Knowledge representation into Ada parallel processing

The Knowledge Representation into Ada Parallel Processing project is a joint NASA and Air Force funded project to demonstrate the execution of intelligent systems in Ada on the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory fault-tolerant parallel processor (FTPP). Two applications were demonstrated - a portion of the adaptive tactical navigator and a real time controller. Both systems are implemented as Activation Framework Objects on the Activation Framework intelligent scheduling mechanism developed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The implementations, results of performance analyses showing speedup due to parallelism and initial efficiency improvements are detailed and further areas for performance improvements are suggested

Experiences of adults abused as children after discharge from inpatient treatment: Informal social support and self-care practices related to trauma recovery

This qualitative study explored adults’ perceptions of experiences that were helpful and unhelpful to their recovery from the traumatic effects of childhood physical and sexual abuse. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 30 participants approximately 6 months after discharge from an inpatient trauma treatment program. Participants reported that barriers to recovery postdischarge were lack of follow-up support immediately after discharge, social isolation, lack of friends, problems with partners, and lack of emotional support from family members. Facilitating factors were concrete support from family and friends; emotional support, particularly from friends; developing a social network unrelated to the abuse history; and continuing self-care strategies learned in the inpatient program. Implications for community-based mental health professionals are discussed

CHOOSING ALTERNATIVES TO CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER SUPPLIES: A SEQUENTIAL DECISION FRAMEWORK UNDER UNCERTAINTY

In increasing numbers, communities that rely on groundwater for drinking supplies have discovered contamination from agricultural pesticides and herbicides, road salt, underground fuel storage, and septic systems. A variety of short- and long-run remedies are available with highly uncertain outcomes. An appropriate technique for solving a benefit-cost problem of this type is a sequential decision framework using stochastic dynamic programming procedures for solution. The approach is illustrated here by means of an application to the problem of the recent contamination of the groundwater of Whately, Massachusetts by the agricultural fumigant EDB and the pesticide aldicarb.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Gender and Sexuality (first edition)

Learning Objectives: Identify ways in which culture shapes sex/gender and sexuality. Describe ways in which gender and sexuality organize and structure the societies in which we live. Assess the range of possible ways of constructing gender and sexuality by sharing examples from different cultures, including small-scale societies. Analyze how anthropology as a discipline is affected by gender ideology and gender norms. Evaluate cultural “origin” stories that are not supported by anthropological data