acceleration voltage on both the current and shape of the beam as measured on the calorimeter some 1.5 m downstream from the source. The extraction voltage required to operate in the plasma limit is 3 kV. The perveance optimum for the extraction system was determined to be 2.2 x 10-6 A/V3/2 and occurs at 2.7 kV extraction voltage. The horizontal and vertical beam half widths vary as a function of the extracted ion current and the horizontal half width is generally smaller than the vertical. The effect of reducing the co-extracted electron current via plasma grid biasing on the H- current extractable and the beam profile from the source is shown. It is possible in the case of a silver contaminated plasma to reduce the co-extracted electron current to 20% of the initial value by applying a bias of 12 V. In the case where argon is present in the plasma, biasing is observed to have minimal effect on the beam half width but in a pure hydrogen plasma the beam half width increases as the bias voltage increases. New Langmuir probe studies that have been carried out parallel to the plasma grid (in the vicinity of the peak of the external magnetic filter field) and changes to source parameters as a function of power, and argon addition are reported. The behaviour of the electron density is different when the plasma is argon seeded showing a strong increase with RF power. The plasma potential is decreased by 2 V when argon is added to the plasma. The effect of the presence of unwanted silver sputtered from the Faraday screen by Ar+ ions on both the source performance and the plasma parameters is also presented. The silver dramatically downgraded source performance in terms of current density and produced an early saturation of current with applied RF power. Recently, collaboration was begun with the Technical University of Augsburg to perform spectroscopic measurements on the Type VI ion source. The final results of this analysis are not yet ready but some interesting initial observations on the gas temperature, disassociation degree and impurity ions will be presented.

Hydrological modeling as an evaluation tool of EURO-CORDEX climate projections and bias correction methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hakala, Kirsti; Addor, Nans; Seibert, Jan

2017-04-01

Streamflow stemming from Switzerland's mountainous landscape will be influenced by climate change, which will pose significant challenges to the water management and policy sector. In climate change impact research, the determination of future streamflow is impeded by different sources of uncertainty, which propagate through the model chain. In this research, we explicitly considered the following sources of uncertainty: (1) climate models, (2) downscaling of the climate projections to the catchment scale, (3) bias correction method and (4) parameterization of the hydrological model. We utilize climate projections at the 0.11 degree 12.5 km resolution from the EURO-CORDEX project, which are the most recent climate projections for the European domain. EURO-CORDEX is comprised of regional climate model (RCM) simulations, which have been downscaled from global climate models (GCMs) from the CMIP5 archive, using both dynamical and statistical techniques. Uncertainties are explored by applying a modeling chain involving 14 GCM-RCMs to ten Swiss catchments. We utilize the rainfall-runoff model HBV Light, which has been widely used in operational hydrological forecasting. The Lindström measure, a combination of model efficiency and volume error, was used as an objective function to calibrate HBV Light. Ten best sets of parameters are then achieved by calibrating using the genetic algorithm and Powell optimization (GAP) method. The GAP optimization method is based on the evolution of parameter sets, which works by selecting and recombining high performing parameter sets with each other. Once HBV is calibrated, we then perform a quantitative comparison of the influence of biases inherited from climate model simulations to the biases stemming from the hydrological model. The evaluation is conducted over two time periods: i) 1980-2009 to characterize the simulation realism under the current climate and ii) 2070-2099 to identify the magnitude of the projected change of streamflow under the climate scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. We utilize two techniques for correcting biases in the climate model output: quantile mapping and a new method, frequency bias correction. The FBC method matches the frequencies between observed and GCM-RCM data. In this way, it can be used to correct for all time scales, which is a known limitation of quantile mapping. A novel approach for the evaluation of the climate simulations and bias correction methods was then applied. Streamflow can be thought of as the "great integrator" of uncertainties. The ability, or the lack thereof, to correctly simulate streamflow is a way to assess the realism of the bias-corrected climate simulations. Long-term monthly mean as well as high and low flow metrics are used to evaluate the realism of the simulations under current climate and to gauge the impacts of climate change on streamflow. Preliminary results show that under present climate, calibration of the hydrological model comprises of a much smaller band of uncertainty in the modeling chain as compared to the bias correction of the GCM-RCMs. Therefore, for future time periods, we expect the bias correction of climate model data to have a greater influence on projected changes in streamflow than the calibration of the hydrological model.

Disarmament and Realism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Ralph Stuart

1970-01-01

International cooperation in the field of disarmament is necessary to make the world a safe place in which to live. Moreover, every additional advance in aerospace technology makes this cooperation more imperative. (CK)

La Meme Chose: How Mathematics Can Explain the Thinking of Children and the Thinking of Children Can Illuminate Mathematical Philosophy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cable, John

2014-01-01

This article offers a new interpretation of Piaget's decanting experiments, employing the mathematical notion of equivalence instead of conservation. Some reference is made to Piaget's theories and to his educational legacy, but the focus in on certain of the experiments. The key to the new analysis is the abstraction principle, which has been formally enunciated in mathematical philosophy but has universal application. It becomes necessary to identity fluid objects (both configured and unconfigured) and configured and unconfigured sets-of-objects. Issues emerge regarding the conflict between philosophic realism and anti-realism, including constructivism. Questions are asked concerning mathematics and mathematical philosophy, particularly over the nature of sets, the wisdom of the axiomatic method and aspects of the abstraction principle itself.

Filter Tuning Using the Chi-Squared Statistic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lilly-Salkowski, Tyler B.

2017-01-01

This paper examines the use of the Chi-square statistic as a means of evaluating filter performance. The goal of the process is to characterize the filter performance in the metric of covariance realism. The Chi-squared statistic is the value calculated to determine the realism of a covariance based on the prediction accuracy and the covariance values at a given point in time. Once calculated, it is the distribution of this statistic that provides insight on the accuracy of the covariance. The process of tuning an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for Aqua and Aura support is described, including examination of the measurement errors of available observation types, and methods of dealing with potentially volatile atmospheric drag modeling. Predictive accuracy and the distribution of the Chi-squared statistic, calculated from EKF solutions, are assessed.

Depressive realism and outcome density bias in contingency judgments: the effect of the context and intertrial interval.

PubMed

Msetfi, Rachel M; Murphy, Robin A; Simpson, Jane; Kornbrot, Diana E

2005-02-01

The perception of the effectiveness of instrumental actions is influenced by depressed mood. Depressive realism (DR) is the claim that depressed people are particularly accurate in evaluating instrumentality. In two experiments, the authors tested the DR hypothesis using an action-outcome contingency judgment task. DR effects were a function of intertrial interval length and outcome density, suggesting that depressed mood is accompanied by reduced contextual processing rather than increased judgment accuracy. The DR effect was observed only when participants were exposed to extended periods in which no actions or outcomes occurred. This implies that DR may result from an impairment in contextual processing rather than accurate but negative expectations. Therefore, DR is consistent with a cognitive distortion view of depression. ((c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved).

Design of interactive health drama built on social realism.

PubMed

Graspemo, Gabriella; Hassling, Linda; Nordfeldt, Sam; Eriksson, Hendrik; Timpka, Toomas

2004-01-01

There are many psychosocial aspects of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Educational multimedia can support patients with chronic diseases and their families by communicating narratives based on social realism. The production of such socio-realistic interactive health dramas requires systematic methods, especially for the identification of significant stories. The aim of this study is to explore the use of self-documentary video in the design of an Interactive Health Drama environment to support diabetic adolescents and their families. In particular, the potential of the self-documentary video for story development in combination with qualitative interviews were explored. The proposed approach, when further developed, is intended to enable all types of chronic disease patients to work with their specific psychosocial problems in a supportive and stimulating environment adapted to their personality and preferences.

Electrical system for pulse-width modulated control of a power inverter using phase-shifted carrier signals and related operating methods

DOEpatents

Welchko, Brian A [Torrance, CA

2012-02-14

Systems and methods are provided for pulse-width modulated control of power inverter using phase-shifted carrier signals. An electrical system comprises an energy source and a motor. The motor has a first set of windings and a second set of windings, which are electrically isolated from each other. An inverter module is coupled between the energy source and the motor and comprises a first set of phase legs coupled to the first set of windings and a second set of phase legs coupled to the second set of windings. A controller is coupled to the inverter module and is configured to achieve a desired power flow between the energy source and the motor by modulating the first set of phase legs using a first carrier signal and modulating the second set of phase legs using a second carrier signal. The second carrier signal is phase-shifted relative to the first carrier signal.

Method for Assessment of Changes in the Width of Cracks in Cement Composites with Use of Computer Image Processing and Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomczak, Kamil; Jakubowski, Jacek; Fiołek, Przemysław

2017-06-01

Crack width measurement is an important element of research on the progress of self-healing cement composites. Due to the nature of this research, the method of measuring the width of cracks and their changes over time must meet specific requirements. The article presents a novel method of measuring crack width based on images from a scanner with an optical resolution of 6400 dpi, subject to initial image processing in the ImageJ development environment and further processing and analysis of results. After registering a series of images of the cracks at different times using SIFT conversion (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform), a dense network of line segments is created in all images, intersecting the cracks perpendicular to the local axes. Along these line segments, brightness profiles are extracted, which are the basis for determination of crack width. The distribution and rotation of the line of intersection in a regular layout, automation of transformations, management of images and profiles of brightness, and data analysis to determine the width of cracks and their changes over time are made automatically by own code in the ImageJ and VBA environment. The article describes the method, tests on its properties, sources of measurement uncertainty. It also presents an example of application of the method in research on autogenous self-healing of concrete, specifically the ability to reduce a sample crack width and its full closure within 28 days of the self-healing process.

One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fargnoli, Betty Ann

1984-01-01

Describes the unorthodox methods used by a high school English teacher to get the meaning of such literary terms as "classicism,""romanticism,""realism," and "naturalism" across to her students. (RBW)

Individual diet variation in a marine fish assemblage: Optimal Foraging Theory, Niche Variation Hypothesis and functional identity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cachera, M.; Ernande, B.; Villanueva, M. C.; Lefebvre, S.

2017-02-01

Individual diet variation (i.e. diet variation among individuals) impacts intra- and inter-specific interactions. Investigating its sources and relationship with species trophic niche organization is important for understanding community structure and dynamics. Individual diet variation may increase with intra-specific phenotypic (or "individual state") variation and habitat variability, according to Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT), and with species trophic niche width, according to the Niche Variation Hypothesis (NVH). OFT proposes "proximate sources" of individual diet variation such as variations in habitat or size whereas NVH relies on "ultimate sources" related to the competitive balance between intra- and inter-specific competitions. The latter implies as a corollary that species trophic niche overlap, taken as inter-specific competition measure, decreases as species niche width and individual niche variation increase. We tested the complementary predictions of OFT and NVH in a marine fish assemblage using stomach content data and associated trophic niche metrics. The NVH predictions were tested between species of the assemblage and decomposed into a between- and a within-functional group component to assess the potential influence of species' ecological function. For most species, individual diet variation and niche overlap were consistently larger than expected. Individual diet variation increased with intra-specific variability in individual state and habitat, as expected from OFT. It also increased with species niche width but in compliance with the null expectation, thus not supporting the NVH. In contrast, species niche overlap increased significantly less than null expectation with both species niche width and individual diet variation, supporting NVH corollary. The between- and within-functional group components of the NVH relationships were consistent with those between species at the assemblage level. Changing the number of prey categories used to describe diet (from 16 to 41) did not change the results qualitatively. These results suggest that, besides proximate sources, intra-specific competition favors higher individual diet variation than expected while inter-specific competition limits the increase of individual diet variation and of species niche overlap with species niche expansion. This reveals partial trophic resource partitioning between species. Various niche metrics used in combination allow inferring competition effects on trophic niches' organization within communities.

Purification effect of two typical water source vegetation buffer zones on land-sourced pollutants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Gang

2017-03-01

Two vegetation buffer zones (tree-shrub-grass pattern and tree-grass pattern) were selected as test objects around Siming reservoir in Yuyao City of China. The effect of the storm runoff intensity (low and high intensity) and the buffer zone width (1 m, 3 m, 5 m, 7 m, 9 m, 12 m, 16 m) on pollutants (suspended solids, ammonium nitrogen and total phosphorus) was studied by the artificial simulation runoff. The results showed that with the increase of the width of buffer zone, the pollutant concentration was decreased. The purification effect of the two buffer zones on suspended solids and total phosphorus was basically stable at 52-55% and 34-37%, respectively. But the purification effect on ammonium nitrogen was the tree-shrub-grass pattern (69.7%) significantly better than that of tree-grass pattern (52.1%). The purification rate at the low runoff intensity was 1.8-2.0 times that at the high runoff intensity. The relationship between the purification rate and buffer zone width can be expressed by the natural logarithm equation, and the model adjustment coefficient was greater than 0.92.

Pulse width modulation inverter with battery charger

DOEpatents

Slicker, James M.

1985-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a microprocessor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .theta., where .theta. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands for electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a "flyback" DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

Pulse width modulation inverter with battery charger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slicker, James M. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a microprocessor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .theta., where .theta. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands for electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a flyback DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

X-ray natural widths, level widths and Coster-Kronig transition probabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papp, T.; Campbell, J. L.; Varga, D.

1997-01-01

A critical review is given for the K-N7 atomic level widths. The experimental level widths were collected from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), x-ray spectra fluoresced by synchrotron radiation, and photoelectrons from x-ray absorption (PAX). There are only limited atomic number ranges for a few atomic levels where data are available from more than one source. Generally the experimental level widths have large scatter compared to the reported error bars. The experimental data are compared with the recent tabulation of Perkins et al. and of Ohno et al. Ohno et al. performed a many body approach calculation for limited atomic number ranges and have obtained reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Perkins et al. presented a tabulation covering the K-Q1 shells of all atoms, based on extensions of the Scofield calculations for radiative rates and extensions of the Chen calculations for non-radiative rates. The experimental data are in disagreement with this tabulation, in excess of a factor of two in some cases. A short introduction to the experimental Coster-Kronig transition probabilities is presented. It is our opinion that the different experimental approaches result in systematically different experimental data.

New insights on dyke width and upward velocity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taisne, B.; Jaupart, C.; Tait, S.

2012-04-01

Striking observations have been made that challenge our understanding of magma migration through the Earth's crust. How may a volatile rich magma stall at shallow depth as a growing crypto-dome such as during the 1980 Mount Saint Helens eruption? How can we explain the width of the 2005 mega-dyke intrusion in Afar, that attained more than 8 meters with a very small amount of magma emitted at the surface? We show that changes in the geometry and the dynamics of the propagation can be attributed to density variations in the host rocks, to solidification, to volatile exsolution and expansion or to changes in the input flux of magma at depth. We focus on the relationship between dyke width and ascent rate. Shallow levels are commonly made of low density rocks or volcanic deposits with strong impact on dyke ascent. The dynamics and width of the upper part of the dyke (the nose region) are determined by a local buoyancy balance, independently of the total buoyancy of the magma column between source and tip. In such conditions, the dyke swells and slows down and, in some cases, may not breach the surface. Using laboratory experiments we show that solidification of the magma may lead to a regime of intermittent propagation, even with constant physical conditions at the source. Interestingly the time between two steps can be related to the input flux at the source region. With volatile-bearing magmas, dyke propagation proceeds in two markedly different ways depending on whether or not fragmentation occurs. With no fragmentation, magma expansion leads to acceleration and thinning of the dyke. With fragmentation, the sharp drop of head loss that occurs in gas-rich fragmented material generates large internal overpressure and swelling of the nose region, leading to deceleration of the dyke. All the above effects lead to rapid and large changes of ascent rate. Large variations of magma flux at the source would be required to have similar impacts on dyke propagation. In an extreme case, arrest of the feeding at depth leads to a gradual decrease of upward velocity and thinning of the dyke. Variations of dyke ascent velocity make monitoring of volcanic unrest and prediction of eruption onset uncertain and potentially erroneous. Our models emphasize, however, that such variations are linked to changes of dyke dimensions and width that can be determined using geophysical networks and that allow identification of the physical mechanism at work. Data and physical models, when used in combination, therefore allow useful diagnostic tools for assessing the likelihood and time of an eruption.

Realism in Public Library Public Relations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scilken, Marvin H.

1972-01-01

The threat from school libraries coupled with misdirected publicity efforts has created the need for a massive nationwide public relations and advertising campaign whose main appeal should be to nonusers. (Author/NH)

A modified Wright-Fisher model that incorporates Ne: A variant of the standard model with increased biological realism and reduced computational complexity.

PubMed

Zhao, Lei; Gossmann, Toni I; Waxman, David

2016-03-21

The Wright-Fisher model is an important model in evolutionary biology and population genetics. It has been applied in numerous analyses of finite populations with discrete generations. It is recognised that real populations can behave, in some key aspects, as though their size that is not the census size, N, but rather a smaller size, namely the effective population size, Ne. However, in the Wright-Fisher model, there is no distinction between the effective and census population sizes. Equivalently, we can say that in this model, Ne coincides with N. The Wright-Fisher model therefore lacks an important aspect of biological realism. Here, we present a method that allows Ne to be directly incorporated into the Wright-Fisher model. The modified model involves matrices whose size is determined by Ne. Thus apart from increased biological realism, the modified model also has reduced computational complexity, particularly so when Ne⪡N. For complex problems, it may be hard or impossible to numerically analyse the most commonly-used approximation of the Wright-Fisher model that incorporates Ne, namely the diffusion approximation. An alternative approach is simulation. However, the simulations need to be sufficiently detailed that they yield an effective size that is different to the census size. Simulations may also be time consuming and have attendant statistical errors. The method presented in this work may then be the only alternative to simulations, when Ne differs from N. We illustrate the straightforward application of the method to some problems involving allele fixation and the determination of the equilibrium site frequency spectrum. We then apply the method to the problem of fixation when three alleles are segregating in a population. This latter problem is significantly more complex than a two allele problem and since the diffusion equation cannot be numerically solved, the only other way Ne can be incorporated into the analysis is by simulation. We have achieved good accuracy in all cases considered. In summary, the present work extends the realism and tractability of an important model of evolutionary biology and population genetics. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Theoretical and experimental determination of L -shell decay rates, line widths, and fluorescence yields in Ge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerra, M.; Sampaio, J. M.; Madeira, T. I.; Parente, F.; Indelicato, P.; Marques, J. P.; Santos, J. P.; Hoszowska, J.; Dousse, J.-Cl.; Loperetti, L.; Zeeshan, F.; Müller, M.; Unterumsberger, R.; Beckhoff, B.

2015-08-01

Fluorescence yields (FYs) for the Ge L shell were determined by a theoretical and two experimental groups within the framework of the International Initiative on X-Ray Fundamental Parameters Collaboration. Calculations were performed using the Dirac-Fock method, including relativistic and QED corrections. The experimental value of the L3FY ωL 3 was determined at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt undulator beamline of the synchrotron radiation facility BESSY II in Berlin, Germany, and the L α1 ,2 and L β1 line widths were measured at the Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, using monochromatized synchrotron radiation and a von Hamos x-ray crystal spectrometer. The measured fluorescence yields and line widths are compared to the corresponding calculated values.

Linguistic Realities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Love, Nigel

1992-01-01

Advocates the application of Popper's ideas (1963, 1972) about the nature of science and objectivist epistemology to generativist linguistics, discussing the subsequent effects on five key metatheoretical positions: fallibilism; realism; objectivism; autonomism; and interactionism. (12 references) (CB)

VizieR Online Data Catalog: ALMA survey of Lupus protoplanetary disks. I. (Ansdell+, 2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansdell, M.; Williams, J. P.; van der Marel, N.; Carpenter, J. M.; Guidi, G.; Hogerheijde, M.; Mathews, G. S.; Manara, C. F.; Miotello, A.; Natta, A.; Oliveira, I.; Tazzari, M.; Testi, L.; van Dishoeck, E. F.; van Terwisga, S. E.

2016-11-01

Our ALMA Cycle 2 observations (Project ID: 2013.1.00220.S) were obtained on 2015 June 14 (AGK-type sources and unknown spectral types) and 2015 June 15 (M-type sources). The continuum spectral windows were centered on 328.3, 340.0, and 341.8GHz with bandwidths of 1.875, 0.938, and 1.875 GHz and channel widths of 15.625, 0.244, and 0.977MHz, respectively. The bandwidth-weighted mean continuum frequency was 335.8GHz (890um). The spectral setup included two windows covering the 13CO and C18O 3-2 transitions; these spectral windows were centered on 330.6 and 329.3GHz, respectively, with bandwidths of 58.594MHz, channel widths of 0.122MHz, and velocity resolutions of 0.11km/s. (3 data files).

Determination of Effective Crossover Location and Dimensions for Branched Detonation in a Pulsed Detonation Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

location is varied from the aft end of the detonation tube to the middle of the detonation tube while the crossover width is varied from 2.5 in to 0.5...the other end where the tube is connected to a source of fuel, oxidizer, and ignition .7 The engine cycle is divided into three equal phases: fill...location and width of the crossover duct for hydrogen, ethylene and an n-alkane. The crossover location is varied from the aft end of the

The research-practice gap: bridging the schism between eating disorder researchers and practitioners.

PubMed

Lilienfeld, Scott O; Ritschel, Lorie A; Lynn, Steven Jay; Brown, Amanda P; Cautin, Robin L; Latzman, Robert D

2013-07-01

The field of eating disorders (EDs) treatment has been beset by a marked disjunction between scientific evidence and clinical application. We describe the nature and scope of the research-practice gap in the ED field. We draw on surveys and broader literature to better understand the research-practice gap in ED treatment and reasons for resistance to evidence-based practice. We identify three sources of the research-practice gap: (1) attitudinal factors, (2) differences in the definition of "evidence," and (3) cognitive factors, especially naïve realism and confirmation bias. We affirm the role of science as a safeguard against human fallibility and as a means of bridging the research-practice gap, and delineate key principles of scientific thinking for ED researchers and practitioners. We conclude with proposals for narrowing the research-practice gap in ED treatment and enhancing the quality of interventions for ED clients. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

TASI: A software tool for spatial-temporal quantification of tumor spheroid dynamics.

PubMed

Hou, Yue; Konen, Jessica; Brat, Daniel J; Marcus, Adam I; Cooper, Lee A D

2018-05-08

Spheroid cultures derived from explanted cancer specimens are an increasingly utilized resource for studying complex biological processes like tumor cell invasion and metastasis, representing an important bridge between the simplicity and practicality of 2-dimensional monolayer cultures and the complexity and realism of in vivo animal models. Temporal imaging of spheroids can capture the dynamics of cell behaviors and microenvironments, and when combined with quantitative image analysis methods, enables deep interrogation of biological mechanisms. This paper presents a comprehensive open-source software framework for Temporal Analysis of Spheroid Imaging (TASI) that allows investigators to objectively characterize spheroid growth and invasion dynamics. TASI performs spatiotemporal segmentation of spheroid cultures, extraction of features describing spheroid morpho-phenotypes, mathematical modeling of spheroid dynamics, and statistical comparisons of experimental conditions. We demonstrate the utility of this tool in an analysis of non-small cell lung cancer spheroids that exhibit variability in metastatic and proliferative behaviors.

Channel Width Change as a Potential Sediment Source, Minnesota River Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lauer, J. W.; Echterling, C.; Lenhart, C. F.; Rausch, R.; Belmont, P.

2017-12-01

Turbidity and suspended sediment are important management considerations along the Minnesota River. The system has experience large and relatively consistent increases in both discharge and channel width over the past century. Here we consider the potential role of channel cross section enlargement as a sediment source. Reach-average channel width was digitized from aerial images dated between 1937 and 2015 along multiple sub-reaches of the Minnesota River and its major tributaries. Many of the sub-reaches include several actively migrating bends. The analysis shows relatively consistent increases in width over time, with average increase rates of 0.4 percent per year. Extrapolation to the river network using a regional relationship for cross-sectional area vs. drainage area indicates that large tributaries and main-stem reaches account for most of the bankfull cross-sectional volume in the basin. Larger tributaries and the main stem thus appear more important for widening related sediment production than small tributaries. On a basin-wide basis, widening could be responsible for a gross supply of more sediment than has been gaged at several main-stem sites, indicating that there may be important sinks for both sand and silt/clay size material distributed throughout the system. Sediment storage is probably largest along the lowest-slope reaches of the main stem. While channel width appears to have adjusted relatively quickly in response to discharge and other hydraulic modifications, net storage of sediment in floodplains probably occurs sufficiently slowly that depth adjustment will lag width adjustment significantly. Detailed analysis of the lower Minnesota River using a river segmenting approach allows for a more detailed assessment of reach-scale processes. Away from channel cutoffs, elongation of the channel at eroding bends is consistent with rates observed on other actively migrating rivers. However, the sinuosity increase has been more than compensated by several natural and engineered cutoffs. The sinuosity change away from cutoffs probably plays a relatively modest role in the reach's sediment budget. However, point bars and abandoned oxbow lakes are important zones of sediment storage that may be large enough to account for much of the widening-related production of sand in the reach.

The (old) New Realism: what Holt has to offer for ecological psychology.

PubMed

Charles, Eric P

2009-03-01

As Ecological Psychology pushes into new areas, success will be made easier by a rediscovery its theoretical history, in particular the "New Realism", lead in part by E. B. Holt. Three New Realists tenants seem particularly relevant: (1) we experience reality, (2) relations are real, and (3) things are what you see when you see those things. Though the two groups differ in terms of their conception of perception, and what can be perceived, their conceptions are related in very insightful ways. Further, the comparison reemphasizes the extent of unique empirical claims ecological psychologists make, and grounds those claims within a larger framework for psychology as a whole. This makes obvious the need for further work on the mathematics of invariants, the physiological mechanisms of information extraction, and the behaviors of perception.

Improving the physiological realism of experimental models.

PubMed

Vinnakota, Kalyan C; Cha, Chae Y; Rorsman, Patrik; Balaban, Robert S; La Gerche, Andre; Wade-Martins, Richard; Beard, Daniel A; Jeneson, Jeroen A L

2016-04-06

The Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) project aims to develop integrative, explanatory and predictive computational models (C-Models) as numerical investigational tools to study disease, identify and design effective therapies and provide an in silico platform for drug screening. Ultimately, these models rely on the analysis and integration of experimental data. As such, the success of VPH depends on the availability of physiologically realistic experimental models (E-Models) of human organ function that can be parametrized to test the numerical models. Here, the current state of suitable E-models, ranging from in vitro non-human cell organelles to in vivo human organ systems, is discussed. Specifically, challenges and recent progress in improving the physiological realism of E-models that may benefit the VPH project are highlighted and discussed using examples from the field of research on cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Televised entertainment-education to prevent adolescent alcohol use: perceived realism, enjoyment, and impact.

PubMed

van Leeuwen, Lonneke; Renes, Reint Jan; Leeuwis, Cees

2013-04-01

Alcohol use among adolescents is a concern in the Netherlands because of its high prevalence and risks. To discourage adolescents from drinking alcohol, a televised entertainment-education (E-E) intervention was developed. This study investigated responses of adolescents on perceived realism and enjoyment of the E-E intervention, as well as its impact on alcohol drinking behavior. Viewers perceived the E-E narratives to be credible and enjoyable but did not relate to the characters in the narratives. However, exposure to the E-E intervention predicted desired changes in alcohol drinking behavior, intentions to decrease alcohol use, and perceived normative pressure, especially in less educated viewers. These findings demonstrate that E-E is a promising strategy to target adolescent alcohol use. Future research will focus on the individual processes and story elements that account for the positive results.

An efficient Cellular Potts Model algorithm that forbids cell fragmentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durand, Marc; Guesnet, Etienne

2016-11-01

The Cellular Potts Model (CPM) is a lattice based modeling technique which is widely used for simulating cellular patterns such as foams or biological tissues. Despite its realism and generality, the standard Monte Carlo algorithm used in the scientific literature to evolve this model preserves connectivity of cells on a limited range of simulation temperature only. We present a new algorithm in which cell fragmentation is forbidden for all simulation temperatures. This allows to significantly enhance realism of the simulated patterns. It also increases the computational efficiency compared with the standard CPM algorithm even at same simulation temperature, thanks to the time spared in not doing unrealistic moves. Moreover, our algorithm restores the detailed balance equation, ensuring that the long-term stage is independent of the chosen acceptance rate and chosen path in the temperature space.

Intelligent Motion and Interaction Within Virtual Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ellis, Stephen R. (Editor); Slater, Mel (Editor); Alexander, Thomas (Editor)

2007-01-01

What makes virtual actors and objects in virtual environments seem real? How can the illusion of their reality be supported? What sorts of training or user-interface applications benefit from realistic user-environment interactions? These are some of the central questions that designers of virtual environments face. To be sure simulation realism is not necessarily the major, or even a required goal, of a virtual environment intended to communicate specific information. But for some applications in entertainment, marketing, or aspects of vehicle simulation training, realism is essential. The following chapters will examine how a sense of truly interacting with dynamic, intelligent agents may arise in users of virtual environments. These chapters are based on presentations at the London conference on Intelligent Motion and Interaction within a Virtual Environments which was held at University College, London, U.K., 15-17 September 2003.

Relationships among Internet attitudes, Internet use, romantic beliefs, and perceptions of online romantic relationships.

PubMed

Anderson, Traci L

2005-12-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors relating to perceptions of online romantic relationships. One hundred seventy-seven people who had never been involved in an online romantic relationship completed a survey to assess relationships among perceptions of online romantic relationships and (a) amount of Internet use, (b) Internet affinity, (c) perceived realism of the Internet, and (d) romantic beliefs. Results reveal that amount of time spent online and affinity for the Internet are positively related to more favorable perceptions of online romantic relationships, whereas perceived realism and romantic beliefs were not related to perceptions of online romantic relationships. Romantic beliefs, therefore, may lend themselves to more conventional notions of relationships. Implications for and development and maintenance of online relationships, as impacted by social support networks, are discussed.

Group 2: Real time LOFT operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cavanagh, D.

1981-01-01

All LOFT scenarios should be constructed so as to provide the highest degree of realism that is economically, technically, and operationally feasible. The more realistic the situation, the faster the crew will adjust their thinking and provide reactions which would be typical of a line-flight orientation. The goal is to produce crew performance which would be typical of a crew on an actual line flight, given the same set of circumstances that were developed during the scenario. The briefing which is provided to the crew before entering the simulator for LOFT, the trip papers, the communications throughout the flight, the role played by the instructor, and so on, are important factors, crucial to the establishment and maintenance of a high degree of realism. Crews should have all manuals and other required equipment for a normal line-flight.

Face and construct validity of a computer-based virtual reality simulator for ERCP.

PubMed

Bittner, James G; Mellinger, John D; Imam, Toufic; Schade, Robert R; Macfadyen, Bruce V

2010-02-01

Currently, little evidence supports computer-based simulation for ERCP training. To determine face and construct validity of a computer-based simulator for ERCP and assess its perceived utility as a training tool. Novice and expert endoscopists completed 2 simulated ERCP cases by using the GI Mentor II. Virtual Education and Surgical Simulation Laboratory, Medical College of Georgia. Outcomes included times to complete the procedure, reach the papilla, and use fluoroscopy; attempts to cannulate the papilla, pancreatic duct, and common bile duct; and number of contrast injections and complications. Subjects assessed simulator graphics, procedural accuracy, difficulty, haptics, overall realism, and training potential. Only when performance data from cases A and B were combined did the GI Mentor II differentiate novices and experts based on times to complete the procedure, reach the papilla, and use fluoroscopy. Across skill levels, overall opinions were similar regarding graphics (moderately realistic), accuracy (similar to clinical ERCP), difficulty (similar to clinical ERCP), overall realism (moderately realistic), and haptics. Most participants (92%) claimed that the simulator has definite training potential or should be required for training. Small sample size, single institution. The GI Mentor II demonstrated construct validity for ERCP based on select metrics. Most subjects thought that the simulated graphics, procedural accuracy, and overall realism exhibit face validity. Subjects deemed it a useful training tool. Study repetition involving more participants and cases may help confirm results and establish the simulator's ability to differentiate skill levels based on ERCP-specific metrics.

Face and content validation of a virtual reality temporal bone simulator.

PubMed

Arora, Asit; Khemani, Sam; Tolley, Neil; Singh, Arvind; Budge, James; Varela, David A Diaz Voss; Francis, Howard W; Darzi, Ara; Bhatti, Nasir I

2012-03-01

To validate the VOXEL-MAN TempoSurg simulator for temporal bone dissection. Prospective international study. Otolaryngology departments of 2 academic health care institutions in the United Kingdom and United States. Eighty-five subjects were recruited consisting of an experienced and referent group. Participants performed a standardized familiarization session and temporal bone dissection task. Realism, training effectiveness, and global impressions were evaluated across 21 domains using a 5-point Likert-type scale. A score of 4 was the minimum threshold for acceptability. The experienced group comprised 25 otolaryngology trainers who had performed 150 mastoid operations. The referent group comprised 60 trainees (mean otolaryngology experience of 2.9 years). Familiarization took longer in the experienced group (P = .01). User-friendliness was positively rated (mean score 4.1). Seventy percent of participants rated anatomical appearance as acceptable. Trainers rated drill ergonomics worse than did trainees (P = .01). Simulation temporal bone training scored highly (mean score 4.3). Surgical anatomy, drill navigation, and hand-eye coordination accounted for this. Trainees were more likely to recommend temporal bone simulation to a colleague than were trainers (P = .01). Transferability of skills to the operating room was undecided (mean score 3.5). Realism of the VOXEL-MAN virtual reality temporal bone simulator is suboptimal in its current version. Nonetheless, it represents a useful adjunct to existing training methods and is particularly beneficial for novice surgeons before performing cadaveric temporal bone dissection. Improvements in realism, specifically drill ergonomics and visual-spatial perception during deeper temporal bone dissection, are warranted.

Realism, positivism, instrumentalism, and quantum geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prugovečki, Eduard

1992-02-01

The roles of classical realism, logical positivism, and pragmatic instrumentalism in the shaping of fundamental ideas in quantum physics are examined in the light of some recent historical and sociological studies of the factors that influenced their development. It is shown that those studies indicate that the conventionalistic form of instrumentalism that has dominated all the major post-World War II developments in quantum physics is not an outgrowth of the Copenhagen school, and that despite the “schism” in twentieth century physics created by the Bohr-Einstein “disagreements” on foundational issues in quantum theory, both their philosophical stands were very much opposed to those of conventionalistic instrumentalism. Quotations from the writings of Dirac, Heisenberg, Popper, Russell, and other influential thinkers, are provided, illustrating the fact that, despite the various divergencies in their opinions, they all either opposed the instrumentalist concept of “truth” in general, or its conventionalistic version in post-World War II quantum physics in particular. The basic epistemic ideas of a quantum geometry approach to quantum physics are reviewed and discussed from the point of view of a quantum realism that seeks to reconcile Bohr's “positivism” with Einstein's “realism” by emphasizing the existence of an underlying quantum reality, in which they both believed. This quantum geometry framework seeks to introduce geometro-stochastic concepts that are specifically designed for the systematic description of that underlying quantum reality, by developing the conceptual and mathematical tools that are most appropriate for such a use.

Improved estimation of sediment source contributions by concentration-dependent Bayesian isotopic mixing model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ram Upadhayay, Hari; Bodé, Samuel; Griepentrog, Marco; Bajracharya, Roshan Man; Blake, Will; Cornelis, Wim; Boeckx, Pascal

2017-04-01

The implementation of compound-specific stable isotope (CSSI) analyses of biotracers (e.g. fatty acids, FAs) as constraints on sediment-source contributions has become increasingly relevant to understand the origin of sediments in catchments. The CSSI fingerprinting of sediment utilizes CSSI signature of biotracer as input in an isotopic mixing model (IMM) to apportion source soil contributions. So far source studies relied on the linear mixing assumptions of CSSI signature of sources to the sediment without accounting for potential effects of source biotracer concentration. Here we evaluated the effect of FAs concentration in sources on the accuracy of source contribution estimations in artificial soil mixture of three well-separated land use sources. Soil samples from land use sources were mixed to create three groups of artificial mixture with known source contributions. Sources and artificial mixture were analysed for δ13C of FAs using gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The source contributions to the mixture were estimated using with and without concentration-dependent MixSIAR, a Bayesian isotopic mixing model. The concentration-dependent MixSIAR provided the closest estimates to the known artificial mixture source contributions (mean absolute error, MAE = 10.9%, and standard error, SE = 1.4%). In contrast, the concentration-independent MixSIAR with post mixing correction of tracer proportions based on aggregated concentration of FAs of sources biased the source contributions (MAE = 22.0%, SE = 3.4%). This study highlights the importance of accounting the potential effect of a source FA concentration for isotopic mixing in sediments that adds realisms to mixing model and allows more accurate estimates of contributions of sources to the mixture. The potential influence of FA concentration on CSSI signature of sediments is an important underlying factor that determines whether the isotopic signature of a given source is observable even after equilibrium. Therefore inclusion of FA concentrations of the sources in the IMM formulation is standard procedure for accurate estimation of source contributions. The post model correction approach that dominates the CSSI fingerprinting causes bias, especially if the FAs concentration of sources differs substantially.

On the Horn Effect of a Tyre/road Interface, Part i: Experiment and Computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graf, R. A. G.; Kuo, C.-Y.; Dowling, A. P.; Graham, W. R.

2002-09-01

Near the tyre/road contact area, the road surface and the tyre belt form a horn-like geometry, which provides a significant amplification mechanism for sound sources. Measurements have been carried out on a stationary tyre placed on a plane surface in an otherwise anechoic chamber. Following the reciprocal theorem a microphone was placed in the road surface near the contact patch and a white noise source was used in the far field. The amplification by the horn effect can then be determined as a function of frequency for an array of microphone positions relative to the contact patch and the centre of the tyre. These experimental measurements show that the horn effect is responsible for about 10-20dB increase in noise level. The amplification function shows a distinct interference pattern for higher frequencies and is independent of the longitudinal source position for low frequencies and source positions close to the contact patch. Numerical calculations using the indirect boundary element method have been carried out. These show excellent agreement with the measurements in the frequency regime of the BEM, i.e., up to 2500 Hz. The dependence of the horn effect on primary geometrical parameters such as the effect of the radius of curvature of the shoulders, the load and the width of the tyre has been investigated experimentally and numerically. The broad features of the horn effect are given by the cylindrical geometry of the tyre. The rounded edges of the tyre tend to increase the levels of the minima and shift them to higher frequencies, while slightly decreasing the levels of the maxima. Shape variations due to load can be accounted for by correcting the source distance to the edge of the formed contact patch. The amplification at low frequencies increases with width, the results collapsing onto a single curve as a function of the dimensionless width ω / λ.

Note: A rectangular pulse generator for 50 kV voltage, 0.8 ns rise time, and 10 ns pulse width based on polymer-film switch.

PubMed

Wu, Hanyu; Zhang, Xinjun; Sun, Tieping; Zeng, Zhengzhong; Cong, Peitian; Zhang, Shaoguo

2015-10-01

In this article, we describe a rectangular pulse generator, consisting of a polymer-film switch, a tri-plate transmission line, and parallel post-shaped ceramic resistor load, for 50-kV voltage, 0.8-ns rise time, and 10-ns width. The switch and resistors are arranged in atmospheric air and the transmission line can work in atmospheric air or in transformer oil to change the pulse width from 6.7 ns to 10 ns. The fast switching and low-inductance characteristics of the polymer-film switch ensure the fast rising wavefront of <1 ns. This generator can be applied in the calibration of nanosecond voltage dividers and used for electromagnetic pulse tests as a fast-rising current injection source.

Initial design of 12S-10P outer-rotor field excitation flux switching motor with different rotor width

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othman, Syed Muhammad Naufal bin Syed; Sulaiman, Erwan bin; Husin, Zhafir Aizat; Khan, Faisal; Mazlan, Mohamed Mubin Aizat

2015-05-01

This paper proposes an initial design of 12 slot, 10 pole outer-rotor field-excitation flux switching motor (FEFSM) with two different rotor width based from 2 different formula to design the rotor width. Hence, initial design include the three coil test to determine the U, W, V-phase, the flux strengthening and weakening, flux at various armature coil and field-excitation coil current, and finally the torque at various JA and JE. As for the materials, the stator and rotor consists of steel sheets made of electromagnetic steels, copper for armature coils and field excitation coils as the only field for magnetic flux source. There will be some design specification and restriction on outer-rotor FEFSM based on 2D-Finite Element Analysis will be applied to design the proposed machine.

A review of vegetated buffers and a meta-analysis of their mitigation efficacy in reducing non-point source pollution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, X.; Liu, X.; Zhang, M.; Dahlgren, R. A.; Eitzel, M.

2009-12-01

Vegetated buffers are a well-studied and widely used agricultural management practice for reducing non-point source pollution. A wealth of literature provides experimental data on their mitigation efficacy. This paper aggregated many of these results and performed a meta-analysis to quantify the relationships between pollutant removal efficacy and buffer width, buffer slope, soil type, and vegetation type. Theoretical models for removal efficacy (Y) vs. buffer width (w) were derived and tested against data from the surveyed literature using statistical analyses. A model of the form Y = K x (1-exp(-b x w) , (0< K <= 100) successfully captured the relationship between buffer width and pollutant removal, where K reflects the maximum removal efficacy of the buffer and b reflects its probability to remove any single particle of pollutant in a unit distance. The estimates of K were 90.9, 93.2, 92.0, and 89.5 for sediment, pesticides, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), respectively. Buffer width alone explains 37, 60, 44 and 35% of the total variance in removal efficacy for sediment, pesticides, N and P, respectively. Buffer slope was linearly associated with sediment removal efficacy either positively (when slope ≤ 10%) or negatively (when slope > 10%). Buffers composed of trees have higher N and P removal efficacy than buffers composed of grasses or mixtures of grasses and trees. Soil drainage type did not show a significant effect on pollutant removal efficacy. Models for all the studied pollutants were statistically significant with P-values < 0.001. Based on our analysis, a 30 m buffer under favorable slope conditions (≈ 10%) removes over 85% of all the studied pollutants. These models predicting optimal buffer width/slope can be instrumental in the design, implementation and modeling of vegetated buffers for treating agricultural runoff.

Emission Characteristics of Laser-Induced Plasma Using Collinear Long and Short Dual-Pulse Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).

PubMed

Wang, Zhenzhen; Deguchi, Yoshihiro; Liu, Renwei; Ikutomo, Akihiro; Zhang, Zhenzhen; Chong, Daotong; Yan, Junjie; Liu, Jiping; Shiou, Fang-Jung

2017-09-01

Collinear long and short dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (DP-LIBS) was employed to clarify the emission characteristics from laser-induced plasma. The plasma was sustained and became stable by the long pulse-width laser with the pulse width of 60 μs under free running (FR) conditions as an external energy source. Comparing the measurement results of stainless steel in air using single-pulse LIBS (SP-LIBS) and DP-LIBS, the emission intensity was markedly enhanced using DP-LIBS. The temperature of plasma induced by DP-LIBS was maintained at a higher temperature under different gate delay time and short pulse-width laser power conditions compared with those measured using short SP-LIBS. Moreover, the variation rates of plasma temperatures measured using DP-LIBS were also lower. The superior detection ability was verified by the measurement of aluminum sample in water. The spectra were clearly detected using DP-LIBS, whereas it cannot be identified using SP-LIBS of short and long pulse widths. The effects of gate delay time and short pulse-width laser power were also discussed. These results demonstrate the feasibility and enhanced detection ability of the proposed collinear long and short DP-LIBS method.

Beam propagation factor of partially coherent flat-topped beams in a turbulent atmosphere.

PubMed

Dan, Youquan; Zhang, Bin

2008-09-29

The Wigner distribution function (WDF) has been used to study the beam propagation factor (M(2)-factor) for partially coherent flat-topped (PCFT) beams with circular symmetry in a turbulent atmosphere. Based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle and the definition of the WDF, an expression for the WDF of PCFT beams in turbulence has been given. By use of the second-order moments of the WDF, the analytical formulas for the root-mean-square (rms) spatial width, the rms angular width, and the M(2)-factor of PCFT beams in turbulence have been derived, which can be applied to cases of different spatial power spectra of the refractive index fluctuations. The rms angular width and the M(2)-factor of PCFT beams in turbulence have been discussed with numerical examples. It can be shown that the M(2)-factor of PCFT beams in turbulence depends on the beam order, degree of global coherence of the source, waist width, wavelength, spatial power spectrum of the refractive index fluctuations, and propagation distance.

Control of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser-plasma accelerators with adjustable shock density profile

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

Tsai, Hai-En; Swanson, Kelly K.; Barber, Sam K.

The injection physics in a shock-induced density down-ramp injector was characterized, demonstrating precise control of a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). Using a jet-blade assembly, experiments systematically v aried the shock injector profile, including shock angle, shock position, up-ramp width, and acceleration length. Our work demonstrates that beam energy, energy spread, and pointing can be controlled by adjusting these parameters. As a result, an electron beam that was highly tunable from 25 to 300 MeV with 8% energy spread (ΔE FWHM/E), 1.5 mrad divergence, and 0.35 mrad pointing fluctuation was produced. Particle-in-cell simulation characterized how variation in the shock angle and up-rampmore » width impacted the injection process. This highly controllable LPA represents a suitable, compact electron beam source for LPA applications such as Thomson sources and free-electron lasers.« less

Control of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser-plasma accelerators with adjustable shock density profile

DOE PAGES

Tsai, Hai-En; Swanson, Kelly K.; Barber, Sam K.; ...

2018-04-13

The injection physics in a shock-induced density down-ramp injector was characterized, demonstrating precise control of a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). Using a jet-blade assembly, experiments systematically v aried the shock injector profile, including shock angle, shock position, up-ramp width, and acceleration length. Our work demonstrates that beam energy, energy spread, and pointing can be controlled by adjusting these parameters. As a result, an electron beam that was highly tunable from 25 to 300 MeV with 8% energy spread (ΔE FWHM/E), 1.5 mrad divergence, and 0.35 mrad pointing fluctuation was produced. Particle-in-cell simulation characterized how variation in the shock angle and up-rampmore » width impacted the injection process. This highly controllable LPA represents a suitable, compact electron beam source for LPA applications such as Thomson sources and free-electron lasers.« less

Current conduction in junction gate field effect transistors. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, C.

1970-01-01

The internal physical mechanism that governs the current conduction in junction-gate field effect transistors is studied. A numerical method of analyzing the devices with different length-to-width ratios and doping profiles is developed. This method takes into account the two dimensional character of the electric field and the field dependent mobility. Application of the method to various device models shows that the channel width and the carrier concentration in the conductive channel decrease with increasing drain-to-source voltage for conventional devices. It also shows larger differential drain conductances for shorter devices when the drift velocity is not saturated. The interaction of the source and the drain gives the carrier accumulation in the channel which leads to the space-charge-limited current flow. The important parameters for the space-charge-limited current flow are found to be the L/L sub DE ratio and the crossover voltage.

FPGA Techniques Based New Hybrid Modulation Strategies for Voltage Source Inverters

PubMed Central

Sudha, L. U.; Baskaran, J.; Elankurisil, S. A.

2015-01-01

This paper corroborates three different hybrid modulation strategies suitable for single-phase voltage source inverter. The proposed method is formulated using fundamental switching and carrier based pulse width modulation methods. The main tale of this proposed method is to optimize a specific performance criterion, such as minimization of the total harmonic distortion (THD), lower order harmonics, switching losses, and heat losses. The proposed method is articulated using fundamental switching and carrier based pulse width modulation methods. Thus, the harmonic pollution in the power system will be reduced and the power quality will be augmented with better harmonic profile for a target fundamental output voltage. The proposed modulation strategies are simulated in MATLAB r2010a and implemented in a Xilinx spartan 3E-500 FG 320 FPGA processor. The feasibility of these modulation strategies is authenticated through simulation and experimental results. PMID:25821852

Control of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser-plasma accelerators with adjustable shock density profile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Hai-En; Swanson, Kelly K.; Barber, Sam K.; Lehe, Remi; Mao, Hann-Shin; Mittelberger, Daniel E.; Steinke, Sven; Nakamura, Kei; van Tilborg, Jeroen; Schroeder, Carl; Esarey, Eric; Geddes, Cameron G. R.; Leemans, Wim

2018-04-01

The injection physics in a shock-induced density down-ramp injector was characterized, demonstrating precise control of a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). Using a jet-blade assembly, experiments systematically varied the shock injector profile, including shock angle, shock position, up-ramp width, and acceleration length. Our work demonstrates that beam energy, energy spread, and pointing can be controlled by adjusting these parameters. As a result, an electron beam that was highly tunable from 25 to 300 MeV with 8% energy spread (ΔEFWHM/E), 1.5 mrad divergence, and 0.35 mrad pointing fluctuation was produced. Particle-in-cell simulation characterized how variation in the shock angle and up-ramp width impacted the injection process. This highly controllable LPA represents a suitable, compact electron beam source for LPA applications such as Thomson sources and free-electron lasers.

Sol-gel coated ion sources for liquid chromatography-direct electron ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Riboni, Nicolò; Magrini, Laura; Bianchi, Federica; Careri, Maria; Cappiello, Achille

2017-07-25

Advances in interfacing liquid chromatography and electron ionization mass spectrometry are presented. New ion source coatings synthesized by sol-gel technology were developed and tested as vaporization surfaces in terms of peak intensity, peak width and peak delay for the liquid chromatography-direct electron ionization mass spectrometry (Direct-EI) determination of environmental pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and steroids. Silica-, titania-, and zirconia-based coatings were sprayed inside the stainless steel ion source and characterized in terms of thermal stability, film thickness and morphology. Negligible weight losses until 350-400 °C were observed for all the materials, with coating thicknesses in the 6 (±1)-11 (±2) μm range for optimal ionization process. The best performances in terms of both peak intensity and peak width were obtained by using the silica-based coating: the detection of the investigated compounds was feasible at low ng μl -1 levels with a good precision (RSD < 9% for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and <11% for hormones). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Source Correlations on the Spectrum of Radiated Fields

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

media. When the refractive index n(co) is nearly constant over the source spectral width, the medium acts as a non- dispersive homogeneous medium of...constant refractive index no = n(w0 ), where o is the central frequency of the source spectrum. We will consider the non- dispersive case first. It is...in free space (a), for propagation in a homogeneous medium of an index of refraction n((o) = 1.5 (b) and for propagation in a medium of index of

The UF family of reference hybrid phantoms for computational radiation dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Choonsik; Lodwick, Daniel; Hurtado, Jorge; Pafundi, Deanna; Williams, Jonathan L.; Bolch, Wesley E.

2010-01-01

Computational human phantoms are computer models used to obtain dose distributions within the human body exposed to internal or external radiation sources. In addition, they are increasingly used to develop detector efficiencies for in vivo whole-body counters. Two classes of computational human phantoms have been widely utilized for dosimetry calculation: stylized and voxel phantoms that describe human anatomy through mathematical surface equations and 3D voxel matrices, respectively. Stylized phantoms are flexible in that changes to organ position and shape are possible given avoidance of region overlap, while voxel phantoms are typically fixed to a given patient anatomy, yet can be proportionally scaled to match individuals of larger or smaller stature, but of equivalent organ anatomy. Voxel phantoms provide much better anatomical realism as compared to stylized phantoms which are intrinsically limited by mathematical surface equations. To address the drawbacks of these phantoms, hybrid phantoms based on non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) surfaces have been introduced wherein anthropomorphic flexibility and anatomic realism are both preserved. Researchers at the University of Florida have introduced a series of hybrid phantoms representing the ICRP Publication 89 reference newborn, 15 year, and adult male and female. In this study, six additional phantoms are added to the UF family of hybrid phantoms—those of the reference 1 year, 5 year and 10 year child. Head and torso CT images of patients whose ages were close to the targeted ages were obtained under approved protocols. Major organs and tissues were segmented from these images using an image processing software, 3D-DOCTOR™. NURBS and polygon mesh surfaces were then used to model individual organs and tissues after importing the segmented organ models to the 3D NURBS modeling software, Rhinoceros™. The phantoms were matched to four reference datasets: (1) standard anthropometric data, (2) reference organ masses from ICRP Publication 89, (3) reference elemental compositions provided in ICRP 89 as well as ICRU Report 46, and (4) reference data on the alimentary tract organs given in ICRP Publications 89 and 100. Various adjustments and refinements to the organ systems of the previously described newborn, 15 year and adult phantoms are also presented. The UF series of hybrid phantoms retain the non-uniform scalability of stylized phantoms while maintaining the anatomical realism of patient-specific voxel phantoms with respect to organ shape, depth and inter-organ distance. While the final versions of these phantoms are in a voxelized format for radiation transport simulation, their primary format is given as NURBS and polygon mesh surfaces, thus permitting one to sculpt non-reference phantoms using the reference phantoms as an anatomic template.

Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation control of an AC induction motor

DOEpatents

Geppert, Steven; Slicker, James M.

1984-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a micro-processor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .THETA., where .THETA. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands of electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a "flyback" DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Blazars equivalent widths and radio luminosity (Landt+, 2004)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landt, H.; Padovani, P.; Perlman, E. S.; Giommi, P.

2004-07-01

Blazars are currently separated into BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs) and flat spectrum radio quasars based on the strength of their emission lines. This is performed rather arbitrarily by defining a diagonal line in the Ca H&K break value-equivalent width plane, following Marcha et al. (1996MNRAS.281..425M). We readdress this problem and put the classification scheme for blazars on firm physical grounds. We study ~100 blazars and radio galaxies from the Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS, Cat. and ) and 2-Jy radio survey and find a significant bimodality for the narrow emission line [OIII]{lambda}5007. This suggests the presence of two physically distinct classes of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN). We show that all radio-loud AGN, blazars and radio galaxies, can be effectively separated into weak- and strong-lined sources using the [OIII]{lambda}5007-[OII]{lambda}3727 equivalent width plane. This plane allows one to disentangle orientation effects from intrinsic variations in radio-loud AGN. Based on DXRBS, the strongly beamed sources of the new class of weak-lined radio-loud AGN are made up of BL Lacs at the ~75 per cent level, whereas those of the strong-lined radio-loud AGN include mostly (~97 per cent) quasars. (4 data files).

Occurrence of riverine wetlands on floodplains along a climatic gradient

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kroes, D.E.; Brinson, M.M.

2004-01-01

The relation between the occurrence of riverine wetlands in floodplains along a humid to semi-arid climatic continuum was studied in two regions. The first included 36 mid-reach streams from Colorado to Iowa, USA, a region with a broad range of PET ratios (potential evapotranspiration/precipitation) from 0.70 to 1.75. The second region included 16 headwater streams in eastern North Carolina with PET ratios ranging from 0.67 to 0.83. Wetland boundaries were identified in the field along transects perpendicular to the floodplain. The width of jurisdictional wetlands was compared with flood-prone width (FPW) and expressed as a percent. An increase in PET ratio corresponded to an exponential decrease in the percentage of the FPW that is wetland. Soil texture, duration of overbank flow, and stream order did not correlate with percentage of FPW that was wetland. Streams with a PET ratio greater than 0.98 did not have wetlands associated with them. Greater channel cross-sectional areas correlated positively with greater wetland widths in both study regions. Overbank flow did not appear to contribute to wetland prevalence. Supplemental ground-water sources, however, as indicated by greater base flows, could not be ruled out as sources contributing to wetland occurrence. ?? 2004, The Society of Wetland Scientists.

Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation control of an AC induction motor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geppert, Steven (Inventor); Slicker, James M. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a micro-processor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .THETA., where .THETA. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands of electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a flyback DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

A kinematic/kinetic hybrid airplane simulator model : draft.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-01

A kinematics-based flight model, for normal flight : regimes, currently uses precise flight data to achieve a high : level of aircraft realism. However, it was desired to further : increase the models accuracy, without a substantial increase in : ...

A kinematic/kinetic hybrid airplane simulator model.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-01

A kinematics-based flight model, for normal flight : regimes, currently uses precise flight data to achieve a high : level of aircraft realism. However, it was desired to further : increase the models accuracy, without a substantial increase in : ...

Workstation Meets Playstation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salopek, Jennifer J.

1998-01-01

Discusses the use of simulation, a form of interactive multimedia training that re-creates the work environment to a degree of near realism, as a training method. Discusses the benefits of simulations and the cost and process of developing materials. (JOW)

Hope Less: How a Healthy Dose of Realism Can Help in the ICU.

PubMed

Reis, Elizabeth

2014-01-01

The author's father died recently after a sudden heart attack. This essay discusses how the family's experiences in the cardiac intensive care unit surprised her, even though she is a member of the Ethics Committee and the Ethics Consult Team at her local hospital, and how this led her to reconsider the ways in which families and hospital physicians communicate about the process of dying. How should doctors balance their messages of hope and realism when the situation is grim? Important judgment calls needed to be made, yet the family did not fully understand what they needed to know to make good decisions, especially the importance of the timing of their decisions. A conversation early on about what would happen if the patient became physically stable--no matter how impaired--while all options remained on the table might usefully (and mercifully) transform hope at the end.

Improving the physiological realism of experimental models

PubMed Central

Vinnakota, Kalyan C.; Cha, Chae Y.; Rorsman, Patrik; Balaban, Robert S.; La Gerche, Andre; Wade-Martins, Richard; Beard, Daniel A.

2016-01-01

The Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) project aims to develop integrative, explanatory and predictive computational models (C-Models) as numerical investigational tools to study disease, identify and design effective therapies and provide an in silico platform for drug screening. Ultimately, these models rely on the analysis and integration of experimental data. As such, the success of VPH depends on the availability of physiologically realistic experimental models (E-Models) of human organ function that can be parametrized to test the numerical models. Here, the current state of suitable E-models, ranging from in vitro non-human cell organelles to in vivo human organ systems, is discussed. Specifically, challenges and recent progress in improving the physiological realism of E-models that may benefit the VPH project are highlighted and discussed using examples from the field of research on cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. PMID:27051507

Einstein's ``Spooky Action at a Distance'' in the Light of Kant's Transcendental Doctrine of Space and Time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hacyan, Shahen

2006-11-01

Since the famous Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paper, it is clear that there is a serious incompatibility between local realism and quantum mechanics. Einstein believed that a complete quantum theory should be free of what he once called "spooky actions at distance". However, all experiments in quantum optics and atomic physics performed in the last two decades confirm the existence of quantum correlations that seem to contradict local realism. According to Bohr, the apparent contradictions disclose only the inadequacy of our customary concepts for the description of the quantum world. Are space and time such customary concepts? In this presentation, I argue that the Copenhagen interpretation is compatible with Kant's transcendental idealism and that, in particular, EPR type paradoxes are consistent with Kant's transcendental aesthetics, according to which space and time have no objective reality but are pure forms of sensible intuition.

For or against structural realism? A verdict from high energy physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nounou, Antigone M.

2015-02-01

When it comes to supporting the main ontic structural realist thesis, that we are better off with a metaphysics purged of objects, its proponents have to meet several challenges, three of which are to ensure that objects can be recast in terms of structure alone at both the level of theory and the level of ontology, to justify on physical grounds that structure exists in the world in a way that affects the goings-on in it, and to show that the relation between objects and structure is non-reciprocal, so that structure is ontologically prior to objects but not the converse. Assuming-tacitly or explicitly-that the objects of physics can be thus recast using symmetry group structure, supporters of the thesis have, therefore, to meet the remaining challenges. The present paper discusses and contests two such attempts, which typify arguments in favor of ontic structural realism from high-energy physics.

Effects of realism on extended violent and nonviolent video game play on aggressive thoughts, feelings, and physiological arousal.

PubMed

Barlett, Christopher P; Rodeheffer, Christopher

2009-01-01

Previous research has shown that playing violent video game exposure can increase aggressive thoughts, aggressive feelings, and physiological arousal. This study compared the effects that playing a realistic violent, unrealistic violent, or nonviolent video game for 45 min has on such variables. For the purpose of this study, realism was defined as the probability of seeing an event in real life. Participants (N=74; 39 male, 35 female) played either a realistic violent, unrealistic violent, or nonviolent video game for 45 min. Aggressive thoughts and aggressive feelings were measured four times (every 15 min), whereas arousal was measured continuously. The results showed that, though playing any violent game stimulated aggressive thoughts, playing a more realistic violent game stimulated significantly more aggressive feelings and arousal over the course of play. Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The abundant world: Paul Feyerabend's metaphysics of science.

PubMed

Brown, Matthew J

2016-06-01

The goal of this paper is to provide an interpretation of Feyerabend's metaphysics of science as found in late works like Conquest of Abundance and Tyranny of Science. Feyerabend's late metaphysics consists of an attempt to criticize and provide a systematic alternative to traditional scientific realism, a package of views he sometimes referred to as "scientific materialism." Scientific materialism is objectionable not only on metaphysical grounds, nor because it provides a poor ground for understanding science, but because it implies problematic claims about the epistemic and cultural authority of science, claims incompatible with situating science properly in democratic societies. I show how Feyerabend's metaphysical view, which I call "the abundant world" or "abundant realism," constitute a sophisticated and challenging form of ontological pluralism that makes interesting connections with contemporary philosophy of science and issues of the political and policy role of science in a democratic society. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Scientist's Idealism Vs. User's Realism for Orthorectification of Full Radarsat-2/Compact RCM Polarimetric Data with DSM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toutin, Thierry; Wang, Huili; Charbonneau, Francois; Schmitt, Carla

2013-08-01

This paper presented two methods for the orthorectification of full/compact polarimetric SAR data: the polarimetric processing is performed in the image space (scientist's idealism) or in the ground space (user's realism) before or after the geometric processing, respectively. Radarsat-2 (R2) fine-quad and simulated very high-resolution RCM data acquired with different look angles over a hilly relief study site were processed using accurate lidar digital surface model. Quantitative evaluations between the two methods as a function of different geometric and radiometric parameters were performed to evaluate the impact during the orthorectification. The results demonstrated that the ground-space method can be safely applied to polarimetric R2 SAR data with an exception with the steep look angles and steep terrain slopes. On the other hand, the ground-space method cannot be applied to simulated compact RCM data due to 17dB noise floor and oversampling.

Controller for a High-Power, Brushless dc Motor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fleming, David J.; Makdad, Terence A.

1987-01-01

Driving and braking torques controllable. Control circuit operates 7-kW, 45-lb-ft (61-N-m), three-phase, brushless dc motor in both motor and generator modes. In motor modes, energy from power source is pulse-width modulated to motor through modified "H-bridge" circuit, in generator mode, energy from motor is pulse-width modulated into bank of load resistors to provide variable braking torques. Circuit provides high-resolution torque control in both directions over wide range of speeds and torques. Tested successfully at bus voltages up to 200 Vdc and currents up to 45 A.

IR luminescence of tellurium-doped silica-based optical fibre

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

Dianov, Evgenii M; Alyshev, S V; Shubin, Aleksei V

2012-03-31

Tellurium-doped germanosilicate fibre has been fabricated by the MCVD process. In contrast to Te-containing glasses studied earlier, it has a broad luminescence band (full width at half maximum of {approx}350 nm) centred at 1500 nm, with a lifetime of {approx}2 {mu}s. The luminescence of the fibre has been studied before and after gamma irradiation in a {sup 60}Co source to 309 and 992 kGy. The irradiation produced a luminescence band around 1100 nm, with a full width at half maximum of {approx}400 nm and lifetime of {approx}5 {mu}s. (letters)

Image improvement from a sodium-layer laser guide star adaptive optics system

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

Max, C. E., LLNL

1997-06-01

A sodium-layer laser guide star beacon with high-order adaptive optics at Lick Observatory produced a factor of 2.4 intensity increase and a factor of 2 decrease in full width at half maximum for an astronomical point source, compared with image motion compensation alone. Image full widths at half maximum were identical for laser and natural guide stars (0.3 arc seconds). The Strehl ratio with the laser guide star was 65% of that with a natural guide star. This technique should allow ground-based telescopes to attain the diffraction limit, by correcting for atmospheric distortions.

A fluid model for the edge pressure pedestal height and width in tokamaks based on the transport constraint of particle, energy, and momentum balance

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

Stacey, W. M., E-mail: weston.stacey@nre.gatech.edu

2016-06-15

A fluid model for the tokamak edge pressure profile required by the conservation of particles, momentum and energy in the presence of specified heating and fueling sources and electromagnetic and geometric parameters has been developed. Kinetics effects of ion orbit loss are incorporated into the model. The use of this model as a “transport” constraint together with a “Peeling-Ballooning (P-B)” instability constraint to achieve a prediction of edge pressure pedestal heights and widths in future tokamaks is discussed.

Dynamic rupture scenarios from Sumatra to Iceland - High-resolution earthquake source physics on natural fault systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabriel, A. A.; Madden, E. H.; Ulrich, T.; Wollherr, S.

2016-12-01

Capturing the observed complexity of earthquake sources in dynamic rupture simulations may require: non-linear fault friction, thermal and fluid effects, heterogeneous fault stress and strength initial conditions, fault curvature and roughness, on- and off-fault non-elastic failure. All of these factors have been independently shown to alter dynamic rupture behavior and thus possibly influence the degree of realism attainable via simulated ground motions. In this presentation we will show examples of high-resolution earthquake scenarios, e.g. based on the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake and a potential rupture of the Husavik-Flatey fault system in Northern Iceland. The simulations combine a multitude of representations of source complexity at the necessary spatio-temporal resolution enabled by excellent scalability on modern HPC systems. Such simulations allow an analysis of the dominant factors impacting earthquake source physics and ground motions given distinct tectonic settings or distinct focuses of seismic hazard assessment. Across all simulations, we find that fault geometry concurrently with the regional background stress state provide a first order influence on source dynamics and the emanated seismic wave field. The dynamic rupture models are performed with SeisSol, a software package based on an ADER-Discontinuous Galerkin scheme for solving the spontaneous dynamic earthquake rupture problem with high-order accuracy in space and time. Use of unstructured tetrahedral meshes allows for a realistic representation of the non-planar fault geometry, subsurface structure and bathymetry. The results presented highlight the fact that modern numerical methods are essential to further our understanding of earthquake source physics and complement both physic-based ground motion research and empirical approaches in seismic hazard analysis.

Dynamic rupture scenarios from Sumatra to Iceland - High-resolution earthquake source physics on natural fault systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabriel, Alice-Agnes; Madden, Elizabeth H.; Ulrich, Thomas; Wollherr, Stephanie

2017-04-01

Capturing the observed complexity of earthquake sources in dynamic rupture simulations may require: non-linear fault friction, thermal and fluid effects, heterogeneous fault stress and fault strength initial conditions, fault curvature and roughness, on- and off-fault non-elastic failure. All of these factors have been independently shown to alter dynamic rupture behavior and thus possibly influence the degree of realism attainable via simulated ground motions. In this presentation we will show examples of high-resolution earthquake scenarios, e.g. based on the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake, the 1994 Northridge earthquake and a potential rupture of the Husavik-Flatey fault system in Northern Iceland. The simulations combine a multitude of representations of source complexity at the necessary spatio-temporal resolution enabled by excellent scalability on modern HPC systems. Such simulations allow an analysis of the dominant factors impacting earthquake source physics and ground motions given distinct tectonic settings or distinct focuses of seismic hazard assessment. Across all simulations, we find that fault geometry concurrently with the regional background stress state provide a first order influence on source dynamics and the emanated seismic wave field. The dynamic rupture models are performed with SeisSol, a software package based on an ADER-Discontinuous Galerkin scheme for solving the spontaneous dynamic earthquake rupture problem with high-order accuracy in space and time. Use of unstructured tetrahedral meshes allows for a realistic representation of the non-planar fault geometry, subsurface structure and bathymetry. The results presented highlight the fact that modern numerical methods are essential to further our understanding of earthquake source physics and complement both physic-based ground motion research and empirical approaches in seismic hazard analysis.

Errors in Martian paleodischarges skew interpretations of hydrologic history: Case study of the Aeolis Dorsa, Mars, with insights from the Quinn River, NV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobsen, Robert E.; Burr, Devon M.

2018-03-01

Changes in Martian fluvial geomorphology with time-stratigraphic age, including decreases in paleochannel widths, suggest waning paleodischarges through time. Where fluvial landforms do not preserve paleochannel widths (e.g., meander deposits), other landform dimensions (i.e., radius of curvature) may be used to estimate paleodischarges. In the Aeolis Dorsa region, topographically inverted and stacked fluvial deposits - wide meander point bars overlain by thin channel fills - preserve ostensible evidence of decreasing paleodischarges through time. However, a robust paleohydraulic analysis of these distinct deposits requires knowledge of the accuracy of a terrestrial-based empirical relationship that estimates channel width from point-bar radius of curvature. We assess the accuracy of this radius-width relationship by applying it to a well-studied terrestrial analog, the Quinn River, Nevada. We find that radii of curvature from the Quinn River exceed the values predicted from the empirical relationship. These anomalously high radii are associated with greater resistance in the channel cut banks, indicating that bank strength is a confounding factor in the radius-width relationship. Some deposits in the Aeolis Dorsa include irregular meander morphologies, suggesting variably resistant channel banks and overestimates of both paleochannel widths and paleodischarges. Furthermore, the morphometry of the overlying thin channel fills suggests their widths have been eroded, such that their paleodischarges are underestimates. These overestimates and underestimates, when considered together, suggest little change in paleodischarge during the stratigraphic transition from meander deposits to channel fills. This work demonstrates the importance of terrestrial analog studies for revealing confounding factors in Martian fluvial systems and cautions against simplistic interpretations of Martian fluvial history. The discovered inaccuracies of paleodischarge estimates expose sources of uncertainty in the extant paleodischarge data that bias inferences toward waning hydrologic activity through time.

Perceived realism moderates the relation between sexualized media consumption and permissive sexual attitudes in Dutch adolescents.

PubMed

Baams, Laura; Overbeek, Geertjan; Dubas, Judith Semon; Doornwaard, Suzan M; Rommes, Els; van Aken, Marcel A G

2015-04-01

This study examined whether the development of sexualized media consumption and permissive sexual attitudes would be more strongly interrelated when adolescents perceived sexualized media images as highly realistic. We used data from a three-wave longitudinal sample of 444 Dutch adolescents aged 13-16 years at baseline. Results from parallel process latent growth modeling multigroup analyses showed that higher initial levels of sexualized media consumption were associated with higher initial level of permissive sexual attitudes. Moreover, increases of sexualized media consumption over time were associated with increases of permissive sexual attitudes over time. Considering the moderation by perceived realism, we found these effects only for those who perceived sexualized media as more realistic. Findings for male and female adolescents were similar except for the relations between initial levels and subsequent development. Among male adolescents who perceived sexualized media images to be realistic, higher initial levels of permissive sexual attitudes were related to subsequent less rapid development of sexualized media consumption. For male adolescents who perceived sexualized media to be less realistic, higher initial levels of sexualized media consumption were related to a subsequent less rapid development of permissive sexual attitudes. These relations were not found for female adolescents. Overall, our results suggest that, in male and female adolescents, those with a high level of perceived realism showed a correlated development of sexualized media consumption and permissive sexual attitudes. These findings point to a need for extended information on how to guide adolescents in interpreting and handling sexualized media in everyday life.

Time Perception and Depressive Realism: Judgment Type, Psychophysical Functions and Bias

PubMed Central

Kornbrot, Diana E.; Msetfi, Rachel M.; Grimwood, Melvyn J.

2013-01-01

The effect of mild depression on time estimation and production was investigated. Participants made both magnitude estimation and magnitude production judgments for five time intervals (specified in seconds) from 3 sec to 65 sec. The parameters of the best fitting psychophysical function (power law exponent, intercept, and threshold) were determined individually for each participant in every condition. There were no significant effects of mood (high BDI, low BDI) or judgment (estimation, production) on the mean exponent, n = .98, 95% confidence interval (.96–1.04) or on the threshold. However, the intercept showed a ‘depressive realism’ effect, where high BDI participants had a smaller deviation from accuracy and a smaller difference between estimation and judgment than low BDI participants. Accuracy bias was assessed using three measures of accuracy: difference, defined as psychological time minus physical time, ratio, defined as psychological time divided by physical time, and a new logarithmic accuracy measure defined as ln (ratio). The ln (ratio) measure was shown to have approximately normal residuals when subjected to a mixed ANOVA with mood as a between groups explanatory factor and judgment and time category as repeated measures explanatory factors. The residuals of the other two accuracy measures flagrantly violated normality. The mixed ANOVAs of accuracy also showed a strong depressive realism effect, just like the intercepts of the psychophysical functions. There was also a strong negative correlation between estimation and production judgments. Taken together these findings support a clock model of time estimation, combined with additional cognitive mechanisms to account for the depressive realism effect. The findings also suggest strong methodological recommendations. PMID:23990960

Energy-time entanglement, elements of reality, and local realism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jogenfors, Jonathan; Larsson, Jan-Åke

2014-10-01

The Franson interferometer, proposed in 1989 (Franson 1989 Phys. Rev. Lett. 62 2205-08), beautifully shows the counter-intuitive nature of light. The quantum description predicts sinusoidal interference for specific outcomes of the experiment, and these predictions can be verified in experiment. In the spirit of Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen it is possible to ask if the quantum-mechanical description (of this setup) can be considered complete. This question will be answered in detail in this paper, by delineating the quite complicated relation between energy-time entanglement experiments and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) elements of reality. The mentioned sinusoidal interference pattern is the same as that giving a violation in the usual Bell experiment. Even so, depending on the precise requirements made on the local realist model, this can imply (a) no violation, (b) smaller violation than usual, or (c) full violation of the appropriate statistical bound. Alternatives include (a) using only the measurement outcomes as EPR elements of reality, (b) using the emission time as EPR element of reality, (c) using path realism, or (d) using a modified setup. This paper discusses the nature of these alternatives and how to choose between them. The subtleties of this discussion needs to be taken into account when designing and setting up experiments intended to test local realism. Furthermore, these considerations are also important for quantum communication, for example in Bell-inequality-based quantum cryptography, especially when aiming for device independence. This article is part of a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical devoted to ‘50 years of Bell’s theorem’.

Utilising E-on Vue and Unity 3D scenes to generate synthetic images and videos for visible signature analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madden, Christopher S.; Richards, Noel J.; Culpepper, Joanne B.

2016-10-01

This paper investigates the ability to develop synthetic scenes in an image generation tool, E-on Vue, and a gaming engine, Unity 3D, which can be used to generate synthetic imagery of target objects across a variety of conditions in land environments. Developments within these tools and gaming engines have allowed the computer gaming industry to dramatically enhance the realism of the games they develop; however they utilise short cuts to ensure that the games run smoothly in real-time to create an immersive effect. Whilst these short cuts may have an impact upon the realism of the synthetic imagery, they do promise a much more time efficient method of developing imagery of different environmental conditions and to investigate the dynamic aspect of military operations that is currently not evaluated in signature analysis. The results presented investigate how some of the common image metrics used in target acquisition modelling, namely the Δμ1, Δμ2, Δμ3, RSS, and Doyle metrics, perform on the synthetic scenes generated by E-on Vue and Unity 3D compared to real imagery of similar scenes. An exploration of the time required to develop the various aspects of the scene to enhance its realism are included, along with an overview of the difficulties associated with trying to recreate specific locations as a virtual scene. This work is an important start towards utilising virtual worlds for visible signature evaluation, and evaluating how equivalent synthetic imagery is to real photographs.

Kinematic evaluation of virtual walking trajectories.

PubMed

Cirio, Gabriel; Olivier, Anne-Hélène; Marchal, Maud; Pettré, Julien

2013-04-01

Virtual walking, a fundamental task in Virtual Reality (VR), is greatly influenced by the locomotion interface being used, by the specificities of input and output devices, and by the way the virtual environment is represented. No matter how virtual walking is controlled, the generation of realistic virtual trajectories is absolutely required for some applications, especially those dedicated to the study of walking behaviors in VR, navigation through virtual places for architecture, rehabilitation and training. Previous studies focused on evaluating the realism of locomotion trajectories have mostly considered the result of the locomotion task (efficiency, accuracy) and its subjective perception (presence, cybersickness). Few focused on the locomotion trajectory itself, but in situation of geometrically constrained task. In this paper, we study the realism of unconstrained trajectories produced during virtual walking by addressing the following question: did the user reach his destination by virtually walking along a trajectory he would have followed in similar real conditions? To this end, we propose a comprehensive evaluation framework consisting on a set of trajectographical criteria and a locomotion model to generate reference trajectories. We consider a simple locomotion task where users walk between two oriented points in space. The travel path is analyzed both geometrically and temporally in comparison to simulated reference trajectories. In addition, we demonstrate the framework over a user study which considered an initial set of common and frequent virtual walking conditions, namely different input devices, output display devices, control laws, and visualization modalities. The study provides insight into the relative contributions of each condition to the overall realism of the resulting virtual trajectories.

Critical realism and psychiatric nursing: a philosophical inquiry.

PubMed

Littlejohn, Christopher

2003-09-01

There is a tension within contemporary psychiatric nursing between those who would embrace the knowledge and methods of psychiatry and psychology, and those who instead argue for the development of an autonomous nursing profession. This tension cannot be resolved by way of the underpinning philosophies of these positions, namely empiricism and idealism. Instead, critical realism, positioned between these philosophies offers a methodology through which to seek a new paradigm. This paper aims to determine whether psychiatric nursing has the potential to exist as an independent and autonomous profession, concerned with providing a helping response to those in mental distress. The paper asks critical realism's transcendental question in order to identify the a priori requirements of an autonomous psychiatric nursing, independent of both psychiatry and psychology. Consideration of these a priori requirements includes selected information from contemporary texts in order to identify potentially helpful nursing responses to mental distress, as opposed to the theorising that surrounds these helping responses. The theories of psychiatry and psychology are neither necessary nor sufficient in providing a foundation for an autonomous psychiatric nursing. While medications have an intrinsic helpfulness for some people, for some of their problems, for some of the time, this does not illuminate the causes of mental distress. There is an intrinsic helping response in human interpersonal communication, yet this is not specific to 'psychotherapy' and does not 'belong' solely to psychotherapists. Support is found for an autonomous and independent profession of psychiatric nursing, able to provide a helping response to those in mental distress independent of psychiatry and psychology.

A theoretical and experimental study of wood planer noise and its control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, J. S.

1972-01-01

A combined analytical and experimental study of wood planer noise is made and the results applied to the development of practical noise control techniques. The dominant mechanisms of sound generation are identified and an analysis is presented which accurately predicts the governing levels of noise emission. Planing operations in which the length of the board is much greater than the width are considered. The dominant source of planer noise is identified as the board being surfaced, which is set into vibration by the impact of cutterhead knives. This is determined from studies made both in the laboratory and in the field concerning the effect of board width on the resulting noise, which indicate a six decibel increase in noise level for each doubling of board width. The theoretical development of a model for board vibration defines the vibrational field set up in the board and serves as a guide for cutterhead redesign.

Computational see-through near-eye displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maimone, Andrew S.

See-through near-eye displays with the form factor and field of view of eyeglasses are a natural choice for augmented reality systems: the non-encumbering size enables casual and extended use and large field of view enables general-purpose spatially registered applications. However, designing displays with these attributes is currently an open problem. Support for enhanced realism through mutual occlusion and the focal depth cues is also not found in eyeglasses-like displays. This dissertation provides a new strategy for eyeglasses-like displays that follows the principles of computational displays, devices that rely on software as a fundamental part of image formation. Such devices allow more hardware simplicity and flexibility, showing greater promise of meeting form factor and field of view goals while enhancing realism. This computational approach is realized in two novel and complementary see-through near-eye display designs. The first subtractive approach filters omnidirectional light through a set of optimized patterns displayed on a stack of spatial light modulators, reproducing a light field corresponding to in-focus imagery. The design is thin and scales to wide fields of view; see-through is achieved with transparent components placed directly in front of the eye. Preliminary support for focal cues and environment occlusion is also demonstrated. The second additive approach uses structured point light illumination to form an image with a minimal set of rays. Each of an array of defocused point light sources is modulated by a region of a spatial light modulator, essentially encoding an image in the focal blur. See-through is also achieved with transparent components and thin form factors and wide fields of view (>= 100 degrees) are demonstrated. The designs are examined in theoretical terms, in simulation, and through prototype hardware with public demonstrations. This analysis shows that the proposed computational near-eye display designs offer a significantly different set of trade-offs than conventional optical designs. Several challenges remain to make the designs practical, most notably addressing diffraction limits.

Details for Manuscript Number: SSM-D-09-00651 R2 “Contemporary neuroscience in the media”

PubMed Central

Racine, Eric; Waldman, Sarah; Rosenberg, Jarett; Illes, Judy

2010-01-01

Technological innovations in neuroscience have opened new windows to the understanding of brain function and the neuronal underpinnings of brain activity in neuropsychiatric disorders and social behavior. Public interest and support for neuroscience research through initiatives like the Decade of the Brain project and increasingly diverse brain-related initiatives have created new interfaces between neuroscience and society. Against this backdrop of dynamic innovation, we set out to examine how different features of neuroscience are depicted in print media. We used the ‘guided news’ function of the LexisNexis Academic database with keyword searches to find news articles published between 1995 and 2004 in major U.S. and U.K. English-language news sources. We performed searches on headlines, lead paragraphs, and body terms to maximize search yields. All articles were coded for overall tone of coverage, details on reported studies, presence of ethical, legal, and social discussion as well as the emerging interpretations of neuroscience – in the form of neuro-essentialism, neuro-realism, and neuro-policy. We found that print media coverage of the use of neurotechnology for diagnosis or therapy in neuropsychiatric disorders was generally optimistic. We also found that, even within articles that were identified as research reports, many did not provide details about research studies. We also gained additional insights into the previously identified phenomena of neuro-essentialism, neuro-realism, and neuro-policy showing some profound impacts of neuroscience on personal identity and policy-making. Our results highlight the implications of transfer of neuroscience knowledge to society given the substantial and authoritative weight ascribed to neuroscience knowledge in defining who we are. We also discuss the impact of these findings on neuroscience and on the respective contributions of the social sciences and the biological sciences in contemporary psychiatry and mental health policy. PMID:20609506

Web-enabling Ecological Risk Assessment for Accessibility and Transparency

EPA Science Inventory

Ecological risk methods and tools are necessarily diverse to account for different combinations of receptors, exposure processes, effects estimation, and degree of conservatism/realism necessary to support chemical-based assessments. These tools have been continuously developed s...

Books to Help Kids Deal with Difficult Times, I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Norma

1987-01-01

An author of books for young adults discusses the need for realism in adolescent literature as a means of helping teenagers to cope with real problems and describes her most recent book, which deals with euthanasia. (CLB)

Not-Post-Peierls compatibility under noisy channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ducuara, Andrés F.; Susa, Cristian E.; Reina, John H.

2017-06-01

The Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph (PBR) theorem deals with the realism of the quantum states. It establishes that every pure quantum state is real, in the context of quantum ontological models. Specifically, by guaranteeing the property of not-Post-Peierls (\

New Integrated Video and Graphics Technology: Digital Video Interactive.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Optical Information Systems, 1987

1987-01-01

Describes digital video interactive (DVI), a new technology which combines the interactivity of the graphics capabilities in personal computers with the realism of high-quality motion video and multitrack audio in an all-digital integrated system. (MES)

Philosophical Confusion in Chemical Education Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scerri, Eric R.

2003-01-01

Presents the state of research in chemical education. Reviews the origins of chemical constructivism, behaviorism, and relativism. Discusses the differences between objectivism, realism, and positivism. Suggests remedies for chemical education research to become better acquainted with the philosophical position. (KHR)

Background derivation and image flattening: getimages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Men'shchikov, A.

2017-11-01

Modern high-resolution images obtained with space observatories display extremely strong intensity variations across images on all spatial scales. Source extraction in such images with methods based on global thresholding may bring unacceptably large numbers of spurious sources in bright areas while failing to detect sources in low-background or low-noise areas. It would be highly beneficial to subtract background and equalize the levels of small-scale fluctuations in the images before extracting sources or filaments. This paper describes getimages, a new method of background derivation and image flattening. It is based on median filtering with sliding windows that correspond to a range of spatial scales from the observational beam size up to a maximum structure width Xλ. The latter is a single free parameter of getimages that can be evaluated manually from the observed image ℐλ. The median filtering algorithm provides a background image \\tilde{Bλ} for structures of all widths below Xλ. The same median filtering procedure applied to an image of standard deviations 𝓓λ derived from a background-subtracted image \\tilde{Sλ} results in a flattening image \\tilde{Fλ}. Finally, a flattened detection image I{λD} = \\tilde{Sλ}/\\tilde{Fλ} is computed, whose standard deviations are uniform outside sources and filaments. Detecting sources in such greatly simplified images results in much cleaner extractions that are more complete and reliable. As a bonus, getimages reduces various observational and map-making artifacts and equalizes noise levels between independent tiles of mosaicked images.

Novel MSVPWM to reduce the inductor current ripple for Z-source inverter in electric vehicle applications.

PubMed

Zhang, Qianfan; Dong, Shuai; Xue, Ping; Zhou, Chaowei; Cheng, ShuKang

2014-01-01

A novel modified space vector pulse width modulation (MSVPWM) strategy for Z-Source inverter is presented. By rearranging the position of shoot-through states, the frequency of inductor current ripple is kept constant. Compared with existing MSVPWM strategies, the proposed approach can reduce the maximum inductor current ripple. So the volume of Z-source network inductor can be designed smaller, which brings the beneficial effect on the miniaturization of the electric vehicle controller. Theoretical findings in the novel MSVPWM for Z-Source inverter have been verified by experiment results.

Novel MSVPWM to Reduce the Inductor Current Ripple for Z-Source Inverter in Electric Vehicle Applications

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qianfan; Dong, Shuai; Xue, Ping; Zhou, Chaowei; Cheng, ShuKang

2014-01-01

A novel modified space vector pulse width modulation (MSVPWM) strategy for Z-Source inverter is presented. By rearranging the position of shoot-through states, the frequency of inductor current ripple is kept constant. Compared with existing MSVPWM strategies, the proposed approach can reduce the maximum inductor current ripple. So the volume of Z-source network inductor can be designed smaller, which brings the beneficial effect on the miniaturization of the electric vehicle controller. Theoretical findings in the novel MSVPWM for Z-Source inverter have been verified by experiment results. PMID:24883412

Simulations of Liners and Test Objects for a New Atlas Advanced Radiography Source

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

D. V. Morgan; S. Iversen; R. A. Hilko

2002-06-01

The Advanced Radiographic Source (ARS) will improve the data significantly due to its smaller source width. Because of the enhanced ARS output, larger source-to-object distances are a reality. The harder ARS source will allow radiography of thick high-Z targets. The five different spectral simulations resulted in similar imaging detector weighted transmission. This work used a limited set of test objects and imaging detectors. Other test objects and imaging detectors could possibly change the MVp-sensitivity result. The effect of material motion blur must be considered for the ARS due to the expected smaller X-ray source size. This study supports the originalmore » 1.5-MVp value.« less

Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of the Iris by Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in a Caucasian Population.

PubMed

Invernizzi, Alessandro; Giardini, Piero; Cigada, Mario; Viola, Francesco; Staurenghi, Giovanni

2015-07-01

We analyzed by swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-ASOCT) the three-dimensional iris morphology in a Caucasian population, and correlated the findings with iris color, iris sectors, subject age, and sex. One eye each from consecutive healthy emmetropic (refractive spherical equivalent ± 3 diopters) volunteers were selected for the study. The enrolled eye underwent standardized anterior segment photography to assess iris color. Iris images were assessed by SS-ASOCT for volume, thickness, width, and pupil size. Sectoral variations of morphometric data among the superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal sectors were recorded. A total of 135 eyes from 57 males and 78 females, age 49 ± 17 years, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All iris morphometric parameters varied significantly among the different sectors (all P < 0.0001). Iris total volume and thickness were significantly correlated with increasingly darker pigmentation (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0384, respectively). Neither width nor pupil diameter was influenced by iris color. Age did not affect iris volume or thickness; iris width increased and pupil diameter decreased with age (rs = 0.52, rs = -0.58, respectively). There was no effect of sex on iris volume, thickness, or pupil diameter; iris width was significantly greater in males (P = 0.007). Morphology of the iris varied by iris sector, and iris color was associated with differences in iris volume and thickness. Morphological parameter variations associated with iris color, sector, age, and sex can be used to identify pathological changes in suspect eyes. To be effective in clinical settings, construction of iris morphological databases for different ethnic and racial populations is essential.

An Early Historical Play: The "Seinte Resurreccion"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perry, Anne Amari

1978-01-01

Analyzes the realistic characterization and plot construction of an anonymously written medieval French play. The play, which relates the story of Christ's resurrection, achieves historical realism by replacing music and chant with dialogue, using a logical plot, and limiting historical anachronism. (AV)

CSSG: Interactive Realism in Graphics with Complex Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-28

period (April 22, 2009 to June 30, 2010): Greg Nichols, Jeremy Shopf, and Chris Wyman, "Hierarchical Image-Space Radiosity for Interactive...Image-Space Radiosity for Interactive Global Illumination," paper presentation at the Eurographics Symposium on Rendering. Girona, Spain. June

"Moral Realism" and Justness in War in Gregory of Tours'"Historia Francorum".

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reynolds, Burnam W.

1982-01-01

Examines how the concept of justness influenced the conduct of wars in the early Middle Ages. The author offers a new interpretation of Gregory of Tours' perspective on war as found in his "Historia Francorum." (AM)

A Dialectic for Network Centric Warfare

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

scientific realism through Salmon (1966), Popper (1934) and Kuhn (1962) to the epistemological anarchism of Feyerabend (1975). In this paper, we use an...Factors Society. Feyerabend , P. (1975), Against Method, Verso, London. Fischer, K., Muller, J.P. and Pischel, M. (1996). Cooperative

RESPONSE OF PLANT COMMUNITIES TO MULTIPLE STRESSES

EPA Science Inventory

Single species tests lack the ecological realism necessary to predict the effects of toxicants in natural environments. Field tests are expensive and the results can be difficult to interpret. To address these conflicting problems, open top chambers were modified to contain pla...

Celebrating Culturally Diverse Families (Bookalogues).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Labbo, Linda D.; Field, Sherry L.

1996-01-01

Presents brief descriptions of 25 children's books that will engage teachers and children in: appreciating cross-cultural and multicultural families; understanding nontraditional families; meeting intergenerational and extended families; dealing with cultural conflict through humor and realism; and enjoying feasts of language play and…

Decision Aiding in Europe: Assessment Report,

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-05-26

does not need extreme realism ; combined to yield an attractive index of rather, he needs a dynamic scene represen- mental workload. In the same...graphic functions but are multicriteria aspirations are often contra- not specifically European. Cinematic dictory and cannot be achieved simulta

Business Ownership and Management: An Overview.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olivas, Louis, Ed.

1990-01-01

Includes six articles: "Overview" (Olivas); "Preparing Women for Entrepreneurial Opportunities" (Ownby, Rhea); "The Business Plan: Key to Realism in Teaching Entrepreneurship" (Smith, Steward); "In Search of Praise" (Frame); "Communication and the Entrepreneur" (Inman); and "Preparing Potential Entrepreneurs for Tomorrow's World" (Clodfelter).…

ADDING ECOLOGICAL REALISM TO PLANT TESTING

EPA Science Inventory

Current test protocols for the protection of nontarget plants used when registering pesticides in the United States and many other countries depend on two tests using greenhouse grown, agricultural seedling plants. The seedling emergence and vegetative vigor tests are used to as...

Ultra-short ion and neutron pulse production

DOEpatents

Leung, Ka-Ngo; Barletta, William A.; Kwan, Joe W.

2006-01-10

An ion source has an extraction system configured to produce ultra-short ion pulses, i.e. pulses with pulse width of about 1 .mu.s or less, and a neutron source based on the ion source produces correspondingly ultra-short neutron pulses. To form a neutron source, a neutron generating target is positioned to receive an accelerated extracted ion beam from the ion source. To produce the ultra-short ion or neutron pulses, the apertures in the extraction system of the ion source are suitably sized to prevent ion leakage, the electrodes are suitably spaced, and the extraction voltage is controlled. The ion beam current leaving the source is regulated by applying ultra-short voltage pulses of a suitable voltage on the extraction electrode.

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

Shen, S; Meredith, R; Azure, M

Purpose: To support the phase I trial for toxicity, biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of intra-peritoneal (IP) 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab in patients with HER-2 expressing malignancy. A whole body gamma camera imaging method was developed for estimating amount of 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab left in the peritoneal cavity. Methods: {sup 212}Pb decays to {sup 212}Bi via beta emission. {sup 212}Bi emits an alpha particle at an average of 6.1 MeV. The 238.6 keV gamma ray with a 43.6% yield can be exploited for imaging. Initial phantom was made of saline bags with 212Pb. Images were collected for 238.6 keV with a medium energy general purpose collimator. Theremore » are other high energy gamma emissions (e.g. 511keV, 8%; 583 keV, 31%) that penetrate the septae of the collimator and contribute scatter into 238.6 keV. An upper scatter window was used for scatter correction for these high energy gammas. Results: A small source containing 212Pb can be easily visualized. Scatter correction on images of a small 212Pb source resulted in a ∼50% reduction in the full width at tenth maximum (FWTM), while change in full width at half maximum (FWHM) was <10%. For photopeak images, substantial scatter around phantom source extended to > 5 cm outside; scatter correction improved image contrast by removing this scatter around the sources. Patient imaging, in the 1st cohort (n=3) showed little redistribution of 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab out of the peritoneal cavity. Compared to the early post-treatment images, the 18-hour post-injection images illustrated the shift to more uniform anterior/posterior abdominal distribution and the loss of intensity due to radioactive decay. Conclusion: Use of medium energy collimator, 15% width of 238.6 keV photopeak, and a 7.5% upper scatter window is adequate for quantification of 212Pb radioactivity inside peritoneal cavity for alpha radioimmunotherapy of ovarian cancer. Research Support: AREVA Med, NIH 1UL1RR025777-01.« less

1030-nm diode-laser-based light source delivering pulses with nanojoule energies and picosecond duration adjustable by mode locking or pulse gating operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klehr, A.; Liero, A.; Wenzel, H.; Bugge, F.; Brox, O.; Fricke, J.; Ressel, P.; Knigge, A.; Heinrich, W.; Tränkle, G.

2017-02-01

A new compact 1030 nm picosecond light source which can be switched between pulse gating and mode locking operation is presented. It consists of a multi-section distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser, an ultrafast multisection optical gate and a flared power amplifier (PA), mounted together with high frequency electronics and optical elements on a 5×4 cm micro bench. The master oscillator (MO) is a 10 mm long ridge wave-guide (RW) laser consisting of 200 μm long saturable absorber, 1500 μm long gain, 8000 μm long cavity, 200 μm long DBR and 100 μm long monitor sections. The 2 mm long optical gate consisting of several RW sections is monolithically integrated with the 4 mm long gain-guided tapered amplifier on a single chip. The light source can be switched between pulse gating and passive mode locking operation. For pulse gating all sections of the MO (except of the DBR and monitor sections) are forward biased and driven by a constant current. By injecting electrical pulses into one section of the optical gate the CW beam emitted by the MO is converted into a train of optical pulses with adjustable widths between 250 ps and 1000 ps. Peak powers of 20 W and spectral linewidths in the MHz range are achieved. Shorter pulses with widths between 4 ps and 15 ps and peak powers up to 50 W but larger spectral widths of about 300 pm are generated by mode locking where the saturable absorber section of the MO is reversed biased. The repetition rate of 4.2 GHz of the pulse train emitted by the MO can be reduced to values between 1 kHz and 100 MHz by utilizing the optical gate as pulse picker. The pulse-to-pulse distance can be controlled by an external trigger source.

Study on conditional probability of surface rupture: effect of fault dip and width of seismogenic layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, N.

2017-12-01

The conditional probability of surface ruptures is affected by various factors, such as shallow material properties, process of earthquakes, ground motions and so on. Toda (2013) pointed out difference of the conditional probability of strike and reverse fault by considering the fault dip and width of seismogenic layer. This study evaluated conditional probability of surface rupture based on following procedures. Fault geometry was determined from the randomly generated magnitude based on The Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion (2017) method. If the defined fault plane was not saturated in the assumed width of the seismogenic layer, the fault plane depth was randomly provided within the seismogenic layer. The logistic analysis was performed to two data sets: surface displacement calculated by dislocation methods (Wang et al., 2003) from the defined source fault, the depth of top of the defined source fault. The estimated conditional probability from surface displacement indicated higher probability of reverse faults than that of strike faults, and this result coincides to previous similar studies (i.e. Kagawa et al., 2004; Kataoka and Kusakabe, 2005). On the contrary, the probability estimated from the depth of the source fault indicated higher probability of thrust faults than that of strike and reverse faults, and this trend is similar to the conditional probability of PFDHA results (Youngs et al., 2003; Moss and Ross, 2011). The probability of combined simulated results of thrust and reverse also shows low probability. The worldwide compiled reverse fault data include low fault dip angle earthquake. On the other hand, in the case of Japanese reverse fault, there is possibility that the conditional probability of reverse faults with less low dip angle earthquake shows low probability and indicates similar probability of strike fault (i.e. Takao et al., 2013). In the future, numerical simulation by considering failure condition of surface by the source fault would be performed in order to examine the amount of the displacement and conditional probability quantitatively.

Spectral characteristics of light sources for S-cone stimulation.

PubMed

Schlegelmilch, F; Nolte, R; Schellhorn, K; Husar, P; Henning, G; Tornow, R P

2002-11-01

Electrophysiological investigations of the short-wavelength sensitive pathway of the human eye require the use of a suitable light source as a S-cone stimulator. Different light sources with their spectral distribution properties were investigated and compared with the ideal S-cone stimulator. First, the theoretical background of the calculation of relative cone energy absorption from the spectral distribution function of the light source is summarized. From the results of the calculation, the photometric properties of the ideal S-cone stimulator will be derived. The calculation procedure was applied to virtual light sources (computer generated spectral distribution functions with different medium wavelengths and spectrum widths) and to real light sources (blue and green light emitting diodes, blue phosphor of CRT-monitor, multimedia projector, LCD monitor and notebook display). The calculated relative cone absorbencies are compared to the conditions of an ideal S-cone stimulator. Monochromatic light sources with wavelengths of less than 456 nm are close to the conditions of an ideal S-cone stimulator. Spectrum widths up to 21 nm do not affect the S-cone activation significantly (S-cone activation change < 0.2%). Blue light emitting diodes with peak wavelength at 448 nm and spectrum bandwidth of 25 nm are very useful for S-cone stimulation (S-cone activation approximately 95%). A suitable display for S-cone stimulation is the Trinitron computer monitor (S-cone activation approximately 87%). The multimedia projector has a S-cone activation up to 91%, but their spectral distribution properties depends on the selected intensity. LCD monitor and notebook displays have a lower S-cone activation (< or = 74%). Carefully selecting the blue light source for S-cone stimulation can reduce the unwanted L-and M-cone activation down to 4% for M-cones and 1.5% for L-cones.

Single slit interference made easy with a strand of hair and a laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Messer, Rebecca

2018-01-01

Students can easily measure the width of a strand of their own hair with a monochromatic light source such as a laser. This inexpensive activity engages students in an application of single slit diffraction using Babinet's principle.

Effect of channel size on sweet potato storage root enlargement in the Tuskegee University hydroponic nutrient film system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, Carlton E.; Martinez, Edwin; Bonsi, C. K.; Mortley, Desmond G.; Hill, Walter A.; Ogbuehi, Cyriacus R.; Loretan, Phil A.

1989-01-01

The potential of the sweet potato as a food source for future long term manned space missions is being evaluated for NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) program. Sweet potatoes have been successfully grown in a specially designed Tuskegee University nutrient film technique (TU NFT) system. This hydroponic system yielded storage roots as high as 1790 g/plant fresh weight. In order to determine the effect of channel size on the yield of sweet potatoes, the width and depth of the growing channels were varied in two separate experiments. Widths were studied using the rectangular TU NFT channels with widths of 15 cm (6 in), 30 cm (12 in) and 45 cm (18 in). Channel depths of 5 cm (2 in), 10 cm (4 in), and 15 cm (6 in) were studied using a standard NASA fan shaped Biomass Production Chamber (BPC) channel. A comparison of preliminary results indicated that, except for storage root number, the growth and yield of sweet potatoes were not affected by channel width. Storage root yield was affected by channel depth although storage root number and foliage growth were not. Both experiments are being repeated.

Comparing perceived auditory width to the visual image of a performing ensemble in contrasting bi-modal environmentsa)

PubMed Central

Valente, Daniel L.; Braasch, Jonas; Myrbeck, Shane A.

2012-01-01

Despite many studies investigating auditory spatial impressions in rooms, few have addressed the impact of simultaneous visual cues on localization and the perception of spaciousness. The current research presents an immersive audiovisual environment in which participants were instructed to make auditory width judgments in dynamic bi-modal settings. The results of these psychophysical tests suggest the importance of congruent audio visual presentation to the ecological interpretation of an auditory scene. Supporting data were accumulated in five rooms of ascending volumes and varying reverberation times. Participants were given an audiovisual matching test in which they were instructed to pan the auditory width of a performing ensemble to a varying set of audio and visual cues in rooms. Results show that both auditory and visual factors affect the collected responses and that the two sensory modalities coincide in distinct interactions. The greatest differences between the panned audio stimuli given a fixed visual width were found in the physical space with the largest volume and the greatest source distance. These results suggest, in this specific instance, a predominance of auditory cues in the spatial analysis of the bi-modal scene. PMID:22280585

Waveform synthesizer

DOEpatents

Franks, L.A.; Nelson, M.A.

1979-12-07

The invention is a method by which an optical pulse of an arbitrary but defined shape may be transformed into a virtual multitude of optical or electrical output pulse shapes. Since the method is not limited to any particular input pulse shape, the output pulse shapes that can be generated thereby are virtually unlimited. Moreover, output pulse widths as narrow as about 0.1 nsec can be readily obtained since optical pulses of less than a few picoseconds are available for use as driving pulses. The range of output pulse widths obtainable is very large, the limiting factors being the driving source energy and the particular shape of the desired output pulse.

Correction Factor for Gaussian Deconvolution of Optically Thick Linewidths in Homogeneous Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kastner, S. O.; Bhatia, A. K.

1999-01-01

Profiles of optically thick, non-Gaussian emission line profiles convoluted with Gaussian instrumental profiles are constructed, and are deconvoluted on the usual Gaussian basis to examine the departure from accuracy thereby caused in "measured" linewidths. It is found that "measured" linewidths underestimate the true linewidths of optically thick lines, by a factor which depends on the resolution factor r congruent to Doppler width/instrumental width and on the optical thickness tau(sub 0). An approximating expression is obtained for this factor, applicable in the range of at least 0 <= tau(sub 0) <= 10, which can provide estimates of the true linewidth and optical thickness.

The Width of a CME and the Source of the Driving Magnetic Explosion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, R. L.; Sterling, A. C.; Suess, S. T.

2007-01-01

We show that the strength of the magnetic field in the area covered by the flare arcade following a CME-producing ejective solar eruption can be estimated from the final angular width of the CME in the outer corona and the final angular width of the flare arcade. We assume (1) the flux-rope plasmoid ejected from the flare site becomes the interior of the CME plasmoid, (2) in the outer corona the CME is roughly a "spherical plasmoid with legs" shaped like a light bulb, and (3) beyond some height in or below the outer corona the CME plasmoid is in lateral pressure balance with the surrounding magnetic field. The strength of the nearly radial magnetic field in the outer corona is estimated from the radial component of the interplanetary magnetic field measured by Ulysses. We apply this model to three well-observed CMEs that exploded from flare regions of extremely different size and magnetic setting. In each event, the estimated source-region field strength is appropriate for the magnetic setting of the flare. This agreement indicates via the model that CMEs (1) are propelled by the magnetic field of the CME plasmoid pushing against the surrounding magnetic field, and (2) can explode from flare regions that are laterally far offset from the radial path of the CME in the outer corona.

Hα line measurements from ten diffuse galactic sources using the DEFPOS facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahan, M.; Oflaz, F. M.; Yegingil, I.; Tel, E.

2015-08-01

The hydrogen Balmer-α emission line spectrum of ten diffuse ionization sources in the Milk Way - NGC 40 (WC8), NGC 2022, NGC 6210, NGC 6618 (M17, Sh2-45), NGC 6720 (M57), NGC 6781, NGC 6888 (Sh2-105), NGC 6992 (Sh2-103), NGC 7635 (Sh2-162,) and IC 1848 (Sh2-199) - has been investigated using a dual etalon Fabry-Pérot optical spectrometer (DEFPOS) aatached to the 150 cm RTT150 telescope at TUBITAK National Observatory (TUG, Antalya, Turkey: 36° 51' N; 30° 20' E; elevation: 2547 m). All of our galactic Hα observations discussed in this paper were carried out during the nights of 2013 June 21-24 with exposure time of 3600 s. As main results the intensity, the full width at half maximum, and the radial velocity with respect to the LSR have been determined for each data set. The intensities, the radial velocities, and the line widths of the Hα emission line vary from 59.15 to 8923.44 R, -46.72 to +54.07 km s-1, and 31.4 to 48.01 km s-1, respectively. The radial velocities and the half-widths of the H II regions and planetary nebulae determined from our measurements are found to be consistent with values given in literature, especially with those in Schneider et al. (1983) and Fich et al. (1990).

Hydrocarbon Plume Dynamics in the Worldś Most Spectacular Hydrocarbon Seeps, Santa Barbara Channel, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mau, S.; Reed, J.; Clark, J.; Valentine, D.

2006-12-01

Large quantities of natural gas are emitted from the seafloor into the coastal ocean near Coal Oil Point, Santa Barbara Channel (SBC), California. Methane, ethane, and propane were quantified in the surface water at 79 stations in a 270 km2 area in order to map the surficial hydrocarbon plume and to quantify air-sea exchange of these gases. A time series was initiated for 14 stations to identify the variability of the mapped plume, and biologically-mediated oxidation rates of methane were measured to quantify the loss of methane in surface water. The hydrocarbon plume was found to comprise ~70 km2 and extended beyond study area. The plume width narrowed from 3 km near the source to 0.7 km further from the source, and then expanded to 6.7 km at the edge of the study area. This pattern matches the cyclonic gyre which is the normal current flow in this part of the Santa Barbara Channel - pushing water to the shore near the seep field and then broadening the plume while the water turns offshore further from the source. Concentrations of gaseous hydrocarbons decrease as the plume migrates. Time series sampling shows similar plume width and hydrocarbon concentrations when normal current conditions prevail. In contrast, smaller plume width and low hydrocarbon concentrations were observed when an additional anticyclonic eddy reversed the normal current flow, and a much broader plume with higher hydrocarbon concentrations was observed during a time of diminished speed within the current gyre. These results demonstrate that surface currents control hydrocarbon plume dynamics in the SBC, though hydrocarbon flux to the atmosphere is likely less dependent on currents. Estimates of air- sea hydrocarbon flux and biological oxidation rates will also be presented.

IMPORTANCE OF MOVEMENT VARIES IN STATIC AND DYNAMIC LANDSCAPES

EPA Science Inventory

The relative sensitivity of spatially explicit population models (SEPMs) to movement parameters is a topic of ongoing debate among theoretical ecologists. In this study, we add additional realism to this debate by examining a SEPM's sensitivity to dispersal ability in static vs....

Teaching about Narrative.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davies, Gill

1978-01-01

Raises issues involved in the study and teaching of narrative, with reference to both literature and film. Considers the function of realism in narrative fiction and the teaching of theory and practice of those writers and filmmakers who have challenged the realist text by alternative strategies. (JMF)

A Model for Analyzing Disability Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turnbull, Rud; Stowe, Matthew J.

2017-01-01

This article describes a 12-step model that can be used for policy analysis. The model encompasses policy development, implementation, and evaluation; takes into account structural foundations of policy; addresses both legal formalism and legal realism; demonstrates contextual sensitivity; and addresses application issues and different…

Learner Perceptions of Realism and Magic in Computer Simulations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hennessy, Sara; O'Shea, Tim

1993-01-01

Discusses the possible lack of credibility in educational interactive computer simulations. Topics addressed include "Shopping on Mars," a collaborative adventure game for arithmetic calculation that uses direct manipulation in the microworld; the Alternative Reality Kit, a graphical animated environment for creating interactive…

Christian Realism’s Response to International Terrorism

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-04-01

defense which cannot be transmuted into instruments of aggression. The frustrations of the average man, who can never realise the power and the...historical existence, tensions have their root in natural, geographic, economic, racial, national and sexual conditions. But since it interprets

The Chaos Theory of Careers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pryor, Robert G. L.; Bright, Jim

2003-01-01

Four theoretical streams--contexualism/ecology, systems theory, realism/constructivism, and chaos theory--contributed to a theory of individuals as complex, unique, nonlinear, adaptive chaotic and open systems. Individuals use purposive action to construct careers but can make maladaptive and inappropriate choices. (Contains 42 references.) (SK)

Non Kolmogorov Probability Models Outside Quantum Mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Accardi, Luigi

2009-03-01

This paper is devoted to analysis of main conceptual problems in the interpretation of QM: reality, locality, determinism, physical state, Heisenberg principle, "deterministic" and "exact" theories, laws of chance, notion of event, statistical invariants, adaptive realism, EPR correlations and, finally, the EPR-chameleon experiment.

Human Factors Research in Aircrew Performance and Training: 1986-1991

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-07-01

significant loss of realism . Seventeen functions could not be performed at all, primarily because of three missing system features: an automated target...traditionally trained aviators. In 1979, Anacapa developed 13 cinematic exercises to provide supplemental training in map interpretation and terrain

A DYNAMIC MODEL OF AN ESTUARINE INVASION BY A NON-NATIVE SEAGRASS

EPA Science Inventory

Mathematical and simulation models provide an excellent tool for examining and predicting biological invasions in time and space; however, traditional models do not incorporate dynamic rates of population growth, which limits their realism. We developed a spatially explicit simul...

Epistemological Grounds for Cybernetic Models.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khawam, Yves J.

1991-01-01

Addresses philosophical grounds for artificial intelligence (AI) and cybernetic models by investigating three epistemological views--realism, a priorism, and phenomenology--to determine the problems in information transfer between a model and the real world. It is suggested that phenomenology demonstrates the most promise for opening up…

Extended 60 μm Emission from Nearby Mira Variables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, W. H.; Stencel, R. E.

1993-01-01

Circumstellar dust envelopes around some optically visible late-type stars are so extensive that they are detectable as extended at an arc-minute scale by the IRAS survey observations (Stencel, Pesce and Bauer 1988, Astron. J 95, 141; Hawkins 1990, Astron. Ap. 229, L8). The width of the IRAS scan profiles at 10% of peak intensity is an indicator of source extension. Wyatt and Cahn (1983, Ap. J. 275, 225) presented a sample of 124 Mira variables in the solar neighborhood. Of this sample, 11 Miras which show silicate emission are bright enough at 60 microns for a significant determination of the width of a scan at 10% of peak flux. Individual scans and maps were examined in order to determine whether any observed extension was associated with the central star. Five stars showed significant extension apparently due to mass loss from the central star: R Leo, o Cet, U Ori, R Cas and R Hor. IRAS LRS spectra, point source fluxes and observed extensions of these sources are compared to the predictions of model dust shells which assume steady mass loss. This work was supported in part by NASA grant NAG 5-1213 to Wellesley College.

Hard X-Ray Flare Source Sizes Measured with the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dennis, Brian R.; Pernak, Rick L.

2009-01-01

Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) observations of 18 double hard X-ray sources seen at energies above 25 keV are analyzed to determine the spatial extent of the most compact structures evident in each case. The following four image reconstruction algorithms were used: Clean, Pixon, and two routines using visibilities maximum entropy and forward fit (VFF). All have been adapted for this study to optimize their ability to provide reliable estimates of the sizes of the more compact sources. The source fluxes, sizes, and morphologies obtained with each method are cross-correlated and the similarities and disagreements are discussed. The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the major axes of the sources with assumed elliptical Gaussian shapes are generally well correlated between the four image reconstruction routines and vary between the RHESSI resolution limit of approximately 2" up to approximately 20" with most below 10". The FWHM of the minor axes are generally at or just above the RHESSI limit and hence should be considered as unresolved in most cases. The orientation angles of the elliptical sources are also well correlated. These results suggest that the elongated sources are generally aligned along a flare ribbon with the minor axis perpendicular to the ribbon. This is verified for the one flare in our list with coincident Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) images. There is evidence for significant extra flux in many of the flares in addition to the two identified compact sources, thus rendering the VFF assumption of just two Gaussians inadequate. A more realistic approximation in many cases would be of two line sources with unresolved widths. Recommendations are given for optimizing the RHESSI imaging reconstruction process to ensure that the finest possible details of the source morphology become evident and that reliable estimates can be made of the source dimensions.

Evaluation of a virtual-reality-based simulator using passive haptic feedback for knee arthroscopy.

PubMed

Fucentese, Sandro F; Rahm, Stefan; Wieser, Karl; Spillmann, Jonas; Harders, Matthias; Koch, Peter P

2015-04-01

The aim of this work is to determine face validity and construct validity of a new virtual-reality-based simulator for diagnostic and therapeutic knee arthroscopy. The study tests a novel arthroscopic simulator based on passive haptics. Sixty-eight participants were grouped into novices, intermediates, and experts. All participants completed two exercises. In order to establish face validity, all participants filled out a questionnaire concerning different aspects of simulator realism, training capacity, and different statements using a seven-point Likert scale (range 1-7). Construct validity was tested by comparing various simulator metric values between novices and experts. Face validity could be established: overall realism was rated with a mean value of 5.5 points. Global training capacity scored a mean value of 5.9. Participants considered the simulator as useful for procedural training of diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy. In the foreign body removal exercise, experts were overall significantly faster in the whole procedure (6 min 24 s vs. 8 min 24 s, p < 0.001), took less time to complete the diagnostic tour (2 min 49 s vs. 3 min 32 s, p = 0.027), and had a shorter camera path length (186 vs. 246 cm, p = 0.006). The simulator achieved high scores in terms of realism. It was regarded as a useful training tool, which is also capable of differentiating between varying levels of arthroscopic experience. Nevertheless, further improvements of the simulator especially in the field of therapeutic arthroscopy are desirable. In general, the findings support that virtual-reality-based simulation using passive haptics has the potential to complement conventional training of knee arthroscopy skills. II.

3D visualisation and artistic imagery to enhance interest in `hidden environments' - new approaches to soil science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilford, J.; Falconer, R. E.; Wade, R.; Scott-Brown, K. C.

2014-09-01

Interactive Virtual Environments (VEs) have the potential to increase student interest in soil science. Accordingly a bespoke 'soil atlas' was created using Java3D as an interactive 3D VE, to show soil information in the context of (and as affected by) the over-lying landscape. To display the below-ground soil characteristics, four sets of artistic illustrations were produced, each set showing the effects of soil organic-matter density and water content on fungal density, to determine potential for visualisations and interactivity in stimulating interest in soil and soil illustrations, interest being an important factor in facilitating learning. The illustrations were created using 3D modelling packages, and a wide range of styles were produced. This allowed a preliminary study of the relative merits of different artistic styles, scientific-credibility, scale, abstraction and 'realism' (e.g. photo-realism or realism of forms), and any relationship between these and the level of interest indicated by the study participants in the soil visualisations and VE. The study found significant differences in mean interest ratings for different soil illustration styles, as well as in the perception of scientific-credibility of these styles, albeit for both measures there was considerable difference of attitude between participants about particular styles. There was also found to be a highly significant positive correlation between participants rating styles highly for interest and highly for scientific-credibility. There was furthermore a particularly high interest rating among participants for seeing temporal soil processes illustrated/animated, suggesting this as a particularly promising method for further stimulating interest in soil illustrations and soil itself.

Educational program in crisis management for cardiac surgery teams including high realism simulation.

PubMed

Stevens, Louis-Mathieu; Cooper, Jeffrey B; Raemer, Daniel B; Schneider, Robert C; Frankel, Allan S; Berry, William R; Agnihotri, Arvind K

2012-07-01

Cardiac surgery demands effective teamwork for safe, high-quality care. The objective of this pilot study was to develop a comprehensive program to sharpen performance of experienced cardiac surgical teams in acute crisis management. We developed and implemented an educational program for cardiac surgery based on high realism acute crisis simulation scenarios and interactive whole-unit workshop. The impact of these interventions was assessed with postintervention questionnaires, preintervention and 6-month postintervention surveys, and structured interviews. The realism of the acute crisis simulation scenarios gradually improved; most participants rated both the simulation and whole-unit workshop as very good or excellent. Repeat simulation training was recommended every 6 to 12 months by 82% of the participants. Participants of the interactive workshop identified 2 areas of highest priority: encouraging speaking up about critical information and interprofessional information sharing. They also stressed the importance of briefings, early communication of surgical plan, knowing members of the team, and continued simulation for practice. The pre/post survey response rates were 70% (55/79) and 66% (52/79), respectively. The concept of working as a team improved between surveys (P = .028), with a trend for improvement in gaining common understanding of the plan before a procedure (P = .075) and appropriate resolution of disagreements (P = .092). Interviewees reported that the training had a positive effect on their personal behaviors and patient care, including speaking up more readily and communicating more clearly. Comprehensive team training using simulation and a whole-unit interactive workshop can be successfully deployed for experienced cardiac surgery teams with demonstrable benefits in participant's perception of team performance. Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of different levels of realism of context learning on the prescribing competencies of medical students during the clinical clerkship in internal medicine: an exploratory study.

PubMed

Tichelaar, Jelle; van Kan, Coen; van Unen, Robert J; Schneider, Anton J; van Agtmael, Michiel A; de Vries, Theo P G M; Richir, Milan C

2015-02-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different levels of realism of context learning on the prescribing competencies of medical students during the clinical clerkship in internal medicine. Between 2001 and 2007, 164 medical students took part in the prospective explorative study during their clinical clerkship in internal medicine at the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In a fixed order, each student had to formulate a treatment plan for a real patient in three situations of increasing realism: a minimal level (studying a patient record), medium level (preparing for a therapeutic consultation), and optimal level (preparing for and performing a therapeutic consultation with the patient). In comparison to studying a patient record (minimal context level), preparing a therapeutic consultation (medium context) improved four of the six steps of the WHO six-step plan. Preparing and performing a therapeutic consultation with a real patient (optimal context) further improved three essential prescribing competencies, namely checking for contraindications and interactions, prescription writing, and instructions to the patient. The results of this first explorative study suggest that enrichment of the learning context (responsibility for patient care) might be an important factor to improve the training of rational prescribing skills of medical students during their clinical clerkship in internal medicine. Clinical (pharmacology) teachers should be aware that seemingly small adaptations in the learning context of prescribing training during clinical clerkships (i.e., with or without involvement with and responsibility for patient care) may have relatively large impact on the development of prescribing competencies of our future doctors.

Supernovae Discovery Efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Colin

2018-01-01

Abstract:We present supernovae (SN) search efficiency measurements for recent Hubble Space Telescope (HST) surveys. Efficiency is a key component to any search, and is important parameter as a correction factor for SN rates. To achieve an accurate value for efficiency, many supernovae need to be discoverable in surveys. This cannot be achieved from real SN only, due to their scarcity, so fake SN are planted. These fake supernovae—with a goal of realism in mind—yield an understanding of efficiency based on position related to other celestial objects, and brightness. To improve realism, we built a more accurate model of supernovae using a point-spread function. The next improvement to realism is planting these objects close to galaxies and of various parameters of brightness, magnitude, local galactic brightness and redshift. Once these are planted, a very accurate SN is visible and discoverable by the searcher. It is very important to find factors that affect this discovery efficiency. Exploring the factors that effect detection yields a more accurate correction factor. Further inquires into efficiency give us a better understanding of image processing, searching techniques and survey strategies, and result in an overall higher likelihood to find these events in future surveys with Hubble, James Webb, and WFIRST telescopes. After efficiency is discovered and refined with many unique surveys, it factors into measurements of SN rates versus redshift. By comparing SN rates vs redshift against the star formation rate we can test models to determine how long star systems take from the point of inception to explosion (delay time distribution). This delay time distribution is compared to SN progenitors models to get an accurate idea of what these stars were like before their deaths.

Constraints on the Martian Plate Tectonic Hypothesis from Gravity and Topography Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smrekar, S.; Raymond, C.

1999-01-01

The Mars Global Surveyor Magnetic Fields Experiment/ Electron Reflectometer (MGS MAG/ER) experiment serendipitously discovered unanticipated and unprecedented regions of high amplitude crustal magnetic anomalies, indicating strong sources of remanent crustal magnetism. In one area of the southern hemisphere, the anomalies appear lineated and alternate in direction, resembling the stripes formed at terrestrial oceanic spread-ing regions. However, many significant differences exist. The inferred magnetization are easily an order of magnitude greater in strength than terrestrial counterparts. The width of the anomalies appears to be approximately 200 km, in comparison to a variable width of order 10-1000 km at terrestrial spreading centers. However, the spacecraft altitude of 100-200 km may be such that narrower anomalies are simply unresolved. Although the majority of strong anomalies are found in the southern highlands, there is no clear correlation with landforms at the surface. The lack of a correlation between magnetism and topography hinders the confident interpretation of magnetic sources. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

The IRGen infrared data base modeler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernstein, Uri

1993-01-01

IRGen is a modeling system which creates three-dimensional IR data bases for real-time simulation of thermal IR sensors. Starting from a visual data base, IRGen computes the temperature and radiance of every data base surface with a user-specified thermal environment. The predicted gray shade of each surface is then computed from the user specified sensor characteristics. IRGen is based on first-principles models of heat transport and heat flux sources, and it accurately simulates the variations of IR imagery with time of day and with changing environmental conditions. The starting point for creating an IRGen data base is a visual faceted data base, in which every facet has been labeled with a material code. This code is an index into a material data base which contains surface and bulk thermal properties for the material. IRGen uses the material properties to compute the surface temperature at the specified time of day. IRGen also supports image generator features such as texturing and smooth shading, which greatly enhance image realism.

Coevolution of parental investment and sexually selected traits drives sex-role divergence.

PubMed

Fromhage, Lutz; Jennions, Michael D

2016-08-18

Sex-role evolution theory attempts to explain the origin and direction of male-female differences. A fundamental question is why anisogamy, the difference in gamete size that defines the sexes, has repeatedly led to large differences in subsequent parental care. Here we construct models to confirm predictions that individuals benefit less from caring when they face stronger sexual selection and/or lower certainty of parentage. However, we overturn the widely cited claim that a negative feedback between the operational sex ratio and the opportunity cost of care selects for egalitarian sex roles. We further argue that our model does not predict any effect of the adult sex ratio (ASR) that is independent of the source of ASR variation. Finally, to increase realism and unify earlier models, we allow for coevolution between parental investment and investment in sexually selected traits. Our model confirms that small initial differences in parental investment tend to increase due to positive evolutionary feedback, formally supporting long-standing, but unsubstantiated, verbal arguments.

Coevolution of parental investment and sexually selected traits drives sex-role divergence

PubMed Central

Fromhage, Lutz; Jennions, Michael D.

2016-01-01

Sex-role evolution theory attempts to explain the origin and direction of male–female differences. A fundamental question is why anisogamy, the difference in gamete size that defines the sexes, has repeatedly led to large differences in subsequent parental care. Here we construct models to confirm predictions that individuals benefit less from caring when they face stronger sexual selection and/or lower certainty of parentage. However, we overturn the widely cited claim that a negative feedback between the operational sex ratio and the opportunity cost of care selects for egalitarian sex roles. We further argue that our model does not predict any effect of the adult sex ratio (ASR) that is independent of the source of ASR variation. Finally, to increase realism and unify earlier models, we allow for coevolution between parental investment and investment in sexually selected traits. Our model confirms that small initial differences in parental investment tend to increase due to positive evolutionary feedback, formally supporting long-standing, but unsubstantiated, verbal arguments. PMID:27535478

VARIAN CLINAC 6 MeV Photon Spectra Unfolding using a Monte Carlo Meshed Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morató, S.; Juste, B.; Miró, R.; Verdú, G.

2017-09-01

Energy spectrum is the best descriptive function to determine photon beam quality of a Medical Linear Accelerator (LinAc). The use of realistic photon spectra in Monte Carlo simulations has a great importance to obtain precise dose calculations in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning (RTP). Reconstruction of photon spectra emitted by medical accelerators from measured depth dose distributions in a water cube is an important tool for commissioning a Monte Carlo treatment planning system. Regarding this, the reconstruction problem is an inverse radiation transport function which is ill conditioned and its solution may become unstable due to small perturbations in the input data. This paper presents a more stable spectral reconstruction method which can be used to provide an independent confirmation of source models for a given machine without any prior knowledge of the spectral distribution. Monte Carlo models used in this work are built with unstructured meshes to simulate with realism the linear accelerator head geometry.

Narrow-linewidth, quasi-continuous-wave ASE source based on a multiple-pass Nd:YAG zigzag slab amplifier configuration.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoming; Lu, Yanhua; Hu, Hao; Tong, Lixin; Zhang, Lei; Yu, Yi; Wang, Juntao; Ren, Huaijin; Xu, Liu

2018-03-05

We present investigations into a narrow-linewidth, quasi-continuous-wave pulsed all-solid-state amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source by use of a novel multiple-pass zigzag slab amplifier. The SE fluorescence emitted from a Nd:YAG slab active medium acts as the seed and is amplified back and forth 8 times through the same slab. Thanks to the angular multiplexing nature of the zigzag slab, high-intensity 1064-nm ASE output can be produced without unwanted self-lasing in this configuration. Experimentally, the output energy, optical conversion efficiency, pulse dynamics, spectral property, and beam quality of the ASE source are studied when the Nd:YAG slab end-pumped by two high-brightness laser diode arrays. The maximum single pulse energy of 347 mJ is generated with an optical efficiency of ~5.9% and a beam quality of 3.5/17 in the thickness/width direction of the slab. As expected, smooth pulses without relaxing spikes and continuous spectra are achieved. Moreover, the spectral width of the ASE source narrows versus the pump energy, getting a 3-dB linewidth of as narrow as 20 pm (i.e. 5.3 GHz). Via the sum frequency generation, high-intensity, smooth-pulse, and narrow-linewidth ASE sources are preferred for solving the major problem of saturation of the mesospheric sodium atoms and can create a much brighter sodium guide star to meet the needs of adaptive imaging applications in astronomy.

Gendered Subjectivities of Spacetimematter

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Juelskjaer, Malou

2013-01-01

This paper investigates enactments of human subjectivities with a focus on how subjectivities may be studied if spatiality and temporality are taken up as constituting forces in the production of subjectivities. By reading poststructuralist feminist theorising, agential realism and empirical material diffractively through each other I re-situate…

Adding Realism to Technical Drafting Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weaver, Gerald L.

1976-01-01

Suggestions for improved, relevant technical drafting programs are presented: (1) making realistic assignments, (2) viewing real projects, (3) duplicating industrial projects, (4) practicing lettering, (5) conducting research, (6) engaging in teamwork, (7) adapting to change, (8) learning to meet deadlines, and (9) stressing the importance of…

Advanced Technology for Portable Personal Visualization

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-01

walking. The building model is created using AutoCAD. Realism is enhanced by calculating a radiosity solution for the lighting model. This has an added...lighting, color combinations and decor. Due to the computationally intensive nature of the radiosity solution, modeling changes cannot be made on-line

Inquiring into the Real: A Realist Phenomenological Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Budd, John M.; Hill, Heather; Shannon, Brooke

2010-01-01

The need for postpositivist or antipositivist methods in the social sciences, including library and information science, is well documented. A promising alternative synthesizes critical realism and phenomenology. This method embraces ontological reality in all things, including human and social action. The ontology underlying the realist…

Ecological Realism of U.S. EPA Experimental Stream Facility Studies

EPA Science Inventory

The USEPA’s Experimental Stream Facility (ESF) conducts meso-scale ecotoxicology studies that account for both structural and functional responses of whole stream communities to contaminants or other stressors. The 16 mesocosms of ESF are indoors and consist of a tiled run sectio...

48 CFR 215.404-4 - Profit.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... DEFENSE CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Contract Pricing 215.404-4... prenegotiation profit or fee objective on any negotiated contract action when cost or pricing data is obtained... analysis when assessing cost realism in competitive acquisitions. (2) When using a structured approach, the...

Human Factors Research in Aircrew Performance and Training

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-11-01

enable performance elements to be introduced at random times. More complex decision rules were needed to provide the necessary degree of realism in... cinematic simulation in which the students experience the practical application of the principles they are taught. The exercises begin with a preflight

Appropriating Reality: Consumers' Perceptions of Schema-Inconsistent Advertising.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warlaumont, Hazel G.

1997-01-01

Surveys consumers about their perceptions of advertising styles that mimic news, documentary, and editorial formats and about its associations. Suggests that these "hybrid" styles triggered values and meaning generally associated with more realistic forms of communication, perhaps making realism an involving and positive marketing…

Knowledge in the Postmodern University.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simpson, Evan

2000-01-01

It is essential for higher education to interpret its institutional goals. This essay facilitates that task by clarifying the intellectual rationale of the postmodern challenge, highlighting the success of that rationale, and arguing that the interrelated critiques of rationalism, realism, and foundationalism show that the modern university…

Recent developments in computer modeling add ecological realism to landscape genetics

EPA Science Inventory

Background / Question / Methods A factor limiting the rate of progress in landscape genetics has been the shortage of spatial models capable of linking life history attributes such as dispersal behavior to complex dynamic landscape features. The recent development of new models...

Metaphor, Paradigm, and Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ivie, Stanley D.

2017-01-01

Metaphor is a critical tool for thought. Lying at the heart of every systematic body of knowledge are three root metaphors--mechanism, organism, and mind. Historically, schools of philosophy--realism, naturalism, and idealism--have grown up around these metaphors. The root metaphors and their corresponding philosophies provide the paradigms…

SEM Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pollock, Kevin

2012-01-01

Expectations of higher education leaders are high, varied, and numerous. Leaders are expected not only to be visionary, decisive, and articulate, but also to share information, purposes, commitments, and struggles. Effective leaders must know and understand their faculty and staff; insist on realism; set clear goals and priorities; follow through;…

Entropic no-disturbance as a physical principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Zhih-Ahn; Zhai, Rui; Yu, Bai-Chu; Wu, Yu-Chun; Guo, Guang-Can

2018-05-01

The celebrated Bell-Kochen-Specker no-go theorem asserts that quantum mechanics does not present the property of realism; the essence of the theorem is the lack of a joint probability distribution for some experiment settings. We exploit the information theoretic form of the theorem using information measure instead of probabilistic measure and indicate that quantum mechanics does not present such kind of entropic realism either. The entropic form of Gleason's no-disturbance principle is developed and characterized by the intersection of several entropic cones. Entropic contextuality and entropic nonlocality are investigated in depth in this framework as well. We show how one can construct monogamy relations using entropic cone and basic Shannon-type inequalities. The general criterion for several entropic tests to be monogamous is also developed; using the criterion, we demonstrate that entropic nonlocal correlations, entropic contextuality tests, and entropic nonlocality and entropic contextuality are monogamous. Finally, we analyze the entropic monogamy relations for the multiparty and many-test case, which may play a crucial role in quantum network communication.

Nursing research conventions: objectivity or obfuscation?

PubMed

Porter, S

1993-01-01

This paper is a critique of naïve realism, the philosophy which animates much nursing research, and which leads researchers to assume that the attainment of objective knowledge is possible. The nature of naïve realism, and its relationship to objectivity, is discussed. Central to this outlook is the belief that the values and interests of the researcher can and should be divorced from the prosecution of research. This is reflected in the literary convention of referring to the researcher in the third person. Contrary to this position, I argue that the interpretations, values and interests of the researcher are central to the research process. Moreover, nursing research may be affected by the interests of managers, educationalists, and those who wish to see nursing attain professional status. Nursing researchers should accept that they are part of the social situations which they study. They should therefore become reflexive in their outlook. This entails recognizing and attempting to understand the effects of the researcher, rather than trying to eliminate or ignore them.

Domestic violence and social responsibility in contemporary Spanish cinema: a portfolio view of behavioral dynamics.

PubMed

Zanzana, Habib

2010-01-01

Domestic abuse continues to claim many lives in Spain despite a series of new laws to protect women and to punish abusers. This essay explores the cultural influences of contemporary Spanish cinema on domestic violence. Four films are assessed against a Portfolio Model of social responsibility that uses two basic dimensions: realism and human rights. Realism in each film is determined by the behavioral components of the internationally recognized Duluth Model and the Wheel of Power and Control. The human rights dimension addresses equality, power and agency for women. This study focuses on Icíar Bollaín's "Te doy mis ojos" (2003), Javier Balaguer's "Sólo mía" (2001), Benito Zambrano's "Solas" (1999), and Pedro Almodóvar's "Pepi, Luci, Bom y otras chicas del montón" (1980). The results demonstrate significant variations in the measure of social responsibility indicating that contemporary Spanish cinema may play a role in perpetuating gender-based violence.

From commonsense to science, and back: the use of cognitive concepts in neuroscience.

PubMed

Francken, Jolien C; Slors, Marc

2014-10-01

Commonsense cognitive concepts (CCCs) are the concepts used in daily life to explain, predict and interpret behaviour. CCCs are also used to convey neuroscientific results, not only to wider audiences but also to the scientific inner circle. We show that translations from CCCs to brain activity, and from brain data to CCCs are made in implicit, loose and unsystematic ways. This results in hard to connect data as well as possibly unwarranted extrapolations. We argue that the cause of these problems is a covert adherence to a position known in philosophy of mind as 'mental realism'. The most fruitful way forward to a clearer and more systematic employment of CCCs in cognitive neuroscience, we argue, is to explicitly adopt interpretivism as an alternative for mental realism. An interpretative stance will help to avoid conceptual confusion in cognitive science and implies caution when it comes to big conclusions about CCCs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utilization of virtual reality for endotracheal intubation training.

PubMed

Mayrose, James; Kesavadas, T; Chugh, Kevin; Joshi, Dhananjay; Ellis, David G

2003-10-01

Tracheal intubation is performed for urgent airway control in injured patients. Current methods of training include working on cadavers and manikins, which lack the realism of a living human being. Work in this field has been limited due to the complex nature of simulating in real-time, the interactive forces and deformations which occur during an actual patient intubation. This study addressed the issue of intubation training in an attempt to bridge the gap between actual and virtual patient scenarios. The haptic device along with the real-time performance of the simulator give it both visual and physical realism. The three-dimensional viewing and interaction available through virtual reality make it possible for physicians, pre-hospital personnel and students to practice many endotracheal intubations without ever touching a patient. The ability for a medical professional to practice a procedure multiple times prior to performing it on a patient will both enhance the skill of the individual while reducing the risk to the patient.

Twenty-Five Centuries of Quantum Physics: From Pythagoras to Us, and from Subjectivism to Realism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bunge, Mario

Three main theses are proposed. The first is that the idea of a quantum or minimal unit is not peculiar to quantum theory, since it already occurs in the classical theories of elasticity and electrolysis. Second, the peculiarities of the objects described by quantum theory are the following: their basic laws are probabilistic; some of their properties, such as position and energy, are blunt rather than sharp; two particles that were once together continue to be associated even after becoming spatially separated; and the vacuum has physical properties, so that it is a kind of matter. Third, the orthodox or Copenhagen interpretation of the theory is false, and may conveniently be replaced with a realist (though not classicist) interpretation. Heisenberg's inequality, Schrödinger's cat and Zeno's quantum paradox are discussed in the light of the two rival interpretations. It is also shown that the experiments that falsified Bell's inequality do not refute realism but the classicism inherent in hidden variables theories.

Virtual reality and the new psychophysics.

PubMed

de Gelder, Beatrice; Kätsyri, Jari; de Borst, Aline W

2018-05-28

Virtual reality (VR) promises methodological rigour with the extra benefit of allowing us to study the context-dependent behaviour of individuals in their natural environment. Pan and Hamilton (2018, Br. J. Psychol.) provide a useful overview of methodological recommendations for using VR. Here, we highlight some other aspects of the use of VR. Our first argument is that VR can be useful by virtue of its differences from the normal perceptual environment. That is, by virtue of its relative non-realism and poverty of its perceptual elements, it can actually offer increased clarity with respect to the features of interest for the researcher. Our second argument is that VR exerts its measurable influence more by eliciting an acceptance of the virtual world (i.e., 'suspension of disbelief') rather than by eliciting a true belief of the realism of the VR environment. We conclude by providing a novel suggestion for combining neuroimaging methods with embodied VR that relies on the suspension of disbelief. © 2018 The British Psychological Society.

Beyond idealism and realism: Canadian NGO/government relations during the negotiation of the FCTC.

PubMed

Lencucha, Raphael; Labonté, Ronald; Rouse, Michael J

2010-04-01

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) marks a unique point in the history of global health governance. This convention produced the first legally binding treaty under the auspices of the World Health Organization. Another first was the extent to which non-governmental organizations (NGOs) participated in the negotiation process. This article explores the relationship between one group of NGOs and their respective government during the negotiation of the FCTC. Documentary analyses and 18 individual in-depth interviews were conducted with both government and NGO representatives. In contrast to the polar perspectives of idealism (NGOs as unique and autonomous) and realism (NGOs as funded arms of the government), our findings suggest that neither opposition nor conformity on the part of the NGOs characterize the relationship between the NGOs and government. While specific to the case under study (the FCTC), our findings nonetheless indicate the need for a nuanced view of the relationship between governments and NGOs, at least during the process of multilateral health policy negotiations.

The Pearson-Readhead Survey of Compact Extragalactic Radio Sources from Space. II. Analysis of Source Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lister, M. L.; Tingay, S. J.; Preston, R. A.

2001-06-01

We have performed a multidimensional correlation analysis on the observed properties of a statistically complete core-selected sample of compact radio-loud active galactic nuclei based on data from the VLBI Space Observing Programme (Paper I) and previously published studies. Our sample is drawn from the well-studied Pearson-Readhead (PR) survey and is ideally suited for investigating the general effects of relativistic beaming in compact radio sources. In addition to confirming many previously known correlations, we have discovered several new trends that lend additional support to the beaming model. These trends suggest that the most highly beamed sources in core-selected samples tend to have (1) high optical polarizations; (2) large parsec- kiloparsec-scale jet misalignments; (3) prominent VLBI core components; (4) one-sided, core, or halo radio morphology on kiloparsec scales; (5) narrow emission line equivalent widths; and (6) a strong tendency for intraday variability at radio wavelengths. We have used higher resolution space and ground-based VLBI maps to confirm the bimodality of the jet misalignment distribution for the PR survey and find that the sources with aligned parsec- and kiloparsec-scale jets generally have arcsecond-scale radio emission on both sides of the core. The aligned sources also have broader emission line widths. We find evidence that the BL Lacertae objects in the PR survey are all highly beamed and have very similar properties to the high optically polarized quasars, with the exception of smaller redshifts. A cluster analysis on our data shows that after partialing out the effects of redshift, the luminosities of our sample objects in various wave bands are generally well correlated with each other but not with other source properties.

Influence of the Casserius Tables on fetal anatomy illustration and how we envision the unborn*

PubMed Central

Heilemann, Heidi A

2011-01-01

Objective: The paper demonstrates how visual representation of the fetus in early anatomy texts influenced the reader's perception of the unborn child as an autonomous being. Data Sources: The health, art, and history literatures were used as sources. Original texts and illustrations, with particular attention paid to the Casserius Tables, published by Andreas Spigelius in 1627, are discussed. Study Selection: A review of the literature was conducted to identify and analyze published renderings, reproductions, and discussion of images of the unborn child. Original anatomy atlases were consulted. Main Results: Artists' renderings of a particularly vulnerable state of human life influenced early perceptions of the status of the unborn child. The images show fetuses as highly independent, providing a visual cue that life is fully formed in utero. Conclusion: The legacy of the Casserius Tables is that they are still able to capture our attention because they portray the idea of a fetus and newborn even more clearly than our modern representations of this charged topic. The use of deceptive realism provides the viewer with an accessible visual representation of the unborn child. These early anatomy illustrations continue to influence modern-day perception of the unborn child as a separate being, completely autonomous from the mother. PMID:21243052

Multiplexer and time duration measuring circuit

DOEpatents

Gray, Jr., James

1980-01-01

A multiplexer device is provided for multiplexing data in the form of randomly developed, variable width pulses from a plurality of pulse sources to a master storage. The device includes a first multiplexer unit which includes a plurality of input circuits each coupled to one of the pulse sources, with all input circuits being disabled when one input circuit receives an input pulse so that only one input pulse is multiplexed by the multiplexer unit at any one time.

Computed narrow-band azimuthal time-reversing array retrofocusing in shallow water.

PubMed

Dungan, M R; Dowling, D R

2001-10-01

The process of acoustic time reversal sends sound waves back to their point of origin in reciprocal acoustic environments even when the acoustic environment is unknown. The properties of the time-reversed field commonly depend on the frequency of the original signal, the characteristics of the acoustic environment, and the configuration of the time-reversing transducer array (TRA). In particular, vertical TRAs are predicted to produce horizontally confined foci in environments containing random volume refraction. This article validates and extends this prediction to shallow water environments via monochromatic Monte Carlo propagation simulations (based on parabolic equation computations using RAM). The computational results determine the azimuthal extent of a TRA's retrofocus in shallow-water sound channels either having random bottom roughness or containing random internal-wave-induced sound speed fluctuations. In both cases, randomness in the environment may reduce the predicted azimuthal angular width of the vertical TRA retrofocus to as little as several degrees (compared to 360 degrees for uniform environments) for source-array ranges from 5 to 20 km at frequencies from 500 Hz to 2 kHz. For both types of randomness, power law scalings are found to collapse the calculated azimuthal retrofocus widths for shallow sources over a variety of acoustic frequencies, source-array ranges, water column depths, and random fluctuation amplitudes and correlation scales. Comparisons are made between retrofocusing on shallow and deep sources, and in strongly and mildly absorbing environments.

Neonatal line width in deciduous incisors from Neolithic, mediaeval and modern skeletal samples from north-central Poland.

PubMed

Kurek, Marta; Żądzińska, Elżbieta; Sitek, Aneta; Borowska-Strugińska, Beata; Rosset, Iwona; Lorkiewicz, Wiesław

2016-01-01

The neonatal line is usually the first accentuated incremental line visible on the enamel. The prenatal environment significantly contributes to the width of the neonatal line, influencing the pace of reaching post-delivery homeostasis by the newborn's organism. Studies of the enamel of the earliest developing deciduous teeth can provide an insight into the prenatal development and the perinatal conditions of children of past human populations, thus being an additional source contributing to consideration of the influence of prenatal and perinatal factors modifying growth processes. The aim of this study was to examine whether the neonatal line, reflecting the conditions of the prenatal and perinatal environment, differed between the Neolithic, the mediaeval and the modern populations from the Kujawy region in north-central Poland. The material consisted of longitudinally ground sections of 57 human deciduous incisors obtained from children aged 1.0-7.5 years representing three archaeological series from Brześć Kujawski site. All teeth were sectioned in the labio-linqual plane using a diamond blade (Buechler IsoMet 1000). Final specimens were observed with the microscope Delta Optical Evolution 300 at 10× and 40× magnifications. For each tooth, linear measurements of the neonatal line width were performed on its labial surface at the three levels from the cemento-enamel junction. No significant difference was found in the mean neonatal line width depending on the tooth type and archaeological site, although the thickest neonatal line characterised children from the Neolithic series. In all analysed series, the neonatal line width was diversified depending on the child's age at death. The value of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient calculated for the correlation between the child's age at death and the neonatal line width was statistically significant. A clear increase in the width of the neonatal line was thus observed along with a decrease in the child's age at death. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

A study of intrinsic statistical variation for low-energy nuclear recoils in liquid xenon detector for dark matter searches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lu; Wei, Wenzhao; Mei, Dongming; Cubed Collaboration

2015-10-01

Noble liquid xenon experiments, such as XENON100, LUX, XENON 1-Ton, and LZ are large dark matter experiments directly searches for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). One of the most important features is to discriminate nuclear recoils from electronic recoils. Detector response is generally calibrated with different radioactive sources including 83mKr, tritiated methane, 241AmBe, 252Cf, and DD-neutrons. The electronic recoil and nuclear recoil bands have been determined by these calibrations. However, the width of nuclear recoil band needs to be fully understood. We derive a theoretical model to understand the correlation of the width of nuclear recoil band and intrinsic statistical variation. In addition, we conduct experiments to validate the theoretical model. In this paper, we present the study of intrinsic statistical variation contributing to the width of nuclear recoil band. DE-FG02-10ER46709 and the state of South Dakota.

Quantitative studies on inner interfaces in conical metal joints using hard x-ray inline phase contrast radiography

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

Zabler, S.; Rack, T.; Nelson, K.

2010-10-15

Quantitative investigation of micrometer and submicrometer gaps between joining metal surfaces is applied to conical plug-socket connections in dental titanium implants. Microgaps of widths well beyond the resolving power of industrial x-ray systems are imaged by synchrotron phase contrast radiography. Furthermore, by using an analytical model for the relatively simple sample geometry and applying it to numerical forward simulations of the optical Fresnel propagation, we show that quantitative measurements of the microgap width down to 0.1 {mu}m are possible. Image data recorded at the BAMline (BESSY-II light source, Germany) are presented, with the resolving power of the imaging system beingmore » 4 {mu}m in absorption mode and {approx}14 {mu}m in phase contrast mode (z{sub 2}=0.74 m). Thus, phase contrast radiography, combined with numerical forward simulations, is capable of measuring the widths of gaps that are two orders of magnitude thinner than the conventional detection limit.« less

Suppression of the Nonlinear Zeeman Effect and Heading Error in Earth-Field-Range Alkali-Vapor Magnetometers.

PubMed

Bao, Guzhi; Wickenbrock, Arne; Rochester, Simon; Zhang, Weiping; Budker, Dmitry

2018-01-19

The nonlinear Zeeman effect can induce splitting and asymmetries of magnetic-resonance lines in the geophysical magnetic-field range. This is a major source of "heading error" for scalar atomic magnetometers. We demonstrate a method to suppress the nonlinear Zeeman effect and heading error based on spin locking. In an all-optical synchronously pumped magnetometer with separate pump and probe beams, we apply a radio-frequency field which is in phase with the precessing magnetization. This results in the collapse of the multicomponent asymmetric magnetic-resonance line with ∼100  Hz width in the Earth-field range into a single peak with a width of 22 Hz, whose position is largely independent of the orientation of the sensor within a range of orientation angles. The technique is expected to be broadly applicable in practical magnetometry, potentially boosting the sensitivity and accuracy of Earth-surveying magnetometers by increasing the magnetic-resonance amplitude, decreasing its width, and removing the important and limiting heading-error systematic.

Effect of the focal plane position on CO2 laser beam cutting of injection molded polycarbonate sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moradi, Mahmoud; Mehrabi, Omid; Azdast, Taher; Benyounis, Khaled Y.

2016-11-01

In the present research, the effect of laser beam focal plane position (FPP) on the kerf quality of the polycarbonate laser cutting is investigated. Low power CO2 laser is used as the heat source of the cutting runs. In the experiments, FPP is varied from 0 to -4mm while other processing parameters (i.e. laser power, cutting speed and gas pressure) are considered constant. Upper and lower kerf width, kerf taper, upper heat affected zone and surface roughness of the kerf wall are also considered as the responses. Observations signified that reducing the position of the laser beam focal point from zero to - 3mm reduces the upper and lower kerf width. However reducing FPP below -3mm leads to an increase in the kerf width. Results also reveals that upper heat affected zone value reduces by reduction in FPP. Moreover the best kerf wall surface roughness occurred at FPP= -3mm.

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

Phillips, Benjamin R.; Baldridge, W. Scott; Gable, Carl W.

Finite volume calculations of the flow of rhyolite are presented to investigate the fate of viscous magmas flowing in planar fractures with realistic length to width ratios of up to 2500:1. Heat and mass transfer for a melt with a temperature dependent viscosity and the potential to undergo phase change are considered. Magma driving pressures and dike widths are chosen to satisfy simple elastic considerations. These models are applied within a parameter space relevant to the Banco Bonito rhyolite flow, Valles caldera, New Mexico. We estimate a maximum eruption duration for the event of ~200 days, realized at a minimummore » possible dike width of 5-6 m and driving pressure of 7-8 MPa. Simplifications in the current model may warrant scaling of these results. However, we demonstrate the applicability of our model to magma dynamics issues and suggest that such models may be used to infer information about both the timing of an eruption and the evolution of the associated magma source.« less

Saw-tooth refractive x-ray optics with sub-micron resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cederstrom, Bjorn; Ribbing, Carolina; Lundqvist, Mats

2002-11-01

Saw-tooth refractive x-ray lenses have been used to focus a synchrotron beam to sub-μm line width. These lenses are free from spherical aberration and work in analogy with 1-D focusing parabolic compound refractive lenses. However, the focal length can be varied by a simple mechanical procedure. Silicon lenses were fabricated by wet anisotropic etching, and epoxy replicas were molded from the silicon masters. Theses lenses provided 1-D intensity gains up to a factor of 40 and the smallest focal line width was 0.74 μm, very close to the theoretical expectation. Two crossed lenses were put in series to obtain 2-D focusing and the 80 μm by 275 μm source was imaged to 1.0 μm by 5.4 μm. Beryllium lenses were fabricated using conventional computer-controlled milling. The focal line width was 1.7 μm, nearly 3 times larger than predicted by theory. This can be attributed to large surface roughness and a bent lens shape.

Effects of ultra-thin Si-fin body widths upon SOI PMOS FinFETs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liaw, Yue-Gie; Chen, Chii-Wen; Liao, Wen-Shiang; Wang, Mu-Chun; Zou, Xuecheng

2018-05-01

Nano-node tri-gate FinFET devices have been developed after integrating a 14 Å nitrided gate oxide upon the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers established on an advanced CMOS logic platform. These vertical double gate (FinFET) devices with ultra-thin silicon fin (Si-fin) widths ranging from 27 nm to 17 nm and gate length down to 30 nm have been successfully developed with a 193 nm scanner lithography tool. Combining the cobalt fully silicidation and the CESL strain technology beneficial for PMOS FinFETs was incorporated into this work. Detailed analyses of Id-Vg characteristics, threshold voltage (Vt), and drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) illustrate that the thinnest 17 nm Si-fin width FinFET exhibits the best gate controllability due to its better suppression of short channel effect (SCE). However, higher source/drain resistance (RSD), channel mobility degradation due to dry etch steps, or “current crowding effect” will slightly limit its transconductance (Gm) and drive current.

Feasibility study for a realistic training dedicated to radiological protection improvement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courageot, Estelle; Reinald, Kutschera; Gaillard-Lecanu, Emmanuelle; Sylvie, Jahan; Riedel, Alexandre; Therache, Benjamin

2014-06-01

Any personnel involved in activities within the controlled area of a nuclear facility must be provided with appropriate radiological protection training. An evident purpose of this training is to know the regulation dedicated to workplaces where ionizing radiation may be present, in order to properly carry out the radiation monitoring, to use suitable protective equipments and to behave correctly if unexpected working conditions happen. A major difficulty of this training consist in having the most realistic reading from the monitoring devices for a given exposure situation, but without using real radioactive sources. A new approach is developed at EDF R&D for radiological protection training. This approach combines different technologies, in an environment representative of the workplace but geographically separated from the nuclear power plant: a training area representative of a workplace, a Man Machine Interface used by the trainer to define the source configuration and the training scenario, a geolocalization system, fictive radiation monitoring devices and a particle transport code able to calculate in real time the dose map due to the virtual sources. In a first approach, our real-time particles transport code, called Moderato, used only an attenuation low in straight line. To improve the realism further, we would like to switch a code based on the Monte Carlo transport of particles method like Geant 4 or MCNPX instead of Moderato. The aim of our study is the evaluation of the code in our application, in particular, the possibility to keep a real time response of our architecture.

CT radiation profile width measurement using CR imaging plate raw data

PubMed Central

Yang, Chang‐Ying Joseph

2015-01-01

This technical note demonstrates computed tomography (CT) radiation profile measurement using computed radiography (CR) imaging plate raw data showing it is possible to perform the CT collimation width measurement using a single scan without saturating the imaging plate. Previously described methods require careful adjustments to the CR reader settings in order to avoid signal clipping in the CR processed image. CT radiation profile measurements were taken as part of routine quality control on 14 CT scanners from four vendors. CR cassettes were placed on the CT scanner bed, raised to isocenter, and leveled. Axial scans were taken at all available collimations, advancing the cassette for each scan. The CR plates were processed and raw CR data were analyzed using MATLAB scripts to measure collimation widths. The raw data approach was compared with previously established methodology. The quality control analysis scripts are released as open source using creative commons licensing. A log‐linear relationship was found between raw pixel value and air kerma, and raw data collimation width measurements were in agreement with CR‐processed, bit‐reduced data, using previously described methodology. The raw data approach, with intrinsically wider dynamic range, allows improved measurement flexibility and precision. As a result, we demonstrate a methodology for CT collimation width measurements using a single CT scan and without the need for CR scanning parameter adjustments which is more convenient for routine quality control work. PACS numbers: 87.57.Q‐, 87.59.bd, 87.57.uq PMID:26699559

Children's Interpretations of Computer-Animated Dinosaurs in Live Theatre: "Dinosaurus".

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Jeanne M.

To explore media theories of perceived reality regarding factuality, social, and physical realism, and "videocy" (or theatrical spectacle), 32 children in first, third, and fifth grades were individually interviewed after attending a production of "Dinosaurus" which included computer-animated dinosaurs. Contrary to beliefs that…

Education Research Will Not Profit from Radical Constructionism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cobern, William W.

This paper examines the historical roots of critical realism in western thought, highlights the dramatic nature of the shift in thought that the radical constructivists are seeking, and critically considers the relevance of radical constructivism in science teacher education. Radical constructivism is an epistemological philosophy that divorces…

In Response to Rowland on "Realism and Debateability in Policy Advocacy."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herbeck, Dale A.; Katsulas, John P.

1986-01-01

Argues that Robert Rowland has overstated the case against the permutation process for assessing counterplan competitiveness. Claims that the permutation standard is a viable method for ascertaining counterplan competitiveness. Examines Rowland's alternative and argues that it is an unsatisfactory method for determining counterplan…

Counselling Remaining Employees in Redundancy Situations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vinten, Gerald; Lane, David A.

2002-01-01

Interviews with 50 managers in organizations that had experienced downsizing or restructuring elicited three themes: sense of loss, sense of realism, and sense of support. The experience changed their concept of organizational mission and required an organizational response. It was recommended that management of restructuring and layoff include…

Interpretation as Adaptation: Education for Survival in Uncertain Times

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gough, Steve; Stables, Andrew

2012-01-01

The argument challenges dominant approaches to education for sustainability through adopting a theoretical framework grounded in broad ontological realism but epistemological relativism, consonant with both Darwin and a fully semiotic account of living and learning (Stables & Gough, 2006; Stables, 2005, 2006). This framework draws together strands…

Critical Constructivism: Interpreting Mathematics Education for Social Justice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skovsmose, Ole

2018-01-01

The notion of social justice has been addressed from the perspective of 'ethical realism' and 'ethical anarchistic'. Here, however, the possibility of 'ethical constructivism' becomes formulated. With departure in Rawls' description of an idealised meeting defining social justice, the initial steps into ethical constructivism become taken.…

The Effects of Realism in Learning with Dynamic Visualizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scheiter, Katharina; Gerjets, Peter; Huk, Thomas; Imhof, Birgit; Kammerer, Yvonne

2009-01-01

Two experiments are reported that investigated the relative effectiveness of a realistic dynamic visualization as opposed to a schematic visualization for learning about cell replication (mitosis). In Experiment 1, 37 university students watched either realistic or schematic visualizations. Students' subjective task demands ratings as well as…

ADP--A Must in the Secondary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Majernik, John A.

1974-01-01

The rationale for including automated data processing (ADP) in secondary schools is given. ADP instruction: prepares students for data processing employment and for advanced ADP study, aids all students preparing for business careers, aids students in choosing a career, provides consumer information, and adds realism to other classroom…

Modeling Epistemic and Ontological Cognition: Philosophical Perspectives and Methodological Directions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greene, Jeffrey A.; Azevedo, Roger A.; Torney-Purta, Judith

2008-01-01

We propose an integration of aspects of several developmental and systems of beliefs models of personal epistemology. Qualitatively different positions, including realism, dogmatism, skepticism, and rationalism, are characterized according to individuals' beliefs across three dimensions in a model of epistemic and ontological cognition. This model…

From Dualism to Unity in Quantum Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landé, Alfred

2016-02-01

Preface; Introduction; 1. Causality, chance, continuity; 2. States, observables, probabilities; 3. The metric law of probabilities; 4. Quantum dynamics; 5. Quantum fact and fiction; Retrospect. From dualism to unity, from positivism to realism; Appendix 1. Survey of elementary postulates; Appendix 2. Two problems of uniqueness; References; Index.

Creating the Virtual Middle Ground.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heim, Michael

1998-01-01

Contemporary culture exhibits an increasingly polarized spectrum of attitudes toward virtualization: those who want photorealism and those who seek sheer fantasy. This author describes "Virtual Realism," his strategy for balancing the two social forces. His students at California's Art Center College of Design are putting it to the test.…

Determining the Best Loci of Knowledge, Responsibilities and Decision Rights in Major Acquisition Organizations

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-05-01

systems and organizations. On the other side, field research provides unparalleled opportunity for realism ( Denzin &, Lincoln , 1994). The researcher in...approach. Fort Belvoir, VA: Author. Denzin , N.K. & Lincoln , Y.S. (Eds.). (1994). Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Conversational Simulation in Computer-Assisted Language Learning: Potential and Reality.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coleman, D. Wells

1988-01-01

Addresses the potential of conversational simulations for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and reasons why this potential is largely untapped. Topics discussed include artificial intelligence; microworlds; parsing; realism versus reality in computer software; intelligent tutoring systems; and criteria to clarify what kinds of CALL…

Teaching the Basics: Development and Validation of a Distal Radius Reduction and Casting Model.

PubMed

Seeley, Mark A; Fabricant, Peter D; Lawrence, J Todd R

2017-09-01

Approximately one-third of reduced pediatric distal radius fractures redisplace, resulting in further treatment. Two major modifiable risk factors for loss of reduction are reduction adequacy and cast quality. Closed reduction and immobilization of distal radius fractures is an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education residency milestone. Teaching and assessing competency could be improved with a life-like simulation training tool. Our goal was to develop and validate a realistic distal radius fracture reduction and casting simulator as determined by (1) a questionnaire regarding the "realism" of the model and (2) the quantitative assessments of reduction time, residual angulation, and displacement. A distal radius fracture model was created with radiopaque bony segments and articulating elbows and shoulders. Simulated periosteum and internal deforming forces required proper reduction and casting techniques to achieve and maintain reduction. The forces required were estimated through an iterative process through feedback from experienced clinicians. Embedded monofilaments allowed for quantitative assessment of residual displacement and angulation through the use of fluoroscopy. Subjects were asked to perform closed reduction and apply a long arm fiberglass cast. Primary performance variables assessed included reduction time, residual angulation, and displacement. Secondary performance variables consisted of number of fluoroscopic images, casting time, and cast index (defined as the ratio of the internal width of the forearm cast in the sagittal plane to the internal width in the coronal plane at the fracture site). Subject grading was performed by two blinded reviewers. Interrater reliability was nearly perfect across all measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.94-0.99), thus disagreements in measurements were handled by averaging the assessed values. After completion the participants answered a Likert-based questionnaire regarding the realism of simulation. Eighteen participants consented to participate in the study (eight attending pediatric orthopaedic surgeons, six junior residents, four senior residents). The performances of junior residents (Postgraduate Year [PGY] 1-2), senior residents (PGY 3-5), and attending surgeons were compared using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's-adjusted pairwise comparisons. The majority of participants (15 of 18) felt that the model looked, felt, and moved like a human forearm. All participants strongly agreed that the model taught the basic steps of fracture reduction and should be implemented in orthopaedic training. Attending surgeons reduced fractures in less time than junior residents (60 ± 27 seconds versus 460 ± 62 seconds; mean difference, 400 seconds; 95% CI, 335-465 seconds; p < 0.001). Residual angulation was greater for junior residents when compared with attending surgeons on AP (7° ± 5° versus 0.7° ± 0.9°; mean difference, 6.3°; 95% CI, 3°-11°; p = 0.003) and lateral (27° ± 7° versus 7° ± 5°; mean difference, 20°; 95% CI, 13°-27°; p = 0.001) radiographs. Similarly, residual displacement was greater for junior residents than either senior residents (mean difference, 16 mm; 95% CI, 2-34 mm; p = 0.05) or attending surgeons (mean difference, 15 mm; 95% CI, 3-27 mm; p = 0.02) on lateral images. There were no differences identified in secondary performance variables (number of fluoroscopic images, casting time, and cast index) between groups. This is the first distal radius fracture reduction model to incorporate an elbow and shoulder and allow quantitative assessment of the fracture reduction. This simulator may be useful in an orthopaedic resident training program to help them reach a defined minimum level of competency. This simulator also could easily be integrated in other accreditation and training programs, including emergency medicine. Level II, therapeutic study.

Nanosecond pulsed laser welding of high carbon steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ascari, Alessandro; Fortunato, Alessandro

2014-03-01

The present paper deals with the possibility to exploit low-cost, near infra-red, nanosecond pulsed laser sources in welding of high carbon content thin sheets. The exploitation of these very common sources allows to achieve sound weld beads with a good depth-to-width ratio and very small heat affected zones when the proper process parameters are involved. In particular the role of pulse frequency, pulse duration, peak power and welding speed on the characteristics of the weld beads is studied and the advantage of the application of short-pulse laser sources over traditional long-pulse or continuous wave one is assessed.

Luminescent light source for laser pumping and laser system containing same

DOEpatents

Hamil, Roy A.; Ashley, Carol S.; Brinker, C. Jeffrey; Reed, Scott; Walko, Robert J.

1994-01-01

The invention relates to a pumping lamp for use with lasers comprising a porous substrate loaded with a component capable of emitting light upon interaction of the component with exciting radiation and a source of exciting radiation. Preferably, the pumping lamp comprises a source of exciting radiation, such as an electron beam, and an aerogel or xerogel substrate loaded with a component capable of interacting with the exciting radiation, e.g., a phosphor, to produce light, e.g., visible light, of a suitable band width and of a sufficient intensity to generate a laser beam from a laser material.

Femtosecond Laser--Pumped Source of Entangled Photons for Quantum Cryptography Applications

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

Pan, D.; Donaldson, W.; Sobolewski, R.

2007-07-31

We present an experimental setup for generation of entangled-photon pairs via spontaneous parametric down-conversion, based on the femtosecond-pulsed laser. Our entangled-photon source utilizes a 76-MHz-repetition-rate, 100-fs-pulse-width, mode-locked, ultrafast femtosecond laser, which can produce, on average, more photon pairs than a cw laser of an equal pump power. The resulting entangled pairs are counted by a pair of high-quantum-efficiency, single-photon, silicon avalanche photodiodes. Our apparatus is intended as an efficient source/receiver system for the quantum communications and quantum cryptography applications.

The broad-band X-ray spectral variability of Mrk 841

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

George, I. M.; Nandra, K.; Fabian, A. C.; Turner, T. J.; Done, C.; Day, C. S. R.

1993-01-01

A detailed spectral analysis of five X-ray observations of Mrk 841 with the EXOSAT, Ginga, and ROSAT satellites is reported. Variability is apparent in both the soft (0.1-1.0 keV) and medium (1-20 keV) energy bands. Above, 1 keV, the spectra are adequately modeled by a power law with a strong emission line of equivalent width 450 eV. The large equivalent width of the emission line indicates a strongly enhanced reflection component of the source compared with other Seyferts observed with Ginga. The implications of the results of the analysis for physical models of the emission regions in this and other X-ray bright Seyferts are briefly examined.

Automated Source Depth Estimation Using Array Processing Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-14

station for each depth cell , whose width is a user defined parameter, n [Bonner et al., 2002; Murphy et al. 1999]. The largest peak in the stack...Columbia University ATTN: Dr. Paul Richards Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Route 9W Palisades NY 10964 University of California, Davis ATTN

Modeling transient gain dynamics in a cladding-pumped Yb-doped fiber ampliefier pulsed at low repetition rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Valley, G. C.; Wright, M.

2001-01-01

Simulations of 1-50 kHz repetition rate, pulsed Yb-fiber amplifiers show peak powers to 10 kW with half-widths < 30 ns, consistent with commercial amplifier performance. This device is a potential source for deep space-communication.

The upper bound of Pier Scour defined by selected laboratory and field data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Benedict, Stephen; Caldwell, Andral W.

2015-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, conducted several field investigations of pier scour in South Carolina (Benedict and Caldwell, 2006; Benedict and Caldwell, 2009) and used that data to develop envelope curves defining the upper bound of pier scour. To expand upon this previous work, an additional cooperative investigation was initiated to combine the South Carolina data with pier-scour data from other sources and evaluate the upper bound of pier scour with this larger data set. To facilitate this analysis, a literature review was made to identify potential sources of published pier-scour data, and selected data were compiled into a digital spreadsheet consisting of approximately 570 laboratory and 1,880 field measurements. These data encompass a wide range of laboratory and field conditions and represent field data from 24 states within the United States and six other countries. This extensive database was used to define the upper bound of pier-scour depth with respect to pier width encompassing the laboratory and field data. Pier width is a primary variable that influences pier-scour depth (Laursen and Toch, 1956; Melville and Coleman, 2000; Mueller and Wagner, 2005, Ettema et al. 2011, Arneson et al. 2012) and therefore, was used as the primary explanatory variable in developing the upper-bound envelope curve. The envelope curve provides a simple but useful tool for assessing the potential maximum pier-scour depth for pier widths of about 30 feet or less.

Microlensing of Extremely Magnified Stars near Caustics of Galaxy Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venumadhav, Tejaswi; Dai, Liang; Miralda-Escudé, Jordi

2017-11-01

Recent observations of lensed galaxies at cosmological distances have detected individual stars that are extremely magnified when crossing the caustics of lensing clusters. In idealized cluster lenses with smooth mass distributions, two images of a star of radius R approaching a caustic brighten as {t}-1/2 and reach a peak magnification ˜ {10}6{(10{R}⊙ /R)}1/2 before merging on the critical curve. We show that a mass fraction ({κ }\\star ≳ {10}-4.5) in microlenses inevitably disrupts the smooth caustic into a network of corrugated microcaustics and produces light curves with numerous peaks. Using analytical calculations and numerical simulations, we derive the characteristic width of the network, caustic-crossing frequencies, and peak magnifications. For the lens parameters of a recent detection and a population of intracluster stars with {κ }\\star ˜ 0.01, we find a source-plane width of ˜ 20 {pc} for the caustic network, which spans 0.2 {arcsec} on the image plane. A source star takes ˜ 2× {10}4 years to cross this width, with a total of ˜ 6× {10}4 crossings, each one lasting for ˜ 5 {hr} (R/10 {R}⊙ ) with typical peak magnifications of ˜ {10}4 {(R/10{R}⊙ )}-1/2. The exquisite sensitivity of caustic-crossing events to the granularity of the lens-mass distribution makes them ideal probes of dark matter components, such as compact halo objects and ultralight axion dark matter.

"Solid All the Way Through": Margaret Mahy's Ordinary Witches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waller, Alison

2004-01-01

In "The Haunting," "The Changeover," and "The Tricksters," Margaret Mahy fuses supernatural iconography of witchcraft and magic with images of ordinary and domestic adolescence. This article argues that Mahy's "fantastic realism" illuminates aspects of female teenage experience through a blend of myth, fairy tale, folklore and history, as well as…

Interactive Effects of Color Realism and Learners' IQ on Effectiveness of Visual Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berry, Louis H.; Dwyer, Francis M.

1982-01-01

Undergraduates of different levels of ability (IQ) profited differentially from color cueing of instructional materials pertaining to the human heart. Visualization was not equally effective in achievement of different educational objectives (drawing, identification, terminology, and comprehension tests). Delayed retention of material was not…

Virtual Characters: Visual Realism Affects Response Time and Decision-Making

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sibuma, Bernadette

2012-01-01

This study integrates agent research with a neurocognitive technique to study how character faces affect cognitive processing. The N170 event-related potential (ERP) was used to study face processing during simple decision-making tasks. Twenty-five adults responded to facial expressions (fear/neutral) presented in three designs…

Matter in Motion: The Educational Materialism of Gilles Deleuze

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cole, David R.

2012-01-01

This paper critically examines the materialism that Gilles Deleuze espouses in his oeuvre to the benefit of educational theory. In "Difference and Repetition", he presented transcendental empiricism by underwriting Kant with realism (Deleuze, 1994). Later, in "Capitalism & Schizophrenia I & II" that were co-written with Felix Guattari (1984, 1988)…

Stress and Simulation in Pilot Training. Final Report, May 1977 Through December 1977.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krahenbuhl, Gary S.; And Others

Research was conducted on pilot stress during simulated emergency flight conditions. Catecholamine (adrenaline and non-adrenaline) secretion for twenty United States Air Force student pilots and thirteen instructor pilots was determined during daily activities, during simulated flights performed in high realism simulators, and during actual…

Does Style Negate Substance? The Use of Argument in Parliamentary Debate.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Epstein, Susan B.

Two debate rounds offered at the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) illustrate how debate could offer both style (the ability to communicate well) and substance (a message of significance and purpose). With the resolution "idealism is better than realism," debaters and judges were transported into a "Popeye"…

Environmental Education in Third World Schools: Rhetoric or Realism?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vulliamy, Graham

1987-01-01

Argues that approaches to teaching about environmental concerns that have been successful either in Western schools or in non-formal projects in developing countries are unlikely to be effectively implemented in third world schools. Discusses the economic, political and social constraints of schooling in these countries. (TW)

Pursuing Ideology with "Statecraft"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Hayden; Michelsen, Niall

2017-01-01

Utilizing a web-based simulation Statecraft, we explore the relative influence of ideology (realism and idealism) on student behavior and learning. By placing students into ideologically cohesive groups, we are able to demonstrate the effect of their ideology on the goals they pursue and identify the constraints imposed on the system by the…

Machiavelli's Political Realism: Its Implications for Today's Superintendent-School Board Interactions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarty, Donald J.

The relevance of Machiavellian theories of political leadership to school administration is examined in this paper, with a focus on the superintendent/school board relationship. As the first modern political theorist, Machiavelli used empirical observation and generalization to understand that perceptions are more real in their consequences than…

From Acceptance to Rejection: Food Contamination in the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rajecki, D. W.

1989-01-01

Describes a classroom exercise to explain design and measurement principles in methodology and statistics courses. This demonstration which involves measurement of a shift from food acceptance to food rejection produces meaningful data sets. The realism of the exercise gives students a view of problems that emerge in research. (KO)

Curriculum Integration versus Educating for Global Citizenship: A (Disciplinary) View from the International Relations Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Dennis R.

2014-01-01

This paper offers a view from the classroom and departmental chair's office, using the teaching of introductory "International Relations" and some basic theoretical foundations of the field, "Realism," "Cosmopolitanism," and "Constructivism," to explore how study abroad can balance calls to educate for…

Vocational Training or Value Shaping: One Approach to Education in the 1990's.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Stephen

Balancing the vocational and educational components in technical institutions today is difficult, requiring that faculty and administrators have vision, political realism, moral integrity, and energy. To understand better the rationale which underlies present forms of nonuniversity, postsecondary college education, a study was conducted at three…

Coming-of-Age among Contemporary American Indians as Portrayed in Adolescent Fiction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Markstrom-Adams, Carol

1990-01-01

Reviewed nine contemporary novels (1971-86) to examine dominant themes evident in contemporary novels involving American Indian adolescents. In contrast to earlier novels, these contemporary novels reflected greater realism toward and less stereotyping of American Indians. Most salient themes dealt with prejudice and discrimination, hopelessness…

The Berkeley Environmental Simulation Laboratory: Its Use In Environmental Impact Assessment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Appleyard, Donald; And Others

An environmental simulation laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, is testing the adequacy of different techniques for simulating environmental experiences. Various levels of realism, with various costs, are available in different presentation modes. The simulations can aid in communication about and the resolution of environmental…

Symbolism and Psychological Realism in "The Red Badge of Courage."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDermott, John J.

1968-01-01

In "The Red Badge of Courage," Stephen Crane overcomes serious artistic difficulties to depict a complicated psychological change in his protagonist, Henry Fleming, an unsophisticated and inarticulate farm boy. To embody the development of this protagonist, Crane uses a series of thematically-related incidents and a set of thematic…

A Socio-Psychological Exploration of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uwasomba, Chijioke

2009-01-01

Using a socio-psychological approach, the essay explores Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment. The exploration highlights Dostoyevsky's heavy reliance on the use of psychological realism, showing in the process the intricate interplay between psychology, sociology and literature. In the novel, the reader comes across the merging of the…

Guru Clown, or Pedagogy of the Carnivalesque.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schutzman, Mady

2002-01-01

Describes a teacher's experience of teaching a class entitled "Testimony, Magical Realism, and the Carnivalesque" which focused on the invention of aesthetic means to counter dominant, silencing discourses of power. Explains that students were asked to select a story from their own lives and were required to tell the story in three…

Writing in Nonstandard English. Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 67.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taavitsainen, Irma, Ed.; Melchers, Gunnel, Ed.; Pahta, Paivi, Ed.

Chapters in this book include the following: "Dickens as Sociolinguist: Dialect in 'David Copperfield'" (Patricia Poussa); "Contemporary Irish Writing and a Model of Speech Realism (John M. Kirk); "Dialect and Accent in Jim Cartwright's Play "Road" as Seen Through Erving Goffman's Theory on Footing" (Marion Fields); "The Representation of…

Critical Aesthetic Realism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McMahon, Jennifer A.

2011-01-01

A clear-cut concept of the aesthetic is elusive. Kant's "Critique of Judgment" presents one of the more comprehensive aesthetic theories from which one can extract a set of features, some of which pertain to aesthetic experience and others to the logical structure of aesthetic judgment. When considered together, however, these features present a…

Animating Classroom Ethnography: Overcoming Video-Fear

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacLure, Maggie; Holmes, Rachel; MacRae, Christina; Jones, Liz

2010-01-01

This article addresses the use of video in classroom research. Influenced by the work of Deleuze on cinema, it challenges the mundane realism that continues to regulate video method, and its role in perpetuating what Deleuze calls the "everyday banality" that produces and conceals the "intolerable". In failing to interfere with the everyday…

Death: Realism in Children's Books.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Danielson, Kathy Everts

In the past, books for children treated death fearfully, morbidly, and didactically, but now children's literature treats death in a more realistic manner and is sensitive to its emotional aspects. Current theories suggest that children perceive death differently at various ages. G. P. Koocher (1973) used J. Piaget's cognitive stages as the basis…

Why Realism Seems So Naive: Romanticism, Professionalism, and Contemporary Critical Theory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fischer, Michael

1979-01-01

Discusses the emergence of a new kind of criticism which has as its philosophical starting point the rejections of mimesis, and traces the process leading up to the development of this critical theory--a process which began in English criticism of the romantic period. (DD)

Literature for Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salomone, Ronald E., Ed.

1985-01-01

The 15 articles in this journal issue deal with children's literature. Among the topics and titles discussed are (1) Virginia Hamilton's books, (2) the new realism in children's literature, (3) gender bias in children's books, (4) teaching "Where the Wild Things Are" to adults, (5) language use in "Alice in Wonderland," (6)…

Future Directions for Professional Educational Psychology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Norwich, Brahm

2005-01-01

This article considers the future of professional educational psychology by addressing challenges and tensions, while presenting a positive view tempered by realism. It starts by considering recent definitions of the role but asks whether one needs to be a professional psychologist to use psychological knowledge and understanding. It is argued…

Impressionistic Realism: The Europeans Focus the U.S. on Measurement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, David S.

2009-01-01

At the Joint OECD/University of Maryland Conference on "Measuring Poverty, Income Inequality, and Social Exclusion: Lessons from Europe" (held in Paris, 2009), many of the conference papers focused on alternative measures of income, evaluating their impacts on inequality and poverty. The conference papers highlighted the impact of making…

Age and Family Control Influences on Children's Television Viewing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rubin, Alan M.

1986-01-01

Indicates that (1) age and family control did not influence children's television viewing levels; (2) age influenced program preferences of children; (3) cartoon preferences related negatively to family control for the youngest groups; and (4) comedy and children's program preferences and television realism related positively to family control for…

William M. Harnett: "After the Hunt."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidson, Edie

1987-01-01

Using William M. Harnett's 1884 oil painting "After the Hunt," this lesson introduces students in grades seven through nine to the style of realism popular in the late nineteenth century. The lesson is also designed to show how art reflects the values of the society in which it was created. (JDH)

Mother Goose in the ESL Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galeano, Karen

Mother Goose is well suited to use in the elementary ESL classroom for several reasons. The stories appeal to children's imagination, adhering to the principle that a good story should have surprise value, interesting characters, meaningful conflict, action, and realism. The natural rhythms help develop English intonation, and the stories…

Maritime Threat Response

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

Shipments,” Congressional Budget Officer, 26 March 2006. 33 has the potential for mass casualties and the “ cinematic ” effect that Al-Qaeda and other...unknown enemy in a high traffic area. While it is still a two dimensional representation on a LCD screen, it does allow for the realism of the

USSR Report, Political and Sociological Affairs, Press Surveys from Soviet Southern Republics

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-10

candidate in art history, on "The Theater of Socialist Realism and the Spiritual-Esthetic Education of Youth" and by N. Mehdiev, candidate in...Procurator; Court; Internal Affairs Office; Main Office of People’s Education; Offices of Health, Vocational-Technical Education, Culture, Cinematization and

Worldwide Report, Arms Control.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-06-21

atmosphere of disappoint- ment," Koivisto said. It is, of course, sober realism to speak in this way. But the president himself showed that he has not...of journals known only to specialists to the front pages of newspapers all over the world. But this does not gladden us. It is not cinematic evil

Public and Private Dialogue About the American Family on Television.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albada, Kelly Fudge

2000-01-01

Finds that the private dialog between parents and children closely approximated the public dialog about TV family portrayals by focusing on TV family realism, structure, and relationship models. Shows that a social learning model was implicit in participants' arguments, and that most participants argued that family portrayals affect expectations…

Learning about Locomotion Patterns from Visualizations: Effects of Presentation Format and Realism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Imhof, Birgit; Scheiter, Katharina; Gerjets, Peter

2011-01-01

The rapid development of computer graphics technology has made possible an easy integration of dynamic visualizations into computer-based learning environments. This study examines the relative effectiveness of dynamic visualizations, compared either to sequentially or simultaneously presented static visualizations. Moreover, the degree of realism…

48 CFR 37.115-2 - General policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... degrade the level of technical expertise required to fulfill the Government's requirements (see 15.305 for competitive negotiations and 15.404-1(d) for cost realism analysis). When acquiring these services... skill levels and its use in key technical positions. [62 FR 44815, Aug. 22, 1997, as amended at 64 FR...

48 CFR 1515.305-72 - Release of cost information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Release of cost information. 1515.305-72 Section 1515.305-72 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY...) These individuals would then use this information to perform a cost realism analysis as described in FAR...

Specialized Centres and the Local Home Community: Children with Disabilities Need Them Both.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Serpell, Robert

1986-01-01

Community based rehabilitation for disabled persons in developing nations is contrasted with institutionally based rehabilitation. A strategy is proposed which combines the two approaches and includes greater economic realism, design of advanced training programs, provision of reliable transportation, and more outreach and follow-up activities by…