Baby Boomers and Technology: Factors and Challenges in Utilizing Mobile Devices

This exploratory dissertation study reports an investigation of Baby Boomers utilizing mobile technology to determine how Baby Boomers were utilizing mobile devices and if there were any types of challenges and affecting factors some Baby Boomers could face when searching for information in an online mobile environment. Fifty Baby Boomer participants were recruited by a purposive snowball sampling method and were divided into two groups, twenty-five Younger Boomers and twenty-five Older Boomers to look for comparisons and differences among the Baby Boomers in regards to mobile technology usage, search activities, environmental context, frequency and duration of search activities, as well as the factors and challenges they could encounter while using a mobile device since the age range spans nineteen years. The study was designed to answer two research questions: How are Baby Boomers utilizing a mobile device to search for information in terms of the mobile device types, the environmental contexts and the types of information searched?; and What are the challenges concerning Baby Boomers utilizing a mobile device in searching for information and their affecting factors? This exploratory dissertation study used a qualitative methods approach based in grounded theory to analyze the data. Participants were given a choice of using print or electronic instruments to participate in the study. Multiple collection methods were used to gather the data, consisting of a questionnaire and solicited diaries that were kept for a period of seven days with follow-up interviews given to all participants. The grounded theory approach created a coding schema of ten types of challenges representing five major categories and twenty-three affecting factors. The comparison and interpretation of the search activities, the types of challenges and the affecting factors led to the development of the Baby Boomer Mobile Device Information Searching Model. Theoretical, methodological and practical implications that include system design and library services have been discussed providing suggestions to system designers, researchers and information professionals within and outside the Library and Information Science field

Управление кислородно-конвертерной плавкой в замкнутом режиме

Робота виконувалася з метою підвищення ефективності киснево-конвертерної плавки завдяки побудові системи замкненого керування. Створення моделей киснево-конвертерної плавки здійснювалося на основі комбінованого методу моделювання, який включає детермінований, ймовірнісний та евристичний підходи, методів автоматичної класифікації і позитивного досвіду попереднього керування. Розроблена замкнена система включає в себе статичну, динамічну і замкнену моделі керування киснево-конвертерним процесом виробництва сталі. Статична модель забезпечує розрахунок параметрів плавки до початку процесу, динамічна - розрахунок швидкості зневуглецювання, зміни температури та швидкості вигорання домішок під час продувки. Розроблена замкнена система керування проходила адаптацію в умовах 160-тонних конвертерів ПАТ “АрселорМіттал, Кривий Ріг”. Економічний ефект від впровадження системи керування конвертерною плавкою досягається за рахунок випуску плавок по заданих марках сталі, підвищення виходу придатного, покращення якості продукції, економії часу та матеріалів. Замкнена система керування забезпечує параметри для оптимального керування процесом.The work was done in order to increase the efficiency of BOF smelting by constructing closed-loop control system. The creation of BOF melt models was based on the combined modeling method, which includes deterministic, probabilistic and heuristic approaches, methods of automatic classification and the positive experience of the previous administration. A closed-loop system including a static, dynamic and closed control model BOF steelmaking process was developed. Static model provides payment options to begin the process of melting, dynamic - decarbonization rate calculation, changes in temperature and burn-up rate during purging impurities. Developed a closed-loop control adaptation held under 160-tonnage converters PJSC “ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih”. Economic effect of implementing a control system converter process is achieved through the issuance of heats on the specified steel grades, higher weight yield, improve product quality, saving time and materials. Closed-loop control provides settings for optimal process control.Работа проводилась с целью увеличения эффективности кислородно-конвертерной плавки путем построения системы замкнутого управления. Создание моделей кислородно-конвертерной плавки осуществлялось на основе комбинированного метода моделирования, который включает в себя детерминированный, вероятностный и эвристический подходы, методы автоматической классификации и позитивного опыта предыдущего управления. Разработаная замкнутая система включает в себя статическую, динамическую и замкнутую модели управления кислородно-конвертерным процессом производства стали. Статическая модель обеспечивает расчет параметров плавки до начала процесса, динамическая - расчет скорости обезуглероживания, изменения температуры и скорости выгорания примесей во время продувки. Разработаная замкнутая система управления проходила адаптацию в условиях 160-тонных конвертеров ПАО “АрселорМиттал, Кривой Рог”. Экономический эффект от внедрения системы управления конвертерной плавкой достигается за счет выпуска плавок по заданным маркам стали, повышения выхода годного, улучшения качества продукции, экономии времени и материалов. Замкнутая система управления обеспечивает параметры для оптимального управления процессом

Triple GEM Tracking Detectors for the BM@N Experiment

BM@N (Baryonic Matter at the Nuclotron) is the fixed target experiment aimed to study nuclear matter in the relativistic heavy ion collisions at the Nuclotron accelerator in JINR. The BM@N tracking system is based on Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) detectors, mounted inside the BM@N analyzing magnet. The structure of the GEM detectors and the results of study of their characteristics are presented. The GEM detectors are integrated into the BM@N experimental setup and data acquisition system. The results of the first test of the GEM tracking system in the technical run with the deuteron beam are shortly reviewed

The HEV Ventilator

HEV is a low-cost, versatile, high-quality ventilator, which has been designed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ventilator is intended to be used both in and out of hospital intensive care units, and for both invasive and non-invasive ventilation. The hardware can be complemented with an external turbine for use in regions where compressed air supplies are not reliably available. The standard modes provided include PC-A/C(Pressure Assist Control),PC-A/C-PRVC(Pressure Regulated Volume Control), PC-PSV (Pressure Support Ventilation) and CPAP (Continuous Positive airway pressure). HEV is designed to support remote training and post market surveillance via a web interface and data logging to complement the standard touch screen operation, making it suitable for a wide range of geographical deployment. The HEV design places emphasis on the quality of the pressure curves and the reactivity of the trigger, delivering a global performance which will be applicable to ventilator needs beyond theCOVID-19 pandemic. This article describes the conceptual design and presents the prototype units together with their performance evaluation.Comment: 34 pages, 18 figures, Extended version of the article submitted to PNA

Linac4 H^- source R&D: Cusp free ICP and magnetron discharge

The 2MHz radio-frequency inductively coupled plasma heating (ICP RF) of Linac4’s IS03 H- source is more efficient without its octupole cusp in offset hallbach configuration. This was shown by Particle in cell Monte-Carlo (PICMC) simulation using the NINJA software [1] and confirmed by plasma characterization via optical emission spectroscopy [2,3], an easier plasma ignition is also anticipated. In this paper, we present preliminary results of an Alumina plasma chamber IS03 H- source [4] operated without magnetic cusp. Operation under monthly cesiation induces a slow evolution of the molybdenum cesiated surface correlated with an increase of the co-extracted electron yield. An improved stability of the extracted H- beam is achieved by compensating the Cs-losses. The high intensity option for Linac4 features an adaptation of BNL’s Magnetron. Simulation of this complex H2-Cs arc discharge plasma, where electrons are emitted from a cesiated molybdenum cathode, requires characterization of the plasma impedance and knowledge of hydrogen and cesium densities. We present a measurement of plasma impedance over the range of discharge current, hydrogen and cesium-densities

GEM tracking system of the BM@N experiment

BM@N (Baryonic Matter at the Nuclotron) is the fixed target experiment aimed to study nuclear matter in the relativistic heavy ion collisions at the Nuclotron accelerator in JINR. Detectors based on Gas Electron multipliers (GEM) have been identified as appropriate for the BM@N tracking system, which is located inside the BM@N analyzing magnet. The structure of the GEM detectors and the results of study of their characteristics are presented. The GEM detectors are integrated into the BM@N experimental setup and data acquisition system. The performance of the GEM tracking system in the first technical run with the deuteron beam is shortly reviewed

Performance of the BM@N GEM/CSC tracking system at the Nuclotron beam

BM@N (Baryonic Matter at the Nuclotron) is a fixed target experiment aimed to study nuclear matter in the relativistic heavy-ion collisions at the Nuclotron accelerator in JINR. The BM@N tracking system is based on Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) detectors mounted inside the BM@N analyzing magnet. The Cathode Strip Chamber (CSC) is installed outside the magnet. The CSC is used for improvement of particles momentum identification. The structure of the GEM detectors and the CSC prototype and the results of study of their characteristics are presented. The GEM detectors and CSC are integrated into the BM@N experimental setup and data acquisition system. The results of first tests of the GEM tracking system and CSC in last runs are shortly reviewed