Facilitating the development of moral insight in practice: teaching ethics and teaching virtue.

PubMed

Begley, Ann M

2006-10-01

Abstract The teaching of ethics is discussed within the context of insights gleaned from ancient Greek ethics, particularly Aristotle and Plato and their conceptions of virtue (arete, meaning excellence). The virtues of excellence of character (moral virtue) and excellence of intelligence (intellectual virtue), particularly practical wisdom and theoretical wisdom, are considered. In Aristotelian ethics, a distinction is drawn between these intellectual virtues: experience and maturity is needed for practical wisdom, but not for theoretical wisdom. In addition to this, excellence of character is acquired through habitual practice, not instruction. This suggests that there is a need to teach more than theoretical ethics and that the ethics teacher must also facilitate the acquisition of practical wisdom and excellence of character. This distinction highlights a need for various educational approaches in cultivating these excellences which are required for a moral life. It also raises the question: is it possible to teach practical wisdom and excellence of character? It is suggested that virtue, conceived of as a type of knowledge, or skill, can be taught, and people can, with appropriate experience, habitual practice, and good role models, develop excellence of character and become moral experts. These students are the next generation of exemplars and they will educate others by example and sustain the practice of nursing. They need an education which includes theoretical ethics and the nurturing of practical wisdom and excellence of character. For this purpose, a humanities approach is suggested.

Catholic Elementary School Principal Induction: An Investigation of Diocesan Supports for Competent, Confident Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gross, Patrick M.

2017-01-01

Catholic schools play an important role in the United States' educational landscape, forwarding a model of excellence in education, providing school choice, lowering overall public education costs, and central to their mission, serving as a ministry of the Catholic Church. However, Catholic schools face historically unprecedented challenges, and…

A Review of Roles and Responsibilities: Restructuring for Excellence in the School System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education, Kelowna (British Columbia).

Recommendations are presented for a new form of school governance in British Columbia that takes into account current research on effective schools. In the model described, the provincial government provides the funding, sets the core curriculum, standards, and outcomes, ensures standardized measurement and reporting, and supports field research.…

Role modelling in medical education: the importance of teaching skills.

PubMed

Burgess, Annette; Oates, Kim; Goulston, Kerry

2016-04-01

By observation of role models, and participation in activities, students develop their attitudes, values and professional competencies. Literature suggests that clinical skills and knowledge, personality, and teaching skills are three main areas that students consider central to the identification of positive role models. The aim of this study was to explore junior medical students' opinions of the ideal attributes of a good role model in clinical tutors. The study was conducted with one cohort (n = 301) of students who had completed year 1 of the medical programme in 2013. All students were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the ideal attributes of a good role model in a clinical tutor. The questionnaire consisted of seven closed items and one open-ended question. The response rate to the questionnaire was 265/301 (88%). Although students found all three key areas important in a good role model, students emphasised the importance of excellence in teaching skills. Specifically, students see good role models as being able to provide a constructive learning environment, a good understanding of the curriculum and an ability to cater to the learning needs of all students. Students see good role models as being able to provide a constructive learning environment While acknowledging the importance of a patient-centred approach, as well as clinical knowledge and skills, our findings reinforce the importance of the actual teaching abilities of role models within medical education. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Definition of Giftedness: How Can We Help Promote the Work Ethic in Gifted Students?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flack, Jerry

2000-01-01

This article discusses the role that "willingness to work" must play in any definition of giftedness. Strategies are provided for promoting the work ethic in gifted students: provide students with models of excellence, provide examples of people who have worked hard and enjoyed their labors, and support meaningful hard work. (CR)

Growing up and role modeling: a theory in Iranian nursing students' education.

PubMed

Mokhtari Nouri, Jamileh; Ebadi, Abbas; Alhani, Fatemeh; Rejeh, Nahid

2014-11-16

One of the key strategies in students' learning is being affected by models. Understanding the role-modeling process in education will help to make greater use of this training strategy. The aim of this grounded theory study was to explore Iranian nursing students and instructors' experiences about role modeling process. Data was analyzed by Glaserian's Grounded Theory methodology through semi-structured interviews with 7 faculty members, 2 nursing students; the three focus group discussions with 20 nursing students based on purposive and theoretical sampling was done for explaining role modeling process from four nursing faculties in Tehran. Through basic coding, an effort to comprehensive growth and excellence was made with the basic social process consisting the core category and through selective coding three phases were identified as: realizing and exposure to inadequate human and professional growth, facilitating human and professional growth and evolution. The role modeling process is taking place unconscious, involuntary, dynamic and with positive progressive process in order to facilitate overall growth in nursing student. Accordingly, the design and implementation of the designed model can be used to make this unconscious to conscious, active and voluntarily processes a process to help education administrators of nursing colleges and supra organization to prevent threats to human and professional in nursing students' education and promote nursing students' growth.

Achieving Scientific Excellence: An Exploratory Study of the Role of Emotional and Motivational Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Araújo, Liliana S.; Cruz, José Fernando A.; Almeida, Leandro S.

2017-01-01

This study investigates the perceived role of psychological factors in achieving excellence in scientific research. Six outstanding scientists aged 33-42 were interviewed. Data were analyzed inductively resulting in three main dimensions: personality traits and characteristics, psychological skills and processes, and task-specific strategies.…

Cultural Leadership: The Culture of Excellence in Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cunningham, William G.; Gresso, Donn W.

Changing the system of rules, roles, and relationships that determine how the components of school redesign are addressed is the challenge that confronts administrators who seek to create a culture of excellence in schools. This book examines the role of effective leadership in achieving significant educational improvement, arguing that culture,…

How Variables Uncorrelated with the Dependent Variable Can Actually Make Excellent Predictors: The Important Suppressor Variable Case.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woolley, Kristin K.

Many researchers are unfamiliar with suppressor variables and how they operate in multiple regression analyses. This paper describes the role suppressor variables play in a multiple regression model and provides practical examples that explain how they can change research results. A variable that when added as another predictor increases the total…

Course-Embedded Mentoring for First-Year Students: Melding Academic Subject Support with Role Modeling, Psycho-Social Support, and Goal Setting

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henry, Jim; Bruland, Holly Huff; Sano-Franchini, Jennifer

2011-01-01

This article examines a mentoring initiative that embedded advanced students in first-year composition courses to mentor students to excel to the best of their abilities. Mentors attended all classes along with students and conducted many out-of-class individual conferences, documenting each of them using programimplemented work logs. Four hundred…

Evolving Communicative Complexity: Insight from Rodents and Beyond

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

Group size in animal societies: the potential role of social and ecological limitations in the group-living fish , Paragobiodon xanthosomus. Ethology... Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 2Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Perceptual Sciences...evolve is an active question in behavioural ecology . Sciurid rodents (ground squirrels, prairie dogs and marmots) provide an excellent model system for

Is the Sun Setting on Lecture-based Education?

PubMed Central

Lowe, Whitney

2011-01-01

Lecture-based instructional models have been the mainstay of education for centuries. They excel primarily at delivering information from the one to the many. Educators refer to this model as “the sage on the stage”. Clearly there are educators who relish this role and are strongly opposed to moving away from it. Yet, educational research and new innovative technologies are suggesting that lecture-based classes may no longer be the most effective teaching method for many situations, especially clinical practice. PMID:22211152

Learning Motivation and Performance Excellence in Adolescents with High Intellectual Potential: What Really Matters?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schick, Hella; Phillipson, Shane N.

2009-01-01

In the development of performance excellence, the relative roles played by intellectual ability and motivation remain speculative. This study investigates the role played by general intelligence, school environment, self-efficacy, and aspects of personal identity in the formation of learning motivation in German students attending the Gymnasium…

The Use of Operational Excellence Principles in a University Hospital.

PubMed

Edelman, Eric R; Hamaekers, Ankie E W; Buhre, Wolfgang F; van Merode, Godefridus G

2017-01-01

The introduction of Operational Excellence in the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+) has been the first of its kind and scale for a university hospital. The policy makers of the MUMC+ have combined different elements from various other business, management, and healthcare philosophies and frameworks into a unique mix. This paper summarizes the journey of developing this system and its most important aspects. Special attention is paid to the role of the operating rooms and the improvements that have taken place there, because of their central role in the working of the hospital. The MUMC+ is the leading tertiary healthcare center for the South-East region of The Netherlands and beyond. Regional, national, and international developments encouraged the MUMC+ to start significantly reorganizing its care processes from 2009 onward. First experiments with Lean Six Sigma and Business Modeling were combined with lessons learned from other centers around the world to form the MUMC+'s own type of Operational Excellence. At the time of writing, many improvement projects of different types have been successfully completed. Every single department in the hospital now uses Operational Excellence and design thinking in general as a method to develop new models of care. An evaluation in 2014 revealed several opportunities for improvement. A large number of projects were in progress, but 75% of all projects had not been completed, despite the first projects being initiated back in 2012. This led to a number of policy changes, mainly focusing on more intensive monitoring of projects and trying to do more improvement projects directly under the responsibility of the line manager. Focusing on patient value, continuous improvement, and the reduction of waste have proven to be very fitting principles for healthcare in general and specifically for application in a university hospital. Approaching improvement at a systems level while directly involving the people on the work floor in observing opportunities for improvement and realizing these has shown itself to be essential.

The Use of Operational Excellence Principles in a University Hospital

PubMed Central

Edelman, Eric R.; Hamaekers, Ankie E. W.; Buhre, Wolfgang F.; van Merode, Godefridus G.

2017-01-01

The introduction of Operational Excellence in the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+) has been the first of its kind and scale for a university hospital. The policy makers of the MUMC+ have combined different elements from various other business, management, and healthcare philosophies and frameworks into a unique mix. This paper summarizes the journey of developing this system and its most important aspects. Special attention is paid to the role of the operating rooms and the improvements that have taken place there, because of their central role in the working of the hospital. The MUMC+ is the leading tertiary healthcare center for the South-East region of The Netherlands and beyond. Regional, national, and international developments encouraged the MUMC+ to start significantly reorganizing its care processes from 2009 onward. First experiments with Lean Six Sigma and Business Modeling were combined with lessons learned from other centers around the world to form the MUMC+’s own type of Operational Excellence. At the time of writing, many improvement projects of different types have been successfully completed. Every single department in the hospital now uses Operational Excellence and design thinking in general as a method to develop new models of care. An evaluation in 2014 revealed several opportunities for improvement. A large number of projects were in progress, but 75% of all projects had not been completed, despite the first projects being initiated back in 2012. This led to a number of policy changes, mainly focusing on more intensive monitoring of projects and trying to do more improvement projects directly under the responsibility of the line manager. Focusing on patient value, continuous improvement, and the reduction of waste have proven to be very fitting principles for healthcare in general and specifically for application in a university hospital. Approaching improvement at a systems level while directly involving the people on the work floor in observing opportunities for improvement and realizing these has shown itself to be essential. PMID:28752089

Growing up and Role Modeling: A Theory in Iranian Nursing Students’ Education

PubMed Central

Nouri, Jamileh Mokhtari; Ebadi, Abbas; Alhani, Fatemeh; Rejeh, Nahid

2015-01-01

One of the key strategies in students’ learning is being affected by models. Understanding the role-modeling process in education will help to make greater use of this training strategy. The aim of this grounded theory study was to explore Iranian nursing students and instructors’ experiences about role modeling process. Data was analyzed by Glaserian’s Grounded Theory methodology through semi-structured interviews with 7 faculty members, 2 nursing students; the three focus group discussions with 20 nursing students based on purposive and theoretical sampling was done for explaining role modeling process from four nursing faculties in Tehran. Through basic coding, an effort to comprehensive growth and excellence was made with the basic social process consisting the core category and through selective coding three phases were identified as: realizing and exposure to inadequate human and professional growth, facilitating human and professional growth and evolution. The role modeling process is taking place unconscious, involuntary, dynamic and with positive progressive process in order to facilitate overall growth in nursing student. Accordingly, the design and implementation of the designed model can be used to make this unconscious to conscious, active and voluntarily processes a process to help education administrators of nursing colleges and supra organization to prevent threats to human and professional in nursing students’ education and promote nursing students’ growth. PMID:25716391

Pack-and-Go Delivery Service: A Multi-Component Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Learning Resource

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stout, David E.

2014-01-01

This educational case, in two parts (A and B), requires students to assume the role of a business consultant and to use Excel to develop a profit-planning or a cost-volume-profit (CVP) model for a package-delivery company opportunity currently being evaluated by a client. The name of the proposed business is Pack-and-Go, which would provide an…

Academic Excellence: The Role of Research in the Physical Sciences at Undergraduate Institutions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doyle, Michael P., Ed.

Chapters of this collection show that students benefit from a research-based teaching environment, and that students who have the opportunity for research complete their science programs in greater numbers than those who do not. The chapters of section 1, "Achieving Excellence," are: (1) "The Role of Research at Undergraduate Institution: Why Is…

The Role of Emotional Intelligence Skills in Teaching Excellence: The Validation of a Behavioral Skills Checklist

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harville, Pamela Cherie

2012-01-01

The role of emotional intelligence in effective teaching can be developed and enhanced through the use of an assessment instrument as a new evaluation and learning process for teachers. This involves a formative learning process for the qualities associated with excellent teaching characteristics and behaviors for use with teacher evaluation…

Proceedings of the Conferences on Excellence. Regents Advisory Committee on Graduate Study Conference on Excellence (Salt Fork State Park, Ohio, November 3-4, 1983) and Conference on Selective Excellence (Salt Fork State Park, Ohio, November 1-2, 1984).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio Board of Regents, Columbus.

The conferences reported in this document represent two phases of a process that has resulted in an array of programs to strengthen publicly assisted higher education in the state of Ohio. The following conference papers are provided: "A State Perspective on Excellence (and What Is Excellence?)" (Paul J. Olscamp); "The Role of the…

Excellent Teachers' Thinking Model: Implications for Effective Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamzah, Sahandri G.; Mohamad, Hapidah; Ghorbani, Mohammad R.

2008-01-01

This study aimed to suggest an Excellent Teacher Thinking Model that has the potential to be utilized in the development of excellent teachers. Interaction survey method using survey questions, observation, document review and interview was conducted in this study. One hundred and five excellent teachers were selected randomly as research…

Overcoming Microsoft Excel's Weaknesses for Crop Model Building and Simulations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sung, Christopher Teh Boon

2011-01-01

Using spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel for building crop models and running simulations can be beneficial. Excel is easy to use, powerful, and versatile, and it requires the least proficiency in computer programming compared to other programming platforms. Excel, however, has several weaknesses: it does not directly support loops for iterative…

Cultivating Excellence: A Curriculum for Excellence in School Administration. V. School-Based Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lawson, John

This report is the fifth in a series on cultivating excellence in education for the purpose of training and retraining school leaders of the 1990s. The role of school administrators, and especially building principals; the characteristic administrative functions; the step-by-step procedures for implementation; and the advantages and possible…

Productivity improvement through industrial engineering in the semiconductor industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyersdorf, Doron

1996-09-01

Industrial Engineering is fairly new to the semiconductor industry, though the awareness to its importance has increased in recent years. The US semiconductor industry in particular has come to the realization that in order to remain competitive in the global market it must take the lead not only in product development but also in manufacturing. Industrial engineering techniques offer one ofthe most effective strategies for achieving manufacturing excellence. Industrial engineers play an important role in the success of the manufacturing facility. This paper defines the Industrial engineers role in the IC facility, set the visions of excellence in semiconductor manufacturing and highlights 10 roadblocks on the journey towards manufacturing excellence.

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

Johnson, James H.

Abstract In 1994 the Department of Energy established the DOE Chair of Excellence Professorship in Environmental Disciplines Program. In 2004, the Massie Chair of Excellence Professor at Howard University transitioned from Dr. Edward Martin to Dr. James H. Johnson, Jr. At the time of his appointment Dr. Johnson served as professor of civil engineering and Dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences. Program activities under Dr. Johnson were in the following areas: • Increase the institution’s capacity to conduct scientific research and technical investigations at the cutting-edge. • Promote interactions, collaborations and partnerships between the private sector,more » Federal agencies, majority research institutes and other HBCUs. • Assist other HBCUs in reaching parity in engineering and related fields. • Mentor young investigators and be a role model for students.« less

The filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora as a genetic model to study fruiting body development.

PubMed

Teichert, Ines; Nowrousian, Minou; Pöggeler, Stefanie; Kück, Ulrich

2014-01-01

Filamentous fungi are excellent experimental systems due to their short life cycles as well as easy and safe manipulation in the laboratory. They form three-dimensional structures with numerous different cell types and have a long tradition as genetic model organisms used to unravel basic mechanisms underlying eukaryotic cell differentiation. The filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora is a model system for sexual fruiting body (perithecia) formation. S. macrospora is homothallic, i.e., self-fertile, easily genetically tractable, and well suited for large-scale genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics studies. Specific features of its life cycle and the availability of a developmental mutant library make it an excellent system for studying cellular differentiation at the molecular level. In this review, we focus on recent developments in identifying gene and protein regulatory networks governing perithecia formation. A number of tools have been developed to genetically analyze developmental mutants and dissect transcriptional profiles at different developmental stages. Protein interaction studies allowed us to identify a highly conserved eukaryotic multisubunit protein complex, the striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase complex and its role in sexual development. We have further identified a number of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation of fruiting body development. Furthermore, we review the involvement of metabolic processes from both primary and secondary metabolism, and the role of nutrient recycling by autophagy in perithecia formation. Our research has uncovered numerous players regulating multicellular development in S. macrospora. Future research will focus on mechanistically understanding how these players are orchestrated in this fungal model system. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Application of three compartment model and response surface model to clinical anesthesia using Microsoft Excel].

PubMed

Abe, Eiji; Abe, Mari

2011-08-01

With the spread of total intravenous anesthesia, clinical pharmacology has become more important. We report Microsoft Excel file applying three compartment model and response surface model to clinical anesthesia. On the Microsoft Excel sheet, propofol, remifentanil and fentanyl effect-site concentrations are predicted (three compartment model), and probabilities of no response to prodding, shaking, surrogates of painful stimuli and laryngoscopy are calculated using predicted effect-site drug concentration. Time-dependent changes in these calculated values are shown graphically. Recent development in anesthetic drug interaction studies are remarkable, and its application to clinical anesthesia with this Excel file is simple and helpful for clinical anesthesia.

Guava (Psidium guajava) leaf powder: novel adsorbent for removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions.

PubMed

Ponnusami, V; Vikram, S; Srivastava, S N

2008-03-21

Batch sorption experiments were carried out using a novel adsorbent, guava leaf powder (GLP), for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. Potential of GLP for adsorption of MB from aqueous solution was found to be excellent. Effects of process parameters pH, adsorbent dosage, concentration, particle size and temperature were studied. Temperature-concentration interaction effect on dye uptake was studied and a quadratic model was proposed to predict dye uptake in terms of concentration, time and temperature. The model conforms closely to the experimental data. The model was used to find optimum temperature and concentration that result in maximum dye uptake. Langmuir model represent the experimental data well. Maximum dye uptake was found to be 295mg/g, indicating that GLP can be used as an excellent low-cost adsorbent. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models were tested. From experimental data it was found that adsorption of MB onto GLP follow pseudo second order kinetics. External diffusion and intraparticle diffusion play roles in adsorption process. Free energy of adsorption (DeltaG degrees ), enthalpy change (DeltaH degrees ) and entropy change (DeltaS degrees ) were calculated to predict the nature of adsorption. Adsorption in packed bed was also evaluated.

Hydrodynamic Contributions to Amoeboid Cell Motility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Owen; Guy, Robert

2011-11-01

Understanding the methods by which cells move is a fundamental problem in modern biology. Recent evidence has shown that the fluid dynamics of cytoplasm can play a vital role in cellular motility. The slime mold Physarum polycephalum provides an excellent model organism for the study of amoeboid motion. In this research, we use both analytic and computational models to investigate intracellular fluid flow in a simple model of Physarum. In both models, of we are specifically interested in stresses generated by cytoplasmic flow which act in the direction of cellular motility. In our numerical model, the Immersed Boundary Method is used to account for such stresses. We investigate the relationship between contraction waves, low waves and locomotive forces, and attempt characterize conditions necessary to generate directed motion.

AECT Convention "Third Century Imperative: Excellence in Education"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Audiovisual Instruction, 1977

1977-01-01

AECT Conference Report, Spring 1977, included: (1) First General Session: The Concept of Instructional Development-Evolution or Revolution? (2) Second General Session: AECT's Role in Educational Excellence, and (3) Third General Session: Alex Haley on Roots. (STS)

75 FR 14631 - Solicitations for Cooperative Agreements

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-26

... DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE National Institute of Corrections Solicitations for Cooperative Agreements.... Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Training for Executive Excellence: The Role of the Correctional CEO... Cooperative Agreement--Training for Executive Excellence: Leadership Style and Instrumentation Curriculum...

The pivotal role of nurse managers, leaders and educators in enabling excellence in nursing care.

PubMed

McSherry, Robert; Pearce, Paddy; Grimwood, Karen; McSherry, Wilfred

2012-01-01

The aims of this paper are to present the findings from a discursive analysis of key issues associated with providing excellence in nursing care; and to provide an exemplar framework to support excellence in nursing care and describe the potential benefits when excellence in nursing care occurs. The challenge facing the nursing profession is in ensuring that the core principles of dignity, respect, compassion and person (people) centered care become central to all aspects of nursing practice. To regain the public and professional confidence in nursing, nurse leaders, managers and educators play a pivotal role in improving the image of nursing. Excellence in nursing care will only happen by ensuring that nurse managers, leaders and educators are able to respond to the complexity of reform and change by leading, managing, enabling, empowering, encouraging and resourcing staff to be innovative and entrepreneurial in practice. Creating healthcare environments that enable excellence in nursing care will not occur without the development of genuine shared working partnerships and collaborations between nurse managers, leaders and educators and their associated organizations. The importance of adopting an authentic sustainable leadership approach to facilitating and supporting frontline staff to innovate and change is imperative in restoring and evidencing that nurses do care and are excellent at what they do. By focusing attention on what resources are required to create a healthcare environment that enables compassion, safety and excellence in nursing care and what this means would be a reasonable start on the journey to excellence in nursing. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Understanding Cooperative Chirality at the Nanoscale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Shangjie; Wang, Pengpeng; Govorov, Alexander; Ouyang, Min

Controlling chirality of organic and inorganic structures plays a key role in many physical, chemical and biochemical processes, and may offer new opportunity to create technology applications based on chiroptical effect. In this talk, we will present a theoretical model and simulation to demonstrate how to engineer nanoscale chirality in inorganic nanostructures via synergistic control of electromagnetic response of both lattice and geometry, leading to rich tunability of chirality at the nanoscale. Our model has also been applied to understand recent materials advancement of related control with excellent agreement, and can elucidate physical origins of circular dichroism features in the experiment.

Chronic behavior evaluation of a micro-machined neural implant with optimized design based on an experimentally derived model.

PubMed

Andrei, Alexandru; Welkenhuysen, Marleen; Ameye, Lieveke; Nuttin, Bart; Eberle, Wolfgang

2011-01-01

Understanding the mechanical interactions between implants and the surrounding tissue is known to have an important role for improving the bio-compatibility of such devices. Using a recently developed model, a particular micro-machined neural implant design aiming the reduction of insertion forces dependence on the insertion speed was optimized. Implantations with 10 and 100 μm/s insertion speeds showed excellent agreement with the predicted behavior. Lesion size, gliosis (GFAP), inflammation (ED1) and neuronal cells density (NeuN) was evaluated after 6 week of chronic implantation showing no insertion speed dependence.

Productivity improvement through industrial engineering in the semiconductor industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyersdorf, Doron

1996-09-01

Industrial engineering is fairly new to the semiconductor industry, though the awareness to its importance has increased in recent years. The U.S. semiconductor industry in particular has come to the realization that in order to remain competitive in the global market it must take the lead not only in product development but also in manufacturing. Industrial engineering techniques offer one of the most effective strategies for achieving manufacturing excellence. Industrial engineers play an important role in the success of the manufacturing facility. This paper defines the industrial engineers role in the IC facility, sets the visions of excellence in semiconductor manufacturing and highlights 10 roadblocks on the journey towards manufacturing excellence.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling using microsoft excel and visual basic for applications.

PubMed

Marino, Dale J

2005-01-01

Abstract Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are mathematical descriptions depicting the relationship between external exposure and internal dose. These models have found great utility for interspecies extrapolation. However, specialized computer software packages, which are not widely distributed, have typically been used for model development and utilization. A few physiological models have been reported using more widely available software packages (e.g., Microsoft Excel), but these tend to include less complex processes and dose metrics. To ascertain the capability of Microsoft Excel and Visual Basis for Applications (VBA) for PBPK modeling, models for styrene, vinyl chloride, and methylene chloride were coded in Advanced Continuous Simulation Language (ACSL), Excel, and VBA, and simulation results were compared. For styrene, differences between ACSL and Excel or VBA compartment concentrations and rates of change were less than +/-7.5E-10 using the same numerical integration technique and time step. Differences using VBA fixed step or ACSL Gear's methods were generally <1.00E-03, although larger differences involving very small values were noted after exposure transitions. For vinyl chloride and methylene chloride, Excel and VBA PBPK model dose metrics differed by no more than -0.013% or -0.23%, respectively, from ACSL results. These differences are likely attributable to different step sizes rather than different numerical integration techniques. These results indicate that Microsoft Excel and VBA can be useful tools for utilizing PBPK models, and given the availability of these software programs, it is hoped that this effort will help facilitate the use and investigation of PBPK modeling.

Excellence in Doctoral Supervision: An Examination of Authoritative Sources across Four Countries in Search of Performance Higher than Competence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCulloch, Alistair; Kumar, Vijay; van Schalkwyk, Susan; Wisker, Gina

2016-01-01

Supervision is generally recognised as playing a crucial role in the quality of a research student's doctoral experience and their academic outcomes and, in common with most areas of higher education, there is an oft-stated desire to pursue excellence in this important area. Excellence in research degree supervision is, however, an elusive concept…

Biophysical Coupling Between Turbulence, Veliger Behavior, and Larval Supply

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-09-01

the freedom to pursue this research, and for being such an excellent role model. Thanks also to my committee, Mike Neubert, Rudy Scheltema, Glenn...Flierl, Danny Griinbaum, and Scott Gallager for all of their helpful suggestions. I’m grateful to Mike for his encouragement and for showing me how math...appreciation for statistics. Thanks to Hal Caswell, Mike Neubert, and everyone in their labs for letting me attend lab meetings and Nantucket retreats; I

The Role of Libraries in the Search for Educational Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breivik, Patricia Senn

1987-01-01

Discusses ways in which libraries can make a major contribution to the search for educational excellence and urges librarians to make a concerted effort to capture the attention of educational leaders. Four references are listed. (MES)

Promoting Excellence in Nursing Education (PENE): Pross evaluation model.

PubMed

Pross, Elizabeth A

2010-08-01

The purpose of this article is to examine the Promoting Excellence in Nursing Education (PENE) Pross evaluation model. A conceptual evaluation model, such as the one described here, may be useful to nurse academicians in the ongoing evaluation of educational programs, especially those with goals of excellence. Frameworks for evaluating nursing programs are necessary because they offer a way to systematically assess the educational effectiveness of complex nursing programs. This article describes the conceptual framework and its tenets of excellence. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A computational model of in vitro angiogenesis based on extracellular matrix fibre orientation.

PubMed

Edgar, Lowell T; Sibole, Scott C; Underwood, Clayton J; Guilkey, James E; Weiss, Jeffrey A

2013-01-01

Recent interest in the process of vascularisation within the biomedical community has motivated numerous new research efforts focusing on the process of angiogenesis. Although the role of chemical factors during angiogenesis has been well documented, the role of mechanical factors, such as the interaction between angiogenic vessels and the extracellular matrix, remains poorly understood. In vitro methods for studying angiogenesis exist; however, measurements available using such techniques often suffer from limited spatial and temporal resolutions. For this reason, computational models have been extensively employed to investigate various aspects of angiogenesis. This paper outlines the formulation and validation of a simple and robust computational model developed to accurately simulate angiogenesis based on length, branching and orientation morphometrics collected from vascularised tissue constructs. Microvessels were represented as a series of connected line segments. The morphology of the vessels was determined by a linear combination of the collagen fibre orientation, the vessel density gradient and a random walk component. Excellent agreement was observed between computational and experimental morphometric data over time. Computational predictions of microvessel orientation within an anisotropic matrix correlated well with experimental data. The accuracy of this modelling approach makes it a valuable platform for investigating the role of mechanical interactions during angiogenesis.

Breaking through the glass ceiling: women in executive leadership positions--Part I.

PubMed

Parsons, Lynn C; Reiss, Patricia L

2004-01-01

Women have had their share of difficulties climbing the corporate ladder in their chosen professional roles. Excellent role models exist for nurses to look up to as role models for leadership and executive level positions. Nurses and women must strive to achieve their goals of attaining executive/management level positions in their respective organizations. The glass ceiling still exists; however, women are slowly eroding that glass barrier and reaching their professional goals. In reviewing the struggles that men in nursing have encountered in a predominantly female profession, one realizes that stereotypical attitudes do cross gender lines. The authors conclude that executive level positions need to be opened more to women, just as the nursing profession must be more welcoming to men. The profession of nursing will only become stronger with gender diversity. Women encounter barriers when aspiring to executive level positions. In the next issue of SCI Nursing, the authors will report on what the evidence says about women in leadership roles, and the challenges they have and will continue to face.

Exploiting the flexibility of a family of models for taxation and redistribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertotti, M. L.; Modanese, G.

2012-08-01

We discuss a family of models expressed by nonlinear differential equation systems describing closed market societies in the presence of taxation and redistribution. We focus in particular on three example models obtained in correspondence to different parameter choices. We analyse the influence of the various choices on the long time shape of the income distribution. Several simulations suggest that behavioral heterogeneity among the individuals plays a definite role in the formation of fat tails of the asymptotic stationary distributions. This is in agreement with results found with different approaches and techniques. We also show that an excellent fit for the computational outputs of our models is provided by the κ-generalized distribution introduced by Kaniadakis in [Physica A 296, 405 (2001)].

Stanford/NASA-Ames Center of Excellence in model-based human performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wandell, Brian A.

1990-01-01

The human operator plays a critical role in many aeronautic and astronautic missions. The Stanford/NASA-Ames Center of Excellence in Model-Based Human Performance (COE) was initiated in 1985 to further our understanding of the performance capabilities and performance limits of the human component of aeronautic and astronautic projects. Support from the COE is devoted to those areas of experimental and theoretical work designed to summarize and explain human performance by developing computable performance models. The ultimate goal is to make these computable models available to other scientists for use in design and evaluation of aeronautic and astronautic instrumentation. Within vision science, two topics have received particular attention. First, researchers did extensive work analyzing the human ability to recognize object color relatively independent of the spectral power distribution of the ambient lighting (color constancy). The COE has supported a number of research papers in this area, as well as the development of a substantial data base of surface reflectance functions, ambient illumination functions, and an associated software package for rendering and analyzing image data with respect to these spectral functions. Second, the COE supported new empirical studies on the problem of selecting colors for visual display equipment to enhance human performance in discrimination and recognition tasks.

Hydrogenation Reactions on Au/TiC(001): Effects of Au-C Interactions on the Dissociation of H-2

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

Rodriguez, J.A.; Florez, E.; Gomez, T.

2010-10-01

Density functional calculations carried out for realistic models evidence that Au particles supported on TiC(001) are very active towards H2 dissociation. The molecular mechanisms show that the support is not a mere spectator but plays a major role in the catalyzed reaction and acts as a reservoir of atomic H, making this system an excellent candidate as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of olefins and hydrodesulfurization reactions.

Recapitalization and Acquisition of Light Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (REDACTED)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-29

representative from Red River Army Depot in Texarkana , Texas,18 stated that recapitalizing current HMMWVs to the XM1166 model was an excellent proposition...Red River Army Depot in Texarkana , Texas, stated that recapitalizing current HMMWVs to the XM1166 model was an excellent proposition. The Deputy...Army Depot in Texarkana , Texas, stated that recapitalizing current HMMWVs to the XM1166 model was an excellent proposition because the U.S

Carry On-with Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Helen

2002-01-01

Discussion of the expanded role of teacher for library media specialists focuses on characteristics of teaching excellence based on a story about the life of Nathaniel Bowditch. Highlights include lifelong learning; caring about learners; believing everyone can learn; reflecting on teaching methods; understanding human nature; and contributing to…

Developing Competitive Excellence in the Talented Female Athlete.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wildenhaus, Kevin J.

1995-01-01

This article reviews the historical development of female participation in sports, then identifies the unique issues associated with women's struggles for athletic acceptance and competitive excellence. Topics discussed include talent recognition and development, sex roles and socialization, physiology and maturation, coaching the female athlete,…

Topological defect clustering and plastic deformation mechanisms in functionalized graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nunes, Ricardo; Araujo, Joice; Chacham, Helio

2011-03-01

We present ab initio results suggesting that strain plays a central role in the clustering of topological defects in strained and functionalized graphene models. We apply strain onto the topological-defect graphene networks from our previous work, and obtain topological-defect clustering patterns which are in excellent agreement with recent observations in samples of reduced graphene oxide. In our models, the graphene layer, containing an initial concentration of isolated topological defects, is covered by hydrogen or hydroxyl groups. Our results also suggest a rich variety of plastic deformation mechanism in functionalized graphene systems. We acknowledge support from the Brazilian agencies: CNPq, Fapemig, and INCT-Materiais de Carbono.

2010 Diffraction Methods in Structural Biology

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

Dr. Ana Gonzalez

2011-03-10

Advances in basic methodologies have played a major role in the dramatic progress in macromolecular crystallography over the past decade, both in terms of overall productivity and in the increasing complexity of the systems being successfully tackled. The 2010 Gordon Research Conference on Diffraction Methods in Structural Biology will, as in the past, focus on the most recent developments in methodology, covering all aspects of the process from crystallization to model building and refinement, complemented by examples of structural highlights and complementary methods. Extensive discussion will be encouraged and it is hoped that all attendees will participate by giving oralmore » or poster presentations, the latter using the excellent poster display area available at Bates College. The relatively small size and informal atmosphere of the meeting provides an excellent opportunity for all participants, especially younger scientists, to meet and exchange ideas with leading methods developers.« less

Borrelia burgdorferi infection induces lipid mediator production during Lyme arthritis.

PubMed

Brown, Charles R; Dennis, Edward A

2017-10-01

Experimental Lyme arthritis provides a mouse model for exploring the development of pathology following infection of C3H mice with Borrelia burgdorferi. Infected mice develop a reliable inflammatory arthritis of the ankle joint with severity that typically peaks around two to three weeks post-infection and then undergoes spontaneous resolution. This makes experimental Lyme arthritis an excellent model for investigating the mechanisms that drive both the development and resolution phases of inflammatory disease. Eicosanoids are powerful lipid mediators of inflammation and are known to regulate multiple aspects of inflammatory processes. While much is known about the role of eicosanoids in regulating immune responses during autoimmune disease and cancer, relatively little is known about their role during bacterial infection. In this review, we discuss the role of eicosanoid biosynthetic pathways in mediating inflammatory responses during bacterial infection using experimental Lyme arthritis as a model system. We point out the critical role eicosanoids play in disease development and highlight surprising differences between sterile autoimmune responses and those occurring in response to bacterial infection. These differences should be kept in mind when designing therapies and treatments for inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. and Société Française de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM). All rights reserved.

Cytokines and macrophage function in humans - role of stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sonnenfeld, Gerald (Principal Investigator)

1996-01-01

We have begun this study to commence the determination of the role of mild chronic stress in the effects of space flight on macrophage/monocyte function, a component of the immune response. Medical students undergoing regular periods of stress and relaxation have been shown to be an excellent model for determining the effects of stress on immune responses. We have begun using this model using the macrophage/monocyte as model leukocyte. The monocyte/macrophage plays a central role in immunoregulation. The studies to be included in this three year project are the effects of stress on: (1) interactions of monocytes with microbes, (2) monocyte production of cytokines, (3) monocyte phagocytosis and activity, and (4) monocyte expression of cell surface antigens important in immune responses. Stress hormone levels will also be carried out to determine if there is a correlation between stress effects on immune responses and hormonal levels. Psychological testing to insure subjects are actually stressed or relaxed at the time of testing will also be carried out. The results obtained from the proposed studies should be comparable with space flight studies with whole animals and isolated cell cultures. When complete this study should allow the commencement of the establishment of the role of stress as one compartment of the induction of immune alterations by space flight.

Individualized Human CAD Models: Anthropmetric Morphing and Body Tissue Layering

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-31

Part Flow Chart of the Interaction among VBA Macros, Excel® Spreadsheet, and SolidWorks Front View of the Male and Female Soldier CAD Model...yellow highlighting. The spreadsheet is linked to the CAD model by macros created with the Visual Basic for Application ( VBA ) editor in Microsoft Excel...basically three working parts to the anthropometric morphing that are all interconnected ( VBA macros, Excel spreadsheet, and SolidWorks). The flow

Geodynamics for Everyone: Robust Finite-Difference Heat Transfer Models using MS Excel 2007 Spreadsheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grose, C. J.

2008-05-01

Numerical geodynamics models of heat transfer are typically thought of as specialized topics of research requiring knowledge of specialized modelling software, linux platforms, and state-of-the-art finite-element codes. I have implemented analytical and numerical finite-difference techniques with Microsoft Excel 2007 spreadsheets to solve for complex solid-earth heat transfer problems for use by students, teachers, and practicing scientists without specialty in geodynamics modelling techniques and applications. While implementation of equations for use in Excel spreadsheets is occasionally cumbersome, once case boundary structure and node equations are developed, spreadsheet manipulation becomes routine. Model experimentation by modifying parameter values, geometry, and grid resolution makes Excel a useful tool whether in the classroom at the undergraduate or graduate level or for more engaging student projects. Furthermore, the ability to incorporate complex geometries and heat-transfer characteristics makes it ideal for first and occasionally higher order geodynamics simulations to better understand and constrain the results of professional field research in a setting that does not require the constraints of state-of-the-art modelling codes. The straightforward expression and manipulation of model equations in excel can also serve as a medium to better understand the confusing notations of advanced mathematical problems. To illustrate the power and robustness of computation and visualization in spreadsheet models I focus primarily on one-dimensional analytical and two-dimensional numerical solutions to two case problems: (i) the cooling of oceanic lithosphere and (ii) temperatures within subducting slabs. Excel source documents will be made available.

The Environment for Scientific Research by Undergraduates: Some Thoughts on Reading the "Academic Excellence" Study. Academic Excellence: A Study of the Role of Research in the Natural Sciences at Undergraduate Institutions. Special Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tritton, Thomas R.

The "Academic Excellence" (Research Corporation, 2001) study contains quantities of interesting data. The findings of this study make it apparent that all institutions profess undergraduate research as a value, and that all institutions put resources into research. Science activity has increased in the 1990s. In general, institutions tend to fund…

Automating Partial Period Bond Valuation with Excel's Day Counting Functions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vicknair, David; Spruell, James

2009-01-01

An Excel model for calculating the actual price of bonds under a 30 day/month, 360 day/year day counting assumption by nesting the DAYS360 function within the PV function is developed. When programmed into an Excel spreadsheet, the model can accommodate annual and semiannual payment bonds sold on or between interest dates using six fundamental…

Hydrodynamic Contributions to Amoeboid Cell Motility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Owen; Guy, Robert

2012-11-01

Understanding the methods by which cells move is a fundamental problem in modern biology. Recent evidence has shown that the fluid dynamics of cytoplasm can play a vital role in cellular motility. The slime mold Physarum polycephalum provides an excellent model organism for the study of amoeboid motion. In this research, we use a simply analytic model in conjuction with computational experiments to investigate intracellular fluid flow in a simple model of Physarum. Of particlar interest are stresses generated by cytoplasmic flow which may be used to aid in cellular motility. In our numerical model, the Immersed Boundary Method is used to account for such stresses. We investigate the relationship between contraction waves, flow waves, adhesion, and locomotive forces in an attempt to characterize conditions necessary to generate directed motion.

Profiles of Excellence in Business and Education Leadership.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Alliance of Business, Inc., Washington, DC.

This document contains two papers on excellence in business and education leadership. "Corporate Leadership in Improving Student Achievement" (Edward B. Rust, Jr.) explains why business must remain involved in education and discusses the following efforts of the State Farm Insurance Company to assume a leadership role in educational…

Sexual selection in the squirrel treefrog Hyla squirella: the role of multimodal cue assessment in female choice

USGS Publications Warehouse

Taylor, Ryan C.; Buchanan, Bryant W.; Doherty, Jessie L.

2007-01-01

Anuran amphibians have provided an excellent system for the study of animal communication and sexual selection. Studies of female mate choice in anurans, however, have focused almost exclusively on the role of auditory signals. In this study, we examined the effect of both auditory and visual cues on female choice in the squirrel treefrog. Our experiments used a two-choice protocol in which we varied male vocalization properties, visual cues, or both, to assess female preferences for the different cues. Females discriminated against high-frequency calls and expressed a strong preference for calls that contained more energy per unit time (faster call rate). Females expressed a preference for the visual stimulus of a model of a calling male when call properties at the two speakers were held the same. They also showed a significant attraction to a model possessing a relatively large lateral body stripe. These data indicate that visual cues do play a role in mate attraction in this nocturnal frog species. Furthermore, this study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests that multimodal signals play an important role in sexual selection.

Recruiting in an Opportunity Culture: Lessons Learned. An Opportunity Culture Vignette

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barrett, Sharon Kebschull

2015-01-01

When districts get ready to recruit excellent teachers for the career possibilities that Opportunity Culture roles offer, success may come down to two actions: Start early, and communicate constantly, say recruiters in Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Project L.I.F.T. (Leadership and Investment For Transformation) schools. What brings excellent teachers in…

Effective University Leadership as Predictor of Academic Excellence in Southern Nigerian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ofoegbu, Felicia O.; Alonge, Hezekiah O.

2017-01-01

The University is an educational system where high level manpower is trained for socio-economic and political growth of any nation. The leadership of a University plays invaluable roles in achieving academic excellence in dissemination and acquisition of universal knowledge, values; functional, technical and scientific skills and competencies…

National Education Standards: The Complex Challenge for Educational Leaders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faidley, Ray; Musser, Steven

1991-01-01

National standards for education are important elements in the excellence process, but standards imposed by a central authority simply do not work in the Information Era. It would be wise to increase teachers' decision-making role in establishing and implementing local level excellence standards and train teachers to employ the Japanese "kaizen"…

The Role of NCA Commission on Schools: Voluntary Cooperative Action.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gose, Kenneth F.

1997-01-01

Calls for a new standard of educational excellence following the assumption of the new North Central Association (NCA) Standard and Criteria for Accreditation. Argues that in addition to maintaining past standards of excellence, modern-age schools must also actively adapt and improve; they must examine their current status and plan improvements.…

Mastery of the mind East and West: excellence in being and doing and everyday happiness.

PubMed

Brown, Daniel

2009-08-01

Western psychological research on positive psychology and Buddhism have recently converged in their emphasis on the development of positive states, like states of excellence and everyday happiness. Yet, these traditions differ in their approaches to positive states, with respect to a state-trait and doing-being distinction. Western scientific research on peak performance emphasizes discontinuous, time-limited peak performance states wherein individuals do things extraordinarily well in sports and in the arts. The Eastern spiritual traditions emphasize continuous excellence of being, in the form of traits or character strengths. In both traditions mental imagery is a key ingredient to excellence training. With respect to everyday happiness, Western psychological research has focused on the role of meaning systems in the transformation of flow states into vital engagement in everyday life, while Buddhism stresses the role of meditation training to gain mastery over all levels of mind that leads to everyday happiness. Rorschach and tachistoscopic research on advanced meditators suggests that advance meditators have gained unusual mastery over states of mind not yet documented in the Western psychological research on positive psychology.

Modeling the factors affecting unsafe behavior in the construction industry from safety supervisors' perspective.

PubMed

Khosravi, Yahya; Asilian-Mahabadi, Hassan; Hajizadeh, Ebrahim; Hassanzadeh-Rangi, Narmin; Bastani, Hamid; Khavanin, Ali; Mortazavi, Seyed Bagher

2014-01-01

There can be little doubt that the construction is the most hazardous industry in the worldwide. This study was designed to modeling the factors affecting unsafe behavior from the perspective of safety supervisors. The qualitative research was conducted to extract a conceptual model. A structural model was then developed based on a questionnaire survey (n=266) by two stage Structural Equation Model (SEM) approach. An excellent confirmed 12-factors structure explained about 62% of variances unsafe behavior in the construction industry. A good fit structural model indicated that safety climate factors were positively correlated with safety individual factors (P<0.001) and workplace safety condition (P<0.001). The workplace safety condition was found to play a strong mediating role in linking the safety climate and construction workers' engagement in safe or unsafe behavior. In order to improve construction safety performance, more focus on the workplace condition is required.

In silico modeling of the yeast protein and protein family interaction network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goh, K.-I.; Kahng, B.; Kim, D.

2004-03-01

Understanding of how protein interaction networks of living organisms have evolved or are organized can be the first stepping stone in unveiling how life works on a fundamental ground. Here we introduce an in silico ``coevolutionary'' model for the protein interaction network and the protein family network. The essential ingredient of the model includes the protein family identity and its robustness under evolution, as well as the three previously proposed: gene duplication, divergence, and mutation. This model produces a prototypical feature of complex networks in a wide range of parameter space, following the generalized Pareto distribution in connectivity. Moreover, we investigate other structural properties of our model in detail with some specific values of parameters relevant to the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, showing excellent agreement with the empirical data. Our model indicates that the physical constraints encoded via the domain structure of proteins play a crucial role in protein interactions.

The Advanced Trauma Operative Management course--a two student to one faculty model.

PubMed

Ali, Jameel; Sorvari, Anne; Henry, Sharon; Kortbeek, John; Tremblay, Lorraine

2013-09-01

The internationally recognized Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM) course uses a 1:1 student-to-faculty teaching model. This study examines a two student to one faculty ATOM teaching model. We randomly assigned 16 residents to four experienced ATOM faculty members. Half started with the one-student model and the other half with the two-student model and then switched using the same faculty. Students and faculty completed forms on the educational value of the two models (1 = very poor; 2 = poor; 3 = average; 4 = good; and 5 = excellent) and identified educational preferences and recommendations. We assigned educational values for the 13 procedures as follows: All faculty rated the one-student model as excellent; six members rated the two-student model as excellent, and seven as good. Students rated 50%-75% as excellent and 12%-44% as good for the two-student model, and 56%-81% as excellent and 12%-44% as good for the one-student model. Given resource constraints, all faculty and 88% of students preferred the two-student model. With no resource constraints, 75% of students and 50% of faculty chose the two-student model. All faculty and students rated both models "acceptable." Overall, 81% of students and 50% of faculty rated the two-student model better. All faculty members recommended that the models be optional; 94% of students recommended that they be either optional (50%) or a two-student model (44%). Performing or assisting on each procedure twice was considered an advantage of the two-student model. The two-student teaching model was acceptable and generally preferred in this study. With appropriately trained faculty and students, the two-student model is feasible and should result in less animal usage and possibly wider promulgation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Coplanar waveguide metamaterials: The role of bandwidth modifying slots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibraheem, Ibraheem A.; Koch, Martin

2007-09-01

The authors propose a coplanar waveguide stopband metasurface based on the Babinet principle. The resulting layout is a compact planar metal structure with complementary split ring resonators, which exhibits a high rejection stop band. The complementary rings provide a frequency band with an effective negative dielectric permittivity. Moreover, the rejected bandwidth can be expanded by introducing slots close to the rings. The authors provide a simple physical model which explains the impact of the slots. Simulations confirm the expected behavior and are in excellent agreement with the measurements.

An Excel[TM] Model of a Radioactive Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrews, D. G. H.

2009-01-01

A computer model of the decay of a radioactive series, written in Visual Basic in Excel[TM], is presented. The model is based on the random selection of cells in an array. The results compare well with the theoretical equations. The model is a useful tool in teaching this aspect of radioactivity. (Contains 4 figures.)

Building Higher-Order Markov Chain Models with EXCEL

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ching, Wai-Ki; Fung, Eric S.; Ng, Michael K.

2004-01-01

Categorical data sequences occur in many applications such as forecasting, data mining and bioinformatics. In this note, we present higher-order Markov chain models for modelling categorical data sequences with an efficient algorithm for solving the model parameters. The algorithm can be implemented easily in a Microsoft EXCEL worksheet. We give a…

Roles of Variables in Three Programming Paradigms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sajaniemi, J.; Ben-Ari, M.; Byckling, P.; Gerdt, P.; Kulikova, Y.

2006-01-01

Roles can be assigned to occurrences of variables in programs according to a small number of stereotypical patterns of use. Studies on explicitly teaching roles to novices learning programming have shown that roles are an excellent pedagogical tool for clarifying the structure and meaning of programs and that their use improves students'…

National Study of Excellence and Innovation in Physical Therapist Education: Part 1-Design, Method, and Results.

PubMed

Jensen, Gail M; Nordstrom, Terrence; Mostrom, Elizabeth; Hack, Laurita M; Gwyer, Janet

2017-09-01

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching commissioned the Preparation for the Professions Program, a qualitative study of professional education in 5 professions: medicine, nursing, law, engineering, and clergy. These studies identified curricular structures, instructional practices, assessment approaches, and environmental characteristics that support the preparation of professionals and led to educational reforms. The physical therapy profession has not had any in-depth, national investigation of physical therapist education since the Catherine Worthingham studies conducted more than 50 years ago. This research was a Carnegie-type study, investigating elements of excellence and innovation in academic and clinical physical therapist education in the United States. Five physical therapist education researchers from across the United States used a qualitative multiple-case study design. Six academic and 5 clinical programs were selected for the study. The academic institutions and clinical agencies studied were diverse in size, institutional setting, geography, and role in residency education. Qualitative case studies were generated from review of artifacts, field observations, and interviews (individual and focus group), and they provided the data for the study. A conceptual framework grounded in 3 major dimensions was generated, with 8 supporting elements: (1) culture of excellence (shared beliefs and values, leadership and vision, drive for excellence, and partnerships), (2) praxis of learning (signature pedagogy, practice-based learning, creating adaptive learners, and professional formation), and (3) organizational structures and resources. Building on the work of the Carnegie Foundation's Preparation for the Professions Program, a conceptual model was developed, representing the dimensions and elements of excellence in physical therapist education that is centered on the foundational importance of a nexus of linked and highly valued aims of being learner centered and patient centered in all learning environments, both academic and clinical. © 2017 American Physical Therapy Association

Strategies for Excellence: Recommendations for a Productive School Model with Strategies for Achieving the Model. The Final Report of the IASB Committee on Strategies for Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iowa Association of School Boards, Des Moines.

The charge of the Committee on Strategies for Excellence was to examine the current status of elementary and secondary education in Iowa, and to investigate ways in which school districts could be educationally more productive. The report brings together recommendations from various state and national reports, reviews the literature, and makes…

[Structural Equation Modeling for Public Hospital Quality of Care, Image, Role Performance, Satisfaction, Intent to (Re)visit, and Intent to Recommend Hospital as Perceived by Community Residents].

PubMed

Hwang, Eun Jeong; Sim, In Ok

2016-02-01

The study purposes were to construct and test structural equation modeling on the causal relationship of community residents' perceived quality of care, image, and role performance with satisfaction, intention to (re)visit and intention to recommend hospital. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 3,900 community residents from 39 district public hospitals. The questionnaire was designed to collected information on personal characteristics and community awareness of public hospitals. Community awareness consisted of 6 factors and 18 items. The data were collected utilizing call-interview by a survey company. Research data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and AMOS version 20.0. Model fit indices for the hypothetical model were suitable for the recommended level: χ²=796.40 (df=79, p<.001), GFI=.93, AGFI=.90, RMSR=.08, NFI=.94. Quality of care, image, and role performance explained 68.1% of variance in community awareness. Total effect of quality of care process factors on satisfaction (path coefficients=3.67), intention to (re)visit (path coefficients=2.67) and intention to recommend hospital (coefficients=2.45) were higher than other factors. Findings show that public hospitals have to make an effort to improve community image through the provision of quality care, and excellent role performance. Support for these activities is available from both Central and Local Governments.

Static, rheological and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites studied by computer modeling and simulation.

PubMed

Liu, Jun; Zhang, Liqun; Cao, Dapeng; Wang, Wenchuan

2009-12-28

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) often exhibit excellent mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties, because they combine the performances of both polymers and inorganic or organic nanoparticles. Recently, computer modeling and simulation are playing an important role in exploring the reinforcement mechanism of the PNCs and even the design of functional PNCs. This report provides an overview of the progress made in past decades in the investigation of the static, rheological and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites studied by computer modeling and simulation. Emphases are placed on exploring the mechanisms at the molecular level for the dispersion of nanoparticles in nanocomposites, the effects of nanoparticles on chain conformation and glass transition temperature (T(g)), as well as viscoelastic and mechanical properties. Finally, some future challenges and opportunities in computer modeling and simulation of PNCs are addressed.

Removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solution by resin loaded magnetic β-cyclodextrin bead and graphene oxide sheet: Synthesis, adsorption mechanism and separation properties.

PubMed

Cui, Limei; Wang, Yaoguang; Gao, Liang; Hu, Lihua; Wei, Qin; Du, Bin

2015-10-15

Resin loaded magnetic β-cyclodextrin bead and graphene oxide sheet (MCD-GO-R) was synthesized successfully and found to be an excellent adsorbent for Hg(II) removal. The as-prepared adsorbent was characterized by SEM, FTIR, BET, magnetization curve and zeta potential analysis respectively. Good magnetic performance made MCD-GO-R simply recover from aqueous solution at low magnetic field within 30s. And also, the rich functional groups and outstanding dispersity play an important role in the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity was 88.43 mg g(-1) at 323 K and pH 7.1. The as-prepared adsorbent could perform well in a wide pH range from 4.0 to 10.0. Static adsorption experimental data showed good correlation with pseudo-second-order model and Freundlich isotherm models. It was found that the contaminant adsorption was accomplished mainly via chelation or ion exchange and come to equilibrium in only 30 min. All experimental results, especially the excellent reproducibility and resistance to ion interference, suggest that MCD-GO-R has promising applications in water treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Autophagy in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

McPhee, Christina K; Baehrecke, Eric H

2009-09-01

Macroautophagy (autophagy) is a bulk cytoplasmic degradation process that is conserved from yeast to mammals. Autophagy is an important cellular response to starvation and stress, and plays critical roles in development, cell death, aging, immunity, and cancer. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster provides an excellent model system to study autophagy in vivo, in the context of a developing organism. Autophagy (atg) genes and their regulators are conserved in Drosophila, and autophagy is induced in response to nutrient starvation and hormones during development. In this review we provide an overview of how Drosophila research has contributed to our understanding of the role and regulation of autophagy in cell survival, growth, nutrient utilization, and cell death. Recent Drosophila research has also provided important mechanistic information about the role of autophagy in protein aggregation disorders, neurodegeneration, aging, and innate immunity. Differences in the role of autophagy in specific contexts and/or cell types suggest that there may be cell-context-specific regulators of autophagy, and studies in Drosophila are well-suited to yield discoveries about this specificity.

European larch phenology in the Alps: can we grasp the role of ecological factors by combining field observations and inverse modelling?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Migliavacca, M.; Cremonese, E.; Colombo, R.; Busetto, L.; Galvagno, M.; Ganis, L.; Meroni, M.; Pari, E.; Rossini, M.; Siniscalco, C.; Morra di Cella, U.

2008-09-01

Vegetation phenology is strongly influenced by climatic factors. Climate changes may cause phenological variations, especially in the Alps which are considered to be extremely vulnerable to global warming. The main goal of our study is to analyze European larch ( Larix decidua Mill.) phenology in alpine environments and the role of the ecological factors involved, using an integrated approach based on accurate field observations and modelling techniques. We present 2 years of field-collected larch phenological data, obtained following a specifically designed observation protocol. We observed that both spring and autumn larch phenology is strongly influenced by altitude. We propose an approach for the optimization of a spring warming model (SW) and the growing season index model (GSI) consisting of a model inversion technique, based on simulated look-up tables (LUTs), that provides robust parameter estimates. The optimized models showed excellent agreement between modelled and observed data: the SW model predicts the beginning of the growing season (BGS) with a mean RMSE of 4 days, while GSI gives a prediction of the growing season length (LGS) with a RMSE of 5 days. Moreover, we showed that the original GSI parameters led to consistent errors, while the optimized ones significantly increased model accuracy. Finally, we used GSI to investigate interactions of ecological factors during springtime development and autumn senescence. We found that temperature is the most effective factor during spring recovery while photoperiod plays an important role during autumn senescence: photoperiod shows a contrasting effect with altitude decreasing its influence with increasing altitude.

European larch phenology in the Alps: can we grasp the role of ecological factors by combining field observations and inverse modelling?

PubMed

Migliavacca, M; Cremonese, E; Colombo, R; Busetto, L; Galvagno, M; Ganis, L; Meroni, M; Pari, E; Rossini, M; Siniscalco, C; Morra di Cella, U

2008-09-01

Vegetation phenology is strongly influenced by climatic factors. Climate changes may cause phenological variations, especially in the Alps which are considered to be extremely vulnerable to global warming. The main goal of our study is to analyze European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) phenology in alpine environments and the role of the ecological factors involved, using an integrated approach based on accurate field observations and modelling techniques. We present 2 years of field-collected larch phenological data, obtained following a specifically designed observation protocol. We observed that both spring and autumn larch phenology is strongly influenced by altitude. We propose an approach for the optimization of a spring warming model (SW) and the growing season index model (GSI) consisting of a model inversion technique, based on simulated look-up tables (LUTs), that provides robust parameter estimates. The optimized models showed excellent agreement between modelled and observed data: the SW model predicts the beginning of the growing season (B(GS)) with a mean RMSE of 4 days, while GSI gives a prediction of the growing season length (L(GS)) with a RMSE of 5 days. Moreover, we showed that the original GSI parameters led to consistent errors, while the optimized ones significantly increased model accuracy. Finally, we used GSI to investigate interactions of ecological factors during springtime development and autumn senescence. We found that temperature is the most effective factor during spring recovery while photoperiod plays an important role during autumn senescence: photoperiod shows a contrasting effect with altitude decreasing its influence with increasing altitude.

Direct measurement of interfilament resistance in Nb3Sn strands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corato, V.; Muzzi, L.; Vetrella, U. Besi; della Corte, A.

2009-05-01

In modeling the properties of superconducting multifilamentary strands, transverse resistivity plays a crucial role in the definition of the coupling losses in ac regime, as well as of the current transfer length, that affects the transport properties of Nb3Sn wires subject to bending strain. We present the first direct measurement of the interfilament transverse resistance in superconducting strands from room temperature to 4.2 K. Results have been compared to the transverse resistance of a sample on which the outer copper stabilization layer has been removed by chemical etching, obtaining interesting indication on the preferential current paths within the wire cross section. An excellent agreement between experimental data and theoretical models has been found in describing the whole strand, while improvements are required in modeling the filamentary region alone.

Modelling interstellar physics and chemistry: implications for surface and solid-state processes.

PubMed

Williams, David; Viti, Serena

2013-07-13

We discuss several types of regions in the interstellar medium of the Milky Way and other galaxies in which the chemistry appears to be influenced or dominated by surface and solid-state processes occurring on or in interstellar dust grains. For some of these processes, for example, the formation of H₂ molecules, detailed experimental and theoretical approaches have provided excellent fundamental data for incorporation into astrochemical models. In other cases, there is an astrochemical requirement for much more laboratory and computational study, and we highlight these needs in our description. Nevertheless, in spite of the limitations of the data, it is possible to infer from astrochemical modelling that surface and solid-state processes play a crucial role in astronomical chemistry from early epochs of the Universe up to the present day.

The EFQM Excellence Model for Deploying Quality Management: A British-Russian Journey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steed, Carol; Maslow, Dmitry; Mazaletskaya, Anna

2005-01-01

This paper describes how the Excellence Model[R] developed by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) can be used and applied within higher education, with practical examples accompanying the Model in a Russian University to raise management quality. (Contains 5 figures, 2 tables, and 1 footnote.)

The Stag Hunt Game: An Example of an Excel-Based Probabilistic Game

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bridge, Dave

2016-01-01

With so many role-playing simulations already in the political science education literature, the recent repeated calls for new games is both timely and appropriate. This article answers and extends those calls by advocating the creation of probabilistic games using Microsoft Excel. I introduce the example of the Stag Hunt Game--a short, effective,…

Academy for Teacher Excellence: Maximizing Synergy among Partners for Promoting College Access for Latino Teacher Candidates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Belinda Bustos; Claeys, Lorena

2011-01-01

This case study discusses how educational entities collaborate in meaningful ways to address teaching force representation and shortages in critical fields for diverse populations in urban education settings. The authors examined how the role of a federally funded program, Academy for Teacher Excellence (ATE), at a Hispanic Serving Institution in…

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

Roth, Amir; Goldwasser, David; Parker, Andrew

The OpenStudio software development kit has played a significant role in the adoption of the EnergyPlus whole building energy modeling engine and in the development and launch of new applications that use EnergyPlus for a variety of purposes, from design to auditing to code compliance and management of large portfolios. One of the most powerful features of the OpenStudio platform is Measure, a scripting facility similar to Excel's Visual Basic macros. Measures can be used to apply energy conservation measures to models--hence the name--to create reports and visualizations, and even to sew together custom workflows. Measures automate tedious tasks increasingmore » modeler productivity and reducing error. Measures have also become a currency in the OpenStudio tools ecosystem, a way to codify knowledge and protocol and transfer it from one modeler to another, either within an organization or within the global modeling community. This paper describes some of the many applications of Measures.« less

Structural insights into human microsomal epoxide hydrolase by combined homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and molecular docking calculations.

PubMed

Saenz-Méndez, Patricia; Katz, Aline; Pérez-Kempner, María Lucía; Ventura, Oscar N; Vázquez, Marta

2017-04-01

A new homology model of human microsomal epoxide hydrolase was derived based on multiple templates. The model obtained was fully evaluated, including MD simulations and ensemble-based docking, showing that the quality of the structure is better than that of only previously known model. Particularly, a catalytic triad was clearly identified, in agreement with the experimental information available. Analysis of intermediates in the enzymatic mechanism led to the identification of key residues for substrate binding, stereoselectivity, and intermediate stabilization during the reaction. In particular, we have confirmed the role of the oxyanion hole and the conserved motif (HGXP) in epoxide hydrolases, in excellent agreement with known experimental and computational data on similar systems. The model obtained is the first one that fully agrees with all the experimental observations on the system. Proteins 2017; 85:720-730. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Role of community pharmacists in asthma - Australian research highlighting pathways for future primary care models.

PubMed

Saini, B; Krass, I; Smith, L; Bosnic-Anticevich, S; Armour, C

2011-01-01

Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting the Australian population. Amongst primary healthcare professionals, pharmacists are the most accessible and this places pharmacists in an excellent position to play a role in the management of asthma. Globally, trials of many community pharmacy-based asthma care models have provided evidence that pharmacist delivered interventions can improve clinical, humanistic and economic outcomes for asthma patients. In Australia, a decade of coordinated research efforts, in various aspects of asthma care, has culminated in the implementation trial of the Pharmacy Asthma Management Service (PAMS), a comprehensive disease management model.There has been research investigating asthma medication adherence through data mining, ways in which usual asthma care can be improved. Our research has focused on self-management education, inhaler technique interventions, spirometry trials, interprofessional models of care, and regional trials addressing the particular needs of rural communities. We have determined that inhaler technique education is a necessity and should be repeated if correct technique is to be maintained. We have identified this effectiveness of health promotion and health education, conducted within and outside the confines of the pharmacy, in public for a and settings such as schools, and established that this outreach role is particularly well received and increases the opportunity for people with asthma to engage in their asthma management.Our research has identified that asthma patients have needs which pharmacists delivering specialized models of care, can address. There is a lot of evidence for the effectiveness of asthma care by pharmacists, the future must involve integration of this role into primary care.

Generation and propagation of nonlinear internal waves in Massachusetts Bay

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scotti, A.; Beardsley, R.C.; Butman, B.

2007-01-01

During the summer, nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) are commonly observed propagating in Massachusetts Bay. The topography of the area is unique in the sense that the generation area (over Stellwagen Bank) is only 25 km away from the shoaling area, and thus it represents an excellent natural laboratory to study the life cycle of NLIWs. To assist in the interpretation of the data collected during the 1998 Massachusetts Bay Internal Wave Experiment (MBIWE98), a fully nonlinear and nonhydrostatic model covering the generation/shoaling region was developed, to investigate the response of the system to the range of background and driving conditions observed. Simplified models were also used to elucidate the role of nonlinearity and dispersion in shaping the NLIW field. This paper concentrates on the generation process and the subsequent evolution in the basin. The model was found to reproduce well the range of propagation characteristics observed (arrival time, propagation speed, amplitude), and provided a coherent framework to interpret the observations. Comparison with a fully nonlinear hydrostatic model shows that during the generation and initial evolution of the waves as they move away from Stellwagen Bank, dispersive effects play a negligible role. Thus the problem can be well understood considering the geometry of the characteristics along which the Riemann invariants of the hydrostatic problem propagate. Dispersion plays a role only during the evolution of the undular bore in the middle of Stellwagen Basin. The consequences for modeling NLIWs within hydrostatic models are briefly discussed at the end.

Steltzer Receives 2013 Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring: Citation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weintraub, Michael N.

2014-07-01

Heidi Steltzer, an assistant professor at Fort Lewis College, received the 2013 Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring at the 2013 Fall Meeting. This award "recognizes women in AGU who have sustained an active research career in a field related to biogeosciences, while excelling in teaching and especially in mentoring young scientists." Awardees are to serve as critical role models for the next generation of female scientists by sharing their passion for the natural world. Those who know her best agree that Heidi's passion for teaching and training the next generation of researchers truly embodies the spirit of the Sulzman award. According to one nominator, "Heidi single-handedly pushed [her] department toward a more modern and integrated view of the biological sciences, revamping curricula in both majors' and non-majors' courses to include citizen science, cross-disciplinary investigation techniques, and thought-provoking forays into real-world/real-time problems." Another nominator commented that "Heidi has made an incredibly strong impact on the careers of countless students through both compassionate and enthusiastic mentoring, as well as leadership in institutional and programmatic efforts that foster student professional development and that provide research experiences. I think it is extraordinary that at this relatively early point in her career, she has already achieved a lasting legacy."

Atom-type-based AI topological descriptors: application in structure-boiling point correlations of oxo organic compounds.

PubMed

Ren, Biye

2003-01-01

Structure-boiling point relationships are studied for a series of oxo organic compounds by means of multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis. Excellent MLR models based on the recently introduced Xu index and the atom-type-based AI indices are obtained for the two subsets containing respectively 77 ethers and 107 carbonyl compounds and a combined set of 184 oxo compounds. The best models are tested using the leave-one-out cross-validation and an external test set, respectively. The MLR model produces a correlation coefficient of r = 0.9977 and a standard error of s = 3.99 degrees C for the training set of 184 compounds, and r(cv) = 0.9974 and s(cv) = 4.16 degrees C for the cross-validation set, and r(pred) = 0.9949 and s(pred) = 4.38 degrees C for the prediction set of 21 compounds. For the two subsets containing respectively 77 ethers and 107 carbonyl compounds, the quality of the models is further improved. The standard errors are reduced to 3.30 and 3.02 degrees C, respectively. Furthermore, the results obtained from this study indicate that the boiling points of the studied oxo compound dominantly depend on molecular size and also depend on individual atom types, especially oxygen heteroatoms in molecules due to strong polar interactions between molecules. These excellent structure-boiling point models not only provide profound insights into the role of structural features in a molecule but also illustrate the usefulness of these indices in QSPR/QSAR modeling of complex compounds.

Efficient removal of malachite green dye using biodegradable graft copolymer derived from amylopectin and poly(acrylic acid).

PubMed

Sarkar, Amit Kumar; Pal, Aniruddha; Ghorai, Soumitra; Mandre, N R; Pal, Sagar

2014-10-13

This article reports on the application of a high performance biodegradable adsorbent based on amylopectin and poly(acrylic acid) (AP-g-PAA) for removal of toxic malachite green dye (MG) from aqueous solution. The graft copolymer has been synthesized and characterized using various techniques including FTIR, GPC, SEM and XRD analyses. Biodegradation study suggests that the co-polymer is biodegradable in nature. The adsorbent shows excellent potential (Qmax, 352.11 mg g(-1); 99.05% of MG has been removed within 30 min) for removal of MG from aqueous solution. It has been observed that point to zero charge (pzc) of graft copolymer plays significant role in adsorption efficacy. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm follow pseudo-second order and Langmuir isotherm models, respectively. Thermodynamics parameters suggest that the process of dye uptake is spontaneous. Finally desorption study shows excellent regeneration efficiency of adsorbent. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stopping Distances: An Excellent Example of Empirical Modelling.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lawson, D. A.; Tabor, J. H.

2001-01-01

Explores the derivation of empirical models for the stopping distance of a car being driven at a range of speeds. Indicates that the calculation of stopping distances makes an excellent example of empirical modeling because it is a situation that is readily understood and particularly relevant to many first-year undergraduates who are learning or…

A Model of Success: The Model Institutions for Excellence Program's Decade of Leadership in STEM Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Merisotis, Jamie P.; Kee, Arnold M.

2006-01-01

The Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) Grant, funded by the National Science Foundation and National Aeronautics and Space Administration, enhanced student pathways into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It achieved these results through 10 years of sustained investment and collaborative leadership. Components of the MIE…

Career advancement and professional development in nursing.

PubMed

Adeniran, Rita K; Smith-Glasgow, Mary Ellen; Bhattacharya, Anand; Xu, Yu

2013-01-01

Excellence underscores the need for nurses to keep their skills and competencies current through participation in professional development and career advancement. Evidence suggests that internationally educated nurses (IENs) progress relatively slowly through the career ladder and participate less in professional development compared with nurses educated in the United States (UENs). Mentorship and self-efficacy are considered major determinants of career advancement. The aim of the study was to understand the differences in levels of mentorship function and self-efficacy as well as the differences in participation in professional development and career advancement between UENs and IENs. A descriptive survey design was implemented using a Web-based survey. Significant disparities were noted in the role model function of mentoring and some professional development and career advancement measures between UENs and IENs. Mentorship is essential for professional growth. Sociodemographic characteristics of mentors are important because mentors are role models. Standardized career advancement structures are needed to promote professional growth. Published by Mosby, Inc.

Attributes of School Leaders Towards Achieving Sustainable Leadership: A Factor Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goolamally, Norlia; Ahmad, Jamil

2014-01-01

A principal plays a very important role in deciding the direction and success of a school. Whether a school is dynamic is dependent upon the skills and abilities of the principal. In order to be excellent, the principal must be in possession of an excellent character. Therefore, the selection and promotion of school principals should be conducted…

Developing Excellent School Principals to Advance Teaching and Learning: Considerations for State Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manna, Paul

2015-01-01

Principals who are strong, effective, responsive leaders help to inspire and enhance the abilities of their teachers and other school staff to do excellent work. Such principals also tend to retain great teachers and create opportunities for them to take on new leadership roles. This leads to the following key question: What can state policymakers…

National Study of Excellence and Innovation in Physical Therapist Education: Part 2-A Call to Reform.

PubMed

Jensen, Gail M; Hack, Laurita M; Nordstrom, Terrence; Gwyer, Janet; Mostrom, Elizabeth

2017-09-01

This perspective shares recommendations that draw from (1) the National Study of Excellence and Innovation in Physical Therapist Education research findings and a conceptual model of excellence in physical therapist education, (2) the Carnegie Foundation's Preparation for the Professions Program (PPP), and (3) research in the learning sciences. The 30 recommendations are linked to the dimensions described in the conceptual model for excellence in physical therapist education: Culture of Excellence, Praxis of Learning, and Organizational Structures and Resources. This perspective proposes a transformative call for reform framed across 3 core categories: (1) creating a culture of excellence, leadership, and partnership, (2) advancing the learning sciences and understanding and enacting the social contract, and (3) implementing organizational imperatives. Similar to the Carnegie studies, this perspective identifies action items (9) that should be initiated immediately in a strategic and systematic way by the major organizational stakeholders in physical therapist education. These recommendations and action items provide a transformative agenda for physical therapist education, and thus the profession, in meeting the changing needs of society through higher levels of excellence. © 2017 American Physical Therapy Association.

Momentum-resolved spectroscopy of a Fermi liquid

PubMed Central

Doggen, Elmer V. H.; Kinnunen, Jami J.

2015-01-01

We consider a recent momentum-resolved radio-frequency spectroscopy experiment, in which Fermi liquid properties of a strongly interacting atomic Fermi gas were studied. Here we show that by extending the Brueckner-Goldstone model, we can formulate a theory that goes beyond basic mean-field theories and that can be used for studying spectroscopies of dilute atomic gases in the strongly interacting regime. The model hosts well-defined quasiparticles and works across a wide range of temperatures and interaction strengths. The theory provides excellent qualitative agreement with the experiment. Comparing the predictions of the present theory with the mean-field Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory yields insights into the role of pair correlations, Tan's contact, and the Hartree mean-field energy shift. PMID:25941948

Desktop Modeling and Simulation: Parsimonious, yet Effective Discrete-Event Simulation Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradley, James R.

2012-01-01

This paper evaluates how quickly students can be trained to construct useful discrete-event simulation models using Excel The typical supply chain used by many large national retailers is described, and an Excel-based simulation model is constructed of it The set of programming and simulation skills required for development of that model are then determined we conclude that six hours of training are required to teach the skills to MBA students . The simulation presented here contains all fundamental functionallty of a simulation model, and so our result holds for any discrete-event simulation model. We argue therefore that Industry workers with the same technical skill set as students having completed one year in an MBA program can be quickly trained to construct simulation models. This result gives credence to the efficacy of Desktop Modeling and Simulation whereby simulation analyses can be quickly developed, run, and analyzed with widely available software, namely Excel.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the evolution and development of flower size in Saltugilia (Polemoniaceae).

PubMed

Landis, Jacob B; Soltis, Douglas E; Soltis, Pamela S

2017-06-23

Flower size varies dramatically across angiosperms, representing innovations over the course of >130 million years of evolution and contributing substantially to relationships with pollinators. However, the genetic underpinning of flower size is not well understood. Saltugilia (Polemoniaceae) provides an excellent non-model system for extending the genetic study of flower size to interspecific differences that coincide with variation in pollinators. Using targeted gene capture methods, we infer phylogenetic relationships among all members of Saltugilia to provide a framework for investigating the genetic control of flower size differences via RNA-Seq de novo assembly. Nuclear concatenation and species tree inference methods provide congruent topologies. The inferred evolutionary trajectory of flower size is from small flowers to larger flowers. We identified 4 to 10,368 transcripts that are differentially expressed during flower development, with many unigenes associated with cell wall modification and components of the auxin and gibberellin pathways. Saltugilia is an excellent model for investigating covarying floral and pollinator evolution. Four candidate genes from model systems (BIG BROTHER, BIG PETAL, GASA, and LONGIFOLIA) show differential expression during development of flowers in Saltugilia, and four other genes (FLOWERING-PROMOTING FACTOR 1, PECTINESTERASE, POLYGALACTURONASE, and SUCROSE SYNTHASE) fit into hypothesized organ size pathways. Together, these gene sets provide a strong foundation for future functional studies to determine their roles in specifying interspecific differences in flower size.

Multiple mediation path model of pain's cascading influence on physical disability in individuals with SCI from Colombia, South America.

PubMed

Perrin, Paul B; Paredes, Alejandra Morlett; Olivera, Silvia Leonor; Lozano, Juan Esteban; Leal, Wendy Tatiana; Ahmad, Usman F; Arango-Lasprilla, Juan Carlos

2017-01-01

Research has begun to document the bivariate connections between pain in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and various aspects of health related quality of life (HRQOL), such as fatigue, social functioning, mental health, and physical functioning. The purpose of this study was to construct and test a theoretical path model illuminating the stage-wise and sequential (cascading) HRQOL pathways through which pain increases physical disability in individuals with SCI in a sample from Colombia, South America. It was hypothesized that increased pain would lead to decreased energy, which would lead to decreased mental health and social functioning, which both would lead to emotional role limitations, which finally would lead to physical role limitations. A cross-sectional study assessed individuals with SCI (n = 40) in Neiva, Colombia. Participants completed a measure indexing various aspects of HRQOL. The path model overall showed excellent fit indices, and each individual path within the model was statistically significant. Pain exerted significant indirect effects through all possible mediators in the model, ultimately suggesting that energy, mental health, social functioning, and role limitations-emotional were likely pathways through which pain exerted its effects on physical disability in individuals with SCI. These findings uncover several potential nodes for clinical intervention which if targeted in the context of rehabilitation or outpatient services, could result in salubrious direct and indirect effects reverberating down the theoretical causal chain and ultimately reducing physical disability in individuals with SCI.

Dynamic Modeling for Development and Education: From Concepts to Numbers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Geert, Paul

2014-01-01

The general aim of the article is to teach the reader how to transform conceptual models of change, development, and learning into mathematical expressions and how to use these equations to build dynamic models by means of the widely used spreadsheet program Excel. The explanation is supported by a number of Excel files, which the reader can…

A role of NF-E2 in chronic inflammation and clonal evolution in essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis?

PubMed

Hasselbalch, Hans C

2014-02-01

A novel murine model for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) generated by overexpression of the transcription factor NF-E2 has recently been described. Sustained overexpression of NF-E2 in this model induced myeloid expansion with anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. Herein, it is debated if NF-E2 overexpression also might have induced a sustained state of in vivo leukocyte and platelet activation with chronic and self-perpetuating production of inflammatory products from activated leukocytes and platelets. If so, this novel murine model also may excellently describe the deleterious impact of sustained chronic NF-E2 overexpression during uncontrolled chronic inflammation upon the hematopoietic system--the development of clonal myeloproliferation. Accordingly, this novel murine model may also have delivered the proof of concept of chronic inflammation as a trigger and driver of clonal evolution in MPNs. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two ecological models of academic achievement among diverse students with and without disabilities in transition.

PubMed

Williams, Terrinieka T; McMahon, Susan D; Keys, Christopher B

2014-01-01

School experiences can have positive effects on student academic achievement, yet less is known about intermediary processes that contribute to these positive effects. We examined pathways between school experiences and academic achievement among 117 low-income urban students of color, many with disabilities, who transitioned to other schools following a school closure. Using structural equation modeling, we tested two ecological models that examined the relationships among self-reported school experiences, school support, academic self-efficacy, and school-reported academic achievement. The model in which the relationship between school experiences and academic achievement is mediated by both school support and academic self-efficacy, and that takes previous academic achievement into account, was an excellent fit with the data. The roles of contextual and individual factors as they relate to academic achievement, and the implications of these findings, are discussed.

Biosynthesis of the Urease Metallocenter*

PubMed Central

Farrugia, Mark A.; Macomber, Lee; Hausinger, Robert P.

2013-01-01

Metalloenzymes often require elaborate metallocenter assembly systems to create functional active sites. The medically important dinuclear nickel enzyme urease provides an excellent model for studying metallocenter assembly. Nickel is inserted into the urease active site in a GTP-dependent process with the assistance of UreD/UreH, UreE, UreF, and UreG. These accessory proteins orchestrate apoprotein activation by delivering the appropriate metal, facilitating protein conformational changes, and possibly providing a requisite post-translational modification. The activation mechanism and roles of each accessory protein in urease maturation are the subject of ongoing studies, with the latest findings presented in this minireview. PMID:23539618

Refinement of the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS-21) and Development of 9-Item Equivalent Versions.

PubMed

King, Gillian; Orchard, Carole; Khalili, Hossein; Avery, Lisa

2016-01-01

Measures of interprofessional (IP) socialization are needed to capture the role of interprofessional education in preparing students and health practitioners to function as part of IP health care teams. The aims of this study were to refine a previously published version of the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (the ISVS-24) and create two shorter equivalent forms to be used in pre-post studies. A graded response model was used to identify ISVS items in a practitioner data set (n = 345), with validation (measure invariance) conducted using a separate student sample (n = 341). Analyses indicated a unidimensional 21-item version with excellent measurement properties, Cronbach alpha of 0.988, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.985-0.991. There was evidence of measure invariance, as there was excellent agreement of the factor scores for the practitioner and student data, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.993, 95% CI 0.991-0.994. This indicates that the ISVS-21 measures IP socialization consistently across groups. Two 9-item equivalent versions for pre-post use were developed, with excellent agreement between the two forms. The student score agreement for the two item sets was excellent: intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.970, 95% CI 0.963-0.976. The ISVS-21 is a refined measure to assess existing levels of IP socialization in practitioners and students, and relate IP socialization to other important constructs such as IP collaboration and the development of an IP identity. The equivalent versions can be used to assess change in IP socialization as a result of interprofessional education.

First demonstration of olfactory learning and long term memory in honey bee queens.

PubMed

Gong, Zhiwen; Tan, Ken; Nieh, James C

2018-05-18

As the primary source of colony reproduction, social insect queens play a vital role. However, the cognitive abilities of queens are not well understood, although queen learning and memory are essential in multiple species such as honey bees, in which virgin queens must leave the nest and then successful learn to navigate back over repeated nuptial flights. Honey bee queen learning has never been previously demonstrated. We therefore tested olfactory learning in queens and workers and examined the role of DNA methylation, which plays a key role in long term memory formation. We provide the first evidence that honey bee queens have excellent learning and memory. The proportion of honey bee queens that exhibited learning was 5-fold higher than workers at every tested age and, for memory, 4-fold higher than workers at a very young age. DNA methylation may play a key role in this queen memory because queens exhibiting remote memory had a more consistent elevation in Dnmt3 gene expression as compared to workers. Both castes also showed excellent remote memory (7 day memory), which was reduced by 14-20% by the DNA methylation inhibitor, zebularine. Given that queens live about 10-fold longer than workers, these results suggest that queens can serve as an excellently long-term reservoir of colony memory. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Sea urchin embryos exposed to cadmium as an experimental model for studying the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis.

PubMed

Chiarelli, R; Agnello, M; Bosco, L; Roccheri, M C

2014-02-01

The sea urchin embryo is a suitable model that offers an excellent opportunity to investigate different defence strategies activated in stress conditions. We previously showed that cadmium accumulates in a dose- and time-dependent manner into embryonic cells, activating different stress and defence mechanisms, including the synthesis of HSPs and the onset of apoptosis and/or autophagy. In this paper we investigated the functional relationship between autophagy and apoptosis, evaluating apoptosis signals in cadmium-exposed Paracentrotus lividus embryos with inhibited autophagy. We found that the inhibition of autophagy produced the concurrent reduction of apoptosis, suggesting that the two phenomena are functionally related. Considering the catabolic role of autophagy, an energetic hypothesis to explain the relationship was evaluated. Using a substrate for ATP production, we found that apoptosis, assessed by TUNEL and cleaved caspase-3 immunocytochemistry, was substantially restored in cadmium-treated embryos where autophagy was inhibited by 3-Methyladenine. On the basis of these results, we propose that, autophagy could play a crucial role in stress response of this organism because autophagy could energetically contribute to apoptotic execution through its catabolic role. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sea Surface Salinity Variability from Simulations and Observations: Preparing for Aquarius

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacob, S. Daniel; LeVine, David M.

2010-01-01

Oceanic fresh water transport has been shown to play an important role in the global hydrological cycle. Sea surface salinity (SSS) is representative of the surface fresh water fluxes and the upcoming Aquarius mission scheduled to be launched in December 2010 will provide excellent spatial and temporal SSS coverage to better estimate the net exchange. In most ocean general circulation models, SSS is relaxed to climatology to prevent model drift. While SST remains a well observed variable, relaxing to SST reduces the range of SSS variability in the simulations (Fig.1). The main objective of the present study is to simulate surface tracers using a primitive equation ocean model for multiple forcing data sets to identify and establish a baseline SSS variability. The simulated variability scales are compared to those from near-surface argo salinity measurements.

Hamiltonian Effective Field Theory Study of the N^{*}(1535) Resonance in Lattice QCD.

PubMed

Liu, Zhan-Wei; Kamleh, Waseem; Leinweber, Derek B; Stokes, Finn M; Thomas, Anthony W; Wu, Jia-Jun

2016-02-26

Drawing on experimental data for baryon resonances, Hamiltonian effective field theory (HEFT) is used to predict the positions of the finite-volume energy levels to be observed in lattice QCD simulations of the lowest-lying J^{P}=1/2^{-} nucleon excitation. In the initial analysis, the phenomenological parameters of the Hamiltonian model are constrained by experiment and the finite-volume eigenstate energies are a prediction of the model. The agreement between HEFT predictions and lattice QCD results obtained on volumes with spatial lengths of 2 and 3 fm is excellent. These lattice results also admit a more conventional analysis where the low-energy coefficients are constrained by lattice QCD results, enabling a determination of resonance properties from lattice QCD itself. Finally, the role and importance of various components of the Hamiltonian model are examined.

Sustaining Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moorse, Rosemary; Reisenberger, Anna

This publication outlines prerequisites for success, critical factors in achieving excellence, and strategies for sustaining excellence once high levels of performance have been achieved. It considers how quality and improvement models might be used to support colleges in this work and draws on the work of 10 colleges in the United Kingdom that…

Modelling Sensory Limitation: The Role of Tree Selection, Memory and Information Transfer in Bats’ Roost Searching Strategies

PubMed Central

Ruczyński, Ireneusz; Bartoń, Kamil A.

2012-01-01

Sensory limitation plays an important role in the evolution of animal behaviour. Animals have to find objects of interest (e.g. food, shelters, predators). When sensory abilities are strongly limited, animals adjust their behaviour to maximize chances for success. Bats are nocturnal, live in complex environments, are capable of flight and must confront numerous perceptual challenges (e.g. limited sensory range, interfering clutter echoes). This makes them an excellent model for studying the role of compensating behaviours to decrease costs of finding resources. Cavity roosting bats are especially interesting because the availability of tree cavities is often limited, and their quality is vital for bats during the breeding season. From a bat’s sensory point of view, cavities are difficult to detect and finding them requires time and energy. However, tree cavities are also long lasting, allowing information transfer among conspecifics. Here, we use a simple simulation model to explore the benefits of tree selection, memory and eavesdropping (compensation behaviours) to searches for tree cavities by bats with short and long perception range. Our model suggests that memory and correct discrimination of tree suitability are the basic strategies decreasing the cost of roost finding, whereas perceptual range plays a minor role in this process. Additionally, eavesdropping constitutes a buffer that reduces the costs of finding new resources (such as roosts), especially when they occur in low density. We conclude that natural selection may promote different strategies of roost finding in relation to habitat conditions and cognitive skills of animals. PMID:23028666

Acquisition of Vocabulary by Dint of Unique Strategies: Indispensible for Fostering English Language Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jose, G. Rexlin

2015-01-01

Vocabulary is the gateway to knowledge that unlocks the doors of sublime ideas to the readers. The competency on the lexical items of language plays a significant role in learning a new concept. Any learner who has excellent command over the use of vocabulary excels in his/her study of different subjects. Vocabulary learning is one of the…

Mentoring Excellence in the Kinesiology Academy. National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education 35th Dudley Allen Sargent Commemorative Lecture 2016

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knudson, Duane

2016-01-01

This article from the 35th Dudley Allen Sargent Lecture addresses the importance of senior faculty in kinesiology providing holistic guidance to tenure-track faculty to foster excellence in the field. The importance of holistic mentoring of all three faculty roles in higher education is illustrated using research on teaching and learning…

Exploratory Study of the Role and Activities of "Centres of Excellence" in the Textile Industry in Four EEC Member States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, Berlin (West Germany).

The nine centers of excellence described in this document are institutions and geographic areas in the European Economic Community (EEC) that, in addition to providing training and maintaining their links with the labor market, carry out research and disseminate technology with individual firms, groups of firms, and the textile industry as a…

Education for a Productive Society. Remarks to the National Commission on Excellence in Education. (Public Hearing, Denver, Colorado, September 16, 1982).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Donald

The link between education and work and the situation at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs are discussed by the university chancellor in testimony to the National Commission on Excellence in Education. Characteristics of this urban, commuter university and its students are described, along with historical changes in the role of the…

Impact of Excellence Programs on Taiwan Higher Education in Terms of Quality Assurance and Academic Excellence, Examining the Conflicting Role of Taiwan's Accrediting Agencies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hou, Angela Yung-chi

2012-01-01

Higher Education Evaluation & Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT) was established in 2005 and began to accredit 76 four-year comprehensive universities and colleges in Taiwan in 2006. Commissioned officially with a dual mission, HEEACT has been encouraged to conduct various ranking research projects, including global and national ones…

Sales Training for Army Recruiter Success: Modeling the Sales Strategies and Skills of Excellent Recruiters

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

strategies used by excellent Army recruiters. Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) was used as the protocol for modeling performance and acquiring...Behavioral and Social Sciences 3001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22333-5600 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT. TASK ARE* 4 WORK UNIT...Modeling ’Expert knowledge,, Neurolinguistics Knowledge engineering; Recruiting Sales, &’ Sales cycle Sales skills Sales strategies 20

Collaborative Workshops and Student Academic Performance in Introductory College Mathematics Courses: A Study of a Treisman Model Math Excel Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duncan, Hollis; Dick, Thomas

2000-01-01

Describes the Treisman model which involves supplemental workshops in which college students solve problems in collaborative learning groups. Reports on the effectiveness of Math Excel, an implementation of the Treisman model for introductory mathematics courses at Oregon State University over five academic terms. Reveals a significant effect on…

Autophagy is essential for maintaining the growth of a human (mini-)organ: Evidence from scalp hair follicle organ culture

PubMed Central

Allavena, Giulia; Marotta, Roberto; Catelani, Tiziano; Bertolini, Marta; Paus, Ralf

2018-01-01

Autophagy plays a crucial role in health and disease, regulating central cellular processes such as adaptive stress responses, differentiation, tissue development, and homeostasis. However, the role of autophagy in human physiology is poorly understood, highlighting a need for a model human organ system to assess the efficacy and safety of strategies to therapeutically modulate autophagy. As a complete, cyclically remodelled (mini-)organ, the organ culture of human scalp hair follicles (HFs), which, after massive growth (anagen), spontaneously enter into an apoptosis-driven organ involution (catagen) process, may provide such a model. Here, we reveal that in anagen, hair matrix keratinocytes (MKs) of organ-cultured HFs exhibit an active autophagic flux, as documented by evaluation of endogenous lipidated Light Chain 3B (LC3B) and sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62) proteins and the ultrastructural visualization of autophagosomes at all stages of the autophagy process. This autophagic flux is altered during catagen, and genetic inhibition of autophagy promotes catagen development. Conversely, an anti–hair loss product markedly enhances intrafollicular autophagy, leading to anagen prolongation. Collectively, our data reveal a novel role of autophagy in human hair growth. Moreover, we show that organ-cultured scalp HFs are an excellent preclinical research model for exploring the role of autophagy in human tissue physiology and for evaluating the efficacy and tissue toxicity of candidate autophagy-modulatory agents in a living human (mini-)organ. PMID:29590104

The First Year of Beacon School Status: Maintaining Excellence and Sharing Success.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burton, Neil; Brundrett, Mark

2000-01-01

During summer 1998, the British government's Department for Education and Employment recognized 74 schools as model "beacons of excellence." A recent survey reveals that effective communication, coupled with a clear sense of purpose and vision, has enabled Beacon schools to maintain educational excellence while facilitating other…

Excel Spreadsheets for Algebra: Improving Mental Modeling for Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engerman, Jason; Rusek, Matthew; Clariana, Roy

2014-01-01

This experiment investigates the effectiveness of Excel spreadsheets in a high school algebra class. Students in the experiment group convincingly outperformed the control group on a post lesson assessment. The student responses, teacher observations involving Excel spreadsheet revealed that it operated as a mindtool, which formed the users'…

ETV TEST REPORT OF CONTROL OF BIOAEROSOLS IN HVAC SYSTEMS GLASFLOSS INDUSTRIES EXCEL FILTER, MODEL SBG24242898

EPA Science Inventory

The Environmental Technology Verification report discusses the technology and performance of the Excel Filter, Model SBG24242898 air filter for dust and bioaerosol filtration manufactured by Glasfloss Industries, Inc. The pressure drop across the filter was 82 Pa clean and 348 Pa...

Kinetics of the addition of olefins to Si-centered radicals: the critical role of dispersion interactions revealed by theory and experiment.

PubMed

Johnson, Erin R; Clarkin, Owen J; Dale, Stephen G; DiLabio, Gino A

2015-06-04

Solution-phase rate constants for the addition of selected olefins to the triethylsilyl and tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl radicals are measured using laser-flash photolysis and competition kinetics. The results are compared with predictions from density functional theory (DFT) calculations, both with and without dispersion corrections obtained from the exchange-hole dipole moment (XDM) model. Without a dispersion correction, the rate constants are consistently underestimated; the errors increase with system size, up to 10(6) s(-1) for the largest system considered. Dispersion interactions preferentially stabilize the transition states relative to the separated reactants and bring the DFT-calculated rate constants into excellent agreement with experiment. Thus, dispersion interactions are found to play a key role in determining the kinetics for addition reactions, particularly those involving sterically bulky functional groups.

Anticipated and zero-lag synchronization in motifs of delay-coupled systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirasso, Claudio R.; Carelli, Pedro V.; Pereira, Tiago; Matias, Fernanda S.; Copelli, Mauro

2017-11-01

Anticipated and zero-lag synchronization have been observed in different scientific fields. In the brain, they might play a fundamental role in information processing, temporal coding and spatial attention. Recent numerical work on anticipated and zero-lag synchronization studied the role of delays. However, an analytical understanding of the conditions for these phenomena remains elusive. In this paper, we study both phenomena in systems with small delays. By performing a phase reduction and studying phase locked solutions, we uncover the functional relation between the delay, excitation and inhibition for the onset of anticipated synchronization in a sender-receiver-interneuron motif. In the case of zero-lag synchronization in a chain motif, we determine the stability conditions. These analytical solutions provide an excellent prediction of the phase-locked regimes of Hodgkin-Huxley models and Roessler oscillators.

A Critical Evaluation of Phrónêsis as a Key Tool for Professional Excellence for Modern Managers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Shinto

2017-01-01

Phrónêsis or practical wisdom is an important element of Aristotelian virtue ethics. This paper is an attempt to study what is meant by Phrónêsis, how it might be understood, reinterpreted, applied, and extended in contemporary professional management practice and its role in enhancing professional excellence in modern managers. Phrónêsis can…

ImageJ: A Free, Easy, and Reliable Method to Measure Leg Ulcers Using Digital Pictures.

PubMed

Aragón-Sánchez, Javier; Quintana-Marrero, Yurena; Aragón-Hernández, Cristina; Hernández-Herero, María José

2017-12-01

Wound measurement to document the healing course of chronic leg ulcers has an important role in the management of these patients. Digital cameras in smartphones are readily available and easy to use, and taking pictures of wounds is becoming a routine in specialized departments. Analyzing digital pictures with appropriate software provides clinicians a quick, clean, and easy-to-use tool for measuring wound area. A set of 25 digital pictures of plain foot and leg ulcers was the basis of this study. Photographs were taken placing a ruler next to the wound in parallel with the healthy skin with the iPhone 6S (Apple Inc, Cupertino, CA), which has a camera of 12 megapixels using the flash. The digital photographs were visualized with ImageJ 1.45s freeware (National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD; http://imagej.net/ImageJ ). Wound area measurement was carried out by 4 raters: head of the department, wound care nurse, physician, and medical student. We assessed intra- and interrater reliability using the interclass correlation coefficient. To determine intraobserver reliability, 2 of the raters repeated the measurement of the set 1 week after the first reading. The interrater model displayed an interclass correlation coefficient of 0.99 with 95% confidence interval of 0.999 to 1.000, showing excellent reliability. The intrarater model of both examiners showed excellent reliability. In conclusion, analyzing digital images of leg ulcers with ImageJ estimates wound area with excellent reliability. This method provides a free, rapid, and accurate way to measure wounds and could routinely be used to document wound healing in daily clinical practice.

Sector-Wide Transformational Leadership--How Effectively Is the EFQM Excellence Model[R] Used in the UK FE Sector?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cartmell, Jonathan; Binsardi, Ben; McLean, Alexis

2011-01-01

This seminal study investigates the use of the EFQM Excellence Model[R] in the UK Further Education sector. Following initial interviews with Senior Managers and Quality Consultants, an online survey was sent to Principals and Senior Managers in all Colleges across the UK to critically investigate the relationship between the use of the Model and…

Redesigning Schools to Reach Every Student with Excellent Teachers: Financial Planning for Time-Technology Swap--Rotation Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Public Impact, 2012

2012-01-01

This brief shows how teachers in a Time-Technology swap school model may earn more, sustainably. In this model, schools use age-appropriate portions of digital learning (as little as about an hour daily per student) to free the time of excellent teachers to teach more students and potentially to collaborate with peers. By teaching more students,…

The Prevalence of Service Excellence and the Use of Business Process Improvement Methodologies in Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ciancio, Sharone

2018-01-01

Service transformation is an increasingly common pursuit in the higher education sector, with university strategic plans frequently featuring a "service excellence" objective and the adoption of leaner and more sustainable service models. Previous studies agree that service excellence is intentional not incidental, and systematic not…

An educational strategy for treating chronic, noncancer pain with opioids: a pilot test.

PubMed

Elhwairis, Huda; Reznich, Christopher B

2010-12-01

Chronic pain is common and can be devastating to the patient and challenging to the health care provider. Despite the importance of the topic, pain management curricula are incomplete in health professionals' training. We developed a longitudinal curriculum to teach therapy for chronic noncancer pain over four units and pilot-tested the teaching of one unit (opioids) to internal medicine residents. The educational strategies we used included didactic sessions, write-up of a management plan following a model, case discussions, and role-play group activities. We pilot-tested one unit (opioid therapy) in March 2008. We performed learner evaluations, using a pretest and posttest, a write-up plan following a model, and a learner knowledge questionnaire. Results showed significant improvement in knowledge. Residents found the sessions and educational strategy to be excellent and reported higher confidence levels in managing patients with chronic noncancer pain. This article demonstrates that multiple teaching modalities-including didactic lectures, case discussions, write-up of a management plan following a model, and role-play group activities-are effective methods of teaching internal medicine residents how to use opioids to manage chronic noncancer pain. Copyright © 2010 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Screening of broad spectrum natural pesticides against conserved target arginine kinase in cotton pests by molecular modeling.

PubMed

Sakthivel, Seethalakshmi; Habeeb, S K M; Raman, Chandrasekar

2018-03-12

Cotton is an economically important crop and its production is challenged by the diversity of pests and related insecticide resistance. Identification of the conserved target across the cotton pest will help to design broad spectrum insecticide. In this study, we have identified conserved sequences by Expressed Sequence Tag profiling from three cotton pests namely Aphis gossypii, Helicoverpa armigera, and Spodoptera exigua. One target protein arginine kinase having a key role in insect physiology and energy metabolism was studied further using homology modeling, virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation to identify potential biopesticide compounds from the Zinc natural database. We have identified four compounds having excellent inhibitor potential against the identified broad spectrum target which are highly specific to invertebrates.

Gene Suppression of Mouse Testis In Vivo Using Small Interfering RNA Derived from Plasmid Vectors

PubMed Central

Takizawa, Takami; Ishikawa, Tomoko; Kosuge, Takuji; Mizuguchi, Yoshiaki; Sato, Yoko; Koji, Takehiko; Araki, Yoshihiko; Takizawa, Toshihiro

2012-01-01

We evaluated whether inhibiting gene expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be used for an in vivo model using a germ cell-specific gene (Tex101) as a model target in mouse testis. We generated plasmid-based expression vectors of siRNA targeting the Tex101 gene and transfected them into postnatal day 10 mouse testes by in vivo electroporation. After optimizing the electroporation conditions using a vector transfected into the mouse testis, a combination of high- and low-voltage pulses showed excellent transfection efficiency for the vectors with minimal tissue damage, but gene suppression was transient. Gene suppression by in vivo electroporation may be helpful as an alternative approach when designing experiments to unravel the basic role of testicular molecules. PMID:22489107

Brothers in Excellence: An Empowerment Model for the Career Development of African American Boys

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grimmett, Marc A.

2010-01-01

The author describes Brothers in Excellence (BE), a conceptual model for understanding African American boys and helping them to be successful. BE addresses 3 domains of development proposed to be essential to the success of all African American boys: identity development, social development, and career development. (Contains 1 figure.)

Towards a Multi-Stakeholder-Driven Model for Excellence in Higher Education Curriculum Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meyer, M. H.; Bushney, M. J.

2008-01-01

A multi-stakeholder-driven model for excellence in higher education curriculum development has been developed. It is based on the assumption that current efforts to curriculum development take place within a framework of limited stakeholder consultation. A total of 18 multiple stakeholders are identified, including learners, alumni, government,…

Equilibrator: Modeling Chemical Equilibria with Excel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vander Griend, Douglas A.

2011-01-01

Equilibrator is a Microsoft Excel program for learning about chemical equilibria through modeling, similar in function to EQS4WIN, which is no longer supported and does not work well with newer Windows operating systems. Similar to EQS4WIN, Equilibrator allows the user to define a system with temperature, initial moles, and then either total…

A framework for promoting scholarship productivity in occupational therapy curricula.

PubMed

Scott, P J; Justiss, M J; Schmid, A A; Fisher, T F

2013-01-01

This paper describes a curricular model to support the production of quality research and development of occupational therapy professional students, prepared to become leaders in the production and utilization of evidence for practice. This model is designed for programs with faculty challenged by the dual mandate of program excellence and expectations for scholarly productivity needed for tenure and promotion: typically programs at research universities. The essence of the model is the paralleling of research and competencies for clinical practice where faculty and students participate as a community of scholars. It is based on the literature that addresses the tensions between achieving excellence in research and scholarly productivity, and excellence in teaching. The experience of one university with this model over a five-year period of time is shared with the student-faculty productivity outcomes. These outcomes include dissemination of 55 collaborative peer reviewed products and faculty has generated support for 25 paid graduate assistantships. The combination of student outcomes and faculty support for their research has strengthened the ability of the faculty to excel in meeting the University mandate of scholarship while providing a high quality professional educational program.

Saving the Predators: Teaching About the Role of Predatory Animals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soltow, Willow

1985-01-01

Discusses the role of predators in regulating prey populations, noting that this is an excellent example of the "interconnectedness" of life. Suggestions for films, books, articles, and student questions are given, and a special section dealing with human attitudes about predators is provided. (DH)

Factors influencing residents' evaluations of clinical faculty member teaching qualities and role model status.

PubMed

Arah, Onyebuchi A; Heineman, Maas J; Lombarts, Kiki M J M H

2012-04-01

  Evaluations of faculty members are widely used to identify excellent or substandard teaching performance. In order to enable such evaluations to be properly interpreted and used in faculty development, it is essential to understand the factors that influence resident doctors' (residents) evaluations of the teaching qualities of faculty members and their perceptions of faculty members as role-model specialists.   We carried out a cross-sectional survey within a longitudinal study of the System for Evaluation of Teaching Qualities (SETQ) of clinical teachers. The study sample included 889 residents and 1014 faculty members in 61 teaching programmes spanning 22 specialties in 20 hospitals in the Netherlands. Main outcome measures included residents' (i) global and (ii) specific ratings of faculty member teaching qualities, and (iii) global ratings of faculty members as role-model specialists. Statistical analysis was conducted using adjusted multivariable logistic generalised estimating equations.   In total, 690 residents (77.6%) completed 6485 evaluations of 962 faculty members, 848 (83.6%) of whom also self-evaluated. More recently certified faculty members, those who had attended a teacher training programme, and those who spent more time teaching than seeing patients or conducting research were more likely to score highly on most teaching qualities. However, faculty members who had undergone teacher training were less likely to be seen as role models (odds ratio [OR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.88). In addition, faculty members were evaluated slightly higher by male than female residents on core teaching domains and overall teaching quality, but were less likely to be seen as role models by male residents (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67-0.97). Lastly, faculty members had higher odds of receiving top scores in specific teaching domains from residents in the first 4 years of residency and were less likely to be considered as role models by more senior residents.   Younger faculty members who dedicated more time to teaching, had attended a teacher training programme, and were evaluated by male residents in the early years of residency were more likely to receive higher scores for teaching performance. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2012.

Do mental skills make champions? Examining the discriminant function of the psychological characteristics of developing excellence questionnaire.

PubMed

Macnamara, Aine; Collins, Dave

2013-01-01

The ability to successfully develop to the highest levels in sport is dependent on a range of variables, not least an individual's ability to cope with the various challenges of development. Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs) include both the trait characteristics and the state-deployed skills that have been shown to play a crucial role in the realisation of potential. Psychological characteristics of developing excellence equip aspiring elites with the mental skills, attitudes, and emotions to cope with the challenges of the development pathway, as well as underpinning their capacity to make the most of their innate abilities. The Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire (PCDEQ) was designed to assess the possession and deployment of these characteristics. The purpose of this paper was to examine the ability of the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire to effectively discriminate between good and poor developers based on their current possession and deployment of psychological characteristics of developing excellence. Two hundred and eighty-five athletes (n = 192 team athletes; n = 93 individual athletes) completed the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire. Results from the discriminant function analysis suggest that the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire correctly classifies between 67% and 75% of athletes based on their responses. The Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire can be used as a formative assessment tool to direct training programmes by identifying weaknesses in psychological characteristics of developing excellence and incorporating specific training to address these weaknesses in advance of developmental challenges.

Gene knockdown by morpholino-modified oligonucleotides in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model: applications for developmental toxicology.

PubMed

Timme-Laragy, Alicia R; Karchner, Sibel I; Hahn, Mark E

2012-01-01

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has long been used as a model for developmental biology, making it an excellent model to use also in developmental toxicology. The many advantages of zebrafish include their small size, prolific spawning, rapid development, and transparent embryos. They can be easily manipulated genetically through the use of transgenic technology and gene knockdown via morpholino-modified antisense oligonucleotides (MOs). Knocking down specific genes to assess their role in the response to toxicant exposure provides a way to further our knowledge of how developmental toxicants work on a molecular and mechanistic level while establishing a relationship between these molecular events and morphological, behavioral, and/or physiological effects (i.e., phenotypic anchoring). In this chapter, we address important considerations for using MOs to study developmental toxicology in zebrafish embryos and provide a protocol for their use.

Core self-evaluations and Snyder's hope theory in persons with spinal cord injuries.

PubMed

Smedema, Susan Miller; Chan, Jacob Yuichung; Phillips, Brian N

2014-11-01

The objective of the study was to evaluate a motivational model of core self-evaluations (CSE), hope (agency and pathways thinking), participation, and life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injuries. A cross-sectional, correlational design with path analysis was used to evaluate the model. 187 adults with spinal cord injuries participated in this study. The results indicated an excellent fit between the data and the proposed model. Specifically, CSE was found to directly predict agency and pathways thinking, participation, and life satisfaction. CSE was also found to indirectly predict participation and life satisfaction through agency thinking. Although CSE contributes directly to participation and life satisfaction, it also has a unique role in increasing individuals' motivation to pursue goals, which also predicts participation and life satisfaction. Counseling interventions should be multifaceted and address the components of CSE to increase hope, participation, and life satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

Gene knockdown by morpholino-modified oligonucleotides in the zebrafish model: applications for developmental toxicology

PubMed Central

Timme-Laragy, Alicia R.; Karchner, Sibel I.; Hahn, Mark E.

2014-01-01

Summary The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has long been used as a model for developmental biology, making it an excellent model to use also in developmental toxicology. The many advantages of zebrafish include their small size, prolific spawning, rapid development, and transparent embryos. They can be easily manipulated genetically through the use of transgenic technology and gene knock-down via morpholino-modified antisense oligonucleotides (MOs). Knocking down specific genes to assess their role in the response to toxicant exposure provides a way to further our knowledge of how developmental toxicants work on a molecular and mechanistic level, while establishing a relationship between these molecular events and morphological, behavioral, and/or physiological effects (i.e. phenotypic anchoring). In this chapter we address important considerations for using MOs to study developmental toxicology in zebrafish embryos and provide a protocol for their use. PMID:22669659

2D imaging of helium ion velocity in the DIII-D divertor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samuell, C. M.; Porter, G. D.; Meyer, W. H.; Rognlien, T. D.; Allen, S. L.; Briesemeister, A.; Mclean, A. G.; Zeng, L.; Jaervinen, A. E.; Howard, J.

2018-05-01

Two-dimensional imaging of parallel ion velocities is compared to fluid modeling simulations to understand the role of ions in determining divertor conditions and benchmark the UEDGE fluid modeling code. Pure helium discharges are used so that spectroscopic He+ measurements represent the main-ion population at small electron temperatures. Electron temperatures and densities in the divertor match simulated values to within about 20%-30%, establishing the experiment/model match as being at least as good as those normally obtained in the more regularly simulated deuterium plasmas. He+ brightness (HeII) comparison indicates that the degree of detachment is captured well by UEDGE, principally due to the inclusion of E ×B drifts. Tomographically inverted Coherence Imaging Spectroscopy measurements are used to determine the He+ parallel velocities which display excellent agreement between the model and the experiment near the divertor target where He+ is predicted to be the main-ion species and where electron-dominated physics dictates the parallel momentum balance. Upstream near the X-point where He+ is a minority species and ion-dominated physics plays a more important role, there is an underestimation of the flow velocity magnitude by a factor of 2-3. These results indicate that more effort is required to be able to correctly predict ion momentum in these challenging regimes.

University Students' Conceptions of an Excellent Physical Education Teacher in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Song, Lihua; Chen, Junjun

2013-01-01

This study investigated how university students perceive an excellent physical education (PE) teacher at the university level. A sample of 2000 university students at four universities in China responded to a 53-item questionnaire. A 6-factor, 28-item model of an excellent teacher in PE was subsequently generated with a statistical good fit, using…

Redesigning Schools to Reach Every Student with Excellent Teachers: Financial Planning Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Public Impact, 2012

2012-01-01

This brief summarizes the ways that schools and their teachers can simultaneously reach more students with excellent teaching, expand teachers' career opportunities, and sustainably fund higher pay and other priorities. This is based on Public Impact's school models that use job redesign and technology to extend the reach of excellent teachers to…

Newly established AGU awards and lecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paredes, Beth; Kumar, Mohi

2012-05-01

The Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring (Biogeosciences section) recognizes AGU members who have sustained an active research career in a field related to biogeosciences while excelling as teachers and serving as role models for the next generation of female scientists. This new award acknowledges the importance of female mentors in enhancing gender balance in physical science career paths. The award is being endowed to honor Elizabeth Sulzman, an isotope biogeochemist and soil scientist, whose enthusiasm for teaching awed many undergraduates at Oregon State University. Current plans are to present the first Sulzman award at the 2013 Fall Meeting. Applicants must be women who are within 15 years of receiving their Ph.D., and nomination packages should include a cover letter, resumé, and three letters of recommendation. As they become available, more details will be posted on the Biogeosciences section Web site (http://www.agu.org/sections/biogeo/). The award will provide up to $1000 to one successful nominee each year, although the exact monetary amount is yet to be determined. AGU is currently accepting donations to endow this award; contact Victoria Thompson (vthompson@agu.org) to get involved.

MicroRNAs from the Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea: a model system for stem cell biology.

PubMed

Palakodeti, Dasaradhi; Smielewska, Magda; Graveley, Brenton R

2006-09-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22-nt RNA molecules that typically bind to the 3' untranslated regions of target mRNAs and function to either induce mRNA degradation or repress translation. miRNAs have been shown to play important roles in the function of stem cells and cell lineage decisions in a variety of organisms, including humans. Planarians are bilaterally symmetric metazoans that have the unique ability to completely regenerate lost tissues or organs. This regenerative capacity is facilitated by a population of stem cells known as neoblasts. Planarians are therefore an excellent model system for studying many aspects of stem cell biology. Here we report the cloning and initial characterization of 71 miRNAs from the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. While several of the S. mediterranea miRNAs are members of miRNA families identified in other species, we also identified a number of planarian-specific miRNAs. This work lays the foundation for functional studies aimed at addressing the role of these miRNAs in regeneration, cell lineage decisions, and basic stem cell biology.

Understanding the Role of the Professional Practice Environment on Quality of Care in Magnet® and Non-Magnet Hospitals

PubMed Central

Stimpfel, Amy Witkoski; Rosen, Jennifer E.; McHugh, Matthew D.

2017-01-01

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between Magnet Recognition® and nurse-reported quality of care. BACKGROUND Magnet® hospitals are recognized for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes; however, few studies have explored contributing factors for these superior outcomes. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of linked nurse survey data, hospital administrative data, and a listing of American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet hospitals. Multivariate regressions were modeled before and after propensity score matching to assess the relationship between Magnet status and quality of care. A mediation model assessed the indirect effect of the professional practice environment on quality of care. RESULTS Nurse-reported quality of care was significantly associated with Magnet Recognition after matching. The professional practice environment mediates the relationship between Magnet status and quality of care. CONCLUSION A prominent feature of Magnet hospitals, a professional practice environment that is supportive of nursing, plays a role in explaining why Magnet hospitals have better nurse-reported quality of care. PMID:26426138

Understanding the Role of the Professional Practice Environment on Quality of Care in Magnet® and Non-Magnet Hospitals

PubMed Central

Stimpfel, Amy Witkoski; Rosen, Jennifer E.; McHugh, Matthew D.

2014-01-01

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between Magnet Recognition® and nurse-reported quality of care. BACKGROUND Magnet® hospitals are recognized for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes; however, few studies have explored contributing factors for these superior outcomes. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of linked nurse survey data, hospital administrative data, and a listing of American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet hospitals. Multivariate regressions were modeled before and after propensity score matching to assess the relationship between Magnet status and quality of care. A mediation model assessed the indirect effect of the professional practice environment on quality of care. RESULTS Nurse-reported quality of care was significantly associated with Magnet Recognition after matching. The professional practice environment mediates the relationship between Magnet status and quality of care. CONCLUSION A prominent feature of Magnet hospitals, a professional practice environment that is supportive of nursing, plays a role in explaining why Magnet hospitals have better nurse-reported quality of care. PMID:24316613

Evaluating University-Industry Collaboration: The European Foundation of Quality Management Excellence Model-Based Evaluation of University-Industry Collaboration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kauppila, Osmo; Mursula, Anu; Harkonen, Janne; Kujala, Jaakko

2015-01-01

The growth in university-industry collaboration has resulted in an increasing demand for methods to evaluate it. This paper presents one way to evaluate an organization's collaborative activities based on the European Foundation of Quality Management excellence model. Success factors of collaboration are derived from literature and compared…

Redesigning Schools: Models to Reach Every Student with Excellent Teachers. Model Summaries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Public Impact, 2012

2012-01-01

In the schoolhouse, nothing matters more to students' learning than their teachers. But only about one of every four U.S. classrooms has an "excellent teacher"--one who produces enough learning progress to close achievement gaps quickly and help all students leap ahead to higher-order learning. What can schools do, now, to reach many…

The Effect of Academic Culture on the Implementation of the EFQM Excellence Model in UK Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davies, John; Douglas, Alex; Douglas, Jacqueline

2007-01-01

Purpose: The paper seeks to explore the effect of academic culture on the implementation of the European Foundation for Quality Management's (EFQM) Excellence Model in UK universities. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review reveals several aspects, which collectively define the academic culture in UK universities. These aspects were…

Synthesis, Characterization And Modeling Of Functionally Graded Multifunctional Hybrid Composites For Extreme Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-04-04

research thrust areas are designed to enable the development of reliable, damage tolerant, lightweight structures with excellent thermal management...46 2. RESEARCH THRUST AREA: MULTISCALE CHARACTERIZATION AND MODELING .................................... 56 2.1 DESIGN OF MATERIALS...The research thrust areas are designed to enable the development of reliable, damage tolerant, lightweight structures with excellent thermal

Teacher Peer Excellence Groups (TPEGs): Building Communities of Practice for Instructional Improvement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cravens, Xiu; Drake, Timothy A.; Goldring, Ellen; Schuermann, Patrick

2017-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study the viability of implementing a protocol-guided model designed to provide structure and focus for teacher collaboration from Shanghai in today's US public schools. The authors examine whether the new model, Teacher Peer Excellence Group (TPEG), fosters the desired key features of productive…

A user interface for the Kansas Geological Survey slug test model.

PubMed

Esling, Steven P; Keller, John E

2009-01-01

The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) developed a semianalytical solution for slug tests that incorporates the effects of partial penetration, anisotropy, and the presence of variable conductivity well skins. The solution can simulate either confined or unconfined conditions. The original model, written in FORTRAN, has a text-based interface with rigid input requirements and limited output options. We re-created the main routine for the KGS model as a Visual Basic macro that runs in most versions of Microsoft Excel and built a simple-to-use Excel spreadsheet interface that automatically displays the graphical results of the test. A comparison of the output from the original FORTRAN code to that of the new Excel spreadsheet version for three cases produced identical results.

[Construction of competency model of 'excellent doctor' in Chinese medicine].

PubMed

Jin, Aning; Tian, Yongquan; Zhao, Taiyang

2014-05-01

To evaluate outstanding and ordinary persons from personal characteristics using competency as the important criteria, which is the future direction of medical education reform. We carried on a behavior event interview about famous doctors of old traditional Chinese medicine, compiled competency dictionary, proceed control prediction test. SPSS and AMOS were used to be data analysis tools on statistics. We adopted the model of peer assessment and contrast to carry out empirical research. This project has carried on exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, established a "5A" competency model which include moral ability, thinking ability, communication ability, learning and practical ability. Competency model of "excellent doctor" in Chinese medicine has been validated, with good reliability and validity, and embodies the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine personnel training, with theoretical and practical significance for excellence in medicine physician training.

A mathematical model for jet engine combustor pollutant emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boccio, J. L.; Weilerstein, G.; Edelman, R. B.

1973-01-01

Mathematical modeling for the description of the origin and disposition of combustion-generated pollutants in gas turbines is presented. A unified model in modular form is proposed which includes kinetics, recirculation, turbulent mixing, multiphase flow effects, swirl and secondary air injection. Subelements of the overall model were applied to data relevant to laboratory reactors and practical combustor configurations. Comparisons between the theory and available data show excellent agreement for basic CO/H2/Air chemical systems. For hydrocarbons the trends are predicted well including higher-than-equilibrium NO levels within the fuel rich regime. Although the need for improved accuracy in fuel rich combustion is indicated, comparisons with actual jet engine data in terms of the effect of combustor-inlet temperature is excellent. In addition, excellent agreement with data is obtained regarding reduced NO emissions with water droplet and steam injection.

Implementation of the epilepsy center of excellence to improve access to and quality of care – protocol for a mixed methods study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background To address the growing problem of epilepsy among aging Veterans and younger Veterans who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has implemented 16 Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (ECOE) to assure increased access to high quality of care for Veterans with epilepsy. Each ECOE consists of a network of regional hubs to which spoke facilities refer Veterans for subspecialty treatment. The ECOEs are expected to improve access to and quality of epilepsy care through patient care, consultation and education. This study aims to: evaluate the effectiveness of the ECOE structure by describing changes in the quality of and access to care for epilepsy before and after the ECOE initiative using QUality Indicators in Epilepsy Treatment (QUIET Indicators); describe associations between changes in the structure and processes of care and Relational Coordination (RC), a model of task-oriented communication that has been shown to play a role in implementation science; and determine if variations in care are related to levels of RC. Methods This four-year comparative case study uses a mixed-methods approach. We will use VA inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, and chart abstraction data to identify changes in the quality of and access to epilepsy care in the VA between Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2014. Qualitative and survey methods will be used to identify changes in the structure and processes of epilepsy care and RC over the course of the study. We will then link data from the first two objectives to determine the extent to which quality of and access to epilepsy care is associated with RC using multivariable models. Discussion This innovative study has the potential to improve understanding of hub-and-spoke model effectiveness, VA epilepsy care, and models of epilepsy specialty care more globally. Moreover, it contributes to implementation science by advancing understanding of the role of RC in the context of a major transformation in the structure of care delivery in a national integrated healthcare system. PMID:24712733

[Roles of additives and surface control in slurry atomization]. Quarterly report, March 1992

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

Not Available

1992-08-01

Our experimental results clearly demonstrate that the shape of particles with aspect ratio close to unity dictates the relative suspension viscosity. Suspensions of irregularly shaped particles have higher relative viscosities than suspensions of spherical particles at same volume fractions, in agreement with the reported results at high shear conditions. The relative viscosity of a Newtonian suspension is in excellent agreement with that predicted by the Krieger/Dougherty rigid sphere model using the maximum packing fraction determined from sedimentation as the sole parameter. The relative viscosity of a pseudoplastic suspension is independent of the particle density. It correlates well with the particlemore » Peclet number. The extent of particle diffusion at high shear rates decreases considerably as the particle size increases, and less energy is dissipated as a result. The interparticle electrostatic repulsion plays no significant role in the rheology of pseudoplastic nonaqueous and aqueous glycerol suspensions of noncolloidal particles.« less

(Roles of additives and surface control in slurry atomization)

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

Not Available

1992-01-01

Our experimental results clearly demonstrate that the shape of particles with aspect ratio close to unity dictates the relative suspension viscosity. Suspensions of irregularly shaped particles have higher relative viscosities than suspensions of spherical particles at same volume fractions, in agreement with the reported results at high shear conditions. The relative viscosity of a Newtonian suspension is in excellent agreement with that predicted by the Krieger/Dougherty rigid sphere model using the maximum packing fraction determined from sedimentation as the sole parameter. The relative viscosity of a pseudoplastic suspension is independent of the particle density. It correlates well with the particlemore » Peclet number. The extent of particle diffusion at high shear rates decreases considerably as the particle size increases, and less energy is dissipated as a result. The interparticle electrostatic repulsion plays no significant role in the rheology of pseudoplastic nonaqueous and aqueous glycerol suspensions of noncolloidal particles.« less

Advanced practice nursing role delineation in acute and critical care: application of the strong model of advanced practice.

PubMed

Mick, D J; Ackerman, M H

2000-01-01

This purpose of this study was to differentiate between the roles of clinical nurse specialists and acute care nurse practitioners. Hypothesized blending of the clinical nurse specialist and acute care nurse practitioner roles is thought to result in an acute care clinician who integrates the clinical skills of the nurse practitioner with the systems knowledge, educational commitment, and leadership ability of the clinical nurse specialist. Ideally, this role blending would facilitate excellence in both direct and indirect patient care. The Strong Model of Advanced Practice, which incorporates practice domains of direct comprehensive care, support of systems, education, research, and publication and professional leadership, was tested to search for practical evidence of role blending. This descriptive, exploratory, pilot study included subjects (N = 18) solicited from an academic medical center and from an Internet advanced practice listserv. Questionnaires included self-ranking of expertise in practice domains, as well as valuing of role-related tasks. Content validity was judged by an expert panel of advanced practice nurses. Analyses of descriptive statistics revealed that clinical nurse specialists, who had more experience both as registered nurses and in the advanced practice nurse role, self-ranked their expertise higher in all practice domains. Acute care nurse practitioners placed higher importance on tasks related to direct comprehensive care, including conducting histories and physicals, diagnosing, and performing diagnostic procedures, whereas clinical nurse specialists assigned greater importance to tasks related to education, research, and leadership. Levels of self-assessed clinical expertise as well as valuing of role-related tasks differed among this sample of clinical nurse specialists and acute care nurse practitioners. Groundwork has been laid for continuing exploration into differentiation in advanced practice nursing roles. As the clinical nurse specialist role changes and the acute care nurse practitioner role emerges, it is imperative that advanced practice nurses describe their contribution to health care. Associating advanced practice nursing activities with outcomes will help further characterize these 2 advanced practice roles.

Technical Excellence and Communication: The Cornerstones for Successful Safety and Mission Assurance Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malone, Roy W.; Livingston, John M.

2010-01-01

The paper describes the role of technical excellence and communication in the development and maintenance of safety and mission assurance programs. The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) organization is used to illustrate philosophies and techniques that strengthen safety and mission assurance efforts and that contribute to healthy and effective organizational cultures. The events and conditions leading to the development of the MSFC S&MA organization are reviewed. Historic issues and concerns are identified. The adverse effects of resource limitations and risk assessment roles are discussed. The structure and functions of the core safety, reliability, and quality assurance functions are presented. The current organization s mission and vision commitments serve as the starting points for the description of the current organization. The goals and objectives are presented that address the criticisms of the predecessor organizations. Additional improvements are presented that address the development of technical excellence and the steps taken to improve communication within the Center, with program customers, and with other Agency S&MA organizations.

Technical Excellence and Communication, the Cornerstones for Successful Safety and Mission Assurance Programs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malone, Roy W.; Livingston, John M.

2010-09-01

The paper describes the role of technical excellence and communication in the development and maintenance of safety and mission assurance programs. The Marshall Space Flight Center(MSFC) Safety and Mission Assurance(S&MA) organization is used to illustrate philosophies and techniques that strengthen safety and mission assurance efforts and that contribute to healthy and effective organizational cultures. The events and conditions leading to the development of the MSFC S&MA organization are reviewed. Historic issues and concerns are identified. The adverse effects of resource limitations and risk assessment roles are discussed. The structure and functions of the core safety, reliability, and quality assurance functions are presented. The current organization’s mission and vision commitments serve as the starting points for the description of the current organization. The goals and objectives are presented that address the criticisms of the predecessor organizations. Additional improvements are presented that address the development of technical excellence and the steps taken to improve communication within the Center, with program customers, and with other Agency S&MA organizations.

Trends in Education Excellence Gaps: A 12-Year International Perspective via the Multilevel Model for Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rutkowski, David; Rutkowski, Leslie; Plucker, Jonathan A.

2012-01-01

A recent study in the USA documented the existence and growth of "excellence gaps" among students. These gaps are similar to the minimum competency achievement gaps that proliferate in policy discussions in many Western countries, but excellence gaps focus on the highest level of achievement rather than minimum competency. We extend this…

CXTFIT/Excel A modular adaptable code for parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis for laboratory or field tracer experiments

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

Tang, Guoping; Mayes, Melanie; Parker, Jack C

2010-01-01

We implemented the widely used CXTFIT code in Excel to provide flexibility and added sensitivity and uncertainty analysis functions to improve transport parameter estimation and to facilitate model discrimination for multi-tracer experiments on structured soils. Analytical solutions for one-dimensional equilibrium and nonequilibrium convection dispersion equations were coded as VBA functions so that they could be used as ordinary math functions in Excel for forward predictions. Macros with user-friendly interfaces were developed for optimization, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty analysis, error propagation, response surface calculation, and Monte Carlo analysis. As a result, any parameter with transformations (e.g., dimensionless, log-transformed, species-dependent reactions, etc.) couldmore » be estimated with uncertainty and sensitivity quantification for multiple tracer data at multiple locations and times. Prior information and observation errors could be incorporated into the weighted nonlinear least squares method with a penalty function. Users are able to change selected parameter values and view the results via embedded graphics, resulting in a flexible tool applicable to modeling transport processes and to teaching students about parameter estimation. The code was verified by comparing to a number of benchmarks with CXTFIT 2.0. It was applied to improve parameter estimation for four typical tracer experiment data sets in the literature using multi-model evaluation and comparison. Additional examples were included to illustrate the flexibilities and advantages of CXTFIT/Excel. The VBA macros were designed for general purpose and could be used for any parameter estimation/model calibration when the forward solution is implemented in Excel. A step-by-step tutorial, example Excel files and the code are provided as supplemental material.« less

Excellence in Teacher Education through the Liberal Arts. Proceedings of the Conference on Excellence in Teacher Education through the Liberal Arts (Allentown, PA, May 20-21, 1986).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carbone, Michael J., Ed.; Wonsiewicz, Ann, Ed.

This volume presents papers given at a conference on the role of liberal arts in teacher education. Titles and authors are: (1) "The Connections between Teacher Education and School Reform" (Theodore R. Sizer) with a panel response by J. William Moore and Others; (2) "Teaching: A Career of Choice" (Edward J. Meade, Jr.); (3) "Liberal Learning and…

Using Academy Standards of Excellence in Nutrition and Dietetics for organization self-assessment and quality improvement.

PubMed

Price, Joyce A; Kent, Sue; Cox, Sharon A; McCauley, Sharon M; Parekh, Janki; Klein, Catherine J

2014-08-01

Standards of Excellence in Nutrition and Dietetics for an Organization is a self-assessment tool to measure and evaluate an organization's program, services, and initiatives that identify and distinguish the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) brand as the professional expert in food and nutrition. The Standards of Excellence will serve as a road map to recognize RDNs as leaders and collaborators. Standards of Excellence criteria apply to all practice segments of nutrition and dietetics: health care, education and research, business and industry, and community nutrition and public health. Given the membership's call to action to be recognized for their professional expertise, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Management Committee developed four Standards of Excellence in Nutrition and Dietetics for Organizations: Quality of Leadership, Quality of Organization, Quality of Practice, and Quality of Outcomes. Within each standard, specific indicators provide strategies for an organization to demonstrate excellence. The Academy will develop a self-evaluation scoring tool to assist the organization in applying and implementing one or more of the strategies in the Standards of Excellence indicators. The organization can use the self-assessment tool to establish itself as a Center of Excellence in Nutrition and Dietetics. The role examples illustrate initiatives RDNs and organizations can take to identify themselves as a Center of Excellence in Nutrition and Dietetics. Achieving the Excellence level is an important collaborative initiative between nutrition and dietetics organizations and the Academy to provide increased autonomy, supportive management, respect within peers and community, opportunities for professional development, support for further education, and compensation for the RDN. For purposes of the Standards, "organization" means workplace or practice setting. Copyright © 2014 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Genetics of SLE: evidence from mouse models.

PubMed

Morel, Laurence

2010-06-01

Great progress has been made in the field of lupus genetics in the past few years, notably with the publication of genome-wide association studies in humans and the identification of susceptibility genes (including Fcgr2b, Ly108, Kallikrein genes and Coronin-1A) in mouse models of spontaneous lupus. This influx of new information has revealed an ever-increasing interdependence between the mouse and human systems for unraveling the genetic basis of lupus susceptibility. Studies in the 1980s and 1990s established that mice prone to spontaneous lupus constitute excellent models of the genetic architecture of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This notion has been greatly strengthened by the convergence of the functional pathways that are defective in both human and murine lupus. Within these pathways, variants in a number of genes have now been shown to be directly associated with lupus in both species. Consequently, mouse models will continue to serve a pre-eminent role in lupus genetics research, with an increased emphasis on mechanistic and molecular studies of human susceptibility alleles.

Comparison between FEBio and Abaqus for biphasic contact problems.

PubMed

Meng, Qingen; Jin, Zhongmin; Fisher, John; Wilcox, Ruth

2013-09-01

Articular cartilage plays an important role in the function of diarthrodial joints. Computational methods have been used to study the biphasic mechanics of cartilage, and Abaqus has been one of the most widely used commercial software packages for this purpose. A newly developed open-source finite element solver, FEBio, has been developed specifically for biomechanical applications. The aim of this study was to undertake a direct comparison between FEBio and Abaqus for some practical contact problems involving cartilage. Three model types, representing a porous flat-ended indentation test, a spherical-ended indentation test, and a conceptual natural joint contact model, were compared. In addition, a parameter sensitivity study was also performed for the spherical-ended indentation test to investigate the effects of changes in the input material properties on the model outputs, using both FEBio and Abaqus. Excellent agreement was found between FEBio and Abaqus for all of the model types and across the range of material properties that were investigated.

Comparison between FEBio and Abaqus for biphasic contact problems

PubMed Central

Jin, Zhongmin; Fisher, John; Wilcox, Ruth

2013-01-01

Articular cartilage plays an important role in the function of diarthrodial joints. Computational methods have been used to study the biphasic mechanics of cartilage, and Abaqus has been one of the most widely used commercial software packages for this purpose. A newly developed open-source finite element solver, FEBio, has been developed specifically for biomechanical applications. The aim of this study was to undertake a direct comparison between FEBio and Abaqus for some practical contact problems involving cartilage. Three model types, representing a porous flat-ended indentation test, a spherical-ended indentation test, and a conceptual natural joint contact model, were compared. In addition, a parameter sensitivity study was also performed for the spherical-ended indentation test to investigate the effects of changes in the input material properties on the model outputs, using both FEBio and Abaqus. Excellent agreement was found between FEBio and Abaqus for all of the model types and across the range of material properties that were investigated. PMID:23804955

Bridging the gap between research into biological and psychosocial models of psychosis.

PubMed

Murray, Robin M; Sideli, Lucia; LA Cascia, Caterina; LA Barbera, Daniele

2015-06-25

Paul Bebbington's recent Special Article provides an excellent synthesis of recent advances in psychosocial research on psychosis. However, we doubt that a model based solely on social epidemiology and cognitive theory can totally describe psychosis, and to be fair, Bebbington does not suggest that it does. A complete model must also incorporate what we have learned from non-social epidemiology, neuroscience, and genetics. Evidence indicates that both the social risk factors that interest Bebbington and biological risk factors, such as abuse of stimulants and cannabis, can provoke psychotic symptoms by dysregulating striatal dopamine. The role of neurodevelopmental deviance also needs to be considered in the etiology of schizophrenia-like psychosis. Moreover, the striking advances in our understanding of the genetic architecture of psychosis open an exciting door into studies examining gene-environment correlation and gene-environment interaction. In short, Bebbington demonstrates the value of cognitive and social researchers talking to each other, but the occasional chat with the more biologically inclined could produce a more comprehensive model.

Quantitative thermodynamic predication of interactions between nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid species using Microsoft excel.

PubMed

Zou, Jiaqi; Li, Na

2013-09-01

Proper design of nucleic acid sequences is crucial for many applications. We have previously established a thermodynamics-based quantitative model to help design aptamer-based nucleic acid probes by predicting equilibrium concentrations of all interacting species. To facilitate customization of this thermodynamic model for different applications, here we present a generic and easy-to-use platform to implement the algorithm of the model with Microsoft(®) Excel formulas and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macros. Two Excel spreadsheets have been developed: one for the applications involving only nucleic acid species, the other for the applications involving both nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid species. The spreadsheets take the nucleic acid sequences and the initial concentrations of all species as input, guide the user to retrieve the necessary thermodynamic constants, and finally calculate equilibrium concentrations for all species in various bound and unbound conformations. The validity of both spreadsheets has been verified by comparing the modeling results with the experimental results on nucleic acid sequences reported in the literature. This Excel-based platform described here will allow biomedical researchers to rationalize the sequence design of nucleic acid probes using the thermodynamics-based modeling even without relevant theoretical and computational skills. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

What might we be saying to potential applicants to medical school? Discourses of excellence, equity, and diversity on the web sites of Canada's 17 medical schools.

PubMed

Razack, Saleem; Maguire, Mary; Hodges, Brian; Steinert, Yvonne

2012-10-01

Medical school Web sites often advance arguments to claim institutional excellence and appeal to the "best and the brightest" who might join their institutions as medical students. What do these texts communicate about institutional excellence, or the excellence of potential applicants to medical school? How are discourses related to social accountability, such as those concerning diversity and equity, represented? From July through December 2010, using the concepts of excellence, equity, and diversity, the authors examined the discourses identified on the Web sites of Canada's 17 medical schools, focusing on faculty welcome pages, deans' messages, and those pages specifically targeting applicants to medicine. Institutional prestige and applicant suitability were generally promoted through discourses of academic excellence such as research, innovation, and global positioning. Service-to-society discourses were much less prominent. Diversity discourses emerged primarily as appeals to institutions' cosmopolitan sophistication. Equity, when mentioned, tended to focus on increasing the participation of indigenous and rural students in medicine. Institutional positioning can be situated on a continuum from the more "centric" (typical academic excellence claims) to the more "eccentric" (excellence claims grounded in local contexts such as service to a region or constituency). Discourses can play a central role in regulating social institutional practices. It is worthwhile for medical schools to examine the messages that medical schools are communicating on their Web sites. If schools are to move beyond prestige-based characterizations of excellence and build a socially accountable profession, open and inclusive discussions are needed.

Excellence in Business Education (A "FRUCE" Model for Higher Education Commission-Recognized Business Schools in Pakistan)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kolachi, Nadir Ali; Mohammad, Jan

2013-01-01

The paper develops a new model of the essential factors required to be a top business school in the world for the benefit of schools recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan. Globally, top business schools are those that excel in research, attract strong faculty, and successfully foster student development. The present…

A Comparative Study of Singapore's School Excellence Model with Hong Kong's School-Based Management

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ng, Pak Tee; Chan, David

2008-01-01

Purpose: This paper aims to examine and compare the school excellence model (SEM) approach adopted by Singapore and the school-based management (SBM) approach adopted by Hong Kong. It discusses the implications of such a strategy and the challenges that both Singapore and Hong Kong schools face in navigating a new paradigm of managerialism while…

Relationships and Reciprocality in Student and Academic Services

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Small, Kate

2008-01-01

As part of the "face" a university projects to the world, student service staff play a key role in constructing an institution's external identity. Yet, there have been few studies of who are the general staff providing these services, and how they define their role within their institutions. Although there have been several excellent studies…

The Role of Emotional Skills in Music Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campayo-Muñoz, Emilia-Ángeles; Cabedo-Mas, Alberto

2017-01-01

Developing emotional skills is one of the challenges that concern teachers and researchers in education, since these skills promote well-being and enhance cognitive performance. Music is an excellent tool with which to express emotions and for this reason music education should play a role in individuals' emotional development. This paper reviews…

Leadership for the 21st Century

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buck, Marilyn

2014-01-01

This article was presented as the 23rd Delphine Hanna Lecture and focused on reflections on leadership roles and qualities of excellent administrators. The three roles of administrators are to manage, solve problems, and develop a vision. Quality leaders know that it is not the message that is delivered, but how the message makes the recipient…

A database for propagation models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kantak, Anil V.; Suwitra, Krisjani; Le, Choung

1994-01-01

A database of various propagation phenomena models that can be used by telecommunications systems engineers to obtain parameter values for systems design is presented. This is an easy-to-use tool and is currently available for either a PC using Excel software under Windows environment or a Macintosh using Excel software for Macintosh. All the steps necessary to use the software are easy and many times self-explanatory; however, a sample run of the CCIR rain attenuation model is presented.

Dynamical role of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline Pin1 substrates from constant force molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Velazquez, Hector A; Hamelberg, Donald

2015-02-21

Cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-prolyl bonds of the protein backbone plays an important role in numerous biological processes. Cis-trans isomerization can be the rate-limiting step due its extremely slow dynamics, compared to the millisecond time scale of many processes, and is catalyzed by a widely studied family of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase enzymes. Also, mechanical forces along the peptide chain can speed up the rate of isomerization, resulting in "mechanical catalysis," and have been used to study peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerization and other mechanical properties of proteins. Here, we use constant force molecular dynamics simulations to study the dynamical effects of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline protein motifs that are involved in the function of many proteins and have been implicated in many aberrant biological processes. We show that the rate of cis-trans isomerization is slowed down by phosphorylation, in excellent agreement with experiments. We use a well-grounded theory to describe the force dependent rate of isomerization. The calculated rates at zero force are also in excellent agreement with experimentally measured rates, providing additional validation of the models and force field parameters. Our results suggest that the slowdown in the rate upon phosphorylation is mainly due to an increase in the friction along the peptidyl-prolyl bond angle during isomerization. Our results provide a microscopic description of the dynamical effects of post-translational phosphorylation on cis-trans isomerization and insights into the properties of proteins under tension.

Dynamical role of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline Pin1 substrates from constant force molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velazquez, Hector A.; Hamelberg, Donald

2015-02-01

Cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-prolyl bonds of the protein backbone plays an important role in numerous biological processes. Cis-trans isomerization can be the rate-limiting step due its extremely slow dynamics, compared to the millisecond time scale of many processes, and is catalyzed by a widely studied family of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase enzymes. Also, mechanical forces along the peptide chain can speed up the rate of isomerization, resulting in "mechanical catalysis," and have been used to study peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerization and other mechanical properties of proteins. Here, we use constant force molecular dynamics simulations to study the dynamical effects of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline protein motifs that are involved in the function of many proteins and have been implicated in many aberrant biological processes. We show that the rate of cis-trans isomerization is slowed down by phosphorylation, in excellent agreement with experiments. We use a well-grounded theory to describe the force dependent rate of isomerization. The calculated rates at zero force are also in excellent agreement with experimentally measured rates, providing additional validation of the models and force field parameters. Our results suggest that the slowdown in the rate upon phosphorylation is mainly due to an increase in the friction along the peptidyl-prolyl bond angle during isomerization. Our results provide a microscopic description of the dynamical effects of post-translational phosphorylation on cis-trans isomerization and insights into the properties of proteins under tension.

Evidence-based practice center network and health technology assessment in the United States: bridging the cultural gap.

PubMed

Sarría-Santamera, Antonio; Matchar, David B; Westermann-Clark, Emma V; Patwardhan, Meenal B

2006-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify the Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC) network participants' perceptions of the characteristics of the EPC process and the relationship of the process to the success of EPC reports. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the three groups involved in the EPC: EPC staff, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) staff, and representatives of partner organizations. The analysis of the coded transcripts revealed three related major themes, which form the conceptual basis for the interpretation presented here: the definition of a successful report, the determinants of a successful report, and the role of AHRQ in the process. A successful report is a report that is used. The ultimate success of the core health technology assessment objective, moving from research to policy, depends on balancing two values: excellence and relevance. Our findings are consistent with the "two communities thesis," which postulates the existence of two camps that confer different values to excellence and relevance, with resulting tension. A promising model for approaching this tension is integration or collaboration, which requires linking researchers and policy makers, promoting productive dialogues about the formulation and timing of analysis, and early consideration of how the resulting analysis will be used. This effort suggests that actively blurring the frontiers between these two groups will enhance their interaction. Furthermore, enhancing the role of the AHRQ as scientific broker will maximize the potential of the EPC network.

76 FR 10045 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request; “eLogic Model” Grant Performance...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-23

... recommends not more than 32 characters). DO NOT convert Word files or Excel files into PDF format. Converting... not allow HUD to enter data from the Excel files into a database. DO NOT save your logic model in .xlsm format. If necessary save as an Excel 97-2003 .xls format. Using the .xlsm format can result in a...

Deciphering mRNA Sequence Determinants of Protein Production Rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szavits-Nossan, Juraj; Ciandrini, Luca; Romano, M. Carmen

2018-03-01

One of the greatest challenges in biophysical models of translation is to identify coding sequence features that affect the rate of translation and therefore the overall protein production in the cell. We propose an analytic method to solve a translation model based on the inhomogeneous totally asymmetric simple exclusion process, which allows us to unveil simple design principles of nucleotide sequences determining protein production rates. Our solution shows an excellent agreement when compared to numerical genome-wide simulations of S. cerevisiae transcript sequences and predicts that the first 10 codons, which is the ribosome footprint length on the mRNA, together with the value of the initiation rate, are the main determinants of protein production rate under physiological conditions. Finally, we interpret the obtained analytic results based on the evolutionary role of the codons' choice for regulating translation rates and ribosome densities.

The role of external and internal mass transfer in the process of Cu2+ removal by natural mineral sorbents.

PubMed

Sljivić, M; Smiciklas, I; Plećas, I; Pejanović, S

2011-07-01

The kinetics of Cu2+ sorption on to zeolite, clay and diatomite was investigated as a function of initial metal concentrations. For consideration of the mass transfer phenomena, single resistance models based on both film and intraparticle diffusion were tested and compared. The obtained results suggested that the rate-limiting step in Cu2+ sorption strongly depended on the sorbent type, as well as on initial cation concentration. The decrease in external mass transfer coefficients with the increase in initial metal concentrations was in excellent agreement with expressions based on Sherwood and Schmidt dimensionless numbers. The internal diffusivities through zeolite particles were in the range 1.0 x 10(-11) to 1.0 x 10(-13) m2/min, depending on the Cu2+ concentration and the applied theoretical model.

The Preservation of Excellence in American Higher Education: The Essential Role of Private Colleges and Universities. Report of the ECS Task Force on State Policy and Independent Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Education Commission of the States, Denver, CO.

This report examines the role of private higher education in meeting public purposes, considers how state policies affect this role, and presents actual and potential trends. Also, the report warns of serious causes for concern and presents recommendations that include preventive measures deserving early consideration. Sections of the report…

The C.L.E.A.R. Score: a new comprehensive assessment method for academic physicians in military medical centers.

PubMed

Buller, Jerome L; Tetteh, Hassan A

2012-07-01

Evaluation of medical officer performance is a critical leadership role. This study offers a comprehensive evaluation system for military physicians. The Comprehensive Assessment equation (COMPASS equation), a modified Cobb-Douglas equation, was developed to evaluate academic physicians. The COMPASS equation assesses military physicians within five comprehensive dimensions: (1) Clinical (2) Leadership, (3) Educational (4) Administrative, and (5) Research productivity excellence to yield a composite "C.L.E.A.R. Score." The COMPASS equation's fidelity was tested with a cohort of military physicians within the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Capital District Region and a C.L.E.A.R. score was calculated for individual physicians. Mean C.L.E.A.R score was 53.6 +/- 28.8 (range 10.1-98.5). The responsiveness of the model was tested using two hypothetical physician models: "low-performing-faculty" and "super-faculty," and calculated C.L.E.A.R. scores were 6.3 and 153.4, respectively. The C.L.E.A.R. score appears to recognize and assess the performance excellence of military physicians. Weighting measured characteristics of the COMPASS equation can be used to promote organizational priorities. Thus, leaders of military medicine can communicate institutional priorities and inculcate them through use of the COMPASS equation to reward and recognize the activities of military medical officers that are commensurate with institutional goals.

Planetary Boundary Layer Simulation Using TASS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schowalter, David G.; DeCroix, David S.; Lin, Yuh-Lang; Arya, S. Pal; Kaplan, Michael

1996-01-01

Boundary conditions to an existing large-eddy simulation model have been changed in order to simulate turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer. Several options are now available, including the use of a surface energy balance. In addition, we compare convective boundary layer simulations with the Wangara and Minnesota field experiments as well as with other model results. We find excellent agreement of modelled mean profiles of wind and temperature with observations and good agreement for velocity variances. Neutral boundary simulation results are compared with theory and with previously used models. Agreement with theory is reasonable, while agreement with previous models is excellent.

Validating neural-network refinements of nuclear mass models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utama, R.; Piekarewicz, J.

2018-01-01

Background: Nuclear astrophysics centers on the role of nuclear physics in the cosmos. In particular, nuclear masses at the limits of stability are critical in the development of stellar structure and the origin of the elements. Purpose: We aim to test and validate the predictions of recently refined nuclear mass models against the newly published AME2016 compilation. Methods: The basic paradigm underlining the recently refined nuclear mass models is based on existing state-of-the-art models that are subsequently refined through the training of an artificial neural network. Bayesian inference is used to determine the parameters of the neural network so that statistical uncertainties are provided for all model predictions. Results: We observe a significant improvement in the Bayesian neural network (BNN) predictions relative to the corresponding "bare" models when compared to the nearly 50 new masses reported in the AME2016 compilation. Further, AME2016 estimates for the handful of impactful isotopes in the determination of r -process abundances are found to be in fairly good agreement with our theoretical predictions. Indeed, the BNN-improved Duflo-Zuker model predicts a root-mean-square deviation relative to experiment of σrms≃400 keV. Conclusions: Given the excellent performance of the BNN refinement in confronting the recently published AME2016 compilation, we are confident of its critical role in our quest for mass models of the highest quality. Moreover, as uncertainty quantification is at the core of the BNN approach, the improved mass models are in a unique position to identify those nuclei that will have the strongest impact in resolving some of the outstanding questions in nuclear astrophysics.

Relating outcomes to excellent nursing practice.

PubMed

Allen, Diane E; Bockenhauer, Barbarajo; Egan, Carolyn; Kinnaird, Leah S

2006-03-01

Healthcare professionals must find ways to accelerate the diffusion of knowledge within their organizations. Although nurses have extraordinary access to patient care data, they may underestimate their roles as data managers and innovators of change, and relinquish control of data to others. The authors discuss how nurses at an acute psychiatric hospital collect and report their own data to show the direct relationship between outcomes and excellence in nursing practice. Knowledge that is gained through practice is shared to inspire and sustain needed changes.

A Study on the Effect on Scheduling and Management of Surgeries with the Introduction of Excellent Medical Information.

PubMed

Mei, Tsai Ching

2016-01-01

The services of OR play an important role in the medical business for department of surgery. The most important issue for OR is about the scheduling and management of surgeries. Good surgery schedule could elevate the utilization efficiency of OR. Therefore, the introduction of excellent medical information can both dramatically elevate the work efficiency of health care employees and reduce workload to reach win-win benefits in both management and performance.

The evolving role of paramedics - a NICE problem to have?

PubMed

Eaton, Georgette; Mahtani, Kamal; Catterall, Matt

2018-07-01

This short essay supports the growing role of paramedics in the clinical and academic workforce. We present a commentary of recent draft consultations by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England that set out how the role of paramedics may be evolving to assist with the changing demands on the clinical workforce. Using these consultations as a basis, we extend their recommendations and suggest that the profession should also lead the academically driven evaluation of these new roles.

Everyday Excellence: A Framework for Professional Nursing Practice in Long-Term Care

PubMed Central

Lyons, Stacie Salsbury; Specht, Janet Pringle; Karlman, Susan E.

2009-01-01

Registered nurses make measurable contributions to the health and wellness of persons living in nursing homes. However, most nursing homes do not employ adequate numbers of professional nurses with specialized training in the nursing care of older adults to positively impact resident outcomes. As a result, many people never receive excellent geriatric nursing while living in a long-term care facility. Nurses have introduced various professional practice models into health care institutions as tools for leading nursing practice, improving client outcomes, and achieving organizational goals. Problematically, few professional practice models have been implemented in nursing homes. This article introduces an evidence-based framework for professional nursing practice in long-term care. The Everyday Excellence framework is based upon eight guiding principles: Valuing, Envisioning, Peopling, Securing, Learning, Empowering, Leading, and Advancing Excellence. Future research will evaluate the usefulness of this framework for professional nursing practice. PMID:20077966

The role of canonical Wnt signaling in leg regeneration and metamorphosis in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum.

PubMed

Shah, Mita V; Namigai, Erica K O; Suzuki, Yuichiro

2011-01-01

Many organisms across the Metazoa have regenerative abilities with potentially conserved genetic mechanisms that can enlighten both medicine and evolutionary studies. Here, the role of canonical Wnt signaling was examined in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum in order to explore its role during metamorphosis and larval leg regeneration. Double-stranded RNA mediated silencing of Wnt-1 signaling resulted in a loss of wings and appendages with a dramatic reduction in width, indicating that the Wnt-1 signaling pathway is necessary for proper post-embryonic appendage development in T. castaneum. Furthermore, disruption of canonical Wnt signaling led to the complete impairment of limb regeneration in T. castaneum. Our findings suggest that Wnt-1 signaling is a conserved mechanism for appendage development across all holometabolous insects and indicate that the role of Wnt-1 signaling in limb regeneration has been retained across all insects as various modes of limb development evolved. Importantly, this study shows that the availability of the genome sequence and the ease of performing leg ablations make Tribolium an excellent holometabolous insect model for studying regeneration. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Defect quasi Fermi level control-based CN reduction in GaN: Evidence for the role of minority carriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddy, Pramod; Kaess, Felix; Tweedie, James; Kirste, Ronny; Mita, Seiji; Collazo, Ramon; Sitar, Zlatko

2017-10-01

Compensating point defect reduction in wide bandgap semiconductors is possible by above bandgap illumination based defect quasi Fermi level (dQFL) control. The point defect control technique employs excess minority carriers that influence the dQFL of the compensator, increase the corresponding defect formation energy, and consequently are responsible for point defect reduction. Previous studies on various defects in GaN and AlGaN have shown good agreement with the theoretical model, but no direct evidence for the role of minority carriers was provided. In this work, we provide direct evidence for the role of minority carriers in reducing point defects by studying the predicted increase in work done against defect (CN-1) formation with the decrease in the Fermi level (free carrier concentration) in Si doped GaN at a constant illumination intensity. Comparative defect photoluminescence measurements on illuminated and dark regions of GaN show an excellent quantitative agreement with the theory by exhibiting a greater reduction in yellow luminescence attributed to CN-1 at lower doping, thereby providing conclusive evidence for the role of the minority carriers in Fermi level control-based point defect reduction.

The Exploration and Practice of Gradually Industrialization Model in Software Engineering Education: A Factual Instance of the Excellent Engineer Plan of China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Shu; Ma, Peijun; Li, Dong

2012-01-01

The current education model and practices in the Higher education sector in China have been successful in educating students for academic excellence, for producing industry-linked and practice-oriented graduates, who could quickly fit into the industrial working environment, has been a problem. There is a big gap between the theoretical knowledge…

A database for propagation models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kantak, Anil V.; Suwitra, Krisjani; Le, Chuong

1995-01-01

A database of various propagation phenomena models that can be used by telecommunications systems engineers to obtain parameter values for systems design is presented. This is an easy-to-use tool and is currently available for either a PC using Excel software under Windows environment or a Macintosh using Excel software for Macintosh. All the steps necessary to use the software are easy and many times self explanatory.

Closing the Excellence Gap: Investigation of an Expanded Talent Search Model for Student Selection into an Extracurricular STEM Program in Rural Middle Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Assouline, Susan G.; Ihrig, Lori M.; Mahatmya, Duhita

2017-01-01

High-potential students from underresourced rural schools face barriers that reduce options for academic advancement, which widens the excellence gap between them and their more affluent, but similar ability peers. The goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an expanded above-level testing model to identify high-potential rural…

Summary of Expansions, Updates, and Results in GREET 2017 Suite of Models

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

Wang, Michael; Elgowainy, Amgad; Han, Jeongwoo

This report provides a technical summary of the expansions and updates to the 2017 release of Argonne National Laboratory’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET®) model, including references and links to key technical documents related to these expansions and updates. The GREET 2017 release includes an updated version of the GREET1 (the fuel-cycle GREET model) and GREET2 (the vehicle-cycle GREET model), both in the Microsoft Excel platform and in the GREET.net modeling platform. Figure 1 shows the structure of the GREET Excel modeling platform. The .net platform integrates all GREET modules together seamlessly.

Integrating Wind Profiling Radars and Radiosonde Observations with Model Point Data to Develop a Decision Support Tool to Assess Upper-Level Winds for Space Launch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauman, William H., III; Flinn, Clay

2013-01-01

On the day-of-launch, the 45th Weather Squadron (45 WS) Launch Weather Officers (LWOs) monitor the upper-level winds for their launch customers to include NASA's Launch Services Program and NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program. They currently do not have the capability to display and overlay profiles of upper-level observations and numerical weather prediction model forecasts. The LWOs requested the Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) develop a tool in the form of a graphical user interface (GUI) that will allow them to plot upper-level wind speed and direction observations from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) 50 MHz tropospheric wind profiling radar, KSC Shuttle Landing Facility 915 MHz boundary layer wind profiling radar and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) Automated Meteorological Processing System (AMPS) radiosondes, and then overlay forecast wind profiles from the model point data including the North American Mesoscale (NAM) model, Rapid Refresh (RAP) model and Global Forecast System (GFS) model to assess the performance of these models. The AMU developed an Excel-based tool that provides an objective method for the LWOs to compare the model-forecast upper-level winds to the KSC wind profiling radars and CCAFS AMPS observations to assess the model potential to accurately forecast changes in the upperlevel profile through the launch count. The AMU wrote Excel Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) scripts to automatically retrieve model point data for CCAFS (XMR) from the Iowa State University Archive Data Server (http://mtarchive.qeol.iastate.edu) and the 50 MHz, 915 MHz and AMPS observations from the NASA/KSC Spaceport Weather Data Archive web site (http://trmm.ksc.nasa.gov). The AMU then developed code in Excel VBA to automatically ingest and format the observations and model point data in Excel to ready the data for generating Excel charts for the LWO's. The resulting charts allow the LWOs to independently initialize the three models 0-hour forecasts against the observations to determine which is the best performing model and then overlay the model forecasts on time-matched observations during the launch countdown to further assess the model performance and forecasts. This paper will demonstrate integration of observed and predicted atmospheric conditions into a decision support tool and demonstrate how the GUI is implemented in operations.

Use of Excel ion exchange equilibrium solver with WinGEMS to model and predict NPE distribution in the Mead/Westvaco Evandale, TX, hardwood bleach plant

Treesearch

Christopher Litvay; Alan Rudie; Peter Hart

2003-01-01

An Excel spreadsheet developed to solve the ion-exchange equilibrium in wood pulps has been linked by dynamic data exchange to WinGEMS and used to model the non-process elements in the hardwood bleach plant of the Mead/Westvaco Evandale mill. Pulp and filtrate samples were collected from the diffusion washers and final wash press of the bleach plant. A WinGEMS model of...

Adaptive particle-based pore-level modeling of incompressible fluid flow in porous media: a direct and parallel approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ovaysi, S.; Piri, M.

2009-12-01

We present a three-dimensional fully dynamic parallel particle-based model for direct pore-level simulation of incompressible viscous fluid flow in disordered porous media. The model was developed from scratch and is capable of simulating flow directly in three-dimensional high-resolution microtomography images of naturally occurring or man-made porous systems. It reads the images as input where the position of the solid walls are given. The entire medium, i.e., solid and fluid, is then discretized using particles. The model is based on Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) technique. We modify this technique in order to improve its stability. The model handles highly irregular fluid-solid boundaries effectively. It takes into account viscous pressure drop in addition to the gravity forces. It conserves mass and can automatically detect any false connectivity with fluid particles in the neighboring pores and throats. It includes a sophisticated algorithm to automatically split and merge particles to maintain hydraulic connectivity of extremely narrow conduits. Furthermore, it uses novel methods to handle particle inconsistencies and open boundaries. To handle the computational load, we present a fully parallel version of the model that runs on distributed memory computer clusters and exhibits excellent scalability. The model is used to simulate unsteady-state flow problems under different conditions starting from straight noncircular capillary tubes with different cross-sectional shapes, i.e., circular/elliptical, square/rectangular and triangular cross-sections. We compare the predicted dimensionless hydraulic conductances with the data available in the literature and observe an excellent agreement. We then test the scalability of our parallel model with two samples of an artificial sandstone, samples A and B, with different volumes and different distributions (non-uniform and uniform) of solid particles among the processors. An excellent linear scalability is obtained for sample B that has more uniform distribution of solid particles leading to a superior load balancing. The model is then used to simulate fluid flow directly in REV size three-dimensional x-ray images of a naturally occurring sandstone. We analyze the quality and consistency of the predicted flow behavior and calculate absolute permeability, which compares well with the available network modeling and Lattice-Boltzmann permeabilities available in the literature for the same sandstone. We show that the model conserves mass very well and is stable computationally even at very narrow fluid conduits. The transient- and the steady-state fluid flow patterns are presented as well as the steady-state flow rates to compute absolute permeability. Furthermore, we discuss the vital role of our adaptive particle resolution scheme in preserving the original pore connectivity of the samples and their narrow channels through splitting and merging of fluid particles.

Estrogen receptor β in Alzheimer's disease: From mechanisms to therapeutics.

PubMed

Zhao, Liqin; Woody, Sarah K; Chhibber, Anindit

2015-11-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) disproportionally affects women and men. The female susceptibility for AD has been largely associated with the loss of ovarian sex hormones during menopause. This review examines the current understanding of the role of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in the regulation of neurological health and its implication in the development and intervention of AD. Since its discovery in 1996, research conducted over the last 15-20 years has documented a great deal of evidence indicating that ERβ plays a pivotal role in a broad spectrum of brain activities from development to aging. ERβ genetic polymorphisms have been associated with cognitive impairment and increased risk for AD predominantly in women. The role of ERβ in the intervention of AD has been demonstrated by the alteration of AD pathology in response to treatment with ERβ-selective modulators in transgenic models that display pronounced plaque and tangle histopathological presentations as well as learning and memory deficits. Future studies that explore the potential interactions between ERβ signaling and the genetic isoforms of human apolipoprotein E (APOE) in brain aging and development of AD-risk phenotype are critically needed. The current trend of lost-in-translation in AD drug development that has primarily been based on early-onset familial AD (FAD) models underscores the urgent need for novel models that recapitulate the etiology of late-onset sporadic AD (SAD), the most common form of AD representing more than 95% of the current human AD population. Combining the use of FAD-related models that generally have excellent face validity with SAD-related models that hold more reliable construct validity would together increase the predictive validity of preclinical findings for successful translation into humans. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlation between the hierarchical structures and nanomechanical properties of amyloid fibrils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Gyudo; Lee, Wonseok; Baik, Seunghyun; Kim, Yong Ho; Eom, Kilho; Kwon, Taeyun

2018-07-01

Amyloid fibrils have recently been highlighted due to their excellent mechanical properties, which not only play a role in their biological functions but also imply their applications in biomimetic material design. Despite recent efforts to unveil how the excellent mechanical properties of amyloid fibrils originate, it has remained elusive how the anisotropic nanomechanical properties of hierarchically structured amyloid fibrils are determined. Here, we characterize the anisotropic nanomechanical properties of hierarchically structured amyloid fibrils using atomic force microscopy experiments and atomistic simulations. It is shown that the hierarchical structure of amyloid fibrils plays a crucial role in determining their radial elastic property but does not make any effect on their bending elastic property. This is attributed to the role of intermolecular force acting between the filaments (constituting the fibril) on the radial elastic modulus of amyloid fibrils. Our finding illustrates how the hierarchical structure of amyloid fibrils encodes their anisotropic nanomechanical properties. Our study provides key design principles of amyloid fibrils, which endow valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms of amyloid mechanics.

Models of Excellence: A Review of Ohio's Award-Winning Workplace Literacy Programs. Alliance for Workforce Excellence Publication #94-01.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Proper, Len

This report summarizes the 18 programs that have received Governor's Workforce Excellence Awards in Ohio over the past 3 years. The 18 award winning programs (based in companies employing from 75 to 16,000 employees) focus on the basic literacy, thinking, and personal skills that every Ohio worker must possess. They were selected from nearly 100…

Cycle development and design for CO{sub 2} capture from flue gas by vacuum swing adsorption

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

Jun Zhang; Paul A. Webley

CO{sub 2} capture and storage is an important component in the development of clean power generation processes. One CO{sub 2} capture technology is gas-phase adsorption, specifically pressure (or vacuum) swing adsorption. The complexity of these processes makes evaluation and assessment of new adsorbents difficult and time-consuming. In this study, we have developed a simple model specifically targeted at CO{sub 2} capture by pressure swing adsorption and validated our model by comparison with data from a fully instrumented pilot-scale pressure swing adsorption process. The model captures non-isothermal effects as well as nonlinear adsorption and nitrogen coadsorption. Using the model and ourmore » apparatus, we have designed and studied a large number of cycles for CO{sub 2} capture. We demonstrate that by careful management of adsorption fronts and assembly of cycles based on understanding of the roles of individual steps, we are able to quickly assess the effect of adsorbents and process parameters on capture performance and identify optimal operating regimes and cycles. We recommend this approach in contrast to exhaustive parametric studies which tend to depend on specifics of the chosen cycle and adsorbent. We show that appropriate combinations of process steps can yield excellent process performance and demonstrate how the pressure drop, and heat loss, etc. affect process performance through their effect on adsorption fronts and profiles. Finally, cyclic temperature profiles along the adsorption column can be readily used to infer concentration profiles - this has proved to be a very useful tool in cyclic function definition. Our research reveals excellent promise for the application of pressure/vacuum swing adsorption technology in the arena of CO{sub 2} capture from flue gases. 20 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Cycle development and design for CO2 capture from flue gas by vacuum swing adsorption.

PubMed

Zhang, Jun; Webley, Paul A

2008-01-15

CO2 capture and storage is an important component in the development of clean power generation processes. One CO2 capture technology is gas-phase adsorption, specifically pressure (or vacuum) swing adsorption. The complexity of these processes makes evaluation and assessment of new adsorbents difficult and time-consuming. In this study, we have developed a simple model specifically targeted at CO2 capture by pressure swing adsorption and validated our model by comparison with data from a fully instrumented pilot-scale pressure swing adsorption process. The model captures nonisothermal effects as well as nonlinear adsorption and nitrogen coadsorption. Using the model and our apparatus, we have designed and studied a large number of cycles for CO2 capture. We demonstrate that by careful management of adsorption fronts and assembly of cycles based on understanding of the roles of individual steps, we are able to quickly assess the effect of adsorbents and process parameters on capture performance and identify optimal operating regimes and cycles. We recommend this approach in contrast to exhaustive parametric studies which tend to depend on specifics of the chosen cycle and adsorbent. We show that appropriate combinations of process steps can yield excellent process performance and demonstrate how the pressure drop, and heat loss, etc. affect process performance through their effect on adsorption fronts and profiles. Finally, cyclic temperature profiles along the adsorption column can be readily used to infer concentration profiles-this has proved to be a very useful tool in cyclic function definition. Our research reveals excellent promise for the application of pressure/vacuum swing adsorption technology in the arena of CO2 capture from flue gases.

The intervening role of urgency on the association between childhood maltreatment, PTSD, and substance-related problems

PubMed Central

Mirhashem, Rebecca; Allen, Holley C.; Adams, Zachary W.; van Stolk-Cooke, Katherine; Legrand, Alison; Price, Matthew

2017-01-01

A range of risk factors lead to opioid use and substance-related problems (SRP) including childhood maltreatment, elevated impulsivity, and psychopathology. These constructs are highly interrelated such that childhood maltreatment is associated with elevated impulsivity and traumarelated psychopathology such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and impulsivity—particularly urgency—and PTSD are related. Prior work has examined the association between these constructs and substance-related problems independently and it is unclear how these multifaceted constructs (i.e., maltreatment types and positive and negative urgency) are associated with one another and SRP. The current study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relations among childhood maltreatment, trait urgency, PTSD symptoms, and SRP in a sample of individuals with a history of opioid use. An initial model that included paths from each type of childhood maltreatment, positive and negative urgency, PTSD and SRP did not fit the data well. A pruned model with excellent fit was identified that suggested emotional abuse, positive urgency, and negative urgency were directly related to PTSD symptoms and only PTSD symptoms were directly related to SRP. Furthermore, significant indirect effects suggested that emotional abuse and negative urgency were related to SRP via PTSD symptom severity. These results suggest that PTSD plays an important role in the severity of SRP. PMID:28219827

Dinner at Orazio's--David Triggle the model of a mentor.

PubMed

Smith, Susan L

2015-11-15

What does it mean to be a mentor in science? Definitions of mentorship are freely spouted in publications and include concepts such as academic support, professional development, role modeling, interaction, impartment of knowledge, evaluation of work, demonstration of methodology, etc. Perhaps most of us would agree with the duties listed. But just what does it mean, for example, to offer academic support? How might one facilitate professional development for a mentee? While we may agree to the general obligations of a mentor the specifics of what these entail would prove more controversial. This article will illustrate how easy it is to pick out a bad mentor. There are certain elements of conduct that, if practiced, undoubtedly put you in the "bad mentor" category. However, it is very difficult to explain just what it means to be not only an adequate mentor but also a stellar one. It may be easy to list the roles and responsibilities of a mentor but just how should they be performed/carried out? David Triggle is the model of an extraordinary mentor. The conclusion of this paper will focus on some specific mentorship activities David Triggle carried out that illustrate some of the intangible aspects of excellence in mentorship. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multidimensional Tests of Thermal Protection Materials in the Arcjet Test Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agrawal, Parul; Ellerby, Donald T.; Switzer, Mathew R.; Squire, Thomas H.

2010-01-01

Many thermal protection system materials used for spacecraft heatshields have anisotropic thermal properties, causing them to display significantly different thermal characteristics in different directions, when subjected to a heating environment during flight or arcjet tests. This paper investigates the effects of sidewall heating coupled with anisotropic thermal properties of thermal protection materials in the arcjet environment. Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) and LI-2200 materials (the insulation material of Shuttle tiles) were used for this study. First, conduction-based thermal response simulations were carried out, using the Marc.Mentat finite element solver, to study the effects of sidewall heating on PICA arcjet coupons. The simulation showed that sidewall heating plays a significant role in thermal response of these models. Arcjet tests at the Aerodynamic Heating Facility (AHF) at NASA Ames Research Center were performed later on instrumented coupons to obtain temperature history at sidewall and various radial locations. The details of instrumentation and experimental technique are the prime focus of this paper. The results obtained from testing confirmed that sidewall heating plays a significant role in thermal response of these models. The test results were later used to verify the two-dimensional ablation, thermal response, and sizing program, TITAN. The test data and model predictions were found to be in excellent agreement

Perspectives on orchid conservation in botanic gardens.

PubMed

Swarts, Nigel D; Dixon, Kingsley W

2009-11-01

Orchids, one of the largest families of flowering plants, face an uncertain future through overexploitation, habitat loss and impacts of climate change. With their intricate abiotic and biotic dependencies, orchids typify the plight of global plant resources and, thus, provide ideal model species for ecological tracking and focussing conservation programs. Botanic gardens worldwide have traditionally been major centres of excellence in orchid horticulture, research and conservation as orchids generate wide public and educational appeal. Here, we highlight the role of botanic gardens in areas key to orchid conservation. With pristine habitats under threat globally, the challenge for orchid conservation programs will ultimately depend upon developing ecological restoration technologies, whereby orchids are reinstated into sustainably restored habitats.

The central equipment pool, an opportunity for improved technology management.

PubMed

Gentles, W M

2000-01-01

A model for a central equipment pool managed by a clinical engineering department has been presented. The advantages to patient care and to the clinical engineering department are many. The distribution of portable technology that has been traditionally managed by the materials management function is a logical match to the expanding role of clinical engineering departments in technology management. Accurate asset management tools have allowed us to provide reliable measures of infusion pump utilization, permitting us to predict future needs as programs expand. Thus we are more actively involved in strategic technology planning. The central equipment pool is an excellent opportunity for the clinical engineering department to increase its technology management activities.

Coherent Manipulation of Phonons at the Nanoscale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Shangjie; Ouyang, Min

Phonons play a key role in almost every physical process, including for example dephasing phenomena of electronic quantum states, electric and heat transports. Therefore, understanding and even manipulating phonons represent a pre-requisite for tailoring phonons-mediated physical processes. In this talk, we will first present how to employ ultrafast optical spectroscopy to probe acoustic phonon modes in colloidal metallic nanoparticles. Furthermore, we have developed various phonon manipulation schemes that can be achieved by a train of optical pulses in time domain to allow selective control of phonon modes. Our theoretical modeling and simulation demonstrates an excellent agreement with experimental results, thus providing a future guideline on more complex phononic control at the nanoscale.

Technology Leadership in Malaysia's High Performance School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yieng, Wong Ai; Daud, Khadijah Binti

2017-01-01

Headmaster as leader of the school also plays a role as a technology leader. This applies to the high performance schools (HPS) headmaster as well. The HPS excel in all aspects of education. In this study, researcher is interested in examining the role of the headmaster as a technology leader through interviews with three headmasters of high…

Testing Predictors of Instructional Practice in Elementary Science Education: The Significant Role of Accountability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayes, Kathryn N.; Trexler, Cary J.

2016-01-01

Many resources have been committed to research on science teaching pedagogies, resulting in a robust understanding of best instructional practices. Yet, exposure to excellent science instruction in elementary school is haphazard at best and often inequitable. Although the research community has attended to the role of teacher traits, such as…

The Potential Role of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salem, Abdel-Badeeh M.

The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Education has traditionally a technology-based focus, looking at the ways in which AI can be used in building intelligent educational software. In addition AI can also provide an excellent methodology for learning and reasoning from the human experiences. This paper presents the potential role of AI in…

Role-Playing Simulation as a Communication Tool in Community Dialogue: Karkonosze Mountains Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krolikowska, Karolina; Kronenberg, Jakub; Maliszewska, Karolina; Sendzimir, Jan; Magnuszewski, Piotr; Dunajski, Andrzej; Slodka, Anna

2007-01-01

This article describes a process of role-playing simulation (RPS) as it was used during an educational exercise in community dialogue in the Karkonosze Mountains region of southwest Poland. Over the past decade Karkonosze National Park, a regional tourist magnet, has provided an excellent example of environmental conflict emerging from the…

Ideas Exchange: What Is the Role of Dance in the Secondary Physical Education Program?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lorenzi, David G. (Comp.)

2010-01-01

This article presents ideas and views of educators regarding the role of dance in the secondary physical education program. One educator believes that dance education is an excellent complement to the traditional physical education program at the secondary level. Another educator defines physical education as the "art and science of human…

Neuroendocrine correlates of sex-role reversal in barred buttonquails

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Sex differences in brain structure and behaviour are well documented among vertebrates. An excellent model exploring the neural mechanisms of sex differences in behaviour is represented by sex-role-reversed species. In the majority of bird species, males compete over access to mates and resources more strongly than do females. It is thought that the responsible brain regions are therefore more developed in males than in females. Because these behaviours and brain regions are activated by androgens, males usually have increased testosterone levels during breeding. Therefore, in species with sex-role reversal, certain areas of the female brain should be more developed or steroid hormone profiles should be sexually reversed. Here, I studied circulating hormone levels and gene expression of steroid hormone receptors and aromatase in a captive population of barred buttonquails (Turnix suscitator). While females performed courtship and agonistic behaviours, there was no evidence for sexually reversed hormone profiles. However, I found female-biased sex differences in gene expression of androgen receptors in several hypothalamic and limbic brain regions that were already in place at hatching. Such sex differences are not known from non-sex-role-reversed species. These data suggest that increased neural sensitivity to androgens could be involved in the mechanisms mediating sex-role-reversed behaviours. PMID:27881754

How cells engulf: a review of theoretical approaches to phagocytosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richards, David M.; Endres, Robert G.

2017-12-01

Phagocytosis is a fascinating process whereby a cell surrounds and engulfs particles such as bacteria and dead cells. This is crucial both for single-cell organisms (as a way of acquiring nutrients) and as part of the immune system (to destroy foreign invaders). This whole process is hugely complex and involves multiple coordinated events such as membrane remodelling, receptor motion, cytoskeleton reorganisation and intracellular signalling. Because of this, phagocytosis is an excellent system for theoretical study, benefiting from biophysical approaches combined with mathematical modelling. Here, we review these theoretical approaches and discuss the recent mathematical and computational models, including models based on receptors, models focusing on the forces involved, and models employing energetic considerations. Along the way, we highlight a beautiful connection to the physics of phase transitions, consider the role of stochasticity, and examine links between phagocytosis and other types of endocytosis. We cover the recently discovered multistage nature of phagocytosis, showing that the size of the phagocytic cup grows in distinct stages, with an initial slow stage followed by a much quicker second stage starting around half engulfment. We also address the issue of target shape dependence, which is relevant to both pathogen infection and drug delivery, covering both one-dimensional and two-dimensional results. Throughout, we pay particular attention to recent experimental techniques that continue to inform the theoretical studies and provide a means to test model predictions. Finally, we discuss population models, connections to other biological processes, and how physics and modelling will continue to play a key role in future work in this area.

Hidden Markov models and neural networks for fault detection in dynamic systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smyth, Padhraic

1994-01-01

Neural networks plus hidden Markov models (HMM) can provide excellent detection and false alarm rate performance in fault detection applications, as shown in this viewgraph presentation. Modified models allow for novelty detection. Key contributions of neural network models are: (1) excellent nonparametric discrimination capability; (2) a good estimator of posterior state probabilities, even in high dimensions, and thus can be embedded within overall probabilistic model (HMM); and (3) simple to implement compared to other nonparametric models. Neural network/HMM monitoring model is currently being integrated with the new Deep Space Network (DSN) antenna controller software and will be on-line monitoring a new DSN 34-m antenna (DSS-24) by July, 1994.

A tutorial on the use of Excel 2010 and Excel for Mac 2011 for conducting delay-discounting analyses.

PubMed

Reed, Derek D; Kaplan, Brent A; Brewer, Adam T

2012-01-01

In recent years, researchers and practitioners in the behavioral sciences have profited from a growing literature on delay discounting. The purpose of this article is to provide readers with a brief tutorial on how to use Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and Excel for Mac 2011 to analyze discounting data to yield parameters for both the hyperbolic discounting model and area under the curve. This tutorial is intended to encourage the quantitative analysis of behavior in both research and applied settings by readers with relatively little formal training in nonlinear regression.

A TUTORIAL ON THE USE OF EXCEL 2010 AND EXCEL FOR MAC 2011 FOR CONDUCTING DELAY-DISCOUNTING ANALYSES

PubMed Central

Reed, Derek D; Kaplan, Brent A; Brewer, Adam T

2012-01-01

In recent years, researchers and practitioners in the behavioral sciences have profited from a growing literature on delay discounting. The purpose of this article is to provide readers with a brief tutorial on how to use Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and Excel for Mac 2011 to analyze discounting data to yield parameters for both the hyperbolic discounting model and area under the curve. This tutorial is intended to encourage the quantitative analysis of behavior in both research and applied settings by readers with relatively little formal training in nonlinear regression. PMID:22844143

Excellence in Wetland Programs

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

States and tribes play important roles in protecting and restoring wetlands and other water resources by adopting practices within our Core Elements Framework (CEF) to complete various projects. restoration and protection, monitoring and assessment

The impact of culture and employee-focused criteria on productivity: A structural equation modelling approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ab Hamid, Mohd Rashid; Mustafa, Zainol; Mohd Suradi, Nur Riza; Idris, Fazli; Abdullah, Mokhtar

2013-04-01

Culture and employee-focused criteria are important factors for the success of any organization. These factors have to be aligned with the productivity initiatives in the organization in order to gear ahead for excellence. Therefore, this article investigated the impact of culture and employee-focused criteria on productivity in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia using intangible indicators through core values. The hypothesized relationship was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the PLS estimation technique. 429 questionnaires were returned from the target population. The results of the modelling revealed that the PLS estimation confirmed all the hypotheses tested as in the hypothesized model. The results generally support significant relationships between culture values, employee-focused values and productivity-focused values. The study also confirmed the mediating role of employee-focused values for the relationship between culture values and productivity-focused values. In conclusion, the empirically validated results supported the adequacy of the hypothezised model of the impact of culture and employee-focused criteria on productivity in HEI through value-based indicators.

Employee health.

PubMed

2015-09-01

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has produced a new guideline looking at improving the health and wellbeing of employees, with a particular focus on organisational culture and context, and the role of line managers.

DOE Chair of Excellence Professorship in Environmental Disciplines

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

Shoou-Yuh Chang

2013-01-31

The United States (US) nuclear weapons program during the Cold War left a legacy of radioactive, hazardous, chemical wastes and facilities that may seriously harm the environment and people even today. Widespread public concern about the environmental pollution has created an extraordinary demand for the treatment and disposal of wastes in a manner to protect the public health and safety. The pollution abatement and environmental protection require an understanding of technical, regulatory, economic, permitting, institutional, and public policy issues. Scientists and engineers have a major role in this national effort to clean our environment, especially in developing alternative solutions andmore » evaluation criteria and designing the necessary facilities to implement the solutions. The objective of the DOE Chair of Excellence project is to develop a high quality educational and research program in environmental engineering at North Carolina A&T State University (A&T). This project aims to increase the number of graduate and undergraduate students trained in environmental areas while developing a faculty concentrated in environmental education and research. Although A&T had a well developed environmental program prior to the Massie Chair grant, A&T's goal is to become a model of excellence in environmental engineering through the program's support. The program will provide a catalyst to enhance collaboration of faculty and students among various engineering departments to work together in a focus research area. The collaboration will be expanded to other programs at A&T. The past research focus areas include: hazardous and radioactive waste treatment and disposal fate and transport of hazardous chemicals in the environment innovative technologies for hazardous waste site remediation pollution prevention Starting from 2005, the new research focus was in the improvement of accuracy for radioactive contaminant transport models by ensemble based data assimilation. The specific objectives are to: 1). improve model accuracy for use in minimizing health and environmental risk, and 2). improve the decision making process in the selection and application of available technologies for long-term monitoring and safeguard operation at NNSA sites.« less

Centers of excellence in healthcare institutions: what they are and how to assemble them.

PubMed

Elrod, James K; Fortenberry, John L

2017-07-11

Centers of excellence-specialized programs within healthcare institutions which supply exceptionally high concentrations of expertise and related resources centered on particular medical areas and delivered in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary fashion-afford many advantages for healthcare providers and the populations they serve. To achieve full value from centers of excellence, proper assembly is an absolute necessity, but guidance is somewhat limited. This effectively forces healthcare providers to pursue establishment largely via trial-and-error, diminishing opportunities for success. Successful development of a center of excellence first requires the acquisition of a detailed understanding of the delivery model and its benefits. Then, concerted actions must be taken on a particular series of administrative and clinical fronts, treating them in prescribed manners to afford synergies which yield an exceptionally high level of care. To reduce hardships associated with acquiring this rather elusive knowledge, remedy shortcomings in the literature, and potentially bolster community health broadly, this article presents information and insights gleaned from Willis-Knighton Health System's extensive experience assembling and operating centers of excellence. This work is intended to educate and enlighten, but most importantly, supply guidance which will permit healthcare establishments to replicate noted processes to realize their own centers of excellence. Centers of excellence have the ability to dramatically enhance the depth and breadth of healthcare services available in communities. Given the numerous mutual benefits afforded by this delivery model, it is hoped that the light shed by this article will help healthcare providers better understand centers of excellence and be more capable and confident in associated development initiatives, affording greater opportunities for themselves and their patient populations.

Actualizing culture change: The Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes (PEAK 2.0) program.

PubMed

Doll, Gayle A; Cornelison, Laci J; Rath, Heath; Syme, Maggie L

2017-08-01

Nursing homes have been challenged in their attempts to achieve deep, organizational change (i.e., culture change) aimed at providing quality of care and quality of life for nursing home residents through person-centered care. To attain deep change, 2 well-defined components must be in place: a shared understanding of (a) the what, or content goals, and (b) the how, or process of change. However, there are few examples of this at a macro or micro level in long-term care. In an effort to enact true culture change in nursing homes statewide, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services implemented the Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes program. This program is a Medicaid, pay-for-performance program that formalizes the content and process of achieving culture change through person-centered care principles. This article aims to detail the content (what) and process (how) of a model macro-level program of culture change throughout the State of Kansas. Applications to the micro level (individual homes) are presented, and implications for psychologists' roles in facilitating culture change are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Potential for real-time understanding of coupled hydrologic and biogeochemical processes in stream ecosystems: Future integration of telemetered data with process models for glacial meltwater streams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKnight, Diane M.; Cozzetto, Karen; Cullis, James D. S.; Gooseff, Michael N.; Jaros, Christopher; Koch, Joshua C.; Lyons, W. Berry; Neupauer, Roseanna; Wlostowski, Adam

2015-08-01

While continuous monitoring of streamflow and temperature has been common for some time, there is great potential to expand continuous monitoring to include water quality parameters such as nutrients, turbidity, oxygen, and dissolved organic material. In many systems, distinguishing between watershed and stream ecosystem controls can be challenging. The usefulness of such monitoring can be enhanced by the application of quantitative models to interpret observed patterns in real time. Examples are discussed primarily from the glacial meltwater streams of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Although the Dry Valley landscape is barren of plants, many streams harbor thriving cyanobacterial mats. Whereas a daily cycle of streamflow is controlled by the surface energy balance on the glaciers and the temporal pattern of solar exposure, the daily signal for biogeochemical processes controlling water quality is generated along the stream. These features result in an excellent outdoor laboratory for investigating fundamental ecosystem process and the development and validation of process-based models. As part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research project, we have conducted field experiments and developed coupled biogeochemical transport models for the role of hyporheic exchange in controlling weathering reactions, microbial nitrogen cycling, and stream temperature regulation. We have adapted modeling approaches from sediment transport to understand mobilization of stream biomass with increasing flows. These models help to elucidate the role of in-stream processes in systems where watershed processes also contribute to observed patterns, and may serve as a test case for applying real-time stream ecosystem models.

Excel-Based Tool for Pharmacokinetically Guided Dose Adjustment of Paclitaxel.

PubMed

Kraff, Stefanie; Lindauer, Andreas; Joerger, Markus; Salamone, Salvatore J; Jaehde, Ulrich

2015-12-01

Neutropenia is a frequent and severe adverse event in patients receiving paclitaxel chemotherapy. The time above a paclitaxel threshold concentration of 0.05 μmol/L (Tc > 0.05 μmol/L) is a strong predictor for paclitaxel-associated neutropenia and has been proposed as a target pharmacokinetic (PK) parameter for paclitaxel therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adaptation. Up to now, individual Tc > 0.05 μmol/L values are estimated based on a published PK model of paclitaxel by using the software NONMEM. Because many clinicians are not familiar with the use of NONMEM, an Excel-based dosing tool was developed to allow calculation of paclitaxel Tc > 0.05 μmol/L and give clinicians an easy-to-use tool. Population PK parameters of paclitaxel were taken from a published PK model. An Alglib VBA code was implemented in Excel 2007 to compute differential equations for the paclitaxel PK model. Maximum a posteriori Bayesian estimates of the PK parameters were determined with the Excel Solver using individual drug concentrations. Concentrations from 250 patients were simulated receiving 1 cycle of paclitaxel chemotherapy. Predictions of paclitaxel Tc > 0.05 μmol/L as calculated by the Excel tool were compared with NONMEM, whereby maximum a posteriori Bayesian estimates were obtained using the POSTHOC function. There was a good concordance and comparable predictive performance between Excel and NONMEM regarding predicted paclitaxel plasma concentrations and Tc > 0.05 μmol/L values. Tc > 0.05 μmol/L had a maximum bias of 3% and an error on precision of <12%. The median relative deviation of the estimated Tc > 0.05 μmol/L values between both programs was 1%. The Excel-based tool can estimate the time above a paclitaxel threshold concentration of 0.05 μmol/L with acceptable accuracy and precision. The presented Excel tool allows reliable calculation of paclitaxel Tc > 0.05 μmol/L and thus allows target concentration intervention to improve the benefit-risk ratio of the drug. The easy use facilitates therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical routine.

A distance of 133-137 parsecs to the Pleiades star cluster.

PubMed

Pan, Xiaopei; Shao, M; Kulkarni, S R

2004-01-22

Nearby 'open' clusters of stars (those that are not gravitationally bound) have played a crucial role in the development of stellar astronomy because, as a consequence of the stars having a common age, they provide excellent natural laboratories to test theoretical stellar models. Clusters also play a fundamental part in determining distance scales. The satellite Hipparcos surprisingly found that an extensively studied open cluster--the Pleiades (also known as the Seven Sisters)--had a distance of D = 118 +/- 4 pc (refs 2, 3), about ten per cent smaller than the accepted value. The discrepancy generated a spirited debate because the implication was that either current stellar models were incorrect by a surprising amount or Hipparcos was giving incorrect distances. Here we report the orbital parameters of the bright double star Atlas in the Pleiades, using long-baseline optical/infrared interferometry. From the data we derive a firm lower bound of D > 127 pc, with the most likely range being 133 < D < 137 pc. Our result reaffirms the fidelity of current stellar models.

On the Link Between Kolmogorov Microscales and Friction in Wall-Bounded Flow of Viscoplastic Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramos, Fabio; Anbarlooei, Hamid; Cruz, Daniel; Silva Freire, Atila; Santos, Cecilia M.

2017-11-01

Most discussions in literature on the friction coefficient of turbulent flows of fluids with complex rheology are empirical. As a rule, theoretical frameworks are not available even for some relatively simple constitutive models. In this work, we present a new family of formulas for the evaluation of the friction coefficient of turbulent flows of a large family of viscoplastic fluids. The developments combine an unified analysis for the description of the Kolmogorov's micro-scales and the phenomenological turbulence model of Gioia and Chakraborty. The resulting Blasius-type friction equation has only Blasius' constant as a parameter, and tests against experimental data show excellent agreement over a significant range of Hedstrom and Reynolds numbers. The limits of the proposed model are also discussed. We also comment on the role of the new formula as a possible benchmark test for the convergence of DNS simulations of viscoplastic flows. The friction formula also provides limits for the Maximum Drag Reduction (MDR) for viscoplastic flows, which resembles MDR asymptote for viscoelastic flows.

A Data-Driven Response Virtual Sensor Technique with Partial Vibration Measurements Using Convolutional Neural Network.

PubMed

Sun, Shan-Bin; He, Yuan-Yuan; Zhou, Si-Da; Yue, Zhen-Jiang

2017-12-12

Measurement of dynamic responses plays an important role in structural health monitoring, damage detection and other fields of research. However, in aerospace engineering, the physical sensors are limited in the operational conditions of spacecraft, due to the severe environment in outer space. This paper proposes a virtual sensor model with partial vibration measurements using a convolutional neural network. The transmissibility function is employed as prior knowledge. A four-layer neural network with two convolutional layers, one fully connected layer, and an output layer is proposed as the predicting model. Numerical examples of two different structural dynamic systems demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach. The excellence of the novel technique is further indicated using a simply supported beam experiment comparing to a modal-model-based virtual sensor, which uses modal parameters, such as mode shapes, for estimating the responses of the faulty sensors. The results show that the presented data-driven response virtual sensor technique can predict structural response with high accuracy.

Conformational rigidity in a lattice model of proteins.

PubMed

Collet, Olivier

2003-06-01

It is shown in this paper that some simulations of protein folding in lattice models, which use an incorrect implementation of the Monte Carlo algorithm, do not converge towards thermal equilibrium. I developed a rigorous treatment for protein folding simulation on a lattice model relying on the introduction of a parameter standing for the rigidity of the conformations. Its properties are discussed and its role during the folding process is elucidated. The calculation of thermal properties of small chains living on a two-dimensional lattice is performed and a Bortz-Kalos-Lebowitz scheme is implemented in the presented method in order to study kinetics of chains at very low temperature. The coefficients of the Arrhenius law obtained with this algorithm are found to be in excellent agreement with the value of the main potential barrier of the system. Finally, a scenario of the mechanisms, including the rigidity parameters, that guide a protein towards its native structure, at medium temperature, is given.

A Data-Driven Response Virtual Sensor Technique with Partial Vibration Measurements Using Convolutional Neural Network

PubMed Central

Sun, Shan-Bin; He, Yuan-Yuan; Zhou, Si-Da; Yue, Zhen-Jiang

2017-01-01

Measurement of dynamic responses plays an important role in structural health monitoring, damage detection and other fields of research. However, in aerospace engineering, the physical sensors are limited in the operational conditions of spacecraft, due to the severe environment in outer space. This paper proposes a virtual sensor model with partial vibration measurements using a convolutional neural network. The transmissibility function is employed as prior knowledge. A four-layer neural network with two convolutional layers, one fully connected layer, and an output layer is proposed as the predicting model. Numerical examples of two different structural dynamic systems demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach. The excellence of the novel technique is further indicated using a simply supported beam experiment comparing to a modal-model-based virtual sensor, which uses modal parameters, such as mode shapes, for estimating the responses of the faulty sensors. The results show that the presented data-driven response virtual sensor technique can predict structural response with high accuracy. PMID:29231868

Parameters Identification for Photovoltaic Module Based on an Improved Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm

PubMed Central

Wang, Hong-Hua

2014-01-01

A precise mathematical model plays a pivotal role in the simulation, evaluation, and optimization of photovoltaic (PV) power systems. Different from the traditional linear model, the model of PV module has the features of nonlinearity and multiparameters. Since conventional methods are incapable of identifying the parameters of PV module, an excellent optimization algorithm is required. Artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA), originally inspired by the simulation of collective behavior of real fish swarms, is proposed to fast and accurately extract the parameters of PV module. In addition to the regular operation, a mutation operator (MO) is designed to enhance the searching performance of the algorithm. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated by various parameters of PV module under different environmental conditions, and the testing results are compared with other studied methods in terms of final solutions and computational time. The simulation results show that the proposed method is capable of obtaining higher parameters identification precision. PMID:25243233

Handling of computational in vitro/in vivo correlation problems by Microsoft Excel: V. Predictive absorbability models.

PubMed

Langenbucher, Frieder

2007-08-01

This paper discusses Excel applications related to the prediction of drug absorbability from physicochemical constants. PHDISSOC provides a generalized model for pH profiles of electrolytic dissociation, water solubility, and partition coefficient. SKMODEL predicts drug absorbability, based on a log-log plot of water solubility and O/W partitioning; augmented by additional features such as electrolytic dissociation, melting point, and the dose administered. GIABS presents a mechanistic model of g.i. drug absorption. BIODATCO presents a database compiling relevant drug data to be used for quantitative predictions.

Colour variation in cichlid fish: Developmental mechanisms, selective pressures and evolutionary consequences☆

PubMed Central

Maan, Martine E.; Sefc, Kristina M.

2013-01-01

Cichlid fishes constitute one of the most species-rich families of vertebrates. In addition to complex social behaviour and morphological versatility, they are characterised by extensive diversity in colouration, both within and between species. Here, we review the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying colour variation in this group and the selective pressures responsible for the observed variation. We specifically address the evidence for the hypothesis that divergence in colouration is associated with the evolution of reproductive isolation between lineages. While we conclude that cichlid colours are excellent models for understanding the role of animal communication in species divergence, we also identify taxonomic and methodological biases in the current research effort. We suggest that the integration of genomic approaches with ecological and behavioural studies, across the entire cichlid family and beyond it, will contribute to the utility of the cichlid model system for understanding the evolution of biological diversity. PMID:23665150

New tools for the analysis of glial cell biology in Drosophila.

PubMed

Awasaki, Takeshi; Lee, Tzumin

2011-09-01

Because of its genetic, molecular, and behavioral tractability, Drosophila has emerged as a powerful model system for studying molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development and function of nervous systems. The Drosophila nervous system has fewer neurons and exhibits a lower glia:neuron ratio than is seen in vertebrate nervous systems. Despite the simplicity of the Drosophila nervous system, glial organization in flies is as sophisticated as it is in vertebrates. Furthermore, fly glial cells play vital roles in neural development and behavior. In addition, powerful genetic tools are continuously being created to explore cell function in vivo. In taking advantage of these features, the fly nervous system serves as an excellent model system to study general aspects of glial cell development and function in vivo. In this article, we review and discuss advanced genetic tools that are potentially useful for understanding glial cell biology in Drosophila. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

BDNF in fragile X syndrome.

PubMed

Castrén, Maija L; Castrén, Eero

2014-01-01

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a monogenic disorder that is caused by the absence of FMR1 protein (FMRP). FXS serves as an excellent model disorder for studies investigating disturbed molecular mechanisms and synapse function underlying cognitive impairment, autism, and behavioral disturbance. Abnormalities in dendritic spines and synaptic transmission in the brain of FXS individuals and mouse models for FXS indicate perturbations in the development, maintenance, and plasticity of neuronal network connectivity. However, numerous alterations are found during the early development in FXS, including abnormal differentiation of neural progenitors and impaired migration of newly born neurons. Several aspects of FMRP function are modulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. Here, we review the evidence of the role for BDNF in the developing and adult FXS brain. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mindfulness in Parenting and Coparenting

PubMed Central

Parent, Justin; McKee, Laura G.; Anton, Margret; Gonzalez, Michelle; Jones, Deborah J.; Forehand, Rex

2016-01-01

Mindfulness has been established as a critical psychosocial variable for the well-being of individuals; however, less is understood regarding the role of mindfulness within the family context of parents, coparents, and children. This study tested a model examining the process by which parent dispositional mindfulness relates to parenting and coparenting relationship quality through mindful parenting and coparenting. Participants were 485 parents (59.2% mothers) from three community samples of families with youth across three developmental stages: young childhood (3 – 7 yrs.; n = 164), middle childhood (8 – 12 yrs.; n = 161), and adolescence (13 – 17 yrs.; n = 160). Path analysis using maximum likelihood estimation was employed to test primary hypotheses. The proposed model demonstrated excellent fit. Findings across all three youth development stages indicated both direct effects or parent dispositional mindfulness, as well as indirect effects through mindful parenting and mindful coparenting, with parenting and coparenting relationship quality. Implications for intervention and prevention efforts are discussed. PMID:27087862

A new collection of real world applications of fractional calculus in science and engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, HongGuang; Zhang, Yong; Baleanu, Dumitru; Chen, Wen; Chen, YangQuan

2018-11-01

Fractional calculus is at this stage an arena where many models are still to be introduced, discussed and applied to real world applications in many branches of science and engineering where nonlocality plays a crucial role. Although researchers have already reported many excellent results in several seminal monographs and review articles, there are still a large number of non-local phenomena unexplored and waiting to be discovered. Therefore, year by year, we can discover new aspects of the fractional modeling and applications. This review article aims to present some short summaries written by distinguished researchers in the field of fractional calculus. We believe this incomplete, but important, information will guide young researchers and help newcomers to see some of the main real-world applications and gain an understanding of this powerful mathematical tool. We expect this collection will also benefit our community.

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

Topp, Andreas; Queiroz, Raquel; Grüneis, Andreas

In this work, we present a model of the surface states of nonsymmorphic semimetals. These are derived from surface mass terms that lift the high degeneracy imposed in the band structure by the nonsymmorphic bulk symmetries. Reflecting the reduced symmetry at the surface, the bulk bands are strongly modified. This leads to the creation of two-dimensional floating bands, which are distinct from Shockley states, quantum well states or topologically protected surface states. We focus on the layered semimetal ZrSiS to clarify the origin of its surface states. We demonstrate an excellent agreement between DFT calculations and ARPES measurements and presentmore » an effective four-band model in which similar surface bands appear. Finally, we emphasize the role of the surface chemical potential by comparing the surface density of states in samples with and without potassium coating. Our findings can be extended to related compounds and generalized to other crystals with nonsymmorphic symmetries.« less

Article title misstates the role of pavement sealers.

PubMed

O'Reilly, Kirk

2014-08-01

The claim made in the title of Witter et al. (2014) "Coal-tar-based sealcoated pavement: A major PAH source to urban stream sediments" is not supported by the data presented. The author's use of Pearson correlation coefficients is insufficient to indicate causation. The application of spatial analysis and principle component analysis did not include sealer specific inputs, so provides no basis for the claim. To test the hypothesis that sealers are a source of PAHs in the stream studied, EPA's Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) source evaluation model was applied to Witter's sediment data. CMB found an excellent fit (R(2) > 0.999) between measured and modeled PAH concentrations when sealers were not included as a potential source. This finding does not support Witter et al. (2014) claim that sealers are a major source of PAHs. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

What Role Does Humor in the Higher Education Classroom Play in Student-Perceived Instructor Effectiveness?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halula, Stephen Paul

2013-01-01

Everyone has had college instructors who they thought were excellent and those who were not. In pondering what attributes might have made the difference between these groups, the idea of "humor" came to mind, setting the researcher on course to study the research question "What role does humor in the higher education classroom play…

Exploring the Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Relationship with Individual Lifestyle: The Role of Healthy Behaviors, Pro-Environmental Behaviors, Income, and Education

PubMed Central

De Marchi, Elisa; Banterle, Alessandro

2018-01-01

The reduction of diet-related diseases and the improvement of environmental sustainability represent two of the major 21st century food policy challenges. Sustainable diets could significantly contribute to achieving both of these goals, improving consumer health and reducing the environmental impact of food production and consumption. The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents an excellent example of sustainable diet, however recent evidence indicates that such a dietary pattern is now progressively disappearing in Mediterranean countries. In such a context, this paper explores how individual lifestyle and habits are related to a high/low adherence to the MD model. The goal is to examine whether there is a relationship between individuals’ healthy and pro-environmental behaviors and their level of adherence to the MD. The analysis also explores the role of consumer income and education. The study is based on the Italian population (n = 42,000) and uses a structural equation model approach. The results outline that the MD is part of a sustainability-oriented lifestyle and stress the key role of both income and education in affecting adherence to MD. Future policy aimed at contrasting the gradual disappearance of the MD should emphasize the sustainable dimension of the MD, meanwhile reducing socio-economic disparities among different population segments. PMID:29382086

Essential role for the planarian intestinal GATA transcription factor in stem cells and regeneration

PubMed Central

Flores, Natasha M.; Oviedo, Néstor J.; Sage, Julien

2016-01-01

The cellular turnover of adult tissues and injury-induced repair proceed through an exquisite integration of proliferation, differentiation, and survival signals that involve stem/progenitor cell populations, their progeny, and differentiated tissues. GATA factors are DNA binding proteins that control stem cells and the development of tissues by activating or repressing transcription. Here we examined the role of GATA transcription factors in Schmidtea mediterranea, a freshwater planarian that provides an excellent model to investigate gene function in adult stem cells, regeneration, and differentiation. Smed-gata4/5/6, the homolog of the three mammalian GATA-4,-5,-6 factors is expressed at high levels in differentiated gut cells but also at lower levels in neoblast populations, the planarian stem cells. Smed-gata4/5/6 knock-down results in broad differentiation defects, especially in response to injury. These defects are not restricted to the intestinal lineage. In particular, at late time points during the response to injury, loss of Smed-gata4/5/6 leads to decreased neoblast proliferation and to gene expression changes in several neoblast subpopulations. Thus, Smed-gata4/5/6 plays a key evolutionary conserved role in intestinal differentiation in planarians. These data further support a model in which defects in the intestinal lineage can indirectly affect other differentiation pathways in planarians. PMID:27542689

Essential role for the planarian intestinal GATA transcription factor in stem cells and regeneration.

PubMed

Flores, Natasha M; Oviedo, Néstor J; Sage, Julien

2016-10-01

The cellular turnover of adult tissues and injury-induced repair proceed through an exquisite integration of proliferation, differentiation, and survival signals that involve stem/progenitor cell populations, their progeny, and differentiated tissues. GATA factors are DNA binding proteins that control stem cells and the development of tissues by activating or repressing transcription. Here we examined the role of GATA transcription factors in Schmidtea mediterranea, a freshwater planarian that provides an excellent model to investigate gene function in adult stem cells, regeneration, and differentiation. Smed-gata4/5/6, the homolog of the three mammalian GATA-4,-5,-6 factors is expressed at high levels in differentiated gut cells but also at lower levels in neoblast populations, the planarian stem cells. Smed-gata4/5/6 knock-down results in broad differentiation defects, especially in response to injury. These defects are not restricted to the intestinal lineage. In particular, at late time points during the response to injury, loss of Smed-gata4/5/6 leads to decreased neoblast proliferation and to gene expression changes in several neoblast subpopulations. Thus, Smed-gata4/5/6 plays a key evolutionary conserved role in intestinal differentiation in planarians. These data further support a model in which defects in the intestinal lineage can indirectly affect other differentiation pathways in planarians. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A professional development model for medical laboratory scientists working in the immunohematology laboratory.

PubMed

Garza, Melinda N; Pulido, Lila A; Amerson, Megan; Ali, Faheem A; Greenhill, Brandy A; Griffin, Gary; Alvarez, Enrique; Whatley, Marsha; Hu, Peter C

2012-01-01

Transfusion medicine, a section of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is committed to the education and advancement of its health care professionals. It is our belief that giving medical laboratory professionals a path for advancement leads to excellence and increases overall professionalism in the Immunohematology Laboratory. As a result of this strong commitment to excellence and professionalism, the Immunohematology laboratory has instituted a Professional Development Model (PDM) that aims to create Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) that are not only more knowledgeable, but are continually striving for excellence. In addition, these MLS are poised for advancement in their careers. The professional development model consists of four levels: Discovery, Application, Maturation, and Expert. The model was formulated to serve as a detailed path to the mastery of all process and methods in the Immunohematology Laboratory. Each level in the professional development model consists of tasks that optimize the laboratory workflow and allow for concurrent training. Completion of a level in the PDM is rewarded with financial incentive and further advancement in the field. The PDM for Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Immunohematology Laboratory fosters personal development, rewards growth and competency, and sets high standards for all services and skills provided. This model is a vital component of the Immunohematology Laboratory and aims to ensure the highest quality of care and standards in their testing. It is because of the success of this model and the robustness of its content that we hope other medical laboratories aim to reach the same level of excellence and professionalism, and adapt this model into their own environment.

Matlab-Excel Interface for OpenDSS

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

The software allows users of the OpenDSS grid modeling software to access their load flow models using a GUI interface developed in MATLAB. The circuit definitions are entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet which makes circuit creation and editing a much simpler process than the basic text-based editors used in the native OpenDSS interface. Plot tools have been developed which can be accessed through a MATLAB GUI once the desired parameters have been simulated.

Improving Conceptual Understanding and Representation Skills Through Excel-Based Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malone, Kathy L.; Schunn, Christian D.; Schuchardt, Anita M.

2018-02-01

The National Research Council framework for science education and the Next Generation Science Standards have developed a need for additional research and development of curricula that is both technologically model-based and includes engineering practices. This is especially the case for biology education. This paper describes a quasi-experimental design study to test the effectiveness of a model-based curriculum focused on the concepts of natural selection and population ecology that makes use of Excel modeling tools (Modeling Instruction in Biology with Excel, MBI-E). The curriculum revolves around the bio-engineering practice of controlling an invasive species. The study takes place in the Midwest within ten high schools teaching a regular-level introductory biology class. A post-test was designed that targeted a number of common misconceptions in both concept areas as well as representational usage. The results of a post-test demonstrate that the MBI-E students significantly outperformed the traditional classes in both natural selection and population ecology concepts, thus overcoming a number of misconceptions. In addition, implementing students made use of more multiple representations as well as demonstrating greater fascination for science.

REAL-PANLAR Project for the Implementation and Accreditation of Centers of Excellence in Rheumatoid Arthritis Throughout Latin America: A Consensus Position Paper From REAL-PANLAR Group on Improvement of Rheumatoid Arthritis Care in Latin America Establishing Centers of Excellence.

PubMed

Santos-Moreno, Pedro; Galarza-Maldonado, Claudio; Caballero-Uribe, Carlo V; Cardiel, Mario H; Massardo, Loreto; Soriano, Enrique R; Olano, José Aguilar; Díaz Coto, José F; Durán Pozo, Gabriel R; da Silveira, Inês Guimarães; de Castrejón, Vianna J Khoury; Pérez, Leticia Lino; Méndez Justo, Carlos A; Montufar Guardado, Rubén A; Muños, Rafael; Elvir, Sergio Murillo; Paredes Domínguez, Ernesto R; Pons-Estel, Bernardo; Ríos Acosta, Carlos R; Sandino, Sayonara; Toro Gutiérrez, Carlos E; Villegas de Morales, Sol María; Pineda, Carlos

2015-06-01

A consensus meeting of representatives of 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries and the REAL-PANLAR group met in the city of Bogota to provide recommendations for improving quality of care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Latin America, defining a minimum standards of care and the concept of center of excellence in RA. Twenty-two rheumatologists from 16 Latin American countries with a special interest in quality of care in RA participated in the consensus meeting. Two RA Colombian patients and 2 health care excellence advisors were also invited to the meeting. A RAND-modified Delphi procedure of 5 steps was applied to define categories of centers of excellence. During a 1-day meeting, working groups were created in order to discuss and validate the minimum quality-of-care standards for the 3 proposed types of centers of excellence in RA. Positive votes from at least 60% of the attending leaders were required for the approval of each standard. Twenty-two opinion leaders from the PANLAR countries and the REAL-PANLAR group participated in the discussion and definition of the standards. One hundred percent of the participants agreed with setting up centers of excellence in RA throughout Latin America. Three types of centers of excellence and its criteria were defined, according to indicators of structure, processes, and outcomes: standard, optimal, and model. The standard level should have basic structure and process indicators, the intermediate or optimal level should accomplish more structure and process indicators, and model level should also fulfill outcome indicators and patient experience. This is the first Latin American effort to standardize and harmonize the treatment provided to RA patients and to establish centers of excellence that would offer to RA patients acceptable clinical results and high levels of safety.

Fabrication of a biofuel cell improved by the π-conjugated electron pathway effect induced from a new enzyme catalyst employing terephthalaldehyde

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Yongjin; Hyun, Kyu Hwan; Kwon, Yongchai

2015-12-01

A model explaining the π-conjugated electron pathway effect induced by a novel cross-linker adopted enzyme catalyst is suggested and the performance and stability of an enzymatic biofuel cell (EBC) adopting the new catalyst are evaluated. For this purpose, new terephthalaldehyde (TPA) and conventional glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linkers are adopted on a glucose oxidase (GOx), polyethyleneimine (PEI) and carbon nanotube (CNT)(GOx/PEI/CNT) structure. GOx/PEI/CNT cross-linked by TPA (TPA/[GOx/PEI/CNT]) results in a superior EBC performance and stability to other catalysts. It is attributed to the π bonds conjugated between the aldehyde of TPA and amine of the GOx/PEI molecules. By π conjugation, electrons bonded with carbon and nitrogen are delocalized, promoting the electron transfer and catalytic activity with an excellent EBC performance. The maximum power density (MPD) of an EBC adopting TPA/[GOx/PEI/CNT] (0.66 mW cm-2) is far better than that of the other EBCs (the MPD of EBC adopting GOx/PEI/CNT is 0.40 mW cm-2). Regarding stability, the covalent bonding formed between TPA and GOx/PEI plays a critical role in preventing the denaturation of GOx molecules, leading to an excellent stability. By repeated measurements of the catalytic activity, TPA/[GOx/PEI/CNT] maintains its activity to 92% of its initial value even after five weeks.A model explaining the π-conjugated electron pathway effect induced by a novel cross-linker adopted enzyme catalyst is suggested and the performance and stability of an enzymatic biofuel cell (EBC) adopting the new catalyst are evaluated. For this purpose, new terephthalaldehyde (TPA) and conventional glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linkers are adopted on a glucose oxidase (GOx), polyethyleneimine (PEI) and carbon nanotube (CNT)(GOx/PEI/CNT) structure. GOx/PEI/CNT cross-linked by TPA (TPA/[GOx/PEI/CNT]) results in a superior EBC performance and stability to other catalysts. It is attributed to the π bonds conjugated between the aldehyde of TPA and amine of the GOx/PEI molecules. By π conjugation, electrons bonded with carbon and nitrogen are delocalized, promoting the electron transfer and catalytic activity with an excellent EBC performance. The maximum power density (MPD) of an EBC adopting TPA/[GOx/PEI/CNT] (0.66 mW cm-2) is far better than that of the other EBCs (the MPD of EBC adopting GOx/PEI/CNT is 0.40 mW cm-2). Regarding stability, the covalent bonding formed between TPA and GOx/PEI plays a critical role in preventing the denaturation of GOx molecules, leading to an excellent stability. By repeated measurements of the catalytic activity, TPA/[GOx/PEI/CNT] maintains its activity to 92% of its initial value even after five weeks. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06703k

Knockdown of prothrombin in zebrafish.

PubMed

Day, Kenneth; Krishnegowda, Naveen; Jagadeeswaran, Pudur

2004-01-01

Thrombin is a serine protease generated from its zymogen, prothrombin, and plays a central role in the coagulation cascade. It is also important for mammalian development. The zebrafish has now been established as an excellent genetic model for studies on mammalian hemostasis and development. In this report, we used prothrombin-specific antisense morpholinos to knock down the levels of prothrombin to characterize the effects of prothrombin deficiency in the zebrafish embryo. Prothrombin morpholino-injected zebrafish embryos yielded an early phenotype exhibiting severe abnormalities that later showed occasional bleeding. In a second late phenotype, the embryos had no observable morphological abnormalities in early stages, but showed occasional bleeding at later stages. These phenotypes resembled characteristics shown by prothrombin knockout mice. Laser-induced vascular injury on some of the normal appearing phenotypic larvae showed a prolonged time to occlusion, and recombinant zebrafish prothrombin injected into these larvae restored a normal time to occlusion thus showing the specificity of the morpholino effect. The system developed here should be useful for investigation of the role of thrombin in vertebrate development.

New insights into melanosome transport in vertebrate pigment cells.

PubMed

Aspengren, Sara; Hedberg, Daniel; Sköld, Helen Nilsson; Wallin, Margareta

2009-01-01

Pigment cells of lower vertebrates provide an excellent model to study organelle transport as they specialize in the translocation of pigment granules in response to defined chemical cues. This review will focus on the well-studied melanophore/melanocyte systems in fish, amphibians, and mammals. We will describe the roles of melanin, melanophores, and melanocytes in animals, current views on how the three motor proteins dynein, kinesin, and myosin-V are involved in melanosome transport along microtubules and actin filaments, and how signal transduction pathways regulate the activities of the motors to achieve aggregation and dispersion of melanosomes. We will also describe how melanosomes are transferred to surrounding skin cells in amphibians and mammals. Comparative studies have revealed that the ability of physiological color change is lost during evolution while the importance of morphological color change, mainly via transfer of pigment to surrounding skin cells, increases. In humans, pigment mainly has a role in protection against ultraviolet radiation, but also perhaps in the immune system.

Survey data on consumer behaviour in olive oil markets: The role of product knowledge and brand credence.

PubMed

Salazar-Ordóñez, Melania; Rodríguez-Entrena, Macario; Cabrera, Elena R; Henseler, Jörg

2018-06-01

This paper presents data conducted to analyse consumer behaviour in agri-food markets, where product differentiation failures occur, with the aim of disentangling the roles played by both consumer information and inferences made from informational stimuli. We thus examined consumer knowledge structures and brand credence related to attitudes towards a particular foodstuff and a product alternative, as well as the actual consumption of the foodstuff. To do so, the selected case study was the olive oil markets in Spain, given that products such as extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and refined olive oil (ROO), that differ in terms of intrinsic features, become undifferentiated. The data of the observed variables were collected from 700 regular buyers from an online panel at the household level in southern Spain. The data were processed using both Excel for checking, cleaning and descriptive purposes and ADANCO 2.0 (Dijkstra and Henseler, 2015) [1] for performing the model estimations.

Shifting workplace behavior to inspire learning: a journey to building a learning culture.

PubMed

Schoonbeek, Sue; Henderson, Amanda

2011-01-01

This article discusses the process of building a learning culture. It began with establishing acceptance and connection with the nurse unit manager and the ward team. In the early phases of developing rapport, bullying became apparent. Because bullying undermines sharing and trust, the hallmarks of learning environments, the early intervention work assisted staff to recognize and counteract bullying behaviors. When predominantly positive relationships were restored, interactions that facilitated open communication, including asking questions and providing feedback-behaviors commensurate with learning in the workplace-were developed during regular in-service sessions. Staff participated in role-play and role modeling desired behaviors. Once staff became knowledgeable about positive learning interactions, reward and recognition strategies began to reinforce attitudes and behaviors that align with learning. Through rewards, all nurses had the opportunity to be recognized for their contribution. Nurses who excelled were invited to become champions to continue engaging the key stakeholders to further build the learning environment. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.

Brain MR image segmentation using NAMS in pseudo-color.

PubMed

Li, Hua; Chen, Chuanbo; Fang, Shaohong; Zhao, Shengrong

2017-12-01

Image segmentation plays a crucial role in various biomedical applications. In general, the segmentation of brain Magnetic Resonance (MR) images is mainly used to represent the image with several homogeneous regions instead of pixels for surgical analyzing and planning. This paper proposes a new approach for segmenting MR brain images by using pseudo-color based segmentation with Non-symmetry and Anti-packing Model with Squares (NAMS). First of all, the NAMS model is presented. The model can represent the image with sub-patterns to keep the image content and largely reduce the data redundancy. Second, the key idea is proposed that convert the original gray-scale brain MR image into a pseudo-colored image and then segment the pseudo-colored image with NAMS model. The pseudo-colored image can enhance the color contrast in different tissues in brain MR images, which can improve the precision of segmentation as well as directly visual perceptional distinction. Experimental results indicate that compared with other brain MR image segmentation methods, the proposed NAMS based pseudo-color segmentation method performs more excellent in not only segmenting precisely but also saving storage.

Ecohydrological role of biological soil crusts across a gradient in levels of development

USGS Publications Warehouse

Whitney, Kristen M.; Vivoni, Enrique R.; Duniway, Michael C.; Bradford, John B.; Reed, Sasha C.; Belnap, Jayne

2017-01-01

Though biological soil crusts (biocrusts) form abundant covers in arid and semiarid regions, their competing effects on soil hydrologic conditions are rarely accounted for in models. This study presents the modification of a soil water balance model to account for the presence of biocrusts at different levels of development (LOD) and their impact on one-dimensional hydrologic processes during warm and cold seasons. The model is developed, tested, and applied to study the hydrologic controls of biocrusts in context of a long-term manipulative experiment equipped with meteorological and soil moisture measurements in a Colorado Plateau ecosystem near Moab, Utah. The climate manipulation treatments resulted in distinct biocrust communities, and model performance with respect to soil moisture was assessed in experimental plots with varying LOD as quantified through a field-based roughness index (RI). Model calibration and testing yielded excellent comparisons to observations and smooth variations of biocrust parameters with RI approximated through simple regressions. The model was then used to quantify how LOD affects soil infiltration, evapotranspiration, and runoff under calibrated conditions and in simulation experiments with gradual modifications in biocrust porosity and hydraulic conductivity. Simulation results show that highly developed biocrusts modulate soil moisture nonlinearly with LOD by altering soil infiltration and buffering against evapotranspiration losses, with small impacts on runoff. The nonlinear and threshold variations of the soil water balance in the presence of biocrusts of varying LOD helps explain conflicting outcomes of various field studies and sheds light on the ecohydrological role of biocrusts in arid and semiarid ecosystems.

An exercise to teach quantitative analysis and modeling using Excel-based analysis of the carbon cycle in the anthropocene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoll, Heather

2013-04-01

A computer modeling exercise was created to allows students to investigate the consequences of fossil fuel burning and land use change on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Students work with a simple numerical model of the carbon cycle which is rendered in Excel, and conduct a set of different sensitivity tests with different amounts and rate of C additions, and then graph and discuss their results. In the recommended approach, the model is provided to students without the biosphere and in class the formulas to integrate this module are typed into Excel simultaneously by instructor and students, helping students understand how the larger model is set up. In terms of content, students learn to recognize the redistribution of fossil fuel carbon between the ocean and atmosphere, and distinguish the consequences of rapid vs slow rates of addition of fossil fuel CO2 and the reasons for this difference. Students become familiar with the use of formulas in Excel and working with a large (300 rows, 20 columns) worksheet and gain competence in graphical representation of multiple scenarios. Students learn to appreciate the power and limitations of numerical models of complex cycles, the concept of inverse and forward models, and sensitivity tests. Finally, students learn that a reasonable hypothesis, may be "reasonable" but still not quantitatively sufficient - in this case, that the "Industrial Revolution" was not the source of increasing atmospheric CO2 from 1750-1900. The described activity is available to educators on the Teach the Earth portal of the Science Education Research Center (SERC) http://serc.carleton.edu/quantskills/activities/68751.html.

Perfecting and Understanding Roles in Education. Proceedings of the Annual National Conference of People United for Rural Education (6th, Des Moines, Iowa, February 3-4, 1983).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

People United for Rural Education, Alden, IA.

Proceedings of the 1983 People United for Rural Education conference are developed around the theme of "Perfecting and Understanding Roles in Education." Following the introductory materials are 12 papers which were presented at the meeting. Major addresses and authors include: "A Federal Perspective for Excellence in Rural…

Industry, Philanthropy, and Universities: The Roles and Influences of the Private Sector in Higher Education. Research & Occasional Paper Series: CSHE.12.06

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vest, Charles M.

2006-01-01

Charles Vest gave the third of three Clark Kerr Lectures on the Role of Higher Education in Society on September 13, 2005 on the Berkeley campus. In public as well as private universities, resources provided by philanthropic individuals and foundations and by corporate research sponsors increasingly support the margin of university excellence, and…

Effects of quantum confinement and shape on band gap of core/shell quantum dots and nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Faming

2011-05-01

A quantum confinement model for nanocrystals developed is extended to study for the optical gap shifts in core/shell quantum dots and nanowires. The chemical bond properties and gap shifts in the InP/ZnS, CdSe/CdS, CdSe/ZnS, and CdTe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots are calculated in detail. The calculated band gaps are in excellent agreement with experimental values. The effects of structural taping and twinning on quantum confinement of InP and Si nanowires are elucidated. It is found theoretically that a competition between the positive Kubo energy-gap shift and the negative surface energy shift plays the crucial role in the optical gaps of these nanosystems.

Behavioral Interviewing: Integrating ACGME Competency-Based Questions Into the Radiology Resident Selection Process.

PubMed

McArthur, Tatum A; Flug, Jonathan A; Restauri, Nicole

The practice of radiology is continually evolving with external pressures increasing the involvement of the radiologist as an integrated member of the multidisciplinary care delivery team and not just image interpreters working in isolation. Radiologists need to be comfortable interacting directly with patients and practicing "patient and family-centered care" and "value-based medicine." Despite this evolving role of the radiologist, medical training and the residency selection process have not significantly adapted to accommodate these new demands. In order to develop and hire radiologists who can excel in this role, the selection and interview process must be adapted to prospectively identify those candidates who can thrive in this changing role. Behavior-based interviewing is a tool that can help identify those candidates who may excel in the future. 1-3 Though there are reports of it being used in the United States medical schools and residency programs across the nation, it has not become a mainstay for medical residency and professional medical interviewing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlation between the hierarchical structures and nanomechanical properties of amyloid fibrils.

PubMed

Lee, Gyudo; Lee, Wonseok; Baik, Seunghyun; Kim, Yong Ho; Eom, Kilho; Kwon, Taeyun

2018-04-12

Amyloid fibrils have recently been highlighted due to their excellent mechanical properties, which not only play a role in their biological functions but also imply their applications in biomimetic material design. Despite recent efforts to unveil how the excellent mechanical properties of amyloid fibrils originate, it has remained elusive how the anisotropic nanomechanical properties of hierarchically structured amyloid fibrils are determined. Here, we characterize the anisotropic nanomechanical properties of hierarchically structured amyloid fibrils using atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments and atomistic simulations. It is shown that the hierarchical structure of amyloid fibrils plays a crucial role in determining their radial elastic property but does not make any effect on their radial bending elastic property. This is attributed to the role of intermolecular force acting between the filaments (constituting the fibril) on the radial elastic modulus of amyloid fibrils. Our finding illustrates how the hierarchical structure of amyloid fibrils encodes their anisotropic nanomechanical properties. Our study provides key design principles of amyloid fibrils, which endow valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms of amyloid mechanics. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

A method to generate enhanced GFP+ chimeric mice to study the role of bone marrow-derived cells in the eye.

PubMed

Singh, Vivek; Jaini, Ritika; Torricelli, André A M; Tuohy, Vincent K; Wilson, Steven E

2013-11-01

GFP-chimeric mice are important tools to study the role of bone marrow-derived cells in eye physiology. A method is described to generate GFP-chimeric mice using whole-body, sub-lethal radiation (600 rad) of wild-type C57BL/6 recipients followed by tail vein injection of bone marrow cells derived from GFP+ (GFP-transgenic C57/BL/6-Tg(UBC-GFP)30 Scha/J) mice. This method yields stable GFP+ chimeras with greater than 95% chimerism (range 95-99%), achieved within one month of bone marrow transfer confirmed by microscopy and fluorescence-assisted cell sorting (FACS) analysis, with lower mortality after irradiation than prior methods. To demonstrate the efficacy of GFP+ bone marrow chimeric mice, the role of circulating GFP+ bone marrow-derived cells in myofibroblast generation after irregular photo-therapeutic keratectomy (PTK) was analyzed. Many SMA+ myofibroblasts that were generated at one month after PTK were derived from GFP+ bone marrow-derived cells. The GFP+ bone marrow chimeric mouse provides an excellent model for studying the role of bone marrow-derived cells in corneal wound healing, glaucoma surgery, optic nerve head pathology and retinal pathophysiology and wound healing. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Teachers' Conceptions of Excellent Teaching and Its Relationships to Self-Reported Teaching Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Junjun; Brown, Gavin T. L.; Hattie, John A. C.; Millward, Pam

2012-01-01

This study surveyed Chinese middle school (n = 951) teachers' conceptions of excellent teaching and examined the relationship of those conceptions to their self-reported teaching practices. Responses were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. These teachers identified one examination-oriented dimension and…

Nurturing Competitive Teamwork with Individual Excellence in an Engineering Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kanyarusoke, Kant E.

2017-01-01

Team working and business competitiveness awareness are valuable skills for engineering graduates. This paper describes one way to nurture them while motivating individual student excellence in a normal engineering course. In six years, four groups of students were nurtured through real engineering business situations in a model similar to…

Excellence in Higher Education Workbook and Scoring Guide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruben, Brent D.

2007-01-01

Self-assessment leads to stronger performance in the nation's colleges and universities. That's the premise of "Excellence in Higher Education," a model self-assessment program that has earned accolades from the higher education community. Based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award framework, the fourth edition of this bestseller is the…

Modeling the Secondary Drying Stage of Freeze Drying: Development and Validation of an Excel-Based Model.

PubMed

Sahni, Ekneet K; Pikal, Michael J

2017-03-01

Although several mathematical models of primary drying have been developed over the years, with significant impact on the efficiency of process design, models of secondary drying have been confined to highly complex models. The simple-to-use Excel-based model developed here is, in essence, a series of steady state calculations of heat and mass transfer in the 2 halves of the dry layer where drying time is divided into a large number of time steps, where in each time step steady state conditions prevail. Water desorption isotherm and mass transfer coefficient data are required. We use the Excel "Solver" to estimate the parameters that define the mass transfer coefficient by minimizing the deviations in water content between calculation and a calibration drying experiment. This tool allows the user to input the parameters specific to the product, process, container, and equipment. Temporal variations in average moisture contents and product temperatures are outputs and are compared with experiment. We observe good agreement between experiments and calculations, generally well within experimental error, for sucrose at various concentrations, temperatures, and ice nucleation temperatures. We conclude that this model can serve as an important process development tool for process design and manufacturing problem-solving. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The intervening role of urgency on the association between childhood maltreatment, PTSD, and substance-related problems.

PubMed

Mirhashem, Rebecca; Allen, Holley C; Adams, Zachary W; van Stolk-Cooke, Katherine; Legrand, Alison; Price, Matthew

2017-06-01

A range of risk factors lead to opioid use and substance-related problems (SRP) including childhood maltreatment, elevated impulsivity, and psychopathology. These constructs are highly interrelated such that childhood maltreatment is associated with elevated impulsivity and trauma-related psychopathology such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and impulsivity-particularly urgency-and PTSD are related. Prior work has examined the association between these constructs and substance-related problems independently and it is unclear how these multi-faceted constructs (i.e., maltreatment types and positive and negative urgency) are associated with one another and SRP. The current study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relations among childhood maltreatment, trait urgency, PTSD symptoms, and SRP in a sample of individuals with a history of opioid use. An initial model that included paths from each type of childhood maltreatment, positive and negative urgency, PTSD and SRP did not fit the data well. A pruned model with excellent fit was identified that suggested emotional abuse, positive urgency, and negative urgency were directly related to PTSD symptoms and only PTSD symptoms were directly related to SRP. Furthermore, significant indirect effects suggested that emotional abuse and negative urgency were related to SRP via PTSD symptom severity. These results suggest that PTSD plays an important role in the severity of SRP. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multidimensional Testing of Thermal Protection Materials in the Arcjet Test Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agrawal, Parul; Ellerby, Donald T.; Switzer, Matt R.; Squire, Thomas Howard

2010-01-01

Many thermal protection system materials used for spacecraft heatshields have anisotropic thermal properties, causing them to display significantly different thermal characteristics in different directions, when subjected to a heating environment during flight or arcjet tests. The anisotropic effects are enhanced in the presence of sidewall heating. This paper investigates the effects of anisotropic thermal properties of thermal protection materials coupled with sidewall heating in the arcjet environment. Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) and LI-2200 materials (the insulation material of Shuttle tiles) were used for this study. First, conduction-based thermal response simulations were carried out, using the Marc.Mentat finite element solver, to study the effects of sidewall heating on PICA arcjet coupons. The simulation showed that sidewall heating plays a significant role in thermal response of these models. Arcjet tests at the Aerodynamic Heating Facility (AHF) at NASA Ames Research Center were performed later on instrumented coupons to obtain temperature history at sidewall and various radial locations. The details of instrumentation and experimental technique are the prime focus of this paper. The results obtained from testing confirmed that sidewall heating plays a significant role in thermal response of these models. The test results were later used to validate the two-dimensional ablation, thermal response, and sizing program, TITAN. The test data and model predictions were found to be in excellent agreement

Mobile-media pragmatism: innovation excellences and encumbrances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Chen-Ju

2017-10-01

Establishing two pragmatic models of enhancing entertainment and job-performance, this study aims to elaborate on how people adopt and perceive innovation excellences and encumbrances of modern mobile-media services through reflecting on their intrinsic expectancy. A survey methodology was executed to examine the hypothesised variable relationships using the purposive sampling method. CHT's Taipei think-tank head-office provided this study with a representative sampling frame and assisted to collect data from 725 focused subjects (with normative characteristics) who subscribed to HiNet or MOD, or predominantly used 4G telecommunication services. As a result of adopting the structural equation modelling test, the models of perceived innovation excellences and innovation encumbrances were affirmatively established to interpret the two applicative scenarios: entertainment and job-performance enhancement. Several valuable findings were generated. When a consumer targets entertainment technology pragmatism, he or she may stress the importance of innovative excellences, especially on product novelty. For the sake of pursuing job-performance enhancement, a customer was actively willing to invest his or her energy to meet and deal with the learning cost, customer unfamiliarity and complexity of telecom products and services. Importantly, the adopter's previous experiences with telecom products in the IT domain could effectively moderate the effect of pursuing new telecom innovation, adopting the product, and then strengthening self-evaluation.

The Hippo pathway in intestinal regeneration and disease.

PubMed

Hong, Audrey W; Meng, Zhipeng; Guan, Kun-Liang

2016-06-01

The Hippo pathway is a signalling cascade conserved from Drosophila melanogaster to mammals. The mammalian core kinase components comprise MST1 and MST2, SAV1, LATS1 and LATS2 and MOB1A and MOB1B. The transcriptional co-activators YAP1 and TAZ are the downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway and regulate target gene expression. Hippo signalling has crucial roles in the control of organ size, tissue homeostasis and regeneration, and dysregulation of the Hippo pathway can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and malignant transformation. Mammalian intestine consists of a stem cell compartment as well as differentiated cells, and its ability to regenerate rapidly after injury makes it an excellent model system to study tissue homeostasis, regeneration and tumorigenesis. Several studies have established the important role of the Hippo pathway in these processes. In addition, crosstalk between Hippo and other signalling pathways provides tight, yet versatile, regulation of tissue homeostasis. In this Review, we summarize studies on the role of the Hippo pathway in the intestine on these physiological processes and the underlying mechanisms responsible, and discuss future research directions and potential therapeutic strategies targeting Hippo signalling in intestinal disease.

The Hippo pathway in intestinal regeneration and disease

PubMed Central

Hong, Audrey W.; Meng, Zhipeng; Guan, Kun-Liang

2017-01-01

The Hippo pathway is a signalling cascade conserved from Drosophila melanogaster to mammals. The mammalian core kinase components comprise MST1 and MST2, SAV1, LATS1 and LATS2 and MOB1A and MOB1B. The transcriptional co-activators YAP1 and TAZ are the downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway and regulate target gene expression. Hippo signalling has crucial roles in the control of organ size, tissue homeostasis and regeneration, and dysregulation of the Hippo pathway can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and malignant transformation. Mammalian intestine consists of a stem cell compartment as well as differentiated cells, and its ability to regenerate rapidly after injury makes it an excellent model system to study tissue homeostasis, regeneration and tumorigenesis. Several studies have established the important role of the Hippo pathway in these processes. In addition, crosstalk between Hippo and other signalling pathways provides tight, yet versatile, regulation of tissue homeostasis. In this Review, we summarize studies on the role of the Hippo pathway in the intestine on these physiological processes and the underlying mechanisms responsible, and discuss future research directions and potential therapeutic strategies targeting Hippo signalling in intestinal disease. PMID:27147489

Implementing healthcare excellence: the vital role of the CEO in evidence-based design.

PubMed

Zimring, Craig; Augenbroe, Godfried L; Malone, Eileen B; Sadler, Blair L

2008-01-01

This paper explores the role of the chief executive officer (CEO) in evidence-based design (EBD), discussing the internal and external challenges that a CEO faces, such as demands for increased quality, safety, patient-and-family-centeredness, increased revenue, and reduced cost. Based on a series of interviews and case studies and the experience of the authors as researchers, consultants, and CEOs, this paper provides a model for EBD and recommends actions that a CEO can undertake to create an effective project over the life cycle of a building. TOPICAL HEADINGS: Evidence-Based Design: A Performance-Based Approach to Achieving Key Goals; Key Approaches to Executing Evidence-Based Design; Overcoming Barriers to Innovation: The CEO's Vital Role in Implementing Evidence-Based Design The CEO bears special responsibility for successful facility project implementation. Only the CEO possesses the responsibility and authority to articulate the strategy, vision, goals, and resource constraints that frame every project. With the support of their boards, CEOs set the stage for the transformation of an organization's culture and fuel clinical and business process reengineering by encouraging and, if necessary, forcing collaboration between the strong disciplinary and departmental divisions found in healthcare systems.

The nature of excellent clinicians at an academic health science center: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Mahant, Sanjay; Jovcevska, Vesna; Wadhwa, Anupma

2012-12-01

To understand the nature of excellent clinicians at an academic health science center by exploring how and why excellent clinicians achieve high performance. From 2008 to 2010, the authors conducted a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach. Members of the Clinical Advisory Committee in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto nominated peers whom they saw as excellent clinicians. The authors then conducted in-depth interviews with the most frequently nominated clinicians. They audio-recorded and transcribed the interviews and coded the transcripts to identify emergent themes. From interviews with 13 peer-nominated, excellent clinicians, a model emerged. Dominant themes fell into three categories: (1) core philosophy, (2) deliberate activities, and (3) everyday practice. Excellent clinicians are driven by a core philosophy defined by high intrinsic motivation and passion for patient care and humility. They refine their clinical skills through two deliberate activities-reflective clinical practice and scholarship. Their high performance in everyday practice is characterized by clinical skills and cognitive ability, people skills, engagement, and adaptability. A rich theory emerged explaining how excellent clinicians, driven by a core philosophy and engaged in deliberate activities, achieve high performance in everyday practice. This theory of the nature of excellent clinicians provides a holistic perspective of individual performance, informs medical education, supports faculty career development, and promotes clinical excellence in the culture of academic medicine.

REAL-PANLAR Project for the Implementation and Accreditation of Centers of Excellence in Rheumatoid Arthritis Throughout Latin America

PubMed Central

Santos-Moreno, Pedro; Galarza-Maldonado, Claudio; Caballero-Uribe, Carlo V.; Cardiel, Mario H.; Massardo, Loreto; Soriano, Enrique R.; Olano, José Aguilar; Díaz Coto, José F.; Durán Pozo, Gabriel R.; da Silveira, Inês Guimarães; de Castrejón, Vianna J. Khoury; Pérez, Leticia Lino; Méndez Justo, Carlos A.; Montufar Guardado, Rubén A.; Muños, Rafael; Elvir, Sergio Murillo; Paredes Domínguez, Ernesto R.; Pons-Estel, Bernardo; Ríos Acosta, Carlos R.; Sandino, Sayonara; Toro Gutiérrez, Carlos E.; Villegas de Morales, Sol María; Pineda, Carlos

2015-01-01

Objective A consensus meeting of representatives of 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries and the REAL-PANLAR group met in the city of Bogota to provide recommendations for improving quality of care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Latin America, defining a minimum standards of care and the concept of center of excellence in RA. Methods Twenty-two rheumatologists from 16 Latin American countries with a special interest in quality of care in RA participated in the consensus meeting. Two RA Colombian patients and 2 health care excellence advisors were also invited to the meeting. A RAND-modified Delphi procedure of 5 steps was applied to define categories of centers of excellence. During a 1-day meeting, working groups were created in order to discuss and validate the minimum quality-of-care standards for the 3 proposed types of centers of excellence in RA. Positive votes from at least 60% of the attending leaders were required for the approval of each standard. Results Twenty-two opinion leaders from the PANLAR countries and the REAL-PANLAR group participated in the discussion and definition of the standards. One hundred percent of the participants agreed with setting up centers of excellence in RA throughout Latin America. Three types of centers of excellence and its criteria were defined, according to indicators of structure, processes, and outcomes: standard, optimal, and model. The standard level should have basic structure and process indicators, the intermediate or optimal level should accomplish more structure and process indicators, and model level should also fulfill outcome indicators and patient experience. Conclusions This is the first Latin American effort to standardize and harmonize the treatment provided to RA patients and to establish centers of excellence that would offer to RA patients acceptable clinical results and high levels of safety. PMID:26010179

Current Status of Multidisciplinary Care in Psoriatic Arthritis in Spain: NEXUS 2.0 Project.

PubMed

Queiro, Rubén; Coto, Pablo; Joven, Beatriz; Rivera, Raquel; Navío Marco, Teresa; de la Cueva, Pablo; Alvarez Vega, Jose Luis; Narváez Moreno, Basilio; Rodriguez Martínez, Fernando José; Pardo Sánchez, José; Feced Olmos, Carlos; Pujol, Conrad; Rodríguez, Jesús; Notario, Jaume; Pujol Busquets, Manel; García Font, Mercè; Galindez, Eva; Pérez Barrio, Silvia; Urruticoechea-Arana, Ana; Hergueta, Merce; López Montilla, M Dolores; Vélez García-Nieto, Antonio; Maceiras, Francisco; Rodríguez Pazos, Laura; Rubio Romero, Esteban; Rodríguez Fernandez Freire, Lourdes; Luelmo, Jesús; Gratacós, Jordi

2018-02-26

1) To analyze the implementation of multidisciplinary care models in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, 2) To define minimum and excellent standards of care. A survey was sent to clinicians who already performed multidisciplinary care or were in the process of undertaking it, asking: 1) Type of multidisciplinary care model implemented; 2) Degree, priority and feasibility of the implementation of quality standards in the structure, process and result for care. In 6 regional meetings the results of the survey were presented and discussed, and the ultimate priority of quality standards for care was defined. At a nominal meeting group, 11 experts (rheumatologists and dermatologists) analyzed the results of the survey and the regional meetings. With this information, they defined which standards of care are currently considered as minimum and which are excellent. The simultaneous and parallel models of multidisciplinary care are those most widely implemented, but the implementation of quality standards is highly variable. In terms of structure it ranges from 22% to 74%, in those related to process from 17% to 54% and in the results from 2% to 28%. Of the 25 original quality standards for care, 9 were considered only minimum, 4 were excellent and 12 defined criteria for minimum level and others for excellence. The definition of minimum and excellent quality standards for care will help achieve the goal of multidisciplinary care for patients with PAs, which is the best healthcare possible. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.

A Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship for acute oral toxicity of pesticides on rats: Validation, domain of application and prediction.

PubMed

Hamadache, Mabrouk; Benkortbi, Othmane; Hanini, Salah; Amrane, Abdeltif; Khaouane, Latifa; Si Moussa, Cherif

2016-02-13

Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) models are expected to play an important role in the risk assessment of chemicals on humans and the environment. In this study, we developed a validated QSAR model to predict acute oral toxicity of 329 pesticides to rats because a few QSAR models have been devoted to predict the Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) of pesticides on rats. This QSAR model is based on 17 molecular descriptors, and is robust, externally predictive and characterized by a good applicability domain. The best results were obtained with a 17/9/1 Artificial Neural Network model trained with the Quasi Newton back propagation (BFGS) algorithm. The prediction accuracy for the external validation set was estimated by the Q(2)ext and the root mean square error (RMS) which are equal to 0.948 and 0.201, respectively. 98.6% of external validation set is correctly predicted and the present model proved to be superior to models previously published. Accordingly, the model developed in this study provides excellent predictions and can be used to predict the acute oral toxicity of pesticides, particularly for those that have not been tested as well as new pesticides. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Trying a Case on Ethics in Scientific Research: A Role-Playing Exercise for Students and Faculty in a Summer Undergraduate Research Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoggard, Patrick E.

2008-01-01

While most prepared exercises for ethics in science programs--including an excellent AAAS video series--present a complete account of the relevant facts, a role-playing exercise is described here in which the participants are provided with differing reports of events. The exercise is based on a true case involving a student who was convicted of…

Ocean processes at the Antarctic continental slope

PubMed Central

Heywood, Karen J.; Schmidtko, Sunke; Heuzé, Céline; Kaiser, Jan; Jickells, Timothy D.; Queste, Bastien Y.; Stevens, David P.; Wadley, Martin; Thompson, Andrew F.; Fielding, Sophie; Guihen, Damien; Creed, Elizabeth; Ridley, Jeff K.; Smith, Walker

2014-01-01

The Antarctic continental shelves and slopes occupy relatively small areas, but, nevertheless, are important for global climate, biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functioning. Processes of water mass transformation through sea ice formation/melting and ocean–atmosphere interaction are key to the formation of deep and bottom waters as well as determining the heat flux beneath ice shelves. Climate models, however, struggle to capture these physical processes and are unable to reproduce water mass properties of the region. Dynamics at the continental slope are key for correctly modelling climate, yet their small spatial scale presents challenges both for ocean modelling and for observational studies. Cross-slope exchange processes are also vital for the flux of nutrients such as iron from the continental shelf into the mixed layer of the Southern Ocean. An iron-cycling model embedded in an eddy-permitting ocean model reveals the importance of sedimentary iron in fertilizing parts of the Southern Ocean. Ocean gliders play a key role in improving our ability to observe and understand these small-scale processes at the continental shelf break. The Gliders: Excellent New Tools for Observing the Ocean (GENTOO) project deployed three Seagliders for up to two months in early 2012 to sample the water to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula in unprecedented temporal and spatial detail. The glider data resolve small-scale exchange processes across the shelf-break front (the Antarctic Slope Front) and the front's biogeochemical signature. GENTOO demonstrated the capability of ocean gliders to play a key role in a future multi-disciplinary Southern Ocean observing system. PMID:24891389

Ocean processes at the Antarctic continental slope.

PubMed

Heywood, Karen J; Schmidtko, Sunke; Heuzé, Céline; Kaiser, Jan; Jickells, Timothy D; Queste, Bastien Y; Stevens, David P; Wadley, Martin; Thompson, Andrew F; Fielding, Sophie; Guihen, Damien; Creed, Elizabeth; Ridley, Jeff K; Smith, Walker

2014-07-13

The Antarctic continental shelves and slopes occupy relatively small areas, but, nevertheless, are important for global climate, biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functioning. Processes of water mass transformation through sea ice formation/melting and ocean-atmosphere interaction are key to the formation of deep and bottom waters as well as determining the heat flux beneath ice shelves. Climate models, however, struggle to capture these physical processes and are unable to reproduce water mass properties of the region. Dynamics at the continental slope are key for correctly modelling climate, yet their small spatial scale presents challenges both for ocean modelling and for observational studies. Cross-slope exchange processes are also vital for the flux of nutrients such as iron from the continental shelf into the mixed layer of the Southern Ocean. An iron-cycling model embedded in an eddy-permitting ocean model reveals the importance of sedimentary iron in fertilizing parts of the Southern Ocean. Ocean gliders play a key role in improving our ability to observe and understand these small-scale processes at the continental shelf break. The Gliders: Excellent New Tools for Observing the Ocean (GENTOO) project deployed three Seagliders for up to two months in early 2012 to sample the water to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula in unprecedented temporal and spatial detail. The glider data resolve small-scale exchange processes across the shelf-break front (the Antarctic Slope Front) and the front's biogeochemical signature. GENTOO demonstrated the capability of ocean gliders to play a key role in a future multi-disciplinary Southern Ocean observing system.

Atomic clocks and the continuous-time random-walk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Formichella, Valerio; Camparo, James; Tavella, Patrizia

2017-11-01

Atomic clocks play a fundamental role in many fields, most notably they generate Universal Coordinated Time and are at the heart of all global navigation satellite systems. Notwithstanding their excellent timekeeping performance, their output frequency does vary: it can display deterministic frequency drift; diverse continuous noise processes result in nonstationary clock noise (e.g., random-walk frequency noise, modelled as a Wiener process), and the clock frequency may display sudden changes (i.e., "jumps"). Typically, the clock's frequency instability is evaluated by the Allan or Hadamard variances, whose functional forms can identify the different operative noise processes. Here, we show that the Allan and Hadamard variances of a particular continuous-time random-walk, the compound Poisson process, have the same functional form as for a Wiener process with drift. The compound Poisson process, introduced as a model for observed frequency jumps, is an alternative to the Wiener process for modelling random walk frequency noise. This alternate model fits well the behavior of the rubidium clocks flying on GPS Block-IIR satellites. Further, starting from jump statistics, the model can be improved by considering a more general form of continuous-time random-walk, and this could bring new insights into the physics of atomic clocks.

Project Excel: A Model for an Individually Focused Staff Development Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minix, Nancy A.; Pearce, Winston Thomas

A description is given of the development and implementation of an inservice program, "Project Excel," which was designed in accordance with andragogical theory. This theory is based upon four major assumptions: (1) as people grow, they become increasingly self-directed; (2) as people grow, a reservoir of experiences which provide a…

Reducing Excellence Gaps: A Research-Based Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plucker, Jonathan A.; Peters, Scott J.; Schmalensee, Stephanie

2017-01-01

As the awareness of the existence and negative effects of excellence gaps has grown among educators and policy makers, so too has a desire for research-supported interventions to reduce these gaps. A recent review of research related to promoting equitable outcomes for all gifted students identified six specific strategies for reducing excellence…

Listening to nursing leaders: using national database of nursing quality indicators data to study excellence in nursing leadership.

PubMed

Anderson, Barbara Jo; Manno, Martin; O'Connor, Pricilla; Gallagher, Eileen

2010-04-01

There are varying and overlapping leadership characteristics that exemplify excellence in nursing leadership. To assess aspects of leadership that helps create a healthy work environment that supports nurses' provision of quality care at the bedside, the authors used a national survey instrument to examine the characteristics of nurse managers identified as excellent nurse leaders by their staff. The authors discuss their findings and a proposed theoretical model to explain specific nursing leadership characteristics that support staff nurse job satisfaction and retention.

Coupling of a distributed stakeholder-built system dynamics socio-economic model with SAHYSMOD for sustainable soil salinity management - Part 1: Model development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inam, Azhar; Adamowski, Jan; Prasher, Shiv; Halbe, Johannes; Malard, Julien; Albano, Raffaele

2017-08-01

Effective policies, leading to sustainable management solutions for land and water resources, require a full understanding of interactions between socio-economic and physical processes. However, the complex nature of these interactions, combined with limited stakeholder engagement, hinders the incorporation of socio-economic components into physical models. The present study addresses this challenge by integrating the physical Spatial Agro Hydro Salinity Model (SAHYSMOD) with a participatory group-built system dynamics model (GBSDM) that includes socio-economic factors. A stepwise process to quantify the GBSDM is presented, along with governing equations and model assumptions. Sub-modules of the GBSDM, describing agricultural, economic, water and farm management factors, are linked together with feedbacks and finally coupled with the physically based SAHYSMOD model through commonly used tools (i.e., MS Excel and a Python script). The overall integrated model (GBSDM-SAHYSMOD) can be used to help facilitate the role of stakeholders with limited expertise and resources in model and policy development and implementation. Following the development of the integrated model, a testing methodology was used to validate the structure and behavior of the integrated model. Model robustness under different operating conditions was also assessed. The model structure was able to produce anticipated real behaviours under the tested scenarios, from which it can be concluded that the formulated structures generate the right behaviour for the right reasons.

75 FR 11562 - Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement-Training for Executive Excellence: The Role of the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-11

... participants, such as reading assignments or taking an online course through NIC's Learn Center. An evaluation... designed with the purpose in mind of helping to revise and improve the training and curricula. Specific...

Role of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Tertiary Centers of Excellence in Capacity-building.

PubMed

Rani, Padmaja Kumari; Balakrishnanan, D; Padhi, T R; Jalali, Subhadra

2016-11-07

Tertiary Centres of Excellence in India have been at the forefront of the efforts against Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) - associated blindness. The epidemic of blindness from ROP; however, has now spread rapidly into large parts of interiors of developing countries due to improved newborn care facilities. Due to their knowledge and experience of more than a decade, these centres of excellence, both from child care and Ophthalmology care, now need to come forward in substantial measures and need to be supported by funds and programs so that concerns of neonatal eye-health, training, screening, prevention and treatment can get integrated and embedded into newborn critical care and health programs. This will protect newborn preterm survivors from losing the potentially good vision that they are born with, reduce the rapidly rising blindness epidemic, and also protect staff from potential high-value litigations.

Roles of HynAB and Ech, the Only Two Hydrogenases Found in the Model Sulfate Reducer Desulfovibrio gigas

PubMed Central

Morais-Silva, Fabio O.; Santos, Catia I.; Rodrigues, Rute

2013-01-01

Sulfate-reducing bacteria are characterized by a high number of hydrogenases, which have been proposed to contribute to the overall energy metabolism of the cell, but exactly in what role is not clear. Desulfovibrio spp. can produce or consume H2 when growing on organic or inorganic substrates in the presence or absence of sulfate. Because of the presence of only two hydrogenases encoded in its genome, the periplasmic HynAB and cytoplasmic Ech hydrogenases, Desulfovibrio gigas is an excellent model organism for investigation of the specific function of each of these enzymes during growth. In this study, we analyzed the physiological response to the deletion of the genes that encode the two hydrogenases in D. gigas, through the generation of ΔechBC and ΔhynAB single mutant strains. These strains were analyzed for the ability to grow on different substrates, such as lactate, pyruvate, and hydrogen, under respiratory and fermentative conditions. Furthermore, the expression of both hydrogenase genes in the three strains studied was assessed through quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The results demonstrate that neither hydrogenase is essential for growth on lactate-sulfate, indicating that hydrogen cycling is not indispensable. In addition, the periplasmic HynAB enzyme has a bifunctional activity and is required for growth on H2 or by fermentation of pyruvate. Therefore, this enzyme seems to play a dominant role in D. gigas hydrogen metabolism. PMID:23974026

Hyaluronic Acid and Polyethylene Glycol Hybrid Hydrogel Encapsulating Nanogel with Hemostasis and Sustainable Antibacterial Property for Wound Healing.

PubMed

Zhu, Jie; Li, Faxue; Wang, Xueli; Yu, Jianyong; Wu, Dequn

2018-04-25

Immediate hemorrhage control and anti-infection play important roles in the wound management. Besides, a moist environment is also beneficial for wound healing. Hydrogels are promising materials in urgent hemostasis and drug release. However, hydrogels have the disadvantage of rapid release profiles, leading to the exposure to high drug concentrations. In this study, we constructed hybrid hydrogels with rapid hemostasis and sustainable antibacterial property combining aminoethyl methacrylate hyaluronic acid (HA-AEMA) and methacrylated methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG-MA) hybrid hydrogels and chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX)-loaded nanogels. The CHX-loaded nanogels (CLNs) were prepared by the enzyme degradation of CHX-loaded lysine-based hydrogels. The HA-AEMA and mPEG-MA hybrid hydrogel loaded with CLNs (labeled as Gel@CLN) displayed a three-dimensional microporous structure and exhibited excellent swelling, mechanical property, and low cytotoxicity. The Gel@CLN hydrogel showed a prolonged release period of CHX over 240 h and the antibacterial property over 10 days. The hemostasis and wound-healing properties were evaluated in vivo using a mouse model. The results showed that hydrogel had the rapid hemostasis capacity and accelerated wound healing. In summary, CLN-loaded hydrogels may be excellent candidates as hemostasis and anti-infection materials for the wound dressing application.

Highlights in light-baryon spectroscopy and searches for gluonic excitations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crede, Volker

2016-01-01

The spectrum of excited hadrons - mesons and baryons - serves as an excellent probe of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental theory of the strong interaction. The strong coupling however makes QCD challenging. It confines quarks and breaks chiral symmetry, thus providing us with the world of light hadrons. Highly-excited hadronic states are sensitive to the details of quark confinement, which is only poorly understood within QCD. This is the regime of non-perturbative QCD and it is one of the key issues in hadronic physics to identify the corresponding internal degrees of freedom and how they relate to strong coupling QCD. The quark model suggests mesons are made of a constituent quark and an antiquark and baryons consist of three such quarks. QCD predicts other forms of matter. What is the role of glue? Resonances with large gluonic components are predicted as bound states by QCD. The lightest hybrid mesons with exotic quantum numbers are estimated to have masses in the range from 1 to 2 GeV/c2 and are well in reach of current experimental programs. At Jefferson Laboratory (JLab) and other facilities worldwide, the high-energy electron and photon beams present a remarkably clean probe of hadronic matter, providing an excellent microscope for examining atomic nuclei and the strong nuclear force.

Critical role of tissue mast cells in controlling long-term glucose sensor function in vivo.

PubMed

Klueh, Ulrike; Kaur, Manjot; Qiao, Yi; Kreutzer, Donald L

2010-06-01

Little is known about the specific cells, mediators and mechanisms involved in the loss of glucose sensor function (GSF) in vivo. Since mast cells (MC) are known to be key effector cells in inflammation and wound healing, we hypothesized that MC and their products are major contributors to the skin inflammation and wound healing that controls GSF at sites of sensor implantation. To test this hypothesis we utilized a murine model of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in vivo in both normal C57BL/6 mice (mast cell sufficient), as well as mast cell deficient B6.Cg-Kit(W-sh)/HNihrJaeBsmJ (Sash) mice over a 28 day CGM period. As expected, both strains of mice displayed excellent CGM for the first 7 days post sensor implantation (PSI). CGM in the mast cell sufficient C57BL/6 mice was erratic over the remaining 21 days PSI. CGM in the mast cell deficient Sash mice displayed excellent sensor function for the entire 28 day of CGM. Histopathologic evaluation of implantation sites demonstrated that tissue reactions in Sash mice were dramatically less compared to the reactions in normal C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, mast cells were also seen to be consistently associated with the margins of sensor tissue reactions in normal C57BL/6 mice. Finally, direct injection of bone marrow derived mast cells at sites of sensor implantation induced an acute and dramatic loss of sensor function in both C57BL/6 and Sash mice. These results demonstrate the key role of mast cells in controlling glucose sensor function in vivo. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Autophagic Responses in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Xu, T; Kumar, S; Denton, D

2017-01-01

Drosophila is an excellent model system for studying autophagy during animal development due to the availability of genetic reagents and opportunity for in vivo cell biological analysis. The regulation and mechanism of autophagy are highly evolutionarily conserved and the role of autophagy has been characterized during various stages of Drosophila development as well as following starvation. Studies in Drosophila have revealed novel insights into the role of distinct components of the autophagy machinery. This chapter describes protocols for examining autophagy during Drosophila development. A crucial step in the induction of autophagy is the incorporation of Atg8a into the autophagosome. This can be measured as autophagic puncta using live fluorescent imaging, immunostaining, or immunoblot analysis of LC3/Atg8a processing. The level of autophagy can also be examined using other specific components of the autophagy pathway as markers detected by immunofluorescent imaging. Based on the distinct morphology of autophagy, it can also be examined by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, one of the advantages of using Drosophila as a model is the ability to undertake genetic analysis of individual components of the autophagy machinery. Current approaches that can be used to monitor autophagy, including the overall flux and individual steps in Drosophila melanogaster, will be discussed. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rapid and efficient uranium(VI) capture by phytic acid/polyaniline/FeOOH composites.

PubMed

Wei, Xintao; Liu, Qi; Zhang, Hongsen; Liu, Jingyuan; Chen, Rongrong; Li, Rumin; Li, Zhangshuang; Liu, Peili; Wang, Jun

2018-02-01

Uranium plays an indispensable role in nuclear energy, but there are limited land resources to meet the ever growing demand; therefore, a need exists to develop efficient materials for capturing uranium from water. Herein, we synthesize a promising adsorbent of phytic acid/polyaniline/FeOOH composites (PA/PANI/FeOOH) by oxidative polymerization. Phytic acid, acting asa gelator and dopant, plays an important role in the formation of polyaniline (PANI). The PA/PANI/FeOOH exhibites high adsorption capacity (q m =555.8mgg -1 , T=298K), rapid adsorption rate (within 5min), excellent selectivity and cyclic stability. In addition, the results show that the adsorption isotherm is well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, and the adsorption kinetics agree with a pseudo-second order model. XPS analysis indicates that the removal of uranium is mainly attributed to abundant amine and imine groups on the surface of PA/PANI/FeOOH. Importantly, the removal of uranium from low concentrations of simulated seawater is highly efficient with a removal rate exceeding 92%. From our study, superior adsorption capacities, along with a low-cost, environmentally friendly and facile synthesis, reveal PA/PANI/FeOOH asa promising material for uranium capture. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Pollination systems involving floral mimicry of fruit: aspects of their ecology and evolution.

PubMed

Goodrich, Katherine R; Jürgens, Andreas

2018-01-01

Floral mimicry of nonfloral resources is found across many angiosperm families, with mimicry of varied models including carrion, dung, fungi, insects and fruit. These systems provide excellent models to investigate the role of visual and olfactory cues for the ecology and evolution of plant-animal interactions. Interestingly, floral mimicry of fruit is least documented in the literature, although ripe or rotting fruits play an important role as a food or brood site in many insect groups such as Diptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera, and frugivorous vertebrates such as bats and birds. In ecosystems where fruit represents a frequent, reliable resource (e.g. tropical forests), this form of floral mimicry could represent a common mimicry class with specialization possible along multiple axes such as fruit of different species, stages of ripeness and microbial colonization. In this review, we summarize current research on floral mimicry of fruit. We place this review in the context of floral mimicry of a broader spectrum of nonfloral resources, and we discuss conceptual frameworks of mimicry vs generalized food deception or pre-existing sensory bias. Finally, we briefly review the specificity and complexity of fruit-insect ecological interactions, and we summarize important considerations and questions for moving forward in this field. © 2017 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust.

Developing professionalism: dental students' perspective.

PubMed

Ashar, Abid; Ahmad, Amina

2014-12-01

To explore the undergraduate dental students' insight of their professionalism development through Focus Group Discussions (FGD). Constructivist approach using qualitative phenomenological design. Fatima Memorial Hospital, College of Dentistry, Lahore, from April to June 2011. Four FGDs of 1st year (8 students), 2nd year (6 students), 3rd year (6 students) and 4th year (6 students) enrolled in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program were conducted to explore how they have developed various elements of professionalism namely altruism, accountability, excellence, duty and service, honor and integrity, and respect for all; and how professionalism can be further developed in them. The FGDs were audio taped, transcribed and analyzed through thematic analysis. Triangulation of themes and trends were done through content analysis by relating to their respective frequency of quotes. Data verification was done through audit by second author. Role models and social responsibility were the main reasons in the students' professionalism development thus far with personal virtues and reasons; religion; and punishment and reward contributing to a lesser degree. Training contributed least but was deemed most in furthering professionalism. Excessive workload (quota) and uncongenial educational environment were considered detrimental to the cause. Formal planning and implementation of professionalism curriculum; selection of students with appropriate attributes; control of hidden curriculum, including effective role models, good educational and working environments will foster professionalism among dental students maximally.

Development of a Microsoft Excel tool for one-parameter Rasch model of continuous items: an application to a safety attitude survey.

PubMed

Chien, Tsair-Wei; Shao, Yang; Kuo, Shu-Chun

2017-01-10

Many continuous item responses (CIRs) are encountered in healthcare settings, but no one uses item response theory's (IRT) probabilistic modeling to present graphical presentations for interpreting CIR results. A computer module that is programmed to deal with CIRs is required. To present a computer module, validate it, and verify its usefulness in dealing with CIR data, and then to apply the model to real healthcare data in order to show how the CIR that can be applied to healthcare settings with an example regarding a safety attitude survey. Using Microsoft Excel VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), we designed a computer module that minimizes the residuals and calculates model's expected scores according to person responses across items. Rasch models based on a Wright map and on KIDMAP were demonstrated to interpret results of the safety attitude survey. The author-made CIR module yielded OUTFIT mean square (MNSQ) and person measures equivalent to those yielded by professional Rasch Winsteps software. The probabilistic modeling of the CIR module provides messages that are much more valuable to users and show the CIR advantage over classic test theory. Because of advances in computer technology, healthcare users who are familiar to MS Excel can easily apply the study CIR module to deal with continuous variables to benefit comparisons of data with a logistic distribution and model fit statistics.

Magnetic adsorbent constructed from the loading of amino functionalized Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} on coordination complex modified polyoxometalates nanoparticle and its tetracycline adsorption removal property study

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

Ou, Jinzhao; Mei, Mingliang; Xu, Xinxin, E-mail: xuxx@mail.neu.edu.cn

2016-06-15

A magnetic polyoxometalates based adsorbent has been synthesized successfully through the loading of amino functionalized Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} (NH{sub 2}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) on nanoparticle of a coordination complex modified polyoxometalates (CC/POMNP). FTIR illustrate there exist intense hydrogen bonds between NH{sub 2}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and CC/POMNP, which keep the stability of this adsorbent. At room temperature, this adsorbent exhibits ferromagnetic character with saturation magnetization of 8.19 emu g{sup −1}, which provides prerequisite for fast magnetic separation. Water treatment experiment illustrates this POM based magnetic adsorbent exhibits high adsorption capacity on tetracycline. The adsorption process can be described well with Temkin model,more » which illustrates the interaction between adsorbent and tetracycline plays the dominated role in tetracycline removal. The rapid, high efficient tetracycline adsorption ability suggests this POM based magnetic adsorbent exhibits promising prospect in medical and agriculture waste water purification. A magnetic polyoxometalates based adsorbent, which exhibits excellent tetracycline adsorption removal property has been synthesized through the loading of NH{sub 2}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} on coordination complex modified polyoxometalates - Graphical abstract: A magnetic polyoxometalates based adsorbent, which exhibits excellent tetracycline adsorption removal property has been synthesized through the loading of NH{sub 2}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} on coordination complex modified polyoxometalate. Display Omitted - Highlights: • A POM based magnetic adsorbent was fabricated through the loading of NH{sub 2}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} on POM nanoparticle. • This adsorbent possesses excellent tetracycline adsorption property. • Saturation magnetization value of this adsorbent is 8.19 emug−1, which is enough for magnetic separation.« less

Candidacy for Kidney Transplantation of Older Adults

PubMed Central

Grams, Morgan E.; Kucirka, Lauren M.; Hanrahan, Colleen F.; Montgomery, Robert A.; Massie, Allan B.; Segev, Dorry L.

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVES To develop a prediction model for kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes specific to older adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and to use this model to estimate the number of excellent older KT candidates who lack access to KT. DESIGN Secondary analysis of data collected by the United Network for Organ Sharing and U.S. Renal Disease System. SETTING Retrospective analysis of national registry data. PARTICIPANTS Model development: Medicare-primary older recipients (aged ≥ 65) of a first KT between 1999 and 2006 (N = 6,988). Model application: incident Medicare-primary older adults with ESRD between 1999 and 2006 without an absolute or relative contraindication to transplantation (N = 128,850). MEASUREMENTS Comorbid conditions were extracted from U.S. Renal Disease System Form 2728 data and Medicare claims. RESULTS The prediction model used 19 variables to estimate post-KT outcome and showed good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow P = .44) and better prediction than previous population-average models (P < .001). Application of the model to the population with incident ESRD identified 11,756 excellent older transplant candidates (defined as >87% predicted 3-year post-KT survival, corresponding to the top 20% of transplanted older adults used in model development), of whom 76.3% (n = 8,966) lacked access. It was estimated that 11% of these candidates would have identified a suitable live donor had they been referred for KT. CONCLUSION A risk-prediction model specific to older adults can identify excellent KT candidates. Appropriate referral could result in significantly greater rates of KT in older adults. PMID:22239290

Collision problems treated with the Generalized Hyperspherical Sturmian method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitnik, D. M.; Gasaneo, G.; Ancarani, L. U.; Ambrosio, M. J.

2014-04-01

An hyperspherical Sturmian approach recently developed for three-body break-up processes is presented. To test several of its features, the method is applied to two simplified models. Excellent agreement is found when compared with the results of an analytically solvable problem. For the Temkin-Poet model of the double ionization of He by high energy electron impact, the present method is compared with the Spherical Sturmian approach, and again excellent agreement is found. Finally, a study of the channels appearing in the break-up three-body wave function is presented.

Determining Publication Productivity and Grant Activity among Science Faculty at Surveyed Institutions. Academic Excellence: A Study of the Role of Research in the Natural Sciences at Undergraduate Institutions. Special Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Research Corp., Tucson, AZ.

Data from nearly 3,000 faculty in the natural sciences at 133 predominantly undergraduate colleges and universities show significant discipline- and gender-based differences in peer-reviewed publications produced. This study was part of a larger examination of the role of research in the natural sciences at undergraduate institutions. Faculty in…

Rural Math Excel Partnership (RMEP) Project Final Performance Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harmon, Hobart; Tate, Veronica; Stevens, Jennifer; Wilborn, Sandy; Adams, Sue

2018-01-01

The goal of the Rural Math Excel Partnership (RMEP) project, a development project funded by the U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation (i3) grant program, was to develop a model of shared responsibility among families, teachers, and communities in rural areas as collective support for student success in and preparation for advanced…

Ethics and Values in the Context of Teaching Excellence in the Changing World of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henderson, Richard L.; Antelo, Absael; St. Clair, Norman

2010-01-01

This article focused on the ethical problems associated with teaching in a transnational or multicultural environment. Authors offer a review of related literature, as well as extensive global teaching experience, to proffer a model that is designed to allow professional educators to maintain excellence in teaching in the problematic context.…

Academy for Teacher Excellence: Recruiting, Preparing, and Retaining Latino Teachers through Learning Communities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Belinda Bustos; Clark, Ellen Riojas; Claeys, Lorena; Villarreal, Abelardo

2007-01-01

The Academy for Teacher Excellence (ATE) at the University of Texas at San Antonio and San Antonio College is proposed as a comprehensive model whose overarching goals include: (1) creating a learning ecology that values diversity and prepares teacher candidates for work in diverse communities; (2) increasing the number of Latino students pursuing…

Teaching Simulation and Computer-Aided Separation Optimization in Liquid Chromatography by Means of Illustrative Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fasoula, S.; Nikitas, P.; Pappa-Louisi, A.

2017-01-01

A series of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets were developed to simulate the process of separation optimization under isocratic and simple gradient conditions. The optimization procedure is performed in a stepwise fashion using simple macros for an automatic application of this approach. The proposed optimization approach involves modeling of the peak…

Estimation of pharmacokinetic parameters from non-compartmental variables using Microsoft Excel.

PubMed

Dansirikul, Chantaratsamon; Choi, Malcolm; Duffull, Stephen B

2005-06-01

This study was conducted to develop a method, termed 'back analysis (BA)', for converting non-compartmental variables to compartment model dependent pharmacokinetic parameters for both one- and two-compartment models. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was implemented with the use of Solver and visual basic functions. The performance of the BA method in estimating pharmacokinetic parameter values was evaluated by comparing the parameter values obtained to a standard modelling software program, NONMEM, using simulated data. The results show that the BA method was reasonably precise and provided low bias in estimating fixed and random effect parameters for both one- and two-compartment models. The pharmacokinetic parameters estimated from the BA method were similar to those of NONMEM estimation.

Normal anatomy and histology of the adult zebrafish.

PubMed

Menke, Aswin L; Spitsbergen, Jan M; Wolterbeek, Andre P M; Woutersen, Ruud A

2011-08-01

The zebrafish has been shown to be an excellent vertebrate model for studying the roles of specific genes and signaling pathways. The sequencing of its genome and the relative ease with which gene modifications can be performed have led to the creation of numerous human disease models that can be used for testing the potential and the toxicity of new pharmaceutical compounds. Many pharmaceutical companies already use the zebrafish for prescreening purposes. So far, the focus has been on ecotoxicity and the effects on embryonic development, but there is a trend to expand the use of the zebrafish with acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity studies that are currently still carried out with the more conventional test animals such as rodents. However, before we can fully realize the potential of the zebrafish as an animal model for understanding human development, disease, and toxicology, we must first greatly advance our knowledge of normal zebrafish physiology, anatomy, and histology. To further this knowledge, we describe, in the present article, location and histology of the major zebrafish organ systems with a brief description of their function.

Removal of fluoride from drinking water using aluminum hydroxide coated activated carbon prepared from bark of Morinda tinctoria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amalraj, Augustine; Pius, Anitha

2017-10-01

The aim of this study is to design and develop a novel cost effective method for fluoride removal, applicable to rural areas of developing countries. Adsorption is widely considered as one of the appropriate technologies for water defluoridation. This study investigates the feasibility of using low-cost biomass based activated carbon from the bark of Morinda tinctoria coated with aluminum hydroxide (AHAC) for water defluoridation, at neutral pH range. Characterization of AHAC was done through IR, SEM with EDAX studies before and after fluoride treatment. The fluoride adsorption capacity of AHAC as a function of contact time, pH and initial fluoride concentration was investigated. The role of co-existing interfering ions also was studied. The isotherm and kinetic models were used to understand the nature of the fluoride adsorption onto AHAC. Freundlich isotherm and intra-particle diffusion were the best-fitting models for the adsorption of fluoride on AHAC. Fluoride adsorption kinetics well fitted with pseudo-second order model. The results showed excellent fluoride adsorption capacity was found to be 26.03 mg g-1 at neutral pH.

Reconstruction and Analysis of Human Kidney-Specific Metabolic Network Based on Omics Data

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ai-Di; Dai, Shao-Xing; Huang, Jing-Fei

2013-01-01

With the advent of the high-throughput data production, recent studies of tissue-specific metabolic networks have largely advanced our understanding of the metabolic basis of various physiological and pathological processes. However, for kidney, which plays an essential role in the body, the available kidney-specific model remains incomplete. This paper reports the reconstruction and characterization of the human kidney metabolic network based on transcriptome and proteome data. In silico simulations revealed that house-keeping genes were more essential than kidney-specific genes in maintaining kidney metabolism. Importantly, a total of 267 potential metabolic biomarkers for kidney-related diseases were successfully explored using this model. Furthermore, we found that the discrepancies in metabolic processes of different tissues are directly corresponding to tissue's functions. Finally, the phenotypes of the differentially expressed genes in diabetic kidney disease were characterized, suggesting that these genes may affect disease development through altering kidney metabolism. Thus, the human kidney-specific model constructed in this study may provide valuable information for the metabolism of kidney and offer excellent insights into complex kidney diseases. PMID:24222897

A Comparison of Organizational Climate and Nurses' Intention to Leave Among Excellence Awarded Hospitals and Other Hospitals in 2013.

PubMed

Mohamadzadeh Nojehdehi, Maryam; Ashgholi Farahani, Mansoureh; Rafii, Forough; Bahrani, Nasser

2015-05-01

Human resource is the most important factor of performance, success and better revelation of excellence goals of each organization. By performing excellence plan, healthcare organizations improve their organizational climate and play a valuable role in retaining nurses and improving the quality of their services to patients. The aim of this study was to compare hospital organizational climate and intention to leave among working nurses in hospitals performing the excellence plan and other hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This was a cross-sectional descriptive comparison study. Its population included 248 nurses of the hospitals performing the excellence plan and other hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran selected by random sampling. The used instrument had three parts: the first part was related to personal characteristics, the second part was the Munn's organizational climate questionnaire and the third part was Hinshaw's questionnaire of "anticipated turnover scale". Data was analyzed using SPSS software, version 17 and indices of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results of the mean and standard deviation for organizational climate and intention to leave in both performing and non-performing hospitals of the organizational excellence plan were respectively (65.28 ± 19.31 and 56.42 ± 21.36) and (33.64 ± 5.58 and 35.59 ± 4.94). Independent T test revealed a significant difference between the mean scores for organizational climate in both performing and non-performing hospitals, and also a significant difference between the mean scores for intention to leave in both performing and non-performing hospitals (P = 0.004). Moreover, Pearson Correlation test showed a reverse significant correlation between organizational climate and intention to leave in performing hospitals of the organizational excellence plan (r = -0.337) and non-performing hospitals (r = -0.282) (P = 0.001). Performing quality improvement pattern such as organization's excellence plan improves organizational climate of healthcare sectors, it can reduce nurses' intentions to leave and retain human resources.

Classification of octet AB-type binary compounds using dynamical charges: A materials informatics perspective

DOE PAGES

Pilania, G.; Gubernatis, J. E.; Lookman, T.

2015-12-03

The role of dynamical (or Born effective) charges in classification of octet AB-type binary compounds between four-fold (zincblende/wurtzite crystal structures) and six-fold (rocksalt crystal structure) coordinated systems is discussed. We show that the difference in the dynamical charges of the fourfold and sixfold coordinated structures, in combination with Harrison’s polarity, serves as an excellent feature to classify the coordination of 82 sp–bonded binary octet compounds. We use a support vector machine classifier to estimate the average classification accuracy and the associated variance in our model where a decision boundary is learned in a supervised manner. Lastly, we compare the out-of-samplemore » classification accuracy achieved by our feature pair with those reported previously.« less

The nu sub 9 fundamental of ethane - Integrated intensity and band absorption measurements with application to the atmospheres of the major planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Varanasi, P.; Cess, R. D.; Bangaru, B. R. P.

1974-01-01

Measurements of the absolute intensity and integrated band absorption have been performed for the nu sub 9 fundamental band of ethane. The intensity is found to be about 34 per sq cm per atm at STP, and this is significantly higher than previous estimates. It is shown that a Gaussian profile provides an empirical representation of the apparent spectral absorption coefficient. Employing this empirical profile, a simple expression is derived for the integrated band absorption, which is in excellent agreement with experimental values. The band model is then employed to investigate the possible role of ethane as a source of thermal infrared opacity within the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, and to interpret qualitatively observed brightness temperatures for Saturn.

A Model for Physician Leadership Development and Succession Planning.

PubMed

Dubinsky, Isser; Feerasta, Nadia; Lash, Rick

2015-01-01

Although the presence of physicians in formal leadership positions has often been limited to roles of department chiefs, MAC chairs, etc., a growing number of organizations are recruiting physicians to other leadership positions (e.g., VP, CEO) where their involvement is being genuinely sought and valued. While physicians have traditionally risen to leadership positions based on clinical excellence or on a rotational basis, truly effective physician leadership that includes competencies such as strategic planning, budgeting, mentoring, network development, etc., is essential to support organizational goals, improve performance and overall efficiency as well as ensuring the quality of care. In this context, the authors have developed a physician leader development and succession planning matrix and supporting toolkit to assist hospitals in identifying and nurturing the next generation of physician leaders.

Pediatric radiology in the Philadelphia region: a history of pedigrees and legacies.

PubMed

Markowitz, Richard I

2009-09-01

The specialty of pediatric radiology in the Philadelphia region has grown and evolved over the past eight decades originating from early "visiting" radiologists to Drs. Hope and Kirkpatrick, the "giants" of the 1950s and 1960s, to over 40 actively practicing pediatric radiologists. Clinical excellence, commitment to teaching, and advancement of knowledge through research remain the goals and ideals, much as they were many years ago. Philadelphia has been a fertile home and environment for this development, mostly because of outstanding leaders and role models who have trained and influenced generations of pediatric radiologists. The purpose of this article is to tell the story of this growth and development and to explore the intellectual origins, professional "genealogy," and legacies left by those who created this tradition.

Prenatal Testosterone Programming of Insulin Resistance in the Female Sheep.

PubMed

Puttabyatappa, Muraly; Padmanabhan, Vasantha

2017-01-01

Insulin resistance, a common feature of metabolic disorders such as obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome, is a risk factor for development of diabetes. Because sex hormones orchestrate the establishment of sex-specific behavioral, reproductive, and metabolic differences, a role for them in the developmental origin of insulin resistance is also to be expected. Female sheep exposed to male levels of testosterone during fetal life serve as an excellent translational model for delineating programming of insulin resistance. This chapter summarizes the ontogeny of insulin resistance, the tissue-specific changes in insulin sensitivity, and the various factors that are involved in the programming and maintenance of the insulin resistance in adult female sheep that were developmentally exposed to fetal male levels of testosterone during the sexual-differentiation window.

Blast wave attenuation in liquid foams: role of gas and evidence of an optimal bubble size.

PubMed

Monloubou, Martin; Bruning, Myrthe A; Saint-Jalmes, Arnaud; Dollet, Benjamin; Cantat, Isabelle

2016-09-28

Liquid foams are excellent systems to mitigate pressure waves such as acoustic or blast waves. The understanding of the underlying dissipation mechanisms however still remains an active matter of debate. In this paper, we investigate the attenuation of a weak blast wave by a liquid foam. The wave is produced with a shock tube and impacts a foam, with a cylindrical geometry. We measure the wave attenuation and velocity in the foam as a function of bubble size, liquid fraction, and the nature of the gas. We show that the attenuation depends on the nature of the gas and we experimentally evidence a maximum of dissipation for a given bubble size. All features are qualitatively captured by a model based on thermal dissipation in the gas.

Normal and abnormal secretion by haemopoietic cells

PubMed Central

STINCHCOMBE, JANE C; GRIFFITHS, GILLIAN M

2001-01-01

The secretory lysosomes found in haemopoietic cells provide a very efficient mechanism for delivering the effector proteins of many immune cells in response to antigen recognition. Although secretion shows some similarities to the secretion of specialized granules in other secretory cell types, some aspects of secretory lysosome release appear to be unique to melanocytes and cells of the haemopoietic lineage. Mast cells and platelets have provided excellent models for studying secretion, but recent advances in characterizing the immunological synapse allow a very fine dissection of the secretory process in T lymphocytes. These studies show that secretory lysosomes are secreted from the centre of the talin ring at the synapse. Proper secretion requires a series of Rab and cytoskeletal elements which play critical roles in the specialized secretion of lysosomes in haemopoietic cells. PMID:11380687

Medical school curriculum characteristics associated with intentions and frequency of tobacco dependence treatment among 3rd year U.S. medical students

PubMed Central

Hayes, Rashelle B.; Geller, Alan C.; Crawford, Sybil L.; Jolicoeur, Denise; Churchill, Linda C.; Okuyemi, Kola; David, Sean P.; Adams, Michael; Waugh, Jonathan; Allen, Sharon S.; Leone, Frank T.; Fauver, Randy; Leung, Katherine; Liu, Qin; Ockene, Judith K.

2015-01-01

Objective Physicians play a critical role in addressing tobacco dependence, yet report limited training. Tobacco dependence treatment curricula for medical students could improve performance in this area. This study identified student and medical school tobacco treatment curricula characteristics associated with intentions and use of the 5As for tobacco treatment among 3rd year U.S. medical students. Methods Third year medical students (N=1065, 49.3% male) from 10 U.S. medical schools completed a survey in 2009-2010 assessing student characteristics, including demographics, tobacco treatment knowledge, and self-efficacy. Tobacco curricula characteristics assessed included amount and type of classroom instruction, frequency of tobacco treatment observation, instruction, and perception of preceptors as role models. Results Greater tobacco treatment knowledge, self-efficacy, and curriculum-specific variables were associated with 5A intentions, while younger age, tobacco treatment self-efficacy, intentions, and each curriculum-specific variable was associated with greater 5A behaviors. When controlling for important student variables, greater frequency of receiving 5A instruction (OR = 1.07; 95%CI 1.01-1.12) and perception of preceptors as excellent role models in tobacco treatment (OR = 1.35; 95%CI 1.04-1.75) were significant curriculum predictors of 5A intentions. Greater 5A instruction (B = .06 (.03); p< .05) and observation of tobacco treatment (B= .35 (.02); p< .001) were significant curriculum predictors of greater 5A behaviors. Conclusions Greater exposure to tobacco treatment teaching during medical school is associated with both greater intentions to use and practice tobacco 5As. Clerkship preceptors, or those physicians who provide training to medical students, may be particularly influential when they personally model and instruct students in tobacco dependence treatment. PMID:25572623

Towards Building an AOP-based Prenatal Developmental Toxicity Ontology (SOT)

EPA Science Inventory

Retinoid signaling plays an important role in embryo-fetal development and its disruption is broadly teratogenic. The retinoic acid (RA) pathway includes elements in retinoid metabolism and nuclear receptor (RAR, RXR) activation and thus serves as an excellent prototype for adver...

EPA'S STRATEGIC PLAN: DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE

EPA Science Inventory

Outreach is a very important part of our mission at the EPA. Educational outreach plays a vital role in informing the public of environmental issues which help shape environmental priorities. Classrooms are an excellent opportunity to inform the public about the environment which...

Charting a Black Research Agenda.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Black Issues in Higher Education, 1998

1998-01-01

In an interview, H. Patrick Swygert, president of Howard University (Washington, DC), discusses the role of historically Black colleges and universities in educating African Americans and in research, providing resources to support excellence, determining the institution's research emphasis, competition with Hispanic institutions for funding,…

Thermal modeling of carbon-epoxy laminates in fire environments.

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

McGurn, Matthew T.; DesJardin, Paul Edward; Dodd, Amanda B.

2010-10-01

A thermal model is developed for the response of carbon-epoxy composite laminates in fire environments. The model is based on a porous media description that includes the effects of gas transport within the laminate along with swelling. Model comparisons are conducted against the data from Quintere et al. Simulations are conducted for both coupon level and intermediate scale one-sided heating tests. Comparisons of the heat release rate (HRR) as well as the final products (mass fractions, volume percentages, porosity, etc.) are conducted. Overall, the agreement between available the data and model is excellent considering the simplified approximations to account formore » flame heat flux. A sensitivity study using a newly developed swelling model shows the importance of accounting for laminate expansion for the prediction of burnout. Excellent agreement is observed between the model and data of the final product composition that includes porosity, mass fractions and volume expansion ratio.« less

A comparison of methods of fitting several models to nutritional response data.

PubMed

Vedenov, D; Pesti, G M

2008-02-01

A variety of models have been proposed to fit nutritional input-output response data. The models are typically nonlinear; therefore, fitting the models usually requires sophisticated statistical software and training to use it. An alternative tool for fitting nutritional response models was developed by using widely available and easier-to-use Microsoft Excel software. The tool, implemented as an Excel workbook (NRM.xls), allows simultaneous fitting and side-by-side comparisons of several popular models. This study compared the results produced by the tool we developed and PROC NLIN of SAS. The models compared were the broken line (ascending linear and quadratic segments), saturation kinetics, 4-parameter logistics, sigmoidal, and exponential models. The NRM.xls workbook provided results nearly identical to those of PROC NLIN. Furthermore, the workbook successfully fit several models that failed to converge in PROC NLIN. Two data sets were used as examples to compare fits by the different models. The results suggest that no particular nonlinear model is necessarily best for all nutritional response data.

Designing Excellence and Quality Model for Training Centers of Primary Health Care: A Delphi Method Study.

PubMed

Tabrizi, Jafar-Sadegh; Farahbakhsh, Mostafa; Shahgoli, Javad; Rahbar, Mohammad Reza; Naghavi-Behzad, Mohammad; Ahadi, Hamid-Reza; Azami-Aghdash, Saber

2015-10-01

Excellence and quality models are comprehensive methods for improving the quality of healthcare. The aim of this study was to design excellence and quality model for training centers of primary health care using Delphi method. In this study, Delphi method was used. First, comprehensive information were collected using literature review. In extracted references, 39 models were identified from 34 countries and related sub-criteria and standards were extracted from 34 models (from primary 39 models). Then primary pattern including 8 criteria, 55 sub-criteria, and 236 standards was developed as a Delphi questionnaire and evaluated in four stages by 9 specialists of health care system in Tabriz and 50 specialists from all around the country. Designed primary model (8 criteria, 55 sub-criteria, and 236 standards) were concluded with 8 criteria, 45 sub-criteria, and 192 standards after 4 stages of evaluations by specialists. Major criteria of the model are leadership, strategic and operational planning, resource management, information analysis, human resources management, process management, costumer results, and functional results, where the top score was assigned as 1000 by specialists. Functional results had the maximum score of 195 whereas planning had the minimum score of 60. Furthermore the most and the least sub-criteria was for leadership with 10 sub-criteria and strategic planning with 3 sub-criteria, respectively. The model that introduced in this research has been designed following 34 reference models of the world. This model could provide a proper frame for managers of health system in improving quality.

Design and development of JUNO event data model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Teng; Xia, Xin; Huang, Xing-Tao; Zou, Jia-Heng; Li, Wei-Dong; Lin, Tao; Zhang, Kun; Deng, Zi-Yan

2017-06-01

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) detector is designed to determine the neutrino mass hierarchy and precisely measure oscillation parameters. The general purpose design also allows measurements of neutrinos from many terrestrial and non-terrestrial sources. The JUNO Event Data Model (EDM) plays a central role in the offline software system. It describes the event data entities through all processing stages for both simulated and collected data, and provides persistency via the input/output system. Also, the EDM is designed to enable flexible event handling such as event navigation, as well as the splitting of MC IBD signals and mixing of MC backgrounds. This paper describes the design, implementation and performance of the JUNO EDM. Supported by Joint Large-Scale Scientific Facility Funds of the NSFC and CAS (U1532258), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-13-0342), the Shandong Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar (JQ201402) and the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA10010900)

Revisiting Southern Hemisphere polar stratospheric temperature trends in WACCM: The role of dynamical forcing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvo, N.; Garcia, R. R.; Kinnison, D. E.

2017-04-01

The latest version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM), which includes a new chemistry scheme and an updated parameterization of orographic gravity waves, produces temperature trends in the Antarctic lower stratosphere in excellent agreement with radiosonde observations for 1969-1998 as regards magnitude, location, timing, and persistence. The maximum trend, reached in November at 100 hPa, is -4.4 ± 2.8 K decade-1, which is a third smaller than the largest trend in the previous version of WACCM. Comparison with a simulation without the updated orographic gravity wave parameterization, together with analysis of the model's thermodynamic budget, reveals that the reduced trend is due to the effects of a stronger Brewer-Dobson circulation in the new simulations, which warms the polar cap. The effects are both direct (a trend in adiabatic warming in late spring) and indirect (a smaller trend in ozone, hence a smaller reduction in shortwave heating, due to the warmer environment).

Evolutionary origin and demographic history of an ancient conifer (Juniperus microsperma) in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

PubMed Central

Shang, Hui-Ying; Li, Zhong-Hu; Dong, Miao; Adams, Robert P.; Miehe, Georg; Opgenoorth, Lars; Mao, Kang-Shan

2015-01-01

All Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) endemic species are assumed to have originated recently, although very rare species most likely diverged early. These ancient species provide an excellent model to examine the origin and evolution of QTP endemic plants in response to the QTP uplifts and the climate changes that followed in this high altitude region. In this study, we examined these hypotheses by employing sequence variation from multiple nuclear and chloroplast DNA of 239 individuals of Juniperus microsperma and its five congeners. Both phylogenetic and population genetic analyses revealed that J. microsperma diverged from its sister clade comprising two species with long isolation around the Early Miocene, which corresponds to early QTP uplift. Demographic modeling and coalescent tests suggest that J. microsperma experienced an obvious bottleneck event during the Quaternary when the global climate greatly oscillated. The results presented here support the hypotheses that the QTP uplifts and Quaternary climate changes played important roles in shaping the evolutionary history of this rare juniper. PMID:25977142

Phase diagram and quantum order by disorder in the Kitaev K1-K2 honeycomb magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rousochatzakis, Ioannis; Reuther, Johannes; Thomale, Ronny; Rachel, Stephan; Perkins, Natalia

We show that the topological Kitaev spin liquid on the honeycomb lattice is extremely fragile against the second neighbor Kitaev coupling K2, which has been recently identified as the dominant perturbation away from the nearest neighbor model in iridate Na2IrO3, and may also play a role in α-RuCl3. This coupling explains naturally the zig-zag ordering and the special entanglement between real and spin space observed recently in Na2IrO3. The minimal K1-K2 model that we present here holds in addition the unique property that the classical and quantum phase diagrams and their respective order-by-disorder mechanisms are qualitatively different due to their fundamentally different symmetry structure. Nsf DMR-1511768; Freie Univ. Berlin Excellence Initiative of German Research Foundation; European Research Council, ERC-StG-336012; DFG-SFB 1170; DFG-SFB 1143, DFG-SPP 1666, and Helmholtz association VI-521.

Couples' cultural values, shared parenting, and family emotional climate within Mexican American families.

PubMed

Sotomayor-Peterson, Marcela; Figueredo, Aurelio J; Christensen, Donna H; Taylor, Angela R

2012-06-01

This study tested a model of shared parenting as its centerpiece that incorporates cultural values as predictors and family emotional climate as the outcome variable of interest. We aimed to assess the predictive power of the Mexican cultural values of familismo and simpatia over couples' shared parenting practices. We anticipated that higher levels of shared parenting would predict family emotional climate. The participants were 61 Mexican American, low income couples, with at least one child between 3 and 4 years of age, recruited from a home-based Head Start program. The predictive model demonstrated excellent goodness of fit, supporting the hypothesis that a positive emotional climate within the family is fostered when Mexican American couples practice a sufficient level of shared parenting. Empirical evidence was previously scarce on this proposition. The findings also provide evidence for the role of cultural values, highlighting the importance of family solidarity and avoidance of confrontation as a pathway to shared parenting within Mexican American couples. © FPI, Inc.

Quantifying the flow efficiency in constant-current capacitive deionization.

PubMed

Hawks, Steven A; Knipe, Jennifer M; Campbell, Patrick G; Loeb, Colin K; Hubert, McKenzie A; Santiago, Juan G; Stadermann, Michael

2018-02-01

Here we detail a previously unappreciated loss mechanism inherent to capacitive deionization (CDI) cycling operation that has a substantial role determining performance. This mechanism reflects the fact that desalinated water inside a cell is partially lost to re-salination if desorption is carried out immediately after adsorption. We describe such effects by a parameter called the flow efficiency, and show that this efficiency is distinct from and yet multiplicative with other highly-studied adsorption efficiencies. Flow losses can be minimized by flowing more feed solution through the cell during desalination; however, this also results in less effluent concentration reduction. While the rationale outlined here is applicable to all CDI cell architectures that rely on cycling, we validate our model with a flow-through electrode CDI device operated in constant-current mode. We find excellent agreement between flow efficiency model predictions and experimental results, thus giving researchers simple equations by which they can estimate this distinct loss process for their operation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatial But Not Oculomotor Information Biases Perceptual Memory: Evidence From Face Perception and Cognitive Modeling.

PubMed

Wantz, Andrea L; Lobmaier, Janek S; Mast, Fred W; Senn, Walter

2017-08-01

Recent research put forward the hypothesis that eye movements are integrated in memory representations and are reactivated when later recalled. However, "looking back to nothing" during recall might be a consequence of spatial memory retrieval. Here, we aimed at distinguishing between the effect of spatial and oculomotor information on perceptual memory. Participants' task was to judge whether a morph looked rather like the first or second previously presented face. Crucially, faces and morphs were presented in a way that the morph reactivated oculomotor and/or spatial information associated with one of the previously encoded faces. Perceptual face memory was largely influenced by these manipulations. We considered a simple computational model with an excellent match (4.3% error) that expresses these biases as a linear combination of recency, saccade, and location. Surprisingly, saccades did not play a role. The results suggest that spatial and temporal rather than oculomotor information biases perceptual face memory. Copyright © 2016 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Prokaryotic expression and in vitro functional analysis of IL-1β and MCP-1 from guinea pig.

PubMed

Dirisala, Vijaya R; Jeevan, Amminikutty; Ly, Lan H; McMurray, David N

2013-06-01

The Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is an excellent animal model for studying human tuberculosis (TB) and also for a number of other infectious and non-infectious diseases. One of the major roadblocks in effective utilization of this animal model is the lack of readily available immunological reagents. In order to address this issue, guinea pig interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were efficiently cloned and expressed in a prokaryotic expression vector, and the expressed proteins in soluble form from both the genes were confirmed by N-terminal sequencing. The biological activity of recombinant guinea pig IL-1β was demonstrated by its ability to drive proliferation in thymocytes, and the recombinant guinea pig MCP-1 exhibited chemotactic activity for guinea pig resident peritoneal macrophages. These biologically active recombinant guinea pig proteins will facilitate an in-depth understanding of the role they play in the immune responses of the guinea pig to TB and other diseases.

An add-in implementation of the RESAMPLING syntax under Microsoft EXCEL.

PubMed

Meineke, I

2000-10-01

The RESAMPLING syntax defines a set of powerful commands, which allow the programming of probabilistic statistical models with few, easily memorized statements. This paper presents an implementation of the RESAMPLING syntax using Microsoft EXCEL with Microsoft WINDOWS(R) as a platform. Two examples are given to demonstrate typical applications of RESAMPLING in biomedicine. Details of the implementation with special emphasis on the programming environment are discussed at length. The add-in is available electronically to interested readers upon request. The use of the add-in facilitates numerical statistical analyses of data from within EXCEL in a comfortable way.

Raman spectroscopy-based screening of IgM positive and negative sera for dengue virus infection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilal, M.; Saleem, M.; Bilal, Maria; Ijaz, T.; Khan, Saranjam; Ullah, Rahat; Raza, A.; Khurram, M.; Akram, W.; Ahmed, M.

2016-11-01

A statistical method based on Raman spectroscopy for the screening of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in dengue virus (DENV) infected human sera is presented. In total, 108 sera samples were collected and their antibody indexes (AI) for IgM were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Raman spectra of these samples were acquired using a 785 nm wavelength excitation laser. Seventy-eight Raman spectra were selected randomly and unbiasedly for the development of a statistical model using partial least square (PLS) regression, while the remaining 30 were used for testing the developed model. An R-square (r 2) value of 0.929 was determined using the leave-one-sample-out (LOO) cross validation method, showing the validity of this model. It considers all molecular changes related to IgM concentration, and describes their role in infection. A graphical user interface (GUI) platform has been developed to run a developed multivariate model for the prediction of AI of IgM for blindly tested samples, and an excellent agreement has been found between model predicted and clinically determined values. Parameters like sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve for these tested samples are also reported to visualize model performance.

Phosphodiester models for cleavage of nucleic acids

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Nucleic acids that store and transfer biological information are polymeric diesters of phosphoric acid. Cleavage of the phosphodiester linkages by protein enzymes, nucleases, is one of the underlying biological processes. The remarkable catalytic efficiency of nucleases, together with the ability of ribonucleic acids to serve sometimes as nucleases, has made the cleavage of phosphodiesters a subject of intensive mechanistic studies. In addition to studies of nucleases by pH-rate dependency, X-ray crystallography, amino acid/nucleotide substitution and computational approaches, experimental and theoretical studies with small molecular model compounds still play a role. With small molecules, the importance of various elementary processes, such as proton transfer and metal ion binding, for stabilization of transition states may be elucidated and systematic variation of the basicity of the entering or departing nucleophile enables determination of the position of the transition state on the reaction coordinate. Such data is important on analyzing enzyme mechanisms based on synergistic participation of several catalytic entities. Many nucleases are metalloenzymes and small molecular models offer an excellent tool to construct models for their catalytic centers. The present review tends to be an up to date summary of what has been achieved by mechanistic studies with small molecular phosphodiesters. PMID:29719577

System identification methods for aircraft flight control development and validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tischler, Mark B.

1995-01-01

System-identification methods compose a mathematical model, or series of models, from measurements of inputs and outputs of dynamic systems. The extracted models allow the characterization of the response of the overall aircraft or component subsystem behavior, such as actuators and on-board signal processing algorithms. This paper discusses the use of frequency-domain system-identification methods for the development and integration of aircraft flight-control systems. The extraction and analysis of models of varying complexity from nonparametric frequency-responses to transfer-functions and high-order state-space representations is illustrated using the Comprehensive Identification from FrEquency Responses (CIFER) system-identification facility. Results are presented for test data of numerous flight and simulation programs at the Ames Research Center including rotorcraft, fixed-wing aircraft, advanced short takeoff and vertical landing (ASTOVL), vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL), tiltrotor aircraft, and rotor experiments in the wind tunnel. Excellent system characterization and dynamic response prediction is achieved for this wide class of systems. Examples illustrate the role of system-identification technology in providing an integrated flow of dynamic response data around the entire life-cycle of aircraft development from initial specifications, through simulation and bench testing, and into flight-test optimization.

Ant larvae as players in social conflict: relatedness and individual identity mediate cannibalism intensity.

PubMed

Schultner, Eva; Gardner, Andy; Karhunen, Markku; Helanterä, Heikki

2014-12-01

Conflict arises among social organisms when individuals differ in their inclusive-fitness interests. Ant societies are excellent models for understanding how genetic relatedness mediates conflict intensity. However, although conflicts within colonies typically arise over offspring production, the role of larvae as actors in social conflict has received little attention. We develop and empirically test kin-selection theory of larval egg cannibalism in ant societies. Specifically, we investigate how selection for cannibalism is mediated by nestmate relatedness and larval sex in a mathematical model and then test the model's predictions by measuring cannibalism levels in eight ant species with varying nestmate relatedness. In line with our theoretical predictions, cannibalism levels in larvae were significantly influenced by relatedness and sex. Increased relatedness was associated with reduced levels of cannibalism, indicating that larval behavior is mediated by inclusive-fitness considerations. Levels of cannibalism were significantly higher in male larvae, and our model suggests that this is due to sex differences in the benefits of cannibalism. By examining the selfish interests of larvae and the constraints they face in a social environment, our study presents a novel perspective on conflict in ants and on the evolution of selfish elements in social systems in general.

Linking Mechanics and Statistics in Epidermal Tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sangwoo; Hilgenfeldt, Sascha

2015-03-01

Disordered cellular structures, such as foams, polycrystals, or living tissues, can be characterized by quantitative measurements of domain size and topology. In recent work, we showed that correlations between size and topology in 2D systems are sensitive to the shape (eccentricity) of the individual domains: From a local model of neighbor relations, we derived an analytical justification for the famous empirical Lewis law, confirming the theory with experimental data from cucumber epidermal tissue. Here, we go beyond this purely geometrical model and identify mechanical properties of the tissue as the root cause for the domain eccentricity and thus the statistics of tissue structure. The simple model approach is based on the minimization of an interfacial energy functional. Simulations with Surface Evolver show that the domain statistics depend on a single mechanical parameter, while parameter fluctuations from cell to cell play an important role in simultaneously explaining the shape distribution of cells. The simulations are in excellent agreement with experiments and analytical theory, and establish a general link between the mechanical properties of a tissue and its structure. The model is relevant to diagnostic applications in a variety of animal and plant tissues.

Public School Choice: Let the Education Buyer Beware.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gainey, Donald D.

1995-01-01

Within an open-market system, educators must confront a basic philosophical conflict between equity and excellence. Public school choice requires that educators review all existing rules, roles, and relationships related to school practice and adequately address new competition, accountability, and assessment challenges. Schools must have…

Cooperation of Deterministic Dynamics and Random Noise in Production of Complex Syntactical Avian Song Sequences: A Neural Network Model

PubMed Central

Yamashita, Yuichi; Okumura, Tetsu; Okanoya, Kazuo; Tani, Jun

2011-01-01

How the brain learns and generates temporal sequences is a fundamental issue in neuroscience. The production of birdsongs, a process which involves complex learned sequences, provides researchers with an excellent biological model for this topic. The Bengalese finch in particular learns a highly complex song with syntactical structure. The nucleus HVC (HVC), a premotor nucleus within the avian song system, plays a key role in generating the temporal structures of their songs. From lesion studies, the nucleus interfacialis (NIf) projecting to the HVC is considered one of the essential regions that contribute to the complexity of their songs. However, the types of interaction between the HVC and the NIf that can produce complex syntactical songs remain unclear. In order to investigate the function of interactions between the HVC and NIf, we have proposed a neural network model based on previous biological evidence. The HVC is modeled by a recurrent neural network (RNN) that learns to generate temporal patterns of songs. The NIf is modeled as a mechanism that provides auditory feedback to the HVC and generates random noise that feeds into the HVC. The model showed that complex syntactical songs can be replicated by simple interactions between deterministic dynamics of the RNN and random noise. In the current study, the plausibility of the model is tested by the comparison between the changes in the songs of actual birds induced by pharmacological inhibition of the NIf and the changes in the songs produced by the model resulting from modification of parameters representing NIf functions. The efficacy of the model demonstrates that the changes of songs induced by pharmacological inhibition of the NIf can be interpreted as a trade-off between the effects of noise and the effects of feedback on the dynamics of the RNN of the HVC. These facts suggest that the current model provides a convincing hypothesis for the functional role of NIf–HVC interaction. PMID:21559065

Science at NASA field centers: Findings and recommendations on the scope, strength and interactions of science and science-related technology programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Great achievements by NASA and other space agencies have shown us what opportunities lie in the opening of the space frontier. A broad and vigorous science program in NASA is vital to full U.S. exploitation of these new opportunities. Today, science in NASA Centers is characterized by its breadth, relevance, and excellence. The NASA in-house science program and its links to university programs constitute a vitally important national resource. Maintaining excellence as a foundation for the future is a fundamental responsibility of NASA, one that requires constant attention and effort. This report by the NASA Center Science Assessment Team documents the current state of science within NASA and recommends actions to maintain a healthy program. NASA scientists have always played key roles in planning, guiding, and conducting national programs in space science. The review of Center science programs is intended to ensure that both NASA and the nation can depend on their continuing contribution in these roles.

Role of stress-related hormones in plant defence during early infection of the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Kammerhofer, Nina; Radakovic, Zoran; Regis, Jully M A; Dobrev, Petre; Vankova, Radomira; Grundler, Florian M W; Siddique, Shahid; Hofmann, Julia; Wieczorek, Krzysztof

2015-01-01

Heterodera schachtii, a plant-parasitic cyst nematode, invades host roots and induces a specific syncytial feeding structure, from which it withdraws all required nutrients, causing severe yield losses. The system H. schachtii–Arabidopsis is an excellent research model for investigating plant defence mechanisms. Such responses are suppressed in well-established syncytia, whereas they are induced during early parasitism. However, the mechanisms by which the defence responses are modulated and the role of phytohormones are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of hormone-based defence responses at the onset of nematode infection. First, concentrations of main phytohormones were quantified and the expression of several hormone-related genes was analysed using quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR or GeneChip. Further, the effects of individual hormones were evaluated via nematode attraction and infection assays using plants with altered endogenous hormone concentrations. Our results suggest a pivotal and positive role for ethylene during nematode attraction, whereas jasmonic acid triggers early defence responses against H. schachtii. Salicylic acid seems to be a negative regulator during later syncytium and female development. We conclude that nematodes are able to impose specific changes in hormone pools, thus modulating hormone-based defence and signal transduction in strict dependence on their parasitism stage. PMID:25825039

Role of stress-related hormones in plant defence during early infection of the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Kammerhofer, Nina; Radakovic, Zoran; Regis, Jully M A; Dobrev, Petre; Vankova, Radomira; Grundler, Florian M W; Siddique, Shahid; Hofmann, Julia; Wieczorek, Krzysztof

2015-08-01

Heterodera schachtii, a plant-parasitic cyst nematode, invades host roots and induces a specific syncytial feeding structure, from which it withdraws all required nutrients, causing severe yield losses. The system H. schachtii-Arabidopsis is an excellent research model for investigating plant defence mechanisms. Such responses are suppressed in well-established syncytia, whereas they are induced during early parasitism. However, the mechanisms by which the defence responses are modulated and the role of phytohormones are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of hormone-based defence responses at the onset of nematode infection. First, concentrations of main phytohormones were quantified and the expression of several hormone-related genes was analysed using quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR or GeneChip. Further, the effects of individual hormones were evaluated via nematode attraction and infection assays using plants with altered endogenous hormone concentrations. Our results suggest a pivotal and positive role for ethylene during nematode attraction, whereas jasmonic acid triggers early defence responses against H. schachtii. Salicylic acid seems to be a negative regulator during later syncytium and female development. We conclude that nematodes are able to impose specific changes in hormone pools, thus modulating hormone-based defence and signal transduction in strict dependence on their parasitism stage. © 2015 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2015 New Phytologist Trust.

Enhancement of Pyrometallurgical Teaching Using Excel Simulation Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grimsey, Eric J.

Steady state Excel models for a copper flash smelter and an iron blast furnace are used to enhance the teaching of pyrometallurgical smelting principles within a fourth year level process engineering unit delivered at the Western Australian School of Mines. A lecture/workshop approach has been adopted in which student teams undertake process simulation assignments that illustrate the multifaceted responses of process outputs to variation of inputs, the objectives being to reinforce their understanding of smelting principles. The approach has proven to be popular with students, as evidenced by the consistently high ratings the unit has received through student feedback. This paper provides an overview of the teaching approach and process models used.

Improved model of the retardance in citric acid coated ferrofluids using stepwise regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, J. F.; Qiu, X. R.

2017-06-01

Citric acid (CA) coated Fe3O4 ferrofluids (FFs) have been conducted for biomedical application. The magneto-optical retardance of CA coated FFs was measured by a Stokes polarimeter. Optimization and multiple regression of retardance in FFs were executed by Taguchi method and Microsoft Excel previously, and the F value of regression model was large enough. However, the model executed by Excel was not systematic. Instead we adopted the stepwise regression to model the retardance of CA coated FFs. From the results of stepwise regression by MATLAB, the developed model had highly predictable ability owing to F of 2.55897e+7 and correlation coefficient of one. The average absolute error of predicted retardances to measured retardances was just 0.0044%. Using the genetic algorithm (GA) in MATLAB, the optimized parametric combination was determined as [4.709 0.12 39.998 70.006] corresponding to the pH of suspension, molar ratio of CA to Fe3O4, CA volume, and coating temperature. The maximum retardance was found as 31.712°, close to that obtained by evolutionary solver in Excel and a relative error of -0.013%. Above all, the stepwise regression method was successfully used to model the retardance of CA coated FFs, and the maximum global retardance was determined by the use of GA.

Exploring the measurement structure of the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS) in treatment-seekers: A Bayesian structural equation modelling approach.

PubMed

Smith, David; Woodman, Richard; Drummond, Aaron; Battersby, Malcolm

2016-03-30

Knowledge of a problem gambler's underlying gambling related cognitions plays an important role in treatment planning. The Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS) is therefore frequently used in clinical settings for screening and evaluation of treatment outcomes. However, GRCS validation studies have generated conflicting results regarding its latent structure using traditional confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). This may partly be due to the rigid constraints imposed on cross-factor loadings with traditional CFA. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether a Bayesian structural equation modelling (BSEM) approach to examination of the GRCS factor structure would better replicate substantive theory and also inform model re-specifications. Participants were 454 treatment-seekers at first presentation to a gambling treatment centre between January 2012 and December 2014. Model fit indices were well below acceptable standards for CFA. In contrast, the BSEM model which included small informative priors for the residual covariance matrix in addition to cross-loadings produced excellent model fit for the original hypothesised factor structure. The results also informed re-specification of the CFA model which provided more reasonable model fit. These conclusions have implications that should be useful to both clinicians and researchers evaluating measurement models relating to gambling related cognitions in treatment-seekers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi-Layer Identification of Highly-Potent ABCA1 Up-Regulators Targeting LXRβ Using Multiple QSAR Modeling, Structural Similarity Analysis, and Molecular Docking.

PubMed

Chen, Meimei; Yang, Fafu; Kang, Jie; Yang, Xuemei; Lai, Xinmei; Gao, Yuxing

2016-11-29

In this study, in silico approaches, including multiple QSAR modeling, structural similarity analysis, and molecular docking, were applied to develop QSAR classification models as a fast screening tool for identifying highly-potent ABCA1 up-regulators targeting LXRβ based on a series of new flavonoids. Initially, four modeling approaches, including linear discriminant analysis, support vector machine, radial basis function neural network, and classification and regression trees, were applied to construct different QSAR classification models. The statistics results indicated that these four kinds of QSAR models were powerful tools for screening highly potent ABCA1 up-regulators. Then, a consensus QSAR model was developed by combining the predictions from these four models. To discover new ABCA1 up-regulators at maximum accuracy, the compounds in the ZINC database that fulfilled the requirement of structural similarity of 0.7 compared to known potent ABCA1 up-regulator were subjected to the consensus QSAR model, which led to the discovery of 50 compounds. Finally, they were docked into the LXRβ binding site to understand their role in up-regulating ABCA1 expression. The excellent binding modes and docking scores of 10 hit compounds suggested they were highly-potent ABCA1 up-regulators targeting LXRβ. Overall, this study provided an effective strategy to discover highly potent ABCA1 up-regulators.

Toughening mechanisms in bioinspired multilayered materials.

PubMed

Askarinejad, Sina; Rahbar, Nima

2015-01-06

Outstanding mechanical properties of biological multilayered materials are strongly influenced by nanoscale features in their structure. In this study, mechanical behaviour and toughening mechanisms of abalone nacre-inspired multilayered materials are explored. In nacre's structure, the organic matrix, pillars and the roughness of the aragonite platelets play important roles in its overall mechanical performance. A micromechanical model for multilayered biological materials is proposed to simulate their mechanical deformation and toughening mechanisms. The fundamental hypothesis of the model is the inclusion of nanoscale pillars with near theoretical strength (σth ~ E/30). It is also assumed that pillars and asperities confine the organic matrix to the proximity of the platelets, and, hence, increase their stiffness, since it has been previously shown that the organic matrix behaves more stiffly in the proximity of mineral platelets. The modelling results are in excellent agreement with the available experimental data for abalone nacre. The results demonstrate that the aragonite platelets, pillars and organic matrix synergistically affect the stiffness of nacre, and the pillars significantly contribute to the mechanical performance of nacre. It is also shown that the roughness induced interactions between the organic matrix and aragonite platelet, represented in the model by asperity elements, play a key role in strength and toughness of abalone nacre. The highly nonlinear behaviour of the proposed multilayered material is the result of distributed deformation in the nacre-like structure due to the existence of nano-asperities and nanopillars with near theoretical strength. Finally, tensile toughness is studied as a function of the components in the microstructure of nacre.

Toughening mechanisms in bioinspired multilayered materials

PubMed Central

Askarinejad, Sina; Rahbar, Nima

2015-01-01

Outstanding mechanical properties of biological multilayered materials are strongly influenced by nanoscale features in their structure. In this study, mechanical behaviour and toughening mechanisms of abalone nacre-inspired multilayered materials are explored. In nacre's structure, the organic matrix, pillars and the roughness of the aragonite platelets play important roles in its overall mechanical performance. A micromechanical model for multilayered biological materials is proposed to simulate their mechanical deformation and toughening mechanisms. The fundamental hypothesis of the model is the inclusion of nanoscale pillars with near theoretical strength (σth ~ E/30). It is also assumed that pillars and asperities confine the organic matrix to the proximity of the platelets, and, hence, increase their stiffness, since it has been previously shown that the organic matrix behaves more stiffly in the proximity of mineral platelets. The modelling results are in excellent agreement with the available experimental data for abalone nacre. The results demonstrate that the aragonite platelets, pillars and organic matrix synergistically affect the stiffness of nacre, and the pillars significantly contribute to the mechanical performance of nacre. It is also shown that the roughness induced interactions between the organic matrix and aragonite platelet, represented in the model by asperity elements, play a key role in strength and toughness of abalone nacre. The highly nonlinear behaviour of the proposed multilayered material is the result of distributed deformation in the nacre-like structure due to the existence of nano-asperities and nanopillars with near theoretical strength. Finally, tensile toughness is studied as a function of the components in the microstructure of nacre. PMID:25551150

Teaching Excellence and Innovative Practices: A Case Study of National Awardee Teachers of India

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sengupta, Aparajita; Tyagi, Harish Kumar

2016-01-01

Aim: The study intended to identify the contributions of the National awardee teachers to the teaching learning process through their teaching excellence and innovative practices which can act as exemplary model for the entire teaching community. Method: Attempts has been made to carry out a qualitative study where two selected cases are based on…

Lessons Learned from the Creation of a Center of Excellence in Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation in Wenzhou, China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marinoff, Rebecca; Heilberger, Michael H.

2017-01-01

A model Center of Excellence in Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation was created in a health care setting in China utilizing an inter-institutional relationship with a United States optometric institution. Accomplishments of, limitations to, and stimuli to the provision of low vision and vision rehabilitation services are shared.

Excellence in Higher Education Guide: An Integrated Approach to Assessment, Planning, and Improvement in Colleges and Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruben, Brent D.

2007-01-01

Self-assessment leads to stronger performance in the nation's colleges and universities. That's the premise of "Excellence in Higher Education," a model self-assessment program that has earned accolades from the higher education community. Based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award framework, the fourth edition of this bestseller is the…

Institutional Research: Leadership through Excellence. North East Association for Institutional Research Annual Conference Proceedings (28th, Cambridge, Massachusetts, November 17-20, 2001).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

North East Association for Institutional Research.

The theme of the 2001 annual conference of the Northeast Association for Institutional Research was Institutional Research: Leadership through Excellence. These proceedings represent the intellectual content and insights shared during the conference. The papers are: (1) The Rocky Road to Graduation: An Academic Career Flow Model for Tracking…

Steroids are required for epidermal cell fate establishment in Arabidopsis roots.

PubMed

Kuppusamy, Kavitha T; Chen, Andrew Y; Nemhauser, Jennifer L

2009-05-12

The simple structure of Arabidopsis roots provides an excellent model system to study epidermal cell fate specification. Epidermal cells in contact with 2 underlying cortical cells differentiate into hair cells (H cells; trichoblasts), whereas cells that contact only a single cortical cell differentiate into mature hairless cells (N cells; atrichoblasts). This position-dependent patterning, in combination with the constrained orientation of cell divisions, results in hair and nonhair cell files running longitudinally along the root epidermis. Here, we present strong evidence that steroid hormones called brassinosteroids (BRs) are required to maintain position-dependent fate specification in roots. We show that BRs are required for normal expression levels and patterns of WEREWOLF (WER) and GLABRA2 (GL2), master regulators of epidermal patterning. Loss of BR signaling results in loss of hair cells in H positions, likely as a consequence of reduced expression of CAPRICE (CPC), a direct downstream target of WER. Our observations demonstrate that in addition to their well-known role in cell expansion, BRs play an essential role in directing cell fate.

Steroids are required for epidermal cell fate establishment in Arabidopsis roots

PubMed Central

Kuppusamy, Kavitha T.; Chen, Andrew Y.; Nemhauser, Jennifer L.

2009-01-01

The simple structure of Arabidopsis roots provides an excellent model system to study epidermal cell fate specification. Epidermal cells in contact with 2 underlying cortical cells differentiate into hair cells (H cells; trichoblasts), whereas cells that contact only a single cortical cell differentiate into mature hairless cells (N cells; atrichoblasts). This position-dependent patterning, in combination with the constrained orientation of cell divisions, results in hair and nonhair cell files running longitudinally along the root epidermis. Here, we present strong evidence that steroid hormones called brassinosteroids (BRs) are required to maintain position-dependent fate specification in roots. We show that BRs are required for normal expression levels and patterns of WEREWOLF (WER) and GLABRA2 (GL2), master regulators of epidermal patterning. Loss of BR signaling results in loss of hair cells in H positions, likely as a consequence of reduced expression of CAPRICE (CPC), a direct downstream target of WER. Our observations demonstrate that in addition to their well-known role in cell expansion, BRs play an essential role in directing cell fate. PMID:19416891

Professional equipoise: Getting beyond dominant discourses in an interprofessional team.

PubMed

Smith, C Scott; Gerrish, Winslow G; Nash, Melanie; Fisher, Amber; Brotman, Adam; Smith, Deborah; Student, Ami; Green, Melissa; Donovan, Jodie; Dreffin, Melissa

2015-01-01

In 2011, the US Department of Veterans Affairs established five Centers of Excellence to study training in the patient-centered medical home clinical microsystem. Early on, our center began a discourse analysis in order to better understand each profession's assumptions about roles, responsibilities, and the basis for "truth" in clinical care. We discovered that these different discourses were pervasive and led to unhelpful stereotypes of each other. This article describes the evidence we identified that led us to hypothesize these conflicting discourses and stereotypes. Specifically, we report on our attempts to identify the traditional discourses of four post-graduate professions--medicine, nurse practitioner, psychology, and pharmacy. We also share lessons from our efforts to defuse participants from their identified discursive assumptions, and develop appreciation and value for the discursive contributions of other professions--a process we call professional equipoise. We conclude that we can change these discourses and the professional identity formation of novices if we provide sustained, integrated interprofessional education curriculum. This implies that we need: embedded, longitudinal training; faculty role modeling of inquisitiveness, respectful relationships, and risk taking; and safe and honest discussion about our differences.

Is there any link between accreditation programs and the models of organizational excellence?

PubMed

Berssaneti, Fernando Tobal; Saut, Ana Maria; Barakat, Májida Farid; Calarge, Felipe Araujo

2016-01-01

To evaluate whether accredited health organizations perform better management practices than non-accredited ones. The study was developed in two stages: a literature review, and a study of multiple cases in 12 healthcare organizations in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It surveyed articles comparing hospital accreditation with the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) model of excellence in management. According to the pertinent literature, the accreditation model and the EFQM model are convergent and supplementary in some aspects. With 99% confidence, one can say that there is evidence that accredited organizations scored better in the evaluation based on the EFQM model in comparison to non-accredited organizations. This result was also confirmed in the comparison of results between the categories Facilitators and Results in the EFQM model. There is convergence between the accreditation model and the EFQM excellence model, suggesting that accreditation helps the healthcare sector to implement the best management practices already used by other business sectors. Avaliar se as organizações de saúde acreditadas possuem melhores práticas de gestão do que as não acreditadas. A pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas: revisão da literatura e estudo de casos múltiplos com 12 organizações de saúde, localizadas no estado de São Paulo ‒ Brasil. Foram pesquisados artigos que comparavam a acreditação hospitalar com o modelo de excelência em gestão da EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management), sendo que a literatura pertinente considera que o modelo de acreditação e o modelo da EFQM são convergentes e, ao mesmo tempo, complementares em determinados aspectos. Com 99% de confiança, pode-se afirmar que há evidência de que as organizações com acreditação obtiveram uma pontuação maior na avaliação baseada no modelo EFQM comparativamente às organizações não acreditadas. Este resultado também se confirmou na comparação dos resultados das categorias Facilitadores e Resultados do modelo EFQM. Há uma convergência entre o modelo de acreditação e o modelo de excelência da EFQM, sugerindo que a acreditação contribui para o setor de saúde implementar as melhores práticas de gestão já difundidas em outros setores de negócio.

Amerciamysis bahia Stochastic Matrix Population Model for Laboratory Populations

EPA Science Inventory

The population model described here is a stochastic, density-independent matrix model for integrating the effects of toxicants on survival and reproduction of the marine invertebrate, Americamysis bahia. The model was constructed using Microsoft® Excel 2003. The focus of the mode...

The silver effect of admission glucose level on excellent outcome in thrombolysed stroke patients.

PubMed

Rosso, Charlotte; Baronnet, Flore; Diaz, Belen; Le Bouc, Raphael; Frasca Polara, Giulia; Moulton, Eric Jr; Deltour, Sandrine; Leger, Anne; Crozier, Sophie; Samson, Yves

2018-05-18

Higher admission glucose levels (AGL) are associated with less favorable outcome in thrombolysis. But, could AGL's impact on outcome vary by onset-to-treatment (OTT) time? Is hyperglycemia associated with a shorter therapeutic time window for excellent outcome for thrombolysed stroke patients? We assessed predictive values of AGL, baseline NIHSS, age, and OTT time quartiles on excellent outcome (3-month modified Rankin score of 0-1) in 773 patients treated by rt-Pa. We added the AGL × OTT time quartile interaction in the model and separately analyzed the predictive values of AGL, age, and NIHSS for each OTT time quartile if the interaction was significant. AGL, baseline NIHSS, age, and OTT time quartiles were significant predictors. When added in the model, the AGL × OTT interaction was significant (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, p: 0.0009). AGL was predictive only during the third OTT time quartile (181-224 min). During this period, the predicted rate of excellent outcome was 16% for AGL = 6.5 mmol/L and 8% for AGL = 8 mmol/L. The rate of excellent outcome was not decreased in hyperglycemic patients for OTT time ≤ 180 min (20 vs. 24.5% p: 0.37), but was decreased for OTT time > 180 min (9.6 vs. 26.7% p: 0.00001). Similar results were found in patients with MCA recanalization, but not in patients without recanalization. The therapeutic time window for excellent outcome is shortened in hyperglycemic patients. This would support the design of "freezing penumbra" randomized trials based on ultra-early AGL control.

Institutional Researchers as Change Agents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swing, Randy L.

2009-01-01

The future challenge and opportunity for institutional researchers is to serve as change agents with involvement in initiating, implementing, and evaluating campus work. Institutional researchers are poised to excel at doing so because of the array of technical skills they routinely apply to existing institutional research roles. Their work…

Factory-Farmed Teachers Will Fail Our Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manzone, Jane

2016-01-01

The White Paper Educational Excellence Everywhere signals a further attack on the role of universities in educating future teachers. The author challenges the type of preparation that new teachers experience, and highlights the impact it will have for both school students and the future of the teaching profession.

Narrative Therapy with an Adolescent Who Self-Cuts: A Case Example

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hannen, Elaine; Woods, Kevin

2012-01-01

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence identifies educational psychologists as appropriate specialists to deliver interventions to promote the emotional well-being of children and families. A role for practitioner educational psychologists in providing specific therapeutic interventions has also been proposed by commentators. The present…

Reframing the Role of Educational Media Technologies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Westera, Wim

2015-01-01

Distance universities excel in using digital media technologies for content delivery and collaborative interaction to compensate for limited face-to-face opportunities. Now that an ever-growing variety of media technologies, devices, and services are flooding the market, possession of expertise about the educational opportunities of these…

Confronting Diversity in the Community College Classroom: Six Maxims for Good Teaching.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillett-Karam, Rosemary

1992-01-01

Emphasizes the leadership role of community college faculty in developing critical teaching strategies focusing attention on the needs of women and minorities. Describes six maxims of teaching excellence: engaging students' desire to learn, increasing opportunities, eliminating obstacles, empowering students through high expectations, offering…

Barn and Pole Paradox: Revisited

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cacioppo, Robert; Gangopadhyaya, Asim

2012-01-01

Paradoxes have played great instructive roles in many cultures. They provide an excellent paradigm for teaching concepts that require deep reflection. In this article, the authors present two different paradoxes related to the length contraction in special relativity and explain their resolution. They hope that these two Gedanken experiments and…

MORE THAN JUST BAIT: BURROWING SHRIMP AS ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS IN OREGON ESTUARIES - SEPTEMBER 2006

EPA Science Inventory

Burrowing shrimp may be most widely known as excellent fishing bait, but they also play important roles in estuaries of the Pacific Northwest. These shrimps strongly affect carbon and nutrient cycling, phytoplankton abundance, food web structure and dynamics, sediment stability,...

Solar spectral irradiance variability in cycle 24: observations and models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchenko, Sergey V.; DeLand, Matthew T.; Lean, Judith L.

2016-12-01

Utilizing the excellent stability of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), we characterize both short-term (solar rotation) and long-term (solar cycle) changes of the solar spectral irradiance (SSI) between 265 and 500 nm during the ongoing cycle 24. We supplement the OMI data with concurrent observations from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2) and Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) instruments and find fair-to-excellent, depending on wavelength, agreement among the observations, and predictions of the Naval Research Laboratory Solar Spectral Irradiance (NRLSSI2) and Spectral And Total Irradiance REconstruction for the Satellite era (SATIRE-S) models.

Resource Economics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrad, Jon M.

1999-10-01

Resource Economics is a text for students with a background in calculus, intermediate microeconomics, and a familiarity with the spreadsheet software Excel. The book covers basic concepts, shows how to set up spreadsheets to solve dynamic allocation problems, and presents economic models for fisheries, forestry, nonrenewable resources, stock pollutants, option value, and sustainable development. Within the text, numerical examples are posed and solved using Excel's Solver. Through these examples and additional exercises at the end of each chapter, students can make dynamic models operational, develop their economic intuition, and learn how to set up spreadsheets for the simulation of optimization of resource and environmental systems.

Beadex Function in the Motor Neurons Is Essential for Female Reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster

PubMed Central

Kairamkonda, Subhash; Nongthomba, Upendra

2014-01-01

Drosophila melanogaster has served as an excellent model system for understanding the neuronal circuits and molecular mechanisms regulating complex behaviors. The Drosophila female reproductive circuits, in particular, are well studied and can be used as a tool to understand the role of novel genes in neuronal function in general and female reproduction in particular. In the present study, the role of Beadex, a transcription co-activator, in Drosophila female reproduction was assessed by generation of mutant and knock down studies. Null allele of Beadex was generated by transposase induced excision of P-element present within an intron of Beadex gene. The mutant showed highly compromised reproductive abilities as evaluated by reduced fecundity and fertility, abnormal oviposition and more importantly, the failure of sperm release from storage organs. However, no defect was found in the overall ovariole development. Tissue specific, targeted knock down of Beadex indicated that its function in neurons is important for efficient female reproduction, since its neuronal knock down led to compromised female reproductive abilities, similar to Beadex null females. Further, different neuronal class specific knock down studies revealed that Beadex function is required in motor neurons for normal fecundity and fertility of females. Thus, the present study attributes a novel and essential role for Beadex in female reproduction through neurons. PMID:25396431

Application of Rqd-Number and Rqd-Volume Multifractal Modelling to Delineate Rock Mass Characterisation in Kahang Cu-Mo Porphyry Deposit, Central Iran / Zastosowanie Metod Modelowania Numerycznego Oraz Modelowania Fraktalnego do Analizy JAKOŚCI SKAŁ W Celu OKREŚLENIA Charakterystyki GÓROTWORU W Obszarze ZŁOŻA Cu-Mo W Kahang, ŚRODKOWY Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasrebi, Amir Bijan; Wetherelt, Andrew; Foster, Patrick J.; Afzal, Peyman; Coggan, John; Ahangaran, Dariush Kaveh

2013-12-01

Identification of rock mass properties in terms of Rock Quality Designation (RQD) plays a significant role in mine planning and design. This study aims to separate the rock mass characterisation based on RQD data analysed from 48 boreholes in Kahang Cu-Mo porphyry deposit situated in the central Iran utilising RQD-Volume (RQD-V) and RQD-Number (RQD-N) fractal models. The log-log plots for RQD-V and RQD-N models show four rock mass populations defined by RQD thresholds of 3.55, 25.12 and 89.12% and 10.47, 41.68 and 83.17% respectively which represent very poor, poor, good and excellent rocks based on Deere and Miller rock classification. The RQD-V and RQD-N models indicate that the excellent rocks are situated in the NW and central parts of this deposit however, the good rocks are located in the most parts of the deposit. The results of validation of the fractal models with the RQD block model show that the RQD-N fractal model of excellent rock quality is better than the RQD-V fractal model of the same rock quality. Correlation between results of the fractal and the geological models illustrates that the excellent rocks are associated with porphyric quartz diorite (PQD) units. The results reveal that there is a multifractal nature in rock characterisation with respect to RQD for the Kahang deposit. The proposed fractal model can be intended for the better understanding of the rock quality for purpose of determination of the final pit slope. Identyfikacja właściwości górotworu odgrywa zasadniczą rolę w planowaniu wydobycia i projektowaniu kopalni. Praca niniejsza ma na celu określenie charakterystyki górotworu w oparciu o dane o jakości skał zebrane na podstawie próbek uzyskanych z 48 odwiertów wykonanych w złożu porfiru Cu-Mo w Kahang, zalegającym w środkowym Iranie przy użyciu modeli fraktalnych RQD-V - Rock Quality Determination-Volume [Określenie jakości skał-objętość]) i RQD-N (Rock Quality Determination-Number [Określenie jakości skał-liczba]). Wykresy logarytmiczne wykonane dla modeli RQD-V i RQD-N wykazują istnienie czterech populacji warstw górotworu, określonych na podstawie parametrów progowych: 3.55; 25.12; 89.12% oraz 10.47; 41.68 i 83.17%, odpowiadającym kolejno stopniom jakości: bardzo słaby, słaby, dobry i bardzo dobry, zgodnie z klasyfikacją skał Deere i Millera. Wyniki uzyskane przy zastosowaniu modeli RQD-V i RQD-N wskazują, że najlepsze skały zalegają w północno- zachodniej i centralnej części złoża, z kolei dobrej jakości skały znaleźć można w obrębie całego złoża. Walidacja modeli fraktalnych w oparciu o model blokowy (RQD block model) wskazuje, że model RQD-N dla bardzo dobrej jakości skał jest skuteczniejszy niż model RQD-V dla tej samej jakości skał. Wysoki stopień korelacji pomiędzy wynikami uzyskanymi w oparciu o modele fraktalne i geologiczne pokazuje, że najwyższej jakości skały związane są z obecnością porfirowego diorytu kwarcowego. Badanie wykazuje fraktalną naturę charakterystyki jakości skał w złożu Kahang. Zaproponowany model fraktalny wykorzystać można do lepszego poznania zagadnienia jakości skał w celu obliczenia nachylenia wyrobiska.

Redesigning Schools to Reach Every Student with Excellent Teachers: Change Management--Key Theories to Consider when Extending Reach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barrett, Sharon Kebschull

2012-01-01

As schools, their teachers, and outside facilitators redesign jobs and incorporate technology to extend the reach of excellent teachers to more students and develop an Opportunity Culture for all, choosing the right school models is just one part of the task. The human experience--and experience in education--says that even perfect design will not…

Broadway High School: Moving Ahead in Math. Onward to Excellence II: Committing to CHANGE with OTE II.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Northwest Regional Educational Lab., Portland, OR. School Improvement Program.

This document describes the school reform movement at Broadway High School in rural Virginia which has led to great success in mathematics achievement as proven by the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. The Onward to Excellence II model provided a way for the faculty to focus on math, especially Algebra I, and to involve the entire school…

The National Rural Alcohol and Drug Abuse Network Awards for Excellence 2004: Submitted and Award-Winning Papers. Technical Assistance Publication Series (TAP) 28

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2006

2006-01-01

This TAP presents seven papers submitted to the 2004 National Rural Alcohol and Drug Abuse Network (NRADAN) Awards for Excellence. Each paper describes effective and innovative models of treatment and prevention services in rural populations. This publication seeks to promote and showcase research addressing the unique and special challenges of…

A Metacognitive model of procrastination.

PubMed

Fernie, Bruce A; Bharucha, Zinnia; Nikčević, Ana V; Marino, Claudia; Spada, Marcantonio M

2017-03-01

procrastination refers to the delay or postponement of task or decision-making initiation or completion and is often conceptualised as a failure of self-regulation. Recent research has suggested that metacognitions play a role in procrastination and that unintentional procrastination (UP), as opposed to intentional procrastination (IP), may be the most problematic form of this behaviour. We aimed to test a metacognitive model of procrastination that was grounded in the Self-Regulatory Executive Function model. a convenience sample of 400 participants were recruited and completed (at least partially) a battery of online questionnaires that measured IP and UP, metacognitions about procrastination, depression, and Cognitive Attentional Syndrome (CAS) configurations. Initially, we tested series of hypotheses to establish the relationships between the experimental variables and to test whether CAS configurations would independently predict UP when controlling for age, depression, IP, metacognitions about procrastination, and whether an individual reported that they had been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. CAS configurations, depression, and metacognitions independently predicted UP. Additionally, path analysis revealed that the study data was an excellent fit to the proposed metacognitive model of procrastination. the study is cross-sectional. the metacognitive model of procrastination presented in this paper can be used to generate novel interventions to treat this problematic behaviour. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of supraglacial lakes in recession of Himalayan glaciers: A case study of Dudh Koshi basin, Nepal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuladhar, Florencia Matina; KC, Diwakar

2018-07-01

Climate change has been adversely affecting glaciers causing them to advance and recession worldwide. Existing studies have primarily attributed temperature as the leading factor causing glacier recession. However, detailed studies that investigate effect of other factors like presence of debris cover, slope, and contact with water bodies are still scarce. This research, thus investigated the role of supraglacial lakes in recession of debris-covered glaciers (DCG). Such glaciers were studied since these lakes are found in debris-covered glaciers only. For this purpose the interannual variation in area of supraglacial lakes of Dudh Koshi basin was computed to test the hypothesis that these lakes play a significant role in glacier recession. Supraglacial lakes were delineated using Google Earth Pro at five year intervals to assess interannual variation in lake area. Slope, elevation and change in supraglacial lake area were the predictors influencing average decadal change in area of glaciers. Two models prepared using multiple linear regression in Excel were compared. The first model used elevation and slope as predictors while the second model used change in supraglacial lake area as the additional predictor. The second model had a higher coefficient of determination (R square) and Adjusted R-square values of 99 % and 96 % compared to the first model. Further test statistics from Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results were compared to test the hypothesis. Moreover the Root mean square error (RMSE) of second model was also less than the first one. Hence both the regression statistics and RMSE confirmed that change in area of supraglacial lakes was an important factor that influences overall recession of debris-covered glaciers. Nevertheless, use of high spatial and temporal resolution imageries along-with increase in number of glaciers sampled should be incorporated in future studies to ensure robust outcomes. Thus this research can bolster the overall understanding between glacier and glacial lake dynamics which will improve the resilience of downstream inhabitants from climate induced hazards, such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

What Does Professionalism Mean to the Physician?

PubMed Central

Kanter, Michael H; Nguyen, Miki; Klau, Marc H; Spiegel, Nancy H; Ambrosini, Virginia L

2013-01-01

Professionalism, which is a core competency for physicians, can be described as a spectrum of behaviors and may have a significant impact on the problems in today’s changing health care climate. In this article, we discuss the meaning of professionalism and its role in the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) and consider how it may be applied to integrated care delivery systems such as Kaiser Permanente. To understand professionalism, one must consider Stern’s definition, which consists of four principles: excellence, humanism, accountability, and altruism. SCPMG has taken three of these principles—excellence, accountability, and altruism—and divided the fourth, humanism, into another three principles similar to those identified by the University of California Los Angeles Task Force on Professionalism: humanitarianism, respect for others, and honor and integrity. SCPMG has a rich history and culture of promoting clinical excellence and professionalism, as evidenced by the programs and initiatives described throughout this article. Indeed, the SCPMG experience validates professionalism as a core physician competency comprising a set of behaviors that are continually refined. PMID:24355895

ROLES OF REMOTE SENSING AND CARTOGRAPHY IN THE USGS NATIONAL MAPPING DIVISION.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Southard, Rupert B.; Salisbury, John W.

1983-01-01

The inseparable roles of remote sensing and photogrammetry have been recognized to be consistent with the aims and interests of the American Society of Photogrammetry. In particular, spatial data storage, data merging and manipulation methods and other techniques originally developed for remote sensing applications also have applications for digital cartography. Also, with the introduction of much improved digital processing techniques, even relatively low resolution (80 m) traditional Landsat images can now be digitally mosaicked into excellent quality 1:250,000-scale image maps.

Role of relativity in electron impact ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, Bidhan C.; Basak, Arun K.; Alfaz Uddin, M.

2006-03-01

The recently modified MBELL parameters[1] are generalized in terms of nl quantum numbers and applied to few selective systems. We intend to describe the procedure and to report the excellent predictive role of this simple procedure[2]. [1] A. K. F. Haque, M. A. Uddin, A.K. Basak, K. R. Karim and B. C. Saha, Phys. Rev. A 76 (in press) [2] A. K. F. Haque, M. A. Uddin, A.K. Basak, K. R. Karim, B. C. Saha, and F. B. Malik, Phys. Rev. Lett (under consideration)

Rural Gifted Education and the Effect of Proximity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Puryear, Jeb S.; Kettler, Todd

2017-01-01

Gifted education services in rural districts typically lag behind those in nonrural areas. Using district classifications assigned by the National Center for Education Statistics and Texas school district data (n = 1,029) from the Academic Excellence Indicator System, the role of school district classification on gifted education outcomes was…

Redefining Academic Identity in an Evolving Higher Education Landscape

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flecknoe, Sharon J.; Choate, Julia K.; Davis, Elizabeth A.; Hodgson, Yvonne M.; Johanesen, Priscilla A.; Macaulay, Janet O.; Murphy, Kim; Sturrock, Wayne J.; Rayner, Gerry M.

2017-01-01

During a period of massive upheaval to the higher education sector, the traditional academic role has undergone considerable change. One element of these changes has been the broad introduction of Education-Focused (EF) or equivalent academic positions, which focus on educational excellence, with a requirement for high quality teaching and…

Training, Transforming, and Transitioning: A Blueprint for the Christian University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zigarelli, Michael

2012-01-01

With respect to students, Christian universities have at least three interrelated missions or aims: training, transformation, and transition. That is, their role is to educate or "train" students to be excellent in their field, to facilitate the "transformation" of students' worldview and character, and to "transition" students into their…

Student Perceptions of Collaborative Learning in Operations Management Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yazici, Hulya Julie

2004-01-01

Given today's global work environment, business education should prepare learners not only for technical excellence but also for effective collaboration. In this article, the author describes how collaborative activities--ranging from exams to projects and role playing--enhance the understanding of operations management (OM). The author found that…

Directions 1984: State Community, Junior & Technical Colleges. Alabama's Commitment to Opportunity with Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alabama State Dept. of Postsecondary Education, Montgomery.

The report represents the objectives of Directions 1984, a comprehensive systemwide assessment and decision-making effort being undertaken by Alabama's two-year college system. Introductory material highlights the role of Alabama's two-year colleges in providing educational opportunities, explains the philosophy underpinning the Directions 1984…

Health and Wellbeing: A Policy Context for Physical Education in Scotland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Horrell, Andrew; Sproule, John; Gray, Shirley

2012-01-01

The "Curriculum for Excellence" (CfE) guidelines and associated learning experiences and outcomes have been developed following a national debate on the purposes of education in Scotland. The recent development shifts physical education's (PE) role in Scottish education, changing from contributing to the "Expressive Arts" area…

Derek Bok after 20 Years at Harvard's Helm: An Interview.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chronicle of Higher Education, 1990

1990-01-01

The interview with Derek Bok addresses his reasons for stepping down from the Harvard presidency; cost-cutting efforts at Harvard; "selective excellence" as a planning principle; current needs of Harvard; corruption of higher education by corporate ties; the changing college presidency; and the role of ethical considerations in decision…

IBE: Strategy & Programme of Work 2012-2017

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

UNESCO International Bureau of Education, 2013

2013-01-01

Education plays a fundamental role in the social and economic development of individuals and communities. As a centre of excellence as well as the UNESCO Institute specializing in curriculum, the International Bureau of Education (IBE) offers relevant advice, training and resources to help conceive and support efficiently processes of curricular…

Forward: Thinking through Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ambery, Mary Elizabeth

2007-01-01

Regardless of their roles as business owners, center directors, school principals, or teachers, educational leaders are expected to be organized, sensitive, and unflappable. So, deciding what to do and when to do it are key to their success in achieving program goals, promoting staff excellence, or providing family and community appreciation.…

Magnetically recyclable magnetite-palladium (Nanocat-Fe-Pd) nanocatalyst for the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction

EPA Science Inventory

The immobilization of Pd on magnetite surface afforded (Nanocat-Fe-Pd) using inexpensive precursors and its catalytic role in the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction for arylation of amines and amides was investigated; C-N bond formation was achieved in moderate to excellent yields and the...

Improving Preservice Teachers' Expression in Read-Alouds

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kerry-Moran, Kelli Jo

2016-01-01

Read-alouds play an important role in young children's literacy development. Teacher education programs include read-alouds as part of balanced literacy instruction and many preservice teachers are required to read aloud to others in their teacher education programs. There are many excellent resources teacher educators may use to help preservice…

Making the Most of Libraries in the Search for Academic Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breivik, Patricia Senn

1987-01-01

The role of libraries in the search for quality education was addressed in the Carnegie Foundation's report, "College," and at the first higher education conference on academic libraries. Information literacy and policy, campus organizational issues, and programs in economic development support, active learning, and faculty development…

VISION User Guide - VISION (Verifiable Fuel Cycle Simulation) Model

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

Jacob J. Jacobson; Robert F. Jeffers; Gretchen E. Matthern

2009-08-01

The purpose of this document is to provide a guide for using the current version of the Verifiable Fuel Cycle Simulation (VISION) model. This is a complex model with many parameters; the user is strongly encouraged to read this user guide before attempting to run the model. This model is an R&D work in progress and may contain errors and omissions. It is based upon numerous assumptions. This model is intended to assist in evaluating “what if” scenarios and in comparing fuel, reactor, and fuel processing alternatives at a systems level for U.S. nuclear power. The model is not intendedmore » as a tool for process flow and design modeling of specific facilities nor for tracking individual units of fuel or other material through the system. The model is intended to examine the interactions among the components of a fuel system as a function of time varying system parameters; this model represents a dynamic rather than steady-state approximation of the nuclear fuel system. VISION models the nuclear cycle at the system level, not individual facilities, e.g., “reactor types” not individual reactors and “separation types” not individual separation plants. Natural uranium can be enriched, which produces enriched uranium, which goes into fuel fabrication, and depleted uranium (DU), which goes into storage. Fuel is transformed (transmuted) in reactors and then goes into a storage buffer. Used fuel can be pulled from storage into either separation of disposal. If sent to separations, fuel is transformed (partitioned) into fuel products, recovered uranium, and various categories of waste. Recycled material is stored until used by its assigned reactor type. Note that recovered uranium is itself often partitioned: some RU flows with recycled transuranic elements, some flows with wastes, and the rest is designated RU. RU comes out of storage if needed to correct the U/TRU ratio in new recycled fuel. Neither RU nor DU are designated as wastes. VISION is comprised of several Microsoft Excel input files, a Powersim Studio core, and several Microsoft Excel output files. All must be co-located in the same folder on a PC to function. We use Microsoft Excel 2003 and have not tested VISION with Microsoft Excel 2007. The VISION team uses both Powersim Studio 2005 and 2009 and it should work with either.« less

Development of the ECLSS Sizing Analysis Tool and ARS Mass Balance Model Using Microsoft Excel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McGlothlin, E. P.; Yeh, H. Y.; Lin, C. H.

1999-01-01

The development of a Microsoft Excel-compatible Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) sizing analysis "tool" for conceptual design of Mars human exploration missions makes it possible for a user to choose a certain technology in the corresponding subsystem. This tool estimates the mass, volume, and power requirements of every technology in a subsystem and the system as a whole. Furthermore, to verify that a design sized by the ECLSS Sizing Tool meets the mission requirements and integrates properly, mass balance models that solve for component throughputs of such ECLSS systems as the Water Recovery System (WRS) and Air Revitalization System (ARS) must be developed. The ARS Mass Balance Model will be discussed in this paper.

Effects of job rotation and role stress among nurses on job satisfaction and organizational commitment

PubMed Central

Ho, Wen-Hsien; Chang, Ching Sheng; Shih, Ying-Ling; Liang, Rong-Da

2009-01-01

Background The motivation for this study was to investigate how role stress among nurses could affect their job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and whether the job rotation system might encourage nurses to understand, relate to and share the vision of the organization, consequently increasing their job satisfaction and stimulating them to willingly remain in their jobs and commit themselves to the organization. Despite the fact that there have been plenty of studies on job satisfaction, none was specifically addressed to integrate the relational model of job rotation, role stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment among nurses. Methods With top managerial hospital administration's consent, questionnaires were only distributed to those nurses who had had job rotation experience. 650 copies of the questionnaire in two large and influential hospitals in southern Taiwan were distributed, among which 532 valid copies were retrieved with a response rate of 81.8%. Finally, the SPSS 11.0 and LISREL 8.54 (Linear Structural Relationship Model) statistical software packages were used for data analysis and processing. Results According to the nurses' views, the findings are as follows: (1) job rotation among nurses could have an effect on their job satisfaction; (2) job rotation could have an effect on organizational commitment; (3) job satisfaction could have a positive effect on organizational commitment; (4) role stress among nurses could have a negative effect on their job satisfaction; and (5) role stress could have a negative effect on their organizational commitment. Conclusion As a practical and excellent strategy for manpower utilization, a hospital could promote the benefits of job rotation to both individuals and the hospital while implementing job rotation periodically and fairly. And when a medical organization attempts to enhance nurses' commitment to the organization, the findings suggest that reduction of role ambiguity in role stress has the best effect on enhancing nurses' organizational commitment. The ultimate goal is to increase nurses' job satisfaction and encourage them to stay in their career. This would avoid the vicious circle of high turnover, which is wasteful of the organization's valuable human resources. PMID:19138390

Effects of job rotation and role stress among nurses on job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

PubMed

Ho, Wen-Hsien; Chang, Ching Sheng; Shih, Ying-Ling; Liang, Rong-Da

2009-01-12

The motivation for this study was to investigate how role stress among nurses could affect their job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and whether the job rotation system might encourage nurses to understand, relate to and share the vision of the organization, consequently increasing their job satisfaction and stimulating them to willingly remain in their jobs and commit themselves to the organization. Despite the fact that there have been plenty of studies on job satisfaction, none was specifically addressed to integrate the relational model of job rotation, role stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment among nurses. With top managerial hospital administration's consent, questionnaires were only distributed to those nurses who had had job rotation experience. 650 copies of the questionnaire in two large and influential hospitals in southern Taiwan were distributed, among which 532 valid copies were retrieved with a response rate of 81.8%. Finally, the SPSS 11.0 and LISREL 8.54 (Linear Structural Relationship Model) statistical software packages were used for data analysis and processing. According to the nurses' views, the findings are as follows: (1) job rotation among nurses could have an effect on their job satisfaction; (2) job rotation could have an effect on organizational commitment; (3) job satisfaction could have a positive effect on organizational commitment; (4) role stress among nurses could have a negative effect on their job satisfaction; and (5) role stress could have a negative effect on their organizational commitment. As a practical and excellent strategy for manpower utilization, a hospital could promote the benefits of job rotation to both individuals and the hospital while implementing job rotation periodically and fairly. And when a medical organization attempts to enhance nurses' commitment to the organization, the findings suggest that reduction of role ambiguity in role stress has the best effect on enhancing nurses' organizational commitment. The ultimate goal is to increase nurses' job satisfaction and encourage them to stay in their career. This would avoid the vicious circle of high turnover, which is wasteful of the organization's valuable human resources.

Density functional theory calculations of continuum lowering in strongly coupled plasmas.

PubMed

Vinko, S M; Ciricosta, O; Wark, J S

2014-03-24

An accurate description of the ionization potential depression of ions in plasmas due to their interaction with the environment is a fundamental problem in plasma physics, playing a key role in determining the ionization balance, charge state distribution, opacity and plasma equation of state. Here we present a method to study the structure and position of the continuum of highly ionized dense plasmas using finite-temperature density functional theory in combination with excited-state projector augmented-wave potentials. The method is applied to aluminium plasmas created by intense X-ray irradiation, and shows excellent agreement with recently obtained experimental results. We find that the continuum lowering for ions in dense plasmas at intermediate temperatures is larger than predicted by standard plasma models and explain this effect through the electronic structure of the valence states in these strong-coupling conditions.

Flexibility of nucleic acids: From DNA to RNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Bao; Xi, Zhang; Lei, Jin; Zhi-Jie, Tan

2016-01-01

The structural flexibility of nucleic acids plays a key role in many fundamental life processes, such as gene replication and expression, DNA-protein recognition, and gene regulation. To obtain a thorough understanding of nucleic acid flexibility, extensive studies have been performed using various experimental methods and theoretical models. In this review, we will introduce the progress that has been made in understanding the flexibility of nucleic acids including DNAs and RNAs, and will emphasize the experimental findings and the effects of salt, temperature, and sequence. Finally, we will discuss the major unanswered questions in understanding the flexibility of nucleic acids. Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2011CB933600), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11175132, 11575128, and 11374234), and the Program for New Century Excellent Talents, China (Grant No. NCET 08-0408).

Design, status and test of the Mu2e crystal calorimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atanov, N.; Baranov, V.; Budagov, J.; Carosi, R.; Cervelli, F.; Colao, F.; Cordelli, M.; Corradi, G.; Dané, E.; Davydov, Y. I.; Di Falco, S.; Donati, S.; Donghia, R.; Echenard, B.; Flood, K.; Giovannella, S.; Glagolev, V.; Grancagnolo, F.; Happacher, F.; Hitlin, D. G.; Martini, M.; Miscetti, S.; Miyashita, T.; Morescalchi, L.; Murat, P.; Piacentino, G. M.; Pezzullo, G.; Raffaelli, F.; Saputi, A.; Sarra, I.; Spinella, F.; Tassielli, G.; Tereshchenko, V.; Usubov, Z.; Zhu, R. Y.

2017-11-01

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab searches for the charged-lepton flavor violating neutrino-less conversion of a negative muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus. The dynamics of such a process is well modeled by a two-body decay, resulting in a monoenergetic electron with an energy slightly below the muon rest mass (104.967 MeV). The calorimeter of this experiment plays an important role to provide excellent particle identification capabilities and an online trigger filter while aiding the track reconstruction capabilities. The baseline calorimeter configuration consists of two disks each made with ˜ 700 undoped CsI crystals read out by two large area UV-extended Silicon Photomultipliers. These crystals match the requirements for stability of response, high resolution and radiation hardness. In this paper we present the final calorimeter design.

On the origin of regio- and stereoselectivity in the rhodium-catalyzed vinylarenes hydroboration reaction.

PubMed

Daura-Oller, Elias; Segarra, Anna M; Poblet, Josep M; Claver, Carmen; Fernández, Elena; Bo, Carles

2004-04-16

We studied the hydroboration of vinylarenes using rhodium complexes bearing atropoisomeric ligands. For the first time, an NMR spectroscopy study of the styrene and catecholborane addition to the precursor of catalyst [Rh(COD)(L-L)]BF(4), where L-L = (R)-BINAP and (R)-QUINAP, showed evidence of the structure of intermediates involved in the catalytic cycle. On the basis of this evidence, and using DFT calculations and QM/MM strategies, we investigated the origin of regio- and stereoselectivity. We determined the structure and stability of the key intermediates for several ligands and substrates and found excellent agreement between the relative stability of the intermediates and the experimentally observed trends. Using model systems, we analyzed the role of the steric and electronic features of the ligands and the substrates in detail.

Orthopaedic service lines-revisited.

PubMed

Patterson, Cheryl

2008-01-01

This article revisits the application of orthopaedic service lines from early introduction and growth of this organizational approach in the 1980s, through the 1990s, and into the current decade. The author has experienced and worked in various service-line structures through these three decades, as well as the preservice-line era of 1970s orthopaedics. Past lessons learned during earlier phases and then current trends and analysis by industry experts are summarized briefly, with indication given of the future for service lines. Variation versus consistency of certain elements in service-line definitions and in operational models is discussed. Main components of service-line structures and typical processes are described briefly, along with a more detailed section on the service-line director/manager role. Current knowledge contained here will help guide the reader to more "out-of-the-box" thinking toward comprehensive orthopaedic centers of excellence.

Rapid Discovery of Pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine Inhibitors of Monopolar Spindle Kinase 1 (MPS1) Using a Structure-Based Hybridization Approach.

PubMed

Innocenti, Paolo; Woodward, Hannah L; Solanki, Savade; Naud, Sébastien; Westwood, Isaac M; Cronin, Nora; Hayes, Angela; Roberts, Jennie; Henley, Alan T; Baker, Ross; Faisal, Amir; Mak, Grace Wing-Yan; Box, Gary; Valenti, Melanie; De Haven Brandon, Alexis; O'Fee, Lisa; Saville, Harry; Schmitt, Jessica; Matijssen, Berry; Burke, Rosemary; van Montfort, Rob L M; Raynaud, Florence I; Eccles, Suzanne A; Linardopoulos, Spiros; Blagg, Julian; Hoelder, Swen

2016-04-28

Monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) plays a central role in the transition of cells from metaphase to anaphase and is one of the main components of the spindle assembly checkpoint. Chromosomally unstable cancer cells rely heavily on MPS1 to cope with the stress arising from abnormal numbers of chromosomes and centrosomes and are thus more sensitive to MPS1 inhibition than normal cells. We report the discovery and optimization of a series of new pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine based inhibitors via a structure-based hybridization approach from our previously reported inhibitor CCT251455 and a modestly potent screening hit. Compounds in this novel series display excellent potency and selectivity for MPS1, which translates into biomarker modulation in an in vivo human tumor xenograft model.

Development of Bruton's tyrosine kinase Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PubMed

Jiahui, Lv; Jingde, Wu; Feng, He; Ying, Qu; Qiuqiong, Zhang; Chenggong, Yu

2018-03-16

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease and becomes one of the major causes of disability and work force loss. The presence of abnormal B cell and autoantibodies produced by most RA patients, primarily ACPA and RF, indicate that the function of B cell was involved in the development of RA disease. Accordingly, the drug targeting B cell has become a hot spot in the treatment of RA. Studies have shown that Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is involved in the regulation of B cell proliferation and activation process. Some small molecule BTK inhibitors have shown excellent inhibition in biological activity analysis and animal models. Therefore, this review will briefly introduce BTK and its role in cell signaling and overview recent progress of BTK inhibitors for RA treatment. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Arabidopsis Regenerating Protoplast: A Powerful Model System for Combining the Proteomics of Cell Wall Proteins and the Visualization of Cell Wall Dynamics

PubMed Central

Yokoyama, Ryusuke; Kuki, Hiroaki; Kuroha, Takeshi; Nishitani, Kazuhiko

2016-01-01

The development of a range of sub-proteomic approaches to the plant cell wall has identified many of the cell wall proteins. However, it remains difficult to elucidate the precise biological role of each protein and the cell wall dynamics driven by their actions. The plant protoplast provides an excellent means not only for characterizing cell wall proteins, but also for visualizing the dynamics of cell wall regeneration, during which cell wall proteins are secreted. It therefore offers a unique opportunity to investigate the de novo construction process of the cell wall. This review deals with sub-proteomic approaches to the plant cell wall through the use of protoplasts, a methodology that will provide the basis for further exploration of cell wall proteins and cell wall dynamics. PMID:28248244

Magnetic resonance imaging of optic nerve

PubMed Central

Gala, Foram

2015-01-01

Optic nerves are the second pair of cranial nerves and are unique as they represent an extension of the central nervous system. Apart from clinical and ophthalmoscopic evaluation, imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), plays an important role in the complete evaluation of optic nerve and the entire visual pathway. In this pictorial essay, the authors describe segmental anatomy of the optic nerve and review the imaging findings of various conditions affecting the optic nerves. MRI allows excellent depiction of the intricate anatomy of optic nerves due to its excellent soft tissue contrast without exposure to ionizing radiation, better delineation of the entire visual pathway, and accurate evaluation of associated intracranial pathologies. PMID:26752822

Opportunities for recovery at work and excellent work ability - a cross-sectional population study among young workers.

PubMed

Boström, Maria; Sluiter, Judith K; Hagberg, Mats; Grimby-Ekman, Anna

2016-09-15

Better opportunities for recovery at work are thought to be associated with work ability in a young workforce but evidence is scarce to lacking. The aim of this study was to examine cross-sectional associations between opportunities for recovery at work and excellent work ability among young workers and specifically for young workers with high work demands. A study group of 1295 women and 1056 men aged 18-29 years was selected from three biennial years of a population cohort. The subsample reporting high work demands consisted of 439 women and 349 men. The study group had completed a work environment questionnaire in a survey conducted by Statistics Sweden. Associations between opportunities for recovery at work and excellent work ability were assessed by multiple logistic regression models stratified for gender. Having varied work was associated with excellent work ability in all young men (p < 0.0006; prevalence ratio [PR] 1.3) and also specifically in men with high work demands (p = 0.019; PR 1.3). For the latter group the possibility of deciding when to perform a work task was also associated with excellent work ability (p = 0.049; PR 1.3). Among young women with high work demands, the possibility of deciding one's working hours was associated with excellent work ability (p = 0.046; PR 1.2). For young men, having varied work can contribute to excellent work ability. In addition, for men with high work demands, the possibility of deciding when to perform a work task may be favourable for excellent work ability. For young women with high work demands, the possibility of deciding one's working hours can contribute to excellent work ability. Employers could use these opportunities for recovery in promoting work ability among young workers.

Low temperature ablation models made by pressure/vacuum application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischer, M. C.; Heier, W. C.

1970-01-01

Method developed employs high pressure combined with strong vacuum force to compact ablation models into desired conical shape. Technique eliminates vapor hazard and results in high material density providing excellent structural integrity.

Absolute protein-protein association rate constants from flexible, coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations: the role of intermolecular hydrodynamic interactions in barnase-barstar association.

PubMed

Frembgen-Kesner, Tamara; Elcock, Adrian H

2010-11-03

Theory and computation have long been used to rationalize the experimental association rate constants of protein-protein complexes, and Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations, in particular, have been successful in reproducing the relative rate constants of wild-type and mutant protein pairs. Missing from previous BD studies of association kinetics, however, has been the description of hydrodynamic interactions (HIs) between, and within, the diffusing proteins. Here we address this issue by rigorously including HIs in BD simulations of the barnase-barstar association reaction. We first show that even very simplified representations of the proteins--involving approximately one pseudoatom for every three residues in the protein--can provide excellent reproduction of the absolute association rate constants of wild-type and mutant protein pairs. We then show that simulations that include intermolecular HIs also produce excellent estimates of association rate constants, but, for a given reaction criterion, yield values that are decreased by ∼35-80% relative to those obtained in the absence of intermolecular HIs. The neglect of intermolecular HIs in previous BD simulation studies, therefore, is likely to have contributed to the somewhat overestimated absolute rate constants previously obtained. Consequently, intermolecular HIs could be an important component to include in accurate modeling of the kinetics of macromolecular association events. Copyright © 2010 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NEMO educational kit on micro-optics at the secondary school

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flores-Arias, M. T.; Bao-Varela, Carmen

2014-07-01

NEMO was the "Network of Excellence in Micro-Optics" granted in the "Sixth Framework Program" of the European Union. It aimed at providing Europe with a complete Micro-Optics food-chain, by setting up centers for optical modeling and design; measurement and instrumentation; mastering, prototyping and replication; integration and packaging and reliability and standardization. More than 300 researchers from 30 groups in 12 countries participated in the project. One of the objectives of NEMO was to spread excellence and disseminate knowledge on micro-optics and micro-photonics. To convince pupils, already from secondary school level on, about the crucial role of light and micro-optics and the opportunities this combination holds, several partners of NEMO had collaborate to create this Educational Kit. In Spain the partner involved in this aim was the "Microoptics and GRIN Optics Group" at the University of Santiago of Compostela (USC). The educational kits provided to the Secondary School were composed by two plastic cards with the following microoptical element: different kinds of diffractive optical elements or DOES and refractive optical elements or ROEs namely arrays of micro-lenses. The kit also included a DVD with a handbook for performing the experiments as well as a laser pointer source. This kit was distributed free of charge in the countries with partners in NEMO. In particular in Spain was offered to around 200 Secondary School Centers and only 80 answered accepting evaluate the kit.

Commentary: Diversity 3.0: a necessary systems upgrade.

PubMed

Nivet, Marc A

2011-12-01

This is a defining moment for health and health care in the United States, and medical schools and teaching hospitals have a critical role to play. The combined forces of health care reform, demographic shifts, continued economic woes, and the projected worsening of physician shortages portend major challenges for the health care enterprise in the near future. In this commentary, the author employs a diversity framework implemented by IBM and argues that this framework should be adapted to an academic medicine setting to meet the challenges to the health care enterprise. Using IBM's diversity framework, the author explores three distinct phases in the evolution of diversity thinking within the academic medicine community. The first phase included isolated efforts aimed at removing social and legal barriers to access and equality, with institutional excellence and diversity as competing ends. The second phase kept diversity on the periphery but raised awareness about how increasing diversity benefits everyone, allowing excellence and diversity to exist as parallel ends. In the third phase, which is emerging today and reflects a growing understanding of diversity's broader relevance to institutions and systems, diversity and inclusion are integrated into the core workings of the institution and framed as integral for achieving excellence. The Association of American Medical Colleges, a leading voice and advocate for increased student and faculty diversity, is set to play a more active role in building the capacity of the nation's medical schools and teaching hospitals to move diversity from a periphery to a core strategy.

A Comparison of Organizational Climate and Nurses’ Intention to Leave Among Excellence Awarded Hospitals and Other Hospitals in 2013

PubMed Central

Mohamadzadeh Nojehdehi, Maryam; Ashgholi Farahani, Mansoureh; Rafii, Forough; Bahrani, Nasser

2015-01-01

Background: Human resource is the most important factor of performance, success and better revelation of excellence goals of each organization. By performing excellence plan, healthcare organizations improve their organizational climate and play a valuable role in retaining nurses and improving the quality of their services to patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare hospital organizational climate and intention to leave among working nurses in hospitals performing the excellence plan and other hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive comparison study. Its population included 248 nurses of the hospitals performing the excellence plan and other hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran selected by random sampling. The used instrument had three parts: the first part was related to personal characteristics, the second part was the Munn’s organizational climate questionnaire and the third part was Hinshaw’s questionnaire of “anticipated turnover scale”. Data was analyzed using SPSS software, version 17 and indices of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: The results of the mean and standard deviation for organizational climate and intention to leave in both performing and non-performing hospitals of the organizational excellence plan were respectively (65.28 ± 19.31 and 56.42 ± 21.36) and (33.64 ± 5.58 and 35.59 ± 4.94). Independent T test revealed a significant difference between the mean scores for organizational climate in both performing and non-performing hospitals, and also a significant difference between the mean scores for intention to leave in both performing and non-performing hospitals (P = 0.004). Moreover, Pearson Correlation test showed a reverse significant correlation between organizational climate and intention to leave in performing hospitals of the organizational excellence plan (r = -0.337) and non-performing hospitals (r = -0.282) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Performing quality improvement pattern such as organization’s excellence plan improves organizational climate of healthcare sectors, it can reduce nurses’ intentions to leave and retain human resources. PMID:26082850

A DYNAMIC MODEL OF AN ESTUARINE INVASION BY A NON-NATIVE SEAGRASS

EPA Science Inventory

Mathematical and simulation models provide an excellent tool for examining and predicting biological invasions in time and space; however, traditional models do not incorporate dynamic rates of population growth, which limits their realism. We developed a spatially explicit simul...

Thermodynamic free energy methods to investigate shape transitions in bilayer membranes.

PubMed

Ramakrishnan, N; Tourdot, Richard W; Radhakrishnan, Ravi

2016-06-01

The conformational free energy landscape of a system is a fundamental thermodynamic quantity of importance particularly in the study of soft matter and biological systems, in which the entropic contributions play a dominant role. While computational methods to delineate the free energy landscape are routinely used to analyze the relative stability of conformational states, to determine phase boundaries, and to compute ligand-receptor binding energies its use in problems involving the cell membrane is limited. Here, we present an overview of four different free energy methods to study morphological transitions in bilayer membranes, induced either by the action of curvature remodeling proteins or due to the application of external forces. Using a triangulated surface as a model for the cell membrane and using the framework of dynamical triangulation Monte Carlo, we have focused on the methods of Widom insertion, thermodynamic integration, Bennett acceptance scheme, and umbrella sampling and weighted histogram analysis. We have demonstrated how these methods can be employed in a variety of problems involving the cell membrane. Specifically, we have shown that the chemical potential, computed using Widom insertion, and the relative free energies, computed using thermodynamic integration and Bennett acceptance method, are excellent measures to study the transition from curvature sensing to curvature inducing behavior of membrane associated proteins. The umbrella sampling and WHAM analysis has been used to study the thermodynamics of tether formation in cell membranes and the quantitative predictions of the computational model are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements. Furthermore, we also present a method based on WHAM and thermodynamic integration to handle problems related to end-point-catastrophe that are common in most free energy methods.

Has NICE got it right? An international perspective considering the case of Technology Appraisal No. 98 by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

PubMed

Schlander, Michael

2008-04-01

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been widely recognised as setting an international standard for high-quality health technology assessments (HTAs) including economic evaluation. A previous critical analysis of NICE Technology Appraisal No. 98 (TA98), evaluating methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, revealed a number of issues, which must cast doubt on the robustness of the NICE approach when addressing a complex clinical decision problem. The exploration of potential underlying problems will be followed by a discussion of lessons for international healthcare policy-makers, and is intended to be an invitation to further debate and inquiry, not a presentation of definitive conclusions. Pertaining to the technology assessment report, potential problems were identified relating to an unnecessarily narrow scope, data search and selection strategy, the distinction between efficacy and effectiveness, data synthesis across studies and clinical effect measures, and limitations of the economic model. The appraisal process moderated the asserted 'clear conclusions' of the assessment but could not compensate for some of its gaps. It is suggested that key issues contributing to these problems may have included a separation of clinical and economic perspectives, a highly standardised reference case analysis that was followed schematically, the absence of an effective system for quality assurance of technology assessments, and transparency deficits of the economic evaluation. Further considerations for international policy-makers looking at NICE as a potential role model for HTAs are discussed, such as institutional context, the objectives of collectively financed healthcare and related value judgments, the reliance on QALYs as a universal and comprehensive measure of health benefits, the appropriate perspective for analysis, and process-related implications.

Magnet status as a competitive strategy of hospital organizations: marketing a culture of excellence in nursing services.

PubMed

Tropello, Paula Grace Dunn

2003-01-01

With issues of patient safety, the nursing shortage, and managed care fiscal constraints, hospital organizations can strategically capture market share, while insuring best care practices, if they adopt the "Magnet Status" accreditation model. This quality indicator signifies to the consumer a culture of excellence in nursing services and fulfills the priority of customer satisfaction as a marketing strategy objective.

Integrated Substrate and Thin Film Design Methods

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-02-01

Proper Representation Once the required chemical databases had been converted to the Excel format, VBA macros were written to convert chemical...ternary systems databases were imported from MS Excel to MS Access to implement SQL queries. Further, this database was connected via an ODBC model, to the... VBA macro, corresponding to each of the elements A, B, and C, respectively. The B loop began with the next alphabetical choice of element symbols

Surface Spectroscopy Center Of Excellence Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooden, Diane

2014-01-01

We propose to develop a national center of excellence in Regolith Radiative Transfer (RRT), i.e., in modeling spectral reflectivity and emissivity of grainy or structured surfaces. The focus is the regime where the structural elements of grainy surfaces have grain sizes and separations of tens of microns, comparable to the wavelengths carrying diagnostic compositional information. This regime is of fundamental interest to remote sensing of planetary and terrestrial surfaces.

Investigating the Impact of Working in Multi-Agency Service Delivery Settings in the UK on Early Years Practitioners' Beliefs and Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anning, Angela

2005-01-01

In the UK Centres of Excellence were funded by the DfES to model high quality, multi-agency, early years services for young children and their families. They were precursors to Children's Centres to be established across the UK. Early Excellence Centres were evaluated at national and local levels. This article will draw on data from local…

The intrusion of the discourse of economics into the clinical space II: from excellence to outcomes.

PubMed

Plastow, Michael

2010-10-01

There has been a recent dissemination of the term 'excellence' in psychiatric services without a full appreciation of the origins of its contemporary usage. In recent years, we have also been witness to an increasing emphasis on the language and notions of goals and outcomes in clinical practice, particularly in the public sector. This paper examines the origin and prevalence of the term excellence in both commercial and clinical services and the corresponding preoccupation with strategies and outcomes. It is argued that the contemporary talk of 'excellence' has been directly imported from the commercial sector. A closer examination of the ascendency of the use of this term has not been borne out by the results of the companies purported to be 'excellent'. In a similar vein, the political and corporate talk of strategies and outcomes has been transferred onto the clinical field. Such a movement has occurred primarily through political and financial motivations. A model of outcome-driven treatment is examined as an end result of such a preoccupation with outcomes.

Resource Economics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrad, Jon M.

2000-01-01

Resource Economics is a text for students with a background in calculus, intermediate microeconomics, and a familiarity with the spreadsheet software Excel. The book covers basic concepts, shows how to set up spreadsheets to solve dynamic allocation problems, and presents economic models for fisheries, forestry, nonrenewable resources, stock pollutants, option value, and sustainable development. Within the text, numerical examples are posed and solved using Excel's Solver. These problems help make concepts operational, develop economic intuition, and serve as a bridge to the study of real-world problems of resource management. Through these examples and additional exercises at the end of Chapters 1 to 8, students can make dynamic models operational, develop their economic intuition, and learn how to set up spreadsheets for the simulation of optimization of resource and environmental systems. Book is unique in its use of spreadsheet software (Excel) to solve dynamic allocation problems Conrad is co-author of a previous book for the Press on the subject for graduate students Approach is extremely student-friendly; gives students the tools to apply research results to actual environmental issues

Modeling of phase transformations of Ti6Al4 V during laser metal deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suárez, A.; Tobar, M. J.; Yáñez, A.; Pérez, I.; Sampedro, J.; Amigó, V.; Candel, J. J.

The low density, excellent high temperature mechanical properties and good corrosion resistance of titanium and its alloys have led to a diversified range of successful applications. As a consequence, there is a demand of increasing the capabilities of processing such alloys. The laser cladding technique allows direct metal deposition with an excellent metallurgical bond and a pore free fine grained microstructure. A nonlinear transient thermo-metallurgical model was developed to study the technique with titanium alloys to get a better understanding of the thermal and metallurgical underlying aspects. The calculated temperatures and phase transformations are compared with experimental tests.

Solar Spectral Irradiance Variability in Cycle 24: Model Predictions and OMI Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marchenko, S.; DeLand, M.; Lean, J.

2016-01-01

Utilizing the excellent stability of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), we characterize both short-term (solar rotation) and long-term (solar cycle) changes of the solar spectral irradiance (SSI) between 265-500 nanometers during the ongoing Cycle 24. We supplement the OMI data with concurrent observations from the GOME-2 (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment - 2) and SORCE (Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment) instruments and find fair-to-excellent agreement between the observations and predictions of the NRLSSI2 (Naval Research Laboratory Solar Spectral Irradiance - post SORCE) and SATIRE-S (the Naval Research Laboratory's Spectral And Total Irradiance REconstruction for the Satellite era) models.

An Excel Solver Exercise to Introduce Nonlinear Regression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pinder, Jonathan P.

2013-01-01

Business students taking business analytics courses that have significant predictive modeling components, such as marketing research, data mining, forecasting, and advanced financial modeling, are introduced to nonlinear regression using application software that is a "black box" to the students. Thus, although correct models are…

A comprehensive physiologically based pharmacokinetic knowledgebase and web-based interface for rapid model ranking and querying

EPA Science Inventory

Published physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models from peer-reviewed articles are often well-parameterized, thoroughly-vetted, and can be utilized as excellent resources for the construction of models pertaining to related chemicals. Specifically, chemical-specific pa...

Veteran Affairs Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education: transforming nurse practitioner education.

PubMed

Rugen, Kathryn Wirtz; Watts, Sharon A; Janson, Susan L; Angelo, Laura A; Nash, Melanie; Zapatka, Susan A; Brienza, Rebecca; Gilman, Stuart C; Bowen, Judith L; Saxe, JoAnne M

2014-01-01

To integrate health care professional learners into patient-centered primary care delivery models, the Department of Veterans Affairs has funded five Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoEPCEs). The main goal of the CoEPCEs is to develop and test innovative structural and curricular models that foster transformation of health care training from profession-specific "silos" to interprofessional, team-based educational and care delivery models in patient-centered primary care settings. CoEPCE implementation emphasizes four core curricular domains: shared decision making, sustained relationships, interprofessional collaboration, and performance improvement. The structural models allow interprofessional learners to have longitudinal learning experiences and sustained and continuous relationships with patients, faculty mentors, and peer learners. This article presents an overview of the innovative curricular models developed at each site, focusing on nurse practitioner (NP) education. Insights on transforming NP education in the practice setting and its impact on traditional NP educational models are offered. Preliminary outcomes and sustainment examples are also provided. Published by Mosby, Inc.

Sex-role reversal is reflected in the brain of African black coucals (Centropus grillii).

PubMed

Voigt, Cornelia; Goymann, Wolfgang

2007-10-01

In most bird species males compete over access to females and have elevated circulating androgen levels when they establish and defend a breeding territory or guard a mate. Testosterone is involved in the regulation of territorial aggression and sexual display in males. In few bird species the traditional sex-roles are reversed and females are highly aggressive and compete over access to males. Such species represent excellent models to study the hormonal modulation of aggressive behavior in females. Plasma sex steroid concentrations in sex-role reversed species follow the patterns of birds with "traditional" sex-roles. The neural mechanisms modulating endocrine secretion and hormone-behavior interactions in sex-role reversed birds are currently unknown. We investigated the sex differences in the mRNA expression of androgen receptors, estrogen receptor alpha, and aromatase in two brain nuclei involved in reproductive and aggressive behavior in the black coucal, the nucleus taeniae and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. In the bed nucleus there were no sex differences in the receptor or aromatase expression. In the nucleus taeniae, however, we show for the first time, that females have a higher mRNA expression of androgen receptors than males. These results suggest that the expression of agonistic and courtship behavior in females does not depend on elevated blood hormone levels, but may be regulated via increased steroid hormone sensitivity in particular target areas in the brain. Hence, aggression in females and males may indeed be modulated by the same hormones, but regulated at different levels of the neuroendocrine cascade. 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Telomeres in aging and disease: lessons from zebrafish.

PubMed

Carneiro, Madalena C; de Castro, Inês Pimenta; Ferreira, Miguel Godinho

2016-07-01

Age is the highest risk factor for some of the most prevalent human diseases, including cancer. Telomere shortening is thought to play a central role in the aging process in humans. The link between telomeres and aging is highlighted by the fact that genetic diseases causing telomerase deficiency are associated with premature aging and increased risk of cancer. For the last two decades, this link has been mostly investigated using mice that have long telomeres. However, zebrafish has recently emerged as a powerful and complementary model system to study telomere biology. Zebrafish possess human-like short telomeres that progressively decline with age, reaching lengths in old age that are observed when telomerase is mutated. The extensive characterization of its well-conserved molecular and cellular physiology makes this vertebrate an excellent model to unravel the underlying relationship between telomere shortening, tissue regeneration, aging and disease. In this Review, we explore the advantages of using zebrafish in telomere research and discuss the primary discoveries made in this model that have contributed to expanding our knowledge of how telomere attrition contributes to cellular senescence, organ dysfunction and disease. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Dopamine and the Development of Executive Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders

PubMed Central

Kriete, Trenton; Noelle, David C.

2015-01-01

Persons with autism regularly exhibit executive dysfunction (ED), including problems with deliberate goal-directed behavior, planning, and flexible responding in changing environments. Indeed, this array of deficits is sufficiently prominent to have prompted a theory that executive dysfunction is at the heart of these disorders. A more detailed examination of these behaviors reveals, however, that some aspects of executive function remain developmentaly appropriate. In particular, while people with autism often have difficulty with tasks requiring cognitive flexibility, their fundamental cognitive control capabilities, such as those involved in inhibiting an inappropriate but relatively automatic response, show no significant impairment on many tasks. In this article, an existing computational model of the prefrontal cortex and its role in executive control is shown to explain this dichotomous pattern of behavior by positing abnormalities in the dopamine-based modulation of frontal systems in individuals with autism. This model offers excellent qualitative and quantitative fits to performance on standard tests of cognitive control and cognitive flexibility in this clinical population. By simulating the development of the prefrontal cortex, the computational model also offers a potential explanation for an observed lack of executive dysfunction early in life. PMID:25811610

Dopamine and the development of executive dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Kriete, Trenton; Noelle, David C

2015-01-01

Persons with autism regularly exhibit executive dysfunction (ED), including problems with deliberate goal-directed behavior, planning, and flexible responding in changing environments. Indeed, this array of deficits is sufficiently prominent to have prompted a theory that executive dysfunction is at the heart of these disorders. A more detailed examination of these behaviors reveals, however, that some aspects of executive function remain developmentaly appropriate. In particular, while people with autism often have difficulty with tasks requiring cognitive flexibility, their fundamental cognitive control capabilities, such as those involved in inhibiting an inappropriate but relatively automatic response, show no significant impairment on many tasks. In this article, an existing computational model of the prefrontal cortex and its role in executive control is shown to explain this dichotomous pattern of behavior by positing abnormalities in the dopamine-based modulation of frontal systems in individuals with autism. This model offers excellent qualitative and quantitative fits to performance on standard tests of cognitive control and cognitive flexibility in this clinical population. By simulating the development of the prefrontal cortex, the computational model also offers a potential explanation for an observed lack of executive dysfunction early in life.

Farm Animal Models of Organic Dust Exposure and Toxicity: Insights and Implications for Respiratory Health

PubMed Central

McClendon, Chakia J.; Gerald, Carresse L.; Waterman, Jenora T.

2016-01-01

Purpose of review Modern food animal production is a major contributor to the global economy, owing to advanced intensive indoor production facilities aimed at increasing market readiness and profit. Consequences of these advances are accumulation of dusts, gases and microbial products that diminish air quality within production facilities. Chronic inhalation exposure contributes to onset and exacerbation of respiratory symptoms and diseases in animals and workers. This article reviews literature regarding constituents of farm animal production facility dusts; animal responses to production building and organic dust exposure, and the effect of chronic inhalation exposure on pulmonary oxidative stress and inflammation. Recent findings –Porcine models of production facility and organic dust exposures reveal striking similarities to observations of human cells, tissues and clinical data. Oxidative stress plays a key role in mediating respiratory diseases in animals and humans, and enhancement of antioxidant levels through nutritional supplements can improve respiratory health. Summary – Pigs are well adapted to the exposures common to swine production buildings and thus serve as excellent models for facility workers. Insight for understanding mechanisms governing organic dust associated respiratory diseases may come from parallel comparisons between farmers and the animals they raise. PMID:25636160

Why Medical Informatics (still) Needs Cognitive and Social Sciences.

PubMed

Declerck, G; Aimé, X

2013-01-01

To summarize current excellent medical informatics research in the field of human factors and organizational issues. Using PubMed, a total of 3,024 papers were selected from 17 journals. The papers were evaluated on the basis of their title, keywords, and abstract, using several exclusion and inclusion criteria. 15 preselected papers were carefully evaluated by six referees using a standard evaluation grid. Six best papers were selected exemplifying the central role cognitive and social sciences can play in medical informatics research. Among other contributions, those studies: (i) make use of the distributed cognition paradigm to model and understand clinical care situations; (ii) take into account organizational issues to analyse the impact of HIT on information exchange and coordination processes; (iii) illustrate how models and empirical data from cognitive psychology can be used in medical informatics; and (iv) highlight the need of qualitative studies to analyze the unexpected side effects of HIT on cognitive and work processes. The selected papers demonstrate that paradigms, methodologies, models, and results from cognitive and social sciences can help to bridge the gap between HIT and end users, and contribute to limit adoption failures that are reported regularly.

AVN-492, A Novel Highly Selective 5-HT6R Antagonist: Preclinical Evaluation.

PubMed

Ivachtchenko, Alexandre V; Okun, Ilya; Aladinskiy, Vladimir; Ivanenkov, Yan; Koryakova, Angela; Karapetyan, Ruben; Mitkin, Oleg; Salimov, Ramiz; Ivashchenko, Andrey

2017-01-01

Discovery of 5-HT6 receptor subtype and its exclusive localization within the central nervous system led to extensive investigations of its role in Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and obesity. In the present study, we present preclinical evaluation of a novel highly-potent and highly-selective 5-HT6R antagonist, AVN-492. The affinity of AVN-492 to bind to 5-HT6R (Ki = 91 pM) was more than three orders of magnitude higher than that to bind to the only other target, 5-HT2BR, (Ki = 170 nM). Thus, the compound displayed great 5-HT6R selectivity against all other serotonin receptor subtypes, and is extremely specific against any other receptors such as adrenergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, histaminergic, etc. AVN-492 demonstrates good in vitro and in vivo ADME profile with high oral bioavailability and good brain permeability in rodents. In behavioral tests, AVN-492 shows anxiolytic effect in elevated plus-maze model, prevents an apomorphine-induced disruption of startle pre-pulse inhibition (the PPI model) and reverses a scopolamine- and MK-801-induced memory deficit in passive avoidance model. No anti-obesity effect of AVN-492 was found in a murine model. The data presented here strongly indicate that due to its high oral bioavailability, extremely high selectivity, and potency to block the 5-HT6 receptor, AVN-492 is a very promising tool for evaluating the role the 5-HT6 receptor might play in cognitive and neurodegenerative impairments. AVN-492 is an excellent drug candidate to be tested for treatment of such diseases, and is currently being tested in Phase I trials.

Establishment of a dog model for the p53 family pathway and identification of a novel isoform of p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jin; Chen, Xiangling; Kent, Michael S.; Rodriguez, Carlos O.; Chen, Xinbin

2009-01-01

Spontaneous tumors in the dog offer a unique opportunity as models to study human cancer etiology and therapy. p53, the most commonly mutated gene in human cancers, is found to be altered in dog cancers. However, little is known about the role of p53 in dog tumorigenesis. Here, we found that upon exposure to DNA damage agents or Mdm2 inhibitor nutlin-3, canine p53 is accumulated and capable of inducing its target genes, MDM2 and p21. We also found that upon DNA damage, canine p53 is accumulated in the nucleus, followed by MDM2 nuclear translocation and increased 53BP1 foci formation. In addition, we found that canine p63 and p73 are up-regulated by DNA damage agents. Furthermore, colony formation assay showed that canine tumor cells are sensitive to DNA damage agents and nutlin-3 in a p53-dependent manner. Surprisingly, canine p21 is expressed as two isoforms. Thus, we generated multiple canine p21 mutants and found that aa 129 to 142 is required, whereas aa 139 is one of the key determinants, for two p21 isoform expression. Finally, we showed that although the full-length human p21 cDNA expresses one polypeptide, aa 139 appears to play a similar role as that in canine p21 for various migration patterns. Taken together, our results indicate that canine p53 family proteins have biological activities similar to human counterparts. These similarities make the dog as an excellent out-bred spontaneous tumor model and the dog can serve as a translation model from bench-top to cage-side and then to bed-side. PMID:19147538

The Large-scale Coronal Structure of the 2017 August 21 Great American Eclipse: An Assessment of Solar Surface Flux Transport Model Enabled Predictions and Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandy, Dibyendu; Bhowmik, Prantika; Yeates, Anthony R.; Panda, Suman; Tarafder, Rajashik; Dash, Soumyaranjan

2018-01-01

On 2017 August 21, a total solar eclipse swept across the contiguous United States, providing excellent opportunities for diagnostics of the Sun’s corona. The Sun’s coronal structure is notoriously difficult to observe except during solar eclipses; thus, theoretical models must be relied upon for inferring the underlying magnetic structure of the Sun’s outer atmosphere. These models are necessary for understanding the role of magnetic fields in the heating of the corona to a million degrees and the generation of severe space weather. Here we present a methodology for predicting the structure of the coronal field based on model forward runs of a solar surface flux transport model, whose predicted surface field is utilized to extrapolate future coronal magnetic field structures. This prescription was applied to the 2017 August 21 solar eclipse. A post-eclipse analysis shows good agreement between model simulated and observed coronal structures and their locations on the limb. We demonstrate that slow changes in the Sun’s surface magnetic field distribution driven by long-term flux emergence and its evolution governs large-scale coronal structures with a (plausibly cycle-phase dependent) dynamical memory timescale on the order of a few solar rotations, opening up the possibility for large-scale, global corona predictions at least a month in advance.

Dr. Zakir Husain on Education and Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kumar, Deepak; Radha Gayathri, Ch.

2017-01-01

Dr. Zakir Husain is known as a self-less nationalist leader and also as an educationist "par excellence." Taking a cue from his educational ideas like the "Nai Talim," this article brings into focus his views on the medium-conundrum. Dr. Husain was very clear about the role of Indian languages and the relevance of mother…

Exploring the Sulfur Nutrient Cycle Using the Winogradsky Column

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rogan, Brian; Lemke, Michael; Levandowsky, Michael; Gorrell, Thomas

2005-01-01

The Winogradsky column demonstrates how the metabolic diversity of prokaryotes transforms sulfur to different forms with varying redox states and hence, supplies nutrients and/or energy to the organism. The Winogardsky column is an excellent way to show that not all bacteria are pathogens and they have an important role in the geochemical cycling…

Changing Organizational Culture to Achieve Excellence in Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shera, Wes

2008-01-01

This article describes the research capacity building efforts of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto over the past 12 years. It identifies the role of strategic planning, the process of change, and the key practices, in terms of personnel, resources, research center development, and strategic community…

Relationships Play Primary Role in Boys' Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reichert. Michael; Hawley. Richard

2013-01-01

There is a pantheon of literature and popular panic pointing toward the academic ascent of girls and the decline of boys. On the contrary, the reality is different: Boys are learning and succeeding in many places. Two studies find that the places where boys excel have several common characteristics, including teachers who relate to the boys…

Should God Get Tenure? Essays on Religion and Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gill, David W., Ed.

Essays on the role of religion in higher education include: "Should God Get Tenure?" (David W. Gill); "On Being a Professor: The Case of Socrates" (Bruce R. Reichenbach); "Academic Excellence: Cliche or Humanizing Vision?" (Merold Westphal); "Religion, Science, and the Humanities in the Liberal Arts Curriculum" (H. Newton Maloney); "Tolstoy and…

School-Based Curriculum Development in Scotland: Curriculum Policy and Enactment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Priestley, Mark; Minty, Sarah; Eager, Michelle

2014-01-01

Recent worldwide trends in curriculum policy have re-emphasised the role of teachers in school-based curriculum development. Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence is typical of these trends, stressing that teachers are agents of change. This paper draws upon empirical data to explore school-based curriculum development in response to Curriculum for…

Dragoon or Cavalryman, Major General John Buford in the American Civil War

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-03

the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg...Seminary Ridges on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Several historians have presumed that the dismounted cavalry (or Dragoon) tactics used by...not in pitched battles that Buford excelled. His significant contributions were in the established roles of cavalry; performing reconnaissance

University, Knowledge and Regional Development: Factors Affecting Knowledge Transfer in a Developing Region

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fongwa, Neba Samuel; Marais, Lochner

2016-01-01

The role of knowledge in the current knowledge economy cannot be overly emphasised. Successful regions are continuously being linked to excellence in the production, accumulation, and application of knowledge. Universities have increasingly been at the centre of such knowledge production, application and transfer. Yet, there is little research and…

Principal Self-Efficacy, Teacher Perceptions of Principal Performance, and Teacher Job Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evans, Molly Lynn

2016-01-01

In public schools, the principal's role is of paramount importance in influencing teachers to excel and to keep their job satisfaction high. The self-efficacy of leaders is an important characteristic of leadership, but this issue has not been extensively explored in school principals. Using internet-based questionnaires, this study obtained…

Turning Reading Research into Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wise, Bob

2007-01-01

Since becoming president of the Alliance for Excellent Education in February 2005, the author has learned a great deal about the vital role that high-quality literacy research plays in improving teaching. Education researchers know how critical it is that they serve the needs of educators. As a former governor of West Virginia and member of the…

Using ESSA to Put Teaching and Learning First

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hirsh, Stephanie

2017-01-01

Parents, educators, advocates, and state policymakers alike want excellence in teaching and learning every day for every educator and student. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gives states renewed authority as well as leverage to make this vision a reality. The role of state boards of education in this process cannot be underestimated. State…

Effective colostomy irrigation.

PubMed

Mazier, W P; Dignan, R D; Capehart, R J; Smith, B G

1976-06-01

The ultimate goal of the cone method of colostomy irrigation is to return patients with colostomies to their former role in society with confidence in themselves to the extent that having a colostomy is not considered a handicap. The results have generally been excellent. We believe all patients with stomas should be afforded the opportunity to attempt colostomy irrigation.

Chinese College Students' Perceptions of Excellent Teachers across Three Disciplines: Psychology, Chemical Engineering, and Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Shujie; Keeley, Jared; Buskist, William

2016-01-01

Researchers have found that students from different academic disciplines tend to value different qualities in their teachers, and cultural differences play a role in which qualities students appreciate in their professors. The present/current study employed the Teacher Behavior Checklist as an operationalization of teaching qualities in a…

The Moxie of Kathy Cox

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johns, Stephanie

2010-01-01

Kathy Cox, the superintendent of schools for Georgia, believes "excellence is not an accident". She made a name for herself by winning $1 million proving she was smarter than a fifth-grader on a popular television show. This article presents a profile of Cox, her family, her role as school superintendent, and her accomplishments.…

Building Institutions for the Next 50 Years of Creativity Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silvia, Paul J.

2017-01-01

The "Journal of Creative Behavior's" remarkable half-century is a good occasion for reflecting on the role of a scholarly field's institutions in fostering creative work. In creativity studies, some of our institutions are flourishing, particularly our many excellent peer-reviewed journals. But we face some institutional challenges that…

Knowledge Creation in Higher Education and the Nigerian Academics: Practices and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oku, Obianuju O.; Ike-Obioha, Benny Uzo

2012-01-01

Institutions of Higher Learning (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education) are prepared as centres of excellence in their tripartite role as reservoir and transmitters of knowledge from generation to generation, the advancement of the horizons of knowledge by research and the provision of high level manpower. To be able to discharge…

Provocative Mathematics Questions: Drawing Attention to a Lack of Attention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klymchuk, Sergiy

2015-01-01

The article investigates the role of attention in the reflective thinking of school mathematics teachers. It analyses teachers' ability to pay attention to detail and "use" their mathematical knowledge. The vast majority of teachers can be expected to have an excellent knowledge of mathematical techniques. The question examined here is…

Sacred Dreams: Women and the Superintendency, by Cryss Brunner [Book Review].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pounder, Diana G.

2000-01-01

Cryss Brunner's edited volume is a well-organized review of gender issues in school administration. It offers clues about administrative roles and concepts integral to the field and furthers understanding of women's administrative experiences. The studies lay an excellent foundation for further empirical investigations into causes of women's…

Signing Away Our Freedom: The Implications of Electronic Resource Licenses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ball, David

2005-01-01

At first sight, the "big deal" seems an excellent value for academic libraries. A more thorough-going evaluation, however, exposes dangers. This paper examines the roles and strengths of the players in the information supply chain: creators, publishers, intermediaries, libraries. Traditional hard-copy procurement is analysed in terms of these…

Leading to Learn: Knowledge Management Enables Administrators to Excel as Instructional Leaders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weischadle, David E.

2005-01-01

The article discusses knowledge management as a means of changing the way administrators carry out their role as instructional leaders. Knowledge management utilizes many concepts from learning organizations, encourages the formation of communities of practice, and employs best practices as a means of leading others to improve learning. Instead of…

Using Amphibians and Reptiles To Learn the Process of Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greene, Janice Schnake; Greene, Brian D.

2001-01-01

Discusses using amphibians and reptiles as an excellent resource for students to observe and gain an understanding of the process of science. These animals are easy to maintain in the classroom and play important roles in ecosystems as the prey for many birds and mammals and as the predators of various organisms. (SAH)

Expanding by Degrees: NSHE's Role in Building a New Nevada

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nevada System of Higher Education, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2011, the Board of Regents released "The State and the System: NSHE Plan for Nevada's Colleges and Universities" (see ED525051). That plan, commonly referred to as the Board's "Strategic Directions," outlined specific goals for combining excellence and austerity to achieve student success. Since that time, the…

Higher Education Technology and Research: Creating Excellence through State Investments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, 2004

2004-01-01

Colleges and universities in New Jersey play a critical role in building and sustaining economic prosperity and quality of life in the state and beyond. Through advancements in technology and research, higher education helps to create new jobs, improve the workforce, develop new knowledge, and boost the overall economy. This report summarizes…

The Role of NLP in Teachers' Classroom Discourse

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Millrood, Radislav

2004-01-01

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is an approach to language teaching which is claimed to help achieve excellence in learner performance. Yet there is little evidence of the impact that NLP techniques in teachers' discourse can have on learners. The article draws on workshops with teachers where classroom simulations were used to raise teachers'…

Turning Data into Information: The Vital Role of Research in Improving Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Data Quality Campaign, 2016

2016-01-01

When students, parents, educators, and partners have the right information to make decisions, students excel. One of the most powerful sources of information for families, educators, and policymakers about education is the high-quality analysis and research conducted by trained and engaged experts across the country. Their work gives us answers…

Attraction and Retention of Classified Staff: The Silent Partners.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sherberg, Esther; Cetone, Kristin L.

One of the working papers in the final report of the Arizona Board of Regents' Task Force on Excellence, Efficiency and Competitiveness this study presents the results of meetings with representative staff advisory bodies, staff groups, and individuals at Arizona's three public universities to discuss their views of their role within the system.…

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Enabled by Intramolecular Benzoin Reaction: Synthetic Applications and Mechanistic Insights.

PubMed

Zhang, Guoxiang; Yang, Shuang; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Lin, Qiqiao; Das, Deb K; Liu, Jian; Fang, Xinqiang

2016-06-29

The highly enantio-, diastereo-, and regioselective dynamic kinetic resolution of β-ketoesters and 1,3-diketones was achieved via a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed intramolecular cross-benzoin reaction. A variety of tetralone derivatives bearing two contiguous stereocenters and multiple functionalities were liberated in moderate to excellent yields and with high levels of stereoselectivity (>95% ee and >20:1 dr in most cases). In addition, the excellent regioselectivity control for aryl/alkyl 1,3-diketones, and the superior electronic differentiation of 1,3-diarylketones were highlighted. Moreover, a set of new mechanistic rationale that differs with the currently widely accepted understanding of intramolecular benzoin reactions was established to demonstrate the superior preference of benzoin over aldol transformation: (1) A coexistence of competitive aldol and benzoin reactions was detected, but a retro-aldol-irreversible benzoin process performs a vital role in the generation of predominant benzoin products. (2) The most essential role of an N-electron-withdrawing substituent in triazolium catalysts was revealed to be accelerating the rate of the benzoin transformation, rather than suppressing the aldol process through reducing the inherent basicity of the catalyst.

Calculating ellipse area by the Monte Carlo method and analysing dice poker with Excel at high school

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benacka, Jan

2016-08-01

This paper reports on lessons in which 18-19 years old high school students modelled random processes with Excel. In the first lesson, 26 students formulated a hypothesis on the area of ellipse by using the analogy between the areas of circle, square and rectangle. They verified the hypothesis by the Monte Carlo method with a spreadsheet model developed in the lesson. In the second lesson, 27 students analysed the dice poker game. First, they calculated the probability of the hands by combinatorial formulae. Then, they verified the result with a spreadsheet model developed in the lesson. The students were given a questionnaire to find out if they found the lesson interesting and contributing to their mathematical and technological knowledge.

Clinical governance is "ACE"--using the EFQM excellence model to support baseline assessment.

PubMed

Holland, K; Fennell, S

2000-01-01

The introduction of clinical governance in the "new NHS" means that National Health Service (NHS) organisations are now accountable for the quality of the services they provide to their local communities. As part of the implementation of clinical governance in the NHS, Trusts and health authorities had to complete a baseline assessment of their capability and capacity by September 1999. Describes one Trust's approach to developing and implementing its baseline assessment tool, based upon its existing use of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model. An initial review of the process suggests that the model provides an adaptable framework for the development of a comprehensive and practical assessment tool and that self-assessment ensures ownership of action plans at service level.

Estimating Texas motor vehicle operating costs.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-10-01

A specific Vcost model was developed for Texas conditions based on a sophisticated fuel model for light : duty vehicles, several excellent sources of secondary vehicle cost data, and the ability to measure heavy truck fuel : consumption through both ...

An Excel sheet for inferring children's number-knower levels from give-N data.

PubMed

Negen, James; Sarnecka, Barbara W; Lee, Michael D

2012-03-01

Number-knower levels are a series of stages of number concept development in early childhood. A child's number-knower level is typically assessed using the give-N task. Although the task procedure has been highly refined, the standard ways of analyzing give-N data remain somewhat crude. Lee and Sarnecka (Cogn Sci 34:51-67, 2010, in press) have developed a Bayesian model of children's performance on the give-N task that allows knower level to be inferred in a more principled way. However, this model requires considerable expertise and computational effort to implement and apply to data. Here, we present an approximation to the model's inference that can be computed with Microsoft Excel. We demonstrate the accuracy of the approximation and provide instructions for its use. This makes the powerful inferential capabilities of the Bayesian model accessible to developmental researchers interested in estimating knower levels from give-N data.

Inter-arch digital model vs. manual cast measurements: Accuracy and reliability.

PubMed

Kiviahde, Heikki; Bukovac, Lea; Jussila, Päivi; Pesonen, Paula; Sipilä, Kirsi; Raustia, Aune; Pirttiniemi, Pertti

2017-06-28

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of inter-arch measurements using digital dental models and conventional dental casts. Thirty sets of dental casts with permanent dentition were examined. Manual measurements were done with a digital caliper directly on the dental casts, and digital measurements were made on 3D models by two independent examiners. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), a paired sample t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate intra- and inter-examiner error and to determine the accuracy and reliability of the measurements. The ICC values were generally good for manual and excellent for digital measurements. The Bland-Altman plots of all the measurements showed good agreement between the manual and digital methods and excellent inter-examiner agreement using the digital method. Inter-arch occlusal measurements on digital models are accurate and reliable and are superior to manual measurements.

A Method For Modeling Discontinuities In A Microwave Coaxial Transmission Line

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Otoshi, Tom Y.

1994-01-01

A methodology for modeling discountinuities in a coaxial transmission line is presented. The method uses a none-linear least squares fit program to optimize the fit between a theoretical model and experimental data. When the method was applied for modeling discontinuites in a damaged S-band antenna cable, excellent agreement was obtained.

An Illustration of a Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Design for Larger Structural Equation Models. Teacher's Corner.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burkholder, Gary J.; Harlow, Lisa L.

2003-01-01

Tested a model of HIV behavior risk, using a fully cross-lagged, longitudinal design to illustrate the analysis of larger structural equation models. Data from 527 women who completed a survey at three time points show excellent fit of the model to the data. (SLD)

Bismarck meets Beveridge on the Silk Road: coordinating funding sources to create a universal health financing system in Kyrgyzstan.

PubMed

Kutzin, Joseph; Ibraimova, Ainura; Jakab, Melitta; O'Dougherty, Sheila

2009-07-01

Options for health financing reform are often portrayed as a choice between general taxation (known as the Beveridge model) and social health insurance (known as the Bismarck model). Ten years of health financing reform in Kyrgyzstan, since the introduction of its compulsory health insurance fund in 1997, provide an excellent example of why it is wrong to reduce health financing policy to a choice between the Beveridge and Bismarck models. Rather than fragment the system according to the insurance status of the population, as many other low- and middle-income countries have done, the Kyrgyz reforms were guided by the objective of having a single system for the entire population. Key features include the role and gradual development of the compulsory health insurance fund as the single purchaser of health-care services for the entire population using output-based payment methods, the complete restructuring of pooling arrangements from the former decentralized budgetary structure to a single national pool, and the establishment of an explicit benefit package. Central to the process was the transformation of the role of general budget revenues - the main source of public funding for health - from directly subsidizing the supply of services to subsidizing the purchase of services on behalf of the entire population by redirecting them into the health insurance fund. Through their approach to health financing policy, and pooling in particular, the Kyrgyz health reformers demonstrated that different sources of funds can be used in an explicitly complementary manner to enable the creation of a unified, universal system.

The role of multisensor data fusion in neuromuscular control of a sagittal arm with a pair of muscles using actor-critic reinforcement learning method.

PubMed

Golkhou, V; Parnianpour, M; Lucas, C

2004-01-01

In this study, we consider the role of multisensor data fusion in neuromuscular control using an actor-critic reinforcement learning method. The model we use is a single link system actuated by a pair of muscles that are excited with alpha and gamma signals. Various physiological sensor information such as proprioception, spindle sensors, and Golgi tendon organs have been integrated to achieve an oscillatory movement with variable amplitude and frequency, while achieving a stable movement with minimum metabolic cost and coactivation. The system is highly nonlinear in all its physical and physiological attributes. Transmission delays are included in the afferent and efferent neural paths to account for a more accurate representation of the reflex loops. This paper proposes a reinforcement learning method with an Actor-Critic architecture instead of middle and low level of central nervous system (CNS). The Actor in this structure is a two layer feedforward neural network and the Critic is a model of the cerebellum. The Critic is trained by the State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA) method. The Critic will train the Actor by supervisory learning based on previous experiences. The reinforcement signal in SARSA is evaluated based on available alternatives concerning the concept of multisensor data fusion. The effectiveness and the biological plausibility of the present model are demonstrated by several simulations. The system showed excellent tracking capability when we integrated the available sensor information. Addition of a penalty for activation of muscles resulted in much lower muscle coactivation while keeping the movement stable.

Gastric retention pellets of edaravone with enhanced oral bioavailability: Absorption mechanism, development, and in vitro/in vivo evaluation.

PubMed

Li, Qingguo; Huang, Wenhai; Yang, Juan; Wang, Jianfeng; Hu, Min; Mo, Jianmei; Cheng, Yuzhu; Ou, Zhanlun; Zhang, Zhenyu Jason; Guan, Shixia

2018-07-01

Absorption mechanism of edaravone (EDR) was studied to inform the preparation of gastric retention pellets with the aim to enhance its oral bioavailability. Three different models, namely, Caco-2 cells model, in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model, and everted gut sac model in rats, were employed to characterize the gastrointestinal absorption kinetics of EDR. And it was found that passive transfer plays a vital role for the transport of EDR, and acidic condition is preferable for EDR absorption. Further, it is likely that EDR acts as a substrate for P-glycoprotein and multidrug-resistance protein. And hence, an orally available gastric retention pellets were developed accordingly. Pharmacokinetic experiments performed with rats and beagles showed that the absolute bioavailability of EDR solution and enteric-coated pellets following oral administration were 33.85% ± 2.45% and 7.64% ± 1.03%, indicating that stomach absorption is better than intestinal adsorption for EDR. However, the gastric retention pellets resulted in 68.96% absolute bioavailability and about 200% relative bioavailability in comparison to EDR solution, which was 9 times that of enteric-coated pellets. The present work demonstrates that gastric retention pellets has excellent potential as oral administration route for EDR. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The MetaSkills Model of Sports Counseling: Helping Athletes Achieve Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mackenzie, Marlin M.

1984-01-01

The MetaSkills model of sports counseling evolved from use of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Ericksonian communicator patterns with athletes. The theoretical perspectives of human behavior upon which the model is based are explored. Overall counseling process and its parts are described. (Author/DF)

[Conjunctival melanoma : Standard operating procedures in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care].

PubMed

Glossmann, Jan-Peter; Skoetz, Nicole; Starbatty, Barbara; Bischoff, Martina; Leyvraz, Serge; Westekemper, Henrike; Heindl, Ludwig M

2018-06-01

In cases of rare cancer entities, such as malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva, there are often no evidence-based national guidelines available. Standard operating procedures (SOP) are an alternative in these cases. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus SOP for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of conjunctival melanomas between the 14 Centers of Excellence in Germany supported by German Cancer Aid. The SOP was prepared according to a defined process including timelines, flow of information, and roles. This is the first consensus SOP of the Centers of Excellence in Germany (certified by the German Cancer Aid) regarding diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for malignant melanomas of the conjunctiva.

One-Pot Solvothermal Synthesis of Bi4V2O11 as A New Solar Water Oxidation Photocatalyst

PubMed Central

Jiang, Zaiyong; Liu, Yuanyuan; Li, Mengmeng; Jing, Tao; Huang, Baibiao; Zhang, Xiaoyang; Qin, Xiaoyan; Dai, Ying

2016-01-01

Bi4V2O11 was prepared via a one-pot solvothermal method and characterized via XRD, Raman, XPS, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The as-prepared Bi4V2O11 sample displays excellent photocatalytic activity towards oxygen evolution under light irradiation. The hierarchical structure is in favour of the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the internal polar field also plays a role in improving the charge separation. Both of the two results are responsible for excellent activity of O2 evolution. The resulting hierarchical Bi4V2O11 sample should be very promising photocatalyst for the application of photocatalytic O2 evolution in the future. PMID:26947126

Kinematic repeatability of a multi-segment foot model for dance.

PubMed

Carter, Sarah L; Sato, Nahoko; Hopper, Luke S

2018-03-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the intra and inter-assessor repeatability of a modified Rizzoli Foot Model for analysing the foot kinematics of ballet dancers. Six university-level ballet dancers performed the movements; parallel stance, turnout plié, turnout stance, turnout rise and flex-point-flex. The three-dimensional (3D) position of individual reflective markers and marker triads was used to model the movement of the dancers' tibia, entire foot, hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot and hallux. Intra and inter-assessor reliability demonstrated excellent (ICC ≥ 0.75) repeatability for the first metatarsophalangeal joint in the sagittal plane. Intra-assessor reliability demonstrated excellent (ICC ≥ 0.75) repeatability during flex-point-flex across all inter-segmental angles except for the tibia-hindfoot and hindfoot-midfoot frontal planes. Inter-assessor repeatability ranged from poor to excellent (0.5 > ICC ≥ 0.75) for the 3D segment rotations. The most repeatable measure was the tibia-foot dorsiflexion/plantar flexion articulation whereas the least repeatable measure was the hindfoot-midfoot adduction/abduction articulation. The variation found in the inter-assessor results is likely due to inconsistencies in marker placement. This 3D dance specific multi-segment foot model provides insight into which kinematic measures can be reliably used to ascertain in vivo technical errors and/or biomechanical abnormalities in a dancer's foot motion.

Neutron scattering to study membrane systems: from lipid vesicles to living cells.

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

Nickels, Jonathan D.; Chatterjee, Sneha; Stanley, Christopher B.

The existence and role of lateral lipid organization in biological membranes has been studied and contested for more than 30 years. Lipid domains, or rafts, are hypothesized as scalable compartments in biological membranes, providing appropriate physical environments to their resident membrane proteins. This implies that lateral lipid organization is associated with a range of biological functions, such as protein co-localization, membrane trafficking, and cell signaling, to name just a few. Neutron scattering techniques have proven to be an excellent tool to investigate these structural features in model lipids, and more recently, in living cells. I will discuss our recent workmore » using neutrons to probe the structure and mechanical properties in model lipid systems and our current efforts in using neutrons to probe the structure and organization of the bilayer in a living cell. These efforts in living cells have used genetic and biochemical strategies to generate a large neutron scattering contrast, making the membrane visible. I will present our results showing in vivo bilayer structure and discuss the outlook for this approach.« less

Examining the mediational role of psychological flexibility, pain catastrophizing, and visceral sensitivity in the relationship between psychological distress, irritable bowel symptom frequency, and quality of life.

PubMed

Cassar, G E; Knowles, S; Youssef, G J; Moulding, R; Uiterwijk, D; Waters, L; Austin, D W

2018-06-08

The aim of the current study was to use Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to examine whether psychological flexibility (i.e. mindfulness, acceptance, valued-living) mediates the relationship between distress, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom frequency, and quality of life (QoL). Ninety-two individuals participated in the study (12 male, 80 female, M age  = 36.24) by completing an online survey including measures of visceral sensitivity, distress, IBS-related QoL, mindfulness, bowel symptoms, pain catastrophizing, acceptance, and valued-living. A final model with excellent fit was identified. Psychological distress significantly and directly predicted pain catastrophizing, valued-living, and IBS symptom frequency. Pain catastrophizing directly predicted visceral sensitivity and acceptance, while visceral sensitivity significantly and directly predicted IBS symptom frequency and QoL. Symptom frequency also had a direct and significant relationship with QoL. The current findings suggest that interventions designed to address unhelpful cognitive processes related to visceral sensitivity, pain catastrophizing, and psychological distress may be of most benefit to IBS-related QoL.

Computational analysis of the roles of biochemical reactions in anomalous diffusion dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naruemon, Rueangkham; Charin, Modchang

2016-04-01

Most biochemical processes in cells are usually modeled by reaction-diffusion (RD) equations. In these RD models, the diffusive process is assumed to be Gaussian. However, a growing number of studies have noted that intracellular diffusion is anomalous at some or all times, which may result from a crowded environment and chemical kinetics. This work aims to computationally study the effects of chemical reactions on the diffusive dynamics of RD systems by using both stochastic and deterministic algorithms. Numerical method to estimate the mean-square displacement (MSD) from a deterministic algorithm is also investigated. Our computational results show that anomalous diffusion can be solely due to chemical reactions. The chemical reactions alone can cause anomalous sub-diffusion in the RD system at some or all times. The time-dependent anomalous diffusion exponent is found to depend on many parameters, including chemical reaction rates, reaction orders, and chemical concentrations. Project supported by the Thailand Research Fund and Mahidol University (Grant No. TRG5880157), the Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics (ThEP), CHE, Thailand, and the Development Promotion of Science and Technology.