Modeling the Timeliness of Airborne Remote Sensing Data

The model, “Remote Sensing Communication Model” (RSCM), which permits the estimation of the timeliness of remote sensing systems (RSS) is tested (Lippitt, Stow, & Clarke, 2014). This model conceptualizes RSS as having capacities that determine the timeliness of the systems, where a system is comprised of three segments, each with a capacity that determines the timeliness of that segment: acquisition capacity, transmission capacity, and receiver capacity (i.e., the capacity of a human and/or machine analyst to produce information) (Lippitt et al., 2014). Acquisition and transmission capacity analyses are run to aid in the optimization of a flexible time-sensitive remote sensing system being designed for emergency response in Bernalillo County, NM. Modeled timeliness is validated using empirical tests of airborne acquisitions, the model modified to improve fit, and then used for a variety of manned and unmanned platform and sensor combinations to infer the timeliness of data delivery to emergency managers, based on both currently available and potential airborne assets. In doing so, this research assesses the accuracy of capacity based estimates of timeliness for airborne RSSs and demonstrate a method for the optimization of platform, sensor, and transmission configurations for emergency response

EC60-1733 Forestry,,,Chemical Weed Control in Windbreaks

Extension Circular 60-1733: This discusses chemical weed control in windbreaks. Topics in this include why control weeds, what form to use, effect on soil type, when to treat, how to apply, and herbicides to use

Andrew G. Loerch Interview (MORS)

Interviewers: Dunn, William H.; Sheldon, Robert S. Interview location(s): LMI, McLean, Virginia and Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Californi

Agent activation in a replication of the zero-intelligence trader double auction market simulation

A model of a double auction market of zerointelligence traders was replicated as an agent-based model using the same market supply and demand curves. The original results were reproduced, and these results and other behavior of the model were examined under different schemes of agent activation, both exogenous and endogenous. While the qualitative differences were typically minor, there were statistically significant differences in all the measures of all the markets in the original research and important divergence in the extended evolution of the simulation. These differences have important implications for all follow-on replications of a zero-intelligence trading model, and for the replication process in general

Wirksamkeit von Akupunktur bei Multiple Sklerose-Patienten mit chronischem Erschöpfungssyndrom (Fatigue)

Hintergrund: Weltweit gibt es ca. 2,5 Millionen Menschen mit der Diagnose Multiple Sklerose (MS). Fatigue ist das am häufigsten berichtete Symptom von MS-Patienten und wird von bis zu 97 Prozent der Betroffenen angegeben. Sie wirkt sich stark negativ auf die Lebensqualität aus. Bisher bestehen vor allem medikamentöse Therapieansätze, wie die Gabe von Amantadin oder Modafenil. Für diese kann bisher keine ausreichende und sichere Wirksamkeit nachgewiesen werden. Außerdem sind diese von zahlreichen Nebenwirkungen geprägt. Es existieren nicht-medikamentöse Ansätze, wie Bewegungstherapien, kognitive Verhaltenstherapie oder Akupunktur, die jedoch oft unzureichend untersucht sind. Fragestellung: Ziel unserer Studie war es, die Wirksamkeit einer semi-standardisierten Akupunktur auf Fatigue bei MS-Patienten zuzüglich zur Normalversorgung im Vergleich zu alleiniger Normalversorgung zu untersuchen. Methoden: In dem hier beschriebenen Teil einer randomisierten, kontrollierten, monozentrischen Studie schlossen wir 83 MS-Patienten im Alter von 18 - 65 Jahren mit der Diagnose Fatigue mit einem Wert 4 auf der Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) ein. Die Patienten wurden mittels computer-unterstützter Randomisierung auf die zwei hier dargestellten Gruppen, einer Akupunktur-Gruppe oder einer Kontroll-Gruppe mit alleiniger Normalversorgung im Verhältnis 1:1 zugeteilt. Für eine initial bestehende dritte Gruppe, in welcher eine Behandlung mit Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) zusätzlich zur Normalversorgung erfolgte, wurde die Rekrutierung aufgrund von Rekrutierungsproblemen nicht weitergeführt. Die Patienten der Akupunktur-Gruppe erhielten eine 12-wöchige Behandlung mit insgesamt 24 Sitzungen. Die Patienten der Kontroll-Gruppe führten ihre bisherige Therapie uneingeschränkt fort. Primärer Zielparameter war die Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) nach 12 Wochen. Die primäre Analyse erfolgte als Kovarianzanalyse (ANCOVA) nach dem Intention-to-treat-Prinzip (ITT) mit dem Full Analysis Set (FAS). Zusätzlich wurden Schlafqualität, Depressivität, motorische Funktion, Lebensqualität und Kosten untersucht. Alle Parameter wurden zu Baseline, nach 12 und 26 Wochen erhoben. Ergebnisse: Wir verglichen 42 Patienten der Akupunktur-Gruppe mit 41 Patienten der Kontroll-Gruppe. Eingeschlossene Patienten waren im Durchschnitt 45 Jahre alt (43,9 (Mittelwert) ± 10,7 (SD) Jahre in der Akupunktur- und 45,4 ± 11,0 Jahre in der Kontroll-Gruppe). Der primäre Zielparameter FSS nach 12 Wochen war in der Akupunktur-Gruppe (4,7 [95 % CI 4,4;5,1]) gegenüber der Kontroll-Gruppe (5,3 [5,0;5,7]) statistisch signifikant stärker reduziert (Differenz von -0,6 [-1,1;-0,2], p<0,009). 70 Prozent der Patienten berichteten über deutliche oder mindestens geringfügige Besserung ihrer Fatigue. Es wurden keine schweren unerwünschten Ereignisse berichtet. Schlussfolgerung: Die Akupunktur-Gruppe zeigte im Vergleich zur Normalversorgung einen statistisch signifikanten, klinisch relevanten Effekt auf Fatigue bei MS-Patienten. Weitere hochwertige, möglichst multizentrische Studien sind nötig, um den Einsatz von Akupunktur als nebenwirkungsarme Therapieform bei MS-Fatigue besser beurteilen zu können.There are approximately 2.5 million people worldwide diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Fatigue is the most commonly reported symptom of MS patients and is reported by up to 97 % of those affected. It has a strong negative impact on the quality of life of patients. Up to now, he main therapeutic approaches have been drug-based, such as the administration of amantadine or modafenil. For these, no sufficient and safe efficacy can be proven. In addition, they are characterized by numerous side effects. There are non-drug approaches, such as movement therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy or acupuncture. Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of semi-standardized acupuncture on fatigue in MS patients in addition to usual care compared to usual care alone. Methods: In a randomized, controlled, monocentric trial we included 104 patients aged 18-65 years with the diagnosis of fatigue with a score of 4 on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Patients were randomized to 2 groups, an acupuncture group or control group with only usual care in 1:1 ratio. For an initially existing third group with mindfulnesss-based stress reduction (MBSR) recruitment was discontinued due to recruitment problems. The patients in acupuncture group received a 12-week treatment with a total of 24 sessions. Patients in the control group continued their previous therapy without restrictions. The primary target parameter was the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) after 12 weeks. The primary analysis was performed as covariance analysis (ANCOVA) according to the intention-to-treat principle (ITT) with the full analysis set (FAS). In addition, sleep quality, depression, motor function, quality of life and costs were investigated. All parameters were collected at baseline, after 12 and after 26 weeks. Results: We compared 42 patients from acupuncture group with 41 patients from control group. The included patients were 45 years old on average (43.9 (mean) ± 10.7 (SD) years in the acupuncture group and 45.4 ± 11.0 years in the control group). The primary target parameter FSS after 12 weeks was statistical significantly more reduced in the acupuncture group (4.7 [95 % CI 4.4; 5.1]) than in control the group (5.3 [5.0; 5.7]) (difference of -0.6 [-1.1; -0.2], p<0.009). Conclusion: The acupuncture group showed a statistically significant, clinically relevant effect on fatigue in MS patients compared to usual care. Further high-quality multicenter studies are needed to better evaluate the use of acupuncture as a low side effect therapy for MS fatigue

Intravenous glucagon like peptide-1 infusion does not affect dry matter intake or hypothalamic mRNA expression of neuropeptide Y, agouti related peptide and proopiomelanocortin in wethers

The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of jugular vein infusions of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and dietary fat inclusion on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and hypothalamic mRNA concentration of neuropeptide Y, agouti related peptide, and proopiomelanocortin in growing sheep. Thirty-six wethers were used (40.793.3 kg BW). Treatments were a control diet (n=11), dietary addition (6% of dry matter) of Ca salts of palm oil fatty acids (n=12), or 6-d jugular vein infusions of 0.155 μg/kg body weight/day of GLP-1 21 (n = 11). Hormone concentrations were measured in jugular vein plasma from samples taken on days 1, 4 and 6. On day 7, the wethers were slaughtered for ypothalamus collection to measure mRNA concentration. The dietary addition of 6% of Ca salts of palm oil increased plasma GLP-1 concentration (PB0.01) and decreased dry matter intake on day 1, but not on day 6 (time x treatment interaction, PB0.05). The infusion of GLP-1 did not change dry matter intake (P>0.20), but increasedneutral detergent fibre digestibility (PB0.01). In conclusion, glucagon like peptide-1 infusion or feeding fat did not decrease dry matter intake or affect hypothalamic neuropeptide mRNA concentrations of sheep

Exploration of EHR Implementation Strategies: A Qualitative Study

AbstractElectronic health record system implementations have a high failure rate when properly developed strategies are not used. These implementation failures affect healthcare workers and practitioners core roles through a lack of documentation practices, which decreases the quality of the care of the patients. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies information technology systems engineers use for the implementation of Health Information Management Systems. The participants were 10 information technology systems engineers from three healthcare organizations in the greater Tennessee area. The data were collected through recorded participant interviews and document collection. Thematic analysis was used to analyze, and report patterns, and develop emerging themes in the data. Key findings included (1) implementation strategies encompassing communication, system development lifecycle practices, and stakeholder buy-in; (2) technology acceptance encompassing the importance of health information management systems, future implementation strategy trends, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the system, and stakeholder buy-in. A key recommendation is that information technology system engineers develop and follow system development lifecycle practices that provide enhanced technology adoption rates through uniform structured implementation processes. The implications for positive social change include the potential for improved patient care and cost reductions for patients due to healthcare charting practices\u27 automation

Candidate Exercise Technologies and Prescriptions

This slide presentation reviews potential exercise technologies to counter the effects of space flight. It includes a overview of the exercise countermeasures project, a review of some of the candidate exercise technologies being considered and a few of the analog exercise hardware devices, and a review of new studies that are designed to optimize the current and future exercise protocols