38,660 research outputs found
Long-term Effects of Tillage on the Retention and Transport of Soil Water
Quantitative measurements were made of the physical and chemical properties of two virgin prairie soils, Crowley and Jay, that remain in their native Arkansas environments and of similar soils that had been tilled extensively. Comparisons were made of soil properties at several depths. When compared with the tilled soils the virgin soils had higher organic matter contents, saturated hydraulic conductivities and water retained at several applied pressures. Bulk densities and hydraulic resistances were lower in the virgin soils. For the Crowley silt loam, values of pH and elemental contents of the virgin soil were higher than those of the tilled soil. Determinations also were made of the effects of a 14-year addition of winter cover crops on a Dubbs-Dundee soil in continuous cotton production. In general, the winter cover crops tended to increase hydraulic conductivity~. ·porosity and organic matter content. These results indicated that the detrimental effects of long-term tillage on soil hydraulic properties could partially be overcome with the planting of these crops during the winter. However, the rate of improvement in the hydraulic properties was not dramatic
Using normalisation process theory to understand barriers and facilitators to implementing mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis
Objectives:
To study barriers and facilitators to implementation of mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis.
Methods:
Qualitative interviews were used to explore barriers and facilitators to implementation of mindfulness-based stress reduction, including 33 people with multiple sclerosis, 6 multiple sclerosis clinicians and 2 course instructors. Normalisation process theory provided the underpinning conceptual framework. Data were analysed deductively using normalisation process theory constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring).
Results:
Key barriers included mismatched stakeholder expectations, lack of knowledge about mindfulness-based stress reduction, high levels of comorbidity and disability and skepticism about embedding mindfulness-based stress reduction in routine multiple sclerosis care. Facilitators to implementation included introducing a pre-course orientation session; adaptations to mindfulness-based stress reduction to accommodate comorbidity and disability and participants suggested smaller, shorter classes, shortened practices, exclusion of mindful-walking and more time with peers. Post-mindfulness-based stress reduction booster sessions may be required, and objective and subjective reports of benefit would increase clinician confidence in mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Discussion:
Multiple sclerosis patients and clinicians know little about mindfulness-based stress reduction. Mismatched expectations are a barrier to participation, as is rigid application of mindfulness-based stress reduction in the context of disability. Course adaptations in response to patient needs would facilitate uptake and utilisation. Rendering access to mindfulness-based stress reduction rapid and flexible could facilitate implementation. Embedded outcome assessment is desirable
Photometry of SN 2002ic and Implications for the Progenitor Mass-Loss History
We present new pre-maximum and late-time optical photometry of the Type
Ia/IIn supernova 2002ic. These observations are combined with the published
V-band magnitudes of Hamuy et al. (2003) and the VLT spectrophotometry of Wang
et al. (2004) to construct the most extensive light curve to date of this
unusual supernova. The observed flux at late time is significantly higher
relative to the flux at maximum than that of any other observed Type Ia
supernova and continues to fade very slowly a year after explosion. Our
analysis of the light curve suggests that a non-Type Ia supernova component
becomes prominent days after explosion. Modeling of the non-Type Ia
supernova component as heating from the shock interaction of the supernova
ejecta with pre-existing circumstellar material suggests the presence of a
cm gap or trough between the progenitor system and the
surrounding circumstellar material. This gap could be due to significantly
lower mass-loss years prior to explosion or
evacuation of the circumstellar material by a low-density fast wind. The latter
is consistent with observed properties of proto-planetary nebulae and with
models of white-dwarf + asymptotic giant branch star progenitor systems with
the asymptotic giant branch star in the proto-planetary nebula phase.Comment: accepted for publication in Ap
Spectral infrared hemispherical reflectance measurements for LDEF tray clamps
Infrared hemispherical reflectance measurements that were made on 58 chromic acid anodized tray clamps from LDEF are described. The measurements were made using a hemiellipsoidal mirror reflectometer with interferometer for wavelengths between 2-15 microns. The tray clamps investigated were from locations about the entire spacecraft and provided the opportunity for comparing the effects of atomic oxygen at each location. Results indicate there was essentially no dependence on atomic oxygen fluence for the surfaces studied, but there did appear to be a slight dependence on solar radiation exposure. The reflectances of the front sides of the tray clamps consistently were slightly higher than for the protected rear tray clamp surfaces
Fracture mechanics approach to design analysis of notches, steps and internal cut-outs in planar components
A new approach to the assessment and optimization of geometric stress-concentrating features is proposed on the basis of the correspondence between sharp crack or corner stressfield intensity factors and conventional elastic stress concentration factors (SCFs) for radiused transitions. This approach complements the application of finite element analysis (FEA) and the use of standard SCF data from the literature. The method makes it possible to develop closed-form solutions for SCFs in cases where corresponding solutions for the sharp crack geometries exist. This is helpful in the context of design optimization. The analytical basis of the correspondence is shown, together with the limits on applicability where stress-free boundaries near the stress concentrating feature are present or adjacent features interact. Examples are given which compare parametric results derived from FEA with closed-form solutions based on the proposed method. New information is given on the stress state at a 90° corner or width step, where the magnitude of the stress field intensity is related to that of the corresponding crack geometry. This correspondence enables the user to extend further the application of crack-tip stress-field intensity information to square-cornered steps, external U-grooves, and internal cut-outs
Manned space flight in transition
A study was conducted to analyze the reorientation of NASA programs in the post-Apollo period. The study is an external view of NASA by unbiased observers as an input to and aid in the decision making process concerning near and long term planning. The subjects discussed are: (1) the near-term NASA scenario; (2) organization of field centers; (3) planning activities; and (4) operational activities. A summary of the recommendations arising as a result of the study is presented
Light Nuclei as Quantized Skyrmions
We consider the rigid body quantization of Skyrmions with topological charges
1 to 8, as approximated by the rational map ansatz. Novel, general expressions
for the elements of the inertia tensors, in terms of the approximating rational
map, are presented and are used to determine the kinetic energy contribution to
the total energy of the ground and excited states of the quantized Skyrmions.
Our results are compared to the experimentally determined energy levels of the
corresponding nuclei, and the energies and spins of a few as yet unobserved
states are predicted.Comment: 33 pages, 16 figures, Section 13 replace
Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Workers\u27 Compensation
The Annual Survey last addressed Virginia Workers\u27 Compensation law in 1992. The Virginia Workers\u27 Compensation Commission [the Commission] decides almost 1500 decisions a year and, on average, 300 of these are appealed to the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Consequently, this article discusses only the most significant developments in workers\u27 compensation between January 1993 and June 1995. In doing so, the article attempts to highlight areas of controversy and inconsistency
- âŠ