Technology Transfer Versus Transformation

Research defines technology transfer from the viewpoint of business processes and personnel skills (Rogers, Takegami & Yin, 2001). The focus is on action to adapt and embrace an existing technology to gain efficiency (Gilsing et al., 2011). We examine this phenomenon as innovation based on the ability to transfer existing needs, desires, behaviors, and expectations to new technology. We find technology is adopted when transfer opportunities become manifest and each transfer builds upon its predecessor to create transformation in the long term. This relationship between transfer and transformation gradually builds technology adoption across chasms of the S-curve technology innovation curve

Intensive Archeological Survey: State Highway 72, McMullen County, Texas

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey with mechanical trenching from August 16–18, 2017, on 226 acres of existing right-of-way (ROW) along State Highway (SH) 72 in McMullen County, Texas. Because the project will receive funding from the Federal Highways Administration, it qualifies as an undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.16(y) and, therefore, survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S. Code 306108). Furthermore, the project must also comply with the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code 191). Eric Oksanen served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8120. The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as the existing 120-foot-wide ROW for a length of approximately 15.56 miles. The lane improvements within the 226-acre APE will include the addition of passing lanes throughout the project, and the widening of a turn lane near the eastern terminus. A background literature review determined that portions of the APE have been previously surveyed for cultural resources and seven archeological sites are within the APE (Texas Historical Commission 2017a). However, three of the seven sites within the APE (i.e., 41MC623, 41MC590, and 41MC598) have been evaluated and found to be not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The remaining four previously identified archeological sites (i.e., 41MC369, 41MC370, 41MC371, and 41MC372) have an undetermined eligibility for listing in the NRHP or designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL). In addition to the sites within the APE, 28 previously recorded sites are located directly adjacent to the existing ROW. All but two of the 28 adjacent sites are not eligible for the NRHP, whereas the remaining two sites have an undetermined eligibility. The survey identified substantial disturbances within the APE, including prior infrastructure development, such as utilities and roads, and a variety of other land use practices. SWCA assessed the entire 226-acre survey area, but focused on the four sites within the direct APE that have an undetermined eligibility (i.e., 41MC369, 41MC370, 41MC371, and 41MC372). SWCA excavated 11 backhoe trenches (BHTs) and one 75-meter-long scrape (equivalent to 33 BHTs) near 41MC372 to assess the potential for burials within the four sites. The survey identified sparse lithic material, consisting of lithic flakes and tested cobbles, as well as few burned rocks within the back dirt and/or on the ground surface of all four sites within the heavily disturbed existing SH 72 ROW. Additionally, SWCA archeologists observed one sublanceolate point (Angostura-like) on the surface of 41MC371 within the existing ROW, while sparse faunal remains were identified within the upper 10 cm at site 41MC372. Due to the heavy disturbance observed throughout the existing ROW and the lack of intact subsurface deposits and cultural materials, all four evaluated sites (41MC369–41MC372) are recommended to be NOT ELIGIBLE for listing on the NRHP or for designation as SALs, and no further archeological investigations are recommended

(Un-) healthy ageing: Geographic inequalities in disability-free life expectancy in England and Wales

Health expectancies are an indicator of healthy ageing that reflect quantity and quality of life. Using limiting long term illness and mortality prevalence, we calculate disability-free life expectancy for small areas in England and Wales between 1991 and 2011 for males and females aged 50–74, the life stage when people may be changing their occupation from main career to retirement or alternative work activities. We find that inequalities in disability-free life expectancy are deeply entrenched, including former coalfield and ex-industrial areas and that areas of persistent (dis-) advantage, worsening or improving deprivation have health change in line with deprivation change. A mixed health picture for rural and coastal areas requires further investigation as do the demographic processes which underpin these area level health differences

What is it Worth? An Economic Evaluation of the MFH Tobacco Initiative

This report presents results from the second economic evaluation of the Missouri Foundation for Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Initiative. The results of the economic evaluation for TPCI during the specified time period show a net positive benefit across the overall initiative, as well as for the Community Grants, Tobacco Policy Change, and Quitline Enhancement strategies individually.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1035/thumbnail.jp

What is it Worth? An Economic Evaluation of the MFH Tobacco Initiative

This report presents the results from an economic evaluation conducted by the Center for Tobacco Policy Research at Washington University in St. Louis. Although there have been several economic evaluations of individual tobacco cessation and prevention programs, there have been few, if any, to date that have examined a tobacco control initiative with multiple strategies.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1024/thumbnail.jp

Math Description Engine Software Development Kit

The Math Description Engine Software Development Kit (MDE SDK) can be used by software developers to make computer-rendered graphs more accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The MDE SDK generates alternative graph descriptions in two forms: textual descriptions and non-verbal sound renderings, or sonification. It also enables display of an animated trace of a graph sonification on a visual graph component, with color and line-thickness options for users having low vision or color-related impairments. A set of accessible graphical user interface widgets is provided for operation by end users and for control of accessible graph displays. Version 1.0 of the MDE SDK generates text descriptions for 2D graphs commonly seen in math and science curriculum (and practice). The mathematically rich text descriptions can also serve as a virtual math and science assistant for blind and sighted users, making graphs more accessible for everyone. The MDE SDK has a simple application programming interface (API) that makes it easy for programmers and Web-site developers to make graphs accessible with just a few lines of code. The source code is written in Java for cross-platform compatibility and to take advantage of Java s built-in support for building accessible software application interfaces. Compiled-library and NASA Open Source versions are available with API documentation and Programmer s Guide at http:/ / prim e.jsc.n asa. gov

Quit Rate Protocol

This protocol describes how to determine quit rates for the Tobacco Initiative Evaluation System (TIES). To ensure that grantees are reporting quit rates in a consistent and comparable manner, CTPR has written this protocol for all grantees providing MFH-funded cessation services to follow.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1087/thumbnail.jp

Fast switching of high current WBG power devices

Wide-band-gap power devices, such as Gallium Nitride High Electron Mobility Transistors and Silicon Carbide Field-effect Transistors, offer impressively fast switching performance compared to their traditional Silicon counterparts. However, Si designs have not stood still, and new generations of these devices offer good switching performance at competitive prices. This paper makes a comparative study between a representative selection of 650 V SiC MOSFET, GaN HEMT, and Si IGBT power switching devices. The devices are switched as fast as possible using a low inductance PCB design and no external gate resistors. A mathematical analysis of switching energy losses is presented, along with SPICE simulation and experimental test results for comparison

Expanding Coverage through Consumer Assistance program 2013-2014 Evaluation Report

This report from the Missouri Foundation for Health Expanding Coverage Initiative describes external evaluation findings for the time period of September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014. The evaluation specifically focuses on the efforts of Expanding Coverage’s through Consumer Assistance Program (ECTCA).https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1084/thumbnail.jp