2,585 research outputs found
Utilization survey of prototype structural test article
A survey was conducted of six aerospace companies and two NASA agencies to determine how prototype structural test articles are used in flight operations. The prototype structures are airframes and similar devices which are used for testing and generally are not flown. The survey indicated the following: (1) prototype test articles are not being discarded after development testing is complete, but are used for other purposes, (2) only two cases of prototypes being refurbished and flown were identified, (3) protective devices and inspection techniques are available to prevent or minimize test article damage, (4) substitute programs from design verification are availabel in lieu of using prototype structural articles, and (5) there is a trend away from dedicated test articles. Four options based on these study results were identified to reduce test and hardware costs without compromising reliability of the flight program
Task analysis for error identification: Theory, method and validation
This paper presents the underlying theory of Task Analysis for Error Identification. The aim is to illustrate the development of a method that has been proposed for the evaluation of prototypical designs from the perspective of predicting human error. The paper presents the method applied to representative examples. The methodology is considered in terms of the various validation studies that have been conducted, and is discussed in the light of a specific case study
WESTT (Workload, Error, Situational Awareness, Time and Teamwork): An analytical prototyping system for command and control
Modern developments in the use of information technology within command and control allow unprecedented scope for flexibility in the way teams deal with tasks. These developments, together with the increased recognition of the importance of knowledge management within teams present difficulties for the analyst in terms of evaluating the impacts of changes to task composition or team membership. In this paper an approach to this problem is presented that represents team behaviour in terms of three linked networks (representing task, social network structure and knowledge) within the integrative WESTT software tool. In addition, by automating analyses of workload and error based on the same data that generate the networks, WESTT allows the user to engage in the process of rapid and iterative “analytical prototyping”. For purposes of illustration an example of the use of this technique with regard to a simple tactical vignette is presented
Instability of the massive Klein-Gordon field on the Kerr spacetime
We investigate the instability of the massive scalar field in the vicinity of
a rotating black hole. The instability arises from amplification caused by the
classical superradiance effect. The instability affects bound states: solutions
to the massive Klein-Gordon equation which tend to zero at infinity. We
calculate the spectrum of bound state frequencies on the Kerr background using
a continued fraction method, adapted from studies of quasinormal modes. We
demonstrate that the instability is most significant for the ,
state, for . For a fast rotating hole () we find
a maximum growth rate of ,
at . The physical implications are discussed.Comment: Added references. 27 pages, 7 figure
Return Predictability: The Dual Signaling Hypothesis of Stock Splits
This paper aims to differentiate between optimistic splits and overoptimistic/opportunistic splits. Although markets do not distinguish between these two groups at the split announcement time, optimistic (over-optimistic/opportunistic) splits precede positive (negative) long-term buy-and-hold abnormal returns. Using the calendar month portfolio approach, we show that the zero-investment, ex-ante identifiable, and fully implementable trading strategy proposed in this paper can generate economically and statistically significant positive abnormal returns. Our findings indicate that pre-split earnings management and how it relates to managers’ incentives, is an omitted variable in the studies of post-split long-term abnormal returns
Free triiodothyronine (T3) is negatively associated with fasting ghrelin serum levels in a population sample of euthyroid subjects
Purpose: Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide hormone secreted in times of stress and hunger. It is deeply involved in the regulation of metabolism and energy homeostasis, promoting energy intake and inhibiting energy expenditure on a metabolic level. In this regard, it has in many ways antagonistic effect on the thyroid hormones, which increase metabolism and thus energy expenditure. While there is reasonable evidence of a negative association between ghrelin and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT-) axis from studies in patients with thyroid dysfunction and small intervention studies, large-scale studies in healthy subjects are lacking. Therefore, we studied the relationship between total ghrelin serum levels and serum levels of the thyroid hormones in a large sample of euthyroid subjects. Methods: Total ghrelin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) were determined after an overnight fast in 1666 subjects participating in a population-based cross-sectional study ('LIFE') including 10,000 adults. 1012 subjects were included in this analysis. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Results: FT3 was negatively associated with serum ghrelin; total sample: β = - 0.0001, p < 0.001; men: β = - 0.0002, p = 0.013; women: β = - 0.0001, p = 0.010, adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol consumption, serum levels of TSH and fT4 and smoking status. No associations were found between ghrelin serum levels and serum levels of fT4 or TSH. Conclusion: This is to date the largest study investigating the relationship between total serum ghrelin and thyroid hormones. The results point to a complex interaction and should initiate further research
Development of a generic activities model of command and control
This paper reports on five different models of command and control. Four different models are reviewed: a process model, a contextual control model, a decision ladder model and a functional model. Further to this, command and control activities are analysed in three distinct domains: armed forces, emergency services and civilian services. From this analysis, taxonomies of command and control activities are developed that give rise to an activities model of command and control. This model will be used to guide further research into technological support of command and control activities
Spin-wave scattering at low temperatures in manganite films
The temperature and magnetic field dependence of the resistivity
has been measured for LaSrMnO (y=0 and 0.128)
films grown on (100) SrTiO substrates. The low-temperature in the
ferromagnetic metallic region follows well with being the residual resistivity. We attribute the second and third term to
small-polaron and spin-wave scattering, respectively. Our analysis based on
these scattering mechanisms also gives the observed difference between the
metal-insulator transition temperatures of the films studied. Transport
measurements in applied magnetic field further indicate that spin-wave
scattering is a key transport mechanism at low temperatures.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. to appear in Phys. Rev.
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