Characterization of IM7/8552 Thin-Ply and Hybrid Thin-Ply Composites

Composite materials have increasingly been used for aerospace applications due to improved performance and reduced weight compared to their metallic counterparts. Inclusion of thin-ply material, plies with cured thickness half or less than standard composites, have potential to improve performance and reduce structural weight. Limited characterization of thin-ply IM7/8552 material in 30 and 70 grams per square meter fiber areal weights has been carried out using a series of selected American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) tests. Tests included unnotched tension, unnotched compression, v-notched rail shear, open-hole tension, and open-hole compression. Unidirectional, cross-ply, quasiisotropic and hybrid hard laminates were included in the study, and were compared to standard-ply laminates. Properties compared include fiber volume, laminate moduli, and failure strength, with failure modes also being examined. The thin-ply specimens exhibited similar or superior performance to standard ply laminates in many of the cases compared. Improvements in strength for laminates containing thin-ply material were seen for unidirectional laminates under unnotched tension, quasi-isotropic laminates under unnotched tension and compression, and hard laminates under open hole tension. Additional investigation is required to determine appropriate ply stacking rules for hybrids of thin and standard plies to avoid undesirable failure modes such as axial splitting. However, the observed performance improvements demonstrated by the conducted ASTM tests of hybrid thin-ply hard laminates could have benefits for improved structural weight in aircraft

Bacterial Metabolism of Glucosinolates from Brassica: Association with Isothiocyanate Production

Study Focus: To explore the alternative metabolic pathways of GSLs in bacteria, present on the surface of brassica vegetables. Hypothesis: The alternative pathways used to metabolize GSLs in bacteria located on the surface of brassica vegetables, may contribute to the high variance of human gut GSL conversion to ITC

Evidence-Based Nonpharmacological Practices to Address Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Background and Objectives: To draw from systematic and other literature reviews to identify, describe, and critique nonpharmacological practices to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) and provide evidence-based recommendations for dementia care especially useful for potential adopters. Research Design and Methods: A search of systematic and other literature reviews published from January 2010 through January 2017. Nonpharmacological practices were summarized to describe the overall conceptual basis related to effectiveness, the practice itself, and the size and main conclusions of the evidence base. Each practice was also critically reviewed to determine acceptability, harmful effects, elements of effectiveness, and level of investment required, based on time needed for training/implementation, specialized care provider requirements, and equipment/capital requirements. Results: Nonpharmacological practices to address BPSDs include sensory practices (aromatherapy, massage, multi-sensory stimulation, bright light therapy), psychosocial practices (validation therapy, reminiscence therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, meaningful activities), and structured care protocols (bathing, mouth care). Most practices are acceptable, have no harmful effects, and require minimal to moderate investment. Discussion and Implications: Nonpharmacological practices are person-centered, and their selection can be informed by considering the cause and meaning of the individual's behavioral and psychological symptoms. Family caregivers and paid care providers can implement evidence-based practices in home or residential care settings, although some practices require the development of more specific protocols if they are to become widely used in an efficacious manner

Cracking the Off the Grid Password Solution

Authentication and authorization to online sites is a difficult problem to solve without the use of cryptography. The standard method of using passwords is clearly an insecure method of authentication. A method of authenticating users utilizing a Latin square was developed by a security enthusiast and touted as secure. This paper demonstrates a novel method of cracking the Latin squares that are used to generate the secure passwords in the Off The Grid (OTG) password management scheme. Our method leverages the cores on Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) using the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) programming extension to efficiently solve the Latin squares used in the OTG password management solution. We developed a model that represents the possible states and the constraints of the OTG system. We show that the OTG system leaks information about its Latin square and we provide supporting evidence through examples and computation

Sums of Powers of Primes in Arithmetic Progression

Gerard and Washington proved that, for $k > -1$, the number of primes less than $x^{k+1}$ can be well approximated by summing the $k$-th powers of all primes up to $x$. We extend this result to primes in arithmetic progressions: we prove that the number of primes $p\equiv n \pmod m$ less than $x^{k+1}$ is asymptotic to the sum of $k$-th powers of all primes $p\equiv n \pmod m$ up to $x$. We prove that the prime power sum approximation tends to be an underestimate for positive $k$ and an overestimate for negative $k$, and quantify for different values of $k$ how well the approximation works for $x$ between $10^4$ and $10^8.$Comment: 19 pages, 16 table

Study Methodology

Data for this investigation come from 36 qualitative in-depth interviews completed between February and April 2010. The aim of the research was to conduct a process evaluation of Gateway Foundation programming for state probation and parole clients in St. Louis and jointly produce a final report for the organization. The specific research questions focused on (1) the challenges men face as they attempt to overcome substance abuse; (2) how those challenges are related to past experiences with crime, including offending and victimization; and (3) the effectiveness of Gateway programming, from the points of view of program participants, including whether there are any perceived differences between men who participate in the program post-incarceration versus in lieu of incarceration

Sums of Powers of Primes in Arithmetic Progression

Gerard and Washington proved that, for k > -1, the number of primes less than xk+1 can be well approximated by summing the kth powers of all primes up to x. We extend this result to primes in arithmetic progressions: we prove that the number of primes p congruent to n modulo m less than xk+1 is asymptotic to the sum of kth powers of all primes p congruent to n modulo m up to x. We prove that the prime power sum approximation tends to be an underestimate for positive k and an overestimate for negative k, and quantify for different values of k how well the approximation works for x between 104 and 108

Leveraging Implementation Science to Understand Factors Influencing Sustained Use of Mental Health Apps: a Narrative Review

Mental health (MH) smartphone applications (apps), which can aid in self-management of conditions such as depression and anxiety, have demonstrated dramatic growth over the past decade. However, their effectiveness and potential for sustained use remain uncertain. This narrative review leverages implementation science theory to explore factors influencing MH app uptake. The review is guided by the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework and discusses the role of the innovation, its recipients, context, and facilitation in influencing successful implementation of MH apps. The review highlights critical literature published between 2015 and 2020 with a focus on depression and anxiety apps. Sources were identified via PubMed, Google Scholar, and Twitter using a range of keywords pertaining to MH apps. Findings suggest that for apps to be successful, they must be advantageous over alternative tools, relatively easy to navigate, and aligned with users\u27 needs, skills, and resources. Significantly more attention must be paid to the complex contexts in which MH app implementation is occurring in order to refine facilitation strategies. The evidence base is still uncertain regarding the effectiveness and usability of MH apps, and much can be learned from the apps we use daily; namely, simpler is better and plans to integrate full behavioral treatments into smartphone form may be misguided. Non-traditional funding mechanisms that are nimble, responsive, and encouraging of industry partnerships will be necessary to move the course of MH app development in the right direction

Toward integrated conservation of North America's crop wild relatives

North America harbors a rich native flora of crop wild relatives—the progenitors and closely related species of domesticated plants—as well as a range of culturally significant wild utilized plants. Despite their current and potential future value, they are rarely prioritized for conservation efforts; thus many species are threatened in their natural habitats, and most are underrepresented in plant genebanks and botanical gardens. Further coordination of efforts among land management, botanical, and agricultural science organizations will improve conservation and general public awareness with regard to these species. We present examples of productive collaborations focused on wild cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon and Vaccinium oxycoccos) and chile peppers (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum). We then discuss five shared priorities for further action: (1) understand and document North America's crop wild relatives and wild utilized plants, (2) protect threatened species in their natural habitats, (3) collect and conserve ex situ the diversity of prioritized species, (4) make this diversity accessible and attractive for plant breeding, research, and education, and (5) raise public awareness of their value and the threats to their persistence