The 2018 Midterm Election: Nevada and the Nation Post-Election Analysis

Brookings Mountain West, in partnership with CSUN, was pleased to present part two of a two-part analysis on the 2018 Midterm elections. The 2018 Midterms included elections for all 435 members of the House of Representatives, including four seats in Nevada. In the U.S. Senate, 34 seats were up for election, including one seat in Nevada. Across the United States, 36 states elected governors, including the State of Nevada. The Democratic Party sought to flip a minimum of 24 seats to become the majority party in House and 2 seats to become the majority party in the Senate. Two Mountain West states, Nevada and Arizona, presented the best opportunity for the Democratic Party to flip seats in the U.S. Senate. Republicans looked to flip seats in 10 states that Donald Trump won in 2016. Panelists reacted to the policy issues and voting trends that resulted from the 2018 Midterm elections

Measurement and analysis of critical crack tip processes during fatigue crack growth

The mechanics of fatigue crack growth under constant-amplitudes and variable-amplitude loading were examined. Critical loading histories involving relatively simple overload and overload/underload cycles were studied to provide a basic understanding of the underlying physical processes controlling crack growth. The material used for this study was 7091-T7E69, a powder metallurgy aluminum alloy. Local crack-tip parameters were measured at various times before, during, and after the overloads, these include crack-tip opening loads and displacements, and crack-tip strain fields. The latter were useed, in combination with the materials cyclic and monotonic stress-strain properties, to compute crack-tip residual stresses. The experimental results are also compared with analytical predictions obtained using the FAST-2 computer code. The sensitivity of the analytical model to constant-amplitude fatigue crack growth rate properties and to through-thickness constrain are studied

A Timed IO monad

Programming with explicit timing information is often tedious and error prone. This is especially visible in music programming where, when played, the specified durations of notes and rests must be shortened in order to compensate the actual duration of all surrounding processing. In this paper, we develop the notion of timed extension of a monad that aims at relieving programmers from such a burden. We show how, under simple conditions, such extensions can be built, and how useful features of monad programming such as asynchronous concurrency with promises or data-flow programming with monadic streams can be uniformly lifted to the resulting timed programming framework. Even though presented and developed in the abstract, the notion of timed extension of a monad is nevertheless illustrated by two concrete instances: a default timed IO monad where programmers specify durations in mi-croseconds, and a musically timed IO monad, where programmers specify durations in number of beats, the underlying tempo, that is, the speed of the music in beats per minute, possibly changed whenever needed

Structured reactive programming with polymorphic temporal tiles

International audienceIn functional reactive programming (FRP), system inputs and outputs are generally modeled as functions over continuous time (behaviors) whose future values are governed by sudden changes (events). In this approach, discrete events are embedded into piece-wise continuous behaviors. In the field of reactive music system programming, we develop an orthogonal approach that seems to better fit our need. Much like piano keys can be played and combined both in sequence and in parallel, we model system inputs and outputs as spatio-temporal combinations of what we call temporal values: continuous functions over time whose domain lays between two events: a start and a stop event. Various high level data types and program constructs can then be derived from such a model. They are shown to satisfy robust algebraic and category theoretic properties. Altogether, this eventually provides a simple, robust and elegant programming front-end, temporal tile programming, for reading, memorizing, stretching, combining and transforming flows of inputs into flows of outputs. Although at its infancy, the resulting approach has been experimentally validated for reactive and real-time music system programming

A comparison of single-cycle versus multiple-cycle proof testing strategies

An evaluation of single-cycle and multiple-cycle proof testing (MCPT) strategies for SSME components is described. Data for initial sizes and shapes of actual SSME hardware defects are analyzed statistically. Closed-form estimates of the J-integral for surface flaws are derived with a modified reference stress method. The results of load- and displacement-controlled stable crack growth tests on thin IN-718 plates with deep surface flaws are summarized. A J-resistance curve for the surface-cracked configuration is developed and compared with data from thick compact tension specimens. The potential for further crack growth during large unload/reload cycles is discussed, highlighting conflicting data in the literature. A simple model for ductile crack growth during MCPT based on the J-resistance curve is used to study the potential effects of key variables. The projected changes in the crack size distribution during MCPT depend on the interactions between several key parameters, including the number of proof cycles, the nature of the resistance curve, the initial crack size distribution, the component boundary conditions (load vs. displacement control), and the magnitude of the applied load or displacement. The relative advantages of single-cycle and multiple-cycle proof testing appear to be specific, therefore, to individual component geometry, material, and loading

Cognitive Speed of Processing Training Can Promote Community Mobility among Older Adults: A Brief Review

Background. Community mobility is crucial for maintaining independent functioning and quality of life for older adults. Purpose. The present paper describes the relationship of cognition, particularly speed of processing as measured by the Useful Field of View Test, to mobility as indicated by driving behaviors, life space, and falls among healthy older adults. Research examining the impact of cognitive speed of processing training (SOPT) on older adults' community mobility (i.e., driving behaviors) is also summarized. Key Issues. Even slight cognitive declines can place older adults at risk for mobility limitations. However, cognitive interventions like SOPT can mitigate declines in driving mobility. Implications. The potential of SOPT to sustain community mobility among older adults is discussed

Measurement and analysis of critical crack tip processes associated with variable amplitude fatigue crack growth

Crack growth retardation following overloads can result in overly conservative life predictions in structures subjected to variable amplitude fatigue loading when linear damage accumulation procedures are employed. Crack closure is believed to control the crack growth retardation, although the specific closure mechanism is debatable. Information on the relative contributions to crack closure from: (1) plasticity left in the wake of the advancing crack and (2) crack tip residual stresses is provided. The delay period and corresponding crack growth rate transients following overloads are systematically measured as a function of load ratio (R) and overload magnitude. These responses are correlated in terms of the local 'driving force' for crack growth as measured by crack tip opening loads and delta K sub eff. The latter measurements are obtained using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a cyclic loading stage; measurements are quantified using a relatively new stereoimaging technique. Combining experimental results with analytical predictions suggests that both plastic wake and residual stress mechanism are operative, the latter becoming predominate as R increases

Efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor in very-low-birth-weight infants with early neutropenia

Background/PurposeNeutropenia is a risk factor for nosocomial infections (NI) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Although recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) increases the neutrophil counts in neutropenic VLBW infants, its long-term efficacy for early neutropenia (EN) remains unknown.MethodsIn this case-controlled study, charts of VLBW recipients of rhG-CSF for EN (total neutrophil count <1.5 × 109/L during first 7 days) were reviewed and compared to gestational age, total neutrophil count, and birth weight matched infants unexposed to rhG-CSF.ResultsTwenty-seven infants were identified in each group. Mortality and morbidity did not differ between the two groups. Rate of NI (16/27 vs. 4/27, p = 0.002, odds ratio = 8.36) as well as the total number of episodes of NI (22 vs. 4, p = 0.007) were higher in rhG-CSF (+) group than in the rhG-CSF (–) group.ConclusionOur experience does not show benefit in empirical use of rhG-CSF in preventing NI in VLBW infants with EN

Analysis of small crack behavior for airframe applications

The small fatigue crack problem is critically reviewed from the perspective of airframe applications. Different types of small cracks-microstructural, mechanical, and chemical-are carefully defined and relevant mechanisms identified. Appropriate analysis techniques, including both rigorous scientific and practical engineering treatments, are briefly described. Important materials data issues are addressed, including increased scatter in small crack data and recommended small crack test methods. Key problems requiring further study are highlighted