The roles of kinetic theory and gas-surface interactions in measurements of upper-atmospheric density

Kinetic theory and gas-surface interactions in measurements of upper atmospheric densit

A new method of determining the mean molecular mass

Method for determining mean molecular mass in upper atmospher

Generalized Interference Alignment --- Part I: Theoretical Framework

Interference alignment (IA) has attracted enormous research interest as it achieves optimal capacity scaling with respect to signal to noise ratio on interference networks. IA has also recently emerged as an effective tool in engineering interference for secrecy protection on wireless wiretap networks. However, despite the numerous works dedicated to IA, two of its fundamental issues, i.e., feasibility conditions and transceiver design, are not completely addressed in the literature. In this two part paper, a generalised interference alignment (GIA) technique is proposed to enhance the IA's capability in secrecy protection. A theoretical framework is established to analyze the two fundamental issues of GIA in Part I and then the performance of GIA in large-scale stochastic networks is characterized to illustrate how GIA benefits secrecy protection in Part II. The theoretical framework for GIA adopts methodologies from algebraic geometry, determines the necessary and sufficient feasibility conditions of GIA, and generates a set of algorithms that can solve the GIA problem. This framework sets up a foundation for the development and implementation of GIA.Comment: Minor Revision at IEEE Transactions on Signal Processin

Human Factors Considerations in System Design

Human factors considerations in systems design was examined. Human factors in automated command and control, in the efficiency of the human computer interface and system effectiveness are outlined. The following topics are discussed: human factors aspects of control room design; design of interactive systems; human computer dialogue, interaction tasks and techniques; guidelines on ergonomic aspects of control rooms and highly automated environments; system engineering for control by humans; conceptual models of information processing; information display and interaction in real time environments

Impact of inter-correlated initial binary parameters on double black hole and neutron star mergers

The distributions of the initial main-sequence binary parameters are one of the key ingredients in obtaining evolutionary predictions for compact binary (BH-BH / BH-NS / NS-NS) merger rates. Until now, such calculations were done under the assumption that initial binary parameter distributions were independent. Here, we implement empirically derived inter-correlated distributions of initial binary parameters primary mass (M1), mass ratio (q), orbital period (P), and eccentricity (e). Unexpectedly, the introduction of inter-correlated initial binary parameters leads to only a small decrease in the predicted merger rates by a factor of 2 $-$ 3 relative to the previously used non-correlated initial distributions. The formation of compact object mergers in the isolated classical binary evolution favors initial binaries with stars of comparable masses (q = 0.5 $-$ 1) at intermediate orbital periods (log P (days) = 2 $-$ 4). New distributions slightly shift the mass ratios towards smaller values with respect to the previously used flat q distribution, which is the dominant effect decreasing the rates. New orbital periods only negligibly increase the number of progenitors. Additionally, we discuss the uncertainty of merger rate predictions associated with possible variations of the massive-star initial mass function (IMF). We argue that evolutionary calculations should be normalized to a star formation rate (SFR) that is obtained from the observed amount of UV light at wavelength 1500{\AA} (SFR indicator). In this case, contrary to recent reports, the uncertainty of the IMF does not affect the rates by more than a factor of 2. Any change to the IMF slope for massive stars requires a change of SFR in a way that counteracts the impact of IMF variations on the merger rates. In contrast, we suggest that the uncertainty in cosmic SFR at low metallicity can be a significant factor at play.Comment: accepted for publication in A&

Attorney’s Guide to Montana Conservation Easements

Conservation Easement

Functional and structural vascular biomarkers in women 1 year after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: Women with a previous hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP: gestational hypertension and preeclampsia) have increased long-term cardiovascular disease risk. Recent meta-analyses show adverse levels of non-invasive functional and structural cardiovascular risk markers such as pulse wave velocity (PWV), heart-rate adjusted augmentation index (AIx75), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) after HDPs, and suggest using these for cardiovascular risk stratification. However, it is not known if a previous HDP predict levels of these markers beyond classical cardiovascular risk factors. Study design and main outcome measures. We assessed PWV, AIx75, CIMT, RHI, classical cardiovascular risk factors, and pregnancy characteristics in 221 women 1 year postpartum (controls: 95, previous HDP: 126). Uni- and multi- variate regression analysis were conducted to assess associations between previous HDP and PWV, AIx75, CIMT or RHI. We adjusted for classical cardiovascular risk factors and pregnancy characteristics. A p-level < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: PWV was associated with previous HDP on univariate analysis. This effect was confounded by blood pressure and not significant after adjustment. We found no significant associations between AIx75, RHI, CIMT, and a previous HDP, neither before nor after adjustments. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between a previous HDP and PWV, AIx75, CIMT, or RHI 1 year postpartum can largely be explained by adverse levels of classical cardiovascular risk markers in women with a previous HDP. Women with previous HDP should receive primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, but PWV, AIx75, CIMT or RHI are unlikely to aid in cardiovascular risk stratification 1 year postpartum