Computer program for compressible flow network analysis

Program solves problem of an arbitrarily connected one dimensional compressible flow network with pumping in the channels and momentum balancing at flow junctions. Program includes pressure drop calculations for impingement flow and flow through pin fin arrangements, as currently found in many air cooled turbine bucket and vane cooling configurations

Highly dynamically evolved intermediate-age open clusters

We present a comprehensive UBVRI and Washington CT1T2 photometric analysis of seven catalogued open clusters, namely: Ruprecht 3, 9, 37, 74, 150, ESO 324-15 and 436-2. The multiband photometric data sets in combination with 2MASS photometry and Gaia astrometry for the brighter stars were used to estimate their structural parameters and fundamental astrophysical properties.We found that Ruprecht 3 and ESO 436-2 do not show self-consistent evidence of being physical systems. The remained studied objects are open clusters of intermediate age (9.0 ≤ log(t yr-1) ≤ 9.6), of relatively small size (rcls ~ 0.4-1.3 pc) and placed between 0.6 and 2.9 kpc from the Sun.We analysed the relationships between core, half-mass, tidal and Jacoby radii as well as half-mass relaxation times to conclude that the studied clusters are in an evolved dynamical stage. The total cluster masses obtained by summing those of the observed cluster stars resulted to be ~10-15 per cent of the masses of open clusters of similar age located closer than 2 kpc from the Sun. We found that cluster stars occupy volumes as large as those for tidally filled clusters.Fil: Piatti, Andres Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Dias, Wilton S.. Universidade Federal de Itajuba; BrasilFil: Sampedro, Laura M.. Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; España. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Performance evaluation of the Boron Coated Straws detector with Geant4

The last decade has witnessed the development of several alternative neutron detector technologies, as a consequence of upcoming neutron sources and upgrades, as well the world-wide shortage of $^3$He. One branch of development is the family of $^{10}$B-based gaseous detectors. This work focuses on the boron coated straws (BCS) by Proportional Technologies Inc., a commercial solution designed for use in homeland security and neutron science. A detailed Geant4 simulation study of the BCS is presented, which investigates various aspects of the detector performance, e.g. efficiency, activation, absorption and the impact of scattering on the measured signal. The suitability of the BCS detector for Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), direct chopper spectrometry and imaging is discussed.Comment: 50 pages, 37 figures, minor changes after review, results unchange

A Study of the Practice of Contemporary Mindfulness During Work Breaks on Increasing Job Performance Levels in Hospitality Industry

Hospitality employees often work under mental and physical pressure long hours which in turns affect their attitudes towards their job and job satisfaction. It has contributed to high staff turnover in the industry and caused major impacts on productivity and profitability. Many hospitality organisations are looking for efficient solutions to increase job performance levels. This study explores the effect contemporary mindfulness mediation during work breaks has on the job performance levels of restaurant employees which will enhance customer satisfaction and brand image of restaurants. Primary research was carried out through a survey to explore the relationship between being mindful and job performance levels of servers in the popular restaurant chain TGI Fridays. The results showed a weak correlation between a server being mindful and their job performance levels but Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as 'Calmness' and 'Focus' provided a stronger connection with scores from the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) . The connection between effective work breaks and job performance levels was also examined which unearthed a greater level of correlation. From the results discovered it is recommended restaurants managers trial alternative ways of improving work breaks for their employees to improve their well-being and ultimately their job performance levels before introducing the costly practice of mindfulness meditation. However, the increasing number of studies showing a positive correlation between mindfulness meditation and job performance levels means hospitality managers should be aware of the practice and possibly incorporate it into schedules of employees in the future

Some new spiders from Florida

journal articleHerein are described a number of new species of spiders which have been collected in Florida during the last several years. One new species from Oklahoma is also included. The types are deposited in the University of Utah collection; paratypes, where present, are in the collection of W. M. Barrows

Cork: an historical overview of its use in building construction

This paper is an intimate portrait of cork used as a construction material, in a history that stretches back over millennia. Cork is the outer bark of Quercus suber, the cork oak tree, harvested around once a decade in a process of stripping that does not harm the tree. The unusual combination of physical and chemical properties of cork has led to its exploitation in a broad range of construction materials and components. This paper traces the changing status of cork as a construction material through time and reveals how its use in architecture has evolved. The paper is structured according to three identifiable chronological phases: early uses from Nuragic to pre-industrial times, the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of Modern Architecture, and the mid-twentieth century to the present day. These are illustrated through case studies which are critically appraised and provide a context for addressing the current status of cork as a bio-renewable construction material

Cork Construction Kit

This article reports on the research and development of a radically simple new form of solid, dry-jointed construction made of expanded cork and engineered timber. It has outstanding whole life performance, and the potential to help sustain biodiverse landscapes, and create buildings with exceptionally low whole life carbon emissions. Building blocks made of cork forestry waste interlock for quick and easy assembly, creating buildings that are low-energy to inhabit and simple to disassemble at the end of the building’s life for reuse. The project investigates an architectural language of cork stereotomy as a progressive reimagining of historic dry-stone construction. The research is architect-led and multidisciplinary, undertaken in three steps from 2014 to 2019. Step one was curiosity-driven research, hypothesising and making the Cork Casket. Step two involved detailed design hypotheses, extensive prototyping, and lab testing addressing structure, fire and weathertightness. The Cork Cabin was created and monitored, and the system design established. Step three created Cork House. As the first building of its type, it is permanent, replicable, and designed to fully meet local building codes. Its corbelled profile knits into its site, with sheltering interiors offering a rich sensory living environment. The research confirms the potential for such simple new forms of off-site plant-based construction to help address construction industry challenges relating to whole life environmental sustainability performance, complexity, quality, and productivity

Study of leakage currents in pCVD diamonds as function of the magnetic field

pCVD diamond sensors are regularly used as beam loss monitors in accelerators by measuring the ionization of the lost particles. In the past these beam loss monitors showed sudden increases in the dark leakage current without beam losses and these erratic leakage currents were found to decrease, if magnetic fields were present. Here we report on a systematic study of leakage currents inside a magnetic field. The decrease of erratic currents in a magnetic field was confirmed. On the contrary, diamonds without erratic currents showed an increase of the leakage current in a magnetic field perpendicular to the electric field for fields up to 0.6T, for higher fields it decreases. A preliminary model is introduced to explain the observations.Comment: 6 pages, 16 figures, poster at Hasselt Diamond Workshop, Mar 2009, accepted version for publicatio

Scaffold searching: automated identification of similar ring systems for the design of combinatorial libraries

Rigid ring systems can be used to position receptor-binding functional groups in 3D space and they thus play an increasingly important role in the design of combinatorial libraries. This paper discusses the use of shape-similarity methods to identify ring systems that are structurally similar to, and aligned with, a user-defined target ring system. These systems can be used as alternative scaffolds for the construction of a combinatorial library