Formation and evolution of the chromitites of the Stillwater Complex : a trace element study

Large layered intrusions, such as the Stillwater Complex, contain cyclic units of chromite-rich layers (cm to m thick) having kilometre-scale lateral extension. Chromite cumulates are among the first to form after new primitive melt injections into the magma chamber. Therefore, chromite cumulates could be used to investigate the nature of the parental magma, given the fact that chromite preserves its primary original magmatic composition. The cooling and crystallization history of large layered intrusions is long, complex, and involves multiple injections of hot primitive magma into an evolving and fractionating magma chamber. Our study on Stillwater chromites shows that the early crystallized chromite experiences various post-cumulus processes with the interstitial silicate melt, such as the precipitation of chromite overgrowths on early formed cumulus chromite and/or the reaction - reequilibration of early formed cumulus chromite. These processes have modifed the primary magmatic composition of the chromite making it difficult to identify the parental magma. Moreover, mineralogical evidence for chromite - interstitial melt interactions have probably been obliterated during late post-magmatic textural maturation and recrystallization which tends to homogenize chromite grain size and composition

System and method for improved rotor tip performance

Embodiments of systems and methods for enhancing the performance of rotary wing aircraft through reduced torque, noise and vibration are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes configuring the rotorcraft in a selected flight condition, communicating input signals to a control system operable to position sails coupled to tips of blades of a rotor assembly, processing the input signals according to a constraint condition to generate sail positional information, and transferring the sail positional information to the sail. Alternately, input signals may be communicated to a control system operable to position a plurality of sails, each sail having an aerodynamic shape and positioned proximate to a tip portion of the rotor blade. The input signals may be configured to rotate each sail about a longitudinal axis into a corresponding pitch angle independently of the other sails

FPGA-Based Tracklet Approach to Level-1 Track Finding at CMS for the HL-LHC

During the High Luminosity LHC, the CMS detector will need charged particle tracking at the hardware trigger level to maintain a manageable trigger rate and achieve its physics goals. The tracklet approach is a track-finding algorithm based on a road-search algorithm that has been implemented on commercially available FPGA technology. The tracklet algorithm has achieved high performance in track-finding and completes tracking within 3.4 $\mu$s on a Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA. An overview of the algorithm and its implementation on an FPGA is given, results are shown from a demonstrator test stand and system performance studies are presented.Comment: Submitted to proceedings of Connecting The Dots/Intelligent Trackers 2017, Orsay, Franc

System and method for improved rotor tip performance

The present invention discloses systems and methods for the performance enhancement of rotary wing aircraft through reduced torque, noise and vibration. In one embodiment, a system includes a sail having an aerodynamic shape positioned proximate to a tip of the rotor blade. An actuator may be configured to rotate the sail relative to the blade tip. a A control system receives information from a rotorcraft system and commands the actuator to rotate the sail to a predetermined favorable rotor blade operating condition. In another embodiment, a method includes configuring the rotorcraft in a selected flight condition, communicating input signals to a control system operable to position sails coupled to tips of blades of a rotor assembly, processing the input signals according to a constraint condition to generate sail positional information, and transferring the sail positional information to the sail

Processes leading to concentration of platinum-group elements in chromite rich rocks

Platinum-group elements are enriched in the ultramafic parts of the Stillwater, Bushveld and Great Dyke Complexes. Processes whereby this enrichment may occur are considered

The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Music on Athletic Performance

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Construction and Performance of Large-Area Triple-GEM Prototypes for Future Upgrades of the CMS Forward Muon System

At present, part of the forward RPC muon system of the CMS detector at the CERN LHC remains uninstrumented in the high-\eta region. An international collaboration is investigating the possibility of covering the 1.6 < |\eta| < 2.4 region of the muon endcaps with large-area triple-GEM detectors. Given their good spatial resolution, high rate capability, and radiation hardness, these micro-pattern gas detectors are an appealing option for simultaneously enhancing muon tracking and triggering capabilities in a future upgrade of the CMS detector. A general overview of this feasibility study will be presented. The design and construction of small (10\times10 cm2) and full-size trapezoidal (1\times0.5 m2) triple-GEM prototypes will be described. During detector assembly, different techniques for stretching the GEM foils were tested. Results from measurements with x-rays and from test beam campaigns at the CERN SPS will be shown for the small and large prototypes. Preliminary simulation studies on the expected muon reconstruction and trigger performances of this proposed upgraded muon system will be reported.Comment: 7 pages, 25 figures, submitted for publication in conference record of the 2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Valencia, Spai

Is Gabapentin Effective in Reducing Pain in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not gabapentin is effective in reducing pain in women with chronic pelvic pain. STUDY DESIGN: A review of three randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) that were peer reviewed and published in English after 2016. DATA SOURCE: All articles were published in peer reviewed journals and were researched using PubMed, Alt HealthWatch, AMED, and CINAHL. Studies were selected based on their ability to answer the question posed in the objective, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented. OUTCOMES: The assessed outcome is pelvic pain. It is measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). VAS is a subjective measure where a patient can mark their degree of pain on a visual scale, without numerical values. NRS is a subjective measure for patients where they are able to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst pain. RESULTS: Lewis et al. found a mean change from baseline of 3.0 in the gabapentin group and 1.8 in the placebo group. The difference in means was 0.98 (CI 95%, -0.87 to +2.83, p= 0.28). Horne et al. found a mean change from baseline of -1.1 in the gabapentin group and -0.9 in the placebo group. The difference in means was -0.18 (CI 97.5%, -0.71 to + 0.35, p= 0.45). AbdelHafeez et al. found a NNT of 3, with a RR of 0.5 (95% CI, 0.34-0.75, p\u3c0.001) in favor of gabapentin decreasing pain. This was the only study that found a significant reduction in pain with gabapentin compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Uncertainty remains regarding gabapentin and its use. The results of these three studies showed that gabapentin may or may not be effective in reducing pain in women with chronic pelvic pain. There is a need for a large randomized, placebo-controlled trial for a definitive result