4,829 research outputs found
Simulation of spacecraft attitude dynamics using TREETOPS and model-specific computer Codes
The simulation of spacecraft attitude dynamics and control using the generic, multi-body code called TREETOPS and other codes written especially to simulate particular systems is discussed. Differences in the methods used to derive equations of motion--Kane's method for TREETOPS and the Lagrangian and Newton-Euler methods, respectively, for the other two codes--are considered. Simulation results from the TREETOPS code are compared with those from the other two codes for two example systems. One system is a chain of rigid bodies; the other consists of two rigid bodies attached to a flexible base body. Since the computer codes were developed independently, consistent results serve as a verification of the correctness of all the programs. Differences in the results are discussed. Results for the two-rigid-body, one-flexible-body system are useful also as information on multi-body, flexible, pointing payload dynamics
Interaction and Localization of One-electron Orbitals in an Organic Molecule: Fictitious Parameter Analysis for Multi-physics Simulations
We present a new methodology to analyze complicated multi-physics simulations
by introducing a fictitious parameter. Using the method, we study quantum
mechanical aspects of an organic molecule in water. The simulation is
variationally constructed from the ab initio molecular orbital method and the
classical statistical mechanics with the fictitious parameter representing the
coupling strength between solute and solvent. We obtain a number of
one-electron orbital energies of the solute molecule derived from the
Hartree-Fock approximation, and eigenvalue-statistical analysis developed in
the study of nonintegrable systems is applied to them. Based on the results, we
analyze localization properties of the electronic wavefunctions under the
influence of the solvent.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, the revised version will appear in J. Phys. Soc.
Jpn. Vol.76 (No.1
Dimensionality, topology, energy, the cosmological constant, and signature change
Using the concept of real tunneling configurations (classical signature
change) and nucleation energy, we explore the consequences of an alternative
minimization procedure for the Euclidean action in multiple-dimensional quantum
cosmology. In both standard Hartle-Hawking type as well as Coleman type
wormhole-based approaches, it is suggested that the action should be minimized
among configurations of equal energy. In a simplified model, allowing for
arbitrary products of spheres as Euclidean solutions, the favoured space-time
dimension is 4, the global topology of spacelike slices being (hence predicting a universe of Kantowski-Sachs type). There is,
however, some freedom for a Kaluza-Klein scenario, in which case the observed
spacelike slices are . In this case, the internal space is a product
of two-spheres, and the total space-time dimension is 6, 8, 10 or 12.Comment: 34 pages, LaTeX, no figure
Sick-leave track record and other potential predictors of a disability pension. A population based study of 8,218 men and women followed for 16 years
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A number of previous studies have investigated various predictors for being granted a disability pension. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of sick-leave track record as a predictor of being granted a disability pension in a large dataset based on subjects sampled from the general population and followed for a long time.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from five ongoing population-based Swedish studies was used, supplemented with data on all compensated sick leave periods, disability pensions granted, and vital status, obtained from official registers. The data set included 8,218 men and women followed for 16 years, generated 109,369 person years of observation and 97,160 sickness spells. Various measures of days of sick leave during follow up were used as independent variables and disability pension grant was used as outcome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a strong relationship between individual sickness spell duration and annual cumulative days of sick leave on the one hand and being granted a disability pension on the other, among both men and women, after adjustment for the effects of marital status, education, household size, smoking habits, geographical area and calendar time period, a proxy for position in the business cycle. The interval between sickness spells showed a corresponding inverse relationship. Of all the variables studied, the number of days of sick leave per year was the most powerful predictor of a disability pension. For both men and women 245 annual sick leave days were needed to reach a 50% probability of transition to disability. The independent variables, taken together, explained 96% of the variation in disability pension grantings.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The sick-leave track record was the most important predictor of the probability of being granted a disability pension in this study, even when the influences of other variables affecting the outcome were taken into account.</p
Supersonic Electroweak Baryogenesis: Achieving Baryogenesis for Fast Bubble Walls
Standard electroweak baryogenesis in the context of a first order phase
transition is effective in generating the baryon asymmetry of the universe if
the broken phase bubbles expand at subsonic speed, so that CP asymmetric
currents can diffuse in front of the wall. Here we present a new mechanism for
electroweak baryogenesis which operates for supersonic bubble walls. It relies
on the formation of small bubbles of the symmetric phase behind the bubble
wall, in the broken phase, due to the heating of the plasma as the wall passes
by. We apply the mechanism to a model in which the Higgs field is coupled to
several singlets, and find that enough baryon asymmetry is generated for
reasonable values of the parameter space
Collaborative multidisciplinary learning : quantity surveying students’ perspectives
The construction industry is highly fragmented and is known for its adversarial culture, culminating
in poor quality projects not completed on time or within budget. The aim of this study is thus to
guide the design of QS programme curricula in order to help students develop the requisite
knowledge and skills to work more collaboratively in their multi-disciplinary future workplaces.
A qualitative approach was considered appropriate as the authors were concerned with gathering an
initial understanding of what students think of multi-disciplinary learning. The data collection
method used was a questionnaire which was developed by the Behaviours4Collaboration (B4C)
team.
Knowledge gaps were still found across all the key areas where a future QS practitioner needs to be
collaborative (either as a project contributor or as a project leader) despite the need for change
instigated by the multi-disciplinary (BIM) education revolution.
The study concludes that universities will need to be selective in teaching, and innovative in
reorienting, QS education so that a collaborative BIM education can be effected in stages, increasing
in complexity as the students’ technical knowledge grows. This will help students to build the
competencies needed to make them future leaders. It will also support programme currency and
delivery
Chiral perturbation theory in a magnetic background - finite-temperature effects
We consider chiral perturbation theory for SU(2) at finite temperature in
a constant magnetic background . We compute the thermal mass of the pions
and the pion decay constant to leading order in chiral perturbation theory in
the presence of the magnetic field. The magnetic field gives rise to a
splitting between and as well as between
and . We also calculate the free energy and the
quark condensate to next-to-leading order in chiral perturbation theory. Both
the pion decay constants and the quark condensate are decreasing slower as a
function of temperature as compared to the case with vanishing magnetic field.
The latter result suggests that the critical temperature for the chiral
transition is larger in the presence of a constant magnetic field. The increase
of as a function of is in agreement with most model calculations but
in disagreement with recent lattice calculations.Comment: 24 pages and 9 fig
The Evershed Effect with SOT/Hinode
The Solar Optical Telescope onboard Hinode revealed the fine-scale structure
of the Evershed flow and its relation to the filamentary structures of the
sunspot penumbra. The Evershed flow is confined in narrow channels with nearly
horizontal magnetic fields, embedded in a deep layer of the penumbral
atmosphere. It is a dynamic phenomenon with flow velocity close to the
photospheric sound speed. Individual flow channels are associated with tiny
upflows of hot gas (sources) at the inner end and downflows (sinks) at the
outer end. SOT/Hinode also discovered ``twisting'' motions of penumbral
filaments, which may be attributed to the convective nature of the Evershed
flow. The Evershed effect may be understood as a natural consequence of thermal
convection under a strong, inclined magnetic field. Current penumbral models
are discussed in the lights of these new Hinode observations.Comment: To appear in "Magnetic Coupling between the Interior and the
Atmosphere of the Sun", eds. S.S. Hasan and R.J. Rutten, Astrophysics and
Space Science Proceedings, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, Berlin, 200
Gastroenterologist perceptions of faecal microbiota transplantation
© 2015 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved. AIM: To explore gastroenterologist perceptions towards and experience with faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). METHODS: A questionnaire survey consisting of 17 questions was created to assess gastroenterologists' attitude towards and experience with FMT. This was anonymously distributed in hard copy format amongst attendees at gastroenterology meetings in Australia between October 2013 and April 2014. Basic descriptive statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Fifty-two clinicians participated. Twenty one percent had previously referred patients for FMT, 8% more than once. Ninety percent would refer patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) for FMT if easily available, 37% for ulcerative colitis, 13% for Crohn's disease and 6% for irritable bowel syndrome. Six percent would not refer any indication, including recurrent CDI. Eighty-six percent would enroll patients in FMT clinical trials. Thirty-seven percent considered the optimal mode of FMT administration transcolonoscopic, 17% nasoduodenal, 13% enema and 8% oral capsule. The greatest concerns regarding FMT were: 42% lack of evidence, 12% infection risk, 10% non infectious adverse effects/lack of safety data, 10% aesthetic, 10% lack of efficacy, 4% disease exacerbation, and 2% inappropriate use; 6% had no concerns. Seventy seven percent believed there is a lack of accessibility while 52% had an interest in learning how to provide FMT. Only 6% offered FMT at their institution. CONCLUSION: Despite general enthusiasm, most gastroenterologists have limited experience with, or access to, FMT. The greatest concerns were lack of supportive evidence and safety issues. However a significant proportion would refer indications other than CDI for FMT despite insufficient evidence. These data provide guidance on where education and training are required
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