Simulation Modeling and Analysis of the Impact of Individual Mobility Augmentee Loss at the Tanker Airlift Control Center

The Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) operates as the execution arm for Air Mobility Command\u27s Global Reach mission. The Command and Control Directorate (XOC) monitors the execution of missions tasked to the 18th Air Force. Approximately 70% of the personnel on the operations floor are considered Individual Mobility Augmentees (IMA). Adjustments in manpower, specifically the loss of IMAs, at the TACC/XOCG may impact their responsiveness to mission deviations. This research develops a discrete event simulation using a combination of SME and historical data to capture the activities of a section of the personnel on the operations floor and the potential impact of a reduction in manpower. Our analysis shows a statistically significant reduction in the number of missions completed along with a statistically significant increase in the total mission deviation time with both levels of manpower reductions examined. For the two specific levels of manpower losses, we implement the concept of resource pools to complete tasks for a group of mission desks instead of specific personnel assigned to each desk. We also examine whether our reduced manning models can adequately handle the anticipated reduced post-contingency operation mission load. Once again we pool resources and still find a very heavy workload with some noticeable improvements in system performance with longer duration shifts

Results of the 2003-2004 Illinois Youth Hunter Survey

Federal Aid Project Number W-112-R-13, Job Number 103.1, Wildlife Restoration Fund, July 1, 2003 - Sept. 30, 2004Report issued on: December 22, 200

Day-night high resolution infrared radiometer employing two-stage radiant cooling. Part 1 - Two-stage radiant cooler Final report

Design, thermal analysis, testing, and breadboard integration of two-stage radiant cooler for high resolution radiomete

Ongoing Clinical Trials of the Pleiotropic Effects of Statins

Jean Davignon1, Lawrence A Leiter21Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada; 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, CanadaBackground: The multiple effects (ie, pleiotropic effects of statins) have received increasing recognition and may have clinical applicability across a broad range of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular conditions. Objective: To determine the relevance and significance of ongoing clinical trials of the pleiotropic effects of statins, focusing on nonlipid effects. Method: Ongoing trials were identified through personal communication, reports presented at scientific meetings (2000–2004), and queries made to AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Merck & Co, Novartis, and Pfizer, manufacturers of the currently marketed statins. Published trials and other source material were identified through electronic searches on MEDLINE (1990–2003), abstract books, and references identified from bibliographies of pertinent articles. Eligible studies were the clinical trials of statins currently under way in which primary or secondary outcomes included the statins’ nonlipid (ie, pleiotropic) effect(s). Data were extracted and trial quality was assessed by the authors. Results: Of the 22 ongoing trials of the nonlipid effects of statins identified, 10 assessed inflammatory markers and plaque stabilization, 4 assessed oxidized low density lipoprotein/vascular oxidant stress, 3 assessed end-stage renal disease, 3 assessed fibrinogen/viscosity, 2 assessed endothelial function, 2 assessed acute coronary syndrome, 2 assessed aortic stenosis progression, and 1 each assessed hypertension, osteoporosis, ischemic burden, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke (outcomes often overlapped). Conclusion: Given the excellent safety and tolerability of statins as a class, full exploration of their pleiotropic effects has the potential to provide additional benefits to many patients. Keywords: atherosclerosis, cholesterol, clinical trials, endothelium, lipoproteins, metabolism, myocardial infarction, pharmacology, vasculatur

Social networks and citizen election forecasting: the more friends the better

Most citizens correctly forecast which party will win a given election, and such forecasts usually have a higher level of accuracy than voter intention polls. How do citizens do it? We argue that social networks are a big part of the answer: much of what we know as citizens comes from our interactions with others. Previous research has considered only indirect characteristics of social networks when analyzing why citizens are good forecasters. We use a unique German survey and consider direct measures of social networks in order to explore their role in election forecasting. We find that three network characteristics – size, political composition, and frequency of political discussion – are among the most important variables when predicting the accuracy of citizens’ election forecasts