Quantifying excitations of quasinormal mode systems

Computations of the strong field generation of gravitational waves by black hole processes produce waveforms that are dominated by quasinormal (QN) ringing, a damped oscillation characteristic of the black hole. We describe here the mathematical problem of quantifying the QN content of the waveforms generated. This is done in several steps: (i) We develop the mathematics of QN systems that are complete (in a sense to be defined) and show that there is a quantity, the ``excitation coefficient,'' that appears to have the properties needed to quantify QN content. (ii) We show that incomplete systems can (at least sometimes) be converted to physically equivalent complete systems. Most notably, we give a rigorous proof of completeness for a specific modified model problem. (iii) We evaluate the excitation coefficient for the model problem, and demonstrate that the excitation coefficient is of limited utility. We finish by discussing the general question of quantification of QN excitations, and offer a few speculations about unavoidable differences between normal mode and QN systems.Comment: 27 pages, 14 figures. To be published in: J. Math. Phys. (1999

Optimization of thin n-in-p planar pixel modules for the ATLAS upgrade at HL-LHC

The ATLAS experiment will undergo around the year 2025 a replacement of the tracker system in view of the high luminosity phase of the LHC (HL-LHC) with a new 5-layer pixel system. Thin planar pixel sensors are promising candidates to instrument the innermost region of the new pixel system, thanks to the reduced contribution to the material budget and their high charge collection efficiency after irradiation. The sensors of 50-150 $\mu$m thickness, interconnected to FE-I4 read-out chips, have been characterized with radioactive sources and beam tests. In particular active edge sensors have been investigated. The performance of two different versions of edge designs are compared: the first with a bias ring, and the second one where only a floating guard ring has been implemented. The hit efficiency at the edge has also been studied after irradiation at a fluence of $10^{15}$ \neqcm. Highly segmented sensors will represent a challenge for the tracking in the forward region of the pixel system at HL-LHC. In order to reproduce the performance of 50x50 $\mu$m$^2$ pixels at high pseudo-rapidity values, FE-I4 compatible planar pixel sensors have been studied before and after irradiation in beam tests at high incidence angles with respect to the short pixel direction. Results on the hit efficiency in this configuration are discussed for different sensor thicknesses

A Developmental Study on Assessing the Cybersecurity Competency of Organizational Information System Users

Organizational information system users (OISUs) that are open to cyber threats vectors are contributing to major financial and information losses for individuals, businesses, and governments. Moreover, technical cybersecurity controls may be rendered useless due to a lack of cybersecurity competency of OISUs. The main goal of this research study was to propose and validate, using subject matter experts (SMEs), a reliable hands-on assessment prototype tool for measuring the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that comprise the cybersecurity competency of an OISU. Primarily using the Delphi methodology, this study implemented four phases of data collection using cybersecurity SMEs for proposing and validating OISU: (a) KSAs, (b) KSA measures, (c) KSA measure weights, and (d) cybersecurity competency threshold. A fifth phase of data collection occurred measuring the cybersecurity competency of 54 participants. Phase 1 proposed and validated three OISU cybersecurity abilities, 23 OISU cybersecurity knowledge units (KU), and 22 OISU cybersecurity skill areas (SA). Phase 2 proposed and validated 90 KSA measures for 47 knowledge topics (KT) and 43 skill tasks (ST). Phase 3 proposed and validated the weights for four knowledge categories (KC) and four skill categories (SC). Phase 4 proposed and validated an OISU cybersecurity competency threshold (index score) of 80%. Phase 5 of this study measured the cybersecurity competency of 54 OISUs using the MyCyberKSAsTM prototype cybersecurity competency assessment tool. Phase 5 conducted data analysis by computing levels of dispersion and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), which indicated that annual cybersecurity training and job function are significant, providing evidences for significant differences in OISU cybersecurity competency

Performance of irradiated thin n-in-p planar pixel sensors for the ATLAS Inner Tracker upgrade

The ATLAS collaboration will replace its tracking detector with new all silicon pixel and strip systems. This will allow to cope with the higher radiation and occupancy levels expected after the 5-fold increase in the luminosity of the LHC accelerator complex (HL-LHC). In the new tracking detector (ITk) pixel modules with increased granularity will implement to maintain the occupancy with a higher track density. In addition, both sensors and read-out chips composing the hybrid modules will be produced employing more radiation hard technologies with respect to the present pixel detector. Due to their outstanding performance in terms of radiation hardness, thin n-in-p sensors are promising candidates to instrument a section of the new pixel system. Recently produced and developed sensors of new designs will be presented. To test the sensors before interconnection to chips, a punch-through biasing structure has been implemented. Its design has been optimized to decrease the possible tracking efficiency losses observed. After irradiation, they were caused by the punch-through biasing structure. A sensor compatible with the ATLAS FE-I4 chip with a pixel size of 50x250 $\mathrm{\mu}$m$^{2}$, subdivided into smaller pixel implants of 30x30 $\mathrm{\mu}$m$^{2}$ size was designed to investigate the performance of the 50x50 $\mathrm{\mu}$m$^{2}$ pixel cells foreseen for the HL-LHC. Results on sensor performance of 50x250 and 50x50 $\mathrm{\mu}$m$^{2}$ pixel cells in terms of efficiency, charge collection and electric field properties are obtained with beam tests and the Transient Current Technique

The impact of agency organisation and natural support on supported employment outcomes

Data was collected on nine supported employment agencies over one financial year on staffing ratio, staff qualifications, job finding approach, management structure, supervision arrangement, referral and funding sources, and typicalness of jobs and job placement approaches, replicating elements of Mank et al. (1997). Data was also collected on individual client wage and hours worked outcomes. An ANOVA revealed strong differences among agencies in hours worked, wages in the extent to which they acquired Job Acquisition, Compensation packages, Work Roles and Orientation and induction and programmes that were typical for the company they were placing into. An ANOVA on hours worked, wages earned and typicalness in these key processes revealed a significant independent effects of management model and job finding approach. Stepwise regression analysis was used to quantify the impact on wage and hours worked outcomes of management model. Job coach approach, staff ratio and typicalness in these four key areas. Significant Beta coefficients were found between monthly wage and hours worked and typicalness of Compensation, Work Roles and Orientation scores. Management model impacted only on monthly wages

Commentary on 'Employment for all: United States disability policy'

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reflect on Rebecca Monteleone’s paper “Employment for all: United States Disability Policy” and provides a commentary on its implications for the UK. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is to provide a comparison of the situation described in the article for the USA with that of the UK. Findings – There has been significant progress in legislation and policy relevant to the employment of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) in the USA. They have achieved higher employment rates than the UK, but are still at lower levels of employment than other citizens. The importance of collecting data on the employment rates of people with ID to monitor policy effectiveness is clear. The US has a more comprehensive approach to transition to employment that the UK could learn from. The importance of job coaching to community-based employment is highlighted. The balance of investment between community and sheltered jobs appears to be the key to further growth of community-based employment rates. The detailed impact of welfare benefit regulation is important to motivation to work and changes need to be monitored from an ID perspective. Originality/value – This paper contributes to cross-cultural policy comparisons and underlines the value of comparing and contrasting legislation, policy and outcomes across countries

Differential Gene Expression in Liver, Gill, and Olfactory Rosettes of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) After Acclimation to Salinity.

Most Pacific salmonids undergo smoltification and transition from freshwater to saltwater, making various adjustments in metabolism, catabolism, osmotic, and ion regulation. The molecular mechanisms underlying this transition are largely unknown. In the present study, we acclimated coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to four different salinities and assessed gene expression through microarray analysis of gills, liver, and olfactory rosettes. Gills are involved in osmotic regulation, liver plays a role in energetics, and olfactory rosettes are involved in behavior. Between all salinity treatments, liver had the highest number of differentially expressed genes at 1616, gills had 1074, and olfactory rosettes had 924, using a 1.5-fold cutoff and a false discovery rate of 0.5. Higher responsiveness of liver to metabolic changes after salinity acclimation to provide energy for other osmoregulatory tissues such as the gills may explain the differences in number of differentially expressed genes. Differentially expressed genes were tissue- and salinity-dependent. There were no known genes differentially expressed that were common to all salinity treatments and all tissues. Gene ontology term analysis revealed biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components that were significantly affected by salinity, a majority of which were tissue-dependent. For liver, oxygen binding and transport terms were highlighted. For gills, muscle, and cytoskeleton-related terms predominated and for olfactory rosettes, immune response-related genes were accentuated. Interaction networks were examined in combination with GO terms and determined similarities between tissues for potential osmosensors, signal transduction cascades, and transcription factors