943 research outputs found
Propulsion simulation for magnetically suspended wind tunnel models
The feasibility of simulating propulsion-induced aerodynamic effects on scaled aircraft models in wind tunnels employing Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems. The investigation concerned itself with techniques of generating exhaust jets of appropriate characteristics. The objectives were to: (1) define thrust and mass flow requirements of jets; (2) evaluate techniques for generating propulsive gas within volume limitations imposed by magnetically-suspended models; (3) conduct simple diagnostic experiments for techniques involving new concepts; and (4) recommend experiments for demonstration of propulsion simulation techniques. Various techniques of generating exhaust jets of appropriate characteristics were evaluated on scaled aircraft models in wind tunnels with MSBS. Four concepts of remotely-operated propulsion simulators were examined. Three conceptual designs involving innovative adaptation of convenient technologies (compressed gas cylinders, liquid, and solid propellants) were developed. The fourth innovative concept, namely, the laser-assisted thruster, which can potentially simulate both inlet and exhaust flows, was found to require very high power levels for small thrust levels
A Radio Pulsar/X-ray Binary Link
Radio pulsars with millisecond spin periods are thought to have been spun up
by transfer of matter and angular momentum from a low-mass companion star
during an X-ray-emitting phase. The spin periods of the neutron stars in
several such low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) systems have been shown to be in the
millisecond regime, but no radio pulsations have been detected. Here we report
on detection and follow-up observations of a nearby radio millisecond pulsar
(MSP) in a circular binary orbit with an optically identified companion star.
Optical observations indicate that an accretion disk was present in this system
within the last decade. Our optical data show no evidence that one exists
today, suggesting that the radio MSP has turned on after a recent LMXB phase.Comment: published in Scienc
Geodetic Brane Gravity
Within the framework of geodetic brane gravity, the Universe is described as
a 4-dimensional extended object evolving geodetically in a higher dimensional
flat background. In this paper, by introducing a new pair of canonical fields
{lambda, P_{lambda}}, we derive the quadratic Hamiltonian for such a brane
Universe; the inclusion of matter then resembles minimal coupling. Second class
constraints enter the game, invoking the Dirac bracket formalism. The algebra
of the first class constraints is calculated, and the BRST generator of the
brane Universe turns out to be rank-1. At the quantum level, the road is open
for canonical and/or functional integral quantization. The main advantages of
geodetic brane gravity are: (i) It introduces an intrinsic, geometrically
originated, 'dark matter' component, (ii) It offers, owing to the Lorentzian
bulk time coordinate, a novel solution to the 'problem of time', and (iii) It
enables calculation of meaningful probabilities within quantum cosmology
without any auxiliary scalar field. Intriguingly, the general relativity limit
is associated with lambda being a vanishing (degenerate) eigenvalue.Comment: 23 pages, 1 figure, minor change
InternetâBased Pain SelfâManagement for Veterans: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of the Pain EASE Program
ObjectiveTo develop and test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a cognitive behavioral therapyâbased, internetâdelivered selfâmanagement program for chronic low back pain (cLBP) in veterans.MethodsPhase I included program development, involving expert panel and participant feedback. Phase II was a singleâarm feasibility and preliminary efficacy study of the Pain eâhealth for Activity, Skills, and Education (Pain EASE) program. Feasibility (ie, website use, treatment credibility, satisfaction) was measured using descriptive methods. Mixed models were used to assess mean withinâsubject changes from baseline to 10 weeks postâbaseline in pain interference (primary outcome, West HavenâYale Multidimensional Pain Inventory, scale of 0 to 6), pain intensity, mood, fatigue, sleep, and depression.ResultsPhase I participants (n = 15) suggested modifications including style changes, content reduction, additional âTest Your Knowledgeâ quizzes, and cognitive behavioral therapy skill practice monitoring form revisions for enhanced usability. In Phase II, participants (n = 58) were mostly male (93%) and White (60%), and had an average age of 55 years (standard deviation [SD] = 12) and moderate pain (mean score 5.9/10); 41 (71%) completed the postâbaseline assessment. Participants (N = 58) logged on 6.1 (SD = 8.6) times over 10 weeks, and 85% reported being very or moderately satisfied with Pain EASE. Pain interference improved from a mean of 3.8 at baseline to 3.3 at 10 weeks (difference 0.5 [95% confidence interval 0.1 to 0.9], P = 0.008). Withinâsubject improvement also occurred for some secondary outcomes, including mood and depression symptoms.DiscussionVeterans with cLBP may benefit from technologyâdelivered interventions, which may also reduce pain interference. Overall, veterans found that Pain EASE, an internetâbased selfâmanagement program, is feasible and satisfactory for cLBP.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154929/1/papr12861.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154929/2/papr12861_am.pd
Assessing Usual Care in Clinical Trials
Researchers designing clinical trials often specify usual care received by participants as the control condition expecting that all participants receive usual care regardless of group assignment. The assumption is that the groups in the study are affected similarly. We describe the assessment of usual care within the 16 studies in MACH 14, a multi-site collaboration on adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Only five of the studies in MACH 14 assessed usual care. Assessment protocols varied as did the timing and frequency of assessments. All usual care assessments addressed patient education focused on HIV, HIV medications, and medication adherence. Our findings support earlier work that calls for systematic assessments of usual care within the study design, inclusion of descriptions of usual care in reports of the study, and the influence of usual care on the experimental condition in clinical trials
Assessing Usual Care in Clinical Trials
Researchers designing clinical trials often specify usual care received by participants as the control condition expecting that all participants receive usual care regardless of group assignment. The assumption is that the groups in the study are affected similarly. We describe the assessment of usual care within the 16 studies in MACH 14, a multi-site collaboration on adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Only five of the studies in MACH 14 assessed usual care. Assessment protocols varied as did the timing and frequency of assessments. All usual care assessments addressed patient education focused on HIV, HIV medications, and medication adherence. Our findings support earlier work that calls for systematic assessments of usual care within the study design, inclusion of descriptions of usual care in reports of the study, and the influence of usual care on the experimental condition in clinical trials
Changes in salivary estradiol predict changes in womenâs preferences for vocal masculinity
Although many studies have reported that womenâs preferences for masculine physical characteristics in men change systematically during the menstrual cycle, the hormonal mechanisms underpinning these changes are currently poorly understood. Previous studies investigating the relationships between measured hormone levels and womenâs masculinity preferences tested only judgments of menâs facial attractiveness. Results of these studies suggested that preferences for masculine characteristics in menâs faces were related to either womenâs estradiol or testosterone levels. To investigate the hormonal correlates of within-woman variation in masculinity preferences further, here we measured 62 womenâs salivary estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels and their preferences for masculine characteristics in menâs voices in five weekly test sessions. Multilevel modeling of these data showed that changes in salivary estradiol were the best predictor of changes in womenâs preferences for vocal masculinity. These results complement other recent research implicating estradiol in womenâs mate preferences, attention to courtship signals, sexual motivation, and sexual strategies, and are the first to link womenâs voice preferences directly to measured hormone levels
Changes in salivary estradiol predict changes in womenâs preferences for vocal masculinity
Although many studies have reported that womenâs preferences for masculine physical characteristics in men change systematically during the menstrual cycle, the hormonal mechanisms underpinning these changes are currently poorly understood. Previous studies investigating the relationships between measured hormone levels and womenâs masculinity preferences tested only judgments of menâs facial attractiveness. Results of these studies suggested that preferences for masculine characteristics in menâs faces were related to either womenâs estradiol or testosterone levels. To investigate the hormonal correlates of within-woman variation in masculinity preferences further, here we measured 62 womenâs salivary estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels and their preferences for masculine characteristics in menâs voices in five weekly test sessions. Multilevel modeling of these data showed that changes in salivary estradiol were the best predictor of changes in womenâs preferences for vocal masculinity. These results complement other recent research implicating estradiol in womenâs mate preferences, attention to courtship signals, sexual motivation, and sexual strategies, and are the first to link womenâs voice preferences directly to measured hormone levels
- âŠ