Dust Detector engineering model development and tests

This ATM describes the engineering model development and contains the results of the laboratory tests performed, and the discrepancies that have occurred. A photograph of the detector assembly is shown in Figure 13, and Figure 14 shows the engineering model electronics assembly.prepared by J. L. Gedge ; approved by A. B. Collins

Patient-reported assessment of functional gait outcomes following superior gluteal artery perforator reconstruction

PMCID: PMC4174196BACKGROUND: Harvesting the superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap involves dissection of vessels through the gluteal muscle, potentially compromising gait and ambulation. We compared patient-reported gait and ambulation problems between SGAP flap and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstructions. METHODS: Forty-three patients who underwent bilateral free flap breast reconstruction (17 SGAP, 26 DIEP) participated in the study. The Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS) was administered with a supplementary section evaluating gait, balance, fatigue, and pain. Patients evaluated how they felt 2 months postoperatively and at time of survey administration. Multivariate regressions were fit to assess association between type of reconstruction and self-reported lower extremity function controlling for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference in overall LEFS between the cohorts on the date of survey, the SGAP patients reported greater difficulty performing the following activities after surgery (P < 0.05): work, usual hobbies, squatting, walking a mile, walking up stairs, sitting for an hour, running, turning, and hopping. The SGAP patients also reported easier fatigue (P < 0.01) both during the early postoperative period and on the date of survey. CONCLUSIONS: SGAP flap surgery causes no statistically significant differences in overall LEFS. However, SGAP patients did report donor-site morbidity with decreased ability to perform certain activities and increased fatigue and pain in the longer follow-up period. We feel that patients should be educated regarding gait issues and undergo physical therapy during the early postoperative period.JH Libraries Open Access Fun

The Choice of Airport, Airline, and Departure Date and Time: Estimating the Demand for Flights

This paper estimates the demand for flights in an international air travel market using a unique dataset with detailed information not only on flight choices but also on contemporaneous prices and characteristics of all the alternative non-booked flights. The estimation strategy employs a simple discrete choice random utility model that we use to analyze how choices and its response to prices depend on the departing airport, the identity of the carrier, and the departure date and time. The results show that a 10\% increase in prices in a 100-seat aircraft throughout a 100-period selling season decreases quantity demanded by 7.7 seats. We also find that the quantity demanded is more responsive to prices for Delta and American, during morning and evening flights and that the response to prices changes significantly over different departure dates

Increased flap weight and decreased perforator number predict fat necrosis in DIEP breast reconstruction

PMID: 25289212BACKGROUND: Compromised perfusion in autologous breast reconstruction results in fat necrosis and flap loss. Increased flap weight with fewer perforator vessels may exacerbate imbalances in flap perfusion. We studied deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps to assess this concept. METHODS: Data from patients who underwent reconstruction with DIEP and/or MS-TRAM flaps between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011 (n = 123) were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were collected, including flap fat necrosis and donor/recipient site complications. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine effects of flap weight and perforator number on breast flap fat necrosis. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients who underwent 179 total flap reconstructions (166 DIEP, 13 MS-TRAM) were included. Mean flap weight was 658 ± 289 g; 132 (73.7%) were single perforator flaps. Thirteen flaps (7.5%) developed fat necrosis. African American patients had increased odds of fat necrosis (odds ratio, 11.58; P < 0.001). Odds of developing fat necrosis significantly increased with flap weight (odds ratio, 1.5 per 100 g increase; P < 0.001). In single perforator flaps weighing more than 1000 g, six (42.9%) developed fat necrosis, compared to 14.3% of large multiple perforator flaps. CONCLUSIONS: Flaps with increasing weight have increased risk of fat necrosis. These data suggest that inclusion of more than 1 perforator may decrease odds of fat necrosis in large flaps. Perforator flap breast reconstruction can be performed safely; however, considerations concerning race, body mass index, staging with tissue expanders, perforator number, and flap weight may optimize outcomes.JH Libraries Open Access Fun

Perturbed myoepithelial cell differentiation in BRCA mutation carriers and in ductal carcinoma in situ.

Myoepithelial cells play key roles in normal mammary gland development and in limiting pre-invasive to invasive breast tumor progression, yet their differentiation and perturbation in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are poorly understood. Here, we investigated myoepithelial cells in normal breast tissues of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation carriers and in non-carrier controls, and in sporadic DCIS. We found that in the normal breast of non-carriers, myoepithelial cells frequently co-express the p63 and TCF7 transcription factors and that p63 and TCF7 show overlapping chromatin peaks associated with differentiated myoepithelium-specific genes. In contrast, in normal breast tissues of BRCA1 mutation carriers the frequency of p63+TCF7+ myoepithelial cells is significantly decreased and p63 and TCF7 chromatin peaks do not overlap. These myoepithelial perturbations in normal breast tissues of BRCA1 germline mutation carriers may play a role in their higher risk of breast cancer. The fraction of p63+TCF7+ myoepithelial cells is also significantly decreased in DCIS, which may be associated with invasive progression

Manipulating the Hype: contemporary art's response to media cliches

Manipulating the Hype addresses art’s reaction to the barrage of signs produced by the media. The paper researches contemporary art’s response to clichéd media stereotypes and elucidates artists’ multifaceted perspective on overtly obvious yet widely embraced paradigms marketed by the media. Contemporary art’s strategic reconfiguration of media stereotypes is a valuable introspection upon the superficiality and impracticability of advertising and entertainment industry constructs. By reconsidering the mediated image, art has the ability to inspire reevaluation of cultural values. The thesis additionally attempts to ascertain the reinterpretation of media stereotypes as a common thread linking principal art movements and historically significant artworks from around the world since 1960. How does contemporary art respond to the extensive cultural influence of the media? Is a reaction to mass media a thematic commonality linking contemporary artists in the age of globalization? Manipulating the Hype is a dual outcome investigation comprised of written thesis and studio practice. The written thesis combines experience from a lengthy professional practice with historical and theoretical research. The visual thesis consists of twelve photographic works taken at on the Big Island of Hawaii. The images juxtapose artificial icons of power from popular culture with the natural force of the active lava flow. The process of research discloses how the advertising and entertainment industries capitalize upon innate human desires through the manipulative proliferation of archetypal imagery. Furthermore, the thesis establishes the widespread retort to media clichés as a palpable commonality in studio practices worldwide. The findings in the research make evident that although contemporary art does not have sufficient influence to reform the media, it can heighten public awareness of media tactics

Functions and styles of supervision as perceived by Newfoundland and Labrador school board supervisors

This study was undertaken in response to the need for a general theory of supervision which is applicable to the educational system in Newfoundland and Labrador. It investigated the perceptions of the major functions and styles of supervision held by generalist supervisors in this province. Data collected from these respondents served to answer five major questions: (1) What are the perceptions of the major functions of supervision held by Newfoundland and Labrador generalist supervisors? (2) What are the perceptions of the major functions of supervision when such perceptions are assessed according to six independent variables: district size, total years of professional experience, the predominance of experience according to length of service at the elementary or high school levels of organization, predominance of experience according to length of service in teaching or school administration, the level of professional preparation, and the denomination of the school district? (3) What are the perceptions of the styles of supervision held by Newfoundland and Labrador generalist supervisors? (4) What are the perceptions of the styles of supervision when such perceptions are assessed according to the same six variables listed in question two? (5) What is the relationship between expressed perceptions, styles and functions? -- The perceptions of these two dimensions of supervision were obtained from a two-dimensional instrument administered to all board supervisors in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Responses were subjected to analysis of variance and Newman-Keuls procedures to determine the general pattern of perceptions relative to functions and styles. Product moment correlations were used to determine the relationships between perceptions of functions and styles and the selected independent variables. Multiple regression analyses were applied to determine the best predictors of the dependent variables. -- The findings revealed that generalist supervisors are strongly committed to the democratic philosophy of supervision. It was also revealed that supervisors perceive their role to be the provision of leadership and consultation in curriculum development. When the independent variables were considered, the following findings were revealed: (1) supervisors in large school districts expressed less commitment to authoritarian supervision and were less inclined to agree with the teacher evaluation function than were supervisors in small districts; (2) supervisors with predominant teaching experience expressed greater agreement with the leadership function than did supervisors with predominant administrative experience; (3) supervisors possessing the master's degree expressed stronger agreement with program evaluation and less commitment to authoritarian supervision than did supervisors who lacked the master's degree; and (4) supervisors in Roman Catholic districts were more in agreement with teacher evaluation than were supervisors in integrated districts. Supervisors in the integrated school districts showed stronger commitment to laissez-faire supervision than did supervisors in Roman Catholic districts. -- It was concluded that a supervisory program in this province should be based on democratic principles and thus the position of the supervisor should be a staff assignment providing leadership and consultation in curriculum development