Calculating resonance positions and widths using the Siegert approximation method

Here we present complex resonance states (or Siegert states), that describe the tunneling decay of a trapped quantum particle, from an intuitive point of view which naturally leads to the easily applicable Siegert approximation method that can be used for analytical and numerical calculations of complex resonances of both the linear and nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation. Our approach thus complements other treatments of the subject that mostly focus on methods based on continuation in the complex plane or on semiclassical approximations.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure, contains MATLAB source code; new version with additional illustration

The Potential Return on Investment of the Recruitment Strategies for an Academic Unit Focused on Agricultural Sciences

University recruitment strategies could be an important factor in attracting students and keeping enrollment numbers growing to a desired level. Research has shown that colleges of agriculture should investigate their traditional recruiting techniques and develop new plans to target desirable students. Students are viewed as revenue generators for the university, and with money and time being two important considerations, it is essential and helpful to know where both are best utilized in the recruitment process. The purpose of this study was to determine which recruiting methods and strategies are the most cost effective and work best for agriculturally focused departments. The researchers used a descriptive survey to collect data on participants’ preferred and influential recruitment methods and strategies. First-year students in this study chose campus tours and visiting with a faculty member on campus to be the most influential over all other recruiting strategies/methods in their decision to enroll at the university. Additionally, these specific recruitment strategies are also least expensive to employ, therefore, giving the department/university over 15 times the return of its investment. Promotional materials such as caps, key chains, and pens can produce a very high return because of the low input cost per unit. Overall, the strategies the department employs to recruit prospective students show to be effective, however, there is always room for improvement. However, other factors such as scholarship availability, cost of tuition, admission requirements and proximity to home could also be what attract students to the university

Habitat and Weather Effects on Northern Bobwhite Brood Movements

We observed radio-marked northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) broods (adults with chicks :S21 days old; n = 12) in Kansas during 1991-94 to test effects of weather (temperature and precipitation) and macrohabitat (composition, relative diversity, and mean distance to grassland) variables on brood home range size and daily movements at large (28.5 km2), intermediate (3.14 km2), and small (about 0.14 km2) spatial scales surrounding habitats available for broods. Principal component analyses followed by stepwise multiple linear regression indicated neither weather nor habitat influenced (P 2: 0.1) home range size at the large and intermediate scales. However, the principal component representing mean distance to grassland and percent cropland within the home range (i.e., at a small scale) was positively related to home range size. Neither temperature nor habitat influenced daily distance of movements. We concluded that brood mobility was independent of landscape-scale features, but that habitat management at smaller spatial scales could influence movements. To create optimal habitat for bobwhite, managers should consider relationships among habitat attributes and the movement of individuals, including the spatial scales at which these relationships are most important

Early diagenetic vivianite [Fe-3(PO4)(2) center dot 8H(2)O] in a contaminated freshwater sediment and insights into zinc uptake: a mu-EXAFS, mu-XANES and Raman study

The sediments in the Salford Quays, a heavily-modified urban water body, contain high levels of organic matter, Fe, Zn and nutrients as a result of past contaminant inputs. Vivianite [Fe3(PO4)2 · 8H2O] has been observed to have precipitated within these sediments during early diagenesis as a result of the release of Fe and P to porewaters. These mineral grains are small (<100 μm) and micron-scale analysis techniques (SEM, electron microprobe, μ-EXAFS, μ-XANES and Raman) have been applied in this study to obtain information upon the structure of this vivianite and the nature of Zn uptake in the mineral. Petrographic observations, and elemental, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic analysis confirms the presence of vivianite. EXAFS model fitting of the FeK-edge spectra for individual vivianite grains produces Fe–O and Fe–P co-ordination numbers and bond lengths consistent with previous structural studies of vivianite (4O atoms at 1.99–2.05 Å; 2P atoms at 3.17–3.25 Å). One analysed grain displays evidence of a significant Fe3+ component, which is interpreted to have resulted from oxidation during sample handling and/or analysis. EXAFS modelling of the Zn K-edge data, together with linear combination XANES fitting of model compounds, indicates that Zn may be incorporated into the crystal structure of vivianite (4O atoms at 1.97 Å; 2P atoms at 3.17 Å). Low levels of Zn sulphate or Zn-sorbed goethite are also indicated from linear combination XANES fitting and to a limited extent, the EXAFS fitting, the origin of which may either be an oxidation artifact or the inclusion of Zn sulphate into the vivianite grains during precipitation. This study confirms that early diagenetic vivianite may act as a sink for Zn, and potentially other contaminants (e.g. As) during its formation and, therefore, forms an important component of metal cycling in contaminated sediments and waters. Furthermore, for the case of Zn, the EXAFS fits for Zn phosphate suggest this uptake is structural and not via surface adsorption

Differential Uptake of Gold Nanoparticles by 2 Species of Tadpole, the Wood Frog (Lithobates Sylvaticus) and the Bullfrog (Lithobates Catesbeianus)

Engineered nanoparticles are aquatic contaminants of emerging concern that exert ecotoxicological effects on a wide variety of organisms. We exposed cetyltrimethylammonium bromide–capped spherical gold nanoparticles to wood frog and bullfrog tadpoles with conspecifics and in combination with the other species continuously for 21 d, then measured uptake and localization of gold. Wood frog tadpoles alone and in combination with bullfrog tadpoles took up significantly more gold than bullfrogs. Bullfrog tadpoles in combination with wood frogs took up significantly more gold than controls. The rank order of weight-normalized gold uptake was wood frogs in combination \u3e wood frogs alone \u3e bullfrogs in combination \u3e bullfrogs alone \u3e controls. In all gold-exposed groups of tadpoles, gold was concentrated in the anterior region compared with the posterior region of the body. The concentration of gold nanoparticles in the anterior region of wood frogs both alone and in combination with bullfrogs was significantly higher than the corresponding posterior regions. We also measured depuration time of gold in wood frogs. After 21 d in a solution of gold nanoparticles, tadpoles lost \u3e83% of internalized gold when placed in gold-free water for 5 d. After 10 d in gold-free water, tadpoles lost 94% of their gold. After 15 d, gold concentrations were below the level of detection. Our finding of differential uptake between closely related species living in similar habitats with overlapping geographical distributions argues against generalizing toxicological effects of nanoparticles for a large group of organisms based on measurements in only one species

Learning Design through the Lens of Service: A Qualitative Study

Twenty-four senior-level capstone engineering design projects were completed at a large, public, primarily undergraduate university involving 85 students (70 male and 15 female). All projects involved the design of equipment to facilitate physical activity for people with disabilities. The effects on: i) learning design, ii) attitude towards people with disabilities, iii) motivation to complete team design projects and iv) interdisciplinary collaboration were analyzed through 24 one-hour focus groups. We explored the student experience using a constructivist approach and grounded theory. Four major themes (with associated sub-themes) emerged from our data analysis: learning design (project management, iterative design process, and user-centered design), motivation to complete design (engineering, disabilities, user), perceptions of people with disabilities (previous experience, changed attitudes and beliefs), and multidisciplinary collaboration (etiquette presentation, communication between disciplines, defining roles and expectations). Students completing these projects were shown to appreciate user-centered design, exhibit greater motivation when able to meet and develop a relationship with their client in person, discuss altruistic factors regarding their capstone experience, and were able to develop strong multidisciplinary skills

PROMIS CAT Forms Demonstrate Responsiveness in Patients Following Reverse Total Arthroplasty Across Numerous Health Domains

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the responsiveness of three PROMIS CAT domains in patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Background: To better optimize the administration and postoperative tracking of patients using PROM, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was established by the National Institutes of Health. PROMIS CAT domains have been since validated in multiple orthopedic interventions of the shoulder, however, no one to date has studied the responsiveness of PROMIS CAT domains in a cohort of patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Methods: Patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty by a board-certified shoulder and elbow surgeon were included in this study. PROMIS CAT Upper Extremity Physical Function (“PROMIS-UE”), Pain Interference (“PROMIS-PI”), and Depression (“PROMIS-D”) scores were collected preoperatively and at five postoperative timepoints. Patient-centric demographic factors, range of motion, and clinical characteristics were also reviewed and analyzed for association with PROMIS scores. Results: 104 patients undergoing primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty were included in this study. The patient cohort consisted of 52 males (50.0%), an average age of 70.3 years (standard deviation, 11.2), and a BMI of 30.2 (standard deviation, 6.1). All three PROMIS domains showed significant improvement as early as 6 weeks after surgery, with values of 32.4 ± 6.6, 56.2 ± 7.5, and 44.6 ± 8.6, for PROMIS-UE, PROMIS-PI, and PROMIS-D, respectively. Significant improvements were noted for each postoperative timepoint thereafter, with 1-year follow up values as follows: 42.1 ± 8.7, 52.5 ± 8.6, and 43.6 ± 9.5 for PROMIS-UE, PROMIS-PI, and PROMIS-D, respectively. Moderate correlations were identified with postoperative PROMIS-UE and abduction (r=0.439, p\u3c0.01), as well as postoperative PROMIS-PI and PROMIS-D (r=0.502, p\u3c0.01). Conclusions: PROMIS CAT forms demonstrate responsiveness in patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty