Implementation of a block Lanczos algorithm for Eigenproblem solution of gyroscopic systems

The details of implementation of a general numerical procedure developed for the accurate and economical computation of natural frequencies and associated modes of any elastic structure rotating along an arbitrary axis are described. A block version of the Lanczos algorithm is derived for the solution that fully exploits associated matrix sparsity and employs only real numbers in all relevant computations. It is also capable of determining multiple roots and proves to be most efficient when compared to other, similar, exisiting techniques

Imparting practical wisdom and resilience to our students

The powerful impact of communicating a teacher’s belief in a student is presented. By sharing trade books and novels with metaphoric messages, teachers can impart practical wisdom and enable students to develop resilience when facing challenges

The effect of prophylactic knee braces on running gait

The use of prophylactic knee braces to prevent knee injuries in football players might increase the risk of injuries to the players because of changes in normal function. This study focused on one of seven criteria for knee braces developed by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, namely that a brace should not interfere with normal running function in the lower extremity. Subjects with no prior history of knee injury were filmed while running on a treadmill. Digital analysis of each subject\u27s running gait with and without the use of knee braces was performed. The knee, ankle and hip joints of both legs were studied to determine if differences existed in the ranges of motion, velocities, and duration of the gait cycle as a result of wearing a knee brace; No differences were found between braced and nonbraced conditions for any parameter measured. Therefore, it was concluded that prophylactic knee bracing does not alter locomotor function of the lower extremities, while running on a treadmill at 5 mph

The changing emphasis placed upon live, film, and video-tape methods of broadcasting origination in the programming of the three major networks for 1949 to 1960.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Transport in Molecular Junctions with Different Metallic Contacts

Ab initio calculations of phenyl dithiol connected to Au, Ag, Pd, and Pt electrodes are performed using non-equilibrium Green's functions and density functional theory. For each metal, the properties of the molecular junction are considered both in equilibrium and under bias. In particular, we consider in detail charge transfer, changes in the electrostatic potential, and their subsequent effects on the IV curves through the junctions. Gold is typically used in molecular junctions because it forms strong chemical bonds with sulfur. We find however that Pt and Pd make better electrical contacts than Au. The zero-bias conductance is found to be greatest for Pt, followed by Pd, Au, and then Ag

Land use and eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) populations in three Hiwassee River tributary watersheds

The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a cryptic, long-lived, species in the family Cryptobranchidae. Declines in populations of many aquatic species, including C. a. alleganiensis may be related to changes in the streamside and watershed physical characteristics. This study examined the potential link between changes in substrate condition (fine sediment accumulation) and differences in C. a. alleganiensis length frequency, mass, tail circumference, and tail fin height within three tributaries to the Hiwassee River in North Carolina. Changes in these characteristics will indicate which habitats support the healthiest C. a. alleganiensis populations. I characterized the substrate within the three streams and sampled C. a. alleganiensis populations from the three streams. Snout-vent length frequencies were not significantly different among streams. Mean mass, mass:snout-vent length, and mass adjusted for snout-vent length in C. a. alleganiensis populations within Tusquitee Creek were larger when compared to Fires Creek, but not Brasstown Creek. The larger C. a. alleganiensis observed within Tusquitee Creek were thought to be the result of the compounding influences of stream reach position, sediment accumulation, point discharges, and other associated variables

Ab initio Computations of the Electronic, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Ultra High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC) ZrB2 and HfB2

Refractory materials such as metallic borides, often considered as ultra high temperature ceramics (UHTC), are characterized by high melting point, high hardness, and good chemical inertness. These materials have many applications which require high temperature materials that can operate with no or limited oxidation. Ab initio, first principles methods are the most accurate modeling approaches available and represent a parameter free description of the material based on the quantum mechanical equations. Using these methods, many of the intrinsic properties of these material can be obtained. We performed ab initio calculations based on density functional theory for the UHTC materials ZrB2 and HfB2. Computational results are presented for structural information (lattice constants, bond lengths, etc), electronic structure (bonding motifs, densities of states, band structure, etc), thermal quantities (phonon spectra, phonon densities of states, specific heat), as well as information about point defects such as vacancy and antisite formation energies

School-based Consultation to Promote Generalization of Early Childhood Educators’ Evidence-based Practices: A Meta-analysis

Early childhood educators are tasked with supporting young children’s academic, behavioral, and social-emotional through the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Unfortunately, early childhood educators may struggle with consistent implementation of EBPs. When this occurs, school-based consultation may be beneficial in promoting early childhood educators’ use of effective classroom management practices and interventions. A critical aspect of school-based consultation is ensuring that early childhood educators generalize strategies they have been trained to use through consultation. However, the extent to which early childhood educators generalize skills trained through consultation across settings, children, and other evidence-based practices is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to synthesize the existing school-based consultation literature in early childhood settings to determine the extent to which early childhood educators generalize skills trained through consultation. A total of 12 studies including 39 educator consultees and 171 effects comprised our final sample. Three-level hierarchical models with robust variance estimation were used to pool both Log Response Ratios and Tau effect sizes for analyses. Overall results indicated school-based consultation had a positive and significant impact on educator generalization of EBPs (LRRi = 0.95; Tau = 0.79). Further, particular implementation supports (e.g., in situ training) significantly contributed to EBP generalization. These results suggest school-based consultation to be an effective means for promoting early childhood educator generalization of EBPs. Implications for research and practice and future research directions are discussed