A new world survey expression for cosmic ray vertical intensity vs. depth in standard rock

The cosmic ray data on vertical intensity versus depth below 10 to the 5th power g sq cm is fitted to a 5 parameter empirical formula to give an analytical expression for interpretation of muon fluxes in underground measurements. This expression updates earlier published results and complements the more precise curves obtained by numerical integration or Monte Carlo techniques in which the fit is made to an energy spectrum at the top of the atmosphere. The expression is valid in the transitional region where neutrino induced muons begin to be important, as well as at great depths where this component becomes dominant

Quantum wideband traveling-wave analysis of a degenerate parametric amplifier

We develop a wideband traveling-wave formalism for analyzing quantum mechanically a degenerate parametric amplifier. The formalism is based on spatial differential equations-spatial Langevin equations-that propagate temporal Fourier components of the field operators through the nonlinear medium. In addition to the parametric nonlinearity, the Langevin equations include absorption and associated fluctuations, dispersion (phase mismatching), and pump quantum fluctuations. We analyze the dominant effects of phase mismatching and pump quantum fluctuations on the squeezing produced by a degenerate parametric amplifier

Workplace learning, contextuality and cultural texts : a case study of Taylorism in incoming customer service call centres

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Education.The relationship between workplace contextuality and workplace learning is part of an ongoing academic, educational discourse. While enlightening in general terms, this thesis represents original research focusing more specifically on workplace learning in incoming customer service call centres. Investigating references to “revitalised Taylorism” in general terms, and “an engineering model” in specific call centre terms, the research confirms that at the core of call centre contextuality lies the adaptation of F.W. Taylor’s late 19th century Scientific Management philosophy and the call centre model for efficiency performance management. Over the passage of time this Taylorist adaptation in contemporary call centres practices grounds an argument to view incoming customer service centres as a unique ethnographical and cultural business community shaped by past practices and artifacts, folk knowledge and enduring behavioural patterns. These in turn shape workplace learning frames of reference “embodied in the signs, symbols, and language or the semiotics of culture” (Merriam & Associates 2002, p.236). The main body of the research then focuses on workplace pedagogy. It proposes that workplace artifacts become embodied in cultural texts (such as written curricula, oral/aural storytelling, semiotic language and semiotic displays) which act as teaching and learning conduits. Specific artifacts and cultural texts are examined from the perspective of Korczynski’s claim (in Deery & Kinnie 2002) that call centre performance management and measurement are infused with two logics, that of cost- efficiency and customer-orientation. The originality of the research lies in two key areas of contribution. The first is the rigour applied to situating workplace contextuality as a framework within which understandings of workplace learning can be interpreted. The second, as a consequence, is a fresh approach to workplace learning, and one which legitimises the workplace as an ethnographic, cultural community which teaches and learns through cultural texts. Examining workplace learning from this perspective raises the profile of workplace artifacts, socialisation and semiotics (including semiotic language) as significant workplace learning conduits. The thesis challenges existing understandings which act to constrain a broader interpretation of learning agencies such as literacy, culture, semiotics and texts in assigning relevant workplace meaning and knowledge constructs in their frames of reference

Palliative Care: Evaluating and Designing Process Improvements for an Inpatient Consultative Program

The purpose of this capstone project paper and study was to evaluate an inpatient palliative care consultation service and then make recommendations for improving the program. This paper includes a literature review related to palliative care models and best practices in structuring a successful inpatient palliative care service. The project included an analysis of how the program at one university based hospital measured success of the program and SWOT analysis based on interviews with members of the program’s team and leadership. Data sources used for the analysis included palliative care consultation utilization data from the identified hospital; other metrics used by the palliative care team; interviews with the clinical and managerial staff; and, the literature review. The capstone project includes a series of recommendations focused on how the team can better measure the performance and effectiveness of the palliative care program and a number of other general improvements that can be made to make the program more integral to the care of patients at the hospital and in the patients’ communities. The literature review and study also make a case for the use of palliative care as an integrated public health strategy. In conclusion, it is important for an inpatient palliative care program to include resource components based on nationally accepted guidelines and principles. The program in this evaluation has structured its program in alignment with those standards. However, the hospital now needs to take the next step in the ongoing improvement of its palliative care program. Specifically the program should utilize clinical and social criteria (triggers) for targeted patient collection; consider linkages to or creation of community palliative care programs; improve the connectivity between the program and referring physicians; overhaul the “dashboard” used for monitoring metrics; and, measure the performance of the program against established benchmarks

Historic Preservation Cases in Pennsylvania: A Survey and Analysis

Historic preservation activity in Pennsylvania is impressive and expanding. This comment examines nine reported Pennsylvania historic preservation cases arising under state and federal laws. Historic district ordinances and the effects of listing in the National Register of Historic Places are discussed, among other topics, in relation to themes such as the demolition of irreplaceable historic resources and the linkage between preservation of historically and architecturally significant buildings with community revitalization. The status of historic preservation law in Pennsylvania is evaluated through an examination of these nine cases and the themes they illustrate