Investigating mixed-mode (I/II) fracture in epoxies using digital image correlation: Composite G(IIc) performance from resin measurements

The digital image correlation technique is applied to investigate mixed-mode (I/II) fracture in five aerospace epoxy formulations, four of which are experimentally toughened. Stress intensity factors are extracted from displacement fields using the Williams method for a range of mode mixities. From these measurements, values of an effective resin KIIc are deduced and these are shown to have a statistically significant relationship with measured composite GIIc mode II toughness values. The differences in constraint between composite and bulk resin specimens are discussed

Rotational response of two-component Bose-Einstein condensates in ring traps

We consider a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate in a ring trap in a rotating frame and show how to determine the response of such a configuration to being in a rotating frame via accumulation of a Sagnac phase. This may be accomplished through either population oscillations or the motion of spatial-density fringes. We explicitly include the effect of interactions via a mean-field description and study the fidelity of the dynamics relative to an ideal configuration

A Framework of Executive Coaching Outcomes and a Meta-Analysis of Executive Coaching Effectiveness

Objectives: To provide a framework in which outcomes of coaching can be classified and to present a meta-analysis that synthesizes the existing research on executive coaching effectiveness in order to understand the impact of coaching on work-based outcomes. Design: Meta-analysis Methods: A review of the literature related to the distinction between effectiveness and evaluation; definitions of coaching effectiveness; and of training outcomes were conducted to create the framework of coaching outcomes. As a result of this review, a framework was suggested that classified coaching outcomes as either affective; behavioural/skill-based or results/performance. A further extensive literature search then identified 24 studies that matched our inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. These studies were coded on a variety of variables including the type of outcome (as proposed by our framework) and predictor variables including multi-source feedback; type of coach; coaching format and coaching technique. Hunter & Schmidt’s (1990, 2004) meta-analytic procedure was followed. Results: Our findings indicate that executive coaching has a moderate to strong positive effect on outcomes, with the largest effect size for results/performance outcomes. Conclusions: The overall effectiveness of executive coaching varies depending on the type of outcome considered, however the effect sizes obtained for overall effectiveness (ranging from 0.33 to 0.57) can be classified as a medium to strong effect (Cohen, 1992). We believe that this result has positive implications for the effectiveness of coaching and the likely return on investment for organizations utilising coaching as a development method. This effect size appears to be comparable to those obtained for other types of organisational interventions

Follow-up analysis of federal process of care data reported from three acute care hospitals in rural Appalachia

BACKGROUND: This investigation evaluated standardized process of care data collected on selected hospitals serving a remote rural section of westernmost North Carolina. METHODS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data were analyzed retrospectively for multiple clinical parameters at Fannin Regional Hospital, Murphy Medical Center, and Union General Hospital. Data were analyzed by paired t-test for individual comparisons among the three study hospitals to compare the three facilities with each other, as well as with state and national average for each parameter. RESULTS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services "Hospital Compare" data from 2011 showed Fannin Regional Hospital to have significantly higher composite scores on standardized clinical process of care measures relative to the national average, compared with Murphy Medical Center (P = 0.01) and Union General Hospital (P = 0.01). This difference was noted to persist when Fannin Regional Hospital was compared with Union General Hospital using common state reference data (P = 0.02). When compared with national averages, mean process of care scores reported from Murphy Medical Center and Union General Hospital were both lower but not significantly different (-3.44 versus -6.07, respectively, P = 0.54). CONCLUSION: The range of process of care scores submitted by acute care hospitals in western North Carolina is considerable. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services "Hospital Compare" information suggests that process of care measurements at Fannin Regional Hospital are significantly higher than at either Murphy Medical Center or Union General Hospital, relative to state and national benchmarks. Further investigation is needed to determine what impact these differences in process of care may have on hospital volume and/or market share in this region. Additional research is planned to identify process of care trends in this demographic and geographically rural area

Spectral measures of small index principal graphs

The principal graph $X$ of a subfactor with finite Jones index is one of the important algebraic invariants of the subfactor. If $\Delta$ is the adjacency matrix of $X$ we consider the equation $\Delta=U+U^{-1}$. When $X$ has square norm $\leq 4$ the spectral measure of $U$ can be averaged by using the map $u\to u^{-1}$, and we get a probability measure $\epsilon$ on the unit circle which does not depend on $U$. We find explicit formulae for this measure $\epsilon$ for the principal graphs of subfactors with index $\le 4$, the (extended) Coxeter-Dynkin graphs of type $A$, $D$ and $E$. The moment generating function of $\epsilon$ is closely related to Jones' $\Theta$-series.Comment: 23 page

Anion exchange separation of plutonium from various solutions stored at PFP

Nitrate anion exchange has been demonstrated to effectively separate plutonium from other metals in solution. Specific PFP solutions types will be tested to determine if they are suitable candidates for anion exchange. Reillex HPQ resin is used to separate Pu(IV) from nitric acid solutions

Advanced manufacturing applied to nuclear fusion – challenges and solutions

Materials needed to achieve designed performance will require formulations and processing methods capable of delivering a compendium of metallic, ceramic and cermet chemistries, which must be finely tuned at source, and tolerant to down-stream thermomechanical adjustment. Structural steels and cermets are continuously being developed by researchers using computational thermodynamics modelling and modified thermomechanical treatments, with oxide dispersion strengthened steel (ODS)-reduced activated ferritic-martensitic steel (RAFM) steels based on 8%–16% wt.% Cr now being assessed. The combination of SiCf and CuCrZr as a metal matrix composite containing an active coolant would be seen as a major opportunity, furthermore, composite ceramic materials consisting of SiC fibres reinforcing a SiC matrix capable of being joined to metallic structures offer great potential in the development of advanced heat exchangers. Continuing the theme of advanced manufacturing, the use of solid-state processing technologies involving powder metallurgy–hot isostatic pressing and spark plasma sintering to produce near-net shaped products in metallics, ceramics and cermets are critical manufacturing research themes. Additive manufacturing (AM) to produce metallic and ceramic components is now becoming a feasible manufacturing route, and through the combination of AM and subtractive machining, capability exists to produce efficient fluid carrying structures that could not be manufactured by any other process. Extending this to using electron beam welding and advanced heat treatments to improve homogeneity and provide modularity, a two-pronged solution is now available to improve capability and integrity, whilst concurrently offering increased degrees of freedom for designers

The Influence of the Five Factor Model of Personality on the Perceived Effectiveness of Executive Coaching.

Limited research attention has been paid to the influences on executive coaching effectiveness. This study explores whether a relationship exists between the Five Factor Model of personality and coachee perceptions of effectiveness of executive coaching. Thirty coachees completed a cross sectional survey measuring personality using scales from the International Personality Item Pool (Goldberg, 1999). There was a significant positive relationship between extraversion and perceived coaching effectiveness. The findings have implications for organisations when considering whether their employees are suited to the development interventions on offer and whether the intervention will subsequently provide a good return on investment. Our study also contributes to the emerging literature on antecedents of coaching effectiveness by examining core aspects of individual differences