Speed of Trains Running on Parallel Track Connections Using Curved Turnouts

The issue of connecting parallel main tracks located in a circular curve by means of curved turnouts is discussed in the pa-per, focusing on determining the achievable train speed. Selected geometries are used in the analysis. The curved turnout diverging track radii and the corresponding train speeds are determined. An analytical notation is used, thereby creating greater options in specific applications. It is shown that the speed of trains running on parallel track connections depends on the type of basic turnout subjected to curving (i.e. mainly on the radius of this turnout), while the second very important factor is the value of the track cant used. In each case, the determined speed resulting from the diverging track radius is lower than the speed on the main tracks. While discussing the general principles of constructing parallel track connections in a circular arc using curved turnouts, it is pointed out that in some situations the speed of travel must be further reduced due to the need to connect the ends of the diverging tracks with a circular arc. Keywords: railway turnouts, turnout curving, speed analysis, connecting diverging tracks

Deconstruction of Idea Generation Methods Into a Framework of Creativity Mechanisms

Creative ideas are a central part of design thinking, whether solving engineering problems, generating interesting art, as well as developing successful products and innovations. Idea generation methods are a well-researched topic, and there is significant research that focuses on specific idea generation methods and how they perform. Furthermore, several method classifications have been suggested to help understand the cognitive mechanisms involved in creative ideation as well as differences between methods. Yet, the discourse is usually on which ideation method outperforms another or how to improve an ideation method rather than the elements, rules, constraints, and activities that comprise ideation methods. In this study, 88 well-documented idea generation methods are reviewed and analyzed. We find all analyzed methods consist of 25 basic mechanisms. The mechanisms are discussed and classified into idea promoting and implementation mechanisms. We suggest that rather than focusing research only on methods, there should be a parallel track of research on these mechanisms and their interactions to help increase our understanding of creativity methods, add understanding for practitioners on how to get the best advantages out of creativity methods, and finally improve the way that practical creativity is approached in education.

Passion and Love (P/L) with Knowledge and Understanding (K/U): Coherence, Concurrence, Congruence and Coexistence of Passions and Knowledge in Human Mind

This paper deals with the development of personality in two parallel tracks as an infant evolves to be a unique individual in society. The primary track is based on the acquired knowledge that is appended to the genetic code or information that the infant inherits from both parents. This track is essential for survival and is the primary instinct to just live on from one moment to the next. It shapes a baby from an infant in the world, a child in a family, a person in a society. If this progression can be conceived as an evolutionary trail for the progress in an orderly fashion to enhance and grow in a knowledge domain, then a secondary, simultaneous and a parallel track also evolves to shape the emotions of the baby, the feeling of the child and the passion of the person. The feeling, emotions, and passions exist during every stage, however unperceived they might be. The baby smiles and cries, and is happy just as much as a child is joyful or sad, or is excited. As much as this parallelism exists, we extend the parallel evolution of the two tracks deep and prolonged into adulthood, maturity, and old age of the human being in the society. Whereas the knowledge trail enhances the child, adult, and mature human to become educated, knowledgeable, wise, and ethical, the passion trail deeply resident in the mind, makes the person (during all stages of life) realistic, honest, loving, and passionate.

Deconstruction of Idea Generation Methods Into a Framework of Creativity Mechanisms

Creative ideas are a central part of solving engineering problems, generating interesting art, as well as developing successful products and innovations. Idea generation methods are a well-researched topic. Specifically, there is significant research that focuses on specific idea generation methods and how they perform. Further, some method classifications have been suggested to help understand the cognitive mechanisms involved in creative ideation as well as the differences between methods. Yet, the discourse is usually on which ideation method outperforms another or how to improve an ideation method rather than the elements, rules, constraints, and activities that comprise ideation methods. In this study 76 well-documented idea generation methods are reviewed and analyzed. We find all analyzed methods consist of 25 mechanisms. The mechanisms are discussed and classified into idea promoting and implementation mechanisms. We suggest that rather than focusing research only on methods, there should be a parallel track of research creating understanding on these mechanisms and their interactions to help increase our understanding of creativity methods, add practitioners understanding on how to get the best advantages out of creativity methods and lastly improve the way practical creativity is approached in education.

The parallel tracks of kHz QPOs in low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1728−34: explorer of the bimodal accretion modes

ABSTRACT Parallel tracks in the relation between the lower kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillation (kHz QPO) frequency ν1 and the X-ray intensity I have been observed in the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary (NS-LMXB) 4U 1728−34, and we try to ascribe these phenomena to the bimodal accretion modes, i.e. the disc accretion and radial accretion. For the source with one constant radial accretion rate $\dot{M}_{\rm r}$, as the increase of the disc accretion rate $\dot{M}_{\rm d}$, the NS magnetosphere-disc radius can shrink from ∼18 to ∼16 km, while ν1 increases from ∼670 to ∼870 Hz. Then, due to the increase of the kHz QPO frequency and total X-ray intensity Itot, the source will trace out an oblique track in ν1–I relation. While, if the source enters another constant radial accretion rate due to the variation of the accretion environment, the increase of the disc accretion rate can arise another parallel track in ν1–I relation. Finally, the reliability of the theoretical assumptions, the variability of the accretion radius and accretion rate, as well as the dependence of the two accretion modes, are also investigated and discussed.

Contrasting Incoming Medical Students’ Attitudes

Background and Objectives: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (AMS) recently implemented a novel dual degree MD-ScM program in primary care and population medicine (PC-PM) that enrolls up to 24 of its nearly 144 yearly matriculants. The overarching goal of this track is to train medical students to become physician leaders who focus on issues in population medicine within primary care. Methods: We conducted a baseline assessment of the students enrolled in this parallel track in comparison to our traditional students to identify characteristics of and group differences between students in the PC-PM program and traditional students. Data was collected from first-year students matriculating in the 2015 and 2016 academic years (N=277) using portions of nine validated surveys with an emphasis on caring for the underserved and cultural competence, professionalism, working in interprofessional teams, tolerance of ambiguity, empathy, patient-provider interactions, and patient safety/quality improvement. Results: We identified slightly higher significant baseline differences on three scales in which the PC-PM students (n=38) were higher than those in the traditional track students (n=239). These measured cultural competency (t[275]=-3.05, P=.003), professionalism (t[273]=-3.10, P=.002), and attitudes toward working with underserved populations (t[267]=2.31, P=.02). Conclusions: The higher differences for these three elements may be important to the success of the PC-PM program. We plan to track the growth of the PC-PM students as well as our traditional students through their 4 years of medical school to investigate growth and development throughout the academic career.