Accuracy of results with NASTRAN modal synthesis

A new method for component mode synthesis was developed for installation in NASTRAN level 17.5. Results obtained from the new method are presented, and these results are compared with existing modal synthesis methods

Land landing couch dynamics computer program

Computer programs perform landing stability studies of mechanical impact system designs for advanced spacecraft. The programs consider variation in spacecraft vertical and horizontal velocity, attitude and orientation, shock strut load-stroke characteristics, and ground coefficient of friction

The Association Between Autobiographical Memory Specificity And Memory Sharing In College Students

The way in which memories are stored and communicated makes the construction of autobiographical memories (AM) both an internal process and a social occurrence. Strong associations between reduced AM specificity and psychological adjustment have been found; however, the role significant others have in the socialization and co-construction of AM may have be overlooked. This study examines whether the process of sharing AMs and the perceived benefits of sharing these memories are associated with differences in specificity of AM, as well as explores methodological differences in how AMs are collected. Data from 177 participants was collected on the Most Important Memories Scale (MIMS), Autobiographical Memory Task (AMT), and other measures to control for depression, avoidance, rumination, and executive functioning. Results indicate the emerging adults most commonly share significant life events with close friends, verbally in person, for the purposes of self-explanation and validation. Perceiving sharing as beneficial, and higher specificity on positive AMT cues, were found to be significant predictors of retrieving a specific memory on the MIMS. Few significant gender differences were found in sharing practices, and no significant gender differences were found in specificity. The limitations and future directions for this research are discussed

The Impact Of Trauma On Children’s Functioning And The Utility Of The CBCL PTSD Profile

The high rates of trauma exposure among children and adolescents is a major public health concern due to the many ways trauma can adversely impact cognitive, emotional, and social development and functioning. The high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and other mental health disorders translate to complex diagnostic pictures. When conducting psychological, educational, or neuropsychological evaluations it is therefore imperative that clinicians assess for trauma to accurately diagnose, but ultimately to ensure appropriate recommendations for treatment and interventions are made. Several challenges to screening and assessing PTSS among children and adolescents have prompted the identification of efficient and economic screening measures. A few studies have examined the utility of the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1983) in screening for PTSS among children and adolescents, but the results have been largely mixed. The aims of this study were to further examine the validity and utility of the CBCL PTSD profile as a screening tool for PTSS within psychological assessment and whether the CBCL-PTSD profile is associated with neuropsychological, academic, and emotional/behavioral impairment in children and adolescents that have experienced trauma. Data from comprehensive psychological evaluations of 287 eligible outpatients at a private psychological clinic located in a primary care facility were analyzed. The results of the study provide evidence as to whether the CBCL-PTSD can accurately identify PTSS and therefore be used to screen for PTSS in comprehensive evaluations. As well as provide evidence of the neuropsychological, academic, and emotional/behavioral impairment in children and adolescents that have experienced trauma. Results, limitations, and implications for clinical practice and further research are be discussed

Implementation on a nonlinear concrete cracking algorithm in NASTRAN

A computer code for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was developed using NASTRAN as a basis. Nonlinear iteration procedures were developed for obtaining solutions with a wide variety of loading sequences. A direct access file system was used to save results at each load step to restart within the solution module for further analysis. A multi-nested looping capability was implemented to control the iterations and change the loads. The basis for the analysis is a set of mutli-layer plate elements which allow local definition of materials and cracking properties

The automated multi-stage substructuring system for NASTRAN

The substructuring capability developed for eventual installation in Level 16 is now operational in a test version of NASTRAN. Its features are summarized. These include the user-oriented, Case Control type control language, the automated multi-stage matrix processing, the independent direct access data storage facilities, and the static and normal modes solution capabilities. A complete problem analysis sequence is presented with card-by-card description of the user input

The Perceived Value And Impact Of Social Characteristics When Managing Projects

A qualitative analysis of the perceived value and impact of social characteristics in managing projects is presented. The analysis is a result of conducting a survey of Organizational Dynamics Graduate Students at the University of Pennsylvania with a Projects, Programs, and Portfolios Concentration. In today’s global world projects are an integral component of doing business in a dynamically changing, uncertain, and complex marketplace. An organization’s ability to adapt may depend on its ability to communicate and integrate cross-functionally. Much of what has been written about project management addresses knowledge areas and processes. Many organizations use tools, methodologies, and processes that add rigor to the project life cycle. As the discipline grows, the human side of project management must be considered. There is increasing global awareness that social characteristics are an important component to managing projects. Art and science will converge to create a new socially aware manager. Project managers are positioned to be change agents as their organizations experience a metamorphic paradigm shift

Brain Differences in the Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, and Hippocampus in Youth with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Context: Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency results in hormone imbalances present both prenatally and postnatally that may impact the developing brain. Objective: To characterize gray matter morphology in the prefrontal cortex and subregion volumes of the amygdala and hippocampus in youth with CAH, compared to controls. Design: A cross-sectional study of 27 CAH youth (16 female; 12.6 ± 3.4 year) and 35 typically developing, healthy controls (20 female; 13.0 ± 2.8 year) with 3-T magnetic resonance imaging scans. Brain volumes of interest included bilateral prefrontal cortex, and nine amygdala and six hippocampal subregions. Between-subject effects of group (CAH vs control) and sex, and their interaction (group-by-sex) on brain volumes were studied, while controlling for intracranial volume (ICV) and group differences in body mass index and bone age. Results: CAH youth had smaller ICV and increased cerebrospinal fluid volume compared to controls. In fully-adjusted models, CAH youth had smaller bilateral, superior and caudal middle frontal volumes, and smaller left lateral orbito-frontal volumes compared to controls. Medial temporal lobe analyses revealed the left hippocampus was smaller in fully-adjusted models. CAH youth also had significantly smaller lateral nucleus of the amygdala and hippocampal subiculum and CA1 subregions. Conclusions: This study replicates previous findings of smaller medial temporal lobe volumes in CAH patients, and suggests that lateral nucleus of the amygdala, as well as subiculum and subfield CA1 of the hippocampus are particularly affected within the medial temporal lobes in CAH youth

Bounce and Double Trill Songs of Male and Female Western Screech-Owls: Characterization and Usefulness for Classification of Sex

Both sexes of adult Western Screech-Owls (Otus kennicottii) sing in response to playback of conspecific song within their territories. Two primary songs are the bounce and double trill. Using sonographic analysis of tape-recorded vocalizations, our study quantified characterstics of bounce and double trill songs uttered by individuals within a population of Western Screech-Owls inhabiting riparian woodlands in southwestern Idaho. We asked if songs of males and females differed and, if so, how accurately could songs be classified by sex. On average, male bounce songs were ∼30% lower in frequency than bounce songs of females, but song duration, note duration, number of notes per bout, and internote duration did not differ. Similarly, double trill songs of males were significantly lower in frequency than those of females, and double trill songs uttered by females had significantly greater internote distances in the leading portion. A discriminant model based on frequency at maximum amplitude of bounce songs correctly classified all males and females in our sample. Presence of sex-specific patterns of vocalizations in that species would allow owls to assess the sex of potential intruders and respond appropriately. Moreover, sonographic analysis of Western Screech-Owl songs provides a means for noninvasive classification of sex