Modular frames for Hilbert C*-modules and symmetric approximation of frames

We give a comprehensive introduction to a general modular frame construction in Hilbert C*-modules and to related modular operators on them. The Hilbert space situation appears as a special case. The reported investigations rely on the idea of geometric dilation to standard Hilbert C*-modulesover unital C*-algebras that admit an orthonormal Riesz basis. Interrelations and applications to classical linear frame theory are indicated. As an application we describe the nature of families of operators {S_i} such that SUM_i S*_iS_i=id_H, where H is a Hilbert space. Resorting to frames in Hilbert spaces we discuss some measures for pairs of frames to be close to one another. Most of the measures are expressed in terms of norm-distances of different kinds of frame operators. In particular, the existence and uniqueness of the closest (normalized) tight frame to a given frame is investigated. For Riesz bases with certain restrictions the set of closetst tight frames often contains a multiple of its symmetric orthogonalization (i.e. L\"owdin orthogonalization).Comment: SPIE's Annual Meeting, Session 4119: Wavelets in Signal and Image Processing; San Diego, CA, U.S.A., July 30 - August 4, 2000. to appear in: Proceedings of SPIE v. 4119(2000), 12 p

Year-class formation in Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) estimated from spawning-date distributions of juveniles in San Francisco Bay, California

Inter and intra-annual variation in year-class strength was analyzed for San Francisco Bay Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) by using otoliths of juveniles. Juvenile herring were collected from March through June in 1999 and 2000 and otoliths from subsamples of these collections were aged by daily otolith increment analysis. The composition of the year classes in 1999 and 2000 were determined by back-calculating the birth date distribution for surviving juvenile herring. In 2000, 729% more juveniles were captured than in 1999, even though an estimated 12% fewer eggs were spawned in 2000. Spawning-date distributions show that survival for the 2000 year class was exceptionally good for a short (approximately 1 month) period of spawning, resulting in a large abundance of juvenile recruits. Analysis of age at size shows that growth rate increased significantly as the spawning season progressed both in 1999 and 2000. However, only in 2000 were the bulk of surviving juveniles a product of the fast growth period. In the two years examined, year-class strength was not predicted by the estimated number of eggs spawned, but rather appeared to depend on survival of eggs or larvae (or both) through the juvenile stage. Fast growth through the larval stage may have little effect on year-class strength if mortality during the egg stage is high and few larvae are available

Evaluation of risk factors associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is the most common diagnosis in patients presenting knee pain (~25%), and one of the most common diagnosis in sports medicine centers. Here we examine believed risk factors in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) and assess their relationship to PFPS. METHODS: The study was a retrospective study completed at Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. All patients, who were referred to physical therapy at Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Therapy Services Clinic, were diagnosed with PFPS for the first time and were mostly recreational runners. Body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated from weight and height. Pain scores were taken using the visual analog scale. Strength measurements were taken from the left and right leg for the following measurements: hip abduction external rotation, hip abduction, knee extension, and hip extension. Balance measurements were also taken on the left and right sides measuring the postural sway with eyes open and eyes closed. Statistical analysis were accomplished using excel. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were included in the present study, 9 females and 14 males. BMI's (lb/in^2) for the population was 25.1 (±4.2), males were 26.4 (±3.6) and females were 23.2 (±4.2). Pain scores were 6 (±1.9) out of 10 for the total population, males, and females. The total population had composite hip scores 35.0% and 22.9% for the right and left sides, while the knee extension was 50.7% and 51.7%. All hip scores were below 40 except for right hip ABD/ER in females and lower than knee extension scores in males, females, and total population. The ratio for right eyes closed to open was 34.2 (±62.7) and left eye closed to open was 24.7 (±44.3) for the total population CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that age and BMI may have an effect on the development of PFPS but no statistical significance was confirmed. Results suggest that hip strength is a better indicator than knee strength in risk associated with PFPS. Balance appears to be more of an indicator of poor hip strength than as a measurement or potential risk factor for PFPS

The Ecumenical Remnant: Using a Narrative Approach to Revelation to Form Missional Imagination in an Adventist Context

This dissertation addresses the renewal of missional imagination in an Adventist church context. This study will make the case that even among members who loyally participate in their local church, many Adventists in North America are conflicted about their witness, leading to ineffective evangelism and disengagement with the mission of the church. Much of this is related to a theological disconnect with exclusive positions the church has embraced regarding its identity as the remnant church. This identity is largely derived from the church’s founding document, the Book of Revelation. How then can local Adventist churches in North America reignite members with evangelistic fervor within their current theological framework? This study will suggest that a narrative approach to teaching the Book of Revelation can renew missional imagination in these churches. Remnant identity is embedded in Adventist theology and polity, but the membership’s complicated relationship with this identity creates a detrimental impact on missional imagination. Renewing this identity calls for a fresh engagement with Scripture as an unfolding redemptive drama, particularly the narrative of Revelation. The groundwork for such an engagement is already being laid by Adventist scholars, including challenges to the church’s traditional approach to interpreting Revelation. But it must be fully applied to address the historical development of a distinct, separatist Adventist theology and the policy that now supports this view. Though the challenges are significant, narrative demonstrates incredible potential in shaping identity and renewing imagination. Immersing the local church in this narrative can lead to missional renewal and a revived witness among contemporary Adventists

A Case for Changing the National Airspace System from a Magnetic North to a Geographic North Based Model

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is currently playing a major role in aviation navigation and is proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be the foundation of the future National Airspace System (NAS). The Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) information provided by GPS for navigation purposes is directly based on Geographic North parameters rather than on Magnetic North, which is currently the foundation of the NAS. This paper uniquely addresses the exploration of this relationship between the GPS and Geographic North by applying an experimental research design to analyze the potential benefit of basing the NAS on Geographic North. This study proposes to quantify the benefits of a Geographic North Model by comparing the performance of navigation tasks by university flight students using a Geographic North model versus those using a Magnetic North model. Similar treatments, consisting of navigational training relating to Geographic North for the experimental group and Magnetic North for the control group, were administered to both groups. Identical navigational tasks were then presented to both groups to perform, using their respective models, and data was collected for the dependant variables of accuracy and time of task performance. The statistical tools of Chi-square and two-tail t-tests with alpha of .05 were applied to the data to evaluate the hypothesis that accuracy and time would both improve with the Geographic North model. The Geographic North group did outperform the Magnetic North group for each dependant variable, but the results were found to be statistically significant for only the time-of-task variable