The development of prospective memory in young schoolchildren: the impact of ongoing task absorption, cue salience, and cue centrality.

PubMed

Kliegel, Matthias; Mahy, Caitlin E V; Voigt, Babett; Henry, Julie D; Rendell, Peter G; Aberle, Ingo

2013-12-01

This study presents evidence that 9- and 10-year-old children outperform 6- and 7-year-old children on a measure of event-based prospective memory and that retrieval-based factors systematically influence performance and age differences. All experiments revealed significant age effects in prospective memory even after controlling for ongoing task performance. In addition, the provision of a less absorbing ongoing task (Experiment 1), higher cue salience (Experiment 2), and cues appearing in the center of attention (Experiment 3) were each associated with better performance. Of particular developmental importance was an age by cue centrality (in or outside of the center of attention) interaction that emerged in Experiment 3. Thus, age effects were restricted to prospective memory cues appearing outside of the center of attention, suggesting that the development of prospective memory across early school years may be modulated by whether a cue requires overt monitoring beyond the immediate attentional context. Because whether a cue is in or outside of the center of attention might determine the amount of executive control needed in a prospective memory task, findings suggest that developing executive control resources may drive prospective memory development across primary school age. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Power system distributed oscilation detection based on Synchrophasor data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, Jiawei

Along with increasing demand for electricity, integration of renewable energy and deregulation of power market, power industry is facing unprecedented challenges nowadays. Within the last couple of decades, several serious blackouts have been taking place in United States. As an effective approach to prevent that, power system small signal stability monitoring has been drawing more interests and attentions from researchers. With wide-spread implementation of Synchrophasors around the world in the last decade, power systems real-time online monitoring becomes much more feasible. Comparing with planning study analysis, real-time online monitoring would benefit control room operators immediately and directly. Among all online monitoring methods, Oscillation Modal Analysis (OMA), a modal identification method based on routine measurement data where the input is unmeasured ambient excitation, is a great tool to evaluate and monitor power system small signal stability. Indeed, high sampling Synchrophasor data around power system is fitted perfectly as inputs to OMA. Existing methods in OMA for power systems are all based on centralized algorithms applying at control centers only; however, with rapid growing number of online Synchrophasors the computation burden at control centers is and will be continually exponentially expanded. The increasing computation time at control center compromises the real-time feature of online monitoring. The communication efforts between substation and control center will also be out of reach. Meanwhile, it is difficult or even impossible for centralized algorithms to detect some poorly damped local modes. In order to avert previous shortcomings of centralized OMA methods and embrace the new changes in the power systems, two new distributed oscillation detection methods with two new decentralized structures are presented in this dissertation. Since the new schemes brought substations into the big oscillation detection picture, the proposed methods could achieve faster and more reliable results. Subsequently, this claim is tested and approved by test results of IEEE Two-area simulation test system and real power system historian synchrophasor data case studies.

Patient-centered care: the jury is still out.

PubMed

Enright, S M; Flagstad, M S

1994-04-01

The patient-centered care model needs to retain a central focus on the patient. Process and system interfaces are key areas where alignment on behalf of the patient is required. Often, the current system is out of control. Departmental infrastructure and the need for resource reallocation must be assessed. No blueprint exists for implementing patient-centered care, although many incremental patient-focused initiatives are already underway. Impact on patients must be the balancing factor.

Clinical trial aims to study immunotherapy for central nervous system tumors | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

A new clinical trial aims to determine whether nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, can improve control of cancer for patients with several types of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord and the cause of most CNS tumors in adults is unknown. Learn more...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (center) is welcomed to the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (center) is welcomed to the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Multicenter Cell Processing for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine Applications - The Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN) Experience

PubMed Central

Gee, Adrian P.; Richman, Sara; Durett, April; McKenna, David; Traverse, Jay; Henry, Timothy; Fisk, Diann; Pepine, Carl; Bloom, Jeannette; Willerson, James; Prater, Karen; Zhao, David; Koç, Jane Reese; Ellis, Steven; Taylor, Doris; Cogle, Christopher; Moyé, Lemuel; Simari, Robert; Skarlatos, Sonia

2013-01-01

Background Aims Multi-center cellular therapy clinical trials require the establishment and implementation of standardized cell processing protocols and associated quality control mechanisms. The aims here were to develop such an infrastructure in support of the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN) and to report on the results of processing for the first 60 patients. Methods Standardized cell preparations, consisting of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells, prepared using the Sepax device were manufactured at each of the five processing facilities that supported the clinical treatment centers. Processing staff underwent centralized training that included proficiency evaluation. Quality was subsequently monitored by a central quality control program that included product evaluation by the CCTRN biorepositories. Results Data from the first 60 procedures demonstrate that uniform products, that met all release criteria, could be manufactured at all five sites within 7 hours of receipt of the bone marrow. Uniformity was facilitated by use of the automated systems (the Sepax for processing and the Endosafe device for endotoxin testing), standardized procedures and centralized quality control. Conclusions Complex multicenter cell therapy and regenerative medicine protocols can, where necessary, successfully utilize local processing facilities once an effective infrastructure is in place to provide training, and quality control. PMID:20524773

78 FR 48766 - Petition for Waiver of Compliance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-09

...'s Network Management Center in Montreal, QC, Canada. CP operates approximately six to eight trains a day over this segment. The trackage is operated under a Centralized Traffic Control system and...

A Successful Model for a Comprehensive Patient Flow Management Center at an Academic Health System.

PubMed

Lovett, Paris B; Illg, Megan L; Sweeney, Brian E

2016-05-01

This article reports on an innovative approach to managing patient flow at a multicampus academic health system, integrating multiple services into a single, centralized Patient Flow Management Center that manages supply and demand for inpatient services across the system. Control of bed management was centralized across 3 campuses and key services were integrated, including bed management, case management, environmental services, patient transport, ambulance and helicopter dispatch, and transfer center. A single technology platform was introduced, as was providing round-the-clock patient placement by critical care nurses, and adding medical directors. Daily bed meetings with nurse managers and charge nurses drive action plans. This article reports immediate improvements in the first year of operations in emergency department walkouts, emergency department boarding, ambulance diversion, growth in transfer volume, reduction in lost transfers, reduction in time to bed assignment, and bed turnover time. The authors believe theirs is the first institution to integrate services and centralize bed management so comprehensively. © The Author(s) 2014.

Health Instruction Packages: Respiratory Therapy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavich, Margot; And Others

Text, illustrations, and exercises are utilized in these four learning modules to teach respiratory therapy students a variety of job-related skills. The first module, "Anatomy and Physiology of the Central Controls of Respiration" by Margot Lavich, describes the functions of the five centers of the brain that control respiration and…

78 FR 77661 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-24

... Aviation Networks and Mission Planning (SFAE-AV-AS-ANMP) ATTN: George C. Goodman Jr. Sparkman Center...; Multiple Forms; and OMB Number: Centralized Aviation Flight Records (CAFRS); DA Form 2408-12; OMB Control... 77662

Centralized, decentralized, and independent control of a flexible manipulator on a flexible base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Feiyue; Bainum, Peter M.; Xu, Jianke

1991-01-01

The dynamics and control of a flexible manipulator arm with payload mass on a flexible base in space are considered. The controllers are provided by one torquer at the center of the base and one torquer at the connection joint of the robot and the base. The nonlinear dynamics of the system is modeled by applying the finite element method and Lagrangian formula. Three control strategies are considered and compared, i.e., centralized control, decentralized control, and independent control. All these control designs are based on the linear quadratic regulator theory. A mathematical decomposition is used in the decentralization process so that the coupling between the subsystems is weak, while a physical decomposition is used in the independent control design process. For both the decentralized and the independent controls, the stability of the overall linear system is checked before a numerical simulations is initiated. Two numerical examples show that the response of the independent control system are close to those of the centralized control system, while the responses of the decentralized control system are not.

A Study of Central Sterilization Room (CSR) Control and Organization at the Naval Regional Medical Center, Oakland, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-08-01

management and under overall supervicion of a supervisour nurse (08-9) in charge of CSR . Individual will have operational responsibility for CSR ...mD~ ; EL ::%~ rl- CgROCOPV RESOtUTIOI TEST CMMR NAUT ON AM OF SrAsfas-ua4 I C41 0 A STUDY OF CENTRAL STERILIZATION ROOM ( CSR )a CONTROL...MUEtsrbt niie PERORIN ONIATIO C OD IS. U3JECT TR S. MNITOIN ORAIZTO REPORT NUMBER S) inres NAEmpai On theORIN organisatioN an managemen ofC theBO CSR

Trauma centrality and PTSD in veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

PubMed

Brown, Adam D; Antonius, Daniel; Kramer, Michael; Root, James C; Hirst, William

2010-08-01

Research has demonstrated that the extent to which an individual integrates a traumatic event into their identity ("trauma centrality") positively correlates with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. No research to date has examined trauma centrality in individuals exposed to combat stress. This study investigated trauma centrality using the abridged Centrality of Event Scale (Berntsen & Rubin, 2006) among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veterans (n = 46). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that trauma centrality predicted PTSD symptoms. Trauma centrality and PTSD symptoms remained significantly correlated when controlling for depression in subgroups of veterans with or without probable PTSD. This study replicates and extends findings that placing trauma at the center of one's identity is associated with PTSD symptomatology.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Director Jim Kennedy (center) makes a presentation to NASA and other officials about the benefits of locating NASA’s new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Director Jim Kennedy (center) makes a presentation to NASA and other officials about the benefits of locating NASA’s new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

KSC-2009-5248

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-09-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This ribbon cutting officially turns over NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 from the Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program. Participating are (from left) Pepper Phillips, director of the Constellation Project Office at Kennedy; Bob Cabana, Kennedy's director; Robert Crippen, former astronaut; Jeff Hanley, manager of the Constellation Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center; and Nancy Bray, deputy director of Center Operations at Kennedy. The room has undergone demolition and construction and been outfitted with consoles for the upcoming Ares I-X rocket flight test targeted for launch on Oct. 27. As the center of launch operations at Kennedy since the Apollo Program, the Launch Control Center, or LCC, has played a central role in NASA's human spaceflight programs. Firing Room 1 was the first operational firing room constructed. From this room, controllers launched the first Saturn V, the first crewed flight of Saturn V, the first crewed mission to the moon and the first space shuttle. Firing Room 1 will continue this tradition of firsts when controllers launch the Constellation Program's first flight test. Also, this firing room will be the center of operations for the upcoming Ares I and Orion operations. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

New screening methods for donor eye-bank eyes.

PubMed

Terry, M A; Ousley, P J

1999-07-01

Current methods of screening donor eyes for corneal transplantation are not always effective in excluding corneas with abnormal topography. We used the Orbscan to determine whether corneal-thickness maps could be used as a technique for donor tissue screening. Forty eye-bank eyes were measured with the Orbscan, and a corneal-thickness map was generated. Average central pachymetry measurements from each map were compared with the thinnest midperipheral thickness reading. Two eyes from a donor who had photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and two eyes from a donor with keratoconus were then compared with the normal donor eye results. The average difference between the thinnest midperipheral pachymetry and the central pachymetry in the control group was 0.040 +/- 0.026 mm. The eyes from the donor with PRK showed larger disparities between the central and midperipheral thicknesses because of the thinned central cornea, with differences of 0.154 mm in the right eye and 0.106 mm in the left eye. The eyes from the donor with keratoconus had midperipheral corneas that were thinner than the center, indicating eccentric, ectatic cones. The differences in thickness between the center and midperiphery in the eyes from the donor with PRK and the donor with keratoconus differed from the control group by >2 SD. Diseases or surgery that affect the relationship between the central and midperipheral corneal thickness may be screened through Orbscan pachymetry mapping with comparison with a normal range.

A DICOM based radiotherapy plan database for research collaboration and reporting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westberg, J.; Krogh, S.; Brink, C.; Vogelius, I. R.

2014-03-01

Purpose: To create a central radiotherapy (RT) plan database for dose analysis and reporting, capable of calculating and presenting statistics on user defined patient groups. The goal is to facilitate multi-center research studies with easy and secure access to RT plans and statistics on protocol compliance. Methods: RT institutions are able to send data to the central database using DICOM communications on a secure computer network. The central system is composed of a number of DICOM servers, an SQL database and in-house developed software services to process the incoming data. A web site within the secure network allows the user to manage their submitted data. Results: The RT plan database has been developed in Microsoft .NET and users are able to send DICOM data between RT centers in Denmark. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) calculations performed by the system are comparable to those of conventional RT software. A permission system was implemented to ensure access control and easy, yet secure, data sharing across centers. The reports contain DVH statistics for structures in user defined patient groups. The system currently contains over 2200 patients in 14 collaborations. Conclusions: A central RT plan repository for use in multi-center trials and quality assurance was created. The system provides an attractive alternative to dummy runs by enabling continuous monitoring of protocol conformity and plan metrics in a trial.

North Central IPM Center

Science.gov Websites

) solutions, based in the North Central region. North Central IPM Center Invasive Plants in Trade Working webpage to learn about the North Central IPM Center's grants program and other IPM-related funding Tribal IPM Urban Ag IPM Partners In IPM Working Groups Critical Issues Projects North Central IPM

Cost Utility Analysis of Percutaneous Adhesiolysis in Managing Pain of Post-lumbar Surgery Syndrome and Lumbar Central Spinal Stenosis.

PubMed

Manchikanti, Laxmaiah; Helm, Standiford; Pampati, Vidyasagar; Racz, Gabor B

2015-06-01

The increase in the number of interventions for the management of chronic pain and associated escalation of healthcare costs has captured the attention of health policymakers, in no small part due to the lack of documentation of efficacy, cost-effectiveness, or cost utility analysis. A recent cost utility analysis of caudal epidural injections in managing chronic low back pain of various pathologies showed a high cost utility with improvement in quality of life years, competitive with various other modalities of treatments. However, there are no analyses derived from high-quality controlled studies related to the cost utility of percutaneous adhesiolysis in the treatment of post-lumbar surgery syndrome or lumbar central spinal stenosis. This analysis is based on 2 previously published controlled studies. To assess the cost utility of percutaneous adhesiolysis procedures in managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain secondary to post-lumbar surgery syndrome and lumbar central spinal stenosis. A private, specialty referral interventional pain management center in the United States. Two controlled studies were conducted assessing the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous adhesiolysis for post-lumbar surgery syndrome and lumbar central spinal stenosis in an interventional pain management setting utilizing contemporary interventional pain management practices. A cost utility analysis was performed with direct payment data for a total of 130 patients in treatment groups over a 2-year period. Various outcome measures were included with significant improvement, defined as at least 50% improvement with reduction in pain and disability status. The results of 2 controlled studies of low back pain with 60 and 70 patients and a 2-year follow-up with the actual reimbursement data showed cost utility for 1 year of quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of USD $2,652 for post-lumbar surgery syndrome and USD $2,649 for lumbar central spinal stenosis. The results of this assessment show that the cost utility of managing chronic, intractable low back pain with percutaneous adhesiolysis at a QALY that is similar or lower in price than medical therapy only, physical therapy, manipulation, spinal cord stimulation, and surgery. The limitations of this cost utility analysis are that it is a single-center evaluation, with the inclusion of costs of adhesiolysis procedures in an ambulatory surgery center and physician visits, rather than all related costs including drug therapy and costs of disability in multiple settings. This cost utility analysis of percutaneous adhesiolysis in the treatment of post-lumbar surgery syndrome and lumbar central spinal stenosis shows the clinical effectiveness and cost utility of these procedures at USD $2,650 per one year of QALY when performed in an ambulatory surgery center. © 2014 World Institute of Pain.

A Distributed Dynamic Programming-Based Solution for Load Management in Smart Grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei; Xu, Yinliang; Li, Sisi; Zhou, MengChu; Liu, Wenxin; Xu, Ying

2018-03-01

Load management is being recognized as an important option for active user participation in the energy market. Traditional load management methods usually require a centralized powerful control center and a two-way communication network between the system operators and energy end-users. The increasing user participation in smart grids may limit their applications. In this paper, a distributed solution for load management in emerging smart grids is proposed. The load management problem is formulated as a constrained optimization problem aiming at maximizing the overall utility of users while meeting the requirement for load reduction requested by the system operator, and is solved by using a distributed dynamic programming algorithm. The algorithm is implemented via a distributed framework and thus can deliver a highly desired distributed solution. It avoids the required use of a centralized coordinator or control center, and can achieve satisfactory outcomes for load management. Simulation results with various test systems demonstrate its effectiveness.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (center) listens to Congressman Tom Feeney (second from left) during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At right is U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (center) listens to Congressman Tom Feeney (second from left) during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At right is U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

View of USSR flight controllers in Mission Control during touchdown

NASA Image and Video Library

1975-07-21

S75-28659 (21 July 1975) --- An overall view of the group of Soviet Union flight controllers who served at the Mission Control Center during the joint U.S.-USSR Apollo-Soyuz Test Project docking mission in Earth orbit. They are applauding the successful touchdown of the Soyuz spacecraft in Central Asia. The television monitor had just shown the land landing of the Soyuz descent vehicle.

KSC-04pd1773

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of a hurricane assessment team from Johnson Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center observe the damage to the roof of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) Facility at KSC after Hurricane Frances hit the east coast of Central Florida and Kennedy Space Center. Near the center is astronaut Scott Altmann, a member of the team. The facility, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof. Equipment and materials that survived the storm have been relocated to the RLV hangar near the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left) greets U.S. Representative Ric Keller during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left) greets U.S. Representative Ric Keller during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right) greets Florida Congressman Tom Feeney during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right) greets Florida Congressman Tom Feeney during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

KSC-04pd1770

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of a hurricane assessment team from Johnson Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center tour the Thermal Protection System (TPS) Facility at KSC after Hurricane Frances hit the east coast of Central Florida and Kennedy Space Center. At left is Martin Wilson, manager of the TPS operations. The facility, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof. Equipment and materials that survived the storm have been relocated to the RLV hangar near the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility.

KSC-04pd1774

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of a hurricane assessment team from Johnson Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center observe the damage to the roof of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) Facility at KSC after Hurricane Frances hit the east coast of Central Florida and Kennedy Space Center. The facility, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof. Equipment and materials that survived the storm have been relocated to the RLV hangar near the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility.

Central Control Room in the Engine Research Building

NASA Image and Video Library

1968-11-21

Operators in the Engine Research Building’s Central Control Room at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center. The massive 4.25-acre Engine Research Building contains dozens of test cells, test stands, and altitude chambers. A powerful a collection of compressors and exhausters located in the central portion of the basement provides process air and exhaust for these test areas. This system is connected to similar process air systems in the laboratory’s other large test facilities. The Central Control Room coordinates this activity and communicates with the local utilities. The panels on the wall contain schematics with indicator lights and instrumentation for the atmospheric exhaust, altitude exhaust, refrigerated air, and process air systems. The process air equipment included twelve exhausters, four compressors, refrigeration system, cooling water, and an exhaust system. The operators in the control room kept in contact with engineers running the process air system and those conducting the tests in the test cells. The operators also coordinated with the local power companies to make sure enough electricity was available to operate the powerful compressors and exhausters.

Central Pacific Hurricane Center - Honolulu, Hawai`i

Science.gov Websites

Department of Commerce Central Pacific Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Blank Tracking Maps ▾ Educational Resources Be Prepared! NWS Hurricane Prep Week Preparedness Weather Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI 800 PM HST Thu Nov 30 2017 For the central North Pacific

Dynamic neural networking as a basis for plasticity in the control of heart rate.

PubMed

Kember, G; Armour, J A; Zamir, M

2013-01-21

A model is proposed in which the relationship between individual neurons within a neural network is dynamically changing to the effect of providing a measure of "plasticity" in the control of heart rate. The neural network on which the model is based consists of three populations of neurons residing in the central nervous system, the intrathoracic extracardiac nervous system, and the intrinsic cardiac nervous system. This hierarchy of neural centers is used to challenge the classical view that the control of heart rate, a key clinical index, resides entirely in central neuronal command (spinal cord, medulla oblongata, and higher centers). Our results indicate that dynamic networking allows for the possibility of an interplay among the three populations of neurons to the effect of altering the order of control of heart rate among them. This interplay among the three levels of control allows for different neural pathways for the control of heart rate to emerge under different blood flow demands or disease conditions and, as such, it has significant clinical implications because current understanding and treatment of heart rate anomalies are based largely on a single level of control and on neurons acting in unison as a single entity rather than individually within a (plastically) interconnected network. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical islet transplantation experience of the University of California Islet Transplant Consortium.

PubMed

Brunicardi, F C; Atiya, A; Stock, P; Kenmochi, T; Une, S; Benhamou, P Y; Watt, P C; Miyamato, M; Wantanabe, Y; Nomura, Y

1995-12-01

The University of California Islet Transplant Consortium was formed to evaluate the feasibility of performing clinical islet transplantation at different transplant centers by using a single centralized islet isolation laboratory. From July 1992 through February 1995 seven adult islet transplantations were performed, six allografts and one autograft. Once procured, human pancreata were brought to the UCLA-VA Islet Core Laboratory for islet isolation and purification, which were then transported to different centers for transplantation. Patients 1 through 3 received their transplants in Los Angeles, patient 4 received her islet transplant in Torrance, and patients 5 through 7 received their transplants in San Francisco. Although none of these patients achieved insulin independence, four of seven had functioning grafts longer than 6 months as indicated by circulating C-peptide level greater than 0.7 ng/ml. Furthermore, improved glucose control as shown by a decreased insulin requirement was seen in 57% (four of seven patients) of these patients. The ability to isolate islets at a single laboratory and transport them long distances to different centers was shown in patients 4 through 7. Islet transplantation can be performed with improvements in blood glucose control, and islets can be isolated at a centralized location and successfully transported to different centers for transplantation.

A Comprehensive Approach to Management of Workplace and Environmental Noise at NASA Lewis Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Beth A.

1995-01-01

NASA Lewis Research Center is home to more than 100 experimental research testing facilities and laboratories, including large wind tunnels and engine test cells, which in combination create a varied and complex noise environment. Much of the equipment was manufactured prior to the enactment of legislation limiting product noise emissions or occupational noise exposure. Routine facility maintenance and associated construction also contributes to a noise exposure management responsibility which is equal in magnitude and scope to that of several small industrial companies. The Noise Program, centrally managed within the Office of Environmental Programs at LRC, maintains overall responsibility for hearing conservation, community noise control, and acoustical and noise control engineering. Centralized management of the LRC Noise Program facilitates the timely development and implementation of engineered noise control solutions for problems identified via either the Hearing Conservation of Community Noise Program. The key element of the Lewis Research Center Noise Program, Acoustical and Noise Control Engineering Services, is focused on developing solutions that permanently reduce employee and community noise exposure and maximize research productivity by reducing or eliminating administrative and operational controls and by improving the safety and comfort of the work environment. The Hearing Conservation Program provides noise exposure assessment, medical monitoring, and training for civil servant and contractor employees. The Community Noise Program aims to maintain the support of LRC's neighboring communities while enabling necessary research operations to accomplish their programmatic goals. Noise control engineering capability resides within the Noise Program. The noise control engineering, based on specific exposure limits, is a fundamental consideration throughout the design phase of new test facilities, labs, and office buildings. In summary, the Noise Program addresses hearing conservation, community noise control, and acoustical and noise control engineering.

Economic analysis of centralized vs. decentralized electronic data capture in multi-center clinical studies.

PubMed

Walden, Anita; Nahm, Meredith; Barnett, M Edwina; Conde, Jose G; Dent, Andrew; Fadiel, Ahmed; Perry, Theresa; Tolk, Chris; Tcheng, James E; Eisenstein, Eric L

2011-01-01

New data management models are emerging in multi-center clinical studies. We evaluated the incremental costs associated with decentralized vs. centralized models. We developed clinical research network economic models to evaluate three data management models: centralized, decentralized with local software, and decentralized with shared database. Descriptive information from three clinical research studies served as inputs for these models. The primary outcome was total data management costs. Secondary outcomes included: data management costs for sites, local data centers, and central coordinating centers. Both decentralized models were more costly than the centralized model for each clinical research study: the decentralized with local software model was the most expensive. Decreasing the number of local data centers and case book pages reduced cost differentials between models. Decentralized vs. centralized data management in multi-center clinical research studies is associated with increases in data management costs.

Economic Analysis of Centralized vs. Decentralized Electronic Data Capture in Multi-Center Clinical Studies

PubMed Central

Walden, Anita; Nahm, Meredith; Barnett, M. Edwina; Conde, Jose G.; Dent, Andrew; Fadiel, Ahmed; Perry, Theresa; Tolk, Chris; Tcheng, James E.; Eisenstein, Eric L.

2012-01-01

Background New data management models are emerging in multi-center clinical studies. We evaluated the incremental costs associated with decentralized vs. centralized models. Methods We developed clinical research network economic models to evaluate three data management models: centralized, decentralized with local software, and decentralized with shared database. Descriptive information from three clinical research studies served as inputs for these models. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was total data management costs. Secondary outcomes included: data management costs for sites, local data centers, and central coordinating centers. Results Both decentralized models were more costly than the centralized model for each clinical research study: the decentralized with local software model was the most expensive. Decreasing the number of local data centers and case book pages reduced cost differentials between models. Conclusion Decentralized vs. centralized data management in multi-center clinical research studies is associated with increases in data management costs. PMID:21335692

Supporting railroad roadway work communications with a wireless handheld computer. Volume 1 : usability for the roadway worker

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-10-01

Communications in current railroad operations rely heavily on voice communications. Radio congestion impairs roadway workers ability to communicate effectively with dispatchers at the Central Traffic Control Center and has adverse consequences for...

Supporting railroad roadway worker communications with a wireless handheld computer. Volume 1, Usability for the roadway worker.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-10-31

Communications in current railroad operations rely heavily on voice communications. Radio congestion impairs roadway workers ability to communicate effectively with dispatchers at the Central Traffic Control Center and has adverse consequences for...

Cost of Operating Central Cancer Registries and Factors That Affect Cost: Findings From an Economic Evaluation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Program of Cancer Registries

PubMed Central

Tangka, Florence K. L.; Subramanian, Sujha; Beebe, Maggie Cole; Weir, Hannah K.; Trebino, Diana; Babcock, Frances; Ewing, Jean

2016-01-01

Context The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluated the economics of the National Program of Cancer Registries to provide the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the registries, and policy makers with the economic evidence-base to make optimal decisions about resource allocation. Cancer registry budgets are under increasing threat, and, therefore, systematic assessment of the cost will identify approaches to improve the efficiencies of this vital data collection operation and also justify the funding required to sustain registry operations. Objectives To estimate the cost of cancer registry operations and to assess the factors affecting the cost per case reported by National Program of Cancer Registries–funded central cancer registries. Methods We developed a Web-based cost assessment tool to collect 3 years of data (2009-2011) from each National Program of Cancer Registries–funded registry for all actual expenditures for registry activities (including those funded by other sources) and factors affecting registry operations. We used a random-effects regression model to estimate the impact of various factors on cost per cancer case reported. Results The cost of reporting a cancer case varied across the registries. Central cancer registries that receive high-quality data from reporting sources (as measured by the percentage of records passing automatic edits) and electronic data submissions, and those that collect and report on a large volume of cases had significantly lower cost per case. The volume of cases reported had a large effect, with low-volume registries experiencing much higher cost per case than medium- or high-volume registries. Conclusions Our results suggest that registries operate with substantial fixed or semivariable costs. Therefore, sharing fixed costs among low-volume contiguous state registries, whenever possible, and centralization of certain processes can result in economies of scale. Approaches to improve quality of data submitted and increasing electronic reporting can also reduce cost. PMID:26642226

A Framework for WWW Query Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Binghui Helen; Wharton, Stephen (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Query processing is the most common operation in a DBMS. Sophisticated query processing has been mainly targeted at a single enterprise environment providing centralized control over data and metadata. Submitting queries by anonymous users on the web is different in such a way that load balancing or DBMS' accessing control becomes the key issue. This paper provides a solution by introducing a framework for WWW query processing. The success of this framework lies in the utilization of query optimization techniques and the ontological approach. This methodology has proved to be cost effective at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Distributed Active Archive Center (GDAAC).

Mission Control Center (MCC) System Specification for the Shuttle Orbital Flight Test (OFT) Timeframe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

System specifications to be used by the mission control center (MCC) for the shuttle orbital flight test (OFT) time frame were described. The three support systems discussed are the communication interface system (CIS), the data computation complex (DCC), and the display and control system (DCS), all of which may interfere with, and share processing facilities with other applications processing supporting current MCC programs. The MCC shall provide centralized control of the space shuttle OFT from launch through orbital flight, entry, and landing until the Orbiter comes to a stop on the runway. This control shall include the functions of vehicle management in the area of hardware configuration (verification), flight planning, communication and instrumentation configuration management, trajectory, software and consumables, payloads management, flight safety, and verification of test conditions/environment.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Director Jim Kennedy makes a presentation to NASA and other officials about the benefits of locating NASA’s new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At the far left is Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Director Jim Kennedy makes a presentation to NASA and other officials about the benefits of locating NASA’s new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At the far left is Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Air Force Global Weather Central System Architecture Study. Final System/Subsystem Summary Report. Volume 2. Requirements Compilation and Analysis. Part 3. Characteristics Summaries and Network Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

DB DC DCT DDB DET DF DFS DML DMS DMSP DOD DS DSARC DT EDB EDS EG ESSA ETAC EWO Control and Reporting Post Cathode Ray Tube...National and Aviation Meteorological Facsimile Network NC - Network Control NCA - National Command Authority NCAR - National Center for Atmospheric

Reach a New Threshold of Freedom and Control with Dell's Flexible Computing Solution: On-Demand Desktop Streaming

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Technology & Learning, 2008

2008-01-01

When it comes to IT, there has always been an important link between data center control and client flexibility. As computing power increases, so do the potentially crippling threats to security, productivity and financial stability. This article talks about Dell's On-Demand Desktop Streaming solution which is designed to centralize complete…

Collaborative Pediatric Bone Tumor Program to Improve Access to Specialized Care: An Initiative by the Lebanese Children’s Oncology Group

PubMed Central

Merabi, Zeina; Abboud, Miguel R.; Muwakkit, Samar; Noun, Peter; Gemayel, Gladys; Bechara, Elie; Khalifeh, Hassan; Farah, Roula; Kabbara, Nabil; El-Khoury, Tarek; Al-Yousef, Rasha; Haidar, Rachid; Saghieh, Said; Eid, Toufic; Akel, Samir; Khoury, Nabil; Bayram, Layal; Krasin, Matthew J.; Jeha, Sima; El-Solh, Hassan

2017-01-01

Background Children with malignant bone tumors have average 5-year survival rates of 60% to 70% with current multimodality therapy. Local control modalities aimed at preserving function greatly influence the quality of life of long-term survivors. In developing countries, the limited availability of multidisciplinary care and limited expertise in specialized surgery and pediatric radiation therapy, as well as financial cost, all form barriers to achieving optimal outcomes in this population. Methods We describe the establishment of a collaborative pediatric bone tumor program among a group of pediatric oncologists in Lebanon and Syria. This program provides access to specialized local control at a tertiary children’s cancer center to pediatric patients with newly diagnosed bone tumors at participating sites. Central review of pathology, staging, and treatment planning is performed in a multidisciplinary tumor board setting. Patients receive chemotherapy at their respective centers on a unified treatment plan. Surgery and/or radiation therapy are performed centrally by specialized staff at the children’s cancer center. Cost barriers were resolved through a program development initiative led by St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Once program feasibility was achieved, the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon Foundation, via fundraising efforts, provided continuation of program-directed funding. Results Findings over a 3-year period showed the feasibility of this project, with timely local control and protocol adherence at eight collaborating centers. We report success in providing standard-of-care multidisciplinary therapy to this patient population with complex needs and financially challenging surgical procedures. Conclusion This initiative can serve as a model, noting that facilitating access to specialized multidisciplinary care, resolution of financial barriers, and close administrative coordination all greatly contributed to the success of the program. PMID:28717738

Finasteride for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PubMed

Forooghian, Farzin; Meleth, Annal D; Cukras, Catherine; Chew, Emily Y; Wong, Wai T; Meyerle, Catherine B

2011-04-01

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of finasteride, an inhibitor of dihydrotestosterone synthesis, in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Five patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy were prospectively enrolled in this pilot study. Patients were administered finasteride (5 mg) daily for 3 months, after which study medication was withheld and patients were observed for 3 months. Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield macular thickness, and subretinal fluid volume as assessed by optical coherence tomography. Serum dihydrotestosterone, serum testosterone, and urinary cortisol were also measured. There was no change in mean best-corrected visual acuity. Mean center-subfield macular thickness and subretinal fluid volume reached a nadir at 3 months and rose to levels that were below baseline by 6 months. The changes in both optical coherence tomography parameters paralleled those in serum dihydrotestosterone level. In four patients, center-subfield macular thickness and/or subretinal fluid volume increased after discontinuation of finasteride. In the remaining patient, both optical coherence tomography parameters normalized with finasteride and remained stable when the study medication was discontinued. Finasteride may represent a novel medical treatment for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Larger controlled clinical trials are needed to further assess the efficacy of finasteride for the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy.

KSC-04PD-0250

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (center) is welcomed to the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - - U.S. Representative Ric Keller (left) listens intently to a presentation proposing the use of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. NASA and Florida officials toured the research park as well. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - - U.S. Representative Ric Keller (left) listens intently to a presentation proposing the use of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. NASA and Florida officials toured the research park as well. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Inertial vestibular coding of motion: concepts and evidence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hess, B. J.; Angelaki, D. E.

1997-01-01

Central processing of inertial sensory information about head attitude and motion in space is crucial for motor control. Vestibular signals are coded relative to a non-inertial system, the head, that is virtually continuously in motion. Evidence for transformation of vestibular signals from head-fixed sensory coordinates to gravity-centered coordinates have been provided by studies of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. The underlying central processing depends on otolith afferent information that needs to be resolved in terms of head translation related inertial forces and head attitude dependent pull of gravity. Theoretical solutions have been suggested, but experimental evidence is still scarce. It appears, along these lines, that gaze control systems are intimately linked to motor control of head attitude and posture.

Bringing central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention home: CLABSI definitions and prevention policies in home health care agencies.

PubMed

Rinke, Michael L; Bundy, David G; Milstone, Aaron M; Deuber, Kristin; Chen, Allen R; Colantuoni, Elizabeth; Miller, Marlene R

2013-08-01

A study was conducted to investigate health care agency central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) definitions and prevention policies and pare them to the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG.07.04.01), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CLABSI prevention recommendations, and a best-practice central line care bundle for inpatients. A telephone-based survey was conducted in 2011 of a convenience sample of home health care agencies associated with children's hematology/oncology centers. Of the 97 eligible home health care agencies, 57 (59%) completed the survey. No agency reported using all five aspects of the National Healthcare and Safety Network/Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology CLABSI definition and adjudication process, and of the 50 agencies that reported tracking CLABSI rates, 20 (40%) reported using none. Only 10 agencies (18%) had policies consistent with all elements of the inpatient-focused NPSG.07.04.01, 10 agencies (18%) were consistent with all elements of the home care targeted CDC CLABSI prevention recommendations, and no agencies were consistent with all elements of the central line care bundle. Only 14 agencies (25%) knew their overall CLABSI rate: mean 0.40 CLABSIs per 1,000 central line days (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.61). Six agencies (11%) knew their agency's pediatric CLABSI rate: mean 0.54 CLABSIs per 1,000 central line days (95% CI, 0.06 to 1.01). The policies of a national sample of home health care agencies varied significantly from national inpatient and home health care agency targeted standards for CLABSI definitions and prevention. Future research should assess strategies for standardizing home health care practices consistent with evidence-based recommendations.

IMPAC: An Integrated Methodology for Propulsion and Airframe Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay; Ouzts, Peter J.; Lorenzo, Carl F.; Mattern, Duane L.

1991-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is actively involved in the development of enabling technologies that will lead towards aircraft with new/enhanced maneuver capabilities such as Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) and high angle of attack performance. Because of the high degree of dynamic coupling between the airframe and propulsion systems of these types of aircraft, one key technology is the integration of the flight and propulsion control. The NASA Lewis Research Center approach to developing Integrated Flight Propulsion Control (IFPC) technologies is an in-house research program referred to as IMPAC (Integrated Methodology for Propulsion and Airframe Control). The goals of IMPAC are to develop a viable alternative to the existing integrated control design methodologies that will allow for improved system performance and simplicity of control law synthesis and implementation, and to demonstrate the applicability of the methodology to a supersonic STOVL fighter aircraft. Based on some preliminary control design studies that included evaluation of the existing methodologies, the IFPC design methodology that is emerging at the Lewis Research Center consists of considering the airframe and propulsion system as one integrated system for an initial centralized controller design and then partitioning the centralized controller into separate airframe and propulsion system subcontrollers to ease implementation and to set meaningful design requirements for detailed subsystem control design and evaluation. An overview of IMPAC is provided and detailed discussion of the various important design and evaluation steps in the methodology are included.

KSC-04PD-0253

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. KSC Director Jim Kennedy (center) makes a presentation to NASA and other officials about the benefits of locating NASAs new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for preventing central venous catheter-related infection: results of a knowledge test among 3405 European intensive care nurses.

PubMed

Labeau, Sonia O; Vandijck, Dominique M; Rello, Jordi; Adam, Sheila; Rosa, Ana; Wenisch, Christoph; Bäckman, Carl; Agbaht, Kemal; Csomos, Akos; Seha, Myriam; Dimopoulos, George; Vandewoude, Koenraad H; Blot, Stijn I

2009-01-01

To determine European intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' knowledge of guidelines for preventing central venous catheter-related infection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multicountry survey (October 2006-March 2007). Twenty-two European countries. ICU nurses. Using a validated multiple-choice test, knowledge of ten recommendations for central venous catheter-related infection prevention was evaluated (one point per question) and assessed in relation to participants' gender, ICU experience, number of ICU beds, and acquisition of a specialized ICU qualification. We collected 3405 questionnaires (70.9% response rate); mean test score was 44.4%. Fifty-six percent knew that central venous catheters should be replaced on indication only, and 74% knew this also concerns replacement over a guidewire. Replacing pressure transducers and tubing every 4 days, and using coated devices in patients requiring a central venous catheter >5 days in settings with high infection rates only were recognized as recommended by 53% and 31%, respectively. Central venous catheters dressings in general are known to be changed on indication and at least once weekly by 43%, and 26% recognized that both polyurethane and gauze dressings are recommended. Only 14% checked 2% aqueous chlorhexidine as the recommended disinfection solution; 30% knew antibiotic ointments are not recommended because they trigger resistance. Replacing administration sets within 24 hrs after administering lipid emulsions was recognized as recommended by 90%, but only 26% knew sets should be replaced every 96 hrs when administering neither lipid emulsions nor blood products. Professional seniority and number of ICU beds showed to be independently associated with better test scores. Opportunities exist to optimize knowledge of central venous catheter-related infection prevention among European ICU nurses. We recommend including central venous catheter-related infection prevention guidelines in educational curricula and continuing refresher education programs.

KSC-04pd1902

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-22

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers attempt to secure the roof of the Tile Shop in the Thermal Protection System Facility (TPSF) in preparation for Hurricane Jeanne, which is expected to impact Central Florida Sunday. The TPSF, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, lost approximately 35 percent of its roof during Hurricane Frances, which blew across Central Florida Sept. 4. Jeanne is the fourth hurricane in 45 days to make landfall somewhere in the state.

KSC-04pd1775

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of a hurricane assessment team from Johnson Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center observe the damage to the roof of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) Facility at KSC after Hurricane Frances hit the east coast of Central Florida and Kennedy Space Center. At left is astronaut Scott Altmann, a member of the team, and at center is Martin Wilson, manager of the TPS operations. The facility, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof. Equipment and materials that survived the storm have been relocated to the RLV hangar near the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility.

Evaluation of emergency drug releases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Quarantine Stations

PubMed Central

Roohi, Shahrokh; Grinnell, Margaret; Sandoval, Michelle; Cohen, Nicole J.; Crocker, Kimberly; Allen, Christopher; Dougherty, Cindy; Jolly, Julian; Pesik, Nicki

2018-01-01

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Quarantine Stations distribute select lifesaving drug products that are not commercially available or are in limited supply in the United States for emergency treatment of certain health conditions. Following a retrospective analysis of shipment records, the authors estimated an average of 6.66 hours saved per shipment when drug products were distributed from quarantine stations compared to a hypothetical centralized site from CDC headquarters in Atlanta, GA. This evaluation supports the continued use of a decentralized model which leverages CDC's regional presence and maximizes efficiency in the distribution of lifesaving drugs. PMID:25779896

Evaluation of emergency drug releases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Quarantine Stations.

PubMed

Roohi, Shahrokh; Grinnell, Margaret; Sandoval, Michelle; Cohen, Nicole J; Crocker, Kimberly; Allen, Christopher; Dougherty, Cindy; Jolly, Julian; Pesik, Nicki

2015-01-01

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Quarantine Stations distribute select lifesaving drug products that are not commercially available or are in limited supply in the United States for emergency treatment of certain health conditions. Following a retrospective analysis of shipment records, the authors estimated an average of 6.66 hours saved per shipment when drug products were distributed from quarantine stations compared to a hypothetical centralized site from CDC headquarters in Atlanta, GA. This evaluation supports the continued use of a decentralized model which leverages CDC's regional presence and maximizes efficiency in the distribution of lifesaving drugs.

KSC-2012-1180

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-01-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A firefighter manages the progress of a controlled burn in the vicinity of the Industrial Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The burn, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, targeted 2,174 acres near Kennedy's administrative complex. Shifting winds caused the fire to flare up in places to dramatic effect. Limited visibility caused by the smoke required NASA Security to close some roadways. The burn, which began during the 8 o'clock hour this morning, is expected to be extinguished this evening. Controlled burns are commonplace on the center to reduce the likelihood of an unplanned brush fire during Central Florida's dry season. Photo Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

KSC-2012-1182

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-01-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A controlled burn consumes the brush in the vicinity of the Industrial Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The burn, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, targeted 2,174 acres near Kennedy's administrative complex. Shifting winds caused the fire to flare up in places to dramatic effect. Limited visibility caused by the smoke required NASA Security to close some roadways. The burn, which began during the 8 o'clock hour this morning, is expected to be extinguished this evening. Controlled burns are commonplace on the center to reduce the likelihood of an unplanned brush fire during Central Florida's dry season. Photo Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Inventory and Billing Systems for Multiple Users.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frazier, Lavon

Washington State University developed a comprehensive supplies inventory system and a generalized billing system with multiple users in mind. The supplies inventory control system developed for Central Stores, a self-sustaining service center that purchases and warehouses office, laboratory, and hardware supplies, was called AIMS, An Inventory…

Neural blockade during exercise augments central command's contribution to carotid baroreflex resetting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Querry, R. G.; Smith, S. A.; Stromstad, M.; Ide, K.; Raven, P. B.; Secher, N. H.

2001-01-01

This investigation was designed to determine central command's role on carotid baroreflex (CBR) resetting during exercise. Nine volunteer subjects performed static and rhythmic handgrip exercise at 30 and 40% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), respectively, before and after partial axillary neural blockade. Stimulus-response curves were developed using the neck pressure-neck suction technique and a rapid pulse train protocol (+40 to -80 Torr). Regional anesthesia resulted in a significant reduction in MVC. Heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were used as indexes of central command and were elevated during exercise at control force intensity after induced muscle weakness. The CBR function curves were reset vertically with a minimal lateral shift during control exercise and exhibited a further parallel resetting during exercise with neural blockade. The operating point was progressively reset to coincide with the centering point of the CBR curve. These data suggest that central command was a primary mechanism in the resetting of the CBR during exercise. However, it appeared that central command modulated the carotid-cardiac reflex proportionately more than the carotid-vasomotor reflex.

Guidance and examination by ultrasound versus landmark and radiographic method for placement of subclavian central venous catheters: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Central venous catheters play an important role in patient care. Real-time ultrasound-guided subclavian central venous (SCV) cannulation may reduce the incidence of complications and the time between skin penetration and the aspiration of venous blood into the syringe. Ultrasonic diagnosis of catheter misplacement and pneumothorax related to central venous catheterization is rapid and accurate. It is unclear, however, whether ultrasound real-time guidance and examination can reduce procedure times and complication rates when compared with landmark guidance and radiographic examination for SCV catheterization. Methods/Design The Subclavian Central Venous Catheters Guidance and Examination by UltraSound (SUBGEUS) study is an investigator-initiated single center, randomized, controlled two-arm trial. Three hundred patients undergoing SCV catheter placement will be randomized to ultrasound real-time guidance and examination or landmark guidance and radiographic examination. The primary outcome is the time between the beginning of the procedure and control of the catheter. Secondary outcomes include the times required for the six components of the total procedure, the occurrence of complications (pneumothorax, hemothorax, or misplacement), failure of the technique and occurrence of central venous catheter infections. Discussion The SUBGEUS trial is the first randomized controlled study to investigate whether ultrasound real-time guidance and examination for SCV catheter placement reduces all procedure times and the rate of complications. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01888094 PMID:24885789

Marine Corps NBC Warfare: Determining Clinical Supply Requirements for Treatment of Battlefield Casualties from Chemical and Biological Warfare

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-05-01

medical supply blocks. Two available botulism antitoxins—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) trivalent equine antitoxin for serotypes...4th Ed. Fort Detrick, MD. U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases ; 2001: 9-12. 3. Sidell, FR, Franz, David R. Overview: Defense...Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases of Tactical Importance to U.S. Central Command. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and

U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, UT and the West Desert Test Center

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-04-30

Optic Network •32 Channels of Video •7 Communications Consoles with 20 Radio Nets and Phone Patch •Over 40 Communication Drops & Cell Phones •Centralized... Phone Tower Sites Cell Phone Activation May ‘01 Logistical Support Full Serv ice Com mun ity l Ground Transportation and Maintenance – Vehicle Support...Voice, Data & Video Communications in Mission Control Center •Data Speed: 100 MB/sec •Ethernet Connections •Commercial Power to most Sites Cell

Eye Controlled Simulation of Scotoma Effects on the Retina

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-01

movements since the central region of the viewing. The PRLs were positioned near the retina, the macula , and its center, the fovea, have scotoma boundary...scotoma area; as macular degeneration increases in size. near to the fovea as possible to maximize acuity, Feedback of failures to detect targets might

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OUTDOOR, INDOOR, AND PERSONAL PARTICULATE AIR SAMPLES COLLECTED IN AND AROUND A RETIREMENT FACILITY

EPA Science Inventory

Residential, personal, indoor, and outdoor sampling of particulate matter was conducted at a retirement center in the Towson area of northern Baltimore County in 1998. Concurrent sampling was conducted at a central community site. Computer-controlled scanning electron microsco...

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF INDOOR, OUTDOOR, AND PERSONAL SAMPLES COLLECTED IN AND AROUND A RETIREMENT FACILITY

EPA Science Inventory

Residential, personal, indoor, and outdoor sampling of particulate matter was conducted at a retirement center in the Towson area of northern Baltimore County in 1998. Concurrent sampling was conducted at a central community site. Computer-controlled scanning electron microsco...

Earth Observation Data Quality Monitoring and Control: A Case Study of STAR Central Data Repository

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, W.; Jochum, M.

2017-12-01

Earth observation data quality is very important for researchers and decision makers involved in weather forecasting, severe weather warning, disaster and emergency response, environmental monitoring, etc. Monitoring and control earth observation data quality, especially accuracy, completeness, and timeliness, is very useful in data management and governance to optimize data flow, discover potential transmission issues, and better connect data providers and users. Taking a centralized near real-time satellite data repository, STAR (Center for Satellite Applications and Research of NOAA) Central Data Repository (SCDR), as an example, this paper describes how to develop new mechanism to verify data integrity, check data completeness, and monitor data latency in an operational data management system. Such quality monitoring and control of large volume satellite data help data providers and managers improve data transmission of near real-time satellite data, enhance its acquisition and management, and overcome performance and management issues to better serve research and development activities.

Postural control in restless legs syndrome with medication intervention using pramipexole.

PubMed

Ahlgrén-Rimpiläinen, Aulikki; Lauerma, Hannu; Kähkönen, Seppo; Aalto, Heikki; Tuisku, Katinka; Holi, Matti; Pyykkö, Ilmari; Rimpiläinen, Ilpo

2014-02-01

Central dopamine regulation is involved in postural control and in the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Postural control abnormalities have been detected in PD, but there are no earlier studies with regard to RLS and postural control. Computerized force platform posturography was applied to measure the shift and the velocity (CPFV) of center point of forces (CPF) with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) in controls (n = 12) and prior and after a single day intervention with pramipexole in RLS subjects (n = 12). CPFV (EO) was significantly lower in the RLS group (p < 0.05) than in controls. After pramipexole intake, the difference disappeared and the subjective symptom severity diminished. Pramipexole did not significantly influence CPFV (EC) or CPF shift direction. Subjects with RLS used extensively visual mechanisms to control vestibule-spinal reflexes to improve or compensate the postural stability. Further research is needed to clarify altered feedback in the central nervous system and involvement of dopamine and vision in the postural control in RLS.

The geo-control system for station keeping and colocation of geostationary satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montenbruck, O.; Eckstein, M. C.; Gonner, J.

1993-01-01

GeoControl is a compact but powerful and accurate software system for station keeping of single and colocated satellites, which has been developed at the German Space Operations Center. It includes four core modules for orbit determination (including maneuver estimation), maneuver planning, monitoring of proximities between colocated satellites, and interference and event prediction. A simple database containing state vector and maneuver information at selected epochs is maintained as a central interface between the modules. A menu driven shell utilizing form screens for data input serves as the central user interface. The software is written in Ada and FORTRAN and may be used on VAX workstations or mainframes under the VMS operating system.

Static Frequency Converter System Installed and Tested

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Donald P.; Sadhukhan, Debashis

2003-01-01

A new Static Frequency Converter (SFC) system has been installed and tested at the NASA Glenn Research Center s Central Air Equipment Building to provide consistent, reduced motor start times and improved reliability for the building s 14 large exhausters and compressors. The operational start times have been consistent around 2 min, 20 s per machine. This is at least a 3-min improvement (per machine) over the old variable-frequency motor generator sets. The SFC was designed and built by Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) and installed by Encompass Design Group (EDG) as part of a Construction of Facilities project managed by Glenn (Robert Scheidegger, project manager). The authors designed the Central Process Distributed Control Systems interface and control between the programmable logic controller, solid-state exciter, and switchgear, which was constructed by Gilcrest Electric.

KSC-04PD-0251

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (center) listens to Congressman Tom Feeney (second from left) during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At right is U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Modular Autonomous Systems Technology Framework: A Distributed Solution for System Monitoring and Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Badger, Julia M.; Claunch, Charles; Mathis, Frank

2017-01-01

The Modular Autonomous Systems Technology (MAST) framework is a tool for building distributed, hierarchical autonomous systems. Originally intended for the autonomous monitoring and control of spacecraft, this framework concept provides support for variable autonomy, assume-guarantee contracts, and efficient communication between subsystems and a centralized systems manager. MAST was developed at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) and has been applied to an integrated spacecraft example scenario.

Storage and Supply Activities: Physical Inventory Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-11-19

in appendix C. Small scale accountable supply distribution activities ( ASDAs ) (such as, service item control centers (SICC)), may be exempt from the...organizational breakout shown in appendix C. These ASDAs , however, will set up a single centralized organization. It will report directly to the chief...regulation. (a) SAs will set up standard inventory organizations as outlined in appendix D. (b) Where the ASDA and the SA are collocated and separate

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA officials and government representatives are gathered to learn about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At the far end of the table is NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. He is flanked, on the left, by Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; and on the right by U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA officials and government representatives are gathered to learn about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At the far end of the table is NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. He is flanked, on the left, by Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; and on the right by U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

The influence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy on local postural muscle and central sensory feedback balance control.

PubMed

Toosizadeh, Nima; Mohler, Jane; Armstrong, David G; Talal, Talal K; Najafi, Bijan

2015-01-01

Poor balance control and increased fall risk have been reported in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Traditional body sway measures are unable to describe underlying postural control mechanism. In the current study, we used stabilogram diffusion analysis to examine the mechanism under which balance is altered in DPN patients under local-control (postural muscle control) and central-control (postural control using sensory cueing). DPN patients and healthy age-matched adults over 55 years performed two 15-second Romberg balance trials. Center of gravity sway was measured using a motion tracker system based on wearable inertial sensors, and used to derive body sway and local/central control balance parameters. Eighteen DPN patients (age = 65.4±7.6 years; BMI = 29.3±5.3 kg/m2) and 18 age-matched healthy controls (age = 69.8±2.9; BMI = 27.0±4.1 kg/m2) with no major mobility disorder were recruited. The rate of sway within local-control was significantly higher in the DPN group by 49% (healthy local-controlslope = 1.23±1.06×10-2 cm2/sec, P<0.01), which suggests a compromised local-control balance behavior in DPN patients. Unlike local-control, the rate of sway within central-control was 60% smaller in the DPN group (healthy central-controlslope-Log = 0.39±0.23, P<0.02), which suggests an adaptation mechanism to reduce the overall body sway in DPN patients. Interestingly, significant negative correlations were observed between central-control rate of sway with neuropathy severity (rPearson = 0.65-085, P<0.05) and the history of diabetes (rPearson = 0.58-071, P<0.05). Results suggest that in the lack of sensory feedback cueing, DPN participants were highly unstable compared to controls. However, as soon as they perceived the magnitude of sway using sensory feedback, they chose a high rigid postural control strategy, probably due to high concerns for fall, which may increase the energy cost during extended period of standing; the adaptation mechanism using sensory feedback depends on the level of neuropathy and the history of diabetes.

Game Analysis of Water Pollution Control in China’s Watershed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shu Wen

2018-05-01

Water pollution in the river basin is an important environmental management problem in China. At present, China’s environmental governance has entered the policy game stage centered on related interests. There are two main focus areas. First, it aims to resolve the conflict between the central government, local governments, and enterprises in terms of the utilization of basin resources and the environment. Second, it is responsible for the implementation of environmental policy. By analyzing the relationships between the central government, local governments, and enterprises in the process of water pollution control in the river basin, this study examines the environmental regulation of the central government and the collusion between local governments and enterprises to pollute the environment. To achieve this, game theory is applied from the perspective of information economics. Lastly, the study proposes corresponding policy recommendations in order to get out of the “prisoner’s dilemma”.

Centralized vs. decentralized child mental health services.

PubMed

Adams, M S

1977-09-01

One of the basic tenets of the Community Mental Health Center movement is that services should be provided in the consumers' community. Various centers across the country have attempted to do this in either a centralized or decentralized fashion. Historically, most health services have been provided centrally, a good example being the traditional general hospital with its centralized medical services. Over the years, some of these services have become decentralized to take the form of local health centers, health maintenance organizations, community clinics, etc, and now various large mental health centers are also being broken down into smaller community units. An example of each type of mental health facility is delineated here.

The South Central Superpave Center Summary Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-11-01

This is the summary report for Research Project 0-1250, The South Central Superpave Center." Initiated and sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, the Superpave Center fostered the implementation of...

EPA's Role with the Regional Environmental Center (REC) for Central and Eastern Europe

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Regional Environmental Center (REC) for Central and Eastern Europe provides assistance in solving environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe by promoting cooperation among governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses and others.

KSC-04PD-0249

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (right) greets Florida Congressman Tom Feeney during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

KSC-04PD-0252

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (left) greets U.S. Representative Ric Keller during a tour of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the new NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

KSC-2012-1183

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-01-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Fire Rescue Services are on the scene to support a controlled burn in the vicinity of the Industrial Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The burn, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, targeted 2,174 acres near Kennedy's administrative complex. Shifting winds caused the fire to flare up in places to dramatic effect. Limited visibility caused by the smoke required NASA Security to close some roadways. The burn, which began during the 8 o'clock hour this morning, is expected to be extinguished this evening. Controlled burns are commonplace on the center to reduce the likelihood of an unplanned brush fire during Central Florida's dry season. Photo Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2012-1179

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-01-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A controlled burn in the vicinity of the Industrial Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida sends billow of smoke over nearby roadways. The burn, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, targeted 2,174 acres near Kennedy's administrative complex. Shifting winds caused the fire to flare up in places to dramatic effect. Limited visibility caused by the smoke required NASA Security to close some roadways. The burn, which began during the 8 o'clock hour this morning, is expected to be extinguished this evening. Controlled burns are commonplace on the center to reduce the likelihood of an unplanned brush fire during Central Florida's dry season. Photo Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

KSC-2012-1181

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-01-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A firefighter mans his post at the edge of a controlled burn in the vicinity of the Industrial Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The burn, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, targeted 2,174 acres near Kennedy's administrative complex. Shifting winds caused the fire to flare up in places to dramatic effect. Limited visibility caused by the smoke required NASA Security to close some roadways. The burn, which began during the 8 o'clock hour this morning, is expected to be extinguished this evening. Controlled burns are commonplace on the center to reduce the likelihood of an unplanned brush fire during Central Florida's dry season. Photo Credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Supply chain optimization at an academic medical center.

PubMed

Labuhn, Jonathan; Almeter, Philip; McLaughlin, Christopher; Fields, Philip; Turner, Benjamin

2017-08-01

A successful supply chain optimization project that leveraged technology, engineering principles, and a technician workflow redesign in the setting of a growing health system is described. With continued rises in medication costs, medication inventory management is increasingly important. Proper management of central pharmacy inventory and floor-stock inventory in automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) can be challenging. In an effort to improve control of inventory costs in the central pharmacy of a large academic medical center, the pharmacy department implemented a supply chain optimization project in collaboration with the medical center's inhouse team of experts on process improvement and industrial engineering. The project had 2 main components: (1) upgrading and reconfiguring carousel technology within an expanded central pharmacy footprint to generate accurate floor-stock inventory replenishment reports, which resulted in efficiencies within the medication-use system, and (2) implementing a technician workflow redesign and algorithm to right-size the ADC inventory, which decreased inventory stockouts (i.e., incidents of depletion of medication stock) and improved ADC user satisfaction. Through a multifaceted approach to inventory management, the number of stockouts per month was decreased and ADC inventory was optimized, resulting in a one-time inventory cost savings of $220,500. Copyright © 2017 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.

Finasteride for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PubMed Central

Forooghian, Farzin; Meleth, Annal D.; Cukras, Catherine; Chew, Emily Y.; Wong, Wai T.; Meyerle, Catherine B.

2010-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of finasteride, an inhibitor of dihyroxytestosterone (DHT) synthesis, in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods Five patients with chronic CSC were prospectively enrolled in this pilot study. Patients were administered finasteride (5mg) daily for 3 months, following which study medication was withheld and patients were observed for 3 months. Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), center-subfield macular thickness and subretinal fluid volume as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Serum DHT, serum testosterone, and urinary cortisol were also measured. Results There was no change in mean BCVA. Mean center-subfield macular thickness and subretinal fluid volume reached a nadir at 3 months, and rose to levels that were below baseline by 6 months. The changes in both OCT parameters paralleled changes in serum DHT level. In four patients, center-subfield macular thickness and/or subretinal fluid volume increased following discontinuation of finasteride. In the remaining patient, both OCT parameters normalized with finasteride and remained stable when the study medication was discontinued. Conclusion Finasteride may represent a novel medical treatment for chronic CSC. Larger controlled clinical trials are needed to further assess the efficacy of finasteride for the treatment of CSC. Summary Pilot study to evaluate finasteride for treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy suggests efficacy and tolerability. PMID:21273946

[Challenges to implementation of the ECG reading center in ELSA-Brasil].

PubMed

Ribeiro, Antonio Luiz; Pereira, Samuel Vianney da Cunha; Bergmann, Kaiser; Ladeira, Roberto Marini; Oliveira, Rackel Aguiar Mendes; Lotufo, Paulo A; Mill, José Geraldo; Barreto, Sandhi Maria

2013-06-01

Electrocardiography is an established low-cost method of cardiovascular assessment, utilized for decades large epidemiological studies. Nonetheless, its use in large epidemiological studies presents challenges, especially when seeking to develop a reading center. This article describes the process, difficulties and challenges of implementing an electrocardiogram reading center in Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Among the issues discussed, we have emphasized: the criteria for selection of the electrocardiography machine and the central for storage and management of the machines; the required personnel; the procedures for acquisition and transmission of electrocardiographs to the Reading Center; coding systems, with emphasis on the Minnesota code; ethical and practical issues regarding the delivery of reports to study participants; and aspects related to quality control.

BIO-Plex Information System Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Harry; Boulanger, Richard; Arnold, James O. (Technical Monitor)

1999-01-01

This paper describes a suggested design for an integrated information system for the proposed BIO-Plex (Bioregenerative Planetary Life Support Systems Test Complex) at Johnson Space Center (JSC), including distributed control systems, central control, networks, database servers, personal computers and workstations, applications software, and external communications. The system will have an open commercial computing and networking, architecture. The network will provide automatic real-time transfer of information to database server computers which perform data collection and validation. This information system will support integrated, data sharing applications for everything, from system alarms to management summaries. Most existing complex process control systems have information gaps between the different real time subsystems, between these subsystems and central controller, between the central controller and system level planning and analysis application software, and between the system level applications and management overview reporting. An integrated information system is vitally necessary as the basis for the integration of planning, scheduling, modeling, monitoring, and control, which will allow improved monitoring and control based on timely, accurate and complete data. Data describing the system configuration and the real time processes can be collected, checked and reconciled, analyzed and stored in database servers that can be accessed by all applications. The required technology is available. The only opportunity to design a distributed, nonredundant, integrated system is before it is built. Retrofit is extremely difficult and costly.

Work-Nonwork Boundary Management Profiles: A Person-Centered Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kossek, Ellen Ernst; Ruderman, Marian N.; Braddy, Phillip W.; Hannum, Kelly M.

2012-01-01

The goal of this paper is to advance the measurement and theory of work-nonwork boundary management styles. Boundary management styles are defined as the approaches individuals use to demarcate boundaries and attend to work and family and other nonwork roles, given identity centralities and perceived boundary control. We argue that research should…

Modular Wireless Data-Acquisition and Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perotti, Jose; Lucena, Angel; Medelius, Pedro; Mata, Carlos; Eckhoff, Anthony; Blalock, Norman

2004-01-01

A modular wireless data-acquisition and control system, now in operation at Kennedy Space Center, offers high performance at relatively low cost. The system includes a central station and a finite number of remote stations that communicate with each other through low-power radio frequency (RF) links. Designed to satisfy stringent requirements for reliability, integrity of data, and low power consumption, this system could be reproduced and adapted to use in a broad range of settings.

Towards A Taxonomy Of Attacks Against Energy Control Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleury, Terry; Khurana, Himanshu; Welch, Von

Control systems in the energy sector (e.g., supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems) involve a hierarchy of sensing, monitoring and control devices connected to centralized control stations or centers. The incorporation of commercial off-the-shelf technologies in energy control systems makes them vulnerable to cyber attacks. A taxonomy of cyber attacks against control systems can assist the energy sector in managing the cyber threat. This paper takes the first step towards a taxonomy by presenting a comprehensive model of attacks, vulnerabilities and damage related to control systems. The model is populated based on a survey of the technical literature from industry, academia and national laboratories.

Centralized vs. Decentralized Child Mental Health Services

PubMed Central

Adams, Milton S.

1977-01-01

One of the basic tenets of the Community Mental Health Center movement is that services should be provided in the consumers' community. Various centers across the country have attempted to do this in either a centralized or decentralized fashion. Historically, most health services have been provided centrally, a good example being the traditional general hospital with its centralized medical services. Over the years, some of these services have become decentralized to take the form of local health centers, health maintenance organizations, community clinics, etc, and now various large mental health centers are also being broken down into smaller community units. An example of each type of mental health facility is delineated here. PMID:904014

North Central Climate Science Center--science agenda 2012-2017

USGS Publications Warehouse

Morisette, Jeffrey T.

2012-01-01

The information presented here provides the five-year science agenda for the North Central Climate Science Center. It is meant to be a high-level guide that describes the spatial context of the center, the primary partners and stakeholders, and the strategic framework the center will use in applying climate science to inform management.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida, takes part in the proposal for locating NASA’s new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. The presentation was given to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and other officials. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida, takes part in the proposal for locating NASA’s new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. The presentation was given to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and other officials. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

How providing more or less time to solve a cognitive task interferes with upright stance control; a posturographic analysis on healthy young adults.

PubMed

Rougier, Patrice R; Bonnet, Cédrick T

2016-06-01

Contrasted postural effects have been reported in dual-task protocols associating balance control and cognitive task that could be explained by the nature and the relative difficulty of the cognitive task and the biomechanical significance of the force platform data. To better assess their respective role, eleven healthy young adults were required to stand upright quietly on a force platform while concomitantly solving mental-calculation or mental-navigation cognitive tasks. Various levels of difficulty were applied by adjusting the velocity rate at which the instructions were provided to the subject according to his/her maximal capacities measured beforehand. A condition without any concomitant cognitive task was added to constitute a baseline behavior. Two basic components, the horizontal center-of-gravity movements and the horizontal difference between center-of-gravity and center-of-pressures were computed from the complex center-of-pressure recorded movements. It was hypothesized that increasing the delay should infer less interaction between postural control and task solution. The results indicate that both mental-calculation and mental-navigation tasks induce reduced amplitudes for the center-of-pressure minus center-of-gravity movements, only along the mediolateral axis, whereas center-of-gravity movements were not affected, suggesting that different circuits are involved in the central nervous system to control these two movements. Moreover, increasing the delays task does not infer any effect for both movements. Since center-of-pressure minus center-of-gravity expresses the horizontal acceleration communicated to the center-of-gravity, one may assume that the control of the latter should be facilitated in dual-tasks conditions, inferring reduced center-of-gravity movements, which is not seen in our results. This lack of effect should be thus interpreted as a modification in the control of these center-of-gravity movements. Taken together, these results emphasized how undisturbed upright stance control can be impacted by mental tasks requiring attention, whatever their nature (calculation or navigation) and their relative difficulty. Depending on the provided instructions, i.e. focusing our attention on body movements or on the opposite diverting this attention toward other objectives, the evaluation of upright stance control capacities might be drastically altered. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroid disease - Experience in a single medical center in Taiwan.

PubMed

Liu, Yu-Chuan; Lin, Wen-Ya; Tsai, Ming-Chin; Fu, Lin-Shien

2017-06-28

To investigate the association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with thyroid diseases in a medical center in central Taiwan. This is a retrospective cohort of 2796 SLE patients in a tertiary referral medical center from 2000 to 2013. We screened SLE by catastrophic illness registration from national insurance bureau; and thyroid diseases by ICD 9 codes, then confirmed by thyroid function test, auto-antibody, medical and/or surgical intervention. We compared the rate of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in SLE patients and the 11,184 match controls. We calculated the rate of these thyroid diseases and positive antibodies to thyroglobulin (ATGAb), thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) in SLE patients grouped by the presence of overlap syndrome and anti-dsDNA antibody. We also compared the association of thyroid diseases to severe SLE conditions, including renal, central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and thrombocytopenia. Compared to the matched controls, the cumulative incidence of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and AITD, were all higher in SLE patients (p < 0.0001). The average age of SLE patients with thyroid diseases patients were older than those without thyroid diseases (p = 0.002). Those had euthyroid AITD were younger than other patients with thyroid diseases (p = 0.02). Up to 30.3% SLE patients had overlap syndrome and had higher relative risk of thyroid diseases than those without overlap syndrome, in terms of hypothyroidism and AITD, but not hyperthyroidism. SLE patients with thyroid diseases also carry higher risk for severe complications such as renal involvement (p = 0.024) central nervous system involvement (p < 0.0001). SLE patients had significantly higher rate of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and AITD than the matched control. Among lupus patients, the risks of thyroid diseases are even higher in the presence of overlap syndrome. SLE patients with thyroid diseases had higher risk of renal and CNS involvement. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

KSC-04PD-0259

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Representative Ric Keller (left) listens intently to a presentation proposing the use of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. NASA and Florida officials toured the research park as well. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Integrating High-Reliability Principles to Transform Access and Throughput by Creating a Centralized Operations Center.

PubMed

Davenport, Paul B; Carter, Kimberly F; Echternach, Jeffrey M; Tuck, Christopher R

2018-02-01

High-reliability organizations (HROs) demonstrate unique and consistent characteristics, including operational sensitivity and control, situational awareness, hyperacute use of technology and data, and actionable process transformation. System complexity and reliance on information-based processes challenge healthcare organizations to replicate HRO processes. This article describes a healthcare organization's 3-year journey to achieve key HRO features to deliver high-quality, patient-centric care via an operations center powered by the principles of high-reliability data and software to impact patient throughput and flow.

Design of Control Plane Architecture Based on Cloud Platform and Experimental Network Demonstration for Multi-domain SDON

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ming; Yin, Hongxi; Xing, Fangyuan; Wang, Jingchao; Wang, Honghuan

2016-02-01

With the features of network virtualization and resource programming, Software Defined Optical Network (SDON) is considered as the future development trend of optical network, provisioning a more flexible, efficient and open network function, supporting intraconnection and interconnection of data centers. Meanwhile cloud platform can provide powerful computing, storage and management capabilities. In this paper, with the coordination of SDON and cloud platform, a multi-domain SDON architecture based on cloud control plane has been proposed, which is composed of data centers with database (DB), path computation element (PCE), SDON controller and orchestrator. In addition, the structure of the multidomain SDON orchestrator and OpenFlow-enabled optical node are proposed to realize the combination of centralized and distributed effective management and control platform. Finally, the functional verification and demonstration are performed through our optical experiment network.

KSC-04PD-0254

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. KSC Director Jim Kennedy makes a presentation to NASA and other officials about the benefits of locating NASAs new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At the far left is Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Complications of haemophilia in babies (first two years of life): a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Universal Data Collection System

PubMed Central

KULKARNI, R.; PRESLEY, R. J.; LUSHER, J. M.; SHAPIRO, A. D.; GILL, J. C.; MANCO-JOHNSON, M.; KOERPER, M. A.; ABSHIRE, T. C.; DIMICHELE, D.; HOOTS, W. K.; MATHEW, P.; NUGENT, D. J.; GERAGHTY, S.; EVATT, B. L.; SOUCIE, J. M.

2016-01-01

Aim To describe the prevalence and complications in babies ≤2 years with haemophilia. Methods We used a standardized collection tool to obtain consented data on eligible babies aged ≤2 years with haemophilia enrolled in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Universal Data Collection System surveillance project at US Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs). Results Of 547 babies, 82% had haemophilia A, and 70% were diagnosed within one month of birth. Diagnosis was prompted by known maternal carrier status (40%), positive family history (23%), bleeding (35%) and unknown 2%; 81% bled during the first two years. The most common events were bleeding (circumcision, soft tissue, oral bleeding) and head injury. There were 46 episodes of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in 37 babies (7%): 18 spontaneous, 14 delivery related, 11 traumatic, 2 procedure related and 1 unknown cause. Of the 176 central venous access devices (CVADs) in 148 (27%) babies, there were 137 ports, 22 surgically inserted central catheters and 20 peripherally inserted central catheters. Ports had the lowest complication rates. Inhibitors occurred in 109 (20%) babies who experienced higher rates of ICH (14% vs. 5%; P = 0.002), CVAD placement (61% vs. 19%; P < 0.001) and CVAD complications (44% vs. 26%; P < 0.001). The most common replacement therapy was recombinant clotting factor concentrates. Conclusion Bleeding events in haemophilic babies ≤2 years were common; no detectable difference in the rates of ICH by the mode of delivery was noted. Neonatal factor exposure did not affect the inhibitor rates. Minor head trauma, soft tissue and oropharyngeal bleeding were the leading indications for treatment. PMID:27813214

The South Central Superpave Center: Report of Activities

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-12-01

The planning of the South Central Superpave Center (SCSC) began in mid-1994. The Center hired its first staff in early 1995 and was fully staffed by June 1995, at which point it became fully operational. This report describes SCSC activities that too...

Analysis of logistic distribution performance of good supply from PT. Mentari Trans Nusantara distribution center to branches using Smart PLS 3.0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Endrawati, Titin; Siregar, M. Tirtana

2018-03-01

PT Mentari Trans Nusantara is a company engaged in the distribution of goods from the manufacture of the product to the distributor branch of the customer so that the product distribution must be controlled directly from the PT Mentari Trans Nusantara Center for faster delivery process. Problems often occur on the expedition company which in charge in sending the goods although it has quite extensive networking. The company is less control over logistics management. Meanwhile, logistics distribution management control policy will affect the company's performance in distributing products to customer distributor branches and managing product inventory in distribution center. PT Mentari Trans Nusantara is an expedition company which engaged in good delivery, including in Jakarta. Logistics management performance is very important due to its related to the supply of goods from the central activities to the branches based oncustomer demand. Supply chain management performance is obviously depends on the location of both the distribution center and branches, the smoothness of transportation in the distribution and the availability of the product in the distribution center to meet the demand in order to avoid losing sales. This study concluded that the company could be more efficient and effective in minimizing the risks of loses by improve its logistic management.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (center) makes a point while talking to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right) about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (center) makes a point while talking to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right) about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

Visual Reliance for Balance Control in Older Adults Persists When Visual Information Is Disrupted by Artificial Feedback Delays

PubMed Central

Balasubramaniam, Ramesh

2014-01-01

Sensory information from our eyes, skin and muscles helps guide and correct balance. Less appreciated, however, is that delays in the transmission of sensory information between our eyes, limbs and central nervous system can exceed several 10s of milliseconds. Investigating how these time-delayed sensory signals influence balance control is central to understanding the postural system. Here, we investigate how delayed visual feedback and cognitive performance influence postural control in healthy young and older adults. The task required that participants position their center of pressure (COP) in a fixed target as accurately as possible without visual feedback about their COP location (eyes-open balance), or with artificial time delays imposed on visual COP feedback. On selected trials, the participants also performed a silent arithmetic task (cognitive dual task). We separated COP time series into distinct frequency components using low and high-pass filtering routines. Visual feedback delays affected low frequency postural corrections in young and older adults, with larger increases in postural sway noted for the group of older adults. In comparison, cognitive performance reduced the variability of rapid center of pressure displacements in young adults, but did not alter postural sway in the group of older adults. Our results demonstrate that older adults prioritize vision to control posture. This visual reliance persists even when feedback about the task is delayed by several hundreds of milliseconds. PMID:24614576

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Congressman Dave Weldon listens to a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Congressman Dave Weldon listens to a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

Navigation of a care and welfare robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yukawa, Toshihiro; Hosoya, Osamu; Saito, Naoki; Okano, Hideharu

2005-12-01

In this paper, we propose the development of a robot that can perform nursing tasks in a hospital. In a narrow environment such as a sickroom or a hallway, the robot must be able to move freely in arbitrary directions. Therefore, the robot needs to have high controllability and the capability to make precise movements. Our robot can recognize a line by using cameras, and can be controlled in the reference directions by means of comparison with original cell map information; furthermore, it moves safely on the basis of an original center-line established permanently in the building. Correspondence between the robot and a centralized control center enables the robot's autonomous movement in the hospital. Through a navigation system using cell map information, the robot is able to perform nursing tasks smoothly by changing the camera angle.

A source-controlled data center network model.

PubMed

Yu, Yang; Liang, Mangui; Wang, Zhe

2017-01-01

The construction of data center network by applying SDN technology has become a hot research topic. The SDN architecture has innovatively separated the control plane from the data plane which makes the network more software-oriented and agile. Moreover, it provides virtual multi-tenancy, effective scheduling resources and centralized control strategies to meet the demand for cloud computing data center. However, the explosion of network information is facing severe challenges for SDN controller. The flow storage and lookup mechanisms based on TCAM device have led to the restriction of scalability, high cost and energy consumption. In view of this, a source-controlled data center network (SCDCN) model is proposed herein. The SCDCN model applies a new type of source routing address named the vector address (VA) as the packet-switching label. The VA completely defines the communication path and the data forwarding process can be finished solely relying on VA. There are four advantages in the SCDCN architecture. 1) The model adopts hierarchical multi-controllers and abstracts large-scale data center network into some small network domains that has solved the restriction for the processing ability of single controller and reduced the computational complexity. 2) Vector switches (VS) developed in the core network no longer apply TCAM for table storage and lookup that has significantly cut down the cost and complexity for switches. Meanwhile, the problem of scalability can be solved effectively. 3) The SCDCN model simplifies the establishment process for new flows and there is no need to download flow tables to VS. The amount of control signaling consumed when establishing new flows can be significantly decreased. 4) We design the VS on the NetFPGA platform. The statistical results show that the hardware resource consumption in a VS is about 27% of that in an OFS.

A source-controlled data center network model

PubMed Central

Yu, Yang; Liang, Mangui; Wang, Zhe

2017-01-01

The construction of data center network by applying SDN technology has become a hot research topic. The SDN architecture has innovatively separated the control plane from the data plane which makes the network more software-oriented and agile. Moreover, it provides virtual multi-tenancy, effective scheduling resources and centralized control strategies to meet the demand for cloud computing data center. However, the explosion of network information is facing severe challenges for SDN controller. The flow storage and lookup mechanisms based on TCAM device have led to the restriction of scalability, high cost and energy consumption. In view of this, a source-controlled data center network (SCDCN) model is proposed herein. The SCDCN model applies a new type of source routing address named the vector address (VA) as the packet-switching label. The VA completely defines the communication path and the data forwarding process can be finished solely relying on VA. There are four advantages in the SCDCN architecture. 1) The model adopts hierarchical multi-controllers and abstracts large-scale data center network into some small network domains that has solved the restriction for the processing ability of single controller and reduced the computational complexity. 2) Vector switches (VS) developed in the core network no longer apply TCAM for table storage and lookup that has significantly cut down the cost and complexity for switches. Meanwhile, the problem of scalability can be solved effectively. 3) The SCDCN model simplifies the establishment process for new flows and there is no need to download flow tables to VS. The amount of control signaling consumed when establishing new flows can be significantly decreased. 4) We design the VS on the NetFPGA platform. The statistical results show that the hardware resource consumption in a VS is about 27% of that in an OFS. PMID:28328925

Teaching Democracy in East Central Europe: The Case of Poland. ERIC Digest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Remy, Richard C.

This ERIC digest discusses the Education for Democratic Citizenship in Poland (EDCP) project, a cooperative effort of the Polish Ministry of National Education, the Mershon Center at The Ohio State University, and the Bureau for Civic Education in Local Control Schools at Warsaw, Poland. The digest discusses the background of the project, the…

Exploring the Food Environment on the Spirit Lake Reservation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pattanaik, Swaha; Gold, Abby; McKay, Lacey; Azure, Lane; Larson, Mary

2014-01-01

The purpose of this research project was to understand the food environment of the Fort Totten community on the Spirit Lake reservation in east-central North Dakota, as perceived by tribal members and employees at Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC). According to a 2010 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the food…

Prevention of lassa Fever in Nigeria.

PubMed

Inegbenebor, Ute; Okosun, John; Inegbenebor, Josephine

2010-01-01

Although specific treatment is available for Lassa fever, early diagnosis is still difficult in most Nigerian primary and secondary health centers. This study was carried out to compare the case-fatality rates of Lassa fever and other medical diseases commonly seen in adult medical wards, to determine the community habits that make Lassa fever endemic in Edo Central District of Nigeria, with the aim of prescribing preventive measures for its control in Nigeria. The records of 908 inpatients in the adult medical wards of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua and responses from respondents interviewed by trained interviewers on their knowledge, attitudes and practices pertaining to Lassa fever were used for this study. The case-fatality rate of Lassa fever in this center was 28%. Cultural factors and habits were found to favor endemicity of Lassa fever in Edo Central District of Nigeria. Preventive measures were prescribed for families and communities.

Experimental Investigation of the Application of Microramp Flow Control to an Oblique Shock Interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirt, Stefanie M.; Anderson, Bernhard H.

2009-01-01

The effectiveness of microramp flow control devices in controlling an oblique shock interaction was tested in the 15- by 15-Centimeter Supersonic Wind Tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center. Fifteen microramp geometries were tested varying the height, chord length, and spacing between ramps. Measurements of the boundary layer properties downstream of the shock reflection were analyzed using design of experiments methods. Results from main effects, D-optimal, full factorial, and central composite designs were compared. The designs provided consistent results for a single variable optimization.

NEUTRON DENSITY CONTROL IN A NEUTRONIC REACTOR

DOEpatents

Young, G.J.

1959-06-30

The method and means for controlling the neutron density in a nuclear reactor is described. It describes the method and means for flattening the neutron density distribution curve across the reactor by spacing the absorbing control members to varying depths in the central region closer to the center than to the periphery of the active portion of the reactor to provide a smaller neutron reproduction ratio in the region wherein the members are inserted, than in the remainder of the reactor thereby increasing the over-all potential power output.

Using secure web services to visualize poison center data for nationwide biosurveillance: a case study.

PubMed

Savel, Thomas G; Bronstein, Alvin; Duck, William; Rhodes, M Barry; Lee, Brian; Stinn, John; Worthen, Katherine

2010-01-01

Real-time surveillance systems are valuable for timely response to public health emergencies. It has been challenging to leverage existing surveillance systems in state and local communities, and, using a centralized architecture, add new data sources and analytical capacity. Because this centralized model has proven to be difficult to maintain and enhance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been examining the ability to use a federated model based on secure web services architecture, with data stewardship remaining with the data provider. As a case study for this approach, the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the CDC extended an existing data warehouse via a secure web service, and shared aggregate clinical effects and case counts data by geographic region and time period. To visualize these data, CDC developed a web browser-based interface, Quicksilver, which leveraged the Google Maps API and Flot, a javascript plotting library. Two iterations of the NPDS web service were completed in 12 weeks. The visualization client, Quicksilver, was developed in four months. This implementation of web services combined with a visualization client represents incremental positive progress in transitioning national data sources like BioSense and NPDS to a federated data exchange model. Quicksilver effectively demonstrates how the use of secure web services in conjunction with a lightweight, rapidly deployed visualization client can easily integrate isolated data sources for biosurveillance.

The adrenal capsule is a signaling center controlling cell renewal and zonation through Rspo3

PubMed Central

Vidal, Valerie; Sacco, Sonia; Rocha, Ana Sofia; da Silva, Fabio; Panzolini, Clara; Dumontet, Typhanie; Doan, Thi Mai Phuong; Shan, Jingdong; Rak-Raszewska, Aleksandra; Bird, Tom; Vainio, Seppo; Martinez, Antoine; Schedl, Andreas

2016-01-01

Adrenal glands are zonated endocrine organs that are essential in controlling body homeostasis. How zonation is induced and maintained and how renewal of the adrenal cortex is ensured remain a mystery. Here we show that capsular RSPO3 signals to the underlying steroidogenic compartment to induce β-catenin signaling and imprint glomerulosa cell fate. Deletion of RSPO3 leads to loss of SHH signaling and impaired organ growth. Importantly, Rspo3 function remains essential in adult life to ensure replenishment of lost cells and maintain the properties of the zona glomerulosa. Thus, the adrenal capsule acts as a central signaling center that ensures replacement of damaged cells and is required to maintain zonation throughout life. PMID:27313319

Photodetectors on Coronagraph Mask for Pointing Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balasubramanian, Kunjithapatham

2007-01-01

It has been proposed to install a symmetrical array of photodetectors about the center of the mask of a coronagraph of the type used to search for planets orbiting remote stars. The purpose of this installation is to utilize the light from a star under observation as a guide in pointing the telescope. Simple arithmetic processing of the outputs of the photodetectors would provide indications of the lateral position of the center of the mask relative to the center of the image of the star. These indications could serve as pointing-control feedback signals for adjusting the telescope aim to center the image of the star on the mask. The widths of central mask areas available for placement of photodetectors differ among coronagraph designs, typically ranging upward from about 100 m. Arrays of photodetectors can readily be placed within areas in this size range. The number of detectors in an array could be as small as 4 or as large as 64. The upper limit on the number of detectors would be determined according to the extent of the occulting pattern and the number of functionalities, in addition to pointing control, to be served by the array.

[Evaluation of quality of HIV diagnostic procedures in Poland].

PubMed

Parczewski, Miłosz; Madaliński, Kazimierz; Leszczyszyn-Pynka, Magdalena; Boroń-Kaczmarska, Anna

2010-01-01

The aim of this work was quality assessment of HIV diagnostic procedures in Poland, including human and technical resources as well as laboratory practice. Sixty questionnaires were distributed among diagnostic centers to obtain qualitative data. Basing on the survey data serological control using coded panels of HIV-1/2 samples was performed. Thirty-one filled questionnaires were received (50.8%). Surveyed laboratories perform from 350 to 5500 serological screening tests per year. In most of laboratories fourth generation assays are available, while Blood Donation Centers screen the blood both with serological assays and by HIV-RNA detection. Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations and academic laboratories hold the ISO/IEC 17025 or IS0 9001:2001 accreditation, five of the surveyed centers participate in Labquality assurance and two in Quality Control in Molecular Diagnostics programs. Data of control serological testing were received from 21 centers. In the quality control assessment 194 analyses were performed with 91 true negative, 2 false negative, 96 true positive and 5 false positive results. False negative rate of % and false positive rate of 5.2% was noted for this study. Currently, virtually no guidelines related to the HIV-diagnostics quality assurance and control in Poland are in delineated. Development of the national unified quality control system, basing on the central institution is highly desirable. National certification within the frames of the quality control and assurance program should be mandatory for all the diagnostic labs, and aim at improvement of reliability of the result distributed among clinicians and patients.

Status, Vision, and Challenges of an Intelligent Distributed Engine Control Architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Behbahani, Alireza; Culley, Dennis; Garg, Sanjay; Millar, Richard; Smith, Bert; Wood, Jim; Mahoney, Tim; Quinn, Ronald; Carpenter, Sheldon; Mailander, Bill;

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (center) and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe are deep in conversation as they leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson at left is Congressman Tom Feeney. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (center) and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe are deep in conversation as they leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson at left is Congressman Tom Feeney. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

Army Airspace Command and Control (A2C2): Action Plan for Issue Resolution

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-09-01

INFO Information INTEL Intelligence IPR In-Process Review IVIS Inter-Vehicular Information System JACC Joint Airspace Control Center JAOC Joint Air...base, centralized such as intelligence at Fort Huachuca and combat service support at Fort Lee , or a combination of both. It is no longer efficient to...Regiment (ATS) Ft. Bragg, NC 28307 ATTN: AFZF-ATS-C (LTC Ledbetter ) (919) 396-8899/7649 Bldg 87009, 16th Street Ft. Hood, TX 76544 Commander, 1st

The California Central Coast Research Partnership: Building Relationships, Partnerships and Paradigms for University-Industry Collaboration

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-25

funded project, sensors and a control system have been installed onto the 3 kW capacity wind turbine of the Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center, which is...to full operation. This wind turbine is used to educate students for careers in the wind energy industry and related professional fields and to...conduct research into the application of advanced wind turbine technologies from large turbines onto small tur- bines. In this project, a control system

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe discusses the presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe discusses the presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

Optimization of territory control of the mail carrier by using Hungarian methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Supian, S.; Wahyuni, S.; Nahar, J.; Subiyanto

2018-03-01

In this paper, the territory control of the mail carrier from the central post office Bandung in delivering the package to the destination location was optimized by using Hungarian method. Sensitivity analysis against data changes that may occur was also conducted. The sampled data in this study are the territory control of 10 mail carriers who will be assigned to deliver mail package to 10 post office delivery centers in Bandung. The result of this research is the combination of territory control optimal from 10 mail carriers as follows: mail carrier 1 to Cikutra, mail carrier 2 to Ujung Berung, mail carrier 3 to Dayeuh Kolot, mail carrier 4 to Padalarang, mail carrier 5 to Situ Saeur, mail carrier 6 to Cipedes, mail carrier 7 to Cimahi, mail carrier 8 to Soreang, mail carrier 9 to Asia-Afrika, mail carrier 10 to Cikeruh. Based on this result, manager of the central post office Bandung can make optimal decisions to assign tasks to their mail carriers.

An examination of blood center structure and hospital customer satisfaction: what can centralized and decentralized blood centers learn from each other?

PubMed

Carden, Robert; DelliFraine, Jami L

2005-01-01

The cost of blood and blood products has increased rapidly over the last several years while the supply of available blood donors has simultaneously decreased. Higher blood costs and donor shortages have put a strain on the relationship between blood suppliers and their hospital customers. This study examines the association between blood center centralization or decentralization and several aspects of hospital satisfaction. Centralized and decentralized blood centers have significant differences in various aspects of hospital customer satisfaction. Advantages and disadvantages of the two structures are discussed, as well as areas for future research.

Chromatin Configuration Determines Cell Responses to Hormone Stimuli | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Ever since selective gene expression was established as the central driver of cell behavior, researchers have been working to understand the forces that control gene transcription. Aberrant gene expression can cause or promote many diseases, including cancer, and alterations in gene expression are the goal of many therapeutic agents. Recent work has focused on the potential

A Directory of Sources of Information and Data Bases on Education and Training.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

ACADO07 National Opinion Research Center (NORC) ... ............. ... ACADOO8 U of California Union Catalog Supp. (1963-1967...Records (RSR) ...... .................. ... ARMYO30 Union Central Registry System (UCRSYS) .... .............. ... ARMY032 Training Control Card Report...research. Your query directs a computer search of the Compre- hensive Dissertation Database. The search produces a list of all titles matching your

NASA Year 2000 (Y2K) Program Plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

NASA initiated the Year 2000 (Y2K) program in August 1996 to address the challenges imposed on Agency software, hardware, and firmware systems by the new millennium. The Agency program is centrally managed by the NASA Chief Information Officer, with decentralized execution of program requirements at each of the nine NASA Centers, Headquarters and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The purpose of this Program Plan is to establish Program objectives and performance goals; identify Program requirements; describe the management structure; and detail Program resources, schedules, and controls. Project plans are established for each NASA Center, Headquarters, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

High-voltage R-F feedthrough bushing

DOEpatents

Grotz, G.F.

1982-09-03

Described is a multi-element, high voltage radio frequency bushing for transmitting rf energy to an antenna located in a vacuum container. The bushing includes a center conductor of complex geometrical shape, an outer coaxial shield conductor, and a thin-walled hollow truncated cone insulator disposed between central and outer conductors. The shape of the center conductor, which includes a reverse curvature portion formed of a radially inwardly directed shoulder and a convex portion, controls the uniformity of the axial surface gradient on the insulator cone. The outer shield has a first substantially cylindrical portion and a second radially inwardly extending truncated cone portion.

High voltage RF feedthrough bushing

DOEpatents

Grotz, Glenn F.

1984-01-01

Described is a multi-element, high voltage radio frequency bushing for trmitting RF energy to an antenna located in a vacuum container. The bushing includes a center conductor of complex geometrical shape, an outer coaxial shield conductor, and a thin-walled hollow truncated cone insulator disposed between central and outer conductors. The shape of the center conductor, which includes a reverse curvature portion formed of a radially inwardly directed shoulder and a convex portion, controls the uniformity of the axial surface gradient on the insulator cone. The outer shield has a first substantially cylindrical portion and a second radially inwardly extending truncated cone portion.

Parallel neural pathways in higher visual centers of the Drosophila brain that mediate wavelength-specific behavior

PubMed Central

Otsuna, Hideo; Shinomiya, Kazunori; Ito, Kei

2014-01-01

Compared with connections between the retinae and primary visual centers, relatively less is known in both mammals and insects about the functional segregation of neural pathways connecting primary and higher centers of the visual processing cascade. Here, using the Drosophila visual system as a model, we demonstrate two levels of parallel computation in the pathways that connect primary visual centers of the optic lobe to computational circuits embedded within deeper centers in the central brain. We show that a seemingly simple achromatic behavior, namely phototaxis, is under the control of several independent pathways, each of which is responsible for navigation towards unique wavelengths. Silencing just one pathway is enough to disturb phototaxis towards one characteristic monochromatic source, whereas phototactic behavior towards white light is not affected. The response spectrum of each demonstrable pathway is different from that of individual photoreceptors, suggesting subtractive computations. A choice assay between two colors showed that these pathways are responsible for navigation towards, but not for the detection itself of, the monochromatic light. The present study provides novel insights about how visual information is separated and processed in parallel to achieve robust control of an innate behavior. PMID:24574974

A Virtual Mission Operations Center: Collaborative Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Medina, Barbara; Bussman, Marie; Obenschain, Arthur F. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The Virtual Mission Operations Center - Collaborative Environment (VMOC-CE) intent is to have a central access point for all the resources used in a collaborative mission operations environment to assist mission operators in communicating on-site and off-site in the investigation and resolution of anomalies. It is a framework that as a minimum incorporates online chat, realtime file sharing and remote application sharing components in one central location. The use of a collaborative environment in mission operations opens up the possibilities for a central framework for other project members to access and interact with mission operations staff remotely. The goal of the Virtual Mission Operations Center (VMOC) Project is to identify, develop, and infuse technology to enable mission control by on-call personnel in geographically dispersed locations. In order to achieve this goal, the following capabilities are needed: Autonomous mission control systems Automated systems to contact on-call personnel Synthesis and presentation of mission control status and history information Desktop tools for data and situation analysis Secure mechanism for remote collaboration commanding Collaborative environment for remote cooperative work The VMOC-CE is a collaborative environment that facilitates remote cooperative work. It is an application instance of the Virtual System Design Environment (VSDE), developed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) Systems Engineering Services & Advanced Concepts (SESAC) Branch. The VSDE is a web-based portal that includes a knowledge repository and collaborative environment to serve science and engineering teams in product development. It is a "one stop shop" for product design, providing users real-time access to product development data, engineering and management tools, and relevant design specifications and resources through the Internet. The initial focus of the VSDE has been to serve teams working in the early portion of the system/product lifecycle - concept development, proposal preparation, and formulation. The VMOC-CE expands the application of the VSDE into the operations portion of the system lifecycle. It will enable meaningful and real-time collaboration regardless of the geographical distribution of project team members. Team members will be able to interact in satellite operations, specifically for resolving anomalies, through access to a desktop computer and the Internet. Mission Operations Management will be able to participate and monitor up to the minute status of anomalies or other mission operations issues. In this paper we present the VMOC-CE project, system capabilities, and technologies.

Tribal engagement strategy of the South Central Climate Science Center, 2014

USGS Publications Warehouse

Andrews, William J.; Taylor, April; Winton, Kimberly T.

2014-01-01

The South Central Climate Science Center was established by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2012 to increase understanding of climate change and coordinate an effective response to climate-change effects on Native American tribes and natural and cultural resources that the Department manages. The eight regional Climate Science Centers of the U.S. Department of the Interior work closely with natural-resource management agencies, university researchers, and others such as tribes and private landowners on climate-change issues. The relatively large number of Native Americans in the south central United States and their special knowledge of changing ecosystems make working with tribes and tribal members on climate-change issues particularly important in this part of the Nation. This circular describes priorities of the South Central Climate Science Center and provides information about resources available from Climate Science Centers and partner agencies regarding climate change. The circular also describes how this Climate Science Center, tribes and tribal members, and others can collaborate to minimize potential harmful effects of climate change on human society and our surrounding ecosystems.

Dealing with a Paradigm Shift

PubMed Central

Pack, Allan I.

2015-01-01

Recent changes in policies by insurance companies with respect to mandating home sleep apnea testing rather than in-laboratory studies have a large impact on the financial viability of clinical sleep centers. Coping with this disruptive change requires forward planning. First, it is important to be well positioned with respect to facilities so that these can be quickly downsized to control costs. There is also a need to develop, in advance, an accredited home sleep study program so that centers can respond to the rapidly changing environment. Following the change there is a need to control costs by rapidly downsizing the technology workforce. Technologists can be retrained for other essential roles. Centralizing the precertification process with knowledgeable, well-trained staff and a robust auditing process is an essential component. The approach taken at the University of Pennsylvania to this change is described as is how one can ensure continued financial viability of a comprehensive sleep center program in a major academic medical center. Citation: Pack AI. Dealing with a paradigm shift. J Clin Sleep Med 2015;11(8):925–929. PMID:26094918

The role of external features in face recognition with central vision loss: A pilot study

PubMed Central

Bernard, Jean-Baptiste; Chung, Susana T.L.

2016-01-01

Purpose We evaluated how the performance for recognizing familiar face images depends on the internal (eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth) and external face features (chin, outline of face, hairline) in individuals with central vision loss. Methods In Experiment 1, we measured eye movements for four observers with central vision loss to determine whether they fixated more often on the internal or the external features of face images while attempting to recognize the images. We then measured the accuracy for recognizing face images that contained only the internal, only the external, or both internal and external features (Experiment 2), and for hybrid images where the internal and external features came from two different source images (Experiment 3), for five observers with central vision loss and four age-matched control observers. Results When recognizing familiar face images, approximately 40% of the fixations of observers with central vision loss were centered on the external features of faces. The recognition accuracy was higher for images containing only external features (66.8±3.3% correct) than for images containing only internal features (35.8±15.0%), a finding contradicting that of control observers. For hybrid face images, observers with central vision loss responded more accurately to the external features (50.4±17.8%) than to the internal features (9.3±4.9%), while control observers did not show the same bias toward responding to the external features. Conclusions Contrary to people with normal vision who rely more on the internal features of face images for recognizing familiar faces, individuals with central vision loss show a higher dependence on using external features of face images. PMID:26829260

The Role of External Features in Face Recognition with Central Vision Loss.

PubMed

Bernard, Jean-Baptiste; Chung, Susana T L

2016-05-01

We evaluated how the performance of recognizing familiar face images depends on the internal (eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth) and external face features (chin, outline of face, hairline) in individuals with central vision loss. In experiment 1, we measured eye movements for four observers with central vision loss to determine whether they fixated more often on the internal or the external features of face images while attempting to recognize the images. We then measured the accuracy for recognizing face images that contained only the internal, only the external, or both internal and external features (experiment 2) and for hybrid images where the internal and external features came from two different source images (experiment 3) for five observers with central vision loss and four age-matched control observers. When recognizing familiar face images, approximately 40% of the fixations of observers with central vision loss was centered on the external features of faces. The recognition accuracy was higher for images containing only external features (66.8 ± 3.3% correct) than for images containing only internal features (35.8 ± 15.0%), a finding contradicting that of control observers. For hybrid face images, observers with central vision loss responded more accurately to the external features (50.4 ± 17.8%) than to the internal features (9.3 ± 4.9%), whereas control observers did not show the same bias toward responding to the external features. Contrary to people with normal vision who rely more on the internal features of face images for recognizing familiar faces, individuals with central vision loss show a higher dependence on using external features of face images.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA and government officials are gathered to hear about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Seated at right are Lisa Malone, director of KSC External Affairs, and Joel Wells, with the Government Relations Office. Fourth from right is Jim Jennings, NASA deputy associate administrator for institutions and asset management. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for the center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA and government officials are gathered to hear about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Seated at right are Lisa Malone, director of KSC External Affairs, and Joel Wells, with the Government Relations Office. Fourth from right is Jim Jennings, NASA deputy associate administrator for institutions and asset management. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for the center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus.

A Prospective, Holistic, Multicenter Approach to Tracking and Understanding Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Patients.

PubMed

Gaur, Aditya H; Bundy, David G; Werner, Eric J; Hord, Jeffrey D; Miller, Marlene R; Tang, Li; Lawlor, John P; Billett, Amy L

2017-06-01

OBJECTIVE To assess the burden of bloodstream infections (BSIs) among pediatric hematology-oncology (PHO) inpatients, to propose a comprehensive, all-BSI tracking approach, and to discuss how such an approach helps better inform within-center and across-center differences in CLABSI rate DESIGN Prospective cohort study SETTING US multicenter, quality-improvement, BSI prevention network PARTICIPANTS PHO centers across the United States who agreed to follow a standardized central-line-maintenance care bundle and track all BSI events and central-line days every month. METHODS Infections were categorized as CLABSI (stratified by mucosal barrier injury-related, laboratory-confirmed BSI [MBI-LCBI] versus non-MBI-LCBI) and secondary BSI, using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions. Single positive blood cultures (SPBCs) with NHSN defined common commensals were also tracked. RESULTS Between 2013 and 2015, 34 PHO centers reported 1,110 BSIs. Among them, 708 (63.8%) were CLABSIs, 170 (15.3%) were secondary BSIs, and 232 (20.9%) were SPBCs. Most SPBCs (75%) occurred in patients with profound neutropenia; 22% of SPBCs were viridans group streptococci. Among the CLABSIs, 51% were MBI-LCBI. Excluding SPBCs, CLABSI rates were higher (88% vs 77%) and secondary BSI rates were lower (12% vs 23%) after the NHSN updated the definition of secondary BSI (P<.001). Preliminary analyses showed across-center differences in CLABSI versus secondary BSI and between SPBC and CLABSI versus non-CLABSI rates. CONCLUSIONS Tracking all BSIs, not just CLABSIs in PHO patients, is a patient-centered, clinically relevant approach that could help better assess across-center and within-center differences in infection rates, including CLABSI. This approach enables informed decision making by healthcare providers, payors, and the public. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:690-696.

Remote Operations and Ground Control Centers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bryant, Barry S.; Lankford, Kimberly; Pitts, R. Lee

2004-01-01

The Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC) at the Marshall Space Flight Center supports the International Space Station (ISS) through remote interfaces around the world. The POIC was originally designed as a gateway to space for remote facilities; ranging from an individual user to a full-scale multiuser environment. This achievement was accomplished while meeting program requirements and accommodating the injection of modern technology on an ongoing basis to ensure cost effective operations. This paper will discuss the open POIC architecture developed to support similar and dissimilar remote operations centers. It will include technologies, protocols, and compromises which on a day to day basis support ongoing operations. Additional areas covered include centralized management of shared resources and methods utilized to provide highly available and restricted resources to remote users. Finally, the effort of coordinating the actions of participants will be discussed.

The adrenal capsule is a signaling center controlling cell renewal and zonation through Rspo3.

PubMed

Vidal, Valerie; Sacco, Sonia; Rocha, Ana Sofia; da Silva, Fabio; Panzolini, Clara; Dumontet, Typhanie; Doan, Thi Mai Phuong; Shan, Jingdong; Rak-Raszewska, Aleksandra; Bird, Tom; Vainio, Seppo; Martinez, Antoine; Schedl, Andreas

2016-06-15

Adrenal glands are zonated endocrine organs that are essential in controlling body homeostasis. How zonation is induced and maintained and how renewal of the adrenal cortex is ensured remain a mystery. Here we show that capsular RSPO3 signals to the underlying steroidogenic compartment to induce β-catenin signaling and imprint glomerulosa cell fate. Deletion of RSPO3 leads to loss of SHH signaling and impaired organ growth. Importantly, Rspo3 function remains essential in adult life to ensure replenishment of lost cells and maintain the properties of the zona glomerulosa. Thus, the adrenal capsule acts as a central signaling center that ensures replacement of damaged cells and is required to maintain zonation throughout life. © 2016 Vidal et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

The dynamic of tuberculosis case finding in the era of the public–private mix strategy for tuberculosis control in Central Java, Indonesia

PubMed Central

Reviono, Reviono; Setianingsih, Wahyu; Damayanti, Kusmadewi Eka; Ekasari, Ratna

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Background: The public–private mix (PPM) strategy has strengthened tuberculosis care and control in many countries. Indonesia, a country with a high tuberculosis burden, has a low tuberculosis case detection rate (CDR), despite PPM implementation in 2003. The PPM in Indonesia involves primary healthcare centers, hospitals, and specialized chest clinics. The long-term impact of the strategy is unknown. Objective: We aimed to explore the case detection achievements of the tuberculosis program since PPM implementation in Central Java in 2003. Methods: This retrospective cohort study covered the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2014. The data from tuberculosis patients treated in all health facilities in Central Java implementing directly observed treatment short-course, recorded via a standardized form, were analyzed after being validated by the Office of Health of Central Java Province. We evaluated the CDR, case notification rate, and total number of cases, using linear regression to analyze the temporal trends of those indicators in the phases of PPM implementation. Results: The CDR increased during the initial phase (2000–2005), decreased during the mid-phase (2006–2009), and increased slightly during the late phase (2010–2014), ranging from 13 to 61.72. These trends were observed despite a steady increase in the number of participating healthcare facilities. The regression analysis showed that the CDR of referral institutions contributed the most to the total CDR of Central Java Province. Many of the smear-negative tuberculosis cases recorded at primary healthcare centers may have been smear positive; this probable misclassification could have been partially avoided if more specific and sensitive diagnostic tools were available. Conclusions: The CDR remains below the national target (70%). Early awareness of a negative trend in certain program indicators is important to ensure program sustainability. Careful observation of the indicator pattern will secure the long-term success of the program. PMID:28766465

The dynamic of tuberculosis case finding in the era of the public-private mix strategy for tuberculosis control in Central Java, Indonesia.

PubMed

Reviono, Reviono; Setianingsih, Wahyu; Damayanti, Kusmadewi Eka; Ekasari, Ratna

2017-01-01

The public-private mix (PPM) strategy has strengthened tuberculosis care and control in many countries. Indonesia, a country with a high tuberculosis burden, has a low tuberculosis case detection rate (CDR), despite PPM implementation in 2003. The PPM in Indonesia involves primary healthcare centers, hospitals, and specialized chest clinics. The long-term impact of the strategy is unknown.  We aimed to explore the case detection achievements of the tuberculosis program since PPM implementation in Central Java in 2003. This retrospective cohort study covered the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2014. The data from tuberculosis patients treated in all health facilities in Central Java implementing directly observed treatment short-course, recorded via a standardized form, were analyzed after being validated by the Office of Health of Central Java Province. We evaluated the CDR, case notification rate, and total number of cases, using linear regression to analyze the temporal trends of those indicators in the phases of PPM implementation. The CDR increased during the initial phase (2000-2005), decreased during the mid-phase (2006-2009), and increased slightly during the late phase (2010-2014), ranging from 13 to 61.72. These trends were observed despite a steady increase in the number of participating healthcare facilities. The regression analysis showed that the CDR of referral institutions contributed the most to the total CDR of Central Java Province. Many of the smear-negative tuberculosis cases recorded at primary healthcare centers may have been smear positive; this probable misclassification could have been partially avoided if more specific and sensitive diagnostic tools were available. The CDR remains below the national target (70%). Early awareness of a negative trend in certain program indicators is important to ensure program sustainability. Careful observation of the indicator pattern will secure the long-term success of the program.

Does a More Centrally Located School Promote Walking to School? Spatial Centrality in School-Neighborhood Settings.

PubMed

Kim, Hyung Jin; Lee, Chanam

2016-05-01

A public elementary school has traditionally functioned as an important center of a neighborhood, but this role has diminished with sprawling urban developments. Despite the large number of studies of children's walking to/from school (WTS), the school's location in relation to the larger neighborhood context has not been fully explored. This study is to examine the relationship between school's spatial centrality and children's WTS in urban, suburban and rural settings. this study used school travel tally (11,721 students), environment audit, GIS and census data from 71 elementary school/neighborhoods in Texas, and employed the closeness centrality index to estimate a school's spatial centrality. Data were collected from 2009-2012. After controlling for neighborhood characteristics, it was found that more centrally located schools are likely to have higher proportions of WTS in the neighborhoods. And, among urban, suburban and rural settings, urban schools were the most and rural schools were the least likely to be centrally-located in the neighborhoods. The findings offer implications on school and community planning policies that can help promote WTS. Spatial centrality measures can be effective tools to identify environmental factors in complex urban networks related to human behaviors and community-based activities.

Configuration management and automatic control of an augmentor wing aircraft with vectored thrust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cicolani, L. S.; Sridhar, B.; Meyer, G.

1979-01-01

An advanced structure for automatic flight control logic for powered-lift aircraft operating in terminal areas is under investigation at Ames Research Center. This structure is based on acceleration control; acceleration commands are constructed as the sum of acceleration on the reference trajectory and a corrective feedback acceleration to regulate path tracking errors. The central element of the structure, termed a Trimmap, uses a model of the aircraft aerodynamic and engine forces to calculate the control settings required to generate the acceleration commands. This report describes the design criteria for the Trimmap and derives a Trimmap for Ames experimental augmentor wing jet STOL research aircraft.

Identifying and collecting pertinent medical records for centralized abstraction in a multi-center randomized clinical trial: the model used by the American College of Radiology arm of the National Lung Screening Trial.

PubMed

Gareen, Ilana F; Sicks, JoRean D; Jain, Amanda Adams; Moline, Denise; Coffman-Kadish, Nancy

2013-01-01

In clinical trials and epidemiologic studies, information on medical care utilization and health outcomes is often obtained from medical records. For multi-center studies, this information may be gathered by personnel at individual sites or by staff at a central coordinating center. We describe the process used to develop a HIPAA-compliant centralized process to collect medical record information for a large multi-center cancer screening trial. The framework used to select, request, and track medical records incorporated a participant questionnaire with unique identifiers for each medical provider. De-identified information from the questionnaires was sent to the coordinating center indexed by these identifiers. The central coordinating center selected specific medical providers for abstraction and notified sites using these identifiers. The site personnel then linked the identifiers with medical provider information. Staff at the sites collected medical records and provided them for central abstraction. Medical records were successfully obtained and abstracted to ascertain information on outcomes and health care utilization in a study with over 18,000 study participants. Collection of records required for outcomes related to positive screening examinations and lung cancer diagnosis exceeded 90%. Collection of records for all aims was 87.32%. We designed a successful centralized medical record abstraction process that may be generalized to other research settings, including observational studies. The coordinating center received no identifying data. The process satisfied requirements imposed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and concerns of site institutional review boards with respect to protected health information. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identifying and collecting pertinent medical records for centralized abstraction in a multi-center randomized clinical trial: The model used by the American College of Radiology arm of the National Lung Screening Trial

PubMed Central

Gareen, Ilana F.; Sicks, JoRean; Adams, Amanda; Moline, Denise; Coffman-Kadish, Nancy

2012-01-01

Background In clinical trials and epidemiologic studies, information on medical care utilization and health outcomes is often obtained from medical records. For multi-center studies, this information may be gathered by personnel at individual sites or by staff at a central coordinating center. We describe the process used to develop a HIPAA-compliant centralized process to collect medical record information for a large multi-center cancer screening trial. Methods The framework used to select, request, and track medical records incorporated a participant questionnaire with unique identifiers for each medical provider. De-identified information from the questionnaires was sent to the coordinating center indexed by these identifiers. The central coordinating center selected specific medical providers for abstraction and notified sites using these identifiers. The site personnel then linked the identifiers with medical provider information. Staff at the sites collected medical records and provided them for central abstraction. Results Medical records were successfully obtained and abstracted to ascertain information on outcomes and health care utilization in a study with over 18,000 study participants. Collection of records required for outcomes related to positive screening examinations and lung cancer diagnosis exceeded 90%. Collection of records for all aims was 87.32%. Conclusions We designed a successful centralized medical record abstraction process that may be generalized to other research settings, including observational studies. The coordinating center received no identifying data. The process satisfied requirements imposed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and concerns of site institutional review boards with respect to protected health information. PMID:22982342

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left front) and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right front) leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson (at left) is Congressman Tom Feeney. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left front) and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right front) leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson (at left) is Congressman Tom Feeney. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0256

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA officials and government representatives are gathered to learn about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. At the far end of the table is NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe. He is flanked, on the left, by Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; and on the right by U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Central Florida leaders are proposing the research park as the site for the NASA Shared Services Center. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Using Secure Web Services to Visualize Poison Center Data for Nationwide Biosurveillance: A Case Study

PubMed Central

Savel, Thomas G; Bronstein, Alvin; Duck, William; Rhodes, M. Barry; Lee, Brian; Stinn, John; Worthen, Katherine

2010-01-01

Objectives Real-time surveillance systems are valuable for timely response to public health emergencies. It has been challenging to leverage existing surveillance systems in state and local communities, and, using a centralized architecture, add new data sources and analytical capacity. Because this centralized model has proven to be difficult to maintain and enhance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been examining the ability to use a federated model based on secure web services architecture, with data stewardship remaining with the data provider. Methods As a case study for this approach, the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the CDC extended an existing data warehouse via a secure web service, and shared aggregate clinical effects and case counts data by geographic region and time period. To visualize these data, CDC developed a web browser-based interface, Quicksilver, which leveraged the Google Maps API and Flot, a javascript plotting library. Results Two iterations of the NPDS web service were completed in 12 weeks. The visualization client, Quicksilver, was developed in four months. Discussion This implementation of web services combined with a visualization client represents incremental positive progress in transitioning national data sources like BioSense and NPDS to a federated data exchange model. Conclusion Quicksilver effectively demonstrates how the use of secure web services in conjunction with a lightweight, rapidly deployed visualization client can easily integrate isolated data sources for biosurveillance. PMID:23569581

Los Angeles International Airport Runway Incursion Studies: Phase III--Center-Taxiway Simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madson, Michael D.

2004-01-01

Phase III of the Los Angeles International Airport Runway Incursion Studies was conducted, under an agreement with HNTB Corporation, at the NASA Ames FutureFlight Central (FFC) facility in June 2003. The objective of the study was the evaluation of a new center-taxiway concept at LAX. This study is an extension of the Phase I and Phase II studies previously conducted at FFC. This report presents results from Phase III of the study, in which a center-taxiway concept between runways 25L and 25R was simulated and evaluated. Phase III data were compared objectively against the Baseline data. Subjective evaluations by participating LAX controllers were obtained with regard to workload, efficiency, and safety criteria. To facilitate a valid comparison between Baseline and Phase III data, the same scenarios were used for Phase III that were tested during Phases I and II. This required briefing participating controllers on differences in airport and airline operations between 2001 and today.

A novel intracerebral hemorrhage-induced rat model of neurogenic voiding dysfunction: Analysis of lower urinary tract function

PubMed Central

CHO, YOUNG-SAM; KO, IL-GYU; KIM, CHANG-JU; KIM, KHAE-HAWN

2015-01-01

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is a major problem in patients with various neurological disorders, and may result in debilitating symptoms and serious complications, including chronic renal failure and recurrent urinary tract infections. Clinically, stroke is associated with voiding dysfunction. However, lower urinary tract function evaluation in an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model has not, to the best of our knowledge, been reported. Therefore, in the present study, lower urinary tract function in ICH-induced rats was investigated and the results were compared with those obtained in normal rats. The effects of ICH on peripheral bladder function and central micturition centers [medial preoptic area, ventrolateral gray, pontaine micturition center and spinal cord (lumbar 4 (L4)-L5)] were also examined. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: Control ICH-induced. Induction of ICH in the hippocampal CA1 region was performed using a stereotaxic frame and type IV collagenase. The effects of ICH on the central micturition centers were investigated by simultaneously determining the extent of neuronal activation (c-Fos) and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression, and assessing voiding function (urodynamically using cystometry). The results revealed that induction of ICH significantly enhanced bladder contraction pressure and time, while simultaneously reducing voiding pressure and time. Furthermore, the c-Fos and NGF expression levels in the neuronal voiding centers were significantly increased in the rats with induced ICH as compared with the control rats. Therefore, this ICH-induced NLUTD rat model may be a more appropriate method to analyze NLUTD in stroke patients than a cerebral infarction model, as the former more accurately reflects the nature of the hemorrhage in the two types of stroke. PMID:25954993

Neural control of heart rate: the role of neuronal networking.

PubMed

Kember, G; Armour, J A; Zamir, M

2011-05-21

Neural control of heart rate, particularly its sympathetic component, is generally thought to reside primarily in the central nervous system, though accumulating evidence suggests that intrathoracic extracardiac and intrinsic cardiac ganglia are also involved. We propose an integrated model in which the control of heart rate is achieved via three neuronal "levels" representing three control centers instead of the conventional one. Most importantly, in this model control is effected through networking between neuronal populations within and among these layers. The results obtained indicate that networking serves to process demands for systemic blood flow before transducing them to cardiac motor neurons. This provides the heart with a measure of protection against the possibility of "overdrive" implied by the currently held centrally driven system. The results also show that localized networking instabilities can lead to sporadic low frequency oscillations that have the characteristics of the well-known Mayer waves. The sporadic nature of Mayer waves has been unexplained so far and is of particular interest in clinical diagnosis. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Harmonious Society -- Rise of the New China

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

Zedong China, beginning with Deng Xiaoping in 1978, remains authoritarian but has Col John P. Geis II is currently director, Center for Strategy and...Party (CCP)—embarked on incremental reforms to maximize China’s economic potential while retaining strict authoritarian control. Together these... authoritarian systems, such as those in Central Asia, to the influence of American NGOs, assessing that they fomented revolution in these countries

Baroreflex failure in a patient with central nervous system lesions involving the nucleus tractus solitarii

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biaggioni, I.; Whetsell, W. O.; Jobe, J.; Nadeau, J. H.

1994-01-01

Animal studies have shown the importance of the nucleus tractus solitarii, a collection of neurons in the brain stem, in the acute regulation of blood pressure. Impulses arising from the carotid and aortic baroreceptors converge in this center, where the first synapse of the baroreflex is located. Stimulation of the nucleus tractus solitarii provides an inhibitory signal to other brain stem structures, particularly the rostral ventrolateral medulla, resulting in a reduction in sympathetic outflow and a decrease in blood pressure. Conversely, experimental lesions of the nucleus tractus solitarii lead to loss of baroreflex control of blood pressure, sympathetic activation, and severe hypertension in animals. In humans, baroreflex failure due to deafferentation of baroreceptors has been previously reported and is characterized by episodes of severe hypertension and tachycardia. We present a patient with an undetermined process of the central nervous system characterized pathologically by ubiquitous infarctions that were particularly prominent in the nucleus tractus solitarii bilaterally but spared the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Absence of a functioning baroreflex was evidenced by the lack of reflex tachycardia to the hypotensive effects of sodium nitroprusside, exaggerated pressor responses to handgrip and cold pressor test, and exaggerated depressor responses to meals and centrally acting alpha 2-agonists. This clinicopathological correlate suggests that the patient's baroreflex failure can be explained by the unique combination of the destruction of sympathetic inhibitory centers (ie, the nucleus tractus solitarii) and preservation of centers that exert a positive modulation on sympathetic tone (ie, the rostral ventrolateral medulla).

Central Serous Retinopathy Treatment

MedlinePlus

... Plastic Surgery Center Laser Surgery Education Center Redmond Ethics Center Global Ophthalmology Guide Academy Publications EyeNet Ophthalmology ... Plastic Surgery Center Laser Surgery Education Center Redmond Ethics Center Global Ophthalmology Guide Find an Ophthalmologist Advanced ...

Extended Follow-Up Frequently Asked Questions | Division of Cancer Prevention

Cancer.gov

1. What is the PLCO Central Data Coordinating Center?The PLCO Central Data Coordinating Center (CDCC) is an extension of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. The extension will be coordinated by one site under the direction of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) rather than ten PLCO Screening Centers to reduce costs. Westat which has served

A Year of Transition: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Annual Report 2009

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, 2009

2009-01-01

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) is one of four centers in the United States that work to improve opportunities and quality of life in rural communities. With funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the land-grant universities in its 12-state region, the NCRCRD engages Extension…

A Case Study of Key Stakeholders' Perceptions of the Learning Center's Effectiveness for English Learners at a District in Central California

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nava, Norma Leticia

2016-01-01

This qualitative study explored stakeholders' (administrators, teachers, and parents) perspectives of English learners in the learning center, a response to intervention model, at a school district in Central California. Research existed concerning the yearly academic growth of students in a learning center, but there was a lack of knowledge about…

Central Plateau Cleanup at DOE's Hanford Site - 12504

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dowell, Jonathan

The discussion of Hanford's Central Plateau includes significant work in and around the center of the Hanford Site - located about 7 miles from the Columbia River. The Central Plateau is the area to which operations will be shrunk in 2015 when River Corridor cleanup is complete. This work includes retrieval and disposal of buried waste from miles of trenches; the cleanup and closure of massive processing canyons; the clean-out and demolition to 'slab on grade' of the high-hazard Plutonium Finishing Plant; installation of key groundwater treatment facilities to contain and shrink plumes of contaminated groundwater; demolition of all othermore » unneeded facilities; and the completion of decisions about remaining Central Plateau waste sites. A stated goal of EM has been to shrink the footprint of active cleanup to less than 10 square miles by 2020. By the end of FY2011, Hanford will have reduced the active footprint of cleanup by 64 percent exceeding the goal of 49 percent. By 2015, Hanford will reduce the active footprint of cleanup by more than 90 percent. The remaining footprint reduction will occur between 2015 and 2020. The Central Plateau is a 75-square-mile region near the center of the Hanford Site including the area designated in the Hanford Comprehensive Land Use Plan Environmental Impact Statement (DOE 1999) and Record of Decision (64 FR 61615) as the Industrial-Exclusive Area, a rectangular area of about 20 square miles in the center of the Central Plateau. The Industrial-Exclusive Area contains the 200 East and 200 West Areas that have been used primarily for Hanford's nuclear fuel processing and waste management and disposal activities. The Central Plateau also encompasses the 200 Area CERCLA National Priorities List site. The Central Plateau has a large physical inventory of chemical processing and support facilities, tank systems, liquid and solid waste disposal and storage facilities, utility systems, administrative facilities, and groundwater monitoring wells. As a companion to the Hanford Site Cleanup Completion Framework document, DOE issued its draft Central Plateau Cleanup Completion Strategy in September 2009 to provide an outline of DOE's vision for completion of cleanup activities across the Central Plateau. As major elements of the Hanford cleanup along the Columbia River Corridor near completion, DOE believed it appropriate to articulate the agency vision for the remainder of the cleanup mission. The Central Plateau Cleanup Completion Strategy and the Hanford Site Cleanup Completion Framework were provided to the regulatory community, the Tribal Nations, political leaders, the public, and Hanford stakeholders to promote dialogue on Hanford's future. The Central Plateau Cleanup Completion Strategy describes DOE's vision for completion of Central Plateau cleanup and outlines the decisions needed to achieve the vision. The Central Plateau strategy involves steps to: (1) contain and remediate contaminated groundwater, (2) implement a geographic cleanup approach that guides remedy selection from a plateau-wide perspective, (3) evaluate and deploy viable treatment methods for deep vadose contamination to provide long-term protection of the groundwater, and (4) conduct essential waste management operations in coordination with cleanup actions. The strategy will also help optimize Central Plateau readiness to use funding when it is available upon completion of River Corridor cleanup projects. One aspect of the Central Plateau strategy is to put in place the process to identify the final footprint for permanent waste management and containment of residual contamination within the 20-square-mile Industrial-Exclusive Area. The final footprint identified for permanent waste management and containment of residual contamination should be as small as practical and remain under federal ownership and control for as long as a potential hazard exists. Outside the final footprint, the remainder of the Central Plateau will be available for other uses consistent with the Hanford Comprehensive Land-Use Plan (DOE 1999), while maintained under federal ownership and control. (author)« less

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of mucosal barrier injury-associated bloodstream infection improves accurate detection of preventable bacteremia rates at a pediatric cancer center in a low- to middle-income country.

PubMed

Torres, Dara; González, Miriam L; Loera, Adriana; Aguilera, Marco; Relyea, George; Aristizabal, Paula; Caniza, Miguela A

2016-04-01

The US National Healthcare Safety Network has provided a definition of mucosal barrier injury-associated, laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (MBI-LCBI) to improve infection surveillance. To date there is little information about its influence in pediatric oncology centers in low- to middle-income countries. To determine the influence of the definition on the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and compare the clinical characteristics of MBI versus non-MBI LCBI cases. We retrospectively applied the National Healthcare Safety Network definition to all CLABSIs recorded at a pediatric oncology center in Tijuana, Mexico, from January 2011 through December 2014. CLABSI events were reclassified according to the MBI-LCBI definition. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of MBI and non-MBI CLABSIs were compared. Of 55 CLABSI events, 44% (24 out of 55) qualified as MBI-LCBIs; all were MBI-LCBI subcategory 1 (intestinal flora pathogens). After the number of MBI-LCBI cases was removed from the numerator, the CLABSI rate during the study period decreased from 5.72-3.22 infections per 1,000 central line days. Patients with MBI-LCBI were significantly younger than non-MBI-LCBI patients (P = .029) and had a significantly greater frequency of neutropenia (100% vs 39%; P = .001) and chemotherapy exposure (87% vs 58%; P = .020) and significantly longer median hospitalization (34 vs 23 days; P = .008). A substantial proportion of CLABSI events at our pediatric cancer center met the MBI-LCBI criteria. Our results support separate monitoring and reporting of MBI and non-MBI-LCBIs in low- to middle-income countries to allow accurate detection and tracking of preventable (non-MBI) bloodstream infections. Copyright © 2016 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

1. VIEW OF A PORTION OF THE HYDRIDE PROCESSING LABORATORY. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. VIEW OF A PORTION OF THE HYDRIDE PROCESSING LABORATORY. OPERATIONS IN THE GLOVE BOX IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE PHOTOGRAPH INCLUDED HYDRIDING OF PLUTONIUM AND HYDRIDE SEPARATION. IN THE FOREGROUND, THE VACUUM MONITOR CONTROL PANEL MEASURED TEMPERATURES WITHIN THE GLOVEBOX. THE CENTER CONTROL PANEL REGULATED THE FURNACE INSIDE THE GLOVE BOX USED IN THE HYDRIDING PROCESSES. THIS EQUIPMENT WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE HYDRIDING PROCESS, AS WELL AS OTHER GLOVE BOX OPERATIONS. - Rocky Flats Plant, Plutonium Laboratory, North-central section of industrial area at 79 Drive, Golden, Jefferson County, CO

Centralized Networks to Generate Human Body Motions

PubMed Central

Vakulenko, Sergei; Radulescu, Ovidiu; Morozov, Ivan

2017-01-01

We consider continuous-time recurrent neural networks as dynamical models for the simulation of human body motions. These networks consist of a few centers and many satellites connected to them. The centers evolve in time as periodical oscillators with different frequencies. The center states define the satellite neurons’ states by a radial basis function (RBF) network. To simulate different motions, we adjust the parameters of the RBF networks. Our network includes a switching module that allows for turning from one motion to another. Simulations show that this model allows us to simulate complicated motions consisting of many different dynamical primitives. We also use the model for learning human body motion from markers’ trajectories. We find that center frequencies can be learned from a small number of markers and can be transferred to other markers, such that our technique seems to be capable of correcting for missing information resulting from sparse control marker settings. PMID:29240694

Centralized Networks to Generate Human Body Motions.

PubMed

Vakulenko, Sergei; Radulescu, Ovidiu; Morozov, Ivan; Weber, Andres

2017-12-14

We consider continuous-time recurrent neural networks as dynamical models for the simulation of human body motions. These networks consist of a few centers and many satellites connected to them. The centers evolve in time as periodical oscillators with different frequencies. The center states define the satellite neurons' states by a radial basis function (RBF) network. To simulate different motions, we adjust the parameters of the RBF networks. Our network includes a switching module that allows for turning from one motion to another. Simulations show that this model allows us to simulate complicated motions consisting of many different dynamical primitives. We also use the model for learning human body motion from markers' trajectories. We find that center frequencies can be learned from a small number of markers and can be transferred to other markers, such that our technique seems to be capable of correcting for missing information resulting from sparse control marker settings.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left foreground) and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right) look deep in conversation as they leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson is Congressman Tom Feeney and Center Director Jim Kennedy. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left foreground) and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (right) look deep in conversation as they leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson is Congressman Tom Feeney and Center Director Jim Kennedy. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida, talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. She gave a presentation to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (far right) about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Dana are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida, talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. She gave a presentation to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (far right) about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Dana are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

Tip-localized actin polymerization and remodeling, reflected by the localization of ADF, profilin and villin, are fundamental for gravity-sensing and polar growth in characean rhizoids.

PubMed

Braun, Markus; Hauslage, Jens; Czogalla, Aleksander; Limbach, Christoph

2004-07-01

Polar organization and gravity-oriented, polarized growth of characean rhizoids are dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. In this report, we demonstrate that the prominent center of the Spitzenkörper serves as the apical actin polymerization site in the extending tip. After cytochalasin D-induced disruption of the actin cytoskeleton, the regeneration of actin microfilaments (MFs) starts with the reappearance of a flat, brightly fluorescing actin array in the outermost tip. The actin array rounds up, produces actin MFs that radiate in all directions and is then relocated into its original central position in the center of the Spitzenkörper. The emerging actin MFs rearrange and cross-link to form the delicate, subapical meshwork, which then controls the statolith positioning, re-establishes the tip-high calcium gradient and mediates the reorganization of the Spitzenkörper with its central ER aggregate and the accumulation of secretory vesicles. Tip growth and gravitropic sensing, which includes control of statolith positioning and gravity-induced sedimentation, are not resumed until the original polar actin organization is completely restored. Immunolocalization of the actin-binding proteins, actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) and profilin, which both accumulate in the center of the Spitzenkörper, indicates high actin turnover and gives additional support for the actin-polymerizing function of this central, apical area. Association of villin immunofluorescence with two populations of thick undulating actin cables with uniform polarity underlying rotational cytoplasmic streaming in the basal region suggests that villin is the major actin-bundling protein in rhizoids. Our results provide evidence that the precise coordination of apical actin polymerization and dynamic remodeling of actin MFs by actin-binding proteins play a fundamental role in cell polarization, gravity sensing and gravity-oriented polarized growth of characean rhizoids.

Standardizing the information architecture for spacecraft operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Easton, C. R.

1994-01-01

This paper presents an information architecture developed for the Space Station Freedom as a model from which to derive an information architecture standard for advanced spacecraft. The information architecture provides a way of making information available across a program, and among programs, assuming that the information will be in a variety of local formats, structures and representations. It provides a format that can be expanded to define all of the physical and logical elements that make up a program, add definitions as required, and import definitions from prior programs to a new program. It allows a spacecraft and its control center to work in different representations and formats, with the potential for supporting existing spacecraft from new control centers. It supports a common view of data and control of all spacecraft, regardless of their own internal view of their data and control characteristics, and of their communications standards, protocols and formats. This information architecture is central to standardizing spacecraft operations, in that it provides a basis for information transfer and translation, such that diverse spacecraft can be monitored and controlled in a common way.

Access to Educational Opportunity in Rural Communities: Alternative Patterns of Delivering Vocational Education in Sparsely Populated Areas. Volume 4: The Interdistrict Cooperative Center: A Centralized Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Roland L.; And Others

The centralized secondary center pattern of inter-school district cooperation is examined in this third of four case studies addressing access of rural students to vocational education. The report identifies essential features of this form of cooperation, details factors facilitating/impeding the operation/maintenance of the cooperative…

A Novel Cloud-Based Service Robotics Application to Data Center Environmental Monitoring

PubMed Central

Russo, Ludovico Orlando; Rosa, Stefano; Maggiora, Marcello; Bona, Basilio

2016-01-01

This work presents a robotic application aimed at performing environmental monitoring in data centers. Due to the high energy density managed in data centers, environmental monitoring is crucial for controlling air temperature and humidity throughout the whole environment, in order to improve power efficiency, avoid hardware failures and maximize the life cycle of IT devices. State of the art solutions for data center monitoring are nowadays based on environmental sensor networks, which continuously collect temperature and humidity data. These solutions are still expensive and do not scale well in large environments. This paper presents an alternative to environmental sensor networks that relies on autonomous mobile robots equipped with environmental sensors. The robots are controlled by a centralized cloud robotics platform that enables autonomous navigation and provides a remote client user interface for system management. From the user point of view, our solution simulates an environmental sensor network. The system can easily be reconfigured in order to adapt to management requirements and changes in the layout of the data center. For this reason, it is called the virtual sensor network. This paper discusses the implementation choices with regards to the particular requirements of the application and presents and discusses data collected during a long-term experiment in a real scenario. PMID:27509505

Comparison of manual & automated analysis methods for corneal endothelial cell density measurements by specular microscopy.

PubMed

Huang, Jianyan; Maram, Jyotsna; Tepelus, Tudor C; Modak, Cristina; Marion, Ken; Sadda, SriniVas R; Chopra, Vikas; Lee, Olivia L

2017-08-07

To determine the reliability of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) obtained by automated specular microscopy versus that of validated manual methods and factors that predict such reliability. Sharp central images from 94 control and 106 glaucomatous eyes were captured with Konan specular microscope NSP-9900. All images were analyzed by trained graders using Konan CellChek Software, employing the fully- and semi-automated methods as well as Center Method. Images with low cell count (input cells number <100) and/or guttata were compared with the Center and Flex-Center Methods. ECDs were compared and absolute error was used to assess variation. The effect on ECD of age, cell count, cell size, and cell size variation was evaluated. No significant difference was observed between the Center and Flex-Center Methods in corneas with guttata (p=0.48) or low ECD (p=0.11). No difference (p=0.32) was observed in ECD of normal controls <40 yrs old between the fully-automated method and manual Center Method. However, in older controls and glaucomatous eyes, ECD was overestimated by the fully-automated method (p=0.034) and semi-automated method (p=0.025) as compared to manual method. Our findings show that automated analysis significantly overestimates ECD in the eyes with high polymegathism and/or large cell size, compared to the manual method. Therefore, we discourage reliance upon the fully-automated method alone to perform specular microscopy analysis, particularly if an accurate ECD value is imperative. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.

Centralization of Penile Cancer Management in the United States: A Combined Analysis of the American Board of Urology and National Cancer Data Base.

PubMed

Matulewicz, Richard S; Flum, Andrew S; Helenowski, Irene; Jovanovic, Borko; Palis, Bryan; Bilimoria, Karl Y; Meeks, Joshua J

2016-04-01

To assess the potential benefit of centralization of care in penile cancer. Centralization of care in other disease processes standardizes treatment and improves outcomes. Because penile cancer is a rare malignancy with unchanged mortality rates over the last two decades, we hypothesize that there may be a benefit to centralization. We identified surgeon, patient, and hospital characteristics captured by the National Cancer Data Base (1998-2012) and American Board of Urology case logs (2003-2013) for all penile cancer cases and procedures. Differences in patient demographics, stage of disease, referral patterns, and surgical quality indicators were assessed between academic and community hospitals. Using case logs to evaluate the distribution of penile cancer care, we found that only 4.1% of urologists performed a penile surgery and 1.5% performed a lymph node dissection (LND). Academic centers treated higher-stage cancers and saw more cases/year than community centers, suggesting informal centralization. Two guideline-based quality indicators demonstrated no difference in use of penile-sparing surgery but a higher likelihood of having an LND performed at an academic center (48.4% vs 26.6%). The total lymph node yield was significantly greater at academic centers (18.5 vs 12.5). Regression modeling demonstrated a 2.29 increased odds of having an LND at an academic center. Our data provide the first evidence for centralization of penile cancer in the US. At the time of diagnosis, equal number of patients is treated with penile-sparing surgery but there is greater use of LND and higher lymph node yield at academic centers. Ultimately, longer follow-up is necessary to determine if this improves survival of patients with penile cancer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Implementation of a Centralized Patient Transfer Center: Improving the Care Experience of Patients and their Families

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-25

Sharing Knowledge: Achieving Breakthrough Performance 2010 Military Health System Conference Implementation of a Centralized Patient Transfer...Improving the Care Experience of Patients and their Families Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the...Implementation of a Centralized Patient Transfer Center: Improving the Care Experience of Patients and their Families 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT

Data Acquisition Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

In the mid-1980s, Kinetic Systems and Langley Research Center determined that high speed CAMAC (Computer Automated Measurement and Control) data acquisition systems could significantly improve Langley's ARTS (Advanced Real Time Simulation) system. The ARTS system supports flight simulation R&D, and the CAMAC equipment allowed 32 high performance simulators to be controlled by centrally located host computers. This technology broadened Kinetic Systems' capabilities and led to several commercial applications. One of them is General Atomics' fusion research program. Kinetic Systems equipment allows tokamak data to be acquired four to 15 times more rapidly. Ford Motor company uses the same technology to control and monitor transmission testing facilities.

78 FR 9311 - Hazard Communication; Corrections and Technical Amendment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-08

... Column for Standard No. 1910.1051. ``Cancer; eye and respiratory tract irritation; center nervous system... irritation; central nervous system effects; and flammability.'' The following table contains a summary of the... (l)(1)(ii) ``center nervous system effects'' is paragraph. corrected to ``central nervous system...

Strategic planning for the activation and operation of the North Central Superpave Center (NCSC)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-01-01

The North Central Superpave Center (NCSC) was established to serve the needs of the states and industry in ten states and two Canadian provinces as they implement the Superpave system. Accomplishing this goal requires the cooperation and active suppo...

Unified-planning, graded-administration, and centralized-controlling: a management modality for treating acquired immune deficiency syndrome with Chinese medicine in Henan Province of China.

PubMed

Xu, Li-Ran; Guo, Hui-jun; Liu, Zhi-bin; Li, Qiang; Yang, Ji-ping; He, Ying

2015-04-01

Henan Province in China has a major epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Chinese medicine (CM) has been used throughout the last decade, and a management modality was developed, which can be described by unified-planning, graded-administration, and centralized-controlling (UGC). The UGC modality has one primary concept (patient-centered medicine from CM theory), four basic foundations (classifying administrative region, characteristics of CM on disease treatment, health resource conditions, and distribution of patients living with HIV), six important relationships (the "three uniformities and three combinations," and the six relationships therein guide the treatment of AIDS with CM), and four key sections (management, operation, records, and evaluation). In this article, the authors introduce the UGC modality, which could be beneficial to developing countries or resource-limited areas for the management of chronic infectious disease.

Central and Peripheral Molecular Targets for Anti-Obesity Pharmacotherapy

PubMed Central

Valentino, Michael A.; Lin, Jieru E.; Waldman, Scott A.

2011-01-01

Obesity has emerged as one of the principle worldwide health concerns of the modern era, and there exists a tremendous unmet clinical need for safe and effective therapies to combat this global pandemic. The prevalence of obesity and its associated co-morbidities, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, has focused drug discovery and development on generating effective modalities for the treatment and prevention of obesity. Early efforts in the field of obesity pharmacotherapy centered on agents with indeterminate mechanisms of action producing treatment paradigms characterized by significant off-target effects. During the past two decades, new insights have been made into the physiologic regulation of energy balance and the subordinate central and peripheral circuits coordinating appetite, metabolism, and lipogenesis. These studies have revealed previously unrecognized molecular targets for controlling appetite and managing weight from which has emerged a new wave of targeted pharmacotherapies to prevent and control obesity. PMID:20445536

Malgorzata Kasperska Henryk Bunka

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

The MarCo Engineering Company Ltd. has its registered seat at Gdynia and was established in 1990. We are the exclusive representative for Poland of the world`s renowned manufacturers of heat distribution network products; Through six subsidiaries (Gdynia, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Cracow, Gliwice and Lublin) and our dealers` network all over Poland the following products and services are offered: (1) automatic control systems for heating and air conditioning; (2) a supervisory remote control system for heat distribution centers; (3) compensating devices for central heating and household hot water installations; (4) radiator thermostatic valves; (5) Meinecke water meters; (6) thermal energy counters; (6)more » a remote calorimeter data reading system SIOX; (7) an electronic central heating costs sharing system - GT-15; (8) compact thermal stations; and (9) compact and pipe exchangers. The modern, high standard devices offered have achieved much success on the Polish market.« less

Working Together to Make a Difference in Rural America: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, 2010 Annual Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, 2011

2011-01-01

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) is one of four regional centers in the United States that have worked to improve the quality of life in rural communities for nearly 40 years. With funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the land-grant universities in our 12-state region, the NCRCRD…

Central regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and energy homeostasis dependent on food availability.

PubMed

Nakamura, Yoshiko; Nakamura, Kazuhiro

2018-05-01

Energy homeostasis of mammals is maintained by balancing energy expenditure within the body and energy intake through feeding. Several lines of evidence indicate that brown adipose tissue (BAT), a sympathetically activated thermogenic organ, turns excess energy into heat to maintain the energy balance in rodents and humans, in addition to its thermoregulatory role for the defense of body core temperature in cold environments. Elucidating the central circuit mechanism controlling BAT thermogenesis dependent on nutritional conditions and food availability in relation to energy homeostasis is essential to understand the etiology of symptoms caused by energy imbalance, such as obesity. The central thermogenic command outflow to BAT descends through an excitatory neural pathway mediated by hypothalamic, medullary and spinal sites. This sympathoexcitatory thermogenic drive is controlled by tonic GABAergic inhibitory signaling from the thermoregulatory center in the preoptic area, whose tone is altered by body core and cutaneous thermosensory inputs. This circuit controlling BAT thermogenesis for cold defense also functions for the development of fever and psychological stress-induced hyperthermia, indicating its important role in the defense from a variety of environmental stressors. When food is unavailable, hunger-driven neural signaling from the hypothalamus activates GABAergic neurons in the medullary reticular formation, which then block the sympathoexcitatory thermogenic outflow to BAT to reduce energy expenditure and simultaneously command the masticatory motor system to promote food intake-effectively commanding responses to survive starvation. This article reviews the central mechanism controlling BAT thermogenesis in relation to the regulation of energy and thermal homeostasis dependent on food availability.

Centralized Fabric Management Using Puppet, Git, and GLPI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Jason A.; De Stefano, John S., Jr.; Fetzko, John; Hollowell, Christopher; Ito, Hironori; Karasawa, Mizuki; Pryor, James; Rao, Tejas; Strecker-Kellogg, William

2012-12-01

Managing the infrastructure of a large and complex data center can be extremely difficult without taking advantage of recent technological advances in administrative automation. Puppet is a seasoned open-source tool that is designed for enterprise class centralized configuration management. At the RHIC and ATLAS Computing Facility (RACF) at Brookhaven National Laboratory, we use Puppet along with Git, GLPI, and some custom scripts as part of our centralized configuration management system. In this paper, we discuss how we use these tools for centralized configuration management of our servers and services, change management requiring authorized approval of production changes, a complete version controlled history of all changes made, separation of production, testing and development systems using puppet environments, semi-automated server inventory using GLPI, and configuration change monitoring and reporting using the Puppet dashboard. We will also discuss scalability and performance results from using these tools on a 2,000+ node cluster and 400+ infrastructure servers with an administrative staff of approximately 25 full-time employees (FTEs).

Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report 5: System design and specifications. Volume 6: Specification for EOS Central Data Processing Facility (CDPF)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The specifications and functions of the Central Data Processing (CDPF) Facility which supports the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) are discussed. The CDPF will receive the EOS sensor data and spacecraft data through the Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) and the Operations Control Center (OCC). The CDPF will process the data and produce high density digital tapes, computer compatible tapes, film and paper print images, and other data products. The specific aspects of data inputs and data processing are identified. A block diagram of the CDPF to show the data flow and interfaces of the subsystems is provided.

Technical Challenges and Opportunities of Centralizing Space Science Mission Operations (SSMO) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ido, Haisam; Burns, Rich

2015-01-01

The NASA Goddard Space Science Mission Operations project (SSMO) is performing a technical cost-benefit analysis for centralizing and consolidating operations of a diverse set of missions into a unified and integrated technical infrastructure. The presentation will focus on the notion of normalizing spacecraft operations processes, workflows, and tools. It will also show the processes of creating a standardized open architecture, creating common security models and implementations, interfaces, services, automations, notifications, alerts, logging, publish, subscribe and middleware capabilities. The presentation will also discuss how to leverage traditional capabilities, along with virtualization, cloud computing services, control groups and containers, and possibly Big Data concepts.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - - U.S. Representative Ric Keller talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Keller are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; Congressman Dave Weldon; and O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - - U.S. Representative Ric Keller talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Keller are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; Congressman Dave Weldon; and O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA and government officials are gathered to hear about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration. At the far end is NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. He is flanked, on the left, by Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; and on the right by U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon and U.S. Representative Ric Keller. In the foreground, at left, is Center Director Jim Kennedy. At right is Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA and government officials are gathered to hear about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration. At the far end is NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. He is flanked, on the left, by Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; and on the right by U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon and U.S. Representative Ric Keller. In the foreground, at left, is Center Director Jim Kennedy. At right is Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida. The center would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Florida Congressman Tom Feeney talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Feeney are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Congressman Dave Weldon; and O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Florida Congressman Tom Feeney talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Feeney are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Congressman Dave Weldon; and O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Congressman Dave Weldon talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and other government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Weldon are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; at right is O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Congressman Dave Weldon talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and other government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Weldon are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; at right is O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and other government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Nelson are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Congressman Dave Weldon and O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and other government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind Nelson are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Congressman Dave Weldon and O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and Florida Congressman Tom Feeney. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and Florida Congressman Tom Feeney. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. On the left is Center Director Jim Kennedy. On the right are U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and U.S. Representative Ric Keller . Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and Congressman Dave Weldon.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. On the left is Center Director Jim Kennedy. On the right are U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and U.S. Representative Ric Keller . Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and Congressman Dave Weldon.

Trestles #2 and #1 (center), long view from Central Pacific ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Trestles #2 and #1 (center), long view from Central Pacific Railroad grade. Note Adams Ranch (right). View to north - Promontory Route Railroad Trestles, S.P. Trestle 779.91, One mile southwest of junction of State Highway 83 and Blue Creek, Corinne, Box Elder County, UT

View of first level from east looking at the central ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

View of first level from east looking at the central bay. Interstitial structure is in the foreground center, main structure is in background left and right of view. - Marshall Space Flight Center, Saturn V Dynamic Test Facility, East Test Area, Huntsville, Madison County, AL

Central Contractor Registration Handbook (CCR)

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-03-01

Assistance Center 888-227-2423 or 616-961-4725 Report Documentation Page Report Date 00/03/2002 Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) - Title and......Work Unit Number Performing Organization Name(s) and Address(es) Central Contractor Registration Assistance Center (888-227-2423) or (616-961-4725

Evaluation of Bacteriological and Chemical Quality of Dialysis Water and Fluid in Isfahan, Central Iran

PubMed Central

SHAHRYARI, Ali; NIKAEEN, Mahnaz; HATAMZADEH, Maryam; VAHID DASTJERDI, Marzieh; HASSANZADEH, Akbar

2016-01-01

Background: Chemical and microbial quality of water used in hemodialysis play key roles in a number of dialysis-related complications. In order to avoid the complications and to guarantee safety and health of patients therefore, vigorous control of water quality is essential. The objective of present study was to investigate the chemical and bacteriological characteristics of water used in dialysis centers of five hospitals in Isfahan, central Iran. Methods: A total of 30 water samples from the input of dialysis purification system and dialysis water were analyzed for chemical parameters. Heterotrophic plate count and endotoxin concentration of drinking water, dialysis water and dialysis fluid of 40 machines were also monitored over a 5-month period in 2011–2012. Results: Concentration of the determined chemicals (copper, zinc, sulfate, fluoride, chloramines and free chlorine) did not exceed the recommended concentration by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) exclude lead, nitrate, aluminum and calcium. Furthermore, the magnesium; cadmium and chromium concentration exceeded the maximum level in some centers. No contamination with heterotrophic bacteria was observed in all samples, while the AMMI standard for endotoxin level in dialysis fluid (<2 EU/ml) was achieved in 95% of samples. Conclusion: Dialysis water and fluid failed to meet the all chemical and bacteriological requirements for hemodialysis. To minimize the risk of contaminants for hemodialysis patients therefore, a water quality management program including monitoring, maintenance and development of water treatment system in hemodialysis centers is extremely important. In addition, an appropriate disinfection program is needed to guarantee better control of bacterial growth and biofilm formation. PMID:27398338

KSC-04PD-0266

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (center) makes a point while talking to NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (right) about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0270

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. After a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center, Congressmen Tom Feeney (center) and Dave Weldon (right) share a humorous moment with NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (foreground). Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0275

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (center) talks to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left) after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0275

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (center) talks to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left) after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0255

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida, takes part in the proposal for locating NASAs new Shared Services Center in the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. The presentation was given to NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe and other officials. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration by NASA.

Modulation of experimental arthritis by vagal sensory and central brain stimulation.

PubMed

Bassi, Gabriel Shimizu; Dias, Daniel Penteado Martins; Franchin, Marcelo; Talbot, Jhimmy; Reis, Daniel Gustavo; Menezes, Gustavo Batista; Castania, Jaci Airton; Garcia-Cairasco, Norberto; Resstel, Leonardo Barbosa Moraes; Salgado, Helio Cesar; Cunha, Fernando Queiróz; Cunha, Thiago Mattar; Ulloa, Luis; Kanashiro, Alexandre

2017-08-01

Articular inflammation is a major clinical burden in multiple inflammatory diseases, especially in rheumatoid arthritis. Biological anti-rheumatic drug therapies are expensive and increase the risk of systemic immunosuppression, infections, and malignancies. Here, we report that vagus nerve stimulation controls arthritic joint inflammation by inducing local regulation of innate immune response. Most of the previous studies of neuromodulation focused on vagal regulation of inflammation via the efferent peripheral pathway toward the viscera. Here, we report that vagal stimulation modulates arthritic joint inflammation through a novel "afferent" pathway mediated by the locus coeruleus (LC) of the central nervous system. Afferent vagal stimulation activates two sympatho-excitatory brain areas: the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and the LC. The integrity of the LC, but not that of the PVN, is critical for vagal control of arthritic joint inflammation. Afferent vagal stimulation suppresses articular inflammation in the ipsilateral, but not in the contralateral knee to the hemispheric LC lesion. Central stimulation is followed by subsequent activation of joint sympathetic nerve terminals inducing articular norepinephrine release. Selective adrenergic beta-blockers prevent the effects of articular norepinephrine and thereby abrogate vagal control of arthritic joint inflammation. These results reveals a novel neuro-immune brain map with afferent vagal signals controlling side-specific articular inflammation through specific inflammatory-processing brain centers and joint sympathetic innervations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of visual control, conduction, and central integration on static and dynamic balance in healthy older adults.

PubMed

Perrin, P P; Jeandel, C; Perrin, C A; Béné, M C

1997-01-01

Aging is associated with decreased balance abilities, resulting in an increased risk of fall. In order to appreciate the visual, somatosensory, and central signals involved in balance control, sophisticated methods of posturography assessment have been developed, using static and dynamic tests, eventually associated with electromyographic measurements. We applied such methods to a population of healthy older adults in order to appreciate the respective importance of each of these sensorial inputs in aging individuals. Posture control parameters were recorded on a force-measuring platform in 41 healthy young (age 28.5 +/- 5.9 years) and 50 older (age 69.8 +/- 5.9 years) adults, using a static test and two dynamic tests performed by all individuals first with eyes open, then with eyes closed. The distance covered by the center of foot pressure, sway area, and anteroposterior oscillations were significantly higher, with eyes open or closed, in older people than in young subjects. Significant differences were noted in dynamic tests with longer latency responses in the group of old people. Dynamic recordings in a sinusoidal test had a more regular pattern when performed eyes open in both groups and evidenced significantly greater instability in old people. These data suggest that vision remains important in maintaining postural control while conduction and central integration become less efficient with age.

Quality control and assurance for validation of DOS/I measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cerussi, Albert; Durkin, Amanda; Kwong, Richard; Quang, Timothy; Hill, Brian; Tromberg, Bruce J.; MacKinnon, Nick; Mantulin, William W.

2010-02-01

Ongoing multi-center clinical trials are crucial for Biophotonics to gain acceptance in medical imaging. In these trials, quality control (QC) and assurance (QA) are key to success and provide "data insurance". Quality control and assurance deal with standardization, validation, and compliance of procedures, materials and instrumentation. Specifically, QC/QA involves systematic assessment of testing materials, instrumentation performance, standard operating procedures, data logging, analysis, and reporting. QC and QA are important for FDA accreditation and acceptance by the clinical community. Our Biophotonics research in the Network for Translational Research in Optical Imaging (NTROI) program for breast cancer characterization focuses on QA/QC issues primarily related to the broadband Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging (DOS/I) instrumentation, because this is an emerging technology with limited standardized QC/QA in place. In the multi-center trial environment, we implement QA/QC procedures: 1. Standardize and validate calibration standards and procedures. (DOS/I technology requires both frequency domain and spectral calibration procedures using tissue simulating phantoms and reflectance standards, respectively.) 2. Standardize and validate data acquisition, processing and visualization (optimize instrument software-EZDOS; centralize data processing) 3. Monitor, catalog and maintain instrument performance (document performance; modularize maintenance; integrate new technology) 4. Standardize and coordinate trial data entry (from individual sites) into centralized database 5. Monitor, audit and communicate all research procedures (database, teleconferences, training sessions) between participants ensuring "calibration". This manuscript describes our ongoing efforts, successes and challenges implementing these strategies.

Neurocardiology: Structure-Based Function.

PubMed

Ardell, Jeffrey L; Armour, John Andrew

2016-09-15

Cardiac control is mediated via a series of reflex control networks involving somata in the (i) intrinsic cardiac ganglia (heart), (ii) intrathoracic extracardiac ganglia (stellate, middle cervical), (iii) superior cervical ganglia, (iv) spinal cord, (v) brainstem, and (vi) higher centers. Each of these processing centers contains afferent, efferent, and local circuit neurons, which interact locally and in an interdependent fashion with the other levels to coordinate regional cardiac electrical and mechanical indices on a beat-to-beat basis. This control system is optimized to respond to normal physiological stressors (standing, exercise, and temperature); however, it can be catastrophically disrupted by pathological events such as myocardial ischemia. In fact, it is now recognized that autonomic dysregulation is central to the evolution of heart failure and arrhythmias. Autonomic regulation therapy is an emerging modality in the management of acute and chronic cardiac pathologies. Neuromodulation-based approaches that target select nexus points of this hierarchy for cardiac control offer unique opportunities to positively affect therapeutic outcomes via improved efficacy of cardiovascular reflex control. As such, understanding the anatomical and physiological basis for such control is necessary to implement effectively novel neuromodulation therapies. © 2016 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 6:1635-1653, 2016. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

NIMH Prototype Management Information System for Community Mental Health Centers

PubMed Central

Wurster, Cecil R.; Goodman, John D.

1980-01-01

Various approaches to centralized support of computer applications in health care are described. The NIMH project to develop a prototype Management Information System (MIS) for community mental health centers is presented and discussed as a centralized development of an automated data processing system for multiple user organizations. The NIMH program is summarized, the prototype MIS is characterized, and steps taken to provide for the differing needs of the mental health centers are highlighted.

Central Pacific Hurricane Center - Honolulu, Hawai`i

Science.gov Websites

Department of Commerce Central Pacific Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Blank Tracking Maps ▾ Educational Resources Be Prepared! NWS Hurricane Prep Week Preparedness Weather Hurricane Season Outlook for 2018 2017-18 Hawaii Wet Season Summary and 2018 Dry Season Outlook USGS and

Aloe vera herbal dentifrices for plaque and gingivitis control: a systematic review.

PubMed

Dhingra, K

2014-04-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of aloe vera containing herbal dentifrices in improving plaque control and gingival health. A manual and electronic literature (MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) search was performed up to July 2012, for randomized controlled trials presenting clinical, microbiological, immunological, and patient-centered data for the efficacy of aloe vera herbal dentifrices for controlling plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis. From 79 titles and abstracts, eight full-text articles were screened and finally two randomized controlled trials were selected. These randomized controlled trials reported that aloe vera dentifrices were similar in efficacy to control dentifrices in effectively reducing plaque and gingival inflammation in gingivitis patients based on the assessment of clinical, microbiological, and patient-centered treatment outcomes. However, many important details (composition and characteristics of aloe vera and control dentifrices along with appropriate randomization, blinding, and outcomes assessed) were lacking in these trials, and therefore, the quality of reporting and methods was generally flawed with high risk of bias. Even though there are some promising results, the clinical effectiveness of aloe vera herbal dentifrices is not sufficiently defined at present and warrants further investigations based on reporting guidelines of herbal CONSORT statement. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

KSC-04PD-0265

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Congressman Dave Weldon listens to a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

AGENDA: A task organizer and scheduler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fratter, Isabelle

1993-01-01

AGENDA will be the main tool used in running the SPOT 4 Earth Observation Satellite's Operational Control Center. It will reduce the operator's work load and make the task easier. AGENDA sets up the work plan for a day of operations, automatically puts the day's tasks into sequence and monitors their progress in real time. Monitoring is centralized, and the tasks are run on different computers in the Center. Once informed of any problems, the operator can intervene at any time while an activity is taking place. To carry out the various functions, the operator has an advanced, efficient, ergonomic graphic interface based on X11 and OSF/MOTIF. Since AGENDA is the heart of the Center, it has to satisfy several constraints that have been taken into account during the various development phases. AGENDA is currently in its final development stages.

Photovoltaic system criteria documents. Volume 1: Guidelines for evaluating the management and operations planning of photovoltaic applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koenig, John C.; Billitti, Joseph W.; Tallon, John M.

1979-01-01

Guidelines are provided to the Field Centers for organization, scheduling, project and cost control, and performance in the areas of project management and operations planning for Photovoltaics Test and Applications. These guidelines may be used in organizing a T and A Project Team for system design/test, site construction and operation, and as the basis for evaluating T and A proposals. The attributes are described for project management and operations planning to be used by the Field Centers. Specifically, all project management and operational issues affecting costs, schedules and performance of photovoltaic systems are addressed. Photovoltaic tests and applications include residential, intermediate load center, central station, and stand-alone systems. The sub-categories of system maturity considered are: Initial System Evaluation Experiments (ISEE); System Readiness Experiments (SRE); and Commercial Readiness Demonstration Projects (CRDP).

Patterns of species richness and the center of diversity in modern Indo-Pacific larger foraminifera.

PubMed

Förderer, Meena; Rödder, Dennis; Langer, Martin R

2018-05-29

Symbiont-bearing Larger Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) are ubiquitous components of shallow tropical and subtropical environments and contribute substantially to carbonaceous reef and shelf sediments. Climate change is dramatically affecting carbonate producing organisms and threatens the diversity and structural integrity of coral reef ecosystems. Recent invertebrate and vertebrate surveys have identified the Coral Triangle as the planet's richest center of marine life delineating the region as a top priority for conservation. We compiled and analyzed extensive occurrence records for 68 validly recognized species of LBF from the Indian and Pacific Ocean, established individual range maps and applied Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) and Species Distribution Model (SDM) methodologies to create the first ocean-wide species richness maps. SDM output was further used for visualizing latitudinal and longitudinal diversity gradients. Our findings provide strong support for assigning the tropical Central Indo-Pacific as the world's species-richest marine region with the Central Philippines emerging as the bullseye of LBF diversity. Sea surface temperature and nutrient content were identified as the most influential environmental constraints exerting control over the distribution of LBF. Our findings contribute to the completion of worldwide research on tropical marine biodiversity patterns and the identification of targeting centers for conservation efforts.

Real-time simulation clock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennington, Donald R. (Inventor); Crawford, Daniel J. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

The invention is a clock for synchronizing operations within a high-speed, distributed data processing network. The clock is actually a distributed system comprising a central clock and multiple site clock interface units (SCIUs) which are connected by means of a fiber optic star network and which operate under control of separate clock software. The presently preferred embodiment is a part of the flight simulation system now in current use at the NASA Langley Research Center.

Managing the Unexpected: Complexity as Distributed Sensemaking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weick, Karl E.

In 1998 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published a statement of their strategy entitled "Preventing Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Strategy for the 21st Century." They described their central challenge this way: "because we do not know what new diseases will arise, we must always be prepared for the unexpected" (p. vii). Soon after they published that statement CDC was confronted with an unexpected emerging disease, the West Nile Virus, which they misdiagnosed initially.

Metallicity Gradients in the Intracluster Gas of Abell 496

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dupke, Renato A.; White, Raymond E., III

2000-07-01

Analysis of spatially resolved ASCA spectra of the intracluster gas in Abell 496 confirms there are mild metal abundance enhancements near the center, as previously found in a joint analysis of spectra from Ginga Large Area Counter and Einstein solid state spectrometer. Simultaneous analysis of spectra from all ASCA instruments (SIS+GIS) shows that the iron abundance is 0.36+/-0.03 solar 3'-12' from the center of the cluster and rises ~50% to 0.53+/-0.04 solar within the central 2'. The F-test shows that this abundance gradient is significant at the more than 99.99% level. Nickel and sulfur abundances are also centrally enhanced. We use a variety of elemental abundance ratios to assess the relative contribution of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and Type II supernovae (SNe II) to the metal enrichment of the intracluster gas. We find spatial gradients in several abundance ratios, indicating that the fraction of iron from SNe Ia increases toward the cluster center, with SNe Ia accounting for ~50% of the iron mass 3'-12' from the center and ~70% within 2'. The increased proportion of SN Ia ejecta at the center is such that the central iron abundance enhancement can be attributed wholly to SNe Ia; we find no significant gradient in SN II ejecta. These spatial gradients in the proportion of SN Ia/II ejecta imply that the dominant metal enrichment mechanism near the center is different than in the outer parts of the cluster. We show that the central abundance enhancement is unlikely to be due to ram pressure stripping of gas from cluster galaxies or to secularly accumulated stellar mass loss within the central cD. We suggest that the additional SN Ia ejecta near the center is the vestige of a secondary SN Ia-driven wind from the cD (following a more energetic protogalactic SN II-driven wind phase), which was partially smothered in the cD due to its location at the cluster center.

Cost of Operating Central Cancer Registries and Factors That Affect Cost: Findings From an Economic Evaluation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Program of Cancer Registries.

PubMed

Tangka, Florence K L; Subramanian, Sujha; Beebe, Maggie Cole; Weir, Hannah K; Trebino, Diana; Babcock, Frances; Ewing, Jean

2016-01-01

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluated the economics of the National Program of Cancer Registries to provide the CDC, the registries, and policy makers with the economics evidence-base to make optimal decisions about resource allocation. Cancer registry budgets are under increasing threat, and, therefore, systematic assessment of the cost will identify approaches to improve the efficiencies of this vital data collection operation and also justify the funding required to sustain registry operations. To estimate the cost of cancer registry operations and to assess the factors affecting the cost per case reported by National Program of Cancer Registries-funded central cancer registries. We developed a Web-based cost assessment tool to collect 3 years of data (2009-2011) from each National Program of Cancer Registries-funded registry for all actual expenditures for registry activities (including those funded by other sources) and factors affecting registry operations. We used a random-effects regression model to estimate the impact of various factors on cost per cancer case reported. The cost of reporting a cancer case varied across the registries. Central cancer registries that receive high-quality data from reporting sources (as measured by the percentage of records passing automatic edits) and electronic data submissions, and those that collect and report on a large volume of cases had significantly lower cost per case. The volume of cases reported had a large effect, with low-volume registries experiencing much higher cost per case than medium- or high-volume registries. Our results suggest that registries operate with substantial fixed or semivariable costs. Therefore, sharing fixed costs among low-volume contiguous state registries, whenever possible, and centralization of certain processes can result in economies of scale. Approaches to improve quality of data submitted and increasing electronic reporting can also reduce cost.

Operating The Central Process Systems At Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiler, Carly P.

2004-01-01

As a research facility, the Glenn Research Center (GRC) trusts and expects all the systems, controlling their facilities to run properly and efficiently in order for their research and operations to occur proficiently and on time. While there are many systems necessary for the operations at GRC, one of those most vital systems is the Central Process Systems (CPS). The CPS controls operations used by GRC's wind tunnels, propulsion systems lab, engine components research lab, and compressor, turbine and combustor test cells. Used widely throughout the lab, it operates equipment such as exhausters, chillers, cooling towers, compressors, dehydrators, and other such equipment. Through parameters such as pressure, temperature, speed, flow, etc., it performs its primary operations on the major systems of Electrical Dispatch (ED), Central Air Dispatch (CAD), Central Air Equipment Building (CAEB), and Engine Research Building (ERB). In order for the CPS to continue its operations at Glenn, a new contract must be awarded. Consequently, one of my primary responsibilities was assisting the Source Evaluation Board (SEB) with the process of awarding the recertification contract of the CPS. The job of the SEB was to evaluate the proposals of the contract bidders and then to present their findings to the Source Selecting Official (SSO). Before the evaluations began, the Center Director established the level of the competition. For this contract, the competition was limited to those companies classified as a small, disadvantaged business. After an industry briefing that explained to qualified companies the CPS and type of work required, each of the interested companies then submitted proposals addressing three components: Mission Suitability, Cost, and Past Performance. These proposals were based off the Statement of Work (SOW) written by the SEB. After companies submitted their proposals, the SEB reviewed all three components and then presented their results to the SSO. While the SEB does not select the company receiving the contract, they can make recommendations based on their findings to the SSO, who actually awards the contract. The SEB began work for this contract in July 2003 by writing the SOW and the selection will tentatively occur July 30, 2004. Contract awarding will take place Aug. 15. Following the awarding, the winning company has a 30-day Phase-in Period beginning Sept. 1,2004 and full performance will begin October 1.

Hand-suture versus stapling for closure of loop ileostomy: HASTA-Trial: a study rationale and design for a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Colorectal cancer is the second most common tumor in developed countries, with a lifetime prevalence of 5%. About one third of these tumors are located in the rectum. Surgery in terms of low anterior resection with mesorectal excision is the central element in the treatment of rectal cancer being the only option for definite cure. Creating a protective diverting stoma prevents complications like anastomotic failure and meanwhile is the standard procedure. Bowel obstruction is one of the main and the clinically and economically most relevant complication following closure of loop ileostomy. The best surgical technique for closure of loop ileostomy has not been defined yet. Methods/Design A study protocol was developed on the basis of the only randomized controlled mono-center trial to solve clinical equipoise concerning the optimal surgical technique for closure of loop ileostomy after low anterior resection due to rectal cancer. The HASTA trial is a multi-center pragmatic randomized controlled surgical trial with two parallel groups to compare hand-suture versus stapling for closure of loop ileostomy. It will include 334 randomized patients undergoing closure of loop ileostomy after low anterior resection with protective ileostomy due to rectal cancer in approximately 20 centers consisting of German hospitals of all level of health care. The primary endpoint is the rate of bowel obstruction within 30 days after ileostomy closure. In addition, a set of surgical and general variables including quality of life will be analyzed with a follow-up of 12 months. An investigators meeting with a practical session will help to minimize performance bias and enforce protocol adherence. Centers are monitored centrally as well as on-site before and during recruitment phase to assure inclusion, treatment and follow up according to the protocol. Discussion Aim of the HASTA trial is to evaluate the efficacy of hand-suture versus stapling for closure of loop ileostomy in patients with rectal cancer. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Register Number: DRKS00000040 PMID:21303515

KSC-04PD-0271

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Congressman Tom Feeney (left) makes a point during a discussion around the table about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. At center is U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; at right is NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0279

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (center) and NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe are deep in conversation as they leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson at left is Congressman Tom Feeney. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0271

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Congressman Tom Feeney (left) makes a point during a discussion around the table about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. At center is U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; at right is NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0270

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center, Congressmen Tom Feeney (center) and Dave Weldon (right) share a humorous moment with NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (foreground). Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

Using Distributed Operations to Enable Science Research on the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bathew, Ann S.; Dudley, Stephanie R. B.; Lochmaier, Geoff D.; Rodriquez, Rick C.; Simpson, Donna

2011-01-01

In the early days of the International Space Station (ISS) program, and as the organization structure was being internationally agreed upon and documented, one of the principal tenets of the science program was to allow customer-friendly operations. One important aspect of this was to allow payload developers and principle investigators the flexibility to operate their experiments from either their home sites or distributed telescience centers. This telescience concept was developed such that investigators had several options for ISS utilization support. They could operate from their home site, the closest telescience center, or use the payload operations facilities at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC) processes and structures were put into place to allow these different options to its customers, while at the same time maintain its centralized authority over NASA payload operations and integration. For a long duration space program with many scientists, researchers, and universities expected to participate, it was imperative that the program structure be in place to successfully facilitate this concept of telescience support. From a payload control center perspective, payload science operations require two major elements in order to make telescience successful within the scope of the ISS program. The first element is decentralized control which allows the remote participants the freedom and flexibility to operate their payloads within their scope of authority. The second element is a strong ground infrastructure, which includes voice communications, video, telemetry, and commanding between the POIC and the payload remote site. Both of these elements are important to telescience success, and both must be balanced by the ISS program s documented requirements for POIC to maintain its authority as an integration and control center. This paper describes both elements of distributed payload operations and discusses the benefits and drawbacks.

Shear-wave velocity model from Rayleigh wave group velocities centered on the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fletcher, Jon Peter B.; Erdem, Jemile

2017-01-01

Rayleigh wave group velocities obtained from ambient noise tomography are inverted for an upper crustal model of the Central Valley, California, centered on the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Two methods were tried; the first uses SURF96, a least-squares routine. It provides a good fit to the data, but convergence is dependent on the starting model. The second uses a genetic algorithm, whose starting model is random. This method was tried at several nodes in the model and compared to the output from SURF96. The genetic code is run five times and the variance of the output of all five models can be used to obtain an estimate of error. SURF96 produces a more regular solution mostly because it is typically run with a smoothing constraint. Models from the genetic code are generally consistent with the SURF96 code sometimes producing lower velocities at depth. The full model, calculated using SURF96, employed a 2-pass strategy, which used a variable damping scheme in the first pass. The resulting model shows low velocities near the surface in the Central Valley with a broad asymmetrical sedimentary basin located close to the western edge of the Central Valley near 122°W longitude. At shallow depths the Rio Vista Basin is found nestled between the Pittsburgh/Kirby Hills and Midland faults, but a significant basin also seems to exist to the west of the Kirby Hills fault. There are other possible correlations between fast and slow velocities in the Central Valley and geologic features such as the Stockton Arch, oil or gas producing regions and the fault-controlled western boundary of the Central Valley.

Shear-wave Velocity Model from Rayleigh Wave Group Velocities Centered on the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fletcher, Jon B.; Erdem, Jemile

2017-10-01

Rayleigh wave group velocities obtained from ambient noise tomography are inverted for an upper crustal model of the Central Valley, California, centered on the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Two methods were tried; the first uses SURF96, a least squares routine. It provides a good fit to the data, but convergence is dependent on the starting model. The second uses a genetic algorithm, whose starting model is random. This method was tried at several nodes in the model and compared to the output from SURF96. The genetic code is run five times and the variance of the output of all five models can be used to obtain an estimate of error. SURF96 produces a more regular solution mostly because it is typically run with a smoothing constraint. Models from the genetic code are generally consistent with the SURF96 code sometimes producing lower velocities at depth. The full model, calculated using SURF96, employed a 2-pass strategy, which used a variable damping scheme in the first pass. The resulting model shows low velocities near the surface in the Central Valley with a broad asymmetrical sedimentary basin located close to the western edge of the Central Valley near 122°W longitude. At shallow depths, the Rio Vista Basin is found nestled between the Pittsburgh/Kirby Hills and Midland faults, but a significant basin also seems to exist to the west of the Kirby Hills fault. There are other possible correlations between fast and slow velocities in the Central Valley and geologic features such as the Stockton Arch, oil or gas producing regions and the fault-controlled western boundary of the Central Valley.

A comparison of central lines in pediatric oncology patients: Early removal and patient centered outcomes.

PubMed

Mangum, David Spencer; Verma, Anupam; Weng, Cindy; Sheng, Xiaoming; Larsen, Ryan; Kirchhoff, Anne C; Druzgal, Colleen; Fluchel, Mark

2013-11-01

While there is increasing evidence supporting the choice of subcutaneous ports (SPs) over external venous catheters (EVCs) in pediatric oncology patients, prior conflicting studies exist and little data have been gathered as to which type of central line is preferred from the patient/family perspective. We performed a single institution, 10 years, retrospective analysis of central lines in pediatric oncology patients (n = 878) to evaluate unplanned early removal and cause of removal while simultaneously obtaining a cross sectional survey of 143 of the primary caretakers/parents of these patients to evaluate their overall satisfaction with the line. EVCs have significantly higher odds of unplanned early removal in comparison to SPs (6.7% of SPs vs. 27.3% of EVCs, odds ratio (OR) = 6.3, P < 0.0001 when controlling for age and diagnosis) secondary to increased infection, malfunction and patient preference. Patients with SPs felt like their central line was easier to care for, had less daily impact in their life, and were overall more satisfied with their central line compared to patients with EVCs, even when controlling for early removal (P < 0.0001 for all). SP patients were much more likely to state that they would choose the same type of line again (OR = 15, P < 0.0001) than EVC patients. SPs demonstrated lower removal rates and greater patient satisfaction than EVCs. These data should be considered when choosing a central line for pediatric cancer patients. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A hierarchical distributed control model for coordinating intelligent systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adler, Richard M.

1991-01-01

A hierarchical distributed control (HDC) model for coordinating cooperative problem-solving among intelligent systems is described. The model was implemented using SOCIAL, an innovative object-oriented tool for integrating heterogeneous, distributed software systems. SOCIAL embeds applications in 'wrapper' objects called Agents, which supply predefined capabilities for distributed communication, control, data specification, and translation. The HDC model is realized in SOCIAL as a 'Manager'Agent that coordinates interactions among application Agents. The HDC Manager: indexes the capabilities of application Agents; routes request messages to suitable server Agents; and stores results in a commonly accessible 'Bulletin-Board'. This centralized control model is illustrated in a fault diagnosis application for launch operations support of the Space Shuttle fleet at NASA, Kennedy Space Center.

Acceptance Testing of a Satellite SCADA Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kalu, Alex; Acosta, R.; Durand, S.; Emrich, Carol; Ventre, G.; Wilson, W.

1999-01-01

Savannah State University (SSU) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) have been participating in the NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) program for the last five years. This program was designed by NASA to help maintain U.S. leadership in commercial space communications by funding high-risk research, and to flight-test next-generation digital satellite components. Launched in 1993, ACTS is an U.S. government funded technology test-bed that incorporates high power Ka-band transponders, small spot beams, and on-board digital storage and switching technology. Associated with the spacecraft, is a prototype satellite control center that supports various application experiments. The SSU/FSEC application experiment is to developing a Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid Power system complete with satellite Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). The hybrid system was design to demonstrate the feasibility of using SCADA to maintain and operate remote village power systems. This configuration would enable experts at a central location to provide technical assistance to local technicians while they acquire a measure of proficiency with the hybrid system operation and maintenance. Upon full mastery of the technology, similar SCADA arrangement are planned to remotely monitor and control constellation of hybrid systems scattered overlarge rural areas. Two Orion Energy APEX-1000 hybrid systems were delivered in 1998, one was installed at SSU in eastern Georgia and the other was installed at FSEC in Central Florida. The project was designed to: (1) evaluate the performance of ACTS in a SCADA arrangement, (2) monitor the health and performance of all major hybrid subsystems, (3) investigate load control and battery charging strategies to maximize battery capacity and lifetime, and (4) develop satellite communication protocol. Preliminary results indicate that the hybrid design is suitable for satellite Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. A modification to the controller software has produced a robust communication link capable of real time control and long term data collection.

KSC-04PD-0263

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA and government officials are gathered to hear about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Seated at right are Lisa Malone, director of KSC External Affairs, and Joel Wells, with the Government Relations Office. Fourth from right is Jim Jennings, NASA deputy associate administrator for institutions and asset management. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for the center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus.

Failure-probability driven dose painting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vogelius, Ivan R.; Håkansson, Katrin; Due, Anne K.

Purpose: To demonstrate a data-driven dose-painting strategy based on the spatial distribution of recurrences in previously treated patients. The result is a quantitative way to define a dose prescription function, optimizing the predicted local control at constant treatment intensity. A dose planning study using the optimized dose prescription in 20 patients is performed.Methods: Patients treated at our center have five tumor subvolumes from the center of the tumor (PET positive volume) and out delineated. The spatial distribution of 48 failures in patients with complete clinical response after (chemo)radiation is used to derive a model for tumor control probability (TCP). Themore » total TCP is fixed to the clinically observed 70% actuarial TCP at five years. Additionally, the authors match the distribution of failures between the five subvolumes to the observed distribution. The steepness of the dose–response is extracted from the literature and the authors assume 30% and 20% risk of subclinical involvement in the elective volumes. The result is a five-compartment dose response model matching the observed distribution of failures. The model is used to optimize the distribution of dose in individual patients, while keeping the treatment intensity constant and the maximum prescribed dose below 85 Gy.Results: The vast majority of failures occur centrally despite the small volumes of the central regions. Thus, optimizing the dose prescription yields higher doses to the central target volumes and lower doses to the elective volumes. The dose planning study shows that the modified prescription is clinically feasible. The optimized TCP is 89% (range: 82%–91%) as compared to the observed TCP of 70%.Conclusions: The observed distribution of locoregional failures was used to derive an objective, data-driven dose prescription function. The optimized dose is predicted to result in a substantial increase in local control without increasing the predicted risk of toxicity.« less

Objective Lightning Probability Forecasts for East-Central Florida Airports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crawford, Winfred C.

2013-01-01

The forecasters at the National Weather Service in Melbourne, FL, (NWS MLB) identified a need to make more accurate lightning forecasts to help alleviate delays due to thunderstorms in the vicinity of several commercial airports in central Florida at which they are responsible for issuing terminal aerodrome forecasts. Such forecasts would also provide safer ground operations around terminals, and would be of value to Center Weather Service Units serving air traffic controllers in Florida. To improve the forecast, the AMU was tasked to develop an objective lightning probability forecast tool for the airports using data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). The resulting forecast tool is similar to that developed by the AMU to support space launch operations at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) for use by the 45th Weather Squadron (45 WS) in previous tasks (Lambert and Wheeler 2005, Lambert 2007). The lightning probability forecasts are valid for the time periods and areas needed by the NWS MLB forecasters in the warm season months, defined in this task as May-September.

KSC-04PD-0264

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Florida Congressman Tom Feeney (left) and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (right) listen to a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0268

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe gestures during a discussion with Florida government leaders about the location for NASAs new Shared Services Center. At left of OKeefe is U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; at right is Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The Florida location being proposed is of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0276

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe discusses the presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0267

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (left) talks with Congressman Dave Weldon (right) after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0269

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (left) talks with Congressman Dave Weldon (right) after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0264

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Florida Congressman Tom Feeney (left) and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (right) listen to a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0269

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left) talks with Congressman Dave Weldon (right) after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0267

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left) talks with Congressman Dave Weldon (right) after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

ODISSEE — A proposal for demonstration of a solar sail in earth orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leipold, M.; Garner, C. E.; Freeland, R.; Hermann, A.; Noca, M.; Pagel, G.; Seboldt, W.; Sprague, G.; Unckenbold, W.

1999-11-01

A recent pre-phase-A study conducted cooperatively between DLR and NASA/JPL concluded that a lowcost solar sail technology demonstration mission in Earth orbit is feasible. Such a mission, nicknamed ODISSEE ( Orbital Demonstration of an Innovative, Solar Sail driven Expandable structure Experiment), is the recommended approach for the development of this advanced concept using solar radiation pressure for primary propulsion and attitude control. The mission, proposed for launch in 2001, would demonstrate and validate the basic principles of sail fabrication, packaging, storage, deployment, and control. The demonstration mission scenario comprises a low-cost 'piggy back' launch of a sailcraft with a total mass of about 80kg on ARIANE 5 into a geostationary transfer orbit, where a 40m × 40m square sail would be deployed. The aluminized sail film is folded and packaged in small storage containers, upon release the sail would be supported by deployable light-weight carbon fiber booms. A coilable 10m central mast is attached to the center of the sail assembly with a 2DoF gimbal, and connected to the spacecraft. Attitude control is performed passively by gimbaling the central mast to offset the center-of-mass to the center-of-pressure generating an external torque due to solar radiation pressure, or actively using a cold-gas micro-thruster system. By proper orientation of the sail towards the Sun during each orbit, the orbital energy can be increased, such that the solar sail spacecraft raises its orbit. After roughly 550 days a lunar polar flyby would be performed, or the sail might be used for orbit capture about the Moon. On-board cameras are foreseen to observe the sail deployment, and an additional science payload could provide remote sensing data of the Earth and also of previously not very well explored lunar areas.

KSC-04pd1850

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Martin Wilson (left, in foreground), manager of Thermal Protection System (TPS) operations for United Space Alliance (USA), gives a tour of the hurricane-ravaged Thermal Protection System Facility to (from center) NASA Associate Administrator of Space Operations Mission Directorate William Readdy, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, Center Director James Kennedy and Director of Shuttle Processing Michael E. Wetmore. The TPSF, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof during Hurricane Frances, which blew across Central Florida Sept. 4-5. O’Keefe and Readdy are visiting KSC to survey the damage sustained by KSC facilities from the hurricane. The Labor Day storm also caused significant damage to the Vehicle Assembly Building and Processing Control Center. Additionally, the Operations and Checkout Building, Vertical Processing Facility, Hangar AE, Hangar S and Hangar AF Small Parts Facility each received substantial damage. However, well-protected and unharmed were NASA’s three Space Shuttle orbiters - Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - along with the Shuttle launch pads, all of the critical flight hardware for the orbiters and the International Space Station, and NASA’s Swift spacecraft that is awaiting launch in October.

Analysis of Management Control Techniques for the Data Processing Department at the Navy Finance Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-03-01

Sysiem are: Order processinq coordinators Order processing management Credit and collections Accounts receivable Support management Admin ianagemenr...or sales secretary, then by order processing (OP). Phone-in orders go directly to OP. The infor- mation is next Transcribed onto an order entry... ORDER PROCESSING : The central systems validate The order items and codes t!, processing them against the customer file, the prodicT or PA? ts file, and

Getting Down to Business: An Action Plan for Public-Private Disaster Response Coordination. The Report of the Business Response Task Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

gency Management Association ( NEMA ) to explore application of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) model to the task of identifying...organizations combined—are the norm . The challenge for government and the private sector is to ensure that donated goods and services from the latter...Association ( NEMA ). EOC – Emergency Operations Center – the central command and control facility responsible for carrying out emergency preparedness and

Low-profile heliostat design for solar central receiver systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fourakis, E.; Severson, A. M.

1977-01-01

Heliostat designs intended to reduce costs and the effect of adverse wind loads on the devices were developed. Included was the low-profile heliostat consisting of a stiff frame with sectional focusing reflectors coupled together to turn as a unit. The entire frame is arranged to turn angularly about a center point. The ability of the heliostat to rotate about both the vertical and horizontal axes permits a central computer control system to continuously aim the sun's reflection onto a selected target. An engineering model of the basic device was built and is being tested. Control and mirror parameters, such as roughness and need for fine aiming, are being studied. The fabrication of these prototypes is in process. The model was also designed to test mirror focusing techniques, heliostat geometry, mechanical functioning, and tracking control. The model can be easily relocated to test mirror imaging on a tower from various directions. In addition to steering and aiming studies, the tests include the effects of temperature changes, wind gusting and weathering. The results of economic studies on this heliostat are also presented.

Evidence that central pathways that mediate defecation utilize ghrelin receptors but do not require endogenous ghrelin.

PubMed

Pustovit, Ruslan V; Callaghan, Brid; Ringuet, Mitchell T; Kerr, Nicole F; Hunne, Billie; Smyth, Ian M; Pietra, Claudio; Furness, John B

2017-08-01

In laboratory animals and in human, centrally penetrant ghrelin receptor agonists, given systemically or orally, cause defecation. Animal studies show that the effect is due to activation of ghrelin receptors in the spinal lumbosacral defecation centers. However, it is not known whether there is a physiological role of ghrelin or the ghrelin receptor in the control of defecation. Using immunohistochemistry and immunoassay, we detected and measured ghrelin in the stomach, but were unable to detect ghrelin by either method in the lumbosacral spinal cord, or other regions of the CNS In rats in which the thoracic spinal cord was transected 5 weeks before, the effects of a ghrelin agonist on colorectal propulsion were significantly enhanced, but defecation caused by water avoidance stress (WAS) was reduced. In knockout rats that expressed no ghrelin and in wild-type rats, WAS-induced defecation was reduced by a ghrelin receptor antagonist, to similar extents. We conclude that the ghrelin receptors of the lumbosacral defecation centers have a physiological role in the control of defecation, but that their role is not dependent on ghrelin. This implies that a transmitter other than ghrelin engages the ghrelin receptor or a ghrelin receptor complex. © 2017 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.

A Study on the Knowledge, Perception, and Use of Breast Cancer Screening Methods and Quality of Care Among Women from Central Mexico.

PubMed

Cruz-Castillo, Andrea B; Hernández-Valero, María A; Hovick, Shelly R; Campuzano-González, Martha Elva; Karam-Calderón, Miguel Angel; Bustamante-Montes, L Patricia

2015-09-01

Studies on health behaviors have observed several barriers to breast cancer screening, including lack of breast cancer knowledge, distrust of health care providers, and long waiting times to be screened or to receive screening results. We conducted a nested case-control study among a subsample of 200 women 21 years of age and older [100 patients (cases)], who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and 100 controls, who were screened and found to be free of breast cancer), all residing in the Toluca metropolitan area in central Mexico. We examined how knowledge of breast cancer screening guidelines, perceptions of screening methods, and quality of health care influenced the use of breast cancer screening among study participants. Our study found that the most important factor associated with the decision to have breast cancer screenings was having a positive perception of the quality of care provided by the local health care centers, such as having competent clinic personnel, sufficient screening equipment, and reasonable waiting times to receive screening and to receive the screening results. Therefore, individual health care centers need to focus on the patients' perception of the services received by optimizing the care provided and, in so doing, increase the rates of early diagnosis and reduce the rate of mortality from breast cancer as well as its associated treatment costs.

A Study on the knowledge, perception and use of breast cancer screening methods and quality of care among women from central Mexico

PubMed Central

Cruz-Castillo, Andrea B.; Hernández-Valero, María A.; Hovick, Shelly R.; Campuzano-González, Martha Elva; Karam-Calderón, Miguel Angel; Bustamante-Montes, L. Patricia

2014-01-01

Studies on health behaviors have observed several barriers to breast cancer screening, including lack of breast cancer knowledge, distrust of health care providers, long waiting times to be screened or to receive screening results. We conducted a nested case-control study among a subsample of 200 women 21 years of age and older (100 cases, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and 100 controls, who were screened and found to be free of breast cancer), all residing in the Toluca metropolitan area in central Mexico. We examined how knowledge of breast cancer screening guidelines, perceptions of screening methods, and quality of health care influenced the use of breast cancer screening among study participants. Our study found that the most important factors associated with the decision to have breast cancer screenings was having a positive perception of the quality of care provided by the local health care centers, such as having competent clinic personnel, sufficient screening equipment, and reasonable waiting times to receive screening and to receive the screening results. Therefore, individual health care centers need to focus on the patients’ perception of the services received by optimizing the care provided, and in so doing increase the rates of early diagnosis, reduce the rate of mortality from breast cancer as well as its associated treatment costs. PMID:25182506

Simple repair approach for mitral regurgitation in Barlow disease.

PubMed

Ben Zekry, Sagit; Spiegelstein, Dan; Sternik, Leonid; Lev, Innon; Kogan, Alexander; Kuperstein, Rafael; Raanani, Ehud

2015-11-01

Mitral valve repair for myxomatous Barlow disease is a challenging procedure requiring complex surgery with less than optimal results. The use of ring-only repair has been previously reported but never analyzed or followed-up. We investigated this simple valve repair approach for patients with Barlow disease and multisegment involvement causing mainly central jet. Of 572 patients who underwent mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation at our medical center, 24 with Barlow disease (aged 47 ± 14 years; 46% male) underwent ring-only repair. Patients were characterized by severely enlarged mitral valve annulus, multisegment prolapse involving both leaflets, and demonstrated mainly a central wide regurgitant jet. Surgical technique included only the implantation of a large mitral annuloplasty ring. Early and late outcome results were compared with those of the remaining patients who underwent conventional mitral valve repair for degenerative disease (controls). All ring-only patients presented with moderate-severe/severe mitral regurgitation (vena contracta, 0.6 ± 0.1 cm; regurgitation volume, 52 ± 17 mL), with mainly a central jet and almost preserved ejection fraction (59% ± 6%). Cardiopulmonary bypass and crossclamp times were significantly shorter compared with controls (P < .0001). At follow-up (ring-only, 38 ± 36 months and controls, 36 ± 29 months), there were no late deaths in the ring-only group compared with 19 (4%) in the controls. Late follow-up revealed New York Heart Association functional class I or II in 95% of ring-only patients, compared with 90% of controls. Freedom from recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation was 100% and 89% in the ring-only and control groups, respectively. Mitral annuloplasty for Barlow disease patients with multisegment involvement and mainly central regurgitant jet is both simple and reproducible with excellent late outcomes. Copyright © 2015 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Earth Science Afternoon Constellation: Preparing for Autonomous but Coordinated Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Case, Warren; Kelly, Angelita C.; Work, Kevin; Guit, William

2005-01-01

This paper describes how the challenges of coordinating the autonomous operations of geographically dispersed mission control centers for several small and large satellites are being overcome. The Earth Science Afternoon Constellation, also referred to as the "A-Train", is an international grouping of five NASA satellites (two major NASA EOS missions and three NASA/Earth System Science Pathfinder missions) and one French satellite orbiting in close proximity. This grouping of satellites provides scientists with the opportunity to perform coincident observations using data from two or more instruments on various satellites with measurements taken at approximately the same time. Three of the six missions are currently on-orbit, with the two missions expected to join the constellation later this year and one mission in 2007. The operational challenges are daunting for several reasons. There are several Mission Control Centers (widely separated on two continents), operating autonomously under tight budget constraints. All of the Mission Control Centers have reasons to be concerned about safety while flying in close proximity to other satellites, but most Centers did not have the resources or the desire to address this concern alone - the interfaces are too numerous and anticipated operations too costly. Clearly, an efficient approach was needed. This paper describes the steps taken to make this Earth science constellation a reality. Agreements were forged to allow the Mission Control Centers to maintain their autonomy, while ensuring their satellite's safety. Each member mission in the constellation operates independently in accordance with its own mission requirements, but the member missions have agreed to coordinate their operations, i.e., orbital positions and control to ensure the safety of the entire constellation. A centralized system was developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to collect, analyze, and distribute ephemeris data used by each of the mission teams to determine the positions of the satellites in the constellation. The system issues warnings regarding possible dangerous configurations, eliminating the need for redundant capabilities at each Mission Control Center. On-orbit contingency situations were identified and analyzed; agreements were reached in advance of contingency operations to ensure that coordination between the Mission Control Centers can be handled expeditiously and fairly. In this manner, recovery from anomalous situations can be more quickly realized, thereby increasing the science return and reducing costs. The process used to develop these contingency procedures and the systems used to facilitate the contingency resolution are described as well.

KSC-04PD-0272

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Representative Ric Keller (center) talks to NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (left foreground) about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. At left behind OKeefe is Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0272

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - U.S. Representative Ric Keller (center) talks to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left foreground) about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. At left behind O’Keefe is Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

Hurricane Safety and Information - Central Pacific Hurricane Center -

Science.gov Websites

NOAA NWS United States Department of Commerce Central Pacific Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Distance Calculator Blank Tracking Maps ▾ Educational Resources Be Prepared! NWS Hurricane Prep Week Search For Go NWS All NOAA ▾ Hurricane Safety Hurricane Awareness Week Information from CPHC Red Cross

Proceedings of the Galactic Center Workshop 2002: The Central 300 Parsecs of the Milky Way. Astronomische Nachrichten Supplementary Issue 1/2003

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cotera, Angela; Markoff, Sera; Geballe, T. R.; Falcke, Heino

2004-03-01

Our knowledge of the environment of the nucleus of our galaxy has been greatly enhanced, by more extensive and sensitive observations at radio and infrared wavelengths, the advent of high resolution x-ray imaging and spectroscopy, and considerable theoretical activity to understand the nucleus and its components, and their activity. The Galactic Center Workshop 2002 was organized to review recent research on the galactic center, including the latest state-of-the-art observations and important theoretical developments. The workshop covered phenomena on scales ranging from the central several hundred parsecs to the central parsec and within. Each topic was approached from both multi-wavelength observational and theoretical perspectives.

The Central American Network for Disaster and Health Information.

PubMed

Arnesen, Stacey J; Cid, Victor H; Scott, John C; Perez, Ricardo; Zervaas, Dave

2007-07-01

This paper describes an international outreach program to support rebuilding Central America's health information infrastructure after several natural disasters in the region, including Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and two major earthquakes in 2001. The National Library of Medicine joined forces with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and the Regional Center of Disaster Information for Latin America and the Caribbean (CRID) to strengthen libraries and information centers in Central America and improve the availability of and access to health and disaster information in the region by developing the Central American Network for Disaster and Health Information (CANDHI). Through CRID, the program created ten disaster health information centers in medical libraries and disaster-related organizations in six countries. This project served as a catalyst for the modernization of several medical libraries in Central America. The resulting CANDHI provides much needed electronic access to public health "gray literature" on disasters, as well as access to numerous health information resources. CANDHI members assist their institutions and countries in a variety of disaster preparedness activities through collecting and disseminating information.

SDN architecture for optical packet and circuit integrated networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furukawa, Hideaki; Miyazawa, Takaya

2016-02-01

We have been developing an optical packet and circuit integrated (OPCI) network, which realizes dynamic optical path, high-density packet multiplexing, and flexible wavelength resource allocation. In the OPCI networks, a best-effort service and a QoS-guaranteed service are provided by employing optical packet switching (OPS) and optical circuit switching (OCS) respectively, and users can select these services. Different wavelength resources are assigned for OPS and OCS links, and the amount of their wavelength resources are dynamically changed in accordance with the service usage conditions. To apply OPCI networks into wide-area (core/metro) networks, we have developed an OPCI node with a distributed control mechanism. Moreover, our OPCI node works with a centralized control mechanism as well as a distributed one. It is therefore possible to realize SDN-based OPCI networks, where resource requests and a centralized configuration are carried out. In this paper, we show our SDN architecture for an OPS system that configures mapping tables between IP addresses and optical packet addresses and switching tables according to the requests from multiple users via a web interface. While OpenFlow-based centralized control protocol is coming into widespread use especially for single-administrative, small-area (LAN/data-center) networks. Here, we also show an interworking mechanism between OpenFlow-based networks (OFNs) and the OPCI network for constructing a wide-area network, and a control method of wavelength resource selection to automatically transfer diversified flows from OFNs to the OPCI network.

The China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (China PEACE) retrospective heart failure study design

PubMed Central

Yu, Yuan; Zhang, Hongzhao; Li, Xi; Lu, Yuan; Masoudi, Frederick A; Li, Jing

2018-01-01

Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalisation in China, which is experiencing a rapid increase in cardiovascular disease prevalence. Yet, little is known about current burden of disease, quality of care and treatment outcomes of HF in China. The objective of this paper is to describe the study methodology, data collection and abstraction, and progress to date of the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events 5 Retrospective Heart Failure Study (China PEACE 5r-HF). Methods and analysis The China PEACE 5r-HF Study will examine a nationally representative sample of more than 10 000 patient records hospitalised for HF in 2015 in China. The study is a retrospective cohort study. Patients have been selected using a two-stage sampling design stratified by economic–geographical regions. We will collect patient characteristics, diagnostic testing, treatments and in-hospital outcomes, including death and complications, and charges of hospitalisation. Data quality will be monitored by a central coordinating centre and will address case ascertainment, data abstraction and data management. As of October 2017, we have sampled 15 538 medical records from 189 hospitals, and have received 15 057 (96.9%) of these for data collection, and completed data abstraction and quality control on 7971. Ethics and dissemination The Central Ethics Committee at the Chinese National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases approved the study. All collaborating hospitals accepted central ethics committee approval with the exception of 15 hospitals, which obtained local approval by internal ethics committees. Findings will be disseminated in future peer-reviewed papers and will serve as a foundation for improving the care for HF in China. Trial registration number NCT02877914. PMID:29748344

KSC-04PD-0277

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left foreground) and NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (right) look deep in conversation as they leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson is Congressman Tom Feeney and Center Director Jim Kennedy. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0278

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (left front) and NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (right front) leave the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Behind Nelson (at left) is Congressman Tom Feeney. The research park is being proposed as the location for NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0268

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe gestures during a discussion with Florida government leaders about the location for NASA’s new Shared Services Center. At left of O’Keefe is U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; at right is Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The Florida location being proposed is of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. Others attending the presentation included Congressman Tom Feeney, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-98pc268

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-02-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Technicians gather around the STS-90 Neurolab payload during weight and center-of-gravity measurements in KSC's Operations and Checkout Building. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Specifically, experiments will study the adaptation of the vestibular system, the central nervous system, and the pathways that control the ability to sense location in the absence of gravity, as well as the effect of microgravity on a developing nervous system. The crew of STS-90, slated for launch in April, will include Commander Richard Searfoss, Pilot Scott Altman, Mission Specialists Richard Linnehan, Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., and Kathryn (Kay) Hire, and Payload Specialists Jay Buckey, M.D., and James Pawelczyk, Ph.D

Graduation by Portfolio at Central Park East Secondary School. A Series on Authentic Assessment and Accountability.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Darling-Hammond, Linda; Ancess, Jacqueline

Central Park East Secondary School (New York) is a school committed to authentic and learner-centered education. The school has developed an approach to assessing student performance that is active, authentic, and learner-centered. Students in the school's Senior Institute, a division comparable to the traditional grades 11 and 12, prepare 14…

Pinon-juniper management research at Corona Range and Livestock Research Center in Central New Mexico

Treesearch

Andres Cibils; Mark Petersen; Shad Cox; Michael Rubio

2008-01-01

Description: New Mexico State University's Corona Range and Livestock Research Center (CRLRC) is located in a pinon-juniper (PJ)/grassland ecotone in the southern Basin and Range Province in south central New Mexico. A number of research projects conducted at this facility revolve around soil, plant, livestock, and wildlife responses to PJ woodland management. The...

Bonneville, Power Administration Timing System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Kenneth E.

1996-01-01

Time is an integral part of the Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA) operational systems. Generation and power transfers are planned in advance. Utilities coordinate with each other by making these adjustments on a timed schedule. Price varies with demand, so billing is based on time. Outages for maintenance are scheduled to assure they do not interrupt reliable power delivery. Disturbance records are aligned with recorded timetags for analysis and comparison with related information. Advanced applications like traveling wave fault location and real-time phase measurement require continuous timing with high precision. Most of BPA is served by a Central Time System (CTS) at the Dittmer Control Center near Portland, OR. This system keeps time locally and supplies time to both the control center systems and field locations via a microwave signal. It is kept synchronized to national standard time and coordinated with interconnected utilities. It is the official BPA time. Powwer system control and operation is described, followed by a description of BPA timing systems including CTS, the Fault Location Acquisition Reporter, time dissemination, and phasor measurements. References are provided for further reading.

Space station architectural elements model study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, T. C.; Spencer, J. S.; Rocha, C. J.; Kahn, E.; Cliffton, E.; Carr, C.

1987-01-01

The worksphere, a user controlled computer workstation enclosure, was expanded in scope to an engineering workstation suitable for use on the Space Station as a crewmember desk in orbit. The concept was also explored as a module control station capable of enclosing enough equipment to control the station from each module. The concept has commercial potential for the Space Station and surface workstation applications. The central triangular beam interior configuration was expanded and refined to seven different beam configurations. These included triangular on center, triangular off center, square, hexagonal small, hexagonal medium, hexagonal large and the H beam. Each was explored with some considerations as to the utilities and a suggested evaluation factor methodology was presented. Scale models of each concept were made. The models were helpful in researching the seven beam configurations and determining the negative residual (unused) volume of each configuration. A flexible hardware evaluation factor concept is proposed which could be helpful in evaluating interior space volumes from a human factors point of view. A magnetic version with all the graphics is available from the author or the technical monitor.

Effects of Hybrid Flow Control on a Normal Shock Boundary-Layer Interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirt, Stefanie M.; Vyas, Manan A.

2013-01-01

Hybrid flow control, a combination of micro-ramps and steady micro-jets, was experimentally investigated in the 15x15 cm Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center. A central composite design of experiments method, was used to develop response surfaces for boundary-layer thickness and reversed-flow thickness, with factor variables of inter-ramp spacing, ramp height and chord length, and flow injection ratio. Boundary-layer measurements and wall static pressure data were used to understand flow separation characteristics. A limited number of profiles were measured in the corners of the tunnel to aid in understanding the three-dimensional characteristics of the flowfield.

KSC-04PD-0273

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (left) talks to U.S. Representative Ric Keller across the table after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. In the center is U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04pd0273

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-02-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left) talks to U.S. Representative Ric Keller across the table after a presentation about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. In the center is U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney, Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

Neural control hierarchy of the heart has not evolved to deal with myocardial ischemia.

PubMed

Kember, G; Armour, J A; Zamir, M

2013-08-01

The consequences of myocardial ischemia are examined from the standpoint of the neural control system of the heart, a hierarchy of three neuronal centers residing in central command, intrathoracic ganglia, and intrinsic cardiac ganglia. The basis of the investigation is the premise that while this hierarchical control system has evolved to deal with "normal" physiological circumstances, its response in the event of myocardial ischemia is unpredictable because the singular circumstances of this event are as yet not part of its evolutionary repertoire. The results indicate that the harmonious relationship between the three levels of control breaks down, because of a conflict between the priorities that they have evolved to deal with. Essentially, while the main priority in central command is blood demand, the priority at the intrathoracic and cardiac levels is heart rate. As a result of this breakdown, heart rate becomes less predictable and therefore less reliable as a diagnostic guide as to the traumatic state of the heart, which it is commonly used as such following an ischemic event. On the basis of these results it is proposed that under the singular conditions of myocardial ischemia a determination of neural control indexes in addition to cardiovascular indexes has the potential of enhancing clinical outcome.

USAF Alcohol Abuse Control: Does It Meet the Needs of the Military Family?

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-01

discovery" (7:118). Psychodrama . A variety of therapeutic techniques exist to reduce the l individual’s tension, t.) gain insight into his/her behavior, and...to increase self-esteem 2 1 %F:: (37:11). Psychodrama i:; just one of many techniques .tvailble in Greene Hall. Psychodrama participants not only...alcoholics. Dr. Shelia B. Blume, unit chief for alcoholism at the Central Islip Psychiatric Center in New York, describes psychodrama as a "variety of

The California Central Coast Research Partnership: Building Relationships, Partnerships and Paradigms for University-Industry Research Collaboration

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-10-14

of the decision-support systems that underlie and are key to these strategies. Cal Poly’s Collaborative Agent Design (CAD) Research Center is the...architect and lead developer of one of the first such systems: IMMACCS (Integrated Marine Multi- Agent Command and Control System), with JPL, SPAWAR...presented later in this document. An overview of accomplishments to date on the project follows: " Research carried out by the CADRC (Cooperative Agent

Operational calm and the optimum regulation of human working capacity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ilin, Y. P.

1975-01-01

Muscle hardness measurements in a squeezing dynamometer test are interpreted for expressions of adjustment effects of the central nervous system in rapid response to a starting signal. It is shown that preliminary muscle tension leads to the transmission of inhibiting proprioceptive impulses to the nervous system centers and that the degree of pre-working changes depends on the individual's typological personality characteristics. Concentration of attention during the pre-working adjustment is considered the primary emotional factor that controls sensorimotor performance.

Generating Cultures of Writing: Collaborations between the Stanford Writing Center and High School Writing Centers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tinker, John

2006-01-01

For several years, the author has been working with colleagues in the Northern California Writing Centers Association (NCWCA) and the Stanford Writing Center to build bridges between college and high school writing centers. The writing center at Stanford defines one of its central goals as "celebrating a culture of writing" for all…

Data Distribution System (DDS) and Solar Dynamic Observatory Ground Station (SDOGS) Integration Manager

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pham, Kim; Bialas, Thomas

2012-01-01

The DDS SDOGS Integration Manager (DSIM) provides translation between native control and status formats for systems within DDS and SDOGS, and the ASIST (Advanced Spacecraft Integration and System Test) control environment in the SDO MOC (Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission Operations Center). This system was created in response for a need to centralize remote monitor and control of SDO Ground Station equipments using ASIST control environment in SDO MOC, and to have configurable table definition for equipment. It provides translation of status and monitoring information from the native systems into ASIST-readable format to display on pages in the MOC. The manager is lightweight, user friendly, and efficient. It allows data trending, correlation, and storing. It allows using ASIST as common interface for remote monitor and control of heterogeneous equipments. It also provides failover capability to back up machines.

Rolling Deck to Repository I: Designing a Database Infrastructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arko, R. A.; Miller, S. P.; Chandler, C. L.; Ferrini, V. L.; O'Hara, S. H.

2008-12-01

The NSF-supported academic research fleet collectively produces a large and diverse volume of scientific data, which are increasingly being shared across disciplines and contributed to regional and global syntheses. As both Internet connectivity and storage technology improve, it becomes practical for ships to routinely deliver data and documentation for a standard suite of underway instruments to a central shoreside repository. Routine delivery will facilitate data discovery and integration, quality assessment, cruise planning, compliance with funding agency and clearance requirements, and long-term data preservation. We are working collaboratively with ship operators and data managers to develop a prototype "data discovery system" for NSF-supported research vessels. Our goal is to establish infrastructure for a central shoreside repository, and to develop and test procedures for the routine delivery of standard data products and documentation to the repository. Related efforts are underway to identify tools and criteria for quality control of standard data products, and to develop standard interfaces and procedures for maintaining an underway event log. Development of a shoreside repository infrastructure will include: 1. Deployment and testing of a central catalog that holds cruise summaries and vessel profiles. A cruise summary will capture the essential details of a research expedition (operating institution, ports/dates, personnel, data inventory, etc.), as well as related documentation such as event logs and technical reports. A vessel profile will capture the essential details of a ship's installed instruments (manufacturer, model, serial number, reference location, etc.), with version control as the profile changes through time. The catalog's relational database schema will be based on the UNOLS Data Best Practices Committee's recommendations, and published as a formal XML specification. 2. Deployment and testing of a central repository that holds navigation and routine underway data. Based on discussion with ship operators and data managers at a workgroup meeting in September 2008, we anticipate that a subset of underway data could be delivered from ships to the central repository in near- realtime - enabling the integrated display of ship tracks at a public Web portal, for example - and a full data package could be delivered post-cruise by network transfer or disk shipment. Once ashore, data sets could be distributed to assembly centers such as the Shipboard Automated Meteorological and Oceanographic System (SAMOS) for routine processing, quality assessment, and synthesis efforts - as well as transmitted to national data centers such as NODC and NGDC for permanent archival. 3. Deployment and testing of a basic suite of Web services to make cruise summaries, vessel profiles, event logs, and navigation data easily available. A standard set of catalog records, maps, and navigation features will be published via the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) protocols, which can then be harvested by partner data centers and/or embedded in client applications.

Probing Galactic Center Cosmic-Rays in the X-ray Regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shuo; Baganoff, Frederick K.; Bulbul, Esra; Miller, Eric D.; Bautz, Mark W.

2017-08-01

The central few hundred parsecs of the Galaxy harbors 5-10% of the molecular gas mass of the entire Milky Way. This central molecular zone exhibits 6.4 keV Fe Kα line and continuum X-ray emission with time-variability. The time-variable X-ray emission from the gas clouds is best explained by light echoes of past X-ray outbursts from the central supermassive black hole Sgr A*. However,MeV-GeV cosmic-ray particles may also contribute to a constant X-ray emission component from the clouds, through collisional ionization and bremsstrahlung. Sgr B2 is the densest and most massive cloud in the central molecular zone. It is the only known gas cloud whose X-ray emission has kept fading over the past decade and will soon reach a constant X-ray level in 2017/2018, and thus serves as the best probe for MeV-GeV particles in the central 100 pc of the Galaxy. At the same time, the Fe Kα emission has also been discovered from molecular structures beyond the central molecular zone, extening to ~1 kpc from the Galactic center. The X-ray reflection scenario meets challenges this far from the Galactic center, while the MeV-GeV cosmic-ray electrons serve as a more natural explanation. Our studies on Sgr B2 and the large-scale moleuclar structures will for the first time constrain the MeV-GeV particles in the Galactic center, and point to their origin: whether they rise from particle acceleration or dark matter annihilation.

"Carbon in Underland": A multidisciplinary approach to producing an informative animated video for the Center for Nanoscale Control of Geological CO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molins, S.; Cappuccio, J. A.; Berry, I.; Miller, J.; Bourg, I. C.; Kelly, L. M.

2011-12-01

As part of the 'Science for Our Nation's Energy Future, Summit and Forum', each of the 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) created in 2009 by the US Department of Energy was invited to design a short, engaging film with the central goal to educate, inspire, and entertain an intelligent but not expert audience about the extraordinary science, innovation and people in their center. The Center for Nanoscale Control of Geological CO2 (NCGC) is an EFRC that is building a next generation understanding of molecular-to-pore-scale processes critical to controlling the flow,transport, and ultimate mineralization in porous rock media, in particular as applied to geologic sequestration of CO2. In response to the invitation, the NCGC assembled a team that included several young scientists, the Center project manager, and members from the Public Affairs and Creative Services Office of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with the objective of preparing a submission. A videographer from the Creative Services Office was responsible for overall management including production, art direction, and editing, while scientists from the Center were responsible for scientific content and original storyline concept. The Center project manager facilitated the communication between team members. A group of scientists together with the project manager developed the original idea, which was refined and given shape as a script in dialogue form by a science writer from Public Affairs. The objective was to communicate scientific content in an entertaining manner with a simple storyline. In a second phase, the script was revised further by scientists for content. Clips from experiments and modeling simulations were requested from the Center's scientists to illustrate the scientific content. Video production and animation were done by the videographer and an animator in an iterative process that involve feedback from the Center team. The final cut was edited to meet the maximum length requirements set in the submission rules. The video was posted on Berkeley Lab's YouTube channel and was one of five winning entries in the Life at the Frontiers of Energy Research video contest.

The Integration of DCS I/O to an Existing PLC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadhukhan, Debashis; Mihevic, John

2013-01-01

At the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), Existing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) I/O was replaced with Distributed Control System (DCS) I/O, while keeping the existing PLC sequence Logic. The reason for integration of the PLC logic and DCS I/O, along with the evaluation of the resulting system is the subject of this paper. The pros and cons of the old system and new upgrade are described, including operator workstation screen update times. Detail of the physical layout and the communication between the PLC, the DCS I/O and the operator workstations are illustrated. The complex characteristics of a central process control system and the plan to remove the PLC processors in future upgrades is also discussed.

Peripheral input and its importance for central sensitization.

PubMed

Baron, Ralf; Hans, Guy; Dickenson, Anthony H

2013-11-01

Many pain states begin with damage to tissue and/or nerves in the periphery, leading to enhanced transmitter release within the spinal cord and central sensitization. Manifestations of this central sensitization are windup and long-term potentiation. Hyperexcitable spinal neurons show reduced thresholds, greater evoked responses, increased receptive field sizes, and ongoing stimulus-independent activity; these changes probably underlie the allodynia, hyperalgesia, and spontaneous pain seen in patients. Central sensitization is maintained by continuing input from the periphery, but also modulated by descending controls, both inhibitory and facilitatory, from the midbrain and brainstem. The projections of sensitized spinal neurons to the brain, in turn, alter the processing of painful messages by higher centers. Several mechanisms contribute to central sensitization. Repetitive activation of primary afferent C fibers leads to a synaptic strengthening of nociceptive transmission. It may also induce facilitation of non-nociceptive Aβ fibers and nociceptive Aδ fibers, giving rise to dynamic mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia. In postherpetic neuralgia and complex regional pain syndrome, for example, these symptoms are maintained and modulated by peripheral nociceptive input. Diagnosing central sensitization can be particularly difficult. In addition to the medical history, quantitative sensory testing and functional magnetic resonance imaging may be useful, but diagnostic criteria that include both subjective and objective measures of central augmentation are needed. Mounting evidence indicates that treatment strategies that desensitize the peripheral and central nervous systems are required. These should generally involve a multimodal approach, so that therapies may target the peripheral drivers of central sensitization and/or the central consequences. © 2013 American Neurological Association.

Marketing Your Advising Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flickinger, Jan

1989-01-01

A tour of centralized university advising centers revealed that the busiest centers had done an excellent job of marketing themselves to their campus clientele. Factors affecting successful marketing include image, location, service, advertising, and innovative problem-solving. (MSE)

Graphic indicators of pedagogic style in Greek children's drawings.

PubMed

Bonoti, Fotini; Misailidi, Plousia; Gregoriou, Fotini

2003-08-01

311 Greek children's drawings of classroom life were employed to investigate the diagnostic validity of this measure in identifying teachers' pedagogic style. The sample was divided into three age groups, 6-, 8-, and 10-yr. olds, who were asked to draw pictures of themselves and their teachers in their classroom. Drawings were scored using as criteria the four graphic indicators (ratings of size, detailing, centrality, and social distance) proposed by Aronsson and Anderson in 1996. Analysis showed three out of the four indicators discriminated teacher-centered vs student-centered pedagogic style. More specifically, in the teacher-centered setting children drew the teacher of dominant size, in a central position, and as remote, while in the student-centered setting the teacher was depicted closer to the student, in a less central position, and less emphasized relative to the student. The findings are discussed with respect to the absence of age-related effects and the possibility of using children's drawings of classroom life as a measure for tapping into children's representations of pedagogic style.

Coherent Turbulence Rig in the Engine Research Building

NASA Image and Video Library

1979-08-21

An engineer examines the Coherent Turbulence Rig in the Engine Research Building at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center. Coherent turbulence occurs when waves of uniform size and alignment are present in airflow. Researchers at NASA Lewis were interested in determining the relation between the size of the waves and their heat transfer properties. The massive 4.25-acre Engine Research Building contains dozens of test cells, test stands, and altitude chambers. A powerful a collection of compressors and exhausters located in the central portion of the basement provides process air and exhaust for these test areas. This system is connected to similar process air systems in the laboratory’s other large test facilities. The Central Control Room coordinates this activity and communicates with the local utilities.

KSC-04PD-0284

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Congressman Dave Weldon talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe and other government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind Weldon are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; at right is OKeefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KSC-04PD-0283

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe and other government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind Nelson are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Congressman Dave Weldon and OKeefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KSC-04PD-0289

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind OKeefe are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KSC-04PD-0281

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind OKeefe are (left to right) Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Center Director Jim Kennedy and Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida.

KSC-04PD-0282

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida, talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. She gave a presentation to NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe (far right) about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind Dana are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KSC-04PD-0285

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Florida Congressman Tom Feeney talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind Feeney are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Congressman Dave Weldon; and OKeefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

KSC-04PD-0286

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. U.S. Representative Ric Keller talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He, NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind Keller are (left to right) U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; Congressman Dave Weldon; and OKeefe. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Center Director Jim Kennedy also attended the presentation.

Landscape scale attributes of elk centers of activity in the central Black Hills of South Dakota

Treesearch

Cynthia H. Stubblefield; Kerri T. Vierling; Mark A. Rumble

2006-01-01

We researched the environmental attributes (n = 28) associated with elk (n = 50) summer range (1 May ­30 Sep) in the central Black Hills of South Dakota, USA, during 1998-­2001. We defined high-use areas or centers of activity as landscapes underlying large concentrations of elk locations resulting from the shared fidelity of...

Reading Center Characterization of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Using Optical Coherence Tomography During the COPERNICUS Trial.

PubMed

Decroos, Francis Char; Stinnett, Sandra S; Heydary, Cynthia S; Burns, Russell E; Jaffe, Glenn J

2013-11-01

To determine the impact of segmentation error correction and precision of standardized grading of time domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans obtained during an interventional study for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). A reading center team of two readers and a senior reader evaluated 1199 OCT scans. Manual segmentation error correction (SEC) was performed. The frequency of SEC, resulting change in central retinal thickness after SEC, and reproducibility of SEC were quantified. Optical coherence tomography characteristics associated with the need for SECs were determined. Reading center teams graded all scans, and the reproducibility of this evaluation for scan quality at the fovea and cystoid macular edema was determined on 97 scans. Segmentation errors were observed in 360 (30.0%) scans, of which 312 were interpretable. On these 312 scans, the mean machine-generated central subfield thickness (CST) was 507.4 ± 208.5 μm compared to 583.0 ± 266.2 μm after SEC. Segmentation error correction resulted in a mean absolute CST correction of 81.3 ± 162.0 μm from baseline uncorrected CST. Segmentation error correction was highly reproducible (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.99-1.00). Epiretinal membrane (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, P < 0.0001), subretinal fluid (OR = 2.1, P = 0.0005), and increasing CST (OR = 1.6 per 100-μm increase, P < 0.001) were associated with need for SEC. Reading center teams reproducibly graded scan quality at the fovea (87% agreement, kappa = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45-0.82) and cystoid macular edema (92% agreement, kappa = 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.94). Optical coherence tomography images obtained during an interventional CRVO treatment trial can be reproducibly graded. Segmentation errors can cause clinically meaningful deviation in central retinal thickness measurements; however, these errors can be corrected reproducibly in a reading center setting. Segmentation errors are common on these images, can cause clinically meaningful errors in central retinal thickness measurement, and can be corrected reproducibly in a reading center setting.

Impact of hospital volume on perioperative outcomes and costs of radical cystectomy: analysis of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database.

PubMed

Gorin, Michael A; Kates, Max; Mullins, Jeffrey K; Pierorazio, Phillip M; Matlaga, Brian R; Schoenberg, Mark P; Bivalacqua, Trinity J

2014-02-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of hospital case volume on perioperative outcomes and costs of radical cystectomy (RC) after controlling for differences in patient case mix. The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database was queried for patients who underwent an open RC between 2000 and 2011. Patients were divided into tertiles based on hospital case volume. Groups were compared for differences in length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of total hospital stay, rate of in-hospital deaths and procedure-related costs. In total, 1620 patients underwent a RC during the study period. Of these patients, 457 (28.2%) underwent surgery at 37 low volume centers, 465 (28.7%) at six mid volume centers and 698 (43.1%) at a single high volume center. The mean case volume of each group was 1.1, 7.0 and 63.5 RC/center/year, respectively. After controlling for marked differences in patient case mix, having surgery at the single high-volume center was independently associated with a decrease in length of ICU stay (coefficient = -0.41 days, 95% CI -0.78--0.05, p = 0.03), in-hospital mortality (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.80, p = 0.02) and total medical costs (coefficient = -2.91k USD, 95% CI -4.15--1.67, p < 0.001). Decreased total costs were driven by reductions in charges associated with the operating room, drugs, radiology tests, labs, supplies and physical/occupational therapy (all p < 0.001). Undergoing RC at a high volume medical center was associated with improved outcomes and reduced costs. These data support the centralization of RC to high volume centers.

A one-day centralized work-up for kidney transplant recipient candidates: a quality improvement report.

PubMed

Formica, Richard N; Barrantes, Fidel; Asch, William S; Bia, Margaret J; Coca, Steven; Kalyesubula, Robert; McCloskey, Barbara; Leary, Tucker; Arvelakis, Antonios; Kulkarni, Sanjay

2012-08-01

Waiting time for a kidney transplant is calculated from the date the patient is placed on the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) waitlist to the date the patient undergoes transplant. Time from transplant evaluation to listing represents unaccounted waiting time, potentially resulting in longer dialysis exposure for some patients with prolonged evaluation times. There are established disparities demonstrating that groups of patients take longer to be placed on the waitlist and thus have less access to kidney transplant. Quality improvement report. 905 patients from a university-based hospital were evaluated for kidney transplant candidacy, and analysis was performed from July 1, 2004, to January 31, 2010. A 1-day centralized work-up was implemented on July 1, 2007, whereby the transplant center coordinated the necessary tests needed to fulfill minimal listing criteria. Time from evaluation to UNOS listing was compared between the 2 cohorts. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were created to assess the relative hazards of waitlist placement comparing 1-day versus conventional work-up and were adjusted for age, sex, race, and education. Of 905 patients analyzed, 378 underwent conventional evaluation and 527 underwent a 1-day center-coordinated evaluation. Median time to listing in the 1-day center-coordinated evaluation compared with conventional was significantly less (46 vs 226 days, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis controlling for age, sex, and education level, the 1-day in-center group was 3 times more likely to place patients on the wait list (adjusted HR, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.64-3.59). Listing time was significantly decreased across race, sex, education, and ethnicity. Single center, retrospective. Variables that may influence transplant practitioners, such as comorbid conditions or functional status, were not assessed. A 1-day center-coordinated pretransplant work-up model significantly decreased time to listing for kidney transplant. Copyright © 2012 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dual tasking and balance in those with central and peripheral vision loss.

PubMed

Kotecha, Aachal; Chopra, Reena; Fahy, Rachel T A; Rubin, Gary S

2013-08-09

To investigate the effects of a secondary task on standing balance in patients with glaucoma or AMD compared with age-similar control subjects. Twelve AMD, 12 glaucoma, and 12 control participants underwent posturography under two standing conditions (eyes open on a firm or foam-rubber surface) and two tasks: quiet standing and undertaking a mental arithmetic task. Center of foot-pressure average displacement (root mean square [RMS]; in millimeters) was calculated. The mean (SD) age of the participants in each group was as follows: controls 66.2 (6.4) years, glaucoma 69.2 (4.3) years, and AMD 72.2 (5.3) years. There were significant differences in RMS between controls and AMD patients when undertaking the mental arithmetic task standing on the firm surface (mean difference [SE]: 2.8 [0.8] mm, P = 0.005). There were significant differences between controls and AMD patients when undertaking the mental arithmetic task on the foam surface, with the difference between controls and glaucoma patients approaching significance (mean difference [SE]: control versus AMD = 3.1 [0.9] mm, P = 0.005; control versus glaucoma = 2.2 [0.9] mm, P = 0.06). Postural instability increases with the addition of a secondary task in older persons, which may put them at greater risk of falls. Patients with central losses exhibit greater instability with the addition of a secondary task, particularly during somatosensory perturbations. The negative effects of secondary tasks on balance control in those with peripheral visual losses become more apparent under somatosensory perturbations.

The Central American Network for Disaster and Health Information

PubMed Central

Arnesen, Stacey J.; Cid, Victor H.; Scott, John C.; Perez, Ricardo; Zervaas, Dave

2007-01-01

Purpose: This paper describes an international outreach program to support rebuilding Central America's health information infrastructure after several natural disasters in the region, including Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and two major earthquakes in 2001. Setting, Participants, and Description: The National Library of Medicine joined forces with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and the Regional Center of Disaster Information for Latin America and the Caribbean (CRID) to strengthen libraries and information centers in Central America and improve the availability of and access to health and disaster information in the region by developing the Central American Network for Disaster and Health Information (CANDHI). Through CRID, the program created ten disaster health information centers in medical libraries and disaster-related organizations in six countries. Results/Outcome: This project served as a catalyst for the modernization of several medical libraries in Central America. The resulting CANDHI provides much needed electronic access to public health “gray literature” on disasters, as well as access to numerous health information resources. CANDHI members assist their institutions and countries in a variety of disaster preparedness activities through collecting and disseminating information. PMID:17641767

Social Networking in an Agricultural Research Center: Using Data to Enhance Outcomes.

PubMed

Cramer, Mary E; Araz, Ozgur M; Wendl, Mary J

2017-01-01

The purpose of this article is to present a case study of one midwestern Agricultural Center (Ag Center) that used social network analysis (SNA) to (1) evaluate its collaborations with extramural stakeholders and (2) strategically plan for extending outreach for goal achievement. An evaluation team developed a data collection instrument based on SNA principles. It was administered to the Ag Center's intramural stakeholders (N = 9), who were asked to identify the key extramural stakeholders with whom they had collaborated within the previous 12 months. Additional questions about each extramural stakeholder helped to categorize them according to SNA network measures for degree of centrality, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality. Findings showed the Ag Center had N = 305 extramural stakeholders. Most of these were other researchers and did not represent the diverse group of stakeholders that the Ag Center had targeted for engagement. Only a few of the intramural stakeholders had national or international connections. Findings were used to improve and diversify connections in order to leverage the Ag Center's expertise and ability to translate research into new best practices and policies. The SNA case study has implications for other evaluators and project directors looking for methodologies that can monitor networks in large science consortia and help leaders plan for translating research into practice and policies by networking with those who can influence such change.

Impact of pharmacist interventions on cost avoidance in an ambulatory cancer center.

PubMed

Randolph, Laura A; Walker, Cheri K; Nguyen, Ann T; Zachariah, Subi R

2018-01-01

Objective To provide a foundation to justify the presence of a full-time clinical pharmacist in the ambulatory cancer center in addition to an existing centralized pharmacist through cost avoidance calculation and patient and staff satisfaction surveys. Methods The prospective, pilot study took place in an ambulatory cancer center over four weeks in 2014. Cost avoidance values were assigned to interventions performed by a pharmacy resident, who was present in the ambulatory cancer center during clinic hours, along with a centralized oncology pharmacist routinely working with the cancer center. Anonymous patient and staff satisfaction surveys based on a 5-point Likert scale were distributed to assess the perceived benefit of a pharmacist located in the ambulatory cancer center. Results Data collection took place over approximately one month. After evaluation of 962 interventions from both pharmacists, the estimated cost avoidance was US$282,741 per pharmacist per year, yielding a net benefit of US$138,441. The most common interventions made by the resident included chemotherapy regimen review (n = 290, 69%) and patient counseling (n = 102, 24%), while the majority of the centralized pharmacist's interventions was chemotherapy regimen review (n = 525, 97%). Results from the anonymous patient and staff surveys revealed an overall positive perception of the pharmacy resident while in the ambulatory cancer center. Conclusion A full-time clinical pharmacist in an ambulatory cancer center is both financially beneficial and positively perceived by patients and staff.

Long-lived structural control of Mt. Shasta's plumbing system illuminated by 40Ar/39Ar geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvert, A. T.; Christiansen, R. L.

2013-12-01

Mt. Shasta is the largest stratovolcano in the Cascade Arc, surpassed in volume only by the large rear-arc Medicine Lake and Newberry composite volcanoes. Including the material in the ~350 ka debris avalanche, it has produced more than 500 km3 of andesite and dacite from several superimposed central vents over its 700-850 kyr history. Earlier, between at least 970 to 1170 ka, the Rainbow Mountain volcano of similar composition and size occupied this latitude of the arc ~20 km further east. This shift of magmatic focus from within the arc axis (as defined by 6 Ma and younger calc-alkaline centers) to the arc front is poorly understood, but the current center's location appears structurally controlled. Most identifiable volcanic vents on Mt. Shasta lie within 1 km of a N-S line through the active summit cone. 40Ar/39Ar ages of map units occupying the vent alignment range from the Holocene (5×1 ka) current summit dome to at least the Middle Pleistocene (464×9 ka McKenzie Butte). The vast majority of eruptions have issued from central vents (Sargents Ridge, 300-135 ka; Misery Hill, 100-15 ka; and Hotlum, <10 ka), each 500 to 1000m north of its predecessor. A central vent for the pre-avalanche edifice is impossible to locate precisely, but was possibly on the same N-S trend and certainly no more than 4 km to the west, likely south of the Sargents Ridge central vent. ~15 of ~25 mapped flank vents lie on the alignment and the other ten lie west of the line. No identified volcanic vents lie east of the line until >12 km from Mt. Shasta (Ash Creek Butte, 227 ka; Basalt of McCloud River, 38 ka; The Whaleback, 102 ka), and monogenetic and polygenetic centers further east and northeast. From these observations we infer that: (1) magmas are localized along a ~20 km, long-lived, N-S trending structure running through the summit; (2) the upper crustal structure appears impermeable to magmas and resistant to dikes on its eastern side; (3) the western half of the area beneath the volcano appears substantially weaker, as dikes have fed flank vents 10-20 km from the summit over the history of the volcano; and (4) the orientation of the WNW-directed debris avalanche, coincident with the greatest concentration of flank vents, may indicate either structural weakness or failure following emplacement of a cryptodome similar to the 1980 events at Mt. St. Helens.

Quality assessment concept of the World Data Center for Climate and its application to CMIP5 data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stockhause, M.; Höck, H.; Toussaint, F.; Lautenschlager, M.

2012-08-01

The preservation of data in a high state of quality which is suitable for interdisciplinary use is one of the most pressing and challenging current issues in long-term archiving. For high volume data such as climate model data, the data and data replica are no longer stored centrally but distributed over several local data repositories, e.g. the data of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). The most important part of the data is to be archived, assigned a DOI, and published according to the World Data Center for Climate's (WDCC) application of the DataCite regulations. The integrated part of WDCC's data publication process, the data quality assessment, was adapted to the requirements of a federated data infrastructure. A concept of a distributed and federated quality assessment procedure was developed, in which the workload and responsibility for quality control is shared between the three primary CMIP5 data centers: Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI), British Atmospheric Data Centre (BADC), and WDCC. This distributed quality control concept, its pilot implementation for CMIP5, and first experiences are presented. The distributed quality control approach is capable of identifying data inconsistencies and to make quality results immediately available for data creators, data users and data infrastructure managers. Continuous publication of new data versions and slow data replication prevents the quality control from check completion. This together with ongoing developments of the data and metadata infrastructure requires adaptations in code and concept of the distributed quality control approach.

OCULUS SeaTM: integrated maritime surveillance platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanellopoulos, Sotirios A.; Katsoulis, Stavros; Motos, Dionysis; Lampropoulos, Vassilis; Margonis, Chris; Dimitros, Kostantinos; Thomopoulos, Stelios C. A.

2015-05-01

OCULUS Sea™ is a C2 platform for Integrated Maritime Surveillance. The platform consists of "loosely coupled" National/ Regional and Local C2 Centers which are "centrally governed". "Loosely coupled" as C2 Centers are located separately, share their Situational Pictures via a Message Oriented Middleware but preserve their administrational and operational autonomy. "Centrally governed" as there exists a central governance mechanism at the NCC that registers, authenticates and authorizes Regional and Local C2 centers into the OCULUS Sea network. From operational point of view, OCULUS Sea has been tested under realistic conditions during the PERSEUS [3] Eastern Campaign and has been positively evaluated by Coast Guard officers from Spain and Greece. From Research and Development point of view, OCULUS Sea can act as a test bed for validating any technology development is this domain in the near future.

Evaluation of the Tuberculosis Infection Control Training Center, Tajikistan, 2014–2015

PubMed Central

Scott, C.; Mangan, J.; Tillova, Z.; Jensen, P. A.; Ahmedov, S.; Ismoilova, J.; Trusov, A.

2017-01-01

SUMMARY SETTING Training center on tuberculosis (TB) infection control (IC) for health care workers in the Central Asian Republics region. OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of TB IC training courses conducted at the Tuberculosis Infection Control Training Center in Machiton, Tajikistan. DESIGN Participants who participated in training (n = 89) during the first year of operation (April 2014–February 2015) were invited to participate in a post-training interview. RESULTS Of the 89 participants, 84 (94%) completed the interview and expressed satisfaction with the training. Eighty (95%) participants reported meeting with workplace leadership to discuss the training. Of these, 69 (85%) reported discussing changes required to meet TB IC standards. Self-reported changes in TB IC practices at work facilities post training included the creation of TB IC committees, designation of a TB IC focal person, TB IC planning, policies to separate infectious patients in waiting rooms, provision of masks for infectious patients, development of cough etiquette policies, improved glove availability, hand hygiene programs, and TB IC posters in waiting rooms. CONCLUSIONS Participant satisfaction and reported changes in TB IC activities illustrate the potential of these training courses to improve TB IC in the region. Future training courses may be tailored to specific audiences using a structured conceptual framework to impact administration, budgeting, and facilities management of TB IC practices. PMID:28399974

Leading the Learner-Centered Campus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stamm, Liesa

2011-01-01

For those who advocate for greater attention to the development of the whole student, promoting a climate of student-centered learning on our campuses should be a major component of our endeavors. In "Leading the Learner-Centered Campus", Harris and Cullen provide some concrete proposals for achieving student-centered learning as central to the…

Central Pacific Hurricane Center - Honolulu, Hawai`i

Science.gov Websites

distance between lat/lon points Saffir-Simpson Scale Tropical Storm - winds 39-73 mph (34-63 kt) Category 1 Research and Development NOAA Hurricane Research Division Joint Hurricane Testbed Hurricane Forecast WFO Honolulu Weather Prediction Center Storm Prediction Center Ocean Prediction Center Local Forecast

Chemical composition of bulk precipitation in the North-Central and Northeastern United States, December 1980 through February 1981

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peters, Norman E.; Bonelli, Joseph E.

1982-01-01

Samples of bulk precipitation were collected at 179 sites in the North-Central and Northeastern United States for 3 months during winter 1980-81 to provide data on the distribution of chemical constituents. Concentrations and average daily loads of 29 dissolved constituents were determined. Sodium and chloride deposition was relatively high in coastal areas and adjacent to some urban centers. Regional patterns of to daily loads of hydrogen ion, nitrate, lead, and iron correlate well with one another and form a concentric pattern around the center of high deposition in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, suggesting an urban-industrial source. Samples from this area had low pH (5.7). The latter samples had high concentrations of calcium and total inorganic carbon, suggesting pH control by soil-derived carbonate minerals. Deposition patterns of ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate display regional highs in Illinois, Indiana, and southwestern Michigan, suggesting agricultural sources such as fertilizer. Median loads of zinc, iron, and lead were lower than reported in previous studies for North America. The apparent decrease in lead since 1950 throughout the area is attributed to reduced consumption of leaded fuels and lower deposition in winter.

The Oncology Care Model: Perspectives From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Participating Oncology Practices in Academia and the Community.

PubMed

Kline, Ron; Adelson, Kerin; Kirshner, Jeffrey J; Strawbridge, Larissa M; Devita, Marsha; Sinanis, Naralys; Conway, Patrick H; Basch, Ethan

2017-01-01

Cancer care delivery in the United States is often fragmented and inefficient, imposing substantial burdens on patients. Costs of cancer care are rising more rapidly than other specialties, with substantial regional differences in quality and cost. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center (CMMIS) recently launched the Oncology Care Model (OCM), which uses payment incentives and practice redesign requirements toward the goal of improving quality while controlling costs. As of March 2017, 190 practices were participating, with approximately 3,200 oncologists providing care for approximately 150,000 unique beneficiaries per year (approximately 20% of the Medicare Fee-for-Service population receiving chemotherapy for cancer). This article provides an overview of the program from the CMS perspective, as well as perspectives from two practices implementing OCM: an academic health system (Yale Cancer Center) and a community practice (Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York). Requirements of OCM, as well as implementation successes, challenges, financial implications, impact on quality, and future visions, are provided from each perspective.

Environmental/Biomedical Terminology Index

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huffstetler, J.K.; Dailey, N.S.; Rickert, L.W.

1976-12-01

The Information Center Complex (ICC), a centrally administered group of information centers, provides information support to environmental and biomedical research groups and others within and outside Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In-house data base building and development of specialized document collections are important elements of the ongoing activities of these centers. ICC groups must be concerned with language which will adequately classify and insure retrievability of document records. Language control problems are compounded when the complexity of modern scientific problem solving demands an interdisciplinary approach. Although there are several word lists, indexes, and thesauri specific to various scientific disciplines usually groupedmore » as Environmental Sciences, no single generally recognized authority can be used as a guide to the terminology of all environmental science. If biomedical terminology for the description of research on environmental effects is also needed, the problem becomes even more complex. The building of a word list which can be used as a general guide to the environmental/biomedical sciences has been a continuing activity of the Information Center Complex. This activity resulted in the publication of the Environmental Biomedical Terminology Index (EBTI).« less

[Central online quality assurance in radiology: an IT solution exemplified by the German Breast Cancer Screening Program].

PubMed

Czwoydzinski, J; Girnus, R; Sommer, A; Heindel, W; Lenzen, H

2011-09-01

Physical-technical quality assurance is one of the essential tasks of the National Reference Centers in the German Breast Cancer Screening Program. For this purpose the mammography units are required to transfer the measured values of the constancy tests on a daily basis and all phantom images created for this purpose on a weekly basis to the reference centers. This is a serious logistical challenge. To meet these requirements, we developed an innovative software tool. By the end of 2005, we had already developed web-based software (MammoControl) allowing the transmission of constancy test results via entry forms. For automatic analysis and transmission of the phantom images, we then introduced an extension (MammoControl DIANA). This was based on Java, Java Web Start, the NetBeans Rich Client Platform, the Pixelmed Java DICOM Toolkit and the ImageJ library. MammoControl DIANA was designed to run locally in the mammography units. This allows automated on-site image analysis. Both results and compressed images can then be transmitted to the reference center. We developed analysis modules for the daily and monthly consistency tests and additionally for a homogeneity test. The software we developed facilitates the immediate availability of measurement results, phantom images, and DICOM header data in all reference centers. This allows both targeted guidance and short response time in the case of errors. We achieved a consistent IT-based evaluation with standardized tools for the entire screening program in Germany. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Metal concentration and X-ray cool spectral component in the central region of the Centaurus cluster of galaxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fukazawa, Yasushi; Ohashi, Takaya; Fabian, Andrew C.; Canizares, Claude R.; Ikebe, Yasushi; Makishima, Kazuo; Mushotzky, Richard F.; Yamashita, Koujun

1994-01-01

Spatially resolved energy spectra in the energy range 0.5-10 keV have been measured for the Centaurus cluster of galaxies with Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA). Within 10 min (200 kpc) from the cluster center, the helium-like iron K emission line exhibits a dramatic increase toward the center rising from an equivalent width approximately 500 eV to approximately 1500 eV corresponding to an abundance change from 0.3 to 1.0 solar. The presence of strong iron L lines indicates an additional cool component (kT approximately 1 keV) within 10 min from the center. The cool component requires absorption in excess of the galactic value and this excess absorption increases towards the central region of the cluster. In the surrounding region with radius greater than 10 min, the spectra are well described by a single temperature thermal model with kT approximately 4 keV and spatially uniform abundances at about 0.3-0.4 times solar. The detection of metal-rich hot and cool gas in the cluster center implies a complex nature of the central cluster gas which is likely to be related to the presence of the central cD galaxy NGC 4696.

Short-term effects of overnight orthokeratology on corneal cell morphology and corneal thickness.

PubMed

Nieto-Bona, Amelia; González-Mesa, Ana; Nieto-Bona, Ma Paz; Villa-Collar, César; Lorente-Velázquez, Amalia

2011-06-01

To examine the morphological and biometric corneal changes produced over periods of 15 days and 1 month after overnight orthokeratology (OK). Prospective, single-center, longitudinal trial. Twenty-seven right eyes of 27 subjects (group 1) with low to moderate myopia wore OK lenses for 1 month. Ten right eyes of 10 subjects (group 2) with emmetropia to low myopia who did not wear any type of contact lens served as controls. Corneal morphometric measurements were obtained in vivo using a confocal microscope to examine the central and midperipheral cornea. Thickness measurements in the peripheral cornea were obtained by optical coherence tomography. Changes in visual acuity, refractive error, and corneal topography were also analyzed. No significant changes in either endothelial cell or stromal cell density were observed after 1 month of OK. Basal epithelial cells were, however, significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and epithelial wing and superficial cells showed enhanced visibility (P < 0.05). Superficial cells increased in height and width, the width increase after 1 month being significant (P < 0.01). Epithelial thickness was significantly reduced in the central cornea and 2 mm around the center. Corneal pachymetry increased significantly in the band from 5 to 10 mm from the corneal apex (P < 0.01). OK lenses for myopia induce significant structural and optical changes particularly in the central epithelium after 15 days or 1 month of wear. The central corneal epithelium responds to OK wear by undergoing significant epithelial cell shape and size alterations with no effects, however, on the cells of the corneal endothelium or the corneal stroma. Peripheral corneal thickness increased with respect to baseline values. These findings suggest that the corneal epithelium is the principal structure affected by the mechanical forces exerted by the OK lenses.

ACToR-Aggregated Computational Resource | Science ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

ACToR (Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource) is a database and set of software applications that bring into one central location many types and sources of data on environmental chemicals. Currently, the ACToR chemical database contains information on chemical structure, in vitro bioassays and in vivo toxicology assays derived from more than 150 sources including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), state agencies, corresponding government agencies in Canada, Europe and Japan, universities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At the EPA National Center for Computational Toxicology, ACToR helps manage large data sets being used in a high throughput environmental chemical screening and prioritization program called ToxCast(TM).

The advantages and disadvantages of centralized control of air power at operational level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arisoy, Uǧur

2014-05-01

People do not want to see and hear a war. In today's world, if war is inevitable, the use of air power is seen as the preferable means of conducting operations instead of financially burdensome land battles which are more likely to cause heavy loss of life. The use of Air Power has gained importance in NATO operations in the Post-Cold War era. For example, air power has undertaken a decisive role from the beginning to the end of the operation in Libya. From this point of view, the most important issue to consider is how to direct air power more effectively at operational level. NATO's Core JFAC (Joint Force Air Command) was established in 2012 to control joint air power at operational level from a single center. US had experienced JFAC aproach in the Operation Desert Storm in 1991. UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain are also directing their air power from their JFAC structures. Joint air power can be directed from a single center at operational level by means of JFAC. JFAC aproach provides complex planning progress of Air Power to be controled faster in a single center. An Air Power with a large number of aircrafts, long range missiles of cutting-edge technology may have difficulties in achieving results unless directed effectively. In this article, directing air power more effectively at operational level has been studied in the framework of directing air power from a single center carried out by SWOT analysis technique. "Directing Air Power at operational level from a single center similar to JFAC-like structure" is compared with "Directing Air Power at operational level from two centers similar to AC (Air Command) + CAOC (Combined Air Operations Center) structure" As a result of this study, it is assessed that directing air power at operational level from a single center would bring effectiveness to the air campaign. The study examines directing air power at operational level. Developments at political, strategic and tactical levels have been ignored.

Variability in baseline laboratory measurements of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

PubMed

Ladwig, R; Vigo, A; Fedeli, L M G; Chambless, L E; Bensenor, I; Schmidt, M I; Vidigal, P G; Castilhos, C D; Duncan, B B

2016-08-01

Multi-center epidemiological studies must ascertain that their measurements are accurate and reliable. For laboratory measurements, reliability can be assessed through investigation of reproducibility of measurements in the same individual. In this paper, we present results from the quality control analysis of the baseline laboratory measurements from the ELSA-Brasil study. The study enrolled 15,105 civil servants at 6 research centers in 3 regions of Brazil between 2008-2010, with multiple biochemical analytes being measured at a central laboratory. Quality control was ascertained through standard laboratory evaluation of intra- and inter-assay variability and test-retest analysis in a subset of randomly chosen participants. An additional sample of urine or blood was collected from these participants, and these samples were handled in the same manner as the original ones, locally and at the central laboratory. Reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), estimated through a random effects model. Coefficients of variation (CV) and Bland-Altman plots were additionally used to assess measurement variability. Laboratory intra and inter-assay CVs varied from 0.86% to 7.77%. From test-retest analyses, the ICCs were high for the majority of the analytes. Notably lower ICCs were observed for serum sodium (ICC=0.50; 95%CI=0.31-0.65) and serum potassium (ICC=0.73; 95%CI=0.60-0.83), due to the small biological range of these analytes. The CVs ranged from 1 to 14%. The Bland-Altman plots confirmed these results. The quality control analyses showed that the collection, processing and measurement protocols utilized in the ELSA-Brasil produced reliable biochemical measurements.

KSC-04PD-0287

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind OKeefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and Florida Congressman Tom Feeney. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, U.S. Representative Ric Keller, Congressman Dave Weldon and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

KSC-04PD-0262

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA and government officials are gathered to hear about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration. At the far end is NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe. He is flanked, on the left, by Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; and on the right by U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon and U.S. Representative Ric Keller. In the foreground, at left, is Center Director Jim Kennedy. At right is Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida. The center would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus.

KSC-04PD-0288

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. On the left is Center Director Jim Kennedy. On the right are U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; and U.S. Representative Ric Keller . Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included Florida Congressman Tom Feeney and Congressman Dave Weldon.

78 FR 30395 - Grainbelt Corporation-Trackage Rights Exemption-BNSF Railway Company and Stillwater Central...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-22

...)] Grainbelt Corporation--Trackage Rights Exemption--BNSF Railway Company and Stillwater Central Railroad... and grantors BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) and Stillwater Central Railroad Company (SLWC) exempted in Grainbelt Corporation--Trackage Rights Exemption--BNSF Railway Company and Stillwater Center Railroad...

The value of partnerships in state obesity prevention and control programs.

PubMed

Hersey, James; Kelly, Bridget; Roussel, Amy; Curtis, LaShawn; Horne, Joseph; Williams-Piehota, Pamela; Kuester, Sarah; Farris, Rosanne

2012-03-01

State health departments funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Program collaborate with multiple partners to develop and implement comprehensive obesity prevention and control programs. A mixed-methods evaluation of 28 state programs over a 5-year period assessed states' progress on program requirements, including developing statewide partnerships and coordinating with partners to support obesity prevention and control efforts. States with greater partnership involvement leveraged more funding support for their programs, passed more obesity-related policies, and were more likely to implement obesity interventions in multiple settings. Case studies provided guidance for establishing and maintaining strong partnerships. Findings from this study offer emerging evidence to support assumptions about the centrality of partnerships to states' success in obesity program development and implementation and related health promotion activities.

Advanced power assessment for Czech lignite, Task 3.6, Part 2. The 2nd international conference on energy and environment: Transitions in East Central Europe

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sondreal, E.A.; Mann, M.D.; Weber, G.W.

1995-12-01

On November 1-5, 1994, the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) and Power Research Institute of Prague cosponsored their second conference since 1991 in the Czech Republic, entitled ``Energy and Environment: Transitions in East Central Europe.`` This conference was a continuation of the EERC`s joint commitment, initiated in 1190, to facilitate solutions to short- and long-term energy and environmental problems in East Central Europe. Production of energy from coal in an environmentally acceptable manner is a critical issue facing East Central Europe, because the region continues to rely on coal as its primary energy source. The goal of the conferencemore » was to develop partnerships between industry, government, and the research community in East Central Europe and the United States to solve energy and environmental issues in a manner that fosters economic development. Among the topics addressed at the conference were: conventional and advanced energy generation systems; economic operation of energy systems; air pollution controls; power system retrofitting and repowering, financing options; regulatory issues; energy resource options; waste utilization and disposal; and long-range environmental issues. Selected papers in the proceedings have been processed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology database.« less

New Compressor Added to Glenn's 450- psig Combustion Air System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swan, Jeffrey A.

2000-01-01

In September 1999, the Central Process Systems Engineering Branch and the Maintenance and the Central Process Systems Operations Branch, released for service a new high pressure compressor to supplement the 450-psig Combustion Air System at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. The new compressor, designated C-18, is located in Glenn s Central Air Equipment Building and is remotely operated from the Central Control Building. C-18 can provide 40 pounds per second (pps) of airflow at pressure to our research customers. This capability augments our existing system capacity (compressors C 4 at 38 pps and C-5 at 32 pps), which is generated from Glenn's Engine Research Building. The C-18 compressor was originally part of Glenn's 21-Inch Hypersonic Tunnel, which was transferred from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to Glenn in the mid-1980's. With the investment of construction of facilities funding, the compressor was modified, new mechanical and electrical support equipment were purchased, and the unit was installed in the basement of the Central Air Equipment Building. After several weeks of checkout and troubleshooting, the new compressor was ready for long-term, reliable operations. With a total of 110 pps in airflow now available, Glenn is well positioned to support the high-pressure air test requirements of our research customers.

[Central Pattern Generators: Mechanisms of the Activity and Their Role in the Control of "Automatic" Movements].

PubMed

Arshavsky, I; Deliagina, T G; Orlovsky, G N

2015-01-01

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are a set of interconnected neurons capable of generating a basic pattern of motor output underlying "automatic" movements (breathing, locomotion, chewing, swallowing, and so on) in the absence of afferent signals from the executive motor apparatus. They can be divided into the constitutive CPGs active throughout the entire lifetime (respiratory CPGs) and conditional CPGs controlling episodic movements (locomotion, chewing, swallowing, and others). Since a motor output of CPGs is determined by their internal organization, the activities of the conditional CPGs are initiated by simple commands coming from higher centers. We describe the structural and functional organization of the locomotor CPGs in the marine mollusk Clione limacina, lamprey, frog embryo, and laboratory mammals (cat, mouse, and rat), CPGs controlling the respiratory and swallowing movements in mammals, and CPGs controlling discharges of the electric organ in the gymnotiform fish. It is shown that in all these cases, the generation of rhythmic motor output is based both on the endogenous (pacemaker) activity of specific groups of interneurons and on interneural interactions. These two interrelated mechanisms complement each other, ensuring the high reliability of CPG functionality. We discuss how the experience obtained in studying CPGs can be used to understand mechanisms of more complex functions of the brain, including its cognitive functions.

Simulation of spread and control of lesions in brain.

PubMed

Thamattoor Raman, Krishna Mohan

2012-01-01

A simulation model for the spread and control of lesions in the brain is constructed using a planar network (graph) representation for the central nervous system (CNS). The model is inspired by the lesion structures observed in the case of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the CNS. The initial lesion site is at the center of a unit square and spreads outwards based on the success rate in damaging edges (axons) of the network. The damaged edges send out alarm signals which, at appropriate intensity levels, generate programmed cell death. Depending on the extent and timing of the programmed cell death, the lesion may get controlled or aggravated akin to the control of wild fires by burning of peripheral vegetation. The parameter phase space of the model shows smooth transition from uncontrolled situation to controlled situation. The simulations show that the model is capable of generating a wide variety of lesion growth and arrest scenarios.

Evaluation of the long-term efficacy of K-Othrine® PolyZone on three surfaces against laboratory reared Anopheles gambiae in semi-field conditions.

PubMed

Dunford, James C; Estep, Alden S; Waits, Christy M; Richardson, Alec G; Hoel, David F; Horn, Karin; Walker, Todd W; Blersch, Jessika S; Kerce, Jerry D; Wirtz, Robert A

2018-02-23

In this semi-field study, a new polymer-enhanced deltamethrin formulation, K-Othrine ® PolyZone, was compared to a standard deltamethrin product for residual activity against a susceptible strain of laboratory-reared Anopheles gambiae using standard WHO cone bioassays. Residual insecticide efficacy was recorded after exposure to metal, cement and wood panels maintained in experimental huts in sub-tropical environmental conditions in north central Florida, USA, and panels stored in a climate controlled chamber located at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia, USA. K-Othrine ® PolyZone demonstrated 100% control on metal and cement panels 1 year post application and > 80% control on wood panels up to 6 mo. The new formulation should be considered for use in indoor residual spray programmes requiring long-term control of malaria vectors.

Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic intraplate magmatism in Central Asia and its relation with mantle diapirism: Evidence from the South Khangai volcanic region, Mongolia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yarmolyuk, Vladimir V.; Kudryashova, Ekaterina A.; Kozlovsky, Alexander M.; Lebedev, Vladimir A.; Savatenkov, Valery M.

2015-11-01

The South Khangai volcanic region (SKVR) comprises fields of Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanic rocks scattered over southern and central Mongolia. Evolution of the region from the Late Jurassic to the Late Cenozoic includes 13 successive igneous episodes that are more or less evenly distributed in time. Major patterns in the distribution of different-aged volcanic complexes were controlled by a systematic temporal migration of volcanic centers over the region. The total length of their trajectory exceeds 1600 km. Principle characteristics of local magmatism are determined. The composition of igneous rocks varies from basanites to rhyolites (predominantly, high-K rocks), with geochemistry close to that of OIB. The rock composition, however, underwent transformations in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Rejuvenation of mafic rocks is accompanied by decrease in the contents of HREE and increase of Nb and Ta. According to isotope data, the SKVR magmatic melts were derived from three isotope sources that differed in the Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions and successively alternated in time. In the Early Cretaceous, the predominant source composition was controlled by interaction of the EMII- and PREMA-type mantle materials. The PREMA-type mantle material dominated quantitatively in the Late Cretaceous and initial Early Cenozoic. From the latest Early Cenozoic to Late Cenozoic, the magma source also contained the EMI-type material along with the PREMA-type. The structural fabric, rock composition, major evolutionary pattern, and inner structure of SKVR generally comply with the criteria used to distinguish the mantle plume-related regions. Analogous features can be seen in other regions of recent volcanism in Central Asia (South Baikal, Udokan, Vitim, and Tok Stanovik). The structural autonomy of these regions suggests that distribution of the Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanism in Central Asia was controlled by a group of relatively small hot finger-type mantle plumes associated with the common hot mantle field of Central Asia.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aegerter, P.A.

Phillips Petroleum Company scientists and engineers have been operating petroleum refining and separations pilot plants for five years in the Process Development Center. The 26 pilot plants in this building, with one exception, operate under complete computer-control, allowing maximum utilization of limited operating manpower. This centralization and automation of pilot plants has allowed Phillips to more than double the number of operating pilot plants in the petroleum refining area without an increase in manpower. At the same time, the quantity and quality of data has increased correspondingly. This paper discusses Phillips philosophy of operation and management of these pilot plants.more » In addition, details of day-to-day operations and a brief description of the control system are also presented.« less

Advancing infection control in dental care settings: factors associated with dentists' implementation of guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

PubMed

Cleveland, Jennifer L; Bonito, Arthur J; Corley, Tammy J; Foster, Misty; Barker, Laurie; Gordon Brown, G; Lenfestey, Nancy; Lux, Linda

2012-10-01

The authors set out to identify factors associated with implementation by U.S. dentists of four practices first recommended in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings-2003. In 2008, the authors surveyed a stratified random sample of 6,825 U.S. dentists. The response rate was 49 percent. The authors gathered data regarding dentists' demographic and practice characteristics, attitudes toward infection control, sources of instruction regarding the guidelines and knowledge about the need to use sterile water for surgical procedures. Then they assessed the impact of those factors on the implementation of four recommendations: having an infection control coordinator, maintaining dental unit water quality, documenting percutaneous injuries and using safer medical devices, such as safer syringes and scalpels. The authors conducted bivariate analyses and proportional odds modeling. Responding dentists in 34 percent of practices had implemented none or one of the four recommendations, 40 percent had implemented two of the recommendations and 26 percent had implemented three or four of the recommendations. The likelihood of implementation was higher among dentists who acknowledged the importance of infection control, had practiced dentistry for less than 30 years, had received more continuing dental education credits in infection control, correctly identified more surgical procedures that require the use of sterile water, worked in larger practices and had at least three sources of instruction regarding the guidelines. Dentists with practices in the South Atlantic, Middle Atlantic or East South Central U.S. Census divisions were less likely to have complied. Implementation of the four recommendations varied among U.S. dentists. Strategies targeted at raising awareness of the importance of infection control, increasing continuing education requirements and developing multiple modes of instruction may increase implementation of current and future Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Networks of Collaboration among Scientists in a Center for Diabetes Translation Research

PubMed Central

Harris, Jenine K.; Wong, Roger; Thompson, Kellie; Haire-Joshu, Debra; Hipp, J. Aaron

2015-01-01

Background Transdisciplinary collaboration is essential in addressing the translation gap between scientific discovery and delivery of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat diabetes. We examined patterns of collaboration among scientists at the Washington University Center for Diabetes Translation Research. Methods Members (n = 56) of the Washington University Center for Diabetes Translation Research were surveyed about collaboration overall and on publications, presentations, and grants; 87.5% responded (n = 49). We used traditional and network descriptive statistics and visualization to examine the networks and exponential random graph modeling to identify predictors of collaboration. Results The 56 network members represented nine disciplines. On average, network members had been affiliated with the center for 3.86 years (s.d. = 1.41). The director was by far the most central in all networks. The overall and publication networks were the densest, while the overall and grant networks were the most centralized. The grant network was the most transdisciplinary. The presentation network was the least dense, least centralized, and least transdisciplinary. For every year of center affiliation, network members were 10% more likely to collaborate (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.00–1.21) and 13% more likely to write a paper together (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.25). Network members in the same discipline were over twice as likely to collaborate in the overall network (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.40–3.15); however, discipline was not associated with collaboration in the other networks. Rank was not associated with collaboration in any network. Conclusions As transdisciplinary centers become more common, it is important to identify structural features, such as a central leader and ongoing collaboration over time, associated with scholarly productivity and, ultimately, with advancing science and practice. PMID:26301873

Networks of Collaboration among Scientists in a Center for Diabetes Translation Research.

PubMed

Harris, Jenine K; Wong, Roger; Thompson, Kellie; Haire-Joshu, Debra; Hipp, J Aaron

2015-01-01

Transdisciplinary collaboration is essential in addressing the translation gap between scientific discovery and delivery of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat diabetes. We examined patterns of collaboration among scientists at the Washington University Center for Diabetes Translation Research. Members (n = 56) of the Washington University Center for Diabetes Translation Research were surveyed about collaboration overall and on publications, presentations, and grants; 87.5% responded (n = 49). We used traditional and network descriptive statistics and visualization to examine the networks and exponential random graph modeling to identify predictors of collaboration. The 56 network members represented nine disciplines. On average, network members had been affiliated with the center for 3.86 years (s.d. = 1.41). The director was by far the most central in all networks. The overall and publication networks were the densest, while the overall and grant networks were the most centralized. The grant network was the most transdisciplinary. The presentation network was the least dense, least centralized, and least transdisciplinary. For every year of center affiliation, network members were 10% more likely to collaborate (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.00-1.21) and 13% more likely to write a paper together (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02-1.25). Network members in the same discipline were over twice as likely to collaborate in the overall network (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.40-3.15); however, discipline was not associated with collaboration in the other networks. Rank was not associated with collaboration in any network. As transdisciplinary centers become more common, it is important to identify structural features, such as a central leader and ongoing collaboration over time, associated with scholarly productivity and, ultimately, with advancing science and practice.

48 CFR 801.602-78 - Processing solicitations and contract documents for legal or technical review-Veterans Health...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., Central Office (except Office of Construction and Facilities Management), the National Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. 801.602-78 Section 801.602-78 Federal Acquisition... Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. (a) If legal or technical review is...

48 CFR 801.602-78 - Processing solicitations and contract documents for legal or technical review-Veterans Health...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., Central Office (except Office of Construction and Facilities Management), the National Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. 801.602-78 Section 801.602-78 Federal Acquisition... Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. (a) If legal or technical review is...

48 CFR 801.602-78 - Processing solicitations and contract documents for legal or technical review-Veterans Health...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., Central Office (except Office of Construction and Facilities Management), the National Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. 801.602-78 Section 801.602-78 Federal Acquisition... Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. (a) If legal or technical review is...

On the decentralized observer/controller strategy for disturbance rejection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faria, Cassio T.; Dong, ZhongZhe; Zhang, Xueji

2017-04-01

Centralized controllers and state estimation strategies are the most common topology implemented for disturbance rejection in smart systems. Although this architecture has been proven to be feasible the advances in computation power and size of logic devices can also enable the implementation of decentralized strategies which, on a large scale, can lead to an overall reliability increase of the system. The goal of this paper is to present this concept within the field of disturbance rejection for smart systems and to explore its capabilities and bottlenecks. A simple example is carried out for a composite plate with two controller/estimator centers. Simulation is used to validate the efficacy of the topology and a design procedure is proposed to guarantee the consensus of the agents within the network.

Physical conditions, dynamics, and mass distribution in the center of the Galaxy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Genzel, R.; Townes, C. H.

1987-01-01

Recent observations and theoretical models of the Galactic center (GC) are reviewed. An overview of phenomena seen in the GC is given, including the stellar cluster, radio continuum emission and interstellar clouds, the Sgr A complex, and X-ray and gamma emission. Also discussed are the energetics and physical conditions in the central 4 pc (star burst or central source?); the circumnuclear ring, ionized streamers, and relativistic and hot gas in the cavity; the mass distribution and the possibility of a massive black hole, and the central 0.1 pc (Sgr A and IRS 16). Diagrams, graphs, photographs, and tables of numerical data are provided.

Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games and Paralympic Games event study, 1996. Final report, July 1996--August 1996

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amodei, R.; Bard, E.; Brong, B.

1998-11-01

The Atlanta metropolitan region was the location of one of the most ambitious Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployments in the United States. This deployment included several individual projects--a Central Transportation Management Center (TMC), six Traffic Control Centers (TCCs), one Transit Information Center (TIC), The Travel Information Showcase (TIS), and the extension of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Rail network and the new high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-85 and I-75. The 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games and Paralympic Games created a focus for these projects. All of these systems were to be brought on-line in time for themore » Olympic Games. This report presents the findings of the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games Events Study--a compilation of findings of system performance, the benefits realized, and the lessons learned during their operations over the event period. The study assessed the performance of the various Travel Demand Management (TDM) plans employed for Olympic Games traffic management.« less

Network influences on dissemination of evidence-based guidelines in state tobacco control programs.

PubMed

Luke, Douglas A; Wald, Lana M; Carothers, Bobbi J; Bach, Laura E; Harris, Jenine K

2013-10-01

Little is known regarding the social network relationships that influence dissemination of evidence-based public health practices and policies. In public health, it is critical that evidence-based guidelines, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, are effectively and efficiently disseminated to intended stakeholders. To determine the organizational and network predictors of dissemination among state tobacco control programs, interviews with members of tobacco control networks across eight states were conducted between August 2009 and September 2010. Measures included partner attributes (e.g., agency type) and relationships among network members (frequency of contact, extent of collaboration, and dissemination of Best Practices). Exponential random graph modeling was used to examine attribute and structural predictors of collaboration and dissemination among partners in each network. Although density and centralization of dissemination ties varied across states, network analyses revealed a consistent prediction pattern across all eight states. State tobacco control dissemination networks were less dense but more centralized compared with organizational contact and collaboration networks. Tobacco control partners in each state were more likely to disseminate the Best Practices guidelines if they also had existing contact and collaboration relationships with one another. Evidence-based guidelines in public health need to be efficiently and broadly disseminated if we hope to translate science into practice. This study suggests that funders, advocacy groups, and public health agencies can take advantage of existing public health organizational relationships to support the communication and dissemination of evidence-based practices and policies.

A prospective controlled study of sleep respiratory events in patients with craniovertebral junction malformation.

PubMed

Botelho, Ricardo Vieira; Bittencourt, Lia Rita Azeredo; Rotta, José Marcos; Tufik, Sergio

2003-12-01

Craniovertebral junction malformation (CVJM) or Chiari malformation in adults, with or without syringomyelia and basilar invagination, produces neuronal dysfunction of the brainstem, cerebellum, cranial nerves, and upper spinal cord. The respiratory center and some of its afferent and efferent components can be altered in these diseases. The authors studied patients with and without CVJM to determine whether this physical feature contributed to sleep disturbances. Respiratory manifestations during sleep were studied prospectively, by using whole-night polysomnography, in 32 symptomatic patients (CVJM group) and 16 healthy volunteers (control group). Patients with CVJM presented with more sleep disturbances (reports of snoring and apnea) than those in the control group. The apnea/hypopnea index values were higher in patients with CVJMs than in the control group (13 +/- 15 compared with 3 +/- 6; p = 0.007) and the rate of central sleep apneas was higher in the CVJM than in the control group (22 +/- 30 compared with 4 +/- 8%; p = 0.009). The apnea/hypopnea index was highest in the subgroup with basilar invagination than in the other subgroups. The central apneic episodes were more frequent in the patients with basilar invagination (35 +/- 40%; p = 0.001) and in those with syringomyelia (17.6 +/- 24.6%; p = 0.003) than in the control group (4 +/- 8%). Patients with symptomatic CVJM, especially those with basilar invagination, presented with more sleep respiratory compromise than did those in the control group. The incidence of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome is significantly higher in patients with CVJM.

Nuclear spin noise in the central spin model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fröhling, Nina; Anders, Frithjof B.; Glazov, Mikhail

2018-05-01

We study theoretically the fluctuations of the nuclear spins in quantum dots employing the central spin model which accounts for the hyperfine interaction of the nuclei with the electron spin. These fluctuations are calculated both with an analytical approach using homogeneous hyperfine couplings (box model) and with a numerical simulation using a distribution of hyperfine coupling constants. The approaches are in good agreement. The box model serves as a benchmark with low computational cost that explains the basic features of the nuclear spin noise well. We also demonstrate that the nuclear spin noise spectra comprise a two-peak structure centered at the nuclear Zeeman frequency in high magnetic fields with the shape of the spectrum controlled by the distribution of the hyperfine constants. This allows for direct access to this distribution function through nuclear spin noise spectroscopy.

Advanced Satellite Workstation - An integrated workstation environment for operational support of satellite system planning and analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamilton, Marvin J.; Sutton, Stewart A.

A prototype integrated environment, the Advanced Satellite Workstation (ASW), which was developed and delivered for evaluation and operator feedback in an operational satellite control center, is described. The current ASW hardware consists of a Sun Workstation and Macintosh II Workstation connected via an ethernet Network Hardware and Software, Laser Disk System, Optical Storage System, and Telemetry Data File Interface. The central objective of ASW is to provide an intelligent decision support and training environment for operator/analysis of complex systems such as satellites. Compared to the many recent workstation implementations that incorporate graphical telemetry displays and expert systems, ASW provides a considerably broader look at intelligent, integrated environments for decision support, based on the premise that the central features of such an environment are intelligent data access and integrated toolsets.

Central inhibition of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance.

PubMed

Benzler, Jonas; Ganjam, Goutham K; Pretz, Dominik; Oelkrug, Rebecca; Koch, Christiane E; Legler, Karen; Stöhr, Sigrid; Culmsee, Carsten; Williams, Lynda M; Tups, Alexander

2015-06-01

Metabolic inflammation in the central nervous system might be causative for the development of overnutrition-induced metabolic syndrome and related disorders, such as obesity, leptin and insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Here we investigated whether nutritive and genetic inhibition of the central IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in diet-induced obese (DIO) and leptin-deficient mice improves these metabolic impairments. A known prominent inhibitor of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling is the dietary flavonoid butein. We initially determined that oral, intraperitoneal, and intracerebroventricular administration of this flavonoid improved glucose tolerance and hypothalamic insulin signaling. The dose-dependent glucose-lowering capacity was profound regardless of whether obesity was caused by leptin deficiency or high-fat diet (HFD). To confirm the apparent central role of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling in the control of glucose and energy homeostasis, we genetically inhibited this pathway in neurons of the arcuate nucleus, one key center for control of energy homeostasis, via specific adeno-associated virus serotype 2-mediated overexpression of IκBα, which inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation. This treatment attenuated HFD-induced body weight gain, body fat mass accumulation, increased energy expenditure, and reduced arcuate suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 expression, indicative for enhanced leptin signaling. These results reinforce a specific role of central proinflammatory IKKβ/NF-κB signaling in the development and potential treatment of DIO-induced comorbidities. © 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.

Centralized isolation of Helicobacter pylori from multiple centers and transport condition influences

PubMed Central

Gong, Ya-Nan; Li, You-Ming; Yang, Ning-Min; Li, Hong-Zhang; Guo, Feng; Lin, Lang; Wang, Qun-Ying; Zhang, Jia-Kun; Ji, Zi-Zhong; Mao, Ji-Bo; Mao, Jun-Liang; Shi, Zheng-Chao; Tang, Wu-Heng; Zhu, Xin-Jian; Shao, Wei; Zhang, Xiao-Feng; Wang, Xing-Hua; Tong, Yue-Feng; Jiang, Mi-Zu; Chen, Guang-Lan; Wang, Zhi-Yong; Tu, Hui-Min; Jiang, Guo-Fa; Wu, Jian-Sheng; Chen, Xu-Peng; Ding, Qiu-Long; Ouyang, Hong; Jin, Feng-Zhe; Xu, Yan-Li; Zhang, Jian-Zhong

2015-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of centralized culture and possible influencing factors. METHODS: From January 2010 to July 2012, 66452 patients with suspected Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection from 26 hospitals in Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces in China underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastric mucosal biopsies were taken from the antrum for culture. These biopsies were transported under natural environmental temperature to the central laboratory in Hangzhou city and divided into three groups based on their transport time: 5, 24 and 48 h. The culture results were reported after 72 h and the positive culture rates were analyzed by a χ2 test. An additional 5736 biopsies from H. pylori-positive patients (5646 rapid urease test-positive and 90 14C-urease breath test-positive) were also cultured for quality control in the central laboratory setting. RESULTS: The positive culture rate was 31.66% (21036/66452) for the patient samples and 71.72% (4114/5736) for the H. pylori-positive quality control specimens. In the 5 h transport group, the positive culture rate was 30.99% (3865/12471), and 32.84% (14960/45553) in the 24 h transport group. In contrast, the positive culture rate declined significantly in the 48 h transport group (26.25%; P < 0.001). During transportation, the average natural temperature increased from 4.67 to 29.14 °C, while the positive culture rate declined from 36.67% (1462/3987) to 24.12% (1799/7459). When the temperature exceeded 24 °C, the positive culture rate decreased significantly, especially in the 48 h transport group (23.17%). CONCLUSION: Transportation of specimens within 24 h and below 24 °C is reasonable and acceptable for centralized culture of multicenter H. pylori samples. PMID:25624729

Antiretroviral therapy supply chain quality control and assurance in improving people living with HIV therapeutic outcomes in Cameroon.

PubMed

Djobet, M P Ngogang; Singhe, David; Lohoue, Julienne; Kuaban, Christopher; Ngogang, Jeanne; Tambo, Ernest

2017-04-04

Evaluation of medication efficacy and safety is an essential guarantee to successful therapeutic outcome in public health practices. However, larger distribution chain supply in developing countries such as Cameroon is often challenged by counterfeit drugs, poor manufacturing, storage and degradation leading to health and patient adverse consequences. Yet, access to supply chain management in strengthening ARVs quality assurance and outcomes remains poorly documented. More than 53,000 patients have been enrolled on free ARVs medications, but little is documented on quality assurance and validity of safety for affected populations along the supply chain management since 2008. The cross sectional study was conducted in ARVs distribution units and centers in central, littoral and south west regions of Cameroon. ARVs drugs samples included Nevirapine, Efavirenz, and fixed dose combinations of Zidovudine + Lamivudine, Lamivudine + Stavudine and Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine. Drugs packaging and labeling was assessed and galenic assays were performed at National Laboratory of quality Control of Medications and Expertise (LANACOME), Yaoundé, Cameroon. The study covered 16 structures located in eight different towns including the central ARVs store, two regional pharmaceutical procurement centers and thirteen HIV approved treatment centers and management units. A total of 35 ARVs products were collected. Only eight ARVs drugs containing Lamivudine and Stavudine presented with white stains on tablets, however these drugs were standard for all other tests performed. The others 28 ARVs products were standards to all assays performed. We concluded that ARVs drugs freely accessible and distributed to PLWHA are of good quality in Cameroon. However, with the increase number of patients under HAART since 2013, adoption of "Test and Treat" approach to reach the 90-90-90 goals and with the implementation of new national antiretroviral regimen guidelines and molecules such as boosted protease inhibitors, continuous quality control and assurance surveillance, monitoring and evaluation is recommended. Assessment of quality of formulations that are more susceptible to degradation such as pediatric formulations for averting the rising multidrug resistance trend is also desired.

Declining functional connectivity and changing hub locations in Alzheimer's disease: an EEG study.

PubMed

Engels, Marjolein M A; Stam, Cornelis J; van der Flier, Wiesje M; Scheltens, Philip; de Waal, Hanneke; van Straaten, Elisabeth C W

2015-08-20

EEG studies have shown that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have weaker functional connectivity than controls, especially in higher frequency bands. Furthermore, active regions seem more prone to AD pathology. How functional connectivity is affected in AD subgroups of disease severity and how network hubs (highly connected brain areas) change is not known. We compared AD patients with different disease severity and controls in terms of functional connections, hub strength and hub location. We studied routine 21-channel resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) of 318 AD patients (divided into tertiles based on disease severity: mild, moderate and severe AD) and 133 age-matched controls. Functional connectivity between EEG channels was estimated with the Phase Lag Index (PLI). From the PLI-based connectivity matrix, the minimum spanning tree (MST) was derived. For each node (EEG channel) in the MST, the betweenness centrality (BC) was computed, a measure to quantify the relative importance of a node within the network. Then we derived color-coded head plots based on BC values and calculated the center of mass (the exact middle had x and y values of 0). A shifting of the hub locations was defined as a shift of the center of mass on the y-axis across groups. Multivariate general linear models with PLI or BC values as dependent variables and the groups as continuous variables were used in the five conventional frequency bands. We found that functional connectivity decreases with increasing disease severity in the alpha band. All, except for posterior, regions showed increasing BC values with increasing disease severity. The center of mass shifted from posterior to more anterior regions with increasing disease severity in the higher frequency bands, indicating a loss of relative functional importance of the posterior brain regions. In conclusion, we observed decreasing functional connectivity in the posterior regions, together with a shifted hub location from posterior to central regions with increasing AD severity. Relative hub strength decreases in posterior regions while other regions show a relative rise with increasing AD severity, which is in accordance with the activity-dependent degeneration theory. Our results indicate that hubs are disproportionally affected in AD.

KSC-04PD-0280

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind OKeefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

KSC-04PD-0290

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASAs new Shared Services Center. Behind OKeefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASAs payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

Cyclic flank-vent and central-vent eruption patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takada, Akira

Many basaltic and andesitic polygenetic volcanoes have cyclic eruptive activity that alternates between a phase dominated by flank eruptions and a phase dominated by eruptions from a central vent. This paper proposes the use of time-series diagrams of eruption sites on each polygenetic volcano and intrusion distances of dikes to evaluate volcano growth, to qualitatively reconstruct the stress history within the volcano, and to predict the next eruption site. In these diagrams the position of an eruption site is represented by the distance from the center of the volcano and the clockwise azimuth from north. Time-series diagrams of Mauna Loa, Kilauea, Kliuchevskoi, Etna, Sakurajima, Fuji, Izu-Oshima, and Hekla volcanoes indicate that fissure eruption sites of these volcanoes migrated toward the center of the volcano linearly, radially, or spirally with damped oscillation, occasionally forming a hierarchy in convergence-related features. At Krafla, terminations of dikes also migrated toward the center of the volcano with time. Eruption sites of Piton de la Fournaise did not converge but oscillated around the center. After the convergence of eruption sites with time, the central eruption phase is started. The intrusion sequence of dikes is modeled, applying crack interaction theory. Variation in convergence patterns is governed by the regional stress and the magma supply. Under the condition that a balance between regional extension and magma supply is maintained, the central vent convergence time during the flank eruption phase is 1-10 years, whereas the flank vent recurrence time during the central eruption phase is greater than 100 years owing to an inferred decrease in magma supply. Under the condition that magma supply prevails over regional extension, the central vent convergence time increases, whereas the flank vent recurrence time decreases owing to inferred stress relaxation. Earthquakes of M>=6 near a volcano during the flank eruption phase extend the central vent convergence time. Earthquakes during the central eruption phase promote recurrence of flank eruptions. Asymmetric distribution of eruption sites around the flanks of a volcano can be caused by local stress sources such as an adjacent volcano.

Effect of Postural Control Demands on Early Visual Evoked Potentials during a Subjective Visual Vertical Perception Task in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis.

PubMed

Chang, Yi-Tzu; Meng, Ling-Fu; Chang, Chun-Ju; Lai, Po-Liang; Lung, Chi-Wen; Chern, Jen-Suh

2017-01-01

Subjective visual vertical (SVV) judgment and standing stability were separately investigated among patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Although, one study has investigated the central mechanism of stability control in the AIS population, the relationships between SVV, decreased standing stability, and AIS have never been investigated. Through event-related potentials (ERPs), the present study examined the effect of postural control demands (PDs) on AIS central mechanisms related to SVV judgment and standing stability to elucidate the time-serial stability control process. Thirteen AIS subjects (AIS group) and 13 age-matched adolescents (control group) aged 12-18 years were recruited. Each subject had to complete an SVV task (i.e., the modified rod-and-frame [mRAF] test) as a stimulus, with online electroencephalogram recording being performed in the following three standing postures: feet shoulder-width apart standing, feet together standing, and tandem standing. The behavioral performance in terms of postural stability (center of pressure excursion), SVV (accuracy and reaction time), and mRAF-locked ERPs (mean amplitude and peak latency of the P1, N1, and P2 components) was then compared between the AIS and control groups. In the behavioral domain, the results revealed that only the AIS group demonstrated a significantly accelerated SVV reaction time as the PDs increased. In the cerebral domain, significantly larger P2 mean amplitudes were observed during both feet shoulder-width-apart standing and feet together standing postures compared with during tandem standing. No group differences were noted in the cerebral domain. The results indicated that (1) during the dual-task paradigm, a differential behavioral strategy of accelerated SVV reaction time was observed in the AIS group only when the PDs increased and (2) the decrease in P2 mean amplitudes with the increase in the PD levels might be direct evidence of the competition for central processing attentional resources under the dual-task postural control paradigm.

Effect of Postural Control Demands on Early Visual Evoked Potentials during a Subjective Visual Vertical Perception Task in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis

PubMed Central

Chang, Yi-Tzu; Meng, Ling-Fu; Chang, Chun-Ju; Lai, Po-Liang; Lung, Chi-Wen; Chern, Jen-Suh

2017-01-01

Subjective visual vertical (SVV) judgment and standing stability were separately investigated among patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Although, one study has investigated the central mechanism of stability control in the AIS population, the relationships between SVV, decreased standing stability, and AIS have never been investigated. Through event-related potentials (ERPs), the present study examined the effect of postural control demands (PDs) on AIS central mechanisms related to SVV judgment and standing stability to elucidate the time-serial stability control process. Thirteen AIS subjects (AIS group) and 13 age-matched adolescents (control group) aged 12–18 years were recruited. Each subject had to complete an SVV task (i.e., the modified rod-and-frame [mRAF] test) as a stimulus, with online electroencephalogram recording being performed in the following three standing postures: feet shoulder-width apart standing, feet together standing, and tandem standing. The behavioral performance in terms of postural stability (center of pressure excursion), SVV (accuracy and reaction time), and mRAF-locked ERPs (mean amplitude and peak latency of the P1, N1, and P2 components) was then compared between the AIS and control groups. In the behavioral domain, the results revealed that only the AIS group demonstrated a significantly accelerated SVV reaction time as the PDs increased. In the cerebral domain, significantly larger P2 mean amplitudes were observed during both feet shoulder-width-apart standing and feet together standing postures compared with during tandem standing. No group differences were noted in the cerebral domain. The results indicated that (1) during the dual-task paradigm, a differential behavioral strategy of accelerated SVV reaction time was observed in the AIS group only when the PDs increased and (2) the decrease in P2 mean amplitudes with the increase in the PD levels might be direct evidence of the competition for central processing attentional resources under the dual-task postural control paradigm. PMID:28713252

C II forbidden-line 158 micron mapping in Sagittarius A Rotation curve and mass distribution in the galactic center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lugten, J. B.; Genzel, R.; Crawford, M. K.; Townes, C. H.

1986-01-01

Based on data obtained with the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory 91.4 cm telescope, the 158-micron fine structure line emission of C(+) is mapped near the galactic center. The strongest emission comes from a 10-pc FWHM diameter disk centered on Sgr A West whose dominant motion is rotation. Extended C(+) emission is also found from the +50 km/s galactic center molecular cloud, and a second cloud at v(LSR) of about -35 km/s. The rotation curve and mass distribution within 10 pc of the galactic center are derived, and the C(+) profiles show a drop-off of rotation velocity between 2 and 10 pc. A mass model is suggested with 2-4 million solar masses in a central point mass, and a M/L ratio of the central stellar cluster of 0.5 solar masses/solar luminosities, suggesting a large abundance of giants and relatively recent star formation in the center.

KSC-05PD-0413

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Members of the NASA-sponsored Space Coast FIRST Robotics Team, known as the Pink Team, prepare to compete with their robot, Roccobot. The competition was part of the 2005 FIRST Robotics Regional Competition held at the University of Central Florida March 10-12, 2005. The Pink Team took first place in the competition as part of the three-team winning alliance and advances to the Championship in Atlanta in April. The Pink Team comprises students from Rockledge High School and Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School, and was joined by the Bionic Tigers from Cocoa High School, sponsored by Analex Corp., and Children of the Swamp from Inlet Grove Community High School in West Palm Beach, sponsored by UTC-Pratt & Whitney-SP. NASA and the University of Central Florida are co-hosts of the regional event. The competition stages short games played by remote-controlled robots, which are designed and built in six weeks by a team of high school students and a handful of engineers-mentors. The students control the robots on the playing field.

KSC-00pp0729

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-06-02

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Burned out woods on Kennedy Space Center illustrate the hazardous fire conditions that exist throughout Central Florida. The site is between Kennedy Parkway North and the Indian River

KSC00pp0729

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-06-02

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Burned out woods on Kennedy Space Center illustrate the hazardous fire conditions that exist throughout Central Florida. The site is between Kennedy Parkway North and the Indian River

KSC-04pd1845

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - - United Space Alliance technician Shelly Kipp (right) shows some of the material salvaged from the storm-ravaged Thermal Protection System Facility (TPSF) to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left). Martin Wilson (center), manager of TPS operations for USA, looks on. The TPSF, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof during Hurricane Frances, which blew across Central Florida Sept. 4-5. O’Keefe and NASA Associate Administrator of Space Operations Mission Directorate William Readdy are visiting KSC to survey the damage sustained by KSC facilities from the hurricane. Undamaged equipment was removed from the TPSF and stored in the RLV hangar. The Labor Day storm also caused significant damage to the Vehicle Assembly Building and Processing Control Center. Additionally, the Operations and Checkout Building, Vertical Processing Facility, Hangar AE, Hangar S and Hangar AF Small Parts Facility each received substantial damage. However, well-protected and unharmed were NASA’s three Space Shuttle orbiters -- Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - along with the Shuttle launch pads, all of the critical flight hardware for the orbiters and the International Space Station, and NASA’s Swift spacecraft that is awaiting launch in October.

Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact and Cost of Person-Centered Planning for People with Intellectual Disabilities in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Janet; Emerson, Eric; Hatton, Chris; Elliott, Johan; McIntosh, Barbara; Swift, Paul; Krinjen-Kemp, Emma; Towers, Christine; Romeo, Renee; Knapp, Martin; Sanderson, Helen; Routledge, Martin; Oakes, Peter; Joyce, Theresa

2006-01-01

Person-centered planning is central to United Kingdom policies regarding the support of people with intellectual disabilities. However, little evidence exists on the impact or cost of introducing person-centered planning. We examined the efficacy, effectiveness, and costs of introducing person-centered planning for 93 people with intellectual…

KSC-05PD-0409

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Center Director Jim Kennedy speaks to attendees at a VIP luncheon during the 2005 FIRST Robotics Regional Competition held at the University of Central Florida March 10-12. NASA and the University of Central Florida are co- hosts of the regional event and are joined by sponsors such as Motorola iDEN, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Walt Disney World Company and aerospace companies Lockheed Martin and United Space Alliance, just to name a few.

Determination of the absolute configurations at stereogenic centers in the presence of axial chirality.

PubMed

Polavarapu, Prasad L; Jeirath, Neha; Kurtán, Tibor; Pescitelli, Gennaro; Krohn, Karsten

2009-01-01

Cephalochromin, a homodimeric naphthpyranone natural product, contains both axial chirality due to the hindered rotation along the biaryl axis and central chirality due to the C-2, C-2' stereogenic centers of the fused pyranone ring. For determining the absolute configurations (ACs) of central chirality elements, different chiroptical spectroscopic methods, namely vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and optical rotation (OR), have been used. From these experimental data, in conjunction with corresponding quantum chemical predictions at B3LYP/6-311G* level, it is found that the ECD spectra of cephalochromin are dominated by its axial chirality and are not suitable to distinguish the (aS,2S,2'S) and (aS,2R,2'R) diastereomers and hence to determine the ACs of the central chirality elements. OR signs also did not distinguish the (aS,2S,2'S) and (aS,2R,2'R) diastereomers. On other hand, VCD spectrum of cephalochromin exhibited separate spectral features attributable to axial chirality and stereogenic centers, thereby allowing the determination of both types of chirality elements. This is the first investigation demonstrating that, because of vibrations specific to the studied stereogenic centers, VCD spectroscopy can be used to simultaneously determine the ACs of axial and central chirality elements whenever other chiroptical methods (ECD and OR) fail to report on them. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of Workplace Counseling Interventions Launched by Workplace Health Promotion and Tobacco Control Centers in Taiwan: An Evaluation Based on the Ottawa Charter

PubMed Central

Chen, Tzu-Hua; Huang, Joh-Jong; Chang, Fong-Ching; Chang, Yu-Tsz; Chuang, Hung-Yi

2016-01-01

Workplace health promotion (WHP) is important to prevent work-related diseases, reduce workplace hazards, and improve personal health of the workers. Health promotion projects were launched through the centers of WHP funded by the Taiwan Bureau of Health Promotion since 2003. Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of WHP programs intervention from 2003 to 2007. The intervention group consisted of 838 business entities which had ever undergone counseling of the three centers in northern, central, and southern Taiwan from 2003 to 2007. The control group was composed of 1000 business entities randomly selected from the business directories of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan. The questionnaire survey included general company profiles and the assessment of workplace health according to the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. We have received 447 (53.3%) questionnaires from the intervention group and 97 questionnaires from the control group. The intervention group was more effective in using the external resources and medical consultation, and they had better follow-up rates of the abnormal results of annual health examinations. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had a significantly decreased smoking rate in 246 companies (61.2%) and a reduced second-hand smoke exposure in 323 companies (78.6%) (p<0.001). By means of the intervention of WHP programs, we can enhance the awareness of the enterprises and the employees to improve worksite health and to create a healthy work environment. PMID:26954498

Biomechanical aspects of segmented arch mechanics combined with power arm for controlled anterior tooth movement: A three-dimensional finite element study.

PubMed

Ozaki, Hiroya; Tominaga, Jun-Ya; Hamanaka, Ryo; Sumi, Mayumi; Chiang, Pao-Chang; Tanaka, Motohiro; Koga, Yoshiyuki; Yoshida, Noriaki

2015-01-01

The porpose of this study was to determine the optimal length of power arms for achieving controlled anterior tooth movement in segmented arch mechanics combined with power arm. A three-dimensional finite element method was applied for the simulation of en masse anterior tooth retraction in segmented power arm mechanics. The type of tooth movement, namely, the location of center of rotation of the maxillary central incisor in association with power arm length, was calculated after the retraction force was applied. When a 0.017 × 0.022-in archwire was inserted into the 0.018-in slot bracket, bodily movement was obtained at 9.1 mm length of power arm, namely, at the level of 1.8 mm above the center of resistance. In case a 0.018 × 0.025-in full-size archwire was used, bodily movement of the tooth was produced at the power arm length of 7.0 mm, namely, at the level of 0.3 mm below the center of resistance. Segmented arch mechanics required shorter length of power arms for achieving any type of controlled anterior tooth movement as compared to sliding mechanics. Therefore, this space closing mechanics could be widely applied even for the patients whose gingivobuccal fold is shallow. The segmented arch mechanics combined with power arm could provide higher amount of moment-to-force ratio sufficient for controlled anterior tooth movement without generating friction, and vertical forces when applying retraction force parallel to the occlusal plane. It is, therefore, considered that the segmented power arm mechanics has a simple appliance design and allows more efficient and controllable tooth movement.

The Revitalized Tutoring Center

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koselak, Jeremy

2017-01-01

One high-leverage strategy rooted in a strong research base--the revitalized tutoring center--provides a wealth of opportunity to students who may be otherwise underserved. This embedded, open-all-day tutoring center supports collaborative teacher teams by using peer tutors and community volunteers. By centralizing resources and providing supports…

47 CFR 36.124 - Tandem switching equipment-Category 2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... circuits with each other or with local or tandem telephone central office trunks, intertoll dial selector equipment, or intertoll trunk equipment in No. 5 type electronic offices. Equipment, including switchboards... interconnection of: Toll center to toll center circuits; toll center to tributary circuits; tributary to tributary...

47 CFR 36.124 - Tandem switching equipment-Category 2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... circuits with each other or with local or tandem telephone central office trunks, intertoll dial selector equipment, or intertoll trunk equipment in No. 5 type electronic offices. Equipment, including switchboards... interconnection of: Toll center to toll center circuits; toll center to tributary circuits; tributary to tributary...

47 CFR 36.124 - Tandem switching equipment-Category 2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... circuits with each other or with local or tandem telephone central office trunks, intertoll dial selector equipment, or intertoll trunk equipment in No. 5 type electronic offices. Equipment, including switchboards... interconnection of: Toll center to toll center circuits; toll center to tributary circuits; tributary to tributary...

47 CFR 36.124 - Tandem switching equipment-Category 2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... circuits with each other or with local or tandem telephone central office trunks, intertoll dial selector equipment, or intertoll trunk equipment in No. 5 type electronic offices. Equipment, including switchboards... interconnection of: Toll center to toll center circuits; toll center to tributary circuits; tributary to tributary...

47 CFR 36.124 - Tandem switching equipment-Category 2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... circuits with each other or with local or tandem telephone central office trunks, intertoll dial selector equipment, or intertoll trunk equipment in No. 5 type electronic offices. Equipment, including switchboards... interconnection of: Toll center to toll center circuits; toll center to tributary circuits; tributary to tributary...

Age-Related Changes in Dynamic Postural Control and Attentional Demands are Minimally Affected by Local Muscle Fatigue

PubMed Central

Remaud, Anthony; Thuong-Cong, Cécile; Bilodeau, Martin

2016-01-01

Normal aging results in alterations in the visual, vestibular and somtaosensory systems, which in turn modify the control of balance. Muscle fatigue may exacerbate these age-related changes in sensory and motor functions, and also increase the attentional demands associated with dynamic postural control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aging on dynamic postural control and posture-related attentional demands before and after a plantar flexor fatigue protocol. Participants (young adults: n = 15; healthy seniors: n = 13) performed a dynamic postural task along the antero-posterior (AP) and the medio-lateral (ML) axes, with and without the addition of a simple reaction time (RT) task. The dynamic postural task consisted in following a moving circle on a computer screen with the representation of the center of pressure (COP). This protocol was repeated before and after a fatigue task where ankle plantar flexor muscles were targeted. The mean COP-target distance and the mean COP velocity were calculated for each trial. Cross-correlation analyses between the COP and target displacements were also performed. RTs were recorded during dual-task trials. Results showed that while young adults adopted an anticipatory control mode to move their COP as close as possible to the target center, seniors adopted a reactive control mode, lagging behind the target center. This resulted in longer COP-target distance and higher COP velocity in the latter group. Concurrently, RT increased more in seniors when switching from static stance to dynamic postural conditions, suggesting potential alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) functions. Finally, plantar flexor muscle fatigue and dual-tasking had only minor effects on dynamic postural control of both young adults and seniors. Future studies should investigate why the fatigue-induced changes in quiet standing postural control do not seem to transfer to dynamic balance tasks. PMID:26834626

KSC-98pc338

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-02-26

Stacie Greene, an extravehicular activity trainer from Johnson Space Center, discusses the STS-90 Neurolab mission with Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan overlooking Columbia's payload bay. The crew of STS-90 participated in the Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) in Kennedy Space Center's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3. The CEIT gives astronauts an opportunity to get a hands-on look at the payloads with which they will be working on-orbit. Investigations during the STS-90 Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Specifically, experiments will study the adaptation of the vestibular system, the central nervous system, and the pathways that control the ability to sense location in the absence of gravity, as well as the effect of microgravity on a developing nervous system. STS-90 is scheduled for launch on April 16 at 2:19 p.m. EDT

NASA UAS Traffic Management National Campaign Operations across Six UAS Test Sites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rios, Joseph; Mulfinger, Daniel; Homola, Jeff; Venkatesan, Priya

2016-01-01

NASA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management research aims to develop policies, procedures, requirements, and other artifacts to inform the implementation of a future system that enables small drones to access the low altitude airspace. In this endeavor, NASA conducted a geographically diverse flight test in conjunction with the FAA's six unmanned aircraft systems Test Sites. A control center at NASA Ames Research Center autonomously managed the airspace for all participants in eight states as they flew operations (both real and simulated). The system allowed for common situational awareness across all stakeholders, kept traffic procedurally separated, offered messages to inform the participants of activity relevant to their operations. Over the 3- hour test, 102 flight operations connected to the central research platform with 17 different vehicle types and 8 distinct software client implementations while seamlessly interacting with simulated traffic.

Informatics and data quality at collaborative multicenter Breast and Colon Cancer Family Registries.

PubMed

McGarvey, Peter B; Ladwa, Sweta; Oberti, Mauricio; Dragomir, Anca Dana; Hedlund, Erin K; Tanenbaum, David Michael; Suzek, Baris E; Madhavan, Subha

2012-06-01

Quality control and harmonization of data is a vital and challenging undertaking for any successful data coordination center and a responsibility shared between the multiple sites that produce, integrate, and utilize the data. Here we describe a coordinated effort between scientists and data managers in the Cancer Family Registries to implement a data governance infrastructure consisting of both organizational and technical solutions. The technical solution uses a rule-based validation system that facilitates error detection and correction for data centers submitting data to a central informatics database. Validation rules comprise both standard checks on allowable values and a crosscheck of related database elements for logical and scientific consistency. Evaluation over a 2-year timeframe showed a significant decrease in the number of errors in the database and a concurrent increase in data consistency and accuracy.

Informatics and data quality at collaborative multicenter Breast and Colon Cancer Family Registries

PubMed Central

McGarvey, Peter B; Ladwa, Sweta; Oberti, Mauricio; Dragomir, Anca Dana; Hedlund, Erin K; Tanenbaum, David Michael; Suzek, Baris E

2012-01-01

Quality control and harmonization of data is a vital and challenging undertaking for any successful data coordination center and a responsibility shared between the multiple sites that produce, integrate, and utilize the data. Here we describe a coordinated effort between scientists and data managers in the Cancer Family Registries to implement a data governance infrastructure consisting of both organizational and technical solutions. The technical solution uses a rule-based validation system that facilitates error detection and correction for data centers submitting data to a central informatics database. Validation rules comprise both standard checks on allowable values and a crosscheck of related database elements for logical and scientific consistency. Evaluation over a 2-year timeframe showed a significant decrease in the number of errors in the database and a concurrent increase in data consistency and accuracy. PMID:22323393

Aerial view of Launch Complex 39

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

In this aerial view looking south can be seen Launch Complex (LC) 39 area, where assembly, checkout and launch of the Space Shuttle Orbiter and its External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters take place. Central to the complex is the tallest building at the center, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). To the immediate left, from top to bottom, are the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) High Bay 3 and new engine shop (north side), OPF Modular Office Building, Thermal Protection System Facility, and a crawler-transporter (to its left). In front of the VAB are OPF 1 and OPF 2. At right is the Processing Control Center. West of OPF 3 is the Mobile Launch Platform. In the upper left corner is Launch Pad B; at the far right is the turn basin, with the Press Site located just below it to the right.

The China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (China PEACE) retrospective heart failure study design.

PubMed

Yu, Yuan; Zhang, Hongzhao; Li, Xi; Lu, Yuan; Masoudi, Frederick A; Krumholz, Harlan M; Li, Jing

2018-05-10

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalisation in China, which is experiencing a rapid increase in cardiovascular disease prevalence. Yet, little is known about current burden of disease, quality of care and treatment outcomes of HF in China. The objective of this paper is to describe the study methodology, data collection and abstraction, and progress to date of the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events 5 Retrospective Heart Failure Study (China PEACE 5r-HF). The China PEACE 5r-HF Study will examine a nationally representative sample of more than 10 000 patient records hospitalised for HF in 2015 in China. The study is a retrospective cohort study. Patients have been selected using a two-stage sampling design stratified by economic-geographical regions. We will collect patient characteristics, diagnostic testing, treatments and in-hospital outcomes, including death and complications, and charges of hospitalisation. Data quality will be monitored by a central coordinating centre and will address case ascertainment, data abstraction and data management. As of October 2017, we have sampled 15 538 medical records from 189 hospitals, and have received 15 057 (96.9%) of these for data collection, and completed data abstraction and quality control on 7971. The Central Ethics Committee at the Chinese National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases approved the study. All collaborating hospitals accepted central ethics committee approval with the exception of 15 hospitals, which obtained local approval by internal ethics committees. Findings will be disseminated in future peer-reviewed papers and will serve as a foundation for improving the care for HF in China. NCT02877914. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Design of the Wind Tunnel Model Communication Controller Board. Degree awarded by Christopher Newport Univ. on Dec. 1998

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, William C.

1999-01-01

The NASA Langley Research Center's Wind Tunnel Reinvestment project plans to shrink the existing data acquisition electronics to fit inside a wind tunnel model. Space limitations within a model necessitate a distributed system of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) rather than a centralized system based on PC boards. This thesis will focus on the design of the prototype of the communication Controller board. A portion of the communication Controller board is to be used as the basis of an ASIC design. The communication Controller board will communicate between the internal model modules and the external data acquisition computer. This board is based around an Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), to allow for reconfigurability. In addition to the FPGA, this board contains buffer Random Access Memory (RAM), configuration memory (EEPROM), drivers for the communications ports, and passive components.

Centralization and Decentralization in American Education Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeBoer, Jennifer

2012-01-01

This article examines the trend toward centralization in American education policy over the last century through a variety of lenses. The overall picture that emerges is one of a continuous tug-of-war, with national and local policymakers stumbling together toward incrementally more standardized and centralized policies. There is a center of power…

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 43 countries for 2007-2012. Device-associated module.

PubMed

Rosenthal, Víctor Daniel; Maki, Dennis George; Mehta, Yatin; Leblebicioglu, Hakan; Memish, Ziad Ahmed; Al-Mousa, Haifaa Hassan; Balkhy, Hanan; Hu, Bijie; Alvarez-Moreno, Carlos; Medeiros, Eduardo Alexandrino; Apisarnthanarak, Anucha; Raka, Lul; Cuellar, Luis E; Ahmed, Altaf; Navoa-Ng, Josephine Anne; El-Kholy, Amani Ali; Kanj, Souha Sami; Bat-Erdene, Ider; Duszynska, Wieslawa; Van Truong, Nguyen; Pazmino, Leonardo N; See-Lum, Lucy Chai; Fernández-Hidalgo, Rosalia; Di-Silvestre, Gabriela; Zand, Farid; Hlinkova, Sona; Belskiy, Vladislav; Al-Rahma, Hussain; Luque-Torres, Marco Tulio; Bayraktar, Nesil; Mitrev, Zan; Gurskis, Vaidotas; Fisher, Dale; Abu-Khader, Ilham Bulos; Berechid, Kamal; Rodríguez-Sánchez, Arnaldo; Horhat, Florin George; Requejo-Pino, Osiel; Hadjieva, Nassya; Ben-Jaballah, Nejla; García-Mayorca, Elías; Kushner-Dávalos, Luis; Pasic, Srdjan; Pedrozo-Ortiz, Luis E; Apostolopoulou, Eleni; Mejía, Nepomuceno; Gamar-Elanbya, May Osman; Jayatilleke, Kushlani; de Lourdes-Dueñas, Miriam; Aguirre-Avalos, Guadalupe

2014-09-01

We report the results of an International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2007-December 2012 in 503 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the 6-year study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) U.S. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 605,310 patients hospitalized in the INICC's ICUs for an aggregate of 3,338,396 days. Although device utilization in the INICC's ICUs was similar to that reported from ICUs in the U.S. in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals: the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the INICC's ICUs, 4.9 per 1,000 central line days, is nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.9 per 1,000 central line days reported from comparable U.S. ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher (16.8 vs 1.1 per 1,000 ventilator days) as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.5 vs 1.3 per 1,000 catheter days). Frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (42.8% vs 10%) and imipenem (42.4% vs 26.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (71.2% vs 28.8%) and imipenem (19.6% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC's ICUs compared with the ICUs of the CDC's NHSN. Copyright © 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Socioeconomic impact on device-associated infections in pediatric intensive care units of 16 limited-resource countries: international Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium findings.

PubMed

Rosenthal, Victor D; Jarvis, William R; Jamulitrat, Silom; Silva, Cristiane Pavanello Rodrigues; Ramachandran, Bala; Dueñas, Lourdes; Gurskis, Vaidotas; Ersoz, Gulden; Novales, María Guadalupe Miranda; Khader, Ilham Abu; Ammar, Khaldi; Guzmán, Nayide Barahona; Navoa-Ng, Josephine Anne; Seliem, Zeinab Salah; Espinoza, Teodora Atencio; Meng, Cheong Yuet; Jayatilleke, Kushlani

2012-07-01

We report the results of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium prospective surveillance study from January 2004 to December 2009 in 33 pediatric intensive care units of 16 countries and the impact of being in a private vs. public hospital and the income country level on device-associated health care-associated infection rates. Additionally, we aim to compare these findings with the results of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network annual report to show the differences between developed and developing countries regarding device-associated health care-associated infection rates. A prospective cohort, active device-associated health care-associated infection surveillance study was conducted on 23,700 patients in International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium pediatric intensive care units. The protocol and methodology implemented were developed by International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium. Data collection was performed in the participating intensive care units. Data uploading and analyses were conducted at International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium headquarters on proprietary software. Device-associated health care-associated infection rates were recorded by applying Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network device-associated infection definitions, and the impact of being in a private vs. public hospital and the income country level on device-associated infection risk was evaluated. None. Central line-associated bloodstream infection rates were similar in private, public, or academic hospitals (7.3 vs. 8.4 central line-associated bloodstream infection per 1,000 catheter-days [p < .35 vs. 8.2; p < .42]). Central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in lower middle-income countries were higher than low-income countries or upper middle-income countries (12.2 vs. 5.5 central line-associated bloodstream infections per 1,000 catheter-days [p < .02 vs. 7.0; p < .001]). Catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates were similar in academic, public and private hospitals: (4.2 vs. 5.2 catheter-associated urinary tract infection per 1,000 catheter-days [p = .41 vs. 3.0; p = .195]). Catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates were higher in lower middle-income countries than low-income countries or upper middle-income countries (5.9 vs. 0.6 catheter-associated urinary tract infection per 1,000 catheter-days [p < .004 vs. 3.7; p < .01]). Ventilator-associated pneumonia rates in academic hospitals were higher than private or public hospitals: (8.3 vs. 3.5 ventilator-associated pneumonias per 1,000 ventilator-days [p < .001 vs. 4.7; p < .001]). Lower middle-income countries had higher ventilator-associated pneumonia rates than low-income countries or upper middle-income countries: (9.0 vs. 0.5 per 1,000 ventilator-days [p < .001 vs. 5.4; p < .001]). Hand hygiene compliance rates were higher in public than academic or private hospitals (65.2% vs. 54.8% [p < .001 vs. 13.3%; p < .01]). Country socioeconomic level influence device-associated infection rates in developing countries and need to be considered when comparing device-associated infections from one country to another.

KSC-00pp0730

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-06-02

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Smoke rising from the smoldering brush on Kennedy Space Center illustrates the hazardous fire conditions that exist throughout Central Florida. The site is between Kennedy Parkway North and the Indian River

KSC00pp0730

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-06-02

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Smoke rising from the smoldering brush on Kennedy Space Center illustrates the hazardous fire conditions that exist throughout Central Florida. The site is between Kennedy Parkway North and the Indian River

Effects of lenses with different power profiles on eye shape in chickens.

PubMed

Tepelus, Tudor Cosmin; Vazquez, Daniel; Seidemann, Anne; Uttenweiler, Dietmar; Schaeffel, Frank

2012-02-01

Defocus imposed to the periphery of the visual field can affect the development of foveal/central refractive errors. To make use of this observation, lenses can be designed to reduce myopia progression, but it is important to know which power profiles of the lenses are most effective. We have studied this question in chickens. Sixty male white leghorn chickens were used. From day 7 after hatching, they were treated for 5 days either with full field -7D or +7D lenses, with -7D lenses with a 4mm central hole, with hemi-field lenses of the same power, or with two different types of radial refractive gradient (RRG) lenses with increasing positive power from the center to the periphery, which were designed by Rodenstock GmbH, Munich, Germany. A macro file was written for "ImageJ" to trace and average the outlines of several excised eyes after treatment. Shapes of fellow control eyes and lens-treated eyes were compared in the horizontal and vertical meridians. Refractions were determined at -45°, 0°, and 45° over the horizontal visual field, at the beginning and at the end of experiments, using automated infrared photoretinoscopy. (1) Eye length, as determined by the new automated eye shape tracing technique, was well correlated with A-scan ultrasound data. (2) The effects of previously tested lens designs were reproduced with the new tracing technique. Full field lenses were by far the most effective (-7D: external axial length +0.24mm with an increase in eye volume of about 6%, +7D: -0.08 mm, with a decrease in eye volume of about 2%). Hemi-field lenses and negative lenses with a 4mm central hole induced conspicuous local changes in eye shape. (3) The first type of RRG lenses with a plano zone of about 4mm (equivalent to about ± 12.52° in the visual field for a vertex distance of 5mm) had no apparent effect on central refractions but induced small hyperopic shifts in the periphery, more significant in the temporal retina (+1.70 ± 1.70 D, p<0.001, paired t-test to untreated fellow eyes). The second type of RRG lenses with a small plano zone of 2mm (equivalent to ± 6.34°) induced peripheral hyperopia but also changed the central refraction (temporal retina +1.50 ± 1.17D, p<0.001, central retina +0.77 ± 1.15 D, p<0.01, nasal retina +1.47±1.35D, p<0.001, paired t-test to untreated control eyes). In the afoveate chick, RRG lenses have an effect on central refraction and eye growth only if the central plano zone is small (<4mm). For the second type of RRG lens with a central plano zone of about 2mm, inhibitory effects on eye growth were detected in both the center and periphery even though the optical power of the lenses in the periphery was low. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genetics/Genomics Research in the Central Region

USGS Publications Warehouse

,

2006-01-01

Genetics-based research within the Biological Resources Discipline (BRD) Science Centers in the Central Region incorporates many aspects of the field of genetics. Research activities range from documenting patterns of genetic variation in order to investigate relationships among species, populations and individuals to investigating the structure, function and expression of genes and their response to environmental stressors. Research in the broad areas of genetics requires multidisciplinary expertise and specialized equipment and instrumentation. Brief summaries of the capabilities of the five BRD Centers are given below.

27. VIEW OF CENTRAL SECTION OF MILL FROM NORTHEAST. LEVELS ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

27. VIEW OF CENTRAL SECTION OF MILL FROM NORTHEAST. LEVELS OF MILL VISIBLE IN ROOF LINES INCLUDE CRUSHED OXIDIZED ORE BIN (OPEN FRAMING, TOP CENTER), MILLING FLOOR (FIRST ROOF DOWN FROM ORE BIN), LEACHING/OLD SAND TANK LEVEL (SHALLOWER SECOND ROOF DOWN), GOLD TANK/AGITATOR LEVEL (CENTER), AND PRECIPITATION LEVEL WITH SUMP LEVEL BELOW (LOWER RIGHT). ROOF BREAKS ALLOWED FOR CLERESTORY WINDOWS WHICH ILLUMINATED THE INTERIORS, ALONG WITH DORMERS. - Bald Mountain Gold Mill, Nevada Gulch at head of False Bottom Creek, Lead, Lawrence County, SD

IGS Network Coordinator Report - 2002

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Angelyn

2004-01-01

The IGS network is a set of permanent, continuously-operating, dual-frequency GPS stations operated by over 100 worldwide agencies. The dataset is pooled at IGS Data Centers for routine use by IGS Analysis Centers in creating precise IGS products, as well as free access by other analysts around the world. The IGS Central Bureau hosts the IGS Network Coordinator, who assures adherence to standards and provides information regarding the IGS network via the Central Bureau Information System website at http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov.

Insignia for the Apollo program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1966-01-01

The insignia for the Apollo program is a disk circumscribed by a band displaying the words Apollo and NASA. The center disc bears a large letter 'A' with the constellation Orion positioned so its three central stars form the bar of the letter. To the right is a sphere of the earth, with a sphere of the moon in the upper left portion of the center disc. The face on the moon represents the mythical god, Apollo. A double trajectory passes behind both spheres and through the central stars.

"You Want to Be a Part of Everything": The Arts, Community, & Learning. A Report from the September 2003 Forum of the Arts Education Partnership (Lincoln Center, New York City)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smyth, Laura; Stevenson, Lauren

2003-01-01

On September 18th 2003, the director of the Human Creativity youth arts program at Central Falls High School in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and four of its youth leaders enter Lincoln Center in New York City. They are there to present their program's work at a national forum held by the Arts Education Partnership (AEP). The forum is one of three…

Transition-Metal-Controlled Inorganic Ligand-Supported Non-Precious Metal Catalysts for the Aerobic Oxidation of Amines to Imines.

PubMed

Yu, Han; Zhai, Yongyan; Dai, Guoyong; Ru, Shi; Han, Sheng; Wei, Yongge

2017-10-09

Most state-of-art transition-metal catalysts usually require organic ligands, which are essential for controlling the reactivity and selectivity of reactions catalyzed by transition metals. However, organic ligands often suffer from severe problems including cost, toxicity, air/moisture sensitivity, and being commercially unavailable. Herein, we show a simple, mild, and efficient aerobic oxidation procedure of amines using inorganic ligand-supported non-precious metal catalysts 1, (NH 4 ) n [MMo 6 O 18 (OH) 6 ] (M=Cu 2+ ; Fe 3+ ; Co 3+ ; Ni 2+ ; Zn 2+ , n=3 or 4), synthesized by a simple one-step method in water at 100 °C, demonstrating that the catalytic activity and selectivity can be significantly improved by changing the central metal atom. In the presence of these catalysts, the catalytic oxidation of primary and secondary amines, as well as the coupling of alcohols and amines, can smoothly proceed to afford various imines with O 2 (1 atm) as the sole oxidant. In particular, the catalysts 1 have transition-metal ion core, and the planar arrangement of the six Mo VI centers at their highest oxidation states around the central heterometal can greatly enhance the Lewis acidity of catalytically active sites, and also enable the electrons in the center to delocalize onto the six edge-sharing MO 6 units, in the same way as ligands in traditional organometallic complexes. The versatility of this methodology maybe opens a path to catalytic oxidation through inorganic ligand-coordinated metal catalysis. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fires Cover Central Africa

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

The Suomi NPP satellite's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument captured a look at huge numbers of fires burning and the resulting smoke in central Africa on June 27, 2017. Actively burning areas, detected by VIIRS are outlined in red. The fires obscure most of the landscape in central Africa. June heralds the end of the crop season in this part of the world, and these fires may be intentional agricultural fires set by people to rid the area of left over crops and get it ready for the next season. So too some of these may also be lightning strike fires or they may be accidental fires which may have gotten out of control. The Suomi NPP satellite is a joint mission between NASA and NOAA. NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Control spectra for Quito

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguiar, Roberto; Rivas-Medina, Alicia; Caiza, Pablo; Quizanga, Diego

2017-03-01

The Metropolitan District of Quito is located on or very close to segments of reverse blind faults, Puengasí, Ilumbisí-La Bota, Carcelen-El Inca, Bellavista-Catequilla and Tangahuilla, making it one of the most seismically dangerous cities in the world. The city is divided into five areas: south, south-central, central, north-central and north. For each of the urban areas, elastic response spectra are presented in this paper, which are determined by utilizing some of the new models of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) NGA-West2 program. These spectra are calculated considering the maximum magnitude that could be generated by the rupture of each fault segment, and taking into account the soil type that exists at different points of the city according to the Norma Ecuatoriana de la Construcción (2015). Subsequently, the recurrence period of earthquakes of high magnitude in each fault segment is determined from the physical parameters of the fault segments (size of the fault plane and slip rate) and the pattern of recurrence of type Gutenberg-Richter earthquakes with double truncation magnitude (Mmin and Mmax) is used.

Dust Temperatures and Opacities in the Central Parsec of the Galactic Center Modeled from Analysis of Multi-Wavelength Mid-Infrared Images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Varosi, F.; Gezari, D.; Dwek, E.; Telesco, C.

2016-01-01

We have analyzed multi-wavelength mid-infrared images of the central parsec of the Galactic Center using a two-temperature line-of-sight (LOS) radiative transfer model at each pixel of the images, giving maps of temperatures, luminosities and opacities of the hot, warm, cold (dark)dust components. The data consists of images at nine wavelengths in the mid-infrared (N-band and Q-band) from the Thermal Region Camera and Spectrograph (T-ReCS) instrument operating at the Gemini South Observatory. The results of the LOS modeling indicate that the extinction optical depth is quite large and varies substantially over the FOV. The high-resolution images of the central parsec of the Galactic center region were obtained with T-ReCS at Gemini South in January 2004. These images provide nearly diffraction-limited resolution (approx. 0.5) of the central parsec. The T-ReCS images were taken with nine filters (3.8, 4.7, 7.7, 8.7, 9.7, 10.3, 12.3, 18.3 and 24.5m), over a field-of-view (FOV) of 20 x 20 arcsec.

Development of a prototype two-phase thermal bus system for Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myron, D. L.; Parish, R. C.

1987-01-01

This paper describes the basic elements of a pumped two-phase ammonia thermal control system designed for microgravity environments, the development of the concept into a Space Station flight design, and design details of the prototype to be ground-tested in the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Thermal Test Bed. The basic system concept is one of forced-flow heat transport through interface heat exchangers with anhydrous ammonia being pumped by a device expressly designed for two-phase fluid management in reduced gravity. Control of saturation conditions, and thus system interface temperatures, is accomplished with a single central pressure regulating valve. Flow control and liquid inventory are controlled by passive, nonelectromechanical devices. Use of these simple control elements results in minimal computer controls and high system reliability. Building on the basic system concept, a brief overview of a potential Space Station flight design is given. Primary verification of the system concept will involve testing at JSC of a 25-kW ground test article currently in fabrication.

Computer network for improving quality and efficiency of children's primary health care

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deutsch, Larry

1995-10-01

Health care is at its best when both the practitioner and patient are well-informed. In many central urban and remote rural areas, however, health care is characterized by a lack of continuity and coordination among providers. In these areas, a local information infrastructure and a patient-centered system of primary care are missing. Decision-making and ability to follow through is hampered, with limited involvement of patients in planning care and insufficient aggregate data for cost analysis, outcome research, community health planning, and other purposes. A Children's Health Network has been designed to extend current information technology to these underserved areas. Our approach to improving quality of individual care and controlling costs emphasizes use of computerized clinical information networks for better decision making and continuity, and secondarily through data aggregation for financial, research, and public health functions. This is in distinction to information systems centered on billing and administrative needs and to cost-control efforts which rely on fiscal and managerial ('gatekeeper') mechanisms. A uniform data base among sites serving the same population will answer several clinical and public health needs.

Implementation science and the pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system.

PubMed

Grigorescu, Violanda I; D'Angelo, Denise V; Harrison, Leslie L; Taraporewalla, Aspy J; Shulman, Holly; Smith, Ruben A

2014-12-01

This paper describes the restructuring of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a surveillance system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Division of Reproductive Health conducted for 25 years in collaboration with state and city health departments. With the ultimate goal to better inform health care providers, public health programs, and policy, changes were made to various aspects of PRAMS to enhance its capacity on assessing and monitoring public health interventions and clinical practices in addition to risk behaviors, disease prevalence, comorbidities, and service utilization. Specifically, the three key PRAMS changes identified as necessary and described in this paper are questionnaire revision, launching the web-based centralized PRAMS Integrated Data Collection System, and enhancing the access to PRAMS data through the web query system known as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's PRAMS Online Data for Epidemiologic Research/PRAMStat. The seven action steps of Knowledge To Action cycle, an illustration of the implementation science process, that reflect the milestones necessary in bridging the knowledge-to-action gap were used as framework for each of these key changes.

[Groupamatic 360 C1 and automated blood donor processing in a transfusion center].

PubMed

Guimbretiere, J; Toscer, M; Harousseau, H

1978-03-01

Automation of donor management flow path is controlled by: --a 3 slip "port a punch" card, --the groupamatic unit with a result sorted out on punch paper tape, --the management computer off line connected to groupamatic. Data tracking at blood collection time is made by punching a card with the donor card used as a master card. Groupamatic performs: --a standard blood grouping with one run for registered donors and two runs for new donors, --a phenotyping with two runs, --a screening of irregular antibodies. Themanagement computer checks the correlation between the data of the two runs or the data of a single run and that of previous file. It updates the data resident in the central file and prints out: --the controls of the different blood group for the red cell panel, --The listing of error messages, --The listing of emergency call up, --The listing of collected blood units when arrived at the blood center, with quantitative and qualitative information such as: number of blood, units collected, donor addresses, etc., --Statistics, --Donor cards, --Diplomas.

KSC-04pd1851

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Looking at damage inside the hurricane-ravaged Thermal Protection System Facility are KSC Director of Spaceport Services Scott Kerr (left) and NASA Associate Administrator of Space Operations Mission Directorate William Readdy (right). The TPSF, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof during Hurricane Frances, which blew across Central Florida Sept. 4-5. Readdy and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe are visiting KSC to survey the damage sustained by KSC facilities from the hurricane. The Labor Day storm also caused significant damage to the Vehicle Assembly Building and Processing Control Center. Additionally, the Operations and Checkout Building, Vertical Processing Facility, Hangar AE, Hangar S and Hangar AF Small Parts Facility each received substantial damage. However, well-protected and unharmed were NASA’s three Space Shuttle orbiters - Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - along with the Shuttle launch pads, all of the critical flight hardware for the orbiters and the International Space Station, and NASA’s Swift spacecraft that is awaiting launch in October.

A single residue controls electron transfer gating in photosynthetic reaction centers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shlyk, Oksana; Samish, Ilan; Matěnová, Martina; Dulebo, Alexander; Poláková, Helena; Kaftan, David; Scherz, Avigdor

2017-03-01

Interquinone QA- → QB electron-transfer (ET) in isolated photosystem II reaction centers (PSII-RC) is protein-gated. The temperature-dependent gating frequency “k” is described by the Eyring equation till levelling off at T ≥ 240 °K. Although central to photosynthesis, the gating mechanism has not been resolved and due to experimental limitations, could not be explored in vivo. Here we mimic the temperature dependency of “k” by enlarging VD1-208, the volume of a single residue at the crossing point of the D1 and D2 PSII-RC subunits in Synechocystis 6803 whole cells. By controlling the interactions of the D1/D2 subunits, VD1-208 (or 1/T) determines the frequency of attaining an ET-active conformation. Decelerated ET, impaired photosynthesis, D1 repair rate and overall cell physiology upon increasing VD1-208 to above 130 Å3, rationalize the >99% conservation of small residues at D1-208 and its homologous motif in non-oxygenic bacteria. The experimental means and resolved mechanism are relevant for numerous transmembrane protein-gated reactions.

Coherent control of ultrafast optical four-wave mixing with two-color {omega}-3{omega} laser pulses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Serrat, Carles

2005-08-15

A theoretical investigation on the coherent control of optical transient four-wave mixing interactions in two-level systems with two intense few-cycle propagating laser pulses of central angular frequencies {omega} and 3{omega} is reported. By numerically solving the full Maxwell-Bloch equations beyond the slowly varying envelope and rotating-wave approximations in the time domain, the nonlinear coupling to the optical field at frequency 5{omega} is found to depend critically on the initial relative phase {phi} of the propagating pulses: the coupling is enhanced when the pulses interfere constructively in the center ({phi}=0), while it is nearly suppressed when they are out of phasemore » ({phi}={pi})« less

Three-dimensional cultured glioma cell lines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gonda, Steve R. (Inventor); Marley, Garry M. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

Three-dimensional glioma spheroids were produced in vitro with size and histological differentiation previously unattained. The spheroids were grown in liquid media suspension in a Johnson Space Center (JSC) Rotating Wall Bioreactor without using support matrices such as microcarrier beads. Spheroid volumes of greater than 3.5 cu mm and diameters of 2.5 mm were achieved with a viable external layer or rim of proliferating cells, a transitional layer beneath the external layer with histological differentiation, and a degenerative central region with a hypoxic necrotic core. Cell debris was evident in the degenerative central region. The necrotics centers of some of the spheroids had hyaline droplets. Granular bodies were detected predominantly in the necrotic center.

Evaluation of Superpave Gyratory Compactors

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-01-01

This is the third report from the South Central Superpave Center (SCSC). It presents the results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on a comprehensive 12-month laboratory study of gyratory compactors conducted at the center.

28 CFR 503.1 - Structure of the Bureau of Prisons.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... ADMINISTRATION BUREAU OF PRISONS CENTRAL OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICES, INSTITUTIONS AND STAFF TRAINING CENTERS § 503... 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534, a Staff Training Center, and six Regional Offices...

Centrosome centering and decentering by microtubule network rearrangement

PubMed Central

Letort, Gaëlle; Nedelec, Francois; Blanchoin, Laurent; Théry, Manuel

2016-01-01

The centrosome is positioned at the cell center by pushing and pulling forces transmitted by microtubules (MTs). Centrosome decentering is often considered to result from asymmetric, cortical pulling forces exerted in particular by molecular motors on MTs and controlled by external cues affecting the cell cortex locally. Here we used numerical simulations to investigate the possibility that it could equally result from the redistribution of pushing forces due to a reorientation of MTs. We first showed that MT gliding along cell edges and pivoting around the centrosome regulate MT rearrangement and thereby direct the spatial distribution of pushing forces, whereas the number, dynamics, and stiffness of MTs determine the magnitude of these forces. By modulating these parameters, we identified different regimes, involving both pushing and pulling forces, characterized by robust centrosome centering, robust off-centering, or “reactive” positioning. In the last-named conditions, weak asymmetric cues can induce a misbalance of pushing and pulling forces, resulting in an abrupt transition from a centered to an off-centered position. Taken together, these results point to the central role played by the configuration of the MTs on the distribution of pushing forces that position the centrosome. We suggest that asymmetric external cues should not be seen as direct driver of centrosome decentering and cell polarization but instead as inducers of an effective reorganization of the MT network, fostering centrosome motion to the cell periphery. PMID:27440925

Ecrh on Asdex Upgrade - System Extension, New Modes of Operation, Plasma Physics Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stober, J.; Wagner, D.; Giannone, L.; Leuterer, F.; Marascheck, M.; Mlynek, A.; Monaco, F.; Münich, M.; Poli, E.; Reich, M.; Schmid-Lorch, D.; Schütz, H.; Schweinzer, J.; Treutterer, W.; Zohm, H.; Meier, A.; Scherer, Th.; Flamm, J.; Thumm, M.; Höhnle, H.; Kasparek, W.; Stroth, U.; Chirkov, A. V.; Denisov, G. G.; Litvak, A.; Malygin, S. A.; Myasnikov, V. E.; Nichiporenko, V. O.; Popov, L. G.; Soluyanova, E. A.; Tai, E. M.

2011-02-01

The ECRH system at ASDEX Upgrade is currently extended from 1.6 MW to 5 MW. The extension so far consists of 2-frequency units, which use single diamond-disk vacuum-windows to transmit power at the natural resonances of these disks (105 & 140 GHz). For the last unit of this extension two additional intermediate non-resonant frequencies are foreseen, requiring new window concepts. For the torus a polarisation-independent double-disk window has been developed. For the gyrotron a grooved diamond disk is actually favoured, for which the grooved surfaces act as anti-reflective coating. Since ASDEX Upgrade operates with completely W-covered plasma facing components, central ECRH is often applied to suppresses W-accumulation in the plasma center. In order to extend the operational range for central ECRH, X3- and O2-heating schemes were developed. Both are characterized by incomplete single-path absorption. For X3 heating, the X2 resonance at the pedestal on the high field side is used as a 'beam-dump', for the O2 scheme a specific reflector tile on the inner heat shield enforces a second path through the plasma center. The geometry for NTM control had to be modified to allow simultaneous central heating. In real-time the ECRH position can be determined either by ray-tracing based on real-time equilibria and density profiles or from ECE for modulated ECRH power. Fast real-time ECE also allows to determine the NTM position. Further major physics applications of the system are summarized.

Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

PubMed

Aziz, Fahad

2012-07-01

Chemotherapy can be a life-prolonging treatment for many cancer patients, but it is often associated with profound nausea and vomiting that is so distressing that patients may delay or decline treatment to avoid these side effects. The discovery of several NK1 receptor antagonists is a big revolution to dealt this problem. NK1 receptor antagonists prevent both acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). These agents act centrally at NK-1 receptors in vomiting centers within the central nervous system to block their activation by substance P released as an unwanted consequence of chemotherapy. By controlling nausea and vomiting, these agents help improve patients' daily living and their ability to complete multiple cycles of chemotherapy. They are effective for both moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens. Their use might be associated with increased infection rates; however, additional appraisal of specific data from RCTs is needed.

Waterbird use of coastal impoundments and management implications in east-central Florida

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breininger, David R.; Smith, Rebecca B.

1990-01-01

Monthly surveys were conducted on Kennedy Space Center for one year to determine densities of waterbirds within impounded salt marshes that were predominantly open water with little emergent vegetation. The objective was to assess the importance of these impoundments to waterbirds, particularly wading birds, which are species of special conservation concern. Water-level management for mosquito control and waterfowl provided habitat for an abundance of ducks, shorebirds, coots, and wading birds. Average densities throughout the year for these groups were 5.26, 412, 2.80, and 2.20 birds/ha, respectively. The majority of waterfowl were present during the winter. Shorebirds were most common during spring migration. Wading bird densities increased with declining water level. Due to the extensive alteration and development of coastal wetlands in central Florida, properly managed impoundments may provide important feeding areas for maintaining certain waterbird populations.

Implementation of a hypertension control program in the County of North Karelia, Finland

PubMed Central

Nissinen, Aulikki; Tuomilehto, Jaako; Elo, Jyrki; Salonen, Jukka T.; Puska, Pekka

1981-01-01

A hypertension control program was established as part of the more comprehensive North Karelia Project. This project was started in 1972 in response to a petition from the population of North Karelia, a county in Finland, asking for national assistance to reduce the exceptionally high cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity in the area. The North Karelia Project was carried out from 1972 to 1977. The hypertension control program was implemented mainly in local health centers by physicians and public health nurses, who followed guidelines issued by the project staff and worked under its supervision. Although the target population for the North Karelia Project was the entire population of North Karelia, the project focused on middle-aged men. The hypertension subprogram was introduced in steps. Its objectives included the training of health personnel, establishment of an information system in the county to educate people about hypertension, and organization of the detection, treatment, and followup of hypertensives. A hypertension dispensary was established in each of the 12 health centers in the county. Continuous training of the local public health nurses and physicians faciliated integration of the hypertension program into the operations of the health centers. A central hypertension register and the hypertension control clinics at the health centers were the essential tools in the systematic followup of hypertensives. Some 17,000 hypertensives were on the register by the end of the 5-year project. The main aim in providing health education about hypertension, as well as in treating hypertension itself, was to prevent severe cardiovascular diseases as a whole. Therefore the hypertension control program was integrated into the comprehensive cardiovascular disease control program, and hypertensives received advice concerning smoking and dietary changes as well as about high blood pressure. A survey of health care personnel in North Karelia and in a reference area showed that the care of hypertensives was more systematic in North Karelia and that its health care personnel were more satisfied with the cardiovascular disease care that was provided. PMID:7302104

Preliminary Design and Evaluation of Portable Electronic Flight Progress Strips

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doble, Nathan A.; Hansman, R. John

2002-01-01

There has been growing interest in using electronic alternatives to the paper Flight Progress Strip (FPS) for air traffic control. However, most research has been centered on radar-based control environments, and has not considered the unique operational needs of the airport air traffic control tower. Based on an analysis of the human factors issues for control tower Decision Support Tool (DST) interfaces, a requirement has been identified for an interaction mechanism which replicates the advantages of the paper FPS (e.g., head-up operation, portability) but also enables input and output with DSTs. An approach has been developed which uses a Portable Electronic FPS that has attributes of both a paper strip and an electronic strip. The prototype flight strip system uses Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to replace individual paper strips in addition to a central management interface which is displayed on a desktop computer. Each PDA is connected to the management interface via a wireless local area network. The Portable Electronic FPSs replicate the core functionality of paper flight strips and have additional features which provide a heads-up interface to a DST. A departure DST is used as a motivating example. The central management interface is used for aircraft scheduling and sequencing and provides an overview of airport departure operations. This paper will present the design of the Portable Electronic FPS system as well as preliminary evaluation results.

Reduction of foveal bulges and other anatomical changes in fellow eyes of patients with unilateral idiopathic macular hole without vitreomacular pathologic changes.

PubMed

Delas, Barbara; Julio, Gemma; Fernández-Vega, Álvaro; Casaroli-Marano, Ricardo P; Nadal, Jeroni

2017-11-01

To compare the foveal characteristics in fellow eyes (FE) of patients with unilateral idiopathic macular hole without vitreomacular pathologic changes with eyes of healthy controls. Forty-seven FE and 52 eyes of 52 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Quantitative assessment of the dome-shaped appearance of the hyperreflective lines that represent external limiting membrane (ELM_bulge) and inner outer segment junctions (IS/OS_bulge) were made by optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Inner retinal complex thickness (IRCT) was quantitatively assessed at 1000 and 2000 μm of the foveal center in nasal and temporal quadrants. Presence of alterations in the inner retinal outer layers and central foveal thickness (CFT) were also analyzed. Significantly lower ELM_bulge (p < 0.0001; Mann-Whitney test) and IS/OS_bulge (p < 0.001; student t test) and higher cases with COST alterations, expressed as a diffuse line (p < 0.006; Chi 2 test) were found in FE than control eyes. IRCT were significantly reduced in FE at all the studied locations when comparing to control eyes (p < 0.05; student t test), maintaining anatomical proportionality among locations. FE without pathologic vitreomacular interactions seems to present some central cone alterations that may be related to other causes than vitreomacular traction.

7. INTERIOR, KITCHEN SOUTH OF CENTRAL EASTWEST CORRIDOR, FROM ENTRY, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

7. INTERIOR, KITCHEN SOUTH OF CENTRAL EAST-WEST CORRIDOR, FROM ENTRY, LOOKING SOUTH. - Oakland Naval Supply Center, Administration Building-Dental Annex-Dispensary, Between E & F Streets, East of Third Street, Oakland, Alameda County, CA

Interior, central sunporch behind living room, looking northeast U.S. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Interior, central sunporch behind living room, looking northeast - U.S. Veterans Hospital, Jefferson Barracks, Medical Officer in Charge Residence, VA Medical Center, Jefferson Barracks Division 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive, Saint Louis, Independent City, MO

Patient-centered care and its effect on outcomes in the treatment of asthma

PubMed Central

Qamar, Nashmia; Pappalardo, Andrea A; Arora, Vineet M; Press, Valerie G

2011-01-01

Patient-centered care may be pivotal in improving health outcomes for patients with asthma. In addition to increased attention in both research and clinical forums, recent legislation also highlights the importance of patient-centered outcomes research in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, whether patient-centered care has been shown to improve outcomes for this population is unclear. To answer this question, we performed a systematic review of the literature that aimed to define current patient-focused management issues, characterize important patient-defined outcomes in asthma control, and identify current and emerging treatments related to patient outcomes and perspectives. We used a parallel search strategy via Medline®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL® (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and PsycINFO®, complemented with a reference review of key articles that resulted in a total of 133 articles; 58 were interventions that evaluated the effect on patient-centered outcomes, and 75 were descriptive studies. The majority of intervention studies demonstrated improved patient outcomes (44; “positive” results); none showed true harm (0; “negative”); and the remainder were equivocal (14; “neutral”). Key themes emerged relating to patients’ desires for asthma knowledge, preferences for tailored management plans, and simplification of treatment regimens. We also found discordance between physicians and patients regarding patients’ needs, beliefs, and expectations about asthma. Although some studies show promise regarding the benefits of patient-focused care, these methods require additional study on feasibility and strategies for implementation in real world settings. Further, it is imperative that future studies must be, themselves, patient-centered (eg, pragmatic comparative effectiveness studies) and applicable to a variety of patient populations and settings. Despite the need for further research, enough evidence exists that supports incorporating a patient-centered approach to asthma management, in order to achieve improved outcomes and patient health. PMID:22915970

Performance of Local Light Microscopy and the ParaScreen Pan/Pf Rapid Diagnostic Test to Detect Malaria in Health Centers in Northwest Ethiopia

PubMed Central

Endeshaw, Tekola; Graves, Patricia M.; Ayele, Berhan; Mosher, Aryc W.; Gebre, Teshome; Ayalew, Firew; Genet, Asrat; Mesfin, Alemayehu; Shargie, Estifanos Biru; Tadesse, Zerihun; Teferi, Tesfaye; Melak, Berhanu; Richards, Frank O.; Emerson, Paul M.

2012-01-01

Background Diagnostic tests are recommended for suspected malaria cases before treatment, but comparative performance of microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) at rural health centers has rarely been studied compared to independent expert microscopy. Methods Participants (N = 1997) with presumptive malaria were recruited from ten health centers with a range of transmission intensities in Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia during October to December 2007. Microscopy and ParaScreen Pan/Pf® RDT were done immediately by health center technicians. Blood slides were re-examined later at a central laboratory by independent expert microscopists. Results Of 1,997 febrile patients, 475 (23.8%) were positive by expert microscopists, with 57.7% P.falciparum, 24.6% P.vivax and 17.7% mixed infections. Sensitivity of health center microscopists for any malaria species was >90% in five health centers (four of which had the highest prevalence), >70% in nine centers and 44% in one site with lowest prevalence. Specificity for health center microscopy was very good (>95%) in all centers. For ParaScreen RDT, sensitivity was ≥90% in three centers, ≥70% in six and <60% in four centers. Specificity was ≥90% in all centers except one where it was 85%. Conclusions Health center microscopists performed well in nine of the ten health centers; while for ParaScreen RDT they performed well in only six centers. Overall the accuracy of local microscopy exceeded that of RDT for all outcomes. This study supports the introduction of RDTs only if accompanied by appropriate training, frequent supervision and quality control at all levels. Deficiencies in RDT use at some health centers must be rectified before universal replacement of good routine microscopy with RDTs. Maintenance and strengthening of good quality microscopy remains a priority at health center level. PMID:22536317

Performance of local light microscopy and the ParaScreen Pan/Pf rapid diagnostic test to detect malaria in health centers in Northwest Ethiopia.

PubMed

Endeshaw, Tekola; Graves, Patricia M; Ayele, Berhan; Mosher, Aryc W; Gebre, Teshome; Ayalew, Firew; Genet, Asrat; Mesfin, Alemayehu; Shargie, Estifanos Biru; Tadesse, Zerihun; Teferi, Tesfaye; Melak, Berhanu; Richards, Frank O; Emerson, Paul M

2012-01-01

Diagnostic tests are recommended for suspected malaria cases before treatment, but comparative performance of microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) at rural health centers has rarely been studied compared to independent expert microscopy. Participants (N = 1997) with presumptive malaria were recruited from ten health centers with a range of transmission intensities in Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia during October to December 2007. Microscopy and ParaScreen Pan/Pf® RDT were done immediately by health center technicians. Blood slides were re-examined later at a central laboratory by independent expert microscopists. Of 1,997 febrile patients, 475 (23.8%) were positive by expert microscopists, with 57.7% P. falciparum, 24.6% P. vivax and 17.7% mixed infections. Sensitivity of health center microscopists for any malaria species was >90% in five health centers (four of which had the highest prevalence), >70% in nine centers and 44% in one site with lowest prevalence. Specificity for health center microscopy was very good (>95%) in all centers. For ParaScreen RDT, sensitivity was ≥90% in three centers, ≥70% in six and <60% in four centers. Specificity was ≥90% in all centers except one where it was 85%. Health center microscopists performed well in nine of the ten health centers; while for ParaScreen RDT they performed well in only six centers. Overall the accuracy of local microscopy exceeded that of RDT for all outcomes. This study supports the introduction of RDTs only if accompanied by appropriate training, frequent supervision and quality control at all levels. Deficiencies in RDT use at some health centers must be rectified before universal replacement of good routine microscopy with RDTs. Maintenance and strengthening of good quality microscopy remains a priority at health center level.

[Centralization of health services in primary care in summer: Patients and professionals view during two consecutive years].

PubMed

Giménez, N; Martínez, J M; Clanchet, T

2015-01-01

The Spanish primary health care, gateway and pillar of the Health Care System has his resources increasingly constrained by current crisis. To know the opinion of users and professionals on two primary care centers which centralized in August 2011 and 2012 the attendance of seven primary care centers. Two questionnaires were designed: a telephone survey of a random sample of users and a self-completed questionnaire for health care professionals. The variables were scored on a scale of 1-10 (low to high). Cronbach's coefficient α>0,84. 1293 people responded (836 users and 357 professionals). Users rated, in 2011, the satisfaction with 6.7 points in August and 7.3 points the rest of the year (P<.001). And, in 2012, with 7.7 points in August and 8.1 points the rest of the year (P<.001). Health care professionals, rated their satisfaction with 6.8 points in 2011 and 7.3 points in 2012. The waiting time was the only variable best scores in August that the rest of the year. The perception of the solution given in consultation did not change. Satisfaction, marking, care and treatment were highest rated in the regular center than in the reference center (P<.001). The centralization of primary health care during periods of reduced demand could reduce costs while maintaining quality. The experience of centralizing primary care services during August was perceived as acceptable and improved over time. Users showed a slight, but significant, preference for their usual primary care center. Copyright © 2014 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Book Learning: Exploring the Meaning of Formal Education in Central Appalachia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Janet B.

2013-01-01

In 2008 the school dropout rate in Central Appalachia was at 27% and the drug problem was epidemic. An investigation centered on a sample of Central Appalachian residents who had been discharged from the local outpatient clinic for opiate dependency revealed insights into their educational experiences and an understanding of drug dependency and…

Impact of revising the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System definition for catheter-related bloodstream infection in ICU: reproducibility of the National Healthcare Safety Network case definition in an Australian cohort of infection control professionals.

PubMed

Worth, Leon J; Brett, Judy; Bull, Ann L; McBryde, Emma S; Russo, Philip L; Richards, Michael J

2009-10-01

Effective and comparable surveillance for central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in the intensive care unit requires a reproducible case definition that can be readily applied by infection control professionals. Using a questionnaire containing clinical cases, reproducibility of the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNIS) surveillance definition for CLABSI was assessed in an Australian cohort of infection control professionals participating in the Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS). The same questionnaire was then used to evaluate the reproducibility of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance definition for CLABSI. Target hospitals were defined as large metropolitan (1A) or other large hospitals (non-1A), according to the Victorian Department of Human Services. Questionnaire responses of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NHSN surveillance experts were used as gold standard comparator. Eighteen of 21 eligible VICNISS centers participated in the survey. Overall concordance with the gold standard was 57.1%, and agreement was highest for 1A hospitals (60.6%). The proportion of congruently classified cases varied according to NNIS criteria: criterion 1 (recognized pathogen), 52.8%; criterion 2a (skin contaminant in 2 or more blood cultures), 83.3%; criterion 2b (skin contaminant in 1 blood culture and appropriate antimicrobial therapy instituted), 58.3%; non-CLABSI cases, 51.4%. When survey questions regarding identification of cases of CLABSI criterion 2b were removed (consistent with the current NHSN definition), overall percentage concordance increased to 62.5% (72.2% for 1A centers). Further educational interventions are required to improve the discrimination of primary and secondary causes of bloodstream infection in Victorian intensive care units. Although reproducibility of the CLABSI case definition is relatively poor, adoption of the revised NHSN definition for CLABSI is likely to improve the concordance of Victorian data with international centers.

Peripheral defocus does not necessarily affect central refractive development.

PubMed

Schippert, Ruth; Schaeffel, Frank

2006-10-01

Recent experiments in monkeys suggest that deprivation, imposed only in the periphery of the visual field, can induce foveal myopia. This raises the hypothesis that peripheral refractive errors imposed by the spectacle lens correction could influence foveal refractive development also in humans. We have tested this hypothesis in chicks. Chicks wore either full field spectacle lenses (+6.9 D/-7 D), or lenses with central holes of 4, 6, or 8mm diameter, for 4 days (n=6 for each group). Refractions were measured in the central visual field, and at -45 degrees (temporal) and +45 degrees (nasal), and axial lengths were measured by A-scan ultrasonography. As previously described, full field lenses were largely compensated within 4 days (refraction changes with positive lenses: +4.69+/-1.73 D, negative lenses: -5.98+/-1.78 D, both p<0.001, Dunnett's test, to untreated controls). With holes in the center of the lenses, the central refraction remained emmetropic and there was not even a trend of a shift in refraction (all groups: p>0.5, Dunnetts test). At +/-45 degrees , the lenses were partially compensated despite the 4/6/8mm central holes; positive lenses: +2.63 / +1.44 / +0.43 D, negative lenses: -2.57 / -1.06 / +0.06 D. There is extensive local compensation of imposed refractive errors in chickens. For the tested hole sizes, peripherally imposed defocus did not influence central refractive development. To alter central refractive development, the unobstructed part in the central visual field may have to be quite small (hole sizes smaller than 4mm, with the lenses at a vertex distance of 2-3mm).

Constraints on an annihilation signal from a core of constant dark matter density around the milky way center with H.E.S.S.

PubMed

Abramowski, A; Aharonian, F; Ait Benkhali, F; Akhperjanian, A G; Angüner, E O; Backes, M; Balenderan, S; Balzer, A; Barnacka, A; Becherini, Y; Becker Tjus, J; Berge, D; Bernhard, S; Bernlöhr, K; Birsin, E; Biteau, J; Böttcher, M; Boisson, C; Bolmont, J; Bordas, P; Bregeon, J; Brun, F; Brun, P; Bryan, M; Bulik, T; Carrigan, S; Casanova, S; Chadwick, P M; Chakraborty, N; Chalme-Calvet, R; Chaves, R C G; Chrétien, M; Colafrancesco, S; Cologna, G; Conrad, J; Couturier, C; Cui, Y; Davids, I D; Degrange, B; Deil, C; deWilt, P; Djannati-Ataï, A; Domainko, W; Donath, A; Drury, L O'C; Dubus, G; Dutson, K; Dyks, J; Dyrda, M; Edwards, T; Egberts, K; Eger, P; Espigat, P; Farnier, C; Fegan, S; Feinstein, F; Fernandes, M V; Fernandez, D; Fiasson, A; Fontaine, G; Förster, A; Füßling, M; Gabici, S; Gajdus, M; Gallant, Y A; Garrigoux, T; Giavitto, G; Giebels, B; Glicenstein, J F; Gottschall, D; Grondin, M-H; Grudzińska, M; Hadasch, D; Häffner, S; Hahn, J; Harris, J; Heinzelmann, G; Henri, G; Hermann, G; Hervet, O; Hillert, A; Hinton, J A; Hofmann, W; Hofverberg, P; Holler, M; Horns, D; Ivascenko, A; Jacholkowska, A; Jahn, C; Jamrozy, M; Janiak, M; Jankowsky, F; Jung-Richardt, I; Kastendieck, M A; Katarzyński, K; Katz, U; Kaufmann, S; Khélifi, B; Kieffer, M; Klepser, S; Klochkov, D; Kluźniak, W; Kolitzus, D; Komin, Nu; Kosack, K; Krakau, S; Krayzel, F; Krüger, P P; Laffon, H; Lamanna, G; Lefaucheur, J; Lefranc, V; Lemière, A; Lemoine-Goumard, M; Lenain, J-P; Lohse, T; Lopatin, A; Lu, C-C; Marandon, V; Marcowith, A; Marx, R; Maurin, G; Maxted, N; Mayer, M; McComb, T J L; Méhault, J; Meintjes, P J; Menzler, U; Meyer, M; Mitchell, A M W; Moderski, R; Mohamed, M; Morå, K; Moulin, E; Murach, T; de Naurois, M; Niemiec, J; Nolan, S J; Oakes, L; Odaka, H; Ohm, S; Opitz, B; Ostrowski, M; Oya, I; Panter, M; Parsons, R D; Paz Arribas, M; Pekeur, N W; Pelletier, G; Petrucci, P-O; Peyaud, B; Pita, S; Poon, H; Pühlhofer, G; Punch, M; Quirrenbach, A; Raab, S; Reichardt, I; Reimer, A; Reimer, O; Renaud, M; de Los Reyes, R; Rieger, F; Romoli, C; Rosier-Lees, S; Rowell, G; Rudak, B; Rulten, C B; Sahakian, V; Salek, D; Sanchez, D A; Santangelo, A; Schlickeiser, R; Schüssler, F; Schulz, A; Schwanke, U; Schwarzburg, S; Schwemmer, S; Sol, H; Spanier, F; Spengler, G; Spies, F; Stawarz, Ł; Steenkamp, R; Stegmann, C; Stinzing, F; Stycz, K; Sushch, I; Tavernet, J-P; Tavernier, T; Taylor, A M; Terrier, R; Tluczykont, M; Trichard, C; Valerius, K; van Eldik, C; van Soelen, B; Vasileiadis, G; Veh, J; Venter, C; Viana, A; Vincent, P; Vink, J; Völk, H J; Volpe, F; Vorster, M; Vuillaume, T; Wagner, S J; Wagner, P; Wagner, R M; Ward, M; Weidinger, M; Weitzel, Q; White, R; Wierzcholska, A; Willmann, P; Wörnlein, A; Wouters, D; Yang, R; Zabalza, V; Zaborov, D; Zacharias, M; Zdziarski, A A; Zech, A; Zechlin, H-S

2015-02-27

An annihilation signal of dark matter is searched for from the central region of the Milky Way. Data acquired in dedicated on-off observations of the Galactic center region with H.E.S.S. are analyzed for this purpose. No significant signal is found in a total of ∼9  h of on-off observations. Upper limits on the velocity averaged cross section, ⟨σv⟩, for the annihilation of dark matter particles with masses in the range of ∼300  GeV to ∼10  TeV are derived. In contrast to previous constraints derived from observations of the Galactic center region, the constraints that are derived here apply also under the assumption of a central core of constant dark matter density around the center of the Galaxy. Values of ⟨σv⟩ that are larger than 3×10^{-24}  cm^{3}/s are excluded for dark matter particles with masses between ∼1 and ∼4  TeV at 95% C.L. if the radius of the central dark matter density core does not exceed 500 pc. This is the strongest constraint that is derived on ⟨σv⟩ for annihilating TeV mass dark matter without the assumption of a centrally cusped dark matter density distribution in the search region.

Chandra Finds a "Cool" Black Hole at the Heart of the Andromeda Galaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2000-01-01

In its first look at the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has found that the gas funneling into a supermassive black hole in the heart of this galaxy is a "cool" million degrees Celsius. This unexpected result adds one more quirk to the strange behavior previously observed at the center of M31. A team of scientists from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Mass., reported on this observation at the 195th national meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Atlanta, Ga. The team is led by Drs. Stephen Murray and Michael Garcia, and includes Drs. Frank Primini, William Forman, Christine Jones, and Ralph Kraft. Chandra took its first X-ray picture of the Andromeda Galaxy with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer on October 13, 1999. More than100 individual X-ray sources were seen. One of these sources was at the previously determined position of the central supermassive black hole, which has the mass of 30 million suns. With many X-ray emitting stars in the center of M31 there was a slight chance that one of them might be at this position just by coincidence. The low temperature of the suspected central source, as compared to the other sources, gave the team the clue they needed. "When we found that what we suspected was the central object was also anomalously cool, we KNEW we had it- one coincidence might be believable, but two was too much to ignore!" said Garcia. While the gas falling into the central black hole is cool, it is only cool by comparison to the 100 other X-ray sources in the Andromeda Galaxy. To be detected by an X-ray telescope, the gas must have a temperature of more than a million degrees Celsius. The typical X-ray star in the Andromeda Galaxy has a temperature of several tens of millions of degrees. In contrast, the temperature of the supermassive black hole source is a few million degrees Celsius. The Andromeda Galaxy is our nearest neighbor spiral galaxy at a distance of two million light years. It is similar to our own Milky Way in size, shape, and also contains a supermassive black hole at the center. This central black hole has always been a bit odd when compared to central black holes in similar galaxies. Based on its X-ray luminosity, it is much fainter in radio waves than expected. Such behavior, coupled with Chandra's discovery of the low temperature gas, cannot be accommodated by standard models developed for supermassive black holes in galaxies like the Milky Way and Andromeda. "The Chandra observation is telling us that an entirely different flow pattern is operating around the Andromeda black hole," said Dr. Eliot Quataert, of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J. "This will require a different class of models than usually considered." One possibility is that the gas undergoes a large scale boiling motion which slows down the rate at which gas falls into the black hole. The best previous X-ray pictures were not sharp enough to clearly distinguish the X-ray source associated with the black hole in the center of the Andromeda Galaxy nor did they give information about the temperature of the source. "A good analogy might be to say that previous X-ray images were taken with a slightly out-of-focus black and white camera, while the Chandra image is taken with a sharp, color camera" said Murray. Another intriguing feature of this observation is the detection of a diffuse glow that extends for a thousand light years around the central region. It is not known if this is due to many individual sources, or to a hot wind expanding out from the center. "This is just a first, quick look at our nearest Milky Way analog," Murray emphasized. "I expect that our future pictures will lead to more exciting discoveries in the Andromeda Galaxy." The ACIS instrument was built for NASA by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and Pennsylvania State University, University Park. To follow Chandra's progress, visit the Chandra site at: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2000/0007/index.html AND http://chandra.nasa.gov NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program. TRW, Inc., Redondo Beach, Calif., is the prime contractor for the spacecraft. The Smithsonian's Chandra X-ray Center controls science and flight operations from Cambridge, Mass. High resolution digital versions of the X-ray image (JPG, 300 dpi TIFF ) and other information associated with this release are available on the Internet at: http://chandra.harvard.edu/

33. DETAIL VIEW LOOKING AT CENTER ISLAND AND OIL SWITCH ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

33. DETAIL VIEW LOOKING AT CENTER ISLAND AND OIL SWITCH HOUSE (MAIN POWER FEED DISTRIBUTION POINT) - Central Railroad of New Jersey, Newark Bay Lift Bridge, Spanning Newark Bay, Newark, Essex County, NJ

Mobility Data Analytics Center.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-01-01

Mobility Data Analytics Center aims at building a centralized data engine to efficiently manipulate : large-scale data for smart decision making. Integrating and learning the massive data are the key to : the data engine. The ultimate goal of underst...

36 CFR 1253.6 - Records Centers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...., Chicago, IL 60629-5898. The telephone number is 773-948-9000. (h) NARA—Central Plains Region (Lee's Summit, MO) is located at 200 Space Center Drive, Lee's Summit, MO 64064-1182. The telephone number is 816...

Anticipatory Postural Control of Stability during Gait Initiation Over Obstacles of Different Height and Distance Made Under Reaction-Time and Self-Initiated Instructions.

PubMed

Yiou, Eric; Artico, Romain; Teyssedre, Claudine A; Labaune, Ombeline; Fourcade, Paul

2016-01-01

Despite the abundant literature on obstacle crossing in humans, the question of how the central nervous system (CNS) controls postural stability during gait initiation with the goal to clear an obstacle remains unclear. Stabilizing features of gait initiation include anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and lateral swing foot placement. To answer the above question, 14 participants initiated gait as fast as possible in three conditions of obstacle height, three conditions of obstacle distance and one obstacle-free (control) condition. Each of these conditions was performed with two levels of temporal pressure: reaction-time (high-pressure) and self-initiated (low-pressure) movements. A mechanical model of the body falling laterally under the influence of gravity and submitted to an elastic restoring force is proposed to assess the effect of initial (foot-off) center-of-mass position and velocity (or "initial center-of-mass set") on the stability at foot-contact. Results showed that the anticipatory peak of mediolateral (ML) center-of-pressure shift, the initial ML center-of-mass velocity and the duration of the swing phase, of gait initiation increased with obstacle height, but not with obstacle distance. These results suggest that ML APAs are scaled with swing duration in order to maintain an equivalent stability across experimental conditions. This statement is strengthened by the results obtained with the mechanical model, which showed how stability would be degraded if there was no adaptation of the initial center-of-mass set to swing duration. The anteroposterior (AP) component of APAs varied also according to obstacle height and distance, but in an opposite way to the ML component. Indeed, results showed that the anticipatory peak of backward center-of-pressure shift and the initial forward center-of-mass set decreased with obstacle height, probably in order to limit the risk to trip over the obstacle, while the forward center-of-mass velocity at foot-off increased with obstacle distance, allowing a further step to be taken. These effects of obstacle height and distance were globally similar under low and high-temporal pressure. Collectively, these findings imply that the CNS is able to predict the potential instability elicited by the obstacle clearance and that it scales the spatiotemporal parameters of APAs accordingly.

Anticipatory Postural Control of Stability during Gait Initiation Over Obstacles of Different Height and Distance Made Under Reaction-Time and Self-Initiated Instructions

PubMed Central

Yiou, Eric; Artico, Romain; Teyssedre, Claudine A.; Labaune, Ombeline; Fourcade, Paul

2016-01-01

Despite the abundant literature on obstacle crossing in humans, the question of how the central nervous system (CNS) controls postural stability during gait initiation with the goal to clear an obstacle remains unclear. Stabilizing features of gait initiation include anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and lateral swing foot placement. To answer the above question, 14 participants initiated gait as fast as possible in three conditions of obstacle height, three conditions of obstacle distance and one obstacle-free (control) condition. Each of these conditions was performed with two levels of temporal pressure: reaction-time (high-pressure) and self-initiated (low-pressure) movements. A mechanical model of the body falling laterally under the influence of gravity and submitted to an elastic restoring force is proposed to assess the effect of initial (foot-off) center-of-mass position and velocity (or “initial center-of-mass set”) on the stability at foot-contact. Results showed that the anticipatory peak of mediolateral (ML) center-of-pressure shift, the initial ML center-of-mass velocity and the duration of the swing phase, of gait initiation increased with obstacle height, but not with obstacle distance. These results suggest that ML APAs are scaled with swing duration in order to maintain an equivalent stability across experimental conditions. This statement is strengthened by the results obtained with the mechanical model, which showed how stability would be degraded if there was no adaptation of the initial center-of-mass set to swing duration. The anteroposterior (AP) component of APAs varied also according to obstacle height and distance, but in an opposite way to the ML component. Indeed, results showed that the anticipatory peak of backward center-of-pressure shift and the initial forward center-of-mass set decreased with obstacle height, probably in order to limit the risk to trip over the obstacle, while the forward center-of-mass velocity at foot-off increased with obstacle distance, allowing a further step to be taken. These effects of obstacle height and distance were globally similar under low and high-temporal pressure. Collectively, these findings imply that the CNS is able to predict the potential instability elicited by the obstacle clearance and that it scales the spatiotemporal parameters of APAs accordingly. PMID:27656138

Modulatory effects of binocular disparity and aging upon the perception of speed.

PubMed

Norman, J Farley; Burton, Cory L; Best, Leah A

2010-01-01

Two experiments investigated modulatory effects of a surround upon the perceived speed of a moving central region. Both the surround's depth and velocity (relative to the center) were manipulated. The abilities of younger observers (mean age was 23.1 years) were evaluated in Experiment 1, while Experiment 2 was devoted to older participants (mean age was 71.3 years). The results of Experiment 1 revealed that changes in the perceived depth of a surround (in this case caused by changes in binocular disparity) significantly influence the perceived speed of a central target. In particular, the center's motion was perceived as fastest when the surround possessed uncrossed binocular disparity relative to the central target. This effect, that targets that are closer than their background are perceived to be faster, only occurred when the center and surround moved in the same directions (and did not occur when center and surround moved in opposite directions). The results of Experiment 2 showed that the perceived speeds of older adults are different: older observers generally perceive nearer targets as faster both when center and surround move in the same direction and when they move in opposite directions. In addition, the older observers' judgments of speed were less precise. These age-related changes in the perception of speed are broadly consistent with the results of recent neurophysiological investigations that find age-related changes in the functionality of cortical area MT.

KSC-04PD-1959

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. The Damage Assessment Recovery Team (DART) meets at the NASA KSC News Center following Hurricane Jeanne. At left (red shirt) is Center Director Jim Kennedy and Media Services Division Chief Mike Rein. A category 3 storm, Jeanne barreled through Central Florida Sept. 25-26, the fourth hurricane in 6 weeks to batter the state.

KSC-04pd1959

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-27

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Damage Assessment Recovery Team (DART) meets at the NASA KSC News Center following Hurricane Jeanne. At left (red shirt) is Center Director Jim Kennedy and Media Services Division Chief Mike Rein. A category 3 storm, Jeanne barreled through Central Florida Sept. 25-26, the fourth hurricane in 6 weeks to batter the state.

76 FR 10941 - Open Meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Taxpayer Assistance Center Project Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-28

... Project Committee will be conducted. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is soliciting public comments, ideas, and... Taxpayer Assistance Center Project Committee will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at 2 p.m., Central Time... Taxpayer Assistance Center Project Committee AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION...

[Towards the control of the endemic of sleeping sickness in Nola-Bilolo focus, Central African Republic].

PubMed

Mbelesso, P; Mbadingaï, S; Laghoe Nguembe, G L S

2011-12-01

Sleeping sickness is more prevalent in three historical regions of Central African Republic. Control measures were organized by the colonial authorities through health services to fight against this disease and other major diseases. Multivariate analysis and the government helped in controlling the disease in the focus of Nola-Bilolo, which was formerly hyperendemic. The authors report the results of the control measures that resulted in the extinction of the disease in this outbreak. This is a retrospective study from 1991 to 2008, and the data were collected from the National Program to fight against human African trypanosomiasis in Bangui and in the diagnostic and treatment center of Nola. It was highly endemic, with more than 300 cases recorded in the year 1991. The average number of cases was 200.8 per year between 1992 and 1998. Less than 50 cases per year were recorded from 2000 to 2006, and no cases have been detected since 2007. 69.35% of the patients were actively screened. 5,000 conical deltamethrin-impregnated traps (Gouteux and Lancien) had been used in 15 districts in the city of Nola and 46 surrounding villages by 20 trappers fully supported by the program. This is an example of regular active mass screening. Systematic treatment of detected cases and well-conducted vector control measures give hope to the affected populations to live peacefully in order to contribute to the development of their country.

Contributions of the Central Extended Amygdala to Fear and Anxiety.

PubMed

Shackman, Alexander J; Fox, Andrew S

2016-08-03

It is widely thought that phasic and sustained responses to threat reflect dissociable circuits centered on the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), the two major subdivisions of the central extended amygdala. Early versions of this hypothesis remain highly influential and have been incorporated into the National Institute of Mental Health Research Research Domain Criteria framework. However, new observations encourage a different perspective. Anatomical studies show that the Ce and BST form a tightly interconnected unit, where different kinds of threat-relevant information can be integrated and used to assemble states of fear and anxiety. Imaging studies in humans and monkeys show that the Ce and BST exhibit similar functional profiles. Both regions are sensitive to a range of aversive challenges, including uncertain or temporally remote threat; both covary with concurrent signs and symptoms of fear and anxiety; both show phasic responses to short-lived threat; and both show heightened activity during sustained exposure to diffusely threatening contexts. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that both regions can control the expression of fear and anxiety during sustained exposure to diffuse threat. These observations compel a reconsideration of the central extended amygdala's contributions to fear and anxiety and its role in neuropsychiatric disease. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/368050-14$15.00/0.

Contributions of the Central Extended Amygdala to Fear and Anxiety

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

It is widely thought that phasic and sustained responses to threat reflect dissociable circuits centered on the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), the two major subdivisions of the central extended amygdala. Early versions of this hypothesis remain highly influential and have been incorporated into the National Institute of Mental Health Research Research Domain Criteria framework. However, new observations encourage a different perspective. Anatomical studies show that the Ce and BST form a tightly interconnected unit, where different kinds of threat-relevant information can be integrated and used to assemble states of fear and anxiety. Imaging studies in humans and monkeys show that the Ce and BST exhibit similar functional profiles. Both regions are sensitive to a range of aversive challenges, including uncertain or temporally remote threat; both covary with concurrent signs and symptoms of fear and anxiety; both show phasic responses to short-lived threat; and both show heightened activity during sustained exposure to diffusely threatening contexts. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that both regions can control the expression of fear and anxiety during sustained exposure to diffuse threat. These observations compel a reconsideration of the central extended amygdala's contributions to fear and anxiety and its role in neuropsychiatric disease. PMID:27488625

Local inpatient units may increase patients' utilization of outpatient services: a comparative cohort-study in Nordland County, Norway.

PubMed

Myklebust, Lars Henrik; Sørgaard, Knut; Wynn, Rolf

2015-01-01

In the last few decades, there has been a restructuring of the psychiatric services in many countries. The complexity of these systems may represent a challenge to patients that suffer from serious psychiatric disorders. We examined whether local integration of inpatient and outpatient services in contrast to centralized institutions strengthened continuity of care. Two different service-systems were compared. Service-utilization over a 4-year period for 690 inpatients was extracted from the patient registries. The results were controlled for demographic variables, model of service-system, central inpatient admission or local inpatient admission, diagnoses, and duration of inpatient stays. The majority of inpatients in the area with local integration of inpatient and outpatient services used both types of care. In the area that did not have beds locally, many patients that had been hospitalized did not receive outpatient follow-up. Predictors of inpatients' use of outpatient psychiatric care were: Model of service-system (centralized vs decentralized), a diagnosis of affective disorder, central inpatient admission only, and duration of inpatient stays. Psychiatric centers with local inpatient units may positively affect continuity of care for patients with severe psychiatric disorders, probably because of a high functional integration of inpatient and outpatient care.

Local inpatient units may increase patients’ utilization of outpatient services: a comparative cohort-study in Nordland County, Norway

PubMed Central

Myklebust, Lars Henrik; Sørgaard, Knut; Wynn, Rolf

2015-01-01

Objectives In the last few decades, there has been a restructuring of the psychiatric services in many countries. The complexity of these systems may represent a challenge to patients that suffer from serious psychiatric disorders. We examined whether local integration of inpatient and outpatient services in contrast to centralized institutions strengthened continuity of care. Methods Two different service-systems were compared. Service-utilization over a 4-year period for 690 inpatients was extracted from the patient registries. The results were controlled for demographic variables, model of service-system, central inpatient admission or local inpatient admission, diagnoses, and duration of inpatient stays. Results The majority of inpatients in the area with local integration of inpatient and outpatient services used both types of care. In the area that did not have beds locally, many patients that had been hospitalized did not receive outpatient follow-up. Predictors of inpatients’ use of outpatient psychiatric care were: Model of service-system (centralized vs decentralized), a diagnosis of affective disorder, central inpatient admission only, and duration of inpatient stays. Conclusion Psychiatric centers with local inpatient units may positively affect continuity of care for patients with severe psychiatric disorders, probably because of a high functional integration of inpatient and outpatient care. PMID:26604843

A novel infection prevention approach: Leveraging a mandatory electronic communication tool to decrease peripherally inserted central catheter infections, complications, and cost.

PubMed

Kim-Saechao, Sue J; Almario, Earl; Rubin, Zachary A

2016-11-01

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) removed prematurely for unconfirmed infection or thrombosis lead to subsequent reinsertions and associated complications. To improve clinical quality, a mandatory electronic communication tool (MECT) based on clinical practice guidelines was mandated for all inpatient adult PICCs in an academically affiliated tertiary medical center. This MECT facilitated early communication and specialized evaluation with the PICC team for any complications related to PICCs. A historical cohort study was conducted. Quality and cost measurements for 200 PICCs postinstitution of a MECT were compared with 200 PICCs 12 months prior. PICC removal and complication rates were compared for the 2 cohorts. Significant outcomes included a central-line associated blood stream infection rate that changed from 1.38/1,000 catheter days to 0/1,000 catheter days, 0 provider-led premature PICC removals, an overall 84% decrease in premature PICC removals (from 16%-2.5%; P < .0001), a decrease in the total complication rate from 45.5%-24% (P < .0001), and 25% reduction in radiology costs. A novel infection prevention approach leveraging a MECT resulted in 0 central line-associated bloodstream infections and provider-led premature PICC removals. Copyright © 2016 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interior, first floor, central lobby, detail of dedication plaque of ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Interior, first floor, central lobby, detail of dedication plaque of terrazzo floor, looking west - U.S. Veterans Hospital, Jefferson Barracks, Admissions Building, VA Medical Center, Jefferson Barracks Division 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive, Saint Louis, Independent City, MO

Central part of Pier 22, showing the southeast side of ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Central part of Pier 22, showing the southeast side of the Shore Power Supply Electric Distribution Center (Building 734) - Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Finger Piers 22 & 23, Railroad Avenue near Eighteenth Street, Vallejo, Solano County, CA

8. VIEW LOOKING SOUTHEAST INTO CENTRAL COURTYARD OF TECHWOOD DORMITORY, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

8. VIEW LOOKING SOUTHEAST INTO CENTRAL COURTYARD OF TECHWOOD DORMITORY, SHOWING WEST FRONT OF CENTER WING AND PART OF NORTH SIDE OF SOUTH WING. - Techwood Homes, McDaniel Dormitory, 581-587 Techwood Drive, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA

``Rhizogenesis in vitro'' - as a model to study microgravity biological effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bulavin, Iliya

Functioning organisms is based on the physiological and biochemical processes in different tissues and cells. Numerous spaceflight biological experiments have shown the essential changes in cell behavior of multicellular and unicellular organisms in comparison with that on Earth. In our investigations, we used the model “Rhizogenesis in vitro” to study cell differentiation in the root cap and growth zones under clinorotation. Advantage of this model is the possibility to study the influence of clinorotation at the beginning of root initiation de novo and next morphogenetic processes unlike experiments in vivo with embryonal seedling roots formed in seeds. Arabidopsis thaliana plants of wild type and scr mutant (3999 by NASC database) were used. For rhizogenesis induction, rosette leaves with petioles were cut and transferred in Petri dishes on MS medium contained 1/10 of MS mineral salt, without vitamins and hormones. One half of Petri dishes were placed vertically (control), the other - on a slow horizontal clinostat (2 rpm). Anatomical investigation of A. thaliana wild type and scr mutant roots formed de novo showed that formation of root cap and growth zones (meristem, distal elongation zone (DEZ), central elongation zone (CEZ) and mature zone) under clinorotation was similar to that in control. A root cap consists of columella and peripheral cells. In the columella there are meristematic cells, statocytes (graviperceptive cells), and secretory cells. Epidermis, parenchyma, endodermis and central cylinder are distinguished in wild type roots. Unlike a wild type, a cortex of scr mutant was represented by one cell layer which had the parenchyma and endodermis characteristics. A root cap length and width were similar in control and under clinorotation. A cell number in the meristem and DEZ and a length of these growth zones did not differ in control and the experimental conditions. The ultrasructure of cap meristematic cells was typical for cells of this type. Statocytes preserved their polarity in control but it was disturbed under clinorotation due to amyloplast distribution in the cytoplasm whole volume and/or their localization in the cell center. Structural rearrangements occurred similarly in statocytes under their transformation in secretory cells in control and under clinorotation. A characteristic features of the root proper meristematic cells in the control and in the experiment are central nucleus location, the great diversity of a size and a shape of mitochondria and plastids, poorly ER development, the presence of some small ER-bodies. As cells passed in the DEZ, their size enlarged but a nucleus can preserve the central location. A quantity of ER-cistern, vacuoles, and ER-bodies increased also. Dictyosomes acquired polarity and produced many Golgi vesicles. In CEZ cells, a large vacuole occupied the cell center, and the cytoplasm with organelles was on the cell periphery. So, we can conclude that under clinorotation: 1) the structure of a cap and growth zones of A. thaliana wild type and scr mutant roots formed de novo in vitro as similar to that in control; 2) a gaviperceptive apparatus formed in both objects but did not function. The obtained data allow to propose the model “Rhizogenesis in vitro” for using in spaceflight experiments to study the influence of real microgravity on the cellular differentiation and basic processes.

West Nile Virus Encephalitis: The First Human Case Recorded in Brazil

PubMed Central

Vieira, Marcelo A. C. S.; Romano, Alessandro P. M.; Borba, Amaríles S.; Silva, Eliana V. P.; Chiang, Jannifer O.; Eulálio, Kelsen D.; Azevedo, Raimunda S. S.; Rodrigues, Sueli G.; Almeida-Neto, Walfrido S.; Vasconcelos, Pedro F. C.

2015-01-01

A Brazilian ranch worker with encephalitis and flaccid paralysis was evaluated in the regional Acute Encephalitis Syndromic Surveillance Program. This was the first Brazilian patient who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmation criteria for West Nile virus disease. Owing to the overlapping of neurological manifestations attributable to several viral infections of the central nervous system, this report exemplifies the importance of human acute encephalitis surveillance. The syndromic approach to human encephalitis cases may enable early detection of the introduction of unusual virus or endemic occurrence of potentially alarming diseases within a region. PMID:26055749

Major technological innovations introduced in the large antennas of the Deep Space Network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Imbriale, W. A.

2002-01-01

The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is the largest and most sensitive scientific, telecommunications and radio navigation network in the world. Its principal responsibilities are to provide communications, tracking, and science services to most of the world's spacecraft that travel beyond low Earth orbit. The network consists of three Deep Space Communications Complexes. Each of the three complexes consists of multiple large antennas equipped with ultra sensitive receiving systems. A centralized Signal Processing Center (SPC) remotely controls the antennas, generates and transmits spacecraft commands, and receives and processes the spacecraft telemetry.

[Expected epidemic risk from the minimum drinking water content of protozoan agents of enteric parasitic diseases].

PubMed

Novosil'tsev, G I; Chernyshenko, A I; Rusanova, N A; Gracheva, M N; Mel'nikova, L I

2010-01-01

The paper presents information on lambliasis and cryptosporidiosis outbreaks associated with drinking water contamination-associated. It discusses a risk for the emergence of mass outbreaks of lambliasis and cryptosporidiosis among the population of the municipalities of administrative district centers and other human settlements, which are to exercise sanitary and parasitological control over the quality of water of its centralized drinking supply. The significance of this water contamination by lamblia cysts and cryptosporidium oocysts is considered. Calculations are given to predict an epidemic risk and possible ways of its prevention.

Securing Ground Data System Applications for Space Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pajevski, Michael J.; Tso, Kam S.; Johnson, Bryan

2014-01-01

The increasing prevalence and sophistication of cyber attacks has prompted the Multimission Ground Systems and Services (MGSS) Program Office at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to initiate the Common Access Manager (CAM) effort to protect software applications used in Ground Data Systems (GDSs) at JPL and other NASA Centers. The CAM software provides centralized services and software components used by GDS subsystems to meet access control requirements and ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. In this paper we describe the CAM software; examples of its integration with spacecraft commanding software applications and an information management service; and measurements of its performance and reliability.

Weight Gain: A Possible Side Effect of All Antiretrovirals

PubMed Central

Ricci, Elena; Menzaghi, Barbara; Orofino, Giancarlo; Passerini, Simone; Madeddu, Giordano; Martinelli, Canio Vito; De Socio, Giuseppe Vittorio; Squillace, Nicola; Rusconi, Stefano; Bonfanti, Paolo; Di Biagio, Antonio; Quirino, T; Bonfanti, P; Ricci, E; Bellacosa, C; Maggi, P; Calza, L; Abeli, C; Menzaghi, B; Celesia, B M; Grosso, C; Stagno, A; Vichi, F; Mazzotta, F; Martinelli, C; Penco, G; Cassola, G; Di Biagio, A; Taramasso, L; Nicolini, L A; Dentone, C; Molteni, C; Palvarini, L; Scalzini, A; Carenzi, L; Rizzardini, G; Valsecchi, L; Cordier, L; Rusconi, S; Colombo, V; Galli, M; Franzetti, M; De Socio, G V; Mazzotta, E; Parruti, G; Madeddu, G; Bagella, P; S. Mura, M; Libertone, R; Antinori, A; Di Giambenedetto, S; Orofino, G; Guastavigna, M; Caramell, P

2017-01-01

Abstract Weight gain and body mass index (BMI) increase are central issues in patients living with HIV who need to minimize the risk of metabolic disease. Information collected through the SCOLTA cohort revealed significant 1-year BMI increase in patients treated with dolutegravir (P = .004), raltegravir (P = .0004), elvitegravir (P = .004), darunavir (P = .0006), and rilpivirine (P = .029). BMI gain correlated with low baseline BMI (P = .002) and older age (P = .0007) in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stages A/B, with lower BMI (P = .005) and CD4+ T-cell count (P = .007) at enrollment in stage C. PMID:29255735

Baroreflex regulation of blood pressure during dynamic exercise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raven, P. B.; Potts, J. T.; Shi, X.; Blomqvist, C. G. (Principal Investigator)

1997-01-01

From the work of Potts et al. Papelier et al. and Shi et al. it is readily apparent that the arterial (aortic and carotid) baroreflexes are reset to function at the prevailing ABP of exercise. The blood pressure of exercise is the result of the hemodynamic (cardiac output and TPR) responses, which appear to be regulated by two redundant neural control systems, "Central Command" and the "exercise pressor reflex". Central Command is a feed-forward neural control system that operates in parallel with the neural regulation of the locomotor system and appears to establish the hemodynamic response to exercise. Within the central nervous system it appears that the HLR may be the operational site for Central Command. Specific neural sites within the HLR have been demonstrated in animals to be active during exercise. With the advent of positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), the anatomical areas of the human brain related to Central Command are being mapped. It also appears that the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius and the ventrolateral medulla may serve as an integrating site as they receive neural information from the working muscles via the group III/IV muscle afferents as well as from higher brain centers. This anatomical site within the CNS is now the focus of many investigations in which arterial baroreflex function, Central Command and the "exercise pressor reflex" appear to demonstrate inhibitory or facilitatory interaction. The concept of whether Central Command is the prime mover in the resetting of the arterial baroreceptors to function at the exercising ABP or whether the resetting is an integration of the "exercise pressor reflex" information with that of Central Command is now under intense investigation. However, it would be justified to conclude, from the data of Bevegard and Shepherd, Dicarlo and Bishop, Potts et al., and Papelier et al. that the act of exercise results in the resetting of the arterial baroreflex. In addition, if, as we have proposed, the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors primarily monitors and reflexly regulates cardiac filling volume, it would seem from the data of Mack et al. and Potts et al. that the cardiopulmonary baroreceptor is also reset at the beginning of exercise. Therefore, investigations of the neural mechanisms of regulation involving Central Command and cardiopulmonary afferents, similar to those being undertaken for the arterial baroreflex, need to be established.

Design and Benchmarking of a Network-In-the-Loop Simulation for Use in a Hardware-In-the-Loop System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aretskin-Hariton, Eliot; Thomas, George; Culley, Dennis; Kratz, Jonathan

2017-01-01

Distributed engine control (DEC) systems alter aircraft engine design constraints because of fundamental differences in the input and output communication between DEC and centralized control architectures. The change in the way communication is implemented may create new optimum engine-aircraft configurations. This paper continues the exploration of digital network communication by demonstrating a Network-In-the-Loop simulation at the NASA Glenn Research Center. This simulation incorporates a real-time network protocol, the Engine Area Distributed Interconnect Network Lite (EADIN Lite), with the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation 40k (C-MAPSS40k) software. The objective of this study is to assess digital control network impact to the control system. Performance is evaluated relative to a truth model for large transient maneuvers and a typical flight profile for commercial aircraft. Results show that a decrease in network bandwidth from 250 Kbps (sampling all sensors every time step) to 40 Kbps, resulted in very small differences in control system performance.

Design and Benchmarking of a Network-In-the-Loop Simulation for Use in a Hardware-In-the-Loop System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aretskin-Hariton, Eliot D.; Thomas, George Lindsey; Culley, Dennis E.; Kratz, Jonathan L.

2017-01-01

Distributed engine control (DEC) systems alter aircraft engine design constraints be- cause of fundamental differences in the input and output communication between DEC and centralized control architectures. The change in the way communication is implemented may create new optimum engine-aircraft configurations. This paper continues the exploration of digital network communication by demonstrating a Network-In-the-Loop simulation at the NASA Glenn Research Center. This simulation incorporates a real-time network protocol, the Engine Area Distributed Interconnect Network Lite (EADIN Lite), with the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation 40k (C-MAPSS40k) software. The objective of this study is to assess digital control network impact to the control system. Performance is evaluated relative to a truth model for large transient maneuvers and a typical flight profile for commercial aircraft. Results show that a decrease in network bandwidth from 250 Kbps (sampling all sensors every time step) to 40 Kbps, resulted in very small differences in control system performance.

A Randomized Controlled Comparison of the Internal Jugular Vein and the Subclavian Vein as Access Sites for Central Venous Catheterization in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

PubMed

Camkiran Firat, Aynur; Zeyneloglu, Pinar; Ozkan, Murat; Pirat, Arash

2016-09-01

To compare internal jugular vein and subclavian vein access for central venous catheterization in terms of success rate and complications. A 1:1 randomized controlled trial. Baskent University Medical Center. Pediatric patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. Two hundred and eighty children undergoing central venous catheterization were randomly allocated to the internal jugular vein or subclavian vein group during a period of 18 months. The primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate of central venous catheterization through either approach. The secondary outcomes were the rates of infectious and mechanical complications. The central venous catheterization success rate at the first attempt was not significantly different between the subclavian vein (69%) and internal jugular vein (64%) groups (p = 0.448). However, the overall success rate was significantly higher through the subclavian vein (91%) than the internal jugular vein (82%) (p = 0.037). The overall frequency of mechanical complications was not significantly different between the internal jugular vein (25%) and subclavian vein (31%) (p = 0.456). However, the rate of arterial puncture was significantly higher with internal jugular vein (8% vs 2%; p = 0.03) and that of catheter malposition was significantly higher with subclavian vein (17% vs 1%; p < 0.001). The rates per 1,000 catheter days for both positive catheter-tip cultures (26.1% vs 3.6%; p < 0.001) and central-line bloodstream infection (6.9 vs 0; p < 0.001) were significantly higher with internal jugular vein. There were no significant differences between the groups in the length of ICU and hospital stays or in-hospital mortality rates (p > 0.05 for all). Central venous catheterization through the internal jugular vein and subclavian vein was not significantly different in terms of success at the first attempt. Although the types of mechanical complications were different, the overall rate was similar between internal jugular vein and subclavian vein access. The risk of infectious complications was significantly higher with internal jugular vein access.

View looking straightup at celing in center of entrance portico ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

View looking straight-up at celing in center of entrance portico showing stenciled and painted panel saying "C.R.R. 1856." - Central of Georgia Railway, Gray Building, 227 West Broad Street, Savannah, Chatham County, GA

The Center For Medicare And Medicaid Innovation's blueprint for rapid-cycle evaluation of new care and payment models.

PubMed

Shrank, William

2013-04-01

The Affordable Care Act established the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test innovative payment and service delivery models. The goal is to reduce program expenditures while preserving or improving the quality of care provided to beneficiaries of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Central to the success of the Innovation Center is a new, rapid-cycle approach to evaluation. This article describes that approach--setting forth how the Rapid Cycle Evaluation Group aims to deliver frequent feedback to providers in support of continuous quality improvement, while rigorously evaluating the outcomes of each model tested. This article also describes the relationship between the group's work and that of the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which plays a central role in the assessment of new models.

Anticipatory postural adjustments for altering direction during walking.

PubMed

Xu, Dali; Carlton, Les G; Rosengren, Karl S

2004-09-01

The authors examined how individuals adapt their gait and regulate their body configuration before altering direction during walking. Eight young adults were asked to change direction during walking with different turning angles (0 degree, 45 degree, 90 degree), pivot foot (left, right), and walking speeds (normal and fast). The authors used video and force platform systems to determine participants' whole-body center of mass and the center of pressure during the step before they changed direction. The results showed that anticipatory postural adjustments occurred during the prior step and occurred earlier for the fast walking speed. Anticipatory postural adjustments were affected by all 3 variables (turn angle, pivot foot, and speed). Participants leaned backward and sideward on the prior step in anticipation of the turn. Those findings indicate that the motor system uses central control mechanisms to predict the required anticipatory adjustments and organizes the body configuration on the basis of the movement goal.

[Inter-laboratory reproducibility of pulsed-field electrophoresis for the study of 12 types of Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

PubMed

Foissaud, V; Puyhardy, J M; Chapalain, J C; Salord, H; Depina, J J; Morillon, M; Nicolas, P; Perrier-Gros-Claude, J D

1999-12-01

The increasing hospital-to-hospital transmission of multiple drug-resistant bacteria is a major concern for bacteriology laboratories involved in nosocomial infection control. The interlaboratory reproducibility of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa typing was evaluated by asking four hospital laboratories (two in Lyon, one in Brest, and one in Marseille) to study 11 P. aeruginosa isolates, some of which were epidemiologically related, and the reference strain ATCC 27853. Two laboratories used the Genepath system, one the Chef DR II, system, and one the Chef Mapper system, Bio-Rad, restriction/Spe I. Profiles were read visually and by computerized comparison of restriction band molecular weights (Taxotron, software, PAD Grimont, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France). These two methods led to similar epidemiological conclusions. However, centralization of the data showed poor center-to-center reproducibility due to inadequate standardization of the procedure.

The red road to wellness: cultural reclamation in a Native First Nations community treatment center.

PubMed

Gone, Joseph P

2011-03-01

This article explores how Native American cultural practices were incorporated into the therapeutic activities of a community-controlled substance abuse treatment center on a "First Nations" reserve in the Canadian north. Analysis of open-ended interviews with nineteen staff and clients-as contextualized by participant observation, program records, and existing ethnographic resources-yielded insights concerning local therapeutic practice with outpatients and other community members. Specifically, program staff adopted and promoted a diverse array of both western and Aboriginal approaches that were formally integrated with reference to the Aboriginal symbol of the medicine wheel. Although incorporations of indigenous culture marked Lodge programs as distinctively Aboriginal in character, the subtle but profound influence of western "therapy culture" was centrally evident in healing activities as well. Nuanced explication of these activities illustrated four contributions of cultural analysis for community psychology.

KSC Headquarters Building Groundbreaking Ceremony

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-10-07

Groundbreaking for the new Central Campus will take place in the Industrial Area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana welcomes members of the media and guests to the ceremony. To his right is Nancy Bray, director of Kennedy's Center Operations Directorate. To his left is Kirk Hazen, southeast district manager and vice president of Hensel Phelps, the construction contractor. Kennedy is transforming into a multi-user, 21st century spaceport supporting both commercial and government users and operations. Central Campus Phase I includes construction of a new Headquarters Building as one of the major components of the strategy. The new Headquarters Building will be a seven-story, 200,000-square-foot facility that will house about 500 NASA civil service and contractor employees.

Oklahoma City, Canadian River, OK, USA

NASA Image and Video Library

1991-05-06

STS039-85-029 (28 April-6 May 1991) --- This 70mm frame is one of the best pictures of the Oklahoma City area from the manned space program, according to NASA photo experts studying STS-39 onboard photography. The central business district is near the center. Several municipalities are visible, along with thousands of acres of farmland. The towns of Norman and Moore and the South Canadian River are in the bottom (south). El Reno and Wiley Post Field off I-40W are just below center in lower left quadrant. Edmond is seen at the top (north). Tinker Field can be seen north of I-40E at right center. Lake Overholser shows recent spring rainfall northwest of the central business district.

8. VIEW LOOKING NORTHWEST DOWN CENTRAL AXIS OF ROOM 110. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

8. VIEW LOOKING NORTHWEST DOWN CENTRAL AXIS OF ROOM 110. NOTE CHANGE IN CEILING TREATMENT: WOOD PLANKS IN CENTER, ALL OTHER AREAS ARE GYPSUM BOARD. FLOOR IN CENTRAL AREA IS CONCRETE. POSTS AND BEAMS ARE ALL WOOD CONSTRUCTION. - Presidio of San Francisco, Cavalry Stables, Cowles Street, between Lincoln Boulevard & McDowell Street, San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA

A Cooperative Career Education Project Involving the Fayette County Schools, Eastern Kentucky University, and Central Kentucky Vocational Region. Volume I. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenkins, John D.

The 3-year project was intended to provide for a systematic delivery of career development experiences within each of the three institutions involved--Fayette County Schools, Eastern Kentucky University, and the Central Kentucky Vocational Region--with central activity located in the Fayette County Schools. Major project themes centered on…

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Brevard Manatees, a minor league baseball team in Central Florida, hosts KSC employees at a ballgame at Manatees Stadium. Before the game, attendees offered a moment of silence to honor the STS-107 crew and two recovery workers who died in a helicopter crash.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-05-07

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Brevard Manatees, a minor league baseball team in Central Florida, hosts KSC employees at a ballgame at Manatees Stadium. Before the game, attendees offered a moment of silence to honor the STS-107 crew and two recovery workers who died in a helicopter crash.

View of Central Texas as seen from Apollo 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1969-01-01

Central Texas area as photographed from the Apollo 9 spacecraft during its earth-orbital mission. Interstate 35 runs from Austin (right center edge of pictures) to Waco (near bottom left corner). Also, visible are the cities of Georgetown, Taylor, Temple and Killeen. The Colorado River runs through Austin. The Brazos River flows through Waco. Lake Travis is upstream from Austin. Lake Whitney is at bottom left corner of picture. The Belton Reservoir is near bottom center. The lake formed by the dam on the Lampasas River near Belton is also clearly visible.

Hermetic aluminum radio frequency interconnection and method for making

DOEpatents

Kilgo, Riley D.; Kovacic, Larry; Brow, Richard K.

2000-01-01

The present invention provides a light-weight, hermetic coaxial radio-frequency (RF) interconnection having an electrically conductive outer housing made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a central electrical conductor made of ferrous or non-ferrous material, and a cylinder of dielectric material comprising a low-melting-temperature, high-thermal-expansion aluminophosphate glass composition for hermetically sealing between the aluminum-alloy outer housing and the ferrous or non-ferrous center conductor. The entire RF interconnection assembly is made permanently hermetic by thermally fusing the center conductor, glass, and housing concurrently by bringing the glass to the melt point by way of exposure to an atmospheric temperature sufficient to melt the glass, less than 540.degree. C., but that does not melt the center conductor or the outer aluminum or aluminum alloy housing. The composition of the glass used is controlled to provide a suitable low dielectric constant so that an appropriate electrical characteristic impedance, for example 50 ohms, can be achieved for an electrical interconnection that performs well at high radio frequencies and also provides an interconnection maintaining a relatively small physical size.

Quality Control of Meteorological Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, William; Dee, Dick; Rukhovets, Leonid

1999-01-01

For the first time, a problem of the meteorological observation quality control (QC) was formulated by L.S. Gandin at the Main Geophysical Observatory in the 70's. Later in 1988 L.S. Gandin began adapting his ideas in complex quality control (CQC) to the operational environment at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The CQC was first applied by L.S.Gandin and his colleagues to detection and correction of errors in rawinsonde heights and temperatures using a complex of hydrostatic residuals.Later, a full complex of residuals, vertical and horizontal optimal interpolations and baseline checks were added for the checking and correction of a wide range of meteorological variables. some other of Gandin's ideas were applied and substantially developed at other meteorological centers. A new statistical QC was recently implemented in the Goddard Data Assimilation System. The central component of any quality control is a buddy check which is a test of individual suspect observations against available nearby non-suspect observations. A novel feature of this test is that the error variances which are used for QC decision are re-estimated on-line. As a result, the allowed tolerances for suspect observations can depend on local atmospheric conditions. The system is then better able to accept extreme values observed in deep cyclones, jet streams and so on. The basic statements of this adaptive buddy check are described. Some results of the on-line QC including moisture QC are presented.

Central part of Pier 22, southwest part, showing the northwest ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Central part of Pier 22, southwest part, showing the northwest side of the Shore Power Supply Electric Distribution Center (Building 734) - Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Finger Piers 22 & 23, Railroad Avenue near Eighteenth Street, Vallejo, Solano County, CA

Centralized Outpatient Education Center for Patients with Diabetes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-16

rated into the study where appropriate. Interviews with education coordinators from nonmilitary diabetes treatment facilities were evaluated and...personnel were evaluated to determine the acceptance of the concept of an outpatient education center for diabetic patients. 12 The data from the...step was to evaluate the data from 100 outpatients to ascertain the degree of acceptance of an outpatient education center for diabetic patients. The

Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-07-06

financed and staffed by the states, and there is no one “model” for how a center should be structured. State and local law enforcement and criminal...Centers to Task the IC for Information and Receive “Feedback” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 4e . Establish a Mechanism for Fusion Centers to Have...together nationally, represent a proactive tool to be used to fight a global jihadist adversary which has both centralized and decentralized elements

Continuous on-line steam quality monitoring system of the Bacman Geothermal Production Field, Philippines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Solis, R.P.; Chavez, F.C.; Garcia, S.E.

1997-12-31

In any operating geothermal power plant, steam quality is one of the most important parameters being monitored. In the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Production Field (BGPF), an online steam quality monitoring system have been installed in two operating power plants which provides an accurate, efficient and continuous real-time data which is more responsive to the various requirements of the field operation. The system utilizes sodium as an indicator of steam purity. Sodium concentration is read by the flame photometer located at the interface after aspirating a sample of the condensed steam through a continuous condensate sampler. The condensate has been degassed throughmore » a condensate-NCG separator. The flame photometer analog signal is then converted by a voltage-to-current converter/transmitter and relayed to the processor which is located at the control center through electrical cable to give a digital sodium concentration read-out at the control panel. The system features a high and high-high sodium level alarm, a continuous strip-chart recorder and a central computer for data capture, retrieval, and processing for further interpretation. Safety devices, such as the flame-off indicator at the control center and the automatic fuel cut-off device along the fuel line, are incorporated in the system.« less

Brainstem Involvement as a Cause of Central Sleep Apnea: Pattern of Microstructural Cerebral Damage in Patients with Cerebral Microangiopathy

PubMed Central

Duning, Thomas; Deppe, Michael; Brand, Eva; Stypmann, Jörg; Becht, Charlotte; Heidbreder, Anna; Young, Peter

2013-01-01

Background The exact underlying pathomechanism of central sleep apnea with Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSA-CSR) is still unclear. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between cerebral white matter changes and CSA. A dysfunction of central respiratory control centers in the brainstem was suggested by some authors. Novel MR-imaging analysis tools now allow far more subtle assessment of microstructural cerebral changes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and what severity of subtle structural cerebral changes could lead to CSA-CSR, and whether there is a specific pattern of neurodegenerative changes that cause CSR. Therefore, we examined patients with Fabry disease (FD), an inherited, lysosomal storage disease. White matter lesions are early and frequent findings in FD. Thus, FD can serve as a "model disease" of cerebral microangiopathy to study in more detail the impact of cerebral lesions on central sleep apnea. Patients and Methods Genetically proven FD patients (n = 23) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 44) underwent a cardio-respiratory polysomnography and brain MRI at 3.0 Tesla. We applied different MR-imaging techniques, ranging from semiquantitative measurement of white matter lesion (WML) volumes and automated calculation of brain tissue volumes to VBM of gray matter and voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis. Results In 5 of 23 Fabry patients (22%) CSA-CSR was detected. Voxel-based DTI analysis revealed widespread structural changes in FD patients when compared to the healthy controls. When calculated as a separate group, DTI changes of CSA-CSR patients were most prominent in the brainstem. Voxel-based regression analysis revealed a significant association between CSR severity and microstructural DTI changes within the brainstem. Conclusion Subtle microstructural changes in the brainstem might be a neuroanatomical correlate of CSA-CSR in patients at risk of WML. DTI is more sensitive and specific than conventional structural MRI and other advanced MR analyses tools in demonstrating these abnormalities. PMID:23637744

Molecular symmetry determines the mechanism of a very efficient ultrafast excitation-to-heat conversion in Ni-substituted chlorophylls.

PubMed

Pilch, Mariusz; Dudkowiak, Alina; Jurzyk, Barbara; Lukasiewicz, Jędrzej; Susz, Anna; Stochel, Grażyna; Fiedor, Leszek

2013-01-01

In the Ni-substituted chlorophylls, an ultrafast (<60 fs) deactivation channel is created, which is not present in Ni-porphyrins. This observation prompted us to investigate in detail the mechanism of excitation-to-heat conversion in Ni-substituted chlorophylls, experimentally, using time-resolved laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy, and theoretically, using group theory approach. The Ni-substituted chlorophylls show exceptional photostability and the optoacoustic measurements confirm the prompt and very efficient (100%) excitation-into-heat conversion in these complexes. Considering their excellent spectral properties and the loss-free excitation-into-heat conversion they are likely to become a new class of versatile photocalorimetric references. The curious features of the Ni-substituted chlorophylls originate from the symmetry of a ligand field created in the central cavity. The central N-Ni(2+) bonds, formed via the donation of two electrons from each of the sp(2) orbitals of two central nitrogens to an empty [Formula: see text] hybrid centered on Ni(2+), have a considerable covalent character. The extreme rate of excited state relaxation is then not due to a ladder of the metal centered d-states, often invoked in metalloporphyrins, but seems to result from a peculiar topology of the potential energy surface (a saddle-shaped crossing) due to the covalent character of the N-Ni(2+) bonds. This is confirmed by a strong 0→0 character of electronic transitions in these complexes indicating a similarity of their equilibrium geometries in the ground (S(0)) and the excited states (both Q(X) and Q(Y)). The excitation energy is very efficiently converted into molecular vibrations and dissipated as heat, involving the central Ni(2+). These Ni-substituted pigments pose a fine exemplification of symmetry control over properties of excited states of transition metal complexes. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated daily quality control analysis for mammography in a multi-unit imaging center.

PubMed

Sundell, Veli-Matti; Mäkelä, Teemu; Meaney, Alexander; Kaasalainen, Touko; Savolainen, Sauli

2018-01-01

Background The high requirements for mammography image quality necessitate a systematic quality assurance process. Digital imaging allows automation of the image quality analysis, which can potentially improve repeatability and objectivity compared to a visual evaluation made by the users. Purpose To develop an automatic image quality analysis software for daily mammography quality control in a multi-unit imaging center. Material and Methods An automated image quality analysis software using the discrete wavelet transform and multiresolution analysis was developed for the American College of Radiology accreditation phantom. The software was validated by analyzing 60 randomly selected phantom images from six mammography systems and 20 phantom images with different dose levels from one mammography system. The results were compared to a visual analysis made by four reviewers. Additionally, long-term image quality trends of a full-field digital mammography system and a computed radiography mammography system were investigated. Results The automated software produced feature detection levels comparable to visual analysis. The agreement was good in the case of fibers, while the software detected somewhat more microcalcifications and characteristic masses. Long-term follow-up via a quality assurance web portal demonstrated the feasibility of using the software for monitoring the performance of mammography systems in a multi-unit imaging center. Conclusion Automated image quality analysis enables monitoring the performance of digital mammography systems in an efficient, centralized manner.

KSC-04pd1852

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Looking at damage on the second floor of the hurricane-ravaged Thermal Protection System Facility (TPSF) are (from left) Kevin Harrington, manager of Soft Goods Production, TPSF ; Martin Wilson, manager of Thermal Protection System operations for USA; Scott Kerr, KSC director of Spaceport Services; and James Kennedy, Center director. The TPSF, which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof during Hurricane Frances, which blew across Central Florida Sept. 4-5. Undamaged equipment was removed from the TPSF and stored in the RLV hangar. NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and NASA Associate Administrator of Space Operations Mission Directorate William Readdy are visiting KSC to survey the damage sustained by KSC facilities from the hurricane. The Labor Day storm also caused significant damage to the Vehicle Assembly Building and Processing Control Center. Additionally, the Operations and Checkout Building, Vertical Processing Facility, Hangar AE, Hangar S and Hangar AF Small Parts Facility each received substantial damage. However, well-protected and unharmed were NASA’s three Space Shuttle orbiters - Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - along with the Shuttle launch pads, all of the critical flight hardware for the orbiters and the International Space Station, and NASA’s Swift spacecraft that is awaiting launch in October.

KSC-04pd1841

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-09-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Martin Wilson (second from right), manager of Thermal Protection System (TPS) operations for United Space Alliance (USA), briefs NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, KSC Director of Shuttle Processing Michael E. Wetmore and Center Director James Kennedy about the temporary tile shop set up in the RLV hangar. At far right is USA Manager of Soft Goods Production in the TPSF, Kevin Harrington. O’Keefe and NASA Associate Administrator of Space Operations Mission Directorate William Readdy are visiting KSC to survey the damage sustained by KSC facilities from Hurricane Frances. The Thermal Protection System Facility (TPSF), which creates the TPS tiles, blankets and all the internal thermal control systems for the Space Shuttles, is almost totally unserviceable at this time after losing approximately 35 percent of its roof in the storm, which blew across Central Florida Sept. 4-5. Undamaged equipment was removed from the TPSF and stored in the hangar. The Labor Day storm also caused significant damage to the Vehicle Assembly Building and Processing Control Center. Additionally, the Operations and Checkout Building, Vertical Processing Facility, Hangar AE, Hangar S and Hangar AF Small Parts Facility each received substantial damage. However, well-protected and unharmed were NASA’s three Space Shuttle orbiters -- Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - along with the Shuttle launch pads, all of the critical flight hardware for the orbiters and the International Space Station, and NASA’s Swift spacecraft that is awaiting launch in October.

The EDGE-CALIFA Survey: Variations in the Molecular Gas Depletion Time in Local Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utomo, Dyas; Bolatto, Alberto D.; Wong, Tony; Ostriker, Eve C.; Blitz, Leo; Sanchez, Sebastian F.; Colombo, Dario; Leroy, Adam K.; Cao, Yixian; Dannerbauer, Helmut; Garcia-Benito, Ruben; Husemann, Bernd; Kalinova, Veselina; Levy, Rebecca C.; Mast, Damian; Rosolowsky, Erik; Vogel, Stuart N.

2017-11-01

We present results from the EDGE survey, a spatially resolved CO(1-0) follow-up to CALIFA, an optical Integral Field Unit survey of local galaxies. By combining the data products of EDGE and CALIFA, we study the variation in molecular gas depletion time (τ dep) on kiloparsec scales in 52 galaxies. We divide each galaxy into two parts: the center, defined as the region within 0.1 {R}25, and the disk, defined as the region between 0.1 and 0.7 {R}25. We find that 14 galaxies show a shorter τ dep (˜1 Gyr) in the center relative to that in the disk (τ dep ˜ 2.4 Gyr), which means the central region in those galaxies is more efficient at forming stars per unit molecular gas mass. This finding implies that the centers with shorter τ dep resemble the intermediate regime between galactic disks and starburst galaxies. Furthermore, the central drop in τ dep is correlated with a central increase in the stellar surface density, suggesting that a shorter τ dep is associated with molecular gas compression by the stellar gravitational potential. We argue that varying the CO-to-H2 conversion factor only exaggerates the central drop of τ dep.

The Effects of Racket Inertia Tensor on Elbow Loadings and Racket Behavior for Central and Eccentric Impacts

PubMed Central

Nesbit, Steven M.; Elzinga, Michael; Herchenroder, Catherine; Serrano, Monika

2006-01-01

This paper discusses the inertia tensors of tennis rackets and their influence on the elbow swing torques in a forehand motion, the loadings transmitted to the elbow from central and eccentric impacts, and the racket acceleration responses from central and eccentric impacts. Inertia tensors of various rackets with similar mass and mass center location were determined by an inertia pendulum and were found to vary considerably in all three orthogonal directions. Tennis swing mechanics and impact analyses were performed using a computer model comprised of a full-body model of a human, a parametric model of the racket, and an impact function. The swing mechanics analysis of a forehand motion determined that inertia values had a moderate linear effect on the pronation-supination elbow torques required to twist the racket, and a minor effect on the flexion-extension and valgus-varus torques. The impact analysis found that mass center inertia values had a considerable effect on the transmitted torques for both longitudinal and latitudinal eccentric impacts and significantly affected all elbow torque components. Racket acceleration responses to central and eccentric impacts were measured experimentally and found to be notably sensitive to impact location and mass center inertia values. Key Points Tennis biomechanics. Racket inertia tensor. Impact analysis. Full-body computer model. PMID:24260004

LaRC local area networks to support distributed computing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riddle, E. P.

1984-01-01

The Langley Research Center's (LaRC) Local Area Network (LAN) effort is discussed. LaRC initiated the development of a LAN to support a growing distributed computing environment at the Center. The purpose of the network is to provide an improved capability (over inteactive and RJE terminal access) for sharing multivendor computer resources. Specifically, the network will provide a data highway for the transfer of files between mainframe computers, minicomputers, work stations, and personal computers. An important influence on the overall network design was the vital need of LaRC researchers to efficiently utilize the large CDC mainframe computers in the central scientific computing facility. Although there was a steady migration from a centralized to a distributed computing environment at LaRC in recent years, the work load on the central resources increased. Major emphasis in the network design was on communication with the central resources within the distributed environment. The network to be implemented will allow researchers to utilize the central resources, distributed minicomputers, work stations, and personal computers to obtain the proper level of computing power to efficiently perform their jobs.

Tri-Center Analysis: Determining Measures of Trichotomous Central Tendency for the Parametric Analysis of Tri-Squared Test Results

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osler, James Edward

2014-01-01

This monograph provides an epistemological rational for the design of a novel post hoc statistical measure called "Tri-Center Analysis". This new statistic is designed to analyze the post hoc outcomes of the Tri-Squared Test. In Tri-Center Analysis trichotomous parametric inferential parametric statistical measures are calculated from…

Introduction to "The Polarities of Context in the Writing Center Conference"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lerner, Neal

2010-01-01

Janangelo's article "The Polarities of Context in the Writing Center Conference" appeared in "WCJ" in 1988, and in that piece, one he wrote as a graduate student at New York University, Jangangelo identifies what to the author is likely the central tension in writing center work: local versus general context. While other authors have explored the…

Profile Of A Rural Teachers' Center. Teachers' Center Exchange. Occasional Paper No. 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Peter H.

Project RISE (Regional In-Service Education) is an inservice center serving teachers, administrators, support staff and parents in central Connecticut. It began in 1976 with state funding, and serves 500 teachers in nine rural and small town districts. An initial needs assessment provided a basis for planning and responding to individual teachers'…

Workshop: Valuing Environmental Health Risk Reductions to Children (2003)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This two-day workshop on children's health valuation was co-sponsored by EPA's National Center for Environmental Economics, Office of Children's Health Protection, and National Center for Environmental Research as well as the University of Central Florida.

76 FR 28441 - Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-17

...: Vision, Cognition and Pain. Date: June 29-30, 2011. Time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate...: Center for Scientific Review Special Emphasis Panel; Member Conflict: Cognition and Central Visual...

Correlation between epithelial thickness in normal corneas, untreated ectatic corneas, and ectatic corneas previously treated with CXL; is overall epithelial thickness a very early ectasia prognostic factor?

PubMed

Kanellopoulos, Anastasios John; Aslanides, Ioannis M; Asimellis, George

2012-01-01

To determine and correlate epithelial corneal thickness (pachymetric) measurements taken with a digital arc scanning very high frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy (HF UBM) imaging system (Artemis-II), and compare mean and central epithelial thickness among normal eyes, untreated keratoconic eyes, and keratoconic eyes previously treated with collagen crosslinking (CXL). Epithelial pachymetry measurements (topographic mapping) were conducted on 100 subjects via HF UBM. Three groups of patients were included: patients with normal eyes (controls), patients with untreated keratoconic eyes, and patients with keratoconic eyes treated with CXL. Central, mean, and peripheral corneal epithelial thickness was examined for each group, and a statistical study was conducted. Mean, central, and peripheral corneal epithelial thickness was compared between the three groups of patients. Epithelium thickness varied substantially in the keratoconic group, and in some cases there was a difference of up to 20 μm between various points of the same eye, and often a thinner epithelium coincided with a thinner cornea. However, on average, data from the keratoconic group suggested an overall thickening of the epithelium, particularly over the pupil center of the order of +3 μm, while the mean epithelium thickness was on average +1.1 μm, compared to the control population (P = 0.005). This overall thickening was more pronounced in younger patients in the keratoconic group. Keratoconic eyes previously treated with CXL showed, on average, virtually the same average epithelium thickness (mean -0.7 μm, -0.2 μm over the pupil center, -0.9 μm over the peripheral zone) as the control group. This finding further reinforces our novel theory of the "reactive" component of epithelial thickening in corneas that are biomechanically unstable, becoming stable when biomechanical rigidity is accomplished despite persistence of cornea topographic irregularity. A highly irregular epithelium may be suggestive of an ectatic cornea. Our results indicate that the epithelium is thinner over the keratoconic protrusion, but to a much lesser extent than anticipated, and on average epithelium is thicker in this group of patients. This difference appears to be clinically significant and may become a screening tool for eyes suspected for ectasia.

Correlation between epithelial thickness in normal corneas, untreated ectatic corneas, and ectatic corneas previously treated with CXL; is overall epithelial thickness a very early ectasia prognostic factor?

PubMed Central

Kanellopoulos, Anastasios John; Aslanides, Ioannis M; Asimellis, George

2012-01-01

Purpose To determine and correlate epithelial corneal thickness (pachymetric) measurements taken with a digital arc scanning very high frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy (HF UBM) imaging system (Artemis-II), and compare mean and central epithelial thickness among normal eyes, untreated keratoconic eyes, and keratoconic eyes previously treated with collagen crosslinking (CXL). Methods Epithelial pachymetry measurements (topographic mapping) were conducted on 100 subjects via HF UBM. Three groups of patients were included: patients with normal eyes (controls), patients with untreated keratoconic eyes, and patients with keratoconic eyes treated with CXL. Central, mean, and peripheral corneal epithelial thickness was examined for each group, and a statistical study was conducted. Results Mean, central, and peripheral corneal epithelial thickness was compared between the three groups of patients. Epithelium thickness varied substantially in the keratoconic group, and in some cases there was a difference of up to 20 μm between various points of the same eye, and often a thinner epithelium coincided with a thinner cornea. However, on average, data from the keratoconic group suggested an overall thickening of the epithelium, particularly over the pupil center of the order of +3 μm, while the mean epithelium thickness was on average +1.1 μm, compared to the control population (P = 0.005). This overall thickening was more pronounced in younger patients in the keratoconic group. Keratoconic eyes previously treated with CXL showed, on average, virtually the same average epithelium thickness (mean −0.7 μm, −0.2 μm over the pupil center, −0.9 μm over the peripheral zone) as the control group. This finding further reinforces our novel theory of the “reactive” component of epithelial thickening in corneas that are biomechanically unstable, becoming stable when biomechanical rigidity is accomplished despite persistence of cornea topographic irregularity. Conclusion A highly irregular epithelium may be suggestive of an ectatic cornea. Our results indicate that the epithelium is thinner over the keratoconic protrusion, but to a much lesser extent than anticipated, and on average epithelium is thicker in this group of patients. This difference appears to be clinically significant and may become a screening tool for eyes suspected for ectasia. PMID:22701079

Hypothalamic Integration of Metabolic, Endocrine, and Circadian Signals in Fish: Involvement in the Control of Food Intake

PubMed Central

Delgado, María J.; Cerdá-Reverter, José M.; Soengas, José L.

2017-01-01

The regulation of food intake in fish is a complex process carried out through several different mechanisms in the central nervous system (CNS) with hypothalamus being the main regulatory center. As in mammals, a complex hypothalamic circuit including two populations of neurons: one co-expressing neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and the second one population co-expressing pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is involved in the integration of information relating to food intake control. The production and release of these peptides control food intake, and the production results from the integration of information of different nature such as levels of nutrients and hormones as well as circadian signals. The present review summarizes the knowledge and recent findings about the presence and functioning of these mechanisms in fish and their differences vs. the known mammalian model. PMID:28694769

New York City Police Department automated fuel monitoring system. Volume II: documentation report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McGrath, W.J.; McNamara, M.M.

1981-11-01

The New York City Police Department's (NYCPD) automated fuel monitoring system was designed and implemented for NYCPD as a major aspect of the Naval Underwater System Center's technology transfer program. The system, which is the largest of its kind installed to date, provides complete control of fuel usage for an agency with 4,000 motor vehicles and 25,000 vehicle operators, and can be scaled up or down to meet the needs of other governmental units. Estimated annual cost savings to NYCPD are $2,000,000. Other benefits of the new system are: (1) central control of fuel ordering and dispensing which ensures fewermore » sites out of fuel and for shorter periods; (2) less out-of-precinct travel because personnel do not have to go from site to site looking for gas; and (3) control of the total fuel operation, both for management and accounting purposes.« less

Aerial view of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

This Shuttle/Gantry mockup and Post Show Dome anchor the northeast corner of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The Astronaut Memorial is located just above. Sprawling across 70 acres on Florida's Space Coast, the complex is located off State Road 405, NASA Parkway, six miles inside the Space Center entrance. The building at the upper left is the Theater Complex. Other exhibits and buildings on the site are the Center for Space Education, Cafeteria, Space Flight Exhibit Building, Souvenir Sales Building, Spaceport Central, Ticket Pavilion and Center for Space Education.

Dynamic biosignal management and transmission during telemedicine incidents handled by Mobile Units over diverse network types.

PubMed

Mandellos, George J; Koutelakis, George V; Panagiotakopoulos, Theodor C; Koukias, Andreas M; Koukias, Mixalis N; Lymberopoulos, Dimitrios K

2008-01-01

Early and specialized pre-hospital patient treatment improves outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity, in emergency cases. This paper focuses on the design and implementation of a telemedicine system that supports diverse types of endpoints including moving transports (MT) (ambulances, ships, planes, etc.), handheld devices and fixed units, using diverse communication networks. Target of the above telemedicine system is the pre-hospital patient treatment. While vital sign transmission is prior to other services provided by the telemedicine system (videoconference, remote management, voice calls etc.), a predefined algorithm controls provision and quality of the other services. A distributed database system controlled by a central server, aims to manage patient attributes, exams and incidents handled by different Telemedicine Coordination Centers (TCC).

Decision Making Training in the Mission Operations Directorate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Keefe, William S.

2013-01-01

At JSC, we train our new flight controllers on a set of team skills that we call Space Flight Resource Management (SFRM). SFRM is akin to Crew Resource Management for the airlines and trains flight controllers to work as an effective team to reduce errors and improve safety. We have developed this training over the years with the assistance of Ames Research Center, Wyle Labs and University of Central Florida. One of the skills we teach is decision making/ problem solving (DM/PS). We teach DM/PS first in several classroom sessions, reinforce it in several part task training environments, and finally practice it in full-mission, full-team simulations. What I am proposing to talk about is this training flow: its content and how we teach it.

A new concept for medical imaging centered on cellular phone technology.

PubMed

Granot, Yair; Ivorra, Antoni; Rubinsky, Boris

2008-04-30

According to World Health Organization reports, some three quarters of the world population does not have access to medical imaging. In addition, in developing countries over 50% of medical equipment that is available is not being used because it is too sophisticated or in disrepair or because the health personnel are not trained to use it. The goal of this study is to introduce and demonstrate the feasibility of a new concept in medical imaging that is centered on cellular phone technology and which may provide a solution to medical imaging in underserved areas. The new system replaces the conventional stand-alone medical imaging device with a new medical imaging system made of two independent components connected through cellular phone technology. The independent units are: a) a data acquisition device (DAD) at a remote patient site that is simple, with limited controls and no image display capability and b) an advanced image reconstruction and hardware control multiserver unit at a central site. The cellular phone technology transmits unprocessed raw data from the patient site DAD and receives and displays the processed image from the central site. (This is different from conventional telemedicine where the image reconstruction and control is at the patient site and telecommunication is used to transmit processed images from the patient site). The primary goal of this study is to demonstrate that the cellular phone technology can function in the proposed mode. The feasibility of the concept is demonstrated using a new frequency division multiplexing electrical impedance tomography system, which we have developed for dynamic medical imaging, as the medical imaging modality. The system is used to image through a cellular phone a simulation of breast cancer tumors in a medical imaging diagnostic mode and to image minimally invasive tissue ablation with irreversible electroporation in a medical imaging interventional mode.

The Effect of Adding Comorbidities to Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Central-Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Risk-Adjustment Methodology.

PubMed

Jackson, Sarah S; Leekha, Surbhi; Magder, Laurence S; Pineles, Lisa; Anderson, Deverick J; Trick, William E; Woeltje, Keith F; Kaye, Keith S; Stafford, Kristen; Thom, Kerri; Lowe, Timothy J; Harris, Anthony D

2017-09-01

BACKGROUND Risk adjustment is needed to fairly compare central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates between hospitals. Until 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) methodology adjusted CLABSI rates only by type of intensive care unit (ICU). The 2017 CDC models also adjust for hospital size and medical school affiliation. We hypothesized that risk adjustment would be improved by including patient demographics and comorbidities from electronically available hospital discharge codes. METHODS Using a cohort design across 22 hospitals, we analyzed data from ICU patients admitted between January 2012 and December 2013. Demographics and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) discharge codes were obtained for each patient, and CLABSIs were identified by trained infection preventionists. Models adjusting only for ICU type and for ICU type plus patient case mix were built and compared using discrimination and standardized infection ratio (SIR). Hospitals were ranked by SIR for each model to examine and compare the changes in rank. RESULTS Overall, 85,849 ICU patients were analyzed and 162 (0.2%) developed CLABSI. The significant variables added to the ICU model were coagulopathy, paralysis, renal failure, malnutrition, and age. The C statistics were 0.55 (95% CI, 0.51-0.59) for the ICU-type model and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.60-0.69) for the ICU-type plus patient case-mix model. When the hospitals were ranked by adjusted SIRs, 10 hospitals (45%) changed rank when comorbidity was added to the ICU-type model. CONCLUSIONS Our risk-adjustment model for CLABSI using electronically available comorbidities demonstrated better discrimination than did the CDC model. The CDC should strongly consider comorbidity-based risk adjustment to more accurately compare CLABSI rates across hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1019-1024.