Shape control of large space structures

A survey has been conducted to determine the types of control strategies which have been proposed for controlling the vibrations in large space structures. From this survey several representative control strategies were singled out for detailed analyses. The application of these strategies to a simplified model of a large space structure has been simulated. These simulations demonstrate the implementation of the control algorithms and provide a basis for a preliminary comparison of their suitability for large space structure control

Compatibility Studies of Various Refractory Materials in Contact with Molten Silicon

The production of low cost, efficient solar cells for terrestrial electric power generation involves the manipulation of molten silicon with a present need for noncontaminating, high temperature refractories to be used as containment vessels, ribbon-production dies, and dip-coated substrates. Studies were conducted on the wetting behavior and chemical/physical interactions between molten silicon and various refractory materials

William T. Hagan to Professor Silver, 5 August 1958

Professional correspondenc

Mental health help-seeking behaviours in young adults

There is clinical and research consensus that significant cognitive, social, emotional development and adjustment to physical changes occurs during young adulthood, in the period between 18 and 24 years1. Whilst three quarters of psychiatric disorders in adults emerge before the age of 25 years , a European study, comparing access to mental healthcare by age bands, reported that 18-24 year old participants were least likely to get care for mental health problems 2. In the 2016 UK National Confidential Enquiry into Suicide in Children and Young People, 43% of people under the age of 25 who died had no known prior contact with any agencies3. Understanding the risk factors and triggers for mental health problems in young adults is crucial, however we also need to know more about how young adults seek help, if we wish to improve the quality and outcomes of mental healthcare. Early interventions may improve the prognosis of primary mental health disorders in young adults and reduce the risk of chronicity and progression to more severe secondary disorders, but research led innovation in mental health care is also hampered by delayed diagnostic assessment and care

Excitable Patterns in Active Nematics

We analyze a model of mutually-propelled filaments suspended in a two-dimensional solvent. The system undergoes a mean-field isotropic-nematic transition for large enough filament concentrations and the nematic order parameter is allowed to vary in space and time. We show that the interplay between non-uniform nematic order, activity and flow results in spatially modulated relaxation oscillations, similar to those seen in excitable media. In this regime the dynamics consists of nearly stationary periods separated by "bursts" of activity in which the system is elastically distorted and solvent is pumped throughout. At even higher activity the dynamics becomes chaotic.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

A study to assess COPD Symptom-based Management and to Optimise treatment Strategy in Japan (COSMOS-J) based on GOLD 2011

Background and objective: The Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease(GOLD) Committee has proposed a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment framework focused on symptoms and on exacerbation risk. This study will evaluate a symptom and exacerbation risk-based treatment strategy based on GOLD in a real-world setting in Japan. Optimal management of COPD will be determined by assessing symptoms using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and by assessing the frequency of exacerbations. Methods: This study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01762800) is a 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study. It aims to recruit 400 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Patients will be randomized to receive treatment with either salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SFC) 50/250μg twice daily or with tiotropium bromide 18μg once daily. Optimal management of patients will be assessed at four-weekly intervals and, if patients remain symptomatic, as measured using the CAT, or experience an exacerbation, they have the option to step up to treatment with both drugs, ie, SFC twice daily and tiotropium once daily (TRIPLE therapy). The primary endpoint of the study will be the proportion of patients who are able to remain on the randomized therapy. Results: No data are available. This paper summarizes the methodology of the study in advance of the study starting. Conclusion: The results of this study will help physicians to understand whether TRIPLE therapy is more effective than either treatment strategy alone in controlling symptoms and exacerbations in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. It will also help physicians to understand the GOLD recommendation work in Japan