Conjoint Use Research Articles

Control of Vorticity of Flow over a Cavity with the Aid of Large Eddy Simulation

The large-eddy simulation of a different Reynolds number of turbulent vorticity flows over 2D cavities is presented in this paper. For the turbulent case the influences of the Reynolds number of income flow was considered. The mathematical model corresponds to the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) strategy relies on the conjoint use of a finite-difference scheme and a selective filter. Some important results and conclusions are presented. The phenomena of the external flow would touch the bottom of the cavity with difference way which depends on a specific value of the flow parameters. These conditions have important impacts on the vorticity flow inside the cavity. In order to control the intensity of the vorticity flow over a cavity, the cavity aspect ratios must be designed correlated to the income flow condition.

An activity-based system of models for student mobility simulation

Abstract Purpose The objective of this paper is to provide a tool for transport system planning. Therefore, a system of models for student mobility simulation on a university campus is proposed. Methods An activity-based approach has been adopted. The system of models is sequential, in which each choice dimension is linked to the previous one and involves the choices made at a lower level, and it is made up of multinomial and hierarchical Logit models. Additionally, the Revealed and Stated preferences technique has been adopted for investigating user choice behaviour in the hypothesis that an innovative transport system is realized to access the campus. Conclusions The proposed system of models adopt the activity-based travel approach combined with the conjoint use of the RP and SP methodologies, allowing a better understanding and prediction of users responses to travel demand management measures. The model structure is very realistic for student mobility simulation, helping the analyst in evaluating the effects of park pricing policies and the introduction of a new transport system in the travel users choices.

Response of Novel Biomarkers to BNP Infusion in Patients with Decompensated Heart Failure: A Multimarker Paradigm

Multibiomarker paradigms have been proposed to diagnose, define progression, and to monitor therapy of heart failure (HF) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic and therapy-monitoring potential of four novel biomarkers (copeptin, midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), neopterin, and procalcitonin) which have been shown to be elevated in the plasma of patients with HF and reported to have prognostic value. In a prospective study of 40 patients hospitalized for decompensated HF and who received nesiritide infusions as part of their care, blood was drawn before, during, and postinfusion and assayed for the novel biomarkers. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) which were previously measured and reported in this cohort were also included in the analyses. All biomarkers were elevated at baseline prior to nesiritide infusion, but copeptin, MR-proANP, and NT-proBNP demonstrated significant acute reductions in plasma levels in response to therapy. Copeptin levels were higher in posthospital nonsurvivors and by proportional hazards model were associated with an increased mortality risk (p = 0.04). Procalcitonin and neopterin added no incremental information on response to therapy or risk stratification. In contrast, copeptin and MR-proANP appear to have potential for monitoring acute responses to therapy. Only copeptin and BNP contributed to risk stratification in this cohort of advanced HF patients, but the conjoint use of BNP or NT-proBNP does not appear to impact the prognostic value of copeptin alone. These results are hypothesis generating to stimulate additional investigation.

The conjoint use of music therapy and reflexology with hospitalized advanced stage cancer patients and their families

Advanced stage cancer patients experience debilitating physical symptoms as well as profound emotional and spiritual struggles. Advanced disease is accompanied by multiple changes and losses for the patient and the family. Palliative care focuses on the relief of overall suffering of patients and families, including symptom control, psychosocial support, and the meeting of spiritual needs. Music therapy and reflexology are complementary therapies that can soothe and provide comfort. When used conjointly, they provide a multifaceted experience that can aid in the reduction of anxiety, pain, and isolation; facilitate communication between patients, family members, and staff; and provide the potential for a more peaceful dying experience for all involved. This article addresses the benefits of the combined use of music therapy and reflexology. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the application and benefits of this dual approach for patients and their families regarding adjustment to the end of life in the presence of anxiety and cognitive impairment.

Assessing bottom structure influence on fish abundance in a marine hill by using conjointly acoustic survey and geographic information system

Acoustic survey and a geographic information system (GIS) were used conjointly to estimate the significance of bottom substrate to explain fish abundance distribution in the complex topography context of a marine hill. The survey was conducted in the Hachirigase hill, off south- western Honshu Island in the Sea of Japan. Analysis of acoustic data focused on a 10-m thick layer beginning at the bottom, assuming that bottom influence does not exceed this distance. Area backscattering strength (Sa) values were rescaled in order to reflect real differences before being analyzed. Results show that the influence of the different parameters taken into account (bottom depth, bottom substrate and water temperature) varies widely from one place to another. Bottom substrate is above all important in the zone located to the west of the peak. The kriging and stratification methods were applied to the Sa distribution for estimating the total Sa in the hill. Differences between results are discussed. Conjoint use of acoustic survey and GIS is an effective method for analyzing and estimating fish abundance distribution in a marine hill.

A simple method to improve the estimation of the relationship between rainfall and crop yield

The time-course of rainfall is commonly presented as bar, line or scatter plots, which may sometimes be chaotic, while leading to subjective and vague assertions. More objective criteria quantifying rainfall distribution may therefore be helpful, e.g. when different years are examined concurrently. Here, some practical indices are presented based on the distance between cumulative rainfall curves and the respective theoretical evenness rainfall lines, the line joining the lowest and highest cumulative rainfall values within the considered period. After an introduction to the theory and calculation of the indices, the relationships between the indices and two major crops, maize and sugar beet, are evaluated for a period of 33 years. The results show good correlations between the indices and crop yields, up to r = 0.81, especially when the evenness index was weighted on the mean daily rainfall, i.e. the slope of the evenness line. Significant correlations were also found by recalculating the indices over strategic short-term periods for maize, which indicates how the effectiveness of these indices may be increased by choosing appropriate periods for different crops. Finally, the different indices showed no correlation, indicating little redundancy and thus suggesting a profitable conjoint use of them.

Interactions between Poloxamers in Aqueous Solutions: Micellization and Gelation Studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Small Angle X-ray Scattering, and Rheology

Poloxamers F88 (EO97PO39EO97) and P85 (EO27PO39EO27) are triblock copolymers of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO), which have the same hydrophobic PO block. We studied aqueous solutions of these two copolymers by the conjoint use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheology, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results showed that the temperature-induced micellization of aqueous solutions of F88 and P85 was a progressive process followed by gelation for sufficiently concentrated samples. Gelation was due to the ordered packing of micelles under a hexagonal compact (HC) structure for P85 and a body-centered cubic (BCC) phase for F88. Importantly, the phase diagram of F88/P85 mixtures in water was elucidated and showed the destabilization of the HC phase upon addition of small amounts of F88.

Linking Long-Term Water Balances and Statistical Scaling to Estimate River Flows along the Drainage Network of Colombia

Long-term average river discharges as well as peak and low flows of different return periods are estimated along the entire river network of Colombia, through the conjoint use of the long-term water balance in the river basins and the framework of statistical scaling, taking the average flow field as the scaling variable. Estimation of the long-term water balance considers the spatial variability of hydrologic fields, in which drainage basins are considered the basic hydrological control volumes for estimation. A systematic effort has been made to estimate the long term average precipitation field combining rain gauge measurements with existing handmade expert maps as an input trend for a universal Kriging interpolation technique. Evaluation of estimates for actual and potential long-term evapotrans- piration was implemented using diverse methods. Results were tested using the long term water balance equation against 200 streamflow gauging stations. No method for actual evapotranspiration showed significant superiority. Overall, we conclude that the magnitude of errors arises fundamentally from deficiencies in the data and the sparsity of the observations.

Influence of Different Sources of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum mill.) Growth, Quality and Soil Properties

A pot culture experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm located in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus during kharif season 2018. This study was carriied out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications comprised of nine treatment combinations of sewage sludge (SS), aquatic weed compost (AWC) and inorganic fertilizers. However, in this study, it was initiate that the conjoint use of sewage sludge with chemical fertilizer (T5) recorded maximum build-up of soil macro nutrients (NPK), plant growth and quality parameters. However, the micro-nutrient concentrations in soil exposed to sewage sludge and aquatic weed compost were significantly higher than those in the untreated plots, with highest concentration found in sole application of sewage sludge (T3). All the micro nutrients studied were within the acceptable limits and did not overcome the maximum levels of phytotoxic. This experiment concludes that the application of sewage sludge and aquatic weed compost did not have any adverse impact on fruit quality and it was suggsetted to for the improvement of plant growth and soil fertilit

On integrity in inquiry... of the investigated, not the investigator

The article begins with a sketch of the relation of interaction to language and to culture, and of the students of interaction to the students of language and of culture. A 10-second segment of recorded interaction at a family dinner is then examined in a fashion meant to preserve the integrity1 of what is being done interactionally while incorporating attention to the deployment of various facets of the language that is used, and its relationship to simultaneously ongoing bodily doings. An interactional practice – whining – from that episode is then juxtaposed with the same practice in several other segments of interaction in the interests of developing a more formal, transsituational account. The viability of research focused on phenomena in an analytically distinct domain of events while preserving the integrity of the occasions in which instances of the phenomenon occurred is then reviewed, using a case study of the conjoint use of phonetic analysis and conversation analysis. The article concludes with a reply to Levinson's article in this special issue of the journal, and uses the occasion to sketch the relationship between interaction and so-called ‘macro’ social and cultural formations such as kinship.

Rapid high-resolution four-dimensional NMR spectroscopy using the filter diagonalization method and its advantages for detailed structural elucidation of oligosaccharides

Four-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with high resolution of signals in the indirect dimensions is reported as an implementation of the filter diagonalization method (FDM). Using an oligosaccharide derivatized with 13C-labeled acetyl isotags, a four-dimensional constant-time pulse sequence was tailored for conjoint use with the FDM. Results demonstrate that high resolution in all dimensions can be achieved using a relatively short experimental time period (19 h), even though the spectrum is highly congested in the direct and all three indirect dimensions. The combined use of isotags, constant-time pulse sequences, and FDM permits rapid isolation of sugar ring proton spin systems in multiple dimensions and enables all endocyclic J-couplings to be simply measured, the key goal to assigning sugar stereochemistry and anomeric configuration. A general method for rapid, unambiguous elucidation of spin systems in oligosaccharides has been a long-sought goal of carbohydrate NMR, and isotags combined with the FDM now enable this to be easily performed. Additional general advantages of the FDM program for generating high-resolution 2D slices in any dimension from a 4D spectrum are emphasized.

The relationship between nicotine dependence and addiction severity amongst cocaine abusers

The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) are two widely used instruments in their respective domains, but have rarely been used simultaneously with a substance abuse population. It is argued that the complex link between nicotine and substance dependence continues not to be well understood, partially because the measures of smoking in published research with addiction treatment populations have not been standardized. We studied ASI and FTND responses of 102 crack‐cocaine patients in order to examine the potential utility of using both instruments to enhance our understanding of these addictions and their relationship to each other. Total FTND scores were significantly related to ASI drug severity, psychiatric severity and psychiatric composite scores. Controlling for gender variance yielded similar results. We conclude that using the FTND does prove to be more sensitive than a less objective measure of smoking, but the ASI and FTND appear to be psychometrically distinct, making conjoint use for research limited with some clinical applicability.

Use of the Doppler Spectral Width to Improve the Estimation of the Convective Boundary Layer Height from UHF Wind Profiler Observations

Abstract Enhancement of the air refractive index structure parameter C2n often occurs at the top of the convective boundary layer (CBL), where the absolute values of the vertical gradients of virtual potential temperature and mixing ratio have a peak. This well-known behavior of the C2n profiles is often used to locate the height of the mixed layer Zi from UHF wind profiler observations. In the present study, Zi determination with the C2n-based technique was investigated for a case of clear-air CBL and a case of cloud-topped CBL. In certain circumstances, such as multifold C2n peaks or poorly defined peaks, these techniques fail to correctly retrieve CBL height. In order to improve Zi determination, a new method based on the conjoint use of C2n and Doppler spectral width profiles is proposed and discussed.

Forcing function effects on nonlinear trajectories: identifying very local brain dynamics.

Effects of imposing a sinusoidal acoustic and visual forcing function at various frequencies onto an EEG process are examined in terms of various indices of the nonlinear dynamics. Conjoint use of four methods of data analysis; Lyapunov exponents, the entropic analogue of the Schwarzian derivative, surrogate distributions, and higher-order kernel analyses in the time domain, is illustrated. Local epochs with unstable dynamics are identifed on very short series.

Genetic algorithms for the analysis of Bayesian hierarchical partition models

Hierarchical partition models (see Malec and Sedransk, 1992, Consonni and Veronese, 1995) aim at finding an optimal grouping (partition) of a set of experiments regarding a target variable. In this class of models the partition is regarded as an unknown parameter, and one of the main goals is computing the posterior distribution over the class of the possible partitions. This problem has been addressed in Sampietro and Veronese (1998), where a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm is applied. In this paper the performance of an alternative procedure, based on the logic of genetic algorithms, is evaluated. The results of the two approaches are compared, even if a conjoint use of them is to be advised.

Conjoint smoking and drinking: a case for dual-substance intervention among young emergency department patients.

To better understand conjoint smoking and drinking among young adult emergency department (ED) patients, the purposes of this investigation were: 1) to assess the prevalence of conjoint use; 2) to determine the factors associated with conjoint alcohol use and smoking; and 3) to address the implications for future ED-based investigation of dual-substance intervention. Data for this investigation were obtained from a battery of questionnaires administered to the routine-care patients during an alcohol screening in the ED, which was part of a larger alcohol intervention study. Study findings revealed that a majority of patients with self-reported alcohol-related problems were smokers. In fact, drinkers who smoked were likely to be pack-a-day smokers. Among the study sample, being female, having low education levels (e.g., high school education or less), having some emotional problems, and currently using marijuana were risk factors for conjoint smoking and drinking. Conjoint users were identifiable through brief screening. Given the prevalence of conjoint smoking and alcohol use among the ED sample and a specific set of risk factors, tailored intervention for alcohol and nicotine dependence may be an important and opportunistic clinical ED service.

Determinants of Youth Tobacco Use in West Virginia: A Comparison of Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Use

Purpose: To identify and compare the determinants of different types of tobacco use among rural youths and discuss the implication of these differences for youth tobacco use cessation. Methods: Ninth grade participants (n = 883) were 95% white, between 13 and 19 years old with a mean age of 14.6 years. Students were classified into four exclusive groups: non–tobacco use, smoking only, smokeless tobacco (ST) use only, and conjoint smoking and ST use. The influences of 14 specific risk factors on tobacco use were investigated for each group using separate multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Among participants, 20% were smokers only, 6% were ST users only, and 10% were conjoint users. Students who had more friends (odds ratio [OR] =] 2.75) and siblings (OR = 1.96) who smoke, family problems (OR = 1.70), and favorable attitudes toward tobacco use (OR = 1.12) were more likely to smoke than were other students. Among students who used only ST, gender was a primary determinant (95% were male). Excluding gender, sibling ST use (OR = 4.28), friends' ST use (OR = 1.71), and favorable attitudes (OR = 1.11) were the most significant risk factors. Male students were also more likely to use both cigarettes and ST (OR = 8.62). In addition, among students who used both tobacco products, siblings' and friends' ST use were significant (OR = 3.09 and 2.13, respectively), as well as family problems (OR = 2.41) and attitude (OR = 1.15). Unlike smokers only or ST users only, lack of knowledge about tobacco was a significant determinant among conjoint users (OR = 1.39). Conclusions: Findings revealed that 7 of 14 factors were significant predictors of tobacco use. Some factors predicted smoking only, ST only, and conjoint use; however, the pattern of predictors varied for these three categories. Implications for these findings as they relate to tobacco use interventions are discussed.

Decision Support Systems in action: Integrated application in a multicriteria decision aid process

We describe a real application of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in which several Decision Support Systems (DSSs) were harmoniously integrated in the interactive learning process of tackling the complex strategic problematic situation faced by the Santa Catarina textile industry, in the south of Brazil. We feel that two significant conclusions can be drawn from our conjoint use of Graphics COPE, MACBETH, V.I.S.A, and EQUITY in building a model of values: (1) Providing decision-support is much more than merely applying a technical tool to “solve” a well-defined decision problem; it is, at least it was in our case, a complex (but exciting) activity of someone (the facilitator) who, with the support of adequate methodological and technical tools, progressively tried to shed light on an initially ill-structured decision-making process. (2) Under a constructive attitude in decision-aid, DSSs became effective tools for helping the facilitators to help the decision-actors, both in the structuring and evaluation phases of the process, and in creating new decision opportunities. In particular, visual man–machine interaction greatly contributed to the actors' learning about their problem and values. Moreover, visually appealing sensitivity analyses increased the problem-owners' trust in the recommendations elaborated from the model.

Optical potential discrete variable representation method in the adiabatic representation Application to the CO(B $\mathsf{^{1}\Sigma^{+}}$ -D' $\mathsf{^{1}\Sigma^{+}, J=0})$ predissociation process

The optical potential discrete variable representation method (OP-DVR) has been applied recently to calculate resonances in the framework of the diabatic representation [J. Chem. Phys. 101, 7580 (1994)]. This method is based on the conjoint use of the discrete variable representation (DVR) method and the properties of a complex absorbing potential (CAP). The OP-DVR method is the DVR version of the CAP stabilization method initially proposed by Jolicard and Austin [Chem. Phys. Lett. 121, 106 (1985)]. In the present study, we show that this efficient and accurate method can also be applied within the adiabatic representation since it allows one to overcome in a simple way, numerical difficulties associated with the first derivative operator which appears in the expression of non adiabatic couplings. Within the OP-DVR method, the choice of the representation (diabatic or adiabatic) is governed by physical arguments and by the fact that the potentials and the couplings are known in one or the other of these two representations. In the case where the potentials and the couplings are obtained in the adiabatic representation, we show in this paper that the transformation into the diabatic framework is not necessary. We demonstrate that the discrete variable representation can be a simple and an efficient way to deal with the adiabatic representation.

Effects of exogenous triiodothyronine (T 3) and a goitrogen, methylthiouracil (MTU), on thyroid gland function in sheep

The rationale that conjoint use of feedback inhibition could alter the effectiveness of a goitrogen, methylthiouracil (MTU), for achieving pharmacological suppression of thyroid gland function was tested in sheep. Experiment 1 determined the appropriate daily dose of T 3 for achieving feedback suppression of thyroid secretion. Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that prior treatment with T 3 at such dosage would speed up the thyroid suppressive effect of subsequent administration of MTU, and Experiment 3 determined whether T 3 exerted feedback inhibition on the anterior pituitary gland. In Experiment 1, ewes ( n=6) treated with doses of 0, 1, 5 and 25 μg T 3 per kg live weight as a daily s.c. injection for 2 weeks had a dose-related increase in heart rate and decrease in plasma T 4 concentration. Ewes in Experiment 2 received combinations of daily s.c. injections of T 3 at 5 μg per kg and daily oral dosing with 35 mg per kg MTU ( n=6). Suppression of plasma T 4 concentration by T 3 did not improve the effect of subsequent treatment with MTU. In Experiment 3, plasma TSH responses to TRH stimulation (200 μg, i.v.) were reduced by treatment with T 3, confirming its feedback inhibition of the anterior pituitary gland. It is concluded that, in spite of the inhibitory actions of T 3 on plasma T 4 concentration in sheep, its use prior to treatment with MTU did not affect the resultant suppression of thyroid hormone secretion.