Particle-size characteristics of the vertical dust profiles of two contrasting dust events in the Channel Country of western Queensland, Australia

Spatial and temporal variations in vegetation and soil surface conditions of rangelands add a level of complexity to wind erosion processes which is often difficult to model or measure. Butler and colleagues have developed a methodology which combines computer simulation and experimental measurement to analyse how spatial and temporal changes in dust source area emission rates and atmospheric conditions affect vertical dust concentration profiles during wind erosion events in the Queensland Channel Country. This methodology has not, however, taken into account how variations in dust source area particle-size can affect vertical dust concentration profiles. The present paper examines how the particle-size characteristics of dust source soils affect both vertical dust concentration profiles and the vertical distribution of particle-sizes in two contrasting wind erosion events in the Queensland Channel Country. Comparisons are made between computer simulations of these events and the results of field measurements (of vertical dust concentration profiles) and laboratory measurements (of dust particle-size). Computer simulations of the particle-size emissions from the different dust source areas during the two events produce vertical distributions of dust particle-sizes which are similar to the measured dust particle-sizes for these events. These results indicate that erodibility-induced spatial and temporal variations in particle-size emissions of dust source areas have important influences upon: dust fluxes, vertical dust concentration profiles and the vertical distribution of dust particle-sizes within these profile

Improving Navy recruiting with data farming

Proceedings of the 2016 Winter Simulation Conference T. M. K. Roeder, P. I. Frazier, R. Szechtman, E. Zhou, T. Huschka, and S. E. Chick, eds.Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus states that people provide “the Navy and Marine Corps’ greatest edge” (Mabus, 2015). To help recruit and manage this dynamic workforce of more than 300,000 active duty Sailors, the Navy uses mathematical models and simulation to assess the potential impacts and risks of changes to force structure, budgets, policies, and the economy. One important model is the Planned Re-source Optimization (PRO) model. PRO is currently being used to inform recruiting resourcing decisions. The decisions may involve, for example, advertising, enlistment bonuses, number of production recruiters, etc. A limitation of PRO is the lack of an interface to facilitate extensive experimentation. This paper summarizes an effort underway to enhance the analytic utility of the PRO model by embedding it in a data farming environment. This enhanced tool is called the “Planned Resource Optimization Model with Ex-perimental Design” (PROM-WED)

Activation of Tri(2-Furyl)Phosphine at a Dirhenium Centre: Formation of Phosphido-Bridged Dirhenium Complexes

Reaction of tri(2-furyl)phosphine (PFu3) with [Re2(CO)10−n(NCMe)n] (n = 1, 2) at 40 °C gave the substituted complexes [Re2(CO)10−n(PFu3)n] (1 and 2), the phosphines occupying axial position in all cases. Heating [Re2(CO)10] and PFu3 in refluxing xylene also gives 1 and 2 together with four phosphido-bridged complexes; [Re2(CO)8−n(PFu3)n(μ-PFu2)(μ-H)] (n = 0, 1, 2) (3–5) and [Re2(CO)6(PFu3)2(μ-PFu2)(μ-Cl)] (6) resulting from phosphorus–carbon bond cleavage. A series of separate thermolysis experiments has allowed a detailed reaction pathway to be unambiguously established. A similar reaction between [Re2(CO)10] and PFu3 in refluxing chlorobenzene furnishes four complexes which include 1, 2, 6 and the new binuclear complex [Re2(CO)6(η1-C4H3O)2(μ-PFu2)2] (7). All new complexes have been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies

Evidence for ACTN3 as a genetic modifier of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by muscle degeneration and progressive weakness. There is considerable inter-patient variability in disease onset and progression, which can confound the results of clinical trials. Here we show that a common null polymorphism (R577X) in ACTN3 results in significantly reduced muscle strength and a longer 10\u2009m walk test time in young, ambulant patients with DMD; both of which are primary outcome measures in clinical trials. We have developed a double knockout mouse model, which also shows reduced muscle strength, but is protected from stretch-induced eccentric damage with age. This suggests that \u3b1-actinin-3 deficiency reduces muscle performance at baseline, but ameliorates the progression of dystrophic pathology. Mechanistically, we show that \u3b1-actinin-3 deficiency triggers an increase in oxidative muscle metabolism through activation of calcineurin, which likely confers the protective effect. Our studies suggest that ACTN3 R577X genotype is a modifier of clinical phenotype in DMD patients

Improving Navy MPTE Studies with Model-Driven Big Data

The goal of this research was to improve upon the ability of OPNAV N1 analysts to quickly and efficiently obtain experiment-based information from their computational models. The enhanced information will enable N1’s analysts to better support Navy leadership in resource and policy decisions that shape the future Navy and help it retain and develop its most talented Sailors. This project built on previous collaborations with N1 using data farming to enhance the information gleaned from their Navy talent management models, such as the Officer Strategic Analysis Model (OSAM) model, the Production Resource Optimization (PRO) model, and the Navy Total Force Strength Model (NTFSM). During this research period, (1) Ensign William Desousa (2015) investigated the behavior of economic inputs in NTFSM; (2) Lieutenant Peter Bazalaki (2016) used the new data farming capabilities we developed in OSAM to investigate Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) inventory across a breadth of possibilities; and (3) Lieutenant Allison Hogarth (2016) built, tested, and demonstrated a user interface in Excel that enables users of the PRO model to automatically execute a sophisticated design of experiments—the tool that enables this new capability is known as Production Resource Optimization Model With Experimental Design (PROMWED). In addition to working with the student-officers, the faculty supporting this project performed an empirical study of statistical software packages that may provide better understanding of the high-dimensional behavior of manpower models in the future (Erickson, Ankenman, & Sanchez 2016).Naval Research ProgramPrepared for Topic Sponsor: OPNAV N1; Research POC Name: Mr. Ian AndersoNPS-N16-N154-

Evaluation of Un-Medicated, Self-Paced Alcohol Withdrawal

It is currently unclear how effective un-medicated, self-paced alcohol withdrawal is in reducing alcohol consumption in alcohol dependent clients. To address this question, the current study examined the reduction in alcohol consumption, assessed by breath alcohol and drink diary self-report, of 405 alcohol-dependent clients over a 10-day, un-medicated, self-paced alcohol reduction program that included group discussion of strategies for titrating between withdrawal and intoxication. It was found that attendance at treatment sessions was associated with a reduction in alcohol consumption, reflected in both breath alcohol and diary measures, and these two measures were significantly correlated. Overall, 35% of clients achieved a zero breath alcohol reading by their final session, although this percentage increased to 56% of clients who attended all 10 sessions. Withdrawal seizures occurred in only 0.5% of clients despite 17.2% having a history of seizures in other settings. It is concluded that the alcohol reduction protocol outlined here provides an effective and safe method for reducing alcohol consumption in severely alcohol dependent clients, and that methods for augmenting attendance, such as contingency management, should enhance the effectiveness of this treatment

Double Carbon−Hydrogen Activation of 2-Vinylpyridine: Synthesis of Tri- and Pentanuclear Clusters Containing the μ-NC\u3csub\u3e5\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eCH═C Ligand

Reactions of 2-vinylpyridine with the triruthenium complexes [Ru3(CO)12] and [Ru3(CO)10(μ-dppm)] leads to a previously unknown double carbon−hydrogen bond activation of the β-carbon of the vinyl group to afford the pentaruthenium and triruthenium complexes [Ru5(CO)14(μ4-C5H4CH═C)(μ-H)2] (1) and [Ru3Cl(CO)5(μ-CO)(μ-dppm)(μ3-NC5H4CH═C)(μ-H)] (2), respectively. Crystal structures reveal two different forms of bridging of the dimetalated 2-vinylpyridyl ligand, capping a square face in 1 and a triangular face in 2