Applications of fibrous substrates containing insolubilized phase change polymers

Incorporation of polyethylene glycols into fibrous substrates produces several improved functional properties when they are insolubilized by crosslinking with a methylolamide resin or by polyacetal formation by their reaction with glyoxal. The range of molecular weights of polyols that may be insolubilized is broad as are the curing conditions (0.25-10 min at 80-200C). Most representative fiber types and blends (natural and synthetic) and all types of fabric constructions (woven, nonwoven and knit) have been modified by incorporation of the bound polyols. The most novel property is the thermal adaptability of the modified substrates to many climatic conditions. This adaptability is due to the high latent heat of the crosslinked polyols that function as phase change materials, the hydrophilic nature of the crosslinked polymer and its enhanced thermal conductivity. Other enhanced properties imparted to fabrics include flex and flat abrasion, antimicrobial activity, reduced static charge, resistance to oily soils, resiliency, wind resistance and reduced lint loss. Applications commercialized in the U.S. and Japan include sportswear and skiwear. Several examples of electric sets of properties useful for specific end uses are given. In addition, other uses are biomedical horticultural, aerospace, indoor insulation, automotive interiors and components and packaging material

Understanding the experiences of Black boys in suburban schools: An examination of social influences on identity, achievement and school relationships

The achievement of Black boys in public schools continues to be a major focus of concern for educators and researchers. Consequently, educators and researchers have looked to issues of engagement and identity as key variables relative to achievement. Numerous theories point to adverse environmental factors contributing to the achievement disparities affecting Black boys in schools, but limited research has sought to elevate the voices of Black boys to understand how they identify with schools, as well as the social factors that contribute to their social and academic identities. In this qualitative research, focus groups were used to engage with Black boys and suburban, female educators to understand how their experience within school and in their personal lives shape their engagement in shared educational spaces. The purpose of the research sought to understand the role that school-based factors play in influencing the schooling experiences of Black boys in suburban high schools in the Midwest United States by listening to the voices of Black boys. Additionally, this research examined how teachers experienced their roles as educators of Black students by identifying the factors that contribute to their roles and experiences inside of the classroom. This study consisted of two participant groups: One participant group consisted of sixty-three Black boys, with the other consisted of ten White women educators. The findings of this research concluded that Black boys benefit, both academically and socially, when taught by teachers who are trained in cultural competencies who share a commitment to creating learning environments that lift up the voices, cultures, and identities of Black boys that are centered on anti-deficit expectations

Improved Battery Models of an Aggregation of Thermostatically Controlled Loads for Frequency Regulation

Recently it has been shown that an aggregation of Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCLs) can be utilized to provide fast regulating reserve service for power grids and the behavior of the aggregation can be captured by a stochastic battery with dissipation. In this paper, we address two practical issues associated with the proposed battery model. First, we address clustering of a heterogeneous collection and show that by finding the optimal dissipation parameter for a given collection, one can divide these units into few clusters and improve the overall battery model. Second, we analytically characterize the impact of imposing a no-short-cycling requirement on TCLs as constraints on the ramping rate of the regulation signal. We support our theorems by providing simulation results.Comment: to appear in the 2014 American Control Conference - AC

Microprocessor-based insulin delivery device with amperometric glucose sensing

This paper details the design of a closed-loop insulin delivery device, consisting of a glucose sensing circuit, and a basic microprocessor-based syringe pump. The glucose sensing circuit contains the required components to interface with CGMS\u27s glucose sensor assembly, while the syringe pump design uses microprocessor to allow flexible control over the pump driver. Instrumentation developed in this paper provides a ready reference to other researchers on the construction of a closed-loop insulin delivery apparatus with amperometric glucose sensor.<br /

Connectivity-enhanced diffusion analysis reveals white matter density disruptions in first episode and chronic schizophrenia.

Reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) is a well-established correlate of schizophrenia, but it remains unclear whether these tensor-based differences are the result of axon damage and/or organizational changes and whether the changes are progressive in the adult course of illness. Diffusion MRI data were collected in 81 schizophrenia patients (54 first episode and 27 chronic) and 64 controls. Analysis of FA was combined with "fixel-based" analysis, the latter of which leverages connectivity and crossing-fiber information to assess both fiber bundle density and organizational complexity (i.e., presence and magnitude of off-axis diffusion signal). Compared with controls, patients with schizophrenia displayed clusters of significantly lower FA in the bilateral frontal lobes, right dorsal centrum semiovale, and the left anterior limb of the internal capsule. All FA-based group differences overlapped substantially with regions containing complex fiber architecture. FA within these clusters was positively correlated with principal axis fiber density, but inversely correlated with both secondary/tertiary axis fiber density and voxel-wise fiber complexity. Crossing fiber complexity had the strongest (inverse) association with FA (r = -0.82). When crossing fiber structure was modeled in the MRtrix fixel-based analysis pipeline, patients exhibited significantly lower fiber density compared to controls in the dorsal and posterior corpus callosum (central, postcentral, and forceps major). Findings of lower FA in patients with schizophrenia likely reflect two inversely related signals: reduced density of principal axis fiber tracts and increased off-axis diffusion sources. Whereas the former confirms at least some regions where myelin and or/axon count are lower in schizophrenia, the latter indicates that the FA signal from principal axis fiber coherence is broadly contaminated by macrostructural complexity, and therefore does not necessarily reflect microstructural group differences. These results underline the need to move beyond tensor-based models in favor of acquisition and analysis techniques that can help disambiguate different sources of white matter disruptions associated with schizophrenia

Scenario Authoring and Visualization for Advanced Graphical Environments (SAVAGE)

Todayαs planning and modeling systems use two-dimensional (2D) representations of the threedimensional (3D) battlespace. This presents a challenge for planners, commanders, and troops to understand the true nature of the battlespace. This thesis shows how 3D visualization can give both operation planners and executors a better understanding of the battlespace that can augment todayαs 2D systems. Automatic creation of a 3D model for an amphibious operation allows the planner to view an operation order as a whole, from different perspectives. Recommended changes can be made and their effects immediately known. Warfighters can use the same tools for mission preparation and review. The United States and NATO nations use the Land C2 Information Exchange Data Model (LC2IEDM), formally known as the Generic Hub, as a common method for exchanging data between independent systems. As part of the Scenario Authoring and Visualization for Advanced Graphical Environments (SAVAGE) project, this research presents an integrated Web access and 3D visualization strategy for Department of Defense (DOD) tactical messaging and operation orders using the Generic Hub data model and the Extensible Markup Language (XML). A number of alternative yet consistent ways to represent an amphibious operation scenario demonstrate the power, flexibility and scalability of the SAVAGE approach.http://archive.org/details/scenarioauthorin109452016US Marine Corps (USMC) authorApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Fecal transplantation: passing fashion or here to stay?

Several trillions of bacteria, distributed among more than 1,000 species, are natural inhabitants of the human intestinal tract and constitute what is now known as the gut microbiota. Although its composition varies within and between individuals with age, diet, and health status, it is becoming increasingly recognized that imbalances in the bacterial microbiota (dysbiosis) are linked to a number of conditions such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity, among others. Fecal transplantation where a preparation of stool from a microbiologically screened- donor is administered into the colon of an affected recipient has been shown to be highly effective for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Several trials of this therapy are now underway for gut dysbiosis in a number of patient disease groups raising concerns on the risk of transmission of infectious agents from donor to recipient, possible long-term adverse consequences of treatment, and effective regulation of the stool material used for the procedure. A worrying aspect is the emergence of private stool banks providing samples to the general public for self-administration