Negative Skin Friction in Piles and Design Decisions

Negative skin friction behavior of pile foundations is described for conditions of pile usage in the USA. Methods of determining downdrag load and pile resistance to downdrag are explained. Other factors entering into design are discussed such as pile load testing and analysis, pile structural strength, factors of safety, pile drivability, and reduction of downdrag loads. Observations from seven unpublished negative skin friction failures are used for illustration

Isotopic investigation of recharge to a regional groundwater flow system, Great Basin, NV

Groundwater recharge processes were investigated in central Nevada by examining the relationships between the stable isotope ({delta}D and {delta}{sup 18}O) compositions of snowfall, snowmelt, alpine spring waters, and regional groundwaters. Snowmelt infiltration is inferred to he the dominant source of groundwater recharge in this region. Bulk snow cores collected throughout central Nevada near the time of maximum accumulation have {delta}D and {delta}{sup 18}O pairs that plot subparallel to the global meteoric water line (GMWL), but have negative d-values, implying kinetic isotope enrichments. Heavy isotope enrichments occur at the base of snowpacks due to fractionation during snow metamorphism, sometimes resulting in remarkably systematic isotopic variations. Ice crystals in the soil immediately beneath the snowpack can be strongly depleted in heavy isotopes relative to the overlying snow, implying fractionation or exchange with the snowpack. Late season ablation processes tend to homogenize isotopic variations between snowpack layers, and cause the bulk isotopic composition of the snowpack to become enriched in {sup 18}O by 2-3{per_thousand} relative to the composition during peak accumulation. The dynamic evolution of the snowpack and snowmelt isotopic compositions over time makes it difficult to directly ascertain groundwater recharge compositions without careful mass balance measurements. Preliminary evidence suggests that small local springs may be reasonable indicators of the integrated isotopic value of the snowmelt recharge in a particular area. Springs and snowmelt runoff samples collected throughout central Nevada during the peak runoff plot along a least squares regression line with the equation {delta}D = 7.3{delta}{sup 18}O - 7, which is similar to the line obtained for 28 metamorphosed snow cores collected during peak accumulation ({delta}D = 7.5{delta}{sup 18}O - 3). These results suggest that kinetic fractionation processes during snow metamorphism and ablation may largely account for the low d-values that are widely observed in groundwaters from both local and regional flow systems in Nevada

A Spontaneous Mutation in Contactin 1 in the Mouse

Mutations in the gene encoding the immunoglobulin-superfamily member cell adhesion molecule contactin1 (CNTN1) cause lethal congenital myopathy in human patients and neurodevelopmental phenotypes in knockout mice. Whether the mutant mice provide an accurate model of the human disease is unclear; resolving this will require additional functional tests of the neuromuscular system and examination of Cntn1 mutations on different genetic backgrounds that may influence the phenotype. Toward these ends, we have analyzed a new, spontaneous mutation in the mouse Cntn1 gene that arose in a BALB/c genetic background. The overt phenotype is very similar to the knockout of Cntn1, with affected animals having reduced body weight, a failure to thrive, locomotor abnormalities, and a lifespan of 2–3 weeks. Mice homozygous for the new allele have CNTN1 protein undetectable by western blotting, suggesting that it is a null or very severe hypomorph. In an analysis of neuromuscular function, neuromuscular junctions had normal morphology, consistent with previous studies in knockout mice, and the muscles were able to generate appropriate force when normalized for their reduced size in late stage animals. Therefore, the Cntn1 mutant mice do not show evidence for a myopathy, but instead the phenotype is likely to be caused by dysfunction in the nervous system. Given the similarity of CNTN1 to other Ig-superfamily proteins such as DSCAMs, we also characterized the expression and localization of Cntn1 in the retinas of mutant mice for developmental defects. Despite widespread expression, no anomalies in retinal anatomy were detected histologically or using a battery of cell-type specific antibodies. We therefore conclude that the phenotype of the Cntn1 mice arises from dysfunction in the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nervous system, and is similar in either a BALB/c or B6;129;Black Swiss background, raising a possible discordance between the mouse and human phenotypes resulting from Cntn1 mutations

Nutritional care is a human right: Translating principles to clinical practice

We have previously advocated that nutritional care be raised to the level of a human right, in close relationship to two well-recognized fundamental rights: the right to food and the right to health. This article aims to analyze the implication of nutritional care as a human right for healthcare practitioners. We will focus on the impact of the Human Rights Basic Approach (HRBA) on healthcare professionals (HCPs), namely how they can translate HRBA into routine clinical practice. Ethics and human rights are guiding values for clinical nutrition practitioners. Together they ensure a patient-centered approach, in which the needs and rights of the patients are of the most significant importance. Human rights are based on the powerful idea of equal dignity for all people while expressing a set of core values, including fairness, respect, equality, dignity, and autonomy (FREDA). Through the analysis of FREDA principles, we have provided the elements to understand human rights and how an HRBA can support clinicians in the decision-making process. Clinical practice guidelines in clinical nutrition should incorporate disease-specific ethical issues and the HRBA. The HRBA should contribute to building conditions for HCPs to provide optimal and timely nutritional care. Nutritional care must be exercised by HCPs with due respect for several fundamental ethical values: attentiveness, responsibility competence, responsiveness, and solidarity

Universal coding for classical-quantum channel

We construct a universal code for stationary and memoryless classical-quantum channel as a quantum version of the universal coding by Csisz\'{a}r and K\"{o}rner. Our code is constructed by the combination of irreducible representation, the decoder introduced through quantum information spectrum, and the packing lemma

Internally Electrodynamic Particle Model: Its Experimental Basis and Its Predictions

The internally electrodynamic (IED) particle model was derived based on overall experimental observations, with the IED process itself being built directly on three experimental facts, a) electric charges present with all material particles, b) an accelerated charge generates electromagnetic waves according to Maxwell's equations and Planck energy equation and c) source motion produces Doppler effect. A set of well-known basic particle equations and properties become predictable based on first principles solutions for the IED process; several key solutions achieved are outlined, including the de Broglie phase wave, de Broglie relations, Schr\"odinger equation, mass, Einstein mass-energy relation, Newton's law of gravity, single particle self interference, and electromagnetic radiation and absorption; these equations and properties have long been broadly experimentally validated or demonstrated. A specific solution also predicts the Doebner-Goldin equation which emerges to represent a form of long-sought quantum wave equation including gravity. A critical review of the key experiments is given which suggests that the IED process underlies the basic particle equations and properties not just sufficiently but also necessarily.Comment: Presentation at the 27th Int Colloq on Group Theo Meth in Phys, 200

Nutritional care is a human right: Translating principles to clinical practice

We have previously advocated that nutritional care be raised to the level of a human right in a close relationship to two well recognized fundamental rights: the right to food and the right to health. This paper aims to analyze the implication of nutritional care as a human right for healthcare practitioners. We will focus on the impact of the Human Rights Basic Approach (HRBA) on health care professionals (HCPs), namely how they can translate HRBA into routine clinical practice. Ethics and human rights are guiding values for clinical nutrition practitioners. Together they ensure a patient-centered approach, where the needs and rights of the patients are of the most significant importance. Human rights are based on the powerful idea of equal dignity for all people while expressing a set of core values, including fairness, respect, equality, dignity, and autonomy (FREDA). Through the analysis of FREDA principles, we have provided the elements to understand human rights and how a HRBA can support clinicians in the decision-making process. Clinical practice guidelines in clinical nutrition should incorporate disease-specific ethical issues and the HRBA. The HRBA should contribute to build conditions for HCPs to provide optimal and timely nutritional care. Nutritional care must be exercised by HCPs with due respect for several fundamental ethical values: attentiveness, responsibility competence, responsiveness, and solidarity

The Locality Problem in Quantum Measurements

The locality problem of quantum measurements is considered in the framework of the algebraic approach. It is shown that contrary to the currently widespread opinion one can reconcile the mathematical formalism of the quantum theory with the assumption of the existence of a local physical reality determining the results of local measurements. The key quantum experiments: double-slit experiment on electron scattering, Wheeler's delayed-choice experiment, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, and quantum teleportation are discussed from the locality-problem point of view. A clear physical interpretation for these experiments, which does not contradict the classical ideas, is given.Comment: Latex, 40 pages, 7 figure

Lambda and Antilambda polarization from deep inelastic muon scattering

We report results of the first measurements of Lambda and Antilambda polarization produced in deep inelastic polarized muon scattering on the nucleon. The results are consistent with an expected trend towards positive polarization with increasing x_F. The polarizations of Lambda and Antilambda appear to have opposite signs. A large negative polarization for Lambda at low positive x_F is observed and is not explained by existing models.A possible interpretation is presented.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure