Modeling the effect of soil meso- and macropores topology on the biodegradation of a soluble carbon substrate

Soil structure and interactions between biotic and abiotic processes are increasingly recognized as important for explaining the large uncertainties in the outputs of macroscopic SOM decomposition models. We present a numerical analysis to assess the role of meso- and macropore topology on the biodegradation of a soluble carbon substrate in variably water saturated and pure diffusion conditions . Our analysis was built as a complete factorial design and used a new 3D pore-scale model, LBioS, that couples a diffusion Lattice-Boltzmann model and a compartmental biodegradation model. The scenarios combined contrasted modalities of four factors: meso- and macropore space geometry, water saturation, bacterial distribution and physiology. A global sensitivity analysis of these factors highlighted the role of physical factors in the biodegradation kinetics of our scenarios. Bacteria location explained 28% of the total variance in substrate concentration in all scenarios, while the interactions among location, saturation and geometry explained up to 51% of it

Impacts of transitioning from firm fixed price to fixed price incentive firm target contracts in PEO Missiles and Space

The objective of this project is to analyze the impacts to major weapon systems programs in Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space as a result of transitioning from firm fixed price (FFP) contracts to fixed price incentive firm target (FPIF) contracts. This project presents an in-depth examination of FFP and FPIF contract types, including definitions, profit mechanisms, and advantages and disadvantages associated with each type. This project reviews three iterations of Better Buying Power, with a specific focus on profitability and the use of FPIF contracts. The project presents and analyzes data collected through interviews with PEO Missiles and Space program management and contracting personnel who support programs that have transitioned from FFP to FPIF. The project also examines defense industry profitability and considers the perspective of defense contractors regarding Department of Defense profit policy. The analysis results indicate that the PEO is appropriately applying guidance for choosing FPIF contracts in follow-on production, and that there are both benefits and challenges associated with FPIF contracts. Recommendations include continuing to assess FPIF use for production programs, obtaining actual cost data, and improving incentive contracting workforce training. Further research on the longer-term effects of transitioning to FPIF is recommended.http://archive.org/details/impactsoftransit1094550587Civilian, Department of ArmyCivilian, Department of ArmyCivilian, Department of ArmyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Comparison of Frequentist and Bayesian Meta-Analysis Models for Assessing the Efficacy of Decision Support Systems in Reducing Fungal Disease Incidence

Diseases of fruit and foliage caused by fungi and oomycetes are generally controlled by the application of fungicides. The use of decision support systems (DSSs) may assist to optimize fungicide programs to enhance application on the basis of risk associated with disease outbreak. Case-by-case evaluations demonstrated the performance of DSSs for disease control, but an overall assessment of the efficacy of DSSs is lacking. A literature review was conducted to synthesize the results of 67 experiments assessing DSSs. Disease incidence data were obtained from published peer-reviewed field trials comparing untreated controls, calendar-based and DSS-based fungicide programs. Two meta-analysis generic models, a “fixed-effects” vs. a “random-effects” model within the framework of generalized linear models were evaluated to assess the efficacy of DSSs in reducing incidence. All models were fit using both frequentist and Bayesian estimation procedures and the results compared. Model including random effects showed better performance in terms of AIC or DIC and goodness of fit. In general, the frequentist and Bayesian approaches produced similar results. Odds ratio and incidence ratio values showed that calendar-based and DSS-based fungicide programs considerably reduced disease incidence compared to the untreated control. Moreover, calendar-based and DSS-based programs provided similar reductions in disease incidence, further supporting the efficacy of DSSs

Parenthood in Renal Homograft Recipients

Nineteen male recipients of renal homografts were responsible for 23 pregnancies, resulting so far in 19 live births and one abortion; three additional wives have not yet been delivered of infants. Eighteen of the 19 infants were normal; the abnormal infant had a myelomeningocele and other anomalies. Eight female recipients have become pregnant ten times. Two of the pregnancies were terminated with therapeutic abortions, and two more are in progress. The other six resulted in live births. There were only two infants with a completely uncomplicated neonatal period. One premature baby died a few hours after birth from hyaline membrane disease. The other five survived, but one had pulmonary valvular stenosis, two had evidence of transient adrenocortical insufficiency plus lymphopenia, and one child had the respiratory distress syndrome. Renal function of three mothers underwent deterioration during pregnancy, but was restored after its termination. © 1971, American Medical Association. All rights reserved

Quantum Dynamics in a Time-dependent Hard-Wall Spherical Trap

Exact solution of the Schr\"{o}dinger equation is given for a particle inside a hard sphere whose wall is moving with a constant velocity. Numerical computations are presented for both contracting and expanding spheres. The propagator is constructed and compared with the propagator of a particle in an infinite square well with one wall in uniform motion.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, Accepted by Europhys. Let

Integrated modeling approach to the analysis of food security and sustainable rural developments: Ukrainian case study

In Ukraine, the growth of intensive agricultural enterprises with a focus on fast profits contributes considerably to food insecurity and increasing socio-economic and environmental risks. Ukraine has important natural and labor resources for effective rural development. For example, more than 50% of food production is still managed in small and medium farms despite the difficulties associated with economic instabilities and the lack of proper policy support. The main issue for the agro-policy nowadays is to use these resources in a sustainable way enforcing robust long term development of rural communities and agriculture. In this paper, we introduce a stochastic geographically explicit model for designing forward looking policies regarding robust resources allocation and composition of agricultural production enhancing food security and rural development. In particular, we investigate the role of investments into rural facilities to stabilize and enhance the performance of the agrofood sector in view of uncertainties and incomplete information. The security goals are introduced in the form of multidimensional risk indicators

Ocena poziomu wiedzy osób dorosłych na temat resuscytacji krążeniowo : oddechowej (RKO) i użycia automatycznego defibrylatora zewnętrznego (AED) w miejscach publicznych

Wstęp. Wraz z rozwojem cywilizacji, wzrastającym tempem życia, rośnie liczba wypadków i chorób, zwłaszcza chorób układu krążenia. W Polsce średnia liczba zgonów około wypadkowych jest trzy razy wyższa niż średnia europejska. Wiedza na temat pierwszej pomocy jest bardzo ważna wśród społeczeństwa, które stanowi mocny filar niesienia pierwszej pomocy poszkodowanym w nagłych sytuacjach, które są stanami zagrożenia zdrowia i życia. Cel pracy. Celem pracy była ocena i porównanie wiedzy mieszkańców Kielc i Krakowa z zakresu pierwszej pomocy oraz obsługi i zastosowania Automatycznego Defibrylatora Zewnętrznego (AED). Materiał i metody. Grupę badawczą stanowiło 160 osób, z czego 80 osób było z Krakowa, w tym 45 kobiet i 35 mężczyzn i 80 osób z Kielc, w tym 45 kobiet i 35 mężczyzn. Wszyscy re-spondenci byli pełnoletni. W badaniach posłużono się metodą sondażu diagnostycznego bezpośredniego, losowego wykorzys-tując do tego celu narzędzie badawcze w postaci anonimowego kwestionariusza ankiety, opracowanego na bazie Wytycznych Resuscytacji Krążeniowo- Oddechowej 2005 (RKO). Wyniki. Mieszkańcy Krakowa wykazują lepszy poziom wiedzy, aczkolwiek znajomość i obsługa . Respondenci z Krakowa częściej i chętniej uczestniczą w szkoleniach z zakresu BLS-AED i pierwszej pomocy niż respondencki z Kielc. Wnioski. Poziom wiedzy z zakresu udzielania pierwszej pomocy, a przede wszystkim w zakresie resuscytacji krążeniowo - oddechowej i użycia AED przez społeczeństwo z Krakowa i Kielc jest niezadawalający. Istnieje pilna potrzeba wprowadzenia komplementarnego systemu nauczania zagadnień pierwszej pomocy opartego na międzynarodowych standardach, który zagwarantuje odpowiednią jakość edukacji oraz kształtowanie pozytywnych postaw niesienia pomocy, począwszy od wczesnego etapu edukacji szkolnej.Introduction: The number of accidents and diseases, especially cardio-vascular, is increasing along with the develop-ment of civilization and a growing pace of life. In Poland, the average number of accident fatalities is three times higher than the European average. The knowledge of first aid is very im-portant for society, which is a strong pillar of first aid to victims in emergency situations that are dangerous to health and life. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of CPR and first aid in the event of sudden respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest (SCA) and the operation and use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Material and methods: The study group consisted of 160 people, among whom 80 were from Kraków, including 45 women and 35 men and 80 people were from Kielce, including 45 women and 35 men. All the respondents were adults. The method of diagnostic survey was applied in the study. The research instrument was an anonymous survey questionnaire created on the basis of the Car-dio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines 2005 (CPR). Results: Residents of Kraków have better knowledge of first aid, however the knowledge and operation of the AED among both residents of Kraków and Kielce is inadequate. Respondents from Kraków more often and more willingly participate in BLS-AED and first aid training than respondents from Kielce. Conclusions: The level of knowledge of first aid and especially of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and the application of the AED is unsatisfactory among residents of Kraków and Kielce. There is an urgent need for a complementary system of first aid instruction which would be based on international standards, and which would ensure an appropriate quality of education and develop a proper attitude among people, starting with the earliest stage of school education