A Model for Space Shuttle Orbiter Tire Side Forces Based on NASA Landing Systems Research Aircraft Test Results

Forces generated by the Space Shuttle orbiter tire under varying vertical load, slip angle, speed, and surface conditions were measured using the Landing System Research Aircraft (LSRA). Resulting data were used to calculate a mathematical model for predicting tire forces in orbiter simulations. Tire side and drag forces experienced by an orbiter tire are cataloged as a function of vertical load and slip angle. The mathematical model is compared to existing tire force models for the Space Shuttle orbiter. This report describes the LSRA and a typical test sequence. Testing methods, data reduction, and error analysis are presented. The LSRA testing was conducted on concrete and lakebed runways at the Edwards Air Force Flight Test Center and on concrete runways at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Wet runway tire force tests were performed on test strips made at the KSC using different surfacing techniques. Data were corrected for ply steer forces and conicity

Reducing Youth Risk Behaviors Through Interactive Theater Intervention

The reduction of risk behaviors in secondary schools is a key concern for parents, teachers, and school administrators. School is one of the primary contexts of socialization for young people; thus, the investment in school-based programs to reduce risk behaviors is essential. In this study, we report on youth who participated in an intervention designed to improve decision-making skills based on positive youth development approaches. We examine changes in decision-making skills before and after involvement in the Teen Interactive Theater Education (TITE) program and retrospective self-assessment of change in knowledge, abilities, and beliefs as a result of participating in TITE (n = 127). Youth that reported increases in knowledge, abilities, and beliefs due to the intervention (n = 89) were more likely to think about the consequences of their decisions and list options before making a decision compared to their counterparts that reported less overall learning (n = 38). Implications for intervention research and stakeholders are discussed

A Survey of Merger Remnants II: The Emerging Kinematic and Photometric Correlations

This paper is the second in a series exploring the properties of 51 {\it optically} selected, single-nuclei merger remnants. Spectroscopic data have been obtained for a sub-sample of 38 mergers and combined with previously obtained infrared photometry to test whether mergers exhibit the same correlations as elliptical galaxies among parameters such as stellar luminosity and distribution, central stellar velocity dispersion ($\sigma$$_{\circ}$), and metallicity. Paramount to the study is to test whether mergers lie on the Fundamental Plane. Measurements of $\sigma$$_{\circ}$ have been made using the Ca triplet absorption line at 8500 {\AA} for all 38 mergers in the sub-sample. Additional measurements of $\sigma$$_{\circ}$ were made for two of the mergers in the sub-sample using the CO absorption line at 2.29 \micron. The results indicate that mergers show a strong correlation among the parameters of the Fundamental Plane but fail to show a strong correlation between $\sigma$$_{\circ}$ and metallicity (Mg$_{2}$). In contrast to earlier studies, the $\sigma$$_{\circ}$ of the mergers are consistent with objects which lie somewhere between intermediate-mass and luminous giant elliptical galaxies. However, the discrepancies with earlier studies appears to correlate with whether the Ca triplet or CO absorption lines are used to derive $\sigma$$_{\circ}$, with the latter almost always producing smaller values. Finally, the photometric and kinematic data are used to demonstrate for the first time that the central phase-space density of mergers are equivalent to elliptical galaxies. This resolves a long-standing criticism of the merger hypothesis.Comment: Accepted Astronomical Journal (to appear in January 2006

RRx-001 in Refractory Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Case Report of a Partial Response after a Third Reintroduction of Platinum Doublets.

RRx-001 is a pan-active, systemically nontoxic epigenetic inhibitor under investigation in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer and high-grade neuroendocrine tumors in a Phase II clinical trial entitled TRIPLE THREAT (NCT02489903), which reexposes patients to previously effective but refractory platinum doublets after treatment with RRx-001. The purpose of this case study is first to report a partial response to carboplatin and etoposide in a patient with small-cell lung cancer pretreated with RRx-001, indicating episensitization or resensitization by epigenetic mechanisms, and second to discuss the literature related to small-cell lung cancer and episensitization

Particle swarming of sensor correction filters

Reducing the impact of seismic activity on the motion of suspended optics is essential for the operation of ground-based gravitational wave detectors. During periods of increased seismic activity, low-frequency ground translation and tilt cause the Advanced LIGO observatories to lose 'lock', reducing their duty cycles. This paper applies modern global-optimisation algorithms to aid in the design of the 'sensor correction' filter, used in the control of the active platforms. It is shown that a particle swarm algorithm that minimises a cost-function approximating the differential root mean squared velocity between platforms can produce control filters that perform better across most frequencies in the control bandwidth than those currently installed. These tests were conducted using training data from the LIGO Hanford Observatory seismic instruments and simulations of the Horizontal Access Module Internal Seismic Isolation platforms. These results show that new methods of producing control filters are ready for use at LIGO. The filters were implemented at LIGO's Hanford Observatory, and use the resulting data to refine the cost function. © 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd Printed in the U

Longitudinal Course of Deficient Emotional Self-Regulation CBCL Profile in Youth with ADHD: Prospective Controlled Study

Background: While symptoms of deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR) have been long associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there has been limited investigation of this aspect of the clinical picture of the disorder. The main aim of this study was to examine the predictive utility of DESR in moderating the course of ADHD children into adolescence. Methods: Subjects comprised 177 children with and 204 children without ADHD followed for an average of 4 years (aged 6–18 years at baseline, 54% male). Subjects were assessed with structured diagnostic interviews and measures of psychosocial functioning. DESR was defined by the presence (n = 79) or absence (n = 98) of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)-DESR profile (score ≥ 180 < 210 total of Attention, Aggression, and Anxious/Depressed subscales) at the baseline assessment. Results: Of subjects with DESR at baseline, 57% had DESR at follow-up. Persistent ADHD was significantly associated with DESR at follow-up (x$^{2}$$_{(1)}$ = 15.37, P < 0.001). At follow-up, ADHD + DESR subjects had significantly more comorbidities (z = 2.55, P = 0.01), a higher prevalence of oppositional defiant disorder (z = 3.01, P = 0.003), and more impaired CBCL social problems t-score (t$_{(227)}$ = 2.41, P = 0.02) versus ADHD subjects. Conclusion: This work suggests that a positive CBCL-DESR profile predicts subsequent psychopathology and functional impairments in children with ADHD suggesting that it has the potential to help identify children with ADHD at high risk for compromised outcomes

Statistical competencies for medical research learners: What is fundamental?

IntroductionIt is increasingly essential for medical researchers to be literate in statistics, but the requisite degree of literacy is not the same for every statistical competency in translational research. Statistical competency can range from 'fundamental' (necessary for all) to 'specialized' (necessary for only some). In this study, we determine the degree to which each competency is fundamental or specialized.MethodsWe surveyed members of 4 professional organizations, targeting doctorally trained biostatisticians and epidemiologists who taught statistics to medical research learners in the past 5 years. Respondents rated 24 educational competencies on a 5-point Likert scale anchored by 'fundamental' and 'specialized.'ResultsThere were 112 responses. Nineteen of 24 competencies were fundamental. The competencies considered most fundamental were assessing sources of bias and variation (95%), recognizing one's own limits with regard to statistics (93%), identifying the strengths, and limitations of study designs (93%). The least endorsed items were meta-analysis (34%) and stopping rules (18%).ConclusionWe have identified the statistical competencies needed by all medical researchers. These competencies should be considered when designing statistical curricula for medical researchers and should inform which topics are taught in graduate programs and evidence-based medicine courses where learners need to read and understand the medical research literature

First Reported Case of Cryptococcus gattii in the Southeastern USA: Implications for Travel-Associated Acquisition of an Emerging Pathogen

In 2007, the first confirmed case of Cryptococcus gattii was reported in the state of North Carolina, USA. An otherwise healthy HIV negative male patient presented with a large upper thigh cryptococcoma in February, which was surgically removed and the patient was started on long-term high-dose fluconazole treatment. In May of 2007, the patient presented to the Duke University hospital emergency room with seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed two large CNS lesions found to be cryptococcomas based on brain biopsy. Prior chest CT imaging had revealed small lung nodules indicating that C. gattii spores or desiccated yeast were likely inhaled into the lungs and dissemination occurred to both the leg and CNS. The patient's travel history included a visit throughout the San Francisco, CA region in September through October of 2006, consistent with acquisition during this time period. Cultures from both the leg and brain biopsies were subjected to analysis. Based on phenotypic and molecular methods, both isolates were C. gattii, VGI molecular type, and distinct from the Vancouver Island outbreak isolates. Based on multilocus sequence typing of coding and noncoding regions and virulence in a heterologous host model, the leg and brain isolates are identical, but the two differed in mating fertility. Two clinical isolates, one from a transplant recipient in San Francisco and the other from Australia, were identical to the North Carolina clinical isolate at all markers tested. Closely related isolates that differ at only one or a few noncoding markers are present in the Australian environment. Taken together, these findings support a model in which C. gattii VGI was transferred from Australia to California, possibly though an association with its common host plant E. camaldulensis, and the patient was exposed in San Francisco and returned to present with disease in North Carolina

A Systems Engineering Approach to Environmental Risk Management: A Case Study of Depleted Uranium at Test Area C-64, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

Environmental restoration is an area of concern in an environmentally conscious world. Much effort is required to clean up the environment and promote environmentally sound methods for managing current land use. In light of the public consciousness with the latter topic, the United States Air Force must also take an active role in addressing these environmental issues with respect to current and future USAF base land use. This thesis uses the systems engineering technique to assess human health risks and to evaluate risk management options with respect to depleted uranium contamination in the sampled region of Test Area (TA) C-64 at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB). The research combines the disciplines of environmental data collection, DU soil concentration distribution modeling, ground water modeling, particle resuspension modeling, exposure assessment, health hazard assessment, and uncertainty analysis to characterize the test area. These disciplines are required to quantify current and future health risks, as well as to recommend cost effective ways to increase confidence in health risk assessment and remediation options