341 research outputs found
Characterization of aerosol associated with enhanced small particle number concentrations in a suburban forested environment
Two elevated particle number/mass growth events associated with Aitkenâmode particles were observed during a sampling campaign (13â29 September 2004) at the Duke University FreeâAir CO2 Enrichment facility, a forested field site located in suburban central North Carolina. Aerosol growth rates between 1.2 and 4.9 nm hrâ1 were observed, resulting in net increases in geometric mean diameter of 21 and 37 nm during events. Growth was dominated by addition of oxidized organic compounds. Campaignâaverage aerosol mass concentrations measured by an Aerodyne quadrupole aerosol mass spectrometer (QâAMS) were 1.9 ± 1.6 (Ï), 1.6 ± 1.9, 0.1 ± 0.1, and 0.4 ± 0.4 ÎŒg mâ3 for organic mass (OM), sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium, respectively. These values represent 47%, 40%, 3%, and 10%, respectively, of the measured submicron aerosol mass. Based on QâAMS spectra, OM was apportioned to hydrocarbonâlike organic aerosol (HOA, likely representing primary organic aerosol) and two types of oxidized organic aerosol (OOAâ1 and OOAâ2), which constituted on average 6%, 58%, and 36%, respectively, of the apportioned OM. OOAâ1 probably represents aged, regional secondary organic aerosol (SOA), while OOAâ2 likely reflects less aged SOA. Organic aerosol characteristics associated with the events are compared to the campaign averages. Particularly in one event, the contribution of OOAâ2 to overall OM levels was enhanced, indicating the likelihood of less aged SOA formation. Statistical analyses investigate the relationships between HOA, OOAâ1, OOAâ2, other aerosol components, gasâphase species, and meteorological data during the campaign and individual events. No single variable clearly controls the occurrence of a particle growth event
Public/community Health Education Professional Accreditation among Stand-alone Baccalaureate Programs
Background and Purpose: Formal training for health promotion practitioners often includes academic study in health education. Accreditation is an important quality assurance mechanism. One concern expressed during Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH) professional meetings is the capacity of stand-alone undergraduate programs in health education to meet the demands of accreditation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accreditation knowledge level among the program directors of stand-alone programs, and identify the perceived challenges, support for and value ascribed to accreditation among these programs operating without an affiliated graduate program. Methods: Thirtyfive undergraduate program coordinators identified via the 2009 American Association for Health Education (AAHE) directory completed a 21-item survey instrument. Results: Most program coordinators knew about undergraduate accreditation requirements (82.9%), but program coordinators of self-identified small programs had significantly more concerns about the availability of resources needed to successfully attain accreditation. Conclusion: It is important to consider and provide resources for successful attainment of accreditation among smaller undergraduate institutions. Information regarding this general concern will be important to both the CEPH and academic program coordinators as they move forward with the new stand-alone baccalaureate accreditation initiative
High Temperature Deformation Mechanisms in a DLD Nickel Superalloy
The realisation of employing Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) technologies to produce components in the aerospace industry is significantly increasing. This can be attributed to their ability to offer the near-net shape fabrication of fully dense components with a high potential for geometrical optimisation, all of which contribute to subsequent reductions in material wastage and component weight. However, the influence of this manufacturing route on the properties of aerospace alloys must first be fully understood before being actively applied in-service. Specimens from the nickel superalloy C263 have been manufactured using Powder Bed Direct Laser Deposition (PB-DLD), each with unique post-processing conditions. These variables include two build orientations, vertical and horizontal, and two different heat treatments. The effects of build orientation and post-process heat treatments on the materialsâ mechanical properties have been assessed with the Small Punch Tensile (SPT) test technique, a practical test method given the limited availability of PB-DLD consolidated material. SPT testing was also conducted on a cast C263 variant to compare with PB-DLD derivatives. At both room and elevated temperature conditions, differences in mechanical performances arose between each material variant. This was found to be instigated by microstructural variations exposed through microscopic and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. SPT results were also compared with available uniaxial tensile data in terms of SPT peak and yield load against uniaxial ultimate tensile and yield strength
Estimating substitution elasticities in household production models
Dynamic general equilibrium models that include explicit household production sectors provide a useful framework within which to analyze a variety of macroeconomic issues. However, some implications of these models depend critically on parameters, including the elasticity of substitution between market and home consumption goods, about which there is little information in the literature. Using the PSID, we estimate these parameters for single males, single females, and married couples. At least for single females and married couples, the results indicate a high enough substitution elasticity that including home production will make a significant difference in applied general equilibrium theory.Production (Economic theory)
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INCITE: Edge-based Traffic Processing and Inference for High-Performance Networks
The INCITE (InterNet Control and Inference Tools at the Edge) Project developed on-line tools to characterize and map host and network performance as a function of space, time, application, protocol, and service. In addition to their utility for trouble-shooting problems, these tools will enable a new breed of applications and operating systems that are network aware and resource aware. Launching from the foundation provided our recent leading-edge research on network measurement, multifractal signal analysis, multiscale random fields, and quality of service, our effort consisted of three closely integrated research thrusts that directly attack several key networking challenges of DOE's SciDAC program. These are: Thrust 1, Multiscale traffic analysis and modeling techniques; Thrust 2, Inference and control algorithms for network paths, links, and routers, and Thrust 3, Data collection tools
TIGA-CUB â manualised psychoanalytic child psychotherapy versus treatment as usual for children aged 5â11 years with treatment-resistant conduct disorders and their primary carers: study protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends evidence-based parenting programmes as a first-line intervention for conduct disorders (CD) in children aged 5â11 years. As these are not effective in 25â33% of cases, NICE has requested research into second-line interventions. Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists (CAPTs) address highly complex problems where first-line treatments have failed and there have been small-scale studies of Psychoanalytic Child Psychotherapy (PCP) for CD. A feasibility trial is needed to determine whether a confirmatory trial of manualised PCP (mPCP) versus Treatment as Usual (TaU) for CD is practicable or needs refinement. The aim of this paper is to publish the abridged protocol of this feasibility trial. Methods and design: TIGA-CUB (Trial on improving Inter-Generational Attachment for Children Undergoing Behaviour problems) is a two-arm, pragmatic, parallel-group, multicentre, individually randomised (1:1) controlled feasibility trial (target nâ=â60) with blinded outcome assessment (at 4 and 8 months), which aims to develop an optimum practicable protocol for a confirmatory, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial (RCT) (primary outcome: childâs behaviour; secondary outcomes: parental reflective functioning and mental health, child and parent quality of life), comparing mPCP and TaU as second-line treatments for children aged 5â11 years with treatment-resistant CD and inter-generational attachment difficulties, and for their primary carers. Child-primary carer dyads will be recruited following a referral to, or re-referral within, National Health Service (NHS) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) after an unsuccessful first-line parenting intervention. PCP will be delivered by qualified CAPTs working in routine NHS clinical practice, using a trial-specific PCP manual (a brief version of established PCP clinical practice). Outcomes are: (1) feasibility of recruitment methods, (2) uptake and follow-up rates, (3) therapeutic delivery, treatment retention and attendance, intervention adherence rates, (4) follow-up data collection, and (5) statistical, health economics, process evaluation, and qualitative outcomes. Discussion: TIGA-CUB will provide important information on the feasibility and potential challenges of undertaking a confirmatory RCT to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of mPCP. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials, ID: ISRCTN86725795. Registered on 31 May 2016
Emerald Ash Borer as a Constraint to Recreation? Interviews with Visitors to Two Minnesota State Parks
One change to the landscape comes from terrestrial invasive species. Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planiplennis; EAB), an invasive forest pest native to Asia, was discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is a potential threat to the stateâs 998 million ash trees. As of 2014, EAB has been confirmed in 4 counties: Hennepin, Ramsey, Houston, & Winona. Although weakened & unhealthy trees may be more vulnerable to EAB, the pest successfully infests & kills healthy trees as well, leading to safety hazards & aesthetic impacts from canopy loss & tree mortality.The purpose of this study was to understand visitor perceptions of EABâs visual impacts & if EAB acts as a constraint to recreation
Improving uptake of Fracture Prevention drug treatments: a protocol for Development of a consultation intervention (iFraP-D).
Funder: Wellcome TrustINTRODUCTION: Prevention of fragility fractures, a source of significant economic and personal burden, is hindered by poor uptake of fracture prevention medicines. Enhancing communication of scientific evidence and elicitation of patient medication-related beliefs has the potential to increase patient commitment to treatment. The Improving uptake of Fracture Prevention drug treatments (iFraP) programme aims to develop and evaluate a theoretically informed, complex intervention consisting of a computerised web-based decision support tool, training package and information resources, to facilitate informed decision-making about fracture prevention treatment, with a long-term aim of improving informed treatment adherence. This protocol focuses on the iFraP Development (iFraP-D) work. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The approach to iFraP-D is informed by the Medical Research Council complex intervention development and evaluation framework and the three-step implementation of change model. The context for the study is UK fracture liaison services (FLS), which enact secondary fracture prevention. An evidence synthesis of clinical guidelines and Delphi exercise will be conducted to identify content for the intervention. Focus groups with patients, FLS clinicians and general practitioners and a usual care survey will facilitate understanding of current practice, and investigate barriers and facilitators to change. Design of the iFraP intervention will be informed by decision aid development standards and theories of implementation, behaviour change, acceptability and medicines adherence. The principles of co-design will underpin all elements of the study through a dedicated iFraP community of practice including key stakeholders and patient advisory groups. In-practice testing of the prototype intervention will inform revisions ready for further testing in a subsequent pilot and feasibility randomised trial. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from North West-Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee (19/NW/0559). Dissemination and knowledge mobilisation will be facilitated through national bodies and networks, publications and presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: researchregistry5041
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