Alumni Perceptions of the Training and Education Offered by the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College

The debate surrounding the need for and the value of higher education has continued among police executives since the early 20th century. The debate has resulted in a call for more integration of training and education in the professional development of police executives. One such program that has succeeded in the total integration of training and education is the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College at Columbus State University (Command College). The purpose of this research was to determine if graduates of the Command College (1998 -2010) believe they received quality education and training that positively impacted their job performance and provided the leadership skills needed for positions of greater authority and/or responsibility, while also determining if non-alumni agency heads believe that sending an officer or administrator to the Command College benefits the agency, sufficient to justify the expenditure of agency resources. Data gathered from the research provided both quantitative and qualitative responses for analysis, showing no statistical significant difference in the responses of the alumni and non-alumni agency heads surveyed. The data support the finding that alumni of the Command College perceive they have derived benefit from the education and training received and have a high level of satisfaction with the curriculum, program design, and the faculty of the Command College. The non-alumni agency heads provided similar responses, reporting a high degree of satisfaction with the results of the program. This satisfaction was widespread, diffuse, and not contained to any particular group or respondent characteristics.Prine, Rudy K., Committee Chair; Argyle, Nolan, Committee Member; Robinson, Deborah, Committee Member; Richards, Connie, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences; Hull, Karla, Interim Dean of Graduate School.Doctor of Public Administratio

Enhancements of Discretization Approaches for Non-Convex Mixed-Integer Quadratically Constraint Quadratic Programming

We study mixed-integer programming (MIP) relaxation techniques for the solution of non-convex mixed-integer quadratically constrained quadratic programs (MIQCQPs). We present two MIP relaxation methods for non-convex continuous variable products that enhance existing approaches. One is based on a separable reformulation, while the other extends the well-known MIP relaxation normalized multiparametric disaggregation technique (NMDT). In addition, we introduce a logarithmic MIP relaxation for univariate quadratic terms, called sawtooth relaxation, based on [4]. We combine the latter with the separable reformulation to derive MIP relaxations of MIQCQPs. We provide a comprehensive theoretical analysis of these techniques, and perform a broad computational study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the enhanced MIP relaxations in terms producing tight dual bounds for MIQCQP

Boric Acid and EDTA Combination Inhibits Growth of Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis

Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis are two common infectious organisms of the female urogenital tract. Single agent boric acid (BA) topical preparations have been a treatment for resistant gynecologic Candida and Gardnerella infections, but it is worth exploring combinations of inhibitors to determine if a more effective treatment may be developed. Our study aims to determine the efficacy of BA alone in comparison to the combination of BA and EDTA (BA + EDTA) by measuring organism growth, size, and morphology. Experiments used 12 clinical strains of Candida albicans and 7 strains of Gardnerella vaginalis. The organisms were grown in varying concentrations of BA and BA + EDTA media. Organisms were characterized by microscopy and flow cytometry. We report that the median effective dose of BA alone was greater than that of BA + EDTA in Candida strains. Microscopic evaluation revealed that exposure to BA and BA + EDTA decreased typical hyphal transformation of Candida, and cells appeared smaller in size. Flow cytometry forward scatter data of Candida grown in inhibitors revealed smaller cells than those grown in control conditions. Cell counts of organisms grown in inhibitors were also significantly decreased compared to control conditions. Incidental evaluation of autofluorescence revealed increased fluorescence of organisms exposed to inhibitors. Preliminary results of Candida strains grown in BA and BA + EDTA also revealed inhibition of virulence-associated protease activity. These data provide evidence supporting the potential use of a combination therapy in Candida and Gardnerella infections and prompt additional investigation into combination therapies with EDTA

Pilot study conducted on Exeter PMMA cement reamer

Pilot study and critical appraisal of the prototype Exeter PMMA Cement Reamer conducted in order to determine potential applications and improvements to design

Force-controlled pose optimization and trajectory planning for chained Stewart platforms

Introduction: We study optimization methods for poses and movements of chained Stewart platforms (SPs) that we call an “Assembler” Robot. These chained SPs are parallel mechanisms that are stronger, stiffer, and more precise, on average, than their serial counterparts at the cost of a smaller range of motion. By linking these units in a series, their individual limitations are overcome while maintaining truss-like rigidity. This opens up potential uses in various applications, especially in complex space missions in conjunction with other robots.Methods: To enhance the efficiency and longevity of the Assembler Robot, we developed algorithms and optimization models. The main goal of these methodologies is to efficiently decide on favorable positions and movements that reduce force loads on the robot, consequently minimizing wear.Results: The optimized maneuvers of the interior plates of the Assembler result in more evenly distributed load forces through the legs of each constituent SP. This optimization allows for a larger workspace and a greater overall payload capacity. Our computations primarily focus on assemblers with four chained SPs.Discussion: Although our study primarily revolves around assemblers with four chained SPs, our methods are versatile and can be applied to an arbitrary number of SPs. Furthermore, these methodologies can be extended to general over-actuated truss-like robot architectures. The Assembler, designed to function collaboratively with several other robots, holds promise for a variety of space missions

Poly[[tetra­kis­(μ2-pyrazine N,N′-dioxide-κ2 O:O′)holmium(III)] tris­(perchlorate)]

The title three-dimensional coordination network, {[Ho(C4H4N2O2)4](ClO4)3}n, is isostructural to that of other lanthanides. The Ho+3 cation lies on a fourfold roto-inversion axis. It is coordinated in a distorted square anti-prismatic fashion by eight O atoms from bridging pyrazine N,N′-dioxide ligands. There are two unique pyrazine N,N′-dioxide ligands. One ring is located around an inversion center, and there is a a twofold rotation axis at the center of the other ring. There are also two unique perchlorate anions. One is centered on a twofold rotation axis and the other on a fourfold roto-inversion axis. The perchlorate anions are located in channels that run perpendicular to (001) (110) and inter­act with the coordination network through C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Poly[[tetra­kis­(μ2-pyrazine N,N′-dioxide-κ2 O:O′)erbium(III)] tris­(perchlorate)]

The title three-dimensional coordination network, {[Er(C4H4N2O2)4](ClO4)3}n, is isostructural to that of other lanthanides. The Er+3 cation lies on a fourfold roto-inversion axis. It is coordinated in a distorted square-anti­prismatic fashion by eight O atoms from bridging pyrazine N,N′-dioxide ligands. There are two unique pyrazine N,N′-dioxide ligands. One ring is located around an inversion center, and there is a a twofold rotation axis at the center of the other ring. There are also two unique perchlorate anions. One is centered on a twofold rotation axis and the other on a fourfold roto-inversion axis. The perchlorate anions are located in channels that run perpendicular to (001) and (110) and inter­act with the coordination network through C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds