Channel and active component abstractions for WSN programming - a language model with operating system support

To support the programming of Wireless Sensor Networks, a number of unconventional programming models have evolved, in particular the event-based model. These models are non-intuitive to programmers due to the introduction of unnecessary, non-intrinsic complexity. Component-based languages like Insense can eliminate much of this unnecessary complexity via the use of active components and synchronous channels. However, simply layering an Insense implementation over an existing event-based system, like TinyOS, while proving efficacy, is insufficiently space and time efficient for production use. The design and implementation of a new language-specific OS, InceOS, enables both space and time efficient programming of sensor networks using component-based languages like Insense

The Effect of the 2-Dimensional Magnetic Field Profile in Hall Thrusters

Electric propulsion engines, in particular Hall thrusters, provide the possibility of long-distance, low-cost space travel. The geometrical details of the Hall thrusters, especially the magnetic field prole, are crucial to improving their efficiency. The effect of the magnetic field structure was investigated using a simple, two-dimensional model, assuming axial symmetry. The previous one-dimensional conclusion, namely that the details of the shape of the magnetic field are unimportant, was confirmed. This result has implications for the design of future Hall thruster engines, with an eye toward maximizing their efficiency

Do stiffness and asymmetries predict change of direction performance?

Change of direction speed (CODS) underpins performance in a wide range of sports but little is known about how stiffness and asymmetries affect CODS. Eighteen healthy males performed unilateral drop jumps to determine vertical, ankle, knee and hip stiffness, and a CODS test to evaluate left and right leg cutting performance during which ground reaction force data were sampled. A step-wise regression analysis was performed to ascertain the determinants of CODS time. A two-variable regression model explained 63% (R-2 = 0.63; P = 0.001) of CODS performance. The model included the mean vertical stiffness and jump height asymmetry determined during the drop jump. Faster athletes (n = 9) exhibited greater vertical stiffness (F = 12.40; P = 0.001) and less asymmetry in drop jump height (F = 6.02; P = 0.026) than slower athletes (n = 9); effect sizes were both "large" in magnitude. Results suggest that overall vertical stiffness and drop jump height asymmetry are the strongest predictors of CODS in a healthy, non-athletic population

The transmission of pressure through sand

Thesis (B.S.)--University of Illinois, 1912.Typescript

The Water Maser in MG 0414+0534: The Influence of Gravitational Microlensing

Water masers have been observed in several high redshift active galactic nuclei, including the gravitationally lensed quasar MG 0414+0534. This quasar is lensed into four images, and the water maser is detected in two of them. The broadening of the maser emission line and its velocity offset are consistent with a group of masers associated with a quasar jet. If the maser group is microlensed we can probe its structure and size by observing its microlensing behaviour over time. We present results of a high resolution numerical analysis of microlensing of the maser in MG 0414+0534, using several physically motivated maser models covering a range of sizes and emission profiles. Time-varying spectra of the microlensed maser are generated, displayed, and analysed, and the behaviour of the different models compared. The observed maser line in MG 0414+0534 is consistent with maser spots as in other quasar jets, provided substructure is de-magnified or currently lost in noise; otherwise smooth extended maser models are also candidates to generate the observed spectrum. Using measures of spectral variability we find that if the maser has small substructure of ~ 0.002 pc then a variation of 0.12 mag in flux and 2.0 km/s in velocity centroid of the maser line could be observed within 2 decades. For the smallest maser model in this study a magnification of > 35 is possible 22% of the time, which is of significance in the search for other lensed masers.Comment: 13 pages, 7 low-quality figures, 1 table, accepted for MNRA

A Toponogov globalisation result for Lorentzian length spaces

In the synthetic geometric setting introduced by Kunzinger and S\"amann, we present an analogue of Toponogov's Globalisation Theorem which applies to Lorentzian length spaces with lower (timelike) curvature bounds. Our approach utilises a "cat's cradle" construction akin to that which appears in several proofs in the metric setting. On the road to our main result, we also provide a lemma regarding the subdivision of triangles in spaces with a local lower curvature bound and a synthetic Lorentzian version of the Lebesgue Number Lemma. Several properties of time functions and the null distance on globally hyperbolic Lorentzian length spaces are also highlighted. We conclude by presenting several applications of our results, including versions of the Bonnet--Myers Theorem and Splitting Theorem for Lorentzian length spaces with local lower curvature bounds, as well as discussion of stability of curvature bounds under Gromov--Hausdorff convergence.Comment: 37 pages, 7 figure

Efficacy of a Lifestyle Program Designed to Help Indigent, Obese Adult Patients Lose Weight

Introduction. Modest weight loss (5 to 7%) reduced the incidenceof type II diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DDP) trial.A DPP-inspired lifestyle intervention requiring minimal patientself-data collection and tailored to low-SES patients throughminimal cost was developed for our indigent, obese patients. Methods. Obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), indigent (≤ 200% FederalPoverty Level) adults (age 18 - 70) were offered a nocostweight loss intervention as an adjunct to their usual primarycare in a residency outpatient clinic. The interventionprovided options for diet plans and social support. The goalwas to achieve a 5% loss of body weight over six months. Results. The sample (n = 158) was 86% female and 62% white,with a median age of 45 and median BMI of 40.9. Two-thirds ofsubjects chose the 50% diet; YMCA membership was selected byall but one. The 5% weight loss goal was met by 12.8%; another8.7% gained that amount. Subjects who either had pre-existingYMCA membership or used their provided membership weresuccessful, relative to those who received but never used theirmembership (0.6% loss vs 0.9% gain; p < 0.05). Changes in weightover six months were observed in the youngest (gain of 3.9 lbs.,p < 0.05) and the oldest (loss of 4.0 lbs., p < 0.05) age quartiles. Conclusions. A DPP-inspired lifestyle intervention tailoredto low-SES patients did not lead to overall weight loss, reinforcingthat weight reduction programs must provide a significantamount of support for participants to see success.Older age and a behavioral commitment to physical activityimproved the likelihood of success. KS J Med 2016;9(4):83-87

Implementation in a Family Medicine Clinic of a Lifestyle Program Designed to Help Indigent, Obese Adult Patients Lose Weight

Introduction. Efficacy of interventions in research settings maynot translate to usual-care settings. The impact of interventionsvaries depending upon factors, such as the proportion andcomposition of the population reached and engaged, as well asparticipation and implementation characteristics of providers. Methods. A lifestyle intervention meant to achieve a 5%loss of body weight in six months was offered to obese, indigentadult patients in a Family Medicine residency outpatientclinic. Implementation variables were assessed, includingdetermination of individual patient penetrationand participation rate, demographic representativeness,completion rate, outcomes, and differential impact, as wellas setting participation rates and implementation fidelity. Results. From a population of 743 potentially eligible patients,356 were invited to participate (48% penetration) and158 were enrolled (44% participation). Those enrolled wereheavier (BMI of 42.6 vs 39.0), younger (43.5 vs 47.0 years)and more likely female (87% vs 69%) than those not enrolled.Individual completion rate was 81%; overall weightloss was negligible. Setting participation was broad, butfidelity to background standard of care was only 50%. Conclusions. Providers were eager for a tool to help their obese,indigent patients lose weight, but the intervention proved ineffectiveand the usual care of enrolled patients was not stronglysupportive of their weight loss efforts. KS J Med 2016;9(4):77-82

Enhanced Primary Care - A rural perspective

Copyright © 2003 Australian College of General Practitioners Copyright to Australian Family Physician. Reproduced with permission. Permission to reproduce must be sought from the publisher, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.BACKGROUND: The Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program is designed to promote better management of and improved health outcomes for people with chronic illness. Specific Medicare item numbers provide government funding to encourage general practitioners to take up health assessments, care plans and case conferences. AIM: We investigated elements of the EPC program from a rural general practice perspective. METHOD: Questionnaires summarising experience of EPC for patients and health care providers, undertaken over four weeks at three rural general practices, and observation. RESULTS: The EPC program assisted the management and coordination of care for patients with multidisciplinary care needs. General practitioners were generally positive about the EPC program. The main barrier was the extra time required. The main concern of allied health workers was the lack of appropriate remuneration for their participation. Patients were positive in their responses, but many appeared to lack the motivation and self management skills to take full advantage of the program. DISCUSSION: Strategies seeking to increase the uptake of EPC items need to address efficiency and accessibility, and funding for participating health professionals.Philippa Lewis, Angela White, Gary Misan, Peter Harvey, Jerome Connolly, Joe Noon