Precision Measurements of the b Forward-Backward Asymmetry at the Z Pole from LEP

The four LEP experiments have measured the forward-backward asymmetry for the process e + e − → Z → b b at centre-of-mass energies close to mz with very high precision. Sophisticated techniques have been developed to reconstruct either the production flavour in exclusive final states like B → l ± , or the hemisphere charge on a large-size b-enriched sample. The two methods provide largely independent determinations of A FB b and are briefly presented

Crop Residue Harvest Economics: An Iowa and North Dakota Case Study

Rigorous economic analyses are crucial for the successful launch of lignocellulosic bioenergy facilities in 2014 and beyond. Our objectives are to (1) introduce readers to a query tool developed to use data downloaded from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) REAPnet for constructing enterprise budgets and (2) demonstrate the use of the query tool with REAPnet data from two field research sites (Ames, IA, and Mandan, ND) for evaluating short-term economic performance of various biofuel feedstock production strategies. Our results for both sites showed that short-term (\u3c3 years) impacts on grain profitability were lower at lower average annual crop residue removal rates. However, it will be important to monitor longer term changes to see if grain profitability declines over time and if biomass harvest degrades soil resources. Analyses for Iowa showed short-term breakeven field-edge biomass prices of $26–$42Mg−1 among the most efficient strategies, while results for North Dakota showed breakeven prices of $54–$73 Mg−1. We suggest that development of the data query tool is important because it helps illustrate several different soil and crop management strategies that could be used to provide sustainable feedstock supplies

Fatigue behavior of hybrid continuous-discontinuous fiber-reinforced sheet molding compound composites under application-related loading conditions

Hybrid continuous-discontinuous sheet molding compound (SMC) composites are considered suitable candidates for structural automotive applications, due to their high mass-specific mechanical properties combined with high geometrical flexibility and low costs. Since structural automotive parts are subject to repeated loading, profound knowledge of their fatigue behavior is required. This paper presents an experimental study on the bending fatigue behavior of hybrid SMC with discontinuous glass fibers in the core and unidirectional continuous carbon fibers in the face layers. Effects of hybridization on the S-N behavior and stiffness degradation have been analyzed in constant amplitude fatigue tests under 3-point bending load at different temperatures and frequencies. Microscopic investigations on polished specimen edges were used to study the damage behavior. The ultimate flexural strength at quasi-static (UFSS) and fatigue strain rate (UFSF) of the hybrid composite was 54 % and 59 % higher than that of discontinuous SMC, respectively. In contrast, the flexural fatigue strength at 2.6⋅106 cycles increased by 258 %. The relative stiffness degradation of the hybrid composites was smaller during most of their fatigue lives due to the continuous carbon fiber reinforcement. The carbon fiber ply on the compression loaded side was the first ply to fail. Fatigue stress significantly decreased at 80 °C due to early kinking of the continuous carbon fiber-reinforced ply on the compression loaded side. Variation of frequency had no significant effect on the fatigue behavior of both discontinuous and continuous-discontinuous SMC

Single Track Performance of the Inner Detector New Track Reconstruction (NEWT)

In a previous series of documents we have presented the new ATLAS track reconstruction chain (NEWT) and several of the involved components. It has become the default reconstruction application for the Inner Detector. However, a large scale validation of the reconstruction performance in both efficiency and track resolutions has not been given yet. This documents presents the results of a systematic single track validation of the new track reconstruction and puts it in comparison with results obtained with different reconstruction applications

Fatigue behavior of hybrid continuous-discontinuous fiber-reinforced sheet molding compound composites under application-related loading conditions

Hybrid continuous-discontinuous sheet molding compound (SMC) composites are considered suitable candidates for structural automotive applications, due to their high mass-specific mechanical properties combined with high geometrical flexibility and low costs. Since structural automotive parts are subject to repeated loading, profound knowledge of their fatigue behavior is required. This paper presents an experimental study on the bending fatigue behavior of hybrid SMC with discontinuous glass fibers in the core and unidirectional continuous carbon fibers in the face layers. Effects of hybridization on the S-N behavior and stiffness degradation have been analyzed in constant amplitude fatigue tests under 3-point bending load at different temperatures and frequencies. Microscopic investigations on polished specimen edges were used to study the damage behavior. The ultimate flexural strength at quasi-static (UFS$^S$) and fatigue strain rate (UFS$^F$) of the hybrid composite was 54 % and 59 % higher than that of discontinuous SMC, respectively. In contrast, the flexural fatigue strength at 2.6⋅10S$^6$ cycles increased by 258 %. The relative stiffness degradation of the hybrid composites was smaller during most of their fatigue lives due to the continuous carbon fiber reinforcement. The carbon fiber ply on the compression loaded side was the first ply to fail. Fatigue stress significantly decreased at 80 °C due to early kinking of the continuous carbon fiber-reinforced ply on the compression loaded side. Variation of frequency had no significant effect on the fatigue behavior of both discontinuous and continuous-discontinuous SMC

Study Of The Ability To Detect Humor In Visual Images By 2-5 Year Olds

Problem Understanding the impact that humor can have as a form of therapy has been studied mostly in relation to mental and spiritual healing. As a result, little focus has been given to understanding the types of humor and how one’s understanding of and appreciation for types of humor develop over time. Gaining an understanding of humor development is important due to discoveries that the use of humor is a great intervention tool when working with children. Nevertheless, the use of pictures (with humor) is often used within speech therapy sessions, but seldom used correctly due to the lack of understanding of humor development in children. Method This study was carried out by individually removing each participant from the classroom A total of 12 pictures were presented to each child (i.e. three groups of four pictures) via the iPad. When the first photo grid was presented, the experimenter directed the participant’s attention to the reference picture, and created a story line to explain the reference picture. Then the experimenter directed the participant’s attention to the other three pictures by saying, “…Point to the picture that makes you laugh the most.” The participant then selected from the three alternatives, with the expected selection to be the one of incongruency. Each participant was given a range of 0 to 90 seconds to observe each photo grid and select a response. Results A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient showed that there was a positive correlation on all of the dependent variables (types of humor) and some independent variables (i.e. language and gender), as well as between gender and hyperbolic humor type. Repeated measures ANOVA resulted in significant difference in participants’ ability to correctly identify incongruent elements in types of humor based on gender, language and age. A multiple regression analysis was done and resulted in there being a high level of significance for the independent variables age grouping, gender and language skills to operate as successful predictors of overall correct identification of incongruence in the dependent variables. Conclusion It is important to take into consideration the age, gender and type of humor as well as the language skill level of each client, because these aspects could have a major impact on the success or failure of a session and overall work with a client