The airline pilots look at runway grooving

Pilot evaluation of runway groovin

Correlating Architecture Maturity and Enterprise Systems Usage Maturity to Improve Business/IT Alignment

This paper compares concepts of maturity models in the areas of Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Systems Usage. We investigate whether these concepts correlate, overlap and explain each other. The two maturity models are applied in a case study. We conclude that although it is possible to fully relate constructs from both kinds of models, having a mature architecture function in a company does not imply a high Enterprise Systems Usage maturity

A unified approach to mapping and clustering of bibliometric networks

In the analysis of bibliometric networks, researchers often use mapping and clustering techniques in a combined fashion. Typically, however, mapping and clustering techniques that are used together rely on very different ideas and assumptions. We propose a unified approach to mapping and clustering of bibliometric networks. We show that the VOS mapping technique and a weighted and parameterized variant of modularity-based clustering can both be derived from the same underlying principle. We illustrate our proposed approach by producing a combined mapping and clustering of the most frequently cited publications that appeared in the field of information science in the period 1999-2008

The Effects of contact metamorphism on the host rocks for Carlin-type mineralization at the Getchell Development, Nevada, USA

Carlin-type gold deposits (CTGDs) result from low to moderate temperature hydrothermal systems which form replacement bodies in carbonate or calcareous host rocks. The Getchell CTGD is located on the Getchell trend in north central Nevada. The Eocene age mineralization is locally hosted within the metamorphic aureole of the Cretaceous age Osgood stock. Previous studies have noted that the effects of the contact metamorphism can be heterogeneous, with strongly calc-silicate altered carbonates transitioning to relatively pristine limestone over short distances. The main finding of this study was that the variability in calc-silicate alteration is largely dependent on the differing host lithologies at the deposit. Strong calc-silicate alteration from contact metamorphism commonly exists in rocks composed of argillaceous mudstone inter-bedded with limestone while the rocks composed of siliceous carbonaceous mudstones and limestones just a few meters away show no evidence of calc-silicate alteration. The different ways in which these rock types respond to the contact metamorphism plays an important role in ore control at the deposit. The strongly calc-silicate altered rocks are poor hosts for Carlin-type gold deposition. The ore fluids which were moderately acidic, pH 3-4, required carbonates to generate porosity and permeability, as well as to liberate iron for the ore fluids to sulfidize to form the Au-bearing pyrite. As such the strongly calc-silicate altered lithologies are not receptive to the Carlin ore fluids, due to most of the carbonate being replaced by calc-silicate minerals. The limestones inter-bedded with siliceous carbonaceous mudstones which have not been altered to calc-silicates, are the best hosts for Carlin-type mineralization. This study observed several locations where strong mineralization is present in this rock type up to the contact with the strongly calc-silicate altered argillaceous mudstones inter-bedded with limestones. Additionally mineralization is restricted to areas adjacent to conduits for ore fluids, most commonly faults, but also along dikes. Where conduits transporting ore fluids contact the receptive areas host rock mineralization permeates outward away from the conduit. The best hosts, those which are dominantly limestone, contain grades \u3e1.000 ounce Au per ton (oz/t). Sections composed dominantly of siliceous carbonaceous mudstones have little to no calcareous material for the ore fluids to replace aside from calcite filled fractures. Gold grade in mineralized sections of siliceous carbonaceous mudstone are \u3c0.100 oz/t Au. Faults which cut the strongly calc-silicate altered rocks typically have mineralization which is confined to the fault gouge and does not permeate into the surrounding rock, although in heavily faulted areas there can be significant intervals of fault gouge and breccia with ore grade mineralization (\u3e0.300 oz/t Au). The secondary focus of this study examined the distribution of iron-bearing carbonate proximal to the Osgood stock to determine if the stock was responsible for adding iron to the surrounding carbonates. Iron-bearing carbonates have been proposed to be better hosts for Carlin mineralization, providing a source of iron for the ore fluids to sulfidize and precipitate Au-bearing pyrite. This study revealed no systematic distribution of ferroan carbonate that would indicate the iron was sourced from the stock. Rather, the distribution of ferroan carbonate is found to be largely controlled by lithology. The limestones with a silty component were found to be iron-rich while pure limestones associated with the siliceous carbonaceous mudstones were iron-poor

Dendritic to globular morphology transition in ternary alloy solidification

The evolution of solidification microstructures in ternary metallic alloys is investigated by adaptive finite element simulations of a general multicomponent phase-field model. A morphological transition from dendritic to globular growth is found by varying the alloy composition at a fixed undercooling. The dependence of the growth velocity and of the impurity segregation in the solid phase on the composition is analyzed and indicates a smooth type of transition between the dendritic and globular growth structures.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

In vitro plant regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Datura stramonium (Solanaceae).

Premise of the Study:Datura stramonium is a pharmacologically and evolutionarily important plant species in the family Solanaceae. Stable transformation methodology of this species would be advantageous for future genetic studies. Methods:In vitro plant regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation techniques were developed for D. stramonium based on methods reported for tomato. A binary vector containing pAtUBQ10::erGFP was used for transformation. Results:We recovered primary transformants harboring the green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene that resulted in expression of fluorescence in all tissues analyzed. Transformants were allowed to self-pollinate, and two of five progeny contained the GFP transgene and displayed fluorescence identical to the primary transformants. Discussion:We have demonstrated the first stable transformation in the genus Datura. This is a key first step to study the genetic basis of traits in this evolutionarily interesting species

Vapor uptake in polymer materials:Simulations and theory

Polymer brushes are a class of coatings consisting of end-anchored polymer chains. These brushes can be synthesized by chemically bonding entire polymer chains to a surface, or by growing the chains from initiating groups on the surface. Since they are strongly bound to the surface, brush coatings contain a high concentration of polymer even when immersed in a favorable solvent. This leads to a high osmotic pressure in the brush, which produces a range of technologically interesting properties. Proposed applications for brushes include fouling-resistant layers, surfaces with low friction and adhesion, and coatings that would increase the selectivity and absorption capacity of sensors and separation processes. Additionally, polymer molecules are generally responsive to changes in their environment, and retain this property in brush form. Polymer brushes can therefore also be employed as "smart" materials, whose properties can be switched on demand or made dependent on environmental conditions. While early polymer brush research focused on brushes in liquid environments, the use of polymer brushes in air or solvent vapors has also become a topic of interest in the last decades. Experimental studies have shown that many of the interesting properties of polymer brushes in liquid also extend to brushes in solvent vapor. However, fundamental research into vapor swelling of brushes is relatively limited. In this thesis, the validity of several simple but previously untested assumptions is examined using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations as the primary tool

Guideline update for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 6: Discography for patient selection

pre-printIdentifying the etiology of pain for patients suffering from chronic low-back pain remains problematic. Noninvasive imaging modalities, used in isolation, have not consistently provided sufficient evidence to support performance of a lumbar fusion. Provocative testing has been used as an adjunct in this assessment, either alone or in combination with other modalities, to enhance the diagnostic capabilities when evaluating patients with low-back pain. There have been a limited number of studies investigating this topic since the publication of the original guidelines. Based primarily on retrospective studies, discography, as a stand-alone test, is not recommended to formulate treatment strategies for patients with low-back pain. A single randomized cohort study demonstrated an improved potential of discoblock over discography as a predictor of success following lumbar fusion. It is therefore recommended that discoblock be considered as a diagnostic option. There is a possibility, based on a matched cohort study, that an association exists between progression of degenerative disc disease and the performance of a provocative discogram. It is therefor recommended that patients be counseled regarding this potential development prior to undergoing discography

Guideline update for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 7: Lumbar fusion for intractable low-back pain without stenosis or spondylolisthesis

pre-printEstablishing an appropriate treatment strategy for patients presenting with low-back pain, in the absence of stenosis or spondylolisthesis, remains a controversial subject. Inherent to this situation is often an inability to adequately identify the source of low-back pain to justify various treatment recommendations, such as lumbar fusion. The current evidence does not identify a single best treatment alternative for these patients. Based on a number of prospective, randomized trials, comparable outcomes, for patients presenting with 1- or 2-level degenerative disc disease, have been demonstrated following either lumbar fusion or a comprehensive rehabilitation program with a cognitive element. Limited access to such comprehensive rehabilitative programs may prove problematic when pursuing this alternative. For patients whose pain is refractory to conservative care, lumbar fusion is recommended. Limitations of these studies preclude the ability to present the most robust recommendation in support of lumbar fusion. A number of lesser-quality studies, primarily case series, also support the use of lumbar fusion in this patient population

PEN as self-vetoing structural Material

Polyethylene Naphtalate (PEN) is a mechanically very favorable polymer. Earlier it was found that thin foils made from PEN can have very high radio-purity compared to other commercially available foils. In fact, PEN is already in use for low background signal transmission applications (cables). Recently it has been realized that PEN also has favorable scintillating properties. In combination, this makes PEN a very promising candidate as a self-vetoing structural material in low background experiments. Components instrumented with light detectors could be built from PEN. This includes detector holders, detector containments, signal transmission links, etc. The current R\&D towards qualification of PEN as a self-vetoing low background structural material is be presented.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures, contribution to Proceedings of the sixth workshop on Low Radioactivity Techniques 2017, 23-27 May 2017 Seoul, to be published at AIP, editor: D. Leonar