Mass spectrometer with magnetic pole pieces providing the magnetic fields for both the magnetic sector and an ion-type vacuum pump

A mass spectrometer (MS) with unique magnetic pole pieces which provide a homogenous magnetic field across the gap of the MS magnetic sector as well as the magnetic field across an ion-type vacuum pump is disclosed. The pole pieces form the top and bottom sides of a housing. The housing is positioned so that portions of the pole pieces form part of the magnetic sector with the space between them defining the gap region of the magnetic sector, through which an ion beam passes. The pole pieces extend beyond the magnetic sector with the space between them being large enough to accommodate the electrical parts of an ion-type vacuum pump. The pole pieces which provide the magnetic field for the pump, together with the housing form the vacuum pump enclosure or housing

Complexity Characterization in a Probabilistic Approach to Dynamical Systems Through Information Geometry and Inductive Inference

Information geometric techniques and inductive inference methods hold great promise for solving computational problems of interest in classical and quantum physics, especially with regard to complexity characterization of dynamical systems in terms of their probabilistic description on curved statistical manifolds. In this article, we investigate the possibility of describing the macroscopic behavior of complex systems in terms of the underlying statistical structure of their microscopic degrees of freedom by use of statistical inductive inference and information geometry. We review the Maximum Relative Entropy (MrE) formalism and the theoretical structure of the information geometrodynamical approach to chaos (IGAC) on statistical manifolds. Special focus is devoted to the description of the roles played by the sectional curvature, the Jacobi field intensity and the information geometrodynamical entropy (IGE). These quantities serve as powerful information geometric complexity measures of information-constrained dynamics associated with arbitrary chaotic and regular systems defined on the statistical manifold. Finally, the application of such information geometric techniques to several theoretical models are presented.Comment: 29 page

Computations in the social brain

This thesis consists of three empirical chapters that investigate elements of human social behavior, adherence to and violations of social norms, and the computational and neurological underpinnings thereof. I focus on three behavioral paradigms in particular – the attacker-defender contest, the trust game, and the ultimatum game – which model asymmetrical conflicts, generosity and reciprocity, and norms of fairness, respectively. Ultimately, each chapter acts as a building block contributing a different perspective to the study of human sociality. Using economic games, computational models based on the principle of utility, and model-based neuroimaging, my research contributes to the scientific endeavor working to crack the “elaborate and secret code that is written nowhere, known by none, and understood by all” (Sapir, 1927, p.137)Social decision makin

The role of knowledge structures in fault diagnosis

The use of human memory and knowledge structures to direct fault diagnosis performance was investigated. The performances of 20 pilots with instrument flight ratings were studied in a fault diagnosis task. The pilots were read a scenario which described flight conditions under which the symptoms which are indicative of a problem were detected. They were asked to think out loud as they requested and interpreted various pieces of information to diagnose the cause of the problem. Only 11 of the 20 pilots successfully diagnosed the problem. Pilot performance on this fault diagnosis task was modeled in the use of domain specific knowledge organized in a frame system. Eighteen frames, with a common structure, were necessary to account for the data from all twenty subjects

Professional Development Needs for Educators Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Inclusive School Environments

The primary objective of this mixed methods study was to identify educators’ professional development needs to determine how best to support them in providing quality programming for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) within an inclusive educational system. Information was collected through focus groups with key school board informants (n = 33) and a survey of educators (n = 225). The results indicate that educators have found it difficult to meet the wide-ranging and varying needs of children with ASD within a strictly defined model of inclusive education. Educators consistently emphasized the need for multileveled and multipronged professional development that is accessible in a timely fashion and available as needs arise. The need for educational programs that work for children with ASD being taught within inclusive education settings is highlighted

Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) for the acute treatment of migraine: evaluation of outcome data for the UK post market pilot program

BACKGROUND: Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) is a novel treatment for acute migraine. Previous randomised controlled data demonstrated that sTMS is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of migraine with aura. The aim of the programme reported here was to evaluate patient responses in the setting of routine clinical practice. METHODS: Migraine patients with and without aura treating with sTMS had an initial review (n = 426) and training call, and then participated in telephone surveys at week six (n = 331) and week 12 during a 3-month treatment period (n = 190). RESULTS: Of patients surveyed with 3 month data (n = 190; episodic, n = 59; chronic, n = 131), 62 % reported pain relief, finding the device effective at reducing or alleviating migraine pain; in addition there was relief reported of associated features: nausea- 52 %; photophobia- 55 %; and phonophobia- 53 %. At 3 months there was a reduction in monthly headache days for episodic migraine, from 12 (median, 8–13 IQ range) to 9 (4–12) and for chronic migraine, a reduction from 24 (median, 16–30 IQ range) to 16 (10–30). There were no serious or unanticipated adverse events. CONCLUSION: sTMS may be a valuable addition to options for the treatment of both episodic and chronic migraine

The development and validation of a multivariable model to predict whether patients referred for total knee replacement are suitable surgical candidates at the time of initial consultation

Background: In previous studies, 50%-70% of patients referred to orthopedic surgeons for total knee replacement (TKR) were not surgical candidates at the time of initial assessment. The purpose of our study was to identify and cross-validate patient self-reported predictors of suitability for TKR and to determine the clinical utility of a predictive model to guide the timing and appropriateness of referral to a surgeon. Methods: We assessed pre-consultation patient data as well as the surgeon\u27s findings and post-consultation recommendations. We used multivariate logistic regression to detect self-reported items that could identify suitable surgical candidates. Results: Patients\u27 willingness to undergo surgery, higher rating of pain, greater physical function, previous intra-articular injections and patient age were the factors predictive of patients being offered and electing to undergo TKR. Conclusion: The application of the model developed in our study would effectively reduce the proportion of nonsurgical referrals by 25%, while identifying the vast majority of surgical candidates (\u3e 90%). Using patient-reported information, we can correctly predict the outcome of specialist consultation for TKR in 70% of cases. To reduce long waits for first consultation with a surgeon, it may be possible to use these items to educate and guide referring clinicians and patients to understand when specialist consultation is the next step in managing the patient with severe osteoarthritis of the knee