5,713 research outputs found
Versatile Data Acquisition and Controls for Epics Using Vme-Based Fpgas
Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have provided Thomas Jefferson
National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) with versatile VME-based data
acquisition and control interfaces with minimal development times. FPGA designs
have been used to interface to VME and provide control logic for numerous
systems. The building blocks of these logic designs can be tailored to the
individual needs of each system and provide system operators with read-backs
and controls via a VME interface to an EPICS based computer. This versatility
allows the system developer to choose components and define operating
parameters and options that are not readily available commercially. Jefferson
Lab has begun developing standard FPGA libraries that result in quick turn
around times and inexpensive designs.Comment: 3 pages, ICALEPCS 2001, T. Allison and R. Foold, Jefferson La
Examining telecommunication industry efficiencies in light of regulatory reform
This Thesis examines Telecommunications Industry efficiencies in the face of recent regulatory reforms; Regulation was believed to be required because of the telecommunications industry\u27s apparent natural monopoly. The promise of regulation was to act as a surrogate to competition in controlling the monopolist. Regulation should require the monopolist to operate as close to a competitive marginal cost as possible. With effective regulation, the consumer would then expect to be paying as low a price as possible for the service provided by the regulated monopolist; Aside from commendable technological and systems improvements by the telephone companies, no significant improvement in operating efficiency would be expected with rate of return regulation reform; Included in this discussion of telecommunication industry regulation is an event analysis of the trend of the employee per access line efficiency correlated with the announcement of regulatory reforms. A significant relationship is demonstrated
Elemental Analysis of Species Specific Wood Ash : A Pyrogenic Factor in Soil Formation and Forest Succession for a Mixed Hardwood Forest of Northern New Jersey
Fire is a significant environmental perturbation to forests where vegetation transforms from biomass to ash, potentially releasing stored chemical elements to soils. While much research acknowledges variation in ash composition among different vegetation types (grasses, trees, shrubs and vines), less has focused on interspecific variation among trees and the elemental influx soils receive. Therefore, this research sets out to: (1) identify major, trace, and rare earth element (REE) concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) in ash derived from fifteen tree species, (2) determine likely elemental enrichment to post-fire soils, and (3) assess variability in ash chemistry and color among different tree species. Traditional color assessments classify ash on a grey scale, but ash samples in this study had distinct color hues and coalesced in two groups. A significant negative correlation existed between SiO2 and CaO among all ash samples. Ash samples were more concentrated in MnO, MgO, CaO, K2O, P2O5, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr and Ba than soil, as well as in all REEās (La through Lu). Ash from Populus grandidentata, Betula lenta, and B. alleghaniensis had greatest enrichment in Zn and Ba while ash from Fraxinus americana had elevated Cu and Sr. This clearly shows significant chemical variability in ash, possibly derived from preferential element uptake by certain tree species to satisfy physiologic and metabolic nutrient requirements. All REEās were 10-15 times greater in ash than soils. Little preferential uptake of any one REE exists as trees might passively sequester all these elements together, bound to essential nutrients. This research provides an important understanding of the complexities surrounding fireās impact on biogeochemical cycling
HIDVA Final Report
The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the impact of hospital-based IDVAs in Surrey with reference to five Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
1. Trust staff are confident in identifying and safely enquiring with patients about DA and know how to seek support within the Trust with DA-related matters.
2. DA survivors supported by the IDVAs have access to the right information, services, and support, at the right time, in the right place, at the earliest opportunity, through clearly defined referral pathways.
3. IDVAs enhance the Trustsā Safeguarding response to DA.
4. DA survivors feel enabled to access IDVA and outreach support services. DA survivors are viewed as experts by experience and their feedback on the IDVA service informs the delivery of IDVA services.
5. IDVA data collection in the Trusts provides the Trusts and Commissioners with a better understanding of the level of DA need in Surrey
The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of radiography staff and managers in Northern Ireland, UK: The radiography managers' perspective
INTRODUCTION: Increasing evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the mental health of health professionals, including radiographers. Less is known about the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of radiography managers. Radiography managers have led their teams through the pandemic, making unpopular decisions to safeguard staff and patients. This study explores radiography managersā perceptions regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of themselves and their staff. METHODS: Ethical approval was obtained from the NHS Research Ethics Committee (ID 287032). Eleven interviews were conducted with therapeutic and diagnostic radiography managers between MarchāApril 2021. Written information was also included from a paediatric diagnostic radiography manager. Data was analysed independently by 2 researchers using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three central themes emerged: 1) Factors perceived to have negatively influenced mental health, which included changing PPE guidance, restructuring of work conditions, social isolation, challenges to patient care and lack of quality vacation leave. 2) Factors perceived to have positively influenced mental health, which included witnessing staff resilience and team camaraderie. 3) Support provided for mental health. CONCLUSION: Managers felt that they had implemented appropriate strategies to support their staff throughout the first year of the pandemic and expressed feeling responsible for the wellbeing of their staff. Strong empathy was evident towards staff and their experiences. Despite the availability of mental health support services, managers felt that resources were underutilised by radiography teams. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Managers should be proactive in communicating their appreciation for their staff in an era where remote working can add to disconnect between staff and management. Mental health support services should be promoted and continually reviewed, to ensure that appropriate support services are maintained
Engine inlet distortion in a 9.2 percent scale vectored thrust STOVL model in ground effect
Advanced Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft which can operate from remote locations, damaged runways, and small air capable ships are being pursued for deployment around the turn of the century. To achieve this goal, NASA Lewis Research Center, McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, and DARPA defined a cooperative program for testing in the NASA Lewis 9- by 15-foot low speed wind tunnel (LSWT) to establish a database for hot gas ingestion, one of the technologies critical to STOVL. Results are presented which show the engine inlet distortions (both temperature and pressure) in a 9.2 percent scale vectored thrust STOVL model in ground effects. Results are shown for the forward nozzle splay angles of 0 degrees, -6 degrees, and 18 degrees. The model support system had 4 degrees of freedom, heated high pressure air for nozzle flow, and a suction system exhaust for inlet flow. The headwind (freestream) velocity was varied from 8 to 23 knots
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The working practices and clinical experiences of paediatric speech and language therapists: a national UK survey
Background: The majority of speech and language therapists (SLTs) work with children who have speech, language and communication needs. There is limited information about their working practices and clinical experience and their views of how changes to healthcare may impact upon their practice.
Aims: To investigate the working practices and professional experiences of paediatric SLTs working in the UK through an online survey.
Methods & Procedures: The survey was conducted online using Survey Monkey. Therapists were alerted to the survey through the Bulletin of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and by e-mails to national special interest groups.
Outcomes & Results: A total of 516 clinicians completed the survey. A large majority worked in the National Health Service (NHS). A varied pattern of working was revealed. Most worked in several settings and saw a range of clients. A typical clinician spends less than one-quarter of their time giving direct therapy and more than one-quarter training parents and other professionals. Nearly half of respondents felt that their time could be better used. Too little time for direct therapy and the time required for administration emerged as their principal concerns. Most clinicians have specialist knowledge of particular client groups and spend more time with them than do non-specialists. Nevertheless, clients are more likely to be treated by a therapist who does not claim to have specialist knowledge of their condition than by one who does. The only clients for whom this is not the case are those with dysphagia. Eighty per cent of respondents felt that proposed changes to the NHS would not benefit the children they treat and there was widespread concern about cuts and the effects of general practitioner commissioning. Despite this, a large majority expected to remain speech and language therapists 5 years from now.
Conclusions & Implications : This survey provides an overview of the working practices of paediatric speech and language therapists. Its findings have significant implications for training and workforce development in the profession
From niches to regime : sustainability transitions in a diverse tourism destination
Acknowledgments To the Aberdeen ā Curtin alliance, the interviewees, and Dr Roy Jones. For the purpose of open access, the authors have applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.Peer reviewe
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