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BackgroundSpecialized training for elite US military units is associated with high attrition due to intense psychological and physical demands. The need to graduate more service members without degrading performance standards necessitates the identification of factors to predict success or failure in targeted training interventions. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to continuously quantify the mental and physical status of trainees of an elite military unit to identify novel predictors of success in training. MethodsA total of 3 consecutive classes of a specialized training course were provided with an Apple iPhone, Watch, and specially designed mobile app. Baseline personality assessments and continuous daily measures of mental status, physical pain, heart rate, activity, sleep, hydration, and nutrition were collected from the app and Watch data. ResultsA total of 115 trainees enrolled and completed the study (100% male; age: mean 22 years, SD 4 years) and 64 (55.7%) successfully graduated. Most training withdrawals (27/115, 23.5%) occurred by day 7 (mean 5.5 days, SD 3.4 days; range 1-22 days). Extraversion, positive affect personality traits, and daily psychological profiles were associated with course completion; key psychological factors could predict withdrawals 1-2 days in advance (P=.009). ConclusionsGathering accurate and continuous mental and physical status data during elite military training is possible with early predictors of withdrawal providing an opportunity for intervention.

The government of Ontario has adopted wind energy development as an alternative energy source. It enacted the Green Energy and Economy Act, May 2009, with the intention to fast track the approval process regarding industrial wind turbines. The Act legislated a centralized decision making process while removing local jurisdictional authority. Throughout this process, the government reassured the public of inexpensive and reliable electricity. This article explores the costs and benefits related to the renewable energy policy established in Ontario, Canada. (Contains 2 figures, 1 table, and 11 notes.)

Reconnaissance Marine training is deliberately difficult, to assure that graduates have the capabilities required to function successfully in the high-risk military occupational specialty. The majority of training attrition is due to voluntary withdrawal and previous research has identified certain predictive factors such as demographics, mental status, and physical performance. While some characteristics of training attrition have been identified, there is still a lack of understanding related to an individual's profile that is more apt to complete Recon training. Retrospective survey data was analyzed from 3,438 trainees within the Reconnaissance Training Company. Surveys were related to trainees' military recruitment history and other military experience, prior life experience, athletic experience, self-identified personality characteristics and motivations, and reasons for voluntary withdrawal if applicable, as well as physical performance metrics. Various demographic factors, self-reported hobbies, motivations, aquatic experience, and physical performance were associated with success in Recon Marine training courses. Subjects who voluntarily withdrew from training most commonly cited mental stress and aquatic rigor as the reason and less commonly cited reasons were physical and family reasons. These results could potentially increase training success, but more research is needed to understand the relationships between the observed trainee characteristics and success in elite warfighter training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Coase theorem,' in one respect, is a triumph of social science scholarship. Web searches using 'Coase theorem' as key words typically yield over 100,000 hits. Economists, legal scholars, environmentalists, [...]

Abstract: We have developed a spatial cost-benefit afforestation model that includes the tracking of five carbon pools. In this application we represent three possible afforestation strategies that could be implemented [...]

A new series of polynucleating beta-octathiolyl-meso-tetraazaporphyrins are synthesized and shown to possess unique complexing behavior. These so-called star-porphyrazines form quadridentate complexes through their pyrrole nitrogens and tridentate as well as bidentate complexes through their meso- nitrogens and dithiolene moieties. The results of spectroscopic and X-ray studies on four star-porphyrazines centrally coordinated to either magnesium, nickel or copper, with three of themperipherally coordinated to organotin, are presented.

The M(DBSQ)2 complexes, where M = Pd and Pt and DBSQ = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone, were synthesized from the reactions of M2(DBA)3, where DBA = dibenzylideneacetone, with DBSQ. Molecules of both complexes are monomeric with square planar geometries. The complexes were also found to be diamagnetic although solutions of the complex Pd(DBSQ)2 showed low-level paramagnetism. Moreover, both undergo two reversible reductions and one irreversible oxidation. Magnetic property differences between the two complexes support metal-dependence in the magnitude of the exchange interaction.