The propagation of errors in the numerical solution of Markov models

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1989.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-207).by Brenan Joseph McCarragher.M.S

Catalytic leadership: How a president\u27s language influences national outcomes

This study investigated the extent to which potential-focused leader language (inclusive, future-focused, and honest) is catalytic. An analysis of US presidential speeches found language was related to historian ratings, unskilled worker wages, and an enduring legacy (internet and book references), but unrelated to social (e.g., patents) and societal (e.g., prison population) outcomes

Hybrid model of intensive lifestyle intervention is potentially effective in patients with diabetes & obesity for post-COVID era

The Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment (Why WAIT) program is a 12-week multidisciplinary intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) for patients with diabetes and obesity in real-world clinical practice that has led to long-term weight loss maintenance for up to 10 years. During COVID-19, we reported that a virtual model (VM) of the program was equally effective in reducing body weight and improving glycemic control. Here, we test a newly-introduced hybrid model (HM), to accommodate ongoing restrictions of the pandemic. We evaluated 56 participants: 18 from HM, 16 from VM and 22 from the in-person model (iPM). At 12 weeks, mean change in body weight from baseline for HM was -8.2 ± 5.0 kg; p<0.001. Mean change in A1C for HM was -0.6 ± 0.6%; p=0.002. There were no significant differences in body weight reduction (p=0.7) or A1C reduction (p=0.6) between groups. Blood pressure, lipid profile, and all other parameters showed improvements without significant differences between groups. Overall, HM is as effective as VM and iPM in reducing body weight and A1C after 12 weeks. Given its scalability, HM could be offered to more patients with diabetes and obesity who may benefit from its increased flexibility and enhanced accountability without compromising the multidisciplinary approach for a post-COVID era

PI3K signalling blockade : a target for chemotherapeutic enhancement in breast cancer

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Ecological and evolutionary invasion dynamics of Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) in relation to white oak savanna restoration management at Nachusa Grasslands, Illinois, USA

Advisors: Lesely Rigg.Committee members: Melvin Duvall; David Goldblum; Michael Konen.This interdisciplinary research explores the ecological impacts and underlying evolutionary mechanisms associated with the spread of Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle), one of the most aggressive and abundant invasive species throughout the Midwest United States. The main goal of this research is to better understand how the encroachment of Amur honeysuckle impacts the Midwest native Quercus alba (white oak) population in a Nature Conservancy oak savanna restoration project (Nachusa Grasslands) located in Lee County, Illinois, USA, with particular focus on mechanisms required for successful oak regeneration and recruitment (i.e. carbon assimilation, soil quality, soil moisture/ temperature, and plant available nutrients). This study also aims to explore the spatial-temporal long distance dispersal patterns of Amur honeysuckle, as inferred by population genetics, in order to better understand the mechanisms and pathways by which Amur honeysuckle is spreading throughout Illinois.;Ultimately, the low light levels measured in the understory of the oak savanna restoration study site at Nachusa Grasslands yielded marginal seasonal carbon assimilation totals for white oak seedlings, especially when compared to the high seasonal carbon assimilation totals modeled for white oak seedlings had they been growing in full sun light conditions. In relation to belowground properties, this study found no significant differences between any of the soil characteristics (i.e. wet macro-aggregate soil stability, moisture, temperature, carbon nitrogen ratios, and nutrient levels) measured in adjacent soil samples collected under and away from Amur honeysuckle within the oak savanna restoration study site at Nachusa Grasslands. Findings from the population genetics analyses in this research supports previous research that Amur honeysuckle displays characteristics associated with stratified dispersal. Specifically, a lack of correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance for the Illinois Amur honeysuckle subpopulations suggest that active gene flow between these subpopulations occurs via regional long distance dispersal events. The New York Botanical Garden subpopulation was identified as genetically isolated from all other subpopulations. The Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University and The Morton Arboretum also displayed patterns of genetic isolation from the other subpopulations, more so than from each other. Management recommendations, based off findings from this research, are provided.Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy

A discrete event dynamic systems approach to robotic assembly tasks

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1992.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-110).by Brenan Joseph McCarragher.Ph.D

Control Of Flexible Load Deformations And Environment Contact Forces In Dual-Arm Manipulation

. A pseudo-inverse-Jacobian scheme to control deformations of a flexible load while attaining contact force goals with an external environment is discussed in this paper. The flexible load is manipulated by two arms. A kinematic description of the flexible load is obtained from a lumped-parameter model. Coordinated motion of the arms is achieved through kinematic redundancy resolution at the differential kinematic level. The strategy proposed here uses load flexibility to accommodate for position errors that would result in the build-up of internal forces in a rigid-load case. Simulation results are presented that illustrate the success of the method. Keywords. multiple-arm coordination; flexible materials; redundancy resolution; differential inverse kinematics. 1. INTRODUCTION A variety of assembly operations involve the manipulation of flexible parts. Sometimes, demanding operations like part mating of flexible componenents are required. For part mating to take place, it might be de..