Differential Tilt Variance Effects of Turbulence in Imagery: Comparing Simulation with Theory

Differential tilt variance is a useful metric for interpreting the distorting effects of turbulence in incoherent imaging systems. In this paper, we compare the theoretical model of differential tilt variance to simulations. Simulation is based on a Monte Carlo wave optics approach with split step propagation. Results show that the simulation closely matches theory. The results also show that care must be taken when selecting a method to estimate tilts

Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Light Trapping Photovoltaics

Slides from a presentation examining light trapping photovoltaic technology and its possible applications

Determination of Optimal Home Investment Properties Using Hierarchical Decision Modeling

The purpose of this study is to develop a decision model for profitable investment in a single family home with the objective of maximizing the return on investment of the property over a 5-year period. The scope of the potential investment properties for which the model is valid for has been limited to the SE Portland area within a price range between $100,000 and$750,000. The assumptions of this analysis include that the home investor was pre-approved for financing within the given price range, financing could be obtained at equivalent rates for each investment property evaluated, and the investor would be required to live in the property for a period of five years without performing remodeling to the house or property. A hierarchical decision model was used to evaluate critical features that home investors should consider for property evaluation. The critical features included in this analysis were defined by home investment experts, providing valuable insight to potential first time or inexperienced home buyers. It is important to note that current tax legislation requires a home owner must live in a property for a period of two out of the five years leading up to sale of a property to avoid capital gains taxes for any potential profit associated with the property. By developing a decision model for a 5-year investment scenario, a useful tool for a large proportion of potential home investors can be offered to prospective home investors. The basic premise of this investigation is both complicated and unique in that it models the home investment strategy for a “casual” home investor, prompting the evaluation of not only the financial aspects of a home for an investor, but also requiring the evaluation of the “comfort” features that the home investor must evaluate as a resident of the property themselves. The end result of this analysis is a decision model that can be applied to any number or style of metropolitan homes in order to evaluate optimal home investment strategies

Comparative Analysis of Numerical Simulation Techniques for Incoherent Imaging of Extended Objects Through Atmospheric Turbulence

Computational efficiency and accuracy of wave-optics-based Monte–Carlo and brightness function numerical simulation techniques for incoherent imaging of extended objects through atmospheric turbulence are evaluated. Simulation results are compared with theoretical estimates based on known analytical solutions for the modulation transfer function of an imaging system and the long-exposure image of a Gaussian-shaped incoherent light source. It is shown that the accuracy of both techniques is comparable over the wide range of path lengths and atmospheric turbulence conditions, whereas the brightness function technique is advantageous in terms of the computational speed

Qatar 2022 World Cup Benefit-Cost Analysis

Contenders to host 22nd world Cup were Qatar, Australia, Japan, South Korea and USA. Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup to the surprise of everybody. Qatar is a tiny country in Middle East with a population of 1,690,000 (Qatar 2022 World Cup bid, 2011). In this paper it will be attempted to shed light the benefit cost effect of 2022 World Cup to the Qatar’s economy