Falcon Commons (Univ. of Texas Permian Basin)
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Designing HVAC systems using particle swarm optimization
No full textMany design and operating goals in HVAC systems are optimization problems. For example, building operators want to determine the combination of equipment and set-points that result in the most energy-efficient operating conditions. Similarly, HVAC system designers want to determine the best combination of equipment, components, and operating conditions that provide minimum lifecycle cost. In both problems, the goal is to find an optimal set of system design variables. The purpose of this work is to apply an optimization technique known as particle swarm optimization to the design and operation of HVAC systems. This algorithm is based on the idea of swarms of animals, such as flying birds or insects, searching for food. In these swarms, each member gains knowledge from the whole and in turn contributes its individual knowledge back to the swarm. The result is a very efficient way to find the best available food source. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is well suited to computers with multiple processors and to HVAC problems, because it does not require continuous or well-behaved mathematical functions. Another advantage of the method is that it is remarkably simple to implement. This article illustrates the particle swarm optimization algorithm by applying it to the design of an HVAC piping system
Be Fit to Ski; A Periodized Approach to Alpine Skiing Fitness
Get PDFAlpine skiing is considered an explosive sport, requiring high-intensity repetitive muscular action. From the eighties through the early two thousands, studies have revealed the high demands placed on elite ski racers, although limited research has been conducted using recreational skiers. Expert recreational skiers and professional ski instructors are also exposed to high levels of muscular and cardiorespiratory stress, which is why it is beneficial to have a guideline for training and conditioning, much like other team and individual athletes. To date, there are few comprehensive training programs that treat the skier and professional ski instructor as an athlete who needs training guidance. Through the concept of periodization, the performance abilities of strength, power, endurance, speed, and agility are organized into appropriate training goals for specific times throughout the year and presented in this book
Supervision and Education as a Factor of Self Efficacy in Novice Therapists
Get PDFThe hypothesis of this exploratory study is aimed at examining novice therapist’s self- efficacy towards counseling, observing self efficacy modifications during practicum, and creating implications for future therapists. There were 20 participants surveyed using the Counselor Self Efficacy Scale, as well as questions generated towards the education experience as well as the supervision experience. A Pearson’s correlation was conducted comparing the supervision and education experience, there was a negative correlation, resulting in the education experience decreasing as the supervision experience increased. A r-test was conducted and the difference in means was consistent with the Pearson correlation confirming higher supervision scores
Individualism and Collectivism as Moderators of Affect and Attributional Style in Predicting Life Satisfaction
Get PDFThe present study examined the effect of person-level individualism and collectivism on attributional style and frequencies of positive and negative emotions as predictors of life satisfaction. Participants were 224 individuals (age range 18 to 78, M= 39.63, SD = 13.78; 73% women; 56% Filipinos) who answered an online survey. Results from regression analyses showed that attributional style is not a statistically significant predictor of life satisfaction. The analyses also showed that across all participants, and among those who did not score high in individualism and low in collectivism, the frequency of positive emotions, as compared to the frequency of negative emotions, is the stronger predictor of life satisfaction. Among participants who scored high in individualism and low in collectivism, results showed that the frequencies of positive and negative emotions are not statistically significant predictors of life satisfaction and that the strengths of the emotions’ standardized regression coefficients (.11 for positive & -.28 for negative) are in reverse order compared to those of participants who did not score high in individualism and low in collectivism (.37 for positive & -.27 for negative). Findings of the study suggest that the file hedonic approach of increasing positive experiences and decreasing negative experiences to improve overall well-being may not apply to everyone. Suggested strategies for counseling clients who are high in individualistic and low in collectivistic tendencies include incorporating existential therapy and exploring Ryff and Keyes’ (1995) six dimensions of wellness (autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, & self-acceptance)
Investigating the role of Financial Services Review at the intersection of finance and financial planning with contributor-based interjournal communication analysis
No full textFinancial Services Review (FSR) publishes research that meets the needs of individual investors. This focus places FSR at the intersection of research in finance and research in financial planning. We document the publication records of contributors to FSR and other financial planning journals to provide evidence on FSR\u27s efforts to fulfill its obligation to individual investors. Results show that FSR strategically assists finance researchers who publish in the area of financial planning to advance their research agendas. Finance academics at research and masters level universities and seeking tenure find FSR to be a prime outlet for their financial planning research
The Role of Intercollegiate Athletics on an Athlete\u27s Decision to Attend College
Get PDFThe purpose of the study was to determine if California community college athletes would attend college if intercollegiate athletics were not offered and to examine differences in gender, races/ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and sports. The goal of the study was to provide useful information to college administrators that are considering initiating, adding, or eliminating intercollegiate athletic programs. Participants in the study include student-athletes attending California community colleges that participate in one of three sports: basketball, soccer, or tennis. A survey questionnaire was the method for collecting data
Drug and Nondrug Alternatives to Altering Mood
Get PDFThis study examined the usage patterns of nondrug alternatives and obtained knowledge that will be beneficial to future drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation in college students. The purpose was to identify the specific nondrug/drug alternatives used to alter mood by non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics. Analysis revealed that engaging in discussion with spouse/friends was used most frequently to alter mood. The overall distribution of drug alternatives and nondrug alternatives differed significantly from chance in 72 participants. Further pair-wise analyses found there were significant differences between five drug and nondrug alternatives endorsed by non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics. In conclusion, it was found that Non-Hispanic Whites engage in discussion with spouse/friend to alter mood more frequently than Hispanics. Hispanics engaged in personal contemplation more frequently than non-Hispanic Whites due to their cultural background
Manual of suggested Best Practices for Recovery in the 3 hour Post-Exercise Window
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Mandatory Adoption of International Accounting Standards in Germany: Financial Statement Effects
Get PDFThis paper addresses the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Germany in 2005. The financial, statement effects and the variability of key accounting measures are analyzed under the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB, German GAAP) and IFRS. I find that book value of equity and net income are slightly larger under IFRS than under German GAAP which reflects the fair value orientation of IFRS. Only weak evidence exists that the mandatory adoption of IFRS results in significant accounting differences unlike the results found in financial statements of German firms that voluntarily adopted IFRS