Transient modeling of the thermohydraulic behavior of high temperature heat pipes for space reactor applications

Many proposed space reactor designs employ heat pipes as a means of conveying heat. Previous researchers have been concerned with steady state operation, but the transient operation is of interest in space reactor applications due to the necessity of remote startup and shutdown. A model is being developed to study the dynamic behavior of high temperature heat pipes during startup, shutdown and normal operation under space environments. Model development and preliminary results for a hypothetical design of the system are presented

Business Process Redesign in the Perioperative Process: A Case Perspective for Digital Transformation

This case study investigates business process redesign within the perioperative process as a method to achieve digital transformation. Specific perioperative sub-processes are targeted for re-design and digitalization, which yield improvement. Based on a 184-month longitudinal study of a large 1,157 registered-bed academic medical center, the observed effects are viewed through a lens of information technology (IT) impact on core capabilities and core strategy to yield a digital transformation framework that supports patient-centric improvement across perioperative sub-processes. This research identifies existing limitations, potential capabilities, and subsequent contextual understanding to minimize perioperative process complexity, target opportunity for improvement, and ultimately yield improved capabilities. Dynamic technological activities of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis applied to specific perioperative patient-centric data collected within integrated hospital information systems yield the organizational resource for process management and control. Conclusions include theoretical and practical implications as well as study limitations

A Cheese by Any Other Name: A Palatable Compromise to the Conflict over Geographical Indications

In many grocery stores, shoppers must look in two places to find cheese. The first cheese section is usually near the dairy case; the second is often a specialty cheese case located in the produce department. Why make harried supermarket shoppers rush back and forth between two locations to find what they need for a fondue? The most noticeable difference between the cheeses in the two cases is probably the price: cheeses in the specialty case are generally much more expensive. A second difference is the packaging: many cheeses in the dairy aisle are pre-grated, pre-shredded, or pre-sliced and individually wrapped, or pre-cut into stars or dinosaurs; most cheeses in the specialty case, however, are sold in wedges or blocks. The most important difference between the cheeses in the two locations, however, can be found by reading the labels closely. Almost all cheeses found in the dairy aisle are produced in the United States, so even cheeses labeled Swiss, Parmesan, Gorgonzola, or Feta (cheeses which are traditionally produced in European countries) are actually made in the United States. The specialty cheese case, on the other hand, is where most imported cheeses are kept; here a shopper is more likely to find Parmesan and Gorgonzola cheeses made in Italy or Feta cheese from Greece. Does it matter whether two cheeses sold under the same name are produced in different countries? The answer to this question is central to the current battle between the United States and the European Union regarding intellectual property protection for agricultural products. The EU has proposed an agreement whereby U.S. producers will not be permitted to label their products using names of foods that reference the food\u27s area of origin in EU member countries. If the EU proposal is accepted, U.S. producers will no longer be able to label many products using traditional names such as Gorgonzola, Feta, or Parmesan

The Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among College Students

The purpose of this study was to address the perceived and actual knowledge levels of sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) among college students at a southern university. The sample consisted of 138 participants over the age of 18 enrolled as undergraduate students at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). A questionnaire was distributed via email listserv to the undergraduate population at USM assessing the attitudes and knowledge surrounding sexually transmitted diseases. The survey included three sections for the assessment of each variable: 12 demographic questions, 20 statements assessing student attitudes regarding the quality of their previous sex education and perceived knowledge, and 20 true or false statements about the acquisition, transmission, and potential consequences of sexually transmitted diseases. Overall, the student participants perceived they had more knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases than the results from the knowledge section indicated. Continued education on the subject of sexually transmitted diseases is needed among this population

Southern living: Type 2 Diabetes

https://aquila.usm.edu/student_brochures/1000/thumbnail.jp

Sharpening Your Aim: Building an Instructional Assessment Toolkit

Faced with the challenge of unifying consolidated library instruction programs with varying missions Georgia State University Library formed the Library Instruction Outcomes and Assessment Working Group (LIOAWG). Tasked with developing standard learning outcomes and leading the implementation of a common instruction program targeting first year students, the working group developed a sandbox of assessment activities, each mapped to a specific learning outcome. In this workshop, participants will work to develop performative learning outcome aligned assessments that can be modified to meet varying levels of information literacy competency. Working in small groups, participants will be assigned a specific learning outcome, then work together to design an informal or formal assessment activity. Groups will then discuss how their assessment activity addresses their learning outcome and what information literacy competency level it meets. Presenters will then facilitate discussion on how the assessments can be modified for scaffolding instruction and on general challenges and opportunities of assessment. Timeframe: 15 min – Presenter introductions. Background and charge of the LIOAWG. 40 min – Activity – 1) Overview of LIOAWG assessment activity sandbox, 2) Break participants into groups, assign learning outcome, and allow time to develop aligned assessment activity, 3) Identify the information literacy competency level of the assessment and discuss how it could be modified for students at varying levels in their academic careers. 15 min – Wrap up – Discuss the challenges of incorporating assessment into library instruction and future directions

UAV Payload Identification with Acoustic Emissions and Cell Phone Devices

The growing presence of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) brings new threats to the civilian and military front. In response, the Department of Defense (DoD) is developing many drone detection systems. Current systems use Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and Radio Frequency (RF). Although useful, these technologies are becoming easier to spoof every year, and some are limited to line of sight. Acoustic emissions are a unique quality all drones emit. Acoustics are difficult to spoof and do not require line of sight for detection. This research expands the research field of study by creating HurtzHunter, a prototype which tests acoustic payload detection at far range (7 m - 100 m) and with cell phone devices. HurtzHunter uses MFCCs to train a SVM for UAV acoustic payload detection. Depending on the recording device and SVM configuration, the results show an 82-98% payload prediction accuracy using cell phone devices