CHEERS Results from NGC 3393. II. Investigating the Extended Narrow-line Region Using Deep Chandra Observations and Hubble Space Telescope Narrow-line Imaging

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

Maksym, W. Peter; Fabbiano, Giuseppina; Elvis, Martin

The CHandra Extended Emission Line Region Survey (CHEERS) is an X-ray study of nearby active galactic nuclei (AGNs) designed to take full advantage of Chandra 's unique angular resolution by spatially resolving feedback signatures and effects. In the second paper of a series on CHEERS target NGC 3393, we examine deep high-resolution Chandra images and compare them with Hubble Space Telescope narrow-line images of [O iii], [S ii], and H α , as well as previously unpublished mid-ultraviolet (MUV) images. The X-rays provide unprecedented evidence that the S-shaped arms that envelope the nuclear radio outflows extend only ≲0.″2 (≲50 pc)more » across. The high-resolution multiwavelength data suggest that the extended narrow-line region is a complex multiphase structure in the circumnuclear interstellar medium (ISM). Its ionization structure is highly stratified with respect to outflow-driven bubbles in the bicone and varies dramatically on scales of ∼10 pc. Multiple findings show likely contributions from shocks to the feedback in regions where radio outflows from the AGN most directly influence the ISM. These findings include H α evidence for gas compression and extended MUV emission and are in agreement with existing STIS kinematics. Extended filamentary structure in the X-rays and optical suggests the presence of an undetected plasma component, whose existence could be tested with deeper radio observations.« less

On the activation of molecular hydrogen by gold: a theoretical approximation to the nature of potential active sites.

PubMed

Corma, Avelino; Boronat, Mercedes; González, Silvia; Illas, Francesc

2007-08-28

The study of adsorption and dissociation of molecular hydrogen on single crystal Au(111) and Au(001) surfaces, monoatomic rows in an extended line defect and different Au nanoparticles by means of DF calculations allows us to firmly conclude that the necessary and sufficient condition for H2 dissociation is the existence of low coordinated Au atoms, regardless if they are in nanoparticles or at extended line defects.

The lowest-dose, extended-cycle combined oral contraceptive pill with continuous ethinyl estradiol in the United States: a review of the literature on ethinyl estradiol 20 μg/levonorgestrel 100 μg + ethinyl estradiol 10 μg.

PubMed

Krishnan, Sheila; Kiley, Jessica

2010-08-10

Extended-cycle oral contraceptives (OCs) are increasing in popularity in the United States. A new extended-cycle OC that contains the lowest doses of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG) + continuous EE throughout the cycle is now available. It provides 84 days of a low-dose, combined active pill containing levonorgestrel 100 μg and ethinyl estradiol 20 μg. Instead of 7 days of placebo following the active pills, the regimen delivers 7 days of ethinyl estradiol 10 μg. Existing studies reveal a similar efficacy and adverse effect profile compared with other extended-regimen OCs. Specifically, the unscheduled bleeding profile is similar to other extended-cycle OCs and improves with the increase in the duration of use. Although lower daily doses of hormonal exposure have potential benefit, to our knowledge, there are no published studies indicating that this specific regimen offers a lower incidence of hormone-related side effects or adverse events. In summary, this new extended-cycle OC provides patients a low-dose, extended-regimen OC option without sacrificing efficacy or tolerability.

20 CFR 10.739 - What kind of objective evidence of a potential Federal crime must exist for coverage to be extended?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... potential Federal crime must exist for coverage to be extended? 10.739 Section 10.739 Employees' Benefits...-Federal Law Enforcement Officers § 10.739 What kind of objective evidence of a potential Federal crime... circumstances, to conclude that a Federal crime was in progress, or was about to occur. This awareness need not...

Native-Speakerism and the Complexity of Personal Experience: A Duoethnographic Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lowe, Robert J.; Kiczkowiak, Marek

2016-01-01

This paper presents a duoethnographic study into the effects of native-speakerism on the professional lives of two English language teachers, one "native", and one "non-native speaker" of English. The goal of the study was to build on and extend existing research on the topic of native-speakerism by investigating, through…

The Predictive Relationship of Teacher Leadership Dimensions on Elementary School Climate

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watson, Ashley Foland

2017-01-01

Leaders exist at many levels. Within the educational arena, studies have shown the correlation of leadership styles among principals and the school culture (Pepper & Thomas, 2002; "Perspective", 2012; Williams, 2009). This study attempted to extend Bass's Transformational Leadership Theory (1985) and Hersey and Blanchard's…

Informal Adoption Among Black Families.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hill, Robert B.

This study of informal adoption patterns among black families throughout the United States examines the role of the extended family and the functioning of a kinship network which includes foster care of children by relatives other than parents. The study's basic mode of investigation was secondary analysis of existing data: quantitative national…

Frontcountry encounter norms among three cultures

Treesearch

Jerry J. Vaske; Maureen P. Donnelly; Robert M. Doctor; James P. Petruzzi

1995-01-01

Existing normative studies have focused on backcountry encounter norms reported by North Americans. This study extends previous research by comparing encounter norms reported by three different cultures - North Americans, Europeans, and Japanese - in a frontcountry day use recreation area. Data were obtained from on-site surveys distributed at the Columbia Icefield in...

43 CFR 2.19 - When may the bureau extend the basic time limit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false When may the bureau extend the basic time... INFORMATION ACT; RECORDS AND TESTIMONY Timing of Responses to Requests § 2.19 When may the bureau extend the basic time limit? (a) The bureau may extend the basic time limit if unusual circumstances exist. Before...

Evaluation of two corrosion inhibitors using two surface application methods for reinforced concrete structures.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-01-01

This study investigated the use of penetrating corrosion inhibitors to extend the life of existing reinforced concrete bridge decks. The use of assisted (vacuum/pressure injection) and unassisted (diffusion) treatment methods and two inhibitors were ...

Existence and uniqueness theorems for impulsive fractional differential equations with the two-point and integral boundary conditions.

PubMed

Mardanov, M J; Mahmudov, N I; Sharifov, Y A

2014-01-01

We study a boundary value problem for the system of nonlinear impulsive fractional differential equations of order α (0 < α ≤ 1) involving the two-point and integral boundary conditions. Some new results on existence and uniqueness of a solution are established by using fixed point theorems. Some illustrative examples are also presented. We extend previous results even in the integer case α = 1.

Far transfer in cognitive training of older adults

PubMed Central

Zelinski, Elizabeth M.

2014-01-01

Purpose This article reviews the literature on far transfer effects in training of older adults. Methods Adapting a taxonomy of transfer developed by Barnett and Ceci (2002), to rehabilitation or enhancement of existing cognitive skills; results of studies assessing transfer effects from training of memory, reasoning, UFOV, dual task performance, and complex training are classified. Results Comparisons of the transfer outcomes of both strategy training and extended practice approaches suggest that far transfer has been observed. Conclusions Outcomes for strategy studies training memory have had less success than extended practice studies in obtaining far transfer. Reasons for this are discussed, as are suggestions for improved assessment of transfer outcomes. PMID:19847070

Far transfer in cognitive training of older adults.

PubMed

Zelinski, Elizabeth M

2009-01-01

This article reviews the literature on far transfer effects in training of older adults. Adapting a taxonomy of transfer developed by Barnett and Ceci (2002), to rehabilitation or enhancement of existing cognitive skills; results of studies assessing transfer effects from training of memory, reasoning, UFOV, dual task performance, and complex training are classified. Comparisons of the transfer outcomes of both strategy training and extended practice approaches suggest that far transfer has been observed. Outcomes for strategy studies training memory have had less success than extended practice studies in obtaining far transfer. Reasons for this are discussed, as are suggestions for improved assessment of transfer outcomes.

An Investigation of the Normative Structure for Community College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akin, Selenia Renea

2010-01-01

This exploratory study was designed to determine if a normative structure exists among a community college student body by extending the work of Caboni, Braxton, Deusterhous, Mundy, McClendon, and Lee (2005). The study also sought to determine if the level of espousal for the norms differed across student characteristics. This study analyzed data…

Cost benefit analysis of including microsurfacing in pavement treatment strategies & cycle maintenance : executive summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-01-01

The overall value of using thin surfacing maintenance treatments to extend and preserve the : performance of existing pavements has been widely recognized. This study has focused on : evaluating the cost effectiveness of commonly used individual trea...

Serviceability modeling : predicting and extending the useful service life of FRT-plywood roof sheathing

Treesearch

Jerrold E. Winandy

2000-01-01

One of the most, if not the most, efficient methods of extending our existing forest resource is to prolong the service life of wood currently in-service by using those existing structures to meet our future needs (Hamilton and Winandy 1998). It is currently estimated that over 7 x 109 m3 (3 trillion bd. ft) of wood is currently in service within the United States of...

Cyberbullying in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minor, Maria A.; Smith, Gina S.; Brashen, Henry

2013-01-01

Bullying has extended beyond the schoolyard into online forums in the form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a growing concern due to the effect on its victims. Current studies focus on grades K-12; however, cyberbullying has entered the world of higher education. The focus of this study was to identify the existence of cyberbullying in higher…

Evidence for extended chromospheres surrounding red giant stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stencel, R. E.

1982-01-01

Observational evidence and theoretical arguments are summarized which indicate that regions of partially ionized hydrogen extending several stellar radii are an important feature of red giant and supergiant stars. The implications of the existence of extended chromospheres are examined in terms of the nature of the other atmospheres of, and mass loss from cool stars.

Examining Racial Microaggressions in Rehabilitation Counselor Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cartwright, Brenda Y.; Washington, Robin D.; McConnell, L. Robert

2009-01-01

This research extends the Constantine et al. (2008) study which identified racial microaggressions against Black faculty working in counseling and counseling psychology programs. Semi-structured interviews and qualitative analyses were used to: (1) ascertain the existence of racial microaggressions among African American faculty employed in…

Acquisition system environmental effects study. [for capillary-screen propellant retention devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

The effects of vibration, warm gas exposure, and feed system startup/shutdown fluid dynamics on capillary-screen propellant retention capabilities are quantified. The existing technology is extended to the point where quantitative conlusions in terms of design criteria may be drawn.

Physics of Accretion in X-Ray Binaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vrtilek, Saeqa D.

2004-01-01

This project consists of several related investigations directed to the study of mass transfer processes in X-ray binaries. Models developed over several years incorporating highly detailed physics will be tested on a balanced mix of existing data and planned observations with both ground and space-based observatories. The extended time coverage of the observations and the existence of {\\it simultaneous} X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical observations will be particularly beneficial for studying the accretion flows. These investigations, which take as detailed a look at the accretion process in X-ray binaries as is now possible, test current models to their limits, and force us to extend them. We now have the ability to do simultaneous ultraviolet/X-ray/optical spectroscopy with HST, Chandra, XMM, and ground-based observatories. The rich spectroscopy that these Observations give us must be interpreted principally by reference to detailed models, the development of which is already well underway; tests of these essential interpretive tools are an important product of the proposed investigations.

The Physics of Accretion in X-Ray Binaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vrtilek, S.; Oliversen, Ronald (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

This project consists of several related investigations directed to the study of mass transfer processes in X-ray binaries. Models developed over several years incorporating highly detailed physics will be tested on a balanced mix of existing data and planned observations with both ground and space-based observatories. The extended time coverage of the observations and the existence of simultaneous X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical observations will be particularly beneficial for studying the accretion flows. These investigations, which take as detailed a look at the accretion process in X-ray binaries as is now possible, test current models to their limits, and force us to extend them. We now have the ability to do simultaneous ultraviolet/X-ray/optical spectroscopy with HST, Chandra, XMM, and ground-based observatories. The rich spectroscopy that these observations give us must be interpreted principally by reference to detailed models, the development of which is already well underway; tests of these essential interpretive tools are an important product of the proposed investigations.

Hairy black holes in scalar extended massive gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolley, Andrew J.; Wu, De-Jun; Zhou, Shuang-Yong

2015-12-01

We construct static, spherically symmetric black hole solutions in scalar extended ghost-free massive gravity and show the existence of hairy black holes in this class of extension. While the existence seems to be a generic feature, we focus on the simplest models of this extension and find that asymptotically flat hairy black holes can exist without fine-tuning the theory parameters, unlike the bi-gravity extension, where asymptotical flatness requires fine-tuning in the parameter space. Like the bi-gravity extension, we are unable to obtain asymptotically dS regular black holes in the simplest models considered, but it is possible to obtain asymptotically AdS black holes.

The importance of existential dimensions in the context of the presence of older patients at team meetings—In the light of Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty's philosophy

PubMed Central

Lindberg, Elisabeth; Ekebergh, Margaretha; Persson, Eva; Hörberg, Ulrica

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study is to explore interpersonal dimensions of the presence of older patients at team meetings. The theoretical foundation of the study is grounded in caring science and lifeworld phenomenology. The results from two empirical studies, that indicated the need for a more in-depth examination of the interpersonal relationships when an older patient is present at a team meeting, were further explicated by philosophical examination in the light of Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty's philosophy. The empirical studies were performed in a hospital ward for older people, where the traditional rounds had been replaced by a team meeting, to which the patients were invited. The analysis of the general structure and philosophical examination followed the principles of reflective lifeworld research. The philosophical examination is presented in four meaning structures: mood as a force in existence; to exist in a world with others; loneliness in the presence of others; and the lived body as extending. In conclusion, professionals must consider patients’ existential issues in the way they are expressed by the patients. Existence extends beyond the present situation. Accordingly, the team meeting must be seen in a larger context, including the patients’ life as a whole, as well as the ontological and epistemological foundations on which healthcare is based. PMID:25700700

31 CFR 598.409 - Credit extended and cards issued by U.S. financial institutions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Credit extended and cards issued by U... NARCOTICS KINGPIN SANCTIONS REGULATIONS Interpretations § 598.409 Credit extended and cards issued by U.S... existing credit agreements, including, but not limited to, charge cards, debit cards, or other credit...

31 CFR 536.409 - Credit extended and cards issued by U.S. financial institutions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Credit extended and cards issued by U... NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING SANCTIONS REGULATIONS Interpretations § 536.409 Credit extended and cards issued by U... any existing credit agreements, including, but not limited to, charge cards, debit cards, or other...

31 CFR 587.408 - Credit extended and cards issued by U.S. financial institutions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Credit extended and cards issued by U... Credit extended and cards issued by U.S. financial institutions. Section 587.201 on dealing in property... institutions from performing under any existing credit agreements, including, but not limited to, charge cards...

Impacts of extended working hours in logging

Treesearch

Dana Mitchell; Tom Gallagher

2008-01-01

Last year at the 2007 AIM in Minneapolis, MN, the authors presented the human factors impacts to consider when implementing extended working hours in the logging industry. In a continuation of this project, we have researched existing literature to identify possible actions that logging business owners can take to reduce the impact of extended working hours on their...

Mammoth Cave National Park : Green River ferry service life analysis

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-11-09

The purpose of this study is to assess whether Mammoth Cave National Park should rehabilitate the existing Green River ferry to extend its service life or replace it with a new vessel. The ferry is used to transport cars and light duty equipment acro...

Data Mining: A Hybrid Methodology for Complex and Dynamic Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lang, Susan; Baehr, Craig

2012-01-01

This article provides an overview of the ways in which data and text mining have potential as research methodologies in composition studies. It introduces data mining in the context of the field of composition studies and discusses ways in which this methodology can complement and extend our existing research practices by blending the best of what…

The Relation between the Absolute Level of Parenting and Differential Parental Treatment with Adolescent Siblings' Adjustment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tamrouti-Makkink, Ilse D.; Dubas, Judith Semon; Gerris, Jan R. M.; van Aken, Marcel A. G.

2004-01-01

Background: The present study extends existing studies on the role of differential parental treatment in explaining individual differences in adolescent problem behaviors above the absolute level of parenting and clarifies the function of gender of the child, birth rank and gender constellation of the sibling dyads. Method: The absolute level of…

Mitigating the Mathematical Knowledge Gap between High School and First Year University Chemical Engineering Mathematics Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basitere, Moses; Ivala, Eunice

2015-01-01

This paper reports on a study carried out at a University of Technology, South Africa, aimed at identifying the existence of the mathematical knowledge gap and evaluating the intervention designed to bridge the knowledge gap amongst students studying first year mathematics at the Chemical Engineering Extended Curriculum Program (ECP). In this…

Extending the role of a healthcare digital library environment to support orthopaedic research.

PubMed

Miles-Board, Timothy; Carr, Leslie; Wills, Gary; Power, Guillermo; Bailey, Christopher; Hall, Wendy; Stenning, Matthew; Grange, Simon

2006-06-01

A digital archive, together with its users and its contents, does not exist in isolation; there is a cycle of activities which provides the context for the archive's existence. In arguing for the broadening of the traditional view of digital libraries as merely collections towards the processes of collecting and deploying, we have developed an extend ed digital library environment for orthopaedic surgeons which bridges the gap between the undertaking of experimental work and the dissemination of its results through electronic publication.

IBSTPI, Quality Matters, and Online Learning: What's Right and What Needs Changing?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bose, Eric V.

2012-01-01

This study sought to examine and extend the existing knowledge of IBSTPI competencies of instructional design (International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction, 2000), the instructional rubric standard expectations of Quality Matters (2010), the identified categories of online learning affordances (Kirschner, Strijbos,…

Institutional and Noninstitutional Influences on Information and Communication Technology Adoption and Use among Nonprofit Organizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zorn, Theodore E.; Flanagin, Andrew J.; Shoham, Mirit Devorah

2011-01-01

In this study, nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in New Zealand were surveyed to explore influences on adoption and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). We sought to extend existing research by considering "institutional" influences alongside organizational and environmental features and by examining how institutional…

Predicting Intent to Get a College Degree.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Staats, Sara; Partlo, Christie

1990-01-01

Examined reliability and validity of Perceived Quality of Academic Life (PQAL) instrument with data collected from 218 midwestern commuter college students. Extended existing research by studying PQAL scores as predictors of intent to remain in college. Findings showed that the PQAL was reliable, valid, and predictive of future intent to obtain a…

Delayed Self-Recognition in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lind, Sophie E.; Bowler, Dermot M.

2009-01-01

This study aimed to investigate temporally extended self-awareness (awareness of one's place in and continued existence through time) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using the delayed self-recognition (DSR) paradigm (Povinelli et al., Child Development 67:1540-1554, 1996). Relative to age and verbal ability matched comparison children, children…

Global existence and finite time blow-up for a class of thin-film equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Zhihua; Zhou, Jun

2017-08-01

This paper deals with a class of thin-film equation, which was considered in Li et al. (Nonlinear Anal Theory Methods Appl 147:96-109, 2016), where the case of lower initial energy (J(u_0)≤ d and d is a positive constant) was discussed, and the conditions on global existence or blow-up are given. We extend the results of this paper on two aspects: Firstly, we consider the upper and lower bounds of blow-up time and asymptotic behavior when J(u_0)d.

Building a Multi-Discipline Digital Library Through Extending the Dienst Protocol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, Michael L.; Maly, Kurt; Shen, Stewart N. T.

1997-01-01

The purpose of this project is to establish multi-discipline capability for a unified, canonical digital library service for scientific and technical information (STI). This is accomplished by extending the Dienst Protocol to be aware of subject classification of a servers holdings. We propose a hierarchical, general, and extendible subject classification that can encapsulate existing classification systems.

Extending gene ontology with gene association networks.

PubMed

Peng, Jiajie; Wang, Tao; Wang, Jixuan; Wang, Yadong; Chen, Jin

2016-04-15

Gene ontology (GO) is a widely used resource to describe the attributes for gene products. However, automatic GO maintenance remains to be difficult because of the complex logical reasoning and the need of biological knowledge that are not explicitly represented in the GO. The existing studies either construct whole GO based on network data or only infer the relations between existing GO terms. None is purposed to add new terms automatically to the existing GO. We proposed a new algorithm 'GOExtender' to efficiently identify all the connected gene pairs labeled by the same parent GO terms. GOExtender is used to predict new GO terms with biological network data, and connect them to the existing GO. Evaluation tests on biological process and cellular component categories of different GO releases showed that GOExtender can extend new GO terms automatically based on the biological network. Furthermore, we applied GOExtender to the recent release of GO and discovered new GO terms with strong support from literature. Software and supplementary document are available at www.msu.edu/%7Ejinchen/GOExtender jinchen@msu.edu or ydwang@hit.edu.cn Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Human Birth Weight and Reproductive Immunology: Testing for Interactions between Maternal and Offspring KIR and HLA-C Genes.

PubMed

Clark, Michelle M; Chazara, Olympe; Sobel, Eric M; Gjessing, Håkon K; Magnus, Per; Moffett, Ashley; Sinsheimer, Janet S

2016-01-01

Maternal and offspring cell contact at the site of placentation presents a plausible setting for maternal-fetal genotype (MFG) interactions affecting fetal growth. We test hypotheses regarding killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and HLA-C MFG effects on human birth weight by extending the quantitative MFG (QMFG) test. Until recently, association testing for MFG interactions had limited applications. To improve the ability to test for these interactions, we developed the extended QMFG test, a linear mixed-effect model that can use multi-locus genotype data from families. We demonstrate the extended QMFG test's statistical properties. We also show that if an offspring-only model is fit when MFG effects exist, associations can be missed or misattributed. Furthermore, imprecisely modeling the effects of both KIR and HLA-C could result in a failure to replicate if these loci's allele frequencies differ among populations. To further illustrate the extended QMFG test's advantages, we apply the extended QMFG test to a UK cohort study and the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort (MoBa) study. We find a significant KIR-HLA-C interaction effect on birth weight. More generally, the QMFG test can detect genetic associations that may be missed by standard genome-wide association studies for quantitative traits. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

A search for extended radio emission from selected compact galaxy groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikiel-Wroczyński, B.; Urbanik, M.; Soida, M.; Beck, R.; Bomans, D. J.

2017-07-01

Context. Studies on compact galaxy groups have led to the conclusion that a plenitude of phenomena take place in between galaxies that form them. However, radio data on these objects are extremely scarce and not much is known concerning the existence and role of the magnetic field in intergalactic space. Aims: We aim to study a small sample of galaxy groups that look promising as possible sources of intergalactic magnetic fields; for example data from radio surveys suggest that most of the radio emission is due to extended, diffuse structures in and out of the galaxies. Methods: We used the Effelsberg 100 m radio telescope at 4.85 GHz and NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) data at 1.40 GHz. After subtraction of compact sources we analysed the maps searching for diffuse, intergalactic radio emission. Spectral index and magnetic field properties were derived. Results: Intergalactic magnetic fields exist in groups HCG 15 and HCG 60, whereas there are no signs of them in HCG 68. There are also hints of an intergalactic bridge in HCG 44 at 4.85 GHz. Conclusions: Intergalactic magnetic fields exist in galaxy groups and their energy density may be comparable to the thermal (X-ray) density, suggesting an important role of the magnetic field in the intra-group medium, wherever it is detected.

Validation and Continued Development of Methods for Spheromak Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benedett, Thomas

2017-10-01

The HIT-SI experiment has demonstrated stable sustainment of spheromaks. Determining how the underlying physics extrapolate to larger, higher-temperature regimes is of prime importance in determining the viability of the inductively-driven spheromak. It is thus prudent to develop and validate a computational model that can be used to study current results and study the effect of possible design choices on plasma behavior. An extended MHD model has shown good agreement with experimental data at 14 kHz injector operation. Efforts to extend the existing validation to a range of higher frequencies (36, 53, 68 kHz) using the PSI-Tet 3D extended MHD code will be presented, along with simulations of potential combinations of flux conserver features and helicity injector configurations and their impact on current drive performance, density control, and temperature for future SIHI experiments. Work supported by USDoE.

Evaluating the Duration and Continuity of Potential Climate Records From the Allan Hills Blue Ice Area, East Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kehrl, Laura; Conway, Howard; Holschuh, Nicholas; Campbell, Seth; Kurbatov, Andrei V.; Spaulding, Nicole E.

2018-05-01

The current ice core record extends back 800,000 years. Geologic and glaciological evidence suggests that the Allan Hills Blue Ice Area, East Antarctica, may preserve a continuous record that extends further back in time. In this study, we use ice-penetrating radar and existing age constraints to map the internal stratigraphy and age structure of the Allan Hills Main Ice Field. The dated isochrones provide constraints for an ice flow model to estimate the age of ice near the bed. Previous drilling in the region recovered stratigraphically disturbed sections of ice up to 2.7 million years old. Our study identifies a site 5 km upstream, which likely preserves a continuous record through Marine Isotope Stage 11 with the possibility that the record extends back 1 million years. Such records would provide new insight into the past climate and glacial history of the Ross Sea Sector.

Diagnostic utility of appetite loss in addition to existing prediction models for community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly: a prospective diagnostic study in acute care hospitals in Japan

PubMed Central

Yamamoto, Yosuke; Terada, Kazuhiko; Ohta, Mitsuyasu; Mikami, Wakako; Yokota, Hajime; Hayashi, Michio; Miyashita, Jun; Azuma, Teruhisa; Fukuma, Shingo; Fukuhara, Shunichi

2017-01-01

Objective Diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly is often delayed because of atypical presentation and non-specific symptoms, such as appetite loss, falls and disturbance in consciousness. The aim of this study was to investigate the external validity of existing prediction models and the added value of the non-specific symptoms for the diagnosis of CAP in elderly patients. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting General medicine departments of three teaching hospitals in Japan. Participants A total of 109 elderly patients who consulted for upper respiratory symptoms between 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2016. Main outcome measures The reference standard for CAP was chest radiograph evaluated by two certified radiologists. The existing models were externally validated for diagnostic performance by calibration plot and discrimination. To evaluate the additional value of the non-specific symptoms to the existing prediction models, we developed an extended logistic regression model. Calibration, discrimination, category-free net reclassification improvement (NRI) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were investigated in the extended model. Results Among the existing models, the model by van Vugt demonstrated the best performance, with an area under the curve of 0.75(95% CI 0.63 to 0.88); calibration plot showed good fit despite a significant Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p=0.017). Among the non-specific symptoms, appetite loss had positive likelihood ratio of 3.2 (2.0–5.3), negative likelihood ratio of 0.4 (0.2–0.7) and OR of 7.7 (3.0–19.7). Addition of appetite loss to the model by van Vugt led to improved calibration at p=0.48, NRI of 0.53 (p=0.019) and higher net benefit by DCA. Conclusions Information on appetite loss improved the performance of an existing model for the diagnosis of CAP in the elderly. PMID:29122806

Existence of the Stark-Wannier quantum resonances

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

Sacchetti, Andrea, E-mail: andrea.sacchetti@unimore.it

2014-12-15

In this paper, we prove the existence of the Stark-Wannier quantum resonances for one-dimensional Schrödinger operators with smooth periodic potential and small external homogeneous electric field. Such a result extends the existence result previously obtained in the case of periodic potentials with a finite number of open gaps.

Extending radiative transfer models by use of Bayes rule. [in atmospheric science

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitney, C.

1977-01-01

This paper presents a procedure that extends some existing radiative transfer modeling techniques to problems in atmospheric science where curvature and layering of the medium and dynamic range and angular resolution of the signal are important. Example problems include twilight and limb scan simulations. Techniques that are extended include successive orders of scattering, matrix operator, doubling, Gauss-Seidel iteration, discrete ordinates and spherical harmonics. The procedure for extending them is based on Bayes' rule from probability theory.

Evidence for extended chromospheres surrounding red giant stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stencel, R. E.

1981-01-01

There is now an increasing amount of both observational evidence and theoretical arguments that regions of partially ionized hydrogen extending several stellar radii are an important feature of red giant and supergiant stars. This evidence is discussed and the implications of the existence of extended chromospheres in terms of the nature of the outer atmospheres of, and mass loss from, cool stars are examined.

On the Existence of Regular and Irregular Outer Moons Orbiting the Pluto-Charon System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michaely, Erez; Perets, Hagai B.; Grishin, Evgeni

2017-02-01

The dwarf planet Pluto is known to host an extended system of five co-planar satellites. Previous studies have explored the formation and evolution of the system in isolation, neglecting perturbative effects by the Sun. Here we show that secular evolution due to the Sun can strongly affect the evolution of outer satellites and rings in the system, if such exist. Although precession due to extended gravitational potential from the inner Pluto-Charon binary quench such secular evolution up to a crit ˜ 0.0035 au (˜0.09 R Hill the Hill radius; including all of the currently known satellites), outer orbits can be significantly altered. In particular, we find that co-planar rings and satellites should not exist beyond a crit; rather, satellites and dust particles in these regions secularly evolve on timescales ranging between 104 and 106 years, and quasi-periodically change their inclinations and eccentricities through secular evolution (Lidov-Kozai oscillations). Such oscillations can lead to high inclinations and eccentricities, constraining the range where such satellites (and dust particles) can exist without crossing the orbits of the inner satellites or crossing the outer Hill stability range. Outer satellites, if such exist are therefore likely to be irregular satellites, with orbits limited to be non-circular and/or highly inclined. Current observations, including the recent data from the New-Horizons mission explored only inner regions (<0.0012 au) and excluded the existence of additional satellites; however, the irregular satellites discussed here should reside farther, in the yet uncharted regions around Pluto.

Exploring Career Decision-Making Styles across Three European Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bimrose, Jenny; Mulvey, Rachel

2015-01-01

Career decisions are amongst the most important we make. Unsurprisingly, much published research exists on this particular aspect of career behaviour. However, the overwhelming majority of studies have been carried out on young people making initial career decisions. This paper extends our understanding by examining how mid-career adults in three…

Communities of Practice as Agents of Future Faculty Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stark, Audriana M.; Smith, Gary A.

2016-01-01

The need for faculty development continues to increase despite the limited resources of many developers to serve growing demands. To address this conundrum, we explore existing literature about communities of practice (CoPs) in higher education and case studies of CoPs at our institution as an avenue to extend and supplement future professional…

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

Calva-tildeo, M.O.; Reboucas, M.J.; Teixeira, A.F.F.

The breakdown of causality in homogeneous Goedel-type space-time manifolds is examined. An extension of Reboucas--Tiomno (RT) and Accioly--Goncalves studies is made. The existence of noncausal curves is also investigated under two different conditions on the energy-momentum tensor. An integral representation of the infinitesimal generators of isometries is obtained, extending previous works on the RT geometry.

General Open Systems Theory and the Substrata-Factor Theory of Reading.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kling, Martin

This study was designed to extend the generality of the Substrata-Factor Theory by two methods of investigation: (1) theoretically, to establish the validity of the hypothesis that an isomorphic relationship exists between the Substrata-Factor Theory and the General Open Systems Theory, and (2) experimentally, to discover through a series of…

General Open Systems Theory and the Substrata-Factor Theory of Reading.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kling, Martin

This study was designed to extend the generality of the Substrata-Factor Theory by two methods of investigation: (1) theoretically, to est"blish the validity of the hypothesis that an isomorphic relationship exists between the Substrata-Factor Theory and the General Open Systems Theory, and (2) experimentally, to disc"ver through a…

The Meaning of Student Engagement and Disengagement in the Classroom Context: Lessons from Organisational Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balwant, Paul T.

2018-01-01

Despite the popularity of student engagement and, by association, student disengagement, the academic literature is unclear about the meaning of these terms. This review extends existing conceptual studies of student engagement by offering clear definitions and conceptualisations of both student engagement and disengagement in the classroom…

General Strain Theory and Delinquency: Extending a Popular Explanation to American Indian Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eitle, David; Eitle, Tamela McNulty

2016-01-01

Despite evidence that American Indian (AI) adolescents are disproportionately involved in crime and delinquent behavior, there exists scant research exploring the correlates of crime among this group. We posit that Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST) is well suited to explain AI delinquent activity. Using the National Longitudinal Study of…

Evaluating natural resource amenities in a human life expectancy production function

Treesearch

Neelam C. Poudyal; Donald G. Hodges; J.M. Bowker; H.K. Cordell

2009-01-01

This study examined the effect of natural resource amenities on human life expectancy. Extending the existing model of the life expectancy production function, and correcting for spatial dependence, we evaluated the determinants of life expectancy using county level data. Results indicate that after controlling for socio-demographic and economic factors, medical...

Exuberant and Inhibited Children: Person-Centered Profiles and Links to Social Adjustment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dollar, Jessica M.; Stifter, Cynthia A.; Buss, Kristin A.

2017-01-01

The current study aimed to substantiate and extend our understanding regarding the existence and developmental pathways of 3 distinct temperament profiles--exuberant, inhibited, and average approach--in a sample of 3.5-year-old children (n = 121). The interactions between temperamental styles and specific types of effortful control, inhibitory…

Characteristics of endemic-level mountain pine beetle populations in south-central Wyoming

Treesearch

Dale L. Bartos; Richard F. Schmitz

1998-01-01

This study was conducted to evaluate the dynamics of endemic populations of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins). In addition, we extended the geographical range of an existing data base recorded in Utah with similar data from Wyoming. This work was accomplished in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. Var.

Multilevel Structural Equation Models for the Analysis of Comparative Data on Educational Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldstein, Harvey; Bonnet, Gerard; Rocher, Thierry

2007-01-01

The Programme for International Student Assessment comparative study of reading performance among 15-year-olds is reanalyzed using statistical procedures that allow the full complexity of the data structures to be explored. The article extends existing multilevel factor analysis and structural equation models and shows how this can extract richer…

Teacher Knowledge and Classroom Practice: Examining the Connection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gilbert, Michael; Gilbert, Barbara

2013-01-01

This paper extends existing research regarding content knowledge for teaching (CKT) and the role it plays in advancing student learning. Two teachers, with high and low measured CKT respectively, are observed on the same day teaching similar content. Many studies have recently been published linking student achievement to teacher's CKT and many US…

Finding the Right Mix: Teaching Methods as Predictors for Student Progress on Learning Objectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glover, Jacob I.

2012-01-01

This study extends existing student ratings research by exploring how teaching methods, individually and collectively, influence a minimum standard of student achievement on learning objectives and how class size impacts this influence. Twenty teaching methods were used to predict substantial or exceptional progress on each of 12 learning…

Assessing Aspects of Creativity in Deaf and Hearing High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stanzione, Christopher M.; Perez, Susan M.; Lederberg, Amy R.

2013-01-01

To address the paucity of current research on the development of creativity in deaf students, and to extend existing research to adolescents, the present study investigated divergent thinking, a method of assessing creativity, in both deaf and hearing adolescents. We assessed divergent thinking in two domains, figural and verbal, while also…

Transmission Electron Microscopy of an In Situ Presolar Silicon Carbide Grain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stroud, Rhonda M.; OGrady, Megan; Nittler, Larry R.; Alexander, Conel M. OD.

2002-01-01

We used a focused ion beam workstation to prepare ultra-thin sections of a presolar SiC grain. Our TEM studies indicate that the SiC formed by rapid vapor-phase condensation, trapping pre-existing graphite grains in random orientations. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS): A Quantitative Study of Latino Students' Goal Completion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barraza, Bertha

2012-01-01

A problem exists with consistency in measuring and tracking students' academic goals in California Community Colleges [CCC]. Effective measurements in CCC that embody academic goals below the associate degree and four-year college articulation agreements, call for attention to determine student academic interests and completion rates. Specific…

The Alliance Negotiation Scale: A psychometric investigation.

PubMed

Doran, Jennifer M; Safran, Jeremy D; Muran, J Christopher

2016-08-01

This study investigates the utility and psychometric properties of a new measure of psychotherapy process, the Alliance Negotiation Scale (ANS; Doran, Safran, Waizmann, Bolger, & Muran, 2012). The ANS was designed to operationalize the theoretical construct of negotiation (Safran & Muran, 2000), and to extend our current understanding of the working alliance concept (Bordin, 1979). The ANS was also intended to improve upon existing measures such as the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI; Horvath & Greenberg, 1986, 1989) and its short form (WAI-S; Tracey & Kokotovic, 1989) by expanding the emphasis on negative therapy process. The present study investigates the psychometric validity of the ANS test scores and interpretation-including confirming its original factor structure and evaluating its internal consistency and construct validity. Construct validity was examined through the ANS' convergence and divergence with several existing scales that measure theoretically related constructs. The results bolster and extend previous findings about the psychometric integrity of the ANS, and begin to illuminate the relationship between negotiation and other important variables in psychotherapy research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Is the truth in the details? Extended narratives help distinguishing false "memories" from false "reports".

PubMed

Sjödén, Björn; Granhag, Pär Anders; Ost, James; Roos Af Hjelmsäter, Emma

2009-06-01

The present study examined the effects of fantasy proneness on false "reports" and false "memories", of existent and non-existent footage of a public event. We predicted that highly fantasy prone individuals would be more likely to stand by their initial claim of having seen a film of the event than low fantasy prone participants when prompted for more details about their experiences. Eighty creative arts students and 80 other students were asked whether they had seen CCTV footage preceding the attack on Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh up to, and including, non-existent footage of the actual moment of the attack. If affirmative, they were probed for extended narratives of what they claimed to have seen. Overall, 64% of participants provided a false "report" by answering yes to the initial question. Of these, 30% provided no explicit details of the attack, and a further 15% retracted their initial answer in their narratives. This left 19% of the sample who appeared to have false "memories" because they provided explicit details of the actual moment of the attack. Women scored higher than men and art students scored higher than other students on fantasy proneness, but there was no effect on levels of false reporting or false "memory". Memories were rated more vivid and clear for existent compared to non-existent aspects of the event. In sum, these data suggest a more complex relationship between memory distortions and fantasy proneness than previously observed.

Generalized Ordinary Differential Equation Models 1

PubMed Central

Miao, Hongyu; Wu, Hulin; Xue, Hongqi

2014-01-01

Existing estimation methods for ordinary differential equation (ODE) models are not applicable to discrete data. The generalized ODE (GODE) model is therefore proposed and investigated for the first time. We develop the likelihood-based parameter estimation and inference methods for GODE models. We propose robust computing algorithms and rigorously investigate the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator by considering both measurement errors and numerical errors in solving ODEs. The simulation study and application of our methods to an influenza viral dynamics study suggest that the proposed methods have a superior performance in terms of accuracy over the existing ODE model estimation approach and the extended smoothing-based (ESB) method. PMID:25544787

Generalized Ordinary Differential Equation Models.

PubMed

Miao, Hongyu; Wu, Hulin; Xue, Hongqi

2014-10-01

Existing estimation methods for ordinary differential equation (ODE) models are not applicable to discrete data. The generalized ODE (GODE) model is therefore proposed and investigated for the first time. We develop the likelihood-based parameter estimation and inference methods for GODE models. We propose robust computing algorithms and rigorously investigate the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator by considering both measurement errors and numerical errors in solving ODEs. The simulation study and application of our methods to an influenza viral dynamics study suggest that the proposed methods have a superior performance in terms of accuracy over the existing ODE model estimation approach and the extended smoothing-based (ESB) method.

Melnikov processes and chaos in randomly perturbed dynamical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yagasaki, Kazuyuki

2018-07-01

We consider a wide class of randomly perturbed systems subjected to stationary Gaussian processes and show that chaotic orbits exist almost surely under some nondegenerate condition, no matter how small the random forcing terms are. This result is very contrasting to the deterministic forcing case, in which chaotic orbits exist only if the influence of the forcing terms overcomes that of the other terms in the perturbations. To obtain the result, we extend Melnikov’s method and prove that the corresponding Melnikov functions, which we call the Melnikov processes, have infinitely many zeros, so that infinitely many transverse homoclinic orbits exist. In addition, a theorem on the existence and smoothness of stable and unstable manifolds is given and the Smale–Birkhoff homoclinic theorem is extended in an appropriate form for randomly perturbed systems. We illustrate our theory for the Duffing oscillator subjected to the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process parametrically.

Extended cage adjustable speed electric motors and drive packages

DOEpatents

Hsu, John S.

1999-01-01

The rotor cage of a motor is extended, a second stator is coupled to this extended rotor cage, and the windings have the same number of poles. The motor torque and speed can be controlled by either injecting energy into or extracting energy out from the rotor cage. The motor produces less harmonics than existing doubly-fed motors. Consequently, a new type of low cost, high efficiency drive is produced.

Study protocol for the dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, warfarin comparative effectiveness research study.

PubMed

Krumme, Alexis A; Pawar, Ajinkya; Schneeweiss, Sebastian; Glynn, Robert J; Choudhry, Niteesh K; Kulldorff, Martin; Ortiz, Adrian Santiago; Avorn, Jerome; Gagne, Joshua J

2018-01-01

Since 2010, four oral anticoagulants have been approved for marketing in addition to warfarin for treatment of thromboembolic disease. Limited head-to-head data exist comparing these treatments, leaving patients and clinicians with little guidance for selecting a strategy that balances recurrence reduction with bleeding risk. In the dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxban, edoxaban and warfarin comparative effectiveness research study, we compare all five currently available oral anticoagulant agents for the extended treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, as well as no extended treatment, and evaluate whether results differ in specific sub-populations. As our population includes Medicare novel anticoagulant users and large numbers of commercially insured and Medicaid patients, our results will likely be transportable to the majority of US patients experiencing a DVT or pulmonary embolism. NCT03271450.

Effect of strong disorder on three-dimensional chiral topological insulators: Phase diagrams, maps of the bulk invariant, and existence of topological extended bulk states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Juntao; Fine, Carolyn; Prodan, Emil

2014-11-01

The effect of strong disorder on chiral-symmetric three-dimensional lattice models is investigated via analytical and numerical methods. The phase diagrams of the models are computed using the noncommutative winding number, as functions of disorder strength and model's parameters. The localized/delocalized characteristic of the quantum states is probed with level statistics analysis. Our study reconfirms the accurate quantization of the noncommutative winding number in the presence of strong disorder, and its effectiveness as a numerical tool. Extended bulk states are detected above and below the Fermi level, which are observed to undergo the so-called "levitation and pair annihilation" process when the system is driven through a topological transition. This suggests that the bulk invariant is carried by these extended states, in stark contrast with the one-dimensional case where the extended states are completely absent and the bulk invariant is carried by the localized states.

Entrance and Exit CSR Impedance for Non-Ultrarelativistic Beam

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

Li, Rui; Tsai, Cheng Ying

2017-05-01

For a high-brightness electron beam being transported through beamlines involving bending systems, the coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) and longitudinal space charge (LSC) interaction could often cause microbunching instability. The semi-analytical Vlasov solver for microbunching gain* depends on the impedances for the relevant collective effects. The existing results for CSR impedances are usually obtained for the ultrarelativistic limit. To extend the microbunching analysis to cases of low energies, such as the case of an ERL merger, or to density modulations at extremely small wavelength, it is necessary to extend the impedance analysis to the non-ultrarelativistic regime. In this study, we presentmore » the impedance analysis for the transient CSR interaction in the non-ultrarelativistic regime, for transients including both entrance to and exit from a magnetic dipole. These impedance results will be compared to their ultra-relativistic counterparts**, and the corresponding wakefield obtained from the impedance for low-energy beams will be compared with the existing results of transient CSR wakefield for general beam energies***.« less

Dynamical quantum phase transitions in extended transverse Ising models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharjee, Sourav; Dutta, Amit

2018-04-01

We study the dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs) manifested in the subsequent unitary dynamics of an extended Ising model with an additional three spin interactions following a sudden quench. Revisiting the equilibrium phase diagram of the model, where different quantum phases are characterized by different winding numbers, we show that in some situations the winding number may not change across a gap closing point in the energy spectrum. Although, usually there exists a one-to-one correspondence between the change in winding number and the number of critical time scales associated with DQPTs, we show that the extended nature of interactions may lead to unusual situations. Importantly, we show that in the limit of the cluster Ising model, three critical modes associated with DQPTs become degenerate, thereby leading to a single critical time scale for a given sector of Fisher zeros.

Recommendation for standardization of haematology reporting units used in the extended blood count.

PubMed

Brereton, M; McCafferty, R; Marsden, K; Kawai, Y; Etzell, J; Ermens, A

2016-10-01

It is desirable in the interest of patient safety that the reporting of laboratory results should be standardized where no valid reason for diversity exists. This study considers the reporting units used for the extended blood cell count and makes a new ICSH recommendation to encourage standardization worldwide. This work is based on a literature review that included the original ICSH recommendations and on data gathered from an international survey of current practice completed by 18 countries worldwide. The survey results show that significant diversity in the use of reporting units for the blood count exists worldwide. The use of either non-SI or other units not recommended by the ICSH in the early 1980s has persisted despite the guidance from that time. The diversity in use of reporting units occurs in three areas: the persistence in use of non-SI units for RBC, WBC and platelet counts, the use of three different units for haemoglobin concentration and the manual reporting of WBC differential, reticulocytes and nucleated RBCs when the latter are available from automated analysis or can be expressed as absolute numbers by calculation. A new recommendation with a rationale for each parameter is made for standardization of the reporting units used for the extended blood count. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Extended cage adjustable speed electric motors and drive packages

DOEpatents

Hsu, J.S.

1999-03-23

The rotor cage of a motor is extended, a second stator is coupled to this extended rotor cage, and the windings have the same number of poles. The motor torque and speed can be controlled by either injecting energy into or extracting energy out from the rotor cage. The motor produces less harmonics than existing doubly-fed motors. Consequently, a new type of low cost, high efficiency drive is produced. 12 figs.

10 CFR 905.33 - Extension formula.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... used on a seasonal basis to determine the extended power resource. A similar pro rata approach shall be... formula. (a) The amount of power to be extended to an existing customer shall be determined according to... × project-specific percentage × marketable resource determined to be available at the time future resource...

Extending Self-Management Strategies: The Use of a Classwide Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoff, Kathryn E.; Ervin, Ruth A.

2013-01-01

Notwithstanding the wealth of research that documents the effectiveness of self-management programs in the classroom, few investigations have explored classwide use of self-management procedures as a universal intervention. To extend existing research in this area, we examined the effectiveness of a classwide self-management intervention for…

Student Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Screeners: Evidence for Reliability, Validity, and Usability in Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hartman, Kelsey; Gresham, Frank M.; Byrd, Shelby

2017-01-01

Universal screening for emotional and behavioral risk in schools facilitates early identification and intervention for students as part of multitiered systems of support. Early identification has the potential to mitigate adverse outcomes of emotional and behavioral disorders. The purpose of this study was to extend existing research on the…

Laying the Foundation for Successful Team Performance Trajectories: The Roles of Team Charters and Performance Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathieu, John E.; Rapp, Tammy L.

2009-01-01

This study examined the influences of team charters and performance strategies on the performance trajectories of 32 teams of master's of business administration students competing in a business strategy simulation over time. The authors extended existing theory on team development by demonstrating that devoting time to laying a foundation for…

Software for Studying and Enhancing Educational Uses of Geospatial Semantics and Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nodenot, Thierry; Sallaberry, Christian; Gaio, Mauro

2010-01-01

Geographically related queries form nearly one-fifth of all queries submitted to the Excite search engine and the most frequently occurring terms are names of places. This paper focuses on digital libraries and extends the basic services of existing library management systems to include new ones that are dedicated to geographic information…

The High School Environment and the Gender Gap in Science and Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Legewie, Joscha; DiPrete, Thomas A.

2014-01-01

Despite the striking reversal of the gender gap in education, women pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees at much lower rates than those of their male peers. This study extends existing explanations for these gender differences and examines the role of the high school context for plans to major in STEM fields.…

Assessing Behavioral Engagement in Flipped and Non-Flipped Mathematics Classrooms: Teacher Abilities and Other Potential Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodgson, Theodore R.; Cunningham, Abby; McGee, Daniel; Kinne, Lenore J.; Murphy, Teri J.

2017-01-01

There is a growing evidence that flipped classrooms are associated with increased levels of student engagement, as compared to engagement in "traditional" settings. Much of this research, however, occurs in post-secondary classrooms and is based upon self-reported engagement data. This study seeks to extend existing flipped classroom…

Generalizability Theory Analysis of CBM Maze Reliability in Third- through Fifth-Grade Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mercer, Sterett H.; Dufrene, Brad A.; Zoder-Martell, Kimberly; Harpole, Lauren Lestremau; Mitchell, Rachel R.; Blaze, John T.

2012-01-01

Despite growing use of CBM Maze in universal screening and research, little information is available regarding the number of CBM Maze probes needed for reliable decisions. The current study extends existing research on the technical adequacy of CBM Maze by investigating the number of probes and assessment durations (1-3 min) needed for reliable…

Transactors, Transformers and Beyond. A Multi-Method Development of a Theoretical Typology of Leadership.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearce, Craig L.; Sims, Henry P., Jr.; Cox, Jonathan F.; Ball, Gail; Schnell, Eugene; Smith, Ken A.; Trevino, Linda

2003-01-01

To extend the transactional-transformational model of leadership, four theoretical behavioral types of leadership were developed based on literature review and data from studies of executive behavior (n=253) and subordinate attitudes (n=208). Confirmatory factor analysis of a third data set (n=702) support the existence of four leadership types:…

The Dubious Benefits of Multi-Level Modeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gorard, Stephen

2007-01-01

This paper presents an argument against the wider adoption of complex forms of data analysis, using multi-level modeling (MLM) as an extended case study. MLM was devised to overcome some deficiencies in existing datasets, such as the bias caused by clustering. The paper suggests that MLM has an unclear theoretical and empirical basis, has not led…

The Contribution of International Large-Scale Assessments to Educational Research: Combining Individual and Institutional Data Sources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strietholt, Rolf; Scherer, Ronny

2018-01-01

The present paper aims to discuss how data from international large-scale assessments (ILSAs) can be utilized and combined, even with other existing data sources, in order to monitor educational outcomes and study the effectiveness of educational systems. We consider different purposes of linking data, namely, extending outcomes measures,…

A Cross-Cultural Investigation of the Stereotype for Salespeople: Professionalizing the Profession

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fournier, Christophe; Chéron, Emmanuel; Tanner, John F., Jr.; Bikanda, P. J.; Wise, Jorge A.

2014-01-01

The purpose of this research is to investigate the image of salespeople and of the selling function as perceived by business students across cultures. Of the several empirical investigations that exist in the sales literature, most are based on a single-country sample. This study extends previous knowledge on single-country perception of…

LMFAO! Humor as a Response to Fear: Decomposing Fear Control within the Extended Parallel Process Model

PubMed Central

Abril, Eulàlia P.; Szczypka, Glen; Emery, Sherry L.

2017-01-01

This study seeks to analyze fear control responses to the 2012 Tips from Former Smokers campaign using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). The goal is to examine the occurrence of ancillary fear control responses, like humor. In order to explore individuals’ responses in an organic setting, we use Twitter data—tweets—collected via the Firehose. Content analysis of relevant fear control tweets (N = 14,281) validated the existence of boomerang responses within the EPPM: denial, defensive avoidance, and reactance. More importantly, results showed that humor tweets were not only a significant occurrence but constituted the majority of fear control responses. PMID:29527092

Neutron star solutions with curvature induced scalarization in the extended Gauss-Bonnet scalar-tensor theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doneva, Daniela D.; Yazadjiev, Stoytcho S.

2018-04-01

In the present paper we study models of neutron stars in a class of extended scalar-tensor Gauss-Bonnet (ESTGB) theories for which the scalar degree of freedom is exited only in the strong curvature regime. We show that in the framework of the ESTGB theories under consideration there exist new neutron star solutions which are formed via spontaneous scalarization of the general relativistic neutron stars. In contrast to the spontaneous scalarization in the standard scalar-tensor theories which is induced by the presence of matter, in our case the scalarization is induced by the spacetime curvature.

An Integrated Tiered Service Delivery Model (ITSDM) Based on Local CD4 Testing Demands Can Improve Turn-Around Times and Save Costs whilst Ensuring Accessible and Scalable CD4 Services across a National Programme

PubMed Central

Glencross, Deborah K.; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Cassim, Naseem

2014-01-01

Background The South African National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) responded to HIV treatment initiatives with two-tiered CD4 laboratory services in 2004. Increasing programmatic burden, as more patients access anti-retroviral therapy (ART), has demanded extending CD4 services to meet increasing clinical needs. The aim of this study was to review existing services and develop a service-model that integrated laboratory-based and point-of-care testing (POCT), to extend national coverage, improve local turn-around/(TAT) and contain programmatic costs. Methods NHLS Corporate Data Warehouse CD4 data, from 60–70 laboratories and 4756 referring health facilities was reviewed for referral laboratory workload, respective referring facility volumes and related TAT, from 2009–2012. Results An integrated tiered service delivery model (ITSDM) is proposed. Tier-1/POCT delivers CD4 testing at single health-clinics providing ART in hard-to-reach areas (<5 samples/day). Laboratory-based testing is extended with Tier-2/POC-Hubs (processing ≤30–40 CD4 samples/day), consolidating POCT across 8–10 health-clinics with other HIV-related testing and Tier-3/‘community’ laboratories, serving ≤40 health-clinics, processing ≤150 samples/day. Existing Tier-4/‘regional’ laboratories serve ≤100 facilities and process <350 samples/day; Tier-5 are high-volume ‘metro’/centralized laboratories (>350–1500 tests/day, serving ≥200 health-clinics). Tier-6 provides national support for standardisation, harmonization and quality across the organization. Conclusion The ITSDM offers improved local TAT by extending CD4 services into rural/remote areas with new Tier-3 or Tier-2/POC-Hub services installed in existing community laboratories, most with developed infrastructure. The advantage of lower laboratory CD4 costs and use of existing infrastructure enables subsidization of delivery of more expensive POC services, into hard-to-reach districts without reasonable access to a local CD4 laboratory. Full ITSDM implementation across 5 service tiers (as opposed to widespread implementation of POC testing to extend service) can facilitate sustainable ‘full service coverage’ across South Africa, and save>than R125 million in HIV/AIDS programmatic costs. ITSDM hierarchical parental-support also assures laboratory/POC management, equipment maintenance, quality control and on-going training between tiers. PMID:25490718

Properties of material in the submillimeter wave region (instrumentation and measurement of index of refraction)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lally, J.; Meister, R.

1983-01-01

The Properties of Materials in the Submillimeter Wave Region study was initiated to instrument a system and to make measurements of the complex index of refraction in the wavelength region between 0.1 to 1.0 millimeters. While refractive index data is available for a number of solids and liquids there still exists a need for an additional systematic study of dielectric properties to add to the existing data, to consider the accuracy of the existing data, and to extend measurements in this wavelength region for other selected mateials. The materials chosen for consideration would be those with useful thermal, mechanical, and electrical characteristics. The data is necessary for development of optical components which, for example, include beamsplitters, attenuators, lenses, grids, all useful for development of instrumentation in this relatively unexploited portion of the spectrum.

On the Existence of Regular and Irregular Outer Moons Orbiting the Pluto–Charon System

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

Michaely, Erez; Perets, Hagai B.; Grishin, Evgeni

The dwarf planet Pluto is known to host an extended system of five co-planar satellites. Previous studies have explored the formation and evolution of the system in isolation, neglecting perturbative effects by the Sun. Here we show that secular evolution due to the Sun can strongly affect the evolution of outer satellites and rings in the system, if such exist. Although precession due to extended gravitational potential from the inner Pluto–Charon binary quench such secular evolution up to a {sub crit} ∼ 0.0035 au (∼0.09 R {sub Hill} the Hill radius; including all of the currently known satellites), outer orbitsmore » can be significantly altered. In particular, we find that co-planar rings and satellites should not exist beyond a {sub crit}; rather, satellites and dust particles in these regions secularly evolve on timescales ranging between 10{sup 4} and 10{sup 6} years, and quasi-periodically change their inclinations and eccentricities through secular evolution (Lidov–Kozai oscillations). Such oscillations can lead to high inclinations and eccentricities, constraining the range where such satellites (and dust particles) can exist without crossing the orbits of the inner satellites or crossing the outer Hill stability range. Outer satellites, if such exist are therefore likely to be irregular satellites, with orbits limited to be non-circular and/or highly inclined. Current observations, including the recent data from the New-Horizons mission explored only inner regions (<0.0012 au) and excluded the existence of additional satellites; however, the irregular satellites discussed here should reside farther, in the yet uncharted regions around Pluto.« less

Correlation studies of Pioneer Venus imagery obtained from PV experiments with near IR imagery obtained from ground-based observations during Venus inferior conjunction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ragent, Boris

1993-01-01

The purpose of this study is to attempt to find correlations between data taken by experiments aboard the Pioneer-Venus Orbiter (PVO) and those obtained from Earth-based near-infrared (NIR) measurements of Venus during periods near inferior conjunction. Since the NIR measurements have been found to provide data on the middle atmosphere cloud morphology and motion, it is assumed that any correlations will also indicate that the PVO experiments are also documenting cloud behavior. If such correlations are found, then a further task is to attempt to study the long term behavior of the cloud features implied by the correlations. Many PVO data have been obtained over an extended period extending from 1978 until the PV demise in 1992. There exists a long, somewhat ill-conditioned time series of data that may contain valuable information on the long time, as well as short term behavior of the clouds, and, derivatively from cloud motion, atmospheric dynamics and wave activity in the Venus atmosphere. For example, determination of the zonal velocities of any OCPP (Cloud Photopolarimeter) 0.935 micron features could then be used for comparisons with data from other sources to attempt to fix the altitude region in which such features existed. A further task of this study is to attempt to correlate any features found in simultaneously obtained data, for example, the OCPP 0.365 and 0.935 micron data. The existence of such correlations may imply that data was obtained in overlapping altitude regions of the atmosphere.

The antigen-binding site of an N-propionylated polysialic acid-specific antibody protective against group B meningococci is consistent with extended epitopes.

PubMed

Johal, Asha R; Jarrell, Harold C; Letts, James A; Khieu, Nam Huan; Landry, Roxanne C; Jachymek, Wojciech; Yang, Qingling; Jennings, Harold J; Brisson, Jean-Robert; Evans, Stephen V

2013-08-01

Monoclonal antibodies 13D9 and 6B9 are both specific for N-propionylated polysialic acid (NPrPSA); however, while 13D9 is protective against meningitis caused by group B meningococci and Escherichia coli capsular type K1 infection, 6B9 is not. The crystal structures of the Fabs from the two antibodies determined at 2.06 and 2.45 Å resolutions, respectively, reveal markedly different combining sites, where only the surface of 13D9 is consistent with the recognition of extended helical epitopes known to exist in the capsular polysaccharides of etiological agents of meningitis. Interestingly, complementarity determining region H2 on 13D9 lies in a non-canonical conformation that docking studies show is a critical feature in the generation of negative free energy of binding. Finally, the model of extended NPrPSA decasaccharide bound to 13D9 derived from docking studies is consistent with saturation transfer difference nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. Together, these results provide further evidence that extended epitopes have the ability to break immune tolerance associated with the polysialic acid capsule of these pathogens.

Emotional Intelligence and Its Relationship with Levels of Social Anxiety and Stress in Adolescents.

PubMed

Cejudo, Javier; Rodrigo-Ruiz, Débora; López-Delgado, Maria Luz; Losada, Lidia

2018-05-25

The aim of this work is to extend the research on the relationships between emotional intelligence and various indicators of subjective well-being in adolescents, such as stress and social anxiety. The existence of differences in stress and social anxiety as a function of an emotional intelligence score is also analyzed. A total of 505 Spanish adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 participated in the study. The results obtained support the existence of a positive relationship between trait emotional intelligence and subjective well-being. Likewise, the existence of a negative association between emotional intelligence and stress, and emotional intelligence and social anxiety, is confirmed. These results are consistent with other similar works based on adolescent samples.

Prevalence in the General Population of a CFH Sequence Variant Associated with Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome in an Extensive Family from Southwest England

PubMed Central

Hamilton, Alexander J.; Lyons, Carl B.A.; Goodship, Timothy H.J.; Bingham, Coralie

2013-01-01

Background/Aims Twenty-five members of a family from the county of Devon in England have been affected by atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) associated with a CFH mutation (c.3643C>G; p.Arg1215Gly). A 65-year-old male was diagnosed with aHUS after losing a renal transplant to a thrombotic microangiopathy. Subsequent mutation screening revealed the same CFH mutation without him being knowingly related to the local kindred. We designed a study to investigate the prevalence of this mutation in the local area. In addition, we examined the diagnoses of pre-existing haemodialysis patients to determine whether other patients might unknowingly be at risk of carrying the same CFH mutation. Methods The Exeter Ten Thousand (EXTEND) study aims to recruit 10,000 healthy volunteers over the age of 18 years living within 25 miles of Exeter in Devon. We genotyped DNA from 4,000 EXTEND subjects for CFH c.3643C>G; p.Arg1215Gly. We reviewed the diagnoses of 294 haemodialysis patients in the Devon area and genotyped 7 patients with either end-stage renal disease of unknown aetiology, malignant hypertension or renovascular disease. Results CFH c.3643C>G; p.Arg1215Gly was not detected in any of the 7 haemodialysis patients or the 4,000 individuals within the EXTEND study. Conclusions We conclude that CFH c.3643C>G; p.Arg1215Gly is not endemic in Devon. This reinforces our existing practice of genotyping only patients with kidney disease and evidence of a thrombotic microangiopathy for this mutation. This is the first study looking at the prevalence of CFH mutations in the general population. PMID:24163689

Diagnostic utility of appetite loss in addition to existing prediction models for community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly: a prospective diagnostic study in acute care hospitals in Japan.

PubMed

Takada, Toshihiko; Yamamoto, Yosuke; Terada, Kazuhiko; Ohta, Mitsuyasu; Mikami, Wakako; Yokota, Hajime; Hayashi, Michio; Miyashita, Jun; Azuma, Teruhisa; Fukuma, Shingo; Fukuhara, Shunichi

2017-11-08

Diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly is often delayed because of atypical presentation and non-specific symptoms, such as appetite loss, falls and disturbance in consciousness. The aim of this study was to investigate the external validity of existing prediction models and the added value of the non-specific symptoms for the diagnosis of CAP in elderly patients. Prospective cohort study. General medicine departments of three teaching hospitals in Japan. A total of 109 elderly patients who consulted for upper respiratory symptoms between 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2016. The reference standard for CAP was chest radiograph evaluated by two certified radiologists. The existing models were externally validated for diagnostic performance by calibration plot and discrimination. To evaluate the additional value of the non-specific symptoms to the existing prediction models, we developed an extended logistic regression model. Calibration, discrimination, category-free net reclassification improvement (NRI) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were investigated in the extended model. Among the existing models, the model by van Vugt demonstrated the best performance, with an area under the curve of 0.75(95% CI 0.63 to 0.88); calibration plot showed good fit despite a significant Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p=0.017). Among the non-specific symptoms, appetite loss had positive likelihood ratio of 3.2 (2.0-5.3), negative likelihood ratio of 0.4 (0.2-0.7) and OR of 7.7 (3.0-19.7). Addition of appetite loss to the model by van Vugt led to improved calibration at p=0.48, NRI of 0.53 (p=0.019) and higher net benefit by DCA. Information on appetite loss improved the performance of an existing model for the diagnosis of CAP in the elderly. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Q-Method Extended Kalman Filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zanetti, Renato; Ainscough, Thomas; Christian, John; Spanos, Pol D.

2012-01-01

A new algorithm is proposed that smoothly integrates non-linear estimation of the attitude quaternion using Davenport s q-method and estimation of non-attitude states through an extended Kalman filter. The new method is compared to a similar existing algorithm showing its similarities and differences. The validity of the proposed approach is confirmed through numerical simulations.

Kansas Public Television Network (KPTN).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemen, Jack A.

The plans of the Kansas Public Television Board (KPTB) for development of the Kansas Television Network are detailed for the period extending from FY 1979 to FY 1983; the proposed system is designed to serve the needs of the communities by extending existing capabilities and resources, sharing common resources, and enriching the total system.…

Z3 -vertex magic total labeling and Z3 -edge magic total labelingfor the extended duplicate graph of quadrilateral snake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Indira, P.; Selvam, B.; Thirusangu, K.

2018-04-01

Based on the works of Kotzig, Rosa and MacDougall et.al., we present algorithms and prove the existence of Z3-vertex magic total labeling and Z3-edge magic total labeling for the extended duplicate graph of quadrilateral snake.

VideoANT: Extending Online Video Annotation beyond Content Delivery

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hosack, Bradford

2010-01-01

This paper expands the boundaries of video annotation in education by outlining the need for extended interaction in online video use, identifying the challenges faced by existing video annotation tools, and introducing Video-ANT, a tool designed to create text-based annotations integrated within the time line of a video hosted online. Several…

Extended investigation of the twelve-flavor β-function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fodor, Zoltán; Holland, Kieran; Kuti, Julius; Nógrádi, Dániel; Wong, Chik Him

2018-04-01

We report new results from high precision analysis of an important BSM gauge theory with twelve massless fermion flavors in the fundamental representation of the SU(3) color gauge group. The range of the renormalized gauge coupling is extended from our earlier work [1] to probe the existence of an infrared fixed point (IRFP) in the β-function reported at two different locations, originally in [2] and at a new location in [3]. We find no evidence for the IRFP of the β-function in the extended range of the renormalized gauge coupling, in disagreement with [2,3]. New arguments to guard the existence of the IRFP remain unconvincing [4], including recent claims of an IRFP with ten massless fermion flavors [5,6] which we also rule out. Predictions of the recently completed 5-loop QCD β-function for general flavor number are discussed in this context.

Sakurai Prize: Extended Higgs Sectors--phenomenology and future prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunion, John

2017-01-01

The discovery of a spin-0 state at 125 GeV with properties close to those predicted for the single Higgs boson of the Standard Model does not preclude the existence of additional Higgs bosons. In this talk, models with extended Higgs sectors are reviewed, including two-Higgs-doublet models with and without an extra singlet Higgs field and supersymmetric models. Special emphasis is given to the limit in which the couplings and properties of one of the Higgs bosons of the extended Higgs sector are very close to those predicted for the single Standard Model Higgs boson while the other Higgs bosons are relatively light, perhaps even having masses close to or below the SM-like 125 GeV state. Constraints on this type of scenario given existing data are summarized and prospects for observing these non-SM-like Higgs bosons are discussed. Supported by the Department of Energy.

An Extension to Deng's Entropy in the Open World Assumption with an Application in Sensor Data Fusion.

PubMed

Tang, Yongchuan; Zhou, Deyun; Chan, Felix T S

2018-06-11

Quantification of uncertain degree in the Dempster-Shafer evidence theory (DST) framework with belief entropy is still an open issue, even a blank field for the open world assumption. Currently, the existed uncertainty measures in the DST framework are limited to the closed world where the frame of discernment (FOD) is assumed to be complete. To address this issue, this paper focuses on extending a belief entropy to the open world by considering the uncertain information represented as the FOD and the nonzero mass function of the empty set simultaneously. An extension to Deng’s entropy in the open world assumption (EDEOW) is proposed as a generalization of the Deng’s entropy and it can be degenerated to the Deng entropy in the closed world wherever necessary. In order to test the reasonability and effectiveness of the extended belief entropy, an EDEOW-based information fusion approach is proposed and applied to sensor data fusion under uncertainty circumstance. The experimental results verify the usefulness and applicability of the extended measure as well as the modified sensor data fusion method. In addition, a few open issues still exist in the current work: the necessary properties for a belief entropy in the open world assumption, whether there exists a belief entropy that satisfies all the existed properties, and what is the most proper fusion frame for sensor data fusion under uncertainty.

A PDA study management tool (SMT) utilizing wireless broadband and full DICOM viewing capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Documet, Jorge; Liu, Brent; Zhou, Zheng; Huang, H. K.; Documet, Luis

2007-03-01

During the last 4 years IPI (Image Processing and Informatics) Laboratory has been developing a web-based Study Management Tool (SMT) application that allows Radiologists, Film librarians and PACS-related (Picture Archiving and Communication System) users to dynamically and remotely perform Query/Retrieve operations in a PACS network. The users utilizing a regular PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) can remotely query a PACS archive to distribute any study to an existing DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) node. This application which has proven to be convenient to manage the Study Workflow [1, 2] has been extended to include a DICOM viewing capability in the PDA. With this new feature, users can take a quick view of DICOM images providing them mobility and convenience at the same time. In addition, we are extending this application to Metropolitan-Area Wireless Broadband Networks. This feature requires Smart Phones that are capable of working as a PDA and have access to Broadband Wireless Services. With the extended application to wireless broadband technology and the preview of DICOM images, the Study Management Tool becomes an even more powerful tool for clinical workflow management.

Effects of concrete moisture on polymer overlay bond over new concrete.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-06-01

Epoxy polymer overlays have been used for decades on existing bridge decks to protect the deck and extend its : service life. The polymer overlays ability to seal a bridge deck is now being specified for new construction. Questions exist : about t...

Applying Diversity Management Concepts to Improve the Minority Educational Pipeline

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oguntebi, Joy; Shcherbakova, Maria; Wooten, Lynn P.

2012-01-01

The objective of this conceptual article is to investigate existing diversity management paradigms and extend their implications toward the goal of increasing minority representation in management education. We suggest that the existing learning-and-effectiveness diversity management paradigm (Thomas & Ely, 1996, "Harvard Business…

Video Game Acceptance: A Meta-Analysis of the Extended Technology Acceptance Model.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaohui; Goh, Dion Hoe-Lian

2017-11-01

The current study systematically reviews and summarizes the existing literature of game acceptance, identifies the core determinants, and evaluates the strength of the relationships in the extended technology acceptance model. Moreover, this study segments video games into two categories: hedonic and utilitarian and examines player acceptance of these two types separately. Through a meta-analysis of 50 articles, we find that perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), and perceived enjoyment (PE) significantly associate with attitude and behavioral intention. PE is the dominant predictor of hedonic game acceptance, while PEOU and PU are the main determinants of utilitarian game acceptance. Furthermore, we find that respondent type and game platform are significant moderators. Findings of this study provide critical insights into the phenomenon of game acceptance and suggest directions for future research.

Modeling of ETL-Processes and Processed Information in Clinical Data Warehousing.

PubMed

Tute, Erik; Steiner, Jochen

2018-01-01

Literature describes a big potential for reuse of clinical patient data. A clinical data warehouse (CDWH) is a means for that. To support management and maintenance of processes extracting, transforming and loading (ETL) data into CDWHs as well as to ease reuse of metadata between regular IT-management, CDWH and secondary data users by providing a modeling approach. Expert survey and literature review to find requirements and existing modeling techniques. An ETL-modeling-technique was developed extending existing modeling techniques. Evaluation by exemplarily modeling existing ETL-process and a second expert survey. Nine experts participated in the first survey. Literature review yielded 15 included publications. Six existing modeling techniques were identified. A modeling technique extending 3LGM² and combining it with openEHR information models was developed and evaluated. Seven experts participated in the evaluation. The developed approach can help in management and maintenance of ETL-processes and could serve as interface between regular IT-management, CDWH and secondary data users.

Is procrastination all that "bad"? A qualitative study of academic procrastination and self-worth in postgraduate university students.

PubMed

Abramowski, Anna

2018-01-01

Most of the existing literature investigated the construct of procrastination using quantitative paradigms-primarily self-administered questionnaires. However, such approaches seem to limit insight, elaboration, and deeper understanding of central facets that might influence procrastination. The present qualitative study explored how a sample of postgraduate students from Cambridge University represented academic procrastination framed within their personal perspectives and context using semistructured interviews. This study extends the existing quantitative literature by adding students' personal narratives and voices. Ten postgraduate students were interviewed and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The preponderance of the literature on academic procrastination has described it as a maladaptive and detrimental behavior. However, the present study found evidence which supports the existence of a positive form of procrastination as well which suggests that procrastination can sometimes be worthwhile and allow further thinking time, allowing students to do a task and enable them to give more attention to detail which suggests a reconsideration of the negative image commonly associated with procrastination.

The Predictive Ability of IQ and Working Memory Scores in Literacy in an Adult Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alloway, Tracy Packiam; Gregory, David

2013-01-01

Literacy problems are highly prevalent and can persist into adulthood. Yet, the majority of research on the predictive nature of cognitive skills to literacy has primarily focused on development and adolescent populations. The aim of the present study was to extend existing research to investigate the roles of IQ scores and Working Memory…

Combating AIDS in South Africa and Mozambique: The Role of Open, Distance, and Flexible Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pridmore, Pat; Yates, Chris

2005-01-01

This article examines the potential for open, distance, and flexible learning (ODFL) to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people. Based on experience from a field study in Mozambique and South Africa, the authors show how ODFL can support and extend the work of existing infrastructures supporting vulnerable youth. As neighboring…

Insecure Attachment, Dysfunctional Attitudes, and Low Self-Esteem Predicting Prospective Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety during Adolescence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Adabel; Hankin, Benjamin L.

2009-01-01

This study extends the existing adult literature on insecure attachment as a predictor of depression and anxiety by examining these pathways in a sample of adolescents. In addition, dysfunctional attitudes and low self-esteem were tested as mediators of the association between insecure attachment and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Youth (N =…

Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Self-Defense Program: A Prospective Analysis of a Revised Protocol

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Orchowski, Lindsay M.; Gidycz, Christine A.; Raffle, Holly

2008-01-01

The current study extends the development and evaluation of an existing and previously evaluated sexual assault risk reduction program with a self-defense component for college women (N = 300). The program protocol was revised to address psychological barriers to responding assertively to risky dating situations, and a placebo-control group was…

Landscape ecology of gypsy moth in the Northeastern United States

Treesearch

Andrew Liebhold; Joel Halverson; Gregory Elmes; Jay Hutchinson

1991-01-01

The gypsy moth was accidentally introduced to North America near Boston by E. Leopold Trouvelot in 1869. Since that time, the range of the gypsy moth has slowly spread and the generally infested region presently extends as far as Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. A separate isolated but expanding population exists in Michigan. The goal of this study was...

Relative loading on biplane wings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diehl, Walter S

1934-01-01

Recent improvements in stress analysis methods have made it necessary to revise and to extend the loading curves to cover all conditions of flight. This report is concerned with a study of existing biplane data by combining the experimental and theoretical data to derive a series of curves from which the lift curves of the individual wings of a biplane may be obtained.

Birth Order and Participation in School Sports and Other Extracurricular Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rees, Daniel I.; Lopez, Elizabeth; Averett, Susan L.; Argys, Laura M.

2008-01-01

Argys, L.M., Rees, D.I., Averett S.L., & Witoonchart, B. (2006). Birth order and risky adolescent behavior. "Economic Inquiry", 44(2), 215-233 demonstrated that a strong link exists between birth order and adolescent risky behavior. Using data on 10th graders from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, we extend the work of Argys et…

Gendered Pathways? Gender, Mediating Factors, and the Gap in Boys' and Girls' Substance Use

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whaley, Rachel Bridges; Hayes-Smith, Justin; Hayes-Smith, Rebecca

2013-01-01

A gender gap in alcohol and drug use exists but is somewhat smaller than the gender gap in other forms of delinquency. This article extends studies that examine the gender-delinquency relationship to substance use in particular and estimate the extent to which major risk and protective factors mediate the association between gender and alcohol and…

Racial/Ethnic Socialization and Identity Development in Black Families: The Role of Parent and Youth Reports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peck, Stephen C.; Brodish, Amanda B.; Malanchuk, Oksana; Banerjee, Meeta; Eccles, Jacquelynne S.

2014-01-01

Racial/ethnic (R/E) socialization is widely practiced in R/E minority families. However, only recently have models been developed to understand how parents' R/E socialization messages influence adolescent development. The primary goal of the present study was to clarify and extend existing work on R/E socialization in African American (Black)…

Mitigating climate change through afforestation: new cost estimates for the United States

Treesearch

Anne Sofie Elberg Nielsen; Andrew J. Plantinga; Ralph J. Alig

2014-01-01

We provide new cost estimates for carbon sequestration through afforestation in the U.S. We extend existing studies of carbon sequestration costs in several important ways, while ensuring the transparency of our approach. Our costs estimates have five distinguishing features: (1) we estimate costs for each county in the contiguous U.S., (2) we include afforestation of...

New cost estimates for carbon sequestration through afforestation in the United States

Treesearch

Anne Sofie Elburg Nielsen; Andrew J. Plantinga; Ralph J. Alig

2014-01-01

This report provides new cost estimates for carbon sequestration through afforestation in the United States. We extend existing studies of carbon sequestration costs in several important ways, while ensuring the transparency of our approach. We clearly identify all components of our cost estimates so that other researchers can reconstruct our results as well as use our...

The Fiscal Impact of Tax-Credit Scholarships in Georgia. School Choice Issues in the State

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gottlob, Brian

2008-01-01

This study seeks to inform the debate over a proposal in Georgia to give tax credits for contributions to organizations that provide scholarships to K-12 private schools. Such a program would extend to K-12 education the philosophy of choice that is inherent in the state's existing Hope Scholarships program for college students. This study…

Trends in Education Excellence Gaps: A 12-Year International Perspective via the Multilevel Model for Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rutkowski, David; Rutkowski, Leslie; Plucker, Jonathan A.

2012-01-01

A recent study in the USA documented the existence and growth of "excellence gaps" among students. These gaps are similar to the minimum competency achievement gaps that proliferate in policy discussions in many Western countries, but excellence gaps focus on the highest level of achievement rather than minimum competency. We extend this…

"Fahrenheit 9-11," Need for Closure and the Priming of Affective Ambivalence: An Assessment of Intra-Affective Structures by Party Identification

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holbert, R. Lance; Hansen, Glenn J.

2006-01-01

This study extends priming research in political communication by focusing on an alternative political information source (i.e., Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9-11), affect rather than cognitions, and the existence of intra-affective ambivalence. In addition, two moderator variables are analyzed: political party identification and need for closure.…

Temporally consistent segmentation of point clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Owens, Jason L.; Osteen, Philip R.; Daniilidis, Kostas

2014-06-01

We consider the problem of generating temporally consistent point cloud segmentations from streaming RGB-D data, where every incoming frame extends existing labels to new points or contributes new labels while maintaining the labels for pre-existing segments. Our approach generates an over-segmentation based on voxel cloud connectivity, where a modified k-means algorithm selects supervoxel seeds and associates similar neighboring voxels to form segments. Given the data stream from a potentially mobile sensor, we solve for the camera transformation between consecutive frames using a joint optimization over point correspondences and image appearance. The aligned point cloud may then be integrated into a consistent model coordinate frame. Previously labeled points are used to mask incoming points from the new frame, while new and previous boundary points extend the existing segmentation. We evaluate the algorithm on newly-generated RGB-D datasets.

Single-Particle Mobility Edge in a One-Dimensional Quasiperiodic Optical Lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lüschen, Henrik P.; Scherg, Sebastian; Kohlert, Thomas; Schreiber, Michael; Bordia, Pranjal; Li, Xiao; Das Sarma, S.; Bloch, Immanuel

2018-04-01

A single-particle mobility edge (SPME) marks a critical energy separating extended from localized states in a quantum system. In one-dimensional systems with uncorrelated disorder, a SPME cannot exist, since all single-particle states localize for arbitrarily weak disorder strengths. However, in a quasiperiodic system, the localization transition can occur at a finite detuning strength and SPMEs become possible. In this Letter, we find experimental evidence for the existence of such a SPME in a one-dimensional quasiperiodic optical lattice. Specifically, we find a regime where extended and localized single-particle states coexist, in good agreement with theoretical simulations, which predict a SPME in this regime.

Testing framework for embedded languages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leskó, Dániel; Tejfel, Máté

2012-09-01

Embedding a new programming language into an existing one is a widely used technique, because it fastens the development process and gives a part of a language infrastructure for free (e.g. lexical, syntactical analyzers). In this paper we are presenting a new advantage of this development approach regarding to adding testing support for these new languages. Tool support for testing is a crucial point for a newly designed programming language. It could be done in the hard way by creating a testing tool from scratch, or we could try to reuse existing testing tools by extending them with an interface to our new language. The second approach requires less work, and also it fits very well for the embedded approach. The problem is that the creation of such interfaces is not straightforward at all, because the existing testing tools were mostly not designed to be extendable and to be able to deal with new languages. This paper presents an extendable and modular model of a testing framework, in which the most basic design decision was to keep the - previously mentioned - interface creation simple and straightforward. Other important aspects of our model are the test data generation, the oracle problem and the customizability of the whole testing phase.

Existence of equilibria in articulated bearings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buscaglia, G.; Ciuperca, I.; Hafidi, I.; Jai, M.

2007-04-01

The existence of equilibrium solutions for a lubricated system consisting of an articulated body sliding over a flat plate is considered. Though this configuration is very common (it corresponds to the popular tilting-pad thrust bearings), the existence problem has only been addressed in extremely simplified cases, such as planar sliders of infinite width. Our results show the existence of at least one equilibrium for a quite general class of (nonplanar) slider shapes. We also extend previous results concerning planar sliders.

Effects of concrete moisture on polymer overlay bond over new concrete : [technical summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-06-01

Epoxy polymer overlays have been used for decades on existing bridge decks to protect : the deck and extend its service life. The polymer overlays ability to seal a bridge deck : is now being specified for new construction. Questions exist about t...

WISARD: workbench for integrated superfast association studies for related datasets.

PubMed

Lee, Sungyoung; Choi, Sungkyoung; Qiao, Dandi; Cho, Michael; Silverman, Edwin K; Park, Taesung; Won, Sungho

2018-04-20

A Mendelian transmission produces phenotypic and genetic relatedness between family members, giving family-based analytical methods an important role in genetic epidemiological studies-from heritability estimations to genetic association analyses. With the advance in genotyping technologies, whole-genome sequence data can be utilized for genetic epidemiological studies, and family-based samples may become more useful for detecting de novo mutations. However, genetic analyses employing family-based samples usually suffer from the complexity of the computational/statistical algorithms, and certain types of family designs, such as incorporating data from extended families, have rarely been used. We present a Workbench for Integrated Superfast Association studies for Related Data (WISARD) programmed in C/C++. WISARD enables the fast and a comprehensive analysis of SNP-chip and next-generation sequencing data on extended families, with applications from designing genetic studies to summarizing analysis results. In addition, WISARD can automatically be run in a fully multithreaded manner, and the integration of R software for visualization makes it more accessible to non-experts. Comparison with existing toolsets showed that WISARD is computationally suitable for integrated analysis of related subjects, and demonstrated that WISARD outperforms existing toolsets. WISARD has also been successfully utilized to analyze the large-scale massive sequencing dataset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease data (COPD), and we identified multiple genes associated with COPD, which demonstrates its practical value.

Extending, Broadening and Rethinking Existing Research on Transfer of Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Volet, Simone

2013-01-01

The aim of this Special Issue was to generate a new integrated agenda for research on transfer of training. It brought together scholars from diverse perspectives and invited them to strive toward synergy. This article examines how this collection of articles, as well as other bodies of literature, can help extend, broaden and rethink current…

What's Happening outside the Gym: The Evolution of a Service-Learning Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galvan, Christine

2010-01-01

Underserved youths are affected by a variety of circumstances such as poverty, poor nutrition, and low physical activity levels. While many extended-day physical activity programs exist, few focus on the importance of health and wellness. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of an extended-day program for underserved youths…

Mixed-Handedness Advantages in Episodic Memory Obtained under Conditions of Intentional Learning Extend to Incidental Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Christman, Stephen D.; Butler, Michael

2011-01-01

The existence of handedness differences in the retrieval of episodic memories is well-documented, but virtually all have been obtained under conditions of intentional learning. Two experiments are reported that extend the presence of such handedness differences to memory retrieval under conditions of incidental learning. Experiment 1 used Craik…

Challenges of metal recycling and an international covenant as possible instrument of a globally extended producer responsibility.

PubMed

Wilts, Hennning; Bringezu, Stefan; Bleischwitz, Raimund; Lucas, Rainer; Wittmer, Dominic

2011-09-01

As illustrated by the case studies of end-of-life vehicles and waste electric and electronic equipment, the approach of an extended producer responsibility is undermined by the exports of used and waste products. This fact causes severe deficits regarding circular flows, especially of critical raw materials such as platinum group metals. With regard to global recycling there seems to be a responsibility gap which leads somehow to open ends of waste flows and a loss or down-cycling of potential secondary resources. Existing product-orientated extended producer responsibility (EPR) approaches with mass-based recycling quotas do not create adequate incentives to supply waste materials containing precious metals to a high-quality recycling and should be amended by aspects of a material stewardship. The paper analyses incentive effects on EPR for the mentioned product groups and metals, resulting from existing regulations in Germany. It develops a proposal for an international covenant on metal recycling as a policy instrument for a governance-oriented framework to initiate systemic innovations along the complete value chain taking into account product group- and resource group-specific aspects on different spatial levels. It aims at the effective implementation of a central idea of EPR, the transition of a waste regime still focusing on safe disposal towards a sustainable management of resources for the complete lifecycle of products.

Iron-Isotopic Fractionation Studies Using Multiple Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anbar, A. D.; Zhang, C.; Barling, J.; Roe, J. E.; Nealson, K. H.

1999-01-01

The importance of Fe biogeochemistry has stimulated interest in Fe isotope fractionation. Recent studies using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and a "double spike" demonstrate the existence of biogenic Fe isotope effects. Here, we assess the utility of multiple-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry(MC-ICP-MS) with a desolvating sample introduction system for Fe isotope studies, and present data on Fe biominerals produced by a thermophilic bacterium. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Patient compliance with extended low molecular weight heparin injections following hip and knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Deakin, Dan E; Mishreki, Andrew; Aslam, Nadim; Docker, Charles

2010-01-01

The use of extended duration thromboprophylaxis following hip and knee arthroplasty is becoming widespread. The aim of our study was to determine patient compliance with extended duration thromboprophylaxis using low molecular weight (LMWH) injections following hip and knee arthroplasty. 42 consecutive patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty were prospectively contacted during their fifth post operative week. A fully anonymised questionnaire was completed by each patient. All patients responded. One was excluded having been prescribed warfarin for pre existing atrial fibrillation. Twenty nine (71%) patients were discharged with the intention of self administering LMWH injections. Eight (20%) and four (9%) patients were discharged with the intention of administration by a relative or district nurse respectively. No patient required the person administering the injections to be changed after discharge from hospital. 90% (n=37) of patients reported not missing any doses. 10% (n=2) of patients missed one dose and 10% (n=2) missed two doses. Patient compliance with extended duration thromboprophylaxis using LMWH injections is extremely high. Oral thromboprophylaxis may be useful in the minority of patients requiring daily visits by a nurse to administer injections.

Life Extending Control. [mechanical fatigue in reusable rocket engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorenzo, Carl F.; Merrill, Walter C.

1991-01-01

The concept of Life Extending Control is defined. Life is defined in terms of mechanical fatigue life. A brief description is given of the current approach to life prediction using a local, cyclic, stress-strain approach for a critical system component. An alternative approach to life prediction based on a continuous functional relationship to component performance is proposed. Based on cyclic life prediction, an approach to life extending control, called the Life Management Approach, is proposed. A second approach, also based on cyclic life prediction, called the implicit approach, is presented. Assuming the existence of the alternative functional life prediction approach, two additional concepts for Life Extending Control are presented.

Life extending control: A concept paper

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorenzo, Carl F.; Merrill, Walter C.

1991-01-01

The concept of Life Extending Control is defined. Life is defined in terms of mechanical fatigue life. A brief description is given of the current approach to life prediction using a local, cyclic, stress-strain approach for a critical system component. An alternative approach to life prediction based on a continuous functional relationship to component performance is proposed.Base on cyclic life prediction an approach to Life Extending Control, called the Life Management Approach is proposed. A second approach, also based on cyclic life prediction, called the Implicit Approach, is presented. Assuming the existence of the alternative functional life prediction approach, two additional concepts for Life Extending Control are presented.

76 FR 548 - Central Arizona Project-Rate Order No. WAPA-153

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-05

... Transmission Formula Rates. SUMMARY: This action is to extend the existing Central Arizona Project (CAP) formula rates through December 31, 2012. The existing Transmission Service Formula Rate Schedules CAP-FT2, CAP-NFT2, and CAP- NITS2 expire on December 31, 2010. These Transmission Service Rate Schedules...

10 CFR 905.31 - Term.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Term. 905.31 Section 905.31 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Power Marketing Initiative § 905.31 Term. Western will extend resource commitments for 20 years from the date existing contracts expire to existing customers with long...

Occurrence and characteristics of extended spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae from foods of animal origin.

PubMed

Tekiner, İsmail Hakkı; Özpınar, Haydar

2016-01-01

Presence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) in bacteria is a growing health concern of global significance. The local, regional, national, and international epidemiological studies for extended spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae and their encoding genes in foods are still incomplete. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae and the characteristics of their encoding genes from a total of 250 samples of various foods of animal-origin (100 raw chicken meat, 100 raw cow milk, and 50 raw cow milk cheese) sold in Turkey. Overall, 55 isolates were positive as extended spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The most prevalent extended spectrum beta-lactamases-producing strain were identified as Escherichia coli (80%), followed by Enterobacter cloacae (9.1%), Citrobacter braakii (5.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.6%), and Citrobacter werkmanii (1.8%) by Vitek(®) MS. The simultaneous production of extended spectrum beta-lactamases and AmpC was detected in five isolates (9.1%) in E. coli (80%) and E. cloacae (20%). The frequency rates of blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV were 96.4%, 53.7%, and 34.5%, respectively. The co-existence of bla-genes was observed in 82% of extended spectrum beta-lactamases producers with a distribution of blaTEM &blaCTX-M (52.7%), blaTEM &blaSHV (20%), blaTEM &blaCTX-M &blaSHV (12.7%), and blaSHV &blaCTX-M (1.8%). The most prevalent variant of blaCTX-M clusters was defined as blaCTX-M-1 (97.2%), followed by blaCTX-M-8 (2.8%). In summary, the analysed foods were found to be posing a health risk for Turkish consumers due to contamination by Enterobacteriaceae with a diversity of extended spectrum beta-lactamases encoding genes. Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Direct design of aspherical lenses for extended non-Lambertian sources in two-dimensional geometry

PubMed Central

Wu, Rengmao; Hua, Hong; Benítez, Pablo; Miñano, Juan C.

2016-01-01

Illumination design for extended sources is very important for practical applications. The existing direct methods that are all developed for extended Lambertian sources are not applicable to extended non-Lambertian sources whose luminance is a function of position and direction. What we present in this Letter is to our knowledge the first direct method for extended non-Lambertian sources. In this method, the edge rays and the interior rays are both used, and the output intensity at a given direction is calculated to be the integral of the luminance function of all the outgoing rays at this direction. No cumbersome iterative illuminance compensation is needed. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the elegance of this method in prescribed intensity design for extended non-Lambertian sources in two-dimensional geometry. PMID:26125361

Progress Monitoring the Effects of Daily Report Cards across Elementary and Secondary Settings Using Direct Behavior Rating: Single Item Scales

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Faith G.; Crovello, Nicholas J.; Chafouleas, Sandra M.

2017-01-01

Direct Behavior Rating-Single Item Scales (DBR-SIS) have been advanced as a promising, systematic, behavioral, progress-monitoring method that is flexible, efficient, and defensible. This study aimed to extend existing literature on the use of DBR-SIS in elementary and secondary settings, and to examine methods of monitoring student progress in…

What Deficits in Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge Exist among Women with Cystic Fibrosis? A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gage, L. Ashley

2012-01-01

The life span of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) continues to extend due to advances in treatments and care. The rate of pregnancy for female patients with CF has also continued to rise. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the available literature on female patients with CF and their knowledge of sexual and reproductive…

Blending Hydrogen into Natural Gas Pipeline Networks: A Review of Key Issues

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

Melaina, M. W.; Antonia, O.; Penev, M.

2013-03-01

The United States has 11 distinct natural gas pipeline corridors: five originate in the Southwest, four deliver natural gas from Canada, and two extend from the Rocky Mountain region. This study assesses the potential to deliver hydrogen through the existing natural gas pipeline network as a hydrogen and natural gas mixture to defray the cost of building dedicated hydrogen pipelines.

Nuclear Energy Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-27

small modular reactors and extend the lives and improve the operation of existing commercial nuclear power plants. 40 Interdisciplinary MIT Study, The Future of Nuclear Power, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003, p. 79. 41 Gronlund, Lisbeth, David Lochbaum, and Edwin Lyman, Nuclear Power in a Warming World, Union of Concerned Scientists, December 2007. 42 Travis Madsen, Tony Dutzik, and Bernadette Del Chiaro, et al., Generating Failure: How Building Nuclear Power Plants

An extended protocol for usability validation of medical devices: Research design and reference model.

PubMed

Schmettow, Martin; Schnittker, Raphaela; Schraagen, Jan Maarten

2017-05-01

This paper proposes and demonstrates an extended protocol for usability validation testing of medical devices. A review of currently used methods for the usability evaluation of medical devices revealed two main shortcomings. Firstly, the lack of methods to closely trace the interaction sequences and derive performance measures. Secondly, a prevailing focus on cross-sectional validation studies, ignoring the issues of learnability and training. The U.S. Federal Drug and Food Administration's recent proposal for a validation testing protocol for medical devices is then extended to address these shortcomings: (1) a novel process measure 'normative path deviations' is introduced that is useful for both quantitative and qualitative usability studies and (2) a longitudinal, completely within-subject study design is presented that assesses learnability, training effects and allows analysis of diversity of users. A reference regression model is introduced to analyze data from this and similar studies, drawing upon generalized linear mixed-effects models and a Bayesian estimation approach. The extended protocol is implemented and demonstrated in a study comparing a novel syringe infusion pump prototype to an existing design with a sample of 25 healthcare professionals. Strong performance differences between designs were observed with a variety of usability measures, as well as varying training-on-the-job effects. We discuss our findings with regard to validation testing guidelines, reflect on the extensions and discuss the perspectives they add to the validation process. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

13 CFR 120.837 - SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. 120.837 Section 120.837 Business Credit...) Extending A Cdc's Area of Operations § 120.837 SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. The processing District Office must solicit the comments of any...

13 CFR 120.837 - SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. 120.837 Section 120.837 Business Credit...) Extending A Cdc's Area of Operations § 120.837 SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. The processing District Office must solicit the comments of any...

13 CFR 120.837 - SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. 120.837 Section 120.837 Business Credit...) Extending A Cdc's Area of Operations § 120.837 SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. The processing District Office must solicit the comments of any...

13 CFR 120.837 - SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. 120.837 Section 120.837 Business Credit...) Extending A Cdc's Area of Operations § 120.837 SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC to expand Area of Operations. The processing District Office must solicit the comments of any...

Analysis of rotor vibratory loads using higher harmonic pitch control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quackenbush, Todd R.; Bliss, Donald B.; Boschitsch, Alexander H.; Wachspress, Daniel A.

1992-01-01

Experimental studies of isolated rotors in forward flight have indicated that higher harmonic pitch control can reduce rotor noise. These tests also show that such pitch inputs can generate substantial vibratory loads. The modification is summarized of the RotorCRAFT (Computation of Rotor Aerodynamics in Forward flighT) analysis of isolated rotors to study the vibratory loading generated by high frequency pitch inputs. The original RotorCRAFT code was developed for use in the computation of such loading, and uses a highly refined rotor wake model to facilitate this task. The extended version of RotorCRAFT incorporates a variety of new features including: arbitrary periodic root pitch control; computation of blade stresses and hub loads; improved modeling of near wake unsteady effects; and preliminary implementation of a coupled prediction of rotor airloads and noise. Correlation studies are carried out with existing blade stress and vibratory hub load data to assess the performance of the extended code.

A cross-sectional study of male and female C57BL/6Nia mice suggests lifespan and healthspan are not necessarily correlated

PubMed Central

Fischer, Kathleen E.; Hoffman, Jessica M.; Sloane, Lauren B.; Gelfond, Jonathan A.L.; Soto, Vanessa Y.; Richardson, Arlan G.; Austad, Steven N.

2016-01-01

Lifespan provides a discrete metric that is intuitively appealing and the assumption has been that healthspan is extended concomitant with lifespan. Medicine has been more successful at extending life than preserving health during aging. Interventions that extend lifespan in model organisms do not always result in a corresponding increase in healthspan, suggesting that lifespan and healthspan may be uncoupled. To understand how interventions that extend life affect healthspan, we need measures that distinguish between young and old animals. Here we measured age-related changes in healthspan in male and female C57BL/6JNia mice assessed at 4 distinct ages (4 months, 20 months, 28 months and 32 months). Correlations between health parameters and age varied. Some parameters show consistent patterns with age across studies and in both sexes, others changed in one sex only and others showed no significant differences in mice of different ages. Few correlations existed among health assays, suggesting that physiological function in domains we assessed change independently in aging mice. With one exception, health parameters were not significantly associated with an increased probability of premature death. Our results show the need for more robust measures of murine health and suggest a potential disconnect between health and lifespan in mice. PMID:27705904

Extended benefit cost analysis as an instrument of economic valuated in Petungkriyono forest ecosystem services

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damayanti, Irma; Nur Bambang, Azis; Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, Tri

2018-05-01

Petungkriyono is the last tropical forest in Java and provides biodiversity including rare flora and fauna that must be maintained, managed and utilized in order to give meaning for humanity and sustainability. Services of Forest Ecosystem in Petungkriyono are included such as goods supply, soil-water conservation, climate regulation, purification environment and flora fauna habitats. The approach of this study is the literature review from various studies before perceiving the influenced of economic valuation in determining the measurement conservation strategies of Petungkriyono Natural Forest Ecosystem in Pekalongan Regency. The aims of this study are to analyzing an extended benefit cost of natural forest ecosystems and internalizing them in decision making. The method of quantification and valuation of forest ecosystem is Cost and Benefit Analysis (CBA) which is a standard economic appraisal tools government in development economics. CBA offers the possibility capturing impact of the project. By using productivity subtitution value and extended benefit cost analysis any comodity such as Backwoods,Pine Woods, Puspa woods and Pine Gum. Water value, preventive buildings of landslide and carbon sequestration have total economic value of IDR.163.065.858.080, and the value of Extended Benefit Cost Ratio in Petungkriyono is 281.35 %. However, from the result is expected the local government of Pekalongan to have high motivation in preserve the existence of Petungkriyono forest.

78 FR 28289 - Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company-Acquisition of Operating Easement-CSX Transportation, Inc.

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-14

... right-of-way extending 50 feet on either side of the centerline of the CSXT tracks to IC's existing right-of-way and 75 feet on either side of the centerline of the IC tracks, together with appurtenances... milepost 390.0, including the underlying right-of-way extending approximately 50 feet on either side of the...

75 FR 57912 - Boulder Canyon Project-Rate Order No. WAPA-150

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-23

...-setting Formula and Approval of FY 2011 Base Charge and Rates. SUMMARY: The Deputy Secretary of Energy... existing Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) rate-setting formula and approving the base charge and rates for FY... financial and load data. The existing rate-setting formula is being extended under Rate Order No. WAPA-150...

New simulation model of multicomponent crystal growth and inhibition.

PubMed

Wathen, Brent; Kuiper, Michael; Walker, Virginia; Jia, Zongchao

2004-04-02

We review a novel computational model for the study of crystal structures both on their own and in conjunction with inhibitor molecules. The model advances existing Monte Carlo (MC) simulation techniques by extending them from modeling 3D crystal surface patches to modeling entire 3D crystals, and by including the use of "complex" multicomponent molecules within the simulations. These advances makes it possible to incorporate the 3D shape and non-uniform surface properties of inhibitors into simulations, and to study what effect these inhibitor properties have on the growth of whole crystals containing up to tens of millions of molecules. The application of this extended MC model to the study of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and their effects on ice formation is reported, including the success of the technique in achieving AFP-induced ice-growth inhibition with concurrent changes to ice morphology that mimic experimental results. Simulations of ice-growth inhibition suggest that the degree of inhibition afforded by an AFP is a function of its ice-binding position relative to the underlying anisotropic growth pattern of ice. This extended MC technique is applicable to other crystal and crystal-inhibitor systems, including more complex crystal systems such as clathrates.

A neural network based reputation bootstrapping approach for service selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Quanwang; Zhu, Qingsheng; Li, Peng

2015-10-01

With the concept of service-oriented computing becoming widely accepted in enterprise application integration, more and more computing resources are encapsulated as services and published online. Reputation mechanism has been studied to establish trust on prior unknown services. One of the limitations of current reputation mechanisms is that they cannot assess the reputation of newly deployed services as no record of their previous behaviours exists. Most of the current bootstrapping approaches merely assign default reputation values to newcomers. However, by this kind of methods, either newcomers or existing services will be favoured. In this paper, we present a novel reputation bootstrapping approach, where correlations between features and performance of existing services are learned through an artificial neural network (ANN) and they are then generalised to establish a tentative reputation when evaluating new and unknown services. Reputations of services published previously by the same provider are also incorporated for reputation bootstrapping if available. The proposed reputation bootstrapping approach is seamlessly embedded into an existing reputation model and implemented in the extended service-oriented architecture. Empirical studies of the proposed approach are shown at last.

Physician-assisted suicide: the legal slippery slope.

PubMed

Walker, R M

2001-01-01

In Oregon, physicians can prescribe lethal amounts of medication only if requested by competent, terminally ill patients. However, the possibility of extending the practice to patients who lack decisional capacity exists. This paper examines why the legal extension of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) to incapacitated patients is possible, and perhaps likely. The author reviews several pivotal court cases that have served to define the distinctions and legalities among "right-to-die" cases and the various forms of euthanasia and PAS. Significant public support exists for legalizing PAS and voluntary euthanasia in the United States. The only defenses against sliding from PAS to voluntary euthanasia are adhering to traditional physician morality that stands against it and keeping the issue of voluntary euthanasia legally framed as homicide. However, if voluntary euthanasia evolves euphemistically as a medical choice issue, then the possibility of its legalization exists. If courts allow PAS to be framed as a basic personal right akin to the right to refuse treatment, and if they rely on right-to-die case precedents, then they will likely extend PAS to voluntary euthanasia and nonvoluntary euthanasia. This would be done by extending the right to PAS to incapacitated patients, who may or may not have expressed a choice for PAS prior to incapacity.

Terminology challenges: defining modified release dosage forms in veterinary medicine.

PubMed

Martinez, Marilyn N; Lindquist, Danielle; Modric, Sanja

2010-08-01

Terminologies for describing dosage form release characteristics for human pharmaceuticals have been addressed by bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), and the US Pharmacopeia (USP). While the definition for terms such as "immediate release," "modified release," "extended release," and "delayed release" are now well accepted for human pharmaceuticals, confusion still exists within the veterinary community. In part, this confusion is attributable to differences between human and veterinary dosage forms (such as the preponderance of parenteral vs. oral extended release products for use in animals vs. the focus on oral extended release formulations for human use) which reflect interspecies differences in physiology and conditions of use. It also simply reflects a lack of attention to existing definitions. In an effort to remedy this problem, this manuscript reflects an initial effort to suggest definitions that may be appropriate for describing formulation effects in veterinary medicine. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association

Prediction of heterotrimeric protein complexes by two-phase learning using neighboring kernels

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Protein complexes play important roles in biological systems such as gene regulatory networks and metabolic pathways. Most methods for predicting protein complexes try to find protein complexes with size more than three. It, however, is known that protein complexes with smaller sizes occupy a large part of whole complexes for several species. In our previous work, we developed a method with several feature space mappings and the domain composition kernel for prediction of heterodimeric protein complexes, which outperforms existing methods. Results We propose methods for prediction of heterotrimeric protein complexes by extending techniques in the previous work on the basis of the idea that most heterotrimeric protein complexes are not likely to share the same protein with each other. We make use of the discriminant function in support vector machines (SVMs), and design novel feature space mappings for the second phase. As the second classifier, we examine SVMs and relevance vector machines (RVMs). We perform 10-fold cross-validation computational experiments. The results suggest that our proposed two-phase methods and SVM with the extended features outperform the existing method NWE, which was reported to outperform other existing methods such as MCL, MCODE, DPClus, CMC, COACH, RRW, and PPSampler for prediction of heterotrimeric protein complexes. Conclusions We propose two-phase prediction methods with the extended features, the domain composition kernel, SVMs and RVMs. The two-phase method with the extended features and the domain composition kernel using SVM as the second classifier is particularly useful for prediction of heterotrimeric protein complexes. PMID:24564744

Improving the elasticity and cytophilicity of biodegradable polyurethane by changing chain extender.

PubMed

Zhang, Changhong; Zhang, Ning; Wen, Xuejun

2006-11-01

Two types of biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs) were synthesized from methylene di-p-phenyl-diisocyanate (MDI), polycaprolactone diol (PCL-diol), and chain extenders of either butanediol (BD) or 2,2'-(methylimino)diethanol (MIDE). The effects of two types of chain extenders on the degradation, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and cytophilicity of PUs were evaluated. In vitro degradation studies showed that PU containing MIDE has a higher degradation rate than PU synthesized using BD as a chain extender. Mechanical testing on dry and wet samples demonstrated that PU containing MIDE has a much higher elongation in the elastic region than PU containing BD. PU containing MIDE is more hydrophilic and retains more liquid during in vitro culture. Furthermore, preliminary cytocompatibility studies showed that both types of degradable PU are nontoxic, and fibroblasts adhere better and proliferate faster on MIDE containing PU than BD containing PU. To compare the cytocompatibility and degradation behaviors of the synthesized PU with existing FDA approved biocompatible material, polylactide (PLA), with a similar degradation rate, was used as negative control. Two types of PU were shown to have similar cytocompatibility and degradation behaviors as those of the PLA material. To verify the effectiveness of the cytotoxicity assay, latex was used as a positive control. Latex samples showed toxicity to cultured cells as expected. In conclusion, by changing the type of chain extender used during the synthesis of degradable PUs, the degradation rate, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and cytophilicity can be adjusted for different tissue engineering applications. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Description of quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes requires constraints beyond free energy.

PubMed

Lostaglio, Matteo; Jennings, David; Rudolph, Terry

2015-03-10

Recent studies have developed fundamental limitations on nanoscale thermodynamics, in terms of a set of independent free energy relations. Here we show that free energy relations cannot properly describe quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes. By casting time-asymmetry as a quantifiable, fundamental resource of a quantum state, we arrive at an additional, independent set of thermodynamic constraints that naturally extend the existing ones. These asymmetry relations reveal that the traditional Szilárd engine argument does not extend automatically to quantum coherences, but instead only relational coherences in a multipartite scenario can contribute to thermodynamic work. We find that coherence transformations are always irreversible. Our results also reveal additional structural parallels between thermodynamics and the theory of entanglement.

Description of quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes requires constraints beyond free energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lostaglio, Matteo; Jennings, David; Rudolph, Terry

2015-03-01

Recent studies have developed fundamental limitations on nanoscale thermodynamics, in terms of a set of independent free energy relations. Here we show that free energy relations cannot properly describe quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes. By casting time-asymmetry as a quantifiable, fundamental resource of a quantum state, we arrive at an additional, independent set of thermodynamic constraints that naturally extend the existing ones. These asymmetry relations reveal that the traditional Szilárd engine argument does not extend automatically to quantum coherences, but instead only relational coherences in a multipartite scenario can contribute to thermodynamic work. We find that coherence transformations are always irreversible. Our results also reveal additional structural parallels between thermodynamics and the theory of entanglement.

Stability analysis solutions and optical solitons in extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher-order odd and even terms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Wei-Qi; Tian, Shou-Fu; Zou, Li; Zhang, Tian-Tian

2018-01-01

In this paper, the extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher-order odd (third order) and even (fourth order) terms is investigated, whose particular cases are the Hirota equation, the Sasa-Satsuma equation and Lakshmanan-Porsezian-Daniel equation by selecting some specific values on the parameters of higher-order terms. We first study the stability analysis of the equation. Then, using the ansatz method, we derive its bright, dark solitons and some constraint conditions which can guarantee the existence of solitons. Moreover, the Ricatti equation extension method is employed to derive some exact singular solutions. The outstanding characteristics of these solitons are analyzed via several diverting graphics.

Energy dissipation in a rolling aircraft tire

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tielking, John T.

1988-01-01

The project is extending an existing finite element tire model to calculate the energy dissipation in a free-rolling aircraft tire and temperature buildup in the tire carcass. The model will provide a means of calculating the influence of tire design on the distribution of tire temperature. Current focus is on energy loss measurements of aircraft tire material. The feasibility of taking test specimens directly from the tire carcass for measurements of viscoelastic properties was demonstrated. The interaction of temperature and frequency effects on material loss properties was studied. The tire model was extended to calculate the cyclic energy change in a tire during rolling under load. Input data representing the 40 by 14 aircraft tire whose material loss properties were measured are being used.

Predesign study for a modern 4-bladed rotor for RSRA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, S. J.

1981-01-01

The feasibility of providing a modern four-bladed rotor for flight research testing on a rotor system aircraft was evaluated. The capabilities of a state of the art rotor system and the contributions of key design parameters to these capabilities were investigated. Three candidate rotors were examined: the UH-60A BLACK HAWK rotor with and without root extenders and the H-3 composite blade rotor. It was concluded that the technical/cost objectives could best be accomplished using the basic BLACK HAWK rotor (i.e. without root extenders). Further, the availability of three existing sets of blade tip of varying design, together with a demonstrated capability for altering airfoil geometry should provide early research information on important design variables at reduced cost.

Description of quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes requires constraints beyond free energy

PubMed Central

Lostaglio, Matteo; Jennings, David; Rudolph, Terry

2015-01-01

Recent studies have developed fundamental limitations on nanoscale thermodynamics, in terms of a set of independent free energy relations. Here we show that free energy relations cannot properly describe quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes. By casting time-asymmetry as a quantifiable, fundamental resource of a quantum state, we arrive at an additional, independent set of thermodynamic constraints that naturally extend the existing ones. These asymmetry relations reveal that the traditional Szilárd engine argument does not extend automatically to quantum coherences, but instead only relational coherences in a multipartite scenario can contribute to thermodynamic work. We find that coherence transformations are always irreversible. Our results also reveal additional structural parallels between thermodynamics and the theory of entanglement. PMID:25754774

General Blending Models for Data From Mixture Experiments

PubMed Central

Brown, L.; Donev, A. N.; Bissett, A. C.

2015-01-01

We propose a new class of models providing a powerful unification and extension of existing statistical methodology for analysis of data obtained in mixture experiments. These models, which integrate models proposed by Scheffé and Becker, extend considerably the range of mixture component effects that may be described. They become complex when the studied phenomenon requires it, but remain simple whenever possible. This article has supplementary material online. PMID:26681812

Non-line-of-sight ultraviolet link loss in noncoplanar geometry.

PubMed

Wang, Leijie; Xu, Zhengyuan; Sadler, Brian M

2010-04-15

Various path loss models have been developed for solar blind non-line-of-sight UV communication links under an assumption of coplanar source beam axis and receiver pointing direction. This work further extends an existing single-scattering coplanar analytical model to noncoplanar geometry. The model is derived as a function of geometric parameters and atmospheric characteristics. Its behavior is numerically studied in different noncoplanar geometric settings.

Towards timelike singularity via AdS dual

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhowmick, Samrat; Chatterjee, Soumyabrata

2017-07-01

It is well known that Kasner geometry with spacelike singularity can be extended to bulk AdS-like geometry, furthermore, one can study field theory on this Kasner space via its gravity dual. In this paper, we show that there exists a Kasner-like geometry with timelike singularity for which one can construct a dual gravity description. We then study various extremal surfaces including spacelike geodesics in the dual gravity description. Finally, we compute correlators of highly massive operators in the boundary field theory with a geodesic approximation.

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

Tuo, Rui; Wu, C. F. Jeff

Many computer models contain unknown parameters which need to be estimated using physical observations. Furthermore, the calibration method based on Gaussian process models may lead to unreasonable estimate for imperfect computer models. In this work, we extend their study to calibration problems with stochastic physical data. We propose a novel method, called the L 2 calibration, and show its semiparametric efficiency. The conventional method of the ordinary least squares is also studied. Theoretical analysis shows that it is consistent but not efficient. Here, numerical examples show that the proposed method outperforms the existing ones.

A study of the spreading scheme for viral marketing based on a complex network model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jianmei; Yao, Canzhong; Ma, Weicheng; Chen, Guanrong

2010-02-01

Buzzword-based viral marketing, known also as digital word-of-mouth marketing, is a marketing mode attached to some carriers on the Internet, which can rapidly copy marketing information at a low cost. Viral marketing actually uses a pre-existing social network where, however, the scale of the pre-existing network is believed to be so large and so random, so that its theoretical analysis is intractable and unmanageable. There are very few reports in the literature on how to design a spreading scheme for viral marketing on real social networks according to the traditional marketing theory or the relatively new network marketing theory. Complex network theory provides a new model for the study of large-scale complex systems, using the latest developments of graph theory and computing techniques. From this perspective, the present paper extends the complex network theory and modeling into the research of general viral marketing and develops a specific spreading scheme for viral marking and an approach to design the scheme based on a real complex network on the QQ instant messaging system. This approach is shown to be rather universal and can be further extended to the design of various spreading schemes for viral marketing based on different instant messaging systems.

Contour plot assessment of existing meta-analyses confirms robust association of statin use and acute kidney injury risk.

PubMed

Chevance, Aurélie; Schuster, Tibor; Steele, Russell; Ternès, Nils; Platt, Robert W

2015-10-01

Robustness of an existing meta-analysis can justify decisions on whether to conduct an additional study addressing the same research question. We illustrate the graphical assessment of the potential impact of an additional study on an existing meta-analysis using published data on statin use and the risk of acute kidney injury. A previously proposed graphical augmentation approach is used to assess the sensitivity of the current test and heterogeneity statistics extracted from existing meta-analysis data. In addition, we extended the graphical augmentation approach to assess potential changes in the pooled effect estimate after updating a current meta-analysis and applied the three graphical contour definitions to data from meta-analyses on statin use and acute kidney injury risk. In the considered example data, the pooled effect estimates and heterogeneity indices demonstrated to be considerably robust to the addition of a future study. Supportingly, for some previously inconclusive meta-analyses, a study update might yield statistically significant kidney injury risk increase associated with higher statin exposure. The illustrated contour approach should become a standard tool for the assessment of the robustness of meta-analyses. It can guide decisions on whether to conduct additional studies addressing a relevant research question. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An Adaptive Association Test for Multiple Phenotypes with GWAS Summary Statistics.

PubMed

Kim, Junghi; Bai, Yun; Pan, Wei

2015-12-01

We study the problem of testing for single marker-multiple phenotype associations based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics without access to individual-level genotype and phenotype data. For most published GWASs, because obtaining summary data is substantially easier than accessing individual-level phenotype and genotype data, while often multiple correlated traits have been collected, the problem studied here has become increasingly important. We propose a powerful adaptive test and compare its performance with some existing tests. We illustrate its applications to analyses of a meta-analyzed GWAS dataset with three blood lipid traits and another with sex-stratified anthropometric traits, and further demonstrate its potential power gain over some existing methods through realistic simulation studies. We start from the situation with only one set of (possibly meta-analyzed) genome-wide summary statistics, then extend the method to meta-analysis of multiple sets of genome-wide summary statistics, each from one GWAS. We expect the proposed test to be useful in practice as more powerful than or complementary to existing methods. © 2015 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.

76 FR 53827 - Safety Zone; Big Sioux River From the Military Road Bridge North Sioux City to the Confluence of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-30

...-AA00 Safety Zone; Big Sioux River From the Military Road Bridge North Sioux City to the Confluence of... rule extends the existing temporary safety zone on the Big Sioux River from the Military Road Bridge in... period. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is extending the effective period for the temporary safety zone...

Hospital variation in allogeneic transfusion and extended length of stay in primary elective hip and knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Voorn, Veronique M A; Marang-van de Mheen, Perla J; van der Hout, Anja; So-Osman, Cynthia; van den Akker-van Marle, M Elske; Koopman-van Gemert, Ankie W M M; Dahan, Albert; Vliet Vlieland, Thea P M; Nelissen, Rob G H H; van Bodegom-Vos, Leti

2017-07-20

Outcomes in total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA), such as allogeneic transfusions or extended length of stay (LoS), can be used to compare the performance of hospitals. However, there is much variation in these outcomes. This study aims to rank hospitals and to assess hospital differences of two outcomes in THA and TKA: allogeneic transfusions and extended LoS, and to additionally identify factors associated with these differences. Cross-sectional medical record review study. Data were gathered in 23 Dutch hospitals. 1163 THA and 986 TKA patient admissions. Hospitals were ranked based on their observed/expected (O/E) ratios regarding allogeneic transfusion and extended LoS percentages (extended LoS was defined by postoperative stay >4 days). To assess the reliability of these rankings, we calculated which percentage of the existing variation was based on differences between hospitals as compared with random variation (after adjustment for variation in patient characteristics). Associations between hospital-specific factors and O/E ratios were used to explore potential sources of differences. The variation in O/E ratios between hospitals ranged from 0 to 4.4 for allogeneic transfusion, and from 0.08 to 2.7 for extended LoS. Variation in transfusion could in 21% be explained by hospital differences in THA and 34% in TKA. For extended LoS this was 71% in THA and 78% in TKA. Better performance (low O/E ratios) in transfusion was associated with more frequent tranexamic acid (TXA) use in TKA (R=-0.43, p=0.04). Better performance in extended LoS was associated with more frequent TXA use in THA (R=-0.45, p=0.03) and TKA (R=-0.65, p<0.001) and local infiltration analgesia (LIA) in TKA (R=-0.60, p=0.002). Ranking hospitals based on allogeneic transfusion is unreliable due to small percentages of variation explained by hospital differences. Ranking based on extended LoS is more reliable. Hospitals using TXA and LIA have relatively fewer patients with transfusions and extended LoS. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Determination of NEHRP Site Class of Seismic Recording Stations in the Northwest Himalayas and Its Adjoining Area Using HVSR Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harinarayan, N. H.; Kumar, Abhishek

2018-01-01

Local site characteristics play an important role in controlling the damage pattern during earthquakes (EQs). These site characteristics may vary from simple to complex and can be estimated by various field tests. In addition, extended Nakamura's method, which uses horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) based on available EQ records also available for site class (SC) determination. In this study, SCs for 90 recording stations which are maintained by Program for Excellence in Strong Motion Studies (PESMOS), located in the northwestern Himalayas and the adjoining areas are determined using extended Nakamura's technique. Average HVSR curves obtained at majority of the recording stations are found matching with the existing literature. Predominant frequency ( f peak) from average HVSR curve at each recording station is then used for the determination of SC. Original SC given by PESMOS is purely based on geology and not based on comprehensive soil investigation exercise. In this study, the SC, which is based on the average HVSR curves is found matching with SC given by PESMOS for a majority of recording stations. However, for considerable number of recording stations, a mismatch is also found which is consistent with the existing literature. In addition, SC based on National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) scheme is proposed based on f peak for all the 90 recording stations.

Enriching plausible new hypothesis generation in PubMed.

PubMed

Baek, Seung Han; Lee, Dahee; Kim, Minjoo; Lee, Jong Ho; Song, Min

2017-01-01

Most of earlier studies in the field of literature-based discovery have adopted Swanson's ABC model that links pieces of knowledge entailed in disjoint literatures. However, the issue concerning their practicability remains to be solved since most of them did not deal with the context surrounding the discovered associations and usually not accompanied with clinical confirmation. In this study, we aim to propose a method that expands and elaborates the existing hypothesis by advanced text mining techniques for capturing contexts. We extend ABC model to allow for multiple B terms with various biological types. We were able to concretize a specific, metabolite-related hypothesis with abundant contextual information by using the proposed method. Starting from explaining the relationship between lactosylceramide and arterial stiffness, the hypothesis was extended to suggest a potential pathway consisting of lactosylceramide, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and arterial stiffness. The experiment by domain experts showed that it is clinically valid. The proposed method is designed to provide plausible candidates of the concretized hypothesis, which are based on extracted heterogeneous entities and detailed relation information, along with a reliable ranking criterion. Statistical tests collaboratively conducted with biomedical experts provide the validity and practical usefulness of the method unlike previous studies. Applying the proposed method to other cases, it would be helpful for biologists to support the existing hypothesis and easily expect the logical process within it.

Associations between Extending Access to Primary Care and Emergency Department Visits: A Difference-In-Differences Analysis.

PubMed

Whittaker, William; Anselmi, Laura; Kristensen, Søren Rud; Lau, Yiu-Shing; Bailey, Simon; Bower, Peter; Checkland, Katherine; Elvey, Rebecca; Rothwell, Katy; Stokes, Jonathan; Hodgson, Damian

2016-09-01

Health services across the world increasingly face pressures on the use of expensive hospital services. Better organisation and delivery of primary care has the potential to manage demand and reduce costs for hospital services, but routine primary care services are not open during evenings and weekends. Extended access (evening and weekend opening) is hypothesized to reduce pressure on hospital services from emergency department visits. However, the existing evidence-base is weak, largely focused on emergency out-of-hours services, and analysed using a before-and after-methodology without effective comparators. Throughout 2014, 56 primary care practices (346,024 patients) in Greater Manchester, England, offered 7-day extended access, compared with 469 primary care practices (2,596,330 patients) providing routine access. Extended access included evening and weekend opening and served both urgent and routine appointments. To assess the effects of extended primary care access on hospital services, we apply a difference-in-differences analysis using hospital administrative data from 2011 to 2014. Propensity score matching techniques were used to match practices without extended access to practices with extended access. Differences in the change in "minor" patient-initiated emergency department visits per 1,000 population were compared between practices with and without extended access. Populations registered to primary care practices with extended access demonstrated a 26.4% relative reduction (compared to practices without extended access) in patient-initiated emergency department visits for "minor" problems (95% CI -38.6% to -14.2%, absolute difference: -10,933 per year, 95% CI -15,995 to -5,866), and a 26.6% (95% CI -39.2% to -14.1%) relative reduction in costs of patient-initiated visits to emergency departments for minor problems (absolute difference: -£767,976, -£1,130,767 to -£405,184). There was an insignificant relative reduction of 3.1% in total emergency department visits (95% CI -6.4% to 0.2%). Our results were robust to several sensitivity checks. A lack of detailed cost reporting of the running costs of extended access and an inability to capture health outcomes and other health service impacts constrain the study from assessing the full cost-effectiveness of extended access to primary care. The study found that extending access was associated with a reduction in emergency department visits in the first 12 months. The results of the research have already informed the decision by National Health Service England to extend primary care access across Greater Manchester from 2016. However, further evidence is needed to understand whether extending primary care access is cost-effective and sustainable.

Extensive alternative splicing and dual promoter usage generate Tcf-1 protein isoforms with differential transcription control properties.

PubMed Central

Van de Wetering, M; Castrop, J; Korinek, V; Clevers, H

1996-01-01

Previously, we reported the isolation of cDNA clones representing four alternative splice forms of TCF-1, a T-cell-specific transcription factor. In the present study, Western blotting (immunoblotting) yielded a multitude of TCF-1 proteins ranging from 25-55 kDa, a pattern not simply explained from the known splice alternatives. Subsequent cDNA cloning, PCR amplification, and analysis by rapid amplification of 5' cDNA ends revealed (i) the presence of an alternative upstream promoter, which extended the known N terminus by 116 amino acids, (ii) the presence of four alternative exons, and (iii) the existence of a second reading frame in the last exon encoding an extended C terminus. Inclusion of the extended N terminus into the originally reported protein resulted in a striking similarity to the lymphoid factor Lef-1. Several of the TCF-1 isoforms, although less potent, mimicked Lef-1 in transactivating transcription through the T-cell receptor alpha-chain (TCR-alpha) enhancer. These data provide a molecular basis for the complexity of the expressed TCF-1 proteins and establish the existence of functional differences between these isoforms. Furthermore, the functional redundancy between Tcf-1 and Lef-1 explains the apparently normal TCR-alpha expression in single Tcf-1 or Lef-1 knockout mice despite the firm in vitro evidence for the importance of the Tcf/Lef site in the TCR-alpha enhancer. PMID:8622675

What’s in a Name? Sound Symbolism and Gender in First Names

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Although the arbitrariness of language has been considered one of its defining features, studies have demonstrated that certain phonemes tend to be associated with certain kinds of meaning. A well-known example is the Bouba/Kiki effect, in which nonwords like bouba are associated with round shapes while nonwords like kiki are associated with sharp shapes. These sound symbolic associations have thus far been limited to nonwords. Here we tested whether or not the Bouba/Kiki effect extends to existing lexical stimuli; in particular, real first names. We found that the roundness/sharpness of the phonemes in first names impacted whether the names were associated with round or sharp shapes in the form of character silhouettes (Experiments 1a and 1b). We also observed an association between femaleness and round shapes, and maleness and sharp shapes. We next investigated whether this association would extend to the features of language and found the proportion of round-sounding phonemes was related to name gender (Analysis of Category Norms). Finally, we investigated whether sound symbolic associations for first names would be observed for other abstract properties; in particular, personality traits (Experiment 2). We found that adjectives previously judged to be either descriptive of a figuratively ‘round’ or a ‘sharp’ personality were associated with names containing either round- or sharp-sounding phonemes, respectively. These results demonstrate that sound symbolic associations extend to existing lexical stimuli, providing a new example of non-arbitrary mappings between form and meaning. PMID:26016856

What's in a Name? Sound Symbolism and Gender in First Names.

PubMed

Sidhu, David M; Pexman, Penny M

2015-01-01

Although the arbitrariness of language has been considered one of its defining features, studies have demonstrated that certain phonemes tend to be associated with certain kinds of meaning. A well-known example is the Bouba/Kiki effect, in which nonwords like bouba are associated with round shapes while nonwords like kiki are associated with sharp shapes. These sound symbolic associations have thus far been limited to nonwords. Here we tested whether or not the Bouba/Kiki effect extends to existing lexical stimuli; in particular, real first names. We found that the roundness/sharpness of the phonemes in first names impacted whether the names were associated with round or sharp shapes in the form of character silhouettes (Experiments 1a and 1b). We also observed an association between femaleness and round shapes, and maleness and sharp shapes. We next investigated whether this association would extend to the features of language and found the proportion of round-sounding phonemes was related to name gender (Analysis of Category Norms). Finally, we investigated whether sound symbolic associations for first names would be observed for other abstract properties; in particular, personality traits (Experiment 2). We found that adjectives previously judged to be either descriptive of a figuratively 'round' or a 'sharp' personality were associated with names containing either round- or sharp-sounding phonemes, respectively. These results demonstrate that sound symbolic associations extend to existing lexical stimuli, providing a new example of non-arbitrary mappings between form and meaning.

Right Limits and Reflectionless Measures for CMV Matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breuer, Jonathan; Ryckman, Eric; Zinchenko, Maxim

2009-11-01

We study CMV matrices by focusing on their right-limit sets. We prove a CMV version of a recent result of Remling dealing with the implications of the existence of absolutely continuous spectrum, and we study some of its consequences. We further demonstrate the usefulness of right limits in the study of weak asymptotic convergence of spectral measures and ratio asymptotics for orthogonal polynomials by extending and refining earlier results of Khrushchev. To demonstrate the analogy with the Jacobi case, we recover corresponding previous results of Simon using the same approach.

Recent Updates to the CFD General Notation System (CGNS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rumsey, Christopher L.; Wedan, Bruce; Hauser, Thomas; Poinot, Marc

2012-01-01

The CFD General Notation System (CGNS) - a general, portable, and extensible standard for the storage and retrieval of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis data has been in existence for more than a decade (Version 1.0 was released in May 1998). Both structured and unstructured CFD data are covered by the standard, and CGNS can be easily extended to cover any sort of data imaginable, while retaining backward compatibility with existing CGNS data files and software. Although originally designed for CFD, it is readily extendable to any field of computational analysis. In early 2011, CGNS Version 3.1 was released, which added significant capabilities. This paper describes these recent enhancements and highlights the continued usefulness of the CGNS methodology.

An Integrated Theory of Prospective Time Interval Estimation: The Role of Cognition, Attention, and Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taatgen, Niels A.; van Rijn, Hedderik; Anderson, John

2007-01-01

A theory of prospective time perception is introduced and incorporated as a module in an integrated theory of cognition, thereby extending existing theories and allowing predictions about attention and learning. First, a time perception module is established by fitting existing datasets (interval estimation and bisection and impact of secondary…

Natural Library Service Zones, A Report to the North Suburban Library System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute of Urban Life, Chicago, IL.

The North Suburban Library System decided that the areas within its boundaries which are outside the taxed district/area supporting an existing library should be served by extending the service areas of the existing municipal, township, and district libraries, either through contract or by employing the provisions of present library district law.…

An Evaluation of Understandability of Patient Journey Models in Mental Health.

PubMed

Percival, Jennifer; McGregor, Carolyn

2016-07-28

There is a significant trend toward implementing health information technology to reduce administrative costs and improve patient care. Unfortunately, little awareness exists of the challenges of integrating information systems with existing clinical practice. The systematic integration of clinical processes with information system and health information technology can benefit the patients, staff, and the delivery of care. This paper presents a comparison of the degree of understandability of patient journey models. In particular, the authors demonstrate the value of a relatively new patient journey modeling technique called the Patient Journey Modeling Architecture (PaJMa) when compared with traditional manufacturing based process modeling tools. The paper also presents results from a small pilot case study that compared the usability of 5 modeling approaches in a mental health care environment. Five business process modeling techniques were used to represent a selected patient journey. A mix of both qualitative and quantitative methods was used to evaluate these models. Techniques included a focus group and survey to measure usability of the various models. The preliminary evaluation of the usability of the 5 modeling techniques has shown increased staff understanding of the representation of their processes and activities when presented with the models. Improved individual role identification throughout the models was also observed. The extended version of the PaJMa methodology provided the most clarity of information flows for clinicians. The extended version of PaJMa provided a significant improvement in the ease of interpretation for clinicians and increased the engagement with the modeling process. The use of color and its effectiveness in distinguishing the representation of roles was a key feature of the framework not present in other modeling approaches. Future research should focus on extending the pilot case study to a more diversified group of clinicians and health care support workers.

'I was just so different': The experiences of women diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in adulthood in relation to gender and social relationships.

PubMed

Kanfiszer, Lucie; Davies, Fran; Collins, Suzanne

2017-08-01

Existing literature exploring autism spectrum disorders within female populations predominantly utilises quantitative methodology. A limited number of small-scale, qualitative studies have explored the experiences of adolescent girls with autism spectrum disorder, but adult women have remained largely unheard. This study aims to broaden the stories told within autobiographical literature and empower those within the wider community of women with autism spectrum disorder. In doing so, it seeks to extend existing conceptualisations of experience to include socially and culturally located factors. A qualitative methodology was adopted, utilising multi-stage narrative analysis. Seven semi-structured interviews with women who received a diagnosis in adulthood were conducted. Recruitment spanned community mental health services, an inpatient service and a community support group. From the women's diverse experiences and stories emerged two broad categories related to gender identity and social relationships. The findings are discussed in relation to existing constructs of autism in women.

Instability of a cantilevered flexible plate in viscous channel flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balint, T. S.; Lucey, A. D.

2005-10-01

The stability of a flexible cantilevered plate in viscous channel flow is studied as a representation of the dynamics of the human upper airway. The focus is on instability mechanisms of the soft palate (flexible plate) that cause airway blockage during sleep. We solve the Navier Stokes equations for flow with Reynolds numbers up to 1500 fully coupled with the dynamics of the plate motion solved using finite-differences. The study is 2-D and based upon linearized plate mechanics. When both upper and lower airways are open, the plate is found to lose its stability through a flutter mechanism and a critical Reynolds number exists. When one airway is closed, the plate principally loses its stability through a divergence mechanism and a critical flow speed exists. However, below the divergence-onset flow speed, flutter can exist for low levels of structural damping in the flexible plate. Our results serve to extend understanding of flow-induced instability of cantilevered flexible plates and will ultimately improve the diagnosis and treatment of upper-airway disorders.

Phenotypic Characterization of Multidrug-resistant Escherichia Coli with Special Reference to Extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases and Metallo-beta-lactamases in a Tertiary Care Center.

PubMed

Shrestha, B; Shrestha, S; Mishra, S K; Kattel, H P; Tada, T; Ohara, H; Kirikae, T; Rijal, B P; Sherchand, J B; Pokhrel, B M

2015-01-01

The increasing reports on extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase and metallo-beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli have addressed a potential threat to global health since it is found to be highly resistance to most of the currently available antibiotics including carbapenems. The present study was aimed to determine the antibiogram of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase and metallo-beta-lactamase producing MDR E. coli isolates from various clinical samples. This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of seven months from December 2013 to July 2014 at bacteriology laboratory of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. A total of 250 clinical specimens (urine, pus, sputum, blood, body fluid, bile, tissue and central venous pressure line tip) were processed from inpatients, with multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli infections. Standard microbiological techniques were used for isolation and identification of the isolates. The presence of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase was detected by phenotypic confirmatory test recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and imipenem (IMP) /EDTA combined disc method was performed to detect metallo-beta-lactamase mediated resistance mechanism. We found high level of beta lactamase mediated resistance mechanism as part of multidrug resistance. Among 250 MDR isolates, 60% isolates were extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase producers and 17.2% isolates were metallo-beta-lactamase producers. Co-existence of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase and metallo-beta-lactamase identified in 6.8% isolates. Beta-lactamase mediated resistance mechanisms are accounting very high in the multidrug resistant isolates of E. coli. Therefore, early detection of beta lactamase mediated resistant strains and their current antibiotic susceptibility pattern is necessary to avoid treatment failure and prevent the spread of MDR.

Small traveling clusters in attractive and repulsive Hamiltonian mean-field models.

PubMed

Barré, Julien; Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Y

2009-03-01

Long-lasting small traveling clusters are studied in the Hamiltonian mean-field model by comparing between attractive and repulsive interactions. Nonlinear Landau damping theory predicts that a Gaussian momentum distribution on a spatially homogeneous background permits the existence of traveling clusters in the repulsive case, as in plasma systems, but not in the attractive case. Nevertheless, extending the analysis to a two-parameter family of momentum distributions of Fermi-Dirac type, we theoretically predict the existence of traveling clusters in the attractive case; these findings are confirmed by direct N -body numerical simulations. The parameter region with the traveling clusters is much reduced in the attractive case with respect to the repulsive case.

Extended Interneuronal Network of the Dentate Gyrus.

PubMed

Szabo, Gergely G; Du, Xi; Oijala, Mikko; Varga, Csaba; Parent, Jack M; Soltesz, Ivan

2017-08-08

Local interneurons control principal cells within individual brain areas, but anecdotal observations indicate that interneuronal axons sometimes extend beyond strict anatomical boundaries. Here, we use the case of the dentate gyrus (DG) to show that boundary-crossing interneurons with cell bodies in CA3 and CA1 constitute a numerically significant and diverse population that relays patterns of activity generated within the CA regions back to granule cells. These results reveal the existence of a sophisticated retrograde GABAergic circuit that fundamentally extends the canonical interneuronal network. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Understanding Intention to Use Electronic Information Resources: A Theoretical Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

PubMed Central

Tao, Donghua

2008-01-01

This study extended the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by examining the roles of two aspects of e-resource characteristics, namely, information quality and system quality, in predicting public health students’ intention to use e-resources for completing research paper assignments. Both focus groups and a questionnaire were used to collect data. Descriptive analysis, data screening, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques were used for data analysis. The study found that perceived usefulness played a major role in determining students’ intention to use e-resources. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use fully mediated the impact that information quality and system quality had on behavior intention. The research model enriches the existing technology acceptance literature by extending TAM. Representing two aspects of e-resource characteristics provides greater explanatory information for diagnosing problems of system design, development, and implementation. PMID:18999300

Understanding intention to use electronic information resources: A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model (TAM).

PubMed

Tao, Donghua

2008-11-06

This study extended the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by examining the roles of two aspects of e-resource characteristics, namely, information quality and system quality, in predicting public health students' intention to use e-resources for completing research paper assignments. Both focus groups and a questionnaire were used to collect data. Descriptive analysis, data screening, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques were used for data analysis. The study found that perceived usefulness played a major role in determining students' intention to use e-resources. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use fully mediated the impact that information quality and system quality had on behavior intention. The research model enriches the existing technology acceptance literature by extending TAM. Representing two aspects of e-resource characteristics provides greater explanatory information for diagnosing problems of system design, development, and implementation.

Two-time quantum transport and quantum diffusion.

PubMed

Kleinert, P

2009-05-01

Based on the nonequilibrium Green's function technique, a unified theory is developed that covers quantum transport and quantum diffusion in bulk semiconductors on the same footing. This approach, which is applicable to transport via extended and localized states, extends previous semiphenomenological studies and puts them on a firm microscopic basis. The approach is sufficiently general and applies not only to well-studied quantum-transport problems, but also to models, in which the Hamiltonian does not commute with the dipole operator. It is shown that even for the unified treatment of quantum transport and quantum diffusion in homogeneous systems, all quasimomenta of the carrier distribution function are present and fulfill their specific function. Particular emphasis is put on the double-time nature of quantum kinetics. To demonstrate the existence of robust macroscopic transport effects that have a true double-time character, a phononless steady-state current is identified that appears only beyond the generalized Kadanoff-Baym ansatz.

Transformation of nonlinear discrete-time system into the extended observer form

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaparin, V.; Kotta, Ü.

2018-04-01

The paper addresses the problem of transforming discrete-time single-input single-output nonlinear state equations into the extended observer form, which, besides the input and output, also depends on a finite number of their past values. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of both the extended coordinate and output transformations, solving the problem, are formulated in terms of differential one-forms, associated with the input-output equation, corresponding to the state equations. An algorithm for transformation of state equations into the extended observer form is proposed and illustrated by an example. Moreover, the considered approach is compared with the method of dynamic observer error linearisation, which likewise is intended to enlarge the class of systems transformable into an observer form.

HABITABILITY OF EARTH-MASS PLANETS AND MOONS IN THE KEPLER-16 SYSTEM

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

Quarles, B.; Musielak, Z. E.; Cuntz, M., E-mail: billyq@uta.edu, E-mail: zmusielak@uta.edu, E-mail: cuntz@uta.edu

2012-05-01

We demonstrate that habitable Earth-mass planets and moons can exist in the Kepler-16 system, known to host a Saturn-mass planet around a stellar binary, by investigating their orbital stability in the standard and extended habitable zone (HZ). We find that Earth-mass planets in satellite-like (S-type) orbits are possible within the standard HZ in direct vicinity of Kepler-16b, thus constituting habitable exomoons. However, Earth-mass planets cannot exist in planetary-like (P-type) orbits around the two stellar components within the standard HZ. Yet, P-type Earth-mass planets can exist superior to the Saturnian planet in the extended HZ pertaining to considerably enhanced back-warming inmore » the planetary atmosphere if facilitated. We briefly discuss the potential detectability of such habitable Earth-mass moons and planets positioned in satellite and planetary orbits, respectively. The range of inferior and superior P-type orbits in the HZ is between 0.657-0.71 AU and 0.95-1.02 AU, respectively.« less

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

Zou, Ling; Zhao, Haihua; Zhang, Hongbin

Here, the one-dimensional water faucet problem is one of the classical benchmark problems originally proposed by Ransom to study the two-fluid two-phase flow model. With certain simplifications, such as massless gas phase and no wall and interfacial frictions, analytical solutions had been previously obtained for the transient liquid velocity and void fraction distribution. The water faucet problem and its analytical solutions have been widely used for the purposes of code assessment, benchmark and numerical verifications. In our previous study, the Ransom’s solutions were used for the mesh convergence study of a high-resolution spatial discretization scheme. It was found that, atmore » the steady state, an anticipated second-order spatial accuracy could not be achieved, when compared to the existing Ransom’s analytical solutions. A further investigation showed that the existing analytical solutions do not actually satisfy the commonly used two-fluid single-pressure two-phase flow equations. In this work, we present a new set of analytical solutions of the water faucet problem at the steady state, considering the gas phase density’s effect on pressure distribution. This new set of analytical solutions are used for mesh convergence studies, from which anticipated second-order of accuracy is achieved for the 2nd order spatial discretization scheme. In addition, extended Ransom’s transient solutions for the gas phase velocity and pressure are derived, with the assumption of decoupled liquid and gas pressures. Numerical verifications on the extended Ransom’s solutions are also presented.« less

New analytical solutions to the two-phase water faucet problem

DOE PAGES

Zou, Ling; Zhao, Haihua; Zhang, Hongbin

2016-06-17

Here, the one-dimensional water faucet problem is one of the classical benchmark problems originally proposed by Ransom to study the two-fluid two-phase flow model. With certain simplifications, such as massless gas phase and no wall and interfacial frictions, analytical solutions had been previously obtained for the transient liquid velocity and void fraction distribution. The water faucet problem and its analytical solutions have been widely used for the purposes of code assessment, benchmark and numerical verifications. In our previous study, the Ransom’s solutions were used for the mesh convergence study of a high-resolution spatial discretization scheme. It was found that, atmore » the steady state, an anticipated second-order spatial accuracy could not be achieved, when compared to the existing Ransom’s analytical solutions. A further investigation showed that the existing analytical solutions do not actually satisfy the commonly used two-fluid single-pressure two-phase flow equations. In this work, we present a new set of analytical solutions of the water faucet problem at the steady state, considering the gas phase density’s effect on pressure distribution. This new set of analytical solutions are used for mesh convergence studies, from which anticipated second-order of accuracy is achieved for the 2nd order spatial discretization scheme. In addition, extended Ransom’s transient solutions for the gas phase velocity and pressure are derived, with the assumption of decoupled liquid and gas pressures. Numerical verifications on the extended Ransom’s solutions are also presented.« less

Internet-Protocol-Based Satellite Bus Architecture Designed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slywczak, Richard A.

2004-01-01

NASA is designing future complex satellite missions ranging from single satellites and constellations to space networks and sensor webs. These missions require more interoperability, autonomy, and coordination than previous missions; in addition, a desire exists to have scientists retrieve data directly from the satellite rather than a central distribution source. To meet these goals, NASA has been studying the possibility of extending the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite for spacebased applications.

Utilizing HDF4 File Content Maps for the Cloud

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Hyokyung Joe

2016-01-01

We demonstrate a prototype study that HDF4 file content map can be used for efficiently organizing data in cloud object storage system to facilitate cloud computing. This approach can be extended to any binary data formats and to any existing big data analytics solution powered by cloud computing because HDF4 file content map project started as long term preservation of NASA data that doesn't require HDF4 APIs to access data.

3D glasma initial state for relativistic heavy ion collisions

DOE PAGES

Schenke, Björn; Schlichting, Sören

2016-10-13

We extend the impact-parameter-dependent Glasma model to three dimensions using explicit small-x evolution of the two incoming nuclear gluon distributions. We compute rapidity distributions of produced gluons and the early-time energy momentum tensor as a function of space-time rapidity and transverse coordinates. Finally, we study rapidity correlations and fluctuations of the initial geometry and multiplicity distributions and make comparisons to existing models for the three-dimensional initial state.

Next Steps for the 1980s in Student Financial Aid. A Fourth Alternative. Comments and Recommendations by the Carnegie Council on Policy Studies in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carnegie Council on Policy Studies in Higher Education, Berkeley, CA.

In 1979 the Congress and the administration will consider legislation to extend and revise the Higher Education Act and, in the process, will review the structure of the student-aid system. Several alternatives are likely to be considered, but a fourth is proposed here: a major overhaul of the existing package of programs to make them more…

Generalized disequilibrium test for association in qualitative traits incorporating imprinting effects based on extended pedigrees.

PubMed

Li, Jian-Long; Wang, Peng; Fung, Wing Kam; Zhou, Ji-Yuan

2017-10-16

For dichotomous traits, the generalized disequilibrium test with the moment estimate of the variance (GDT-ME) is a powerful family-based association method. Genomic imprinting is an important epigenetic phenomenon and currently, there has been increasing interest of incorporating imprinting to improve the test power of association analysis. However, GDT-ME does not take imprinting effects into account, and it has not been investigated whether it can be used for association analysis when the effects indeed exist. In this article, based on a novel decomposition of the genotype score according to the paternal or maternal source of the allele, we propose the generalized disequilibrium test with imprinting (GDTI) for complete pedigrees without any missing genotypes. Then, we extend GDTI and GDT-ME to accommodate incomplete pedigrees with some pedigrees having missing genotypes, by using a Monte Carlo (MC) sampling and estimation scheme to infer missing genotypes given available genotypes in each pedigree, denoted by MCGDTI and MCGDT-ME, respectively. The proposed GDTI and MCGDTI methods evaluate the differences of the paternal as well as maternal allele scores for all discordant relative pairs in a pedigree, including beyond first-degree relative pairs. Advantages of the proposed GDTI and MCGDTI test statistics over existing methods are demonstrated by simulation studies under various simulation settings and by application to the rheumatoid arthritis dataset. Simulation results show that the proposed tests control the size well under the null hypothesis of no association, and outperform the existing methods under various imprinting effect models. The existing GDT-ME and the proposed MCGDT-ME can be used to test for association even when imprinting effects exist. For the application to the rheumatoid arthritis data, compared to the existing methods, MCGDTI identifies more loci statistically significantly associated with the disease. Under complete and incomplete imprinting effect models, our proposed GDTI and MCGDTI methods, by considering the information on imprinting effects and all discordant relative pairs within each pedigree, outperform all the existing test statistics and MCGDTI can recapture much of the missing information. Therefore, MCGDTI is recommended in practice.

Cheating prevention in visual cryptography.

PubMed

Hu, Chih-Ming; Tzeng, Wen-Guey

2007-01-01

Visual cryptography (VC) is a method of encrypting a secret image into shares such that stacking a sufficient number of shares reveals the secret image. Shares are usually presented in transparencies. Each participant holds a transparency. Most of the previous research work on VC focuses on improving two parameters: pixel expansion and contrast. In this paper, we studied the cheating problem in VC and extended VC. We considered the attacks of malicious adversaries who may deviate from the scheme in any way. We presented three cheating methods and applied them on attacking existent VC or extended VC schemes. We improved one cheat-preventing scheme. We proposed a generic method that converts a VCS to another VCS that has the property of cheating prevention. The overhead of the conversion is near optimal in both contrast degression and pixel expansion.

Long-term benthic monitoring studies in the freshwater portion of the Potomac River - first annual report. Volume 3. Appendices. Report for September 1982-December 1983

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

Vannote, R.L.; Sweeney, B.W.

1985-02-28

The report summarizes the results of the first year of a long-term study of the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of the freshwater portion of the Potomac River extending from Dam No.5 near Williamsport, Maryland downstream to Seneca Pool near Seneca, Maryland. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate long-term trends in the distribution, abundance, and biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates and identify factors controlling the benthic populations, with particular emphasis on factors associated with existing power plant effluents within the study area.

Long-term benthic monitoring studies in the freshwater portion of the Potomac River - first annual report. Volume 1. Text. Report for September 1982-December 1983

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

Vannote, R.L.; Sweeney, B.W.

1985-02-28

The report summarizes the results of the first year of a long-term study of the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of the freshwater portion of the Potomac River extending from Dam No. 5 near Williamsport, Maryland downstream to Seneca Pool near Seneca, Maryland. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate long-term trends in the distribution, abundance, and biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates and identify factors controlling the benthic populations, with particular emphasis on factors associated with existing power plant effluents within the study area.

Clinical and economic benefits of extended treatment with apixaban for the treatment and prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism in Canada.

PubMed

Quon, Peter; Le, Hoa H; Raymond, Vincent; Mtibaa, Mondher; Moshyk, Andriy

2016-06-01

Background and objective Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with long-term clinical and economic burden. Clinical guidelines generally recommend at least 3 months of anticoagulation, but, in clinical practice, concerns over bleeding risk often limit extended treatment. Apixaban was studied for extended VTE treatment in the AMPLIFY-EXT trial, demonstrating superiority to placebo in VTE reduction without increasing risk of major bleeding. This study assessed the long-term clinical and economic benefits of extending treatment with apixaban when clinical equipoise exists compared to standard of care with enoxaparin/warfarin and other novel oral anti-coagulants (NOACs) for the treatment and prevention of recurrent VTE in Canada. Methods A Markov model was developed to follow patients with VTE over their lifetimes. Efficacy and safety for apixaban and enoxaparin/warfarin were based on AMPLIFY and AMPLIFY-EXT, while relative efficacy to other NOACs was synthesized by network meta-analysis (NMA). Dosages for NOACs and enoxaparin/warfarin were based on their respective trials and were given up to 18 months and up to 6 months, followed by no treatment, respectively. Patient quality adjusted life years (QALYs) were based on published studies, and costs for resource utilization were from a Ministry of Health perspective, expressed as 2014 CAD ($). Results Extended treatment with apixaban compared to enoxaparin/warfarin resulted in fewer recurrent VTEs, VTE-related deaths, and bleeding events, but at slightly increased cost. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $4828 per QALY gained. Compared to other NOACs, apixaban had the fewest bleeding events, similar recurrent VTE events, and the lowest overall cost, which was driven by the strong bleeding profile. In scenario analyses of acute and lifetime treatments, apixaban was cost-effective against all strategies. Conclusions Extended treatment with apixaban can offer substantial clinical benefits and is a cost-effective alternative to enoxaparin/warfarin and other NOACs.

Pseudo-simple heteroclinic cycles in R4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chossat, Pascal; Lohse, Alexander; Podvigina, Olga

2018-06-01

We study pseudo-simple heteroclinic cycles for a Γ-equivariant system in R4 with finite Γ ⊂ O(4) , and their nearby dynamics. In particular, in a first step towards a full classification - analogous to that which exists already for the class of simple cycles - we identify all finite subgroups of O(4) admitting pseudo-simple cycles. To this end we introduce a constructive method to build equivariant dynamical systems possessing a robust heteroclinic cycle. Extending a previous study we also investigate the existence of periodic orbits close to a pseudo-simple cycle, which depends on the symmetry groups of equilibria in the cycle. Moreover, we identify subgroups Γ ⊂ O(4) , Γ ⊄ SO(4) , admitting fragmentarily asymptotically stable pseudo-simple heteroclinic cycles. (It has been previously shown that for Γ ⊂ SO(4) pseudo-simple cycles generically are completely unstable.) Finally, we study a generalized heteroclinic cycle, which involves a pseudo-simple cycle as a subset.

Intergroup Leadership Across Distinct Subgroups and Identities.

PubMed

Rast, David E; Hogg, Michael A; van Knippenberg, Daan

2018-03-01

Resolving intergroup conflict is a significant and often arduous leadership challenge, yet existing theory and research rarely, if ever, discuss or examine this situation. Leaders confront a significant challenge when they provide leadership across deep divisions between distinct subgroups defined by self-contained identities-The challenge is to avoid provoking subgroup identity distinctiveness threat. Drawing on intergroup leadership theory, three studies were conducted to test the core hypothesis that, where identity threat exists, leaders promoting an intergroup relational identity will be better evaluated and are more effective than leaders promoting a collective identity; in the absence of threat, leaders promoting a collective identity will prevail. Studies 1 and 2 ( N = 170; N = 120) supported this general proposition. Study 3 ( N = 136) extended these findings, showing that leaders promoting an intergroup relational identity, but not a collective identity, improved intergroup attitudes when participants experienced an identity distinctiveness threat.

In support of a hot hand in professional basketball and baseball.

PubMed

Shea, Stephen

2014-06-01

Recent studies have found little empirical evidence to suggest that National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) players have hot streaks. This has led some to suggest that hot hands do not exist and that offensive and defensive strategies adjusting to perceived hot hands are suboptimal. We study the MLB's Home Run Derby and the NBA's 3-point Shootout. When there is no defense, extended time between shots has been removed, and shot or swing selection is constant, we find evidence that player performance is nonstationary. Our results are consistent with beliefs long held by players, coaches, and fans, research on the importance of self-efficacy in sports, and studies that support the existence of hot streaks in sports with no or limited defense. © 2013 The Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Towards Noise Tomography and Passive Monitoring Using Distributed Acoustic Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paitz, P.; Fichtner, A.

2017-12-01

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) has the potential to revolutionize the field of seismic data acquisition. Thanks to their cost-effectiveness, fiber-optic cables may have the capability of complementing conventional geophones and seismometers by filling a niche of applications utilizing large amounts of data. Therefore, DAS may serve as an additional tool to investigate the internal structure of the Earth and its changes over time; on scales ranging from hydrocarbon or geothermal reservoirs to the entire globe. An additional potential may be in the existence of large fibre networks deployed already for telecommunication purposes. These networks that already exist today could serve as distributed seismic antennas. We investigate theoretically how ambient noise tomography may be used with DAS data. For this we extend the theory of seismic interferometry to the measurement of strain. With numerical, 2D finite-difference examples we investigate the impact of source and receiver effects. We study the effect of heterogeneous source distributions and the cable orientation by assessing similarities and differences to the Green's function. We also compare the obtained interferometric waveforms from strain interferometry to displacement interferometric wave fields obtained with existing methods. Intermediate results show that the obtained interferometric waveforms can be connected to the Green's Functions and provide consistent information about the propagation medium. These simulations will be extended to reservoir scale subsurface structures. Future work will include the application of the theory to real-data examples. The presented research depicts the early stage of a combination of theoretical investigations, numerical simulations and real-world data applications. We will therefore evaluate the potentials and shortcomings of DAS in reservoir monitoring and seismology at the current state, with a long-term vision of global seismic tomography utilizing DAS data from existing fiber-optic cable networks.

Toroidal Simulations of Sawteeth with Diamagnetic Effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beidler, Matthew; Cassak, Paul; Jardin, Stephen

2014-10-01

The sawtooth crash in tokamaks limits the core temperature, adversely impacts confinement, and seeds disruptions. Adequate knowledge of the physics governing the sawtooth crash and a predictive capability of its ramifications has been elusive, including an understanding of incomplete reconnection, i.e., why sawteeth often cease prematurely before processing all available magnetic flux. There is an indication that diamagnetic suppression could play an important role in this phenomenon. While computational tools to study toroidal plasmas have existed for some time, extended-MHD physics have only recently been integrated. Interestingly, incomplete reconnection has been observed in simulations when diamagnetic effects are present. In the current study, we employ the three-dimensional, extended-MHD code M3D-C1 to study the sawtooth crash in a toroidal geometry. In particular, we describe how magnetic reconnection at the q = 1 rational surface evolves when self-consistently increasing diamagnetic effects are present. We also explore how the termination of reconnection may lead to core-relaxing ideal-MHD instabilities.

Interpretive focus groups: a participatory method for interpreting and extending secondary analysis of qualitative data.

PubMed

Redman-MacLaren, Michelle; Mills, Jane; Tommbe, Rachael

2014-01-01

Participatory approaches to qualitative research practice constantly change in response to evolving research environments. Researchers are increasingly encouraged to undertake secondary analysis of qualitative data, despite epistemological and ethical challenges. Interpretive focus groups can be described as a more participative method for groups to analyse qualitative data. To facilitate interpretive focus groups with women in Papua New Guinea to extend analysis of existing qualitative data and co-create new primary data. The purpose of this was to inform a transformational grounded theory and subsequent health promoting action. A two-step approach was used in a grounded theory study about how women experience male circumcision in Papua New Guinea. Participants analysed portions or 'chunks' of existing qualitative data in story circles and built upon this analysis by using the visual research method of storyboarding. New understandings of the data were evoked when women in interpretive focus groups analysed the data 'chunks'. Interpretive focus groups encouraged women to share their personal experiences about male circumcision. The visual method of storyboarding enabled women to draw pictures to represent their experiences. This provided an additional focus for whole-of-group discussions about the research topic. Interpretive focus groups offer opportunity to enhance trustworthiness of findings when researchers undertake secondary analysis of qualitative data. The co-analysis of existing data and co-generation of new data between research participants and researchers informed an emergent transformational grounded theory and subsequent health promoting action.

Interpretive focus groups: a participatory method for interpreting and extending secondary analysis of qualitative data

PubMed Central

Redman-MacLaren, Michelle; Mills, Jane; Tommbe, Rachael

2014-01-01

Background Participatory approaches to qualitative research practice constantly change in response to evolving research environments. Researchers are increasingly encouraged to undertake secondary analysis of qualitative data, despite epistemological and ethical challenges. Interpretive focus groups can be described as a more participative method for groups to analyse qualitative data. Objective To facilitate interpretive focus groups with women in Papua New Guinea to extend analysis of existing qualitative data and co-create new primary data. The purpose of this was to inform a transformational grounded theory and subsequent health promoting action. Design A two-step approach was used in a grounded theory study about how women experience male circumcision in Papua New Guinea. Participants analysed portions or ‘chunks’ of existing qualitative data in story circles and built upon this analysis by using the visual research method of storyboarding. Results New understandings of the data were evoked when women in interpretive focus groups analysed the data ‘chunks’. Interpretive focus groups encouraged women to share their personal experiences about male circumcision. The visual method of storyboarding enabled women to draw pictures to represent their experiences. This provided an additional focus for whole-of-group discussions about the research topic. Conclusions Interpretive focus groups offer opportunity to enhance trustworthiness of findings when researchers undertake secondary analysis of qualitative data. The co-analysis of existing data and co-generation of new data between research participants and researchers informed an emergent transformational grounded theory and subsequent health promoting action. PMID:25138532

Antibiotic prophylaxis and risk of Clostridium difficile infection after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

PubMed

Poeran, Jashvant; Mazumdar, Madhu; Rasul, Rehana; Meyer, Joanne; Sacks, Henry S; Koll, Brian S; Wallach, Frances R; Moskowitz, Alan; Gelijns, Annetine C

2016-02-01

Antibiotic use, particularly type and duration, is a crucial modifiable risk factor for Clostridium difficile. Cardiac surgery is of particular interest because prophylactic antibiotics are recommended for 48 hours or less (vs ≤24 hours for noncardiac surgery), with increasing vancomycin use. We aimed to study associations between antibiotic prophylaxis (duration/vancomycin use) and C difficile among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. We extracted data on coronary artery bypass grafting procedures from the national Premier Perspective claims database (2006-2013, n = 154,200, 233 hospitals). Multilevel multivariable logistic regressions measured associations between (1) duration (<2 days, "standard" vs ≥2 days, "extended") and (2) type of antibiotic used ("cephalosporin," "cephalosporin + vancomycin," "vancomycin") and C difficile as outcome. Overall C difficile prevalence was 0.21% (n = 329). Most patients (59.7%) received a cephalosporin only; in 33.1% vancomycin was added, whereas 7.2% received vancomycin only. Extended prophylaxis was used in 20.9%. In adjusted analyses, extended prophylaxis (vs standard) was associated with significantly increased C difficile risk (odds ratio, 1.43; confidence interval, 1.07-1.92), whereas no significant associations existed for vancomycin use as adjuvant or primary prophylactic compared with the use of cephalosporins (odds ratio, 1.21; confidence interval, 0.92-1.60, and odds ratio, 1.39; confidence interval, 0.94-2.05, respectively). Substantial inter-hospital variation exists in the percentage of extended antibiotic prophylaxis (interquartile range, 2.5-35.7), use of adjuvant vancomycin (interquartile range, 4.2-61.1), and vancomycin alone (interquartile range, 2.3-10.4). Although extended use of antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with increased C difficile risk after coronary artery bypass grafting, vancomycin use was not. The observed hospital variation in antibiotic prophylaxis practices suggests great potential for efforts aimed at standardizing practices that subsequently could reduce C difficile risk. Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient calibration for imperfect computer models

DOE PAGES

Tuo, Rui; Wu, C. F. Jeff

2015-12-01

Many computer models contain unknown parameters which need to be estimated using physical observations. Furthermore, the calibration method based on Gaussian process models may lead to unreasonable estimate for imperfect computer models. In this work, we extend their study to calibration problems with stochastic physical data. We propose a novel method, called the L 2 calibration, and show its semiparametric efficiency. The conventional method of the ordinary least squares is also studied. Theoretical analysis shows that it is consistent but not efficient. Here, numerical examples show that the proposed method outperforms the existing ones.

28 CFR 540.44 - Regular visitors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... and if there exists no reason to exclude them. (c) Friends and associates. The visiting privilege ordinarily will be extended to friends and associates having an established relationship with the inmate...

28 CFR 540.44 - Regular visitors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... and if there exists no reason to exclude them. (c) Friends and associates. The visiting privilege ordinarily will be extended to friends and associates having an established relationship with the inmate...

Nuclear weapons, irrational behavior, and extended deterrence

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

Rhodes, E.J.

1985-01-01

This dissertation examines the problem of extended deterrence deductively develops a theory of commitment-through-contingent irrationality, and draws upon this theory to frame a set of comparatively attractive policy recommendations. To these ends, the dissertation explores the nature, sources, and types of irrationality and irrational behavior, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of coercive power, the various logical modes of commitment, and the various modes of nuclear coercion. These strands are fused into a theory of nuclear coercion based on contingently irrational behavior that has relevance for the problem of extended deterrence and that has important implications for USmore » policy.« less

Associations between Extending Access to Primary Care and Emergency Department Visits: A Difference-In-Differences Analysis

PubMed Central

Whittaker, William; Anselmi, Laura; Lau, Yiu-Shing; Bower, Peter; Checkland, Katherine; Elvey, Rebecca; Stokes, Jonathan

2016-01-01

Background Health services across the world increasingly face pressures on the use of expensive hospital services. Better organisation and delivery of primary care has the potential to manage demand and reduce costs for hospital services, but routine primary care services are not open during evenings and weekends. Extended access (evening and weekend opening) is hypothesized to reduce pressure on hospital services from emergency department visits. However, the existing evidence-base is weak, largely focused on emergency out-of-hours services, and analysed using a before-and after-methodology without effective comparators. Methods and Findings Throughout 2014, 56 primary care practices (346,024 patients) in Greater Manchester, England, offered 7-day extended access, compared with 469 primary care practices (2,596,330 patients) providing routine access. Extended access included evening and weekend opening and served both urgent and routine appointments. To assess the effects of extended primary care access on hospital services, we apply a difference-in-differences analysis using hospital administrative data from 2011 to 2014. Propensity score matching techniques were used to match practices without extended access to practices with extended access. Differences in the change in “minor” patient-initiated emergency department visits per 1,000 population were compared between practices with and without extended access. Populations registered to primary care practices with extended access demonstrated a 26.4% relative reduction (compared to practices without extended access) in patient-initiated emergency department visits for “minor” problems (95% CI -38.6% to -14.2%, absolute difference: -10,933 per year, 95% CI -15,995 to -5,866), and a 26.6% (95% CI -39.2% to -14.1%) relative reduction in costs of patient-initiated visits to emergency departments for minor problems (absolute difference: -£767,976, -£1,130,767 to -£405,184). There was an insignificant relative reduction of 3.1% in total emergency department visits (95% CI -6.4% to 0.2%). Our results were robust to several sensitivity checks. A lack of detailed cost reporting of the running costs of extended access and an inability to capture health outcomes and other health service impacts constrain the study from assessing the full cost-effectiveness of extended access to primary care. Conclusions The study found that extending access was associated with a reduction in emergency department visits in the first 12 months. The results of the research have already informed the decision by National Health Service England to extend primary care access across Greater Manchester from 2016. However, further evidence is needed to understand whether extending primary care access is cost-effective and sustainable. PMID:27598248

Supporting Interdisciplinary Collaboration Through Reusable Free Software. A Research Student Experience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimech, C.

2013-12-01

In this contribution, I present a critical evaluation of my experience as a research student conducting an interdisciplinary project that bridges the world of geoscience with that of astronomy. The major challenge consists in studying and modifying existing geophysical software to work with synthetic solar data not obtained by direct measurement but useful for testing and evaluation, and data released from the satellite HINODE and the Solar Dynamics Observatory. I have been fortunate to collaborate closely with multiple geoscientists keen to share their software codes and help me understand their implementations so I can extend the methodology to solve problems in solar physics. Moreover, two additional experiences have helped me develop my research and collaborative skills. First was an opportunity to involve an undergraduate student, and secondly, my participation at the GNU Hackers Meeting in Paris. Three aspects that need particular attention to enhance the collective productivity of any group of individuals keen to extend existing codes to achieve further interdisciplinary goals have been identified. (1) The production of easily reusable code that users can study and modify even when large sets of computations are involved. (2) The transformation of solutions into tools that are 100% free software. (3) The harmonisation of collaborative interactions that effectively tackle the two aforementioned tasks. Each one will be discussed in detail during this session based on my experience as a research student.

Analysis of gene expression as relevant to cancer cells and circulating tumour cells.

PubMed

Friel, Anne M; Crown, John; O'Driscoll, Lorraine

2011-01-01

Current literature provides significant evidence to support the concept that there are limited subpopulations of cells within a solid tumour that have increased tumour-initiating potential relative to the total tumour population. Such tumour-initiating cells have been identified in leukaemia and in a variety of solid tumours using different combinations of cell surface markers, suggesting that a tumour-initiating cell heterogeneity exists for each specific tumour. These studies have been extended to endometrial cancer; and herein we present several experimental approaches, both in vitro and in vivo, that can be used to determine whether such populations exist, and if so, to characterize them. These methods are adaptable to the investigation of tumour-initiating cells from other tumour types.

Study of the plastic zone around the ligament of thin sheet D.E.N.T specimen subjected to tensile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djebali, S.; Larbi, S.; Bilek, A.

2015-03-01

One of the assumptions of Cotterell and Reddel's method of the essential work of fracture determination is the existence of a fracture process zone surrounded by an outer plastic zone extending to the whole ligament before crack initiation. To verify this hypothesis we developed a method based on micro hardness. The hardness values measured in the domain surrounding the tensile fracture area of ST-37-2 steel sheet D.E.N.T specimens confirm the existence of the two plastic zones. The extension of the plastic deformations to the whole ligament before the crack initiation and the circular shape of the outer plastic zone are revealed by the brittle coating method.

Hierarchical Task Network Prototyping In Unity3d

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

visually debug. Here we present a solution for prototyping HTNs by extending an existing commercial implementation of Behavior Trees within the Unity3D game ...HTN, dynamic behaviors, behavior prototyping, agent-based simulation, entity-level combat model, game engine, discrete event simulation, virtual...commercial implementation of Behavior Trees within the Unity3D game engine prior to building the HTN in COMBATXXI. Existing HTNs were emulated within

Combating Terrorism: 2005 TSWG Review

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

will have a greater capacity and will be more compact than existing kits. Advanced Hybrid Chemical Detection System Existing sensor systems to...detect chemical agents are either very expensive or provide limited sensitivity and response. Avir, LLC designed and built a hybrid detection system for... hybrid system at an equally low cost. The system has undergone live-agent testing and environmental testing. Extended field-testing in select buildings

Whose Choice? Teaching Films About Abortion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gledhill, Christine

1977-01-01

Examines a film entitled "Whose Choice?" which chronicles the struggle to protect and extend existing abortion rights through the campaigns set in motion by the James White Abortion (Amendment) Bill (1975). (MH)

Pooling Data from Multiple Longitudinal Studies: The Role of Item Response Theory in Integrative Data Analysis

PubMed Central

Curran, Patrick J.; Hussong, Andrea M.; Cai, Li; Huang, Wenjing; Chassin, Laurie; Sher, Kenneth J.; Zucker, Robert A.

2010-01-01

There are a number of significant challenges encountered when studying development over an extended period of time including subject attrition, changing measurement structures across group and developmental period, and the need to invest substantial time and money. Integrative data analysis is an emerging set of methodologies that overcomes many of the challenges of single sample designs through the pooling of data drawn from multiple existing developmental studies. This approach is characterized by a host of advantages, but this also introduces several new complexities that must be addressed prior to broad adoption by developmental researchers. In this paper we focus on methods for fitting measurement models and creating scale scores using data drawn from multiple longitudinal studies. We present findings from the analysis of repeated measures of internalizing symptomatology that were pooled from three existing developmental studies. We describe and demonstrate each step in the analysis and we conclude with a discussion of potential limitations and directions for future research. PMID:18331129

Non-variable TeV emission from the extended jet of a blazar in the stochastic acceleration scenario: the case of the hard TeV emission of 1ES 1101-232

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Dahai; Zeng, Houdun; Zhang, Li

2012-08-01

The detections of X-ray emission from the kiloparsec-scale jets of blazars and radio galaxies could imply the existence of high-energy electrons in these extended jets, and these electrons could produce high-energy emission through the inverse Compton (IC) process. In this paper, we study the non-variable hard TeV emission from a blazar. The multiband emission consists of two components: (i) the traditional synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission from the inner jet; (ii) the emission produced via SSC and IC scattering of cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons (IC/CMB) and extragalactic background light (EBL) photons by relativistic electrons in the extended jet under the stochastic acceleration scenario. Such a model is applied to 1ES 1101-232. The results indicate the following. (i) The non-variable hard TeV emission of 1ES 1101-232, which is dominated by IC/CMB emission from the extended jet, can be reproduced well by using three characteristic values of the Doppler factor (δD = 5, 10 and 15) for the TeV-emitting region in the extended jet. (ii) In the cases of δD = 15 and 10, the physical parameters can achieve equipartition (or quasi-equipartition) between the relativistic electrons and the magnetic field. In contrast, the physical parameters largely deviate from equipartition for the case of δD = 5. Therefore, we conclude that the TeV emission region of 1ES 1101-232 in the extended jet should be moderately or highly beamed.

31 CFR 560.527 - Rescheduling existing loans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... connection therewith, provided that no new funds or credits are thereby transferred or extended to Iran or the Government of Iran, an Iranian financial institution, or any other person whose property and...

31 CFR 560.527 - Rescheduling existing loans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... connection therewith, provided that no new funds or credits are thereby transferred or extended to Iran or the Government of Iran, an Iranian financial institution, or any other person whose property and...

Algorithms for the explicit computation of Penrose diagrams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schindler, J. C.; Aguirre, A.

2018-05-01

An algorithm is given for explicitly computing Penrose diagrams for spacetimes of the form . The resulting diagram coordinates are shown to extend the metric continuously and nondegenerately across an arbitrary number of horizons. The method is extended to include piecewise approximations to dynamically evolving spacetimes using a standard hypersurface junction procedure. Examples generated by an implementation of the algorithm are shown for standard and new cases. In the appendix, this algorithm is compared to existing methods.

Extended Policies case

EIA Publications

2016-01-01

The Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016) Extended Policies case includes selected policies that go beyond current laws and regulations. Existing tax credits that have scheduled reductions and sunset dates are assumed to remain unchanged through 2040. Other efficiency policies, including corporate average fuel economy standards, appliance standards, and building codes, are expanded beyond current provisions; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Plan (CPP) regulations that reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electric power generation are tightened after 2030.

Extend MANPADS M&S Capabilities to Include Energetic Materials, Fragmentation Effects, and Wing Flutter Response

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-31

MANPADS missile is modeled using LSDYNA . It has 187600 nodes, 52802 shell elements with 13 shell materials, 112200 solid elements with 1804 solid...model capability that includes impact, detonation, penetration, and wing flutter response. This work extends an existing body on body missile model...the missile as well as the expansion of the surrounding fluids was modeled in the Eulerian domain. The Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equation of state was

Low-lying Photoexcited States of a One-Dimensional Ionic Extended Hubbard Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokoi, Kota; Maeshima, Nobuya; Hino, Ken-ichi

2017-10-01

We investigate the properties of low-lying photoexcited states of a one-dimensional (1D) ionic extended Hubbard model at half-filling. Numerical analysis by using the full and Lanczos diagonalization methods shows that, in the ionic phase, there exist low-lying photoexcited states below the charge transfer gap. As a result of comparison with numerical data for the 1D antiferromagnetic (AF) Heisenberg model, it was found that, for a small alternating potential Δ, these low-lying photoexcited states are spin excitations, which is consistent with a previous analytical study [Katsura et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 177402 (2009)]. As Δ increases, the spectral intensity of the 1D ionic extended Hubbard model rapidly deviates from that of the 1D AF Heisenberg model and it is clarified that this deviation is due to the neutral-ionic domain wall, an elementary excitation near the neutral-ionic transition point.

Continued Development and Validation of Methods for Spheromak Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benedett, Thomas

2015-11-01

The HIT-SI experiment has demonstrated stable sustainment of spheromaks; determining how the underlying physics extrapolate to larger, higher-temperature regimes is of prime importance in determining the viability of the inductively-driven spheromak. It is thus prudent to develop and validate a computational model that can be used to study current results and provide an intermediate step between theory and future experiments. A zero-beta Hall-MHD model has shown good agreement with experimental data at 14.5 kHz injector operation. Experimental observations at higher frequency, where the best performance is achieved, indicate pressure effects are important and likely required to attain quantitative agreement with simulations. Efforts to extend the existing validation to high frequency (~ 36-68 kHz) using an extended MHD model implemented in the PSI-TET arbitrary-geometry 3D MHD code will be presented. Results from verification of the PSI-TET extended MHD model using the GEM magnetic reconnection challenge will also be presented along with investigation of injector configurations for future SIHI experiments using Taylor state equilibrium calculations. Work supported by DoE.

Extended transiting discs and rings around planets and brown dwarfs: theoretical constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zanazzi, J. J.; Lai, Dong

2017-02-01

Newly formed planets (or brown dwarfs) may possess discs or rings which occupy an appreciable fraction of the planet's Hill sphere and extend beyond the Laplace radius, where the tidal torque from the host star dominates over the torque from the oblate planet. Such a disc/ring can exhibit unique, detectable transit signatures, provided that the disc/ring is significantly misaligned with the orbital plane of the planet. There exists tentative evidence for an extended ring system around the young K5 star 1 SWASP J140747-354542. We present a general theoretical study of the inclination (warp) profile of circumplanetary discs under the combined influences of the tidal torque from the central star, the torque from the oblate planet, and the self-gravity of the disc. We calculate the equilibrium warp profile (`generalized Laplace surface') and investigate the condition for coherent precession of the disc. We find that to maintain a non-negligible misalignment between the extended outer disc and the planet's orbital plane, and to ensure coherent disc precession, the disc surface density must be sufficiently large so that the self-gravity torque overcomes the tidal torque from the central star. Our analysis and quantitative results can be used to constrain the parameters of transiting circumplanetary discs which may be detected in the future.

Pedophilia, sexual orientation, and birth order.

PubMed

Bogaert, A F; Bezeau, S; Kuban, M; Blanchard, R

1997-05-01

This study extended research on birth order and erotic preferences by examining birth order in a sample of pedophiles. Charts of 338 pedophiles, assessed from 1980-1994 in the Behavioural Sexology Department of the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, were reviewed for family-demographic information. In total, 170 (57 heterosexual pedophiles, 68 homosexual pedophiles, and 45 bisexual pedophiles) of these men had sufficient sibling information to be included in the analyses. The results indicated that homosexual-bisexual pedophiles had a later birth order than heterosexual pedophiles and that this effect was primarily the result of the homosexual-bisexual group being born later among their brothers. The results extend previous findings that homosexual men, regardless of sample composition, have a later birth order than comparable groups of heterosexual men. The results also challenge some existing theories on the nature and origins of pedophilia.

Estimating Capacity Requirements for Mental Health Services After a Disaster Has Occurred: A Call for New Data

PubMed Central

Siegel, Carole E.; Laska, Eugene; Meisner, Morris

2004-01-01

Objectives. We sought to estimate the extended mental health service capacity requirements of persons affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Methods. We developed a formula to estimate the extended mental health service capacity requirements following disaster situations and assessed availability of the information required by the formula. Results. Sparse data exist on current services and supports used by people with mental health problems outside of the formal mental health specialty sector. There also are few systematically collected data on mental health sequelae of disasters. Conclusions. We recommend research-based surveys to understand service usage in non–mental health settings and suggest that federal guidelines be established to promote uniform data collection of a core set of items in studies carried out after disasters. PMID:15054009

Serial Position and Isolation Effects in a Classroom Lecture Simulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holen, Michael C.; Oaster, Thomas R.

1976-01-01

Provides evidence of the existence of serial position and isolation effects in a classroom lecture simulation involving extended meaningful discourse. Isolating an item facilitated learning of that item. (Author/DEP)

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Signature Identification Software

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

Torres, C.

2009-03-17

This is an extendable open-source Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification (LAMP) signature design program called LAVA (LAMP Assay Versatile Analysis). LAVA was created in response to limitations of existing LAMP signature programs.

Improving concrete overlay construction : executive summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-06-01

As the US highway system ages and available funding diminishes, transportation agencies : are looking for effective methods for preserving and extending the life of existing : pavements. These agencies are also being encouraged to minimize constructi...

SNSEDextend: SuperNova Spectral Energy Distributions extrapolation toolkit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierel, Justin D. R.; Rodney, Steven A.; Avelino, Arturo; Bianco, Federica; Foley, Ryan J.; Friedman, Andrew; Hicken, Malcolm; Hounsell, Rebekah; Jha, Saurabh W.; Kessler, Richard; Kirshner, Robert; Mandel, Kaisey; Narayan, Gautham; Filippenko, Alexei V.; Scolnic, Daniel; Strolger, Louis-Gregory

2018-05-01

SNSEDextend extrapolates core-collapse and Type Ia Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) into the UV and IR for use in simulations and photometric classifications. The user provides a library of existing SED templates (such as those in the authors' SN SED Repository) along with new photometric constraints in the UV and/or NIR wavelength ranges. The software then extends the existing template SEDs so their colors match the input data at all phases. SNSEDextend can also extend the SALT2 spectral time-series model for Type Ia SN for a "first-order" extrapolation of the SALT2 model components, suitable for use in survey simulations and photometric classification tools; as the code does not do a rigorous re-training of the SALT2 model, the results should not be relied on for precision applications such as light curve fitting for cosmology.

Lyapounov variable: Entropy and measurement in quantum mechanics

PubMed Central

Misra, B.; Prigogine, I.; Courbage, M.

1979-01-01

We discuss the question of the dynamical meaning of the second law of thermodynamics in the framework of quantum mechanics. Previous discussion of the problem in the framework of classical dynamics has shown that the second law can be given a dynamical meaning in terms of the existence of so-called Lyapounov variables—i.e., dynamical variables varying monotonically in time without becoming contradictory. It has been found that such variables can exist in an extended framework of classical dynamics, provided that the dynamical motion is suitably unstable. In this paper we begin to extend these results to quantum mechanics. It is found that no dynamical variable with the characteristic properties of nonequilibrium entropy can be defined in the standard formulation of quantum mechanics. However, if the Hamiltonian has certain well-defined spectral properties, such variables can be defined but only as a nonfactorizable superoperator. Necessary nonfactorizability of such entropy operators M has the consequence that they cannot preserve the class of pure states. Physically, this means that the distinguishability between pure states and corresponding mixtures must be lost in the case of a quantal system for which the algebra of observables can be extended to include a new dynamical variable representing nonequilibrium entropy. We discuss how this result leads to a solution of the quantum measurement problem. It is also found that the question of existence of entropy of superoperators M is closely linked to the problem of defining an operator of time in quantum mechanics. PMID:16578757

Evaluating the Liquid Liquid Phase Transition Hypothesis of Supercoooled Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Limmer, David; Chandler, David

2011-03-01

To explain the anomalous behavior of supercooled water it has been conjectured that buried within an experimentally inaccessible region of liquid water's phase diagram there exists a second critical point, which is the terminus of a first order transition line between two distinct liquid phases. The so-called liquid-liquid phase transition (LLPT) has since generated much study, though to date there is no consensus on its existence. In this talk, we will discuss our efforts to systematically study the metastable phase diagram of supercooled water through computer simulation. By employing importance-sampling techniques, we have calculated free energies as a function of the density and long-range order to determine unambiguously if two distinct liquid phases exist. We will argue that, contrary to the LLPT hypothesis, the observed phenomenology can be understood as a consequence of the limit of stability of the liquid far away from coexistence. Our results suggest that homogeneous nucleation is the cause of the increased fluctuations present upon supercooling. Further we will show how this understanding can be extended to explain experimental observations of hysteresis in confined supercooled water systems.

Inherited variation in immune response genes in follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

PubMed

Nielsen, Kaspar Rene; Steffensen, Rudi; Haunstrup, Thure Mors; Bødker, Julie Støve; Dybkær, Karen; Baech, John; Bøgsted, Martin; Johnsen, Hans Erik

2015-01-01

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) both depend on immune-mediated survival and proliferation signals from the tumor microenvironment. Inherited genetic variation influences this complex interaction. A total of 89 studies investigating immune-response genes in DLBCL and FL were critically reviewed. Relatively consistent association exists for variation in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) and interleukin-10 loci and DLBCL risk; for DLBCL outcome association with the TNFA locus exists. Variations at chromosome 6p31-32 were associated with FL risk. Importantly, individual risk alleles have been shown to interact with each other. We suggest that the pathogenetic impact of polymorphic genes should include gene-gene interaction analysis and should be validated in preclinical model systems of normal B lymphopoiesis and B-cell malignancies. In the future, large cohort studies of interactions and genome-wide association studies are needed to extend the present findings and explore new risk alleles to be studied in preclinical models.

Long-term benthic monitoring studies in the freshwater portion of the Potomac River - first annual report. Volume 2. Tables and figures. Report for September 1982-December 1983

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

Vannote, R.L.; Sweeney, B.W.

1985-02-28

The report summarizes the results of the first year of a long-term study of the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of the freshwater portion of the Potomac River extending from Dam No. 5 near Williamsport, Maryland downstream to Seneca Pool near Seneca, Maryland. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate long-term trends in the distribution, abundance, and biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates and identify factors controlling the benthic populations, with particular emphasis on factors associated with existing power plant effluents within the study area.

A Ceramic Fracture Model for High Velocity Impact

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-05-01

employ damage concepts appear more relevant than crack growth models for this application . This research adopts existing fracture model concepts and...extends them through applications in an existing finite element continuum mechanics code (hydrocode) to the prediction of the damage and fracture processes...to be accurate in the lower velocity range of this work. Mescall and Tracy 15] investigated the selection of ceramic material for application in armors

Antiferromagnetic Potts Model on the Erdős-Rényi Random Graph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contucci, Pierluigi; Dommers, Sander; Giardinà, Cristian; Starr, Shannon

2013-10-01

We study the antiferromagnetic Potts model on the Poissonian Erdős-Rényi random graph. By identifying a suitable interpolation structure and an extended variational principle, together with a positive temperature second-moment analysis we prove the existence of a phase transition at a positive critical temperature. Upper and lower bounds on the temperature critical value are obtained from the stability analysis of the replica symmetric solution (recovered in the framework of Derrida-Ruelle probability cascades) and from an entropy positivity argument.

Focus: knowing the ocean: a role for the history of science.

PubMed

Rozwadowski, Helen M

2014-06-01

While most historians have treated the sea as a surface or a void, the history of science is well positioned to draw the ocean itself into history. The contributors to this Focus section build on the modest existing tradition of history of oceanography and extend that tradition to demonstrate both the insights to be gained by studying oceans historically and the critical role that the history of science should play in future environmental history of the ocean.

N-body experiments and missing mass in clusters of galaxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, H.; Hintzen, P.; Sofia, S.; Oegerle, W.; Scott, J.; Holman, G.

1979-01-01

It is commonly assumed that the distributions of surface density and radial-velocity dispersion in clusters of galaxies are sensitive tracers of the underlying distribution of any unseen mass. N-body experiments have been used to test this assumption. Calculations with equal-mass systems indicate that the effects of the underlying mass distribution cannot be detected by observations of the surface-density or radial-velocity distributions, and the existence of an extended binding mass in all well-studied clusters would be consistent with available observations.

Pointwise regularity of parameterized affine zipper fractal curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bárány, Balázs; Kiss, Gergely; Kolossváry, István

2018-05-01

We study the pointwise regularity of zipper fractal curves generated by affine mappings. Under the assumption of dominated splitting of index-1, we calculate the Hausdorff dimension of the level sets of the pointwise Hölder exponent for a subinterval of the spectrum. We give an equivalent characterization for the existence of regular pointwise Hölder exponent for Lebesgue almost every point. In this case, we extend the multifractal analysis to the full spectrum. In particular, we apply our results for de Rham’s curve.

Mars Geoscience Climatology Orbiter (MGCO) extended study: Technical volume

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

The FLTSATCOM Earth orbiting communications satellite is a prominent candidate to serve as the Mars Geoscience Climatology Orbiter (MGCO) spacecraft. Major aspects directly applicable are: (1) the incorporation of solid orbit insertion motor; (2) the ability to cruise to Mars in the spin-stabilized mode; (3) ample capability for payload mass and power; (4) attitude control tried to nadir and orbit plane coordinates; (5) exemplary Earth orbital performance record and projected lifetime; and (6) existence of an on-going procurement into the MGCO time period.

On the development of HSCT tail sizing criteria using linear matrix inequalities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaminer, Isaac

1995-01-01

This report presents the results of a study to extend existing high speed civil transport (HSCT) tail sizing criteria using linear matrix inequalities (LMI). In particular, the effects of feedback specifications, such as MIL STD 1797 Level 1 and 2 flying qualities requirements, and actuator amplitude and rate constraints on the maximum allowable cg travel for a given set of tail sizes are considered. Results comparing previously developed industry criteria and the LMI methodology on an HSCT concept airplane are presented.

Periodicity and positivity of a class of fractional differential equations.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Rabha W; Ahmad, M Z; Mohammed, M Jasim

2016-01-01

Fractional differential equations have been discussed in this study. We utilize the Riemann-Liouville fractional calculus to implement it within the generalization of the well known class of differential equations. The Rayleigh differential equation has been generalized of fractional second order. The existence of periodic and positive outcome is established in a new method. The solution is described in a fractional periodic Sobolev space. Positivity of outcomes is considered under certain requirements. We develop and extend some recent works. An example is constructed.

Analysis of Classes of Singular Steady State Reaction Diffusion Equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, Byungjae

We study positive radial solutions to classes of steady state reaction diffusion problems on the exterior of a ball with both Dirichlet and nonlinear boundary conditions. We study both Laplacian as well as p-Laplacian problems with reaction terms that are p-sublinear at infinity. We consider both positone and semipositone reaction terms and establish existence, multiplicity and uniqueness results. Our existence and multiplicity results are achieved by a method of sub-supersolutions and uniqueness results via a combination of maximum principles, comparison principles, energy arguments and a-priori estimates. Our results significantly enhance the literature on p-sublinear positone and semipositone problems. Finally, we provide exact bifurcation curves for several one-dimensional problems. In the autonomous case, we extend and analyze a quadrature method, and in the nonautonomous case, we employ shooting methods. We use numerical solvers in Mathematica to generate the bifurcation curves.

A case-study of the evolution of polar-cap currents and auroral electrojets during polar geomagnetic disturbances with IMS magnetometer data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iijima, T.; Kim, J. S.; Sugiura, M.

1984-01-01

The development of the polar cap current and the relationship of that development to the evolution of auroral electrojets during individual polar geomagnetic disturbances is studied using 1 min average data from US-Canada IMS network stations and standard magnetograms from sites on the polar cap and in the auroral zone. It is found that even when the auroral electrojet activity is weak, polar cap currents producing fields of magnitude approximately 100-200 nT almost always exist. A normal convection current system exists quasi-persistently in the polar cap during extended quiet or weakly disturbed periods of auroral electrojet activity. After one such period, some drastic changes occur in the polar cap currents, which are followed by phases of growth, expansion, and recovery. Polar cap currents cannot all be completely ascribed to a single source mechanism.

Numerical studies of nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves in uniform waveguides with arbitrary cross sections

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

Zuo, Peng; Fan, Zheng, E-mail: ZFAN@ntu.edu.sg; Zhou, Yu

2016-07-15

Nonlinear guided waves have been investigated widely in simple geometries, such as plates, pipe and shells, where analytical solutions have been developed. This paper extends the application of nonlinear guided waves to waveguides with arbitrary cross sections. The criteria for the existence of nonlinear guided waves were summarized based on the finite deformation theory and nonlinear material properties. Numerical models were developed for the analysis of nonlinear guided waves in complex geometries, including nonlinear Semi-Analytical Finite Element (SAFE) method to identify internal resonant modes in complex waveguides, and Finite Element (FE) models to simulate the nonlinear wave propagation at resonantmore » frequencies. Two examples, an aluminum plate and a steel rectangular bar, were studied using the proposed numerical model, demonstrating the existence of nonlinear guided waves in such structures and the energy transfer from primary to secondary modes.« less

Region of attraction analysis for nonlinear vehicle lateral dynamics using sum-of-squares programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imani Masouleh, Mehdi; Limebeer, David J. N.

2018-07-01

In this study we will estimate the region of attraction (RoA) of the lateral dynamics of a nonlinear single-track vehicle model. The tyre forces are approximated using rational functions that are shown to capture the nonlinearities of tyre curves significantly better than polynomial functions. An existing sum-of-squares (SOS) programming algorithm for estimating regions of attraction is extended to accommodate the use of rational vector fields. This algorithm is then used to find an estimate of the RoA of the vehicle lateral dynamics. The influence of vehicle parameters and driving conditions on the stability region are studied. It is shown that SOS programming techniques can be used to approximate the stability region without resorting to numerical integration. The RoA estimate from the SOS algorithm is compared to the existing results in the literature. The proposed method is shown to obtain significantly better RoA estimates.

Evaluation of wet tantalum capacitors after exposure to extended periods of ripple current, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, G. W.; Lasharr, J. C.; Shumaker, M. J.

1974-01-01

The application of tantalum capacitors in the Viking Lander includes both dc voltage and ripple current electrical stress, high temperature during nonoperating times (sterilization), and high vibration and shock loads. The capacitors must survive these severe environments without any degradation if reliable performance is to be achieved. A test program was established to evaluate both wet-slug tantalum and wet-foil capacitors under conditions accurately duplicating actual Viking applications. Test results of the electrical performance characteristics during extended periods of ripple current, the characteristics of the internal silver migration as a function for extended periods of ripple current, and the existence of any memory characteristics are presented.

Evaluation of wet tantalum capacitors after exposure to extended periods of ripple current, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ward, C. M.

1975-01-01

The application of tantalum capacitors in the Viking Lander includes dc voltage and ripple current electrical stress, high temperature during nonoperating times (sterilization), and high vibration and shock loads. The capacitors must survive these severe environments without any degradation if reliable performance is to be achieved. A test program was established to evaluate both wet-slug tantalum and wet-foil capacitors under conditions accurately duplicating actual Viking applications. Test results of the electrical performance characteristics during extended periods of ripple current, the characteristics of the internal silver migration as a function of extended periods of ripple current, and the existence of any memory characteristics are presented.

Analytic Quasi-Perodic Cocycles with Singularities and the Lyapunov Exponent of Extended Harper's Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jitomirskaya, S.; Marx, C. A.

2012-11-01

We show how to extend (and with what limitations) Avila's global theory of analytic SL(2,C) cocycles to families of cocycles with singularities. This allows us to develop a strategy to determine the Lyapunov exponent for the extended Harper's model, for all values of parameters and all irrational frequencies. In particular, this includes the self-dual regime for which even heuristic results did not previously exist in physics literature. The extension of Avila's global theory is also shown to imply continuous behavior of the LE on the space of analytic {M_2({C})}-cocycles. This includes rational approximation of the frequency, which so far has not been available.

Evolution of superclusters and delocalized states in GaAs1-xNx

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fluegel, B.; Alberi, K.; Beaton, D. A.; Crooker, S. A.; Ptak, A. J.; Mascarenhas, A.

2012-11-01

The evolution of individual nitrogen cluster bound states into an extended state infinite supercluster in dilute GaAs1-xNx was probed through temperature and intensity-dependent, time-resolved and magnetophotoluminescence (PL) measurements. Samples with compositions less than 0.23% N exhibit PL behavior that is consistent with emission from the extended states of the conduction band. Near a composition of 0.23% N, a discontinuity develops between the extended state PL peak energy and the photoluminescence excitation absorption edge. The existence of dual localized/delocalized state behavior near this composition signals the formation of an N supercluster just below the conduction band edge. The infinite supercluster is fully developed by 0.32% N.

Carbon deposition model for oxygen-hydrocarbon combustion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bossard, John A.

1988-01-01

The objectives are to use existing hardware to verify and extend the database generated on the original test programs. The data to be obtained are the carbon deposition characteristics when methane is used at injection densities comparable to full scale values. The database will be extended to include liquid natural gas (LNG) testing at low injection densities for gas generator/preburner conditions. The testing will be performed at mixture ratios between 0.25 and 0.60, and at chamber pressures between 750 and 1500 psi.

Multileg Heat-Pipe Evaporator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alario, J. P.; Haslett, R. A.

1986-01-01

Parallel pipes provide high heat flow from small heat exchanger. Six parallel heat pipes extract heat from overlying heat exchanger, forming evaporator. Vapor channel in pipe contains wick that extends into screen tube in liquid channel. Rods in each channel hold wick and screen tube in place. Evaporator compact rather than extended and more compatible with existing heat-exchanger geometries. Prototype six-pipe evaporator only 0.3 m wide and 0.71 m long. With ammonia as working fluid, transports heat to finned condenser at rate of 1,200 W.

A Formal Modelling Language Extending SysML for Simulation of Continuous and Discrete System

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

UNCLASSIFIED DSTO-GD-0734 16. A Formal Modelling Language Extending SysML for Simulation of Continuous and Discrete System – Mark Hodson1 and...be conceptual at some level because a one to one mapping with the real system will never exist. SysML is an extension and modification of UML that...simulation, which can provide great insights into the behaviour of complex systems. Although UML and SysML primarily support conceptual modelling they

Full Scale Evaluation of How Task-Based Overview Displays Impact Operator Workload and Situation Awareness When in Emergency Procedure Space

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

Spielman, Zachary; Hill, Racheal; LeBlanc, Katya

Control room modernization is critical to extending the life of the 99 operating commercial nuclear power plants (NPP) within the United States. However, due to the lack of evidence demonstrating the efficiency and effectiveness of recent candidate technologies, current NPP control rooms operate without the benefit of various newer technologies now available. As nuclear power plants begin to extend their licenses to continue operating for another 20 years, there is increased interest in modernizing the control room and supplementing the existing control boards with advanced technologies. As part of a series of studies investigating the benefits of advanced control roommore » technologies, the researchers conducted an experimental study to observe the effect of Task-Based Overview Displays (TODs) on operator workload and situation awareness (SA) while completing typical operating scenarios. Researchers employed the Situation Awareness Rating Technique (SART) and the NASA Task Load Index (TLX) as construct measures.« less

Rapid change of blob structure in the outer scrape-off layer (SOL)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, R. H.

2005-10-01

Nonlinear structures (``blobs'') driven by the magnetic field curvature and highly elongated along the field lines may exist in the tokamak SOL.footnotetextS.I. Krasheninnikov. Phys. Lett. A 283, 368 (2001) The contact of the blob end with the divertor plate significantly affects the blob structure and velocity. However, the strong shearing of the flux-tube near the X-point makes impossible direct electrical contact of the blob in the upper SOL and the divertor, so that the sheath boundary condition (BC) has to be replaced by a BC imposed near the X point.footnotetextD. Ryutov, R.H. Cohen. Contr. Pl. Phys 44, 168 (2004) We show that, at larger distances from the separatrix, in the far SOL, the connection between the upper SOL and the divertor plate is re-established, and the sheath BC becomes again relevant. During the blob's outward radial motion, this event is reflected in a sudden change of its length, from the blob extending only to the X point to the blob extending down to the plate. Likewise, a blob initially existing only in the divertor leg becomes suddenly longer, and extends to the whole SOL.

Sub- and Quasi-Centurial Cycles in Solar and Geomagnetic Activity Data Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komitov, B.; Sello, S.; Duchlev, P.; Dechev, M.; Penev, K.; Koleva, K.

2016-07-01

The subject of this paper is the existence and stability of solar cycles with durations in the range of 20-250 years. Five types of data series are used: 1) the Zurich series (1749-2009 AD), the mean annual International sunspot number Ri, 2) the Group sunspot number series Rh (1610-1995 AD), 3) the simulated extended sunspot number from Extended time series of Solar Activity Indices (ESAI) (1090-2002 AD), 4) the simulated extended geomagnetic aa-index from ESAI (1099-2002 AD), 5) the Meudon filament series (1919-1991 AD). Two principally independent methods of time series analysis are used: the T-R periodogram analysis (both in standard and ``scanning window'' regimes) and the wavelet-analysis. The obtained results are very similar. A strong cycle with a mean duration of 55-60 years is found to exist in all series. On the other hand, a strong and stable quasi 110-120 years and ˜200-year cycles are obtained in all of these series except in the Ri one. The high importance of the long term solar activity dynamics for the aims of solar dynamo modeling and predictions is especially noted.

NetCDF-CF: Supporting Earth System Science with Data Access, Analysis, and Visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, E.; Zender, C. S.; Arctur, D. K.; O'Brien, K.; Jelenak, A.; Santek, D.; Dixon, M. J.; Whiteaker, T. L.; Yang, K.

2017-12-01

NetCDF-CF is a community-developed convention for storing and describing earth system science data in the netCDF binary data format. It is an OGC recognized standard with numerous existing FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) and commercial software tools can explore, analyze, and visualize data that is stored and described as netCDF-CF data. To better support a larger segment of the earth system science community, a number of efforts are underway to extend the netCDF-CF convention with the goal of increasing the types of data that can be represented as netCDF-CF data. This presentation will provide an overview and update of work to extend the existing netCDF-CF convention. It will detail the types of earth system science data currently supported by netCDF-CF and the types of data targeted for support by current netCDF-CF convention development efforts. It will also describe some of the tools that support the use of netCDF-CF compliant datasets, the types of data they support, and efforts to extend them to handle the new data types that netCDF-CF will support.

Development of extended-release solid dispersion granules of tacrolimus: evaluation of release mechanism and human oral bioavailability.

PubMed

Tsunashima, Daisuke; Yamashita, Kazunari; Ogawara, Ken-Ichi; Sako, Kazuhiro; Hakomori, Tadashi; Higaki, Kazutaka

2017-12-01

We aimed to prepare a once-daily modified-release oral formulation of tacrolimus by utilizing an extended-release granules (ERG). Extended-release granules were prepared using ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and lactose via a solvent evaporation method with ethanol. Physicochemical and biopharmaceutical studies were performed to determine the formulation with optimum release profile of tacrolimus from ERG. Tacrolimus existed in an amorphous state in ERG. Tacrolimus release from ERG was attenuated by EC and facilitated by lactose, suggesting that drug release kinetics could adequately be regulated by these components. Those release profiles were consistent with Higuchi's equation, suggesting a diffusion-type release mechanism. Smooth surface of ERG changed to the structure with pores after the release test, likely derived from the dissolution of HPMC and lactose. But ERG structure formed by EC was still maintained after the release test, leading to the longer maintenance of diffusion-type release. Two ERG formulations selected by blood concentration simulation successfully provided long-term retention of tacrolimus in blood in a human absorption study. We successfully developed the formulation exhibiting a significant reduction in C max , the longer mean residence time and AUC close to that of an immediate-release tacrolimus formulation, being preferred from the viewpoint of safe and effective immunosuppressant pharmacotherapy. © 2017 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Reconciling Experiment and Theory in the Use of Aryl-Extended Calix[4]pyrrole Receptors for the Experimental Quantification of Chloride–π Interactions in Solution

PubMed Central

Bauzá, Antonio; Quiñonero, David; Frontera, Antonio; Ballester, Pablo

2015-01-01

In this manuscript we consider from a theoretical point of view the recently reported experimental quantification of anion–π interactions (the attractive force between electron deficient aromatic rings and anions) in solution using aryl extended calix[4]pyrrole receptors as model systems. Experimentally, two series of calix[4]pyrrole receptors functionalized, respectively, with two and four aryl rings at the meso positions, were used to assess the strength of chloride–π interactions in acetonitrile solution. As a result of these studies the contribution of each individual chloride–π interaction was quantified to be very small (<1 kcal/mol). This result is in contrast with the values derived from most theoretical calculations. Herein we report a theoretical study using high-level density functional theory (DFT) calculations that provides a plausible explanation for the observed disagreement between theory and experiment. The study reveals the existence of molecular interactions between solvent molecules and the aromatic walls of the receptors that strongly modulate the chloride–π interaction. In addition, the obtained theoretical results also suggest that the chloride-calix[4]pyrrole complex used as reference to dissect experimentally the contribution of the chloride–π interactions to the total binding energy for both the two and four-wall aryl-extended calix[4]pyrrole model systems is probably not ideal. PMID:25913375

On the long time behavior of non-autonomous Lotka-Volterra models with diffusion via the sub-supertrajectory method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langa, José A.; Rodríguez-Bernal, Aníbal; Suárez, Antonio

In this paper we study in detail the geometrical structure of global pullback and forwards attractors associated to non-autonomous Lotka-Volterra systems in all the three cases of competition, symbiosis or prey-predator. In particular, under some conditions on the parameters, we prove the existence of a unique nondegenerate global solution for these models, which attracts any other complete bounded trajectory. Thus, we generalize the existence of a unique strictly positive stable (stationary) solution from the autonomous case and we extend to Lotka-Volterra systems the result for scalar logistic equations. To this end we present the sub-supertrajectory tool as a generalization of the now classical sub-supersolution method. In particular, we also conclude pullback and forwards permanence for the above models.

In silico substrate dependence increases community productivity but threatens biodiversity.

PubMed

Daly, Aisling J; Baetens, Jan M; De Baets, Bernard

2016-04-01

The critical role that biodiversity plays in ecosystem functioning has motivated many studies of the mechanisms that sustain biodiversity, a notable example being cyclic competition. We extend existing models of communities with cyclic competition by incorporating variable community evenness and resource dependence in demographic processes, two features that have generally been neglected. In this way, we align previous approaches more closely with real-world microbial ecosystems. We demonstrate the existence of a trade-off between increasing biomass production and maintaining biodiversity. This supports experimental observations of a net negative biodiversity effect on biomass productivity, due to competition effects suffered by highly productive species in diverse communities. Our results also support the important role assigned by microbial ecologists to evenness in maintaining ecosystem stability, thus far largely overlooked in in silico approaches.

Semantic memory: a feature-based analysis and new norms for Italian.

PubMed

Montefinese, Maria; Ambrosini, Ettore; Fairfield, Beth; Mammarella, Nicola

2013-06-01

Semantic norms for properties produced by native speakers are valuable tools for researchers interested in the structure of semantic memory and in category-specific semantic deficits in individuals following brain damage. The aims of this study were threefold. First, we sought to extend existing semantic norms by adopting an empirical approach to category (Exp. 1) and concept (Exp. 2) selection, in order to obtain a more representative set of semantic memory features. Second, we extensively outlined a new set of semantic production norms collected from Italian native speakers for 120 artifactual and natural basic-level concepts, using numerous measures and statistics following a feature-listing task (Exp. 3b). Finally, we aimed to create a new publicly accessible database, since only a few existing databases are publicly available online.

Remember when mom wanted you home for dinner?

PubMed

Stockmyer, C

2001-02-01

Limited information exists about the relationship between family dinner and the quality of children's diets. However, several studies suggest that foods obtained at home have more fiber, calcium, and iron, and less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium than foods obtained away from home. The results of a recent study confirm and extend these observations by showing beneficial effects of family dinner on the diet quality of children ages 9 to 14. Nutritionists and health educators should look for ways to encourage families to increase the number of meals eaten together to improve the eating patterns of children.

Equilibrium Field Theoretic and Dynamic Mean Field Simulations of Inhomogeneous Polymeric Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, Huikuan

Inhomogeneous polymeric materials is a large family of promising materials including but limited to block copolymers (BCPs), polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) and microscopically confined polymer films. The promising application of the materials originates from the materials' unique microstructures, which offer enhanced mechanical, thermal, optical and electrical properties to the materials. Due to the complex interactions and the large parameter space, behaviors of the microstructures formed by grafted nanoparticles and nanorods in PNCs are difficult to understand. Separately, because of relatively weak interactions, the microstructures are typically achieved through rapid processing that are kinetically controlled and beyond equilibrium. However, efficient simulation framework to study nonequilbrium dynamics of the materials is currently not available. To attack the first difficulty, I extended an efficient simulation framework, polymer nanocomposite field theory (PNC-FT), to incorporate grafted nanoparticles and nanorods. This extended framework is demonstrated against existing experimental studies and implemented to study how the nanoparticle design affects the nanoparticle distribution in binary homopolymer blends. The grafted nanoparticle model is also used as a platform to adopt an advanced optimization method to inversely design nanoparticles which are able to self-assemble into targeted two dimensional lattices. The nanorod model under PNC-FT framework is used to investigate the design of nanorod and block copolymer thin films to control the nanorod distribution. To attack the second difficulty, I established an efficient framework (SCMF-LD) based on a recently proposed dynamic mean field theory and used SCMF-LD to study how to kinetically control the nanoparticle distribution at the end of solvent annealing block copolymer thin films. The framework is then extended to incorporate hydrodynamics (SCMF-DPD) and the extended framework is implemented to study morphology development in phase inversion processing polymer thin films, where hydrodynamic effects play an important role. By exploring both equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties in a spectrum of inhomogeneous polymeric material systems, I successfully extended PNC-FT and established SCMF-LD and SCMF-DPD frameworks, which are expected to be efficient and powerful tools in studies of inhomogeneous polymeric material design and processing.

An Evaluation of Understandability of Patient Journey Models in Mental Health

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Background There is a significant trend toward implementing health information technology to reduce administrative costs and improve patient care. Unfortunately, little awareness exists of the challenges of integrating information systems with existing clinical practice. The systematic integration of clinical processes with information system and health information technology can benefit the patients, staff, and the delivery of care. Objectives This paper presents a comparison of the degree of understandability of patient journey models. In particular, the authors demonstrate the value of a relatively new patient journey modeling technique called the Patient Journey Modeling Architecture (PaJMa) when compared with traditional manufacturing based process modeling tools. The paper also presents results from a small pilot case study that compared the usability of 5 modeling approaches in a mental health care environment. Method Five business process modeling techniques were used to represent a selected patient journey. A mix of both qualitative and quantitative methods was used to evaluate these models. Techniques included a focus group and survey to measure usability of the various models. Results The preliminary evaluation of the usability of the 5 modeling techniques has shown increased staff understanding of the representation of their processes and activities when presented with the models. Improved individual role identification throughout the models was also observed. The extended version of the PaJMa methodology provided the most clarity of information flows for clinicians. Conclusions The extended version of PaJMa provided a significant improvement in the ease of interpretation for clinicians and increased the engagement with the modeling process. The use of color and its effectiveness in distinguishing the representation of roles was a key feature of the framework not present in other modeling approaches. Future research should focus on extending the pilot case study to a more diversified group of clinicians and health care support workers. PMID:27471006

Intercomparison of granular stress and turbulence models for unidirectional sheet flow applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauchat, J.; Cheng, Z.; Hsu, T. J.

2016-12-01

The intergranular stresses are one of the key elements in two-phase sediment transport models. There are two main existing approaches, the kinetic theory of granular flows (Jenkins and Hanes, 1998; Hsu et al., 2004) and the phenomenological rheology such as the one proposed by Bagnold (Hanes and Bowen, 1985) or the μ(I) dense granular flow rheology (Revil-Baudard and Chauchat, 2013). Concerning the turbulent Reynolds stress, mixing length and k-ɛ turbulence models have been validated by previous studies (Revil-Baudard and Chauchat, 2013; Hsu et al., 2004). Recently, sedFoam was developed based on kinetic theory of granular flows and k-ɛ turbulence models (Cheng and Hsu, 2014). In this study, we further extended sedFoam by implementing the mixing length and the dense granular flow rheology by following Revil-Baudard and Chauchat (2013). This allows us to objectively compare the different combinations of intergranular stresses (kinetic theory or the dense granular flow rheology) and turbulence models (mixing length or k-ɛ) under unidirectional sheet flow conditions. We found that the calibrated mixing length and k-ɛ models predicts similar velocity and concentration profiles. The differences observed between the kinetic theory and the dense granular flow rheology requires further investigation. In particular, we hypothesize that the extended kinetic theory proposed by Berzi (2011) would probably improve the existing combination of the kinetic theory with a simple Coulomb frictional model in sedFoam. A semi-analytical solution proposed by Berzi and Fraccarollo(2013) for sediment transport rate and sheet layer thickness versus the Shields number is compared with the results obtained by using the dense granular flow rheology and the mixing length model. The results are similar which demonstrate that both the extended kinetic theory and the dense granular flow rheology can be used to model intergranular stresses under sheet flow conditions.

Repair Types, Procedures - Part 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

completely severed or severely damaged fuel lines, cut away the damaged section and use a piece of fuel- resistant rubber hose with an inner diameter...equal to the existing fuel line outer diameter to replace the damaged section. Ensure the repair hose extends far enough on each side of the damage to...accommodate two hose clamps, oriented 180° from one another. Flare the ends of the existing fuel line to improve the seal and prevent leakage

Extending the diffuse layer model of surface acidity behavior: I. Model development

EPA Science Inventory

Considerable disenchantment exists within the environmental research community concerning our current ability to accurately model surface-complexation-mediated low-porewater-concentration ionic contaminant partitioning with natural surfaces. Several authors attribute this unaccep...

Novachip surface treatment : technical assistance report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-09-01

Novachip was a French process utilizing a unique paving machine manufactured in Germany. This machine simultaneously applied an evenly distributed asphaltic emulsion and a thin lift of hot mix to the existing roadway surface. : The project extended f...

Nonautonomous solitons for an extended forced Korteweg-de Vries equation with variable coefficients in the fluid or plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yong-Yan; Su, Chuan-Qi; Liu, Xue-Qing; Li, Jian-Guang

2018-07-01

Under investigation in this paper is an extended forced Korteweg-de Vries equation with variable coefficients in the fluid or plasma. Lax pair, bilinear forms, and bilinear Bäcklund transformations are derived. Based on the bilinear forms, the first-, second-, and third-order nonautonomous soliton solutions are derived. Propagation and interaction of the nonautonomous solitons are investigated and influence of the variable coefficients is also discussed: Amplitude of the first-order nonautonomous soliton is determined by the spectral parameter and perturbed factor; there exist two kinds of the solitons, namely the elevation and depression solitons, depending on the sign of the spectral parameter; the background where the nonautonomous soliton exists is influenced by the perturbed factor and external force coefficient; breather solutions can be constructed under the conjugate condition, and period of the breather is related to the dispersive and nonuniform coefficients.

Applying and extending ISO/TC42 digital camera resolution standards to mobile imaging products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Don; Burns, Peter D.

2007-01-01

There are no fundamental differences between today's mobile telephone cameras and consumer digital still cameras that suggest many existing ISO imaging performance standards do not apply. To the extent that they have lenses, color filter arrays, detectors, apertures, image processing, and are hand held, there really are no operational or architectural differences. Despite this, there are currently differences in the levels of imaging performance. These are driven by physical and economic constraints, and image-capture conditions. Several ISO standards for resolution, well established for digital consumer digital cameras, require care when applied to the current generation of cell phone cameras. In particular, accommodation of optical flare, shading non-uniformity and distortion are recommended. We offer proposals for the application of existing ISO imaging resolution performance standards to mobile imaging products, and suggestions for extending performance standards to the characteristic behavior of camera phones.

The Intergenerational Family Relationships of Grandparents and GLBQ Grandchildren

PubMed Central

Scherrer, Kristin S.

2010-01-01

This paper describes the intergenerational family relationships of grandparents and GLBQ grandchildren. Reviewing empirical research on GLBQ family of origin relationships that include materials on grandparent-GLBQ grandchild relationships, this paper examines, 1) disclosure patterns with grandparents, 2) social expectations that exist about “coming out” to grandparents, 3) social expectations of GLBQ grandchildren when “coming out” to grandparents, 4) the mediating role of parents and other extended family in grandparent-GLBQ grandchild relationships, and 5) theorizing differences amongst grandparent-GLBQ grandchild relationships. This review indicates that grandparents have been overlooked in existing empirical research in research on GLBQ family relationships. Grandparents may be a unique source of support for younger GLBQ individuals and their parents. Future research may usefully incorporate grandparents, as well as other extended family members, to better understand the experience of “coming out” in families. PMID:20865130

Constructing Temporally Extended Actions through Incremental Community Detection

PubMed Central

Li, Ge

2018-01-01

Hierarchical reinforcement learning works on temporally extended actions or skills to facilitate learning. How to automatically form such abstraction is challenging, and many efforts tackle this issue in the options framework. While various approaches exist to construct options from different perspectives, few of them concentrate on options' adaptability during learning. This paper presents an algorithm to create options and enhance their quality online. Both aspects operate on detected communities of the learning environment's state transition graph. We first construct options from initial samples as the basis of online learning. Then a rule-based community revision algorithm is proposed to update graph partitions, based on which existing options can be continuously tuned. Experimental results in two problems indicate that options from initial samples may perform poorly in more complex environments, and our presented strategy can effectively improve options and get better results compared with flat reinforcement learning. PMID:29849543

Creating clones, kids & chimera: liberal democratic compromise at the crossroads.

PubMed

Adams, Nathan A

2004-01-01

The objective of this article is to find middle ground between the supporters and opponents of biotechnology by perpetuating the existing legal compromise pertaining to the complete range of health and welfare doctrines relevant to the biotechnological industry. The author aspires neither to add to nor detract from this liberal democratic consensus, but to preserve its constitutive balance between positivism and natural law and over-regulation and under-regulation in the hopes of stabilizing new political fault lines developing around the few biotechnological innovations already grabbing headlines. The most feasible solution is to extend the existing liberal democratic compromise with respect to equal protection, reproductive rights, the First Amendment, human subject experimentation, patent law, and parental rights. This includes banning or monopolizing certain biotechnologies and extending substantive special respect to the ex vivo living human embryo. Biotechnology must not be left to regulate itself.

General imaging of advanced 3D mask objects based on the fully-vectorial extended Nijboer-Zernike (ENZ) theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Haver, Sven; Janssen, Olaf T. A.; Braat, Joseph J. M.; Janssen, Augustus J. E. M.; Urbach, H. Paul; Pereira, Silvania F.

2008-03-01

In this paper we introduce a new mask imaging algorithm that is based on the source point integration method (or Abbe method). The method presented here distinguishes itself from existing methods by exploiting the through-focus imaging feature of the Extended Nijboer-Zernike (ENZ) theory of diffraction. An introduction to ENZ-theory and its application in general imaging is provided after which we describe the mask imaging scheme that can be derived from it. The remainder of the paper is devoted to illustrating the advantages of the new method over existing methods (Hopkins-based). To this extent several simulation results are included that illustrate advantages arising from: the accurate incorporation of isolated structures, the rigorous treatment of the object (mask topography) and the fully vectorial through-focus image formation of the ENZ-based algorithm.

Long-pore Electrostatics in Inward-rectifier Potassium Channels

PubMed Central

Robertson, Janice L.; Palmer, Lawrence G.; Roux, Benoît

2008-01-01

Inward-rectifier potassium (Kir) channels differ from the canonical K+ channel structure in that they possess a long extended pore (∼85 Å) for ion conduction that reaches deeply into the cytoplasm. This unique structural feature is presumably involved in regulating functional properties specific to Kir channels, such as conductance, rectification block, and ligand-dependent gating. To elucidate the underpinnings of these functional roles, we examine the electrostatics of an ion along this extended pore. Homology models are constructed based on the open-state model of KirBac1.1 for four mammalian Kir channels: Kir1.1/ROMK, Kir2.1/IRK, Kir3.1/GIRK, and Kir6.2/KATP. By solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, the electrostatic free energy of a K+ ion is determined along each pore, revealing that mammalian Kir channels provide a favorable environment for cations and suggesting the existence of high-density regions in the cytoplasmic domain and cavity. The contribution from the reaction field (the self-energy arising from the dielectric polarization induced by the ion's charge in the complex geometry of the pore) is unfavorable inside the long pore. However, this is well compensated by the electrostatic interaction with the static field arising from the protein charges and shielded by the dielectric surrounding. Decomposition of the static field provides a list of residues that display remarkable correspondence with existing mutagenesis data identifying amino acids that affect conduction and rectification. Many of these residues demonstrate interactions with the ion over long distances, up to 40 Å, suggesting that mutations potentially affect ion or blocker energetics over the entire pore. These results provide a foundation for understanding ion interactions in Kir channels and extend to the study of ion permeation, block, and gating in long, cation-specific pores. PMID:19001143

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy followed by extrafascial hysterectomy for locally advanced endometrial cancer clinically extending to the cervix or parametria.

PubMed

Vargo, John A; Boisen, Michelle M; Comerci, John T; Kim, Hayeon; Houser, Christopher J; Sukumvanich, Paniti; Olawaiye, Alexander B; Kelley, Joseph L; Edwards, Robert P; Huang, Marilyn; Courtney-Brooks, Madeleine; Beriwal, Sushil

2014-11-01

For locally-advanced uterine cancer clinically extending to the cervix, two treatment paradigms exist: surgical staging radical hysterectomy with tailored adjuvant therapy or neoadjuvant therapy followed by a less extensive simple hysterectomy. Currently, insufficient data exists to guide consensus guidelines and practical application of preoperative radiotherapy. Retrospective IRB approved cohort study from 1999 to 2014 of 36 endometrial cancer patients with clinical involvement of cervix±parametria treated with neoadjuvant external beam radiotherapy (45-50.4Gy in 25-28 fractions) and image-based HDR brachytherapy (5-5.5Gy times 3-4 fractions)±chemotherapy followed by extrafascial hysterectomy performed at a median of 6weeks after radiotherapy. All patients had clinical cervical extension, 50% also had parametria extension, and 31% had nodal involvement. At the time of surgery 91% had no clinical cervical involvement, 58% had no pathologic cervical involvement, and all had margin negative resection. The pathologic complete response rate was 24%. Median follow-up from the time of surgery was 20months (range: 0-153). The 3-year local control, regional control, distant control, disease free survival and overall survival rates were 96%, 89%, 84%, 73%, and 100%. The 3-year rate of grade 3 complications was 11%, with no grade 4+ toxicity. Neoadjuvant radiation therapy±chemotherapy followed by extrafascial hysterectomy appears to be a viable option for patients with endometrial cancer clinically extending to the cervix and parametria. The HDR brachytherapy schema of 5-5.5Gy times 3-4 fractions, for a cumulative EQD2 of 60-70Gy, is well tolerated with high rates of clinical and pathological response. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Effects of Rotation on the Main-sequence Turnoff of Intermediate-age Massive Star Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Wuming; Bi, Shaolan; Meng, Xiangcun; Liu, Zhie

2013-10-01

The double or extended main-sequence turnoffs (MSTOs) in the color-magnitude diagram (CMD) of intermediate-age massive star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud are generally interpreted as age spreads of a few hundred Myr. However, such age spreads do not exist in younger clusters (i.e., 40-300 Myr), which challenges this interpretation. The effects of rotation on the MSTOs of star clusters have been studied in previous works, but the results obtained are conflicting. Compared with previous works, we consider the effects of rotation on the main-sequence lifetime of stars. Our calculations show that rotating models have a fainter and redder MSTO with respect to non-rotating counterparts with ages between about 0.8 and 2.2 Gyr, but have a brighter and bluer MSTO when age is larger than 2.4 Gyr. The spread of the MSTO caused by a typical rotation rate is equivalent to the effect of an age spread of about 200 Myr. Rotation could lead to the double or extended MSTOs in the CMD of the star clusters with ages between about 0.8 and 2.2 Gyr. However, the extension is not significant, and it does not even exist in younger clusters. If the efficiency of the mixing were high enough, the effects of the mixing would counteract the effect of the centrifugal support in the late stage of evolution, and the rotationally induced extension would disappear in the old intermediate-age star clusters, but younger clusters would have an extended MSTO. Moreover, the effects of rotation might aid in understanding the formation of some "multiple populations" in globular clusters.

The search for active Europa plumes in Galileo plasma particle detector data: the E12 flyby

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huybrighs, H.; Roussos, E.; Krupp, N.; Fraenz, M.; Futaana, Y.; Barabash, S. V.; Glassmeier, K. H.

2017-12-01

Hubble Space Telescope observations of Europa's auroral emissions and transits in front of Jupiter suggest that recurring water vapour plumes originating from Europa's surface might exist. If conclusively proven, the discovery of these plumes would be significant, because Europa's potentially habitable ocean could be studied remotely by taking in-situ samples of these plumes from a flyby mission. The first opportunity to collect in-situ evidence of the plumes will not arise before the early 2030's when ESA's JUICE mission or NASA's Europa Clipper are set to arrive. However, it may be possible that NASA's Galileo mission has already encountered the plumes when it was active in the Jupiter system from 1995 to 2003. It has been suggested that the high plasma densities and anomalous magnetic fields measured during one of the Galileo flybys of Europa (flyby E12) could be connected to plume activity. In the context of the search for Europa plume signatures in Galileo particle data we present an overview of the in-situ plasma particle data obtained by the Galileo spacecraft during the E12 flyby. Focus is in particular on the data obtained with the plasma particle instruments PLS (low energy ions and electrons) and EPD (high energy ions and electrons). We search for signs of an extended exosphere/ionosphere that could be consistent with ongoing plume activity. The PLS data obtained during the E12 flyby show an extended interaction region between Europa and the plasma from Jupiter's magnetosphere, hinting at the existence of an extended ionosphere and exosphere. Furthermore we show how the EPD data are analyzed and modelled in order to evaluate whether a series of energetic ion depletions can be attributed to losses on the moon's surface or its neutral exosphere.

[Ischemic cholangiopathy induced by extended burns].

PubMed

Cohen, Laurence; Angot, Emilie; Goria, Odile; Koning, Edith; François, Arnaud; Sabourin, Jean-Christophe

2013-04-01

Ischemic cholangiopathy is a recently described entity occurring mainly after hepatic grafts. Very few cases after intensive care unit (ICU) for extended burn injury were reported. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman consulting in an hepatology unit, for a jaundice appearing during a hospitalisation in an intensive care unit and increasing from her leaving from ICU, where she was treated for an extended burn injury. She had no pre-existing biological features of biliary disease. Biological tests were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions of biliary tracts pointed out severe stenosing lesions of diffuse cholangiopathy concerning intrahepatic biliary tract, mainly peri-hilar. Biopsie from the liver confirmed the diagnosis, showing a biliary cirrhosis with bile infarcts. This case is the fourth case of ischemic cholangiopathy after extended burn injury, concerning a patient without a prior history of hepatic or biliary illness and appearing after hospitalisation in intensive care unit. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Exxon Valdez oil spill restoration project final report: Prince William Sound Herring disease program (HDP), restoration project 070819

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hershberger, Paul; Elliott, Diane G.; Emmenegger, Eveline J.; Hansen, John D.; Kurath, Gael; Winton, James R.; Kocan, Richard; LaPatra, Scott

2011-01-01

Surveys of pathogens in Pacific herring from 2007 – 2010 indicated that Ichthyophonus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, and erythrocytic necrosis virus are endemic in Prince William Sound and throughout the NE Pacific. Laboratory studies with VHSV indicated that multiple herring stocks are equally susceptible to the resulting disease, Pacific herring shed copious levels of VHSV (as high at 5x108 plaque-forming units/day) shortly after exposure, chronic and persistent infections can occur in Pacific herring, susceptibility of Pacific herring to VHS extends to the larval life stages but not the embryonic stages, and the prior exposure history of Pacific herring to VHSV can be determined post hoc. Laboratory studies involving Ichthyophonus indicated that schizonts can be inactivated with chlorine and iodine solutions, the parasite can survive for extended periods in saltwater but not freshwater, a low potential exists for cross contamination between in vitro explant cultures, infectious schizonts are released from the skin surface of infected herring, schizonts are not uniformly distributed throughout the skeletal muscle of infected Pacific herring, multiple types of Ichthyophonus exist with different genotypes and phenotypic traits, and temperature is an important factor influencing the infectivity of Ichthyophonus. Additional field and laboratory studies indicated that Ichthyophonus negatively influences the swimming performance of infected hosts and the negative impacts effects are exacerbated by increasing temperatures, American shad are an important reservoir of Ichthyophonus in the NE Pacific, Pacific herring are not susceptible to infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN), and Pacific herring will accept surgically implanted acoustic tags with negligible impacts on survival.

Cost-effective particulate control options at Potomac Electric Power Company's Dickerson Station: An integrated approach to current and future particulate limits

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

Christoffersen, S.W.; Rouse, G.T.; Krasnopoler, M.J.

1998-07-01

The Dickerson Generating Station evaluated several particulate control options to identify the most cost-effective option. The study's goals were to: eliminate the particulate scrubber and its high maintenance costs, and incorporate flexibility for low-sulfur coal and possible stricter emission limits. Each of the three Dickerson 190 MW units has a small 37-year-old electrostatic precipitator and a wet particulate scrubber. The study evaluated alternatives to replace the scrubber and enhance ESP performance: Existing ESP alternatives--Extend height of existing ESP; Flue gas conditioning. Scrubber stream alternatives--Partial-flow ESP or pulse jet baghouse. Full-flow alternatives--Supplemental ESP; COHPAC baghouse; replacement ESP or baghouse. A technicalmore » and economic prescreening eliminated some of the options. Capital, operating, and life cycle costs were estimated for the remaining options to determine the most cost-effective alternative. This paper will present the technical and economic evaluations done for this study, including performance and costs.« less

Restricted intra-embryonic origin of bona fide hematopoietic stem cells in the chicken

PubMed Central

Yvernogeau, Laurent

2017-01-01

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are responsible for blood cell production, are generated during embryonic development. Human and chicken embryos share features that position the chicken as a reliable and accessible alternative model to study developmental hematopoiesis. However, the existence of HSCs has never been formally proven in chicken embryos. Here, we have established a complete cartography and quantification of hematopoietic cells in the aorta during development. We demonstrate the existence of bona fide HSCs, originating from the chicken embryo aorta (and not the yolk sac, allantois or head), through an in vivo transplantation assay. Embryos transplanted in ovo with GFP embryonic tissues on the chorio-allantoic membrane provided multilineage reconstitution in adulthood. Historically, most breakthrough discoveries in the field of developmental hematopoiesis were first made in birds and later extended to mammals. Our study sheds new light on the avian model as a valuable system to study HSC production and regulation in vivo. PMID:28526756

EXPLICIT SYMPLECTIC-LIKE INTEGRATORS WITH MIDPOINT PERMUTATIONS FOR SPINNING COMPACT BINARIES

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

Luo, Junjie; Wu, Xin; Huang, Guoqing

2017-01-01

We refine the recently developed fourth-order extended phase space explicit symplectic-like methods for inseparable Hamiltonians using Yoshida’s triple product combined with a midpoint permuted map. The midpoint between the original variables and their corresponding extended variables at every integration step is readjusted as the initial values of the original variables and their corresponding extended ones at the next step integration. The triple-product construction is apparently superior to the composition of two triple products in computational efficiency. Above all, the new midpoint permutations are more effective in restraining the equality of the original variables and their corresponding extended ones at each integration step thanmore » the existing sequent permutations of momenta and coordinates. As a result, our new construction shares the benefit of implicit symplectic integrators in the conservation of the second post-Newtonian Hamiltonian of spinning compact binaries. Especially for the chaotic case, it can work well, but the existing sequent permuted algorithm cannot. When dissipative effects from the gravitational radiation reaction are included, the new symplectic-like method has a secular drift in the energy error of the dissipative system for the orbits that are regular in the absence of radiation, as an implicit symplectic integrator does. In spite of this, it is superior to the same-order implicit symplectic integrator in accuracy and efficiency. The new method is particularly useful in discussing the long-term evolution of inseparable Hamiltonian problems.« less

Animation control of surface motion capture.

PubMed

Tejera, Margara; Casas, Dan; Hilton, Adrian

2013-12-01

Surface motion capture (SurfCap) of actor performance from multiple view video provides reconstruction of the natural nonrigid deformation of skin and clothing. This paper introduces techniques for interactive animation control of SurfCap sequences which allow the flexibility in editing and interactive manipulation associated with existing tools for animation from skeletal motion capture (MoCap). Laplacian mesh editing is extended using a basis model learned from SurfCap sequences to constrain the surface shape to reproduce natural deformation. Three novel approaches for animation control of SurfCap sequences, which exploit the constrained Laplacian mesh editing, are introduced: 1) space–time editing for interactive sequence manipulation; 2) skeleton-driven animation to achieve natural nonrigid surface deformation; and 3) hybrid combination of skeletal MoCap driven and SurfCap sequence to extend the range of movement. These approaches are combined with high-level parametric control of SurfCap sequences in a hybrid surface and skeleton-driven animation control framework to achieve natural surface deformation with an extended range of movement by exploiting existing MoCap archives. Evaluation of each approach and the integrated animation framework are presented on real SurfCap sequences for actors performing multiple motions with a variety of clothing styles. Results demonstrate that these techniques enable flexible control for interactive animation with the natural nonrigid surface dynamics of the captured performance and provide a powerful tool to extend current SurfCap databases by incorporating new motions from MoCap sequences.

An Extended Deterministic Dendritic Cell Algorithm for Dynamic Job Shop Scheduling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, X. N.; Lau, H. Y. K.

The problem of job shop scheduling in a dynamic environment where random perturbation exists in the system is studied. In this paper, an extended deterministic Dendritic Cell Algorithm (dDCA) is proposed to solve such a dynamic Job Shop Scheduling Problem (JSSP) where unexpected events occurred randomly. This algorithm is designed based on dDCA and makes improvements by considering all types of signals and the magnitude of the output values. To evaluate this algorithm, ten benchmark problems are chosen and different kinds of disturbances are injected randomly. The results show that the algorithm performs competitively as it is capable of triggering the rescheduling process optimally with much less run time for deciding the rescheduling action. As such, the proposed algorithm is able to minimize the rescheduling times under the defined objective and to keep the scheduling process stable and efficient.

Circle of Care: Extending Beyond Primary Caregivers to Examine Collaborative Caretaking in Adolescent Development

PubMed Central

Margolis, Kathryn L.; Fosco, Gregory M.; Stormshak, Elizabeth A.

2013-01-01

In the contemporary family, which is increasingly shaped by multicultural influences, parents rarely are the sole caretakers of their children. To improve understanding of family dynamics, researchers must redefine caregiving networks to include multiple caregivers, such as extended family members. This study explored the influences of caregiving networks on youth depression by examining who youths perceived as caretakers, how many caretakers were in their networks, the youths’ connectedness with adults in their network, and harmony of relationships among adults within the network. Data from an ethnically diverse, urban sample of 180 middle school youths revealed participation of multiple caregivers for all groups, but ethnic differences existed in network composition. These differences in network composition are discussed within a socio-cultural context, considering how positive relationships with specific caregivers may buffer future depression. Longitudinal analyses confirmed the importance of positive relationships with caregiving networks for youth of color when predicting future depression. PMID:27453615

Aurora Australis, Spiked and Sinuous Red and Green Airglow

NASA Image and Video Library

1991-05-06

STS039-342-026 (28 April-6 May 1991) --- This view of the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, shows a band of airglow above the limb of Earth. Photo experts at NASA studying the mission photography identify the airglow as being in the 80-120 kilometer altitude region and attribute its existence to atomic oxygen (wavelength of 5,577 Angstroms), although other atoms can also contribute. The atomic oxygen airglow is usually most intense at altitudes around 65 degrees north and south latitude, and is most intense in the spring and fall of the year. The aurora phenomena is due to atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen being excited by the particles from the Van Allen Radiation belts which extend between the two geomagnetic poles. The red and green rays appear to extend upward to 200-300 kilometers, much higher than the usual upper limits of about 110 kilometers.

Distribution of fine-scale mantle heterogeneity from observations of Pdiff coda

USGS Publications Warehouse

Earle, P.S.; Shearer, P.M.

2001-01-01

We present stacked record sections of Global Seismic Network data that image the average amplitude and polarization of the high-frequency Pdiff coda and investigate their implications on the depth extent of fine-scale (~10 km) mantle heterogeneity. The extended 1-Hz coda lasts for at least 150 sec and is observed to a distance of 130??. The coda's polarization angle is about the same as the main Pdiff arrival (4.4 sec/deg) and is nearly constant with time. Previous studies show that multiple scattering from heterogeneity restricted to the lowermost mantle generates an extended Pdiff coda with a constant polarization. Here we present an alternative model that satisfies our Pdiff observations. The model consists of single scattering from weak (~1%) fine-scale (~2 km) structures distributed throughout the mantle. Although this model is nonunique, it demonstrates that Pdiff coda observations do not preclude the existence of scattering contributions from the entire mantle.

Evidencing `Tight Bound States' in the Hydrogen Atom:. Empirical Manipulation of Large-Scale XD in Violation of QED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amoroso, Richard L.; Vigier, Jean-Pierre

2013-09-01

In this work we extend Vigier's recent theory of `tight bound state' (TBS) physics and propose empirical protocols to test not only for their putative existence, but also that their existence if demonstrated provides the 1st empirical evidence of string theory because it occurs in the context of large-scale extra dimensionality (LSXD) cast in a unique M-Theoretic vacuum corresponding to the new Holographic Anthropic Multiverse (HAM) cosmological paradigm. Physicists generally consider spacetime as a stochastic foam containing a zero-point field (ZPF) from which virtual particles restricted by the quantum uncertainty principle (to the Planck time) wink in and out of existence. According to the extended de Broglie-Bohm-Vigier causal stochastic interpretation of quantum theory spacetime and the matter embedded within it is created annihilated and recreated as a virtual locus of reality with a continuous quantum evolution (de Broglie matter waves) governed by a pilot wave - a `super quantum potential' extended in HAM cosmology to be synonymous with the a `force of coherence' inherent in the Unified Field, UF. We consider this backcloth to be a covariant polarized vacuum of the (generally ignored by contemporary physicists) Dirac type. We discuss open questions of the physics of point particles (fermionic nilpotent singularities). We propose a new set of experiments to test for TBS in a Dirac covariant polarized vacuum LSXD hyperspace suggestive of a recently tested special case of the Lorentz Transformation put forth by Kowalski and Vigier. These protocols reach far beyond the recent battery of atomic spectral violations of QED performed through NIST.

Postretrieval new learning does not reliably induce human memory updating via reconsolidation.

PubMed

Hardwicke, Tom E; Taqi, Mahdi; Shanks, David R

2016-05-10

Reconsolidation theory proposes that retrieval can destabilize an existing memory trace, opening a time-dependent window during which that trace is amenable to modification. Support for the theory is largely drawn from nonhuman animal studies that use invasive pharmacological or electroconvulsive interventions to disrupt a putative postretrieval restabilization ("reconsolidation") process. In human reconsolidation studies, however, it is often claimed that postretrieval new learning can be used as a means of "updating" or "rewriting" existing memory traces. This proposal warrants close scrutiny because the ability to modify information stored in the memory system has profound theoretical, clinical, and ethical implications. The present study aimed to replicate and extend a prominent 3-day motor-sequence learning study [Walker MP, Brakefield T, Hobson JA, Stickgold R (2003) Nature 425(6958):616-620] that is widely cited as a convincing demonstration of human reconsolidation. However, in four direct replication attempts (n = 64), we did not observe the critical impairment effect that has previously been taken to indicate disruption of an existing motor memory trace. In three additional conceptual replications (n = 48), we explored the broader validity of reconsolidation-updating theory by using a declarative recall task and sequences similar to phone numbers or computer passwords. Rather than inducing vulnerability to interference, memory retrieval appeared to aid the preservation of existing sequence knowledge relative to a no-retrieval control group. These findings suggest that memory retrieval followed by new learning does not reliably induce human memory updating via reconsolidation.

CLIMATE CHANGE RISK ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (CCRAF)

EPA Science Inventory

Development of a numerical framework that integrates socio-economic and physical drivers of greenhouse gas emissions, related climate changes and risks and benefits of alternative responses to perceived change or risks. The project integrates and extends existing peer-reviewed m...

Acoustic emission techniques applied to conventionally reinforced concrete bridge girders.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-09-01

Reinforced concrete (RC) bridges generally operate at service-level loads except during discrete overload events that can reduce the integrity of the structure by initiating concrete cracks, widening or extending of existing concrete cracks, as well ...

Pharmacovigilance of herbal medicines: the potential contributions of ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies.

PubMed

Rodrigues, Eliana; Barnes, Joanne

2013-01-01

Typically, ethnobotanical/ethnopharmacological (EB/EP) surveys are used to describe uses, doses/dosages, sources and methods of preparation of traditional herbal medicines; their application to date in examining the adverse effects, contraindications and other safety aspects of these preparations is limited. From a pharmacovigilance perspective, numerous challenges exist in applying its existing methods to studying the safety profile of herbal medicines, particularly where used by indigenous cultures. This paper aims to contribute to the methodological aspects of EB/EP field work, and to extend the reach of pharmacovigilance, by proposing a tool comprising a list of questions that could be applied during interview and observational studies. The questions focus on the collection of information on the safety profile of traditional herbal medicines as it is embedded in traditional knowledge, as well as on identifying personal experiences (spontaneous reports) of adverse or undesirable effects associated with the use of traditional herbal medicines. Questions on the precise composition of traditional prescriptions or 'recipes', their preparation, storage, administration and dosing are also included. Strengths and limitations of the tool are discussed. From this interweaving of EB/EP and pharmacovigilance arises a concept of ethnopharmacovigilance for traditional herbal medicines: the scope of EB/EP is extended to include exploration of the potential harmful effects of medicinal plants, and the incorporation of pharmacovigilance questions into EB/EP studies provides a new opportunity for collection of 'general' traditional knowledge on the safety of traditional herbal medicines and, importantly, a conduit for collection of spontaneous reports of suspected adverse effects. Whether the proposed tool can yield data sufficiently rich and of an appropriate quality for application of EB/EP (e.g. data verification and quantitative analysis tools) and pharmacovigilance techniques (e.g. causality assessment and data mining) requires field testing.

Applicability of Performance Assessment Tools to Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force C4 System of Systems Performance Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

application of existing assessment tools that may be applicable to Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Command, Control, Communications and...of existing assessment tools that may be applicable to Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4...assessment tools and analysis concepts that may be extended to the Marine Corps’ C4 System of Systems assessment methodology as a means to obtain a

Extended- and Point-Source Radiometric Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1962-08-08

aircraft of the U. S. Geo- logical Survey (USGS). Because many sites involved in nuclear activities exist and more are coming into exist- ence, the need of...GZ in Fig. 1.3 was the Ground Zero point of an old nuclear detonation and, unfortunately, was still highly radioactive. The detail of the source...measurements are the most dependable since the instrument was calibrated with Cs 137, Co 6°, and radium at a distance that gave a scattering component

Numerical Modelling of Extended Leak-Off Test with a Pre-Existing Fracture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavrov, A.; Larsen, I.; Bauer, A.

2016-04-01

Extended leak-off test (XLOT) is one of the few techniques available for stress measurements in oil and gas wells. Interpretation of the test is often difficult since the results depend on a multitude of factors, including the presence of natural or drilling-induced fractures in the near-well area. Coupled numerical modelling of XLOT has been performed to investigate the pressure behaviour during the flowback phase as well as the effect of a pre-existing fracture on the test results in a low-permeability formation. Essential features of XLOT known from field measurements are captured by the model, including the saw-tooth shape of the pressure vs injected volume curve, and the change of slope in the pressure vs time curve during flowback used by operators as an indicator of the bottomhole pressure reaching the minimum in situ stress. Simulations with a pre-existing fracture running from the borehole wall in the radial direction have revealed that the results of XLOT are quite sensitive to the orientation of the pre-existing fracture. In particular, the fracture initiation pressure and the formation breakdown pressure increase steadily with decreasing angle between the fracture and the minimum in situ stress. Our findings seem to invalidate the use of the fracture initiation pressure and the formation breakdown pressure for stress measurements or rock strength evaluation purposes.

Mitochondrial filaments and clusters as intracellular power-transmitting cables.

PubMed

Skulachev, V P

2001-01-01

Mitochondria exist in two interconverting forms; as small isolated particles, and as extended filaments, networks or clusters connected with intermitochondrial junctions. Extended mitochondria can represent electrically united systems, which can facilitate energy delivery from the cell periphery to the cell core and organize antioxidant defence of the cell interior when O2 is consumed by mitochondrial clusters near the the outer cell membrane, and protonic potential is transmitted to the cell core mitochondria to form ATP. As to small mitochondria, they might represent a transportable form of these organelles.

PedVizApi: a Java API for the interactive, visual analysis of extended pedigrees.

PubMed

Fuchsberger, Christian; Falchi, Mario; Forer, Lukas; Pramstaller, Peter P

2008-01-15

PedVizApi is a Java API (application program interface) for the visual analysis of large and complex pedigrees. It provides all the necessary functionality for the interactive exploration of extended genealogies. While available packages are mostly focused on a static representation or cannot be added to an existing application, PedVizApi is a highly flexible open source library for the efficient construction of visual-based applications for the analysis of family data. An extensive demo application and a R interface is provided. http://www.pedvizapi.org

Efficient 7-J flashlamp-pumped dye laser at 500-nm wavelength

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

Everett, P.N.; Aldag, H.R.; Ehrlich, J.J.

1986-07-01

An existing transverse flow flashlamp-pumped dye laser capable of operation at 500 pps for extended periods of time has been modified and optimized for operation at 502 nm using coumarin 504. Energies of over 7 J/ pulse and efficiencies of over 1% have been demonstrated in single-shot operation. This has been achieved by using a spectral transfer dye in the flashlamp coolant to increase the useful output of the flashlamps. Flashlamps were tested at up to 400-J input per lamp for extended periods to develop lamp life data.

Pattern of Venous Collateral Development after Splenic Vein Occlusion in an Extended Whipple Procedure (Whipple at the Splenic Artery) and Long-Term Results.

PubMed

Rosado, Ismael Dominguez; Bhalla, Sanjeev; Sanchez, Luis A; Fields, Ryan C; Hawkins, William G; Strasberg, Steven M

2017-03-01

Extended Whipple procedures may require division of the splenic vein (SV). Controversy exists regarding the risk of sequelae of sinistral portal hypertension when the SV is ligated without reimplantation. The aim of this study was to identify postoperative venous collateral patterns and sequelae of SV ligation, as well as long-term results in an extended Whipple procedure. Patients who had an extended Whipple procedure (Whipple at the Splenic Artery or WATSA) were entered in an institutional database. Evaluation of the venous collaterals was performed at least 5 months postoperatively by imaging. Spleen size and platelet counts were measured before and after operation. Fifteen patients were entered from 2009 to 2014. SV was not reconstructed and the IMV-SV junction was always resected. Two collateral routes developed. An inferior route was present 14/15 patients. It connected the residual SV to the SMV via intermediate collateral veins in the omentum and along the colon. A superior route, present in 10/15 patients connected the residual SV to the portal vein via gastric, perigastric, and coronary veins. Gastrointestinal bleeding did not occur. Mean platelet count and spleen size were not affected significantly. Procedures were long, but few severe complications developed. In 12 patients with adenocarcinoma, the median survival has not been reached. Patients who have SV ligation in an extended Whipple are protected against sequelae of sinestral portal hypertension by inferior collateral routes. The omentum and marginal veins of the colon are key links in this pathway.

Investigations of dark, bright, combined dark-bright optical and other soliton solutions in the complex cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with δ-potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baskonus, Haci Mehmet; Sulaiman, Tukur Abdulkadir; Bulut, Hasan; Aktürk, Tolga

2018-03-01

In this study, using the extended sinh-Gordon equation expansion method, we construct the dark, bright, combined dark-bright optical, singular, combined singular solitons and singular periodic waves solutions to the complex cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with δ-potential. The conditions for the existence of the obtained solutions are given. To present the physical feature of the acquired result, the 2D and 3D graphs are plotted under the choice of suitable values of the parameters.

Middle Atmosphere Program. Handbook for MAP, volume 28

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, C. H. (Editor); Edwards, Belva (Editor)

1989-01-01

Extended abstracts from the fourth workshop on the technical and scientific aspects of MST (mesosphere stratosphere troposphere) radar are presented. Individual sessions addressed the following topics: meteorological applications of MST and ST radars, networks, and campaigns; dynamics of the equatorial middle atmosphere; interpretation of radar returns from clear air; techniques for studying gravity waves and turbulence; intercomparison and calibration of wind and wave measurements at various frequencies; progress in existing and planned MST and ST radars; hardware design for MST and ST radars and boundary layer/lower troposphere profilers; signal processing; and data management.

Future Directions: How Virtual Reality Can Further Improve the Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders and Obesity.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José; Wiederhold, Brenda K; Riva, Giuseppe

2016-02-01

Transdisciplinary efforts for further elucidating the etiology of eating and weight disorders and improving the effectiveness of the available evidence-based interventions are imperative at this time. Recent studies indicate that computer-generated graphic environments-virtual reality (VR)-can integrate and extend existing treatments for eating and weight disorders (EWDs). Future possibilities for VR to improve actual approaches include its use for altering in real time the experience of the body (embodiment) and as a cue exposure tool for reducing food craving.

Group-sequential three-arm noninferiority clinical trial designs

PubMed Central

Ochiai, Toshimitsu; Hamasaki, Toshimitsu; Evans, Scott R.; Asakura, Koko; Ohno, Yuko

2016-01-01

We discuss group-sequential three-arm noninferiority clinical trial designs that include active and placebo controls for evaluating both assay sensitivity and noninferiority. We extend two existing approaches, the fixed margin and fraction approaches, into a group-sequential setting with two decision-making frameworks. We investigate the operating characteristics including power, Type I error rate, maximum and expected sample sizes, as design factors vary. In addition, we discuss sample size recalculation and its’ impact on the power and Type I error rate via a simulation study. PMID:26892481

Test-Case Generation using an Explicit State Model Checker Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heimdahl, Mats P. E.; Gao, Jimin

2003-01-01

In the project 'Test-Case Generation using an Explicit State Model Checker' we have extended an existing tools infrastructure for formal modeling to export Java code so that we can use the NASA Ames tool Java Pathfinder (JPF) for test case generation. We have completed a translator from our source language RSML(exp -e) to Java and conducted initial studies of how JPF can be used as a testing tool. In this final report, we provide a detailed description of the translation approach as implemented in our tools.

Exact optical solitons in (n + 1)-dimensions with anti-cubic nonlinearity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Younis, Muhammad; Shahid, Iram; Anbreen, Sumaira; Rizvi, Syed Tahir Raza

2018-02-01

The paper studies the propagation of optical solitons in (n + 1)-dimensions under anti-cubic law of nonlinearity. The bright, dark and singular optical solitons are extracted using the extended trial equation method. The constraint conditions, for the existence of these solitons, are also listed. Additionally, a couple of other solutions known as singular periodic and Jacobi elliptic solutions, fall out as a by-product of this scheme. The obtained results are new and reported first time in (n + 1)-dimensions with anti-cubic law of nonlinearity.

Thermodynamics of alternate Ising chains of spins 1 and 3/2 with dipolar, biquadratic, and single ion interactions

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

Fireman, E.C.; dos Santos, R.J.

1997-04-01

Within a recently developed extended decoration-transformation formalism we study the thermodynamic properties of a linear chain of alternate Ising {sigma}=1 and S=3/2 spins. We allow for different anisotropy fields on each subchain of different spins. For some range of the parameter space we show the existence of a crossover from a ferromagnetic to an antiferromagnetic-like behavior of the model, as explicitly captured in the susceptibility results. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

A Study to Determine The Best Way, Within Existing Constraints, to Minimize Lost Training Time Due to Recruit Sick Call at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-07-01

Assistants. Chicago, IL; American Medical Association, 1985 Light, 1317 Nichols, AW. *Physician Extenders, the Law , and the Future.’ Journal of Family...97 * 4 . LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Distance of Subpopulations from Branch ............ 35 Medical Clinic, MCRD, Parris Island Table 2 Total Recruit...Sick Call, June 1987 to ............. 50 May 1988 Table 3 Number of Recruit Sick Call Visits Per Day ........ 50 at the Branch Medical Clinic. MCRD

Encapsulated microenergetic material

DOEpatents

Roberts, Jeffery James; Aines, Roger D.; Duoss, Eric B.; Spadaccini, Christopher M.; Vandersall, Kevin S.

2018-02-20

Providing high energy materials that can be placed in previously created fractures and activating them in place to extend or change an existing fracture system. Also detecting the location of fractures or permeable pathways and a means to assess the extent and efficiency of proppant emplacement.

Encapsulated microenergetic material

DOEpatents

Roberts, Jeffery James; Aines, Roger D.; Duoss, Eric B.; Spadaccini, Christopher M.; Vandersall, Kevin S.

2017-02-07

Providing high energy materials that can be placed in previously created fractures and activating them in place to extend or change an existing fracture system. Also detecting the location of fractures or permeable pathways and a means to assess the extent and efficiency of proppant emplacement.

7 CFR 1942.17 - Community facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... economic purposes a single community having a contiguous boundary. (2) Project selection process. The... efficient management and economical service; and/or enlarge, extend, or otherwise modify existing facilities... account for items such as geographic distribution of funds and emergency conditions caused by economic...

7 CFR 1942.17 - Community facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... economic purposes a single community having a contiguous boundary. (2) Project selection process. The... efficient management and economical service; and/or enlarge, extend, or otherwise modify existing facilities... account for items such as geographic distribution of funds and emergency conditions caused by economic...

7 CFR 1942.17 - Community facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... economic purposes a single community having a contiguous boundary. (2) Project selection process. The... efficient management and economical service; and/or enlarge, extend, or otherwise modify existing facilities... account for items such as geographic distribution of funds and emergency conditions caused by economic...

7 CFR 1942.17 - Community facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... economic purposes a single community having a contiguous boundary. (2) Project selection process. The... efficient management and economical service; and/or enlarge, extend, or otherwise modify existing facilities... account for items such as geographic distribution of funds and emergency conditions caused by economic...

Paleotopographic Reconstruction of the Tharsis Magmatic Complex Reveals Potential Ancient Drainage Basin/Aquifer System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dohm, J. M.; Ferris, J.; Anderson, R. C.; Baker, V.; Hare, T.; Barlow, N. G.; Strom, R. G.; Tanaka, K. L.; Scott, D. H.

2001-01-01

Paleotopographic reconstructions reveal the potential existence of an enormous Noachian drainage basin in the eastern part of the Tharsis region of significant geologic and paleohydrologic implications. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Use of the national ITS architecture and emerging standards in the metropolitan model deployment initiatives

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-03-03

The US Department Of Transportations Model Deployment Initiative (MDI) program is : integrating and extending the existing ITS infrastructure in four metropolitan regions: New York/ : New Jersey/Connecticut, Phoenix, San Antonio and Seattle. The N...

Acoustic emission techniques applied to conventionally reinforced concrete bridge girders : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-09-01

Reinforced concrete (RC) bridges generally operate at service-level loads except during discrete overload events that can reduce the integrity of the structure by initiating concrete cracks, widening or extending of existing concrete cracks, as well ...

Combustion of interacting droplet arrays in a microgravity environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietrich, Daniel L.; Haggard, John B.

1993-01-01

This research program involves the study of one and two dimensional arrays of droplets in a buoyant-free environment. The purpose of the work is to extend the database and theories that exist for single droplets into the regime where droplet interactions are important. The eventual goal being to use the results of this work as inputs to models on spray combustion where droplets seldom burn individually; instead the combustion history of a droplet is strongly influenced by the presence of the neighboring droplets. The emphasis of the present investigation is experimental, although comparison will be made to existing theoretical and numerical treatments when appropriate. Both normal gravity and low gravity testing will be employed, and the results compared. The work to date will be summarized in the next section, followed by a section detailing the future plans.

A Survey on Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perera, T. D. P.; Jayakody, D. N. K.; De, S.; Ivanov, M. A.

2017-01-01

This paper presents a comprehensive study related to simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) in different types of wireless communication setups. Harvesting energy using SWIPT is an appealing solution in the context of extending battery life of wireless devices for a fully sustainable communication system. Strong signal power increases power transfer, but also causes more interference in information transfer, causing realization of the SWIPT challenging problem. This article provides an overview of technical evolution of SWIPT. A survey and qualitative comparison of the existing SWIPT schemes is provided to demonstrate their limitations in the current and 5G networks. Open challenges are emphasized and guidelines are provided to adapt the existing schemes in order to overcome these limitations and make them fit for integrating with the modern and emerging next generation communication networks, such as 5G systems.

Surfactant bilayers maintain transmembrane protein activity.

PubMed

Rayan, Gamal; Adrien, Vladimir; Reffay, Myriam; Picard, Martin; Ducruix, Arnaud; Schmutz, Marc; Urbach, Wladimir; Taulier, Nicolas

2014-09-02

In vitro studies of membrane proteins are of interest only if their structure and function are significantly preserved. One approach is to insert them into the lipid bilayers of highly viscous cubic phases rendering the insertion and manipulation of proteins difficult. Less viscous lipid sponge phases are sometimes used, but their relatively narrow domain of existence can be easily disrupted by protein insertion. We present here a sponge phase consisting of nonionic surfactant bilayers. Its extended domain of existence and its low viscosity allow easy insertion and manipulation of membrane proteins. We show for the first time, to our knowledge, that transmembrane proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)ATPase (SERCA1a), and its associated enzymes, are fully active in a surfactant phase. Copyright © 2014 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stretchable Kirigami Polyvinylidene Difluoride Thin Films for Energy Harvesting: Design, Analysis, and Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Nan; Chen, Dajing; Wang, Dong; Huang, Shicheng; Trase, Ian; Grover, Hannah M.; Yu, Xiaojiao; Zhang, John X. J.; Chen, Zi

2018-02-01

Kirigami, a modified form of origami which includes cutting, has been used to improve material stretchability and compliance. However, this technique is, so far, underexplored in patterning piezoelectric materials towards developing efficient and mechanically flexible thin-film energy generators. Motivated by existing kirigami-based applications, we introduce interdigitated cuts to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films to evaluate the effect on voltage generation and stretchability. Our results from theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental tests show that kirigami PVDF films exhibit an extended strain range while still maintaining significant voltage generation compared to films without cuts. Various cutting patterns are studied, and it is found that films with denser cuts have a larger voltage output. This kirigami design can enhance the properties of existing piezoelectric materials and help to integrate tunable PVDF generators into biomedical devices.

Mobile text messaging solutions for obesity prevention

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akopian, David; Jayaram, Varun; Aaleswara, Lakshmipathi; Esfahanian, Moosa; Mojica, Cynthia; Parra-Medina, Deborah; Kaghyan, Sahak

2011-02-01

Cellular telephony has become a bright example of co-evolution of human society and information technology. This trend has also been reflected in health care and health promotion projects which included cell phones in data collection and communication chain. While many successful projects have been realized, the review of phone-based data collection techniques reveals that the existing technologies do not completely address health promotion research needs. The paper presents approaches which close this gap by extending existing versatile platforms. The messaging systems are designed for a health-promotion research to prevent obesity and obesity-related health disparities among low-income Latino adolescent girls. Messaging and polling mechanisms are used to communicate and automatically process response data for the target constituency. Preliminary survey data provide an insight on phone availability and technology perception for the study group.

Assembly of micro/nanomaterials into complex, three-dimensional architectures by compressive buckling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Sheng; Yan, Zheng; Jang, Kyung-In; Huang, Wen; Fu, Haoran; Kim, Jeonghyun; Wei, Zijun; Flavin, Matthew; McCracken, Joselle; Wang, Renhan; Badea, Adina; Liu, Yuhao; Xiao, Dongqing; Zhou, Guoyan; Lee, Jungwoo; Chung, Ha Uk; Cheng, Huanyu; Ren, Wen; Banks, Anthony; Li, Xiuling; Paik, Ungyu; Nuzzo, Ralph G.; Huang, Yonggang; Zhang, Yihui; Rogers, John A.

2015-01-01

Complex three-dimensional (3D) structures in biology (e.g., cytoskeletal webs, neural circuits, and vasculature networks) form naturally to provide essential functions in even the most basic forms of life. Compelling opportunities exist for analogous 3D architectures in human-made devices, but design options are constrained by existing capabilities in materials growth and assembly. We report routes to previously inaccessible classes of 3D constructs in advanced materials, including device-grade silicon. The schemes involve geometric transformation of 2D micro/nanostructures into extended 3D layouts by compressive buckling. Demonstrations include experimental and theoretical studies of more than 40 representative geometries, from single and multiple helices, toroids, and conical spirals to structures that resemble spherical baskets, cuboid cages, starbursts, flowers, scaffolds, fences, and frameworks, each with single- and/or multiple-level configurations.

The Equilibrium State of Colliding Electron Beams

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

Warnock, R

2003-12-12

We study a nonlinear integral equation that is a necessary condition on the equilibrium phase space distribution function of stored, colliding electron beams. It is analogous to the Haissinski equation, being derived from Vlasov-Fokker-Planck theory, but is quite different in form. The equation is analyzed for the case of the Chao-Ruth model of the beam-beam interaction in one degree of freedom, a so-called strong-strong model with nonlinear beam-beam force. We prove existence of a unique solution, for sufficiently small beam current, by an application of the implicit function theorem. We have not yet proved that this solution is positive, asmore » would be required to establish existence of an equilibrium. There is, however, numerical evidence of a positive solution. We expect that our analysis can be extended to more realistic models.« less

Theoretical and NMR conformational studies of β-proline oligopeptides with alternating chirality of pyrrolidine units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mantsyzov, Alexey B.; Savelyev, Oleg Y.; Ivantcova, Polina M.; Bräse, Stefan; Kudryavtsev, Konstantin V.; Polshakov, Vladimir I.

2018-03-01

Synthetic β-peptides are potential functional mimetics of native α-proteins. A recently developed, novel, synthetic approach provides an effective route to the broad group of β-proline oligomers with alternating patterns of stereogenic centers. Conformation of the pyrrolidine ring, Z/E isomerism of β-peptide bonds, and hindered rotation of the neighboring monomers determine the spatial structure of this group of β-proline oligopeptides. Preferences in structural organization and corresponding thermodynamic properties are determined by NMR spectroscopy, restrained molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics. The studied β-proline oligopeptides exist in dimethyl sulfoxide solution in a limited number of conformers, with compatible energy of formation and different spatial organization. In the β-proline tetrapeptide with alternating chirality of composing pyrrolidine units, one of three peptide bonds may exist in an E configuration. For the alternating β-proline pentapeptide, the presence of an E configuration for at least of one β-peptide bond is mandatory. In this case, three peptide bonds synchronously change their configurations. Larger polypeptides may only exist in the presence of several E configurations of β-peptide bonds forming a wave-like extended structure.

Theoretical and NMR Conformational Studies of β-Proline Oligopeptides With Alternating Chirality of Pyrrolidine Units.

PubMed

Mantsyzov, Alexey B; Savelyev, Oleg Y; Ivantcova, Polina M; Bräse, Stefan; Kudryavtsev, Konstantin V; Polshakov, Vladimir I

2018-01-01

Synthetic β-peptides are potential functional mimetics of native α-proteins. A recently developed, novel, synthetic approach provides an effective route to the broad group of β-proline oligomers with alternating patterns of stereogenic centers. Conformation of the pyrrolidine ring, Z / E isomerism of β-peptide bonds, and hindered rotation of the neighboring monomers determine the spatial structure of this group of β-proline oligopeptides. Preferences in their structural organization and corresponding thermodynamic properties are determined by NMR spectroscopy, restrained molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics. The studied β-proline oligopeptides exist in dimethyl sulfoxide solution in a limited number of conformers, with compatible energy of formation and different spatial organization. In the β-proline tetrapeptide with alternating chirality of composing pyrrolidine units, one of three peptide bonds may exist in an E configuration. For the alternating β-proline pentapeptide, the presence of an E configuration for at least of one β-peptide bond is mandatory. In this case, three peptide bonds synchronously change their configurations. Larger polypeptides may only exist in the presence of several E configurations of β-peptide bonds forming a wave-like extended structure.

Extending the timescale for using beryllium 7 measurements to document soil redistribution by erosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walling, D. E.; Schuller, P.; Zhang, Y.; Iroumé, A.

2009-02-01

The need for spatially distributed information on soil mobilization, transfer, and deposition within the landscape by erosion has focused attention on the potential for using fallout radionuclides (i.e., 137Cs, excess 210Pb, and 7Be) to document soil redistribution rates. Whereas 137Cs and excess 210Pb are used to estimate medium- and longer-term erosion rates (i.e., approximately 45 years and 100 years, respectively), 7Be, by virtue of its short half-life (53 days), provides potential for estimating short-term soil redistribution on bare soils. However, the approach commonly used with this radionuclide means that it can only be applied to individual events or short periods of heavy rain. In addition, it is also frequently difficult to ensure that the requirement for spatially uniform 7Be inventories across the study area immediately prior to the study period is met. If the existing approach is applied to longer periods with several rainfall events (e.g., several weeks or more) soil redistribution is likely to be substantially underestimated. These problems limit the potential for using the 7Be approach, particularly in investigations where there is a need to assemble representative information on soil redistribution occurring during the entire wet season. This paper reports the development of a new or refined model for converting radionuclide measurements to estimates of soil redistribution (conversion model) for use with 7Be measurements, which permits much longer periods to be studied. This refined model aims to retain much of the simplicity of the existing approach, but takes account of the temporal distribution of both 7Be fallout and erosion during the study period and of the evolution of the 7Be depth distribution during this period. The approach was successfully tested using 7Be measurements from a study of short-term soil redistribution undertaken within an area of recently harvested forest located near Valdivia in Southern Chile. The study period extended over about 3 months and included the main part of the winter wet season of 2006. The estimates of soil redistribution obtained using the new conversion model were consistent with those obtained from erosion pins deployed within the same study area and were two to three times greater than those obtained using the approach and conversion model employed in existing studies.

Extended space expectation values of position related operators for hydrogen-like quantum system evolutions

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

Kalay, Berfin; Demiralp, Metin

2014-10-06

The expectation value definitions over an extended space from the considered Hilbert space of the system under consideration is given in another paper of the second author in this symposium. There, in that paper, the conceptuality rather than specification is emphasized on. This work uses that conceptuality to investigate the time evolutions of the position related operators' expectation values not in its standard meaning but rather in a new version of the definition over not the original Hilbert space but in the space obtained by extensions via introducing the images of the given initial wave packet under the positive integermore » powers of the system Hamiltonian. These images may not be residing in the same space of the initial wave packet when certain singularities appear in the structure of the system Hamiltonian. This may break down the existence of the integrals in the definitions of the expectation values. The cure is the use of basis functions in the abovementioned extended space and the sandwiching of the target operator whose expectation value is under questioning by an appropriately chosen operator guaranteeing the existence of the relevant integrals. Work specifically focuses on the hydrogen-like quantum systems whose Hamiltonians contain a polar singularity at the origin.« less

Integrating community-based participatory research and informatics approaches to improve the engagement and health of underserved populations

PubMed Central

Schaefbauer, Chris L; Campbell, Terrance R; Senteio, Charles; Siek, Katie A; Bakken, Suzanne; Veinot, Tiffany C

2016-01-01

Objective We compare 5 health informatics research projects that applied community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches with the goal of extending existing CBPR principles to address issues specific to health informatics research. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-case analysis of 5 diverse case studies with 1 common element: integration of CBPR approaches into health informatics research. After reviewing publications and other case-related materials, all coauthors engaged in collaborative discussions focused on CBPR. Researchers mapped each case to an existing CBPR framework, examined each case individually for success factors and barriers, and identified common patterns across cases. Results Benefits of applying CBPR approaches to health informatics research across the cases included the following: developing more relevant research with wider impact, greater engagement with diverse populations, improved internal validity, more rapid translation of research into action, and the development of people. Challenges of applying CBPR to health informatics research included requirements to develop strong, sustainable academic-community partnerships and mismatches related to cultural and temporal factors. Several technology-related challenges, including needs to define ownership of technology outputs and to build technical capacity with community partners, also emerged from our analysis. Finally, we created several principles that extended an existing CBPR framework to specifically address health informatics research requirements. Conclusions Our cross-case analysis yielded valuable insights regarding CBPR implementation in health informatics research and identified valuable lessons useful for future CBPR-based research. The benefits of applying CBPR approaches can be significant, particularly in engaging populations that are typically underserved by health care and in designing patient-facing technology. PMID:26228766

Quadrature, Interpolation and Observability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hodges, Lucille McDaniel

1997-01-01

Methods of interpolation and quadrature have been used for over 300 years. Improvements in the techniques have been made by many, most notably by Gauss, whose technique applied to polynomials is referred to as Gaussian Quadrature. Stieltjes extended Gauss's method to certain non-polynomial functions as early as 1884. Conditions that guarantee the existence of quadrature formulas for certain collections of functions were studied by Tchebycheff, and his work was extended by others. Today, a class of functions which satisfies these conditions is called a Tchebycheff System. This thesis contains the definition of a Tchebycheff System, along with the theorems, proofs, and definitions necessary to guarantee the existence of quadrature formulas for such systems. Solutions of discretely observable linear control systems are of particular interest, and observability with respect to a given output function is defined. The output function is written as a linear combination of a collection of orthonormal functions. Orthonormal functions are defined, and their properties are discussed. The technique for evaluating the coefficients in the output function involves evaluating the definite integral of functions which can be shown to form a Tchebycheff system. Therefore, quadrature formulas for these integrals exist, and in many cases are known. The technique given is useful in cases where the method of direct calculation is unstable. The condition number of a matrix is defined and shown to be an indication of the the degree to which perturbations in data affect the accuracy of the solution. In special cases, the number of data points required for direct calculation is the same as the number required by the method presented in this thesis. But the method is shown to require more data points in other cases. A lower bound for the number of data points required is given.

Improving understanding in the research informed consent process: a systematic review of 54 interventions tested in randomized control trials

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Obtaining informed consent is a cornerstone of biomedical research, yet participants comprehension of presented information is often low. The most effective interventions to improve understanding rates have not been identified. Purpose To systematically analyze the random controlled trials testing interventions to research informed consent process. The primary outcome of interest was quantitative rates of participant understanding; secondary outcomes were rates of information retention, satisfaction, and accrual. Interventional categories included multimedia, enhanced consent documents, extended discussions, test/feedback quizzes, and miscellaneous methods. Methods The search spanned from database inception through September 2010. It was run on Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid CINAHL, Ovid PsycInfo and Cochrane CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science and Scopus. Five reviewers working independently and in duplicate screened full abstract text to determine eligibility. We included only RCTs. 39 out of 1523 articles fulfilled review criteria (2.6%), with a total of 54 interventions. A data extraction form was created in Distiller, an online reference management system, through an iterative process. One author collected data on study design, population, demographics, intervention, and analytical technique. Results Meta-analysis was possible on 22 interventions: multimedia, enhanced form, and extended discussion categories; all 54 interventions were assessed by review. Meta-analysis of multimedia approaches was associated with a non-significant increase in understanding scores (SMD 0.30, 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.84); enhanced consent form, with significant increase (SMD 1.73, 95% CI, 0.99 to 2.47); and extended discussion, with significant increase (SMD 0.53, 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.84). By review, 31% of multimedia interventions showed significant improvement in understanding; 41% for enhanced consent form; 50% for extended discussion; 33% for test/feedback; and 29% for miscellaneous.Multiple sources of variation existed between included studies: control processes, the presence of a human proctor, real vs. simulated protocol, and assessment formats. Conclusions Enhanced consent forms and extended discussions were most effective in improving participant understanding. Interventions of all categories had no negative impact on participant satisfaction or study accrual. Identification of best practices for studies of informed consent interventions would aid future systematic comparisons. PMID:23879694

Improving understanding in the research informed consent process: a systematic review of 54 interventions tested in randomized control trials.

PubMed

Nishimura, Adam; Carey, Jantey; Erwin, Patricia J; Tilburt, Jon C; Murad, M Hassan; McCormick, Jennifer B

2013-07-23

Obtaining informed consent is a cornerstone of biomedical research, yet participants comprehension of presented information is often low. The most effective interventions to improve understanding rates have not been identified. To systematically analyze the random controlled trials testing interventions to research informed consent process. The primary outcome of interest was quantitative rates of participant understanding; secondary outcomes were rates of information retention, satisfaction, and accrual. Interventional categories included multimedia, enhanced consent documents, extended discussions, test/feedback quizzes, and miscellaneous methods. The search spanned from database inception through September 2010. It was run on Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid CINAHL, Ovid PsycInfo and Cochrane CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science and Scopus. Five reviewers working independently and in duplicate screened full abstract text to determine eligibility. We included only RCTs. 39 out of 1523 articles fulfilled review criteria (2.6%), with a total of 54 interventions. A data extraction form was created in Distiller, an online reference management system, through an iterative process. One author collected data on study design, population, demographics, intervention, and analytical technique. Meta-analysis was possible on 22 interventions: multimedia, enhanced form, and extended discussion categories; all 54 interventions were assessed by review. Meta-analysis of multimedia approaches was associated with a non-significant increase in understanding scores (SMD 0.30, 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.84); enhanced consent form, with significant increase (SMD 1.73, 95% CI, 0.99 to 2.47); and extended discussion, with significant increase (SMD 0.53, 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.84). By review, 31% of multimedia interventions showed significant improvement in understanding; 41% for enhanced consent form; 50% for extended discussion; 33% for test/feedback; and 29% for miscellaneous.Multiple sources of variation existed between included studies: control processes, the presence of a human proctor, real vs. simulated protocol, and assessment formats. Enhanced consent forms and extended discussions were most effective in improving participant understanding. Interventions of all categories had no negative impact on participant satisfaction or study accrual. Identification of best practices for studies of informed consent interventions would aid future systematic comparisons.

Feasibility of using a knowledge-based system concept for in-flight primary flight display research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricks, Wendell R.

1991-01-01

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using knowledge-based systems architectures for inflight research of primary flight display information management issues. The feasibility relied on the ability to integrate knowledge-based systems with existing onboard aircraft systems. And, given the hardware and software platforms available, the feasibility also depended on the ability to use interpreted LISP software with the real time operation of the primary flight display. In addition to evaluating these feasibility issues, the study determined whether the software engineering advantages of knowledge-based systems found for this application in the earlier workstation study extended to the inflight research environment. To study these issues, two integrated knowledge-based systems were designed to control the primary flight display according to pre-existing specifications of an ongoing primary flight display information management research effort. These two systems were implemented to assess the feasibility and software engineering issues listed. Flight test results were successful in showing the feasibility of using knowledge-based systems inflight with actual aircraft data.

Recent advances in acute myeloid leukemia stem cell biology.

PubMed

Horton, Sarah J; Huntly, Brian J P

2012-07-01

The existence of cancer stem cells has long been postulated, but was proven less than 20 years ago following the demonstration that only a small sub-fraction of leukemic cells from acute myeloid leukemia patients were able to propagate the disease in xenografts. These cells were termed leukemic stem cells since they exist at the apex of a loose hierarchy, possess extensive self-renewal and the ability to undergo limited differentiation into leukemic blasts. Acute myeloid leukemia is a heterogeneous condition at both the phenotypic and molecular level with a variety of distinct genetic alterations giving rise to the disease. Recent studies have highlighted that this heterogeneity extends to the leukemic stem cell, with this dynamic compartment evolving to overcome various selection pressures imposed upon it during disease progression. The result is a complex situation in which multiple pools of leukemic stem cells may exist within individual patients which differ both phenotypically and molecularly. Since leukemic stem cells are thought to be resistant to current chemotherapeutic regimens and mediate disease relapse, their study also has potentially profound clinical implications. Numerous studies have generated important recent advances in the field, including the identification of novel leukemic stem cell-specific cell surface antigens and gene expression signatures. These tools will no doubt prove invaluable for the rational design of targeted therapies in the future.

Evaluations of Extended-Range tropical Cyclone Forecasts in the Western North Pacific by using the Ensemble Reforecasts: Preliminary Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Hsiao-Chung; Chen, Pang-Cheng; Elsberry, Russell L.

2017-04-01

The objective of this study is to evaluate the predictability of the extended-range forecasts of tropical cyclone (TC) in the western North Pacific using reforecasts from National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) during 1996-2015, and from the Climate Forecast System (CFS) during 1999-2010. Tsai and Elsberry have demonstrated that an opportunity exists to support hydrological operations by using the extended-range TC formation and track forecasts in the western North Pacific from the ECMWF 32-day ensemble. To demonstrate this potential for the decision-making processes regarding water resource management and hydrological operation in Taiwan reservoir watershed areas, special attention is given to the skill of the NCEP GEFS and CFS models in predicting the TCs affecting the Taiwan area. The first objective of this study is to analyze the skill of NCEP GEFS and CFS TC forecasts and quantify the forecast uncertainties via verifications of categorical binary forecasts and probabilistic forecasts. The second objective is to investigate the relationships among the large-scale environmental factors [e.g., El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), etc.] and the model forecast errors by using the reforecasts. Preliminary results are indicating that the skill of the TC activity forecasts based on the raw forecasts can be further improved if the model biases are minimized by utilizing these reforecasts.

Interface conductance modal analysis of lattice matched InGaAs/InP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordiz, Kiarash; Henry, Asegun

2016-05-01

We studied the heat conduction at InGaAs/InP interfaces and found that the total value of interface conductance was quite high ˜830 MW m-2 K-1. The modal contributions to the thermal interface conductance (TIC) were then investigated to determine the mode responsible. Using the recently developed interface conductance modal analysis method, we showed that more than 70% of the TIC arises from extended modes in the system. The lattice dynamics calculations across the interface revealed that, unlike any other interfaces previously studied, the different classes of vibration around the interface of InGaAs/InP naturally segregate into distinct regions with respect to frequency. In addition, interestingly, the entire region of frequency overlap between the sides of the interface is occupied by extended modes, whereby the two materials vibrate together with a single frequency. We also mapped the correlations between modes, which showed that the contribution by extended modes to the TIC primarily arises from coupling to the modes that have the same frequencies of vibration (i.e., autocorrelations). Moreover, interfacial modes despite their low population still contribute more than 6% to interfacial thermal transport. The analysis sheds light on the nature of heat conduction by different classes of vibration that exist in interfacial systems, which has technological relevance to applications such as thermophotovoltaics and optoelectronics.

Six-Month Market Exclusivity Extensions To Promote Research Offer Substantial Returns For Many Drug Makers.

PubMed

Kesselheim, Aaron S; Rome, Benjamin N; Sarpatwari, Ameet; Avorn, Jerry

2017-02-01

To incentivize pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in areas of unmet medical need, policy makers frequently propose extending the market exclusivity period of desired drugs. Some such proposals are modeled after the pediatric exclusivity patent extension program, which since 1997 has provided six additional months of market exclusivity for drugs studied in children. The most recent proposal would encourage rare disease research by providing six months of extended exclusivity for any existing drug that is granted subsequent FDA approval for a new rare disease indication. Yet the economic impact of such proposals is rarely addressed. We found that for the thirteen FDA-approved drugs that gained supplemental approval for a rare disease indication from 2005 through 2010, the median projected cost of clinical trials leading to approval was $29.8 million. If the exclusivity extension had been in place, the median discounted financial gain to manufacturers would have been $94.6 million. Median net returns would have been $82.4 million, with higher returns for drugs with higher annual sales. Extending market exclusivity would provide substantial compensation to many manufacturers, particularly for top-selling products, far in excess of the cost of conducting these trials. Alternative strategies to incentivize the study of approved drugs for rare diseases may offer similar benefits at a lower cost. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Asymptotic Expansion of β Matrix Models in the One-cut Regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borot, G.; Guionnet, A.

2013-01-01

We prove the existence of a 1/ N expansion to all orders in β matrix models with a confining, offcritical potential corresponding to an equilibrium measure with a connected support. Thus, the coefficients of the expansion can be obtained recursively by the "topological recursion" derived in Chekhov and Eynard (JHEP 0612:026, 2006). Our method relies on the combination of a priori bounds on the correlators and the study of Schwinger-Dyson equations, thanks to the uses of classical complex analysis techniques. These a priori bounds can be derived following (Boutet de Monvel et al. in J Stat Phys 79(3-4):585-611, 1995; Johansson in Duke Math J 91(1):151-204, 1998; Kriecherbauer and Shcherbina in Fluctuations of eigenvalues of matrix models and their applications, 2010) or for strictly convex potentials by using concentration of measure (Anderson et al. in An introduction to random matrices, Sect. 2.3, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2010). Doing so, we extend the strategy of Guionnet and Maurel-Segala (Ann Probab 35:2160-2212, 2007), from the hermitian models ( β = 2) and perturbative potentials, to general β models. The existence of the first correction in 1/ N was considered in Johansson (1998) and more recently in Kriecherbauer and Shcherbina (2010). Here, by taking similar hypotheses, we extend the result to all orders in 1/ N.

Evolution of superclusters and delocalized states in GaAs 1–xN x

DOE PAGES

Fluegel, B.; Alberi, K.; Beaton, D. A.; ...

2012-11-21

The evolution of individual nitrogen cluster bound states into an extended state infinite supercluster in dilute GaAs 1–xN x was probed through temperature and intensity-dependent, time-resolved and magnetophotoluminescence (PL) measurements. Samples with compositions less than 0.23% N exhibit PL behavior that is consistent with emission from the extended states of the conduction band. Near a composition of 0.23% N, a discontinuity develops between the extended state PL peak energy and the photoluminescence excitation absorption edge. The existence of dual localized/delocalized state behavior near this composition signals the formation of an N supercluster just below the conduction band edge. The infinitemore » supercluster is fully developed by 0.32% N.« less

Study of cellulase enzymes self-assembly in aqueous-acetonitrile solvent: Viscosity measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghaouar, N.; Aschi, A.; Belbahri, L.; Trabelsi, S.; Gharbi, A.

2009-11-01

The present study extends the viscosity measurements performed by Ghaouar et al. [Physica B, submitted for publication.] to study the conformational change of the cellulase enzymes in aqueous-acetonitrile mixture. We aim to investigate: (i) the denaturation process by measuring the specific viscosity for temperatures varying between 25 and 65 °C and acetonitrile concentrations between 0% and 50%, (ii) the enzyme-enzyme interaction by calculating the Huggins coefficient and (iii) the enzyme sizes by following the hydrodynamic radius for various temperatures. The precipitation of cellulases versus acetonitrile concentration is also considered. We show from all physical quantities measured in this work that the precipitation and the denaturation processes of cellulase enzymes exist together.

75 FR 39533 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-09

... information dissemination activities. The purpose of this submission is to extend the existing generic... Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request In compliance with Section... proposed collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA...

Low gravity phase separator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smoot, G. F.; Pope, W. L.; Smith, L. (Inventor)

1977-01-01

An apparatus is described for phase separating a gas-liquid mixture as might exist in a subcritical cryogenic helium vessel for cooling a superconducting magnet at low gravity such as in planetary orbit, permitting conservation of the liquid and extended service life of the superconducting magnet.

Cross-Sectional Time Series Designs: A General Transformation Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Velicer, Wayne F.; McDonald, Roderick P.

1991-01-01

The general transformation approach to time series analysis is extended to the analysis of multiple unit data by the development of a patterned transformation matrix. The procedure includes alternatives for special cases and requires only minor revisions in existing computer software. (SLD)

Colorado Department of Transportation hot-mix asphalt crack sealing and filling best practices guidelines.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-10-01

Crack sealing and filling on hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements are cost-effective pavement preservation techniques that improve pavement performance and : extend the life of existing pavements. If performed in a timely and effective manner, crack seali...

77 FR 24196 - Alaska Village Electric Cooperative; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-23

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No., 13272-003] Alaska Village... access road would extend from powerhouse to the existing community drinking water tank access road. The... Harbor. The transmission line [[Page 24197

A Lunar Chronology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schaeffer, Oliver A.

1973-01-01

Discusses methods used in determination of absolute isotopic ages for the returned lunar material, including the uranium-lead, rubidium-strontium, and argon 40-argon 39 ratio methods. Indicates that there would exist a basin-forming bombardment period for the Moon extending over at least 300 million years. (CC)

Prolonged Ponding Episode in C-Newton Crater in Recent Geological Times on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grin, E. A.; Cabrol, N. A.; Wynn-Williams, D. D.

2001-01-01

We present the morphological evidence that supports the existence of a lake in a recent past in C-Newton crater. We assess the astrobiological potential of this environment. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Lipid Adjustment for Chemical Exposures: Accounting for Concomitant Variables

PubMed Central

Li, Daniel; Longnecker, Matthew P.; Dunson, David B.

2013-01-01

Background Some environmental chemical exposures are lipophilic and need to be adjusted by serum lipid levels before data analyses. There are currently various strategies that attempt to account for this problem, but all have their drawbacks. To address such concerns, we propose a new method that uses Box-Cox transformations and a simple Bayesian hierarchical model to adjust for lipophilic chemical exposures. Methods We compared our Box-Cox method to existing methods. We ran simulation studies in which increasing levels of lipid-adjusted chemical exposure did and did not increase the odds of having a disease, and we looked at both single-exposure and multiple-exposures cases. We also analyzed an epidemiology dataset that examined the effects of various chemical exposures on the risk of birth defects. Results Compared with existing methods, our Box-Cox method produced unbiased estimates, good coverage, similar power, and lower type-I error rates. This was the case in both single- and multiple-exposure simulation studies. Results from analysis of the birth-defect data differed from results using existing methods. Conclusion Our Box-Cox method is a novel and intuitive way to account for the lipophilic nature of certain chemical exposures. It addresses some of the problems with existing methods, is easily extendable to multiple exposures, and can be used in any analyses that involve concomitant variables. PMID:24051893

Evolution inclusions governed by the difference of two subdifferentials in reflexive Banach spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akagi, Goro; Ôtani, Mitsuharu

The existence of strong solutions of Cauchy problem for the following evolution equation du(t)/dt+∂ϕ1(u(t))-∂ϕ2(u(t))∋f(t) is considered in a real reflexive Banach space V, where ∂ϕ1 and ∂ϕ2 are subdifferential operators from V into its dual V*. The study for this type of problems has been done by several authors in the Hilbert space setting. The scope of our study is extended to the V- V* setting. The main tool employed here is a certain approximation argument in a Hilbert space and for this purpose we need to assume that there exists a Hilbert space H such that V⊂H≡H*⊂V* with densely defined continuous injections. The applicability of our abstract framework will be exemplified in discussing the existence of solutions for the nonlinear heat equation: ut(x,t)-Δpu(x,t)-|u|u(x,t)=f(x,t), x∈Ω, t>0, u|=0, where Ω is a bounded domain in RN. In particular, the existence of local (in time) weak solution is shown under the subcritical growth condition q

Existence domains of slow and fast ion-acoustic solitons in two-ion space plasmas

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

Maharaj, S. K., E-mail: smaharaj@sansa.org.za; Bharuthram, R., E-mail: rbharuthram@uwc.ac.za; Singh, S. V., E-mail: satyavir@iigs.iigm.res.in

2015-03-15

A study of large amplitude ion-acoustic solitons is conducted for a model composed of cool and hot ions and cool and hot electrons. Using the Sagdeev pseudo-potential formalism, the scope of earlier studies is extended to consider why upper Mach number limitations arise for slow and fast ion-acoustic solitons. Treating all plasma constituents as adiabatic fluids, slow ion-acoustic solitons are limited in the order of increasing cool ion concentrations by the number densities of the cool, and then the hot ions becoming complex valued, followed by positive and then negative potential double layer regions. Only positive potentials are found formore » fast ion-acoustic solitons which are limited only by the hot ion number density having to remain real valued. The effect of neglecting as opposed to including inertial effects of the hot electrons is found to induce only minor quantitative changes in the existence regions of slow and fast ion-acoustic solitons.« less

Slowed ageing, welfare, and population problems.

PubMed

Wareham, Christopher

2015-10-01

Biological studies have demonstrated that it is possible to slow the ageing process and extend lifespan in a wide variety of organisms, perhaps including humans. Making use of the findings of these studies, this article examines two problems concerning the effect of life extension on population size and welfare. The first--the problem of overpopulation--is that as a result of life extension too many people will co-exist at the same time, resulting in decreases in average welfare. The second--the problem of underpopulation--is that life extension will result in too few people existing across time, resulting in decreases in total welfare. I argue that overpopulation is highly unlikely to result from technologies that slow ageing. Moreover, I claim that the problem of underpopulation relies on claims about life extension that are false in the case of life extension by slowed ageing. The upshot of these arguments is that the population problems discussed provide scant reason to oppose life extension by slowed ageing.

Consistency of the tachyon warm inflationary universe models

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

Zhang, Xiao-Min; Zhu, Jian-Yang, E-mail: zhangxm@mail.bnu.edu.cn, E-mail: zhujy@bnu.edu.cn

2014-02-01

This study concerns the consistency of the tachyon warm inflationary models. A linear stability analysis is performed to find the slow-roll conditions, characterized by the potential slow-roll (PSR) parameters, for the existence of a tachyon warm inflationary attractor in the system. The PSR parameters in the tachyon warm inflationary models are redefined. Two cases, an exponential potential and an inverse power-law potential, are studied, when the dissipative coefficient Γ = Γ{sub 0} and Γ = Γ(φ), respectively. A crucial condition is obtained for a tachyon warm inflationary model characterized by the Hubble slow-roll (HSR) parameter ε{sub H}, and the conditionmore » is extendable to some other inflationary models as well. A proper number of e-folds is obtained in both cases of the tachyon warm inflation, in contrast to existing works. It is also found that a constant dissipative coefficient (Γ = Γ{sub 0}) is usually not a suitable assumption for a warm inflationary model.« less

Classification and phylogeny of sika deer (Cervus nippon) subspecies based on the mitochondrial control region DNA sequence using an extended sample set.

PubMed

Ba, Hengxing; Yang, Fuhe; Xing, Xiumei; Li, Chunyi

2015-06-01

To further refine the classification and phylogeny of sika deer subspecies, the well-annotated sequences of the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of 13 sika deer subspecies from GenBank were downloaded, aligned and analyzed in this study. By reconstructing the phylogenetic tree with an extended sample set, the results revealed a split between Northern and Southern Mainland Asia/Taiwan lineages, and moreover, two subspecies, C.n.mantchuricus and C.n.hortulorum, were existed in Northern Mainland Asia. Unexpectedly, Dybowskii's sika deer that was thought to originate from Northern Mainland Asia joins the Southern Mainland Asia/Taiwan lineage. The genetic divergences were ranged from 2.1% to 4.7% between Dybowskii's sika deer and all the other established subspecies at the mtDNA sequence level, which suggests that the maternal lineage of uncertain sika subspecies in Europe had been maintained until today. This study also provides a better understanding for the classification, phylogeny and phylogeographic history of sika deer subspecies.

Hurdles and sorting by inversions: combinatorial, statistical, and experimental results.

PubMed

Swenson, Krister M; Lin, Yu; Rajan, Vaibhav; Moret, Bernard M E

2009-10-01

As data about genomic architecture accumulates, genomic rearrangements have attracted increasing attention. One of the main rearrangement mechanisms, inversions (also called reversals), was characterized by Hannenhalli and Pevzner and this characterization in turn extended by various authors. The characterization relies on the concepts of breakpoints, cycles, and obstructions colorfully named hurdles and fortresses. In this paper, we study the probability of generating a hurdle in the process of sorting a permutation if one does not take special precautions to avoid them (as in a randomized algorithm, for instance). To do this we revisit and extend the work of Caprara and of Bergeron by providing simple and exact characterizations of the probability of encountering a hurdle in a random permutation. Using similar methods we provide the first asymptotically tight analysis of the probability that a fortress exists in a random permutation. Finally, we study other aspects of hurdles, both analytically and through experiments: when are they created in a sequence of sorting inversions, how much later are they detected, and how much work may need to be undone to return to a sorting sequence.

Validation and Continued Development of Methods for Spheromak Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benedett, Thomas

2016-10-01

The HIT-SI experiment has demonstrated stable sustainment of spheromaks. Determining how the underlying physics extrapolate to larger, higher-temperature regimes is of prime importance in determining the viability of the inductively-driven spheromak. It is thus prudent to develop and validate a computational model that can be used to study current results and study the effect of possible design choices on plasma behavior. A zero-beta Hall-MHD model has shown good agreement with experimental data at 14.5 kHz injector operation. Experimental observations at higher frequency, where the best performance is achieved, indicate pressure effects are important and likely required to attain quantitative agreement with simulations. Efforts to extend the existing validation to high frequency (36-68 kHz) using an extended MHD model implemented in the PSI-TET arbitrary-geometry 3D MHD code will be presented. An implementation of anisotropic viscosity, a feature observed to improve agreement between NIMROD simulations and experiment, will also be presented, along with investigations of flux conserver features and their impact on density control for future SIHI experiments. Work supported by DoE.

Estimating daily forest carbon fluxes using a combination of ground and remotely sensed data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chirici, Gherardo; Chiesi, Marta; Corona, Piermaria; Salvati, Riccardo; Papale, Dario; Fibbi, Luca; Sirca, Costantino; Spano, Donatella; Duce, Pierpaolo; Marras, Serena; Matteucci, Giorgio; Cescatti, Alessandro; Maselli, Fabio

2016-02-01

Several studies have demonstrated that Monteith's approach can efficiently predict forest gross primary production (GPP), while the modeling of net ecosystem production (NEP) is more critical, requiring the additional simulation of forest respirations. The NEP of different forest ecosystems in Italy was currently simulated by the use of a remote sensing driven parametric model (modified C-Fix) and a biogeochemical model (BIOME-BGC). The outputs of the two models, which simulate forests in quasi-equilibrium conditions, are combined to estimate the carbon fluxes of actual conditions using information regarding the existing woody biomass. The estimates derived from the methodology have been tested against daily reference GPP and NEP data collected through the eddy correlation technique at five study sites in Italy. The first test concerned the theoretical validity of the simulation approach at both annual and daily time scales and was performed using optimal model drivers (i.e., collected or calibrated over the site measurements). Next, the test was repeated to assess the operational applicability of the methodology, which was driven by spatially extended data sets (i.e., data derived from existing wall-to-wall digital maps). A good estimation accuracy was generally obtained for GPP and NEP when using optimal model drivers. The use of spatially extended data sets worsens the accuracy to a varying degree, which is properly characterized. The model drivers with the most influence on the flux modeling strategy are, in increasing order of importance, forest type, soil features, meteorology, and forest woody biomass (growing stock volume).

Entire radial solutions of elliptic systems and inequalities of the mean curvature type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filippucci, Roberta

2007-10-01

In this paper we study first nonexistence of radial entire solutions of elliptic systems of the mean curvature type with a singular or degenerate diffusion depending on the solution u. In particular we extend a previous result given in [R. Filippucci, Nonexistence of radial entire solutions of elliptic systems, J. Differential Equations 188 (2003) 353-389]. Moreover, in the scalar case we obtain nonexistence of all entire solutions, radial or not, of differential inequalities involving again operators of the mean curvature type and a diffusion term. We prove that in the scalar case, nonexistence of entire solutions is due to the explosion of the derivative of every nonglobal radial solution in the right extremum of the maximal interval of existence, while in that point the solution is bounded. This behavior is qualitatively different with respect to what happens for the m-Laplacian operator, studied in [R. Filippucci, Nonexistence of radial entire solutions of elliptic systems, J. Differential Equations 188 (2003) 353-389], where nonexistence of entire solutions is due, even in the vectorial case, to the explosion in norm of the solution at a finite point. Our nonexistence theorems for inequalities extend previous results given by Naito and Usami in [YE Naito, H. Usami, Entire solutions of the inequality div(A(=u)=u)[greater-or-equal, slanted]f(u), Math. Z. 225 (1997) 167-175] and Ghergu and Radulescu in [M. Ghergu, V. Radulescu, Existence and nonexistence of entire solutions to the logistic differential equation, Abstr. Appl. Anal. 17 (2003) 995-1003].

Investigating the magnetic inclination angle distribution of γ-ray-loud radio pulsars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rookyard, S. C.; Weltevrede, P.; Johnston, S.

2015-02-01

Several studies have shown the distribution of pulsars' magnetic inclination angles to be skewed towards low values compared with the distribution expected if the rotation and magnetic axes are placed randomly on the star. Here, we focus on a sample of 28 γ-ray-detected pulsars using data taken as part of the Parkes telescope's FERMI timing program. In doing so, we find a preference in the sample for low magnetic inclination angles, α, in stark contrast to both the expectation that the magnetic and rotation axes are orientated randomly at the birth of the pulsar and to γ-ray-emission-model-based expected biases. In this paper, after exploring potential explanations, we conclude that there are two possible causes of this preference, namely that low α values are intrinsic to the sample, or that the emission regions extend outside what is traditionally thought to be the open-field-line region in a way which is dependent on the magnetic inclination. Each possibility is expected to have important consequences, ranging from supernova physics to population studies of pulsars and considerations of the radio beaming fraction. We also present a simple conversion scheme between the observed and intrinsic magnetic inclinations which is valid under the assumption that the observed skew is not intrinsic and which can be applied to all existing measurements. We argue that extending the active-field-line region will help to resolve the existing tension between emission geometries derived from radio polarization measurements and those required to model γ-ray light curves.

An extended network of documentary data from South America and its potential for quantitative precipitation reconstructions back to the 16th century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neukom, Raphael; del Rosario Prieto, María; Moyano, Rodolfo; Luterbacher, Jürg; Pfister, Christian; Villalba, Ricardo; Jones, Philip D.; Wanner, Heinz

2009-06-01

In South America (SA) several documentary based climate time series exist, some of them extending back to the 16th century. Most of these records end in the 19th century, and can not be calibrated against instrumental data. Here, we used the newspaper “Los Andes” from Mendoza, Argentina, to extend documentary based indices of Mendoza precipitation and Central Andes snow depth to the late 20th century. A statistical approach to create “pseudo documentary” 20th century data was applied to prolong eight other documentary records. Increased variability of the hydrological cycle in the Central Andes and prevailing periods of wet and dry years in Mendoza suggest that the 20th century is extraordinary in the context of the last 400 years. The final set of extended documentaries explains significant portions of SA precipitation variability in large areas between 20°S and 40°S and can therefore improve the network of annually resolved precipitation proxies.

Identifying configurations of behavior change techniques in effective medication adherence interventions: a qualitative comparative analysis.

PubMed

Kahwati, Leila; Viswanathan, Meera; Golin, Carol E; Kane, Heather; Lewis, Megan; Jacobs, Sara

2016-05-04

Interventions to improve medication adherence are diverse and complex. Consequently, synthesizing this evidence is challenging. We aimed to extend the results from an existing systematic review of interventions to improve medication adherence by using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to identify necessary or sufficient configurations of behavior change techniques among effective interventions. We used data from 60 studies in a completed systematic review to examine the combinations of nine behavior change techniques (increasing knowledge, increasing awareness, changing attitude, increasing self-efficacy, increasing intention formation, increasing action control, facilitation, increasing maintenance support, and motivational interviewing) among studies demonstrating improvements in adherence. Among the 60 studies, 34 demonstrated improved medication adherence. Among effective studies, increasing patient knowledge was a necessary but not sufficient technique. We identified seven configurations of behavior change techniques sufficient for improving adherence, which together accounted for 26 (76 %) of the effective studies. The intervention configuration that included increasing knowledge and self-efficacy was the most empirically relevant, accounting for 17 studies (50 %) and uniquely accounting for 15 (44 %). This analysis extends the completed review findings by identifying multiple combinations of behavior change techniques that improve adherence. Our findings offer direction for policy makers, practitioners, and future comparative effectiveness research on improving adherence.

Relations Between the University and Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sakkab, Nabil Y.

1983-01-01

Two distinct types of research in science and technology are described. One extends existing knowledge by gathering information, and the other requires an intuitive leap from present knowledge. Factors in the university-industry research relationship affecting or affected by the research type are outlined and discussed. (MSE)

48 CFR 16.203-2 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... contract with economic price adjustment may be used when (i) there is serious doubt concerning the stability of market or labor conditions that will exist during an extended period of contract performance... limited to contingencies beyond the contractor's control. For use of economic price adjustment in sealed...

78 FR 78986 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-27

... information dissemination activities. The purpose of this submission is to extend the existing generic... Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Periodically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish a summary of information...

Hazardous Waste Management System - Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste - Toxicity Characteristic - Hydrocarbon Recovery Operations - Federal Register Notice, February 1, 1991

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Extends the compliance date of the Toxicity Characteristic until January 25, 1991 for groundwater that is reinjected or reinfiltrated during existing hydrocarbon recovery operations at petroleum refineries, marketing terminals, and bulk plants.

Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlie Genome Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lamm, Ehud

2013-01-01

Technological and methodological advances, in particular next-generation sequencing and chromatin profiling, has led to a deluge of data on epigenetic mechanisms and processes. Epigenetic regulation in the brain is no exception. In this commentary, Ehud Lamm writes that extending existing frameworks for thinking about psychological development to…

Shared resources : sharing right-of-way for telecommunications : identificaiton, review and analysis of legal and institutional issues

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-04-01

The advent of fiber-optic communications technology coupled with continued rapid growth in demand for communications capacity have led private communications companies to seek to build new, and extend existing, fiber-optics networks. There is increas...

Bridging STEM in a Real World Problem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

English, Lyn D.; Mousoulides, Nicholas G.

2015-01-01

Engineering-based modeling activities provide a rich source of meaningful situations that capitalize on and extend students' routine learning. By integrating such activities within existing curricula, students better appreciate how their school learning in mathematics and science applies to problems in the outside world. Furthermore, modeling…

Learning Behavior Characterization with Multi-Feature, Hierarchical Activity Sequences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ye, Cheng; Segedy, James R.; Kinnebrew, John S.; Biswas, Gautam

2015-01-01

This paper discusses Multi-Feature Hierarchical Sequential Pattern Mining, MFH-SPAM, a novel algorithm that efficiently extracts patterns from students' learning activity sequences. This algorithm extends an existing sequential pattern mining algorithm by dynamically selecting the level of specificity for hierarchically-defined features…

The Moral Status of Animals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nussbaum, Martha C.

2006-01-01

Human beings share a world and its scarce resources with other intelligent creatures, yet humans act in ways that deny other animals a dignified existence. A discussion on why notions of basic justice, entitlement, and law can, and must be extended across the species barrier is presented.

Affirmative Action Plan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

North Carolina State Dept. of Public Instruction, Raleigh.

This affirmative action (AA) guide is intended to identify and remove discriminatory employment practices that may still exist in the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction (DPI). DPI extends equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, political…

Empirical intrinsic geometry for nonlinear modeling and time series filtering.

PubMed

Talmon, Ronen; Coifman, Ronald R

2013-07-30

In this paper, we present a method for time series analysis based on empirical intrinsic geometry (EIG). EIG enables one to reveal the low-dimensional parametric manifold as well as to infer the underlying dynamics of high-dimensional time series. By incorporating concepts of information geometry, this method extends existing geometric analysis tools to support stochastic settings and parametrizes the geometry of empirical distributions. However, the statistical models are not required as priors; hence, EIG may be applied to a wide range of real signals without existing definitive models. We show that the inferred model is noise-resilient and invariant under different observation and instrumental modalities. In addition, we show that it can be extended efficiently to newly acquired measurements in a sequential manner. These two advantages enable us to revisit the Bayesian approach and incorporate empirical dynamics and intrinsic geometry into a nonlinear filtering framework. We show applications to nonlinear and non-Gaussian tracking problems as well as to acoustic signal localization.

MSAT: A booster for land based mobile radiocommunication networks?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boulay, Guy

1990-01-01

It is demonstrated that the foreseen phenomenal growth of mobilesat services will impact positively existing terrestrial mobile radio services. Mobilesat systems will not displace the existing terrestrial market in the near future, partly due to the high cost of their terminal units and associated airtime, but also due to some technical limitations, such as lack of spectrum efficiency and high susceptibility to shadowing. However, the ubiquity of mobilesat services will open new market to terrestrial radio technologies. The latter is expected to be the most economical way of extending locally mobilesat services to many users. Conversely, mobilesat systems will be used to extend the capabilities of terrestrial radio systems in areas where the former cannot be implemented cost effectively. It is believed that terrestrial mobile network operators using these service extension capabilities will have a competitive advantage over those who do not. Overall, it is expected that emerging mobilesat services, far from being a threat to terrestrial radio systems, will rather provide these with numerous opportunities of incrementing their base market.

The feasibility of equilibria in large ecosystems: A primary but neglected concept in the complexity-stability debate

PubMed Central

Dougoud, Michaël; Rohr, Rudolf P.

2018-01-01

The consensus that complexity begets stability in ecosystems was challenged in the seventies, a result recently extended to ecologically-inspired networks. The approaches assume the existence of a feasible equilibrium, i.e. with positive abundances. However, this key assumption has not been tested. We provide analytical results complemented by simulations which show that equilibrium feasibility vanishes in species rich systems. This result leaves us in the uncomfortable situation in which the existence of a feasible equilibrium assumed in local stability criteria is far from granted. We extend our analyses by changing interaction structure and intensity, and find that feasibility and stability is warranted irrespective of species richness with weak interactions. Interestingly, we find that the dynamical behaviour of ecologically inspired architectures is very different and richer than that of unstructured systems. Our results suggest that a general understanding of ecosystem dynamics requires focusing on the interplay between interaction strength and network architecture. PMID:29420532

BBN technical memorandum W1291 infrasound model feasibility study

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

Farrell, T., BBN Systems and Technologies

1998-05-01

The purpose of this study is to determine the need and level of effort required to add existing atmospheric databases and infrasound propagation models to the DOE`s Hydroacoustic Coverage Assessment Model (HydroCAM) [1,2]. The rationale for the study is that the performance of the infrasound monitoring network will be an important factor for both the International Monitoring System (IMS) and US national monitoring capability. Many of the technical issues affecting the design and performance of the infrasound network are directly related to the variability of the atmosphere and the corresponding uncertainties in infrasound propagation. It is clear that the studymore » of these issues will be enhanced by the availability of software tools for easy manipulation and interfacing of various atmospheric databases and infrasound propagation models. In addition, since there are many similarities between propagation in the oceans and in the atmosphere, it is anticipated that much of the software infrastructure developed for hydroacoustic database manipulation and propagation modeling in HydroCAM will be directly extendible to an infrasound capability. The study approach was to talk to the acknowledged domain experts in the infrasound monitoring area to determine: 1. The major technical issues affecting infrasound monitoring network performance. 2. The need for an atmospheric database/infrasound propagation modeling capability similar to HydroCAM. 3. The state of existing infrasound propagation codes and atmospheric databases. 4. A recommended approach for developing the required capabilities. A list of the people who contributed information to this study is provided in Table 1. We also relied on our knowledge of oceanographic and meteorological data sources to determine the availability of atmospheric databases and the feasibility of incorporating this information into the existing HydroCAM geographic database software. This report presents a summary of the need for an integrated infrasound modeling capability in Section 2.0. Section 3.0 provides a recommended approach for developing this capability in two stages; a basic capability and an extended capability. This section includes a discussion of the available static and dynamic databases, and the various modeling tools which are available or could be developed under such a task. The conclusions and recommendations of the study are provided in Section 4.0.« less

Completed egoism and intended altruism boost healthy food choices.

PubMed

Weibel, Christian; Messner, Claude; Brügger, Adrian

2014-06-01

Based on the self-licensing literature and goal theory, we expected and found that completed (im)moral actions lead to markedly different food choices (Studies 1 & 2) than intended (im)moral actions (Study 2). In Study 1, people more often chose healthy over unhealthy food options when they recalled a completed egoistic action than when they recalled a completed altruistic action. Study 2 confirmed this finding and furthermore showed that the self-licensing effect in food choices is moderated by the action stage (completed versus intended) of the moral or immoral action. This article extends the existing self-licensing literature and opens up new perspectives for changing consumers' food consumption behavior. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Many-Body Subradiant Excitations in Metamaterial Arrays: Experiment and Theory.

PubMed

Jenkins, Stewart D; Ruostekoski, Janne; Papasimakis, Nikitas; Savo, Salvatore; Zheludev, Nikolay I

2017-08-04

Subradiant excitations, originally predicted by Dicke, have posed a long-standing challenge in physics owing to their weak radiative coupling to environment. Here we engineer massive coherently driven classical subradiance in planar metamaterial arrays as a spatially extended eigenmode comprising over 1000 metamolecules. By comparing the near- and far-field response in large-scale numerical simulations with those in experimental observations we identify strong evidence for classically correlated multimetamolecule subradiant states that dominate the total excitation energy. We show that similar spatially extended many-body subradiance can also exist in plasmonic metamaterial arrays at optical frequencies.

A Huygens principle for diffusion and anomalous diffusion in spatially extended systems

PubMed Central

Gottwald, Georg A.; Melbourne, Ian

2013-01-01

We present a universal view on diffusive behavior in chaotic spatially extended systems for anisotropic and isotropic media. For anisotropic systems, strong chaos leads to diffusive behavior (Brownian motion with drift) and weak chaos leads to superdiffusive behavior (Lévy processes with drift). For isotropic systems, the drift term vanishes and strong chaos again leads to Brownian motion. We establish the existence of a nonlinear Huygens principle for weakly chaotic systems in isotropic media whereby the dynamics behaves diffusively in even space dimension and exhibits superdiffusive behavior in odd space dimensions. PMID:23653481

Fronts in extended systems of bistable maps coupled via convolutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coutinho, Ricardo; Fernandez, Bastien

2004-01-01

An analysis of front dynamics in discrete time and spatially extended systems with general bistable nonlinearity is presented. The spatial coupling is given by the convolution with distribution functions. It allows us to treat in a unified way discrete, continuous or partly discrete and partly continuous diffusive interactions. We prove the existence of fronts and the uniqueness of their velocity. We also prove that the front velocity depends continuously on the parameters of the system. Finally, we show that every initial configuration that is an interface between the stable phases propagates asymptotically with the front velocity.

Engineering analysis and test results of the pre-stage planetary gear trains for wrist rotation and pitch assembly and azimuth and elevation assembly of the extendable stiff arm manipulator kit assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, R. N.

1973-01-01

In order to improve the performance capability of the Extendable Stiff Arm Manipulator (ESAM) it was necessary to increase the overall gear ratio by a factor of approximately four. This is accomplished with minimum effect to existing hardware by the interposition of a planetary gear transmission between the respective drive motors and the harmonic drive transmissions. The engineering analysis in support of this design approach and the subsequent no-load test results are reported.

Prices, profits, and innovation: examining criticisms of new psychotropic drugs' value.

PubMed

Huskamp, Haiden A

2006-01-01

High profits and high drug costs have brought increased scrutiny of the pharmaceutical industry over the issue of whether the drugs they produce are worth the costs. I examine several related complaints, including the proliferation of me-too drugs and product reformulations, which some argue have little value relative to their cost; the baseless promotion of newer drug classes as more effective than existing, less expensive drugs; legal strategies to extend market exclusivity that result in high brand-name drug prices for an extended period of time; and large promotional expenditures that result in higher prices.

Time-varying phononic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, Derek Warren

The primary objective of this thesis was to gain a deeper understanding of acoustic wave propagation in phononic crystals, particularly those that include materials whose properties can be varied periodically in time. This research was accomplished in three ways. First, a 2D phononic crystal was designed, created, and characterized. Its properties closely matched those determined through simulation. The crystal demonstrated band gaps, dispersion, and negative refraction. It served as a means of elucidating the practicalities of phononic crystal design and construction and as a physical verification of their more interesting properties. Next, the transmission matrix method for analyzing 1D phononic crystals was extended to include the effects of time-varying material parameters. The method was then used to provide a closed-form solution for the case of periodically time-varying material parameters. Some intriguing results from the use of the extended method include dramatically altered transmission properties and parametric amplification. New insights can be gained from the governing equations and have helped to identify the conditions that lead to parametric amplification in these structures. Finally, 2D multiple scattering theory was modified to analyze scatterers with time-varying material parameters. It is shown to be highly compatible with existing multiple scattering theories. It allows the total scattered field from a 2D time-varying phononic crystal to be determined. It was shown that time-varying material parameters significantly affect the phononic crystal transmission spectrum, and this was used to switch an incident monochromatic wave. Parametric amplification can occur under certain circumstances, and this effect was investigated using the closed-form solutions provided by the new 1D method. The complexity of the extended methods grows logarithmically as opposed linearly with existing methods, resulting in superior computational complexity for large numbers of scatterers. Also, since both extended methods provide analytic solutions, they may give further insights into the factors that govern the behaviour of time-varying phononic crystals. These extended methods may now be used to design an active phononic crystal that could demonstrate new or enhanced properties.

Mittag-Leffler stability of fractional-order neural networks in the presence of generalized piecewise constant arguments.

PubMed

Wu, Ailong; Liu, Ling; Huang, Tingwen; Zeng, Zhigang

2017-01-01

Neurodynamic system is an emerging research field. To understand the essential motivational representations of neural activity, neurodynamics is an important question in cognitive system research. This paper is to investigate Mittag-Leffler stability of a class of fractional-order neural networks in the presence of generalized piecewise constant arguments. To identify neural types of computational principles in mathematical and computational analysis, the existence and uniqueness of the solution of neurodynamic system is the first prerequisite. We prove that the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the network holds when some conditions are satisfied. In addition, self-active neurodynamic system demands stable internal dynamical states (equilibria). The main emphasis will be then on several sufficient conditions to guarantee a unique equilibrium point. Furthermore, to provide deeper explanations of neurodynamic process, Mittag-Leffler stability is studied in detail. The established results are based on the theories of fractional differential equation and differential equation with generalized piecewise constant arguments. The derived criteria improve and extend the existing related results. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Foveal splitting causes differential processing of Chinese orthography in the male and female brain.

PubMed

Hsiao, Janet Hui-Wen; Shillcock, Richard

2005-10-01

Chinese characters contain separate phonetic and semantic radicals. A dominant character type exists in which the semantic radical is on the left and the phonetic radical on the right; an opposite, minority structure also exists, with the semantic radical on the right and the phonetic radical on the left. We show that, when asked to pronounce isolated tokens of these two character types, males responded significantly faster when the phonetic information was on the right, whereas females showed a non-significant tendency in the opposite direction. Recent research on foveal structure and reading suggests that the two halves of a centrally fixated character are initially processed in different hemispheres. The male brain typically relies more on the left hemisphere for phonological processing compared with the female brain, causing this gender difference to emerge. This interaction is predicted by an implemented computational model. This study supports the existence of a gender difference in phonological processing, and shows that the effects of foveal splitting in reading extend far enough into word recognition to interact with the gender of the reader in a naturalistic reading task.

New drugs: evidence relating to their therapeutic value after introduction to the market.

PubMed

Ujeyl, Mariam; Schlegel, Claudia; Walter, Siegbert; Gundert-Remy, Ursula

2012-02-01

Drug approval is based on three criteria: quality, efficacy, and safety. We investigated the types of study design and statistical methods employed to demonstrate safety and efficacy of proprietary medicinal products (PMPs) that were approved for use in the European Union through the centralized procedure. We retrospectively analyzed the European Public Assessment Reports of PMPs that the European Medicinal Agency approved, either initially or for extended indications, in 2009 and 2010. Data were analyzed for 39 PMPs: 64% of these were new active substances, and 36% were approved for extended indications. 46% of the PMPs had been studied in an active-control trial. In only 28%, superiority of the new PMPs compared to active control had been tested. 46% of the approvals included testing of a patient-relevant primary endpoint. The median size of population used to demonstrate safety was 1700 persons. The centralized procedure does not require comparative information from active-control trials. Accordingly, as our descriptive analysis revealed, this information is often not available at the time of market introduction. Pivotal studies only rarely clearly demonstrate an added therapeutic value of a new PMP compared to existing alternatives.

Life-Span Differences in the Uses and Gratifications of Tablets: Implications for Older Adults

PubMed Central

Magsamen-Conrad, Kate; Dowd, John; Abuljadail, Mohammad; Alsulaiman, Saud; Shareefi, Adnan

2015-01-01

This study extends Uses and Gratifications theory by examining the uses and gratifications of a new technological device, the tablet computer, and investigating the differential uses and gratifications of tablet computers across the life-span. First, we utilized a six-week tablet training intervention to adapt and extend existing measures to the tablet as a technological device. Next, we used paper-based and online surveys (N=847), we confirmed four main uses of tablets: 1) Information Seeking, 2) Relationship Maintenance, 3) Style, 4) Amusement and Killing time, and added one additional use category 5) Organization. We discovered differences among the five main uses of tablets across the life-span, with older adults using tablets the least overall. Builders, Boomers, GenX and GenY all reported the highest means for information seeking. Finally, we used a structural equation model to examine how uses and gratifications predicts hours of tablet use. The study provides limitations and suggestions for future research and marketers. In particular, this study offers insight to the relevancy of theory as it applies to particular information and communication technologies and consideration of how different periods in the life-span affect tablet motivations. PMID:26113769

Life-Span Differences in the Uses and Gratifications of Tablets: Implications for Older Adults.

PubMed

Magsamen-Conrad, Kate; Dowd, John; Abuljadail, Mohammad; Alsulaiman, Saud; Shareefi, Adnan

2015-11-01

This study extends Uses and Gratifications theory by examining the uses and gratifications of a new technological device, the tablet computer, and investigating the differential uses and gratifications of tablet computers across the life-span. First, we utilized a six-week tablet training intervention to adapt and extend existing measures to the tablet as a technological device. Next, we used paper-based and online surveys ( N =847), we confirmed four main uses of tablets: 1) Information Seeking, 2) Relationship Maintenance, 3) Style, 4) Amusement and Killing time, and added one additional use category 5) Organization. We discovered differences among the five main uses of tablets across the life-span, with older adults using tablets the least overall. Builders, Boomers, GenX and GenY all reported the highest means for information seeking. Finally, we used a structural equation model to examine how uses and gratifications predicts hours of tablet use. The study provides limitations and suggestions for future research and marketers. In particular, this study offers insight to the relevancy of theory as it applies to particular information and communication technologies and consideration of how different periods in the life-span affect tablet motivations.

Localization properties of transmission lines with generalized Thue-Morse distribution of inductances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lazo, Edmundo; Saavedra, Eduardo; Humire, Fernando; Castro, Cristobal; Cortés-Cortés, Francisco

2015-09-01

We study the localization properties of direct transmission lines when we distribute two values of inductances LA and LB according to a generalized Thue-Morse aperiodic sequence generated by the inflation rule: A → ABm-1, B → BAm-1, m ≥ 2 and integer. We regain the usual Thue-Morse sequence for m = 2. We numerically study the changes produced in the localization properties of the I (ω) electric current function with increasing m values. We demonstrate that the m = 2 case does not belong to the family m ≥ 3, because when m changes from m = 2 to m = 3, the number of extended states decreases significantly. However, for m ≫ 3, the localization properties become similar to the m = 2 case. Also, the frequency averaged transmission coefficient shows a strong dependence from the N system size and from the m value which characterize each m-tupling sequence. In addition, for all m value studied, using the scaling behavior of the ξ (ω) normalized participation number, the Rq (ω) Rényi entropies and the μq (ω) moments, we have demonstrated the existence of extended states for certain specific frequencies.

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior on Segmented Polyurethanes Prepared with Biologically Active Chain Extenders

PubMed Central

Kavanaugh, Taylor E.; Clark, Amy Y.; Chan-Chan, Lerma H.; Ramírez-Saldaña, Maricela; Vargas-Coronado, Rossana F.; Cervantes-Uc, José M.; Hernández-Sánchez, Fernando; García, Andrés J.; Cauich-Rodríguez, Juan V.

2016-01-01

The development of elastomeric, bioresorbable and biocompatible segmented polyurethanes (SPUs) for use in tissue-engineering applications has attracted considerable interest because of the existing need of mechanically tunable scaffolds for regeneration of different tissues, but the incorporation of osteoinductive molecules into SPUs has been limited. In this study, segmented polyurethanes were synthesized from poly (ε-caprolactone)diol, 4,4’-methylene bis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (HMDI) using biologically active compounds such as ascorbic acid, L-glutamine, β-glycerol phosphate, and dexamethasone as chain extenders. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the formation of both urethanes and urea linkages while Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, X-ray Diffraction and mechanical testing showed that these polyurethanes were semi-crystalline polymers exhibiting high deformations. Cytocompatibility studies showed that only SPUs containing β-glycerol phosphate supported human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) adhesion, growth, and osteogenic differentiation, rendering them potentially suitable for bone tissue regeneration, whereas other SPUs failed to support either cell growth or osteogenic differentiation, or both. This study demonstrates that modification of SPUs with osteogenic compounds can lead to new cytocompatible polymers for regenerative medicine applications. PMID:26704555

In sickness and in health: classmates are highly motivated to provide in-hospital support during childhood cancer therapy.

PubMed

Lindgren, Lea H; Schmiegelow, Kjeld; Helms, Anne Sofie; Thorsteinsson, Troels; Larsen, Hanne B

2017-01-01

Extended hospitalization for school-aged cancer patients increases their risk of social marginalization. School-aged children mature through peer-interaction, but healthcare providers fail to incorporate this in rehabilitation efforts. The RESPECT study offers classmates to cancer patients to become ambassadors during hospital stays. This study explores classmate decision-making patterns about ambassadorship. An open-ended question was prospectively and consecutively provided to classmates (N = 221) (and parents) of 10 children diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and enrolled in the RESPECT study. Statements were analysed using thematic content analysis. Of 221 classmates, 140 responded (63%). Of these, 81 applied for ambassadorship (median 8/patient), 58 declined, one was undecided. Nine forms were incomplete; leaving 131 in total that revealed 303 statements for analysis. Five major themes emerged: existing friendship (132/303 statements), personal resources (academic, emotional and social) (107/303), attitudes towards the ambassadorship (34/303), hospital environment (18/303) and logistics (12/303). Of the classmates with pre-existing friendships, 77% applied for ambassadorship and 80% with a surplus of personal resources applied. These were predominant predictors for ambassadorship application. Classmate motives were condensed into four archetypes: pre-existing friendship with a surplus of resources (100% applied), non-friend classmates with a surplus of resources (63% applied), pre-existing friendship with limited resources (22% applied) and non-friend classmates with limited resources (0% applied). Classmates are highly motivated to support patients during serious illness, irrespective of pre-existing friendships. Ambassadors offer a novel in-hospital approach to promote rehabilitation in children with severe/chronic diseases. Results need validation in other settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Trehalose and glycerol have a dose-dependent synergistic effect on the post-thawing quality of ram semen cryopreserved in a soybean lecithin-based extender.

PubMed

Najafi, Abozar; Zhandi, Mahdi; Towhidi, Armin; Sharafi, Mohsen; Akbari Sharif, Abbas; Khodaei Motlagh, Mahdi; Martinez-Pastor, Felipe

2013-06-01

The objective of this study was to examine the interaction of different concentrations of trehalose [0 (T0), 50 (T50) or 100 (T100) mM] and glycerol [5% (G5) or 7% (G7)] on post-thawed quality of ram semen, cryopreserved in a soybean lecithin (SL)-based extender. Twenty-eight ejaculates were collected from four rams and diluted with six trehalose/glycerol combinations: T0G5, T50G5, T100G5, T0G7, T50G7, and T100G7. Sperm motility (CASA), membrane integrity (eosin/nigrosin) and functionality (HOST), abnormal forms, capacitation status (CTC), mitochondrial activity (rhodamine 123), apoptotic features (Annexin V/propidium iodide) and lipoperoxidation (malondialdehyde production) were evaluated after thawing. Extender T100G5 yielded the highest results for total and progressive motility, sperm velocity, normal morphology, functional membranes, active mitochondria and membrane integrity, with P<0.05 in general, except for T50G7 (P>0.05). The combinations T0G5, T0G7 and T100G7 yielded the lowest post-thaw quality. We could not detect significant changes in other kinematic parameters, capacitation status or lipoperoxidation. We conclude that, in our SL-based extender, a combination of 100 mM trehalose and 5% glycerol was the most adequate combination to achieving post-thawing quality in our soybean lecithin-based extender, and our results support that a synergistic effect among trehalose and glycerol exists. We suggest that other combinations could improve these results. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Impact of Race on Discharge Disposition and Length of Hospitalization After Craniotomy for Brain Tumor.

PubMed

Muhlestein, Whitney E; Akagi, Dallin S; Chotai, Silky; Chambless, Lola B

2017-08-01

Racial disparities exist in health care, frequently resulting in unfavorable outcomes for minority patients. Here, we use guided machine learning (ML) ensembles to model the impact of race on discharge disposition and length of stay (LOS) after brain tumor surgery from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 41,222 patients who underwent craniotomies for brain tumors from 2002 to 2011 and were registered in the National Inpatient Sample. Twenty-six ML algorithms were trained on prehospitalization variables to predict non-home discharge and extended LOS (>7 days) after brain tumor resection, and the most predictive algorithms combined to create ensemble models. Partial dependence analysis was performed to measure the independent impact of race on the ensembles. The guided ML ensembles predicted non-home disposition (area under the curve, 0.796) and extended LOS (area under the curve, 0.824) with good discrimination. Partial dependence analysis showed that black race increases the risk of non-home discharge and extended LOS over white race by 6.9% and 6.5%, respectively. Other, nonblack race increases the risk of extended LOS over white race by 6.0%. The impact of race on these outcomes is not seen when analyzing the general inpatient or general operative population. Minority race independently increases the risk of extended LOS and black race increases the risk of non-home discharge in patients undergoing brain tumor resection, a finding not mimicked in the general inpatient or operative population. Recognition of the influence of race on discharge and LOS could generate interventions that may improve outcomes in this population. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automating Guidelines for Clinical Decision Support: Knowledge Engineering and Implementation.

PubMed

Tso, Geoffrey J; Tu, Samson W; Oshiro, Connie; Martins, Susana; Ashcraft, Michael; Yuen, Kaeli W; Wang, Dan; Robinson, Amy; Heidenreich, Paul A; Goldstein, Mary K

2016-01-01

As utilization of clinical decision support (CDS) increases, it is important to continue the development and refinement of methods to accurately translate the intention of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) into a computable form. In this study, we validate and extend the 13 steps that Shiffman et al. 5 identified for translating CPG knowledge for use in CDS. During an implementation project of ATHENA-CDS, we encoded complex CPG recommendations for five common chronic conditions for integration into an existing clinical dashboard. Major decisions made during the implementation process were recorded and categorized according to the 13 steps. During the implementation period, we categorized 119 decisions and identified 8 new categories required to complete the project. We provide details on an updated model that outlines all of the steps used to translate CPG knowledge into a CDS integrated with existing health information technology.

In search of the origin of mass.

PubMed

Shears, T G; Heinemann, B; Waters, D

2006-12-15

Particle physics explores the structure of matter by studying the behaviour of its most fundamental constituents. Despite the remarkable success of our theories, there remains much that is fundamental but unexplained. One of our most pressing questions concerns the origin of mass. Our favoured theoretical explanation for the existence of mass also predicts the existence of a particle that has never been seen-the Higgs boson. In this review, we survey our knowledge of the Higgs boson and explain why, if the theory is correct, we should expect to make our first observation of the elusive Higgs in the next few years, when a major new particle physics facility starts operating. This will be the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. Although searching for the Higgs boson will be challenging in this environment, we hope that our experimental results will allow us to finally understand the origin of mass and extend our knowledge of the Universe yet further.

β-Sheet Containment by Flanking Prolines: Molecular Dynamic Simulations of the Inhibition of β-Sheet Elongation by Proline Residues in Human Prion Protein

PubMed Central

Shamsir, Mohd S.; Dalby, Andrew R.

2007-01-01

Previous molecular dynamic simulations have reported elongation of the existing β-sheet in prion proteins. Detailed examination has shown that these elongations do not extend beyond the proline residues flanking these β-sheets. In addition, proline has also been suggested to possess a possible structural role in preserving protein interaction sites by preventing invasion of neighboring secondary structures. In this work, we have studied the possible structural role of the flanking proline residues by simulating mutant structures with alternate substitution of the proline residues with valine. Simulations showed a directional inhibition of elongation, with the elongation progressing in the direction of valine including evident inhibition of elongation by existing proline residues. This suggests that the flanking proline residues in prion proteins may have a containment role and would confine the β-sheet within a specific length. PMID:17172295

Scale-Limited Lagrange Stability and Finite-Time Synchronization for Memristive Recurrent Neural Networks on Time Scales.

PubMed

Xiao, Qiang; Zeng, Zhigang

2017-10-01

The existed results of Lagrange stability and finite-time synchronization for memristive recurrent neural networks (MRNNs) are scale-free on time evolvement, and some restrictions appear naturally. In this paper, two novel scale-limited comparison principles are established by means of inequality techniques and induction principle on time scales. Then the results concerning Lagrange stability and global finite-time synchronization of MRNNs on time scales are obtained. Scaled-limited Lagrange stability criteria are derived, in detail, via nonsmooth analysis and theory of time scales. Moreover, novel criteria for achieving the global finite-time synchronization are acquired. In addition, the derived method can also be used to study global finite-time stabilization. The proposed results extend or improve the existed ones in the literatures. Two numerical examples are chosen to show the effectiveness of the obtained results.

Passive Vibration Control of Existing Structures by Gravity-Loaded Cables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvis, E.; Tsang, H. H.; Hashemi, M. J.

2017-06-01

Structures with high concentration of mass at or close to the top such as highway bridge piers are vulnerable in earthquakes or accidents. In this paper, a simple and convenient retrofit strategy is proposed for minimizing vibrations and damages, extending service life and preventing collapse of existing structures. The proposed system comprises of tension-only cables secured to the sides of the structure through gravity anchor blocks that are free to move in vertical shafts. The system is installed in such a way that the cables do not induce unnecessary stress on the main structure when there is no lateral motion or vibration. The effectiveness of controlling global structural responses is investigated for tension-only bilinear-elastic behaviour of cables. Results of a realistic case study for a reinforced concrete bridge pier show that response reduction is remarkably well under seismic excitation.

Some astrophysical consequences of the existence of a heavy stable neutral lepton

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunn, J. E.; Lee, B. W.; Lerche, I.; Schramm, D. N.; Steigman, G.

1978-01-01

It is suggested that a stable, massive, neutral lepton may dominate the present mass density in the universe. To investigate this assumption, attention is given to an analysis of extended gauge theories as they apply to a lepton with a mass of a few GeV/sq cm. A critical factor in the accuracy of the hypothesis is the actual mass of the lepton, and it is noted that the more massive the individual particle, the smaller the particle's aggregate contribution to the universal mass density. High energy accelerators could prove a useful tool in an empirical determination of the lepton's mass. It is further suggested that the lepton considered might provide the material in galactic halos, or supply the mass necessary to bind galactic clusters. A study of intergalactic annihilation radiation is expected to yield more data pertaining to the lepton's existence.

Competing phases, phase separation, and coexistence in the extended one-dimensional bosonic Hubbard model

DOE PAGES

Batrouni, G. G.; Rousseau, V. G.; Scalettar, R. T.; ...

2014-11-17

Here, we study the phase diagram of the one-dimensional bosonic Hubbard model with contact (U) and near neighbor (V ) interactions focusing on the gapped Haldane insulating (HI) phase which is characterized by an exotic nonlocal order parameter. The parameter regime (U, V and μ) where this phase exists and how it competes with other phases such as the supersolid (SS) phase, is incompletely understood. We use the Stochastic Green Function quantum Monte Carlo algorithm as well as the density matrix renormalization group to map out the phase diagram. The HI exists only at = 1, the SS phase existsmore » for a very wide range of parameters (including commensurate fillings) and displays power law decay in the one body Green function were our main conclusions. Additionally, we show that at fixed integer density, the system exhibits phase separation in the (U, V ) plane.« less

Materials science. Assembly of micro/nanomaterials into complex, three-dimensional architectures by compressive buckling.

PubMed

Xu, Sheng; Yan, Zheng; Jang, Kyung-In; Huang, Wen; Fu, Haoran; Kim, Jeonghyun; Wei, Zijun; Flavin, Matthew; McCracken, Joselle; Wang, Renhan; Badea, Adina; Liu, Yuhao; Xiao, Dongqing; Zhou, Guoyan; Lee, Jungwoo; Chung, Ha Uk; Cheng, Huanyu; Ren, Wen; Banks, Anthony; Li, Xiuling; Paik, Ungyu; Nuzzo, Ralph G; Huang, Yonggang; Zhang, Yihui; Rogers, John A

2015-01-09

Complex three-dimensional (3D) structures in biology (e.g., cytoskeletal webs, neural circuits, and vasculature networks) form naturally to provide essential functions in even the most basic forms of life. Compelling opportunities exist for analogous 3D architectures in human-made devices, but design options are constrained by existing capabilities in materials growth and assembly. We report routes to previously inaccessible classes of 3D constructs in advanced materials, including device-grade silicon. The schemes involve geometric transformation of 2D micro/nanostructures into extended 3D layouts by compressive buckling. Demonstrations include experimental and theoretical studies of more than 40 representative geometries, from single and multiple helices, toroids, and conical spirals to structures that resemble spherical baskets, cuboid cages, starbursts, flowers, scaffolds, fences, and frameworks, each with single- and/or multiple-level configurations. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Enhanced heterogeneous ice nucleation by special surface geometry

PubMed Central

Bi, Yuanfei; Cao, Boxiao; Li, Tianshu

2017-01-01

The freezing of water typically proceeds through impurity-mediated heterogeneous nucleation. Although non-planar geometry generically exists on the surfaces of ice nucleation centres, its role in nucleation remains poorly understood. Here we show that an atomically sharp, concave wedge can further promote ice nucleation with special wedge geometries. Our molecular analysis shows that significant enhancements of ice nucleation can emerge both when the geometry of a wedge matches the ice lattice and when such lattice match does not exist. In particular, a 45° wedge is found to greatly enhance ice nucleation by facilitating the formation of special topological defects that consequently catalyse the growth of regular ice. Our study not only highlights the active role of defects in nucleation but also suggests that the traditional concept of lattice match between a nucleation centre and crystalline lattice should be extended to include a broader match with metastable, non-crystalline structural motifs. PMID:28513603

Enhanced heterogeneous ice nucleation by special surface geometry.

PubMed

Bi, Yuanfei; Cao, Boxiao; Li, Tianshu

2017-05-17

The freezing of water typically proceeds through impurity-mediated heterogeneous nucleation. Although non-planar geometry generically exists on the surfaces of ice nucleation centres, its role in nucleation remains poorly understood. Here we show that an atomically sharp, concave wedge can further promote ice nucleation with special wedge geometries. Our molecular analysis shows that significant enhancements of ice nucleation can emerge both when the geometry of a wedge matches the ice lattice and when such lattice match does not exist. In particular, a 45° wedge is found to greatly enhance ice nucleation by facilitating the formation of special topological defects that consequently catalyse the growth of regular ice. Our study not only highlights the active role of defects in nucleation but also suggests that the traditional concept of lattice match between a nucleation centre and crystalline lattice should be extended to include a broader match with metastable, non-crystalline structural motifs.

Regional geothermal exploration in Egypt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morgan, P.; Boulos, F. K.; Swanberg, C. A.

1983-01-01

A study is presented of the evaluation of the potential geothermal resources of Egypt using a thermal gradient/heat flow technique and a groundwater temperature/chemistry technique. Existing oil well bottom-hole temperature data, as well as subsurface temperature measurements in existing boreholes, were employed for the thermal gradient/heat flow investigation before special thermal gradient holes were drilled. The geographic range of the direct subsurface thermal measurements was extended by employing groundwater temperature and chemistry data. Results show the presence of a regional thermal high along the eastern margin of Egypt with a local thermal anomaly in this zone. It is suggested that the sandstones of the Nubian Formation may be a suitable reservoir for geothermal fluids. These findings indicate that temperatures of 150 C or higher may be found in this reservoir in the Gulf of Suez and Red Sea coastal zones where it lies at a depth of 4 km and deeper.

Numerical Simulation of Liquid Jet Atomization Including Turbulence Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, Huu P.; Chen, C. P.; Balasubramanyam, M. S.

2005-01-01

This paper describes numerical implementation of a newly developed hybrid model, T-blob/T-TAB, into an existing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program for primary and secondary breakup simulation of liquid jet atomization. This model extend two widely used models, the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability of Reitz (blob model) and the Taylor-Analogy-Breakup (TAB) secondary droplet breakup by O'Rourke and Amsden to include turbulence effects. In the primary breakup model, the level of the turbulence effect on the liquid breakup depends on the characteristic scales and the initial flow conditions. For the secondary breakup, an additional turbulence force acted on parent drops is modeled and integrated into the TAB governing equation. Several assessment studies are presented and the results indicate that the existing KH and TAB models tend to under-predict the product drop size and spray angle, while the current model provides superior results when compared with the measured data.

Role of short-range correlation in facilitation of wave propagation in a long-range ladder chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farzadian, O.; Niry, M. D.

2018-09-01

We extend a new method for generating a random chain, which has a kind of short-range correlation induced by a repeated sequence while retaining long-range correlation. Three distinct methods are considered to study the localization-delocalization transition of mechanical waves in one-dimensional disordered media with simultaneous existence of short and long-range correlation. First, a transfer-matrix method was used to calculate numerically the localization length of a wave in a binary chain. We found that the existence of short-range correlation in a long-range correlated chain can increase the localization length at the resonance frequency Ωc. Then, we carried out an analytical study of the delocalization properties of the waves in correlated disordered media around Ωc. Finally, we apply a dynamical method based on the direct numerical simulation of the wave equation to study the propagation of waves in the correlated chain. Imposing short-range correlation on the long-range background will lead the propagation to super-diffusive transport. The results obtained with all three methods are in agreement with each other.

Michael Young, the Institute of Community Studies, and the Politics of Kinship.

PubMed

Butler, Lise

2015-01-01

This article examines the East London-based Institute of Community Studies, and its founder, Michael Young, to show that sociology and social research offered avenues for left-wing political expression in the 1950s. Young, who had previously been Head of the Labour Party Research Department during the Attlee government, drew upon existing currents of psychological and sociological research to emphasize the continuing relevance of the extended family in industrial society and to offer a model of socialist citizenship, solidarity and mutual support not tied to productive work. Young and his colleagues at the Institute of Community Studies promoted the supportive kinship networks of the urban working class, and an idealized conception of the relationships between women, to suggest that family had been overlooked by the left and should be reclaimed as a progressive force. The article shows that the Institute's sociological work was informed by a pre-existing concern with family as a model for cooperative socialism, and suggests that sociology and social research should be seen as important sources of political commentary for scholars of post-war politics.

Does the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale add value to the conventional Glasgow Outcome Scale?

PubMed

Weir, James; Steyerberg, Ewout W; Butcher, Isabella; Lu, Juan; Lingsma, Hester F; McHugh, Gillian S; Roozenbeek, Bob; Maas, Andrew I R; Murray, Gordon D

2012-01-01

The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) is firmly established as the primary outcome measure for use in Phase III trials of interventions in traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the GOS has been criticized for its lack of sensitivity to detect small but clinically relevant changes in outcome. The Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) potentially addresses this criticism, and in this study we estimate the efficiency gain associated with using the GOSE in place of the GOS in ordinal analysis of 6-month outcome. The study uses both simulation and the reanalysis of existing data from two completed TBI studies, one an observational cohort study and the other a randomized controlled trial. As expected, the results show that using an ordinal technique to analyze the GOS gives a substantial gain in efficiency relative to the conventional analysis, which collapses the GOS onto a binary scale (favorable versus unfavorable outcome). We also found that using the GOSE gave a modest but consistent increase in efficiency relative to the GOS in both studies, corresponding to a reduction in the required sample size of the order of 3-5%. We recommend that the GOSE be used in place of the GOS as the primary outcome measure in trials of TBI, with an appropriate ordinal approach being taken to the statistical analysis.

Cultivation Theory and Research: A Conceptual Critique.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Potter, W. James

1993-01-01

Presents a critical analysis of how cultivation (long-term formation of perceptions and beliefs about the world as a result of exposure to media) has been conceptualized in theory and research. Analyses the construct of television exposure. Suggests revisions for conceptualizing the existing theory and extending it. (RS)

Theory as a Second Story: Extending a Tale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benedict, Cathy

2011-01-01

In this article, the author states that she supports Wayne Bowman's (2006) concern with the impact narratives can have, including their potential to legitimize "existing patterns of privilege and possibility." She argues that "there is nothing inherently emancipatory about narrative." In fact, narrative "may, and often…

Lunar Love Numbers and the Deep Lunar Interior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, J. G.; Boggs, D. H.; Ratcliff, J. T.; Dickey, J. O.

2002-01-01

Observationally determined values of the Love number k2 are larger than existing models of the lunar interior predict. The region between the deep moonquakes and core may be a low velocity zone from a partial melt. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Ecology of Lake Superior: Linking Landscape to Nearshore Condition

EPA Science Inventory

High spatial variation is well known to exist in water quality parameters of the Great Lakes nearshore, however strong patterns for extended reaches are also observed and found to be robust across a seasonal time frame. Less is known about robustness of inter-annual variation wi...

PA Discussion Topics

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-04

Solid Oxide fuel cell and Lithium Ion battery (~150 watts) • Enables extended mission durations • 12 hours of full power; 30 hours of silent watch...Hybrid fuel cell system is designed to replace the existing lead-acid batteries with an upgraded Solid Oxide fuel cell and Lithium Ion battery (~250

Photonic layered media

DOEpatents

Fleming, James G.; Lin, Shawn-Yu

2002-01-01

A new class of structured dielectric media which exhibit significant photonic bandstructure has been invented. The new structures, called photonic layered media, are easy to fabricate using existing layer-by-layer growth techniques, and offer the ability to significantly extend our practical ability to tailor the properties of such optical materials.

Latex modified asphalt and experimental joint treatments on asphaltic concrete overlays : experimental project No. 3 : asphalt additives.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1988-06-01

This report documents the construction and initial evaluation of several experimental features which were incorporated as part of an overlay of an existing PCC pavement in order to determine the feasibility of extending overlay service life. The expe...

The Formation of Igneous CAIs and Chondrules by Impacts?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connolly, Harold C., Jr.; Love, Stanley G.

2001-01-01

Numerous challenges exist with forming the igneous spheres found within chondrites via collision events in the early solar nebula. We explore these challenges and discuss potential methods to overcome them. Collision models should be received cautiously. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Extending Your Reach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Batterman, Christopher T.

2002-01-01

High-density mobile storage (storage units mounted on carriages and rails which move and compact to utilize wasted space) can double the capacity of an existing school library facility. This article describes the benefits of going mobile and looks at the advantages of powered, programmable mobile storage systems. A sidebar describes Michigan…

Aging Water Infrastructure and Nutrient Control at WWTPs: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Program

EPA Science Inventory

What are… the effects of major influencing factors (climate change, population dynamics, etc.) on future system demands? the innovative technologies that can cost-effectively improve performance and extend the life of existing systems? the new designs and management approaches...

26 CFR 1.357-1 - Assumption of liability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) Tax avoidance purpose. The benefits of section 357(a) do not extend to any exchange involving an... exchange (and not merely a particular liability with respect to which the tax avoidance purpose existed... Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED...

Maximizing Learning for Students with Special Needs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watkins, Deborah Edelman

2005-01-01

Providing a supportive learning environment and engaging students with a variety of abilities in effective learning activities requires a great deal of proficiency that extends beyond knowledge of subject content. Diverse classrooms challenge teachers to understand and accept the existence of academic, behavioral, and cultural diversity. Teachers…

Guide for Resurfacing, Restoration and Rehabilitation of Highways and Streets (Other than Freeways)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-04-01

The primary purpose of R-R-R projects is to provide a better riding surface, enhance safety, : improve operating conditions, and to preserve and extend the service life of existing non-freeway : facilities. Highway safety is an essential element of R...

Linked Data: Opportunities and Challenges in Disability Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glasson, Emma J.; Hussain, Rafat

2008-01-01

Background: Disability research data often exist in the form of individual records located within discrete registers that may extend across sensitive political boundaries. Method: This paper discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with using linked health and administrative data for disability research, with examples from research…

Lake Superior: Nearshore Variability and a Landscape Driver Concept

EPA Science Inventory

High spatial variation is well known to exist in water quality parameters of the Great Lakes nearshore, however strong patterns for extended reaches are also observed and found to be robust across a seasonal time frame. Less is known about robustness of inter-annual variation wi...

Extended Salecker-Wigner formula for optimal accuracy in reading a clock via a massive signal particle

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

Kudaka, Shoju; Matsumoto, Shuichi

2007-07-15

In order to acquire an extended Salecker-Wigner formula from which to derive the optimal accuracy in reading a clock with a massive particle as the signal, von Neumann's classical measurement is employed, by which simultaneously both position and momentum of the signal particle can be measured approximately. By an appropriate selection of wave function for the initial state of the composite system (a clock and a signal particle), the formula is derived accurately. Valid ranges of the running time of a clock with a given optimal accuracy are also given. The extended formula means that contrary to the Salecker-Wigner formulamore » there exists the possibility of a higher accuracy of time measurement, even if the mass of the clock is very small.« less

Bright, dark and W-shaped solitons with extended nonlinear Schrödinger's equation for odd and even higher-order terms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bendahmane, Issam; Triki, Houria; Biswas, Anjan; Saleh Alshomrani, Ali; Zhou, Qin; Moshokoa, Seithuti P.; Belic, Milivoj

2018-02-01

We present solitary wave solutions of an extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher-order odd (third-order) and even (fourth-order) terms by using an ansatz method. The including high-order dispersion terms have significant physical applications in fiber optics, the Heisenberg spin chain, and ocean waves. Exact envelope solutions comprise bright, dark and W-shaped solitary waves, illustrating the potentially rich set of solitary wave solutions of the extended model. Furthermore, we investigate the properties of these solitary waves in nonlinear and dispersive media. Moreover, specific constraints on the system parameters for the existence of these structures are discussed exactly. The results show that the higher-order dispersion and nonlinear effects play a crucial role for the formation and properties of propagating waves.

Extending the Cortical Grasping Network: Pre-supplementary Motor Neuron Activity During Vision and Grasping of Objects

PubMed Central

Lanzilotto, Marco; Livi, Alessandro; Maranesi, Monica; Gerbella, Marzio; Barz, Falk; Ruther, Patrick; Fogassi, Leonardo; Rizzolatti, Giacomo; Bonini, Luca

2016-01-01

Grasping relies on a network of parieto-frontal areas lying on the dorsolateral and dorsomedial parts of the hemispheres. However, the initiation and sequencing of voluntary actions also requires the contribution of mesial premotor regions, particularly the pre-supplementary motor area F6. We recorded 233 F6 neurons from 2 monkeys with chronic linear multishank neural probes during reaching–grasping visuomotor tasks. We showed that F6 neurons play a role in the control of forelimb movements and some of them (26%) exhibit visual and/or motor specificity for the target object. Interestingly, area F6 neurons form 2 functionally distinct populations, showing either visually-triggered or movement-related bursts of activity, in contrast to the sustained visual-to-motor activity displayed by ventral premotor area F5 neurons recorded in the same animals and with the same task during previous studies. These findings suggest that F6 plays a role in object grasping and extend existing models of the cortical grasping network. PMID:27733538

New roles and challenges within the healthcare workforce: a Heideggerian perspective.

PubMed

Wilson, Anthea

2015-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to explore insights based on the phenomenology of Martin Heidegger, on the dynamic relationships between human experience and work roles. Drawing on the findings of a hermeneutic phenomenological study of nurse mentors, the topics of new roles and role challenges are explored, along with a consideration of their relevance to wider issues of workforce redesign. Heidegger's philosophy of Dasein, in particular his concepts of inauthentic and authentic self, provided an interpretational lens. This paper applies these philosophical concepts to challenges associated with a changing workforce. Concepts elaborating human existence as proposed by Heidegger may offer analytic structures for understanding shifts in the lived experience of a changing workplace. In particular, the concepts could help managers to explore the implications of introducing novel work roles or extending roles. The understanding gained can also extend to situations where work practices may need to be challenged. As work roles and skill mix undergo rapid shifts, this paper offers an original way of understanding the experience of work roles.

Mathematical formula recognition using graph grammar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavirotte, Stephane; Pottier, Loic

1998-04-01

This paper describes current results of Ofr, a system for extracting and understanding mathematical expressions in documents. Such a tool could be really useful to be able to re-use knowledge in scientific books which are not available in electronic form. We currently also study use of this system for direct input of formulas with a graphical tablet for computer algebra system softwares. Existing solutions for mathematical recognition have problems to analyze 2D expressions like vectors and matrices. This is because they often try to use extended classical grammar to analyze formulas, relatively to baseline. But a lot of mathematical notations do not respect rules for such a parsing and that is the reason why they fail to extend text parsing technic. We investigate graph grammar and graph rewriting as a solution to recognize 2D mathematical notations. Graph grammar provide a powerful formalism to describe structural manipulations of multi-dimensional data. The main two problems to solve are ambiguities between rules of grammar and construction of graph.

How to remain nonfolded and pliable: the linkers in modular α-amylases as a case study.

PubMed

Feller, Georges; Dehareng, Dominique; Lage, Jean-Luc Da

2011-07-01

The primary structure of linkers in a new class of modular α-amylases constitutes a paradigm of the structural basis that allows a polypeptide to remain nonfolded, extended and pliable. Unfolding is mediated through a depletion of hydrophobic residues and an enrichment of hydrophilic residues, amongst which Ser and Thr are over-represented. An extended and flexible conformation is promoted by the sequential arrangement of Pro and Gly, which are the most abundant residues in these linkers. This is complemented by charge repulsion, charge clustering and disulfide-bridged loops. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest the existence of conformational transitions resulting from a transient and localized hydrophobic collapse, arising from the peculiar composition of the linkers. Accordingly, these linkers should not be regarded as fully disordered, but rather as possessing various discrete structural patterns allowing them to fulfill their biological function as a free energy reservoir for concerted motions between structured domains. © 2011 The Authors Journal compilation © 2011 FEBS.

Local nature of impurity induced spin-orbit torques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolaev, Sergey; Kalitsov, Alan; Chshiev, Mairbec; Mryasov, Oleg

Spin-orbit torques are of a great interest due to their potential applications for spin electronics. Generally, it originates from strong spin orbit coupling of heavy 4d/5d elements and its mechanism is usually attributed either to the Spin Hall effect or Rashba spin-orbit coupling. We have developed a quantum-mechanical approach based on the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism and tight binding Hamiltonian model to study spin-orbit torques and extended our theory for the case of extrinsic spin-orbit coupling induced by impurities. For the sake of simplicity, we consider a magnetic material on a two dimensional lattice with a single non-magnetic impurity. However, our model can be easily extended for three dimensional layered heterostructures. Based on our calculations, we present the detailed analysis of the origin of local spin-orbit torques and persistent charge currents around the impurity, that give rise to spin-orbit torques even in equilibrium and explain the existence of anisotropy.

Noble gas bond and the behaviour of XeO3 under pressure.

PubMed

Hou, Chunju; Wang, Xianlong; Botana, Jorge; Miao, Maosheng

2017-10-18

Over the past few decades, the concept of hydrogen bonds, in which hydrogen is electrophilic, has been extended to halogen bonds, chalcogen bonds and pnicogen bonds. Herein, we show that such a non-covalent bonding also exists in noble gas compounds. Using first principles calculations, we illustrate the OXe-O bond in molecular crystal XeO 3 and its effect on the behavior of this compound under pressure. Our calculations show that the covalent Xe-O bond lengths were elongated with increasing pressure and correspondingly the Xe-O stretching vibration frequencies were red shifted, which is similar to the change of H-bonds under pressure. The OXe-O bond and related hopping of O between neighboring Xe sites also correspond to the structural changes in the XeO 3 compounds at about 2 GPa. Our study extends the concept of hydrogen bonding to include all p-block elements and show a new bonding type for Noble gas elements in which it acts as an electrophilic species.

A Hybrid Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for the Extended Capacitated Arc Routing Problem.

PubMed

Li-Ning Xing; Rohlfshagen, P; Ying-Wu Chen; Xin Yao

2011-08-01

The capacitated arc routing problem (CARP) is representative of numerous practical applications, and in order to widen its scope, we consider an extended version of this problem that entails both total service time and fixed investment costs. We subsequently propose a hybrid ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm (HACOA) to solve instances of the extended CARP. This approach is characterized by the exploitation of heuristic information, adaptive parameters, and local optimization techniques: Two kinds of heuristic information, arc cluster information and arc priority information, are obtained continuously from the solutions sampled to guide the subsequent optimization process. The adaptive parameters ease the burden of choosing initial values and facilitate improved and more robust results. Finally, local optimization, based on the two-opt heuristic, is employed to improve the overall performance of the proposed algorithm. The resulting HACOA is tested on four sets of benchmark problems containing a total of 87 instances with up to 140 nodes and 380 arcs. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, some existing capacitated arc routing heuristics are extended to cope with the extended version of this problem; the experimental results indicate that the proposed ACO method outperforms these heuristics.

3D Numerical Modeling of the Propagation of Hydraulic Fracture at Its Intersection with Natural (Pre-existing) Fracture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dehghan, Ali Naghi; Goshtasbi, Kamran; Ahangari, Kaveh; Jin, Yan; Bahmani, Aram

2017-02-01

A variety of 3D numerical models were developed based on hydraulic fracture experiments to simulate the propagation of hydraulic fracture at its intersection with natural (pre-existing) fracture. Since the interaction between hydraulic and pre-existing fractures is a key condition that causes complex fracture patterns, the extended finite element method was employed in ABAQUS software to simulate the problem. The propagation of hydraulic fracture in a fractured medium was modeled in two horizontal differential stresses (Δ σ) of 5e6 and 10e6 Pa considering different strike and dip angles of pre-existing fracture. The rate of energy release was calculated in the directions of hydraulic and pre-existing fractures (G_{{frac}} /G_{{rock}}) at their intersection point to determine the fracture behavior. Opening and crossing were two dominant fracture behaviors during the hydraulic and pre-existing fracture interaction at low and high differential stress conditions, respectively. The results of numerical studies were compared with those of experimental models, showing a good agreement between the two to validate the accuracy of the models. Besides the horizontal differential stress, strike and dip angles of the natural (pre-existing) fracture, the key finding of this research was the significant effect of the energy release rate on the propagation behavior of the hydraulic fracture. This effect was more prominent under the influence of strike and dip angles, as well as differential stress. The obtained results can be used to predict and interpret the generation of complex hydraulic fracture patterns in field conditions.

Multistability in bidirectional associative memory neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Gan; Cao, Jinde

2008-04-01

In this Letter, the multistability issue is studied for Bidirectional Associative Memory (BAM) neural networks. Based on the existence and stability analysis of the neural networks with or without delay, it is found that the 2 n-dimensional networks can have 3 equilibria and 2 equilibria of them are locally exponentially stable, where each layer of the BAM network has n neurons. Furthermore, the results has been extended to (n+m)-dimensional BAM neural networks, where there are n and m neurons on the two layers respectively. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the validity of our results.

On the relationship between the greenhouse effect, atmospheric photochemistry, and species distribution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Callis, L. B.; Boughner, R. E.; Natarajan, M.

1983-01-01

The coupling that exists between infrared opacity changes and tropospheric (and to a lesser extent stratospheric) chemistry is explored in considerable detail, and the effects arising from various perturbations are examined. The studies are carried out with a fully coupled one-dimensional radiative-convective-photochemical model (RCP) that extends from the surface to 53.5 km and has the capability of calculating surface temperature changes due to both chemical and radiative perturbations. The model encompasses contemporary atmospheric chemistry and photochemistry involving the O(x), HO(x), NO(x), and Cl(x) species.

Uniform circular motion in general relativity: existence and extendibility of the trajectories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de la Fuente, Daniel; Romero, Alfonso; Torres, Pedro J.

2017-06-01

The concept of uniform circular motion in a general spacetime is introduced as a particular case of a planar motion. The initial value problem of the corresponding differential equation is analysed in detail. Geometrically, an observer that obeys a uniform circular motion is characterized as a Lorentzian helix. The completeness of inextensible trajectories is studied in generalized Robertson-Walker spacetimes and in a relevant family of pp-wave spacetimes. Under reasonable assumptions, the physical interpretation of such results is that a uniform circular observer lives forever, providing the absence of the singularities defined by these timelike curves.

Addressing Angular Single-Event Effects in the Estimation of On-Orbit Error Rates

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

Lee, David S.; Swift, Gary M.; Wirthlin, Michael J.

2015-12-01

Our study describes complications introduced by angular direct ionization events on space error rate predictions. In particular, prevalence of multiple-cell upsets and a breakdown in the application of effective linear energy transfer in modern-scale devices can skew error rates approximated from currently available estimation models. Moreover, this paper highlights the importance of angular testing and proposes a methodology to extend existing error estimation tools to properly consider angular strikes in modern-scale devices. Finally, these techniques are illustrated with test data provided from a modern 28 nm SRAM-based device.

Refraction of sound by a shear layer - Experimental assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schlinker, R. H.; Amiet, R. K.

1979-01-01

An experimental study was conducted to determine the refraction angle and amplitude changes associated with sound transmission through a circular, open jet shear layer. Both on-axis and off-axis acoustic source locations were used. Source frequency varied from 1 kHz to 10 kHz while freestream Mach number varied from 0.1 to 0.4. The experimental results were compared with an existing refraction theory which was extended to account for off-axis source positions. A simple experiment was also conducted to assess the importance of turbulence scattering between 1 kHz and 25 kHz.

Singlet particles as cold dark matter in a noncommutative space-time

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

Ettefaghi, M. M.

2009-03-15

We extend the noncommutative (NC) standard model to incorporate singlet particles as cold dark matter. In the NC space-time, the singlet particles can be coupled to the U(1) gauge field in the adjoint representation. We study the relic density of the singlet particles due to the NC induced interaction. Demanding either the singlet fermion or the singlet scalar to serve as cold dark matter and the NC induced interactions to be relevant to the dark matter production, we obtain the corresponding relations between the NC scale and the dark matter masses, which are consistent with some existing bounds.

Artificially extended photoperiod administered to pre-partum mares via blue light to a single eye: Observations on gestation length, foal birth weight and foal hair coat at birth.

PubMed

Nolan, Margaret B; Walsh, Caroline M; Duff, Noelle; McCrarren, Conor; Prendergast, Ralph L; Murphy, Barbara A

2017-09-15

In seasonally breeding animals, photoperiod perception is crucial for timing of important physiological events. In the horse, long day photoperiod influences the onset of ovulation and cyclicity, shedding of the heavier winter coat and the timing of parturition. In this compilation of studies, conducted across three breeding seasons and two countries, the impact of artificially extended day length was investigated on gestation length, foal birth weight and foal hair coat at birth. The light therapy was administered to pre-partum mares via mobile head worn masks which provided short wavelength blue light to a single eye. In Study 1, reductions in gestation lengths were observed following administration of artificially extended day length (124.8 ± 15.11 days) in the final months of pregnancy to a group of Thoroughbred mares compared to controls (P < 0.05; 339.7 ± 9.56 days vs 350.6 ± 9.13). Study 2 revealed that pre-partum exposure to artificially extended day length (104.6 ± 9.89 days) increased foal birth weight compared to controls (47.13 ± 2.93 kg vs 43.51 ± 6.14 kg; P < 0.05) in mares bred early in the year. In Study 3, artificially extended day length (87.53 ± 19.6 days) administered to pre-partum mares affected the coat condition of foals at birth with respect to hair weight (P < 0.0001) and hair length (P < 0.0001) compared to controls (0.34 ± 0.20 μg vs 0.59 ± 0.12 μg and 1.93 ± 0.56 cm vs 2.56 ± 0.32 cm, respectively). Collectively, these studies serve to highlight the influential role of the circa-annual changes in photoperiod length on the pre-partum mare for normal foetal development during the natural breeding season. It also emphasizes the potential that exists to improve breeding efficiency parameters by artificially simulating this important environmental cue in the latter stages of gestation against the backdrop of an economically driven early breeding season. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neglected transport equations: extended Rankine-Hugoniot conditions and J -integrals for fracture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davey, K.; Darvizeh, R.

2016-09-01

Transport equations in integral form are well established for analysis in continuum fluid dynamics but less so for solid mechanics. Four classical continuum mechanics transport equations exist, which describe the transport of mass, momentum, energy and entropy and thus describe the behaviour of density, velocity, temperature and disorder, respectively. However, one transport equation absent from the list is particularly pertinent to solid mechanics and that is a transport equation for movement, from which displacement is described. This paper introduces the fifth transport equation along with a transport equation for mechanical energy and explores some of the corollaries resulting from the existence of these equations. The general applicability of transport equations to discontinuous physics is discussed with particular focus on fracture mechanics. It is well established that bulk properties can be determined from transport equations by application of a control volume methodology. A control volume can be selected to be moving, stationary, mass tracking, part of, or enclosing the whole system domain. The flexibility of transport equations arises from their ability to tolerate discontinuities. It is insightful thus to explore the benefits derived from the displacement and mechanical energy transport equations, which are shown to be beneficial for capturing the physics of fracture arising from a displacement discontinuity. Extended forms of the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions for fracture are established along with extended forms of J -integrals.

Follow-up of early stage melanoma: specialist clinician perspectives on the functions of follow-up and implications for extending follow-up intervals.

PubMed

Rychetnik, Lucie; McCaffery, Kirsten; Morton, Rachael L; Thompson, John F; Menzies, Scott W; Irwig, Les

2013-04-01

There is limited evidence on the relative effectiveness of different follow-up schedules for patients with AJCC stage I or II melanoma, but less frequent follow-up than is currently recommended has been proposed. To describe melanoma clinicians' perspectives on the functions of follow-up, factors that influence follow-up intervals, and important considerations for extending intervals. Qualitative interviews with 16 clinicians (surgical oncologists, dermatologists, melanoma unit physicians) who conduct follow-up at two of Australia's largest specialist centers. Follow-up is conducted for early detection of recurrences or new primary melanomas, to manage patient anxiety, support patient self-care, and as part of shared care. Recommended intervals are based on guidelines but account for each patient's clinical risk profile, level of anxiety, patient education requirements, capacity to engage in skin self-examination, and how the clinician prefers to manage any suspicious lesions. To revise guidelines and implement change it is important to understand the rationale underpinning existing practice. Extended follow-up intervals for early stage melanoma are more likely to be adopted after the first year when patients are less anxious and sufficiently prepared to conduct self-examination. Clinicians may retain existing schedules for highly anxious patients or those unable to examine themselves. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Optimising reproductive and child health outcomes by building evidence-based research and practice in South East Asia (SEA-ORCHID): study protocol

PubMed Central

Henderson-Smart, David J; Lumbiganon, Pisake; Festin, Mario R; Ho, Jacqueline J; Mohammad, Hakimi; McDonald, Steve J; Green, Sally; Crowther, Caroline A

2007-01-01

Background Disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth are a major health issue in South East Asia. They represent one of the biggest health risk differentials between the developed and developing world. Our broad research question is: Can the health of mothers and babies in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia be improved by increasing the local capacity for the synthesis of research, implementation of effective interventions, and identification of gaps in knowledge needing further research? Methods/Design The project is a before-after study which planned to benefit from and extend existing regional and international networks. Over five years the project was designed to comprise five phases; pre-study, pre-intervention, intervention, outcome assessment and reporting/dissemination. The study was proposed to be conducted across seven project nodes: four in South East Asia and three in Australia. Each South East Asian study node was planned to be established within an existing department of obstetrics and gynaecology or neonatology and was intended to form the project coordinating centre and focus for evidence-based practice activities within that region. Nine hospitals in South East Asia planned to participate, representing a range of clinical settings. The three project nodes in Australia were intended to provide project support. The intervention was planned to consist of capacity-strengthening activities targeted at three groups: generators of evidence, users of evidence and teachers of evidence. The primary outcome was established as changes in adherence to recommended clinical practices from baseline to completion of the project and impact on health outcomes. Discussion The SEA-ORCHID project was intended to improve care during pregnancy and the perinatal period of mothers and their babies in South East Asia. The possible benefits extend beyond this however, as at the end of this project there is hoped to be an existing network of South East Asian researchers and health care providers with the capacity to generalise this model to other health priority areas. It is anticipated that this project facilitate ongoing development of evidence-based practice and policy in South East Asia through attracting long-term funding, expansion into other hospitals and community-based care and the establishment of nodes in other countries. PMID:17892586

Towards an Effective Health Interventions Design: An Extension of the Health Belief Model

PubMed Central

Orji, Rita; Vassileva, Julita; Mandryk, Regan

2012-01-01

Introduction The recent years have witnessed a continuous increase in lifestyle related health challenges around the world. As a result, researchers and health practitioners have focused on promoting healthy behavior using various behavior change interventions. The designs of most of these interventions are informed by health behavior models and theories adapted from various disciplines. Several health behavior theories have been used to inform health intervention designs, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Transtheoretical Model, and the Health Belief Model (HBM). However, the Health Belief Model (HBM), developed in the 1950s to investigate why people fail to undertake preventive health measures, remains one of the most widely employed theories of health behavior. However, the effectiveness of this model is limited. The first limitation is the low predictive capacity (R2 < 0.21 on average) of existing HBM’s variables coupled with the small effect size of individual variables. The second is lack of clear rules of combination and relationship between the individual variables. In this paper, we propose a solution that aims at addressing these limitations as follows: (1) we extended the Health Belief Model by introducing four new variables: Self-identity, Perceived Importance, Consideration of Future Consequences, and Concern for Appearance as possible determinants of healthy behavior. (2) We exhaustively explored the relationships/interactions between the HBM variables and their effect size. (3) We tested the validity of both our proposed extended model and the original HBM on healthy eating behavior. Finally, we compared the predictive capacity of the original HBM model and our extended model. Methods: To achieve the objective of this paper, we conducted a quantitative study of 576 participants’ eating behavior. Data for this study were collected over a period of one year (from August 2011 to August 2012). The questionnaire consisted of validated scales assessing the HBM determinants – perceived benefit, barrier, susceptibility, severity, cue to action, and self-efficacy – using 7-point Likert scale. We also assessed other health determinants such as consideration of future consequences, self-identity, concern for appearance and perceived importance. To analyses our data, we employed factor analysis and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) to exhaustively explore the interaction/relationship between the determinants and healthy eating behavior. We tested for the validity of both our proposed extended model and the original HBM on healthy eating behavior. Finally, we compared the predictive capacity of the original HBM model and our extended model and investigated possible mediating effects. Results: The results show that the three newly added determinants are better predictors of healthy behavior. Our extended HBM model lead to approximately 78% increase (from 40 to 71%) in predictive capacity compared to the old model. This shows the suitability of our extended HBM for use in predicting healthy behavior and in informing health intervention design. The results from examining possible relationships between the determinants in our model lead to an interesting discovery of some mediating relationships between the HBM’s determinants, therefore, shedding light on some possible combinations of determinants that could be employed by intervention designers to increase the effectiveness of their design. Conclusion: Consideration of future consequences, self-identity, concern for appearance, perceived importance, self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility are significant determinants of healthy eating behavior that can be manipulated by healthy eating intervention design. Most importantly, the result from our model established the existence of some mediating relationships among the determinants. The knowledge of both the direct and indirect relationships sheds some light on the possible combination rules. PMID:23569653

Barriers and facilitators to extended working lives in Europe: a gender focus.

PubMed

Edge, Clare Ellen; Cooper, Anna Mary; Coffey, Margaret

2017-01-01

There is a global imperative to respond to the challenge of a growing 'old-age dependency ratio' by ensuring the workforce is healthy enough to remain in work for longer. Currently more than half of older workers leave before the default retirement age, and in some countries (e.g. the UK), the time spent in retirement is increasing. At the same time across Europe, there is a gender employment gap, with 14.5% fewer female workers between 55-64 years old, and a large variation in the participation of older women in the workforce (ranging from 30-75%). As older women are under-represented in the workforce, increasing employment in this group has the propensity to go some way towards reducing the old-age dependency ratio to ensure continued economic growth. This review explores the barriers and facilitators to extended working lives in Europe, particularly those that impact on women. A systematic mapping review process was undertaken using four electronic databases, MEDLINE, PsychoINFO, PsychEXTRA via Ovid and AgeLine via EBSCO, using the terms, 'work', 'ageing', 'retirement', 'pension', 'old', 'barrier', 'extended working life', 'gender' and 'health and well-being'. Hand searching was also carried out in the International Journal of Aging and Human Development and the International Journal of Aging and Society . The search resulted in 15 English language studies published from 1st January 2005 to the current date that met the inclusion criteria. The key factors that influenced decisions to retire or extend working lives in Europe were health, social factors, workplace factors, and financial security and pension arrangements. Health was found to be the most commonly cited barrier to extended working lives in Europe, and a number of social inequalities to work exist by gender. Structural factors exist, such as the gender pay gap, which disadvantages women, while the nature of work itself differs by gender and can have a negative impact on health. Currently, women tend to exit the labour market earlier than men; however, changes in the state pension age are resulting in women being required to work for as long as men, in most countries. For women to remain healthy at work, workplaces need to consider a range of interventions, including flexible arrangements to both work and retirement to enable women to balance the demands of work with domestic and caring responsibilities that particularly impact on them.

Genetic mechanism for designing new generation of buildings from data obtained by sensor agent robots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ono, Chihiro; Mita, Akira

2012-04-01

Due to an increase in an elderly-people household, and global warming, the design of building spaces requires delicate consideration of the needs of elderly-people. Studies of intelligent spaces that can control suitable devices for residents may provide some of functions needed. However, these intelligent spaces are based on predefined scenarios so that it is difficult to handle unexpected circumstances and adapt to the needs of people. This study aims to suggest a Genetic adaption algorithm for building spaces. The feasibility of the algorithm is tested by simulation. The algorithm extend the existing design methodology by reflecting ongoing living information quickly in the variety of patterns.

Meta-T: TetrisⓇ as an experimental paradigm for cognitive skills research.

PubMed

Lindstedt, John K; Gray, Wayne D

2015-12-01

Studies of human performance in complex tasks using video games are an attractive prospect, but many existing games lack a comprehensive way to modify the game and track performance beyond basic levels of analysis. Meta-T provides experimenters a tool to study behavior in a dynamic task environment with time-stressed decision-making and strong perceptual-motor elements, offering a host of experimental manipulations with a robust and detailed logging system for all user events, system events, and screen objects. Its experimenter-friendly interface provides control over detailed parameters of the task environment without need for programming expertise. Support for eye-tracking and computational cognitive modeling extend the paradigm's scope.

Studies of the Si/SiO2 interface using synchrotron radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hecht, M. H.; Grunthaner, F. J.

1985-01-01

Synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy (SRPS) in the 1-4 KeV photon energy range is a useful tool for interface characterization. Results are presented of a series of studies of the near-interface region of Si/SiO2 which confirm that a bond strain gradient exists in the oxide as a result of lattice mismatch. These experiments include measurement of photoemission lineshape changes as a function of photon energy, corresponding changes in the electron escape depth near the interface, and surface extended X-ray absorption fine structure (SEXAFS) measurements directly indicating the shortening of the Si-Si second nearest neighbor distance in the near-interface region of the oxide.

Characterization and snubbing of a bidirectional MCT in a resonant ac link converter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Tony; Elbuluk, Malik E.; Zinger, Donald S.

1993-01-01

The MOS-Controlled Thyristor (MCT) is emerging as a powerful switch that combines the better characteristics of existing power devices. A study of switching stresses on an MCT switch under zero voltage resonant switching is presented. The MCT is used as a bidirectional switch in an ac/ac pulse density modulated inverter for induction motor drive. Current and voltage spikes are observed and analyzed with variations in the timing of the switching. Different snubber circuit configurations are under investigation to minimize the effect of these transients. The results will be extended to study and test the MCT switching in a medium power (5 hp) induction motor drive.

Employing Machine-Learning Methods to Study Young Stellar Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Nicholas

2018-01-01

Vast amounts of data exist in the astronomical data archives, and yet a large number of sources remain unclassified. We developed a multi-wavelength pipeline to classify infrared sources. The pipeline uses supervised machine learning methods to classify objects into the appropriate categories. The program is fed data that is already classified to train it, and is then applied to unknown catalogues. The primary use for such a pipeline is the rapid classification and cataloging of data that would take a much longer time to classify otherwise. While our primary goal is to study young stellar objects (YSOs), the applications extend beyond the scope of this project. We present preliminary results from our analysis and discuss future applications.

Spatial correlation of auroral zone geomagnetic variations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackel, B. J.; Davalos, A.

2016-12-01

Magnetic field perturbations in the auroral zone are produced by a combination of distant ionospheric and local ground induced currents. Spatial and temporal structure of these currents is scientifically interesting and can also have a significant influence on critical infrastructure.Ground-based magnetometer networks are an essential tool for studying these phenomena, with the existing complement of instruments in Canada providing extended local time coverage. In this study we examine the spatial correlation between magnetic field observations over a range of scale lengths. Principal component and canonical correlation analysis are used to quantify relationships between multiple sites. Results could be used to optimize network configurations, validate computational models, and improve methods for empirical interpolation.

Popular culture and sporting life in the rural margins of late eighteenth-century England: the world of Robert Anderson, "The Cumberland Bard".

PubMed

Huggins, Mike

2012-01-01

This study sets out to extend and challenge existing historiography on late eighteenth century British popular culture, customary sports, class and cultural identity, focusing upon the rural geo-political borderland of England. It suggests that prevailing class-based and more London-biased studies need to be balanced with more regionalist-based work, and shows the importance of northern regional leisure variants. The textual and historical analysis draws largely on the published works of a neglected working-class dialect poet, Robert Anderson, living and working in Cumberland, arguing that he represented a strain of ''bardic regionalism,'' a variant of Katie Trumpener’s ''bardic nationalism.''

Assessing aspects of creativity in deaf and hearing high school students.

PubMed

Stanzione, Christopher M; Perez, Susan M; Lederberg, Amy R

2013-04-01

To address the paucity of current research on the development of creativity in deaf students, and to extend existing research to adolescents, the present study investigated divergent thinking, a method of assessing creativity, in both deaf and hearing adolescents. We assessed divergent thinking in two domains, figural and verbal, while also adjusting the instructional method in written format, sign language, or spoken English. Deaf students' performance was equal to, or more creative than, hearing students on the figural assessment of divergent thinking, but less creative on the verbal assessment. Additional studies should be conducted to determine whether this was an anomalous finding or one that might contribute to hypotheses yielding effective interventions.

The effects of social capital and social pressure on the intention to have a second or third child in France, Germany, and Bulgaria, 2004-05.

PubMed

Balbo, Nicoletta; Mills, Melinda

2011-11-01

This study investigates the importance of the effect of an individual's web of informal relationships with family and peers on the intention to have a second or third child. Drawing on sociological theories of social capital (help with childcare, emotional support) and social pressure, the study extends existing research by evaluating cross-national differences (between France, Germany, and Bulgaria) in the impact of personal network and institutional circumstances. It tests a non-linear relationship between social capital and fertility intentions. Social pressure and social capital are highly institutionally filtered, with the impact of personal network stronger where institutions are less family-supportive.

An EXAFS study of zinc coordination in microbial cells.

PubMed

Webb, S M; Gaillard, J F; Jackson, B E; Stahl, D A

2001-03-01

Five microbes were isolated from metal amended enrichment cultures derived from the sediments of a lake contaminated by a zinc smelter. Each of these organisms was grown in pure culture in the presence of zinc. Quick Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (QEXAFS) spectroscopy was used to investigate the average coordination environment of the zinc associated with the microbial biomass. Fitting of the first coordination shell of zinc shows that significant differences exist for each microbial species examined. The coordination environment of zinc varies between sulfurs to six-fold nitrogen/oxygen. with two microbial strains showing mixed coordination shells. Further study is required in order to characterize these sites and their locations within the cell.

Quantum stochastic calculus associated with quadratic quantum noises

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

Ji, Un Cig, E-mail: uncigji@chungbuk.ac.kr; Sinha, Kalyan B., E-mail: kbs-jaya@yahoo.co.in

2016-02-15

We first study a class of fundamental quantum stochastic processes induced by the generators of a six dimensional non-solvable Lie †-algebra consisting of all linear combinations of the generalized Gross Laplacian and its adjoint, annihilation operator, creation operator, conservation, and time, and then we study the quantum stochastic integrals associated with the class of fundamental quantum stochastic processes, and the quantum Itô formula is revisited. The existence and uniqueness of solution of a quantum stochastic differential equation is proved. The unitarity conditions of solutions of quantum stochastic differential equations associated with the fundamental processes are examined. The quantum stochastic calculusmore » extends the Hudson-Parthasarathy quantum stochastic calculus.« less

Crystallographic studies of bovine beta2-microglobulin.

PubMed Central

Becker, J W; Ziffer, J A; Edelman, G M; Cunningham, B A

1977-01-01

Crystals of the bovine milk protein lactollin yield x-ray diffraction data extending to a resolution of 2.8 A. Lactollin is a bovine analogue of beta2-microglobulin, a protein that is homologous in amino acid sequence to the constant domains of immunoglobulins and is the light chain of the human and murine major histocompatability antigens. The protein crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 77.4, b = 47.9, and c = 34.3 A. The unit cell parameters and physical chemical solution studies indicate that the molecule exists in the crystal and in solution as a single polypeptide chain of 12,000 daltons. Images PMID:71731

Mothers Coping With Bereavement in the 2008 China Earthquake: A Dual Process Model Analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Lin; Fu, Fang; Sha, Wei; Chan, Cecilia L W; Chow, Amy Y M

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study is to explore the grief experiences of mothers after they lost their children in the 2008 China earthquake. Informed by the dual process model, this study conducted in-depth interviews to explore how six bereaved mothers coped with such grief over a 2-year period. Right after the earthquake, these mothers suffered from intensive grief. They primarily coped with loss-oriented stressors. As time passed, these mothers began to focus on restoration-oriented stressors to face changes in life. This coping trajectory was a dynamic and integral process, which bereaved mothers oscillated between loss- and restoration-oriented stressors. This study offers insight in extending the existing empirical evidence of the dual process model.

Mothers Coping With Bereavement in the 2008 China Earthquake: A Dual Process Model Analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Lin; Fu, Fang; Sha, Wei; Chan, Cecilia L W; Chow, Amy Y M

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study is to explore the grief experiences of mothers after they lost their children in the 2008 China earthquake. Informed by the Dual Process Model, this study conducted in-depth interviews to explore how six bereaved mothers coped with such grief over a 2-year period. Right after the earthquake, these mothers suffered from intensive grief. They primarily coped with loss-oriented stressors. As time passed, these mothers began to focus on restoration-oriented stressors to face changes in life. This coping trajectory was a dynamic and integral process, which bereaved mothers oscillated between loss- and restoration-oriented stressors. This study offers insight in extending the existing empirical evidence of the Dual Process Model.

Model-Based Data Integration and Process Standardization Techniques for Fault Management: A Feasibility Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haste, Deepak; Ghoshal, Sudipto; Johnson, Stephen B.; Moore, Craig

2018-01-01

This paper describes the theory and considerations in the application of model-based techniques to assimilate information from disjoint knowledge sources for performing NASA's Fault Management (FM)-related activities using the TEAMS® toolset. FM consists of the operational mitigation of existing and impending spacecraft failures. NASA's FM directives have both design-phase and operational-phase goals. This paper highlights recent studies by QSI and DST of the capabilities required in the TEAMS® toolset for conducting FM activities with the aim of reducing operating costs, increasing autonomy, and conforming to time schedules. These studies use and extend the analytic capabilities of QSI's TEAMS® toolset to conduct a range of FM activities within a centralized platform.

Intercultural Communication Research: Where Do We Go from Here?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porter, Richard E.

This paper presents an outline of intercultural communication research needs and offers proposals for research direction for the next decade. The author suggests the following goals and criteria: (1) extend existing theory to encompass intercultural communication; (2) concentrate on intercultural research rather than cross-cultural research; (3)…

The Serial Murderer's Motivations: An Interdisciplinary Review.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeHart, Dana D.; Mahoney, John M.

1994-01-01

Defines serial killer as individual who murders two or more victims over an extended period of time, ranging from days to years, with the crimes often being sexually motivated. Reviews existing motivational theories of serial murder and proposes additional explications from range of disciplines. Presents suggestions for future research and…

2×2 systems of conservation laws with L data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bianchini, Stefano; Colombo, Rinaldo M.; Monti, Francesca

Consider a hyperbolic system of conservation laws with genuinely nonlinear characteristic fields. We extend the classical Glimm-Lax (1970) result [13, Theorem 5.1] proving the existence of solutions for L initial datum, relaxing the assumptions taken therein on the geometry of the shock-rarefaction curves.

78 FR 9391 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-08

... extend the existing PRA clearance for the information collection requirements associated with the... burden of the FCLCA and Rule based on its knowledge of, and information from, the eye care industry... party prescriber. No substantive provisions in the Rule have been amended or changed since staff's prior...

Library Circulation Systems: An Overview

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Surace, Cecily J.

1972-01-01

The model circulation system outlined is an on-line real time system in which the circulation file is created from the shelf list. The model extends beyond the operational limits of most existing circulation systems and can be considered a reflection of the current state of the art. (36 references) (Author/NH)