Moderate lift-to-drag aeroassist

Significant performance benefits are realized via aerodynamic braking and/or aerodynamic maneuvering on return from higher altitude orbits to low Earth orbit. This approach substantially reduces the mission propellant requirements by using the aerodynamic drag, D, to brake the vehicle to near circular velocity and the aerodynamic lift, L, to null out accumulated errors as well as change the orbital inclination to that required for rendezvous with the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Broad concept evaluations were performed and the technology requirements and sensitivities for aeroassisted OTV's over a range of vehicle hypersonic L/D from 0.75 to 1.5 were systematically identified and assessed. The aeroassisted OTV is capable of evolving from an initial delivery only system to one eventually capable of supporting manned roundtrip missions to geosynchronous orbit. Concept screening was conducted on numerous configurations spanning the L/D = 0.75 to 1.5 range, and several with attractive features were identified. Initial payload capability was evaluated for a baseline of delivery to GEO, six hour polar, and Molniya (12 hours x 63.4 deg) orbits with return and recovery of the aeroassist orbit transfer vehicle (AOTV) at LEO. Evolutionary payload requirements that were assessed include a GEO servicing mission (6K up and 2K return) and a manned GEO mission (14K roundtrip)

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS: SOME LESSONS FROM THE PILOT TISSUE-CULTURE (TC) BANANA PRODUCTION PROMOTION PROJECT IN KENYA, 1997-2002

This article is based on a socio-economic impact study of the introduction and adoption of tissue-culture (tc) technology in banana production in Kenya. It attempts to demonstrate that a prudent introduction and promotion of a new biotechnological innovation in farming can make a positive contribution to the socio-economic status of resource poor farmers in a developing country, such as Kenya. Adoption of tc technology in banana production in Kenya is considered a good example of biotechnological applications in agriculture. Hence the article hopes to make a contribution to recent debates at international levels as to whether biotechnology can make a difference in uplifting the living standards of people in the third world (Qaim, 1999; Graff, et al 2002; Qaim, et al 2002) by showing that it actually does so, using experiences from Kenya. The study utilizes both primary and secondary data sources. The results show that tc-banana production is relatively more capital intensive than non-tc banana production (re: about 70% fixed costs for tc banana versus about 49% fixed costs for non-tc banana). However, tc-banana production is found to offer relatively much higher financial returns than non-tc banana production. The high profitability of tc-banana production relative to traditional (non-tc) banana production and other farm enterprises in the pilot tc-banana project area in Kenya demonstrates the importance of biotechnological applications in rural development and shows that biotechnology can make a difference in uplifting the living standards of people in the third world. Therefore, efforts to promote tc-banana production in Kenya are justifiable from both food security and economic criteria.Biotechnology and Tissue-Culture (tc) Banana, Adoption, Socio-economic Impact, Rural Development, Third World, Kenya., Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Causation, Counterfactuals and Probabilities in Philosophy and Legal Thinking

Since the function of causation is to recount and explain observed phenomena in order to make a judgment on civil liability, promoting a purely legal conception of causation appears to be problematic. The purpose of this contribution is to show that the various theories of causation found in legal thinking are, in many respects, the extension of philosophical developments. Therefore, two points will be made. The first part of this paper will present the three main theories that are discussed by contemporary philosophers. The second part will show how philosophical accounts are present in legal thinking. This part will deal with three major legal theories: the theories based on the counterfactual approach of causation, the theories based on the covering law model and the probabilistic account of causation in the law

The Personal Religion of Five Representative Eighteenth-Century Poets

Preface: This thesis had its inception in a study of the personal religion of Samuel Johnson, done in the fall quarter of 1942 for Dr. Emperor\u27s seminar. That study, which forms the second chapter here, was extended to include the personal religion of Thomas Gray, James Thomson, Edward Young, and William Shenstone because of my interest in the subject. The selection of the men to be studied was largely arbitrary; five seemed to be all that the scope of a thesis would permit me to treat adequately. Hoxie Neale Fairchild\u27s Religious Trends in English Poetry, I am sorry to say, I was unable to secure until this thesis was completed. The thesis may be regarded as supplementary to his excellent study: Johnson he does not treat at all, Gray and Shenstone he treats very briefly. My studies of Thomson and Young I believe are in some respects fuller than are Dr. Fairchild\u27s, though I should have profited greatly had I had the benefit of his survey in making my own. As it is, however, my study is completely independent. In the writing of this paper I have received many kindnesses for which I am grateful. I wish to thank the librarians for their generous and friendly aid, especially Miss Goehring, who has been most helpful in obtaining inter-library loans for me; I am grateful to Dr. Thaler for reading and commenting on my Chapter dealing with Samuel Johnson and to Dr. Peck for his helpful criticism of my Chapter dealing with Thomas Gray. And I wish to express my very real gratitude to Dr. Emperor, who has been my best critic and constant guide

Great Plains Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Project

Background: Great Plains American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) experience higher mortality rates than Non-Hispanic Whites from the same region. The National Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey can have limitations of the estimates the health risks behaviors and services from one Tribal community to another. Goals and Objectives: The goal of this project is to address the lack of Tribal specific data among AI/ANs in the Great Plains region (ND, SD, NE, IA) by using Great Plains Tribal BRFSS data that captured information for three tribes in the Great Plains region. Tribal specific data will allow tribes to access, address, and possibly implement evidence-based health promotion and chronic disease prevention practices and health policies. The objectives of this project were to: 1) conduct an analysis of the prevalence of different behavioral risk factor indicators in two Great Plains Tribal communities and their respective State Non-Hispanic White population; 2) identify a framework and describe the steps for disseminating results to the two Tribal communities, including tribal specific reports with the BRFSS data; and 3) conduct a literature review to identify evidence-based interventions to address alcohol-related risk factors in AI/ANs residing in the Great Plains region. Methods: We used the Great Plains BRFSS data that were collected in 2013. We conducted exploratory data analysis to note any large differences between the Tribal results and their respective State’s results. Existing dissemination strategies employed by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board were reviewed and a literature review was conducted to identify evidence-based interventions to address alcohol related issues. Results: The Great Plains American Indian BRFSS Project appears to show health disparities between Tribal populations and Non-Hispanic Whites in several behavior risk factors including health care access, cancer screenings, alcohol misuse, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. A community based participatory research approach framework was identified while observing Tribal Sovereignty. The literature review shows two effective evidence-based interventions. Discussions: Data from this project will allow the two Tribes to identify health risk behavior priority areas and address gaps in health level risk behavior knowledge. In addition, this report will provide evidence-based interventions that Tribal Leadership and Tribal Health Departments can implement in their respective communities, specifically related to alcohol use

Causation, Counterfactuals and Probabilities in Philosophy and Legal Thinking

Since the function of causation is to recount and explain observed phenomena in order to make a judgment on civil liability, promoting a purely legal conception of causation appears to be problematic. The purpose of this contribution is to show that the various theories of causation found in legal thinking are, in many respects, the extension of philosophical developments. Therefore, two points will be made. The first part of this paper will present the three main theories that are discussed by contemporary philosophers. The second part will show how philosophical accounts are present in legal thinking. This part will deal with three major legal theories: the theories based on the counterfactual approach of causation, the theories based on the covering law model and the probabilistic account of causation in the law

Medical Malpractice and Compensation in France, Part I: The French Rules of Medical Liability since the Patients\u27 Rights Law of March 4, 2002

While the French Law of medical malpractice had been mainly based on the Civil Code provisions related to contract law, the Patients Rights\u27 Law of March 4, 2002 set forth general principles regarding the responsibility of health professionals and health institutions which are now in the Code of Public Health. The relatively new Law has modified the legal basis for medical liability, which is now regarded as a legal regime that is neither contractual nor tortious. The Patients\u27 Rights Law of March 4, 2002 not only has reaffirmed the principle of fault-based liability in medical malpractice cases, but also allows for the physician\u27s strict liability in specific circumstances, such as nosocomial infections, therapeutic hazards, or defective products. In summary, the Law provides for a new procedure that promotes simple and quick compensation for the benefit of the victims