A Functional and Distributional Analysis of Certain Notched, Grooved and Perforated Stone Artifacts from North America

The distribution and possible functions of notched, grooved and perforated stone artifacts commonly referred to in the archaeological literature are examined. These artifacts are primarily found on sites located in environmental settings which suggest that they were associated with fishing activities. In different regions of North America, however, variations in subsistence activities dictated the manner in which these artifacts functioned. Archaeological and environmental site data and ethnographic/ethnohistoric evidence are utilized as tools for testing the numerous hypothesized functions of notched, grooved and preformed stones. Data examined in a case study involving notched stones from the lower Little Tennessee River Valley of East Tennessee lend support to the hypothesis that notched stones from this particular area were associated with fishing activities

Automated documentation generator for advanced protein crystal growth

The System Management and Production Laboratory at the Research Institute, the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), was tasked by the Microgravity Experiment Projects (MEP) Office of the Payload Projects Office (PPO) at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to conduct research in the current methods of written documentation control and retrieval. The goals of this research were to determine the logical interrelationships within selected NASA documentation, and to expand on a previously developed prototype system to deliver a distributable, electronic knowledge-based system. This computer application would then be used to provide a paperless interface between the appropriate parties for the required NASA document

Systems approach to assessing and improving local human research Institutional Review Board performance.

ObjectiveTo quantifying the interdependency within the regulatory environment governing human subject research, including Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), federally mandated Medicare coverage analysis and contract negotiations.MethodsOver 8000 IRB, coverage analysis and contract applications initiated between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed using traditional and machine learning analytics for a quality improvement effort to improve the time required to authorize the start of human research studies.ResultsStaffing ratios, study characteristics such as the number of arms, source of funding and number and type of ancillary reviews significantly influenced the timelines. Using key variables, a predictive algorithm identified outliers for a workflow distinct from the standard process. Improved communication between regulatory units, integration of common functions, and education outreach improved the regulatory approval process.ConclusionsUnderstanding and improving the interdependencies between IRB, coverage analysis and contract negotiation offices requires a systems approach and might benefit from predictive analytics

A Statewide Study of Neighbors\u27 Knowledge of and Reactions to Physical Child Abuse

Neighbors are believed to have an important influence on child abuse prevention and intervention. This article reports the results of a statewide telephone survey of Kentucky (n = 650) which examined the extent to which respondents suspected neighbors of child abuse (9.4%), and had ever taken in a neighbor\u27s abused or neglected child (7.2%). Variables related to parenting (having a minor child, age, employment status, receiving AFDC benefits) were the only demographic characteristics significantly associated with suspicion of neighbors\u27 abuse; only being the parent of a minor child was significantly associated with taking in a neighbor\u27s child. The results imply that knowledge of and informal intervention in neighbors\u27 child abuse or neglect are related to direct knowledge of the victims through their interactions with one\u27s own children. Programs to enhance neighbors\u27 prevention of or early intervention in child abuse or neglect situations would be most efficient if directed at parents of minor children

An Examination of Significant Issues in Naval Maintenance

AbstractThis paper summarises qualitative research undertaken within the “In-Service” stage of the lifecycle of Royal Navy surface ships and submarines. Whilst In-Service, Royal Navy vessels will typically cycle through three phases, i.e. Tasking, Upkeep and Regeneration. A series of semi-structured recorded interviews conducted with key stakeholders in each phase identifies and highlights common issues encountered whilst In-Service. Having identified common issues, e.g. risk, obsolescence, manpower availability, etc. additional interviews were undertaken to triangulate the results with other safety critical companies operating and maintaining complex systems, i.e. a power company operating an advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactor, rail infrastructure and Europe's largest regional airline

Exploring fungal RiPPs from the perspective of chemical ecology

Since the initial detection, in 2007, of fungal ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), this group of natural products has undergone rapid expansion, with four separate classes now recognised: amatoxins/phallotoxins, borosins, dikaritins, and epichloëcyclins. Largely due to their historically anthropocentric employment in medicine and agriculture, novel fungal proteins and peptides are seldom investigated in relation to the fungus itself. Therefore, although the benefits these compounds confer to humans are often realised, their evolutionary advantage to the fungus, the reason for their continued production, is often obscure or ignored. This review sets out to summarise current knowledge on how these small peptide-derived products influence their producing species and surrounding biotic environment

Genesis and Trend of the Lowermost Unit of the Vamoosa Formation (Gypsy Sandstone) in Parts of Northeastern and Central Oklahoma

The main objective of this thesis is to interpret the trend and genesis of the lowermost unit of the Vamoosa Formation in parts of northeastern and central Oklahoma. The following are included in the study: description of geometry and internal features, thickness map, correlation sections, measured sections, paleocurrent diagrams, map of maximum grain size, and map of general water quality.Geolog