System analysis for the Huntsville Operational Support Center distributed computer system

The Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) is a distributed computer system used to provide real time data acquisition, analysis and display during NASA space missions and to perform simulation and study activities during non-mission times. The primary purpose is to provide a HOSC system simulation model that is used to investigate the effects of various HOSC system configurations. Such a model would be valuable in planning the future growth of HOSC and in ascertaining the effects of data rate variations, update table broadcasting and smart display terminal data requirements on the HOSC HYPERchannel network system. A simulation model was developed in PASCAL and results of the simulation model for various system configuraions were obtained. A tutorial of the model is presented and the results of simulation runs are presented. Some very high data rate situations were simulated to observe the effects of the HYPERchannel switch over from contention to priority mode under high channel loading

Halogen occultation experiment intergrated test plan

The test program plan is presented for the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) instrument, which is being developed in-house at the Langley Research Center for the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). This comprehensive test program was developed to demonstrate that the HALOE instrument meets its performance requirements and maintains integrity through UARS flight environments. Each component, subsystem, and system level test is described in sufficient detail to allow development of the necessary test setups and test procedures. Additionally, the management system for implementing this test program is given. The HALOE instrument is a gas correlation radiometer that measures vertical distribution of eight upper atmospheric constituents: O3, HC1, HF, NO, CH4, H2O, NO2, and CO2

Differences in Total Healthcare Costs and Out-of-Pocket Costs for Non-Urgent Visits to Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Centers

Objective: The 2014 Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters Database was used to determine the existence and magnitude of differences in total healthcare costs and patient out-of-pocket costs between urgent care centers and hospital emergency departments for the treatment of adult patients presenting with non-urgent conditions. Methods: Propensity-score matching was used to eliminate, as much as possible, potential selection bias. Linear and logistic regression models were used to investigate relationships between the outcome variables and location of service, controlling for age, gender, geographic location, commercial insurance plan type, and clinical comorbidities. Results: Mean total adjusted episode costs of $1,240 for patients who presented at a hospital emergency department with a non-urgent condition were 4.8 times greater than costs of$257 for patients presenting at an urgent care center. Furthermore, the patient portion of the mean adjusted total episode costs of $351 was 3.5 times greater for patients presenting at a hospital emergency department. Conclusion: The US healthcare system, and patients and families, could significantly reduce costs of care by selecting the most appropriate setting for treatment of non-urgent conditions

Acetaminophen as an Oral Toxicant for Nile Monitor Lizards (\u3ci\u3eVaranus niloticus\u3c/i\u3e) and Burmese Pythons (Python molurus bivittatus\u3c/i\u3e)

Context. Invasive species are a growing global problem. Biological invasions can result in numerous harmful impacts on local ecologies, and non-native herpetofauna are frequently ignored. Nile monitor lizards (Varanus niloticus) and Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus, recently reassessed as Python bivittatus bivittatus), have become established in southern Florida. Both are large, semi-aquatic predators that pose serious threats to a variety of threatened and endangered species, as well as to the unique ecology of the area. Aims. Acetaminophen (CAS#103-90-2), a lethal oral toxicant for the invasive brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) on Guam, was investigated as a possible toxicant in juvenile Burmese pythons and Nile monitors. Methods. Dead neonatal mouse (DNM) baits containing 0, 10, 20, or 40 mg acetaminophen were force-fed to Nile monitors, whereas DNM containing doses of 0, 20, 40, or 80 mg were freely consumed by Burmese pythons. Subjects were frequently observed post-treatment for general condition and position, with special attention paid to activity (if any), behaviour, respiration, bleeding, emesis, ataxia, and mortality. Key results. In Nile monitors, acetaminophen doses of 10, 20, or 40 mg resulted in 0, 50 and 100% mortality, respectively. In Burmese pythons, doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg resulted in 14.3, 85.7 and 100% mortality, respectively. No mortality was observed in control individuals of either species. A negative correlation between dosage (mg kg–1) and time-to-death was observed in both species. Dosages ranging from 522 to 2438 mg kg–1 and 263 to 703 mg kg–1 were uniformly lethal to monitors and pythons, respectively. Neither species exhibited signs of pain or discomfort following acetaminophen treatment. Conclusions. Acetaminophen is an effective toxicant in juvenile Nile monitors and Burmese pythons. Further investigation into acetaminophen toxicity in adults of these species is merited. Implications. Although further investigation into adult lethal dosages and strategies to optimize bait deployment while minimizing secondary hazards is required, acetaminophen may have a role to play in the control of these invasive species in Florida

An Archaeological Survey of 90 Acres at Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas

In February, March, and May of 2001, personnel from the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted a cultural resource inventory survey, involving pedestrian survey and shovel testing, of an approximately 90-acre (364,060 m2) tract of land in a plowed field on Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas. A total of 104 shovel tests were systematically placed within the 90-acre area. The survey identified three prehistoric sites, all lithic scatters defined by surface material. Twelve additional shovel tests were placed on these three sites. An arrow point fragment, collected from the surface of 41BR499, suggests a Late Prehistoric affiliation for this site. Dart points collected from 41BR500 suggest a Late Archaic use of this area. Finally, an arrow point, collected from 41BR501, suggests a Late Prehistoric component at this site. In addition, a single whole mano was collected from the surface of 41BR500. Based on the results of the pedestrian survey and the overall condition of the sites, CAR suggests that two of the sites (41BR499 and 41BR501) lack data of sufficient quality or quantity to address regional research questions. In the case of both 41BR499 and 41BR501, the sites appear to be primarily surface phenomena that have been impacted by plowing and are not recommended for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, or for designation as State Archeological Landmarks. In the case of 41BR500, while much of the site appears to be disturbed by plowing and trenching activities, a portion of the site situated along the edge of the field has not been disturbed. Subsurface deposits are present in this unplowed area and shovel test results, supported by high soil susceptibility values, suggest the presence of a buried feature. In addition, 41BR500 contains both high artifact density and variety, and the recovery of diagnostic projectile points suggest a Late Archaic temporal placement. As such, CAR recommends that 41BR500 is potentially eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places, and designation as a State Archeological Landmark. Further testing of this site in the undisturbed portion is recommended to determine final eligibility status

Archaeological Testing to Determine the National Register Eligibility Status of 18 Prehistoric Sites on Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas Volume 1

Between the fall of 1999 and the summer of 2001, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted National Register Eligibility testing on 18 prehistoric sites within Camp Bowie in Brown County, Texas. The work was conducted for the Texas Army National Guard. The sites were recommended for testing during an inventory survey of Camp Bowie conducted between 1993 and 1998 (Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt 2001). Sixteen of the 18 sites tested contained burned rock middens. It was on the basis of that feature type that these sites were recommended for testing. Two sites (41BR261 and 41BR276) lacked burned rock middens, but Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt (2001) recommended these sites for testing based on the presence of diagnostic projectile points and the potential for buried features. As burned rock middens were a major element of the recommendations, much of this report focused on understanding those feature types. In all, 19 middens were tested. On the basis of these testing efforts, CAR recommends that 12 sites (41BR65, 41BR87, 41BR228, 41BR246, 41BR250, 41BR253, 41BR420, 41BR433, 41BR473, 41BR478, 41BR492, and 41BR493) should be considered eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places and warrant designations as State Archeological Landmarks. Either avoidance of these locations, or some form of mitigation on portions of these sites, will be necessary. Our testing suggests that the remaining sites either lack clear evidence of significant data (41BR261 and 41BR276) or have data of questionable integrity (41BR415, 41BR441, 41BR474, and 41BR480). In these cases, CAR recommends that these sites are not eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places and they do not warrant designation as State Archeological Landmarks

Archaeological Testing to Determine the National Register Eligibility Status of 18 Prehistoric Sites on Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas Volume 2

Between the fall of 1999 and the summer of 2001, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted National Register Eligibility testing on 18 prehistoric sites within Camp Bowie in Brown County, Texas. The work was conducted for the Texas Army National Guard. The sites were recommended for testing during an inventory survey of Camp Bowie conducted between 1993 and 1998 (Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt 2001). Sixteen of the 18 sites tested contained burned rock middens. It was on the basis of that feature type that these sites were recommended for testing. Two sites (41BR261 and 41BR276) lacked burned rock middens, but Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt (2001) recommended these sites for testing based on the presence of diagnostic projectile points and the potential for buried features. As burned rock middens were a major element of the recommendations, much of this report focused on understanding those feature types. In all, 19 middens were tested. On the basis of these testing efforts, CAR recommends that 12 sites (41BR65, 41BR87, 41BR228, 41BR246, 41BR250, 41BR253, 41BR420, 41BR433, 41BR473, 41BR478, 41BR492, and 41BR493) should be considered eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places and warrant designations as State Archeological Landmarks. Either avoidance of these locations, or some form of mitigation on portions of these sites, will be necessary. Our testing suggests that the remaining sites either lack clear evidence of significant data (41BR261 and 41BR276) or have data of questionable integrity (41BR415, 41BR441, 41BR474, and 41BR480). In these cases, CAR recommends that these sites are not eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places and they do not warrant designation as State Archeological Landmarks

Millican Bench (41TV163) A Multicomponent Site in Travis County, Texas

Between September of 1970 and February of 1971, the Texas Highway Department, now the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), carried out extensive hand and mechanical excavations at 41TV163, the Millican Bench site. The highway maintenance crew was ably directed by Frank Weir. Millican Bench represented the first archeological site excavated by the then Texas Highway Department (THD) under their archeological program. In 2001, TxDOT contracted with the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio to provide an assessment of the documents and data and develop research topics that may be successfully pursued with the materials from the site. Based on the assessment it was determined that dependent on data types, four broad analytical units could be defined (Late Prehistoric, and Late, Middle and Early Archaic), and two diachronic and one synchronic research topic would be pursued: changes in subsistence strategies and lithic technological organization, and the evaluation of Feature 3, a possible structure noted at the site. The analysis of the faunal material from the site and comparison with other archeological collections indicates that hunter-gatherers may have pursued a broad-spectrum adaptation, even when bison were present in the region. The lithic assemblage, characterized by predominantly expedient and minimally retouched tool forms, supports this contention. The percentages of what we think are nonlocal raw materials increases through time. This increase hints at changes in the level or scope of mobility. Patterns in projectile point discard and replacement strategies suggest some premium on preventive tool replacement. Although the photographic documentation strongly supports the likelihood of Feature 3 representing a structure, we have little surviving direct data in support of this possibility. The artifactual data that we can investigate suggests, however, that the circular area may have at least represented some type of maintained space. All artifacts retained, in consultation with the Texas Historical Commission and TxDOT, and all site documentation are permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research. The remains of the single skeleton recovered from the site are also permanently curated at the Center

The geometry of fractal percolation

A well studied family of random fractals called fractal percolation is discussed. We focus on the projections of fractal percolation on the plane. Our goal is to present stronger versions of the classical Marstrand theorem, valid for almost every realization of fractal percolation. The extensions go in three directions: {itemize} the statements work for all directions, not almost all, the statements are true for more general projections, for example radial projections onto a circle, in the case $\dim_H >1$, each projection has not only positive Lebesgue measure but also has nonempty interior. {itemize}Comment: Survey submitted for AFRT2012 conferenc