Measuring research progress in photovoltaics

The role and some results of the project analysis and integration function in the Flat-plate Solar Array (FSA) Project are presented. Activities included supporting the decision-making process, preparation of plans for project direction, setting goals for project activities, measuring progress within the project, and the development and maintenance of analytical models

Many-body system with a four-parameter family of point interactions in one dimension

We consider a four-parameter family of point interactions in one dimension. This family is a generalization of the usual $\delta$-function potential. We examine a system consisting of many particles of equal masses that are interacting pairwise through such a generalized point interaction. We follow McGuire who obtained exact solutions for the system when the interaction is the $\delta$-function potential. We find exact bound states with the four-parameter family. For the scattering problem, however, we have not been so successful. This is because, as we point out, the condition of no diffraction that is crucial in McGuire's method is not satisfied except when the four-parameter family is essentially reduced to the $\delta$-function potential.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Barriers and Facilitators to Work Success for Veterans in Supported Employment: A Nationwide Provider Survey

bjective: Veterans with mental illness are at serious risk of poor work outcomes and career stagnation. Supported employment (SE) is an evidence-based model of vocational services that assists persons with mental illness to obtain competitive employment. The purpose of this study was to gain a rich understanding of barriers and facilitators related to competitive work success from the perspective of a nationwide sample of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) SE staff, supervisors, and managers. Methods: This study utilized a mixed-methods approach in which 114 VA SE personnel completed an online questionnaire consisting of a survey of work barriers and facilitators; open-ended questions elicited additional factors affecting work success. Descriptive statistics characterized factors affecting work success, and an emergent, open-coding approach identified qualitative themes describing other key elements influencing employment. Results: The most prominent work facilitators were perceived veteran motivation, job match, the assistance of SE services, and veteran self-confidence. The highest rated barriers were psychological stress and a range of health-related problems. Qualitative findings revealed additional areas affecting work success, notably, the availability of resources, the capacity of frontline staff to form strong relationships with veterans and employers, the ability of staff to adapt and meet the multifaceted demands of the SE job, and the need for additional staff and supervisor training. The impact of employer stigma was also emphasized. Conclusions: An array of elements influencing work success at the level of the veteran, staff, SE program, and employer was recognized, suggesting several implications for VA services

Time Ordering in Kicked Qubits

We examine time ordering effects in strongly, suddenly perturbed two-state quantum systems (kicked qubits) by comparing results with time ordering to results without time ordering. Simple analytic expressions are given for state occupation amplitudes and probabilities for singly and multiply kicked qubits. We investigate the limit of no time ordering, which can differ in different representations.Comment: 26 pages, 5 figure

Facilitators and Barriers to Illness Management and Recovery Implementation

poster abstractIllness Management and Recovery (IMR) is an evidence-based program designed to help people with severe mental illness better manage their illness and achieve personally meaningful goals. IMR has shown improved outcomes including better coping and reduced psychiatric symptoms. There have been some difficulties implementing IMR, even within programs that have received IMR training. The purpose of the current study was to examine the differences between facilitators and barriers for implementing IMR as perceived by providers of IMR and non-providers of IMR in order to identify potential targets for implementation strategies. A national online survey was conducted with VA Medical Centers (VAMCs), resulting in 151 responses representing 107 VAMCs nationwide. Survey respondents included local recovery coordinators (LRCs) and staff referred by the LRC for being knowledgeable regarding IMR. The current analyses focused on two open-ended questions pertaining to facilitators and barriers to implementation. The authors independently developed codes through an iterative process to categorize responses. We then established overall consensus on codes and applied those codes to each open-ended response. Chi-square tests were performed on each category to determine differences between provider and non-provider perceived facilitators and barriers. Differences in identified facilitators and barriers were discovered between the providers and non-providers respondents. Overall barriers and facilitators to implementation are described. Identifying facilitators and barriers that differ between providers and non-providers can provide insight into areas that may impact implementation. By understanding these differences we can provide carefully targeted interventions to increase implementation, for example, gaining support from individuals who do not directly provide IMR, could reinforce the experiences of direct service providers

Four-well tunneling states and elastic response of clathrates

We present resonant ultrasound elastic constant measurements of the clathrate compounds Eu8Ga16Ge30 and Sr8Ga16Ge30. The elastic response of the Eu clathrate provides clear evidence for the existence of a new type of four-well tunneling states, described by two nearly degenerate four level systems (FLS). The FLS's are closely linked with the fourfold split positions of Eu known from neutron diffraction density profiles. Using a realistic potential we estimate the tunneling frequencies and show that the energy gap between the two FLS's is of the same order as the Einstein oscillator frequency. This explains why the observed harmonic oscillator type specific heat is not modified by tunneling states. In addition the quadrupolar interaction of FLS's with elastic strains explains the pronounced depression observed in elastic constant measurements. In the case of the Sr clathrate, we show that the shallow dip in the elastic constant c44 is explained using the same type of quadrupolar interaction with a soft Einstein mode instead of a FLS.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

A Review of Consumer-provided Services on Assertive Community Treatment and Intensive Case Management Teams: Implications for Future Research and Practice

Background—Assertive community treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based practice that provides intensive, in vivo services for adults with severe mental illness. Some ACT and intensive case management teams have integrated consumers as team members with varying results. Methods—We reviewed the literature examining the outcomes of having consumer providers on case management teams, with attention devoted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results—We identified 16 published studies, including 8 RCTs. Findings were mixed, with evidence supporting consumer-provided services for improving engagement, and limited support for reduced hospitalizations. However, evidence was lacking for other outcomes areas such as symptom reduction or improved quality of life. Conclusion—Including a consumer provider on an ACT team could enhance the outreach mechanisms of ACT, using a more recovery-focused approach to bring consumers into services and help engage them over time. More rigorous research is needed to further evaluate integrating consumer providers on teams

Anisotropic thermal expansion of Fe1.06Te and FeTe0.5Se0.5 single crystals

Heat capacity and anisotropic thermal expansion was measured for Fe1.06Te and FeTe0.5Se0.5 single crystals. Previously reported phase transitions are clearly seen in both measurements. In both cases the thermal expansion is anisotropic. The uniaxial pressure derivatives of the superconducting transition temperature in FeTe0.5Se0.5 inferred from the Ehrenfest relation have opposite signs for in-plane and c-axis pressures. Whereas the Gruneisen parameters for both materials are similar and only weakly temperature-dependent above ~ 80 K, at low temperatures (in the magnetically ordered phase) the magnetic contribution to the Gruneisen parameter in Fe1.06Te is significantly larger than electron and phonon contributions combined

Outdoor Recreation Expenditures: A Nationwide Study

Outdoor recreation expenditures are increasing rapidly. Results suggest that growth will continue. The implications for demand and its impact upon resources and management must be addressed. The role of the private sector will have to be increased significantly