Infrared observations of the outer solar corona

Infrared observations of outer solar corona at wavelength of 22 micron

Two-Level Systems in Evaporated Amorphous Silicon

In $e$-beam evaporated amorphous silicon ($a$-Si), the densities of two-level systems (TLS), $n_{0}$ and $\overline{P}$, determined from specific heat $C$ and internal friction $Q^{-1}$ measurements, respectively, have been shown to vary by over three orders of magnitude. Here we show that $n_{0}$ and $\overline{P}$ are proportional to each other with a constant of proportionality that is consistent with the measurement time dependence proposed by Black and Halperin and does not require the introduction of additional anomalous TLS. However, $n_{0}$ and $\overline{P}$ depend strongly on the atomic density of the film ($n_{\rm Si}$) which depends on both film thickness and growth temperature suggesting that the $a$-Si structure is heterogeneous with nanovoids or other lower density regions forming in a dense amorphous network. A review of literature data shows that this atomic density dependence is not unique to $a$-Si. These findings suggest that TLS are not intrinsic to an amorphous network but require a heterogeneous structure to form

Healthcare utilization among aging Latvians with diminished activities of daily living : Ieva Reine

The population in Latvia is aging. Independence in performing activities of daily living (ADL) is a core aspect of functioning, and the elderly frequently experience limitations in functioning. Little is known about the utilization of healthcare of elderly Latvians with functional difficulties. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between functional difficulties and utilization of healthcare among the elderly in Latvia. This study had three overall objectives: (i) to investigate the determinants of utilization of health care for elderly Latvians with functional difficulties; (ii) examine the relationship between predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, and need with specific measures of access to care using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations and to (iii) identify the nature and existence of health disparities among the elderly in Latvia, with and without functional difficulties. Data from the 2017 Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) survey, with a sample size of 1479 was utilized. There was a statistically significant difference in the utilization of healthcare between individuals with and without functional disabilities (F(4,1) =759.615, p < 0.01), with a higher utilization of healthcare among individuals with functional difficulties (p< .01). The results of Automatic Linear Modeling indicate that significant (p < 0.05) factors in predicting utilization of healthcare include factors such as age, public sickness benefit and disability pension, and overall health status. This study is significant because it fills critical gaps in knowledge that exist with respect to healthcare utilization for elderly Latvians with functional disabilities.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Multi-method analysis of gender differences in psychological distress among the elderly during COVID : Ieva Reine

As COVID swept through Europe, and the world, with high rates of illness and death, so did symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, and psychological distress. This study examines the relationship between gender and psychological distress among Latvians over 50 years old within the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from Wave 8 COVID-19 data of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) as an early data version of the SHARE Corona survey conducted between June and August 2020. It features the data collected by telephone (CATI) on topics related to COVID-19 for a large sub-sample of SHARE panel respondents. This study examined a sample of 980 adults over 50 years old in Latvia. Bivariate analysis were performed utilizing the Pearson chi-square test for association to examine differences in symptoms of psychological distress by gender during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Level of significance was determined by the p-value test statistic. Alpha level was established at .05. A chi-square test for association shows that there were statistically relationships between gender and feeling nervous (X2 (2, N = 976) = 22.11, p < .001), feeling depressed (X2 (3, N = 976) = 10.95, p < .01), and trouble sleeping (X2 (2, N = 976) = 20.40, p < .001). This study rejects the null hypothesis that no differences exist between the genders, as women reported greater psychological distress during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional multi-method analysis is consistent with these findings and concludes that this is due to the greater concern women report for family, and the burden which placed limitations on meeting their children and grandchildren.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Effect of soccer footwear on landing mechanics

Lower-extremity injury is common in soccer. A number of studies have begun to assess why specific lower-extremity injuries occur. However, currently few studies have examined how footwear affects lower-extremity mechanics. In order to address this question, 14 male (age: 22.1±3.9 years, height: 1.77±0.06m, and mass: 73.3±11.5kg) and 14 female (age: 22.8±3.1 years, height: 1.68±0.07m and mass: 64.4±9.2kg) competitive soccer players underwent a motion analysis assessment while performing a jump heading task. Each subject performed the task in three different footwear conditions (running shoe, bladed cleat, and turf shoe). Two-way analyses of variance were used to examine statistical differences in landing mechanics between the footwear conditions while controlling for gender differences. These comparisons were made during two different parts (prior to and following) of a soccer-specific jump heading task. A statistically significant interaction for the peak dorsiflexion angle (P=0.02) and peak knee flexion angle (P=0.05) was observed. Male soccer players exhibited a degree increase in dorsiflexion in the bladed cleat while female soccer players exhibited a three-degree reduction in peak knee flexion in the bladed cleat condition. Other main effects for gender and footwear were also observed. The results suggest that landing mechanics differ based upon gender, footwear, and the type of landing. Therefore, training interventions aimed at reducing lower-extremity injury should consider utilizing sport-specific footwear when assessing movement patterns. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Variational Trajectory Optimization Tool Set: Technical description and user's manual

The algorithms that comprise the Variational Trajectory Optimization Tool Set (VTOTS) package are briefly described. The VTOTS is a software package for solving nonlinear constrained optimal control problems from a wide range of engineering and scientific disciplines. The VTOTS package was specifically designed to minimize the amount of user programming; in fact, for problems that may be expressed in terms of analytical functions, the user needs only to define the problem in terms of symbolic variables. This version of the VTOTS does not support tabular data; thus, problems must be expressed in terms of analytical functions. The VTOTS package consists of two methods for solving nonlinear optimal control problems: a time-domain finite-element algorithm and a multiple shooting algorithm. These two algorithms, under the VTOTS package, may be run independently or jointly. The finite-element algorithm generates approximate solutions, whereas the shooting algorithm provides a more accurate solution to the optimization problem. A user's manual, some examples with results, and a brief description of the individual subroutines are included

Plantar loading during jumping while wearing a rigid carbon graphite footplate

Fifth metatarsal stress fractures are common in sports and often result in delayed and non-union. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a rigid carbon graphite footplate (CGF) on plantar loading during take-off and landing from a jump. Nineteen recreational male athletes with no history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months and no foot or ankle surgery in the past 3 years participated in this study. Subjects completed 7 jumping tasks while wearing a standard running shoe and then the shoe plus the CGF while plantar loading data was recorded. A series of paired t-tests were used to examine differences between the two footwear conditions independently for both takeoff and landing (α=0.05). The contact area in the medial midfoot (p<.001) and forefoot (p=.010) statistically decreased when wearing the CGFP. The force-time integral was significantly greater when wearing the CGFP in the middle (p<.001) and lateral forefoot (p=.019). Maximum force was significantly greater beneath the middle (p<.001) and lateral forefoot (p<.001) when wearing the CGFP, while it was decreased beneath the medial midfoot (p<.001). During landing, the contact area beneath the medial (p=.017) and lateral midfoot (p=.004) were significantly decreased when wearing the CGFP. The force-time integral was significantly decrease beneath the medial midfoot (p<.001) when wearing the CGFP. The maximum force was significantly greater beneath the medial (p=.047) and middle forefoot (p=.001) when the subject was wearing the CGFP. The maximum force beneath the medial midfoot (p<.001) was significantly reduced when wearing the carbon graphite footplate. The results of the study indicate that the CGF is ineffective at reducing plantar loading during jumping and landing. © 2013 Elsevier B.V

Parachute Aerodynamics From Video Data

A new data analysis technique for the identification of static and dynamic aerodynamic stability coefficients from wind tunnel test video data is presented. This new technique was applied to video data obtained during a parachute wind tunnel test program conducted in support of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission. Total angle-of-attack data obtained from video images were used to determine the static pitching moment curve of the parachute. During the original wind tunnel test program the static pitching moment curve had been determined by forcing the parachute to a specific total angle-of -attack and measuring the forces generated. It is shown with the new technique that this parachute, when free to rotate, trims at an angle-of-attack two degrees lower than was measured during the forced-angle tests. An attempt was also made to extract pitch damping information from the video data. Results suggest that the parachute is dynamically unstable at the static trim point and tends to become dynamically stable away from the trim point. These trends are in agreement with limit-cycle-like behavior observed in the video. However, the chaotic motion of the parachute produced results with large uncertainty bands

Plantar Loading During Cutting While Wearing a Rigid Carbon Fiber Insert.

Context : Stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in sports, accounting for approximately 10% of all overuse injuries. Treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures involves both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Fifth metatarsal stress fractures are difficult to treat because of the risks of delayed union, nonunion, and recurrent injuries. Most of these injuries occur during agility tasks, such as those performed in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Objective : To examine the effect of a rigid carbon graphite footplate on plantar loading during 2 agility tasks. Design :  Crossover study. Setting : Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants : A total of 19 recreational male athletes with no history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months and no previous metatarsal stress fractures were tested. Main Outcome Measure(s) :  Seven 45° side-cut and crossover-cut tasks were completed in a shoe with or without a full-length rigid carbon plate. Testing order between the shoe conditions and the 2 cutting tasks was randomized. Plantar-loading data were recorded using instrumented insoles. Peak pressure, maximum force, force-time integral, and contact area beneath the total foot, the medial and lateral midfoot, and the medial, middle, and lateral forefoot were analyzed. A series of paired t tests was used to examine differences between the footwear conditions (carbon graphite footplate, shod) for both cutting tasks independently (α = .05). Results : During the side-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressures while decreasing contact area and lateral midfoot force-time integral. During the crossover-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressure and lateral forefoot force-time integral while decreasing total and lateral forefoot contact area. Conclusions : Although a rigid carbon graphite footplate altered some aspects of the plantar- pressure profile during cutting in uninjured participants, it was ineffective in reducing plantar loading beneath the fifth metatarsal

Mapping the transcriptome: Realizing the full potential of spatial data analysis

RNA sequencing in situ allows for whole-transcriptome characterization at high resolution, while retaining spatial information. These data present an analytical challenge for bioinformatics-how to leverage spatial information effectively? Properties of data with a spatial dimension require special handling, which necessitate a different set of statistical and inferential considerations when compared to non-spatial data. The geographical sciences primarily use spatial data and have developed methods to analye them. Here we discuss the challenges associated with spatial analysis and examine how we can take advantage of practice from the geographical sciences to realize the full potential of spatial information in transcriptomic datasets