Electron-Poor Polar Intermetallics: Complex Structures, Novel Clusters, and Intriguing Bonding with Pronounced Electron Delocalization

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

Lin, Qisheng; Miller, Gordon J.

Intermetallic compounds represent an extensive pool of candidates for energy related applications stemming from magnetic, electric, optic, caloric, and catalytic properties. The discovery of novel intermetallic compounds can enhance understanding of the chemical principles that govern structural stability and chemical bonding as well as finding new applications. Valence electron-poor polar intermetallics with valence electron concentrations (VECs) between 2.0 and 3.0 e –/atom show a plethora of unprecedented and fascinating structural motifs and bonding features. Furthermore, establishing simple structure-bonding-property relationships is especially challenging for this compound class because commonly accepted valence electron counting rules are inappropriate.

Electron-Poor Polar Intermetallics: Complex Structures, Novel Clusters, and Intriguing Bonding with Pronounced Electron Delocalization

DOE PAGES

Lin, Qisheng; Miller, Gordon J.

2017-12-18

Intermetallic compounds represent an extensive pool of candidates for energy related applications stemming from magnetic, electric, optic, caloric, and catalytic properties. The discovery of novel intermetallic compounds can enhance understanding of the chemical principles that govern structural stability and chemical bonding as well as finding new applications. Valence electron-poor polar intermetallics with valence electron concentrations (VECs) between 2.0 and 3.0 e –/atom show a plethora of unprecedented and fascinating structural motifs and bonding features. Furthermore, establishing simple structure-bonding-property relationships is especially challenging for this compound class because commonly accepted valence electron counting rules are inappropriate.

Global Health Initiatives and aid effectiveness: insights from a Ugandan case study

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The emergence of Global Health Initiatives (GHIs) has been a major feature of the aid environment of the last decade. This paper seeks to examine in depth the behaviour of two prominent GHIs in the early stages of their operation in Uganda as well as the responses of the government. Methods The study adopted a qualitative and case study approach to investigate the governance of aid transactions in Uganda. Data sources included documentary review, in-depth and semi-structured interviews and observation of meetings. Agency theory guided the conceptual framework of the study. Results The Ugandan government had a stated preference for donor funding to be channelled through the general or sectoral budgets. Despite this preference, two large GHIs opted to allocate resources and deliver activities through projects with a disease-specific approach. The mixed motives of contributor country governments, recipient country governments and GHI executives produced incentive regimes in conflict between different aid mechanisms. Conclusion Notwithstanding attempts to align and harmonize donor activities, the interests and motives of the various actors (GHIs and different parts of the government) undermine such efforts. PMID:21726431

The new applications of sputtering and ion plating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, T.

1977-01-01

The potential industrial applications of sputtering and ion plating are strictly governed by the unique features these methods possess. The outstanding features of each method, the resultant coating characteristics and the various sputtering modes and configurations are discussed. New, more complex coatings and deposits can be developed such as graded composition structures (metal-ceramic seals), laminated and dispersion strengthened composites which improve the mechanical properties and high temperature stability. Specific industrial areas where future effort of sputtering and ion plating will concentrate to develop intricate alloy or compound coatings and solve difficult problem areas are discussed.

Antecedents of CIOs' Innovation Capability in Hospitals: Results of an Empirical Study.

PubMed

Liebe, Jan-David; Esdar, Moritz; Thye, Johannes; Hübner, Ursula

2017-01-01

CIOs' innovation capability is regarded as a precondition of successful HIT adoption in hospitals. Based on the data of 142 CIOs, this study aimed at identifying antecedents of perceived innovation capability. Eight features describing the status quo of the hospital IT management (e.g. use of IT governance frameworks), four features of the hospital structure (e.g. functional diversification) and four CIO characteristics (e.g. duration of employment) were tested as potential antecedents in an exploratory stepwise regression approach. Perceived innovation capability in its entirety and its three sub-dimensions served as criterion. The results show that CIOs' perceived innovation capability could be explained significantly (R²=0.34) and exclusively by facts that described the degree of formalism and structure of IT management in a hospital, e.g. intensive and formalised strategic communication, the existence of an IT strategy and the use of IT governance frameworks. Breaking down innovation capability into its constituents revealed that "innovative organisational culture" contributed to a large extent (R²=0.26) to the overall result sharing several predictors. In contrast, "intrapreneurial personality" (R²=0.11) and "openness towards users" (R²=0.18) could be predicted less well. These results hint at the relationship between working in a well-structured, formalised and strategy oriented environment and the overall feeling of being capable to promote IT innovation.

Probing the chemical interaction space governed by 4-aminosubstituted benzenesulfonamides and carbonic anhydrase isoforms.

PubMed

Rasti, Behnam; Heravi, Yeganeh Entezari

2018-06-01

Isoform diversity, critical physiological roles and involvement in major diseases/disorders such as glaucoma, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, and cancers have made carbonic anhydrase (CA), one of the most interesting case studies in the field of computer aided drug design. Since applying non-selective inhibitors can result in major side effects, there have been considerable efforts so far to achieve selective inhibitors for different isoforms of CA. Using proteochemometrics approach, the chemical interaction space governed by a group of 4-amino-substituted benzenesulfonamides and human CAs has been explored in the present study. Several validation methods have been utilized to assess the validity, robustness and predictivity power of the proposed proteochemometric model. Our model has offered major structural information that can be applied to design new selective inhibitors for distinct isoforms of CA. To prove the applicability of the proposed model, new compounds have been designed based on the offered discriminative structural features.

Chemical Dynamics of nano-Aluminum and Iodine Based Oxidizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Little, Brian; Ridge, Claron; Overdeep, Kyle; Slizewski, Dylan; Lindsay, Michael

2017-06-01

As observed in previous studies of nanoenergetic powder composites, micro/nano-structural features such as particle morphology and/or reactant spatial distance are expected to strongly influence properties that govern the combustion behavior of energetic materials (EM). In this study, highly reactive composites containing crystalline iodine (V) oxide or iodate salts with nano-sized aluminum (nAl) were blended by two different processing techniques and then collected as a powder for characterization. Physiochemical techniques such as thermal gravimetric analysis, calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, high speed photography, pressure profile analysis, temperature programmed reactions, and spectroscopy were employed to characterize these EM with emphasis on correlating the chemical reactivity with inherent structural features and variations in stoichiometry. This work is a continuation of efforts to probe the chemical dynamics of nAl-iodine based composites.

Archaeal DNA replication.

PubMed

Kelman, Lori M; Kelman, Zvi

2014-01-01

DNA replication is essential for all life forms. Although the process is fundamentally conserved in the three domains of life, bioinformatic, biochemical, structural, and genetic studies have demonstrated that the process and the proteins involved in archaeal DNA replication are more similar to those in eukaryal DNA replication than in bacterial DNA replication, but have some archaeal-specific features. The archaeal replication system, however, is not monolithic, and there are some differences in the replication process between different species. In this review, the current knowledge of the mechanisms governing DNA replication in Archaea is summarized. The general features of the replication process as well as some of the differences are discussed.

Essential Features of Responsible Governance of Agricultural Biotechnology

PubMed Central

Hartley, Sarah; Wickson, Fern

2016-01-01

Agricultural biotechnology continues to generate considerable controversy. We argue that to address this controversy, serious changes to governance are needed. The new wave of genomic tools and products (e.g., CRISPR, gene drives, RNAi, synthetic biology, and genetically modified [GM] insects and fish), provide a particularly useful opportunity to reflect on and revise agricultural biotechnology governance. In response, we present five essential features to advance more socially responsible forms of governance. In presenting these, we hope to stimulate further debate and action towards improved forms of governance, particularly as these new genomic tools and products continue to emerge. PMID:27144921

Essential Features of Responsible Governance of Agricultural Biotechnology.

PubMed

Hartley, Sarah; Gillund, Frøydis; van Hove, Lilian; Wickson, Fern

2016-05-01

Agricultural biotechnology continues to generate considerable controversy. We argue that to address this controversy, serious changes to governance are needed. The new wave of genomic tools and products (e.g., CRISPR, gene drives, RNAi, synthetic biology, and genetically modified [GM] insects and fish), provide a particularly useful opportunity to reflect on and revise agricultural biotechnology governance. In response, we present five essential features to advance more socially responsible forms of governance. In presenting these, we hope to stimulate further debate and action towards improved forms of governance, particularly as these new genomic tools and products continue to emerge.

Enhanced modeling features within TREETOPS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vandervoort, R. J.; Kumar, Manoj N.

1989-01-01

The original motivation for TREETOPS was to build a generic multi-body simulation and remove the burden of writing multi-body equations from the engineers. The motivation of the enhancement was twofold: (1) to extend the menu of built-in features (sensors, actuators, constraints, etc.) that did not require user code; and (2) to extend the control system design capabilities by linking with other government funded software (NASTRAN and MATLAB). These enhancements also serve to bridge the gap between structures and control groups. It is common on large space programs for the structures groups to build hi-fidelity models of the structure using NASTRAN and for the controls group to build lower order models because they lack the tools to incorporate the former into their analysis. Now the controls engineers can accept the hi-fidelity NASTRAN models into TREETOPS, add sensors and actuators, perform model reduction and couple the result directly into MATLAB to perform their design. The controller can then be imported directly into TREETOPS for non-linear, time-history simulation.

Bimodal pair f-KdV dynamics in star-forming clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karmakar, Pralay Kumar; Haloi, Archana; Roy, Supriya

2018-04-01

A theoretical formalism for investigating the bimodal conjugational mode dynamics of hybrid source, dictated by a unique pair of forced Korteweg-de Vries (f-KdV) equations in a complex turbo-magnetized star-forming cloud, is reported. It uses a standard multi-scale analysis executed over the cloud-governing equations in a closure form to derive the conjugated pair f-KdV system. We numerically see the structural features of two distinctive classes of eigenmode patterns stemming from the conjoint gravito-electrostatic interplay. The electrostatic compressive monotonic aperiodic shock-like patterns and gravitational compressive non-monotonic oscillatory shock-like structures are excitable. It is specifically revealed that the constitutive grain-charge (grain-mass) acts as electrostatic stabilizer (gravitational destabilizer) against the global cloud collapse dynamics. The basic features of the nonlinear coherent structures are confirmed in systematic phase-plane landscapes, indicating electrostatic irregular non-homoclinic open trajectories and gravitational atypical non-chaotic homoclinic fixed-point attractors. The relevance in the real astro-cosmic scenarios of the early phases of structure formation via wave-driven fluid-accretive transport processes is summarily emphasized.

Full-Wave Tomographic and Moment Tensor Inversion Based on 3D Multigrid Strain Green’s Tensor Databases

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-30

grade metamorphic rocks on the southern slope of the Himalaya is imaged as a band of high velocity anomaly...velocity structures closely follow the geological features. As an indication of resolution, the ductile extrusion of high-grade metamorphic rocks on...MATERIEL COMMAND KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NM 87117-5776 DTIC COPY NOTICE AND SIGNATURE PAGE Using Government drawings, specifications, or other data

The Role of Law in Adaptive Governance | Science Inventory ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The term “governance” encompasses both governmental and nongovernmental participation in collective choice and action. Law dictates the structure, boundaries, rules, and processes within which governmental action takes place, and in doing so becomes one of the focal points for analysis of barriers to adaptation as the effects of climate change are felt. Adaptive governance must therefore contemplate a level of flexibility and evolution in governmental action beyond that currently found in the heavily administrative governments of many democracies. Nevertheless, over time, law itself has proven highly adaptive in western systems of government, evolving to address and even facilitate the emergence of new social norms (such as the rights of women and minorities) or to provide remedies for emerging problems (such as pollution). Thus, there is no question that law can adapt, evolve, and be reformed to make room for adaptive governance. In doing this, not only may barriers be removed, but law may be adjusted to facilitate adaptive governance and to aid in institutionalizing new and emerging approaches to governance. The key is to do so in a way that also enhances legitimacy, accountability, and justice, or else such reforms will never be adopted by democratic societies, or if adopted, will destabilize those societies. By identifying those aspects of the frameworks for adaptive governance reviewed in the introduction to this special feature relevant to the legal sy

Reducing emergency bed-days for older people? Network governance lessons from the 'Improving the Future for Older People' programme.

PubMed

Sheaff, Rod; Windle, Karen; Wistow, Gerald; Ashby, Sue; Beech, Roger; Dickinson, Angela; Henderson, Catherine; Knapp, Martin

2014-04-01

In 2007, the UK government set performance targets and public service agreements to control the escalation of emergency bed-days. Some years earlier, nine English local authorities had each created local networks with their health and third sector partners to tackle this increase. These networks formed the 'Improving the Future for Older People' initiative (IFOP), one strand of the national 'Innovation Forum' programme, set up in 2003. The nine sites set themselves one headline target to be achieved jointly over three years; a 20 per cent reduction in the number of emergency bed-days used by people aged 75 and over. Three ancillary targets were also monitored: emergency admissions, delayed discharges and project sustainability. Collectively the sites exceeded their headline target. Using a realistic evaluation approach, we explored which aspects of network governance appeared to have contributed to these emergency bed-day reductions. We found no simple link between network governance type and outcomes. The governance features associated with an effective IFOP network appeared to suggest that the selection and implementation of a small number of evidence-based services was central to networks' effectiveness. Each service needed to be coordinated by a network-based strategic group and hierarchically implemented at operational level by the responsible network member. Having a network-based implementation group with a 'joined-at-the-top' governance structure also appeared to promote network effectiveness. External factors, including NHS incentives, health reorganisations and financial targets similarly contributed to differences in performance. Targets and financial incentives could focus action but undermine horizontal networking. Local networks should specify which interventions network structures are intended to deliver. Effective projects are those likely to be evidence based, unique to the network and difficult to implement through vertical structures alone. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An investigation of chaotic Kolmogorov flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Platt, N.; Sirovich, L.; Fitzmaurice, N.

1990-01-01

A two dimensional flow governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with a steady spatially periodic forcing (known as the Kolmogorov flow) is numerically simulated. The behavior of the flow and its transition states as the Reynolds number (Re) varies is investigated in detail, as well as a number of the flow features. A sequence of bifurcations is shown to take place in the flow as Re varied. Two main regimes of the flow were observed: small and large scale structure regimes corresponding to different ranges of Re. Each of the regimes includes a number of quasiperiodic, chaotic, and relaminarization windows. In addition, each range contains a chaotic window with non-ergodic chaotic attractors. Spatially disordered, but temporally steady states were discovered in large scale structure regime. Features of the diverse cases are displayed in terms of the temporal power spectrum, Poincare sections and, where possible, Lyapunov exponents and Kaplan-Yorke dimension.

Increasing dimension of structures by 4D printing shape memory polymers via fused deposition modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, G. F.; Damanpack, A. R.; Bodaghi, M.; Liao, W. H.

2017-12-01

The main objective of this paper is to introduce a 4D printing method to program shape memory polymers (SMPs) during fabrication process. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) as a filament-based printing method is employed to program SMPs during depositing the material. This method is implemented to fabricate complicated polymeric structures by self-bending features without need of any post-programming. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate feasibility of one-dimensional (1D)-to 2D and 2D-to-3D self-bending. It is shown that 3D printed plate structures can transform into masonry-inspired 3D curved shell structures by simply heating. Good reliability of SMP programming during printing process is also demonstrated. A 3D macroscopic constitutive model is established to simulate thermo-mechanical features of the printed SMPs. Governing equations are also derived to simulate programming mechanism during printing process and shape change of self-bending structures. In this respect, a finite element formulation is developed considering von-Kármán geometric nonlinearity and solved by implementing iterative Newton-Raphson scheme. The accuracy of the computational approach is checked with experimental results. It is demonstrated that the theoretical model is able to replicate the main characteristics observed in the experiments. This research is likely to advance the state of the art FDM 4D printing, and provide pertinent results and computational tool that are instrumental in design of smart materials and structures with self-bending features.

Key structural features of nonsteroidal ligands for binding and activation of the androgen receptor.

PubMed

Yin, Donghua; He, Yali; Perera, Minoli A; Hong, Seoung Soo; Marhefka, Craig; Stourman, Nina; Kirkovsky, Leonid; Miller, Duane D; Dalton, James T

2003-01-01

The purposes of the present studies were to examine the androgen receptor (AR) binding ability and in vitro functional activity of multiple series of nonsteroidal compounds derived from known antiandrogen pharmacophores and to investigate the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these nonsteroidal compounds. The AR binding properties of sixty-five nonsteroidal compounds were assessed by a radioligand competitive binding assay with the use of cytosolic AR prepared from rat prostates. The AR agonist and antagonist activities of high-affinity ligands were determined by the ability of the ligand to regulate AR-mediated transcriptional activation in cultured CV-1 cells, using a cotransfection assay. Nonsteroidal compounds with diverse structural features demonstrated a wide range of binding affinity for the AR. Ten compounds, mainly from the bicalutamide-related series, showed a binding affinity superior to the structural pharmacophore from which they were derived. Several SARs regarding nonsteroidal AR binding were revealed from the binding data, including stereoisomeric conformation, steric effect, and electronic effect. The functional activity of high-affinity ligands ranged from antagonist to full agonist for the AR. Several structural features were found to be determinative of agonist and antagonist activities. The nonsteroidal AR agonists identified from the present studies provided a pool of candidates for further development of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) for androgen therapy. Also, these studies uncovered or confirmed numerous important SARs governing AR binding and functional properties by nonsteroidal molecules, which would be valuable in the future structural optimization of SARMs.

Viscoelasticity of biofilms and their recalcitrance to mechanical and chemical challenges

PubMed Central

Peterson, Brandon W.; He, Yan; Ren, Yijin; Zerdoum, Aidan; Libera, Matthew R.; Sharma, Prashant K.; van Winkelhoff, Arie-Jan; Neut, Danielle; Stoodley, Paul; van der Mei, Henny C.; Busscher, Henk J.

2015-01-01

We summarize different studies describing mechanisms through which bacteria in a biofilm mode of growth resist mechanical and chemical challenges. Acknowledging previous microscopic work describing voids and channels in biofilms that govern a biofilms response to such challenges, we advocate a more quantitative approach that builds on the relation between structure and composition of materials with their viscoelastic properties. Biofilms possess features of both viscoelastic solids and liquids, like skin or blood, and stress relaxation of biofilms has been found to be a corollary of their structure and composition, including the EPS matrix and bacterial interactions. Review of the literature on viscoelastic properties of biofilms in ancient and modern environments as well as of infectious biofilms reveals that the viscoelastic properties of a biofilm relate with antimicrobial penetration in a biofilm. In addition, also the removal of biofilm from surfaces appears governed by the viscoelasticity of a biofilm. Herewith, it is established that the viscoelasticity of biofilms, as a corollary of structure and composition, performs a role in their protection against mechanical and chemical challenges. Pathways are discussed to make biofilms more susceptible to antimicrobials by intervening with their viscoelasticity, as a quantifiable expression of their structure and composition. PMID:25725015

Beyond lognormal inequality: The Lorenz Flow Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eliazar, Iddo

2016-11-01

Observed from a socioeconomic perspective, the intrinsic inequality of the lognormal law happens to manifest a flow generated by an underlying ordinary differential equation. In this paper we extend this feature of the lognormal law to a general ;Lorenz Flow Structure; of Lorenz curves-objects that quantify socioeconomic inequality. The Lorenz Flow Structure establishes a general framework of size distributions that span continuous spectra of socioeconomic states ranging from the pure-communism extreme to the absolute-monarchy extreme. This study introduces and explores the Lorenz Flow Structure, analyzes its statistical properties and its inequality properties, unveils the unique role of the lognormal law within this general structure, and presents various examples of this general structure. Beyond the lognormal law, the examples include the inverse-Pareto and Pareto laws-which often govern the tails of composite size distributions.

The role of law in adaptive governance.

PubMed

Cosens, Barbara A; Craig, Robin K; Hirsch, Shana Lee; Arnold, Craig Anthony Tony; Benson, Melinda H; DeCaro, Daniel A; Garmestani, Ahjond S; Gosnell, Hannah; Ruhl, J B; Schlager, Edella

2017-03-01

The term "governance" encompasses both governmental and nongovernmental participation in collective choice and action. Law dictates the structure, boundaries, rules, and processes within which governmental action takes place, and in doing so becomes one of the focal points for analysis of barriers to adaptation as the effects of climate change are felt. Adaptive governance must therefore contemplate a level of flexibility and evolution in governmental action beyond that currently found in the heavily administrative governments of many democracies. Nevertheless, over time, law itself has proven highly adaptive in western systems of government, evolving to address and even facilitate the emergence of new social norms (such as the rights of women and minorities) or to provide remedies for emerging problems (such as pollution). Thus, there is no question that law can adapt, evolve, and be reformed to make room for adaptive governance. In doing this, not only may barriers be removed, but law may be adjusted to facilitate adaptive governance and to aid in institutionalizing new and emerging approaches to governance. The key is to do so in a way that also enhances legitimacy, accountability, and justice, or else such reforms will never be adopted by democratic societies, or if adopted, will destabilize those societies. By identifying those aspects of the frameworks for adaptive governance reviewed in the introduction to this special feature relevant to the legal system, we present guidelines for evaluating the role of law in environmental governance to identify the ways in which law can be used, adapted, and reformed to facilitate adaptive governance and to do so in a way that enhances the legitimacy of governmental action.

The Role of Government in Physician Reimbursement.

PubMed

Woerheide, James; Lake, Tim; Rich, Eugene C

2016-01-01

Governments around the world exert a substantial degree of influence over physician reimbursement, but the structure and level of that influence varies greatly. This article defines and analyzes the role of government in physician reimbursement both internationally and in the United States. We create a typology for government involvement in physician reimbursement that divides intervention into either direct control or indirect control. Within those broad categories, we describe more specific forms of involvement including rate setting, operating as a public payer, employing physicians directly, providing a source of market discipline, regulating private insurance, and convening private participants in the market. We apply our framework to the modern healthcare systems of Germany, Sweden, Canada, and the United States, highlighting some of the implications of differences between the systems. Our central finding is that in contrast to other example healthcare systems, the United States system features a complex interplay of federal and state government influence, both direct and indirect, into physician reimbursement. We conclude the article by examining the ways in which recent legislation including the Affordable Care Act and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act would likely change the role of government in physician reimbursement in the United States. Copyright © 2016 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Regulatory effects of cotranscriptional RNA structure formation and transitions.

PubMed

Liu, Sheng-Rui; Hu, Chun-Gen; Zhang, Jin-Zhi

2016-09-01

RNAs, which play significant roles in many fundamental biological processes of life, fold into sophisticated and precise structures. RNA folding is a dynamic and intricate process, which conformation transition of coding and noncoding RNAs form the primary elements of genetic regulation. The cellular environment contains various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that potentially affect RNA folding in vivo, and experimental and theoretical evidence increasingly indicates that the highly flexible features of the RNA structure are affected by these factors, which include the flanking sequence context, physiochemical conditions, cis RNA-RNA interactions, and RNA interactions with other molecules. Furthermore, distinct RNA structures have been identified that govern almost all steps of biological processes in cells, including transcriptional activation and termination, transcriptional mutagenesis, 5'-capping, splicing, 3'-polyadenylation, mRNA export and localization, and translation. Here, we briefly summarize the dynamic and complex features of RNA folding along with a wide variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect RNA folding. We then provide several examples to elaborate RNA structure-mediated regulation at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Finally, we illustrate the regulatory roles of RNA structure and discuss advances pertaining to RNA structure in plants. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:562-574. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1350 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Crack propagation and arrest in CFRP materials with strain softening regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dilligan, Matthew Anthony

Understanding the growth and arrest of cracks in composite materials is critical for their effective utilization in fatigue-sensitive and damage susceptible applications such as primary aircraft structures. Local tailoring of the laminate stack to provide crack arrest capacity intermediate to major structural components has been investigated and demonstrated since some of the earliest efforts in composite aerostructural design, but to date no rigorous model of the crack arrest mechanism has been developed to allow effective sizing of these features. To address this shortcoming, the previous work in the field is reviewed, with particular attention to the analysis methodologies proposed for similar arrest features. The damage and arrest processes active in such features are investigated, and various models of these processes are discussed and evaluated. Governing equations are derived based on a proposed mechanistic model of the crack arrest process. The derived governing equations are implemented in a numerical model, and a series of simulations are performed to ascertain the general characteristics of the proposed model and allow qualitative comparison to existing experimental results. The sensitivity of the model and the arrest process to various parameters is investigated, and preliminary conclusions regarding the optimal feature configuration are developed. To address deficiencies in the available material and experimental data, a series of coupon tests are developed and conducted covering a range of arrest zone configurations. Test results are discussed and analyzed, with a particular focus on identification of the proposed failure and arrest mechanisms. Utilizing the experimentally derived material properties, the tests are reproduced with both the developed numerical tool as well as a FEA-based implementation of the arrest model. Correlation between the simulated and experimental results is analyzed, and future avenues of investigation are identified. Utilizing the developed model, a sensitivity study is conducted to assess the current proposed arrest configuration. Optimum distribution and sizing of the arrest zones is investigated, and general design guidelines are developed.

On the structure and phase transitions of power-law Poissonian ensembles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eliazar, Iddo; Oshanin, Gleb

2012-10-01

Power-law Poissonian ensembles are Poisson processes that are defined on the positive half-line, and that are governed by power-law intensities. Power-law Poissonian ensembles are stochastic objects of fundamental significance; they uniquely display an array of fractal features and they uniquely generate a span of important applications. In this paper we apply three different methods—oligarchic analysis, Lorenzian analysis and heterogeneity analysis—to explore power-law Poissonian ensembles. The amalgamation of these analyses, combined with the topology of power-law Poissonian ensembles, establishes a detailed and multi-faceted picture of the statistical structure and the statistical phase transitions of these elemental ensembles.

Electronic Commerce: Government Services in the New Millennium.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maxwell, Terrence A., Ed.

1998-01-01

This newsletter features innovations in resource management and information technology to support New York State government. The newsletter contains the following six sections: (1) "Electronic Commerce: Government Services in the New Millennium" -- examining the need for government involvement in electronic commerce policy and…

Structural Biology of Non-Ribosomal Peptide Synthetases

PubMed Central

Miller, Bradley R.; Gulick, Andrew M.

2016-01-01

Summary The non-ribosomal peptide synthetases are modular enzymes that catalyze synthesis of important peptide products from a variety of standard and non-proteinogenic amino acid substrates. Within a single module are multiple catalytic domains that are responsible for incorporation of a single residue. After the amino acid is activated and covalently attached to an integrated carrier protein domain, the substrates and intermediates are delivered to neighboring catalytic domains for peptide bond formation or, in some modules, chemical modification. In the final module, the peptide is delivered to a terminal thioesterase domain that catalyzes release of the peptide product. This multi-domain modular architecture raises questions about the structural features that enable this assembly line synthesis in an efficient manner. The structures of the core component domains have been determined and demonstrate insights into the catalytic activity. More recently, multi-domain structures have been determined and are providing clues to the features of these enzyme systems that govern the functional interaction between multiple domains. This chapter describes the structures of NRPS proteins and the strategies that are being used to assist structural studies of these dynamic proteins, including careful consideration of domain boundaries for generation of truncated proteins and the use of mechanism-based inhibitors that trap interactions between the catalytic and carrier protein domains. PMID:26831698

Advanced understanding on electronic structure of molecular semiconductors and their interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akaike, Kouki

2018-03-01

Understanding the electronic structure of organic semiconductors and their interfaces is critical to optimizing functionalities for electronics applications, by rational chemical design and appropriate combination of device constituents. The unique electronic structure of a molecular solid is characterized as (i) anisotropic electrostatic fields that originate from molecular quadrupoles, (ii) interfacial energy-level lineup governed by simple electrostatics, and (iii) weak intermolecular interactions that make not only structural order but also energy distributions of the frontier orbitals sensitive to atmosphere and interface growth. This article shows an overview on these features with reference to the improved understanding of the orientation-dependent electronic structure, comprehensive mechanisms of molecular doping, and energy-level alignment. Furthermore, the engineering of ionization energy by the control of the electrostatic fields and work function of practical electrodes by contact-induced doping is briefly described for the purpose of highlighting how the electronic structure impacts the performance of organic devices.

Optimal design of high damping force engine mount featuring MR valve structure with both annular and radial flow paths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Q. H.; Choi, S. B.; Lee, Y. S.; Han, M. S.

2013-11-01

This paper focuses on the optimal design of a compact and high damping force engine mount featuring magnetorheological fluid (MRF). In the mount, a MR valve structure with both annular and radial flows is employed to generate a high damping force. First, the configuration and working principle of the proposed MR mount is introduced. The MRF flows in the mount are then analyzed and the governing equations of the MR mount are derived based on the Bingham plastic behavior of the MRF. An optimal design of the MR mount is then performed to find the optimal structure of the MR valve to generate a maximum damping force with certain design constraints. In addition, the gap size of MRF ducts is empirically chosen considering the ‘lockup’ problem of the mount at high frequency. Performance of the optimized MR mount is then evaluated based on finite element analysis and discussions on performance results of the optimized MR mount are given. The effectiveness of the proposed MR engine mount is demonstrated via computer simulation by presenting damping force and power consumption.

[Leadership in the hospital].

PubMed

Schrappe, Matthias

2009-01-01

Current concepts in leadership and governance on the level of supervisory board, management and departments are often considered as insufficient to cope with the profound structural change which actually takes place in the German health care system. While vertical and horizontal disconnecting is typical of the professional bureaucracy of hospitals, transition from functional to divisional structure further increases this risk. Accordingly, medical experts are oriented towards their professional peers and patient care on the one side; on the other side the management gets isolated and looses operative and strategic control. Several studies provide evidence for the relevance of role models to serve as agents of change, which are now developed into the concept of "Clinical Governance": evidence-based medicine, guidelines, continuous quality improvement, safety culture, resource accountability and organisational learning. The present situation makes it necessary to extend this conception, which focuses on the departmental level in an organisation with divisional features, to one of "Clinical Corporate Governance". This term, which also includes supervisory structures and the management board and is relevant for the total hospital and company, respectively, is based on the corporate governance concept. Inside the hospital, the management and the heads of the departments have to agree that (1) experts really need to be integrated into the decision process, and that (2) the outcomes of the entire hospital have to be regarded as equal or superior to the aims of a single department. The public image of the hospital should be one of a strong and reliable partner in health care and health care business on a local, regional and national level. Members of the supervisory board should clearly put corporate aspects above political and other implications and pay attention to personal independence from the leaders of the medical departments.

A distance constrained synaptic plasticity model of C. elegans neuronal network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badhwar, Rahul; Bagler, Ganesh

2017-03-01

Brain research has been driven by enquiry for principles of brain structure organization and its control mechanisms. The neuronal wiring map of C. elegans, the only complete connectome available till date, presents an incredible opportunity to learn basic governing principles that drive structure and function of its neuronal architecture. Despite its apparently simple nervous system, C. elegans is known to possess complex functions. The nervous system forms an important underlying framework which specifies phenotypic features associated to sensation, movement, conditioning and memory. In this study, with the help of graph theoretical models, we investigated the C. elegans neuronal network to identify network features that are critical for its control. The 'driver neurons' are associated with important biological functions such as reproduction, signalling processes and anatomical structural development. We created 1D and 2D network models of C. elegans neuronal system to probe the role of features that confer controllability and small world nature. The simple 1D ring model is critically poised for the number of feed forward motifs, neuronal clustering and characteristic path-length in response to synaptic rewiring, indicating optimal rewiring. Using empirically observed distance constraint in the neuronal network as a guiding principle, we created a distance constrained synaptic plasticity model that simultaneously explains small world nature, saturation of feed forward motifs as well as observed number of driver neurons. The distance constrained model suggests optimum long distance synaptic connections as a key feature specifying control of the network.

Tolerance to structural disorder and tunable mechanical behavior in self-assembled superlattices of polymer-grafted nanocrystals

DOE PAGES

Gu, X. Wendy; Ye, Xingchen; Koshy, David M.; ...

2017-02-27

Large, freestanding membranes with remarkably high elastic modulus ( > 10 GPa) have been fabricated through the self-Assembly of ligand-stabilized inorganic nanocrystals, even though these nanocrystals are connected only by soft organic ligands (e.g., dodecanethiol or DNA) that are not cross-linked or entangled. Recent developments in the synthesis of polymer-grafted nanocrystals have greatly expanded the library of accessible superlattice architectures,which allows superlattice mechanical behavior to be linked to specific structural features. Here, colloidal self-Assembly is used to organize polystyrene-grafted Au nanocrystals at a fluid interface to form ordered solids with sub-10-nm periodic features. We used thin-film buckling and nanoindentation tomore » evaluate the mechanical behavior of polymer-grafted nanocrystal superlattices while exploring the role of polymer structural conformation, nanocrystal packing, and superlattice dimensions. Superlattices containing 3-20 vol % Au are found to have an elastic modulus of ~6-19 GPa, and hardness of ~120-170 MPa. We also found that rapidly self-Assembled superlattices have the highest elastic modulus, despite containing significant structural defects. Polymer extension, interdigitation, and grafting density are determined to be critical parameters that govern superlattice elastic and plastic deformation.« less

Epidemic outbreaks in growing scale-free networks with local structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Shunjiang; Weng, Wenguo; Shen, Shifei; Fan, Weicheng

2008-09-01

The class of generative models has already attracted considerable interest from researchers in recent years and much expanded the original ideas described in BA model. Most of these models assume that only one node per time step joins the network. In this paper, we grow the network by adding n interconnected nodes as a local structure into the network at each time step with each new node emanating m new edges linking the node to the preexisting network by preferential attachment. This successfully generates key features observed in social networks. These include power-law degree distribution pk∼k, where μ=(n-1)/m is a tuning parameter defined as the modularity strength of the network, nontrivial clustering, assortative mixing, and modular structure. Moreover, all these features are dependent in a similar way on the parameter μ. We then study the susceptible-infected epidemics on this network with identical infectivity, and find that the initial epidemic behavior is governed by both of the infection scheme and the network structure, especially the modularity strength. The modularity of the network makes the spreading velocity much lower than that of the BA model. On the other hand, increasing the modularity strength will accelerate the propagation velocity.

Tolerance to structural disorder and tunable mechanical behavior in self-assembled superlattices of polymer-grafted nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, X. Wendy; Ye, Xingchen; Koshy, David M.; Vachhani, Shraddha; Hosemann, Peter; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2017-03-01

Large, freestanding membranes with remarkably high elastic modulus (>10 GPa) have been fabricated through the self-assembly of ligand-stabilized inorganic nanocrystals, even though these nanocrystals are connected only by soft organic ligands (e.g., dodecanethiol or DNA) that are not cross-linked or entangled. Recent developments in the synthesis of polymer-grafted nanocrystals have greatly expanded the library of accessible superlattice architectures, which allows superlattice mechanical behavior to be linked to specific structural features. Here, colloidal self-assembly is used to organize polystyrene-grafted Au nanocrystals at a fluid interface to form ordered solids with sub-10-nm periodic features. Thin-film buckling and nanoindentation are used to evaluate the mechanical behavior of polymer-grafted nanocrystal superlattices while exploring the role of polymer structural conformation, nanocrystal packing, and superlattice dimensions. Superlattices containing 3-20 vol % Au are found to have an elastic modulus of ˜6-19 GPa, and hardness of ˜120-170 MPa. We find that rapidly self-assembled superlattices have the highest elastic modulus, despite containing significant structural defects. Polymer extension, interdigitation, and grafting density are determined to be critical parameters that govern superlattice elastic and plastic deformation.

Outcomes of an International Workshop on Preconception Expanded Carrier Screening: Some Considerations for Governments.

PubMed

Molster, Caron M; Lister, Karla; Metternick-Jones, Selina; Baynam, Gareth; Clarke, Angus John; Straub, Volker; Dawkins, Hugh J S; Laing, Nigel

2017-01-01

Consideration of expanded carrier screening has become an emerging issue for governments. However, traditional criteria for decision-making regarding screening programs do not incorporate all the issues relevant to expanded carrier screening. Further, there is a lack of consistent guidance in the literature regarding the development of appropriate criteria for government assessment of expanded carrier screening. Given this, a workshop was held to identify key public policy issues related to preconception expanded carrier screening, which governments should consider when deciding whether to publicly fund such programs. In June 2015, a satellite workshop was held at the European Society of Human Genetics Conference. It was structured around two design features: (1) the provision of information from a range of perspectives and (2) small group deliberations on the key issues that governments need to consider and the benefits, risks, and challenges of implementing publicly funded whole-population preconception carrier screening. Forty-one international experts attended the workshop. The deliberations centered primarily on the conditions to be tested and the elements of the screening program itself. Participants expected only severe conditions to be screened but were concerned about the lack of a consensus definition of "severe." Issues raised regarding the screening program included the purpose, benefits, harms, target population, program acceptability, components of a program, and economic evaluation. Participants also made arguments for consideration of the accuracy of screening tests. A wide range of issues require careful consideration by governments that want to assess expanded carrier screening. Traditional criteria for government decision-making regarding screening programs are not a "best fit" for expanded carrier screening and new models of decision-making with appropriate criteria are required. There is a need to define what a "severe" condition is, to build evidence regarding the reliability and accuracy of screening tests, to consider the equitable availability and downstream effects on and costs of follow-up interventions for those identified as carriers, and to explore the ways in which the components of a screening program would be impacted by unique features of expanded carrier screening.

Evolution of Structural Empowerment: Moving From Shared to Professional Governance.

PubMed

Clavelle, Joanne T; Porter O'Grady, Tim; Weston, Marla J; Verran, Joyce A

2016-06-01

The aim of this study is to describe the maturation of the concept of shared governance to professional governance as a framework for structural empowerment. An analysis of the literature and concept clarification of structural empowerment and shared governance demonstrate that the concept and attributes of shared governance have evolved toward professional governance. A comprehensive, deductive literature review and concept clarification of structural empowerment, shared governance, and related constructs was completed. The concept and practice of shared governance has matured to a concept of professional governance with the attributes of accountability, professional obligation, collateral relationships, and effective decision-making.

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

Stegen, James C.; Lin, Xueju; Fredrickson, Jim K.

Across a set of ecological communities connected to each other through organismal dispersal (a ‘meta-community’), turnover in composition is governed by (ecological) Drift, Selection, and Dispersal Limitation. Quantitative estimates of these processes remain elusive, but would represent a common currency needed to unify community ecology. Using a novel analytical framework we quantitatively estimate the relative influences of Drift, Selection, and Dispersal Limitation on subsurface, sediment-associated microbial meta-communities. The communities we study are distributed across two geologic formations encompassing ~12,500m3 of uranium-contaminated sediments within the Hanford Site in eastern Washington State. We find that Drift consistently governs ~25% of spatial turnovermore » in community composition; Selection dominates (governing ~60% of turnover) across spatially-structured habitats associated with fine-grained, low permeability sediments; and Dispersal Limitation is most influential (governing ~40% of turnover) across spatially-unstructured habitats associated with coarse-grained, highly-permeable sediments. Quantitative influences of Selection and Dispersal Limitation may therefore be predictable from knowledge of environmental structure. To develop a system-level conceptual model we extend our analytical framework to compare process estimates across formations, characterize measured and unmeasured environmental variables that impose Selection, and identify abiotic features that limit dispersal. Insights gained here suggest that community ecology can benefit from a shift in perspective; the quantitative approach developed here goes beyond the ‘niche vs. neutral’ dichotomy by moving towards a style of natural history in which estimates of Selection, Dispersal Limitation and Drift can be described, mapped and compared across ecological systems.« less

Rethinking the REAL ID Act and National Identification Cards as a Counterterrorism Tool

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

federal government imposing national identification standards on states are also actively engaged in the debate. Michael Boldin , a 36-year-old Web...on the RIA.94 Boldin states, “Maine resisted, the government backed off, and soon all of these other states were doing the same thing.”95 Since...that acquires biometric data from an individual, extracts a feature set from the data, compares this feature set against the feature set stored in a

Long-range electrostatic complementarity governs substrate recognition by human chymotrypsin C, a key regulator of digestive enzyme activation.

PubMed

Batra, Jyotica; Szabó, András; Caulfield, Thomas R; Soares, Alexei S; Sahin-Tóth, Miklós; Radisky, Evette S

2013-04-05

Human chymotrypsin C (CTRC) is a pancreatic serine protease that regulates activation and degradation of trypsinogens and procarboxypeptidases by targeting specific cleavage sites within their zymogen precursors. In cleaving these regulatory sites, which are characterized by multiple flanking acidic residues, CTRC shows substrate specificity that is distinct from that of other isoforms of chymotrypsin and elastase. Here, we report the first crystal structure of active CTRC, determined at 1.9-Å resolution, revealing the structural basis for binding specificity. The structure shows human CTRC bound to the small protein protease inhibitor eglin c, which binds in a substrate-like manner filling the S6-S5' subsites of the substrate binding cleft. Significant binding affinity derives from burial of preferred hydrophobic residues at the P1, P4, and P2' positions of CTRC, although acidic P2' residues can also be accommodated by formation of an interfacial salt bridge. Acidic residues may also be specifically accommodated in the P6 position. The most unique structural feature of CTRC is a ring of intense positive electrostatic surface potential surrounding the primarily hydrophobic substrate binding site. Our results indicate that long-range electrostatic attraction toward substrates of concentrated negative charge governs substrate discrimination, which explains CTRC selectivity in regulating active digestive enzyme levels.

The role of law in adaptive governance

PubMed Central

Cosens, Barbara A.; Craig, Robin K.; Hirsch, Shana Lee; Arnold, Craig Anthony (Tony); Benson, Melinda H.; DeCaro, Daniel A.; Garmestani, Ahjond S.; Gosnell, Hannah; Ruhl, J.B.; Schlager, Edella

2018-01-01

The term “governance” encompasses both governmental and nongovernmental participation in collective choice and action. Law dictates the structure, boundaries, rules, and processes within which governmental action takes place, and in doing so becomes one of the focal points for analysis of barriers to adaptation as the effects of climate change are felt. Adaptive governance must therefore contemplate a level of flexibility and evolution in governmental action beyond that currently found in the heavily administrative governments of many democracies. Nevertheless, over time, law itself has proven highly adaptive in western systems of government, evolving to address and even facilitate the emergence of new social norms (such as the rights of women and minorities) or to provide remedies for emerging problems (such as pollution). Thus, there is no question that law can adapt, evolve, and be reformed to make room for adaptive governance. In doing this, not only may barriers be removed, but law may be adjusted to facilitate adaptive governance and to aid in institutionalizing new and emerging approaches to governance. The key is to do so in a way that also enhances legitimacy, accountability, and justice, or else such reforms will never be adopted by democratic societies, or if adopted, will destabilize those societies. By identifying those aspects of the frameworks for adaptive governance reviewed in the introduction to this special feature relevant to the legal system, we present guidelines for evaluating the role of law in environmental governance to identify the ways in which law can be used, adapted, and reformed to facilitate adaptive governance and to do so in a way that enhances the legitimacy of governmental action. PMID:29780426

Multilevel water governance and problems of scale: setting the stage for a broader debate.

PubMed

Moss, Timothy; Newig, Jens

2010-07-01

Environmental governance and management are facing a multiplicity of challenges related to spatial scales and multiple levels of governance. Water management is a field particularly sensitive to issues of scale because the hydrological system with its different scalar levels from small catchments to large river basins plays such a prominent role. It thus exemplifies fundamental issues and dilemmas of scale in modern environmental management and governance. In this introductory article to an Environmental Management special feature on "Multilevel Water Governance: Coping with Problems of Scale," we delineate our understanding of problems of scale and the dimensions of scalar politics that are central to water resource management. We provide an overview of the contributions to this special feature, concluding with a discussion of how scalar research can usefully challenge conventional wisdom on water resource management. We hope that this discussion of water governance stimulates a broader debate and inquiry relating to the scalar dimensions of environmental governance and management in general.

Principles of quasi-equivalence and Euclidean geometry govern the assembly of cubic and dodecahedral cores of pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes.

PubMed

Izard, T; Aevarsson, A; Allen, M D; Westphal, A H; Perham, R N; de Kok, A; Hol, W G

1999-02-16

The pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex (Mr of 5-10 million) is assembled around a structural core formed of multiple copies of dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2p), which exhibits the shape of either a cube or a dodecahedron, depending on the source. The crystal structures of the 60-meric dihydrolipoyl acyltransferase cores of Bacillus stearothermophilus and Enterococcus faecalis pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes were determined and revealed a remarkably hollow dodecahedron with an outer diameter of approximately 237 A, 12 large openings of approximately 52 A diameter across the fivefold axes, and an inner cavity with a diameter of approximately 118 A. Comparison of cubic and dodecahedral E2p assemblies shows that combining the principles of quasi-equivalence formulated by Caspar and Klug [Caspar, D. L. & Klug, A. (1962) Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 27, 1-4] with strict Euclidean geometric considerations results in predictions of the major features of the E2p dodecahedron matching the observed features almost exactly.

Increasing Capacity for Innovation in Bureaucratic Primary Care Organizations: A Whole System Participatory Action Research Project

PubMed Central

Thomas, Paul; McDonnell, Juliet; McCulloch, Janette; While, Alison; Bosanquet, Nick; Ferlie, Ewan

2005-01-01

PURPOSE We wanted to identify what organizational features support innovation in Primary Care Groups (PCGs). METHODS Our study used a whole system participatory action research model. Four research teams provided complementary insights. Four case study PCGs were analyzed. Two had an intervention to help local facilitators reflect on their work. Data included 70 key informant interviews, observations of clinical governance interventions and committee meetings, analysis of written materials, surveys and telephone interviews of London Primary Care Organizations, interviews with 20 nurses, and interviews with 6 finance directors. A broad range of stakeholders reviewed data at annual conferences and formed conclusions about trustworthy principles. Sequential research phases were refocused in the light of these conclusions and in response to the changing political context. RESULTS Five features were associated with increased organizational capacity for innovation: (1) clear structures and a vision for corporate and clinical governance; (2) multiple opportunities for people to reflect and learn at all levels of the organization, and connections between these “learning spaces”; (3) both clinicians and managers in leadership roles that encourage participation; (4) the right timing for an initiative and its adaptation to the local context; and (5) external facilitation that provides opportunities for people to make sense of their experiences. Low morale was commonly attributed to 3 features: (1) overwhelming pace of reform, (2) inadequate staff experience and supportive infrastructure, and (3) financial deficits. CONCLUSIONS These features together may support innovation in other primary care bureaucracies. The research methodology enabled people from different backgrounds to make sense of diverse research insights. PMID:16046563

Increasing capacity for innovation in bureaucratic primary care organizations: a whole system participatory action research project.

PubMed

Thomas, Paul; McDonnell, Juliet; McCulloch, Janette; While, Alison; Bosanquet, Nick; Ferlie, Ewan

2005-01-01

We wanted to identify what organizational features support innovation in Primary Care Groups (PCGs). Our study used a whole system participatory action research model. Four research teams provided complementary insights. Four case study PCGs were analyzed. Two had an intervention to help local facilitators reflect on their work. Data included 70 key informant interviews, observations of clinical governance interventions and committee meetings, analysis of written materials, surveys and telephone interviews of London Primary Care Organizations, interviews with 20 nurses, and interviews with 6 finance directors. A broad range of stakeholders reviewed data at annual conferences and formed conclusions about trustworthy principles. Sequential research phases were refocused in the light of these conclusions and in response to the changing political context. Five features were associated with increased organizational capacity for innovation: (1) clear structures and a vision for corporate and clinical governance; (2) multiple opportunities for people to reflect and learn at all levels of the organization, and connections between these "learning spaces"; (3) both clinicians and managers in leadership roles that encourage participation; (4) the right timing for an initiative and its adaptation to the local context; and (5) external facilitation that provides opportunities for people to make sense of their experiences. Low morale was commonly attributed to 3 features: (1) overwhelming pace of reform, (2) inadequate staff experience and supportive infrastructure, and (3) financial deficits. These features together may support innovation in other primary care bureaucracies. The research methodology enabled people from different backgrounds to make sense of diverse research insights.

Classifying Structures in the ISM with Machine Learning Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beaumont, Christopher; Goodman, A. A.; Williams, J. P.

2011-01-01

The processes which govern molecular cloud evolution and star formation often sculpt structures in the ISM: filaments, pillars, shells, outflows, etc. Because of their morphological complexity, these objects are often identified manually. Manual classification has several disadvantages; the process is subjective, not easily reproducible, and does not scale well to handle increasingly large datasets. We have explored to what extent machine learning algorithms can be trained to autonomously identify specific morphological features in molecular cloud datasets. We show that the Support Vector Machine algorithm can successfully locate filaments and outflows blended with other emission structures. When the objects of interest are morphologically distinct from the surrounding emission, this autonomous classification achieves >90% accuracy. We have developed a set of IDL-based tools to apply this technique to other datasets.

The FLAME-slab method for electromagnetic wave scattering in aperiodic slabs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mansha, Shampy; Tsukerman, Igor; Chong, Y. D.

2017-12-01

The proposed numerical method, "FLAME-slab," solves electromagnetic wave scattering problems for aperiodic slab structures by exploiting short-range regularities in these structures. The computational procedure involves special difference schemes with high accuracy even on coarse grids. These schemes are based on Trefftz approximations, utilizing functions that locally satisfy the governing differential equations, as is done in the Flexible Local Approximation Method (FLAME). Radiation boundary conditions are implemented via Fourier expansions in the air surrounding the slab. When applied to ensembles of slab structures with identical short-range features, such as amorphous or quasicrystalline lattices, the method is significantly more efficient, both in runtime and in memory consumption, than traditional approaches. This efficiency is due to the fact that the Trefftz functions need to be computed only once for the whole ensemble.

Data-Science Analysis of the Macro-scale Features Governing the Corrosion to Crack Transition in AA7050-T7451

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Co, Noelle Easter C.; Brown, Donald E.; Burns, James T.

2018-05-01

This study applies data science approaches (random forest and logistic regression) to determine the extent to which macro-scale corrosion damage features govern the crack formation behavior in AA7050-T7451. Each corrosion morphology has a set of corresponding predictor variables (pit depth, volume, area, diameter, pit density, total fissure length, surface roughness metrics, etc.) describing the shape of the corrosion damage. The values of the predictor variables are obtained from white light interferometry, x-ray tomography, and scanning electron microscope imaging of the corrosion damage. A permutation test is employed to assess the significance of the logistic and random forest model predictions. Results indicate minimal relationship between the macro-scale corrosion feature predictor variables and fatigue crack initiation. These findings suggest that the macro-scale corrosion features and their interactions do not solely govern the crack formation behavior. While these results do not imply that the macro-features have no impact, they do suggest that additional parameters must be considered to rigorously inform the crack formation location.

State Structures for the Governance of Higher Education: A Comparative Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowen, Frank M.; Bracco, Kathy Reeves; Callan, Patrick M.; Finney, Joni E.; Richardson, Richard C., Jr.; Trombley, William

This comparative study synthesizes data from a national study which examined differences among states in their governance structures, and asked if differences in performance were related to governing structures and whether governance structure affected strategies of state policymakers. The seven states examined were grouped into four governance…

An in-depth understanding of biomass recalcitrance using natural poplar variants as the feedstock

DOE PAGES

Meng, Xianzhi; Pu, Yunqiao; Yoo, Chang Geun; ...

2016-12-12

Here, in an effort to better understand the biomass recalcitrance, six natural poplar variants were selected as feedstocks based on previous sugar release analysis. Compositional analysis and physicochemical characterizations of these poplars were performed and the correlations between these physicochemical properties and enzymatic hydrolysis yield were investigated. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 13C solid state NMR were used to determine the degree of polymerization (DP) and crystallinity index (CrI) of cellulose, and the results along with the sugar release study indicated that cellulose DP likely played a more important role in enzymatic hydrolysis. Simons’ stain revealed that the accessible surface area of substrate significantly varied among these variants from 17.3 to 33.2 mg gmore » $$–1\\atop{biomass}$$ as reflected by dye adsorption, and cellulose accessibility was shown as one of the major factors governing substrates digestibility. HSQC and 31P NMR analysis detailed the structural features of poplar lignin variants. Overall, cellulose relevant factors appeared to have a stronger correlation with glucose release, if any, than lignin structural features. Lignin structural features, such as a phenolic hydroxyl group and the ratio of syringyl and guaiacyl (S/G), were found to have a more convincing impact on xylose release. Low lignin content, low cellulose DP, and high cellulose accessibility generally favor enzymatic hydrolysis; however, recalcitrance cannot be simply judged on any single substrate factor.« less

An in-depth understanding of biomass recalcitrance using natural poplar variants as the feedstock

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

Meng, Xianzhi; Pu, Yunqiao; Yoo, Chang Geun

Here, in an effort to better understand the biomass recalcitrance, six natural poplar variants were selected as feedstocks based on previous sugar release analysis. Compositional analysis and physicochemical characterizations of these poplars were performed and the correlations between these physicochemical properties and enzymatic hydrolysis yield were investigated. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 13C solid state NMR were used to determine the degree of polymerization (DP) and crystallinity index (CrI) of cellulose, and the results along with the sugar release study indicated that cellulose DP likely played a more important role in enzymatic hydrolysis. Simons’ stain revealed that the accessible surface area of substrate significantly varied among these variants from 17.3 to 33.2 mg gmore » $$–1\\atop{biomass}$$ as reflected by dye adsorption, and cellulose accessibility was shown as one of the major factors governing substrates digestibility. HSQC and 31P NMR analysis detailed the structural features of poplar lignin variants. Overall, cellulose relevant factors appeared to have a stronger correlation with glucose release, if any, than lignin structural features. Lignin structural features, such as a phenolic hydroxyl group and the ratio of syringyl and guaiacyl (S/G), were found to have a more convincing impact on xylose release. Low lignin content, low cellulose DP, and high cellulose accessibility generally favor enzymatic hydrolysis; however, recalcitrance cannot be simply judged on any single substrate factor.« less

On the factors governing water vapor turbulence mixing in the convective boundary layer over land: Concept and data analysis technique using ground-based lidar measurements.

PubMed

Pal, Sandip

2016-06-01

The convective boundary layer (CBL) turbulence is the key process for exchanging heat, momentum, moisture and trace gases between the earth's surface and the lower part of the troposphere. The turbulence parameterization of the CBL is a challenging but important component in numerical models. In particular, correct estimation of CBL turbulence features, parameterization, and the determination of the contribution of eddy diffusivity are important for simulating convection initiation, and the dispersion of health hazardous air pollutants and Greenhouse gases. In general, measurements of higher-order moments of water vapor mixing ratio (q) variability yield unique estimates of turbulence in the CBL. Using the high-resolution lidar-derived profiles of q variance, third-order moment, and skewness and analyzing concurrent profiles of vertical velocity, potential temperature, horizontal wind and time series of near-surface measurements of surface flux and meteorological parameters, a conceptual framework based on bottom up approach is proposed here for the first time for a robust characterization of the turbulent structure of CBL over land so that our understanding on the processes governing CBL q turbulence could be improved. Finally, principal component analyses will be applied on the lidar-derived long-term data sets of q turbulence statistics to identify the meteorological factors and the dominant physical mechanisms governing the CBL turbulence features. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel Substrate-Based Inhibitors of Human Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II with Enhanced Lipophilicity

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

Plechanovová, Anna; Byun, Youngjoo; Alquicer, Glenda

2012-10-09

Virtually all low molecular weight inhibitors of human glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) are highly polar compounds that have limited use in settings where more lipophilic molecules are desired. Here we report the identification and characterization of GCPII inhibitors with enhanced liphophilicity that are derived from a series of newly identified dipeptidic GCPII substrates featuring nonpolar aliphatic side chains at the C-terminus. To analyze the interactions governing the substrate recognition by GCPII, we determined crystal structures of the inactive GCPII(E424A) mutant in complex with selected dipeptides and complemented the structural data with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. Results reveal the importance ofmore » nonpolar interactions governing GCPII affinity toward novel substrates as well as formerly unnoticed plasticity of the S1' specificity pocket. On the basis of those data, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated a series of novel GCPII inhibitors with enhanced lipophilicity, with the best candidates having low nanomolar inhibition constants and clogD > -0.3. Our findings offer new insights into the design of more lipophilic inhibitors targeting GCPII.« less

Going beyond panaceas

PubMed Central

Ostrom, Elinor; Janssen, Marco A.; Anderies, John M.

2007-01-01

In the context of governance of human–environment interactions, a panacea refers to a blueprint for a single type of governance system (e.g., government ownership, privatization, community property) that is applied to all environmental problems. The aim of this special feature is to provide theoretical analysis and empirical evidence to caution against the tendency, when confronted with pervasive uncertainty, to believe that scholars can generate simple models of linked social–ecological systems and deduce general solutions to the overuse of resources. Practitioners and scholars who fall into panacea traps falsely assume that all problems of resource governance can be represented by a small set of simple models, because they falsely perceive that the preferences and perceptions of most resource users are the same. Readers of this special feature will become acquainted with many cases in which panaceas fail. The articles provide an excellent overview of why they fail. Furthermore, the articles in this special feature address how scholars and public officials can increase the prospects for future sustainable resource use by facilitating a diagnostic approach in selecting appropriate starting points for governance and monitoring, as well as by learning from the outcomes of new policies and adapting in light of effective feedback. PMID:17881583

Protein Aggregation/Folding: The Role of Deterministic Singularities of Sequence Hydrophobicity as Determined by Nonlinear Signal Analysis of Acylphosphatase and Aβ(1–40)

PubMed Central

Zbilut, Joseph P.; Colosimo, Alfredo; Conti, Filippo; Colafranceschi, Mauro; Manetti, Cesare; Valerio, MariaCristina; Webber, Charles L.; Giuliani, Alessandro

2003-01-01

The problem of protein folding vs. aggregation was investigated in acylphosphatase and the amyloid protein Aβ(1–40) by means of nonlinear signal analysis of their chain hydrophobicity. Numerical descriptors of recurrence patterns provided the basis for statistical evaluation of folding/aggregation distinctive features. Static and dynamic approaches were used to elucidate conditions coincident with folding vs. aggregation using comparisons with known protein secondary structure classifications, site-directed mutagenesis studies of acylphosphatase, and molecular dynamics simulations of amyloid protein, Aβ(1–40). The results suggest that a feature derived from principal component space characterized by the smoothness of singular, deterministic hydrophobicity patches plays a significant role in the conditions governing protein aggregation. PMID:14645049

Mayoral Governance and Student Achievement: How Mayor-Led Districts Are Improving School and Student Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Kenneth K.; Shen, Francis X.

2013-01-01

Mayoral control and accountability is one of very few major education reforms that aim at governance coherence in this nation's highly fragmented urban school systems. A primary feature of mayoral governance is that it holds the office of the mayor accountable for school performance. As an institutional redesign, mayoral governance integrates…

Hydrogen atom abstraction from aldehydes - OH + H2CO and O + H2CO

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dupuis, M.; Lester, W. A., Jr.

1984-01-01

The essential features of the potential energy surfaces governing hydrogen abstraction from formaldehyde by oxygen atom and hydroxyl radical have been characterized with ab inito multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) and configuration interaction (CI) wave functions. The results are consistent with a very small activation energy for the OH + H2CO reaction, and an activation energy of a few kcal/mol for the O + H2CO reaction. In the transition state structure of both systems, the attacking oxygen atom is nearly collinear with the attacked CH bond.

Unraveling the physics of vertical organic field effect transistors through nanoscale engineering of a self-assembled transparent electrode.

PubMed

Ben-Sasson, Ariel J; Tessler, Nir

2012-09-12

While organic transistors' performances are continually pushed to achieve lower power consumption, higher working frequencies, and higher current densities, a new type of organic transistors characterized by a vertical architecture offers a radically different design approach to outperform its traditional counterparts. Naturally, the distinct vertical architecture gives way to different governing physical ground rules and structural key features such as the need for an embedded transparent electrode. In this paper, we make use of a zero-frequency electric field-transparent patterned electrode produced through block-copolymer self-assembly based lithography to control the performances of the vertical organic field effect transistor (VOFET) and to study its governing physical mechanisms. Unlike other VOFET structures, this design, involving well-defined electrode architecture, is fully tractable, allowing for detailed modeling, analysis, and optimization. We provide for the first time a complete account of the physics underpinning the VOFET operation, considering two complementary mechanisms: the virtual contact formation (Schottky barrier lowering) and the induced potential barrier (solid-state triode-like shielding). We demonstrate how each mechanism, separately, accounts for the link between controllable nanoscale structural modifications in the patterned electrode and the VOFET performances. For example, the ON/OFF current ratio increases by up to 2 orders of magnitude when the perforations aspect ratio (height/width) decreases from ∼0.2 to ∼0.1. The patterned electrode is demonstrated to be not only penetrable to zero-frequency electric fields but also transparent in the visible spectrum, featuring uniformity, spike-free structure, material diversity, amenability with flexible surfaces, low sheet resistance (20-2000 Ω sq(-1)) and high transparency (60-90%). The excellent layer transparency of the patterned electrode and the VOFET's exceptional electrical performances make them both promising elements for future transparent and/or efficient organic electronics.

Transitioning a Large Scale HIV/AIDS Prevention Program to Local Stakeholders: Findings from the Avahan Transition Evaluation

PubMed Central

Bennett, Sara; Singh, Suneeta; Rodriguez, Daniela; Ozawa, Sachiko; Singh, Kriti; Chhabra, Vibha; Dhingra, Neeraj

2015-01-01

Background Between 2009–2013 the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation transitioned its HIV/AIDS prevention initiative in India from being a stand-alone program outside of government, to being fully government funded and implemented. We present an independent prospective evaluation of the transition. Methods The evaluation drew upon (1) a structured survey of transition readiness in a sample of 80 targeted HIV prevention programs prior to transition; (2) a structured survey assessing institutionalization of program features in a sample of 70 targeted intervention (TI) programs, one year post-transition; and (3) case studies of 15 TI programs. Findings Transition was conducted in 3 rounds. While the 2009 transition round was problematic, subsequent rounds were implemented more smoothly. In the 2011 and 2012 transition rounds, Avahan programs were well prepared for transition with the large majority of TI program staff trained for transition, high alignment with government clinical, financial and managerial norms, and strong government commitment to the program. One year post transition there were significant program changes, but these were largely perceived positively. Notable negative changes were: limited flexibility in program management, delays in funding, commodity stock outs, and community member perceptions of a narrowing in program focus. Service coverage outcomes were sustained at least six months post-transition. Interpretation The study suggests that significant investments in transition preparation contributed to a smooth transition and sustained service coverage. Notwithstanding, there were substantive program changes post-transition. Five key lessons for transition design and implementation are identified. PMID:26327591

Magnetic characteristics of a high-layer-number NiFe/FeMn multilayer

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

Paterson, G. W., E-mail: gary.paterson@glasgow.ac.uk; Gonçalves, F. J. T.; McFadzean, S.

2015-11-28

We report the static and dynamic magnetic characteristics of a high-layer-number NiFe/FeMn multilayer test structure with potential applications in broadband absorber and filter devices. To allow fine control over the absorption linewidths and to understand the mechanisms governing the resonances in a tailored structure similar to that expected to be used in real world applications, the multilayer was intentionally designed to have layer thickness and interface roughness variations. Magnetometry measurements show that the sample has complex hysteresis loops with features consistent with single ferromagnetic film reversals. Characterisation by transmission electron microscopy allows us to correlate the magnetic properties with structuralmore » features, including the film widths and interface roughnesses. Analysis of resonance frequencies from broadband ferromagnetic resonance measurements as a function of field magnitude and orientation provide values of the local exchange bias, rotatable anisotropy, and uniaxial anisotropy fields for specific layers in the stack and explain the observed mode softening. The linewidths of the multilayer are adjustable around the bias field, approaching twice that seen at larger fields, allowing control over the bandwidth of devices formed from the structure.« less

Mycobacterium tuberculosis RsdA provides a conformational rationale for selective regulation of σ-factor activity by proteolysis

PubMed Central

Jaiswal, Ravi K.; Prabha, Tangirala Surya; Manjeera, Gowravaram; Gopal, Balasubramanian

2013-01-01

The relative levels of different σ factors dictate the expression profile of a bacterium. Extracytoplasmic function σ factors synchronize the transcriptional profile with environmental conditions. The cellular concentration of free extracytoplasmic function σ factors is regulated by the localization of this protein in a σ/anti-σ complex. Anti-σ factors are multi-domain proteins with a receptor to sense environmental stimuli and a conserved anti-σ domain (ASD) that binds a σ factor. Here we describe the structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis anti-σD (RsdA) in complex with the -35 promoter binding domain of σD (σD4). We note distinct conformational features that enable the release of σD by the selective proteolysis of the ASD in RsdA. The structural and biochemical features of the σD/RsdA complex provide a basis to reconcile diverse regulatory mechanisms that govern σ/anti-σ interactions despite high overall structural similarity. Multiple regulatory mechanisms embedded in an ASD scaffold thus provide an elegant route to rapidly re-engineer the expression profile of a bacterium in response to an environmental stimulus. PMID:23314154

Nickel-aluminum alloy clusters -- structural and dynamical properties

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

Jellinek, J.; Krissinel, E.B.

1997-08-01

Structural and dynamical properties of mixed Ni{sub n}Al{sub m} alloy clusters mimicked by a many-body potential are studied computationally for all the possible compositions n and m such that n + m = 13. It is shown that the manifold of the usually very large number of the different possible structural forms can be systematized by introducing classes of structures corresponding to the same concentration of the components, geometry and type of the central atom. General definitions of mixing energy and mixing coefficient are introduced, and it is shown that the energy ordering of the structural forms within each classmore » is governed by the mixing coefficient. The peculiarities of the solid-to-liquid-like transition are described as a function of the concentration of the two types of atoms. These peculiarities are correlated with and explained in terms of the energy spectra of the structural forms. Class-dependent features of the dynamics are described and analyzed.« less

Long-range Electrostatic Complementarity Governs Substrate Recognition by Human Chymotrypsin C, a Key Regulator of Digestive Enzyme Activation*

PubMed Central

Batra, Jyotica; Szabó, András; Caulfield, Thomas R.; Soares, Alexei S.; Sahin-Tóth, Miklós; Radisky, Evette S.

2013-01-01

Human chymotrypsin C (CTRC) is a pancreatic serine protease that regulates activation and degradation of trypsinogens and procarboxypeptidases by targeting specific cleavage sites within their zymogen precursors. In cleaving these regulatory sites, which are characterized by multiple flanking acidic residues, CTRC shows substrate specificity that is distinct from that of other isoforms of chymotrypsin and elastase. Here, we report the first crystal structure of active CTRC, determined at 1.9-Å resolution, revealing the structural basis for binding specificity. The structure shows human CTRC bound to the small protein protease inhibitor eglin c, which binds in a substrate-like manner filling the S6-S5′ subsites of the substrate binding cleft. Significant binding affinity derives from burial of preferred hydrophobic residues at the P1, P4, and P2′ positions of CTRC, although acidic P2′ residues can also be accommodated by formation of an interfacial salt bridge. Acidic residues may also be specifically accommodated in the P6 position. The most unique structural feature of CTRC is a ring of intense positive electrostatic surface potential surrounding the primarily hydrophobic substrate binding site. Our results indicate that long-range electrostatic attraction toward substrates of concentrated negative charge governs substrate discrimination, which explains CTRC selectivity in regulating active digestive enzyme levels. PMID:23430245

Self-expanding/shrinking structures by 4D printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bodaghi, M.; Damanpack, A. R.; Liao, W. H.

2016-10-01

The aim of this paper is to create adaptive structures capable of self-expanding and self-shrinking by means of four-dimensional printing technology. An actuator unit is designed and fabricated directly by printing fibers of shape memory polymers (SMPs) in flexible beams with different arrangements. Experiments are conducted to determine thermo-mechanical material properties of the fabricated part revealing that the printing process introduced a strong anisotropy into the printed parts. The feasibility of the actuator unit with self-expanding and self-shrinking features is demonstrated experimentally. A phenomenological constitutive model together with analytical closed-form solutions are developed to replicate thermo-mechanical behaviors of SMPs. Governing equations of equilibrium are developed for printed structures based on the non-linear Green-Lagrange strain tensor and solved implementing a finite element method along with an iterative incremental Newton-Raphson scheme. The material-structural model is then applied to digitally design and print SMP adaptive lattices in planar and tubular shapes comprising a periodic arrangement of SMP actuator units that expand and then recover their original shape automatically. Numerical and experimental results reveal that the proposed planar lattice as meta-materials can be employed for plane actuators with self-expanding/shrinking features or as structural switches providing two different dynamic characteristics. It is also shown that the proposed tubular lattice with a self-expanding/shrinking mechanism can serve as tubular stents and grippers for bio-medical or piping applications.

Stress-driven buckling patterns in spheroidal core/shell structures.

PubMed

Yin, Jie; Cao, Zexian; Li, Chaorong; Sheinman, Izhak; Chen, Xi

2008-12-09

Many natural fruits and vegetables adopt an approximately spheroidal shape and are characterized by their distinct undulating topologies. We demonstrate that various global pattern features can be reproduced by anisotropic stress-driven buckles on spheroidal core/shell systems, which implies that the relevant mechanical forces might provide a template underpinning the topological conformation in some fruits and plants. Three dimensionless parameters, the ratio of effective size/thickness, the ratio of equatorial/polar radii, and the ratio of core/shell moduli, primarily govern the initiation and formation of the patterns. A distinct morphological feature occurs only when these parameters fall within certain ranges: In a prolate spheroid, reticular buckles take over longitudinal ridged patterns when one or more parameters become large. Our results demonstrate that some universal features of fruit/vegetable patterns (e.g., those observed in Korean melons, silk gourds, ribbed pumpkins, striped cavern tomatoes, and cantaloupes, etc.) may be related to the spontaneous buckling from mechanical perspectives, although the more complex biological or biochemical processes are involved at deep levels.

Information Security and Privacy in Network Environments.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. Office of Technology Assessment.

The use of information networks for business and government is expanding enormously. Government use of networks features prominently in plans to make government more efficient, effective, and responsive. But the transformation brought about by the networking also raises new concerns for the security and privacy of networked information. This…

Typology of State-Level Community College Governance Structures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fletcher, Jeffrey A.; Friedel, Janice Nahra

2017-01-01

Despite having a well-documented history about community colleges across the United States, relatively few discussions have covered state-level governance structures. To understand the typology of state community college governance structures, it must first be recognized that community college governance is characterized as a complex web of…

Promotion of Evidence-Based Nursing by Polish and foreign nursing organizations.

PubMed

Wasowska, Iga; Repka, Iwona

2014-01-01

The aim of the review was to obtain information on specific activities undertaken by professional nursing organizations, in order to promote and develop Evidence-Based Nursing (EBN). The foreign organizations featured in the study actively promote EBN within their countries of origin. This activity is currently focused on the structural and financial measures (focused on extrinsic factors). Some organizations are lobbying governments for grants and general support, in order to further their use and development of EBN. Educational activities are still ongoing, which include the creation of the creation of new guidelines and publishing research in journals, along with the organization of periodic conferences. Polish Nurses Association was the only one not involved in any structural and financial activities.

Numerical simulation of hydrodynamic processes beneath a wind-driven water surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Wu-ting

Turbulent flow driven by a constant wind stress acting at the water surface was simulated numerically to gain a better understanding of the hydrodynamic processes governing the transfer of slightly soluble gases across the atmosphere-water interfaces. Simulation results show that two distinct flow features, attributed to subsurface surface renewal eddies, appear at the water surface. The first characteristic feature is surface streaming, which consists of high-speed streaks aligned with the wind stress. Floating Lagrangian particles, which are distributed uniformly at the water surface, merge to the predominantly high-speed streaks and form elongated streets immediately after they are released. The second characteristic surface signatures are localized low-speed spots which emerge randomly at the water surface. A high-speed streak bifurcates and forms a dividing flow when it encounters a low-speed surface spot. These coherent surface flow structures are qualitatively identical to those observed in the experiment of Melville et al. [1998]. The persistence of these surface features also suggests that there must exist organized subsurface vortical structures that undergo autonomous generation cycles maintained by self-sustaining mechanisms. These coherent vortical flows serve as the renewal eddies that pump the submerged fluids toward the water surface and bring down the upper fluids, and therefore enhance the scalar exchange between the atmosphere and the water body.

State Education Governance Structures: 2017 Update. 50-State Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Railey, Hunter

2017-01-01

This 50-State Review provides an overview of governance structures in the states, as well as implications for practice, deep dives into four governance models and examples of other governance models. One appendix, State Education Governance Models by State, is included.

Mechanisms Of Saucer-Shaped Sill Emplacement: Insight From Experimental Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galland, O.; Planke, S.; Malthe-Sørenssen, A.; Polteau, S.; Svensen, H.; Podladchikov, Y. Y.

2006-12-01

It has been recently demonstrated that magma intrusions in sedimentary basins had a strong impact on petroleum systems. Most of these intrusions are sills, and especially saucer-shaped sills. These features can be observed in many sedimentary basins (i.e. the Karoo basin, South Africa; the Norwegian and North Sea; the Tunguska basin, Siberia; the Neuquén basin in Argentina). The occurrence of such features in so various settings suggests that their emplacement results from fundamental processes. However, the mechanisms that govern their formation remain poorly constrained. Experiments were conducted to simulate the emplacement of saucer-shaped magma intrusions in sedimentary basins. The model rock and magma were fine-grained silica flour and molten vegetable oil, respectively. This modeling technique allows simultaneous simulation of magma emplacement and brittle deformation at a basin scale. For our purpose, we performed our experiments without external deformation. During the experiments, the oil was injected horizontally at constant flow rate within the silica flour. Then the oil initially emplaced in a sill, whereas the surface of the model inflated into a smooth dome. Subsequently, the oil propagated upwards along inclined sheets, finally reaching the surface at the edge of the dome. The resulting geometries of the intrusions were saucer-shaped sills. Then the oil solidified, and the model was cut in serial cross-sections through which the structures of the intrusive body and of the overburden can be observed. In order to constraint the processes governing the emplacement of such features, we performed a parametric study based on a set of experiments in which we systematically varied parameters such as the depth of emplacement and the injection flow rate of the oil. Our results showed that saucer diameters are larger at deeper level of emplacement. Opposite trend was obtained with varying injection flow rates. Based on our results, we conducted a detailed physical analysis that resulted in the definition of a dimensionless parameter that governs the emplacement of saucers.

State Structures for the Governance of Higher Education: Michigan Case Study Summary.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bracco, Kathy Reeves

This case study, part of the State Structures for the Governance of Higher Education study, focuses on governance and related issues in Michigan's higher education system. The study's overall purpose was to examine differences among states in their governance structures, and to determine if differences in performance were related to governing…

Origin and thermal evolution of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schubert, Gerald; Soloman, S. C.; Turcotte, D. L.; Drake, M. J.; Sleep, N. H.

1990-01-01

The thermal evolution of Mars is governed by subsolidus mantle convection beneath a thick lithosphere. Models of the interior evolution are developed by parameterizing mantle convective heat transport in terms of mantle viscosity, the superadiabatic temperature rise across the mantle, and mantle heat production. Geological, geophysical, and geochemical observations of the compositon and structure of the interior and of the timing of major events in Martian evolution are used to constrain the model computations. Such evolutionary events include global differentiation, atmospheric outgassing, and the formation of the hemispherical dichotomy and Tharsis. Numerical calculations of fully three-dimensional, spherical convection in a shell the size of the Martian mantle are performed to explore plausible patterns of Martian mantel convection and to relate convective features, such as plumes, to surface features, such as Tharsis. The results from the model calculations are presented.

High-pressure crystal structures of an insensitive energetic crystal: 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene

DOE PAGES

Dreger, Zbigniew A.; Stash, Adam I.; Yu, Zhi -Gang; ...

2015-12-03

Understanding the insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals requires detailed structural information at high pressures and high temperatures of interest. Synchrotron single crystal x-ray diffraction experiments were used to determine the high-pressure structures of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7), a prototypical insensitive high explosive. The phase transition around 4.5 GPa was investigated and the structures were determined at 4.27 GPa (α’-phase) and 5.9 GPa (ε-phase). The α’-phase (monoclinic, P2 1/ n), structurally indistinguishable from the ambient α-phase, transforms to the new ε-phase (triclinic, P1). The most notable features of the ε-phase, compared to the α’-phase, are: formation of planar layers and flattening ofmore » molecules. Density functional theory (DFT-D2) calculations complemented the experimental results. Furthermore, the results presented here are important for understanding the molecular and crystalline attributes governing the high-pressure insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals.« less

High-pressure crystal structures of an insensitive energetic crystal: 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene

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

Dreger, Zbigniew A.; Stash, Adam I.; Yu, Zhi -Gang

Understanding the insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals requires detailed structural information at high pressures and high temperatures of interest. Synchrotron single crystal x-ray diffraction experiments were used to determine the high-pressure structures of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7), a prototypical insensitive high explosive. The phase transition around 4.5 GPa was investigated and the structures were determined at 4.27 GPa (α’-phase) and 5.9 GPa (ε-phase). The α’-phase (monoclinic, P2 1/ n), structurally indistinguishable from the ambient α-phase, transforms to the new ε-phase (triclinic, P1). The most notable features of the ε-phase, compared to the α’-phase, are: formation of planar layers and flattening ofmore » molecules. Density functional theory (DFT-D2) calculations complemented the experimental results. Furthermore, the results presented here are important for understanding the molecular and crystalline attributes governing the high-pressure insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals.« less

Mechanical Characterization of Polysilicon MEMS: A Hybrid TMCMC/POD-Kriging Approach.

PubMed

Mirzazadeh, Ramin; Eftekhar Azam, Saeed; Mariani, Stefano

2018-04-17

Microscale uncertainties related to the geometry and morphology of polycrystalline silicon films, constituting the movable structures of micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), were investigated through a joint numerical/experimental approach. An on-chip testing device was designed and fabricated to deform a compliant polysilicon beam. In previous studies, we showed that the scattering in the input–output characteristics of the device can be properly described only if statistical features related to the morphology of the columnar polysilicon film and to the etching process adopted to release the movable structure are taken into account. In this work, a high fidelity finite element model of the device was used to feed a transitional Markov chain Monte Carlo (TMCMC) algorithm for the estimation of the unknown parameters governing the aforementioned statistical features. To reduce the computational cost of the stochastic analysis, a synergy of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and kriging interpolation was adopted. Results are reported for a batch of nominally identical tested devices, in terms of measurement error-affected probability distributions of the overall Young’s modulus of the polysilicon film and of the overetch depth.

The inherent dynamics of a molecular liquid: geodesic pathways through the potential energy landscape of a liquid of linear molecules.

PubMed

Jacobson, Daniel; Stratt, Richard M

2014-05-07

Because the geodesic pathways that a liquid follows through its potential energy landscape govern its slow, diffusive motion, we suggest that these pathways are logical candidates for the title of a liquid's "inherent dynamics." Like their namesake "inherent structures," these objects are simply features of the system's potential energy surface and thus provide views of the system's structural evolution unobstructed by thermal kinetic energy. This paper shows how these geodesic pathways can be computed for a liquid of linear molecules, allowing us to see precisely how such molecular liquids mix rotational and translational degrees of freedom into their dynamics. The ratio of translational to rotational components of the geodesic path lengths, for example, is significantly larger than would be expected on equipartition grounds, with a value that scales with the molecular aspect ratio. These and other features of the geodesics are consistent with a picture in which molecular reorientation adiabatically follows translation-molecules largely thread their way through narrow channels available in the potential energy landscape.

The inherent dynamics of a molecular liquid: Geodesic pathways through the potential energy landscape of a liquid of linear molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobson, Daniel; Stratt, Richard M.

2014-05-01

Because the geodesic pathways that a liquid follows through its potential energy landscape govern its slow, diffusive motion, we suggest that these pathways are logical candidates for the title of a liquid's "inherent dynamics." Like their namesake "inherent structures," these objects are simply features of the system's potential energy surface and thus provide views of the system's structural evolution unobstructed by thermal kinetic energy. This paper shows how these geodesic pathways can be computed for a liquid of linear molecules, allowing us to see precisely how such molecular liquids mix rotational and translational degrees of freedom into their dynamics. The ratio of translational to rotational components of the geodesic path lengths, for example, is significantly larger than would be expected on equipartition grounds, with a value that scales with the molecular aspect ratio. These and other features of the geodesics are consistent with a picture in which molecular reorientation adiabatically follows translation—molecules largely thread their way through narrow channels available in the potential energy landscape.

Two models for microsimulation of family life cycle and family structure.

PubMed

Bertino, S; Pinnelli, A; Vichi, M

1988-01-01

2 models are proposed for the microsimulation of the family and analysis of family structure and life cycle. These models were devised primarily for teaching purposes. The families are composed of 3 generations (parents, grandparents, children). Cohabitation is not considered. The 1st model is governed by a transition mechanism based on the rules of a Markov multidimensional, nonhonogeneous chain. The 2nd model is based on stochastic point processes. Input data comprise annual mortality probability according to 1) sex, 2) age, 3) civil status, 4) annual probability of 1st marriage, 5) age combinations between the spouses, and 6) the probability of having 1, 2, or 3 children at 6 months intervals from the previous event (marriage or birth of nth child). The applications of the 1st model are presented using 2 mortality and fertility hypotheses (high and low) and a nuptiality hypothesis (West European nature). The various features of family composition are analyzed according to the duration of a couple's marriage and the age of the individual, as well as the characteristic features of the individual and family life cycle given these 2 demographic conditions.

Resources for Teaching Virginia Government.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Snook, Helen B.

This resource notebook contains information and unit planning ideas for teachers, class activities, and student materials that can be used for teaching a 12th grade course about Virginia state and local governments. Section A features: (1) information about how to use these materials and how to find time to teach about Virginia government; (2) a…

Complexity in Vocational Education and Training Governance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oliver, Damian

2010-01-01

Complexity is a feature common to all vocational education and training (VET) governance arrangements, due to the wide range of students VET systems caters for, and the number of stakeholders involved in both decision making and funding and financing. In this article, Pierre and Peter's framework of governance is used to examine complexity in VET…

Green Power Community News

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page features news about EPA's Green Power Communities. GPCs are a subset of the Green Power Partnership; municipalities or tribal governments where government, businesses, and residents collectively use enough green power to meet GPP requirements.

Vaccination persuasion online: a qualitative study of two provaccine and two vaccine-skeptical websites.

PubMed

Grant, Lenny; Hausman, Bernice L; Cashion, Margaret; Lucchesi, Nicholas; Patel, Kelsey; Roberts, Jonathan

2015-05-29

Current concerns about vaccination resistance often cite the Internet as a source of vaccine controversy. Most academic studies of vaccine resistance online use quantitative methods to describe misinformation on vaccine-skeptical websites. Findings from these studies are useful for categorizing the generic features of these websites, but they do not provide insights into why these websites successfully persuade their viewers. To date, there have been few attempts to understand, qualitatively, the persuasive features of provaccine or vaccine-skeptical websites. The purpose of this research was to examine the persuasive features of provaccine and vaccine-skeptical websites. The qualitative analysis was conducted to generate hypotheses concerning what features of these websites are persuasive to people seeking information about vaccination and vaccine-related practices. This study employed a fully qualitative case study methodology that used the anthropological method of thick description to detail and carefully review the rhetorical features of 1 provaccine government website, 1 provaccine hospital website, 1 vaccine-skeptical information website focused on general vaccine safety, and 1 vaccine-skeptical website focused on a specific vaccine. The data gathered were organized into 5 domains: website ownership, visual and textual content, user experience, hyperlinking, and social interactivity. The study found that the 2 provaccine websites analyzed functioned as encyclopedias of vaccine information. Both of the websites had relatively small digital ecologies because they only linked to government websites or websites that endorsed vaccination and evidence-based medicine. Neither of these websites offered visitors interactive features or made extensive use of the affordances of Web 2.0. The study also found that the 2 vaccine-skeptical websites had larger digital ecologies because they linked to a variety of vaccine-related websites, including government websites. They leveraged the affordances of Web 2.0 with their interactive features and digital media. By employing a rhetorical framework, this study found that the provaccine websites analyzed concentrate on the accurate transmission of evidence-based scientific research about vaccines and government-endorsed vaccination-related practices, whereas the vaccine-skeptical websites focus on creating communities of people affected by vaccines and vaccine-related practices. From this personal framework, these websites then challenge the information presented in scientific literature and government documents. At the same time, the vaccine-skeptical websites in this study are repositories of vaccine information and vaccination-related resources. Future studies on vaccination and the Internet should take into consideration the rhetorical features of provaccine and vaccine-skeptical websites and further investigate the influence of Web 2.0 community-building features on people seeking information about vaccine-related practices.

Government Search Tools: Evaluating Fee and Free Search Alternatives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon-Murnane, Laura

1999-01-01

Examines four tools that provide access to federal government information: FedWorld, Usgovsearch.com, Google/Unclesam, and GovBot. Compares search features, size of collection, ease of use, and cost or subscription requirements. (LRW)

Structured Post-IQ Domain Governs Selectivity of Myosin X for Fascin-Actin Bundles*

PubMed Central

Nagy, Stanislav; Rock, Ronald S.

2010-01-01

Without guidance cues, cytoskeletal motors would traffic components to the wrong destination with disastrous consequences for the cell. Recently, we identified a motor protein, myosin X, that identifies bundled actin filaments for transport. These bundles direct myosin X to a unique destination, the tips of cellular filopodia. Because the structural and kinetic features that drive bundle selection are unknown, we employed a domain-swapping approach with the nonselective myosin V to identify the selectivity module of myosin X. We found a surprising role of the myosin X tail region (post-IQ) in supporting long runs on bundles. Moreover, the myosin X head is adapted for initiating processive runs on bundles. We found that the tail is structured and biases the orientation of the two myosin X heads because a targeted insertion that introduces flexibility in the tail abolishes selectivity. Together, these results suggest how myosin motors may manage to read cellular addresses. PMID:20538587

Sacrificial bonds and hidden length in biomaterials: A kinetic constitutive description of strength and toughness in bone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lieou, Charles K. C.; Elbanna, Ahmed E.; Carlson, Jean M.

2013-07-01

Sacrificial bonds and hidden length in structural molecules account for the greatly increased fracture toughness of biological materials compared to synthetic materials without such structural features by providing a molecular-scale mechanism for energy dissipation. One example is in the polymeric glue connection between collagen fibrils in animal bone. In this paper we propose a simple kinetic model that describes the breakage of sacrificial bonds and the release of hidden length, based on Bell's theory. We postulate a master equation governing the rates of bond breakage and formation. This enables us to predict the mechanical behavior of a quasi-one-dimensional ensemble of polymers at different stretching rates. We find that both the rupture peak heights and maximum stretching distance increase with the stretching rate. In addition, our theory naturally permits the possibility of self-healing in such biological structures.

Modern and past periglacial features in Central Asia and their implication for paleoclimate reconstructions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmkuhl, Frank

2017-04-01

In the cold and continental areas of Central and High Asia periglacial landform assembles, sediment structures and processes are mainly influenced and determinated by the existence of soil humidity during the freeze-thaw cycles. This results in cryogenic processes and periglacial landforms such as earth hummocks, patterned ground or solifluction. The distribution of rock glaciers as clear indicators of permafrost is also determined by rock fall or moraine debris composed of large boulders (e.g. granite). Periglacial features and landforms have been used to reconstruct past climatic conditions, e.g. relict involutions and ice-wedge casts provide evidence for the distribution of former permafrost, e.g. for the Last Glacial Maximum. Past temperatures, e.g. mean annual air temperatures, can be estimated from these periglacial features. Examples from late Holocene solifluction activity in the Altai, Khangai, and north-eastern Tibetan Plateau show different intensity of solifluction processes during the Late Holocene and Little Ice Age by decrease of temperature and more soil humidity. The distribution of past permafrost in some regions is still a matter of debate due to different interpretations of sediment structures: Sometimes features described as ice-wedge casts may be caused by roots or desiccation cracks due to drying of clay rich sediments. Seismically deformed unconsolidated deposits (seismites) can also be misinterpreted as periglacial involutions. The lack of certain landform assemblages and sediment structures does not necessarily mean that the area had no permafrost as moisture conditions also to a large degree govern periglacial landform generation and not only temperature. They can be ordered in Central Asia as follows (from highest moisture availability to lowest): solifluction - rock glacier - permafrost involutions - ice-wedge casts - sand wedge casts. Reference: LEHMKUHL, F. (2016): Modern and past periglacial features in Central Asia and their implication for paleoclimate reconstructions. - Progress in Physical Geography 40: 369-391. DOI: 10.1177/0309133315615778

Visibility graph analysis on quarterly macroeconomic series of China based on complex network theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Na; Li, Dong; Wang, Qiwen

2012-12-01

The visibility graph approach and complex network theory provide a new insight into time series analysis. The inheritance of the visibility graph from the original time series was further explored in the paper. We found that degree distributions of visibility graphs extracted from Pseudo Brownian Motion series obtained by the Frequency Domain algorithm exhibit exponential behaviors, in which the exponential exponent is a binomial function of the Hurst index inherited in the time series. Our simulations presented that the quantitative relations between the Hurst indexes and the exponents of degree distribution function are different for different series and the visibility graph inherits some important features of the original time series. Further, we convert some quarterly macroeconomic series including the growth rates of value-added of three industry series and the growth rates of Gross Domestic Product series of China to graphs by the visibility algorithm and explore the topological properties of graphs associated from the four macroeconomic series, namely, the degree distribution and correlations, the clustering coefficient, the average path length, and community structure. Based on complex network analysis we find degree distributions of associated networks from the growth rates of value-added of three industry series are almost exponential and the degree distributions of associated networks from the growth rates of GDP series are scale free. We also discussed the assortativity and disassortativity of the four associated networks as they are related to the evolutionary process of the original macroeconomic series. All the constructed networks have “small-world” features. The community structures of associated networks suggest dynamic changes of the original macroeconomic series. We also detected the relationship among government policy changes, community structures of associated networks and macroeconomic dynamics. We find great influences of government policies in China on the changes of dynamics of GDP and the three industries adjustment. The work in our paper provides a new way to understand the dynamics of economic development.

Understanding the molecular mechanism of substrate channeling and domain communication in protozoal bifunctional TS-DHFR.

PubMed

Anderson, Karen S

2017-03-01

Most species, such as humans, have monofunctional forms of thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) that are key folate metabolism enzymes making critical folate components required for DNA synthesis. In contrast, several parasitic protozoa, including Leishmania major (Lm), Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), Toxoplasma gondii (Tg) and Cryptosporidium hominis (Ch), contain a unique bifunctional thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase (TS-DHFR) having the two sequential catalytic activities contained on a single polypeptide chain. It has been suggested that the bifunctional nature of the two catalytic activities may enable substrate channeling. The 3D structures for each of these enzymes reveals distinct features for each species. While three of the four species (Pf, Tg and Ch) contain a junctional region linking the two domains, this is lacking in Lm. The Lm and Pf contain N-terminal amino acid extensions. A multidisciplinary approach using structural studies and transient kinetic analyses combined with mutational analysis has investigated the roles of these unique structural features for each enzyme. Additionally, the possibility of substrate channeling behavior was explored. These studies have identified unique, functional regions in both the TS and DHFR domains that govern efficient catalysis for each species. Surprisingly, even though there are structural similarities among the species, each is regulated in a distinct manner. This structural and mechanistic information was also used to exploit species-specific inhibitor design. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Structural Mechanisms of Plant Glucan Phosphatases in Starch Metabolism

PubMed Central

Meekins, David A.; Vander Kooi, Craig W.; Gentry, Matthew S.

2016-01-01

Glucan phosphatases are a recently discovered class of enzymes that dephosphorylate starch and glycogen, thereby regulating energy metabolism. Plant genomes encode for two glucan phosphatases called Starch EXcess4 (SEX4) and Like Sex Four2 (LSF2) that regulate starch metabolism by selectively dephosphorylating glucose moieties within starch glucan chains. Recently, the structures of both SEX4 and LSF2 were determined, with and without phosphoglucan products bound, revealing the mechanism for their unique activities. This review explores the structural and enzymatic features of the plant glucan phosphatases and outlines how they are uniquely adapted for carrying out their cellular functions. We outline the physical mechanisms employed by SEX4 and LSF2 to interact with starch glucans: SEX4 binds glucan chains via a continuous glucan binding platform comprised of its Dual Specificity Phosphatase (DSP) domain and Carbohydrate Binding Module (CBM) while LSF2 utilizes Surface Binding Sites (SBSs). SEX4 and LSF2 both contain a unique network of aromatic residues in their catalytic DSP domains that serve as glucan engagement platforms and are unique to the glucan phosphatases. We also discuss the phosphoglucan substrate specificities inherent to SEX4 and LSF2 and outline structural features within the active site that govern glucan orientation. This review defines the structural mechanism of the plant glucan phosphatases with respect to phosphatases, starch metabolism, and protein-glucan interaction; thereby providing a framework for their applications in both agricultural and industrial settings. PMID:26934589

Double hull grounding experiments

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

Rodd, J.L.; Sikora, J.P.

1995-12-31

In the last few years the public and governments of many nations have become increasingly aware of the need for improving oil tanker safety. The requirements for double hull tankers are an attempt to address this need through legislation. Even though a number of investigations on the mechanics of collisions have been done in the past, until recently very little research supported the development of structural improvements to reduce oil tanker damage during grounding and stranding accidents. An aggressive evaluation of double hull tanker crashworthiness in stranding and grounding accidents is underway at CD/NSWC (formerly the David Taylor Research Center).more » The ability to predict damage from grounding accidents accurately is not currently available. The objective of this paper is to present qualitatively the structural failure mechanisms associated with stranding and grounding events for candidate double hull tanker structures and to present some simple methods for comparing damage scenarios. A comparison of the structural performance of key features in several very different designs will provide useful information toward this understanding.« less

CTC Sentinel. Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2009. Somalia’s New Government and the Challenge of Al-Shabab

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

Somalia’s New Government and the Challenge of Al-Shabab By David H. Shinn Contents FEATURE ARTICLE 1 Somalia’s New Government and the Challenge...2009 to 00-00-2009 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Somalia?s New Government and the Challenge of Al-Shabab 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM...forces and African Union peacekeepers.22 In a mid- February 2009 video, Abu Yahya called on Somalis to oppose the new Somali government and attack

Electron Transfer Governed Crystal Transformation of Tungsten Trioxide upon Li Ions Intercalation

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

Wang, Zhiguo; He, Yang; Gu, Meng

2016-09-21

Reversible insertion/extraction of ions into a host lattice constitutes the fundamental operating principle of rechargeable battery and electrochromic materials. It is far more commonly observed that insertion of ions into a host lattice can lead to structural evolution of the host lattice, and for the most cases such a lattice evolution is subtle. However, it has never been clear as what kind of factors to control such a lattice structural evolution. Based on tungsten trioxide (WO3) model crystal, we use in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and first principles calculation to explore the nature of Li ions intercalation induced crystalmore » symmetry evolution of WO3. We discovered that Li insertion into the octahedral cavity of WO3 lattice will lead to a low to high symmetry transition, featuring a sequential monoclinic→tetragonal→cubic phase transition. The first principle calculation reveals that the phase transition is essentially governed by the electron transfer from Li to the WO6 octahedrons, which effectively leads to the weakening the W-O bond and modifying system band structure, resulting in an insulator to metal transition. The observation of the electronic effect on crystal symmetry and conductivity is significant, providing deep insights on the intercalation reactions in secondary rechargeable ion batteries and the approach for tailoring the functionalities of material based on insertion of ions in the lattice.« less

RQ: 1960 to 1985.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krieger, Tillie

1985-01-01

Growth and changes in "RQ" (1960-1985) are examined and detailed in both text and tables (cover/size, pagination, editor, articles, advertisements, physical features, association interests, reviews, columns, government publications). Development of columns, government publication news, thematic articles, authors of "RQ"…

The Adoption Features of Government Initiatives for the Curriculum Reform in Hong Kong Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Ping-Man; Cheung, Alan

2015-01-01

This article is one of a series of papers generated from the Curriculum Reform study in Hong Kong with the purpose of understanding the impact of government's role in the change process of the reform. This paper specifically examines the 17 government initiatives in the Curriculum Reform in terms of their adoption percentages of schools from…

Dynamical interpretation of conditional patterns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adrian, R. J.; Moser, R. D.; Moin, P.

1988-01-01

While great progress is being made in characterizing the 3-D structure of organized turbulent motions using conditional averaging analysis, there is a lack of theoretical guidance regarding the interpretation and utilization of such information. Questions concerning the significance of the structures, their contributions to various transport properties, and their dynamics cannot be answered without recourse to appropriate dynamical governing equations. One approach which addresses some of these questions uses the conditional fields as initial conditions and calculates their evolution from the Navier-Stokes equations, yielding valuable information about stability, growth, and longevity of the mean structure. To interpret statistical aspects of the structures, a different type of theory which deals with the structures in the context of their contributions to the statistics of the flow is needed. As a first step toward this end, an effort was made to integrate the structural information from the study of organized structures with a suitable statistical theory. This is done by stochastically estimating the two-point conditional averages that appear in the equation for the one-point probability density function, and relating the structures to the conditional stresses. Salient features of the estimates are identified, and the structure of the one-point estimates in channel flow is defined.

76 FR 50719 - Models for a Governance Structure for the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-16

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology [Docket No. 110524296-1455-02] Models for a Governance Structure for the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace... comments regarding the governance structure for the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace...

Change in University Governance Structures in Continental Europe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gornitzka, Åse; Maassen, Peter; de Boer, Harry

2017-01-01

This article discusses changes with respect to university governance structures in six comprehensive universities in Europe. We present an analytical framework on the basis of which we conduct a comparative analysis of the university governance structures along four different dimensions: (a) the internal democratic nature of the governance…

Vaccination Persuasion Online: A Qualitative Study of Two Provaccine and Two Vaccine-Skeptical Websites

PubMed Central

Hausman, Bernice L; Cashion, Margaret; Lucchesi, Nicholas; Patel, Kelsey; Roberts, Jonathan

2015-01-01

Background Current concerns about vaccination resistance often cite the Internet as a source of vaccine controversy. Most academic studies of vaccine resistance online use quantitative methods to describe misinformation on vaccine-skeptical websites. Findings from these studies are useful for categorizing the generic features of these websites, but they do not provide insights into why these websites successfully persuade their viewers. To date, there have been few attempts to understand, qualitatively, the persuasive features of provaccine or vaccine-skeptical websites. Objective The purpose of this research was to examine the persuasive features of provaccine and vaccine-skeptical websites. The qualitative analysis was conducted to generate hypotheses concerning what features of these websites are persuasive to people seeking information about vaccination and vaccine-related practices. Methods This study employed a fully qualitative case study methodology that used the anthropological method of thick description to detail and carefully review the rhetorical features of 1 provaccine government website, 1 provaccine hospital website, 1 vaccine-skeptical information website focused on general vaccine safety, and 1 vaccine-skeptical website focused on a specific vaccine. The data gathered were organized into 5 domains: website ownership, visual and textual content, user experience, hyperlinking, and social interactivity. Results The study found that the 2 provaccine websites analyzed functioned as encyclopedias of vaccine information. Both of the websites had relatively small digital ecologies because they only linked to government websites or websites that endorsed vaccination and evidence-based medicine. Neither of these websites offered visitors interactive features or made extensive use of the affordances of Web 2.0. The study also found that the 2 vaccine-skeptical websites had larger digital ecologies because they linked to a variety of vaccine-related websites, including government websites. They leveraged the affordances of Web 2.0 with their interactive features and digital media. Conclusions By employing a rhetorical framework, this study found that the provaccine websites analyzed concentrate on the accurate transmission of evidence-based scientific research about vaccines and government-endorsed vaccination-related practices, whereas the vaccine-skeptical websites focus on creating communities of people affected by vaccines and vaccine-related practices. From this personal framework, these websites then challenge the information presented in scientific literature and government documents. At the same time, the vaccine-skeptical websites in this study are repositories of vaccine information and vaccination-related resources. Future studies on vaccination and the Internet should take into consideration the rhetorical features of provaccine and vaccine-skeptical websites and further investigate the influence of Web 2.0 community-building features on people seeking information about vaccine-related practices. PMID:26024907

The effect of governance mechanisms on food safety in the supply chain: Evidence from the Lebanese dairy sector.

PubMed

Abebe, Gumataw K; Chalak, Ali; Abiad, Mohamad G

2017-07-01

Food safety is a key public health issue worldwide. This study aims to characterise existing governance mechanisms - governance structures (GSs) and food safety management systems (FSMSs) - and analyse the alignment thereof in detecting food safety hazards, based on empirical evidence from Lebanon. Firm-to-firm and public baseline are the dominant FSMSs applied in a large-scale, while chain-wide FSMSs are observed only in a small-scale. Most transactions involving farmers are relational and market-based in contrast to (large-scale) processors, which opt for hierarchical GSs. Large-scale processors use a combination of FSMSs and GSs to minimise food safety hazards albeit potential increase in coordination costs; this is an important feature of modern food supply chains. The econometric analysis reveals contract period, on-farm inspection and experience having significant effects in minimising food safety hazards. However, the potential to implement farm-level FSMS is influenced by formality of the contract, herd size, trading partner choice, and experience. Public baseline FSMSs appear effective in controlling food safety hazards; however, this may not be viable due to the scarcity of public resources. We suggest public policies to focus on long-lasting governance mechanisms by introducing incentive schemes and farm-level FSMSs by providing loans and education to farmers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mechanism and energetics of dislocation cross-slip in hcp metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhaoxuan; Curtin, W. A.

2016-10-01

Hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals such as Mg, Ti, and Zr are lightweight and/or durable metals with critical structural applications in the automotive (Mg), aerospace (Ti), and nuclear (Zr) industries. The hcp structure, however, brings significant complications in the mechanisms of plastic deformation, strengthening, and ductility, and these complications pose significant challenges in advancing the science and engineering of these metals. In hcp metals, generalized plasticity requires the activation of slip on pyramidal planes, but the structure, motion, and cross-slip of the associated dislocations are not well established even though they determine ductility and influence strengthening. Here, atomistic simulations in Mg reveal the unusual mechanism of dislocation cross-slip between pyramidal I and II planes, which occurs by cross-slip of the individual partial dislocations. The energy barrier is controlled by a fundamental step/jog energy and the near-core energy difference between pyramidal dislocations. The near-core energy difference can be changed by nonglide stresses, leading to tension-compression asymmetry and even a switch in absolute stability from one glide plane to the other, both features observed experimentally in Mg, Ti, and their alloys. The unique cross-slip mechanism is governed by common features of the generalized stacking fault energy surfaces of hcp pyramidal planes and is thus expected to be generic to all hcp metals. An analytical model is developed to predict the cross-slip barrier as a function of the near-core energy difference and applied stresses and quantifies the controlling features of cross-slip and pyramidal I/II stability across the family of hcp metals.

Conference on Continental margin mass wasting and Pleistocene sea-level changes, August 13-15, 1980

USGS Publications Warehouse

Folger, David W.; Hathaway, J.C.

1987-01-01

A conference on Continental Margin Mass Wasting and Pleistocene Sea-Level Changes was held in Woods Hole, Mass., August 13-15, 1980. Forty-seven participants, representing many government, academic, and industrial organizations, discussed the current state of knowledge of the features of marine mass wasting and of the interrelations of factors influencing them. These factors include sediment source, composition, textures, sedimentation rates, climatic and sea-level changes, gas and gas hydrate (clathrate) contents of sediments, geotechnical characteristics, oceanographic and morphological factors, ground-water processes, and seismic events. The part played by these factors in the processes and features of mass movement and the engineering considerations imposed by the emplacement of manmade structures on the sea floor were considered vital to the evaluation of hazards involved in offshore exploration and development. The conference concluded with a call for bold programs to establish the probability of occurrence and the quantitative importance of these factors and to devise more reliable means of measurement, particularly in place, of the characteristics of the sediment and features involved.

SmartWay Featured Partner: North Central Texas Council of Governments

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EPA fact sheet spotlights North Central Texas Council of Governments as a SmartWay partner, improving air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth region by incorporating SW-verified technology into its programs, reducing fuel consumption and increasing energ

The Hidden Rule: A Critical Discussion of Harvard University's Governing Structure. [A Harvard Watch Report].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weissman, Robert

The governing structure of Harvard University is reviewed, and the findings include the following: (1) Harvard's present administrative and governance structure utilize corporate techniques of management that allow the president to diffuse administrative tasks without diffusing power--the difficulty of locating responsibility in the decentralized…

Training Plan. Central Archive for Reusable Defense Software (CARDS)

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-29

Modeling Software Reuse Technology: Feature Oriented Domain Analysis ( FODA ). SEI, Carnegie Mellon University, May 1992. 8. Component Provider’s...events to the services of the domain. 4. Feature Oriented Domain Analysis ( FODA ) [COHEN92] The FODA method produces feature models. Feature models provide...Architecture FODA Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis GOTS Government-Off-The-Shelf Pap A-49 STARS-VC-B003/001/00 29 imaty 1994 MS Master of Science NEC

Parent Participation in School Governance: A Legal Analysis of Experiences in South Africa and Kentucky

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bathon, Justin; Beckmann, Johan; Bjork, Lars G.

2011-01-01

This comparative study on the educational governance systems of South Africa and the Commonwealth of Kentucky examines legal evidence from judicial decisions and administrative law to understand similarities in how school-based governance structures have been developed. We found that although school-level governance structures may provide greater…

Quantitative Comparisons of a Coarse-Grid LES with Experimental Data for Backward-Facing Step Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonough, J. M.

1999-11-01

A novel approach to LES employing an additive decomposition of both solutions and governing equations (similar to ``multi-level'' approaches of Dubois et al.,Dynamic Multilevel Methods and the Simulation of Turbulence, Cambridge University Press, 1999) is presented; its main structural features are lack of filtering of governing equations (instead, solutions are filtered to remove aliasing due to under resolution) and direct modeling of subgrid-scale primitive variables (rather than modeling their correlations) in the manner proposed by Hylin and McDonough (Int. J. Fluid Mech. Res. 26, 228-256, 1999). A 2-D implementation of this formalism is applied to the backward-facing step flow studied experimentally by Driver and Seegmiller (AIAA J. 23, 163-171, 1985) and Driver et al. (AIAA J. 25, 914-919, 1987), and run on grids sufficiently coarse to permit easy extension to 3-D, industrially-realistic problems. Comparisons of computed and experimental mean quantities (velocity profiles, turbulence kinetic energy, reattachment lengths, etc.) and effects of grid refinement will be presented.

A thermodynamic equation of jamming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Kevin; Pirouz Kavehpour, H.

2008-03-01

Materials ranging from sand to fire-retardant to toothpaste are considered fragile, able to exhibit both solid and fluid-like properties across the jamming transition. Guided by granular flow experiments, our equation of jammed states is path-dependent, definable at different athermal equilibrium states. The non-equilibrium thermodynamics based on a structural temperature incorporate physical ageing to address the non-exponential, non-Arrhenious relaxation of granular flows. In short, jamming is simply viewed as a thermodynamic transition that occurs to preserve a positive configurational entropy above absolute zero. Without any free parameters, the proposed equation-of-state governs the mechanism of shear-banding and the associated features of shear-softening and thickness-invariance.

Gender equality or patriarchal dividend: Structural change in Turkish nursing.

PubMed

Herdman, Elizabeth; Badir, Aysel

2008-06-01

Turkey is attempting to join the European Union and is facing pressure to eliminate many forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on gender. In keeping with these aims, in early 2007 the Turkish government changed the law to permit Turkish men to become nurses. Given that Turkey is a highly patriarchal society and that occupational segregation by sex is a persistent feature, it is important to examine the potential outcome of the legislative changes. The aim of this paper is to explore the paradoxical potential for Turkish female nurses to experience increased discrimination in a system that is restructured by legislation to be non-discriminatory.

Rate and Gain Limitations of MSGC's and MGC's Combined with GEM and other Preamplification Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fonte, P.; Peskov, V.; Ramsey, B. D.

1998-01-01

We have studied the rate and gain limits of diamond-coated Microstrip Gas Counters (MSGC's) and Micro-Gap Counters (MGC's) when combined with various preamplification structures: Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM), Parallel-Plate Avalanche Chamber (PPAC) or a MICROMEGAS-type structure. Measurements were done both with X rays and alpha particles with various detector geometries and in different gas mixtures at pressures from 0.05 to 10 atm. The results obtained varied significantly with detector design, gas mixture and pressure, but some general features can be identified. We found that in all cases, bare MSGC'S, MGC'S, PPAC's and MICROMEGAS, the maximum achievable gain drops with rate. The addition of preamplification structures significantly increases the gain of MSGC's and MGC'S, but this gain is still rate dependent. There would seem to be a general rate-dependent effect governing the usable gain of all these detectors. We speculate on possible mechanisms for this effect, and identify a safe, spark-free, operation zone for each system (detector + preamplification structure) in the rate-gain coordinate plane.

Scalings of intermittent structures in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

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

Zhdankin, Vladimir, E-mail: zhdankin@jila.colorado.edu; Boldyrev, Stanislav; Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colorado 80301

Turbulence is ubiquitous in plasmas, leading to rich dynamics characterized by irregularity, irreversibility, energy fluctuations across many scales, and energy transfer across many scales. Another fundamental and generic feature of turbulence, although sometimes overlooked, is the inhomogeneous dissipation of energy in space and in time. This is a consequence of intermittency, the scale-dependent inhomogeneity of dynamics caused by fluctuations in the turbulent cascade. Intermittency causes turbulent plasmas to self-organize into coherent dissipative structures, which may govern heating, diffusion, particle acceleration, and radiation emissions. In this paper, we present recent progress on understanding intermittency in incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with a strongmore » guide field. We focus on the statistical analysis of intermittent dissipative structures, which occupy a small fraction of the volume but arguably account for the majority of energy dissipation. We show that, in our numerical simulations, intermittent structures in the current density, vorticity, and Elsässer vorticities all have nearly identical statistical properties. We propose phenomenological explanations for the scalings based on general considerations of Elsässer vorticity structures. Finally, we examine the broader implications of intermittency for astrophysical systems.« less

A systematic analysis of atomic protein-ligand interactions in the PDB.

PubMed

Ferreira de Freitas, Renato; Schapira, Matthieu

2017-10-01

As the protein databank (PDB) recently passed the cap of 123 456 structures, it stands more than ever as an important resource not only to analyze structural features of specific biological systems, but also to study the prevalence of structural patterns observed in a large body of unrelated structures, that may reflect rules governing protein folding or molecular recognition. Here, we compiled a list of 11 016 unique structures of small-molecule ligands bound to proteins - 6444 of which have experimental binding affinity - representing 750 873 protein-ligand atomic interactions, and analyzed the frequency, geometry and impact of each interaction type. We find that hydrophobic interactions are generally enriched in high-efficiency ligands, but polar interactions are over-represented in fragment inhibitors. While most observations extracted from the PDB will be familiar to seasoned medicinal chemists, less expected findings, such as the high number of C-H···O hydrogen bonds or the relatively frequent amide-π stacking between the backbone amide of proteins and aromatic rings of ligands, uncover underused ligand design strategies.

Stretched-to-compressed-exponential crossover observed in the electrical degradation kinetics of some spinel-metallic screen-printed structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balitska, V.; Shpotyuk, O.; Brunner, M.; Hadzaman, I.

2018-02-01

Thermally-induced (170 °C) degradation-relaxation kinetics is examined in screen-printed structures composed of spinel Cu0.1Ni0.1Co1.6Mn1.2O4 ceramics with conductive Ag or Ag-Pd layered electrodes. Structural inhomogeneities due to Ag and Ag-Pd diffusants in spinel phase environment play a decisive role in non-exponential kinetics of negative relative resistance drift. If Ag migration in spinel is inhibited by Pd addition due to Ag-Pd alloy, the kinetics attains stretched exponential behavior with ∼0.58 exponent, typical for one-stage diffusion in structurally-dispersive media. Under deep Ag penetration into spinel ceramics, as for thick films with Ag-layered electrodes, the degradation kinetics drastically changes, attaining features of two-step diffusing process governed by compressed-exponential dependence with power index of ∼1.68. Crossover from stretched- to compressed-exponential kinetics in spinel-metallic structures is mapped on free energy landscape of non-barrier multi-well system under strong perturbation from equilibrium, showing transition with a character downhill scenario resulting in faster than exponential decaying.

Institutional analysis of health system governance.

PubMed

Abimbola, Seye; Negin, Joel; Martiniuk, Alexandra L; Jan, Stephen

2017-11-01

It is important that researchers who study health system governance have a set of collective understandings of the meanings of governance, which can then inform the methods used in research. We present an institutional framing and definition of health system governance; that is, governance refers to making, changing, monitoring and enforcing the rules that govern the demand and supply of health services. This pervasive, relational view of governance is to be preferred to approaches that focus primarily on structures of governments and health care organizations, because health system governance involves communities and service users, and because governments in many low- and middle-income countries tend to under-govern. Therefore, the study of health system governance requires institutional analysis; an approach that focuses not only on structures, but also on the rules (both formal and informal) governing demand and supply relations. Using this 'structure-relations' lens, and based on our field experience, we discuss how this focus could be applied to the three approaches to framing and studying health system governance that we identified in the literature. In order of decreasing focus on structures ('hardware') and increasing focus on relations ('software'), they are: (1) the government-centred approach, which focuses on the role of governments, above or to the exclusion of non-government health system actors; (2) the building-block approach, which focuses on the internal workings of health care organizations, and treats governance as one of the several building blocks of organizations; and (3) the institutional approach, which focuses on how the rules governing social and economic interactions are made, changed, monitored and enforced. Notably, either or both qualitative and quantitative methods may be used by researchers in efforts to incorporate the analysis of how rules determine relations among health system actors into these three approaches to health system governance. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Simulating the Past, Present and Future of the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gettelman, Andrew; Hegglin, Michaela

2010-05-01

A comprehensive assessment of coupled chemistry climate model (CCM) performance in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere has been conducted with 18 models. Both qualitative and quantitative comparisons of model representation of UTLS dynamical, radiative and chemical structure have been conducted, using a collection of quantitative grading techniques. The models are able to reproduce the observed climatology of dynamical, radiative and chemical structure in the tropical and extratropical UTLS, despite relatively coarse vertical and horizontal resolution. Diagnostics of the Tropical Tropopause Layer (TTL), Tropopause Inversion Layer (TIL) and Extra-tropical Transition Layer (ExTL) are analyzed. The results provide new insight into the key processes that govern the dynamics and transport in the tropics and extra-tropicsa. The presentation will explain how models are able to reproduce key features of the UTLS, what features they do not reproduce, and why. Model trends over the historical period are also assessed and interannual variability is included in the metrics. Finally, key trends in the UTLS for the future with a given halogen and greenhouse gas scenario are presented, indicating significant changes in tropopause height and temperature, as well as UTLS ozone concentrations in the 21st century due to climate change and ozone recovery.

Clinical Decision Support in Electronic Prescribing: Recommendations and an Action Plan

PubMed Central

Teich, Jonathan M.; Osheroff, Jerome A.; Pifer, Eric A.; Sittig, Dean F.; Jenders, Robert A.

2005-01-01

Clinical decision support (CDS) in electronic prescribing (eRx) systems can improve the safety, quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of care. However, at present, these potential benefits have not been fully realized. In this consensus white paper, we set forth recommendations and action plans in three critical domains: (1) advances in system capabilities, including basic and advanced sets of CDS interventions and knowledge, supporting database elements, operational features to improve usability and measure performance, and management and governance structures; (2) uniform standards, vocabularies, and centralized knowledge structures and services that could reduce rework by vendors and care providers, improve dissemination of well-constructed CDS interventions, promote generally applicable research in CDS methods, and accelerate the movement of new medical knowledge from research to practice; and (3) appropriate financial and legal incentives to promote adoption. PMID:15802474

Developing anti-tobacco messages for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: evidence from a national cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Gould, Gillian S; Watt, Kerrianne; Stevenson, Leah; McEwen, Andy; Cadet-James, Yvonne; Clough, Alan R

2014-03-13

Smoking rates in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples remain high, with limited impact of government measures for many subgroups. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate differences in organisational practice for developing anti-tobacco messages for these target populations. Telephone interviews were conducted with 47 organisation representatives using a structured questionnaire based on health communication and health promotion frameworks. Responses were coded into phases of message development, message types (educational, threat, positive or advocacy), target groups, message recommendations, and evaluations undertaken. Cultural sensitivity for message development was divided into surface structure (use of images, language, demographics) and deep structure (use of socio-cultural values). A categorical principal component analysis explored the key dimensions of the findings and their component relationships. Among organisations interviewed, a community-orientated, bottom-up approach for developing anti-tobacco messages was reported by 47% (n=24); 55% based message development on a theoretical framework; 87% used a positive benefit appeal; 38% used threat messages. More Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) targeted youth (p<0.005) and advised smokers to quit (p<0.05) than other types of organisations. AMSs were significantly more likely to report using deep structure in tailoring messages compared with non-government (p<0.05) and government organisations (p<0.05). Organisations that were oriented to the general population were more likely to evaluate their programs (p<0.05). A two-dimensional non-linear principal component analysis extracted components interpreted as "cultural understanding" (bottom-up, community-based approaches, deep structures) and "rigour" (theoretical frameworks, and planned/completed evaluations), and accounted for 53% of the variability in the data. Message features, associated with successful campaigns in other populations, are starting to be used for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A model is proposed to facilitate the development of targeted anti-tobacco messages for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Organisations could consider incorporating both components of cultural understanding-rigour to enable the growth of evidence-based practice.

Progress in Grid Generation: From Chimera to DRAGON Grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liou, Meng-Sing; Kao, Kai-Hsiung

1994-01-01

Hybrid grids, composed of structured and unstructured grids, combines the best features of both. The chimera method is a major stepstone toward a hybrid grid from which the present approach is evolved. The chimera grid composes a set of overlapped structured grids which are independently generated and body-fitted, yielding a high quality grid readily accessible for efficient solution schemes. The chimera method has been shown to be efficient to generate a grid about complex geometries and has been demonstrated to deliver accurate aerodynamic prediction of complex flows. While its geometrical flexibility is attractive, interpolation of data in the overlapped regions - which in today's practice in 3D is done in a nonconservative fashion, is not. In the present paper we propose a hybrid grid scheme that maximizes the advantages of the chimera scheme and adapts the strengths of the unstructured grid while at the same time keeps its weaknesses minimal. Like the chimera method, we first divide up the physical domain by a set of structured body-fitted grids which are separately generated and overlaid throughout a complex configuration. To eliminate any pure data manipulation which does not necessarily follow governing equations, we use non-structured grids only to directly replace the region of the arbitrarily overlapped grids. This new adaptation to the chimera thinking is coined the DRAGON grid. The nonstructured grid region sandwiched between the structured grids is limited in size, resulting in only a small increase in memory and computational effort. The DRAGON method has three important advantages: (1) preserving strengths of the chimera grid; (2) eliminating difficulties sometimes encountered in the chimera scheme, such as the orphan points and bad quality of interpolation stencils; and (3) making grid communication in a fully conservative and consistent manner insofar as the governing equations are concerned. To demonstrate its use, the governing equations are discretized using the newly proposed flux scheme, AUSM+, which will be briefly described herein. Numerical tests on representative 2D inviscid flows are given for demonstration. Finally, extension to 3D is underway, only paced by the availability of the 3D unstructured grid generator.

Developing anti-tobacco messages for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: evidence from a national cross-sectional survey

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Smoking rates in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples remain high, with limited impact of government measures for many subgroups. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate differences in organisational practice for developing anti-tobacco messages for these target populations. Methods Telephone interviews were conducted with 47 organisation representatives using a structured questionnaire based on health communication and health promotion frameworks. Responses were coded into phases of message development, message types (educational, threat, positive or advocacy), target groups, message recommendations, and evaluations undertaken. Cultural sensitivity for message development was divided into surface structure (use of images, language, demographics) and deep structure (use of socio-cultural values). A categorical principal component analysis explored the key dimensions of the findings and their component relationships. Results Among organisations interviewed, a community-orientated, bottom-up approach for developing anti-tobacco messages was reported by 47% (n = 24); 55% based message development on a theoretical framework; 87% used a positive benefit appeal; 38% used threat messages. More Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) targeted youth (p < 0.005) and advised smokers to quit (p < 0.05) than other types of organisations. AMSs were significantly more likely to report using deep structure in tailoring messages compared with non-government (p < 0.05) and government organisations (p < 0.05). Organisations that were oriented to the general population were more likely to evaluate their programs (p < 0.05). A two-dimensional non-linear principal component analysis extracted components interpreted as “cultural understanding” (bottom-up, community-based approaches, deep structures) and “rigour” (theoretical frameworks, and planned/completed evaluations), and accounted for 53% of the variability in the data. Conclusion Message features, associated with successful campaigns in other populations, are starting to be used for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A model is proposed to facilitate the development of targeted anti-tobacco messages for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Organisations could consider incorporating both components of cultural understanding-rigour to enable the growth of evidence-based practice. PMID:24625235

A structuration framework for bridging the macro-micro divide in health-care governance.

PubMed

Bodolica, Virginia; Spraggon, Martin; Tofan, Gabriela

2016-08-01

Extant studies demonstrate that macro (hierarchical) and micro (relational) governance initiatives in health-care settings continue to be developed in isolation rather than interactively. Government-driven hierarchical governance endeavours that guide health-care reforms and medical practice are disconnected from micro-level physician-patient interactions being unable to account for patient preferences in the macro-level policymaking. We undertake a review of the recent literature to couch our argument for a unified governance framework for bridging the macro-micro divide in medical contexts. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach to health-care delivery, we maintain that the (strong) structuration theory provides a fruitful opportunity for narrowing the gap between hierarchical and relational governance. Emphasizing the coexistence of institutional structures and human agency, the (strong) structuration theory elucidates how macro and micro governance devices shape each other's structure via mutually reinforcing cycles of influence. Micro-level encounters between patients and physicians give rise to social structures that constitute the constraining and enabling forces through which macro-level health-care infrastructures are altered and reproduced over time. Permitting to illustrate how patients' agency can effectively emerge from complex networks of clinical trajectories, the advanced structuration framework for macro-micro governance integration avoids the extremes of paternalism and autonomy through a balanced consideration of professional judgement and patient preferences. The macro-micro integration of governance efforts is a critical issue in both high-income states, where medical institutions attempt to deploy substantial realignment efforts, and developing nations, which are lagging behind due to leadership weaknesses and lower levels of governmental investment. A key priority for regulators is the identification of relevant systems to support this holistic governance by providing clinicians with needed resources for focusing on patient advocacy and installing enabling mechanisms for incorporating patients' inputs in health-care reforms and policymaking. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Distinct Structural Elements Govern the Folding, Stability, and Catalysis in the Outer Membrane Enzyme PagP.

PubMed

Iyer, Bharat Ramasubramanian; Mahalakshmi, Radhakrishnan

2016-09-06

The outer membrane enzyme PagP is indispensable for lipid A palmitoylation in Gram-negative bacteria and has been implicated in resistance to host immune defenses. PagP possesses an unusual structure for an integral membrane protein, with a highly dynamic barrel domain that is tilted with respect to the membrane normal. In addition, it contains an N-terminal amphipathic helix. Recent functional and structural studies have shown that these molecular factors are critical for PagP to carry out its function in the challenging environment of the bacterial outer membrane. However, the precise contributions of the N-helix to folding and stability and residues that can influence catalytic rates remain to be addressed. Here, we identify a sequence-dependent stabilizing role for the N-terminal helix of PagP in the measured thermodynamic stability of the barrel. Using chimeric barrel sequences, we show that the Escherichia coli PagP N-terminal helix confers 2-fold greater stability to the Salmonella typhimurium barrel. Further, we find that the W78F substitution in S. typhimurium causes a nearly 20-fold increase in the specific activity in vitro for the phospholipase reaction, compared to that of E. coli PagP. Here, phenylalanine serves as a key regulator of catalysis, possibly by increasing the reaction rate. Through coevolution analysis, we detect an interaction network between seemingly unrelated segments of this membrane protein. Exchanging the structural and functional features between homologous PagP enzymes from E. coli and S. typhimurium has provided us with an understanding of the molecular factors governing PagP stability and function.

Solidification of undercooled liquids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perepezko, J. H.; Shiohara, Y.; Paik, J. S.; Flemmings, M. C.

1982-01-01

During rapid solidification processing (RSP) the amount of liquid undercooling is an important factor in determining microstructural development by controlling phase selection during nucleation and morphological evolution during crystal growth. While undercooling is an inherent feature of many techniques of RSP, the deepest undercoolings and most controlled studies have been possible in carefully prepared fine droplet samples. From past work and recent advances in studies of nucleation kinetics it has become clear that the initiation of crystallization during RSP is governed usually by heterogeneous sites located at surfaces. With known nucleant sites, it has been possible to identify specific pathways of metastable phase formation and microstructural development in alloys. These advances have allowed for a clearer assessment of the interplay between undercooling, cooling rate and particle size statistics in structure formation. New approaches to the examination of growth processes have been developed to follow the thermal behavior and morphology in small samples in the period of rapid crystallization and recalescence. Based upon the new experimental information from these studies, useful models can be developed for the overall solidification process to include nucleation behavior, thermodynamic constraints, thermal history, growth kinetics, solute redistribution and resulting structures. From the refinement of knowledge concerning the underlying factors that govern RSP a basis is emerging for an effective alloy design and processing strategy.

Diverse activities of viral cis-acting RNA regulatory elements revealed using multicolor, long-term, single-cell imaging

PubMed Central

Pocock, Ginger M.; Zimdars, Laraine L.; Yuan, Ming; Eliceiri, Kevin W.; Ahlquist, Paul; Sherer, Nathan M.

2017-01-01

Cis-acting RNA structural elements govern crucial aspects of viral gene expression. How these structures and other posttranscriptional signals affect RNA trafficking and translation in the context of single cells is poorly understood. Herein we describe a multicolor, long-term (>24 h) imaging strategy for measuring integrated aspects of viral RNA regulatory control in individual cells. We apply this strategy to demonstrate differential mRNA trafficking behaviors governed by RNA elements derived from three retroviruses (HIV-1, murine leukemia virus, and Mason-Pfizer monkey virus), two hepadnaviruses (hepatitis B virus and woodchuck hepatitis virus), and an intron-retaining transcript encoded by the cellular NXF1 gene. Striking behaviors include “burst” RNA nuclear export dynamics regulated by HIV-1’s Rev response element and the viral Rev protein; transient aggregations of RNAs into discrete foci at or near the nuclear membrane triggered by multiple elements; and a novel, pulsiform RNA export activity regulated by the hepadnaviral posttranscriptional regulatory element. We incorporate single-cell tracking and a data-mining algorithm into our approach to obtain RNA element–specific, high-resolution gene expression signatures. Together these imaging assays constitute a tractable, systems-based platform for studying otherwise difficult to access spatiotemporal features of viral and cellular gene regulation. PMID:27903772

Governing board structure, business strategy, and performance of acute care hospitals: a contingency perspective.

PubMed Central

Young, G; Beekun, R I; Ginn, G O

1992-01-01

Contingency theory suggests that for a hospital governing board to be effective in taking on a more active role in strategic management, the board needs to be structured to complement the overall strategy of the organization. A survey study was conducted to examine the strategies of acute care hospitals as related to the structural characteristics of their governing boards. After controlling for organizational size and system membership, results indicated a significant relationship between the governing board structure of 109 acute care hospitals and their overall business strategy. Strategy also accounted for more of the variance in board structure than either organization size or system membership. Finally, the greater the match between board structure and hospital strategy, the stronger the hospitals' financial performance. PMID:1399656

Report on the First APCA Government Affairs Seminar "The Clean Air Act."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beery, Williamina, T.

1973-01-01

A summary of 18 speeches and sessions from the Government Affairs Seminar is given. Topics featured were emission standards for mobile sources, implementation strategies for stationary sources, non-degradation of air quality standards, and technology assessment and the National Environmental Policy Act. (BL)

Role of innovative institutional structures in integrated governance. A case study of integrating health and nutrition programs in Chhattisgarh, India.

PubMed

Kalita, Anuska; Mondal, Shinjini

2012-01-01

The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance of integrated governance in bringing about community participation, improved service delivery, accountability of public systems and human resource rationalisation. It discusses the strategies of innovative institutional structures in translating such integration in the areas of public health and nutrition for poor communities. The paper draws on experience of initiating integrated governance through innovations in health and nutrition programming in the resource-poor state of Chhattisgarh, India, at different levels of governance structures--hamlets, villages, clusters, blocks, districts and at the state. The study uses mixed methods--i.e. document analysis, interviews, discussions and quantitative data from facilities surveys--to present a case study analyzing the process and outcome of integration. The data indicate that integrated governance initiatives improved convergence between health and nutrition departments of the state at all levels. Also, innovative structures are important to implement the idea of integration, especially in contexts that do not have historical experience of such partnerships. Integration also contributed towards improved participation of communities in self-governance, community monitoring of government programs, and therefore, better services. As governments across the world, especially in developing countries, struggle towards achieving better governance, integration can serve as a desirable process to address this. Integration can affect the decentralisation of power, inclusion, efficiency, accountability and improved service quality in government programs. The institutional structures detailed in this paper can provide models for replication in other similar contexts for translating and sustaining the idea of integrated governance. This paper is one of the few to investigate innovative public institutions of a and community mobilisation to explore this important, and under-researched, topic.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community governance of health research: Turning principles into practice.

PubMed

Gwynn, Josephine; Lock, Mark; Turner, Nicole; Dennison, Ray; Coleman, Clare; Kelly, Brian; Wiggers, John

2015-08-01

Gaps exist in researchers' understanding of the 'practice' of community governance in relation to research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We examine Aboriginal community governance of two rural NSW research projects by applying principles-based criteria from two independent sources. One research project possessed a strong Aboriginal community governance structure and evaluated a 2-year healthy lifestyle program for children; the other was a 5-year cohort study examining factors influencing the mental health and well-being of participants. The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia's 'Values and ethics: guidelines for ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research' and 'Ten principles relevant to health research among Indigenous Australian populations' described by experts in the field. Adopt community-based participatory research constructs. Develop clear governance structures and procedures at the beginning of the study and allow sufficient time for their establishment. Capacity-building must be a key component of the research. Ensure sufficient resources to enable community engagement, conduct of research governance procedures, capacity-building and results dissemination. The implementation of governance structures and procedures ensures research addresses the priorities of the participating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, minimises risks and improves outcomes for the communities. Principles-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community governance of research is very achievable. Next steps include developing a comprehensive evidence base for appropriate governance structures and procedures, and consolidating a suite of practical guides for structuring clear governance in health research. © 2015 National Rural Health Alliance Inc.

A Quantitative Characterization and Classification of Martian Valley Networks: New Constraints on Mars' Early Climate and Its Variability in Space and Time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grau Galofre, A.; Jellinek, M.

2014-12-01

Valley networks and outflow channels are among the most arresting features of Mars' surface. Remarkable similarities between the structure and complexity of individual Martian channels with certain fluvial systems on Earth supports a popular picture of a warm wet early Mars. A key assumption in this picture is that "typical" Martian examples adequately capture the average character of the majority of all valley networks. However, a full catalog of the distribution of geomorphologic variability of valley networks over Mars' surface geometry has never been established. Accordingly, we present the first planet-wide map in which we use statistical methods and theoretical arguments to classify Martian channels in terms of the mechanics governing their formation. Using new metrics for the size, shape and complexity of channel networks, which we ground truth against a large suite of terrestrial examples, we distinguish drainage patterns related to glacial, subglacial, fluvial and lava flows. Preliminary results separate lava flows from other flow features and show that these features can be divided into three different groups of increasing complexity. The characteristics of these groups suggest that they represent fluvial, subglacial and glacial features. We show also that the relative proportions of the different groups varies systematically, with higher density of river-like features located in low longitudes and increasing glacial-like features as we move east or west. Our results suggest that the early Martian climate and hydrologic cycle was richer and more diverse than originally thought.

Shear and shearless Lagrangian structures in compound channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enrile, F.; Besio, G.; Stocchino, A.

2018-03-01

Transport processes in a physical model of a natural stream with a composite cross-section (compound channel) are investigated by means of a Lagrangian analysis based on nonlinear dynamical system theory. Two-dimensional free surface Eulerian experimental velocity fields of a uniform flow in a compound channel form the basis for the identification of the so-called Lagrangian Coherent Structures. Lagrangian structures are recognized as the key features that govern particle trajectories. We seek for two particular class of Lagrangian structures: Shear and shearless structures. The former are generated whenever the shear dominates the flow whereas the latter behave as jet-cores. These two type of structures are detected as ridges and trenches of the Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponents fields, respectively. Besides, shearlines computed applying the geodesic theory of transport barriers mark Shear Lagrangian Coherent Structures. So far, the detection of these structures in real experimental flows has not been deeply investigated. Indeed, the present results obtained in a wide range of the controlling parameters clearly show a different behaviour depending on the shallowness of the flow. Shear and Shearless Lagrangian Structures detected from laboratory experiments clearly appear as the flow develops in shallow conditions. The presence of these Lagrangian Structures tends to fade in deep flow conditions.

Global constitutionalism, applied to global health governance: uncovering legitimacy deficits and suggesting remedies.

PubMed

Ooms, Gorik; Hammonds, Rachel

2016-12-03

Global constitutionalism is a way of looking at the world, at global rules and how they are made, as if there was a global constitution, empowering global institutions to act as a global government, setting rules which bind all states and people. This essay employs global constitutionalism to examine how and why global health governance, as currently structured, has struggled to advance the right to health, a fundamental human rights obligation enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It first examines the core structure of the global health governance architecture, and its evolution since the Second World War. Second, it identifies the main constitutionalist principles that are relevant for a global constitutionalism assessment of the core structure of the global health governance architecture. Finally, it applies these constitutionalist principles to assess the core structure of the global health governance architecture. Leading global health institutions are structurally skewed to preserve high incomes countries' disproportionate influence on transnational rule-making authority, and tend to prioritise infectious disease control over the comprehensive realisation of the right to health. A Framework Convention on Global Health could create a classic division of powers in global health governance, with WHO as the law-making power in global health governance, a global fund for health as the executive power, and the International Court of Justice as the judiciary power.

Government-Sponsored Programs on Structures Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, Ahmed K. (Compiler); Malone, John B. (Compiler)

1997-01-01

This document contains the presentations from the joint UVA/AIAA workshops on Government-Sponsored Programs on Structures Technology, held on April 6, 1997 in Kissimmee, Florida and on September 4, 1997 in Hampton, Virginia. Workshop attendees were the Members and Friends of the AIAA Structures Technical Committee. The objectives of the workshops were to: (a) provide a forum for discussion of current government-sponsored programs in the structures area; (b) identify high-potential research areas for future aerospace systems; and (c) initiate suitable interaction mechanisms with the managers of structures programs.

Computational modelling of mesoscale dislocation patterning and plastic deformation of single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Shengxu; El-Azab, Anter

2015-07-01

We present a continuum dislocation dynamics model that predicts the formation of dislocation cell structure in single crystals at low strains. The model features a set of kinetic equations of the curl type that govern the space and time evolution of the dislocation density in the crystal. These kinetic equations are coupled to stress equilibrium and deformation kinematics using the eigenstrain approach. A custom finite element method has been developed to solve the coupled system of equations of dislocation kinetics and crystal mechanics. The results show that, in general, dislocations self-organize in patterns under their mutual interactions. However, the famous dislocation cell structure has been found to form only when cross slip is implemented in the model. Cross slip is also found to lower the yield point, increase the hardening rate, and sustain an increase in the dislocation density over the hardening regime. Analysis of the cell structure evolution reveals that the average cell size decreases with the applied stress, which is consistent with the similitude principle.

A Near-Atomic Structure of the Dark Apoptosome Provides Insight into Assembly and Activation.

PubMed

Cheng, Tat Cheung; Akey, Ildikó V; Yuan, Shujun; Yu, Zhiheng; Ludtke, Steven J; Akey, Christopher W

2017-01-03

In Drosophila, the Apaf-1-related killer (Dark) forms an apoptosome that activates procaspases. To investigate function, we have determined a near-atomic structure of Dark double rings using cryo-electron microscopy. We then built a nearly complete model of the apoptosome that includes 7- and 8-blade β-propellers. We find that the preference for dATP during Dark assembly may be governed by Ser325, which is in close proximity to the 2' carbon of the deoxyribose ring. Interestingly, β-propellers in V-shaped domains of the Dark apoptosome are more widely separated, relative to these features in the Apaf-1 apoptosome. This wider spacing may be responsible for the lack of cytochrome c binding to β-propellers in the Dark apoptosome. Our structure also highlights the roles of two loss-of-function mutations that may block Dark assembly. Finally, the improved model provides a framework to understand apical procaspase activation in the intrinsic cell death pathway. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

After Access: Canadian Education and Copyright Reform

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geist, Michael

2006-01-01

With the dramatic growth of the Internet in the 1990s, the Canadian government developed a well-regarded strategy for addressing the emerging issues posed by the "information highway." The strategy featured legal reforms to address privacy and e-commerce, administrative reforms for the government online initiative, and connectivity…

From Sure Start to Children's Centres: Capturing the Erosion of Social Capital

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bagley, Carl

2011-01-01

Discourses within the UK Labour government's welfare policy agenda have consistently featured a reformulation of programmatic governance away from both centralised hierarchies and neo-liberal markets to a social policy strategy that highlights a commitment to inclusive partnership working. Significantly, this process of meaningful social…

People's Education (for People's Power)--A Promise Unfulfilled

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathebula, Thokozani

2013-01-01

The central feature of Athenian citizens' rights, that is, people's participation in government, is also enshrined in the South African Constitution. This article argues for the Athenian style of participatory democracy as a viable model of participation in governing South African schools. The author claims that "people's education",…

Discovering rules for protein-ligand specificity using support vector inductive logic programming.

PubMed

Kelley, Lawrence A; Shrimpton, Paul J; Muggleton, Stephen H; Sternberg, Michael J E

2009-09-01

Structural genomics initiatives are rapidly generating vast numbers of protein structures. Comparative modelling is also capable of producing accurate structural models for many protein sequences. However, for many of the known structures, functions are not yet determined, and in many modelling tasks, an accurate structural model does not necessarily tell us about function. Thus, there is a pressing need for high-throughput methods for determining function from structure. The spatial arrangement of key amino acids in a folded protein, on the surface or buried in clefts, is often the determinants of its biological function. A central aim of molecular biology is to understand the relationship between such substructures or surfaces and biological function, leading both to function prediction and to function design. We present a new general method for discovering the features of binding pockets that confer specificity for particular ligands. Using a recently developed machine-learning technique which couples the rule-discovery approach of inductive logic programming with the statistical learning power of support vector machines, we are able to discriminate, with high precision (90%) and recall (86%) between pockets that bind FAD and those that bind NAD on a large benchmark set given only the geometry and composition of the backbone of the binding pocket without the use of docking. In addition, we learn rules governing this specificity which can feed into protein functional design protocols. An analysis of the rules found suggests that key features of the binding pocket may be tied to conformational freedom in the ligand. The representation is sufficiently general to be applicable to any discriminatory binding problem. All programs and data sets are freely available to non-commercial users at http://www.sbg.bio.ic.ac.uk/svilp_ligand/.

Structural hierarchy as a key to complex phase selection in Al-Sm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Z.; Zhang, F.; Sun, Y.; Nguyen, M. C.; Zhou, S. H.; Zhou, L.; Meng, F.; Ott, R. T.; Park, E.; Besser, M. F.; Kramer, M. J.; Ding, Z. J.; Mendelev, M. I.; Wang, C. Z.; Napolitano, R. E.; Ho, K. M.

2017-10-01

Investigating the unknown structure of the complex cubic phase, previously observed to crystallize from melt-spun amorphous Al-10 at.% Sm alloy, we determine the structure in full site-occupancy detail, highlighting several critical structural features that govern the far-from-equilibrium phase selection pathway. Using an efficient genetic algorithm combining molecular dynamics, density functional theory, and x-ray diffraction, the structure is clearly identified as body-centered cubic I m 3 ¯m (No. 229) with ˜140 atoms per cubic unit cell and a lattice parameter of 1.4 nm. The complex structure is further refined to elucidate the detailed site occupancy, revealing full Sm occupancy on 6b sites and split Sm/Al occupancy on 16f sites. Based on the refined site occupancy associated with the experimentally observed phase, we term this phase ɛ -A l60S m11 (bcc), corresponding to the limiting situation when all 16f sites are occupied by Sm. However, it should be recognized that the range of solubility enabled by split occupancy at Sm sites is an important feature in phase selection under experimental conditions, permitting an avenue for transition with little or no chemical partitioning. Our analysis shows that the ɛ -A l60S m11 (bcc) exhibits a "3-6-6-1" first-shell packing around Sm centers on 16f sites, the same dominant motif exhibited by the undercooled liquid. The coincident motif supports the notion that liquid/glass ordering at high undercooling may give rise to topological invariants between the noncrystalline and crystalline states that provide kinetic pathways to metastable phases that are not accessible during near-equilibrium processing.

Structural hierarchy as a key to complex phase selection in Al-Sm

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

Ye, Z.; Zhang, F.; Sun, Y.

Investigating the unknown structure of the complex cubic phase, previously observed to crystallize from melt-spun amorphous Al–10 at.% Sm alloy, we determine the structure in full site-occupancy detail, highlighting several critical structural features that govern the far-from-equilibrium phase selection pathway. Using an efficient genetic algorithm combining molecular dynamics, density functional theory, and x-ray diffraction, the structure is clearly identified as body-centered cubic Im¯3m (No. 229) with ~140 atoms per cubic unit cell and a lattice parameter of 1.4 nm. The complex structure is further refined to elucidate the detailed site occupancy, revealing full Sm occupancy on 6b sites and splitmore » Sm/Al occupancy on 16f sites. Based on the refined site occupancy associated with the experimentally observed phase, we term this phase ε–Al 60Sm 11(bcc), corresponding to the limiting situation when all 16f sites are occupied by Sm. However, it should be recognized that the range of solubility enabled by split occupancy at Sm sites is an important feature in phase selection under experimental conditions, permitting an avenue for transition with little or no chemical partitioning. Our analysis shows that the ε–Al 60Sm 11(bcc) exhibits a “3-6-6-1” first-shell packing around Sm centers on 16f sites, the same dominant motif exhibited by the undercooled liquid. Here, the coincident motif supports the notion that liquid/glass ordering at high undercooling may give rise to topological invariants between the noncrystalline and crystalline states that provide kinetic pathways to metastable phases that are not accessible during near-equilibrium processing.« less

Structural hierarchy as a key to complex phase selection in Al-Sm

DOE PAGES

Ye, Z.; Zhang, F.; Sun, Y.; ...

2017-10-12

Investigating the unknown structure of the complex cubic phase, previously observed to crystallize from melt-spun amorphous Al–10 at.% Sm alloy, we determine the structure in full site-occupancy detail, highlighting several critical structural features that govern the far-from-equilibrium phase selection pathway. Using an efficient genetic algorithm combining molecular dynamics, density functional theory, and x-ray diffraction, the structure is clearly identified as body-centered cubic Im¯3m (No. 229) with ~140 atoms per cubic unit cell and a lattice parameter of 1.4 nm. The complex structure is further refined to elucidate the detailed site occupancy, revealing full Sm occupancy on 6b sites and splitmore » Sm/Al occupancy on 16f sites. Based on the refined site occupancy associated with the experimentally observed phase, we term this phase ε–Al 60Sm 11(bcc), corresponding to the limiting situation when all 16f sites are occupied by Sm. However, it should be recognized that the range of solubility enabled by split occupancy at Sm sites is an important feature in phase selection under experimental conditions, permitting an avenue for transition with little or no chemical partitioning. Our analysis shows that the ε–Al 60Sm 11(bcc) exhibits a “3-6-6-1” first-shell packing around Sm centers on 16f sites, the same dominant motif exhibited by the undercooled liquid. Here, the coincident motif supports the notion that liquid/glass ordering at high undercooling may give rise to topological invariants between the noncrystalline and crystalline states that provide kinetic pathways to metastable phases that are not accessible during near-equilibrium processing.« less

[National health research systems in Latin America: a 14-country review].

PubMed

Alger, Jackeline; Becerra-Posada, Francisco; Kennedy, Andrew; Martinelli, Elena; Cuervo, Luis Gabriel

2009-11-01

This article discusses the main features of the national health research systems (NHRS) of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, based on documents prepared by their country experts who participated in the First Latin American Conference on Research and Innovation for Health held in April 2008, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The review also includes sources cited in the reports, published scientific papers, and expert opinion, as well as regional secondary sources. Six countries reported having formal entities for health research governance and management: Brazil and Costa Rica's entities are led by their ministries of health; while Argentina, Cuba, Ecuador, and Venezuela have entities shared by their ministries of health and ministries of science and technology. Brazil and Ecuador each reported having a comprehensive national policy devoted specifically to health science, technology, and innovation. Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela reported having established health research priorities. In conclusion, encouraging progress has been made, despite the structural and functional heterogeneity of the study countries' NHRS and their disparate levels of development. Instituting good NHRS governance/management is of utmost importance to how efficiently ministries of health, other government players, and society-at-large can tackle health research.

Using machine learning to identify factors that govern amorphization of irradiated pyrochlores

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

Pilania, Ghanshyam; Whittle, Karl R.; Jiang, Chao

Structure–property relationships are a key materials science concept that enables the design of new materials. In the case of materials for application in radiation environments, correlating radiation tolerance with fundamental structural features of a material enables materials discovery. Here, we use a machine learning model to examine the factors that govern amorphization resistance in the complex oxide pyrochlore (A 2B 2O 7) in a regime in which amorphization occurs as a consequence of defect accumulation. We examine the fidelity of predictions based on cation radii and electronegativities, the oxygen positional parameter, and the energetics of disordering and amorphizing the material.more » No one factor alone adequately predicts amorphization resistance. We find that when multiple families of pyrochlores (with different B cations) are considered, radii and electronegativities provide the best prediction, but when the machine learning model is restricted to only the B = Ti pyrochlores, the energetics of disordering and amorphization are critical factors. We discuss how these static quantities provide insight into an inherently kinetic property such as amorphization resistance at finite temperature. Lastly, this work provides new insight into the factors that govern the amorphization susceptibility and highlights the ability of machine learning approaches to generate that insight.« less

Using machine learning to identify factors that govern amorphization of irradiated pyrochlores

DOE PAGES

Pilania, Ghanshyam; Whittle, Karl R.; Jiang, Chao; ...

2017-02-10

Structure–property relationships are a key materials science concept that enables the design of new materials. In the case of materials for application in radiation environments, correlating radiation tolerance with fundamental structural features of a material enables materials discovery. Here, we use a machine learning model to examine the factors that govern amorphization resistance in the complex oxide pyrochlore (A 2B 2O 7) in a regime in which amorphization occurs as a consequence of defect accumulation. We examine the fidelity of predictions based on cation radii and electronegativities, the oxygen positional parameter, and the energetics of disordering and amorphizing the material.more » No one factor alone adequately predicts amorphization resistance. We find that when multiple families of pyrochlores (with different B cations) are considered, radii and electronegativities provide the best prediction, but when the machine learning model is restricted to only the B = Ti pyrochlores, the energetics of disordering and amorphization are critical factors. We discuss how these static quantities provide insight into an inherently kinetic property such as amorphization resistance at finite temperature. Lastly, this work provides new insight into the factors that govern the amorphization susceptibility and highlights the ability of machine learning approaches to generate that insight.« less

A Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Solid Rocket Motor with Flexible Inhibitors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, H. Q.; West, Jeff

2014-01-01

A capability to couple NASA production CFD code, Loci/CHEM, with CFDRC's structural finite element code, CoBi, has been developed. This paper summarizes the efforts in applying the installed coupling software to demonstrate/investigate fluid-structure interaction (FSI) between pressure wave and flexible inhibitor inside reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM). First a unified governing equation for both fluid and structure is presented, then an Eulerian-Lagrangian framework is described to satisfy the interfacial continuity requirements. The features of fluid solver, Loci/CHEM and structural solver, CoBi, are discussed before the coupling methodology of the solvers is described. The simulation uses production level CFD LES turbulence model with a grid resolution of 80 million cells. The flexible inhibitor is modeled with full 3D shell elements. Verifications against analytical solutions of structural model under steady uniform pressure condition and under dynamic condition of modal analysis show excellent agreements in terms of displacement distribution and eigen modal frequencies. The preliminary coupled result shows that due to acoustic coupling, the dynamics of one of the more flexible inhibitors shift from its first modal frequency to the first acoustic frequency of the solid rocket motor.

Protein-directed assembly of arbitrary three-dimensional nanoporous silica architectures.

PubMed

Khripin, Constantine Y; Pristinski, Denis; Dunphy, Darren R; Brinker, C Jeffrey; Kaehr, Bryan

2011-02-22

Through precise control of nanoscale building blocks, such as proteins and polyamines, silica condensing microorganisms are able to create intricate mineral structures displaying hierarchical features from nano- to millimeter-length scales. The creation of artificial structures of similar characteristics is facilitated through biomimetic approaches, for instance, by first creating a bioscaffold comprised of silica condensing moieties which, in turn, govern silica deposition into three-dimensional (3D) structures. In this work, we demonstrate a protein-directed approach to template silica into true arbitrary 3D architectures by employing cross-linked protein hydrogels to controllably direct silica condensation. Protein hydrogels are fabricated using multiphoton lithography, which enables user-defined control over template features in three dimensions. Silica deposition, under acidic conditions, proceeds throughout protein hydrogel templates via flocculation of silica nanoparticles by protein molecules, as indicated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and time-dependent measurements of elastic modulus. Following silica deposition, the protein template can be removed using mild thermal processing yielding high surface area (625 m(2)/g) porous silica replicas that do not undergo significant volume change compared to the starting template. We demonstrate the capabilities of this approach to create bioinspired silica microstructures displaying hierarchical features over broad length scales and the infiltration/functionalization capabilities of the nanoporous silica matrix by laser printing a 3D gold image within a 3D silica matrix. This work provides a foundation to potentially understand and mimic biogenic silica condensation under the constraints of user-defined biotemplates and further should enable a wide range of complex inorganic architectures to be explored using silica transformational chemistries, for instance silica to silicon, as demonstrated herein.

Mechanism and energetics of 〈c + a〉 dislocation cross-slip in hcp metals.

PubMed

Wu, Zhaoxuan; Curtin, W A

2016-10-04

Hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals such as Mg, Ti, and Zr are lightweight and/or durable metals with critical structural applications in the automotive (Mg), aerospace (Ti), and nuclear (Zr) industries. The hcp structure, however, brings significant complications in the mechanisms of plastic deformation, strengthening, and ductility, and these complications pose significant challenges in advancing the science and engineering of these metals. In hcp metals, generalized plasticity requires the activation of slip on pyramidal planes, but the structure, motion, and cross-slip of the associated [Formula: see text] dislocations are not well established even though they determine ductility and influence strengthening. Here, atomistic simulations in Mg reveal the unusual mechanism of [Formula: see text] dislocation cross-slip between pyramidal I and II planes, which occurs by cross-slip of the individual partial dislocations. The energy barrier is controlled by a fundamental step/jog energy and the near-core energy difference between pyramidal [Formula: see text] dislocations. The near-core energy difference can be changed by nonglide stresses, leading to tension-compression asymmetry and even a switch in absolute stability from one glide plane to the other, both features observed experimentally in Mg, Ti, and their alloys. The unique cross-slip mechanism is governed by common features of the generalized stacking fault energy surfaces of hcp pyramidal planes and is thus expected to be generic to all hcp metals. An analytical model is developed to predict the cross-slip barrier as a function of the near-core energy difference and applied stresses and quantifies the controlling features of cross-slip and pyramidal I/II stability across the family of hcp metals.

Mechanism and energetics of 〈c + a〉 dislocation cross-slip in hcp metals

PubMed Central

Wu, Zhaoxuan; Curtin, W. A.

2016-01-01

Hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals such as Mg, Ti, and Zr are lightweight and/or durable metals with critical structural applications in the automotive (Mg), aerospace (Ti), and nuclear (Zr) industries. The hcp structure, however, brings significant complications in the mechanisms of plastic deformation, strengthening, and ductility, and these complications pose significant challenges in advancing the science and engineering of these metals. In hcp metals, generalized plasticity requires the activation of slip on pyramidal planes, but the structure, motion, and cross-slip of the associated 〈c+a〉 dislocations are not well established even though they determine ductility and influence strengthening. Here, atomistic simulations in Mg reveal the unusual mechanism of 〈c+a〉 dislocation cross-slip between pyramidal I and II planes, which occurs by cross-slip of the individual partial dislocations. The energy barrier is controlled by a fundamental step/jog energy and the near-core energy difference between pyramidal 〈c+a〉 dislocations. The near-core energy difference can be changed by nonglide stresses, leading to tension–compression asymmetry and even a switch in absolute stability from one glide plane to the other, both features observed experimentally in Mg, Ti, and their alloys. The unique cross-slip mechanism is governed by common features of the generalized stacking fault energy surfaces of hcp pyramidal planes and is thus expected to be generic to all hcp metals. An analytical model is developed to predict the cross-slip barrier as a function of the near-core energy difference and applied stresses and quantifies the controlling features of cross-slip and pyramidal I/II stability across the family of hcp metals. PMID:27647908

Real-time prediction of atmospheric Lagrangian coherent structures based on forecast data: An application and error analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

BozorgMagham, Amir E.; Ross, Shane D.; Schmale, David G.

2013-09-01

The language of Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) provides a new means for studying transport and mixing of passive particles advected by an atmospheric flow field. Recent observations suggest that LCSs govern the large-scale atmospheric motion of airborne microorganisms, paving the way for more efficient models and management strategies for the spread of infectious diseases affecting plants, domestic animals, and humans. In addition, having reliable predictions of the timing of hyperbolic LCSs may contribute to improved aerobiological sampling of microorganisms with unmanned aerial vehicles and LCS-based early warning systems. Chaotic atmospheric dynamics lead to unavoidable forecasting errors in the wind velocity field, which compounds errors in LCS forecasting. In this study, we reveal the cumulative effects of errors of (short-term) wind field forecasts on the finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) fields and the associated LCSs when realistic forecast plans impose certain limits on the forecasting parameters. Objectives of this paper are to (a) quantify the accuracy of prediction of FTLE-LCS features and (b) determine the sensitivity of such predictions to forecasting parameters. Results indicate that forecasts of attracting LCSs exhibit less divergence from the archive-based LCSs than the repelling features. This result is important since attracting LCSs are the backbone of long-lived features in moving fluids. We also show under what circumstances one can trust the forecast results if one merely wants to know if an LCS passed over a region and does not need to precisely know the passage time.

Regulation of Mitochondrial Structure and Dynamics by the Cytoskeleton and Mechanical Factors.

PubMed

Bartolák-Suki, Erzsébet; Imsirovic, Jasmin; Nishibori, Yuichiro; Krishnan, Ramaswamy; Suki, Béla

2017-08-21

Mitochondria supply cells with energy in the form of ATP, guide apoptosis, and contribute to calcium buffering and reactive oxygen species production. To support these diverse functions, mitochondria form an extensive network with smaller clusters that are able to move along microtubules aided by motor proteins. Mitochondria are also associated with the actin network, which is involved in cellular responses to various mechanical factors. In this review, we discuss mitochondrial structure and function in relation to the cytoskeleton and various mechanical factors influencing cell functions. We first summarize the morphological features of mitochondria with an emphasis on fission and fusion as well as how network properties govern function. We then review the relationship between the mitochondria and the cytoskeletal structures, including mechanical interactions. We also discuss how stretch and its dynamic pattern affect mitochondrial structure and function. Finally, we present preliminary data on how extracellular matrix stiffness influences mitochondrial morphology and ATP generation. We conclude by discussing the more general role that mitochondria may play in mechanobiology and how the mechanosensitivity of mitochondria may contribute to the development of several diseases and aging.

An immersed-boundary method for flow–structure interaction in biological systems with application to phonation

PubMed Central

Luo, Haoxiang; Mittal, Rajat; Zheng, Xudong; Bielamowicz, Steven A.; Walsh, Raymond J.; Hahn, James K.

2008-01-01

A new numerical approach for modeling a class of flow–structure interaction problems typically encountered in biological systems is presented. In this approach, a previously developed, sharp-interface, immersed-boundary method for incompressible flows is used to model the fluid flow and a new, sharp-interface Cartesian grid, immersed boundary method is devised to solve the equations of linear viscoelasticity that governs the solid. The two solvers are coupled to model flow–structure interaction. This coupled solver has the advantage of simple grid generation and efficient computation on simple, single-block structured grids. The accuracy of the solid-mechanics solver is examined by applying it to a canonical problem. The solution methodology is then applied to the problem of laryngeal aerodynamics and vocal fold vibration during human phonation. This includes a three-dimensional eigen analysis for a multi-layered vocal fold prototype as well as two-dimensional, flow-induced vocal fold vibration in a modeled larynx. Several salient features of the aerodynamics as well as vocal-fold dynamics are presented. PMID:19936017

Regulation of Mitochondrial Structure and Dynamics by the Cytoskeleton and Mechanical Factors

PubMed Central

Bartolák-Suki, Erzsébet; Imsirovic, Jasmin; Nishibori, Yuichiro; Krishnan, Ramaswamy; Suki, Béla

2017-01-01

Mitochondria supply cells with energy in the form of ATP, guide apoptosis, and contribute to calcium buffering and reactive oxygen species production. To support these diverse functions, mitochondria form an extensive network with smaller clusters that are able to move along microtubules aided by motor proteins. Mitochondria are also associated with the actin network, which is involved in cellular responses to various mechanical factors. In this review, we discuss mitochondrial structure and function in relation to the cytoskeleton and various mechanical factors influencing cell functions. We first summarize the morphological features of mitochondria with an emphasis on fission and fusion as well as how network properties govern function. We then review the relationship between the mitochondria and the cytoskeletal structures, including mechanical interactions. We also discuss how stretch and its dynamic pattern affect mitochondrial structure and function. Finally, we present preliminary data on how extracellular matrix stiffness influences mitochondrial morphology and ATP generation. We conclude by discussing the more general role that mitochondria may play in mechanobiology and how the mechanosensitivity of mitochondria may contribute to the development of several diseases and aging. PMID:28825689

Organizational Considerations for Implementing Systems Engineering and Integration in the Ares Projects Office

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, LeAnn; Doreswamy, Rajiv N.

2008-01-01

Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) is a critical discipline in developing new space systems. In 2005, NASA performed an internal study of 24 agency and Department of Defense (DoD) programs to evaluate methods of integrating SE&I practices and determine their effectiveness. The goal of the study was to determine the best SE&I implementation strategy for the Ares Projects Office. The study identified six SE&I organizational structures: 1. Lead systems integrator (LSI) with SE&I responsibility and government technical insight. 2a. Integration contractor with government SE&I responsibility (government insight). 2b. Integration contractor with government SE&I responsibility (government oversight). 3a. Prime contractor with SE&I responsibility (government insight). 3b. Prime contractor with SE&I responsibility (government oversight). 3c. Prime contractor with SE&I responsibility (government/industry partnership). 4a.Prime contractor with government SE&I responsibility (government insight). 4b. Prime contractor with government SE&I responsibility (government oversight). 4d.Prime contractors with total system performance responsibility (TSPR). 5. Prime contractor with government SE&I responsibility and integration products through a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 6. Government/FFRDC in-house development with SE&I responsibility and function. The organizational structure used most often was number 4, using a prime contractor with government SE&I responsibility and government technical insight. However, data analyses did not establish a positive relationship between program development costs and specific SE&I organizational types, nor did it positively determine the relationship between successful programs or projects and their SE&I structure. The SE&I study reached the following conclusions: (1) Large, long-duration, technically complex programs or projects reach their technical goals, but rarely meet schedule or cost goals. NASA's recent successes have been smaller, short-duration development projects using heritage hardware/software, focused technology development, technical oversight and stable external factors. (2) Programs and projects have failed or been terminated due to lack of technical insight, relaxing of SE&I processes, and unstable external factors. (3) The study did not find a single, clear optimum SE&I organization type to fit all projects. However, while any organizational structure can be made to work, the fewer complexities in the program, the better the likelihood of success. (4) The most common successful SE&I organization structure type in the study was type 4b, where the government maintained integration responsibility, with the prime contractor providing SE&I products and the government providing technical oversight. This study was instrumental in helping the APO select organization structure 4, following the same SE&I and oversight process used during humanlund7s last voyages to the Moon.

Relationship Governance and Learning in Partnerships

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kohtamaki, Marko

2010-01-01

Purpose: Relationship learning is a topic of considerable importance for industrial networks, yet a lack of empirical research on the impact of relationship governance structures on relationship learning remains. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of relationship governance structures on learning in partnerships.…

Factors Influencing the Selection of the Systems Integration Organizational Model Type for Planning and Implementing Government High-Technology Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Leann; Utley, Dawn

2006-01-01

While there has been extensive research in defining project organizational structures for traditional projects, little research exists to support high technology government project s organizational structure definition. High-Technology Government projects differ from traditional projects in that they are non-profit, span across Government-Industry organizations, typically require significant integration effort, and are strongly susceptible to a volatile external environment. Systems Integration implementation has been identified as a major contributor to both project success and failure. The literature research bridges program management organizational planning, systems integration, organizational theory, and independent project reports, in order to assess Systems Integration (SI) organizational structure selection for improving the high-technology government project s probability of success. This paper will describe the methodology used to 1) Identify and assess SI organizational structures and their success rate, and 2) Identify key factors to be used in the selection of these SI organizational structures during the acquisition strategy process.

Dependence of the 0.7 anomaly on the curvature of the potential barrier in quantum wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, L. W.; Al-Taie, H.; Lesage, A. A. J.; Sfigakis, F.; See, P.; Griffiths, J. P.; Beere, H. E.; Jones, G. A. C.; Ritchie, D. A.; Hamilton, A. R.; Kelly, M. J.; Smith, C. G.

2015-06-01

Ninety-eight one-dimensional channels defined using split gates fabricated on a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure are measured during one cooldown at 1.4 K. The devices are arranged in an array on a single chip and are individually addressed using a multiplexing technique. The anomalous conductance feature known as the "0.7 structure" is studied using statistical techniques. The ensemble of data shows that the 0.7 anomaly becomes more pronounced and occurs at lower values as the curvature of the potential barrier in the transport direction decreases. This corresponds to an increase in the effective length of the device. The 0.7 anomaly is not strongly influenced by other properties of the conductance related to density. The curvature of the potential barrier appears to be the primary factor governing the shape of the 0.7 structure at a given T and B .

Emergence, evolution and scaling of online social networks.

PubMed

Wang, Le-Zhi; Huang, Zi-Gang; Rong, Zhi-Hai; Wang, Xiao-Fan; Lai, Ying-Cheng

2014-01-01

Online social networks have become increasingly ubiquitous and understanding their structural, dynamical, and scaling properties not only is of fundamental interest but also has a broad range of applications. Such networks can be extremely dynamic, generated almost instantaneously by, for example, breaking-news items. We investigate a common class of online social networks, the user-user retweeting networks, by analyzing the empirical data collected from Sina Weibo (a massive twitter-like microblogging social network in China) with respect to the topic of the 2011 Japan earthquake. We uncover a number of algebraic scaling relations governing the growth and structure of the network and develop a probabilistic model that captures the basic dynamical features of the system. The model is capable of reproducing all the empirical results. Our analysis not only reveals the basic mechanisms underlying the dynamics of the retweeting networks, but also provides general insights into the control of information spreading on such networks.

The NASTRAN User's Manual Level 16.0 and Supplement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The user's manual is restricted to those items related to the use of NASTRAN that are independent of the computing system being used. The features of NASTRAN described include: (1) procedures for defining and loading a structural model and a functional reference for every card that is used for structural modeling; (2) the NASTRAN data deck, including the details for each of the data cards; (3) the NASTRAN control cards that are associated with the use of the program; (4) rigid format procedures, along with specific instructions for the use of each rigid format: (5) procedures for using instructions for the use of each rigid format; (5) procedures for using the NASTRAN plotting capability; (6) procedures governing the creation of DMAP programs; and (7) the NASTRAN diagnostic messages. The NASTRAN dictionary of mnemonics, acronyms, phrases, and other commonly used NASTRAN terms is included along with a limited number of sample problems.

Thermal stresses investigation of a gas turbine blade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gowreesh, S.; Pravin, V. K.; Rajagopal, K.; Veena, P. H.

2012-06-01

The analysis of structural and thermal stress values that are produced while the turbine is operating are the key factors of study while designing the next generation gas turbines. The present study examines structural, thermal, modal analysis of the first stage rotor blade of a two stage gas turbine. The design features of the turbine segment of the gas turbine have been taken from the preliminary design of a power turbine for maximization of an existing turbojet engine with optimized dump gap of the combustion chamber, since the allowable temperature on the turbine blade dependents on the hot gas temperatures from the combustion chamber. In the present paper simplified 3-D Finite Element models are developed with governing boundary conditions and solved using the commercial FEA software ANSYS. As the temperature has a significant effect on the overall stress on the rotor blades, a detail study on mechanical and thermal stresses are estimated and evaluated with the experimental values.

Outsourcing versus in-house maintenance of medical devices: a longitudinal, empirical study.

PubMed

Miguel-Cruz, Antonio; Rios-Rincón, Adriana; Haugan, Gregory L

2014-03-01

To determine what factors have a significant influence on the performance of medical device maintenance outsourcing, and to determine how the performance of external governance structures differs depending on whether a hospital is private or public. This was a longitudinal study of 590 maintenance transactions at 20 hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, involving 764 medical devices and 72 maintenance service providers. Maintenance performance data (i.e., turn-around time in hours; TAT) for the service providers (either in-house or outsourced) were primarily collected over a 20-month period, from December 2009-August 2011, by means of a monitoring procedure; then, a hazards model was run. The availability of specific repair parts, in-stock, in the city in which the medical devices were located, had a positive impact on the performance of both internal and external governance structures. Online service also had a positive impact on both, with a stronger positive impact on the performance of internal governance than on that of external governance. For transactions governed by external structures, better performance was seen in private hospitals than in public ones. In public health institutions, internal governance showed better performance than external governance. Both internal and external governance structures showed better performance in private healthcare institutions than in public ones. In public health institutions, internal governance shows better performance than external governance; this suggests that healthcare managers should reconsider the trend to eliminate in-house maintenance service staff in public healthcare institutions.

45 CFR 155.110 - Entities eligible to carry out Exchange functions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... governance structure. (e) SHOP independent governance. (1) A State may elect to create an independent governance and administrative structure for the SHOP, consistent with this section, if the State ensures that the SHOP coordinates and shares relevant information with the Exchange operating in the same service...

45 CFR 155.110 - Entities eligible to carry out Exchange functions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... governance structure. (e) SHOP independent governance. (1) A State may elect to create an independent governance and administrative structure for the SHOP, consistent with this section, if the State ensures that the SHOP coordinates and shares relevant information with the Exchange operating in the same service...

45 CFR 155.110 - Entities eligible to carry out Exchange functions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... governance structure. (e) SHOP independent governance. (1) A State may elect to create an independent governance and administrative structure for the SHOP, consistent with this section, if the State ensures that the SHOP coordinates and shares relevant information with the Exchange operating in the same service...

MHD Instability and Turbulence in the Tachocline

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Werne, Joe; Wagner, William J. (Technical Monitor)

2003-01-01

The focus of this project was to study the physical processes that govern tachocline dynamics and structure. Specific features explored included stratification, shear, waves, and toroidal and poloidal background fields. In order to address recent theoretical work on anisotropic mixing and dynamics in the tachocline, we were particularly interested in such anisotropic mixing for the specific tachocline processes studied. Transition to turbulence often shapes the largest-scale features that appear spontaneously in a flow during the development of turbulence. The resulting large-scale straining field can control the subsequent dynamics; therefore, anticipation of the large-scale straining field that results for individual realizations of the transition to turbulence can be important for subsequent dynamics, flow morphology, and transport characteristics. As a result, we paid particular attention to the development of turbulence in the stratified and sheared environment of the tachocline. This is complicated by the fact that the linearly stability of sheared MHD flows is non-self-adjoint, implying that normal asymptotic linear stability theory may not be relevant.

Peristaltic Wave Locomotion and Shape Morphing with a Millipede Inspired System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinello, Davide; Fattahi, Javad S.

2017-08-01

We present the mechanical model of a bio-inspired deformable system, modeled as a Timoshenko beam, which is coupled to a substrate by a system of distributed elements. The locomotion action is inspired by the coordinated motion of coupling elements that mimic the legs of millipedes and centipedes, whose leg-to-ground contact can be described as a peristaltic displacement wave. The multi-legged structure is crucial in providing redundancy and robustness in the interaction with unstructured environments and terrains. A Lagrangian approach is used to derive the governing equations of the system that couple locomotion and shape morphing. Features and limitations of the model are illustrated with numerical simulations.

Principles of Lightning Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazur, Vladislav

2016-12-01

Principles of Lightning Physics presents and discusses the most up-to-date physical concepts that govern many lightning events in nature, including lightning interactions with man-made structures, at a level suitable for researchers, advanced students and well-educated lightning enthusiasts. The author's approach to understanding lightning-to seek out, and show what is common to all lightning flashes-is illustrated by an analysis of each type of lightning and the multitude of lightning-related features. The book examines the work that has gone into the development of new physical concepts, and provides critical evaluations of the existing understanding of the physics of lightning and the lexicon of terms and definitions presently used in lightning research.

A high efficiency motor/generator for magnetically suspended flywheel energy storage system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niemeyer, W. L.; Studer, P.; Kirk, J. A.; Anand, D. K.; Zmood, R. B.

1989-01-01

The authors discuss the theory and design of a brushless direct current motor for use in a flywheel energy storage system. The motor design is optimized for a nominal 4.5-in outside diameter operating within a speed range of 33,000-66,000 revolutions per minute with a 140-V maximum supply voltage. The equations which govern the motor's operation are used to compute a series of acceptable design parameter combinations for ideal operation. Engineering tradeoffs are then performed to minimize the irrecoverable energy loss while remaining within the design constraint boundaries. A final integrated structural design whose features allow it to be incorporated with the 500-Wh magnetically suspended flywheel is presented.

Quarks and the cosmos.

PubMed

Turner, Michael S

2007-01-05

Cosmology is in the midst of a period of revolutionary discovery, propelled by bold ideas from particle physics and by technological advances from gigapixel charge-coupled device cameras to peta-scale computing. The basic features of the universe have now been determined: It is 13.7 billion years old, spatially flat, and expanding at an accelerating rate; it is composed of atoms (4%), exotic dark matter (20%), and dark energy (76%); and there is evidence that galaxies and other structures were seeded by quantum fluctuations. Although we know much about the universe, we understand far less. Poised to dramatically advance our understanding of both the universe and the laws that govern it, cosmology is on the verge of a golden age.

Using deep learning to quantify the beauty of outdoor places.

PubMed

Seresinhe, Chanuki Illushka; Preis, Tobias; Moat, Helen Susannah

2017-07-01

Beautiful outdoor locations are protected by governments and have recently been shown to be associated with better health. But what makes an outdoor space beautiful? Does a beautiful outdoor location differ from an outdoor location that is simply natural? Here, we explore whether ratings of over 200 000 images of Great Britain from the online game Scenic-Or-Not , combined with hundreds of image features extracted using the Places Convolutional Neural Network, might help us understand what beautiful outdoor spaces are composed of. We discover that, as well as natural features such as 'Coast', 'Mountain' and 'Canal Natural', man-made structures such as 'Tower', 'Castle' and 'Viaduct' lead to places being considered more scenic. Importantly, while scenes containing 'Trees' tend to rate highly, places containing more bland natural green features such as 'Grass' and 'Athletic Fields' are considered less scenic. We also find that a neural network can be trained to automatically identify scenic places, and that this network highlights both natural and built locations. Our findings demonstrate how online data combined with neural networks can provide a deeper understanding of what environments we might find beautiful and offer quantitative insights for policymakers charged with design and protection of our built and natural environments.

Globalization, EU-ification, and the New Mode of Educational Governance in Europe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daun, Holger

2011-01-01

The nature of European education systems and their respective modes of governing education were principally determined by factors internal to individual countries until the early 1980s. After the extension of the European Union and the acceleration of globalization, European countries have adopted some features that exist in many countries around…

Formation of Apprenticeships in the Swedish Education System: Different Stakeholder Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andersson, Ingela; Wärvik, Gun-Britt; Thång, Per-Olof

2015-01-01

The article explores the major features of the Swedish Government's new initiative--a school based Upper Secondary Apprenticeship model. The analyses are guided by activity theory. The analysed texts are part of the parliamentary reform-making process of the 2011 Upper Secondary School reform. The analyses unfold how the Government, the Swedish…

Access to Information and Freedom of Information Requests: Neglected Means of Data Production in the Social Sciences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walby, Kevin; Larsen, Mike

2012-01-01

Access to information (ATI) and freedom of information (FOI) mechanisms are now relevant features of governments in many liberal democracies today. Citizens, organizations, and permanent residents in several countries across the globe can request unpublished information from federal, provincial, state, county, and municipal government agencies.…

Engagement, empowerment, and job satisfaction before implementing an academic model of shared governance.

PubMed

Owen, D C; Boswell, C; Opton, L; Franco, L; Meriwether, C

2018-06-01

Baseline information was obtained from a School of Nursing faculty and staff about perceptions of job satisfaction, empowerment, and engagement in the workplace before the introduction of an integrated faculty and staff shared governance system. Governance structure in schools of nursing has the potential to enhance or impose constraints on the work environment for faculty, staff, and stakeholders. RESULTS: Faculty and staff perceptions of job satisfaction and engagement in the workplace before the introduction of a new model of shared governance are presented. Statistical differences were found between faculty and staff responses on the overall or total scales and select subscales, and group patterns of relationships differed. We provided a description of the first shared governance structure derived from the perspective of shared governance as defined and operationalized in Magnet Hospital health care systems and includes administrators, faculty, and staff in decision-making councils. As academia embarks on this change in governance structure from hierarchical to a more flattened approach findings support examining levels of work engagement, structural and psychological empowerment, and job satisfaction as key monitors of the work environment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Socio-economic determinants of life expectancy in Nigeria (1980 - 2011).

PubMed

Sede, Peter I; Ohemeng, Williams

2015-01-01

Attainment of 70 years life expectancy by 2020 is one of the millennium development goals in Nigeria. This study examined the socio-economic determinants of life expectancy in Nigeria using data from 1980-2011. Judging from the endogeneity feature of the variables, A VAR and VECM frameworks were employed. Socio-economic features were proxy by secondary school enrolment, government expenditure on health, per capita income, unemployment rate and the Naira foreign exchange rate. It was found that, the conventional socio-economic variables such as per capita income, education and government expenditure on health considered to be highly effective in determining life expectancy of developing countries are not significant in the case of Nigeria. The study however suggests that, life expectancy in Nigeria could be improved if attention is given to quality of government health expenditure, unemployment and measures to halt the depreciation of the Nigerian Naira against major foreign currency.

Arctic tipping points: governance in turbulent times.

PubMed

Young, Oran R

2012-02-01

Interacting forces of climate change and globalization are transforming the Arctic. Triggered by a non-linear shift in sea ice, this transformation has unleashed mounting interest in opportunities to exploit the region's natural resources as well as growing concern about environmental, economic, and political issues associated with such efforts. This article addresses the implications of this transformation for governance, identifies limitations of existing arrangements, and explores changes needed to meet new demands. It advocates the development of an Arctic regime complex featuring flexibility across issues and adaptability over time along with an enhanced role for the Arctic Council both in conducting policy-relevant assessments and in promoting synergy in interactions among the elements of the emerging Arctic regime complex. The emphasis throughout is on maximizing the fit between the socioecological features of the Arctic and the character of the governance arrangements needed to steer the Arctic toward a sustainable future.

28 CFR 31.102 - State agency structure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Applicants § 31.102 State agency structure. The State agency may be a discrete unit of State government or a... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false State agency structure. 31.102 Section 31... unit of State government. Details of organization and structure are matters of State discretion...

28 CFR 31.102 - State agency structure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Applicants § 31.102 State agency structure. The State agency may be a discrete unit of State government or a... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false State agency structure. 31.102 Section 31... unit of State government. Details of organization and structure are matters of State discretion...

28 CFR 31.102 - State agency structure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Applicants § 31.102 State agency structure. The State agency may be a discrete unit of State government or a... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false State agency structure. 31.102 Section 31... unit of State government. Details of organization and structure are matters of State discretion...

28 CFR 31.102 - State agency structure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Applicants § 31.102 State agency structure. The State agency may be a discrete unit of State government or a... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false State agency structure. 31.102 Section 31... unit of State government. Details of organization and structure are matters of State discretion...

28 CFR 31.102 - State agency structure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Applicants § 31.102 State agency structure. The State agency may be a discrete unit of State government or a... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false State agency structure. 31.102 Section 31... unit of State government. Details of organization and structure are matters of State discretion...

Collective Bargaining in Catholic Schools: What Does Governance Have to Do with It?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

James, John T.

2004-01-01

This article outlines the significant legal decisions regarding collective bargaining in Catholic schools, identifies the governance structures employed in Catholic schools and the methods of translating these governance structures into documents required by civil law, and concludes with the citation of two recent court decisions that demonstrate…

75 FR 3223 - California Independent System Operator Corporation; Midwest Independent Transmission System...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-20

... the RTO/ISO stakeholder process and governance structure. First, NASUCA states that it is necessary to...' Council filed a motion to lodge a report on RTO/ISO governance written by the National Association of... wherever possible. Next, NASUCA proposes a revised governance structure that reflects consumer interests at...

How to Evaluate a Faculty Governance Structure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cordes, John W.; Dunbar, David; Gingerich, Jeff

2013-01-01

During the 2010-11 academic year, Cabrini College began an evaluation of a faculty governance structure that had been implemented in fall 2007. The processes involved might serve as a roadmap for faculty members and administrators at other institutions who seek to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their governance model and improve shared…

From "Boy-Government" and "Student-Government" to "Learner-Government": The Best of Both Worlds?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathebula, Thokozani

2018-01-01

In the history of South African education there have been three contrasting attempts to incorporate learners into the authority structures of schools, namely: "boy-government" (prefect system), "student-government" (Student Representative Councils (SRCs)) and "learner-government" (Representative Councils of Learners…

Substituent-directed structural and physicochemical controls of diruthenium catecholate complexes with ligand-unsupported Ru-Ru bonds.

PubMed

Chang, Ho-Chol; Mochizuki, Katsunori; Kitagawa, Susumu

2005-05-30

A family of diruthenium complexes with ligand-unsupported Ru-Ru bonds has been systematically synthesized, and their crystal structures and physical properties have been examined. A simple, useful reaction between Ru2(OAc)4Cl (OAc- = acetate) and catechol derivatives in the presence of bases afforded a variety of diruthenium complexes, generally formulated as [Na(n){Ru2(R4Cat)4}] (n = 2 or 3; R4 = -F4, -Cl4, -Br4, -H4, -3,5-di-t-Bu, and -3,6-di-t-Bu; Cat(2-) = catecholate). The most characteristic feature of the complexes is the formation of short ligand-unsupported Ru-Ru bonds (2.140-2.273 A). These comprehensive studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of the oxidation states and the substituents governing the molecular structures and physicochemical properties. The Ru-Ru bond distances, rotational conformations, and bending structures of the complexes were successfully varied. The results presented in this manuscript clearly demonstrate that the complexes with ligand-unsupported Ru-Ru bonds can sensitively respond to redox reactions and ligand substituents on the basis of the greater degree of freedom in their molecular structures.

Bioinspired Photonic Pigments from Colloidal Self-Assembly.

PubMed

Goerlitzer, Eric S A; Klupp Taylor, Robin N; Vogel, Nicolas

2018-05-07

The natural world is a colorful environment. Stunning displays of coloration have evolved throughout nature to optimize camouflage, warning, and communication. The resulting flamboyant visual effects and remarkable dynamic properties, often caused by an intricate structural design at the nano- and microscale, continue to inspire scientists to unravel the underlying physics and to recreate the observed effects. Here, the methodologies to create bioinspired photonic pigments using colloidal self-assembly approaches are considered. The physics governing the interaction of light with structural features and natural examples of structural coloration are briefly introduced. It is then outlined how the self-assembly of colloidal particles, acting as wavelength-scale building blocks, can be particularly useful to replicate coloration from nature. Different coloration effects that result from the defined structure of the self-assembled colloids are introduced and it is highlighted how these optical properties can be translated into photonic pigments by modifications of the assembly processes. The importance of absorbing elements, as well as the role of surface chemistry and wettability to control structural coloration is discussed. Finally, approaches to integrate dynamic control of coloration into such self-assembled photonic pigments are outlined. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Finding New Perovskite Halides via Machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilania, Ghanshyam; Balachandran, Prasanna V.; Kim, Chiho; Lookman, Turab

2016-04-01

Advanced materials with improved properties have the potential to fuel future technological advancements. However, identification and discovery of these optimal materials for a specific application is a non-trivial task, because of the vastness of the chemical search space with enormous compositional and configurational degrees of freedom. Materials informatics provides an efficient approach towards rational design of new materials, via learning from known data to make decisions on new and previously unexplored compounds in an accelerated manner. Here, we demonstrate the power and utility of such statistical learning (or machine learning) via building a support vector machine (SVM) based classifier that uses elemental features (or descriptors) to predict the formability of a given ABX3 halide composition (where A and B represent monovalent and divalent cations, respectively, and X is F, Cl, Br or I anion) in the perovskite crystal structure. The classification model is built by learning from a dataset of 181 experimentally known ABX3 compounds. After exploring a wide range of features, we identify ionic radii, tolerance factor and octahedral factor to be the most important factors for the classification, suggesting that steric and geometric packing effects govern the stability of these halides. The trained and validated models then predict, with a high degree of confidence, several novel ABX3 compositions with perovskite crystal structure.

Total Quality Management Guide. A Two Volume Guide for Defense Organizations. Volume 1. Key Features of the DoD Implementation

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-02-15

XIALTM DoD 5000.51-G A * FINAL DRAFT 2/15/90 si- N ~LUM I -KY FEATRES OFTHE Do IMLEENAON TOTAL L/ De~rrn QUADefens FOREWORD Government and industry...away with all government inspectors. Rather. government oversight will change from te large scale product inspection and specifying the -how to...in class" - Set the course for the future, and - Provide a baseline for measuring progress. Benchmarking is a continuous process of comparing an

Time to dismiss the idea of a structural fix within government? An analysis of intersectoral action for health in Danish municipalities.

PubMed

Holt, Ditte H; Carey, Gemma; Rod, Morten H

2018-06-01

This paper examines the role of organizational structure within government(s) in attempts to implement intersectoral action for health in Danish municipalities. We discuss the implications of structural reorganization and the governance structures that are established in order to ensure coordination and integration between policy sectors. The paper is based on 49 interviews with civil servants from health and non-health sectors of 10 municipalities. Based on participants' experiences, cases have been described and analyzed in an iterative process consulting the literature on Health in All Policies and joined-up government. Continuous and frequent processes of reorganizing were widespread in the municipalities. However, they appeared to have little effect on policy change. The two most common governance structures established to transcend organizational boundaries were the central unit and the intersectoral committee. According to the experiences of participants, paradoxically both of these organizational solutions tend to reproduce the organizational problems they are intended to overcome. Even if structural reorganization may succeed in dissolving some sector boundaries, it will inevitably create new ones. It is time to dismiss the idea that intersectoral action for health can be achieved by means of a structural fix. Rather than rearranging organizational boundaries it may be more useful to seek to manage the silos which exist in any organization, e.g. by promoting awareness of their implications for public health action and by enhancing the boundary spanning skills of public health officers.

State Governance Action Report, 2007

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, 2007

2007-01-01

This paper presents the State Governance Action Report for 2007. Compiled in this report are state policy developments, including legislation, commissions, and studies, affecting the structure, responsibilities, and operations of public higher education governing boards and institutionally related foundations. Governance and governance-related…

Mixed cerium-platinum oxides: Electronic structure of [CeO]Pt{sub n} (n = 1, 2) and [CeO{sub 2}]Pt complex anions and neutrals

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

Ray, Manisha; Kafader, Jared O.; Topolski, Josey E.

The electronic structures of several small Ce–Pt oxide complexes were explored using a combination of anion photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Pt and Pt{sub 2} both accept electron density from CeO diatomic molecules, in which the cerium atom is in a lower-than-bulk oxidation state (+2 versus bulk +4). Neutral [CeO]Pt and [CeO]Pt{sub 2} complexes are therefore ionic, with electronic structures described qualitatively as [CeO{sup +2}]Pt{sup −2} and [CeO{sup +}]Pt{sub 2}{sup −}, respectively. The associated anions are described qualitatively as [CeO{sup +}]Pt{sup −2} and [CeO{sup +}]Pt{sub 2}{sup −2}, respectively. In both neutrals and anions, the most stable molecularmore » structures determined by calculations feature a distinct CeO moiety, with the positively charged Ce center pointing toward the electron rich Pt or Pt{sub 2} moiety. Spectral simulations based on calculated spectroscopic parameters are in fair agreement with the spectra, validating the computationally determined structures. In contrast, when Pt is coupled with CeO{sub 2}, which has no Ce-localized electrons that can readily be donated to Pt, the anion is described as [CeO{sub 2}]Pt{sup −}. The molecular structure predicted computationally suggests that it is governed by charge-dipole interactions. The neutral [CeO{sub 2}]Pt complex lacks charge-dipole stabilizing interactions, and is predicted to be structurally very different from the anion, featuring a single Pt–O–Ce bridge bond. The PE spectra of several of the complexes exhibit evidence of photodissociation with Pt{sup −} daughter ion formation. The electronic structures of these complexes are related to local interactions in Pt-ceria catalyst-support systems.« less

Realization of a scenario with two relaxation rates in the Hubbard Falicov-Kimball model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barman, H.; Laad, M. S.; Hassan, S. R.

2018-02-01

A single transport relaxation rate governs the decay of both longitudinal and Hall currents in Landau Fermi liquids (FL). Breakdown of this fundamental feature, first observed in two-dimensional cuprates and subsequently in other three-dimensional correlated systems close to the Mott metal-insulator transition, played a pivotal role in emergence of a non-FL (NFL) paradigm in higher dimensions D (>1 ) . Motivated hereby, we explore the emergence of this "two relaxation rates" scenario in the Hubbard Falicov-Kimball model (HFKM) using the dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT). Specializing to D =3 , we find, beyond a critical Falicov-Kimball (FK) interaction, that two distinct relaxation rates governing distinct temperature (T ) dependence of the longitudinal and Hall currents naturally emerges in the NFL metal. Our results show good accord with the experiment in V2 -yO3 near the metal-to-insulator transition (MIT). We rationalize this surprising finding by an analytical analysis of the structure of charge and spin Hamiltonians in the underlying impurity problem, specifically through a bosonization method applied to the Wolff model and connecting it to the x-ray edge problem.

Multifaceted contributions: health workers and smallpox eradication in India.

PubMed

Bhattacharya, Sanjoy

2008-01-01

Smallpox eradication in South Asia was a result of the efforts of many grades of health-workers. Working from within the confines of international organisations and government structures, the role of the field officials, who were of various nationalities and also drawn from the cities and rural enclaves of the countries in these regions, was crucial to the development and deployment of policies. However, the role of these personnel is often downplayed in official histories and academic histories, which highlight instead the roles played by a handful of senior officials within the World Health Organization and the federal governments in the sub-continent. This article attempts to provide a more rounded assessment of the complex situation in the field. In this regard, an effort is made to underline the great usefulness of the operational flexibility displayed by field officers, wherein lessons learnt in the field were made an integral part of deploying local campaigns; careful engagement with the communities being targeted, as well as the employment of short term workers from amongst them, was an important feature of this work.

Elite Capture and Corruption in two Villages in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra.

PubMed

Lucas, Anton

This paper examines leadership, elite capture and corruption in two villages in Sumatra. It compares implementation and outcomes of several conservation and development projects in the context of democratization and decentralization reforms introduced in Indonesia since 1998. In examining aspects of elite control and elite capture, this paper focuses on the activities of local elites, particularly village officials, who use their positions to monopolize planning and management of projects that were explicitly intended to incorporate participatory and accountability features. While elites' use of authority and influence to benefit personally from their roles clearly reflects elite capture, there are nonetheless members of elite groups in these case studies who use their control of projects to broad community benefit. In both villages there is considerable friction between villagers and elites as well as among members of the local elite themselves over control of local resources. Differences in the structure of these cross-cutting internal relationships and of ties between local authorities and outside government and non-government agents largely explain the differences in degree of elite capture and its outcomes in the two cases.

System-Level Shared Governance Structures and Processes in Healthcare Systems With Magnet®-Designated Hospitals: A Descriptive Study.

PubMed

Underwood, Carlisa M; Hayne, Arlene N

The purpose was to identify and describe structures and processes of best practices for system-level shared governance in healthcare systems. Currently, more than 64.6% of US community hospitals are part of a system. System chief nurse executives (SCNEs) are challenged to establish leadership structures and processes that effectively and efficiently disseminate best practices for patients and staff across complex organizations, geographically dispersed locations, and populations. Eleven US healthcare SCNEs from the American Nurses Credentialing Center's repository of Magnet®-designated facilities participated in a 35-multiquestion interview based on Kanter's Theory of Organizational Empowerment. Most SCNEs reported the presence of more than 50% of the empowerment structures and processes in system-level shared governance. Despite the difficulties and complexities of growing health systems, SCNEs have replicated empowerment characteristics of hospital shared governance structures and processes at the system level.

Student Engagement: Stakeholder Perspectives on Course Representation in University Governance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carey, Philip

2013-01-01

Student engagement has become a key feature of UK higher education policy and analysis. At the core of this is a notion of engagement characterised by dialogue and joint venture. The article explores this by considering the role of student representation in university governance. It focuses on the system of course representation that is a feature…

Outcomes Approaches to Assessment: Comparing Non-Government and Government Case-Study Schools in Western Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffiths, Joanne; Vidovich, Lesley; Chapman, Anne

2008-01-01

A key feature of recent curriculum reform in post-industrialised liberal economies has been the ascendancy of outcomes-based education policies. A 1995 review conducted in Western Australia (WA) recommended an outcomes-based approach, and in response, the Curriculum Framework (CF) was released in 1998. The same year, the WA State government…

Advancing Theory on Knowledge Governance in Universities: A Case Study of a Higher Education Merger

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Safavi, Mehdi; Håkanson, Lars

2018-01-01

The deep structure of university knowledge governance system is uncharted. In an exploratory case study of a university merger with an art college, this study inductively examines how knowledge governance structures in universities affect (and are affected by) the creation and passing on of knowledge. The authors found the university governance…

Information Technology (IT) Strategic Alignment: A Correlational Study between the Impact of IT Governance Structures and IT Strategic Alignment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asante, Keith K.

2010-01-01

This dissertation explored the extent to which Information Technology (IT) strategic alignment are impacted by IT governance structures. The study discusses several strategic alignment and IT governance literature that presents a gap in the literature domain. Subsequent studies researched issues surrounding why organizations are not able to align…

Measuring Institutional Effectiveness of California Community Colleges through Existing Governance Structures and External Funding Efforts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jameson-Meledy, Kathryn

2013-01-01

The purpose of this research was to compare the differing structures of governance within the California Community College (CCC) system in relation to resource development and grant management. This is to explain how governance may impact the effectiveness of institutions to strengthen services to students with funding resources secured through…

Picosecond view of a martensitic transition and nucleation in the shape memory alloy M n50N i40S n10 by four-dimensional transmission electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ming; Cao, Gaolong; Tian, Huanfang; Sun, Shuaishuai; Li, Zhongwen; Li, Xingyuan; Guo, Cong; Li, Zian; Yang, Huaixin; Li, Jianqi

2017-11-01

The photoinduced martensitic (MT) transition and reverse transition in a shape memory alloy M n50N i40S n10 have been examined by using high spatiotemporal resolution four-dimensional transmission electron microscopy (4D-TEM), and the experimental results clearly demonstrate that the MT transition and reverse transition in this Heusler alloy contain a variety of structural dynamic features at picosecond time scales. The 4D-TEM imaging and diffraction observations clearly show that MT transition and MT domain nucleation, which are related to cooperative atomic motions, occur at between 10 and 20 ps, depending on the thickness of the sample. Moreover, a strong coupling between the MT transition and lattice breathing mode is discovered in this system, which can result in a periodic structural oscillation between the MT phase and austenitic (AUS) phase. This allows us to directly observe the MT nucleation and domain wall motions in transient states using high spatiotemporal imaging. A careful analysis of the ultrafast images demonstrates the presence of remarkable transient states, which exhibit the essential features of MT nucleation, lattice symmetry breaking, and a rapid growth of MT plates. These results not only provide insights into the time-resolved structural dynamics and elementary mechanisms that govern the MT transition but also contribute to the development of a novel technique for future 4D-TEM investigations.

Building a Governance Strategy for CER: The Patient Outcomes Research to Advance Learning (PORTAL) Network Experience

PubMed Central

Paolino, Andrea R.; McGlynn, Elizabeth A.; Lieu, Tracy; Nelson, Andrew F.; Prausnitz, Stephanie; Horberg, Michael A.; Arterburn, David E.; Gould, Michael K.; Laws, Reesa L.; Steiner, John F.

2016-01-01

Introduction: The Patient Outcomes Research to Advance Learning (PORTAL) Network was established with funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) in 2014. The PORTAL team adapted governance structures and processes from past research network collaborations. We will review and outline the structures and processes of the PORTAL governance approach and describe how proactively focusing on priority areas helped us to facilitate an ambitious research agenda. Background: For years a variety of funders have supported large-scale infrastructure grants to promote the use of clinical datasets to answer important comparative effectiveness research (CER) questions. These awards have provided the impetus for health care systems to join forces in creating clinical data research networks. Often, these scientific networks do not develop governance processes proactively or systematically, and address issues only as problems arise. Even if network leaders and collaborators foresee the need to develop governance approaches, they may underestimate the time and effort required to develop sound processes. The resulting delays can impede research progress. Innovation: Because the PORTAL sites had built trust and a foundation of collaboration by participating with one another in past research networks, essential elements of effective governance such as guiding principles, decision making processes, project governance, data governance, and stakeholders in governance were familiar to PORTAL investigators. This trust and familiarity enabled the network to rapidly prioritize areas that required sound governance approaches: responding to new research opportunities, creating a culture of trust and collaboration, conducting individual studies, within the broader network, assigning responsibility and credit to scientific investigators, sharing data while protecting privacy/security, and allocating resources. The PORTAL Governance Document, complete with a Toolkit of Appendices is included for reference and for adaptation by other networks. Credibility: As a result of identifying project-based governance priorities (IRB approval, subcontracting, selection of new research including lead PI and participating sites, and authorship) and data governance priorities (reciprocal data use agreement, analytic plan procedures, and other tools for data governance), PORTAL established most of its governance structure by Month 6 of the 18 month project. This allowed science to progress and collaborators to experience first-hand how the structures and procedures functioned in the remaining 12 months of the project, leaving ample time to refine them and to develop new structures or processes as necessary. Discussion: The use of procedures and processes with which participating investigators and their home institutions were already familiar allowed project and regulatory requirements to be established quickly to protect patients, their data, and the health care systems that act as stewards for both. As the project progressed, PORTAL was able to test and adjust the structures it put place, and to make substantive revisions by Month 17. As a result, priority processes have been predictable, transparent and effective. Conclusion/Next steps: Strong governance practices are a stewardship responsibility of research networks to justify the trust of patients, health plan members, health care delivery organizations, and other stakeholders. Well-planned governance can reduce the time necessary to initiate the scientific activities of a network, a particular concern when the time frame to complete research is short. Effective network and data governance structures protect patient and institutional data as well as the interests of investigators and their institutions, and assures that the network has built an environment to meet the goals of the research. PMID:27141524

Building a Governance Strategy for CER: The Patient Outcomes Research to Advance Learning (PORTAL) Network Experience.

PubMed

Paolino, Andrea R; McGlynn, Elizabeth A; Lieu, Tracy; Nelson, Andrew F; Prausnitz, Stephanie; Horberg, Michael A; Arterburn, David E; Gould, Michael K; Laws, Reesa L; Steiner, John F

2016-01-01

The Patient Outcomes Research to Advance Learning (PORTAL) Network was established with funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) in 2014. The PORTAL team adapted governance structures and processes from past research network collaborations. We will review and outline the structures and processes of the PORTAL governance approach and describe how proactively focusing on priority areas helped us to facilitate an ambitious research agenda. For years a variety of funders have supported large-scale infrastructure grants to promote the use of clinical datasets to answer important comparative effectiveness research (CER) questions. These awards have provided the impetus for health care systems to join forces in creating clinical data research networks. Often, these scientific networks do not develop governance processes proactively or systematically, and address issues only as problems arise. Even if network leaders and collaborators foresee the need to develop governance approaches, they may underestimate the time and effort required to develop sound processes. The resulting delays can impede research progress. Because the PORTAL sites had built trust and a foundation of collaboration by participating with one another in past research networks, essential elements of effective governance such as guiding principles, decision making processes, project governance, data governance, and stakeholders in governance were familiar to PORTAL investigators. This trust and familiarity enabled the network to rapidly prioritize areas that required sound governance approaches: responding to new research opportunities, creating a culture of trust and collaboration, conducting individual studies, within the broader network, assigning responsibility and credit to scientific investigators, sharing data while protecting privacy/security, and allocating resources. The PORTAL Governance Document, complete with a Toolkit of Appendices is included for reference and for adaptation by other networks. As a result of identifying project-based governance priorities (IRB approval, subcontracting, selection of new research including lead PI and participating sites, and authorship) and data governance priorities (reciprocal data use agreement, analytic plan procedures, and other tools for data governance), PORTAL established most of its governance structure by Month 6 of the 18 month project. This allowed science to progress and collaborators to experience first-hand how the structures and procedures functioned in the remaining 12 months of the project, leaving ample time to refine them and to develop new structures or processes as necessary. The use of procedures and processes with which participating investigators and their home institutions were already familiar allowed project and regulatory requirements to be established quickly to protect patients, their data, and the health care systems that act as stewards for both. As the project progressed, PORTAL was able to test and adjust the structures it put place, and to make substantive revisions by Month 17. As a result, priority processes have been predictable, transparent and effective. Strong governance practices are a stewardship responsibility of research networks to justify the trust of patients, health plan members, health care delivery organizations, and other stakeholders. Well-planned governance can reduce the time necessary to initiate the scientific activities of a network, a particular concern when the time frame to complete research is short. Effective network and data governance structures protect patient and institutional data as well as the interests of investigators and their institutions, and assures that the network has built an environment to meet the goals of the research.

Governing the Governors: A Case Study of College Governance in English Further Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gleeson, Denis; Abbott, Ian; Hill, Ron

2011-01-01

This paper addresses the nature of governors in the governance of further education colleges in an English context. It explores the complex relationship between governors (people/agency), government (policy/structure) and governance (practice), in a college environment. While recent research has focused on the governance of schooling and higher…

Toward an Ideal Senior High School Governance Structure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Treslan, D. L.

1979-01-01

This paper delineates six attributes of an ideal high school governance structure: respect, freedom, rationality, flexibility, equality, and involvement of staff and students in the decision-making process. (Author/SJL)

Linking Supply Chain Governance and Biosecurity in the Context of HPAI Control in Western Java: A Value Chain Perspective

PubMed Central

Indrawan, Dikky; Rich, Karl M.; van Horne, Peter; Daryanto, Arief; Hogeveen, Henk

2018-01-01

Despite extensive efforts to control the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), it remains endemic in Western Java, Indonesia. To understand the limited effectiveness of HPAI control measures, it is important to map the complex structure of the poultry sector. The governance of the poultry value chain in particular, could play a pivotal role, yet there is limited information on the different chain governance structures and their impacts on HPAI control. This article uses value chain analysis (VCA), focusing on an in-depth assessment of governance structures as well as transaction cost economics and quantitative estimates of the market power of different chain actors, to establish a theoretical framework to examine biosecurity and HPAI control in the Western Java poultry chain. During the research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key value-chain stakeholders, and the economic performance of identified actors was estimated. Results indicated the co-existence of four different poultry value chains in West Java: the integrator chain, the semi-automated slaughterhouse chain, the controlled slaughter-point chain, and the private slaughter-point chain. The integrator chain was characterized by the highest levels of coordination and a tight, hierarchical governance. In contrast, the other three types of value chains were less coordinated. The market power of the different actors within the four value chains also differed. In more integrated chains, slaughterhouses held considerable market power, while in more informal value chains, market power was in the hands of traders. The economic effects of HPAI and biosecurity measures also varied for the identified actors in the different value chains. Implementation of biosecurity and HPAI control measures was strongly related to the governance structure of the chain, with interactions between different chains and governance structures accentuating the risk of HPAI. Our findings highlight that a proper understanding of the chain governance structure is vital to improve the effectiveness of HPAI control measures, by making the interventions more specific and fit-for-purpose given the incentive structures present in different chains. PMID:29770325

Linking Supply Chain Governance and Biosecurity in the Context of HPAI Control in Western Java: A Value Chain Perspective.

PubMed

Indrawan, Dikky; Rich, Karl M; van Horne, Peter; Daryanto, Arief; Hogeveen, Henk

2018-01-01

Despite extensive efforts to control the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), it remains endemic in Western Java, Indonesia. To understand the limited effectiveness of HPAI control measures, it is important to map the complex structure of the poultry sector. The governance of the poultry value chain in particular, could play a pivotal role, yet there is limited information on the different chain governance structures and their impacts on HPAI control. This article uses value chain analysis (VCA), focusing on an in-depth assessment of governance structures as well as transaction cost economics and quantitative estimates of the market power of different chain actors, to establish a theoretical framework to examine biosecurity and HPAI control in the Western Java poultry chain. During the research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key value-chain stakeholders, and the economic performance of identified actors was estimated. Results indicated the co-existence of four different poultry value chains in West Java: the integrator chain, the semi-automated slaughterhouse chain, the controlled slaughter-point chain, and the private slaughter-point chain. The integrator chain was characterized by the highest levels of coordination and a tight, hierarchical governance. In contrast, the other three types of value chains were less coordinated. The market power of the different actors within the four value chains also differed. In more integrated chains, slaughterhouses held considerable market power, while in more informal value chains, market power was in the hands of traders. The economic effects of HPAI and biosecurity measures also varied for the identified actors in the different value chains. Implementation of biosecurity and HPAI control measures was strongly related to the governance structure of the chain, with interactions between different chains and governance structures accentuating the risk of HPAI. Our findings highlight that a proper understanding of the chain governance structure is vital to improve the effectiveness of HPAI control measures, by making the interventions more specific and fit-for-purpose given the incentive structures present in different chains.

The association of hospital governance with innovation in Taiwan.

PubMed

Yang, Chen-Wei; Yan, Yu-Hua; Fang, Shih-Chieh; Inamdar, Syeda Noorein; Lin, Hsien-Cheng

2018-01-01

Hospitals in Taiwan are facing major changes and innovation is increasingly becoming a critical factor for remaining competitive. One determinant that can have a significant impact on innovation is hospital governance. However, there is limited prior research on the relationship between hospital governance and innovation. The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual framework to hypothesize the relationship between governance mechanisms and innovation and to empirically test the hypotheses in hospital organizations. We examine the relationship between governance mechanisms and innovation using data on 102 hospitals in Taiwan from the Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation and Quality Improvement. We model governance mechanisms using board structure, information transparency and strategic decision-making processes. For our modeling and data analysis we use measurement and structural models. We find that in hospital governance, information transparency and strategic decision making did impact innovation. However, governance structure did not. To facilitate innovation, hospital boards can increase information transparency and improve the decision-making process when considering strategic investments in innovative initiatives. To remain competitive, hospital boards need to develop and monitor indices that measure hospital innovation to ensure ongoing progress. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fair relationships and policies to support family day care educators' mental health: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Corr, Lara; Davis, Elise; Cook, Kay; Waters, Elizabeth; LaMontagne, Anthony D

2014-11-25

High quality child care is a population health investment that relies on the capacity of providers. The mental health and wellbeing of child care educators is fundamental to care quality and turnover, yet sector views on the relationship between working conditions and mental health and wellbeing are scarce. This paper examines child care educators' and sector key informants' perspectives on how working in family day care influences educator's mental health and wellbeing. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with Australian family day care educators (n = 16) and key informants (n = 18) comprised of representatives from family day care schemes, government and other relevant organisations regarding the relationship between working conditions and educator mental health. Thematic analysis referenced the assumptions and concepts of critical inquiry and used social exchange theory. Educators and key informants reported that educators' mental health was affected by the quality of their relationships with government, family day care schemes, and the parents and children using their services. These social relationships created and contributed to working conditions that were believed to promote or diminish educators' mental health. High quality relationships featured fair exchanges of educator work for key resources of social support and respect; adequate income; professional services; and information. Crucially, how exchanges influenced educator wellbeing was largely contingent on government policies that reflect the values and inequities present in society. Making policies and relationships between educators, government and family day care schemes fairer would contribute strongly to the protection and promotion of educator mental health and wellbeing, and in turn contribute to workforce stability and care quality.

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

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

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

2002-01-01

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

The Canadian Jobs Strategy. A Review of the First Years.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Canada Employment and Immigration Commission, Ottawa (Ontario).

In September 1985, the Canadian government introduced the Canadian Jobs Strategy. Two features distinguish the jobs strategy program from Canada's old job development programs and programs for purchasing job training from colleges. These features are: (1) focusing of federal support for labor market adjustment on those individuals who are most in…

Improving link prediction in complex networks by adaptively exploiting multiple structural features of networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Chuang; Bao, Zhong-Kui; Zhang, Hai-Feng

2017-10-01

So far, many network-structure-based link prediction methods have been proposed. However, these methods only highlight one or two structural features of networks, and then use the methods to predict missing links in different networks. The performances of these existing methods are not always satisfied in all cases since each network has its unique underlying structural features. In this paper, by analyzing different real networks, we find that the structural features of different networks are remarkably different. In particular, even in the same network, their inner structural features are utterly different. Therefore, more structural features should be considered. However, owing to the remarkably different structural features, the contributions of different features are hard to be given in advance. Inspired by these facts, an adaptive fusion model regarding link prediction is proposed to incorporate multiple structural features. In the model, a logistic function combing multiple structural features is defined, then the weight of each feature in the logistic function is adaptively determined by exploiting the known structure information. Last, we use the "learnt" logistic function to predict the connection probabilities of missing links. According to our experimental results, we find that the performance of our adaptive fusion model is better than many similarity indices.

Effectiveness and Some Problems of the Internet Utilization to Education from Overview of School Practice in Japan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akahori, Kanji

The 100-school networking project began in Japan in 1993, sponsored by MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education). The features of this project can be summarized as follows: (1) one server computer per school; (2) supported by government organization or quasi government organization; (3) supported by local…

Geology of the Bighorn Mountains

USGS Publications Warehouse

Darton, N.H.

1906-01-01

There are extensive, forests in the mountains, which are now included in a Government forest reserve, but their timber is not of great value. Much of the area below timber line contains an abundance of luxuriant grasses and other plants, which afford excellent pasturage for stock, and large herds of sheep and cattle are ranged in the region during the short summer season. Game is moderately abundant, and most of the streams contain large numbers of trout. The region is one of great interest geologically on account of its variety of sedimentary rocks, interesting structure, and remarkably instructive glacial features. The central area, with its high peaks, presents alpine scenery of notable character. Doubtless in the future the region will be extensively visited by tourists, hunters, and geologists.

Balancing stability and flexibility in adaptive governance: an ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Adaptive governance must work “on the ground,” that is, it must operate through structures and procedures that the people it governs perceive to be legitimate and fair, as well as incorporating processes and substantive goals that are effective in allowing social-ecological systems (SESs) to adapt to climate change and other impacts. To address the continuing and accelerating alterations that climate change is bringing to SESs, adaptive governance generally will require more flexibility than prior governance institutions have often allowed. However, to function as good governance, adaptive governance must pay real attention to the problem of how to balance this increased need for flexibility with continuing governance stability so that it can foster adaptation to change without being perceived or experienced as perpetually destabilizing, disruptive, and unfair. Flexibility and stability serve different purposes in governance, and a variety of tools exist to strike different balances between them while still preserving the governance institution’s legitimacy among the people governed. After reviewing those purposes and the implications of climate change for environmental governance, we examine psychological insights into the structuring of adaptive governance and the variety of legal tools available to incorporate those insights into adaptive governance regimes. Because the substantive goals of governance systems will differ among specific systems, we do no

Bound vector solitons and soliton complexes for the coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations.

PubMed

Sun, Zhi-Yuan; Gao, Yi-Tian; Yu, Xin; Liu, Wen-Jun; Liu, Ying

2009-12-01

Dynamic features describing the collisions of the bound vector solitons and soliton complexes are investigated for the coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equations, which model the propagation of the multimode soliton pulses under some physical situations in nonlinear fiber optics. Equations of such type have also been seen in water waves and plasmas. By the appropriate choices of the arbitrary parameters for the multisoliton solutions derived through the Hirota bilinear method, the periodic structures along the propagation are classified according to the relative relations of the real wave numbers. Furthermore, parameters are shown to control the intensity distributions and interaction patterns for the bound vector solitons and soliton complexes. Transformations of the soliton types (shape changing with intensity redistribution) during the collisions of those stationary structures with the regular one soliton are discussed, in which a class of inelastic properties is involved. Discussions could be expected to be helpful in interpreting such structures in the multimode nonlinear fiber optics and equally applied to other systems governed by the CNLS equations, e.g., the plasma physics and Bose-Einstein condensates.

Novel structural and regulatory features of rhoptry secretory kinases in Toxoplasma gondii

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

Qiu, Wei; Wernimont, Amy; Tang, Keliang

2009-09-29

Serine/threonine kinases secreted from rhoptry organelles constitute important virulence factors of Toxoplasma gondii. Rhoptry kinases are highly divergent and their structures and regulatory mechanism are hitherto unknown. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structures of two related pseudokinases named ROP2 and ROP8, which differ primarily in their substrate-binding site. ROP kinases contain a typical bilobate kinase fold and a novel N-terminal extension that both stabilizes the N-lobe and provides a unique means of regulation. Although ROP2 and ROP8 were catalytically inactive, they provided a template for homology modelling of the active kinase ROP18, a major virulence determinant of T. gondii.more » Autophosphorylation of key residues in the N-terminal extension resulted in ROP18 activation, which in turn phosphorylated ROP2 and ROP8. Mutagenesis and mass spectrometry experiments revealed that ROP18 was maximally activated when this phosphorylated N-terminus relieved autoinhibition resulting from extension of aliphatic side chains into the ATP-binding pocket. This novel means of regulation governs ROP kinases implicated in parasite virulence.« less

Structure and evolution of a European Parliament via a network and correlation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puccio, Elena; Pajala, Antti; Piilo, Jyrki; Tumminello, Michele

2016-11-01

We present a study of the network of relationships among elected members of the Finnish parliament, based on a quantitative analysis of initiative co-signatures, and its evolution over 16 years. To understand the structure of the parliament, we constructed a statistically validated network of members, based on the similarity between the patterns of initiatives they signed. We looked for communities within the network and characterized them in terms of members' attributes, such as electoral district and party. To gain insight on the nested structure of communities, we constructed a hierarchical tree of members from the correlation matrix. Afterwards, we studied parliament dynamics yearly, with a focus on correlations within and between parties, by also distinguishing between government and opposition. Finally, we investigated the role played by specific individuals, at a local level. In particular, whether they act as proponents who gather consensus, or as signers. Our results provide a quantitative background to current theories in political science. From a methodological point of view, our network approach has proven able to highlight both local and global features of a complex social system.

Sacrificial bonds and hidden length in biomaterials -- a kinetic description of strength and toughness in bone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lieou, Charles K. C.; Elbanna, Ahmed E.; Carlson, Jean M.

2013-03-01

Sacrificial bonds and hidden length in structural molecules account for the greatly increased fracture toughness of biological materials compared to synthetic materials without such structural features, by providing a molecular-scale mechanism of energy dissipation. One example of occurrence of sacrificial bonds and hidden length is in the polymeric glue connection between collagen fibrils in animal bone. In this talk, we propose a simple kinetic model that describes the breakage of sacrificial bonds and the revelation of hidden length, based on Bell's theory. We postulate a master equation governing the rates of bond breakage and formation, at the mean-field level, allowing for the number of bonds and hidden lengths to take up non-integer values between successive, discrete bond-breakage events. This enables us to predict the mechanical behavior of a quasi-one-dimensional ensemble of polymers at different stretching rates. We find that both the rupture peak heights and maximum stretching distance increase with the stretching rate. In addition, our theory naturally permits the possibility of self-healing in such biological structures.

Recent hospital charity care controversies highlight ambiguities and outdated features of government regulations.

PubMed

MacKelvie, Charles; Apolskis, Michael; Unland, James J

2005-01-01

For years the hospital industry has been embroiled in controversies involving pricing, charity care, and collection practices. Unfortunately, Medicare regulations and policies governing hospital charge-setting and collection practices have not helped bring much clarity to the situation, nor has related CMS and OIG guidance. Coordinated effort by hospitals and regulatory bodies can help clarify unclear government regulation of charity care, pricing, and collections and end potentially destructive controversies that sap valuable time, energy, and resources from efforts addressing much graver long-term threats to hospital viability.

Health policy. Who's got the master card?

PubMed

Robinson, Ray

2002-09-26

The last decade has seen huge shifts away from the command and control model which dominated health policy since the foundation of the NHS. The current Labour government Initially favoured a system based on collaboration and partnership working but the incentives to achieve this were not sufficiently strong. Competition is now once again openly cited as a driver for improved performance. Political demands mean that command and control are likely to remain key features of government health policy. But this, in turn, is likely to place major limitations on the local autonomy pledged by the government.

Better governance, better access: practising responsible data sharing in the METADAC governance infrastructure.

PubMed

Murtagh, Madeleine J; Blell, Mwenza T; Butters, Olly W; Cowley, Lorraine; Dove, Edward S; Goodman, Alissa; Griggs, Rebecca L; Hall, Alison; Hallowell, Nina; Kumari, Meena; Mangino, Massimo; Maughan, Barbara; Mills, Melinda C; Minion, Joel T; Murphy, Tom; Prior, Gillian; Suderman, Matthew; Ring, Susan M; Rogers, Nina T; Roberts, Stephanie J; Van der Straeten, Catherine; Viney, Will; Wiltshire, Deborah; Wong, Andrew; Walker, Neil; Burton, Paul R

2018-04-26

Genomic and biosocial research data about individuals is rapidly proliferating, bringing the potential for novel opportunities for data integration and use. The scale, pace and novelty of these applications raise a number of urgent sociotechnical, ethical and legal questions, including optimal methods of data storage, management and access. Although the open science movement advocates unfettered access to research data, many of the UK's longitudinal cohort studies operate systems of managed data access, in which access is governed by legal and ethical agreements between stewards of research datasets and researchers wishing to make use of them. Amongst other things, these agreements aim to respect the reasonable expectations of the research participants who provided data and samples, as expressed in the consent process. Arguably, responsible data management and governance of data and sample use are foundational to the consent process in longitudinal studies and are an important source of trustworthiness in the eyes of those who contribute data to genomic and biosocial research. This paper presents an ethnographic case study exploring the foundational principles of a governance infrastructure for Managing Ethico-social, Technical and Administrative issues in Data ACcess (METADAC), which are operationalised through a committee known as the METADAC Access Committee. METADAC governs access to phenotype, genotype and 'omic' data and samples from five UK longitudinal studies. Using the example of METADAC, we argue that three key structural features are foundational for practising responsible data sharing: independence and transparency; interdisciplinarity; and participant-centric decision-making. We observe that the international research community is proactively working towards optimising the use of research data, integrating/linking these data with routine data generated by health and social care services and other administrative data services to improve the analysis, interpretation and utility of these data. The governance of these new complex data assemblages will require a range of expertise from across a number of domains and disciplines, including that of study participants. Human-mediated decision-making bodies will be central to ensuring achievable, reasoned and responsible decisions about the use of these data; the METADAC model described in this paper provides an example of how this could be realised.

Studies in Public Welfare. Paper No. 12 (Part II): The Family, Poverty and Welfare Programs--Household Patterns and Government Policies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Joint Economic Committee, Washington, DC.

The papers in this volume deal with patterns of household composition and income sharing among low-income families as well as current and proposed Government policies directly related to family structure. Government policies relevant to family structure make up one set of topics. Irene Cox describes how public income transfer benefits and…

The Pendulum Strikes Back? An Analysis of the Evolution of Hungarian Higher Education Governance and Organisational Structures since the 1980s

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kováts, Gergely; Heidrich, Balázs; Chandler, Nick

2017-01-01

Higher education in Central Europe has been scrutinised from many different perspectives during the last 30 years. In our analysis, we focus solely on Hungary and specifically on two key areas: governance and organisational structure. Using an analytical model proposed by Leisyte (2014), we analyse how the governance and organisational structure…

Molecular modeling of the microstructure evolution during carbon fiber processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desai, Saaketh; Li, Chunyu; Shen, Tongtong; Strachan, Alejandro

2017-12-01

The rational design of carbon fibers with desired properties requires quantitative relationships between the processing conditions, microstructure, and resulting properties. We developed a molecular model that combines kinetic Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics techniques to predict the microstructure evolution during the processes of carbonization and graphitization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers. The model accurately predicts the cross-sectional microstructure of the fibers with the molecular structure of the stabilized PAN fibers and physics-based chemical reaction rates as the only inputs. The resulting structures exhibit key features observed in electron microcopy studies such as curved graphitic sheets and hairpin structures. In addition, computed X-ray diffraction patterns are in good agreement with experiments. We predict the transverse moduli of the resulting fibers between 1 GPa and 5 GPa, in good agreement with experimental results for high modulus fibers and slightly lower than those of high-strength fibers. The transverse modulus is governed by sliding between graphitic sheets, and the relatively low value for the predicted microstructures can be attributed to their perfect longitudinal texture. Finally, the simulations provide insight into the relationships between chemical kinetics and the final microstructure; we observe that high reaction rates result in porous structures with lower moduli.

Panel: Governance in Open Source Projects and Communities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolici, Francesco; de Laat, Paul; Ljungberg, Jan; Pontiggia, Andrea; Rossi Lamastra, Cristina

“Although considerable research has been devoted to the growth and expansion of open source communities and the comparison between the efficiency of corporate structures and community structures in the field of software development, rather less attention has been paid to their governance structures (control, monitoring, supervision)” (Lattemann and Stieglitz 2005).

Nominations please! Or how a multi singled out potential trustees.

PubMed

McMurry, P V

1984-11-01

As multihospital systems become more geographically diversified, it can be increasingly difficult to maintain an effective, systemwide governance structure. This article describes the governance structure that Baptist Hospitals and Health Systems, Phoenix, has in place, and how it successfully duplicated that structure in a large county hospital it recently acquired in Florida.

Governance Structures for Open Innovation: A Preliminary Framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feller, Joseph; Finnegan, Patrick; Hayes, Jeremy; O'Reilly, Philip

This research-in-progress paper presents a preliminary framework of four open innovation governance structures. The study seeks to describe four distinct ways in which firms utilize hierarchical relationships, organizational intermediaries, and the market system to supply and acquire intellectual property and/or innovation capabilities from sources external to the firm. This paper reports on phase one of the study, which involved an analysis of six open innovation exemplars based on public data. This phase of the study reveals that governance structures for open innovation can be categorized based on whether they (1) are mediated or direct or (2) seek to acquire intellectual property or innovation capability. We analyze the differences in four governance structures along seven dimensions, and reveal the importance of knowledge dispersion and uncertainty to the use of open innovation hierarchies, brokerages, and markets. The paper concludes by examining the implications of the findings and outlining the next phase of the study.

Bringing Nature to Schools to Promote Children's Physical Activity.

PubMed

Sharma-Brymer, Vinathe; Bland, Derek

2016-07-01

Physical activity (PA) is essential for human health and wellbeing across all age, socioeconomic, and ethnic groups. Engagement with the natural world is a new defining criterion for enhancing the benefits of PA, particularly for children and young people. Interacting with nature benefits children's social and emotional wellbeing, develops resilience, and reduces the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus across all population groups. Governments around the world are now recognizing the importance of children spending more active time outdoors. However, children's outdoor activities, free play, and nature-related exploration are often structured and supervised by adults due to safety concerns and risks. In this context, schools become more accessible and safe options for children to engage in PA outdoors with the presence of nature features. Research on school designs involving young children has revealed that children prefer nature-related features in school environments. Affordances in nature may increase children's interest in physically active behaviors. Given that present school campuses are designed for operational efficiency and economic reasons, there is a need to re-design schools responding to the positive role of nature on human health. If schools were re-designed to incorporate diverse natural features, children's PA and consequent health and wellbeing would likely improve markedly.

Using deep learning to quantify the beauty of outdoor places

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Beautiful outdoor locations are protected by governments and have recently been shown to be associated with better health. But what makes an outdoor space beautiful? Does a beautiful outdoor location differ from an outdoor location that is simply natural? Here, we explore whether ratings of over 200 000 images of Great Britain from the online game Scenic-Or-Not, combined with hundreds of image features extracted using the Places Convolutional Neural Network, might help us understand what beautiful outdoor spaces are composed of. We discover that, as well as natural features such as ‘Coast’, ‘Mountain’ and ‘Canal Natural’, man-made structures such as ‘Tower’, ‘Castle’ and ‘Viaduct’ lead to places being considered more scenic. Importantly, while scenes containing ‘Trees’ tend to rate highly, places containing more bland natural green features such as ‘Grass’ and ‘Athletic Fields’ are considered less scenic. We also find that a neural network can be trained to automatically identify scenic places, and that this network highlights both natural and built locations. Our findings demonstrate how online data combined with neural networks can provide a deeper understanding of what environments we might find beautiful and offer quantitative insights for policymakers charged with design and protection of our built and natural environments. PMID:28791142

Reforming the Governance of California Community Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nussbaum, Thomas J.

In this speech, Chancellor Thomas J. Nussbaum defends the existence of local governing boards for community colleges and offers suggestions for improving the current weak governance structure. He argues that doing away with local governing boards would: (1) create a greater inconsistency between the mission and the governance of the colleges; (2)…

Developing Cyberspace Data Understanding: Using CRISP-DM for Host-based IDS Feature Mining

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

Developing Cyberspace Data Understanding: Using CRISP - DM for Host-based IDS Feature Mining THESIS Joseph R. Erskine, Captain, USAF AFIT/GCS/ENG/10-01...Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. AFIT/GCS/ENG/10-01 Developing Cyberspace Data Understanding: Using CRISP - DM for...Developing Cyberspace Data Understanding: Using CRISP - DM for Host-based IDS Feature Mining Joseph R. Erskine, B.S.C.S. Captain, USAF Approved: /signed/ 12

Cell–cell adhesion in metazoans relies on evolutionarily conserved features of the α-catenin·β-catenin–binding interface

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

Shao, Xiangqiang; Kang, Hyunook; Loveless, Timothy

Stable tissue integrity during embryonic development relies on the function of the cadherin·catenin complex (CCC). The Caenorhabditis elegans CCC is a useful paradigm for analyzing in vivo requirements for specific interactions among the core components of the CCC, and it provides a unique opportunity to examine evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that govern the interaction between α- and β-catenin. HMP-1, unlike its mammalian homolog α-catenin, is constitutively monomeric, and its binding affinity for HMP-2/β-catenin is higher than that of α-catenin for β-catenin. A crystal structure shows that the HMP-1·HMP-2 complex forms a five-helical bundle structure distinct from the structure of the mammalianmore » α-catenin·β-catenin complex. Deletion analysis based on the crystal structure shows that the first helix of HMP-1 is necessary for binding HMP-2 avidly in vitro and for efficient recruitment of HMP-1 to adherens junctions in embryos. HMP-2 Ser-47 and Tyr-69 flank its binding interface with HMP-1, and we show that phosphomimetic mutations at these two sites decrease binding affinity of HMP-1 to HMP-2 by 40–100-fold in vitro. In vivo experiments using HMP-2 S47E and Y69E mutants showed that they are unable to rescue hmp-2(zu364) mutants, suggesting that phosphorylation of HMP-2 on Ser-47 and Tyr-69 could be important for regulating CCC formation in C. elegans. Our data provide novel insights into how cadherin-dependent cell–cell adhesion is modulated in metazoans by conserved elements as well as features unique to specific organisms.« less

Cell–cell adhesion in metazoans relies on evolutionarily conserved features of the α-catenin·β-catenin–binding interface

DOE PAGES

Shao, Xiangqiang; Kang, Hyunook; Loveless, Timothy; ...

2017-08-25

Stable tissue integrity during embryonic development relies on the function of the cadherin·catenin complex (CCC). The Caenorhabditis elegans CCC is a useful paradigm for analyzing in vivo requirements for specific interactions among the core components of the CCC, and it provides a unique opportunity to examine evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that govern the interaction between α- and β-catenin. HMP-1, unlike its mammalian homolog α-catenin, is constitutively monomeric, and its binding affinity for HMP-2/β-catenin is higher than that of α-catenin for β-catenin. A crystal structure shows that the HMP-1·HMP-2 complex forms a five-helical bundle structure distinct from the structure of the mammalianmore » α-catenin·β-catenin complex. Deletion analysis based on the crystal structure shows that the first helix of HMP-1 is necessary for binding HMP-2 avidly in vitro and for efficient recruitment of HMP-1 to adherens junctions in embryos. HMP-2 Ser-47 and Tyr-69 flank its binding interface with HMP-1, and we show that phosphomimetic mutations at these two sites decrease binding affinity of HMP-1 to HMP-2 by 40–100-fold in vitro. In vivo experiments using HMP-2 S47E and Y69E mutants showed that they are unable to rescue hmp-2(zu364) mutants, suggesting that phosphorylation of HMP-2 on Ser-47 and Tyr-69 could be important for regulating CCC formation in C. elegans. Our data provide novel insights into how cadherin-dependent cell–cell adhesion is modulated in metazoans by conserved elements as well as features unique to specific organisms.« less

Striking the Balance: The Role of English and German in a Multilingual English-Medium Degree Programme in German Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Earls, Clive W.

2014-01-01

In 2002, English-medium degree programmes (EMDPs) became a permanent feature of German higher education (HE). While this action marked an important step towards government-supported institutionalisation of English in Germany, no formal strategy or guidelines governing the role of English in HE have been developed. To date, research in this area in…

Indian Private Higher Education in Comparative Perspective. PROPHE Working Paper Series. WP No. 13

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levy, Daniel C.

2008-01-01

India demonstrates many features characteristic of private higher education in much of the world. Among these features are proportional size, with roughly 30 percent of total enrollment, and fast growth. Also rather typical is finance, which comes almost exclusively from non-government sources, principally tuition, while public higher education is…

Imagining School Autonomy in High-Performing Education Systems: East Asia as a Source of Policy Referencing in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

You, Yun; Morris, Paul

2016-01-01

Education reform is increasingly based on emulating the features of "world-class" systems that top international attainment surveys and, in England specifically, East Asia is referenced as the "inspiration" for their education reforms. However, the extent to which the features identified by the UK Government accord with the…

A simulation of the OMEGA/Mars Express observations: Analysis of the atmospheric contribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melchiorri, R.; Drossart, P.; Fouchet, T.; Bézard, B.; Forget, F.; Gendrin, A.; Bibring, J. P.; Manaud, N.; OMEGA Team; Berthé, M.; Bibring, J.-P.; Langevin, Y.; Forni, O.; Gendrin, A.; Gondet, B.; Manaud, N.; Poulet, F.; Poulleau, G.; Soufflot, A.; Mangold, N.; Bonello, G.; Forget, F.; Bezard, B.; Combes, M.; Drossart, P.; Encrenaz, T.; Fouchet, T.; Melchiorri, R.; Erard, S.; Bellucci, G.; Altieri, F.; Formisano, V.; Fonti, S.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Coradini, A.; Kottsov, V.; Ignatiev, N.; Moroz, V.; Titov, D.; Zasova, L.; Pinet, P.; Schmitt, B.; Sotin, C.; Hauber, E.; Hoffmann, H.; Jaumann, R.; Keller, U.; Arvidson, R.; Mustard, J.; Duxbary, T.

2006-08-01

Spectral images of Mars obtained by the Mars Express/OMEGA experiment in the near infrared are the result of a complex combination of atmospheric, aerosol and ground features. Retrieving the atmospheric information from the data is important, not only to decorrelate mineralogical against atmospheric features, but also to retrieve the atmospheric variability. Once the illumination conditions have been taken into account, the main source of variation on the CO2 absorption is due to the altitude of the surface, which governs atmospheric pressure variation by more than an order of magnitude between the summit of Olympus Mons down to the bottom of Valles Marineris. In this article we present a simplified atmospheric spectral model without scattering, specially developed for the OMEGA observations, which is used to retrieve the local topography through the analysis of the 2.0μmCO2 band. OMEGA atmospheric observations increase the horizontal resolution compared to MOLA altimetry measurements, and therefore complement the mineralogical studies from the same instrument. Finally, residual variations of the pressure can be related to atmospheric structure variation.

Dictionary of Alaska place names

USGS Publications Warehouse

Orth, Donald J.

1971-01-01

This work is an alphabetical list of the geographic names that are now applied and have been applied to places and features of the Alaska landscape. Principal names, compiled from modem maps and charts and printed in boldface type, generally reflect present-day local usage. They conform to the principles of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for establishing standard names for use on Government maps and in other Government publications. Each name entry gives the present-day spelling along with variant spellings and names; identifies the feature named; presents the origin and history of the name; and, where possible, gives the meaning of an Eskimo, Aleut, Indian, or foreign name. Variant, obsolete, and doubtful names are alphabetically listed and are cross referenced, where necessary, to the principal entries.

MinOmics, an Integrative and Immersive Tool for Multi-Omics Analysis.

PubMed

Maes, Alexandre; Martinez, Xavier; Druart, Karen; Laurent, Benoist; Guégan, Sean; Marchand, Christophe H; Lemaire, Stéphane D; Baaden, Marc

2018-06-21

Proteomic and transcriptomic technologies resulted in massive biological datasets, their interpretation requiring sophisticated computational strategies. Efficient and intuitive real-time analysis remains challenging. We use proteomic data on 1417 proteins of the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to investigate physicochemical parameters governing selectivity of three cysteine-based redox post translational modifications (PTM): glutathionylation (SSG), nitrosylation (SNO) and disulphide bonds (SS) reduced by thioredoxins. We aim to understand underlying molecular mechanisms and structural determinants through integration of redox proteome data from gene- to structural level. Our interactive visual analytics approach on an 8.3 m2 display wall of 25 MPixel resolution features stereoscopic three dimensions (3D) representation performed by UnityMol WebGL. Virtual reality headsets complement the range of usage configurations for fully immersive tasks. Our experiments confirm that fast access to a rich cross-linked database is necessary for immersive analysis of structural data. We emphasize the possibility to display complex data structures and relationships in 3D, intrinsic to molecular structure visualization, but less common for omics-network analysis. Our setup is powered by MinOmics, an integrated analysis pipeline and visualization framework dedicated to multi-omics analysis. MinOmics integrates data from various sources into a materialized physical repository. We evaluate its performance, a design criterion for the framework.

Side-binding proteins modulate actin filament dynamics

PubMed Central

Crevenna, Alvaro H; Arciniega, Marcelino; Dupont, Aurélie; Mizuno, Naoko; Kowalska, Kaja; Lange, Oliver F; Wedlich-Söldner, Roland; Lamb, Don C

2015-01-01

Actin filament dynamics govern many key physiological processes from cell motility to tissue morphogenesis. A central feature of actin dynamics is the capacity of filaments to polymerize and depolymerize at their ends in response to cellular conditions. It is currently thought that filament kinetics can be described by a single rate constant for each end. In this study, using direct visualization of single actin filament elongation, we show that actin polymerization kinetics at both filament ends are strongly influenced by the binding of proteins to the lateral filament surface. We also show that the pointed-end has a non-elongating state that dominates the observed filament kinetic asymmetry. Estimates of flexibility as well as effects on fragmentation and growth suggest that the observed kinetic diversity arises from structural alteration. Tuning elongation kinetics by exploiting the malleability of the filament structure may be a ubiquitous mechanism to generate a rich variety of cellular actin dynamics. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04599.001 PMID:25706231

The Space Shuttle focused-technology program - Lessons learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fitzgerald, P. E., Jr.; Gabris, E. A.

1983-01-01

The results of a focused technology program (FTP), its management structure, the development of the Space Shuttle, and lessons applicable to future space programs such as a space station are discussed. A committee was formed by NASA in 1969 to define the technologies necessary for a reusable spacecraft. Basic and applied research assessments were featured at the beginning of the process. Working groups were established to cover all necessary areas, e.g., Operations, Structures and Materials, Aerothermodynamics, etc., and tasks were distributed to appropriate NASA centers. Funding was drawn from existing budgets. The FTP proceeded successfully because of an understanding of the respective roles of industry and government, the willingness of industry to invest early in a new technology, and the unclassified status of information generated by the program. The in-house design and technology transfer methods that brought the project to a technology demonstration phase are explored, noting the necessity for users to take part in the development within their field.

Seismic performance evaluation of an historical concrete deck arch bridge using survey and drawing of the damages, in situ tests, dynamic identification and pushover analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergamo, Otello; Russo, Eleonora; Lodolo, Fabio

2017-07-01

The paper describes the performance evaluation of a retrofit historical multi-span (RC) deck arch bridge analyzed with in situ tests, dynamic identification and FEM analysis. The peculiarity of this case study lies in the structural typology of "San Felice" bridge, an historical concrete arch bridge built in the early 20th century, a quite uncommon feature in Italy. The preservation and retrofit of historic cultural heritage and infrastructures has been carefully analyzed in the international codes governing seismic response. A complete survey of the bridge was carried out prior to sketching a drawing of the existing bridge. Subsequently, the study consists in four steps: material investigation and dynamic vibration tests, FEM analysis and calibration, retrofit assessment, pushover analysis. The aim is to define an innovative approach to calibrate the FEM analysis through modern experimental investigations capable of taking structural deterioration into account, and to offer an appropriate and cost-effective retrofitting strategy.

Hospital networks: how to make them work in Belgium? Facilitators and barriers of different governance models.

PubMed

De Pourcq, Kaat; De Regge, Melissa; Van den Heede, Koen; Van de Voorde, Carine; Gemmel, Paul; Eeckloo, Kristof

2018-03-29

Objectives This study aims to identify the facilitators and barriers to governance models of hospital collaborations. The country-specific characteristics of the Belgian healthcare system and legislation are taken into account. Methods A case study was carried out in six Belgian hospital collaborations. Different types of governance models were selected: two health systems, two participant-governed networks, and two lead-organization-governed networks. Within these collaborations, 43 people were interviewed. Results All structures have both advantages and disadvantages. It is important that the governance model fits the network. However, structural, procedural, and especially contextual factors also affect the collaborations, such as alignment of hospitals' and professionals' goals, competition, distance, level of integrated care, time needed for decision-making, and legal and financial incentives. Conclusion The fit between the governance model and the collaboration can facilitate the functioning of a collaboration. The main barriers we identified are contextual factors. The Belgian government needs to play a major role in facilitating collaboration.

Implementation of clinical governance in hospitals: challenges and the keys for success.

PubMed

Mousavi, Seyed Mohammad Hadi; Agharahimi, Zahra; Daryabeigi, Maede; Rezaei, Nima

2014-01-01

There is a number of models and strategies for improving the quality of care such as total quality management, continuous quality improvement and clinical governance. The policy of clinical governance is part of the governments overall strategy for monitoring, assuring and improving in the national health services organization. Clinical governance has been introduced as a bridge between managerial and clinical approaches to quality. For successful implementing of clinical governance, it is necessary to pay attention to firm foundations of the structure, including equipment, staffing arrangement, supporting specialties, and staff training. Therefore, as clinical governance improves safety and quality in health care services, the current situation in hospitals should be evaluated before any intervention while barriers and blocks on structure and process should be determined to select a method for changing them. Considering these points could guarantee success in implementation of clinical governance; otherwise there would be a little chance to achieve the desired results despite consumption of plenty of time and huge paper works.

75 FR 30453 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Order Approving...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-01

... closely the governance structure of the FINRA Board. Section 4.3--Qualifications The proposed rule change would amend Article IV, section 4.3(a) to reflect FINRA's current governance structure by establishing... to Article IV, section 4.3 as follows: Re-structure the Board to remove the President of NASD Dispute...

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-06

9 U.S. and International Civilian Policy Structure ...Afghanistan. However, some warned that a post-Soviet power structure in Afghanistan could be adverse to U.S. interests because much of the covert aid was...appointments, priorities, the future of the governing structure , and Ghani’s outreach to Pakistan—to the point where some senior officials have resigned

Assessing the Role and Structure of Academic Senates in Canadian Universities, 2000-2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pennock, Lea; Jones, Glen A.; Leclerc, Jeff M.; Li, Sharon X.

2015-01-01

Academic governance is an important dimension of institutional self-governance. This paper reports on the findings of a new study of university senates (academic councils) in Canadian universities in order to analyze changes in structure and in senate members' perceptions of the structure and role of senates over the last decade. Following the…

The Impact of Governance on the Performance of the Higher Education Sector in Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Silva Lokuwaduge, Chitra; Armstrong, Anona

2015-01-01

Australian government concern for improved governance in the higher education sector over recent years has driven the implementation of governance protocols. However, there has been little evidence of any evaluation of the impact of the governance structures on the performance of universities. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of the…

School Board Governance in Changing Times: A School's Transition to Policy Governance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Curry, Katherine; Kinder, Sean; Benoiton, Tania; Noonan, Jessica

2018-01-01

The expansion of the school choice movement and greater flexibility allowed by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) means that education governance is emerging as an important issue for school effectiveness. This longitudinal case study sought to gain an understanding of the implementation of a new governance structure, Policy Governance, in a…

Finding new perovskite halides via machine learning

DOE PAGES

Pilania, Ghanshyam; Balachandran, Prasanna V.; Kim, Chiho; ...

2016-04-26

Advanced materials with improved properties have the potential to fuel future technological advancements. However, identification and discovery of these optimal materials for a specific application is a non-trivial task, because of the vastness of the chemical search space with enormous compositional and configurational degrees of freedom. Materials informatics provides an efficient approach toward rational design of new materials, via learning from known data to make decisions on new and previously unexplored compounds in an accelerated manner. Here, we demonstrate the power and utility of such statistical learning (or machine learning, henceforth referred to as ML) via building a support vectormore » machine (SVM) based classifier that uses elemental features (or descriptors) to predict the formability of a given ABX 3 halide composition (where A and B represent monovalent and divalent cations, respectively, and X is F, Cl, Br, or I anion) in the perovskite crystal structure. The classification model is built by learning from a dataset of 185 experimentally known ABX 3 compounds. After exploring a wide range of features, we identify ionic radii, tolerance factor, and octahedral factor to be the most important factors for the classification, suggesting that steric and geometric packing effects govern the stability of these halides. As a result, the trained and validated models then predict, with a high degree of confidence, several novel ABX 3 compositions with perovskite crystal structure.« less

Finding new perovskite halides via machine learning

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

Pilania, Ghanshyam; Balachandran, Prasanna V.; Kim, Chiho

Advanced materials with improved properties have the potential to fuel future technological advancements. However, identification and discovery of these optimal materials for a specific application is a non-trivial task, because of the vastness of the chemical search space with enormous compositional and configurational degrees of freedom. Materials informatics provides an efficient approach toward rational design of new materials, via learning from known data to make decisions on new and previously unexplored compounds in an accelerated manner. Here, we demonstrate the power and utility of such statistical learning (or machine learning, henceforth referred to as ML) via building a support vectormore » machine (SVM) based classifier that uses elemental features (or descriptors) to predict the formability of a given ABX 3 halide composition (where A and B represent monovalent and divalent cations, respectively, and X is F, Cl, Br, or I anion) in the perovskite crystal structure. The classification model is built by learning from a dataset of 185 experimentally known ABX 3 compounds. After exploring a wide range of features, we identify ionic radii, tolerance factor, and octahedral factor to be the most important factors for the classification, suggesting that steric and geometric packing effects govern the stability of these halides. As a result, the trained and validated models then predict, with a high degree of confidence, several novel ABX 3 compositions with perovskite crystal structure.« less

A protein coevolution method uncovers critical features of the Hepatitis C Virus fusion mechanism

PubMed Central

Douam, Florian; Mancip, Jimmy; Mailly, Laurent; Montserret, Roland; Ding, Qiang; Verhoeyen, Els; Baumert, Thomas F.; Ploss, Alexander; Carbone, Alessandra

2018-01-01

Amino-acid coevolution can be referred to mutational compensatory patterns preserving the function of a protein. Viral envelope glycoproteins, which mediate entry of enveloped viruses into their host cells, are shaped by coevolution signals that confer to viruses the plasticity to evade neutralizing antibodies without altering viral entry mechanisms. The functions and structures of the two envelope glycoproteins of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), E1 and E2, are poorly described. Especially, how these two proteins mediate the HCV fusion process between the viral and the cell membrane remains elusive. Here, as a proof of concept, we aimed to take advantage of an original coevolution method recently developed to shed light on the HCV fusion mechanism. When first applied to the well-characterized Dengue Virus (DENV) envelope glycoproteins, coevolution analysis was able to predict important structural features and rearrangements of these viral protein complexes. When applied to HCV E1E2, computational coevolution analysis predicted that E1 and E2 refold interdependently during fusion through rearrangements of the E2 Back Layer (BL). Consistently, a soluble BL-derived polypeptide inhibited HCV infection of hepatoma cell lines, primary human hepatocytes and humanized liver mice. We showed that this polypeptide specifically inhibited HCV fusogenic rearrangements, hence supporting the critical role of this domain during HCV fusion. By combining coevolution analysis and in vitro assays, we also uncovered functionally-significant coevolving signals between E1 and E2 BL/Stem regions that govern HCV fusion, demonstrating the accuracy of our coevolution predictions. Altogether, our work shed light on important structural features of the HCV fusion mechanism and contributes to advance our functional understanding of this process. This study also provides an important proof of concept that coevolution can be employed to explore viral protein mediated-processes, and can guide the development of innovative translational strategies against challenging human-tropic viruses. PMID:29505618

Structural Models that Manage IT Portfolio Affecting Business Value of Enterprise Architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamogawa, Takaaki

This paper examines the structural relationships between Information Technology (IT) governance and Enterprise Architecture (EA), with the objective of enhancing business value in the enterprise society. Structural models consisting of four related hypotheses reveal the relationship between IT governance and EA in the improvement of business values. We statistically examined the hypotheses by analyzing validated questionnaire items from respondents within firms listed on the Japanese stock exchange who were qualified to answer them. We concluded that firms which have organizational ability controlled by IT governance are more likely to deliver business value based on IT portfolio management.

Systems and processes that ensure high quality care.

PubMed

Bassett, Sally; Westmore, Kathryn

2012-10-01

This is the second in a series of articles examining the components of good corporate governance. It considers how the structures and processes for quality governance can affect an organisation's ability to be assured about the quality of care. Complex information systems and procedures can lead to poor quality care, but sound structures and processes alone are insufficient to ensure good governance, and behavioural factors play a significant part in making sure that staff are enabled to provide good quality care. The next article in this series looks at how the information reporting of an organisation can affect its governance.

A Model for Determining Optimal Governance Structure in DoD Acquisition Projects in a Performance-Based Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-30

combating market dynamism (Aldrich, 1979; Child, 1972), which is a result of evolving technology, shifting prices, or variance in product availability... principles : (1) human beings are bounded rationally, and (2), as a result of being rationally bound, will always choose to further their own self... principles to govern the relationship among the buyers and suppliers. Our conceptual model aligns the alternative governance structures derived

Component Provider’s and Tool Developer’s Handbook. Central Archive for Reusable Defense Software (CARDS)

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-25

metrics [DISA93b]. " The Software Engineering Institute (SET) has developed a domain analysis process (Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis - FODA ) and is...and expresses the range of variability of these decisions. 3.2.2.3 Feature Oriented Domain Analysis Feature Oriented Domain Analysis ( FODA ) is a domain...documents created in this phase. From a purely profit-oriented business point of view, a company may develop its own analysis of a government or commercial

Governing sexual behaviour through humanitarian codes of conduct.

PubMed

Matti, Stephanie

2015-10-01

Since 2001, there has been a growing consensus that sexual exploitation and abuse of intended beneficiaries by humanitarian workers is a real and widespread problem that requires governance. Codes of conduct have been promoted as a key mechanism for governing the sexual behaviour of humanitarian workers and, ultimately, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). This article presents a systematic study of PSEA codes of conduct adopted by humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and how they govern the sexual behaviour of humanitarian workers. It draws on Foucault's analytics of governance and speech act theory to examine the findings of a survey of references to codes of conduct made on the websites of 100 humanitarian NGOs, and to analyse some features of the organisation-specific PSEA codes identified. © 2015 The Author(s). Disasters © Overseas Development Institute, 2015.

Complex governance structures and incoherent policies: Implementing the EU water framework directive in Sweden.

PubMed

Söderberg, Charlotta

2016-12-01

Contemporary processes of environmental policymaking in general span over several territorial tiers. This also holds for the EU Water Framework Directive system of environmental quality standards (EQS), which are part of a complex multi-level institutional landscape, embracing both EU, national and sub-national level. Recent evaluations show that many EU member states, including Sweden, have not reached the ecological goals for water in 2015. Departing from theories on policy coherence and multi-level governance, this paper therefore analyses Swedish water governance as a case to further our understanding of policy implementation in complex governance structures: how does policy coherence (or the lack thereof) affect policy implementation in complex governance structures? To answer this question, the paper maps out the formal structure of the water governance system, focusing on power directions within the system, analyses policy coherence in Swedish water governance through mapping out policy conflicts between the EQS for water and other goals/regulations and explore how they are handled by national and sub-national water bureaucrats. The study concludes that without clear central guidance, 'good ecological status' for Swedish water will be difficult to achieve since incoherent policies makes policy implementation inefficient due to constant power struggles between different authorities, and since environmental goals are often overridden by economic and other societal goals. Further research is needed in order to explore if similar policy conflicts between water quality and other objectives occur in other EU member states and how bureaucrats handle such conflicts in different institutional settings. This study of the Swedish case indicates that the role of the state as a navigator and rudder-holder is important in order to improve policy implementation in complex governance structures - otherwise; bureaucrats risk being lost in an incoherent archipelago of ecological, social and economic goals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Trends in Canadian School Finance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atherton, Peter J.

The great similarity between the Canadian and American structures of school finance conceals some fundamental, constitutional, and structural differences that shape the trends in Canadian school finance. First, provincial governments exercise a high degree of centralized control over education and its finance. Second, provincial governments have…

Are Public-Private Partnerships an Appropriate Governance Structure for Power Plants? A Transaction Cost Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, S. Ping; Hsu, Yaowen

2015-04-01

In order to meet the requirements of the rapid economic growth, many countries demand an increasing number of power plants to meet the increasing electricity usage. Since high capital requirements of power plants present a big issue for these countries, PPPs have been considered an alternative to provide power plant infrastructure. In particular, in emerging or developing countries, PPPs may be the fastest way to provide the infrastructure needed. However, while PPPs are a promising alternative to providing various types of infrastructure, many failed power plant PPP projects have made it evident that PPPs, under certain situations, can be very costly or even a wrong choice of governance structure. While the higher efficiency due to better pooling of resources is greatly emphasized in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), the embedded transaction inefficiencies are often understated or even ignored. Through the lens of Transaction Cost Economics (TCE), this paper aims to answer why and when PPPs may become a costly governance structure for power plants. Specifically, we develop a TCE-based theory of PPPs as a governance structure. This theory suggests that three major opportunism problems embedded in infrastructure PPPs are possible to cause substantial transaction costs and render PPPs a costly governance structure. The three main opportunism problems are principal-principal problem, firm's hold-up problem, and government-led hold-up problem. Moreover, project and institutional characteristics that may lead to opportunism problems are identified. Based on these characteristics, an opportunism-focused transaction cost analysis (OTCA) for PPPs as a governance structure is proposed to supplement the current practice of PPP feasibility analysis. As a part of theory development, a case study of PPP power plants is performed to evaluate the proposed theory and to illustrate how the proposed OTCA can be applied in practice. Policies and administration strategies for power plant PPPs are derived based on the proposed theory.

Effective Moment Feature Vectors for Protein Domain Structures

PubMed Central

Shi, Jian-Yu; Yiu, Siu-Ming; Zhang, Yan-Ning; Chin, Francis Yuk-Lun

2013-01-01

Imaging processing techniques have been shown to be useful in studying protein domain structures. The idea is to represent the pairwise distances of any two residues of the structure in a 2D distance matrix (DM). Features and/or submatrices are extracted from this DM to represent a domain. Existing approaches, however, may involve a large number of features (100–400) or complicated mathematical operations. Finding fewer but more effective features is always desirable. In this paper, based on some key observations on DMs, we are able to decompose a DM image into four basic binary images, each representing the structural characteristics of a fundamental secondary structure element (SSE) or a motif in the domain. Using the concept of moments in image processing, we further derive 45 structural features based on the four binary images. Together with 4 features extracted from the basic images, we represent the structure of a domain using 49 features. We show that our feature vectors can represent domain structures effectively in terms of the following. (1) We show a higher accuracy for domain classification. (2) We show a clear and consistent distribution of domains using our proposed structural vector space. (3) We are able to cluster the domains according to our moment features and demonstrate a relationship between structural variation and functional diversity. PMID:24391828

Hill-Climbing search and diversification within an evolutionary approach to protein structure prediction.

PubMed

Chira, Camelia; Horvath, Dragos; Dumitrescu, D

2011-07-30

Proteins are complex structures made of amino acids having a fundamental role in the correct functioning of living cells. The structure of a protein is the result of the protein folding process. However, the general principles that govern the folding of natural proteins into a native structure are unknown. The problem of predicting a protein structure with minimum-energy starting from the unfolded amino acid sequence is a highly complex and important task in molecular and computational biology. Protein structure prediction has important applications in fields such as drug design and disease prediction. The protein structure prediction problem is NP-hard even in simplified lattice protein models. An evolutionary model based on hill-climbing genetic operators is proposed for protein structure prediction in the hydrophobic - polar (HP) model. Problem-specific search operators are implemented and applied using a steepest-ascent hill-climbing approach. Furthermore, the proposed model enforces an explicit diversification stage during the evolution in order to avoid local optimum. The main features of the resulting evolutionary algorithm - hill-climbing mechanism and diversification strategy - are evaluated in a set of numerical experiments for the protein structure prediction problem to assess their impact to the efficiency of the search process. Furthermore, the emerging consolidated model is compared to relevant algorithms from the literature for a set of difficult bidimensional instances from lattice protein models. The results obtained by the proposed algorithm are promising and competitive with those of related methods.

Decoding ecosystem services using a DSRP approach ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization (R2R2R) is a place-based practice that requires ongoing communication amongst agencies, local governments, and citizens. One of the challenges is that each of these entities have different relationships with and responsibilities to sites where R2R2R unfolds. Sediment remediation and habitat restoration project goals, community planning, and lived experiences diverge in scale, focus, and interaction depending on the agency or individual. A DSRP approach can be useful to identify and explain how different individuals and organizations value a space. We applied some Distinctions-Systems-Relationships-Perspectives (DSRP) approach (Cabrera et al., 2015) to develop a framework to sort and classify data and identify ecosystem services collected through inductive methods like participant observation and document analysis. The framework that emerged from the analysis includes neighborhood components that individuals, organizations, and local governments may discuss in the context of their community. The characteristics are a mix of built environment types, structural dimensions, personal experiences, and human-environment relationships and include: parks/open spaces, trails or connections, housing, schools, infrastructure, local businesses, macro-economy, natural features, governmental rules or regulations, demographics/crime statistics/health care facilities, safety, self-determination or participation, identity, social coh

The Governance of Public Libraries: Findings of the PLA Governance of Public Libraries Committee.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scheppke, Jim

1991-01-01

Describes a survey of library development officers in state library agencies that was conducted to investigate the types of governance structures of public libraries. Highlights include consolidation of public library services, public library boards, trends in public library governance, financial support and managerial effectiveness, and…

45 CFR 1304.50 - Program governance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Program governance. 1304.50 Section 1304.50 Public... AGENCIES Program Design and Management § 1304.50 Program governance. (a) Policy Council, Policy Committee... structure of shared governance through which parents can participate in policy making or in other decisions...

45 CFR 1304.50 - Program governance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Program governance. 1304.50 Section 1304.50 Public... AGENCIES Program Design and Management § 1304.50 Program governance. (a) Policy Council, Policy Committee... structure of shared governance through which parents can participate in policy making or in other decisions...

18 CFR 11.2 - Use of government lands.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Government dams or other structures owned by the United States Government) or its other property, will be... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Use of government lands. 11.2 Section 11.2 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION...

18 CFR 11.2 - Use of government lands.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Government dams or other structures owned by the United States Government) or its other property, will be... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Use of government lands. 11.2 Section 11.2 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION...

Harbingers of the Caliphate: Islamic State Revolutionary Actions 2011-2014

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

movements and tribal organizations. This evaluation illuminates the Islamic State’s internal structure and methodology for governing territory to support...and tribal organizations. This evaluation illuminates the Islamic State’s internal structure and methodology for governing territory to support...schools of thought: Theories that recognize structural conditions as the seminal factor leading to revolution, and those that recognize actors and

Tectonic architecture through Landsat-7 ETM+/SRTM DEM-derived lineaments and relationship to the hydrogeologic setting in Siwa region, NW Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoud, Alaa; Koike, Katsuaki

2006-08-01

Fracture zones on the Earth's surface are important elements in the understanding of plate motion forces, the dynamics of the subsurface fluid flow, and earthquake distributions. However, good exposures of these features are always lacking in arid regions, characterized by flat topography and where sand dunes extensively cover the terrain. During field surveys these conditions, in many cases, hinder the proper characterization of such features. Therefore, an approach that identifies the regional fractures as lineaments on remotely-sensed images or shaded digital terrain models, with its large scale synoptic coverage, could be promising. In the present work, a segment tracing algorithm (STA), for lineament detection from Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) imagery, and the data from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) 30 m digital elevation model (DEM), has been applied in the Siwa region, located in the northwest of the Western Desert of Egypt. The objectives are to analyze the spatial variation in orientation of the detected linear features and its relation to the hydrogeologic setting in the area and the underlying geology, and to evaluate the performance of the algorithm applied to the ETM+ and the DEM data. Detailed structural analysis and better understanding of the tectonic evolution of the area could provide useful tools for hydrologists for reliable groundwater management and development planning. The results obtained have been evaluated by the structural analysis of the area and field observations. Four major vertical fracture zones were detected corresponding to two conjugate sets of strike-slip faults that governed the surface, and subsurface environments of the lakes in the region, and these correlate well with the regional tectonics.

Analysis of Three-Dimensional, Nonlinear Development of Wave-Like Structure in a Compressible Round Jet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dahl, Milo D.; Mankbadi, Reda R.

2002-01-01

An analysis of the nonlinear development of the large-scale structures or instability waves in compressible round jets was conducted using the integral energy method. The equations of motion were decomposed into two sets of equations; one set governing the mean flow motion and the other set governing the large-scale structure motion. The equations in each set were then combined to derive kinetic energy equations that were integrated in the radial direction across the jet after the boundary-layer approximations were applied. Following the application of further assumptions regarding the radial shape of the mean flow and the large structures, equations were derived that govern the nonlinear, streamwise development of the large structures. Using numerically generated mean flows, calculations show the energy exchanges and the effects of the initial amplitude on the coherent structure development in the jet.

Hospital board structure: changing form and changing issues.

PubMed

Tregoning, S

2000-01-01

Economic and social pressures are compelling many hospitals to consider their current board structure in an effort to position their hospital to meet changing demands. A national profile of the structures of hospital boards has been compiled from a questionnaire completed by hospital board representatives from both government and non-government sectors. Results show that hospital board structures are a hybrid of both philanthropic and corporate models. New structures may be required to meet future challenges. In developing new structures, consideration should be given to identifying the skills and processes required to undertake board business.

Mental health network governance: comparative analysis across Canadian regions.

PubMed

Wiktorowicz, Mary E; Fleury, Marie-Josée; Adair, Carol E; Lesage, Alain; Goldner, Elliot; Peters, Suzanne

2010-10-26

Modes of governance were compared in ten local mental health networks in diverse contexts (rural/urban and regionalized/non-regionalized) to clarify the governance processes that foster inter-organizational collaboration and the conditions that support them. Case studies of ten local mental health networks were developed using qualitative methods of document review, semi-structured interviews and focus groups that incorporated provincial policy, network and organizational levels of analysis. Mental health networks adopted either a corporate structure, mutual adjustment or an alliance governance model. A corporate structure supported by regionalization offered the most direct means for local governance to attain inter-organizational collaboration. The likelihood that networks with an alliance model developed coordination processes depended on the presence of the following conditions: a moderate number of organizations, goal consensus and trust among the organizations, and network-level competencies. In the small and mid-sized urban networks where these conditions were met their alliance realized the inter-organizational collaboration sought. In the large urban and rural networks where these conditions were not met, externally brokered forms of network governance were required to support alliance based models. In metropolitan and rural networks with such shared forms of network governance as an alliance or voluntary mutual adjustment, external mediation by a regional or provincial authority was an important lever to foster inter-organizational collaboration.

Governing boards and profound organizational change in hospitals.

PubMed

Fennell, M L; Alexander, J A

1989-01-01

Over the past decade the importance of governing boards as policy-making setting and oversight units within organizations has increased dramatically. Although this is true for both corporate- and private-sector organizations (Bacon and Brown 1977; Gelman 1988), it is particularly relevant to the health sector. Hospital governing boards, long considered inconsequential in hospital management, have recently become subject to closer scrutiny. The role of governing boards in decisions affecting hospital strategy and hospital performance is once again a topic of some interest in boardrooms and hospital trade journals. Impressive evidence of the renewed interest in governance is provided by the funding of an instructional consortium by the S.K. Kellogg Foundation to help strengthen trusteeship and governing board decision making, and to improve education for health services managers in the area of governance. Members of the consortium include the Hospital Research and Educational Trust, the American Hospital Association, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the Association for University Programs in Health Administration. Among the activities being undertaken by this consortium is the development of a self-assessment tool/methodology for boards, a bibliography and reference guide on effective governance for practicing trustees, research workshops for faculty in health administration programs, and a teaching guide on governance and trustee leadership. Despite this interest, the question with which we began this article persists. Do governing boards make a difference? In the course of our review of previous work on governance we found that, more often than not, that question has been transformed into: how do boards influence hospital performance? And very often that question has been further narrowed into: which board structure leads to better hospital performance? We have argued for a respecification of the initial question. Rather than pursuing a definition of the maximally performing governing board, we should perhaps shift our focus back to a fuller understanding of board structure and function, and its influence on hospital change. The model developed here combines four essential, and very basic, questions: 1. What are the basic dimensions that underlie structural variation in different types of governing boards? 2. How do these board types influence structural change in hospitals? 3. How is the effect of board influence on change itself likely to change over time as a function of the hospital's general pattern of growth, decline, stability, or instability?(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Legal and Institutional Foundations of Adaptive Environmental Governance

EPA Science Inventory

Legal and institutional structures fundamentally shape opportunities for adaptive governance of environmental resources at multiple ecological and societal scales. Properties of adaptive governance are widely studied. However, these studies have not resulted in consolidated frame...

English Voicing in Dimensional Theory*

PubMed Central

Iverson, Gregory K.; Ahn, Sang-Cheol

2007-01-01

Assuming a framework of privative features, this paper interprets two apparently disparate phenomena in English phonology as structurally related: the lexically specific voicing of fricatives in plural nouns like wives or thieves and the prosodically governed “flapping” of medial /t/ (and /d/) in North American varieties, which we claim is itself not a rule per se, but rather a consequence of the laryngeal weakening of fortis /t/ in interaction with speech-rate determined segmental abbreviation. Taking as our point of departure the Dimensional Theory of laryngeal representation developed by Avery & Idsardi (2001), along with their assumption that English marks voiceless obstruents but not voiced ones (Iverson & Salmons 1995), we find that an unexpected connection between fricative voicing and coronal flapping emerges from the interplay of familiar phonemic and phonetic factors in the phonological system. PMID:18496590

Phosphorylation Reaction in cAPK Protein Kinase - Free Energy Quantum Mechanic/Molecular Mechanics Simulations.

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

Valiev, Marat; Yang, Jie; Adams, Joseph

2007-11-29

Protein kinases catalyze the transfer of the γ-phosphoryl group from ATP, a key regulatory process governing signalling pathways in eukaryotic cells. The structure of the active site in these enzymes is highly conserved implying common catalytic mechanism. In this work we investigate the reaction process in cAPK protein kinase (PKA) using a combined quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics approach. The novel computational features of our work include reaction pathway determination with nudged elastic band methodology and calculation of free energy profiles of the reaction process taking into account finite temperature fluctuations of the protein environment. We find that the transfermore » of the γ-phosphoryl group in the protein environment is an exothermic reaction with the reaction barrier of 15 kcal/mol.« less

Sharper Graph-Theoretical Conditions for the Stabilization of Complex Reaction Networks

PubMed Central

Knight, Daniel; Shinar, Guy; Feinberg, Martin

2015-01-01

Across the landscape of all possible chemical reaction networks there is a surprising degree of stable behavior, despite what might be substantial complexity and nonlinearity in the governing differential equations. At the same time there are reaction networks, in particular those that arise in biology, for which richer behavior is exhibited. Thus, it is of interest to understand network-structural features whose presence enforces dull, stable behavior and whose absence permits the dynamical richness that might be necessary for life. We present conditions on a network’s Species-Reaction Graph that ensure a high degree of stable behavior, so long as the kinetic rate functions satisfy certain weak and natural constraints. These graph-theoretical conditions are considerably more incisive than those reported earlier. PMID:25600138

Governance of Offshore IT Outsourcing at Shell Global Functions IT-BAM Development and Application of a Governance Framework to Improve Outsourcing Relationships

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Jong, Floor; van Hillegersberg, Jos; van Eck, Pascal; van der Kolk, Feiko; Jorissen, Rene

The lack of effective IT governance is widely recognized as a key inhibitor to successful global IT outsourcing relationships. In this study we present the development and application of a governance framework to improve outsourcing relationships. The approach used to developing an IT governance framework includes a meta model and a customization process to fit the framework to the target organization. The IT governance framework consists of four different elements (1) organisational structures, (2) joint processes between in- and outsourcer, (3) responsibilities that link roles to processes and (4) a diverse set of control indicators to measure the success of the relationship. The IT governance framework is put in practice in Shell GFIT BAM, a part of Shell that concluded to have a lack of management control over at least one of their outsourcing relationships. In a workshop the governance framework was used to perform a gap analysis between the current and desired governance. Several gaps were identified in the way roles and responsibilities are assigned and joint processes are set-up. Moreover, this workshop also showed the usefulness and usability of the IT governance framework in structuring, providing input and managing stakeholders in the discussions around IT governance.

Structural features based genome-wide characterization and prediction of nucleosome organization

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Nucleosome distribution along chromatin dictates genomic DNA accessibility and thus profoundly influences gene expression. However, the underlying mechanism of nucleosome formation remains elusive. Here, taking a structural perspective, we systematically explored nucleosome formation potential of genomic sequences and the effect on chromatin organization and gene expression in S. cerevisiae. Results We analyzed twelve structural features related to flexibility, curvature and energy of DNA sequences. The results showed that some structural features such as DNA denaturation, DNA-bending stiffness, Stacking energy, Z-DNA, Propeller twist and free energy, were highly correlated with in vitro and in vivo nucleosome occupancy. Specifically, they can be classified into two classes, one positively and the other negatively correlated with nucleosome occupancy. These two kinds of structural features facilitated nucleosome binding in centromere regions and repressed nucleosome formation in the promoter regions of protein-coding genes to mediate transcriptional regulation. Based on these analyses, we integrated all twelve structural features in a model to predict more accurately nucleosome occupancy in vivo than the existing methods that mainly depend on sequence compositional features. Furthermore, we developed a novel approach, named DLaNe, that located nucleosomes by detecting peaks of structural profiles, and built a meta predictor to integrate information from different structural features. As a comparison, we also constructed a hidden Markov model (HMM) to locate nucleosomes based on the profiles of these structural features. The result showed that the meta DLaNe and HMM-based method performed better than the existing methods, demonstrating the power of these structural features in predicting nucleosome positions. Conclusions Our analysis revealed that DNA structures significantly contribute to nucleosome organization and influence chromatin structure and gene expression regulation. The results indicated that our proposed methods are effective in predicting nucleosome occupancy and positions and that these structural features are highly predictive of nucleosome organization. The implementation of our DLaNe method based on structural features is available online. PMID:22449207

A survey of urban climate change experiments in 100 cities

PubMed Central

Castán Broto, Vanesa; Bulkeley, Harriet

2013-01-01

Cities are key sites where climate change is being addressed. Previous research has largely overlooked the multiplicity of climate change responses emerging outside formal contexts of decision-making and led by actors other than municipal governments. Moreover, existing research has largely focused on case studies of climate change mitigation in developed economies. The objective of this paper is to uncover the heterogeneous mix of actors, settings, governance arrangements and technologies involved in the governance of climate change in cities in different parts of the world. The paper focuses on urban climate change governance as a process of experimentation. Climate change experiments are presented here as interventions to try out new ideas and methods in the context of future uncertainties. They serve to understand how interventions work in practice, in new contexts where they are thought of as innovative. To study experimentation, the paper presents evidence from the analysis of a database of 627 urban climate change experiments in a sample of 100 global cities. The analysis suggests that, since 2005, experimentation is a feature of urban responses to climate change across different world regions and multiple sectors. Although experimentation does not appear to be related to particular kinds of urban economic and social conditions, some of its core features are visible. For example, experimentation tends to focus on energy. Also, both social and technical forms of experimentation are visible, but technical experimentation is more common in urban infrastructure systems. While municipal governments have a critical role in climate change experimentation, they often act alongside other actors and in a variety of forms of partnership. These findings point at experimentation as a key tool to open up new political spaces for governing climate change in the city. PMID:23805029

Analysis of the Governance Structures in Japan's Biosphere Reserves: Perspectives from Bottom-Up and Multilevel Characteristics.

PubMed

Tanaka, Toshinori; Wakamatsu, Nobuhiko

2018-01-01

This paper analyzes the governance structures of Biosphere Reserves (BRs) in Japan by focusing on six criteria that elucidate the main characteristics therein: general information (nomination process, year of designation, size, and population), legal frameworks, stakeholder identification, and decision-making processes (number of municipalities and role of consociation), administrative institutions (human resources, budgetary situation, and expense distribution), executed BR implementation activities, and participatory/collaborative frameworks. This research consists of a literature review, a questionnaire administered to the secretariats of seven existing BRs and follow-up interviews. Three main characteristics of BRs were identified. First, a responsible local government(s) is nominated to manage the BR rather than the central government. Consequently, BR implementation in Japan is led by those municipalities that have strong motivations for regional development using the BR concept. Second, two types of BR governance structures exist in Japan: the single municipality type and the multi-municipality type. All BRs have so called Kyougikai, a consociation for decision-making, consultation and/or collaboration among stakeholders. In the single municipality structure, the consociation includes diverse actors from private and community sectors, while in the multi-municipality structure, consociations are based in more diplomatic settings and only include members of the public sector. Third, gaps between pre/post-Seville BR implementation sites were identified. The motivations for the formation of pre-Seville BRs, which were designated in 1980 in a top-down fashion prior to an awareness of BRs, varied greatly from those BRs nominated by municipalities after 2010. The authors identified fewer administrative resources and activities associated with the pre-Seville sites.

Analysis of the Governance Structures in Japan's Biosphere Reserves: Perspectives from Bottom-Up and Multilevel Characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Toshinori; Wakamatsu, Nobuhiko

2018-01-01

This paper analyzes the governance structures of Biosphere Reserves (BRs) in Japan by focusing on six criteria that elucidate the main characteristics therein: general information (nomination process, year of designation, size, and population), legal frameworks, stakeholder identification, and decision-making processes (number of municipalities and role of consociation), administrative institutions (human resources, budgetary situation, and expense distribution), executed BR implementation activities, and participatory/collaborative frameworks. This research consists of a literature review, a questionnaire administered to the secretariats of seven existing BRs and follow-up interviews. Three main characteristics of BRs were identified. First, a responsible local government(s) is nominated to manage the BR rather than the central government. Consequently, BR implementation in Japan is led by those municipalities that have strong motivations for regional development using the BR concept. Second, two types of BR governance structures exist in Japan: the single municipality type and the multi-municipality type. All BRs have so called Kyougikai, a consociation for decision-making, consultation and/or collaboration among stakeholders. In the single municipality structure, the consociation includes diverse actors from private and community sectors, while in the multi-municipality structure, consociations are based in more diplomatic settings and only include members of the public sector. Third, gaps between pre/post-Seville BR implementation sites were identified. The motivations for the formation of pre-Seville BRs, which were designated in 1980 in a top-down fashion prior to an awareness of BRs, varied greatly from those BRs nominated by municipalities after 2010. The authors identified fewer administrative resources and activities associated with the pre-Seville sites.

IVI governance structure : enabling research and development

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-11-01

This Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) Governance Model is comprised of four programs. The first is "Enabling Research and Development", designed to provide a forum for industry and government to establish, prioritize, and evaluate IVI goals and r...

Informal Institutional Responses to Government Interventions: Lessons from Madhupur National Park, Bangladesh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, H. M. Tuihedur; Sarker, Swapan Kumar; Hickey, Gordon M.; Mohasinul Haque, M.; Das, Niamjit

2014-11-01

Madhupur National Park is renowned for severe resource ownership conflicts between ethnic communities and government authorities in Bangladesh. In this study, we applied the Institutional Analysis and Development framework to identify: (i) past and present informal institutional structures within the ethnic Garo community for land resource management; (ii) the origin of the land ownership dispute; (iii) interaction mechanisms between formal and informal institutions; and (iv) change in land management authority and informal governance structures. We identify that the informal institutions of the traditional community have undergone radical change due to government interventions with implications for the regulation of land use, informal institutional functions, and joint-decision-making. Importantly, the government's persistent denial of the role of existing informal institutions is widening the gap between government and community actors, and driving land ownership conflicts in a cyclic way with associated natural resource degradation.

Informal institutional responses to government interventions: lessons from Madhupur National Park, Bangladesh.

PubMed

Rahman, H M Tuihedur; Sarker, Swapan Kumar; Hickey, Gordon M; Mohasinul Haque, M; Das, Niamjit

2014-11-01

Madhupur National Park is renowned for severe resource ownership conflicts between ethnic communities and government authorities in Bangladesh. In this study, we applied the Institutional Analysis and Development framework to identify: (i) past and present informal institutional structures within the ethnic Garo community for land resource management; (ii) the origin of the land ownership dispute; (iii) interaction mechanisms between formal and informal institutions; and (iv) change in land management authority and informal governance structures. We identify that the informal institutions of the traditional community have undergone radical change due to government interventions with implications for the regulation of land use, informal institutional functions, and joint-decision-making. Importantly, the government's persistent denial of the role of existing informal institutions is widening the gap between government and community actors, and driving land ownership conflicts in a cyclic way with associated natural resource degradation.

Multiple Facets of Candidate Image Structure: Effects of the McGovern Television Biography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atwood, L. Erwin; And Others

In this comparison of the political "images" of Richard Nixon and George McGovern, public opinion data were collected on President Nixon in 1968 and 1972 and on Senator McGovern in 1972 just before and just after the television broadcast of the biography of McGovern. Changes in political attitudes toward Nixon and McGovern as a result of…

Feature-to-Feature Inference Under Conditions of Cue Restriction and Dimensional Correlation.

PubMed

Lancaster, Matthew E; Homa, Donald

2017-01-01

The present study explored feature-to-feature and label-to-feature inference in a category task for different category structures. In the correlated condition, each of the 4 dimensions comprising the category was positively correlated to each other and to the category label. In the uncorrelated condition, no correlation existed between the 4 dimensions comprising the category, although the dimension to category label correlation matched that of the correlated condition. After learning, participants made inference judgments of a missing feature, given 1, 2, or 3 feature cues; on half the trials, the category label was also included as a cue. The results showed superior inference of features following training on the correlated structure, with accurate inference when only a single feature was presented. In contrast, a single-feature cue resulted in chance levels of inference for the uncorrelated structure. Feature inference systematically improved with number of cues after training on the correlated structure. Surprisingly, a similar outcome was obtained for the uncorrelated structure, an outcome that must have reflected mediation via the category label. A descriptive model is briefly introduced to explain the results, with a suggestion that this paradigm might be profitably extended to hierarchical structures where the levels of feature-to-feature inference might vary with the depth of the hierarchy.

Novel chromatin texture features for the classification of pap smears

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bejnordi, Babak E.; Moshavegh, Ramin; Sujathan, K.; Malm, Patrik; Bengtsson, Ewert; Mehnert, Andrew

2013-03-01

This paper presents a set of novel structural texture features for quantifying nuclear chromatin patterns in cells on a conventional Pap smear. The features are derived from an initial segmentation of the chromatin into bloblike texture primitives. The results of a comprehensive feature selection experiment, including the set of proposed structural texture features and a range of different cytology features drawn from the literature, show that two of the four top ranking features are structural texture features. They also show that a combination of structural and conventional features yields a classification performance of 0.954±0.019 (AUC±SE) for the discrimination of normal (NILM) and abnormal (LSIL and HSIL) slides. The results of a second classification experiment, using only normal-appearing cells from both normal and abnormal slides, demonstrates that a single structural texture feature measuring chromatin margination yields a classification performance of 0.815±0.019. Overall the results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed structural approach and that it is possible to detect malignancy associated changes (MACs) in Papanicoloau stain.

One stop or full stop? The continuing challenges for researchers despite the new streamlined NHS research governance process.

PubMed

Thompson, Andrew G H; France, Emma F

2010-05-13

Obtaining the necessary approvals and permission for clinical research requires successful negotiation of the ethical and R&D layers of the NHS. Differences in structure and governance frameworks feature between the constituent nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), which adds complexity to cross-national studies. Difficulties in carrying out research in the NHS in the UK due to bureaucratic and time-consuming governance processes have led to the development of a new system of application and co-ordination from 2009. This paper illustrates how this new system fails to be consistent and streamlined and is unlikely to become so unless changes are made to the implementation and management of the governance processes. We present a case study of the research governance process at the survey stage of an investigation into the use, preferences and need for information by people making choices or decisions about health care. The method involved home-based, face-to-face interviewing in a questionnaire survey in relation to decisions about lymphoma treatment, Down's syndrome screening in pregnancy, and caring for people with dementia. Our experience of the ethics stage was very positive, noting an efficient process of application and a speedy decision, both in relation to the initial application and to subsequent substantial amendments. By contrast, the R&D stages were very slow, most with unexplained delays, but some offering contradictory advice and exhibiting a lack of clear guidance and training for NHS staff. The R&D arrangements in Scotland were far quicker and more likely to be successful than in England. Overall, the delays were so severe that substantial parts of the research could not be delivered as planned within the funding timescale. If high-quality research in the NHS, particularly in England, is to be delivered in a timely and cost-effective way, R&D processes for gaining research governance approval need improvement. Attention is needed in process implementation and management, particularly in relation to staff training, as well as clarity in guidance and communication within and between organisations.

One stop or full stop? The continuing challenges for researchers despite the new streamlined NHS research governance process

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Obtaining the necessary approvals and permission for clinical research requires successful negotiation of the ethical and R&D layers of the NHS. Differences in structure and governance frameworks feature between the constituent nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), which adds complexity to cross-national studies. Difficulties in carrying out research in the NHS in the UK due to bureaucratic and time-consuming governance processes have led to the development of a new system of application and co-ordination from 2009. This paper illustrates how this new system fails to be consistent and streamlined and is unlikely to become so unless changes are made to the implementation and management of the governance processes. Methods We present a case study of the research governance process at the survey stage of an investigation into the use, preferences and need for information by people making choices or decisions about health care. The method involved home-based, face-to-face interviewing in a questionnaire survey in relation to decisions about lymphoma treatment, Down's syndrome screening in pregnancy, and caring for people with dementia. Results Our experience of the ethics stage was very positive, noting an efficient process of application and a speedy decision, both in relation to the initial application and to subsequent substantial amendments. By contrast, the R&D stages were very slow, most with unexplained delays, but some offering contradictory advice and exhibiting a lack of clear guidance and training for NHS staff. The R&D arrangements in Scotland were far quicker and more likely to be successful than in England. Overall, the delays were so severe that substantial parts of the research could not be delivered as planned within the funding timescale. Conclusions If high-quality research in the NHS, particularly in England, is to be delivered in a timely and cost-effective way, R&D processes for gaining research governance approval need improvement. Attention is needed in process implementation and management, particularly in relation to staff training, as well as clarity in guidance and communication within and between organisations. PMID:20465819

Morphology and mechanical properties of multi-stranded amyloid fibrils probed by atomistic and coarse-grained simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Gwonchan; Lee, Myeongsang; Kim, Kyungwoo; In Kim, Jae; Chang, Hyun Joon; Baek, Inchul; Eom, Kilho; Na, Sungsoo

2015-12-01

Amyloid fibrils are responsible for pathogenesis of various diseases and exhibit the structural feature of an ordered, hierarchical structure such as multi-stranded helical structure. As the multi-strandedness of amyloid fibrils has recently been found to be highly correlated with their toxicity and infectivity, it is necessary to study how the hierarchical (i.e. multi-stranded) structure of amyloid fibril is formed. Moreover, although it has recently been reported that the nanomechanics of amyloid proteins plays a key role on the amyloid-induced pathogenesis, a critical role that the multi-stranded helical structure of the fibrils plays in their nanomechanical properties has not fully characterized. In this work, we characterize the morphology and mechanical properties of multi-stranded amyloid fibrils by using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation and elastic network model. It is shown that the helical pitch of multi-stranded amyloid fibril is linearly proportional to the number of filaments comprising the amyloid fibril, and that multi-strandedness gives rise to improving the bending rigidity of the fibril. Moreover, we have also studied the morphology and mechanical properties of a single protofilament (filament) in order to understand the effect of cross-β structure and mutation on the structures and mechanical properties of amyloid fibrils. Our study sheds light on the underlying design principles showing how the multi-stranded amyloid fibril is formed and how the structure of amyloid fibrils governs their nanomechanical properties.

Political Governance and Conflict Management: Why Developing Polities and the Poor Need a Stronger State Structure?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forje, John W.

2006-01-01

Political governance and quality management are often contested concepts, meaning different things to different people; and often their meanings have shifted historically. The collapse of the governance system behind the iron curtain countries triggered an avalanche in international politics and instituted new governance and management system to…

Integrated care reform in urban China: a qualitative study on design, supporting environment and implementation.

PubMed

Qian, Yi; Hou, Zhiyuan; Wang, Wei; Zhang, Donglan; Yan, Fei

2017-10-25

Initiatives on integrated care between hospitals and community health centers (CHCs) have been introduced to transform the current fragmented health care delivery system into an integrated system in China. Up to date no research has analyzed in-depth the experiences of these initiatives based on perspectives from various stakeholders. This study analyzed the integrated care pilot in Hangzhou City by investigating stakeholders' perspectives on its design features and supporting environment, their acceptability of this pilot, and further identifying the enabling and constraining factors that may influence the implementation of the integrated care reform. The qualitative study was carried out based on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 50 key informants who were involved in the policy-making process and implementation. Relevant policy documents were also collected for analysis. The pilot in Hangzhou was established as a CHC-led delivery system based on cooperation agreement between CHCs and hospitals to deliver primary and specialty care together for patients with chronic diseases. An innovative learning-from-practice mentorship system between specialists and general practitioners was also introduced to solve the poor capacity of general practitioners. The design of the pilot, its governance and organizational structure and human resources were enabling factors, which facilitated the integrated care reform. However, the main constraining factors were a lack of an integrated payment mechanism from health insurance and a lack of tailored information system to ensure its sustainability. The integrated care pilot in Hangzhou enabled CHCs to play as gate-keeper and care coordinator for the full continuum of services across the health care providers. The government put integrated care a priority, and constructed an efficient design, governance and organizational structure to enable its implementation. Health insurance should play a proactive role, and adopt a shared financial incentive system to support integrated care across providers in the future.

Subsidized health insurance coverage of people in the informal sector and vulnerable population groups: trends in institutional design in Asia.

PubMed

Vilcu, Ileana; Probst, Lilli; Dorjsuren, Bayarsaikhan; Mathauer, Inke

2016-10-04

Many low- and middle-income countries with a social health insurance system face challenges on their road towards universal health coverage (UHC), especially for people in the informal sector and vulnerable population groups or the informally employed. One way to address this is to subsidize their contributions through general government revenue transfers to the health insurance fund. This paper provides an overview of such health financing arrangements in Asian low- and middle-income countries. The purpose is to assess the institutional design features of government subsidized health insurance type arrangements for vulnerable and informally employed population groups and to explore how these features contribute to UHC progress. This regional study is based on a literature search to collect country information on the specific institutional design features of such subsidization arrangements and data related to UHC progress indicators, i.e. population coverage, financial protection and access to care. The institutional design analysis focuses on eligibility rules, targeting and enrolment procedures; financing arrangements; the pooling architecture; and benefit entitlements. Such financing arrangements currently exist in 8 countries with a total of 14 subsidization schemes. The most frequent groups covered are the poor, older persons and children. Membership in these arrangements is mostly mandatory as is full subsidization. An integrated pool for both the subsidized and the contributors exists in half of the countries, which is one of the most decisive features for equitable access and financial protection. Nonetheless, in most schemes, utilization rates of the subsidized are higher compared to the uninsured, but still lower compared to insured formal sector employees. Total population coverage rates, as well as a higher share of the subsidized in the total insured population are related with broader eligibility criteria. Overall, government subsidized health insurance type arrangements can be effective mechanism to help countries progress towards UHC, yet there is potential to improve on institutional design features as well as implementation.

Goals of Government-Funded Public Domain Software Efforts

PubMed Central

Rishel, Wesley J.

1980-01-01

The development of public domain software under Federal aegis and support has made possible a broadly competitive field of computer - oriented management information system consulting organizations with high technical competence and the potential for strong user orientation and loyalty. The impact of this assumption of major “front-end costs” by the Federal government has additional spin-off effects in terms of standardization and transportability features as well as reduced capital costs to the user.

Activity and conformation of lysozyme in molecular solvents, protic ionic liquids (PILs) and salt-water systems.

PubMed

Wijaya, Emmy C; Separovic, Frances; Drummond, Calum J; Greaves, Tamar L

2016-09-21

Improving protein stabilisation is important for the further development of many applications in the pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, consumer product and agricultural sectors. However, protein stabilization is highly dependent on the solvent environment and, hence, it is very complex to tailor protein-solvent combinations for stable protein maintenance. Understanding solvent features that govern protein stabilization will enable selection or design of suitable media with favourable solution environments to retain protein native conformation. In this work the structural conformation and activity of lysozyme in 29 solvent systems were investigated to determine the role of various solvent features on the stability of the enzyme. The solvent systems consisted of 19 low molecular weight polar solvents and 4 protic ionic liquids (PILs), both at different water content levels, and 6 aqueous salt solutions. Small angle X-ray scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to investigate the tertiary and secondary structure of lysozyme along with the corresponding activity in various solvation systems. At low non-aqueous solvent concentrations (high water content), the presence of solvents and salts generally maintained lysozyme in its native structure and enhanced its activity. Due to the presence of a net surface charge on lysozyme, electrostatic interactions in PIL-water systems and salt solutions enhanced lysozyme activity more than the specific hydrogen-bond interactions present in non-ionic molecular solvents. At higher solvent concentrations (lower water content), solvents with a propensity to exhibit the solvophobic effect, analogous to the hydrophobic effect in water, retained lysozyme native conformation and activity. This solvophobic effect was observed particularly for solvents which contained hydroxyl moieties. Preferential solvophobic effects along with bulky chemical structures were postulated to result in less competition with water at the specific hydration layer around the protein, thus reducing protein-solvent interactions and retaining lysozyme's native conformation. The structure-property links established in this study are considered to be applicable to other proteins.

Another Milestone Day in AGU's History

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enderlein, Cheryl

2010-09-01

The AGU Board of Directors held its first board meeting on 20-21 September 2010 in Washington, D. C. The meeting, chaired by President Michael McPhaden, marked another step forward in implementing AGU's new governance structure and strategic direction. The agenda included ongoing organizational business, high-level strategic discussions, and opportunities for Board development. In the new governance structure, the Board is responsible for governing the business aspects of AGU, while the Council is responsible for governing scientific affairs. The strategic plan guides both governing groups, staff, and other membership groups by providing clear goals and objectives. Of the 28 objectives in the AGU strategic plan, the volunteer and staff leadership identified eight as priorities. The priority objectives are listed in the diagram to the right, which is also posted on the AGU Web site.

ISST (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Silo Superhardening Technology) Structure with SIFCON (Slurry-Infiltrated Fiber Concrete) - HFC-2 Test

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

Government-related pro- curement, the United States Government incurs no responsibility or any obli -j gation whatsoever. The fact that the Government...Arizona. NIIERI then began a program to deveiop a slurry mix design for use in the structure, as well as construction techniques for placing the SIFCON in...OBJECTIVES 3 II CONSTRUCTION AND FIELDING OPERATIONS 4 INTRODUCTION 4 I DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM 4 Introduct ion 4 Procedure 4 Results 7 $ DESIGN 7 I ntrod uc

Features of primary health care teams associated with successful quality improvement of diabetes care: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Stevenson, K; Baker, R; Farooqi, A; Sorrie, R; Khunti, K

2001-02-01

In quality improvement activities such as audit, some general practices succeed in improving care and some do not. With audit of care likely to be one of the major tools in clinical governance, it would be helpful to establish what features of primary health care teams are associated with successful audit in general practice. The aim of the present study was to identify those features of primary health care teams that were associated with successful quality improvement during systematic audit of diabetes care. Semi-structured tape-recorded interviews were carried out with lead GPs and practice nurses in 18 general practices in Leicestershire that had the opportunity to improve their care and had completed two data collections in a multipractice audit of diabetes care. The interviewees were asked to describe their practice's approach to audit and the transcripts were coded for common features and judged for strength of feeling by blinded independent raters. Features common to practices that had, and those that had not, managed to improve diabetes care were identified. Six features were identified reliably in the transcripts by blinded independent raters. Four were significantly associated with the successful improvement of care. Success was more likely in teams in which: the GP or nurse felt personally involved in the audit; they perceived their teamwork as good; they had recognized the need for systematic plans to address obstacles to quality improvement; and their teams had a positive attitude to continued monitoring of care. A positive attitude to audit and a personal interest in the disease were not associated with improvement in care. Success in improving diabetes care is associated with certain organizational features of primary health care teams. Experimental studies are required to determine whether the development of teamwork enables practice teams to identify and overcome systematically the obstacles to improved quality of patient care that face them.

Do governance choices matter in health care networks?: an exploratory configuration study of health care networks.

PubMed

Willem, Annick; Gemmel, Paul

2013-06-24

Health care networks are widely used and accepted as an organizational form that enables integrated care as well as dealing with complex matters in health care. However, research on the governance of health care networks lags behind. The research aim of our study is to explore the type and importance of governance structure and governance mechanisms for network effectiveness. The study has a multiple case study design and covers 22 health care networks. Using a configuration view, combinations of network governance and other network characteristics were studied on the level of the network. Based on interview and questionnaire data, network characteristics were identified and patterns in the data looked for. Neither a dominant (or optimal) governance structure or mechanism nor a perfect fit among governance and other characteristics were revealed, but a number of characteristics that need further study might be related to effective networks such as the role of governmental agencies, legitimacy, and relational, hierarchical, and contractual governance mechanisms as complementary factors. Although the results emphasize the situational character of network governance and effectiveness, they give practitioners in the health care sector indications of which factors might be more or less crucial for network effectiveness.

Settlement Patterns and the Governing Structures of 19th Century School Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richardson, John G.

Examination of state school governance structures in the late 19th century reveals three regional models, each springing from particular patterns of settlement and political administration. Historical explanations for school system origins have drawn mainly on the histories of northeastern cities and states. They have underemphasized regional…

Federal Funds and State Interests: A Proposal for Governing the NAEP.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doyle, Denis P.

1983-01-01

Informational, diagnostic, prescriptive functions of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are best served by governance structure composed of federal, state, and local members and a standing technical advisory board. Structure protects NAEP from undue federal influence and special interest groups, builds bridges to educators and…

18 CFR 375.308 - Delegations to the Director of the Office of Energy Projects.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... the Federal Power Act, where no substantive changes in ownership, corporate structure or domicile, or... government dams or other structures billed to licensees each year for contractual payments for the... resources projects submitted by other agencies of the Federal government for Commission review or comment...

Impact of Information Technology Governance Structures on Strategic Alignment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Fitzroy R.

2013-01-01

This dissertation is a study of the relationship between Information Technology (IT) strategic alignment and IT governance structure within the organization. This dissertation replicates Asante (2010) among a different population where the prior results continue to hold, the non-experimental approach explored two research questions but include two…

How to research cancer

MedlinePlus

... medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000927.htm How to research cancer To use the sharing features on this ... to government sources and medical associations. They provide research-based, up-to-date information about all types ...

Was Part D a giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry?

PubMed

Newhouse, Joseph P; Seiguer, Erica; Frank, Richard G

2007-01-01

The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) prohibited the government from negotiating drug prices, a feature that the act's critics characterize as a giveaway to the drug industry. Instead of the government negotiating to keep prices down, the act relies on competition among drug companies to obtain business from private insurers; yet, competition cannot be effective when there are no close clinical substitutes. In the past few years, the rate of introduction of first-in-class drugs has been low; if this continues, the prohibition on negotiation may be only a minor problem. However, if the prior rate of introduction resumes, the government may find itself with unacceptable expenditure levels.

What determines direction of asymmetry: genes, environment or chance?

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Conspicuous asymmetries seen in many animals and plants offer diverse opportunities to test how the development of a similar morphological feature has evolved in wildly different types of organisms. One key question is: do common rules govern how direction of asymmetry is determined (symmetry is broken) during ontogeny to yield an asymmetrical individual? Examples from numerous organisms illustrate how diverse this process is. These examples also provide some surprising answers to related questions. Is direction of asymmetry in an individual determined by genes, environment or chance? Is direction of asymmetry determined locally (structure by structure) or globally (at the level of the whole body)? Does direction of asymmetry persist when an asymmetrical structure regenerates following autotomy? The answers vary greatly for asymmetries as diverse as gastropod coiling direction, flatfish eye side, crossbill finch bill crossing, asymmetrical claws in shrimp, lobsters and crabs, katydid sound-producing structures, earwig penises and various plant asymmetries. Several examples also reveal how stochastic asymmetry in mollusc and crustacean early cleavage, in Drosophila oogenesis, and in Caenorhabditis elegans epidermal blast cell movement, is a normal component of deterministic development. Collectively, these examples shed light on the role of genes as leaders or followers in evolution. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Provocative questions in left–right asymmetry’. PMID:27821528

The organization of scientists and its relation to scientific productivity: Perceptions of Chinese stem cell researchers

PubMed Central

Zhang, Joy Yueyue

2013-01-01

Chinese government funding of R&D ranks third in the world. Yet China ranks only 17th in terms of scientific productivity per unit of investment. The author recently conducted fieldwork on the team structure of 22 Chinese stem cell research groups. Interview data suggest that although Chinese research groups closely resemble their international counter-parts in many respects, there are also significant differences which are perceived by interviewees to affect levels of scientific productivity. One characteristic of Chinese research teams is a common deficiency in middle-layer positions. This shortage of experienced professionals is perceived by scientists participating in this study to have led to two consequences. First, inexperienced student researchers often form the backbone of scientific teams in China, which leads to frequent interruptions of research and extended laboratory training. Second, research teams consist of a relatively small number of personnel. These structural features are seen to create excessive social boundaries, which impede the exchange of information and further worsens the segmentation of resources. This article engages the question of the extent to which interviewees’ local ‘embedded’ understandings of these difficulties may make a productive contribution to the analysis of the structural, and infra-structural, organization of Chinese professional bioscience teams. PMID:24143153

Multiscale Magnetic Underdense Regions on the Solar Surface: Granular and Mesogranular Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berrilli, F.; Scardigli, S.; Giordano, S.

2013-02-01

The Sun is a non-equilibrium, dissipative system subject to an energy flow that originates in its core. Convective overshooting motions create temperature and velocity structures that show a temporal and spatial multiscale evolution. As a result, photospheric structures are generally considered to be a direct manifestation of convective plasma motions. The plasma flows in the photosphere govern the motion of single magnetic elements. These elements are arranged in typical patterns, which are observed as a variety of multiscale magnetic patterns. High-resolution magnetograms of the quiet solar surface revealed the presence of multiscale magnetic underdense regions in the solar photosphere, commonly called voids, which may be considered to be a signature of the underlying convective structure. The analysis of such patterns paves the way for the investigation of all turbulent convective scales, from granular to global. In order to address the question of magnetic structures driven by turbulent convection at granular and mesogranular scales, we used a voids-detection method. The computed distribution of void length scales shows an exponential behavior at scales between 2 and 10 Mm and the absence of features at mesogranular scales. The absence of preferred scales of organization in the 2 - 10 Mm range supports the multiscale nature of flows on the solar surface and the absence of a mesogranular convective scale.

Electronic structure of dense Pb overlayers on Si(111) investigated using angle-resolved photoemission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, W. H.; Koh, H.; Rotenberg, E.; Yeom, H. W.

2007-02-01

Dense Pb overlayers on Si(111) are important as the wetting layer for anomalous Pb island growth as well as for their own complex “devil’s-staircase” phases. The electronic structures of dense Pb overlayers on Si(111) were investigated in detail by angle-resolved photoemission. Among the series of ordered phases found recently above one monolayer, the low-coverage 7×3 and the high-coverage 14×3 phases are studied; they are well ordered and form reproducibly in large areas. The band dispersions and Fermi surfaces of the two-dimensional (2D) electronic states of these overlayers are mapped out. A number of metallic surface-state bands are identified for both phases with complex Fermi contours. The basic features of the observed Fermi contours can be explained by overlapping 2D free-electron-like Fermi circles. This analysis reveals that the 2D electrons near the Fermi level of the 7×3 and 14×3 phases are mainly governed by strong 1×1 and 3×3 potentials, respectively. The origins of the 2D electronic states and their apparent Fermi surface shapes are discussed based on recent structure models.

Predicting laser weld reliability with stochastic reduced-order models. Predicting laser weld reliability

DOE PAGES

Emery, John M.; Field, Richard V.; Foulk, James W.; ...

2015-05-26

Laser welds are prevalent in complex engineering systems and they frequently govern failure. The weld process often results in partial penetration of the base metals, leaving sharp crack-like features with a high degree of variability in the geometry and material properties of the welded structure. Furthermore, accurate finite element predictions of the structural reliability of components containing laser welds requires the analysis of a large number of finite element meshes with very fine spatial resolution, where each mesh has different geometry and/or material properties in the welded region to address variability. We found that traditional modeling approaches could not bemore » efficiently employed. Consequently, a method is presented for constructing a surrogate model, based on stochastic reduced-order models, and is proposed to represent the laser welds within the component. Here, the uncertainty in weld microstructure and geometry is captured by calibrating plasticity parameters to experimental observations of necking as, because of the ductility of the welds, necking – and thus peak load – plays the pivotal role in structural failure. The proposed method is exercised for a simplified verification problem and compared with the traditional Monte Carlo simulation with rather remarkable results.« less

School Governance in Switzerland: Tensions between New Roles and Old Traditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huber, Stephan Gerhard

2011-01-01

This article analyses school governance in Switzerland. It elaborates on the different actors involved, their roles and functions, and how these change as school governance in the cantons changes. Quality management is identified as a core activity at all levels and for all actors involved in school governance. In these re-structuring processes,…

Bringing Democratic Governance into Practice: Policy Enactments Responding to Neoliberal Governance in Spanish Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prieto-Flores, Òscar; Feu, Jordi; Serra, Carles; Lázaro, Laura

2018-01-01

This article explores different ways in which public primary schools sustain democratic governance structures created beyond those mandated by law in Spain. These new institutional designs, while not opposed to policy text requirements of having a governing body with representatives of parents, teachers and public administration, are being carried…

County Government in Georgia [And] Teacher's Manual for County Government in Georgia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hepburn, Mary A.

The student textbook and the teacher's manual focus on the services, organization, and funding of county government in Georgia. Designed to be used over a three to six week period, the textbook is arranged into six chapters. Chapter one discusses county government, its services, and its structure. Chapter two focuses on county officials and their…

Nuevos patrones en el gobierno de los colegios (New Patterns of School Governance). ERIC Digest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Renchler, Ron

This digest in Spanish explains why public-school governance is receiving increasing scrutiny. It identifies who is held accountable for results in the current governance system and describes recent proposals for transforming governance structures. Since many reforms of the past decade bypassed the school board and district office, reformers are…

Exploring the Complex Interaction between Governance and Knowledge in Education. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 67

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fazekas, Mihaly; Burns, Tracey

2012-01-01

Governments in all Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries are facing the challenge of governing increasingly complex education systems. There is a growing need for governance structures that can handle this complexity and which can provide actors with the knowledge they need to make decisions. This working paper…

Mental health network governance: comparative analysis across Canadian regions

PubMed Central

Wiktorowicz, Mary E; Fleury, Marie-Josée; Adair, Carol E; Lesage, Alain; Goldner, Elliot; Peters, Suzanne

2010-01-01

Objective Modes of governance were compared in ten local mental health networks in diverse contexts (rural/urban and regionalized/non-regionalized) to clarify the governance processes that foster inter-organizational collaboration and the conditions that support them. Methods Case studies of ten local mental health networks were developed using qualitative methods of document review, semi-structured interviews and focus groups that incorporated provincial policy, network and organizational levels of analysis. Results Mental health networks adopted either a corporate structure, mutual adjustment or an alliance governance model. A corporate structure supported by regionalization offered the most direct means for local governance to attain inter-organizational collaboration. The likelihood that networks with an alliance model developed coordination processes depended on the presence of the following conditions: a moderate number of organizations, goal consensus and trust among the organizations, and network-level competencies. In the small and mid-sized urban networks where these conditions were met their alliance realized the inter-organizational collaboration sought. In the large urban and rural networks where these conditions were not met, externally brokered forms of network governance were required to support alliance based models. Discussion In metropolitan and rural networks with such shared forms of network governance as an alliance or voluntary mutual adjustment, external mediation by a regional or provincial authority was an important lever to foster inter-organizational collaboration. PMID:21289999

Analysis of TRMM-LIS Lightning and Related Microphysics Using a Cell-Scale Database

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leroy, Anita; Petersen, Walter A.

2010-01-01

Previous studies of tropical lightning activity using Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) data performed analyses of lightning behavior over mesoscale "feature" scales or over uniform grids. In order to study lightning and the governing ice microphysics intrinsic to thunderstorms at a more process-specific scale (i.e., the scale over which electrification processes and lightning occur in a "unit" thunderstorm), a new convective cell-scale database was developed by analyzing and refining the University of Utah's Precipitation Features database and retaining precipitation data parameters computed from the TRMM precipitation radar (PR), microwave imager (TMI) and LIS instruments. The resulting data base was to conduct a limited four-year study of tropical continental convection occurring over the Amazon Basin, Congo, Maritime Continent and the western Pacific Ocean. The analysis reveals expected strong correlations between lightning flash counts per cell and ice proxies, such as ice water path, minimum and average 85GHz brightness temperatures, and 18dBz echo top heights above the freezing level in all regimes, as well as regime-specific relationships between lighting flash counts and PR-derived surface rainfall rates. Additionally, radar CFADs were used to partition the 3D structure of cells in each regime at different flash counts. The resulting cell-scale analyses are compared to previous mesoscale feature and gridded studies wherever possible.

[The regionalized healthcare network in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, from 2011 to 2015: governance system and oral healthcare].

PubMed

Godoi, Heloisa; Andrade, Selma Regina de; Mello, Ana Lúcia Schaefer Ferreira de

2017-09-28

: The objective was to describe the governance system used in structuring the regionalized healthcare network in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, based on the Bipartite Inter-Managerial Commission (CIB), with a focus on structuring of oral healthcare. This was a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive documental study, based on the foundations of governance as an analytical tool through identification of the dimensions actors, norms, nodal points, and processes. Secondary data were collected from the minutes of CIB meetings held from January 2011 to December 2015. The analysis shows weaknesses in CIB governance in Santa Catarina in relation to regionalized structuring of oral healthcare from a network perspective. Structuring of oral healthcare occurs in parallel to that of other thematic networks in the state and shows the expansion of dental services, especially those with medium complexity, as an effect of the prevailing governance process. The relations established between administrators and decision-making processes allowed recognizing this network's "prescription", since there is little negotiation and local demand, limited more to following recommendations and incentives from the federal/state sphere, intermediated by staff from the State Health Secretariat. Thus, setting a policy agenda for oral healthcare for the population of Santa Catarina is weakened, with a peripheral position in relation to other health programs.

Evolving polycentric governance of the Great Barrier Reef

PubMed Central

Morrison, Tiffany H.

2017-01-01

A growing field of sustainability science examines how environments are transformed through polycentric governance. However, many studies are only snapshot analyses of the initial design or the emergent structure of polycentric regimes. There is less systematic analysis of the longitudinal robustness of polycentric regimes. The problem of robustness is approached by focusing not only on the structure of a regime but also on its context and effectiveness. These dimensions are examined through a longitudinal analysis of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) governance regime, drawing on in-depth interviews and demographic, economic, and employment data, as well as organizational records and participant observation. Between 1975 and 2011, the GBR regime evolved into a robust polycentric structure as evident in an established set of multiactor, multilevel arrangements addressing marine, terrestrial, and global threats. However, from 2005 onward, multiscale drivers precipitated at least 10 types of regime change, ranging from contextual change that encouraged regime drift to deliberate changes that threatened regime conversion. More recently, regime realignment also has occurred in response to steering by international organizations and shocks such as the 2016 mass coral-bleaching event. The results show that structural density and stability in a governance regime can coexist with major changes in that regime’s context and effectiveness. Clear analysis of the vulnerability of polycentric governance to both diminishing effectiveness and the masking effects of increasing complexity provides sustainability science and governance actors with a stronger basis to understand and respond to regime change. PMID:28348238

Evolving polycentric governance of the Great Barrier Reef.

PubMed

Morrison, Tiffany H

2017-04-11

A growing field of sustainability science examines how environments are transformed through polycentric governance. However, many studies are only snapshot analyses of the initial design or the emergent structure of polycentric regimes. There is less systematic analysis of the longitudinal robustness of polycentric regimes. The problem of robustness is approached by focusing not only on the structure of a regime but also on its context and effectiveness. These dimensions are examined through a longitudinal analysis of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) governance regime, drawing on in-depth interviews and demographic, economic, and employment data, as well as organizational records and participant observation. Between 1975 and 2011, the GBR regime evolved into a robust polycentric structure as evident in an established set of multiactor, multilevel arrangements addressing marine, terrestrial, and global threats. However, from 2005 onward, multiscale drivers precipitated at least 10 types of regime change, ranging from contextual change that encouraged regime drift to deliberate changes that threatened regime conversion. More recently, regime realignment also has occurred in response to steering by international organizations and shocks such as the 2016 mass coral-bleaching event. The results show that structural density and stability in a governance regime can coexist with major changes in that regime's context and effectiveness. Clear analysis of the vulnerability of polycentric governance to both diminishing effectiveness and the masking effects of increasing complexity provides sustainability science and governance actors with a stronger basis to understand and respond to regime change.

Space strategy and governance of ESA small member states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagath, Daniel; Papadimitriou, Angeliki; Adriaensen, Maarten; Giannopapa, Christina

2018-01-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) has twenty-two Member States with a variety of governance structures and strategic priorities regarding their space activities. The objective of this paper is to provide an up-to date overview and a holistic assessment of the national space governance structures and strategic priorities of the eleven smaller Member States (based on annual ESA contributions). A link is made between the governance structure and the main strategic objectives. The specific needs and interests of small and new Member States in the frame of European Space Integration are addressed. The first part of the paper focuses on the national space governance structures in the eleven smaller ESA Member States. The governance models of these Member States are identified including the responsible ministries and the entities entrusted with the implementation of space strategy/policy and programmes of the country. The second part of this paper focuses on the content and analysis of the national space strategies and indicates the main priorities and trends in the eleven smaller ESA Member States. The priorities are categorised with regards to technology domains, the role of space in the areas of sustainability and the motivators for space investments. In a third and final part, attention is given to the specific needs and interests of the smaller Member States in the frame of European space integration. ESA instruments are tailored to facilitate the needs and interests of the eleven smaller and/or new Member States.

Cross Flow Parameter Calculation for Aerodynamic Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norman, David, Jr. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A system and method for determining a cross flow angle for a feature on a structure. A processor unit receives location information identifying a location of the feature on the structure, determines an angle of the feature, identifies flow information for the location, determines a flow angle using the flow information, and determines the cross flow angle for the feature using the flow angle and the angle of the feature. The flow information describes a flow of fluid across the structure. The flow angle comprises an angle of the flow of fluid across the structure for the location of the feature.

Effective Governance and Hospital Boards Revisited: Reflections on 25 Years of Research.

PubMed

Erwin, Cathleen O; Landry, Amy Yarbrough; Livingston, Avery C; Dias, Ashley

2018-01-01

This study reviews and synthesizes empirical research literature focusing on the relationship between boards of directors and organizational effectiveness of U.S. hospitals. The study examines literature published in scholarly journals during the period of 1991-2017. Fifty-one empirical articles were identified that met the study's inclusion criteria. A framework from the corporate governance and nonprofit governance literature is used to classify the articles according to level of analysis (individual actors, governing bodies, organizations, and networks, alliances and multiorganizational initiatives) and focus of research (formal structure and behavioral dynamics-including informal structures and processes). Results are discussed, emerging trends are identified, and recommendations are made for future research.

Principles for Sustainable Governance of the Oceans

PubMed

Costanza; Andrade; Antunes; den Belt M; Boersma; Boesch; Catarino; Hanna; Limburg; Low; Molitor; Pereira; Rayner; Santos; Wilson; Young

1998-07-10

Pressures being exerted on the ocean ecosystems through overfishing, pollution, and environmental and climate change are increasing. Six core principles are proposed to guide governance and use of ocean resources and to promote sustainability. Examples of governance structures that embody these principles are given.

Sequential feature selection for detecting buried objects using forward looking ground penetrating radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaw, Darren; Stone, Kevin; Ho, K. C.; Keller, James M.; Luke, Robert H.; Burns, Brian P.

2016-05-01

Forward looking ground penetrating radar (FLGPR) has the benefit of detecting objects at a significant standoff distance. The FLGPR signal is radiated over a large surface area and the radar signal return is often weak. Improving detection, especially for buried in road targets, while maintaining an acceptable false alarm rate remains to be a challenging task. Various kinds of features have been developed over the years to increase the FLGPR detection performance. This paper focuses on investigating the use of as many features as possible for detecting buried targets and uses the sequential feature selection technique to automatically choose the features that contribute most for improving performance. Experimental results using data collected at a government test site are presented.

School Governance Structures that Foster Friendship in the Elementary School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuhmerker, Lisa

1989-01-01

Uses examples from the Schaefer School in Tappan (New York) to illustrate how an elementary school can develop an educational climate that fosters friendship, the key to student socialization. Discusses the following areas: (1) classroom activities; (2) school-wide democratic governance structures; (3) support staff roles; and (4) time scheduling.…

48 CFR 52.227-1 - Authorization and Consent.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... United States patent— (1) Embodied in the structure or composition of any article the delivery of which... a government regulatory body, of any invention described in and covered by a United States patent (1) embodied in the structure or composition of any article the delivery of which is accepted by the Government...

48 CFR 52.227-1 - Authorization and Consent.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... United States patent— (1) Embodied in the structure or composition of any article the delivery of which... a government regulatory body, of any invention described in and covered by a United States patent (1) embodied in the structure or composition of any article the delivery of which is accepted by the Government...

Program Administration | Division of Cancer Prevention

Cancer.gov

Governance Structure Recognizing the importance of an integrated approach to preventative drug development, there is a unified Governance Structure for the PREVENT Program responsible for coordinating and integrating available resources. With the goal of reaching go/no-go decisions as efficiently as possible, the purpose is to ensure a pragmatic approach to drug development

Roles and Structures for Participation in Higher Education Governance: A Rationale.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ikenberry, Stanley O.

It is obvious that the roles for participation of faculty, students and administrators in campus governance are inadequately defined and that the organizational structure through which these roles might be performed is deficient. This paper considers the rationale for such faculty and student organizations and examines some issues that have to be…

The 1993 Utah Legislative Session: Policy Implications for Educational Structure and Governance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Bob L., Jr.; Sperry, David J.

This paper presents an overview and description of "significant" education legislation passed during the 1993 Utah Legislative Session. Specific attention is given to legislation that affects the governance and structure of education in the state. The centerpiece of the Governor's educational agenda and the definitive action of the 1993…

Towards sentiment analysis application in housing projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahadzir, Nurul Husna; Omar, Mohd Faizal; Nawi, Mohd Nasrun Mohd

2016-08-01

In becoming a develop nation by 2020, Malaysia Government realized the need in providing affordable house to the public. Since Second Malaysia Plan, government has implemented various affordable housing projects and it continues until recent Malaysia Plan. To measure the effectiveness of the initiatives taken, public opinion is necessary. A social media platform has been seen as the most effective mechanism to get information on people's thought and feeling towards certain issues. One of the best ways to extract emotions and thoughts from what people post in social media is through Sentiment Analysis (SA). There are three different levels of analysis: document level, sentence level and feature level. Most of previous research focused on the classification of sentiment at document or sentence level. Unfortunately, both document and sentence level does not discover what exactly people like or not. While the analysis based on feature, there exist accuracy problem when classifying the sentiment scores. This paper will propose a new framework that focuses on sentiment classification scores at feature level to overcome the uncertainty and accuracy issues on the result.

Incorporating prior knowledge induced from stochastic differential equations in the classification of stochastic observations.

PubMed

Zollanvari, Amin; Dougherty, Edward R

2016-12-01

In classification, prior knowledge is incorporated in a Bayesian framework by assuming that the feature-label distribution belongs to an uncertainty class of feature-label distributions governed by a prior distribution. A posterior distribution is then derived from the prior and the sample data. An optimal Bayesian classifier (OBC) minimizes the expected misclassification error relative to the posterior distribution. From an application perspective, prior construction is critical. The prior distribution is formed by mapping a set of mathematical relations among the features and labels, the prior knowledge, into a distribution governing the probability mass across the uncertainty class. In this paper, we consider prior knowledge in the form of stochastic differential equations (SDEs). We consider a vector SDE in integral form involving a drift vector and dispersion matrix. Having constructed the prior, we develop the optimal Bayesian classifier between two models and examine, via synthetic experiments, the effects of uncertainty in the drift vector and dispersion matrix. We apply the theory to a set of SDEs for the purpose of differentiating the evolutionary history between two species.

The anatomy of group dysfunction.

PubMed

Hayes, David F

2014-04-01

The dysfunction of the radiology group has 2 components: (1) the thinking component-the governance structure of the radiology group; how we manage the group; and (2) the structural component-the group's business model and its conflict with the partner's personal business model. Of the 2 components, governance is more important. Governance must be structured on classic, immutable business management principles. The structural component, the business model, is not immutable. In fact, it must continually change in response to the marketplace. Changes in the business model should occur only if demanded or permitted by the marketplace; instituting changes for other reasons, including personal interests or deficient knowledge of the deciders, is fundamentally contrary to the long-term interests of the group and its owners. First, we must learn basic business management concepts to appreciate the function and necessity of standard business models and standard business governance. Peter Drucker's The Effective Executive is an excellent primer on the subjects of standard business practices and the importance of a functional, authorized, and fully accountable chief executive officer. Copyright © 2014 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning about the internal structure of categories through classification and feature inference.

PubMed

Jee, Benjamin D; Wiley, Jennifer

2014-01-01

Previous research on category learning has found that classification tasks produce representations that are skewed toward diagnostic feature dimensions, whereas feature inference tasks lead to richer representations of within-category structure. Yet, prior studies often measure category knowledge through tasks that involve identifying only the typical features of a category. This neglects an important aspect of a category's internal structure: how typical and atypical features are distributed within a category. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that inference learning results in richer knowledge of internal category structure than classification learning. We introduced several new measures to probe learners' representations of within-category structure. Experiment 1 found that participants in the inference condition learned and used a wider range of feature dimensions than classification learners. Classification learners, however, were more sensitive to the presence of atypical features within categories. Experiment 2 provided converging evidence that classification learners were more likely to incorporate atypical features into their representations. Inference learners were less likely to encode atypical category features, even in a "partial inference" condition that focused learners' attention on the feature dimensions relevant to classification. Overall, these results are contrary to the hypothesis that inference learning produces superior knowledge of within-category structure. Although inference learning promoted representations that included a broad range of category-typical features, classification learning promoted greater sensitivity to the distribution of typical and atypical features within categories.

Do adaptive comanagement processes lead to adaptive comanagement outcomes? A multicase study of long-term outcomes associated with the national riparian service team's place-based riparian assistance

Treesearch

Jill A. Smedstad; Hannah Gosnell

2013-01-01

Adaptive comanagement (ACM) is a novel approach to environmental governance that combines the dynamic learning features of adaptive management with the linking and network features of collaborative management. There is growing interest in the potential for ACM to resolve conflicts around natural resource management and contribute to greater social and ecological...

Strategic behaviors and governance challenges in social-ecological systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muneepeerakul, Rachata; Anderies, John M.

2017-08-01

The resource management and environmental policy literature focuses on devising regulations and incentive structures to achieve desirable goals. It often presumes the existence of public infrastructure that actualizes these incentives and regulations through a process loosely referred to as `governance.' In many cases, it is not clear if and how such governance infrastructure can be created and supported. Here, we take a complex systems view in which `governance' is an emergent phenomenon generated by interactions between social, economic, and environmental (both built and natural) factors. We present a framework and formal stylized model to explore under what circumstances stable governance structures may emerge endogenously in coupled infrastructure systems comprising shared natural, social, and built infrastructures of which social-ecological systems are specific examples. The model allows us to derive general conditions for a sustainable coupled infrastructure system in which critical infrastructure (e.g., canals) is provided by a governing entity that enables resource users (e.g., farmers) to produce outputs from natural infrastructure (e.g., water) to meet their needs while supporting the governing entity.

Security Cooperation Activities: Strengthening a Partner Military and its Governing Institutions

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-26

governments suffered from economic instability , corruption, poor rule of law, and low administration of justice. Government and economic stability ...types of programs applied. Conditions defining allied state characteristics are military structure, government polity rating, and economic stability ...regional instability . Dr. Michael Mihalka and Mr. Mark Wilcox covered the trends in liberal democracy in the South Caucasus in light of economic

Metastable Features of Economic Networks and Responses to Exogenous Shocks

PubMed Central

Hosseiny, Ali; Bahrami, Mohammad; Palestrini, Antonio; Gallegati, Mauro

2016-01-01

It is well known that a network structure plays an important role in addressing a collective behavior. In this paper we study a network of firms and corporations for addressing metastable features in an Ising based model. In our model we observe that if in a recession the government imposes a demand shock to stimulate the network, metastable features shape its response. Actually we find that there exists a minimum bound where any demand shock with a size below it is unable to trigger the market out of recession. We then investigate the impact of network characteristics on this minimum bound. We surprisingly observe that in a Watts-Strogatz network, although the minimum bound depends on the average of the degrees, when translated into the language of economics, such a bound is independent of the average degrees. This bound is about 0.44ΔGDP, where ΔGDP is the gap of GDP between recession and expansion. We examine our suggestions for the cases of the United States and the European Union in the recent recession, and compare them with the imposed stimulations. While the stimulation in the US has been above our threshold, in the EU it has been far below our threshold. Beside providing a minimum bound for a successful stimulation, our study on the metastable features suggests that in the time of crisis there is a “golden time passage” in which the minimum bound for successful stimulation can be much lower. Hence, our study strongly suggests stimulations to arise within this time passage. PMID:27706166

Sustained Innovation Through Shared Capitalism and Democratic Governance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beyster, M. A.; Blasi, J.; Sibilia, J.; Zebuchen, T.; Bowman, A.

The Foundation for Enterprise Development (FED) explores application of democratic representative governance models and structures for long-term interdisciplinary research, development and education to the concept of an organization that can sustain activity in support of interstellar travel in the 100-year timeframe, as outlined by the 100 Year StarshipTM. This paper titled, Sustained Innovation through Shared Capitalism and Democratic Governance , explores the roots of representative structures and organizations as long-lived success stories throughout history. Research, innovation, organizational structures and associated issues are explored to address the long-term focus required for development, both material and human. Impact investing vehicles are also explored as potential investment structures addressing the long-term horizon required by the organization. This paper provides an illustration, description and philosophical approach of this model as developed by the FED and our collaborators.

Nursing domain of CI governance: recommendations for health IT adoption and optimization.

PubMed

Collins, Sarah A; Alexander, Dana; Moss, Jacqueline

2015-05-01

There is a lack of recommended models for clinical informatics (CI) governance that can facilitate successful health information technology implementation. To understand existing CI governance structures and provide a model with recommended roles, partnerships, and councils based on perspectives of nursing informatics leaders. We conducted a cross-sectional study through administering a survey via telephone to facilitate semistructured interviews from June 2012 through November 2012. We interviewed 12 nursing informatics leaders, across the United States, currently serving in executive- or director-level CI roles at integrated health care systems that have pioneered electronic health records implementation projects. We found the following 4 themes emerge: (1) Interprofessional partnerships are essential. (2) Critical role-based levels of practice and competencies need to be defined. (3) Integration into existing clinical infrastructure facilitates success. (4) CI governance is an evolving process. We described specific lessons learned and a model of CI governance with recommended roles, partnerships, and councils from the perspective of nursing informatics leaders. Applied CI work is highly interprofessional with patient safety implications that heighten the need for best practice models for governance structures, adequate resource allocation, and role-based competencies. Overall, there is a notable lack of a centralized CI group comprised of formally trained informaticians to provide expertise and promote adherence to informatics principles within EHR implementation governance structures. Our model of the nursing domain of CI governance with recommended roles, partnerships, and councils provides a starting point that should be further explored and validated. Not only can the model be used to understand, shape, and standardize roles, competencies, and structures within CI practice for nursing, it can be used within other clinical domains and by other informaticians. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Balancing stability and flexibility in adaptive governance: An analysis of tools available in U.S. environmental law

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kundis Craig, Robin; Garmestani, Ahjond S.; Allen, Craig R.; Arnold, Craig Anthony (Tony); Birge, Hannah E.; DeCaro, Daniel A.; Fremier, Alexander K.; Gosnell, Hannah; Schlager, Edella

2017-01-01

Adaptive governance must work “on the ground,” that is, it must operate through structures and procedures that the people it governs perceive to be legitimate and fair, as well as incorporating processes and substantive goals that are effective in allowing social-ecological systems (SESs) to adapt to climate change and other impacts. To address the continuing and accelerating alterations that climate change is bringing to SESs, adaptive governance generally will require more flexibility than prior governance institutions have often allowed. However, to function as good governance, adaptive governance must pay real attention to the problem of how to balance this increased need for flexibility with continuing governance stability so that it can foster adaptation to change without being perceived or experienced as perpetually destabilizing, disruptive, and unfair. Flexibility and stability serve different purposes in governance, and a variety of tools exist to strike different balances between them while still preserving the governance institution’s legitimacy among the people governed. After reviewing those purposes and the implications of climate change for environmental governance, we examine psychological insights into the structuring of adaptive governance and the variety of legal tools available to incorporate those insights into adaptive governance regimes. Because the substantive goals of governance systems will differ among specific systems, we do not purport to comment on what the normative or substantive goals of law should be. Instead, we conclude that attention to process and procedure (including participation), as well as increased use of substantive standards (instead of rules), may allow an increased level of substantive flexibility to operate with legitimacy and fairness, providing the requisite levels of psychological, social, and economic stability needed for communities to adapt successfully to the Anthropocene.

Balancing stability and flexibility in adaptive governance: an analysis of tools available in U.S. environmental law.

PubMed

Craig, Robin Kundis; Garmestani, Ahjond S; Allen, Craig R; Arnold, Craig Anthony Tony; Birgé, Hannah; DeCaro, Daniel A; Fremier, Alexander K; Gosnell, Hannah; Schlager, Edella

2017-06-30

Adaptive governance must work "on the ground," that is, it must operate through structures and procedures that the people it governs perceive to be legitimate and fair, as well as incorporating processes and substantive goals that are effective in allowing social-ecological systems (SESs) to adapt to climate change and other impacts. To address the continuing and accelerating alterations that climate change is bringing to SESs, adaptive governance generally will require more flexibility than prior governance institutions have often allowed. However, to function as good governance, adaptive governance must pay real attention to the problem of how to balance this increased need for flexibility with continuing governance stability so that it can foster adaptation to change without being perceived or experienced as perpetually destabilizing, disruptive, and unfair. Flexibility and stability serve different purposes in governance, and a variety of tools exist to strike different balances between them while still preserving the governance institution's legitimacy among the people governed. After reviewing those purposes and the implications of climate change for environmental governance, we examine psychological insights into the structuring of adaptive governance and the variety of legal tools available to incorporate those insights into adaptive governance regimes. Because the substantive goals of governance systems will differ among specific systems, we do not purport to comment on what the normative or substantive goals of law should be. Instead, we conclude that attention to process and procedure (including participation), as well as increased use of substantive standards (instead of rules), may allow an increased level of substantive flexibility to operate with legitimacy and fairness, providing the requisite levels of psychological, social, and economic stability needed for communities to adapt successfully to the Anthropocene.

45 CFR 1304.50 - Program governance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... AGENCIES Program Design and Management § 1304.50 Program governance. (a) Policy Council, Policy Committee... about the program. This structure must consist of the following groups, as required: (i) Policy Council... Council. (5) The governing body (the group with legal and fiscal responsibility for administering the...

Searching LOGIN, the Local Government Information Network.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jack, Robert F.

1984-01-01

Describes a computer-based information retrieval and electronic messaging system produced by Control Data Corporation now being used by government agencies and other organizations. Background of Local Government Information Network (LOGIN), database structure, types of LOGIN units, searching LOGIN (intersect, display, and list commands), and how…

Do governance choices matter in health care networks?: an exploratory configuration study of health care networks

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Health care networks are widely used and accepted as an organizational form that enables integrated care as well as dealing with complex matters in health care. However, research on the governance of health care networks lags behind. The research aim of our study is to explore the type and importance of governance structure and governance mechanisms for network effectiveness. Methods The study has a multiple case study design and covers 22 health care networks. Using a configuration view, combinations of network governance and other network characteristics were studied on the level of the network. Based on interview and questionnaire data, network characteristics were identified and patterns in the data looked for. Results Neither a dominant (or optimal) governance structure or mechanism nor a perfect fit among governance and other characteristics were revealed, but a number of characteristics that need further study might be related to effective networks such as the role of governmental agencies, legitimacy, and relational, hierarchical, and contractual governance mechanisms as complementary factors. Conclusions Although the results emphasize the situational character of network governance and effectiveness, they give practitioners in the health care sector indications of which factors might be more or less crucial for network effectiveness. PMID:23800334

Transfer printing techniques for materials assembly and micro/nanodevice fabrication.

PubMed

Carlson, Andrew; Bowen, Audrey M; Huang, Yonggang; Nuzzo, Ralph G; Rogers, John A

2012-10-09

Transfer printing represents a set of techniques for deterministic assembly of micro-and nanomaterials into spatially organized, functional arrangements with two and three-dimensional layouts. Such processes provide versatile routes not only to test structures and vehicles for scientific studies but also to high-performance, heterogeneously integrated functional systems, including those in flexible electronics, three-dimensional and/or curvilinear optoelectronics, and bio-integrated sensing and therapeutic devices. This article summarizes recent advances in a variety of transfer printing techniques, ranging from the mechanics and materials aspects that govern their operation to engineering features of their use in systems with varying levels of complexity. A concluding section presents perspectives on opportunities for basic and applied research, and on emerging use of these methods in high throughput, industrial-scale manufacturing. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Simulations of Turbine Cooling Flows Using a Multiblock-Multigrid Scheme

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinthorsson, Erlendur; Ameri, Ali A.; Rigby, David L.

1996-01-01

Results from numerical simulations of air flow and heat transfer in a 'branched duct' geometry are presented. The geometry contains features, including pins and a partition, as are found in coolant passages of turbine blades. The simulations were performed using a multi-block structured grid system and a finite volume discretization of the governing equations (the compressible Navier-Stokes equations). The effects of turbulence on the mean flow and heat transfer were modeled using the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model. The computed results are compared to experimental data. It was found that the extent of some regions of high heat transfer was somewhat under predicted. It is conjectured that the underlying reason is the local nature of the turbulence model which cannot account for upstream influence on the turbulence field. In general, however, the comparison with the experimental data is favorable.

Physics, stability, and dynamics of supply networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helbing, Dirk; Lämmer, Stefan; Seidel, Thomas; Šeba, Pétr; Płatkowski, Tadeusz

2004-12-01

We show how to treat supply networks as physical transport problems governed by balance equations and equations for the adaptation of production speeds. Although the nonlinear behavior is different, the linearized set of coupled differential equations is formally related to those of mechanical or electrical oscillator networks. Supply networks possess interesting features due to their complex topology and directed links. We derive analytical conditions for absolute and convective instabilities. The empirically observed “bullwhip effect” in supply chains is explained as a form of convective instability based on resonance effects. Moreover, it is generalized to arbitrary supply networks. Their related eigenvalues are usually complex, depending on the network structure (even without loops). Therefore, their generic behavior is characterized by damped or growing oscillations. We also show that regular distribution networks possess two negative eigenvalues only, but perturbations generate a spectrum of complex eigenvalues.

Extracellular matrix structure governs invasion resistance in bacterial biofilms.

PubMed

Nadell, Carey D; Drescher, Knut; Wingreen, Ned S; Bassler, Bonnie L

2015-08-01

Many bacteria are highly adapted for life in communities, or biofilms. A defining feature of biofilms is the production of extracellular matrix that binds cells together. The biofilm matrix provides numerous fitness benefits, including protection from environmental stresses and enhanced nutrient availability. Here we investigate defense against biofilm invasion using the model bacterium Vibrio cholerae. We demonstrate that immotile cells, including those identical to the biofilm resident strain, are completely excluded from entry into resident biofilms. Motile cells can colonize and grow on the biofilm exterior, but are readily removed by shear forces. Protection from invasion into the biofilm interior is mediated by the secreted protein RbmA, which binds mother-daughter cell pairs to each other and to polysaccharide components of the matrix. RbmA, and the invasion protection it confers, strongly localize to the cell lineages that produce it.

Diverse activities of viral cis-acting RNA regulatory elements revealed using multicolor, long-term, single-cell imaging.

PubMed

Pocock, Ginger M; Zimdars, Laraine L; Yuan, Ming; Eliceiri, Kevin W; Ahlquist, Paul; Sherer, Nathan M

2017-02-01

Cis-acting RNA structural elements govern crucial aspects of viral gene expression. How these structures and other posttranscriptional signals affect RNA trafficking and translation in the context of single cells is poorly understood. Herein we describe a multicolor, long-term (>24 h) imaging strategy for measuring integrated aspects of viral RNA regulatory control in individual cells. We apply this strategy to demonstrate differential mRNA trafficking behaviors governed by RNA elements derived from three retroviruses (HIV-1, murine leukemia virus, and Mason-Pfizer monkey virus), two hepadnaviruses (hepatitis B virus and woodchuck hepatitis virus), and an intron-retaining transcript encoded by the cellular NXF1 gene. Striking behaviors include "burst" RNA nuclear export dynamics regulated by HIV-1's Rev response element and the viral Rev protein; transient aggregations of RNAs into discrete foci at or near the nuclear membrane triggered by multiple elements; and a novel, pulsiform RNA export activity regulated by the hepadnaviral posttranscriptional regulatory element. We incorporate single-cell tracking and a data-mining algorithm into our approach to obtain RNA element-specific, high-resolution gene expression signatures. Together these imaging assays constitute a tractable, systems-based platform for studying otherwise difficult to access spatiotemporal features of viral and cellular gene regulation. © 2017 Pocock et al. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Managing clinical failure: a complex adaptive system perspective.

PubMed

Matthews, Jean I; Thomas, Paul T

2007-01-01

The purpose of this article is to explore the knowledge capture process at the clinical level. It aims to identify factors that enable or constrain learning. The study applies complex adaptive system thinking principles to reconcile learning within the NHS. The paper uses a qualitative exploratory study with an interpretative methodological stance set in a secondary care NHS Trust. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare practitioners and managers involved at both strategic and operational risk management processes. A network structure is revealed that exhibits the communication and interdependent working practices to support knowledge capture and adaptive learning. Collaborative multidisciplinary communities, whose values reflect local priorities and promote open dialogue and reflection, are featured. The main concern is that the characteristics of bureaucracy; rational-legal authority, a rule-based culture, hierarchical lines of communication and a centralised governance focus, are hindering clinical learning by generating barriers. Locally emergent collaborative processes are a key strategic resource to capture knowledge, potentially fostering an environment that could learn from failure and translate lessons between contexts. What must be addressed is that reporting mechanisms serve not only the governance objectives, but also supplement learning by highlighting the potential lessons in context. Managers must nurture a collaborative infrastructure using networks in a co-evolutionary manner. Their role is not to direct and design processes but to influence, support and create effective knowledge capture. Although the study only investigated one site the findings and conclusions may well translate to other trusts--such as the risk of not enabling a learning environment at clinical levels.

Characteristics of a productive research environment: literature review.

PubMed

Bland, C J; Ruffin, M T

1992-06-01

What environmental factors stimulate and maintain research productivity? To answer this question, the authors conducted an extensive review of articles and books on research productivity published from the mid-1960s through 1990. This review revealed that a consistent set of 12 characteristics was found in research-conducive environments: (1) clear goals that serve a coordinating function, (2) research emphasis, (3) distinctive culture, (4) positive group climate, (5) assertive participative governance, (6) decentralized organization, (7) frequent communication, (8) accessible resources, particularly human, (9) sufficient size, age, and diversity of the research group, (10) appropriate rewards, (11) concentration on recruitment and selection, and (12) leadership with research expertise and skill in both initiating appropriate organizational structure and using participatory management practices. Some of these characteristics are not surprising, although some findings were unexpected, such as that participative governance correlated consistently with research productivity. The differential impact of each of these 12 characteristics is unclear. It is clear, however, that the leader has a disproportionate impact through his or her influence on all of the other characteristics. Yet, an overarching feature of these characteristics is their interdependency. These factors do not operate in research groups as isolated characteristics. Rather, they are like fine threads of a whole fabric: individual, yet when interwoven, providing a strong, supportive, and stimulating backdrop for the researcher. The authors conclude that while at a distance the productive research enterprise looks like a highly robust entity, upon closer inspection it is revealed to be a delicate structure highly dependent on the existence and effective working of numerous individual, organizational, and leadership characteristics.

Designing environmental research for impact.

PubMed

Campbell, C A; Lefroy, E C; Caddy-Retalic, S; Bax, N; Doherty, P J; Douglas, M M; Johnson, D; Possingham, H P; Specht, A; Tarte, D; West, J

2015-11-15

Transdisciplinary research, involving close collaboration between researchers and the users of research, has been a feature of environmental problem solving for several decades, often spurred by the need to find negotiated outcomes to intractable problems. In 2005, the Australian government allocated funding to its environment portfolio for public good research, which resulted in consecutive four-year programmes (Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities, National Environmental Research Program). In April 2014, representatives of the funders, researchers and research users associated with these programmes met to reflect on eight years of experience with these collaborative research models. This structured reflection concluded that successful multi-institutional transdisciplinary research is necessarily a joint enterprise between funding agencies, researchers and the end users of research. The design and governance of research programmes need to explicitly recognise shared accountabilities among the participants, while respecting the different perspectives of each group. Experience shows that traditional incentive systems for academic researchers, current trends in public sector management, and loose organisation of many end users, work against sustained transdisciplinary research on intractable problems, which require continuity and adaptive learning by all three parties. The likelihood of research influencing and improving environmental policy and management is maximised when researchers, funders and research users have shared goals; there is sufficient continuity of personnel to build trust and sustain dialogue throughout the research process from issue scoping to application of findings; and there is sufficient flexibility in the funding, structure and operation of transdisciplinary research initiatives to enable the enterprise to assimilate and respond to new knowledge and situations. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determining the Discharge Rate from a Submerged Oil Leaks using ROV Video and CFD study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, Pankaj; Shaffer, Frank; Shahnam, Mehrdad; Savas, Omer; Devites, Dave; Steffeck, Timothy

2016-11-01

The current paper reports a technique to measure the discharge rate by analyzing the video from a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The technique uses instantaneous images from ROV video to measure the velocity of visible features (turbulent eddies) along the boundary of an oil leak jet and subsequently classical theory of turbulent jets is imposed to determine the discharge rate. The Flow Rate Technical Group (FRTG) Plume Team developed this technique that manually tracked the visible features and produced the first accurate government estimates of the oil discharge rate from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH). For practical application this approach needs automated control. Experiments were conducted at UC Berkeley and OHMSETT that recorded high speed, high resolution video of submerged dye-colored water or oil jets and subsequently, measured the velocity data employing LDA and PIV software. Numerical simulation have been carried out using experimental submerged turbulent oil jets flow conditions employing LES turbulence closure and VOF interface capturing technique in OpenFOAM solver. The CFD results captured jet spreading angle and jet structures in close agreement with the experimental observations. The work was funded by NETL and DOI Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).

EPA/NIEHS Children's Environmental Health and Disease ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Powerpoint presentation - 32 slides. Introductory slides (4-5 slides); Unique Features such as the multidisciplinary Center structure, with community engagement as an integral element through the Community Outreach and Translation Cores (COTCs) (4 slides); Recent findings (Health effects of flame retardants (PBDEs)Health effects from near-road exposures, Asthma, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD))(4-5 slides); Impact from the work of the Centers (approx 10 Slides); Conclusion/looking forward/future activities (5 slides); A 3 minute video from one of the Children's Centers summarizing their work in the field will be shared at the end of the presentation. Dr. Johnson will be presenting the work of the EPA/NIEHS Children's Centers to Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC). The Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee is a body of researchers, academicians, health care providers, environmentalists, state and tribal government employees, and members of the public who advise EPA on regulations, research, and communication issues relevant to the environmental precipitants of health in children. Members serve voluntarily and the CHPAC meets about three times per year to provide specific recommendations to the EPA Administrator. Dr. Johnson will be presenting on unique features of the Children's Centers, findings and impact from the work of the Children's Centers.

Microporous polymeric 3D scaffolds templated by the layer-by-layer self-assembly.

PubMed

Paulraj, Thomas; Feoktistova, Natalia; Velk, Natalia; Uhlig, Katja; Duschl, Claus; Volodkin, Dmitry

2014-08-01

Polymeric scaffolds serve as valuable supports for biological cells since they offer essential features for guiding cellular organization and tissue development. The main challenges for scaffold fabrication are i) to tune an internal structure and ii) to load bio-molecules such as growth factors and control their local concentration and distribution. Here, a new approach for the design of hollow polymeric scaffolds using porous CaCO3 particles (cores) as templates is presented. The cores packed into a microfluidic channel are coated with polymers employing the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. Subsequent core elimination at mild conditions results in formation of the scaffold composed of interconnected hollow polymer microspheres. The size of the cores determines the feature dimensions and, as a consequence, governs cellular adhesion: for 3T3 fibroblasts an optimal microsphere size is 12 μm. By making use of the carrier properties of the porous CaCO3 cores, the microspheres are loaded with BSA as a model protein. The scaffolds developed here may also be well suited for the localized release of bio-molecules using external triggers such as IR-light. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

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

Barker, J. Jr.; Tenenbaum, B.; Woolf, F.

This paper focuses on the governance and regulation of power pools outside the United States. The current governance and regulatory arrangements for four power pools, as developed in pool documents and government regulations and laws, are compared and contrasted. The power pools analyzed are located in England and Wales, Australia, Canada, and Scandinavia. Topics discussed in relation to these pools are the effects of structure on governance, how each pool has dealt with a number of basic governance decisions, how the pools monitor the markets, ways in which regulators and other institutions control pools, and self-governance issues.

Business-Government Relations in Canadian History.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Traves, Tom

1982-01-01

The history of government intervention in Canada's economy from the nineteenth century through the Depression and the two world wars can be divided into two periods. Approaches to analysis of business-government relations focus on cultural and ideological origins of interventionist policies or emphasize structural and political factors. (KC)

Effectiveness of groundwater governance structures and institutions in Tanzania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gudaga, J. L.; Kabote, S. J.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Mosha, D. B.; Kashaigili, J. J.

2018-05-01

This paper examines effectiveness of groundwater governance structures and institutions in Mbarali District, Mbeya Region. The paper adopts exploratory sequential research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A random sample of 90 groundwater users with 50% women was involved in the survey. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences in responses between groups, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results show that the Village Councils and Community Water Supply Organizations (COWSOs) were effective in governing groundwater. The results also show statistical significant difference on the overall extent of effectiveness of the Village Councils in governing groundwater between villages ( P = 0.0001), yet there was no significant difference ( P > 0.05) between male and female responses on the effectiveness of Village Councils, village water committees and COWSOs. The Mann-Whitney U test showed statistical significant difference between male and female responses on effectiveness of formal and informal institutions ( P = 0.0001), such that informal institutions were effective relative to formal institutions. The Kruskal-Wallis H test also showed statistical significant difference ( P ≤ 0.05) on the extent of effectiveness of formal institutions, norms and values between low, medium and high categories. The paper concludes that COWSOs were more effective in governing groundwater than other groundwater governance structures. Similarly, norms and values were more effective than formal institutions. The paper recommends sensitization and awareness creation on formal institutions so that they can influence water users' behaviour to govern groundwater.

Implementing an effective organization and governance structure for a radiology practice.

PubMed

Muroff, Lawrence R

2004-01-01

Radiology practices that are well organized and effectively governed have a competitive advantage. Decisions are made rapidly, actions are taken decisively and in accordance with established policy, and each group member has a responsibility for practice building. Such groups are perceived by their peers, hospital administration, and community business leaders to be both formidable and effective. This paper details the mechanisms that facilitate planning for and implementing an efficient practice organization and governance structure. The tasks of group leaders are defined, as are the committees necessary for appropriate action. The integral roles of a mission statement and a business plan are discussed. Practices adopting the suggested organizational structure will be best positioned to survive in both good times and bad.

Using a shared governance structure to evaluate the implementation of a new model of care: the shared experience of a performance improvement committee.

PubMed

Myers, Mary; Parchen, Debra; Geraci, Marilla; Brenholtz, Roger; Knisely-Carrigan, Denise; Hastings, Clare

2013-10-01

Sustaining change in the behaviors and habits of experienced practicing nurses can be frustrating and daunting, even when changes are based on evidence. Partnering with an active shared governance structure to communicate change and elicit feedback is an established method to foster partnership, equity, accountability, and ownership. Few recent exemplars in the literature link shared governance, change management, and evidence-based practice to transitions in care models. This article describes an innovative staff-driven approach used by nurses in a shared governance performance improvement committee to use evidence-based practice in determining the best methods to evaluate the implementation of a new model of care.

Reclaiming respectability? The class-cultural dynamics of crime, community and governance in inner-city Dublin.

PubMed

Ilan, Jonathan

2011-01-01

This paper critically examines developments in Irish urban governance through an ethnographic account of one community's historical memory and contemporary structure. During an era of rapid economic growth, the Irish state has courted previously excluded communities, offering them greater "inclusion" as "partners" in responding to urban decay and crime. The micro-governance structures this creates, however, become sites of contest between competing community factions and class-cultural imperatives. Tensions emerge between aspirational community leaders championing the aesthetics (if not the values) of "respectability" and residual residents who are presented as "rough". The paper demonstrates that nuances of class-cultural identity dictate the character of partnership governance at the community level with particular implications for local regeneration and crime control agendas.

Using a Shared Governance Structure to Evaluate the Implementation of a New Model of Care: The Shared Experience of a Performance Improvement Committee

PubMed Central

Myers, Mary; Parchen, Debra; Geraci, Marilla; Brenholtz, Roger; Knisely-Carrigan, Denise; Hastings, Clare

2013-01-01

Sustaining change in the behaviors and habits of experienced practicing nurses can be frustrating and daunting, even when changes are based on evidence. Partnering with an active shared governance structure to communicate change and elicit feedback is an established method to foster partnership, equity, accountability and ownership. Few recent exemplars in the literature link shared governance, change management and evidence-based practice to transitions in care models. This article describes an innovative staff-driven approach used by nurses in a shared governance performance improvement committee to use evidence based practice in determining the best methods to evaluate the implementation of a new model of care. PMID:24061583

Governance and community benefit: are nonprofit hospitals good candidates for Sarbanes-Oxley type reforms?

PubMed

Alexander, Jeffrey A; Young, Gary J; Weiner, Bryan J; Hearld, Larry R

2008-04-01

Recent investigations into the activities of nonprofit hospitals have pointed to weak or lax governance on the part of some of these organizations. As a result of these events, various federal and state initiatives are now either under way or under discussion to strengthen the governance of hospitals and other nonprofit corporations through mandatory board structures and practices. However, despite policy makers' growing interest in these types of governance reforms, there is in fact little empirical evidence to support their contribution to the effectiveness of hospital boards. The purpose of this article is to report the results of a study examining the relationship between the structure and practices of nonprofit hospital boards relative to the hospital's provision of community benefits. Our results point to modest relationships between these sets of variables, suggesting considerable limitations to what federal and state policy makers can accomplish through legislative initiatives to improve the governance of nonprofit hospitals.

Stopping Illicit Procurement: Lessons from Global Finance

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

Hund, Gretchen; Kurzrok, Andrew J.

Government regulators and the financial sector cooperate to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. This information-sharing relationship is built upon a strong legislative foundation and effective operational procedures. As with money-laundering and terrorist financing, halting the illicit procurement of dual-use commodities requires close coordination between government and industry. However, many of the legal and operational features present in financial threat cooperation do not exist in the export control realm. This article analyzes the applicability of financial industry cooperative measures to nonproliferation.

The Nonlinear Magnetosphere: Expressions in MHD and in Kinetic Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hesse, Michael; Birn, Joachim

2011-01-01

Like most plasma systems, the magnetosphere of the Earth is governed by nonlinear dynamic evolution equations. The impact of nonlinearities ranges from large scales, where overall dynamics features are exhibiting nonlinear behavior, to small scale, kinetic, processes, where nonlinear behavior governs, among others, energy conversion and dissipation. In this talk we present a select set of examples of such behavior, with a specific emphasis on how nonlinear effects manifest themselves in MHD and in kinetic models of magnetospheric plasma dynamics.

The Efficacy of the Government’s Use of Past Performance Information: An Exploratory Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-30

afraid that unless everyone is really working these things to really make an impactful statement that they probably aren’t worth a whole lot if you have...end users. This variance lends credence to H12, H13 , and H14, which posit relationships between features of communication and past performance... impact to the contractor’s ability to secure future government business. In addition to fear of a supplier dispute to ratings, this phenomenon

Disaster Governance for Community Resilience in Coastal Towns: Chilean Case Studies.

PubMed

Villagra, Paula; Quintana, Carolina

2017-09-14

This study aimed to further our understanding of a characteristic of Community Resilience known as Disaster Governance. Three attributes of Disaster Governance-redundancy, diversity, and overlap-were studied in four coastal towns in southern Chile that are at risk of tsunamis. Overall, we explored how different spatial structures of human settlements influence Disaster Governance. Using the Projective Mapping Technique, the distribution of emergency institutions (N = 32) and uses given to specific sites (e.g., for refuge, sanitary purposes and medical attention) were mapped. Content and GIS analyses (Directional Distribution and Kernel Density Index) were used to explore the dispersion and concentration of institutions and uses in each town. Disaster Governance was found to be highly influenced by decisions taken during regional, urban, and emergency planning. Governance is better in towns of higher order in the communal hierarchical structure. Most of the emergency institutions were found to be located in central and urban areas, which, in turn, assures more redundancy, overlap, and diversity in governance in the event of a tsunami. Lack of flexibility of emergency plans also limits governance in rural and indigenous areas. While the spatial relationships found in this study indicate that urban sectors have better Disaster Governance than rural and indigenous sectors, the influence of resource availability after tsunamis, the role and responsibility of different levels of governments, and the politics of disaster also play an important role in Disaster Governance for determining Community Resilience. These findings shed light on emergency planning and aspects of the Disaster Management cycle.

Applying Behavioral Economics to Public Health Policy

PubMed Central

Matjasko, Jennifer L.; Cawley, John H.; Baker-Goering, Madeleine M.; Yokum, David V.

2016-01-01

Behavioral economics provides an empirically informed perspective on how individuals make decisions, including the important realization that even subtle features of the environment can have meaningful impacts on behavior. This commentary provides examples from the literature and recent government initiatives that incorporate concepts from behavioral economics in order to improve health, decision making, and government efficiency. The examples highlight the potential for behavioral economics to improve the effectiveness of public health policy at low cost. Although incorporating insights from behavioral economics into public health policy has the potential to improve population health, its integration into government public health programs and policies requires careful design and continual evaluation of such interventions. Limitations and drawbacks of the approach are discussed. PMID:27102853

Receiving shadows: governance and liminality in the night-time economy.

PubMed

Hobbs, D; Lister, S; Hadfield, P; Winlow, S; Hall, S

2000-12-01

This paper focuses upon the emergence of the night-time economy both materially and culturally as a powerful manifestation of post-industrial society. This emergence features two key processes: firstly a shift in economic development from the industrial to the post-industrial; secondly a significant orientation of urban governance involving a move away from the traditional managerial functions of local service provision, towards an entrepreneurial stance primarily focused on the facilitation of economic growth. Central to this new economic era is the identification and promotion of liminality. The State's apparent inability to control these new leisure zones constitutes the creation of an urban frontier that is governed by commercial imperatives.

The Conversion of Social Capital into Community Development: an intervention in Australia's outback.

PubMed

Onyx, Jenny; Leonard, Rosemary

2010-01-01

The research presented in this article employed a deliberate intervention to mobilize social capital and then studied the dynamics of the way in which it influenced community development. Whether or not social capital is able to facilitate development depends on the specific context in which it occurs. Although the general context of this study was that of small rural towns in Australia's outback that are experiencing decline, each of the four towns studied had unique features which could influence the mobilization of social capital. Rural communities have the willingness and capacity to mobilize but whether this capacity is actualized may well depend on the presence of other mobilizing factors. Specifically the intervention study found that a structure needs to be in place which can take the initiative and work across the community - engaging a range of organizations. Second, the structure needs to be supported, but not controlled, by local government. Third, it needs the kind of social entrepreneurship that can sustain a community-wide vision and bring together the diverse groups within the community.

Theoretical aspects of tidal and planetary wave propagation at thermospheric heights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Volland, H.; Mayr, H. G.

1977-01-01

A simple semiquantitative model is presented which allows analytic solutions of tidal and planetary wave propagation at thermospheric heights. This model is based on perturbation approximation and mode separation. The effects of viscosity and heat conduction are parameterized by Rayleigh friction and Newtonian cooling. Because of this simplicity, one gains a clear physical insight into basic features of atmospheric wave propagation. In particular, we discuss the meridional structures of pressure and horizontal wind (the solutions of Laplace's equation) and their modification due to dissipative effects at thermospheric heights. Furthermore, we solve the equations governing the height structure of the wave modes and arrive at a very simple asymptotic solution valid in the upper part of the thermosphere. That 'system transfer function' of the thermosphere allows one to estimate immediately the reaction of the thermospheric wave mode parameters such as pressure, temperature, and winds to an external heat source of arbitrary temporal and spatial distribution. Finally, the diffusion effects of the minor constituents due to the global wind circulation are discussed, and some results of numerical calculations are presented.

Feshbach resonances in the exit channel of the F + CH3OH → HF + CH3O reaction observed using transition-state spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weichman, Marissa L.; Devine, Jessalyn A.; Babin, Mark C.; Li, Jun; Guo, Lifen; Ma, Jianyi; Guo, Hua; Neumark, Daniel M.

2017-10-01

The transition state governs how chemical bonds form and cleave during a chemical reaction and its direct characterization is a long-standing challenge in physical chemistry. Transition state spectroscopy experiments based on negative-ion photodetachment provide a direct probe of the vibrational structure and metastable resonances that are characteristic of the reactive surface. Dynamical resonances are extremely sensitive to the topography of the reactive surface and provide an exceptional point of comparison with theory. Here we study the seven-atom F + CH3OH → HF + CH3O reaction using slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy of cryocooled CH3OHF- anions. These measurements reveal spectral features associated with a manifold of vibrational Feshbach resonances and bound states supported by the post-transition state potential well. Quantum dynamical calculations yield excellent agreement with the experimental results, allow the assignment of spectral structure and demonstrate that the key dynamics of complex bimolecular reactions can be captured with a relatively simple theoretical framework.

Mutational analysis of the RNA-binding domain of the Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) movement protein reveals its requirement for cell-to-cell movement

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

Carmen Herranz, Ma; Sanchez-Navarro, Jesus-Angel; Sauri, Ana

2005-08-15

The movement protein (MP) of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is required for cell-to-cell movement. MP subcellular localization studies using a GFP fusion protein revealed highly punctate structures between neighboring cells, believed to represent plasmodesmata. Deletion of the RNA-binding domain (RBD) of PNRSV MP abolishes the cell-to-cell movement. A mutational analysis on this RBD was performed in order to identify in vivo the features that govern viral transport. Loss of positive charges prevented the cell-to-cell movement even though all mutants showed a similar accumulation level in protoplasts to those observed with the wild-type (wt) MP. Synthetic peptides representing the mutantsmore » and wild-type RBDs were used to study RNA-binding affinities by EMSA assays being approximately 20-fold lower in the mutants. Circular dichroism analyses revealed that the secondary structure of the peptides was not significantly affected by mutations. The involvement of the affinity changes between the viral RNA and the MP in the viral cell-to-cell movement is discussed.« less

Feshbach resonances in the exit channel of the F + CH3OH → HF + CH3O reaction observed using transition-state spectroscopy.

PubMed

Weichman, Marissa L; DeVine, Jessalyn A; Babin, Mark C; Li, Jun; Guo, Lifen; Ma, Jianyi; Guo, Hua; Neumark, Daniel M

2017-10-01

The transition state governs how chemical bonds form and cleave during a chemical reaction and its direct characterization is a long-standing challenge in physical chemistry. Transition state spectroscopy experiments based on negative-ion photodetachment provide a direct probe of the vibrational structure and metastable resonances that are characteristic of the reactive surface. Dynamical resonances are extremely sensitive to the topography of the reactive surface and provide an exceptional point of comparison with theory. Here we study the seven-atom F + CH 3 OH → HF + CH 3 O reaction using slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy of cryocooled CH 3 OHF - anions. These measurements reveal spectral features associated with a manifold of vibrational Feshbach resonances and bound states supported by the post-transition state potential well. Quantum dynamical calculations yield excellent agreement with the experimental results, allow the assignment of spectral structure and demonstrate that the key dynamics of complex bimolecular reactions can be captured with a relatively simple theoretical framework.

Structural Determinants for Naturally Evolving H5N1 Hemagglutinin to Switch its Receptor Specificity

PubMed Central

Tharakaraman, Kannan; Raman, Rahul; Viswanathan, Karthik; Stebbins, Nathan W.; Jayaraman, Akila; Krishnan, Arvind; Sasisekharan, V.; Sasisekharan, Ram

2013-01-01

SUMMARY Of the factors governing human-to-human transmission of the highly pathogenic avian-adapted H5N1 virus, the most critical is the acquisition of mutations on the viral hemagglutinin (HA) to “quantitatively switch” its binding from avian to human glycan receptors. Herein, we describe a structural framework that outlines a necessary set of H5 HA receptor binding site (RBS) features required for the H5 HA to quantitatively switch its preference to human receptors. We show here that the same RBS HA mutations that lead to aerosol transmission of A/Vietnam/1203/04 and A/Indonesia/5/05 viruses, when introduced in currently circulating H5N1, do not lead to quantitative switch in receptor preference. We demonstrate that HAs from circulating clades require as few as a single base-pair mutation to quantitatively switch their binding to human receptors. The mutations identified by this study can be used to monitor the emergence of strains having human-to-human transmission potential. PMID:23746829

The selectivity of the Na+/K+-pump is controlled by binding site protonation and self-correcting occlusion

PubMed Central

Rui, Huan; Artigas, Pablo; Roux, Benoît

2016-01-01

The Na+/K+-pump maintains the physiological K+ and Na+ electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane. It operates via an 'alternating-access' mechanism, making iterative transitions between inward-facing (E1) and outward-facing (E2) conformations. Although the general features of the transport cycle are known, the detailed physicochemical factors governing the binding site selectivity remain mysterious. Free energy molecular dynamics simulations show that the ion binding sites switch their binding specificity in E1 and E2. This is accompanied by small structural arrangements and changes in protonation states of the coordinating residues. Additional computations on structural models of the intermediate states along the conformational transition pathway reveal that the free energy barrier toward the occlusion step is considerably increased when the wrong type of ion is loaded into the binding pocket, prohibiting the pump cycle from proceeding forward. This self-correcting mechanism strengthens the overall transport selectivity and protects the stoichiometry of the pump cycle. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.16616.001 PMID:27490484

Multiscale Homogenization Theory: An Analysis Tool for Revealing Mechanical Design Principles in Bone and Bone Replacement Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellmich, Christian; Fritsch, Andreas; Dormieux, Luc

Biomimetics deals with the application of nature-made "design solutions" to the realm of engineering. In the quest to understand mechanical implications of structural hierarchies found in biological materials, multiscale mechanics may hold the key to understand "building plans" inherent to entire material classes, here bone and bone replacement materials. Analyzing a multitude of biophysical hierarchical and biomechanical experiments through homogenization theories for upscaling stiffness and strength properties reveals the following design principles: The elementary component "collagen" induces, right at the nanolevel, the mechanical anisotropy of bone materials, which is amplified by fibrillar collagen-based structures at the 100-nm scale, and by pores in the micrometer-to-millimeter regime. Hydroxyapatite minerals are poorly organized, and provide stiffness and strength in a quasi-brittle manner. Water layers between hydroxyapatite crystals govern the inelastic behavior of the nanocomposite, unless the "collagen reinforcement" breaks. Bone replacement materials should mimic these "microstructural mechanics" features as closely as possible if an imitation of the natural form of bone is desired (Gebeshuber et al., Adv Mater Res 74:265-268, 2009).

Plugging a Bipyridinium Axle into Multichromophoric Calix[6]arene Wheels Bearing Naphthyl Units at Different Rims.

PubMed

Orlandini, Guido; Ragazzon, Giulio; Zanichelli, Valeria; Degli Esposti, Lorenzo; Baroncini, Massimo; Silvi, Serena; Venturi, Margherita; Credi, Alberto; Secchi, Andrea; Arduini, Arturo

2017-02-01

Tris-( N -phenylureido)-calix[6]arene derivatives are heteroditopic non-symmetric molecular hosts that can form pseudorotaxane complexes with 4,4'-bipyridinium-type guests. Owing to the unique structural features and recognition properties of the calix[6]arene wheel, these systems are of interest for the design and synthesis of novel molecular devices and machines. We envisaged that the incorporation of photoactive units in the calixarene skeleton could lead to the development of systems the working modes of which can be governed and monitored by means of light-activated processes. Here, we report on the synthesis, structural characterization, and spectroscopic, photophysical, and electrochemical investigation of two calix[6]arene wheels decorated with three naphthyl groups anchored to either the upper or lower rim of the phenylureido calixarene platform. We found that the naphthyl units interact mutually and with the calixarene skeleton in a different fashion in the two compounds, which thus exhibit a markedly distinct photophysical behavior. For both hosts, the inclusion of a 4,4 ' -bipyridinium guest activates energy- and/or electron-transfer processes that lead to non-trivial luminescence changes.

Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatics

PubMed Central

Louveau, Antoine; Smirnov, Igor; Keyes, Timothy J.; Eccles, Jacob D.; Rouhani, Sherin J.; Peske, J. David; Derecki, Noel C.; Castle, David; Mandell, James W.; Kevin, S. Lee; Harris, Tajie H.; Kipnis, Jonathan

2015-01-01

One of the characteristics of the CNS is the lack of a classical lymphatic drainage system. Although it is now accepted that the CNS undergoes constant immune surveillance that takes place within the meningeal compartment1–3, the mechanisms governing the entrance and exit of immune cells from the CNS remain poorly understood4–6. In searching for T cell gateways into and out of the meninges, we discovered functional lymphatic vessels lining the dural sinuses. These structures express all of the molecular hallmarks of lymphatic endothelial cells, are able to carry both fluid and immune cells from the CSF, and are connected to the deep cervical lymph nodes. The unique location of these vessels may have impeded their discovery to date, thereby contributing to the long-held concept of the absence of lymphatic vasculature in the CNS. The discovery of the CNS lymphatic system may call for a reassessment of basic assumptions in neuroimmunology and shed new light on the etiology of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases associated with immune system dysfunction. PMID:26030524

Infant food applications of complex carbohydrates: Structure, synthesis, and function.

PubMed

Ackerman, Dorothy L; Craft, Kelly M; Townsend, Steven D

2017-01-02

Professional health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommend breast milk as the sole source of food during the first year of life. This position recognizes human milk as being uniquely suited for infant nutrition. Nonetheless, most neonates in the West are fed alternatives by 6 months of age. Although inferior to human milk in most aspects, infant formulas are able to promote effective growth and development. However, while breast-fed infants feature a microbiota dominated by bifidobacteria, the bacterial flora of formula-fed infants is usually heterogeneous with comparatively lower levels of bifidobacteria. Thus, the objective of any infant food manufacturer is to prepare a product that results in a formula-fed infant developing a breast-fed infant-like microbiota. The goal of this focused review is to discuss the structure, synthesis, and function of carbohydrate additives that play a role in governing the composition of the infant microbiome and have other health benefits. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nursing professional identity: an infant or one with Alzheimer

PubMed Central

Yazdannik, Ahmadreza; Yekta, Zohreh Parsa; Soltani, Aliasghar

2012-01-01

Background: Each group or profession has its own discourse. Discourses create identity, support institutions and reproduce power relationships. Professional identity of Iranian nurses, which has recently had the opportunity to represent itself in social arena, needs investigation. This study aimed to make internal aspect of this identity clear. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by discourse analysis, using data of 23 semi-structured individual interviews and 4 focus group interviews with nurses and senior nursing students of Tehran and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, to evaluate their professional identity. Findings: In professional self-concept, elements like spirituality value and low financial benefits were identified as well as conflicting features of holiness and humility, identity emerging, identity escape, low professional self-confidence and justice seeking, lost professional authority and pride. Conclusions: Nursing professional identity has been formed based on cultural social structure, values and beliefs governing health system. This is a spectrum of a growing and emerging identity to a developed but forgotten identity. Although nursing discourse is subordinate in health system discourse, signs of moving toward professional maturity have emerged. PMID:23833602

Nursing professional identity: an infant or one with Alzheimer.

PubMed

Yazdannik, Ahmadreza; Yekta, Zohreh Parsa; Soltani, Aliasghar

2012-02-01

Each group or profession has its own discourse. Discourses create identity, support institutions and reproduce power relationships. Professional identity of Iranian nurses, which has recently had the opportunity to represent itself in social arena, needs investigation. This study aimed to make internal aspect of this identity clear. This study was conducted by discourse analysis, using data of 23 semi-structured individual interviews and 4 focus group interviews with nurses and senior nursing students of Tehran and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, to evaluate their professional identity. In professional self-concept, elements like spirituality value and low financial benefits were identified as well as conflicting features of holiness and humility, identity emerging, identity escape, low professional self-confidence and justice seeking, lost professional authority and pride. Nursing professional identity has been formed based on cultural social structure, values and beliefs governing health system. This is a spectrum of a growing and emerging identity to a developed but forgotten identity. Although nursing discourse is subordinate in health system discourse, signs of moving toward professional maturity have emerged.

Mutational analysis of the RNA-binding domain of the Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) movement protein reveals its requirement for cell-to-cell movement.

PubMed

Carmen Herranz, Ma; Sanchez-Navarro, Jesús-Angel; Saurí, Ana; Mingarro, Ismael; Pallás, Vicente

2005-08-15

The movement protein (MP) of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is required for cell-to-cell movement. MP subcellular localization studies using a GFP fusion protein revealed highly punctate structures between neighboring cells, believed to represent plasmodesmata. Deletion of the RNA-binding domain (RBD) of PNRSV MP abolishes the cell-to-cell movement. A mutational analysis on this RBD was performed in order to identify in vivo the features that govern viral transport. Loss of positive charges prevented the cell-to-cell movement even though all mutants showed a similar accumulation level in protoplasts to those observed with the wild-type (wt) MP. Synthetic peptides representing the mutants and wild-type RBDs were used to study RNA-binding affinities by EMSA assays being approximately 20-fold lower in the mutants. Circular dichroism analyses revealed that the secondary structure of the peptides was not significantly affected by mutations. The involvement of the affinity changes between the viral RNA and the MP in the viral cell-to-cell movement is discussed.

Three featured plenary sessions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2012-07-01

The conference included three plenary sessions. The plenary on Governance, Security, Economy, and the Ecosystem of the Changing Arctic featured Vera Alexander, president, Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S.; Alan Thornhill, chief environmental officer, U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; and Fran Ulmer, chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission. A plenary on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea featured Ambassador David Balton, deputy assistant secretary for oceans and fisheries, U.S. Department of State; and Rear Admiral Frederick Kenney Jr., judge advocate general and chief counsel, U.S. Coast Guard. The plenary on Science and the 21st Century featured Phil Keslin, chief technology officer, small lab within Google.

Health System Creation and Integration at a Health Sciences University: A Five-Year Follow-up.

PubMed

Slade, Catherine P; Azziz, Ricardo; Levin, Steven; Caughman, Gretchen B; Hefner, David S; Halbur, Kimberly V; Tingen, Martha S; James, Susan

Shifting healthcare market forces and regulation have exerted near-constant pressure on U.S. academic health centers (AHCs) attempting to successfully execute their traditional tripartite mission. A governance structure and organizational alignment that works well under one set of conditions is rarely optimal when conditions change. Thus, the degree and type of alignment of an AHC's clinical, educational, and faculty practice organizations have changed regularly within the sector, typically landing near one end or the other on a continuum from fully aligned with centralized governance to largely independent with separate governance. The authors examine the case of Georgia Regents University and Health System in this context. In step with industry trends, the institution's governance structure swung from fully aligned/centralized governance in the early 1990s to essentially separate and decentralized by 2000. In 2010, the Georgia Regents University organizations achieved rapid realignment by creating a governance structure of sufficient strength and flexibility to absorb and adjust to continuing external upheaval. The hospitals, clinics, and physician-faculty practice group were combined into one integrated health system, then aligned with the university to form the state's only public AHC under aligned, but distinct, corporate and management structures. The years since reorganization have seen significant growth in patient volumes and complexity, improved service quality, and enhanced faculty physician satisfaction, while also significantly increasing economic contributions from the health system to the academic mission. This case study offers observations and lessons learned that may be useful to other higher education institutions considering reorganization.

Novel determinants of mammalian primary microRNA processing revealed by systematic evaluation of hairpin-containing transcripts and human genetic variation

PubMed Central

Roden, Christine; Gaillard, Jonathan; Kanoria, Shaveta; Rennie, William; Barish, Syndi; Cheng, Jijun; Pan, Wen; Liu, Jun; Cotsapas, Chris; Ding, Ye; Lu, Jun

2017-01-01

Mature microRNAs (miRNAs) are processed from hairpin-containing primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs). However, rules that distinguish pri-miRNAs from other hairpin-containing transcripts in the genome are incompletely understood. By developing a computational pipeline to systematically evaluate 30 structural and sequence features of mammalian RNA hairpins, we report several new rules that are preferentially utilized in miRNA hairpins and govern efficient pri-miRNA processing. We propose that a hairpin stem length of 36 ± 3 nt is optimal for pri-miRNA processing. We identify two bulge-depleted regions on the miRNA stem, located ∼16–21 nt and ∼28–32 nt from the base of the stem, that are less tolerant of unpaired bases. We further show that the CNNC primary sequence motif selectively enhances the processing of optimal-length hairpins. We predict that a small but significant fraction of human single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) alter pri-miRNA processing, and confirm several predictions experimentally including a disease-causing mutation. Our study enhances the rules governing mammalian pri-miRNA processing and suggests a diverse impact of human genetic variation on miRNA biogenesis. PMID:28087842

Single payers, multiple systems: the scope and limits of subnational variation under a Federal health policy framework.

PubMed

Tuohy, Carolyn Hughes

2009-08-01

In political discourse, the term "single-payer system" originated in an attempt to stake out a middle ground between the public and private sectors in providing universal access to health care. In this view, a single-payer system is one in which health care is financed by government and delivered by privately owned and operated health care providers. The term appears to have been coined in U.S. policy debates to provide a rhetorical reference point for universal health insurance other than the "socialized medicine" of state-owned and -operated health care providers. This article, like others in this special issue, is meant to provide a more nuanced view of single-payer systems. In particular, it reviews experience in the prototypical single-payer system for physician and hospital services: the Canadian case. Given Canada's federal governance structure, this example also aptly illuminates the scope and limits of subnational variation within this single model of health care finance. And what it demonstrates in essence is that the very feature that defines the single-payer prototype -- the maintenance of independent providers remunerated by a single public payer in each province -- also leads to a set of profession-state bargains that define the limits of variation.

Conservative whole-organ scaling contrasts with highly labile suborgan scaling differences among compound eyes of closely related Formica ants.

PubMed

Perl, Craig D; Rossoni, Sergio; Niven, Jeremy E

2017-03-01

Static allometries determine how organ size scales in relation to body mass. The extent to which these allometric relationships are free to evolve, and how they differ among closely related species, has been debated extensively and remains unclear; changes in intercept appear common, but changes in slope are far rarer. Here, we compare the scaling relationships that govern the structure of compound eyes of four closely related ant species from the genus Formica . Comparison among these species revealed changes in intercept but not slope in the allometric scaling relationships governing eye area, facet number, and mean facet diameter. Moreover, the scaling between facet diameter and number was conserved across all four species. In contrast, facet diameters from distinct regions of the compound eye differed in both intercept and slope within a single species and when comparing homologous regions among species. Thus, even when species are conservative in the scaling of whole organs, they can differ substantially in regional scaling within organs. This, at least partly, explains how species can produce organs that adhere to genus wide scaling relationships while still being able to invest differentially in particular regions of organs to produce specific features that match their ecology.

[Affect, medicine and public enlightenment: the origin of the film genre "Deutscher Kulturfilm"].

PubMed

Osten, Philipp

2009-01-01

This article describes the process of professionalisation of medical films in Germany between 1910 and 1920. At the beginning of this decade, government institutions showed a growing interest in hygiene campaigns and started to cooperate with medical experts as well as with professional advertisers. When the German film industry was nationalised at the end of World War I, these informal structures were strengthened. New theories described the film as a most powerful tool for propaganda purposes. This profoundly changed the expectations towards medical films. Now their content had to be bedded into the dramatised form of a photoplay. After 1918, in anticipation of the reprivatisation of the German film industry, government officials of the Weimar Republic developed complex measures to obtain and keep control over a new genre of documentary film which was now called "Deutscher Kulturfilm". Some of the political expectations linked to the Kulturfilm can be exemplified in the first documentary of feature length released by the Berlin-based Universal Film Corporation in 1920. It contained elements of medical films that had been shot during the last decade of the German Empire, and it was newly composed in 1919 to meet the presumable needs of a broader public in an uncertain democratic future.

Views on System Governance. AASCU Studies, No. 2, 1980.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delaney, Harold; And Others

Four articles on changing governance patterns of state colleges and universities are presented. In "State Control vs. Campus Autonomy: A Struggle for Balance," Donald E. Walters discusses the distribution of power in Illinois'"system of systems" governance structure. In Illinois several multi-campus university systems coexist;…

Governance in English VET: On the Functioning of a Fractured "System"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keep, Ewart

2015-01-01

This article explores the governance structures that cover vocational education and training (VET) in England. The English VET system is highly fragmented, complex and unstable, and has tended to oscillate between centralised command and control, and attempts at marketisation. Its governance arrangements reflect this situation. The various…

A Conceptual Framework for Achieving Good Governance at Open and Distance Learning Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khanna, Pankaj

2017-01-01

This paper describes a good governance architecture framework that would bring significant improvements in the overall working of open and distance learning institutions in a well-structured and systematic way. The good governance framework is articulated with seven basic principles which are performance, transparency, accountability,…

Report of the Committee on Government Organization.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenks, R. Stephen; And Others

This report presents in detail a unicameral government structure with supporting student and faculty caucuses, recommended for the University of New Hampshire by its Committee on Government Organization to (1) provide maximum participation to all members of the university community on a fair and equitable basis, and (2) provide a more efficient…

Perspectives on Governance in Community Colleges Using Different Organizational Models.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCauley, Lisa Marie

This paper discusses three ways of structuring community college governmental bodies and describes the benefits of a combined approach to governance. To remain true to their purpose of serving the community, governing bodies for two-year colleges must consist of representatives from the surrounding community. Although community college governing…

The Applicability of Governance at King Saud University in Riyadh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kentab, Mohammad Y.

2018-01-01

The problem of the study revolves around the application of the requirements of governance at King Saud University. The study aims to identify the extent of governance requirements at King Saud University as seen by faculty members through transparency, accountability, organizational structure, laws, regulations, and justice. To achieve the…

Colleges and the Governance of Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parry, Gareth

2013-01-01

The governance of higher education in colleges and college sectors that offer other types of education and training is distinctive in four main respects. First, governance structures are frequently separate and different for higher education and for other segments of tertiary education. Second, the size and scope of the higher-level education…

The Role of Democratic Governing Bodies in South African Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karlsson, Jenni

2002-01-01

School governance reform in post-apartheid South Africa aimed to democratize schooling while accommodating diverse school histories of underdevelopment or self-management. Analysis of relevant legislation shows the reform was structured to allow representative democracy and partnerships. But two recent studies suggest that governance reforms have…

Cooperativity governs the size and structure of biological interfaces.

PubMed

Qin, Zhao; Buehler, Markus J

2012-11-15

Interfaces, defined as the surface of interactions between two parts of a system at a discontinuity, are very widely found in nature. While it is known that the specific structure of an interface plays an important role in defining its properties, it is less clear whether or not there exist universal scaling laws that govern the structural evolution of a very broad range of natural interfaces. Here we show that cooperativity of interacting elements, leading to great strength at low material use, is a key concept that governs the structural evolution of many natural interfaces. We demonstrate this concept for the cases of β-sheet proteins in spider silk, gecko feet, legs of caterpillars, and self-assembling of penguins into huddles, which range in scales from the submolecular to the macroscopic level. A general model is proposed that explains the size and structure of biological interfaces from a fundamental point of view. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evidence-based health care: its place within clinical governance.

PubMed

McSherry, R; Haddock, J

This article explores the principles of evidence-based practice and its role in achieving quality improvements within the clinical governance framework advocated by the recent White Papers 'The New NHS: Modern, Dependable' (Department of Health (DoH), 1997) and 'A First Class Service: Quality in the New NHS' (DoH, 1998a). Within these White Papers there is an emphasis on improving quality of care, treatment and services through employing the principles of clinical governance. A major feature of clinical governance is guaranteeing quality to the public and the NHS, and ensuring that clinical, managerial and educational practice is based on scientific evidence. This article also examines what evidence-based practice is and what processes are required to promote effective healthcare interventions. The authors also look at how clinical governance relates to other methods/systems involved in clinical effectiveness. Finally, the importance for nurses and other healthcare professionals of familiarizing themselves with the development of critical appraisal skills, and their implications for developing evidence-based practice, is emphasized.

Health Care Reform: Ethical Foundations, Policy, and Law

PubMed Central

Sade, Robert M

2015-01-01

Health care system reform has enormous implications for the future of American society and economic life. Since the early days of the republic, 2 world views have vied for determination of this country’s political system: the view of the individual as sovereign vs government as sovereign. As they developed the foundations of our nation’s governance, the founders were heavily influenced by the Enlightenment philosophy of the late 17th and 18th centuries—the US Constitution sharply limited the power of central government to specific narrowly defined functions, and the economic system was largely laissez faire, that is, economic exchange was mostly free of government regulation and securing individual liberty was a high priority. This situation has slowly reversed—the federal government originally was narrowly limited, but now it dominates states and individuals. The economic system has followed, lagging by several decades, so although it still retains some features of laissez faire capitalism, federal and state regulation have produced a decidedly mixed economy. PMID:22626914

Pixels and patterns: A satellite-based investigation of changes to urban features in the Sanya Region, Hainan Special Economic Zone, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millward, Andrew Allan

Throughout most of China, and particularly in the coastal areas of its south, ecological resources and traditional culture are viewed by many to be negatively impacted by accelerating urbanization. As a result, achieving an appropriate balance between development and environmental protection has become a significant problem facing policy-makers in these urbanizing areas. The establishment of a Special Economic Zone in the Chinese Province of Hainan has made its coastal areas attractive locations for business and commerce. Development activities that support a burgeoning tourism industry, but which are damaging the environment, are now prominent components of the landscape in the Sanya Region of Hainan. In this study, patterns of urban growth in the Sanya Region of Hainan Province are investigated. Specifically, using several forms of satellite imagery, statistical tools and ancillary data, urban morphology and changes to the extent and spatial arrangement of urban features are researched and documented. A twelve-year chronology of data was collected which consists of four dates of satellite imagery (1987, 1991, 1997, 1999) acquired by three different satellite sensors (SPOT 2 HRV, Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+). A method of assessing inter-temporal variance in unchanged features is developed as a surrogate for traditional evaluations of change detection that require spatially accurate and time-specific data. Results reveal that selective PCA using visible bands with the exclusion of an ocean mask yield the most interpretable components representative of landscape urbanization in the Sanya Region. The geostatistical approach of variography is employed to measure spatial dependence and to test for the presence of directional change in urban morphology across a time series of satellite images. Interpreted time-series geostatistics identify and quantify landscape structure, and changes to structure, and provide a valuable quantitative description of landscape change that was previously unavailable for the Sanya Region. Data acquired from the IKONOS-2 satellite are analyzed using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to identify urban greenspace in three subscenes extracted from the Sanya landscape. Results suggest that urban greenspace can be successfully characterized with enhanced detail using landscape pattern indices (LPIs) and a correlogram approach. Inclusion of a spatial approach to greenspace characterization and planning is argued to be an important and easily implemented method for enhanced evaluation of urban quality of life. The government of Hainan has stated that it wishes to employ additional and more refined means of guiding future development practices. This study is a landscape analysis involving change detection of land cover as well as the spatial analysis of urban morphological features. It develops methodologies that may be used to investigate and document past and current urban conditions; some of these could be used by the Hainan Government to further their future urban planning goals of economic growth and ecological sustainability.

OAS :: Our Structure

Science.gov Websites

General Assembly Governance H Human Development Human Rights I Indigenous Peoples Integral Development Scholarships School of Governance Science and Technology Social Development Summits of the Americas Sustainable

Synthesis and Structural Studies of Calcium and Magnesium Phosphinate and Phosphonate Compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bampoh, Victoria Naa Kwale

The work presented herein describes synthetic methodologies leading to the design of a wide array of magnesium and calcium based phosphinate and phosphonates with possible applications as bone scaffolding materials or additives to bone cements. The challenge to the chemistry of the alkaline earth phosphonate target compounds includes poor solubility of compounds, and poorly understood details on the control of the metal's coordination environment. Hence, less is known on phosphonate based alkaline earth metal organic frameworks as compared to transition metal phosphonates. Factors governing the challenges in obtaining crystalline, well-defined magnesium and calcium solids lie in the large metal diameters, the absence of energetically available d-orbitals to direct metal geometry, as well as the overall weakness of the metal-ligand bonds. A significant part of this project was concerned with the development of suitable reaction conditions to obtain X-ray quality crystals of the reaction products to allow for structural elucidation of the novel compounds. Various methodologies to aid in crystal growth including hydrothermal methods and gel crystallization were employed. We have used phosphinate and phosphonate ligands with different number of phosphorus oxygen atoms as well as diphosphonates with different linker lengths to determine their effects on the overall structural features. An interesting correlation is observed between the dimensionality of products and the increasing number of donor oxygen atoms in the ligands as we progress from phosphinic acid to the phosphorous acids. As an example, monophosphinate ligand only yielded one-dimensional compounds, whereas the phosphonates crystallize as one and two-dimensional compounds, and the di- and triphosphonate based compounds display two or three-dimensional geometries. This thesis provides a selection of calcium and magnesium compounds with one-dimensional geometry, as represented in a calcium phosphinate to novel two-dimensional sheets of magnesium and pillared calcium phosphonates. The preparation of these novel compounds has led to the establishment of synthetic protocols that allow for the direct preparation of compounds with defined structural features.

National Transportation Statistics (Annual Report, 1985)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1985-06-01

This report is a summary of selected national transportation statistics from a wide variety of government and private sources. Featured in the report are cost, inventory, and performance data describing the passenger and cargo operations of the follo...

National Transportation Statistics (Annual Report, 1986)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1986-07-01

This report is a summary of selected national transportation statistics from a wide variety of government and private sources. Featured in the report are cost, inventory, and performance data describing the passenger and cargo operations of the follo...

Chinese wine classification system based on micrograph using combination of shape and structure features

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Yi

2011-06-01

Chinese wines can be classification or graded by the micrographs. Micrographs of Chinese wines show floccules, stick and granule of variant shape and size. Different wines have variant microstructure and micrographs, we study the classification of Chinese wines based on the micrographs. Shape and structure of wines' particles in microstructure is the most important feature for recognition and classification of wines. So we introduce a feature extraction method which can describe the structure and region shape of micrograph efficiently. First, the micrographs are enhanced using total variation denoising, and segmented using a modified Otsu's method based on the Rayleigh Distribution. Then features are extracted using proposed method in the paper based on area, perimeter and traditional shape feature. Eight kinds total 26 features are selected. Finally, Chinese wine classification system based on micrograph using combination of shape and structure features and BP neural network have been presented. We compare the recognition results for different choices of features (traditional shape features or proposed features). The experimental results show that the better classification rate have been achieved using the combinational features proposed in this paper.

A systematic policy approach to changing the food system and physical activity environments to prevent obesity.

PubMed

Sacks, Gary; Swinburn, Boyd A; Lawrence, Mark A

2008-06-05

As obesity prevention becomes an increasing health priority in many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, the challenge that governments are now facing is how to adopt a systematic policy approach to increase healthy eating and regular physical activity. This article sets out a structure for systematically identifying areas for obesity prevention policy action across the food system and full range of physical activity environments. Areas amenable to policy intervention can be systematically identified by considering policy opportunities for each level of governance (local, state, national, international and organisational) in each sector of the food system (primary production, food processing, distribution, marketing, retail, catering and food service) and each sector that influences physical activity environments (infrastructure and planning, education, employment, transport, sport and recreation). Analysis grids are used to illustrate, in a structured fashion, the broad array of areas amenable to legal and regulatory intervention across all levels of governance and all relevant sectors. In the Australian context, potential regulatory policy intervention areas are widespread throughout the food system, e.g., land-use zoning (primary production within local government), food safety (food processing within state government), food labelling (retail within national government). Policy areas for influencing physical activity are predominantly local and state government responsibilities including, for example, walking and cycling environments (infrastructure and planning sector) and physical activity education in schools (education sector). The analysis structure presented in this article provides a tool to systematically identify policy gaps, barriers and opportunities for obesity prevention, as part of the process of developing and implementing a comprehensive obesity prevention strategy. It also serves to highlight the need for a coordinated approach to policy development and implementation across all levels of government in order to ensure complementary policy action.

Structural features that predict real-value fluctuations of globular proteins.

PubMed

Jamroz, Michal; Kolinski, Andrzej; Kihara, Daisuke

2012-05-01

It is crucial to consider dynamics for understanding the biological function of proteins. We used a large number of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories of nonhomologous proteins as references and examined static structural features of proteins that are most relevant to fluctuations. We examined correlation of individual structural features with fluctuations and further investigated effective combinations of features for predicting the real value of residue fluctuations using the support vector regression (SVR). It was found that some structural features have higher correlation than crystallographic B-factors with fluctuations observed in MD trajectories. Moreover, SVR that uses combinations of static structural features showed accurate prediction of fluctuations with an average Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.669 and a root mean square error of 1.04 Å. This correlation coefficient is higher than the one observed in predictions by the Gaussian network model (GNM). An advantage of the developed method over the GNMs is that the former predicts the real value of fluctuation. The results help improve our understanding of relationships between protein structure and fluctuation. Furthermore, the developed method provides a convienient practial way to predict fluctuations of proteins using easily computed static structural features of proteins. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structural features that predict real-value fluctuations of globular proteins

PubMed Central

Jamroz, Michal; Kolinski, Andrzej; Kihara, Daisuke

2012-01-01

It is crucial to consider dynamics for understanding the biological function of proteins. We used a large number of molecular dynamics trajectories of non-homologous proteins as references and examined static structural features of proteins that are most relevant to fluctuations. We examined correlation of individual structural features with fluctuations and further investigated effective combinations of features for predicting the real-value of residue fluctuations using the support vector regression. It was found that some structural features have higher correlation than crystallographic B-factors with fluctuations observed in molecular dynamics trajectories. Moreover, support vector regression that uses combinations of static structural features showed accurate prediction of fluctuations with an average Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.669 and a root mean square error of 1.04 Å. This correlation coefficient is higher than the one observed for the prediction by the Gaussian network model. An advantage of the developed method over the Gaussian network models is that the former predicts the real-value of fluctuation. The results help improve our understanding of relationships between protein structure and fluctuation. Furthermore, the developed method provides a convienient practial way to predict fluctuations of proteins using easily computed static structural features of proteins. PMID:22328193

The home hemodialysis hub: physical infrastructure and integrated governance structure.

PubMed

Marshall, Mark R; Young, Bessie A; Fox, Sally J; Cleland, Calli J; Walker, Robert J; Masakane, Ikuto; Herold, Aaron M

2015-04-01

An effective home hemodialysis program critically depends on adequate hub facilities and support functions and on transparent and accountable organizational processes. The likelihood of optimal service delivery and patient care will be enhanced by fit-for-purpose facilities and implementation of a well-considered governance structure. In this article, we describe the required accommodation and infrastructure for a home hemodialysis program and a generic organizational structure that will support both patient-facing clinical activities and business processes. © 2015 International Society for Hemodialysis.

8 CFR 499.1 - Prescribed forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... shown or a subsequent edition date. Form No. Edition date Title and description M-288 12-30-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level II. M-289 12-31-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level I. M-290 01-01-90 U.S. Government Structure, Level II. M-291 12-31-87 U.S. Government Structure, Level I. M-302 03...

8 CFR 499.1 - Prescribed forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... shown or a subsequent edition date. Form No. Edition date Title and description M-288 12-30-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level II. M-289 12-31-87 United States History 1600-1987, Level I. M-290 01-01-90 U.S. Government Structure, Level II. M-291 12-31-87 U.S. Government Structure, Level I. M-302 03...

Governance and Management Structures for Community Partnerships: Experiences from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Community Partnerships for Older Adults Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bolda, Elise J.; Saucier, Paul; Maddux, George L.; Wetle, Terrie; Lowe, Jane Isaacs

2006-01-01

Purpose: This article describes early efforts of four community partnerships in Boston, El Paso, Houston, and Milwaukee to address governance and management structures in ways that promote the sustainability of innovative community-based long-term care system improvements. The four communities are grantees of the Community Partnerships for Older…

Linkages among Education, Health, and Social Services Systems in States That Are Creating New Governance Structures.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mutchler, Sue E.; Pollard, Joyce S.

As they work to develop integrated, community-driven service systems that meet the constellation of needs of children and families, several states are beginning to develop new governance structures at the local level. This paper describes the ways in which states are creating or supporting linkages among education, health, and human services. A…

77 FR 5284 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-02

... governance structure of OCC by (i) increasing the number of public directors on the Board from one to three... any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at... change is to modify the corporate governance structure of OCC by (i) increasing the number of public...

Information Technology Governance, Funding and Structure: A Case Analysis of a Public University in Malaysia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ismail, Noor Azizi

2008-01-01

Purpose: The paper's purpose is to investigate the issues of IT governance, funding and structure of a public university in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a case study approach, i.e. a series of interviews with users and information services provider of campus information system. Findings: The university lacks a common…

The Emergence of Cambodian Civil Society within Global Educational Governance: A Morphogenetic Approach to Agency and Structure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, D. Brent, Jr.; Brehm, William C.

2015-01-01

This paper uses Margaret Archer's morphogenetic approach to analyze the emergence of civil society within global educational governance. The purpose is to understand the intersection of historical structures with global actors and spaces that have accompanied the globalization of education. Based on findings from a study on the impact in Cambodia…

Implementation and Validation of an Anisotropic Plasticity Model for Clay and a Two-Scale Micropolar Constitutive Model for Sand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yonten, Karma

As a multi-phase material, soil exhibits highly nonlinear, anisotropic, and inelastic behavior. While it may be impractical for one constitutive model to address all features of the soil behavior, one can identify the essential aspects of the soil's stress-strainstrength response for a particular class of problems and develop a suitable constitutive model that captures those aspects. Here, attention is given to two important features of the soil stress-strain-strength behavior: anisotropy and post-failure response. An anisotropic soil plasticity model is implemented to investigate the significance of initial and induced anisotropy on the response of geo-structures founded on cohesive soils. The model is shown to produce realistic responses for a variety of over-consolidation ratios. Moreover, the performance of the model is assessed in a boundary value problem in which a cohesive soil is subjected to the weight of a newly constructed soil embankment. Significance of incorporating anisotropy is clearly demonstrated by comparing the results of the simulation using the model with those obtained by using an isotropic plasticity model. To investigate post-failure response of soils, the issue of strain localization in geostructures is considered. Post-failure analysis of geo-structures using numerical techniques such as mesh-based or mesh-free methods is often faced with convergence issues which may, at times, lead to incorrect failure mechanisms. This is due to the fact that majority of existing constitutive models are formulated within the framework of classical continuum mechanics that leads to ill-posed governing equations at the onset of localization. To overcome this challenge, a critical state two-surface plasticity model is extended to incorporate the micro-structural mechanisms that become significant within the shear band. The extended model is implemented to study the strain localization of granular soils in drained and undrained conditions. It is demonstrated that the extended model is capable of capturing salient features of soil behavior in pre- and post-failure regimes. The effects of soil particle size, initial density and confining pressure on the thickness and orientation of shear band are investigated and compared with the observed behavior of soils.

Lessons from industry: one school's transformation toward "lean" curricular governance.

PubMed

Stratton, Terry D; Rudy, David W; Sauer, Marlene J; Perman, Jay A; Jennings, C Darrell

2007-04-01

As medical education grapples with organizational calls for centralized curricular oversight, programs may be compelled to respond by establishing highly vertical, stacked governance structures. Although these models offer discrete advantages over the horizontal, compartmentalized structures they are designed to replace, they pose new challenges to ensuring curricular quality and the educational innovations that drive the curricula. The authors describe a hybrid quality-assurance (QA) governance structure introduced in 2003 at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (UKCOM) that ensures centralized curricular oversight of the educational product while allowing individualized creative control over the educational process. Based on a Lean production model, this approach draws on industry experiences that strategically separate institutional accountability (management) for a quality curriculum from the decision-making processes required to ensure it (production). In so doing, the authors acknowledge general similarities and key differences between overseeing the manufacture of a complex product versus the education of a physician-emphasizing the structured, sequential, and measurable nature of each process. Further, the authors briefly trace the emergence of quality approaches in manufacturing and discuss the philosophical changes that accompany transition to an institutional governance system that relies on vigorous, robust performance measures to offer continuous feedback on curricular quality.

Nanotechnology and the need for risk governance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renn, O.; Roco, M. C.

2006-04-01

After identifying the main characteristics and prospects of nanotechnology as an emerging technology, the paper presents the general risks associated with nanotechnology applications and the deficits of the risk governance process today, concluding with recommendations to governments, industry, international organizations and other stakeholders. The International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) has identified a governance gap between the requirements pertaining to the nano- rather than the micro-/macro- technologies. The novel attributes of nanotechnology demand different routes for risk-benefit assessment and risk management, and at present, nanotechnology innovation proceeds ahead of the policy and regulatory environment. In the shorter term, the governance gap is significant for those passive nanostructures that are currently in production and have high exposure rates; and is especially significant for the several `active' nanoscale structures and nanosystems that we can expect to be on the market in the near future. Active nanoscale structures and nanosystems have the potential to affect not only human health and the environment but also aspects of social lifestyle, human identity and cultural values. The main recommendations of the report deal with selected higher risk nanotechnology applications, short- and long-term issues, and global models for nanotechnology governance.

Feature-based attentional weighting and spreading in visual working memory

PubMed Central

Niklaus, Marcel; Nobre, Anna C.; van Ede, Freek

2017-01-01

Attention can be directed at features and feature dimensions to facilitate perception. Here, we investigated whether feature-based-attention (FBA) can also dynamically weight feature-specific representations within multi-feature objects held in visual working memory (VWM). Across three experiments, participants retained coloured arrows in working memory and, during the delay, were cued to either the colour or the orientation dimension. We show that directing attention towards a feature dimension (1) improves the performance in the cued feature dimension at the expense of the uncued dimension, (2) is more efficient if directed to the same rather than to different dimensions for different objects, and (3) at least for colour, automatically spreads to the colour representation of non-attended objects in VWM. We conclude that FBA also continues to operate on VWM representations (with similar principles that govern FBA in the perceptual domain) and challenge the classical view that VWM representations are stored solely as integrated objects. PMID:28233830

Considering Governance for Patient Access to E-Medical Records.

PubMed

Day, Karen; Wells, Susan

2015-01-01

People having access to their medical records could have a transformative improvement effect on healthcare delivery and use. Our research aimed to explore the concerns and attitudes of giving people electronic access to their medical records through patient portals. We conducted 28 semi-structured interviews with 30 people, asking questions about portal design, organisational implications and governance. We report the findings of the governance considerations raised during the interviews. These revealed that (1) there is uncertainty about the possible design and extent of giving people access to their medical records to view/use, (2) existing policies about patient authentication, proxy, and privacy require modification, and (3) existing governance structures and functions require further examination and adjustment. Future research should include more input from patients and health informaticians.

Higher Education in Texas: Student Aid and Governance. Working Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tolo, Kenneth W.

Current issues facing higher education in Texas are examined with an emphasis on student financial aid programs and governance. The formal organizational structure and the responsibilities of the major governmental units are described, and the role played by state government in higher education through its tuition policies and its student aid…

Governing Urban School Districts: Efforts in Los Angeles to Effect Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Augustine, Catherine H.; Epstein, Diana; Vuollo, Mirka

2006-01-01

Many urban school district students are dropping out and few of the remaining ones reach state or district achievement goals. These problems make governing urban schools both difficult and important. In 2005-06, the governance structure of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) was examined, debated, criticized, and praised by several…

Balancing stability and flexibility in adaptive governance: an analysis of tools available in U.S. environmental law

EPA Science Inventory

Adaptive governance must work “on the ground,” that is, it must operate through structures and procedures that the people it governs perceive to be legitimate and fair, as well as incorporating processes and substantive goals that are effective in allowing social-ecological syste...

3 CFR 13547 - Executive Order 13547 of July 19, 2010. Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Great Lakes provide jobs, food, energy resources, ecological services, recreation, and tourism... Government, as well as participation of State, tribal, and local authorities, regional governance structures..., and assistance as the Council, through the Co-Chairs, may request. Sec. 7. Governance Coordinating...

(De)Constructing Power in Higher Education Governance Structures: An Analysis of Representation and Roles in Governing Bodies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bótas, Paulo Charles Pimentel; Huisman, Jeroen

2012-01-01

This article explores how power relations are constructed in the governance of higher education institutions. It examines and deconstructs, from a Foucauldian perspective, power relations and mechanisms in the relationship between the state and higher education institutions, and between academic and management staff. This research article…

Values of Free Government: Our Bicentennial Legacy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patrick, John J.

1987-01-01

States that the Founders' legacy is our well-modeled government which is limited by law to protect the life, liberty, and property of individuals. Reviews some of the Founding Fathers' thoughts regarding the proper role and structure of our government. Advocates improved citizenship education and introduces the theme articles in this issue. (JDH)

The Conditioning Role of State Higher Education Governance Structures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tandberg, David A.

2013-01-01

This article reports on a study that examined whether the presence of a consolidated governing board for higher education conditions the impact various political factors have on state support for higher education. The existence of a consolidated governing board is shown to significantly alter the politics of the state higher education…

10 CFR 781.52 - Exclusive and partially exclusive licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... subsidiaries and to affiliates within the corporate structure of which the licensee is a part, if any. However... on competition in the U.S.; (3) Projected market size; (4) The benefit to the U.S. Government, U.S... United States (including any Government agency), the States, and domestic municipal governments, unless...

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-05

and governments assert that the nuclear deal could give Iran additional political and economic resources to support pro-Iranian movements and regimes...such as the embattled government of Bashar Al Assad of Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly opposed the JPA as failing to...67 Figures Figure 1. Structure of the Iranian Government

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-11-04

government of Israel expresses skepticism of Rouhani’s intentions and continues to assert that it might take unilateral military action against Iran’s...domestic reform movement as cowed by regime suppression and inactive. In September 2013, his government released nearly 80 political prisoners. For...71 Figures Figure 1. Structure of the Iranian Government

Structure and origin of Australian ring and dome features with reference to the search for asteroid impact events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glikson, Andrew

2018-01-01

Ring, dome and crater features on the Australian continent and shelf include (A) 38 structures of confirmed or probable asteroid and meteorite impact origin and (B) numerous buried and exposed ring, dome and crater features of undefined origin. A large number of the latter include structural and geophysical elements consistent with impact structures, pending test by field investigations and/or drilling. This paper documents and briefly describes 43 ring and dome features with the aim of appraising their similarities and differences from those of impact structures. Discrimination between impact structures and igneous plugs, volcanic caldera and salt domes require field work and/or drilling. Where crater-like morphological patterns intersect pre-existing linear structural features and contain central morphological highs and unique thrust and fault patterns an impact connection needs to tested in the field. Hints of potential buried impact structures may be furnished by single or multi-ring TMI patterns, circular TMI quiet zones, corresponding gravity patterns, low velocity and non-reflective seismic zones.

Weighted Components of i-Government Enterprise Architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budiardjo, E. K.; Firmansyah, G.; Hasibuan, Z. A.

2017-01-01

Lack of government performance, among others due to the lack of coordination and communication among government agencies. Whilst, Enterprise Architecture (EA) in the government can be use as a strategic planning tool to improve productivity, efficiency, and effectivity. However, the existence components of Government Enterprise Architecture (GEA) do not show level of importance, that cause difficulty in implementing good e-government for good governance. This study is to explore the weight of GEA components using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to discovered an inherent structure of e-government. The results show that IT governance component of GEA play a major role in the GEA. The rest of components that consist of e-government system, e-government regulation, e-government management, and application key operational, contributed more or less the same. Beside that GEA from other countries analyzes using comparative base on comon enterprise architecture component. These weighted components use to construct i-Government enterprise architecture. and show the relative importance of component in order to established priorities in developing e-government.

Tribal Science 2017 Webinar Series: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): Research, Collaborations, and Other Activities

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Tribal Science Webinar Series provides a forum for discussion of the complex environmental issues facing many tribal and indigenous communities, and features a wide variety of expert guest speakers from government,.....

Water/Ice Heat Sink With Quick-Connect Couplings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lomax, Curtis; Webbon, Bruce

1996-01-01

Report presents additional detailed information on apparatus described in "Direct-Interface, Fusible Heat Sink" (ARC-11920). Describes entire apparatus, with special emphasis on features of quick-disconnect couplings governing flow of water under various operating conditions and plumbing configuration.

The Third International Conference: Tokyo

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kidd, J. Roby

1972-01-01

The Tokyo Conference featured more of an acceptance of established theory, agreement on broad programs, and consolidation of approaches. It also made clear the fact that governments now take, and expect to take a much greater responsibility for adult education. (Author/RK)

Efficiency in the United States electric industry: Transaction costs, deregulation, and governance structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peterson, Carl

Transaction costs economics (TCE) posits that firms have an incentive to bypass the market mechanisms in situations where the cost of using the market is prohibitive. Vertical integration, among other governance mechanisms, can be used to minimize the transactions costs associated with the market mechanism. The study analyses different governance mechanisms, which range from complete vertical integration to the use of market mechanisms, for firms in the US electric sector. This sector has undergone tremendous change in the past decade including the introduction of retail competition in some jurisdictions. As a result of the push toward deregulation of the industry, vertically integration, while still significant in the sector, has steadily been replaced by alternative governance structures. Using a sample of 136 investor-owned electric utilities that reported data the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission between 1996 and 2002, this study estimates firm level efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and relates these estimates to governance structure and public policies. The analysis finds that vertical integration is positively related to firm efficiency, although in a non-linear fashion suggesting that hybrid governance structures tend to be associated with lower efficiency scores. In addition, while some evidence is found for negative short-term effects on firm efficiency from the choice to deregulate, this result is sensitive to DEA model choice. Further, competition in retail markets is found to be positively related to firm level efficiency, but the retreat from deregulation, which occurred after 2000, is negatively associated with firm-level efficiency. These results are important in the ongoing academic and public policy debates concerning deregulation of the electric section and indicate that vertical economies remain in the industry, but that competition has provided incentives for improving firm level efficiency.

Health in All Policies (HiAP) governance: lessons from network governance.

PubMed

Khayatzadeh-Mahani, Akram; Ruckert, Arne; Labonté, Ronald; Kenis, Patrick; Akbari-Javar, Mohammad Reza

2018-05-25

The Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach requires formal and sustained governance structures and mechanisms to ensure that the policies of various non-health sectors maximize positive and minimize negative impacts on population health. In this paper, we demonstrate the usefulness of a network perspective in understanding and contributing to the effectiveness of HiAP. We undertook an exploratory, qualitative case study of a HiAP structure in Iran, the Kerman province Council of Health and Food Security (CHFS) with diverse members from health and non-health sectors. We analyzed relevant policy texts and interviewed 32 policy actors involved in the CHFS. Data were analyzed using within-case analysis and constant comparative methodology. Our findings suggest that CHFS governance from a network perspective drew in practice on elements of two competing network governance modes: the network administrative organization (NAO) and the lead organization mode. Our results also show that a shift from a hierarchical and market-based mode of interaction to a network logic within CHFS has not yet taken place. In addition, CHFS suffers from large membership and an inability to address complex 'wicked problems', as well as low trust, legitimacy and goal consensus among its members. Drawing on other HiAP studies and commentaries, insights from organization network theory, and in-depth findings from our case study, we conclude that a NAO may be the most effective mode of governance for tackling complex social problems in HiAP structures. Since similar studies are limited, and our single case study may not be transferable across all contexts, we suggest that further research be undertaken to explore HiAP structures from a network perspective in different institutional and cultural settings. With increasing emphasis given to HiAP approaches in national and international health policy discourse, it is important that comparative knowledge about the effectiveness of HiAP governance arrangements be developed.

Correlation between structure, retention, property, and activity of biologically relevant 1,7-bis(aminoalkyl)diazachrysene derivatives.

PubMed

Šegan, Sandra; Trifković, Jelena; Verbić, Tatjana; Opsenica, Dejan; Zlatović, Mario; Burnett, James; Šolaja, Bogdan; Milojković-Opsenica, Dušanka

2013-01-01

The physicochemical properties, retention parameters (R(M)(0)), partition coefficients (logP(OW)), and pK(a) values for a series of thirteen 1,7-bis(aminoalkyl) diazachrysene (1,7-DAAC) derivatives were determined in order to reveal the characteristics responsible for their biological behavior. The investigated compounds inhibit three unrelated pathogens (the Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A light chain (BoNT/A LC), Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and Ebola filovirus) via three different mechanisms of action. To determine the most influential factors governing the retention and activities of the investigated diazachrysenes, R(M)(0), logP(OW), and biological activity values were correlated with 2D and 3D molecular descriptors, using a partial least squares regression. The resulting quantitative structure-retention (property) relationships indicate the importance of descriptors related to the hydrophobicity of the molecules (e.g., predicted partition coefficients and hydrophobic surface area). Quantitative structure-activity relationship models for describing biological activity against the BoNT/A LC and malarial strains also include overall compound polarity, electron density distribution, and proton donor/acceptor potential. Furthermore, models for Ebola filovirus inhibition are presented qualitatively to provide insights into parameters that may contribute to the compounds' antiviral activities. Overall, the models form the basis for selecting structural features that significantly affect the compound's absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity profiles. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structure-activity studies and therapeutic potential of host defense peptides of human thrombin.

PubMed

Kasetty, Gopinath; Papareddy, Praveen; Kalle, Martina; Rydengård, Victoria; Mörgelin, Matthias; Albiger, Barbara; Malmsten, Martin; Schmidtchen, Artur

2011-06-01

Peptides of the C-terminal region of human thrombin are released upon proteolysis and identified in human wounds. In this study, we wanted to investigate minimal determinants, as well as structural features, governing the antimicrobial and immunomodulating activity of this peptide region. Sequential amino acid deletions of the peptide GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE (GKY25), as well as substitutions at strategic and structurally relevant positions, were followed by analyses of antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungus Candida albicans. Furthermore, peptide effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, lipoteichoic acid-, or zymosan-induced macrophage activation were studied. The thrombin-derived peptides displayed length- and sequence-dependent antimicrobial as well as immunomodulating effects. A peptide length of at least 20 amino acids was required for effective anti-inflammatory effects in macrophage models, as well as optimal antimicrobial activity as judged by MIC assays. However, shorter (>12 amino acids) variants also displayed significant antimicrobial effects. A central K14 residue was important for optimal antimicrobial activity. Finally, one peptide variant, GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVI (GKY20) exhibiting improved selectivity, i.e., low toxicity and a preserved antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory effect, showed efficiency in mouse models of LPS shock and P. aeruginosa sepsis. The work defines structure-activity relationships of C-terminal host defense peptides of thrombin and delineates a strategy for selecting peptide epitopes of therapeutic interest.

Distinct Mechanisms of Recognizing Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport III (ESCRT-III) Protein IST1 by Different Microtubule Interacting and Trafficking (MIT) Domains*

PubMed Central

Guo, Emily Z.; Xu, Zhaohui

2015-01-01

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery is responsible for membrane remodeling in a number of biological processes including multivesicular body biogenesis, cytokinesis, and enveloped virus budding. In mammalian cells, efficient abscission during cytokinesis requires proper function of the ESCRT-III protein IST1, which binds to the microtubule interacting and trafficking (MIT) domains of VPS4, LIP5, and Spartin via its C-terminal MIT-interacting motif (MIM). Here, we studied the molecular interactions between IST1 and the three MIT domain-containing proteins to understand the structural basis that governs pairwise MIT-MIM interaction. Crystal structures of the three molecular complexes revealed that IST1 binds to the MIT domains of VPS4, LIP5, and Spartin using two different mechanisms (MIM1 mode versus MIM3 mode). Structural comparison revealed that structural features in both MIT and MIM contribute to determine the specific binding mechanism. Within the IST1 MIM sequence, two phenylalanine residues were shown to be important in discriminating MIM1 versus MIM3 binding. These observations enabled us to deduce a preliminary binding code, which we applied to provide CHMP2A, a protein that normally only binds the MIT domain in the MIM1 mode, the additional ability to bind the MIT domain of Spartin in the MIM3 mode. PMID:25657007

State budget transfers to Health Insurance to expand coverage to people outside formal sector work in Latin America.

PubMed

Mathauer, Inke; Behrendt, Thorsten

2017-02-16

Contributory social health insurance for formal sector employees only has proven challenging for moving towards universal health coverage (UHC). This is because the informally employed and the poor usually remain excluded. One way to expand UHC is to fully or partially subsidize health insurance contributions for excluded population groups through government budget transfers. This paper analyses the institutional design features of such government subsidization arrangements in Latin America and assesses their performance with respect to UHC progress. The aim is to identify UHC conducive institutional design features of such arrangements. A literature search provided the information to analyse institutional design features, with a focus on the following aspects: eligibility/enrolment rules, financing and pooling arrangements, and purchasing and benefit package design. Based on secondary data analysis, UHC progress is assessed in terms of improved population coverage, financial protection and access to needed health care services. Such government subsidization arrangements currently exist in eight countries of Latin America (Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay). Institutional design features and UHC related performance vary significantly. Notably, countries with a universalist approach or indirect targeting have higher population coverage rates. Separate pools for the subsidized maintain inequitable access. The relatively large scopes of the benefit packages had a positive impact on financial protection and access to care. In the long term, merging different schemes into one integrated health financing system without opt-out options for the better-off is desirable, while equally expanding eligibility to cover those so far excluded. In the short and medium term, the harmonization of benefit packages could be a priority. UHC progress also depends on substantial supply side investments to ensure the availability of quality services, particularly in rural areas. Future research should generate more evidence on the implementation process and impact of subsidization arrangements on UHC progress.

Hospital reforms in France under a Socialist government.

PubMed

De Pouvourville, G

1986-01-01

French health care faced the dual crises of rising costs and excess physicians. No government, whether left or right, could avoid focusing reform on the extensive public hospital system. Many differences introduced by the Socialists after 1981 were rhetorical and relational--matters of "democratization" of governance and "control" of physicians. Paradoxically, the two major structural reforms, "departmentalization" and "global budgeting," were extensions of actions begun under preceding governments. Neither has come to fruition yet.

Higher Education Governance as Language Games: A Wittgensteinian Case Study of the Breakdown of Governance at the London School of Economics 2004-2011

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenhalgh, Trisha

2015-01-01

This paper calls for a more detailed study of social practices in the analysis of governance failures. Using the Woolf report on the breakdown of governance at the London School of Economics as a case study and Wittgenstein's notion of language games as an analytic lens, the author argues that widely used institutional and structural theories of…

Incorporating Human Movement Behavior into the Analysis of Spatially Distributed Infrastructure.

PubMed

Wu, Lihua; Leung, Henry; Jiang, Hao; Zheng, Hong; Ma, Li

2016-01-01

For the first time in human history, the majority of the world's population resides in urban areas. Therefore, city managers are faced with new challenges related to the efficiency, equity and quality of the supply of resources, such as water, food and energy. Infrastructure in a city can be viewed as service points providing resources. These service points function together as a spatially collaborative system to serve an increasing population. To study the spatial collaboration among service points, we propose a shared network according to human's collective movement and resource usage based on data usage detail records (UDRs) from the cellular network in a city in western China. This network is shown to be not scale-free, but exhibits an interesting triangular property governed by two types of nodes with very different link patterns. Surprisingly, this feature is consistent with the urban-rural dualistic context of the city. Another feature of the shared network is that it consists of several spatially separated communities that characterize local people's active zones but do not completely overlap with administrative areas. According to these features, we propose the incorporation of human movement into infrastructure classification. The presence of well-defined spatially separated clusters confirms the effectiveness of this approach. In this paper, our findings reveal the spatial structure inside a city, and the proposed approach provides a new perspective on integrating human movement into the study of a spatially distributed system.

[Modernization, medicine, disease, and public health in Caracas (1870-1877)].

PubMed

Colmenares, Germán Yépez

2002-01-01

Between 1870 and 1877, under German Antonio Guzmán Blanco's first period of government, a set of measures was inaugurated with the intent of modernizing Venezuelan society, government, and the State. The city of Caracus was a prime setting in which to undertake a series of reformist works and measures meant to transform the capital into an urban space boasting features similar to Europe's major cities. Standing among the years' main developments are the pactice and teaching of medicine, measures seeking to improve public health conditions, and the express desire to use legal norms and resolutions to attack the principle diseases afflicting Caracas residents. The government and its circle of professional elites sought to set the stage to attract capital and European immigrants.

A Comparison of Female Supervisors in Business and Government Organizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DiMarco, Nicholas; Whitsitt, Susan E.

1975-01-01

This exploratory study compared the life style and interpersonal need orientation, leadership style, and perception of the organization structure of female supervisors in business and government organizations. (Author)

Automated discovery of structural features of the optic nerve head on the basis of image and genetic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christopher, Mark; Tang, Li; Fingert, John H.; Scheetz, Todd E.; Abramoff, Michael D.

2014-03-01

Evaluation of optic nerve head (ONH) structure is a commonly used clinical technique for both diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma. Glaucoma is associated with characteristic changes in the structure of the ONH. We present a method for computationally identifying ONH structural features using both imaging and genetic data from a large cohort of participants at risk for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Using 1054 participants from the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study, ONH structure was measured by application of a stereo correspondence algorithm to stereo fundus images. In addition, the genotypes of several known POAG genetic risk factors were considered for each participant. ONH structural features were discovered using both a principal component analysis approach to identify the major modes of variance within structural measurements and a linear discriminant analysis approach to capture the relationship between genetic risk factors and ONH structure. The identified ONH structural features were evaluated based on the strength of their associations with genotype and development of POAG by the end of the OHTS study. ONH structural features with strong associations with genotype were identified for each of the genetic loci considered. Several identified ONH structural features were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the development of POAG after Bonferroni correction. Further, incorporation of genetic risk status was found to substantially increase performance of early POAG prediction. These results suggest incorporating both imaging and genetic data into ONH structural modeling significantly improves the ability to explain POAG-related changes to ONH structure.

Radiation and the regulatory landscape of neo2-Darwinism.

PubMed

Rollo, C David

2006-05-11

Several recently revealed features of eukaryotic genomes were not predicted by earlier evolutionary paradigms, including the relatively small number of genes, the very large amounts of non-functional code and its quarantine in heterochromatin, the remarkable conservation of many functionally important genes across relatively enormous phylogenetic distances, and the prevalence of extra-genomic information associated with chromatin structure and histone proteins. All of these emphasize a paramount role for regulatory evolution, which is further reinforced by recent perspectives highlighting even higher-order regulation governing epigenetics and development (EVO-DEVO). Modern neo2-Darwinism, with its emphasis on regulatory mechanisms and regulatory evolution provides new vision for understanding radiation biology, particularly because free radicals and redox states are central to many regulatory mechanisms and free radicals generated by radiation mimic and amplify endogenous signalling. This paper explores some of these aspects and their implications for low-dose radiation biology.

A thermodynamic unification of jamming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Kevin; Brodsky, E. E.; Kavehpour, H. P.

2008-05-01

Fragile materials ranging from sand to fire retardant to toothpaste are able to exhibit both solid and fluid-like properties across the jamming transition. Unlike ordinary fusion, systems of grains, foams and colloids jam and cease to flow under conditions that still remain unknown. Here, we quantify jamming using a thermodynamic approach by accounting for the structural ageing and the shear-induced compressibility of dry sand. Specifically, the jamming threshold is defined using a non-thermal temperature that measures the `fluffiness' of a granular mixture. The thermodynamic model, cast in terms of pressure, temperature and free volume, also successfully predicts the entropic data of five molecular glasses. Notably, the predicted configurational entropy averts the Kauzmann paradox-an unresolved crisis where the configurational entropy becomes negative-entirely. Without any free parameters, the proposed equation-of-state also governs the mechanism of shear banding and the associated features of shear softening and thickness invariance.

2001 Gordon Research Conference on Archaea: Ecology [sic], Metabolism. Final progress report [agenda and attendee list

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

Daniels, Charles

2001-08-10

The Gordon Research Conference on Archaea: Ecology, Metabolism [and Molecular Biology] was held at Proctor Academy, Andover, New Hampshire, August 5-10, 2001. The conference was attended by 135 participants. The attendees represented the spectrum of endeavor in this field, coming from academia, industry, and government laboratories, and included US and foreign scientists, senior researchers, young investigators, and students. Emphasis was placed on current unpublished research and discussion of the future target areas in this field. There was a conscious effort to stimulate discussion about the key issues in the field today. Session topics included the following: Ecology and genetic elements;more » Genomics and evolution; Ecology, genomes and gene regulation; Replication and recombination; Chromatin and transcription; Gene regulation; Post-transcription processing; Biochemistry and metabolism; Proteomics and protein structure; Metabolism and physiology. The featured speaker addressed the topic: ''Archaeal viruses, witnesses of prebiotic evolution?''« less

Near-island biological hotspots in barren ocean basins.

PubMed

Gove, Jamison M; McManus, Margaret A; Neuheimer, Anna B; Polovina, Jeffrey J; Drazen, Jeffrey C; Smith, Craig R; Merrifield, Mark A; Friedlander, Alan M; Ehses, Julia S; Young, Charles W; Dillon, Amanda K; Williams, Gareth J

2016-02-16

Phytoplankton production drives marine ecosystem trophic-structure and global fisheries yields. Phytoplankton biomass is particularly influential near coral reef islands and atolls that span the oligotrophic tropical oceans. The paradoxical enhancement in phytoplankton near an island-reef ecosystem--Island Mass Effect (IME)--was first documented 60 years ago, yet much remains unknown about the prevalence and drivers of this ecologically important phenomenon. Here we provide the first basin-scale investigation of IME. We show that IME is a near-ubiquitous feature among a majority (91%) of coral reef ecosystems surveyed, creating near-island 'hotspots' of phytoplankton biomass throughout the upper water column. Variations in IME strength are governed by geomorphic type (atoll vs island), bathymetric slope, reef area and local human impacts (for example, human-derived nutrient input). These ocean oases increase nearshore phytoplankton biomass by up to 86% over oceanic conditions, providing basal energetic resources to higher trophic levels that support subsistence-based human populations.

Driven phase space vortices in plasmas with nonextensive velocity distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trivedi, Pallavi; Ganesh, Rajaraman

2017-03-01

The evolution of chirp-driven electrostatic waves in unmagnetized plasmas is numerically investigated by using a one-dimensional (1D) Vlasov-poisson solver with periodic boundary conditions. The initial velocity distribution of the 1D plasma is assumed to be governed by nonextensive q distribution [C. Tsallis, J. Stat. Phys. 52, 479 (1988)]. For an infinitesimal amplitude of an external drive, we investigate the effects of chirp driven dynamics that leads to the formation of giant phase space vortices (PSV) for both Maxwellian (q = 1) and non-Maxwellian ( q ≠ 1 ) plasmas. For non-Maxwellian plasmas, the formation of giant PSV with multiple extrema and phase velocities is shown to be dependent on the strength of "q". Novel features such as "shark"-like and transient "honeycomb"-like structures in phase space are discussed. Wherever relevant, we compare our results with previous work.

Adsorption behavior of acetone solvent at the HMX crystal faces: A molecular dynamics study.

PubMed

Liu, Yingzhe; Yu, Tao; Lai, Weipeng; Ma, Yiding; Kang, Ying; Ge, Zhongxue

2017-06-01

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to understand the adsorption behavior of acetone (AC) solvent at the three surfaces of 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctan (HMX) crystal, i.e. (011), (110), and (020) faces. The simulation results show that the structural features and electrostatic potentials of crystal faces are determined by the HMX molecular packing, inducing distinct mass density distribution, dipole orientation, and diffusion of solvent molecules in the interfacial regions. The solvent adsorption is mainly governed by the van der Waals forces, and the crystal-solvent interaction energies among three systems are ranked as (020)≈(110)>(011). The adsorption sites for solvent incorporation at the crystal surface were found and visualized with the aid of occupancy analysis. A uniform arrangement of adsorption sites is observed at the rough (020) surface as a result of ordered adsorption motif. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Solitary-wave solutions of the Benjamin equation

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

Albert, J.P.; Bona, J.L.; Restrepo, J.M.

1999-10-01

Considered here is a model equation put forward by Benjamin that governs approximately the evolution of waves on the interface of a two-fluid system in which surface-tension effects cannot be ignored. The principal focus is the traveling-wave solutions called solitary waves, and three aspects will be investigated. A constructive proof of the existence of these waves together with a proof of their stability is developed. Continuation methods are used to generate a scheme capable of numerically approximating these solitary waves. The computer-generated approximations reveal detailed aspects of the structure of these waves. They are symmetric about their crests, but unlikemore » the classical Korteqeg-de Vries solitary waves, they feature a finite number of oscillations. The derivation of the equation is also revisited to get an idea of whether or not these oscillatory waves might actually occur in a natural setting.« less

Acoustic Emission Analysis Applet (AEAA) Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nichols, Charles T.; Roth, Don J.

2013-01-01

NASA Glenn Research and NASA White Sands Test Facility have developed software supporting an automated pressure vessel structural health monitoring (SHM) system based on acoustic emissions (AE). The software, referred to as the Acoustic Emission Analysis Applet (AEAA), provides analysts with a tool that can interrogate data collected on Digital Wave Corp. and Physical Acoustics Corp. software using a wide spectrum of powerful filters and charts. This software can be made to work with any data once the data format is known. The applet will compute basic AE statistics, and statistics as a function of time and pressure (see figure). AEAA provides value added beyond the analysis provided by the respective vendors' analysis software. The software can handle data sets of unlimited size. A wide variety of government and commercial applications could benefit from this technology, notably requalification and usage tests for compressed gas and hydrogen-fueled vehicles. Future enhancements will add features similar to a "check engine" light on a vehicle. Once installed, the system will ultimately be used to alert International Space Station crewmembers to critical structural instabilities, but will have little impact to missions otherwise. Diagnostic information could then be transmitted to experienced technicians on the ground in a timely manner to determine whether pressure vessels have been impacted, are structurally unsound, or can be safely used to complete the mission.

Examples of Current and Future Uses of Neural-Net Image Processing for Aerospace Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Decker, Arthur J.

2004-01-01

Feed forward artificial neural networks are very convenient for performing correlated interpolation of pairs of complex noisy data sets as well as detecting small changes in image data. Image-to-image, image-to-variable and image-to-index applications have been tested at Glenn. Early demonstration applications are summarized including image-directed alignment of optics, tomography, flow-visualization control of wind-tunnel operations and structural-model-trained neural networks. A practical application is reviewed that employs neural-net detection of structural damage from interference fringe patterns. Both sensor-based and optics-only calibration procedures are available for this technique. These accomplishments have generated the knowledge necessary to suggest some other applications for NASA and Government programs. A tomography application is discussed to support Glenn's Icing Research tomography effort. The self-regularizing capability of a neural net is shown to predict the expected performance of the tomography geometry and to augment fast data processing. Other potential applications involve the quantum technologies. It may be possible to use a neural net as an image-to-image controller of an optical tweezers being used for diagnostics of isolated nano structures. The image-to-image transformation properties also offer the potential for simulating quantum computing. Computer resources are detailed for implementing the black box calibration features of the neural nets.

Group implicit concurrent algorithms in nonlinear structural dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ortiz, M.; Sotelino, E. D.

1989-01-01

During the 70's and 80's, considerable effort was devoted to developing efficient and reliable time stepping procedures for transient structural analysis. Mathematically, the equations governing this type of problems are generally stiff, i.e., they exhibit a wide spectrum in the linear range. The algorithms best suited to this type of applications are those which accurately integrate the low frequency content of the response without necessitating the resolution of the high frequency modes. This means that the algorithms must be unconditionally stable, which in turn rules out explicit integration. The most exciting possibility in the algorithms development area in recent years has been the advent of parallel computers with multiprocessing capabilities. So, this work is mainly concerned with the development of parallel algorithms in the area of structural dynamics. A primary objective is to devise unconditionally stable and accurate time stepping procedures which lend themselves to an efficient implementation in concurrent machines. Some features of the new computer architecture are summarized. A brief survey of current efforts in the area is presented. A new class of concurrent procedures, or Group Implicit algorithms is introduced and analyzed. The numerical simulation shows that GI algorithms hold considerable promise for application in coarse grain as well as medium grain parallel computers.

The Local Turn: an Introductory Essay Revisiting Leadership, Elite Capture and Good Governance in Indonesian Conservation and Development Programs.

PubMed

Warren, Carol; Visser, Leontine

The local turn in good governance theory and practice responded to critiques of the ineffectiveness of state management and the inequity of privatization alternatives in natural resource management. Confounding expectations of greater effectiveness from decentralised governance, including community-based natural resource management, however, critics argue that expanded opportunities for elite capture have become widely associated with program failures. This overview of theoretical controversies on leadership, patronage and elite capture is part of a themed section in this issue that challenges assumptions across a wide range of current policy literature. It introduces a set of Indonesian case studies that examine practices of local leaders and elites and seek to account in structural terms for appropriations both by ('elite capture') and of ('captured elites') these key figures. These studies explore the structural factors and co-governance practices most likely to promote effective participation of the full spectrum of local interests in pursuit of better local natural resource governance.

Governance structure reform and antibiotics prescription in community health centres in Shenzhen, China.

PubMed

Liang, Xiaoyun; Xia, Tingsong; Zhang, Xiulan; Jin, Chenggang

2014-06-01

It is unclear whether changing the governance structure of community health centres (CHCs) could affect antibiotic prescribing behaviour. To explore how changes in governance structure affect antibiotic prescription for children younger than 5 years of age with acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURI) in CHCs in Shenzhen, China. This study used an interrupted time series design with a comparison series. On 1 June 2009, the Health Bureau of Shenzhen's Baoan District transferred CHCs from a hospital-affiliated model to a self-managed independent model regarding finance, personnel and employee compensation. We collected 23481 electronic medical records of children younger than 5 years of age who were treated for AURI on an outpatient basis 1 year before and 1 year after governance structure reform. We used segmented regression analysis to evaluate the effect of reform on antibiotic prescription. After the reform, the proportion of patients receiving an antibiotic injection per month and the proportion of patients receiving two or more antibiotics conditional on receiving an antibiotic per month decreased 9.17% and 7.34%, respectively (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). In the intervention series, the proportion of patients receiving an antibiotic injection per month and the monthly average cost of the antibiotics prescribed per patient continued to decrease over time compared with the control series (P < 0.001 or P < 0.05). This study suggests that governance structure reform can have positive effects on behaviour for antibiotic prescribing. Moreover, this short-term effect might have important implications for further community health reforms in China. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Features of Chaotic Transients in Excitable Media Governed by Spiral and Scroll Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lilienkamp, Thomas; Christoph, Jan; Parlitz, Ulrich

2017-08-01

In excitable media, chaotic dynamics governed by spiral or scroll waves is often not persistent but transient. Using extensive simulations employing different mathematical models we identify a specific type-II supertransient by an exponential increase of transient lifetimes with the system size in 2D and an investigation of the dynamics (number and lifetime of spiral waves, Kaplan-Yorke dimension). In 3D, simulations exhibit an increase of transient lifetimes and filament lengths only above a critical thickness. Finally, potential implications for understanding cardiac arrhythmias are discussed.

Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. Fifth Edition. Library and Information Science Text Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morehead, Joe

This book seeks to provide an account of general and specialized sources, in print and non-print formats, that comprise the bibliographic and textual structure of federal government information. This particular edition endeavors to update and broaden discussion of government information available electronically via the Internet. Chapters are: (1)…

National Assessment Governing Board and Voluntary National Tests: A Tale of Tribulations without Trials

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guerra, Michael

2009-01-01

As the National Assessment Governing Board marks its 20th anniversary, it looks back at its stewardship of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) with understandable pride. NAEP existed for 20 years before the Board was established to provide an independent governance structure for the assessment. During its first two decades, NAEP…

Opening up the Decision-Making Process through Shared Governance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Messina, Robert C., Jr.; And Others

A formal governance system was adopted by the Board of Trustees in April 1991 at Burlington County College in New Jersey after the Commission on Higher Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools observed that it was lacking. The policy defines the path for maintaining a governance structure which fosters clear and timely…

Duty, Discretion and Conflict: University Governance and the Legal Obligations of University Boards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Corcoran, Suzanne

2004-01-01

In recent years university governance has come in from the cold, so to speak, and is now the subject of some debate in political and academic venues. The core issue for debate is the appropriateness and effectiveness of current university governance structures. This debate is particularly critical in light of the increased professionalisation of…

Identifying Governance Best Practices in Systems-of-Systems Acquisition

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-08

Acquisition Governance ................................................ 28  Figure 3.  Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit System Components ...... 39 ...acquisition poses considerable challenges that the current Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition governance structure was not necessarily designed to...specify the warship it needed along with the design , construction, and outfitting of the ship. The Navy managed and performed production operations and

Security Certification Challenges in a Cloud Computing Delivery Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-27

Relevant Security Standards, Certifications, and Guidance  NIST SP 800 series  ISO /IEC 27001 framework  Cloud Security Alliance  Statement of...CSA Domains / Cloud Features ISO 27001 Cloud Service Provider Responsibility Government Agency Responsibility Analyze Security gaps Compensating

A tool for assessing the economic impact of spending on public transit.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-07-01

In this project, an Excel-based template tool was developed for transit agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders of public transit to estimate the economic impacts of spending on public transit. Features include the following: : Uses i...

Breccia dikes from the Beaverhead Impact structure, southwest Montana

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fiske, P. S.; Hougen, S. B.; Hargraves, R. B.

1992-01-01

While shatter cones are generally accepted as indicators of meteorite impact, older petrologic features are not widely recognized in the geologic community. Breccia dikes are one such feature. They are found in many large impact structures occurring over an area at least as extensively as shatter cones. Breccia dikes will survive moderate degrees of metamorphism and tectonism, unlike many other microscopic features (shocked quartz grains, high-pressure polymorphs, etc.) and even large-scale features such as annular or bowl-shaped topographic features. Thus, they are important diagnostic criteria, especially for large, poorly preserved impact structures. The Beaverhead Impact structure is a recently discovered, deeply eroded impact structure in southwestern Montana. The remains of the structure are delineated by the occurrence of shatter cones, found in an area greater than 200 sq km, occurring within the Cabin thrust plate, part of the Cretaceous Sevier fold and thrust system. The distribution of shatter cones is further truncated by Tertiary normal faults. The present remains represent an allochthonous fragment of a larger structure.

17 CFR Appendix A to Part 145 - Compilation of Commission Records Available to the Public

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... photographs. (10) Statistical data concerning the Commission's budget. (11) Statistical data concerning... applicant's legal status and governance structure, including governance fitness information, and any other...

76 FR 31300 - Government in the Sunshine Act Meeting Notice

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-31

... the Governance Committee regarding reforming the Agency's management structure. Board members will... the BBG's year-long strategic review. The meeting is open to the public, but due to space limitations...

Reflections on the implementation of governance structures for early-stage clinical innovation.

PubMed

Cowie, Luke; Sandall, Jane; Ehrich, Kathryn

2013-12-01

This paper seeks to further explore the question of how best to monitor and govern innovative clinical procedures in their earliest phase of development. We examine the potential value of proposed governance frameworks, such as the IDEAL model, and examine the functioning of a novel procedures review committee. The paper draws upon 20 qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Nine interviews were conducted with members of a committee that was established as a means of governing innovative procedures within a large National Health Service Foundation Trust hospital in the UK. Eleven interviews were conducted with health providers involved with the development of a variety of novel clinical procedures. Prominent themes from the data include the potential willingness of clinicians to engage with regulatory frameworks for innovative procedures, existing ways in which clinicians and others attempt to ensure patient's safety and manage uncertainty in the context of novel procedures, views on the potential benefits and drawbacks of engaging with a review committee for novel procedures, and the pragmatic considerations and potential unintended consequences that are entailed in the implementation of regulatory requirements for the monitoring of innovative procedures. The views of committee members and clinical innovators help us to understand the practical issues of implementing governance structures for novel clinical procedures. The data illustrate those factors that must be taken into account if governance is to support innovation rather than act as an inhibiting factor in the development of new clinical procedures. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Governance for clinical decision support: case studies and recommended practices from leading institutions

PubMed Central

Sittig, Dean F; Ash, Joan S; Bates, David W; Feblowitz, Joshua; Fraser, Greg; Maviglia, Saverio M; McMullen, Carmit; Nichol, W Paul; Pang, Justine E; Starmer, Jack; Middleton, Blackford

2011-01-01

Objective Clinical decision support (CDS) is a powerful tool for improving healthcare quality and ensuring patient safety; however, effective implementation of CDS requires effective clinical and technical governance structures. The authors sought to determine the range and variety of these governance structures and identify a set of recommended practices through observational study. Design Three site visits were conducted at institutions across the USA to learn about CDS capabilities and processes from clinical, technical, and organizational perspectives. Based on the results of these visits, written questionnaires were sent to the three institutions visited and two additional sites. Together, these five organizations encompass a variety of academic and community hospitals as well as small and large ambulatory practices. These organizations use both commercially available and internally developed clinical information systems. Measurements Characteristics of clinical information systems and CDS systems used at each site as well as governance structures and content management approaches were identified through extensive field interviews and follow-up surveys. Results Six recommended practices were identified in the area of governance, and four were identified in the area of content management. Key similarities and differences between the organizations studied were also highlighted. Conclusion Each of the five sites studied contributed to the recommended practices presented in this paper for CDS governance. Since these strategies appear to be useful at a diverse range of institutions, they should be considered by any future implementers of decision support. PMID:21252052

Efficiency of Public Service in Pekangbaru City With E-Government

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zamzami; Fajrizal; Arief Hasan, Mhd

2017-12-01

The use of technology in the field of computers today is increasing, along with the development of science and globalization of information that demands the creation of a state of computerization. E-Government is now the right solution for local and central government, it is because it can assist the government in managing government data and able to provide information to the community quickly, precisely and efficiently. The current service system at the Office of Population and Civil Registration of Pekanbaru City still uses a manual system that takes a long time and cost a lot. In this E-Government application will contain application feature profile information of the Office of Population and Civil Registration of Pekanbaru City, public service requirements, office address of Pekanbaru City Sub-district, community complaint, KK (Family Card), and birth certificate online. The general purpose of making E-Government application system is to provide a new alternative for the Office of Population and Civil Registration of Pekanbaru City in improving its public service system. And the specific purpose is to facilitate the delivery of information, the formation of the system of birth certificate and death online and realize the excellent service for the Office of Population and Civil Registration Pekanbaru and the public.

ANALYTICAL MODELS OF EXOPLANETARY ATMOSPHERES. I. ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS VIA THE SHALLOW WATER SYSTEM

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

Heng, Kevin; Workman, Jared, E-mail: kevin.heng@csh.unibe.ch, E-mail: jworkman@coloradomesa.edu

2014-08-01

Within the context of exoplanetary atmospheres, we present a comprehensive linear analysis of forced, damped, magnetized shallow water systems, exploring the effects of dimensionality, geometry (Cartesian, pseudo-spherical, and spherical), rotation, magnetic tension, and hydrodynamic and magnetic sources of friction. Across a broad range of conditions, we find that the key governing equation for atmospheres and quantum harmonic oscillators are identical, even when forcing (stellar irradiation), sources of friction (molecular viscosity, Rayleigh drag, and magnetic drag), and magnetic tension are included. The global atmospheric structure is largely controlled by a single key parameter that involves the Rossby and Prandtl numbers. Thismore » near-universality breaks down when either molecular viscosity or magnetic drag acts non-uniformly across latitude or a poloidal magnetic field is present, suggesting that these effects will introduce qualitative changes to the familiar chevron-shaped feature witnessed in simulations of atmospheric circulation. We also find that hydrodynamic and magnetic sources of friction have dissimilar phase signatures and affect the flow in fundamentally different ways, implying that using Rayleigh drag to mimic magnetic drag is inaccurate. We exhaustively lay down the theoretical formalism (dispersion relations, governing equations, and time-dependent wave solutions) for a broad suite of models. In all situations, we derive the steady state of an atmosphere, which is relevant to interpreting infrared phase and eclipse maps of exoplanetary atmospheres. We elucidate a pinching effect that confines the atmospheric structure to be near the equator. Our suite of analytical models may be used to develop decisively physical intuition and as a reference point for three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of atmospheric circulation.« less

Molecular basis for specificity in the druggable kinome: sequence-based analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Jianping; Zhang, Xi; Fernández, Ariel

2007-03-01

Rational design of kinase inhibitors remains a challenge partly because there is no clear delineation of the molecular features that direct the pharmacological impact towards clinically relevant targets. Standard factors governing ligand affinity, such as potential for intermolecular hydrophobic interactions or for intermolecular hydrogen bonding do not provide good markers to assess cross reactivity. Thus, a core question in the informatics of drug design is what type of molecular similarity among targets promotes promiscuity and what type of molecular difference governs specificity. This work answers the question for a sizable screened sample of the human pharmacokinome including targets with unreported structure. We show that drug design aimed at promoting pairwise interactions between ligand and kinase target actually fosters promiscuity because of the high conservation of the partner groups on or around the ATP-binding site of the kinase. Alternatively, we focus on a structural marker that may be reliably determined from sequence and measures dehydration propensities mostly localized on the loopy regions of kinases. Based on this marker, we construct a sequence-based kinase classifier that enables the accurate prediction of pharmacological differences. Our indicator is a microenvironmental descriptor that quantifies the propensity for water exclusion around preformed polar pairs. The results suggest that targeting polar dehydration patterns heralds a new generation of drugs that enable a tighter control of specificity than designs aimed at promoting ligand-kinase pairwise interactions. The predictor of polar hot spots for dehydration propensity, or solvent-accessible hydrogen bonds in soluble proteins, named YAPView, may be freely downloaded from the University of Chicago website http://protlib.uchicago.edu/dloads.html. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.