Sufficient Conditions for Stability and Asymptotic Convergence of a PEEC Model Stable Linear Autonomous Neutral Functional Differential Equation with Nonlinear Perturbations

Sufficient conditions are given for the stability of a Partial Element Equivalent Circuit (PEEC) model stable linear autonomous Neutral Functional Differential Equation (NFDE) with nonlinear perturbations. In addition, sufficient conditions are given for the solution of the perturbed NFDE to asymptotically converge to the solution of the original linear autonomous NFDE

High-Speed Projects in the United States: Identifying the Elements for Success-Part 1, MTI Report 05-01

For almost half a century, high-speed ground transportation (HSGT) has held the promise of fast, convenient, and environmentally sound travel for distances between 40 and 600 miles. While a number of HSGT systems have been developed and deployed in Asia and Europe, none has come close to being implemented in the United States. Yet this is not for lack of trying. There have been several efforts around the country, most of which have failed, some of which are still in the early stages, and a few of which might come to pass. The goal of this study was to identify lessons learned for successfully developing and implementing high-speed rail (HSR) in the United States. Through a broad literature review, interviews, and three specific case studies—Florida, California, and the Pacific Northwest—this study articulates those lessons and presents themes for future consideration

Using a Search Strategy Tool To Teach Search Strategy Development

Objective: To demonstrate how use of a search strategy form together with a health science librarian consult improved student understanding of search strategy. Methods: Two embedded librarians for pharmacy and public health had separately designed assignments to teach advanced search techniques for their respective students but felt the outcomes were unsatisfactory. To address this, the pharmacy librarian created an exercise for students that would facilitate understanding of the search development process. Students completed a form that walked through the steps of the development process prior to meeting with a research librarian. Students then integrated librarian feedback into the final search strategy to complete the assignment. The public health librarian adopted a modified version of the pharmacy form. These students participated in a librarian led hands-on searching exercise and were encouraged to meet individually with the librarian as they progressed with their own projects. Results: Both librarians noticed better developed and more robust search strategies and greater understanding of controlled vocabulary. Instead of vague searches, multiple poorly-developed searches, and haphazard article selection, students found additional on-target results more effectively. For the pharmacy cohort, the mandatory librarian session involved more of the students in the search while overall assignment grades improved. For the public health doctoral students, the step-by-step process resulted in an improved understanding of the search process and better designed search strategies. One limitation is that we did not obtain IRB approval in advance of collecting data so cannot report on specifics. Conclusions: Breaking down the search process into separate steps using the search form seems to have increased the students’ knowledge about using controlled vocabulary and designing robust search strategies. Students that worked with a librarian were more engaged and showed greater understanding. The search form along with hands-on time with a librarian is a winning combination

Cryo-Temp Data Logger

Biological experiments on the ISS are frequently frozen at ultra-low temperatures on orbit prior to return to Earth for analysis. Recording temperatures during the freezing process, and subsequent handling to the point of post-flight processing, can provide important information of sample integrity to the scientist. The MadgeTech Cryo-Temp Data Logger has been modified for space flight applications by the Payload Development Team at Kennedy Space Center. This ultra-low temperature data logger is rated for temperatures from -86 C to +35 C with 0.1 C resolution and +/-1 C accuracy, but has been successfully tested at Kennedy Space Centers Cryogenic Lab down to -100 C. The logger provides date and time stamped temperature recordings and can be set with logging intervals from 5 seconds up to 30 minutes using the MadgeTech Data Logger Software. Data can be recorded, depending on logging interval, for greater than 90 days. The Cryo-Temp Data logger will first be flown on Space X-12 in the BRIC-Petri Dish Fixation Unit (PDFU) canister hardware, recording temperature data for a Space Life and Physical Sciences (SLPS) flight experiment. The modified Cryo-Temp Data Logger is small in size (Figure 1) and is the ideal temperature monitoring solution for any application involving independent temperature data logging

Multi Spectural Flourescence Imager (MSFI)

Genetic transformation with in vivo reporter genes for fluorescent proteins can be performed on a variety of organisms to address fundamental biological questions. Model organisms that may utilize an ISS imager include unicellular organisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), plants (Arabidopsis thaliana), and invertebrates (Caenorhabditis elegans)

Understanding the effects of biophilic design in healthcare environments through the use of virtual reality

Biophilic Design encourages the use of natural systems and processes within the design of a built environment. The biophilic hypothesis stems from the belief that humans have an innate connection with the natural world and having exposure to the natural world is essential for human wellbeing. It helps explain why a view to nature can enhance our ability to deal with stress and why plants can reduce our fatigue. Research has shown that biophilic design can impact an individual’s health and well-being in a variety of ways. Studies have identified that the majority of patients exposed to direct nature and natural patterns reported experiencing less stress and increased coping ability. Despite the emergence in popularity of Biophilic Design research, there is still little research on its overall impact on cognitive load in healthcare environments. In this study we explored how Biophilic Design effected participants’ stress levels after being exposed to an immersive image of a virtual healthcare environment. Eye-tracking together with physiological monitors that measured heart rate and skin conductance levels were used to analyze participants stress responses after randomly being selected to experience one of three virtual environments (VE). We hypothesized that exposure to the VEs with biophilic design would result in lower stress levels in patients. In order to test this, we recruited 60 participants to participate in a between-group study using VR. Participants were randomly assigned to experience one of three virtual healthcare settings and had their physiological indicators measured as they experience the space. Finally, participants were asked to fill out questionnaires regarding their stress, pleasure and arousal, and satisfaction levels. Eye-tracking paired with physiological indicators will allow researchers to measure cognitive load and fixation in participants. Researchers did not find significant differences among participants cognitive load (p = .745), but they did however find significant differences in participants moods between the three conditions. Going forward, this study could have implications for not only patients but healthcare professionals in their place of work

Success after Failure: Academic Effects and Psychological Implications of Early Universal Algebra Policies

In this article, the authors use the High School Longitudinal Study 2009 (HSLS:09) national database to analyze the relationships between algebra failure, subsequent performance, motivation, and college readiness. Students who failed eighth-grade Algebra I did not differ significantly in mathematics proficiency from those who passed lower-level courses, but initially demonstrated significantly lower mathematics interest, mathematics utility, and mathematics identity. Both groups were less likely than the general population to meet college requirements in the eleventh grade, although students who passed a lower-level mathematics course fared better than those who failed Algebra I. Implications for policies addressing mathematics course enrollments are discussed

Accounting for Work from Home in the Time of COVID

Objective: As our university moved to a work from home model in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our research unit needed to reconsider how we accounted for our daily work. Our objective was to consolidate and standardize our data collection to meet requirements for a variety of different time-, project-, or college/program-based reports. Methods: We started by reviewing all the data elements that we might be asked to provide for internal and external reporting. Using the categories in our university activity report as the foundation, we discussed the level of granularity required and assigned activities to each group. We established common reportable elements, with the ability to add individual- or project-specific elements. We tested the categories using our real activities, regrouped to discuss challenges, and made changes as needed. Results: With the start of the new fiscal year, we incorporated these categories into Timeneye and now use them to track our activities. We export these data on a regular basis as our timesheet for the university to meet its work from home requirements. So far, this system also has been effective for creating time-, project-, or college/program-based reports. Conclusions: This project streamlined the process of tracking our time and facilitated the creation of ad hoc reports. It has made it easier for us to track our time across the unit and it will also make it easier for new hires to account for their time in a logical manner

Nova Sagittarii 1943 (V1148 Sgr): A Luminous Red Nova?

Nova Sagittarii 1943 (V1148 Sgr) was an 8th-mag optical transient that was unusual in having a late-type spectrum during its outburst, in striking contrast to the normal high-excitation spectra seen in classical novae. Unfortunately, only an approximate position was given in the discovery announcement, hampering follow-up attempts to observe its remnant. We have identified the nova on two photographic plates in the Harvard archive, allowing us to determine a precise astrometric position. Apart from these two plates, obtained in 1943 and 1944, none of the photographs in the Harvard collection, from 1897 to 1950, show V1148 Sgr to limits as faint as g ~ 18.3. Modern deep images show a candidate remnant at i ~ 19.2, lying only 0".26 from the site of the nova. V1148 Sgr may have been a luminous red nova (LRN), only the sixth one known in the Milky Way. However, it lacks the near- and mid-infrared excesses, and millimeter-wave emission, seen in other LRNe, leaving its nature uncertain. We urge spectroscopy of the candidate remnant.Comment: Accepted by Astronomical Journa