Measurements of Grain Motion in a Dense, Three-Dimensional Granular Fluid

We have used an NMR technique to measure the short-time, three-dimensional displacement of grains in a system of mustard seeds vibrated vertically at 15g. The technique averages over a time interval in which the grains move ballistically, giving a direct measurement of the granular temperature profile. The dense, lower portion of the sample is well described by a recent hydrodynamic theory for inelastic hard spheres. Near the free upper surface the mean free path is longer than the particle diameter and the hydrodynamic description fails.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Fluctuations of a Greenlandic tidewater glacier driven by changes in atmospheric forcing : observations and modelling of Kangiata Nunaata Sermia, 1859–present

Acknowledgements. The authors wish to thank Stephen Price, Mauri Pelto, and the anonymous reviewer for their reviews and comments that helped to improve the manuscript. RACMO2.1 data were provided by Jan van Angelen and Michiel van den Broeke, IMAU, Utrecht University. MAR v3.2 data used for runoff calculations were provided by Xavier Fettweis, Department of Geography, University of Liège. The photogrammetric DEM used in Figs. 1 and 3 was provided by Kurt H. Kjær, Centre for GeoGenetics, University of Copenhagen. This research was financially supported by J. M. Lea’s PhD funding, NERC grant number NE/I528742/1. Support for F. M. Nick was provided through the Conoco-Phillips/Lundin Northern Area Program CRIOS project (Calving Rates and Impact on Sea Level).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Empirical Studies of Evolving Systems

This paper describes the results of the working group investigating the issues of empirical studies for evolving systems. The groups found that there were many issues that were central to successful evolution and this concluded that this is a very important area within software engineering. Finally nine main areas were selected for consideration. For each of these areas the central issues were identified as well as success factors. In some cases success stories were also described and the critical factors accounting for the success analysed. In some cases it was later found that a number of areas were so tightly coupled that it was important to discuss them together

Findings from a pilot randomised trial of an asthma internet self-management intervention (RAISIN)

<b>Objective </b>To evaluate the feasibility of a phase 3 randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a website (Living Well with Asthma) to support self-management.<p></p> <b>Design and setting</b> Phase 2, parallel group, RCT, participants recruited from 20 general practices across Glasgow, UK. Randomisation through automated voice response, after baseline data collection, to website access for minimum 12 weeks or usual care.<p></p> <b>Participants </b>Adults (age≥16 years) with physician diagnosed, symptomatic asthma (Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score ≥1). People with unstable asthma or other lung disease were excluded.<p></p> <b>Intervention</b> Living Well with Asthma’ is a desktop/ laptop compatible interactive website designed with input from asthma/ behaviour change specialists, and adults with asthma. It aims to support optimal medication management, promote use of action plans, encourage attendance at asthma reviews and increase physical activity.<p></p> <b>Outcome measures</b> Primary outcomes were recruitment/retention, website use, ACQ and mini- Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Secondary outcomes included patient activation, prescribing, adherence, spirometry, lung inflammation and health service contacts after 12 weeks. Blinding postrandomisation was not possible.<p></p> <b>Results </b>Recruitment target met. 51 participants randomised (25 intervention group). Age range 16–78 years; 75% female; 28% from most deprived quintile. 45/51 (88%; 20 intervention group) followed up. 19 (76% of the intervention group) used the website, for a mean of 18 min (range 0–49). 17 went beyond the 2 ‘core’ modules. Median number of logins was 1 (IQR 1–2, range 0–7). No significant difference in the prespecified primary efficacy measures of ACQ scores (−0.36; 95% CI −0.96 to 0.23; p=0.225), and mini-AQLQ scores (0.38; −0.13 to 0.89; p=0.136). No adverse events.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Recruitment and retention confirmed feasibility; trends to improved outcomes suggest use of Living Well with Asthma may improve self-management in adults with asthma and merits further development followed by investigation in a phase 3 trial

Measurement of persistence in 1-D diffusion

Using a novel NMR scheme we observed persistence in 1-D gas diffusion. Analytical approximations and numerical simulations have shown that for an initially random array of spins undergoing diffusion, the probability p(t) that the average spin orientation in a given region has not changed sign (i.e., ``persists'') up to time t follows a power law t^{-\theta}, where \theta depends on the dimensionality of the system. The large nuclear spin polarization of laser-polarized 129Xe gas allowed us both to prepare an initial ``quasi-random'' 1-D array of spin orientations and then to perform real-time NMR imaging to monitor the spin diffusion. Our measurements are consistent with theoretical and numerical predictions of \theta ~ 0.12. We also observed finite size effects for long time gas diffusion

MOTOR CONTROL PATTERNS IN ELITE SWIMMERS’ FREESTYLE STROKE DURING DRYLAND SWIMMING

The purpose of this study was to compare motor control patterns of elite freestyle swimmers when asked to swim at 100m freestyle pace using a dryland swimbench. Collegiate and masters level swimmers (n=15) whose 100m freestyle time were faster than 75% of the FINA cutoff time, performed four 10 second trials of freestyle swimming on a dryland swimbench. 3-D kinematic analysis was used to calculate displacement in the hand in the cranial-caudal, vertical, and medial-lateral directions. A 2-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare hand path between swimmers and within trials (n=58). Data was not statically significant, but three distinct combinations of hand paths were used to perform the 100m freestyle task on the swimbench. These hand paths differed from historical in-water data. Findings imply individual swimmers adjusted kinematics on the swimbench to accommodate for environmental constraints