Energy conversion apparatus Patent

Direct conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy using crossed electric and magnetic field

An approach to the determination of aircraft handling qualities by using pilot transfer functions

Transfer functions of pilot for determining longitudinal aircraft controllability and pilot performance predictio

Foreign Languages as a Basic Skill: Some Thoughts and Facts about Language Learning in the Dayton Area

Since foreign languages have occupied only a modest place in American high schools and colleges, this country has not produced many students who possess useful competence in a foreign language. The American Council of Education (ACE) reports that only 5% of US college graduates have meaningful proficiency in a second language. In recent years, several prominent groups and commissions have called this lack of foreign language competency a grave danger for the United States. The Commission on Foreign Languages and International Studies, appointed by President Carter, was the first group that focused the attention of the general public on this issue. Its report, Strength Through Wisdom, published in 1979, strongly urged the study of foreign languages primarily for reasons of national security. Other, more recent reports have called for more foreign language study as part of a general renewal of American education, especially to improve this country\u27s economic competitiveness. Language educators themselves, on the other hand, have continued to stress also the intrinsic benefits of foreign language learning, the broadening of one\u27s horizon, the sharpening of one\u27s awareness of language in general, including one\u27s native language, the personal, intellectual, and emotional growth and the increase in adaptability and flexibility associated with foreign language study. But since utilitarian arguments are more convincing to most people, let us look at pragmatic reasons that argue for the study of foreign languages and then present some thoughts on how better skills might be achieved

Distribution, Habitat, and Status of the Gilt Darter (Percina evides) in Minnesota

The distribution and habitat of gilt darter (Percina evides) populations in Minnesota were studied from 1977 through 1983. Gilt darters occurred only in the St. Croix River drainage in moderate to large rivers or near the mouths of large streams. In the late spring, gilt darters were found most often in cobble raceways of moderate to swift current, where they later spawned. Young-of-the-year occupied this same habitat until early fall, when they and the adults moved to deep, swift chutes of rubble riffles to overwinter. Gilt darters tended to associate with the deeper, swifter portions of raceways and riffles, and they were not associated with rooted aquatic vegetation. Gilt darters were one of the most abundant riffle species encountered during the study. Their closest ecological associates were the longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), the slender head darter (Percina phoxocephala), and the logperch (P. caprodes). The species appears to be highly intolerant of siltation and probably does not occur in the Lower Mississippi or Minnesota River drainages for this reason. The gilt darter\u27s existence in Minnesota could become threatened if sediment loading increases markedly in the St. Croix drainage

Mass Media Gatekeepers for Colleges of Agriculture

To reach the public, most news and information from colleges of agriculture must pass through an intermediary. This man in the middle is called a mass media gatekeeper. He literally has the power to open or close the gate to any material he gets from colleges of agriculture

An exploration of social and economic outcome and associated health-related quality of life after critical illness in general intensive care unit survivors: a 12-month follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: The socio-economic impact of critical illnesses on patients and their families in Europe has yet to be determined. The aim of this exploratory study was to estimate changes in family circumstances, social and economic stability, care requirements and access to health services for patients during their first 12 months after ICU discharge. METHODS: Multi-center questionnaire-based study of survivors of critical illness at 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge. RESULTS: Data for 293 consenting patients who spent greater than 48 hours in one of 22 UK ICUs were obtained at 6 and 12 months post-ICU discharge. There was little evidence of a change in accommodation or relationship status between pre-admission and 12 months following discharge from an ICU. A negative impact on family income was reported by 33% of all patients at 6 months and 28% at 12 months. There was nearly a 50% reduction in the number of patients who reported employment as their sole source of income at 12 months (19% to 11%) compared with pre-admission. One quarter of patients reported themselves in need of care assistance at 6 months and 22% at 12 months. The majority of care was provided by family members (80% and 78%, respectively), for half of whom there was a negative impact on employment. Amongst all patients receiving care, 26% reported requiring greater than 50 hours a week. Following discharge, 79% of patients reported attending their primary care physician and 44% had seen a community nurse. Mobility problems nearly doubled between pre-admission and 6 months (32% to 64%). Furthermore, 73% reported moderate or severe pain at 12 months and 44% remained significantly anxious or depressed. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of critical illness in the UK face a negative impact on employment and commonly have a care requirement after discharge from hospital. This has a corresponding negative impact on family income. The majority of the care required is provided by family members. This effect was apparent by 6 months and had not materially improved by 12 months. This exploratory study has identified the potential for a significant socio-economic burden following critical illness