Two-point motional Stark effect diagnostic for Madison Symmetric Torus

A high-precision spectral motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic provides internal magnetic field measurements for Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) plasmas. Currently, MST uses two spatial views-on the magnetic axis and on the midminor (off-axis) radius, the latter added recently. A new analysis scheme has been developed to infer both the pitch angle and the magnitude of the magnetic field from MSE spectra. Systematic errors are reduced by using atomic data from atomic data and analysis structure in the fit. Reconstructed current density and safety factor profiles are more strongly and globally constrained with the addition of the off-axis radius measurement than with the on-axis one only

Decision support for crew rostering at NS

This paper describes a method for solving the cyclic crewrostering problem (CCRP). This is the problem of cyclicallyordering a set of duties for a number of crew members, such thatseveral complex constraints are satisfied and such that thequality of the obtained roster is as high as possible. Thedescribed method was tested on a number of instances of NS, thelargest operator of passenger trains in the Netherlands. Theseinstances involve the generation of rosters for groups of traindrivers or conductors of NS. The tests show that high qualitysolutions for practical instances of the CCRP can be generated inan acceptable amount of computing time. Finally, we describe anexperiment where we constructed rosters in an automatic way for agroup of conductors. They preferred our - generated - rosters overtheir own manually constructed rosters.

Nulling interferometry: impact of exozodiacal clouds on the performance of future life-finding space missions

Earth-sized planets around nearby stars are being detected for the first time by ground-based radial velocity and space-based transit surveys. This milestone is opening the path towards the definition of missions able to directly detect the light from these planets, with the identification of bio-signatures as one of the main objectives. In that respect, both ESA and NASA have identified nulling interferometry as one of the most promising techniques. The ability to study distant planets will however depend on exozodiacal dust clouds surrounding the target stars. In this paper, we assess the impact of exozodiacal dust clouds on the performance of an infrared nulling interferometer in the Emma X-array configuration. For the nominal mission architecture with 2-m aperture telescopes, we found that point-symmetric exozodiacal dust discs about 100 times denser than the solar zodiacal cloud can be tolerated in order to survey at least 150 targets during the mission lifetime. Considering modeled resonant structures created by an Earth-like planet orbiting at 1 AU around a Sun-like star, we show that the tolerable dust density for planet detection goes down to about 15 times the solar zodiacal density for face-on systems and decreases with the disc inclination. The upper limits on the tolerable exozodiacal dust density derived in this study must be considered as rather pessimistic, but still give a realistic estimation of the typical sensitivity that we will need to reach on exozodiacal discs in order to prepare the scientific programme of future Earth-like planet characterisation missions.Comment: 17 pages, accepted for publication in A&

Incisional hernia: new approaches and aspects

This thesis is about the anatomy, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of incisional hernia. New approaches and aspects are discussed in the following chapters. The following definitions were derived from Butterworth’s medical dictionary 1. A hernia is the protrusion of an internal organ through a defect in the wall of the anatomical cavity in which it lies. An abdominal hernia is the protrusion of abdominal content through the abdominal wall. A ventral hernia is any hernia protruding through the abdominal wall. An incisional hernia is a hernia protruding through an operation scar. Incisional hernias can be classified according to their localization 2. Abdominal hernias include groin (i.e. inguinal and femoral) hernias and ventral hernias. Ventral hernias include umbilical, incisional, epigastric and spigelian hernias. This thesis is restricted to incisional hernias through midline incisions

'Respect me: respect self' - the key to improved global relationships.

This paper examines the definitions of respect in a 21st century globally inclusive environment, with a view to exploring the implications for nurturing harmonious working relationships in, and between culturally diverse economically active groups. It is based on research conducted since 2005 which explores the meanings attached to, and experience of, respect from the perspective of undergraduate students in a UK university business school, who worked together on a consulting to business module. The research methodology consisted of tracking via focus group interactions and video records of two culturally diverse groups, comprising seven students each, over a two year period, with approximately eight focus group – video sessions per group. Significantly, our findings suggest that respect is an important shared value, and one that all students acknowledge as having an impact on their behaviour, attitudes and emotions. We argue that in our case, respect develops as an awareness of difference and is based on systematically produced data of the actors’ life experience, rather than, fictions or stereotypes. We suggest that this process encourages a positive approach to respect as it facilitates a shift in behaviours, attitudes, and ‘mental models’, (the latter, as described by Senge et al 1994). The significance of respect to the development and maintenance of both an economic democracy and for transnational relations between such democracies, is therefore crucial if there is to be equal access for all, regardless of their diversity, to the benefits which should accrue to all those who participate in the wealth creation activity of their society and the global economy

Oxidative Stress Resulting From Helicobacter pylori Infection Contributes to Gastric Carcinogenesis.

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that infects the stomach and can lead to, among other disorders, the development of gastric cancer. The inability of the host to clear the infection results in a chronic inflammatory state with continued oxidative stress within the tissue. Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species produced by the immune and epithelial cells damage the host cells and can result in DNA damage. H pylori has evolved to evoke this damaging response while blunting the host's efforts to kill the bacteria. This long-lasting state with inflammation and oxidative stress can result in gastric carcinogenesis. Continued efforts to better understand the bacterium and the host response will serve to prevent or provide improved early diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer

A study of mothers' controls and attitudes affecting these controls in relation to their adolescent delinquent daughters.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit