350 research outputs found
Fractal sets satisfying the strong open set condition in complete metric spaces
Let be a Hutchinson fractal in a complete metric space , invariant under the action of the union of a finite number of Lipschitz contractions. The Open Set Condition states that has a non-empty subinvariant bounded open subset , whose images under the maps are disjoint. It is said to be strong if meets . We show by a category argument that when and the restrictions of the contractions to are open, the strong condition implies that , termed the core of , is non-empty. In this case, it is an invariant, proper, dense, subset of , made up of points whose addresses are unique. Conversely, implies the SOSC, without any openness assumption
Combining T2K with other experiments to better constrain oscillation parameters
This thesis presents an analysis of T2K data using a new external reactor constraint from Daya Bay instead of the regular one-dimensional Gaussian provided by the Particle Data Group (PDG). Both the PDG and Daya Bay data sets can be used to update the prior of given parameters in the T2K analyses. Applying Daya Bay’s two-dimensional constraint on the mixing angle θ₁₃ and mass splitting Δm² ₃₂ improves the constraint on the mass splitting parameter by 25% in normal hierarchy and 18% in inverted hierarchy compared to using the PDG external prior. Furthermore, denoted with a Bayes factor value which compares two hypotheses using the posterior results, it was found that there was a small increase in the preference for normal hierarchy over inverted hierarchy, B(NH/IH): PDG = 2.77 and Daya Bay = 2.79. There was a slightly larger increase for the upper octant in the octant degeneracy, B(UO/LO): PDG = 2.27 and Daya Bay = 2.38. The thesis also describes development work towards the first full joint-fit between two long baseline experiments, T2K and NOvA, showcasing the increase in statistical sensitivity for the oscillation parameters and the potential to solve some of the current degeneracies limiting the sensitivity of both experiments. Finally, there is an introductory insight into an alternate parameterisation of neutrino oscillations that could be used to better understand the constraint from the T2K data
Predictors of Occupational Competence in People Hospitalized with Chronic Conditions
Background: Chronic diseases limit participation in meaningful daily activities, roles, and routines, which can negatively impact occupational competence, a sense of self, and life satisfaction, especially when hospitalization is required to manage disease symptoms. Standardized measures of occupational competence and related functional, cognitive, and environmental factors may enhance occupational therapists’ ability to identify potential barriers to and make targeted recommendations for self- and health management in the community.
Method: This cross-sectional study investigated occupational competence in patients hospitalized with chronic conditions. The participants completed measures of occupational competence, values, self-care function, environmental impact, and functional cognition while hospitalized.
Results: The participants (n = 51) reported moderate to high levels of occupational competence. The overall regression model was significant. Values, self-care function, and environmental impact were significant predictors of occupational competence.
Conclusion: Values, self-care function, and environmental impact predict occupational competence in people hospitalized with chronic conditions. Occupational therapists should incorporate standardized measures of occupational competence, values, self-care function, and environmental impact into current evaluation practices to support recommendations for follow-up care and community supports. Future research should include a larger sample that is more representative of an occupational therapy caseload and incorporate alternative measures of functional cognition to better measure this construct
Predictors of Hospital Readmissions for People with Chronic Conditions
Background: Hospital readmissions remain prominent in health care. Functional, cognitive, and environmental factors predict hospital readmissions but may not be thoroughly measured or addressed prior to discharge.
Method: In this cross-sectional study, people hospitalized with chronic conditions completed measures of self-care function, functional cognition, occupational competence, and environmental impact. They also participated in a phone call or medical records review to identify hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge. In a group session, occupational therapists who work in acute care completed acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility measures for the standardized assessments administered to hospital participants.
Results: Occupational competence and functional cognition were significant predictors of hospital readmissions. Therapists rated the Activity Measure of Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) as the most acceptable, appropriate, and feasible measure for acute care.
Conclusions: Occupational competence and functional cognition are predictors of hospital readmissions in people with chronic conditions. Occupational therapists in acute care should consider supplementing current evaluation practices with standardized measures of functional cognition and occupational competence to identify client needs objectively and initiate post-acute referrals that help clients discharge home successfully. Standardized measures, such as the AM-PAC may be feasible in acute care. Further research on the efficacy of standardized measures in this setting is needed
Dynamical Evolution of Elliptical Galaxies with Central Singularities
We study the effect of a massive central singularity on the structure of a
triaxial galaxy using N-body simulations. Starting from a single initial model,
we grow black holes with various final masses Mh and at various rates, ranging
from impulsive to adiabatic. In all cases, the galaxy achieves a final shape
that is nearly spherical at the center and close to axisymmetric throughout.
However, the rate of change of the galaxy's shape depends strongly on the ratio
Mh/Mg of black hole mass to galaxy mass. When Mh/Mg < 0.3%, the galaxy evolves
in shape on a timescale that exceeds 100 orbital periods, or roughly a galaxy
lifetime. When Mh/Mg > 2%, the galaxy becomes axisymmetric in little more than
a crossing time. We propose that the rapid evolution toward axisymmetric shapes
that occurs when Mh/Mg > 2% provides a negative feedback mechanism which limits
the mass of central black holes by cutting off their supply of fuel.Comment: 27 Latex pages, 9 Postscript figures, uses aastex.sty. Accepted for
Publication in The Astrophysical Journal, Nov. 26, 199
Mosquitoborne Infections after Hurricane Jeanne, Haiti, 2004
After Hurricane Jeanne in September 2004, surveillance for mosquitoborne diseases in Gonaïves, Haiti, identified 3 patients with malaria, 2 with acute dengue infections, and 2 with acute West Nile virus infections among 116 febrile patients. These are the first reported human West Nile virus infections on the island of Hispaniola
New evidence for a massive black hole at the centre of the quiescent galaxy M32
Massive black holes are thought to reside at the centres of many galaxies,
where they power quasars and active galactic nuclei. But most galaxies are
quiescent, indicating that any central massive black hole present will be
starved of fuel and therefore detectable only through its gravitational
influence on the motions of the surrounding stars. M32 is a nearby, quiescent
elliptical galaxy in which the presence of a black hole has been suspected;
however, the limited resolution of the observational data and the restricted
classes of models used to interpret this data have made it difficult to rule
out alternative explanations, such as models with an anisotropic stellar
velocity distribution and no dark mass or models with a central concentration
of dark objects (for example, stellar remnants or brown dwarfs). Here we
present high-resolution optical HST spectra of M32, which show that the stellar
velocities near the centre of this galaxy exceed those inferred from previous
ground-based observations. We use a range of general dynamical models to
determine a central dark mass concentration of (3.4 +/- 1.6) x 10^6 solar
masses, contained within a region only 0.3 pc across. This leaves a massive
black hole as the most plausible explanation of the data, thereby strengthening
the view that such black holes exist even in quiescent galaxies.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, 3 figures; mpeg animation of the stellar motions in
M32 available at http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Anim.htm
Multimodal Management of Atrophic Acne Scarring in the Aging Face
Atrophic facial acne scarring is a widely prevalent condition that can have a negative impact on a patient’s quality of life. The appearance of these scars is often worsened by the normal effects of aging. A number of options are available for the treatment of acne scarring, including chemical peeling, dermabrasion, ablative or nonablative laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, and surgical techniques such as subcision or punch excision. Depending on the type and extent of scarring, a multimodal approach is generally necessary to provide satisfactory results. Resurfacing techniques correct surface irregularities, long-lasting dermal fillers address the volume loss resulting from acne, and sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) face-lift procedures counter the soft tissue laxity and ptosis associated with aging. This article briefly reviews the evolution of individual approaches to treating atrophic acne scarring, followed by case examples illustrating results that can be achieved using a multimodal approach. Representative cases from patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are presented. In the author’s clinical practice, multimodal approaches incorporating fractionated laser, injectable poly-l-lactic acid, and sub-SMAS face-lift procedures have achieved optimal aesthetic outcomes, high patient satisfaction, and durability of aesthetic effect over time
Group Process and Organizational Environment: Student Organizations in the University
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68768/2/10.1177_089976407400300305.pd
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