Photovoltaic power systems workshop

Discussions are presented on apparent deficiencies in NASA planning and technology development relating to a standard power module (25-35 kW) and to future photovoltaic power systems in general. Topics of discussion consider the following: (1) adequate studies on power systems; (2) whether a standard power system module should be developed from a standard spacecraft; (3) identification of proper approaches to cost reduction; (4) energy storage avoidance; (5) attitude control; (6) thermal effects of heat rejection on solar array configuration stability; (7) assembly of large power systems in space; and (8) factoring terrestrial photovoltaic work into space power systems for possible payoff

Fall Prevention in Hospitals: An Integrative Review

Purpose: This article summarize research and draws overall conclusions from the body of literature on fall prevention interventions to provide nurse administrators with a basis for developing evidence-based fall prevention programs in the hospital setting. Method: Data were obtained from published studies. Thirteen articles were retrieved that focused on fall interventions in the hospital setting. An analysis was performed based on levels of evidence using an integrative review process. Results: Multifactoral fall prevention intervention programs that included fall risk assessments, door/bed/patient fall risk alerts, environmental and equipment modifications, staff and patient safety education, medication management targeted to specific types, and additional assistance with transfer and toileting demonstrated reduction in both falls and fall injuries in hospitalized patients. Conclusion: Hospitals need to reduce falls by using multifactoral fall prevention programs using evidence-based interventions to reduce falls and injuries

Analysis of long-period seismic waves excited by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens - a terrestrial monopole?

Long-period (100 to 260 s) Love and Rayleigh waves excited by the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, and recorded by IDA, SRO, and ASRO stations were analyzed to determine the mechanism of the eruption. The amplitude radiation patterns of both Rayleigh and Love waves are two lobed with a nodal direction in E5°S for Rayleigh waves and in N5°E for Love waves. These radiation patterns preclude any double-couple mechanism. The radiation pattern, the initial phase, the relatively large amplitude ratio of Love to Rayleigh waves and the existence of clear nodes in the radiation patterns of fundamental mode and higher-mode Rayleigh waves suggest that the source is represented by an almost horizontal (less than 15° from the horizontal) single force pointed toward S5°W. The surface wave spectra fall off very rapidly at periods shorter than 75 s suggesting a very slow source process. Although the details of the source time history could not be determined, a smooth bell-shaped time function: f_(o)s(t) = (1/2)f_o(l-cos((t/τ)π)) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 2τ and f_(o)s(t) = 0 for t ≥ 2τ, with τ = 75 s is considered appropriate on the basis of comparison between synthetic and observed seismograms and of the shape of the source spectrum. The peak value of the force f_0 is about 10^(18) dynes. The tailing end of the source time function could not be resolved, and some overshoot may be added. The magnitude and the time history of the force can be explained by a northward landslide followed by a lateral blast observed at the time of the eruption. Two distinct events about 110 s apart can be identified on body wave and short-period surface wave records. The first event may correspond to the earthquake which triggered the landslide and the lateral blast. The second event appears to correspond to a second large earthquake and explosion which took place about 2 minutes after the first earthquake

Policy Implications of Oral Agents

OBJECTIVE: With the increasing use of oral antineoplastic agents in cancer management, patients and family members need to understand of how to obtain, safely handle, and store the medication, how and when the medications should be taken, and when to report toxic side effects to accomplish efficacious treatment. DATA SOURCES: Research based articles and conference presentations. CONCLUSION: Cancer centers to modify policies, protocols, or practices to assure safe and proper administration of oral antineoplastic agents. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Clinicians need to monitor and facilitate administration of oral antineoplastic agents, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes

Falls in the Community Dwelling Elderly with a History of Cancer

BACKGROUND: Falls place older adults at risk for injuries, resulting in functional decline, hospitalization, institutionalization, higher healthcare costs, and decreased quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study examined community-dwelling elderly to identify if individuals with a history of cancer fall at a higher rate than those without cancer, and if the occurrence of falls was influenced by individual characteristics, symptoms, or function. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, in 2007, examining 7,448 community-dwelling elderly 65 years or older in a state in the Midwest. Fallers were identified based on a diagnosis of cancer, age, sex, race and ethnicity, poor vision, reduced activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, cognition, incontinence, pain, or depression. RESULTS: Findings indicated that 2,125 (28.5%) had at least 1 fall. Of those who fell, 967 (13.0%) had cancer, and 363 (4.9%) with cancer had a fall. CONCLUSION: Predictors of falls in this population included race, sex, ADLs, incontinence, depression, and pain, all with P IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study found a high frequency of falls and suggests a predictive model for fall risk in the vulnerable, community-dwelling elderly and will be used to inform future studies

Lamb pulse observed in nature

Seismograms observed at Longmire, Washington, for four eruptions of Mt. St. Helens (May 18, June 13, August 7, and August 8, 1980), can be interpreted as Lamb pulses excited by a nearly vertical single force that represents the counter force of the eruption. These data provide reliable estimates of the impulse of the force K (time integral of the force) from which the total momentum and the kinetic energy, E, of the ejecta associated with the eruption can be estimated. The values of K are estimated to be 1.4 × 10^(19), 1.4 × 10^(16), 3.7 × 10^(15), and 2.8 × 10^(15) dyne·s for the four eruptions (chronological order), respectively. The corresponding values of E are estimated to range from 0.70 to 2.6 × 10^(23), 0.70 to 2.6 × 10^(20), 1.9 to 6.9 × 10^(19), and 1.4 to 5.3 × 10^(19) ergs using values of ejecta velocity ranging from 100 to 375 m/s. The ratio of K to the amplitude of the air wave excited by the eruption is 20 to 40 times larger for the main event on May 18 than for the other events suggesting a significant difference in the eruptive mechanism. Our results demonstrate that a digital seismograph in the vicinity of volcanoes provides a simple means for quantification of the explosive power of a volcanic eruption

Time-dependent gravity in southern California, May 1974 - Apr 1979

Gravity measurements were coordinated with the long baseline three dimensional geodetic measurements of the Astronomical Radio Interferometric Earth Surveying project which used radio interferometry with extra-galactic radio sources. Gravity data from 28 of the stations had a single reading standard deviation of 11 microgal which gives a relative single determination between stations a standard deviation of 16 microgal. The largest gravity variation observed, 80 microgal, correlated with nearby waterwell variations and with smoothed rainfall. Smoothed rainfall data appeared to be a good indicator of the qualitative response of gravity to changing groundwater levels at other suprasediment stations, but frequent measurement of gravity at a station was essential until the quantitative calibration of the station's response to groundwater variations was accomplished

Absorption Band Q Model for the Earth

Body wave, surface wave, and normal mode data are used to place constraints on the frequency dependence of Q in the mantle. With a simple absorption band model it is possible to satisfy the shear sensitive data over a broad frequency range. The quality factor Q_s (ω) is proportional to ω^α in the band and to ω and ω^(−1) at higher and lower frequencies, respectively, as appropriate for a relaxation mechanism with a spectrum of relaxation times. The parameters of the band are Q(min) = 80, α = 0.15, and width, 5 decades. The center of the band varies from 10^1 seconds in the upper mantle, to 1.6×10^3 seconds in the lower mantle. The shift of the band with depth is consistent with the expected effects of temperature, pressure and stress. High Q_s regions of the mantle are attributed to a shift of the absorption band to longer periods. To satisfy the gravest fundamental spheroidal modes and the ScS data, the absorption band must shift back into the short-period seismic band at the base of the mantle. This may be due to a high temperature gradient or high shear stresses. A preliminary attempt is also made to specify bulk dissipation in the mantle and core. Specific features of the absorption band model are low Q in the body wave band at both the top and the base of the mantle, low Q for long-period body waves in the outer core, an inner core Q_s that increases with period, and low Q_P/Q_S at short periods in the middle mantle. The short-period Q_s increases rapidly at 400 km and is relatively constant from this depth to 2400 km. The deformational Q of the earth at a period of 14 months is predicted to be 463

Development of an Index to Predict Risk of Nursing Home Placement for Home and Community-Based Waiver Participants

Nursing home placement (NHP) is costly, and the majority of older adults prefer to remain living in the community. The purpose of this research was to examine NHP among a cohort of participants in a home and community-based waiver program during 2002 to 2007 to develop a risk model for predicting who may transition to a nursing home. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted on data from the minimum data set-home for care linked with medicaid claim files and death certificates. The sample included 6525 participants who had two assessments and survived through 2007 or had NHP. A risk index was developed to identify participants who had NHP. Results: Using the risk index, the probability of NHP was 50%, with sensitivity of 0.4 and specificity of 0.9. Forty percent of participants who had NHP were correctly identified. Conclusion: This NHP risk index may inform waiver agency personnel as to when participants may need more intense interventions, and consequently provide additional care to delay or prevent NHP when possible

Analysis of seismic body waves excited by the Mount St. Helens eruption of May 18, 1980

Seismic body waves which were excited by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens and recorded by the Global Digital Seismographic Network stations are analyzed to determine the nature and the time sequence of the events associated with the eruption. The polarity of teleseismic p waves (period ∼20s) is identical at six stations, which are distributed over a wide azimuthal range. This observation, together with a very small S to P amplitude ratio (at 20 s), suggests that the source is a nearly vertical single force. A simple model shows that for seismic radiation a volcanic eruption can be represented by a single force applied in the direction opposite to the blast direction. The time history of the vertical force suggests two distinct groups of events, about 2 min apart, each consisting of several subevents with a duration of about 25 s. The magnitude of the force is approximately 2.6×10^(12) N. This vertical force is in contrast with the long-period (∼150 s) southward horizontal single force which has been determined by a previous study and interpreted to be due to the massive landslide. An M_s = 5.2 earthquake initiated the eruption sequence. The direction of the P wave first motion of this event observed at two nearby stations is consistent with the radiation pattern expected for the landslide and suggests that it represents the onset of the landslide. The ground motions observed at station LON (Δ = 67 km) are dominated by Rayleigh waves (i.e., Lamb pulse) and provide tight constraints on the time sequence of the events