Biomarker reveals HIV's hidden reservoir.

Determining the total amount of HIV DNA in people undergoing antiretroviral therapy could accelerate the development of novel therapies and potential cures for HIV infection

POKERFACE: EMOTION BASED GAME-PLAY TECHNIQUES FOR COMPUTER POKER PLAYERS

Numerous algorithms/methods exist for creating computer poker players. This thesis comparesand contrasts them. A set of poker agents for the system PokerFace are then introduced. A surveyof the problem of facial expression recognition is included in the hopes it may be used to build abetter computer poker player

ROLE OF STRESS AND SOCIAL RESOURCES ON BIOMARKERS AND FATIGUE IN STAFF NURSES: A BIOBEHAVIORAL APPROACH

Purpose Consecutive 12-hr workdays can contribute to increased stress and fatigue and negative biological responses in nurses, potentially compromising quality of patient care and safety. The primary purpose of this study was to assess changes in stress, fatigue, and biological responses (salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase) over three consecutive 12-hr workdays in acute care nurses and how stress and social resources function in predicting fatigue and biological responses. Methods In a prospective study, 81 acute care nurses completed questionnaires and provided saliva samples four times: pre-shifts and post-shifts of day 1 and day 3. Results Although stress and biological responses did not change, fatigue increased significantly from pre-shift day1 to post-shift day 3, particularly in night shift nurses. Stress measured with a visual analog scale significantly predicted fatigue at the end of day 1 and day 3. High social resources buffered negative impact of stress on fatigue of day 1. Conclusion Fatigue increased over consecutive workdays and stress can influence fatigue in acute care nurses. Social resources, on the other hand, may buffer the negative impact of stress on fatigue. Focused research is necessary to assess the effects of stress on fatigue and patient safety issues over consecutive workdays, incorporating biological responses in nurses at various settings. Clinical Relevance Because stress and fatigue may lead to compromised patient care and safety, additional research and interventions need to be tested in these topics

Innovative acoustic jacketing for oil and gas pipelines

Oil and Gas Pipelines need thermal insulation and cladding to protect them from harsh environmental conditions, prevent heat losses, minimise health and safety risks and comply with legislation. In certain areas, these cladding jackets require additional layers of noise and vibration insulation and often the installation process is expensive and labour intensive. Conventional systems use products like Lead and Bitumen for noise reduction, but their use causes health, safety and environmental problems. This research aimed to mitigate these health and environmental problems and produce an economic solution for noise insulation and jacketing. Using a series of experimental tests and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), an integrated cladding system has been developed, combining acoustic insulation and metal sheets in a single product. These tests showed that the new system improved acoustic performance and corrosion prevention while simultaneously allowing easier installation which significantly reduces installation time and related costs. A special purpose machine has also been developed which will produce the product in an efficient and cost effective manner

Why term limits may mean leaders are less likely to strike legislative deals.

For many, term limits are a way of checking the power of government executives. In new research, Alexandra G. Cockerham challenges these assumptions. Analyzing bargaining between the legislature and executive across states with and without gubernatorial term limits, she finds that such limits mean that governors are more likely to take unilateral action. By contrast, executives who are not term-limited are likely to be more experienced in bargaining and have a greater incentive to maintain a good relationship with the legislature

The Mark of the Beast, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the End of the World

The Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, depicts an apocalyptic end of the world full of terrifying monsters and devastating events, yet one that promises triumph and reward for those who keep the faith. Christian communities throughout history have looked to Revelation for explanations and reassurance in times of widespread catastrophe. The COVID-19 pandemic is one such time. Drawing on Deleuze and Guattari, I propose that Revelation functions as a “little machine” that provides useful “sockets” - in this case, key narratives about “plagues” and “the Mark of the Beast” - into which elements of the COVID-19 crisis have been “plugged” in order to generate meaning amidst chaos and uncertainty. Using my own primary ethnographic research among Baptist communities in rural Maine, along with close readings of social media posts and related sources, I argue that, for Evangelical Christian communities in the U.S., COVID-19 is so much more than a disease: it is a tool for making sense of the world, reinforcing a faith-based identity, and offering comfort, assurance, and a sense of righteous empowerment within a sacred apocalyptic framework

Improving U.S. army recruiting: using modern market segmentation methodology to select high-payoff target segments.

Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão.During the last few years, the United States Army has experienced great difficulties in recruiting and retaining sufficient numbers of quality soldiers, In 1999, the U.S. Army suffered its worst recruiting year in 20 years (Harper, 1999). The primary causes of the current recruiting crisis include the very robust U.S. economy, record-low unemployment leveis, and an ever-decreasing propensity for military service. To resolve the current recruiting crisis and remain the high-quality, allvolunteer force that it is today, the Army should abandon its traditional mass marketing methods and focus its limited resources in a more effective and economical manner. Current methods waste precious resources on segments that are extremely unlikely to serve in the Army. The Army cannot compete and win in ali segments; it must choose. It is my recommendation that, based on the analysis presented in this dissertation, that the U.S. Army, by adopting target marketing and a selective specialization marketing strategy, can identify, select, and target high-payoff segments where the Army possesses a competitive advantage. To achieve this goal, the Army must conduct a three-step process: market segmentation, market targeting, and market positioning. The Army must abandon its "shotgun approach" to recruiting American youth by developing customized marketing programs for each of its five recruiting brigades. Through target marketing, the U.S. Army can increase its recruiting effectiveness, reduce its advertising cqsts per recruit, and, ultimately, resolve the current recruiting crisis.N/