Cardiac arrest risk standardization using administrative data compared to registry data

PubMed Central

Gaieski, David F.; Donnino, Michael W.; Nelson, Joshua I. M.; Mutter, Eric L.; Carr, Brendan G.; Abella, Benjamin S.; Wiebe, Douglas J.

2017-01-01

Background Methods for comparing hospitals regarding cardiac arrest (CA) outcomes, vital for improving resuscitation performance, rely on data collected by cardiac arrest registries. However, most CA patients are treated at hospitals that do not participate in such registries. This study aimed to determine whether CA risk standardization modeling based on administrative data could perform as well as that based on registry data. Methods and results Two risk standardization logistic regression models were developed using 2453 patients treated from 2000–2015 at three hospitals in an academic health system. Registry and administrative data were accessed for all patients. The outcome was death at hospital discharge. The registry model was considered the “gold standard” with which to compare the administrative model, using metrics including comparing areas under the curve, calibration curves, and Bland-Altman plots. The administrative risk standardization model had a c-statistic of 0.891 (95% CI: 0.876–0.905) compared to a registry c-statistic of 0.907 (95% CI: 0.895–0.919). When limited to only non-modifiable factors, the administrative model had a c-statistic of 0.818 (95% CI: 0.799–0.838) compared to a registry c-statistic of 0.810 (95% CI: 0.788–0.831). All models were well-calibrated. There was no significant difference between c-statistics of the models, providing evidence that valid risk standardization can be performed using administrative data. Conclusions Risk standardization using administrative data performs comparably to standardization using registry data. This methodology represents a new tool that can enable opportunities to compare hospital performance in specific hospital systems or across the entire US in terms of survival after CA. PMID:28783754

Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Approaches Used in Development of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Max Launch Abort System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yuchnovicz, Daniel E.; Dennehy, Cornelius J.; Schuster, David M.

2011-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Engineering and Safety Center was chartered to develop an alternate launch abort system (LAS) as risk mitigation for the Orion Project. Its successful flight test provided data for the design of future LAS vehicles. Design of the flight test vehicle (FTV) and pad abort trajectory relied heavily on modeling and simulation including computational fluid dynamics for vehicle aero modeling, 6-degree-of-freedom kinematics models for flight trajectory modeling, and 3-degree-of-freedom kinematics models for parachute force modeling. This paper highlights the simulation techniques and the interaction between the aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and aerodynamic decelerator disciplines during development of the Max Launch Abort System FTV.

Towards a Stakeholder Model for the Co-Production of the Public-Sector Information System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Correia, Zita P.

2005-01-01

Introduction: Proposes a systemic approach to Public Sector Information (PSI), defined as comprising entities in four categories--citizens, businesses, policymakers and administrations. This system also comprises four categories of information--on citizenship, economic and social development, policy and administration. Methods: A selective…

Non-Invasive Cell-Based Therapy for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

Morgans, Sergey Girman, Raymond Lund and Shaomei Wang Retinal Morphological and Functional Changes in an Animal Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa . Vis...model was created. 2. Rat MSC and M-Sch were reliable produced for experiments. 3. Systemic administration of MSC significantly preserved retinal ...TON also promote retinal ganglion cell survival. From the first year study, we have shown that systemic administration of MSC can significantly

Corporate Average Fuel Economy Compliance and Effects Modeling System Documentation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-04-01

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) of the United States Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration has developed a modeling system to assist the National Highway Traffic Safety Admini...

Directory of Energy Information Administration model abstracts

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

Not Available

1987-08-11

This report contains brief statements from the model managers about each model's title, acronym, purpose, and status, followed by more detailed information on characteristics, uses, and requirements. Sources for additional information are identified. All models ''active'' through March 1987 are included. The main body of this directory is an alphabetical list of all active EIA models. Appendix A identifies major EIA modeling systems and the models within these systems, and Appendix B identifies active EIA models by type (basic, auxiliary, and developing). A basic model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being sufficiently important to require sustained supportmore » and public scrutiny. An auxiliary model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being used only occasionally in analyses, and therefore requires minimal levels of documentation. A developing model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being under development and yet of sufficient interest to require a basic level of documentation at a future date. EIA also leases models developed by proprietary software vendors. Documentation for these ''proprietary'' models is the responsibility of the companies from which they are leased. EIA has recently leased models from Chase Econometrics, Inc., Data Resources, Inc. (DRI), the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (WEFA). Leased models are not abstracted here. The directory is intended for the use of energy and energy-policy analysts in the public and private sectors.« less

Application of the SEIPS Model to Analyze Medication Safety in a Crisis Residential Center.

PubMed

Steele, Maria L; Talley, Brenda; Frith, Karen H

2018-02-01

Medication safety and error reduction has been studied in acute and long-term care settings, but little research is found in the literature regarding mental health settings. Because mental health settings are complex, medication administration is vulnerable to a variety of errors from transcription to administration. The purpose of this study was to analyze critical factors related to a mental health work system structure and processes that threaten safe medication administration practices. The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model provides a framework to analyze factors affecting medication safety. The model approach analyzes the work system concepts of technology, tasks, persons, environment, and organization to guide the collection of data. In the study, the Lean methodology tools were used to identify vulnerabilities in the system that could be targeted later for improvement activities. The project director completed face-to-face interviews, asked nurses to record disruptions in a log, and administered a questionnaire to nursing staff. The project director also conducted medication chart reviews and recorded medication errors using a standardized taxonomy for errors that allowed categorization of the prevalent types of medication errors. Results of the study revealed disruptions during the medication process, pharmacology training needs, and documentation processes as the primary opportunities for improvement. The project engaged nurses to identify sustainable quality improvement strategies to improve patient safety. The mental health setting carries challenges for safe medication administration practices. Through analysis of the structure, process, and outcomes of medication administration, opportunities for quality improvement and sustainable interventions were identified, including minimizing the number of distractions during medication administration, training nurses on psychotropic medications, and improving the documentation system. A task force was created to analyze the descriptive data and to establish objectives aimed at improving efficiency of the work system and care process involved in medication administration at the end of the project. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Dutch Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) method and cardiac surgery: benchmarking in a national cohort using hospital administration data versus a clinical database

PubMed Central

Siregar, S; Pouw, M E; Moons, K G M; Versteegh, M I M; Bots, M L; van der Graaf, Y; Kalkman, C J; van Herwerden, L A; Groenwold, R H H

2014-01-01

Objective To compare the accuracy of data from hospital administration databases and a national clinical cardiac surgery database and to compare the performance of the Dutch hospital standardised mortality ratio (HSMR) method and the logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation, for the purpose of benchmarking of mortality across hospitals. Methods Information on all patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2010 in 10 centres was extracted from The Netherlands Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery database and the Hospital Discharge Registry. The number of cardiac surgery interventions was compared between both databases. The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation and hospital standardised mortality ratio models were updated in the study population and compared using the C-statistic, calibration plots and the Brier-score. Results The number of cardiac surgery interventions performed could not be assessed using the administrative database as the intervention code was incorrect in 1.4–26.3%, depending on the type of intervention. In 7.3% no intervention code was registered. The updated administrative model was inferior to the updated clinical model with respect to discrimination (c-statistic of 0.77 vs 0.85, p<0.001) and calibration (Brier Score of 2.8% vs 2.6%, p<0.001, maximum score 3.0%). Two average performing hospitals according to the clinical model became outliers when benchmarking was performed using the administrative model. Conclusions In cardiac surgery, administrative data are less suitable than clinical data for the purpose of benchmarking. The use of either administrative or clinical risk-adjustment models can affect the outlier status of hospitals. Risk-adjustment models including procedure-specific clinical risk factors are recommended. PMID:24334377

2012 - 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy compliance and effects modeling system documentation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-03-01

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) of the United States Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration has developed a modeling system to assist the National Highway Traffic Safety Admini...

2017 - 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy Compliance and Effects Modeling System Documentation.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-08-31

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) of the United States Department of Transportations Research and Innovative Technology Administration has developed a modeling system to assist the National Highway Traffic Safety Admi...

A total design and implementation of an intelligent mobile chemotherapy medication administration.

PubMed

Kuo, Ming-Chuan; Chang, Polun

2014-01-01

The chemotherapy medication administration is a process involved many stakeholders and efforts. Therefore, the information support system cannot be well designed if the entire process was not carefully examined and reengineered first. We, from a 805-teaching medical center, did a process reengineering and involved physicians, pharmacists and IT engineers to work together to design a mobile support solution. System was implemented in March to July, 2013. A 6" android handheld device with 1D BCR was used as the main hardware. 18 nurses were invited to evaluate their perceived acceptance of system based on Technology Acceptance Model for Mobile Service Model. Time saved was also calculated to measure the effectiveness of system. The results showed positive support from nurses. The estimated time saved every year was about 288 nursing days. We believe our mobile chemotherapy medication administration support system is successful in terms of acceptance and real impacts.

Immunosuppressive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nicotine Administered by Patch in an Animal Model

PubMed Central

Kalra, Roma; Singh, Shashi P.; Pena-Philippides, Juan C.; Langley, Raymond J.; Razani-Boroujerdi, Seddigheh; Sopori, Mohan L.

2004-01-01

To study the immunological effects of nicotine, there are several rodent models for chronic nicotine administration. These models include subcutaneously implanted miniosmotic pumps, nicotine-spiked drinking water, and self-administration via jugular cannulae. Administration of nicotine via these routes affects the immune system. Smokers frequently use nicotine patches to quit smoking, and the immunological effects of nicotine patches are largely unknown. To determine whether the nicotine patch affects the immune system, nicotine patches were affixed daily onto the backs of Lewis rats for 3 to 4 weeks. The patches efficiently raised the levels of nicotine and cotinine in serum and strongly inhibited the antibody-forming cell response of spleen cells to sheep red blood cells. The nicotine patch also suppressed the concanavalin A-induced T-cell proliferation and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ by spleen cells, as well as the fever response of animals to subcutaneous administration of turpentine. Moreover, immunosuppression was associated with chronic activation of protein tyrosine kinase and phospholipase C-γ1 activities. Thus, in this animal model of nicotine administration, the nicotine patch efficiently raises the levels of nicotine and cotinine in serum and impairs both the immune and inflammatory responses. PMID:15138183

Administrator Preparation Models and the Impact of the Practice Context.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pohland, Paul A.

To be responsible, educational administrator training programs must take the context of practice into account in program design and execution. Adaptation in content, instructional processes, and support systems are required. The University of New Mexico's Spanish Language Master's Program, which has graduated 127 students, provides a model for…

Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Decisions and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Community Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baldin, Antoinette M.

2013-01-01

With the changing landscape in enrollment options for potential community college students, community college administrators are looking for ways to forecast enrollment by using strategic enrollment management models. Today, community colleges' administration is challenged to develop, use, and implement enrollment models that support their…

A conceptual framework contributing to nursing administration and research.

PubMed

Biron, Alain D; Richer, Marie-Claire; Ezer, Hélène

2007-03-01

The health care system has undergone major changes in the last decade. With greater acuity and complexity of illness, the adoption of innovative technologies and the shortage of health care personnel, the coordination and integration of health care services has become increasingly demanding for administrators. Growing dissatisfaction and concerns about safety issues are being expressed by the users of care who need to navigate through an increasingly complex system and by health care personnel who feel less efficient within the organization. Nursing administrators have a responsibility to address these issues but there is little scientific evidence to guide their actions. There are also few comprehensive models highlighting the main components of nursing administration - models that could guide nursing administration research. This paper presents a conceptual framework for nursing administration and research that links patient health care needs, nursing resources and the nursing care processes to the context of the health care system, and the social, political and cultural environments of care. A selected review of the oncology and cancer care literature is presented to demonstrate how this framework can organize existing knowledge about these concepts in the context of cancer care.

ITS impacts assessment for Seattle MMDI evaluation : modeling methodology and results

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-09-01

At the request of the Joint Program Office (JPO) for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Mitretek Systems has conducted a modeling : analysis of ITS impacts in support of the Metropolitan Model Deplo...

Explicit Finite Element Modeling of Multilayer Composite Fabric for Gas Turbine Engine Containment Systems. Part 2; Ballistic Impact Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pereira, J. M.; Revilock, D. M.

2004-01-01

Under the Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Assurance Center of Excellence and the Aircraft Catastrophic Failure Prevention Program, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center collaborated with Arizona State University, Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services, and SRI International to develop improved computational models for designing fabric-based engine containment systems. In the study described in this report, ballistic impact tests were conducted on layered dry fabric rings to provide impact response data for calibrating and verifying the improved numerical models. This report provides data on projectile velocity, impact and residual energy, and fabric deformation for a number of different test conditions.

The Cybernetic Writing Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lowe, Kelly Fisher

This paper looks at the role of a Writing Program Administrator, and applies the idea of a cybernetic system to the administration of the program. In this cybernetic model, the Writing Program Administrator (WPA) works as both a problem solver and problem causer, with the responsibility of keeping the program in proper balance. A cybernetic…

Evaluation of the commercial vehicle information systems and networks (CVISN) model deployment initiative. Volume I, Final report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-03-01

The Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks Model Deployment Initiative (CVISN MDI) is funded by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) and managed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA),...

Evaluation of the commercial vehicle information systems and networks (CVISN) model deployment initiative. Volume II, Appendices

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-03-01

The Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks Model Deployment Initiative (CVISN MDI) is funded by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) and managed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA),...

[Italian Decree D.lgs 231/2001--"Regulations regarding administrative responsibilities of corporate bodies of Companies and Associations including those not legally recognized"--an organizational model for the healthcare area].

PubMed

Roberti, Giovanni; Fiore, Rosalia; Franco, Claudia; Pimpinella, Giovanni; Piscioneri, Patrizia

2010-01-01

Healthcare organizations must implement organizational and management models of regulation and control systems for effectively preventing possible administrative torts by personnel. We define an organizational management and control model for healthcare organizations, based on the legal dispositions of Decree n.231/2001. The model identifies critical points in the administrative and healthcare services delivery processes that are at high-risk of violations to the code. Its primary aim is to prevent torts by the personnel and safeguard the organization at the same time.

Reconciliation of international administrative coding systems for comparison of colorectal surgery outcome.

PubMed

Munasinghe, A; Chang, D; Mamidanna, R; Middleton, S; Joy, M; Penninckx, F; Darzi, A; Livingston, E; Faiz, O

2014-07-01

Significant variation in colorectal surgery outcomes exists between different countries. Better understanding of the sources of variable outcomes using administrative data requires alignment of differing clinical coding systems. We aimed to map similar diagnoses and procedures across administrative coding systems used in different countries. Administrative data were collected in a central database as part of the Global Comparators (GC) Project. In order to unify these data, a systematic translation of diagnostic and procedural codes was undertaken. Codes for colorectal diagnoses, resections, operative complications and reoperative interventions were mapped across the respective national healthcare administrative coding systems. Discharge data from January 2006 to June 2011 for patients who had undergone colorectal surgical resections were analysed to generate risk-adjusted models for mortality, length of stay, readmissions and reoperations. In all, 52 544 case records were collated from 31 institutions in five countries. Mapping of all the coding systems was achieved so that diagnosis and procedures from the participant countries could be compared. Using the aligned coding systems to develop risk-adjusted models, the 30-day mortality rate for colorectal surgery was 3.95% (95% CI 0.86-7.54), the 30-day readmission rate was 11.05% (5.67-17.61), the 28-day reoperation rate was 6.13% (3.68-9.66) and the mean length of stay was 14 (7.65-46.76) days. The linkage of international hospital administrative data that we developed enabled comparison of documented surgical outcomes between countries. This methodology may facilitate international benchmarking. Colorectal Disease © 2014 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.

Air carrier operations system model

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-03-01

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and several 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 air carriers met several times during 1999-2000 to develop a system engineering model of the generic functions of air carrier ope...

Rail-Highway Crossing Resource Allocation Model

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1981-04-01

This report describes a methodology developed at the Transportation Systems Center for the Federal Railroad Administration and the Federal Highway Administration to aid in determining the most effective allocation of funds to improve safety at rail-h...

In silico synergism and antagonism of an anti-tumour system intervened by coupling immunotherapy and chemotherapy: a mathematical modelling approach.

PubMed

Hu, Wen-Yong; Zhong, Wei-Rong; Wang, Feng-Hua; Li, Li; Shao, Yuan-Zhi

2012-02-01

Based on the logistic growth law for a tumour derived from enzymatic dynamics, we address from a physical point of view the phenomena of synergism, additivity and antagonism in an avascular anti-tumour system regulated externally by dual coupling periodic interventions, and propose a theoretical model to simulate the combinational administration of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The in silico results of our modelling approach reveal that the tumour population density of an anti-tumour system, which is subject to the combinational attack of chemotherapeutical as well as immune intervention, depends on four parameters as below: the therapy intensities D, the coupling intensity I, the coupling coherence R and the phase-shifts Φ between two combinational interventions. In relation to the intensity and nature (synergism, additivity and antagonism) of coupling as well as the phase-shift between two therapeutic interventions, the administration sequence of two periodic interventions makes a difference to the curative efficacy of an anti-tumour system. The isobologram established from our model maintains a considerable consistency with that of the well-established Loewe Additivity model (Tallarida, Pharmacology 319(1):1-7, 2006). Our study discloses the general dynamic feature of an anti-tumour system regulated by two periodic coupling interventions, and the results may serve as a supplement to previous models of drug administration in combination and provide a type of heuristic approach for preclinical pharmacokinetic investigation.

Impact of Change Management on Employee Behavior in a University Administrative Office

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turner, Kendra

2017-01-01

This qualitative case study focused on the effect of a system implementation upgrade on employees' job performance within a central administration department of a major research university in the Southern United States. Review of literature revealed a lack of a specific model or process for system implementation upgrades and its impact on…

System for assessing Aviation's Global Emissions (SAGE), part 1 : model description and inventory results

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-07-01

In early 2001, the US Federal Aviation Administration embarked on a multi-year effort to develop a new computer model, the System for assessing Aviation's Global Emissions (SAGE). Currently at Version 1.5, the basic use of the model has centered on t...

Tapping on the Glass: The Intersection of Leadership and Gender in Independent School Administration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ostos, Barbara Escobio

2012-01-01

While independent schools are a small sector of the American school system, they educate a significant cross section of society. Creating equitable models of leadership in their top administrative positions is important as students see those models and equate them with what leaders look and act like. This study examined leadership styles of heads…

A Methodology for Data Structure Assessment in Higher Education Administration. AIR Forum Paper 1978.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baltes, Kenneth G.; Hendrix, Vernon L.

Two recent developments in management information system technology and higher education administration have brought about the need for this study, designed to develop a methodology for revealing a relational model of the data base that administrators are operating from currently or would like to be able to operate from in the future.…

Model reduction in mathematical pharmacology : Integration, reduction and linking of PBPK and systems biology models.

PubMed

Snowden, Thomas J; van der Graaf, Piet H; Tindall, Marcus J

2018-03-26

In this paper we present a framework for the reduction and linking of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models with models of systems biology to describe the effects of drug administration across multiple scales. To address the issue of model complexity, we propose the reduction of each type of model separately prior to being linked. We highlight the use of balanced truncation in reducing the linear components of PBPK models, whilst proper lumping is shown to be efficient in reducing typically nonlinear systems biology type models. The overall methodology is demonstrated via two example systems; a model of bacterial chemotactic signalling in Escherichia coli and a model of extracellular regulatory kinase activation mediated via the extracellular growth factor and nerve growth factor receptor pathways. Each system is tested under the simulated administration of three hypothetical compounds; a strong base, a weak base, and an acid, mirroring the parameterisation of pindolol, midazolam, and thiopental, respectively. Our method can produce up to an 80% decrease in simulation time, allowing substantial speed-up for computationally intensive applications including parameter fitting or agent based modelling. The approach provides a straightforward means to construct simplified Quantitative Systems Pharmacology models that still provide significant insight into the mechanisms of drug action. Such a framework can potentially bridge pre-clinical and clinical modelling - providing an intermediate level of model granularity between classical, empirical approaches and mechanistic systems describing the molecular scale.

Short-term integrated forecasting system : 1993 model documentation report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-12-01

The purpose of this report is to define the Short-Term Integrated Forecasting System (STIFS) and describe its basic properties. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the U.S. Energy Department (DOE) developed the STIFS model to generate shor...

A community-based approach to the promotion of breastfeeding in Mexico.

PubMed

Rodriguez-Garcia, R; Aumack, K J; Ramos, A

1990-01-01

A comprehensive education strategy is presented that links training, community education, research, and mass-media efforts to enhance breastfeeding practices. Breastfeeding promotion models, an administrative system, and lessons learned during the project are described. The keys to effective breastfeeding promotion are shown to be accurate information; appropriate education, training, and follow-up; and a supportive administrative system.

A Study on Components of Internal Control-Based Administrative System in Secondary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montri, Paitoon; Sirisuth, Chaiyuth; Lammana, Preeda

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to study the components of the internal control-based administrative system in secondary schools, and make a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to confirm the goodness of fit of empirical data and component model that resulted from the CFA. The study consisted of three steps: 1) studying of principles, ideas, and theories…

77 FR 70941 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Interaction of Systems and Structures

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-28

... primary structure is metal with composite empennage and control surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is...., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Interaction of Systems and Structures AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... conditions for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design...

Potential Projective Material on the Rorschach: Comparing Comprehensive System Protocols to Their Modeled R-Optimized Administration Counterparts.

PubMed

Pianowski, Giselle; Meyer, Gregory J; Villemor-Amaral, Anna Elisa de

2016-01-01

Exner ( 1989 ) and Weiner ( 2003 ) identified 3 types of Rorschach codes that are most likely to contain personally relevant projective material: Distortions, Movement, and Embellishments. We examine how often these types of codes occur in normative data and whether their frequency changes for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or last response to a card. We also examine the impact on these variables of the Rorschach Performance Assessment System's (R-PAS) statistical modeling procedures that convert the distribution of responses (R) from Comprehensive System (CS) administered protocols to match the distribution of R found in protocols obtained using R-optimized administration guidelines. In 2 normative reference databases, the results indicated that about 40% of responses (M = 39.25) have 1 type of code, 15% have 2 types, and 1.5% have all 3 types, with frequencies not changing by response number. In addition, there were no mean differences in the original CS and R-optimized modeled records (M Cohen's d = -0.04 in both databases). When considered alongside findings showing minimal differences between the protocols of people randomly assigned to CS or R-optimized administration, the data suggest R-optimized administration should not alter the extent to which potential projective material is present in a Rorschach protocol.

Setting Strategic Directions Using Critical Success Factors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bourne, Bonnie; Gates, Larry; Cofer, James

2000-01-01

Describes implementation of a system-level planning model focused on institutional improvement and effectiveness at the University of Missouri. Details implementation of three phases of the strategic planning model (strategic analysis, strategic thinking/decision-making, and campus outreach/systems administration planning); identifies critical…

Analysis of user waiting costs for construction projects on Louisiana's interstate highway system : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-04-01

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) is interested in applying the Federal Highway Administration=s (FHWA) life cycle cost analysis procedures and model to large roadway construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation pro...

Framework for Establishment of a Comprehensive and Standardized Administration System for Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in College Student Community in China.

PubMed

Zhang, Shaoru; Li, Xiaohong; Zhang, Tianhua; Wang, Xiangni; Liu, Weiping; Ma, Xuexue; Li, Yuelu; Fan, Yahui

2016-10-01

College student community is the one with high risk of tuberculosis (TB). A systemic and standardized administration model for prevention and control of TB is significance in controlling TB spread in universities. Currently, the universities in China have not established the comprehensive and standardized administration system for TB prevention and control in college student community. Firstly, the literature research and brainstorming method (n=13) were used to construct the clause and sub-clause pool for the administration of TB prevention and control within college student community in 2014. Secondly, a total of twenty experts in the field of TB prevention and control who are representatives of the east, west, south and north parts of China were selected and invited to participate the Delphi letter-inquiry. After two rounds of letter-inquiry, the opinions of the experts reached a consensus and the framework for the administration system was constructed. A framework for the administration system was constructed, which included 8 first class indexes, 26 second class indexes and 104 third class indexes. The results are highly scientific and reliable, which can be helpful for improving the systemic and standardized levels for the administration of TB prevention and control in universities in China and perhaps in other developing counties with high TB burden as well.

Framework for Establishment of a Comprehensive and Standardized Administration System for Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in College Student Community in China

PubMed Central

ZHANG, Shaoru; LI, Xiaohong; ZHANG, Tianhua; WANG, Xiangni; LIU, Weiping; MA, Xuexue; LI, Yuelu; FAN, Yahui

2016-01-01

Background: College student community is the one with high risk of tuberculosis (TB). A systemic and standardized administration model for prevention and control of TB is significance in controlling TB spread in universities. Currently, the universities in China have not established the comprehensive and standardized administration system for TB prevention and control in college student community. Methods: Firstly, the literature research and brainstorming method (n=13) were used to construct the clause and sub-clause pool for the administration of TB prevention and control within college student community in 2014. Secondly, a total of twenty experts in the field of TB prevention and control who are representatives of the east, west, south and north parts of China were selected and invited to participate the Delphi letter-inquiry. After two rounds of letter-inquiry, the opinions of the experts reached a consensus and the framework for the administration system was constructed. Results: A framework for the administration system was constructed, which included 8 first class indexes, 26 second class indexes and 104 third class indexes. Conclusion: The results are highly scientific and reliable, which can be helpful for improving the systemic and standardized levels for the administration of TB prevention and control in universities in China and perhaps in other developing counties with high TB burden as well. PMID:27957436

Non-Invasive Cell-Based Therapy for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

Morphological and Functional Changes in an Animal Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa . Vis Neurosci, 2013: 1-13. Bin Lu, Catherine W. Morgans, Sergey Girman...of human retinal progenitor cells for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa 2013, ARVO, A0106. Benjamin Bakondi; YuChun Tsai; Bin Lu; Sergey...Systemic administration of MSCs significantly preserved retinal ganglion cell survival after TON. (d) Systemic administration of MSCs also promote limited

Development of national reference energy mean emission levels for the FHWA traffic noise model (FHWA TNM), version 1.0

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-11-01

Research and Special Programs Administration, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), Acoustics Facility, in support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and 25 sponsoring state transportation agencies, conducted ...

Effective Drug Delivery in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma: A Theoretical Model to Identify Potential Candidates

PubMed Central

El-Khouly, Fatma E.; van Vuurden, Dannis G.; Stroink, Thom; Hulleman, Esther; Kaspers, Gertjan J. L.; Hendrikse, N. Harry; Veldhuijzen van Zanten, Sophie E. M.

2017-01-01

Despite decades of clinical trials for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), patient survival does not exceed 10% at two years post-diagnosis. Lack of benefit from systemic chemotherapy may be attributed to an intact bloodbrain barrier (BBB). We aim to develop a theoretical model including relevant physicochemical properties in order to review whether applied chemotherapeutics are suitable for passive diffusion through an intact BBB or whether local administration via convection-enhanced delivery (CED) may increase their therapeutic potential. Physicochemical properties (lipophilicity, molecular weight, and charge in physiological environment) of anticancer drugs historically and currently administered to DIPG patients, that affect passive diffusion over the BBB, were included in the model. Subsequently, the likelihood of BBB passage of these drugs was ascertained, as well as their potential for intratumoral administration via CED. As only non-molecularly charged, lipophilic, and relatively small sized drugs are likely to passively diffuse through the BBB, out of 51 drugs modeled, only 8 (15%)—carmustine, lomustine, erlotinib, vismodegib, lenalomide, thalidomide, vorinostat, and mebendazole—are theoretically qualified for systemic administration in DIPG. Local administration via CED might create more therapeutic options, excluding only positively charged drugs and drugs that are either prodrugs and/or only available as oral formulation. A wide variety of drugs have been administered systemically to DIPG patients. Our model shows that only few are likely to penetrate the BBB via passive diffusion, which may partly explain the lack of efficacy. Drug distribution via CED is less dependent on physicochemical properties and may increase the therapeutic options for DIPG. PMID:29164054

EDMS Multi-year Validation Plan

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-06-01

The Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS) is the air quality model required for use on airport projects by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This model has continued to be improved and recently has included several important enhanc...

Public Health Analysis Transport Optimization Model v. 1.0

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

Beyeler, Walt; Finley, Patrick; Walser, Alex

PHANTOM models logistic functions of national public health systems. The system enables public health officials to visualize and coordinate options for public health surveillance, diagnosis, response and administration in an integrated analytical environment. Users may simulate and analyze system performance applying scenarios that represent current conditions or future contingencies what-if analyses of potential systemic improvements. Public health networks are visualized as interactive maps, with graphical displays of relevant system performance metrics as calculated by the simulation modeling components.

78 FR 62495 - Special Conditions: Learjet Model 35, 35A, 36, and 36A Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium-Ion...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-22

...; Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries and Battery Systems AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and battery systems. These batteries have certain failure, operational, and... installing equipment that uses rechargeable lithium-ion battery systems in Learjet Model 35, 35A, 36, and 36A...

75 FR 13238 - Special Conditions: McCauley Propeller Systems, Model Propeller 3D15C1401/C80MWX-X

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-19

...-X AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions... for McCauley Propeller Systems for model propeller 3D15C1401/C80MWX-X. We are withdrawing the notice... McCauley Propeller Systems for model propeller 3D15C1401/C80MWX-X (71 FR 43674). On November 29, 2004...

Application of ASP Technology to Realize the Online Administrative License of the earthquake in Hunan Province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Hongliang; Kang, Chengxu; Tian, Youping

2018-01-01

Realizing the online handling of administrative approval of earthquakes is an important measure to improve work efficiency and facilitate people’s convenience. Based on the analysis of the characteristics and processes of the administrative licensing in the earthquake industry, this paper proposes an online processing model based on ASP technology and an online processing system based on B/S architecture. This paper presents the design and implementation methods. The application of the system shows that the system is simple in design and full in function, and can be used on mobile platforms such as computers and mobile phones, and has good practicability and forward-lookingness.

Intelligent vehicle highway systems (IVHS). Volume 1, inventory of models for predicting the emission and energy benefits of IVHS alternatives

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1992-10-30

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE VOLPE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER (VNTSC) TO PROVIDE THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (FHWA) WITH AN EARLY LOOK AT THE INVENTORY OF FORECASTING MODELS VNTSC IS EXAMINING UNDER TASK ONE OF ITS PROGRAM ...

A Review of Modern Control Strategies for Clinical Evaluation of Propofol Anesthesia Administration Employing Hypnosis Level Regulation.

PubMed

Ilyas, Muhammad; Butt, Muhammad Fasih Uddin; Bilal, Muhammad; Mahmood, Khalid; Khaqan, Ali; Ali Riaz, Raja

2017-01-01

Regulating the depth of hypnosis during surgery is one of the major objectives of an anesthesia infusion system. Continuous administration of Propofol infusion during surgical procedures is essential but it unduly increases the load of an anesthetist working in a multitasking scenario in the operation theatre. Manual and target controlled infusion systems are not appropriate to handle instabilities like blood pressure and heart rate changes arising due to interpatient and intrapatient variability. Patient safety, large interindividual variability, and less postoperative effects are the main factors motivating automation in anesthesia administration. The idea of automated system for Propofol infusion excites control engineers to come up with more sophisticated systems that can handle optimum delivery of anesthetic drugs during surgery and avoid postoperative effects. A linear control technique is applied initially using three compartmental pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models. Later on, sliding mode control and model predicative control achieve considerable results with nonlinear sigmoid model. Chattering and uncertainties are further improved by employing adaptive fuzzy control and H ∞ control. The proposed sliding mode control scheme can easily handle the nonlinearities and achieve an optimum hypnosis level as compared to linear control schemes, hence preventing mishaps such as underdosing and overdosing of anesthesia.

A Review of Modern Control Strategies for Clinical Evaluation of Propofol Anesthesia Administration Employing Hypnosis Level Regulation

PubMed Central

Ilyas, Muhammad; Bilal, Muhammad; Mahmood, Khalid; Ali Riaz, Raja

2017-01-01

Regulating the depth of hypnosis during surgery is one of the major objectives of an anesthesia infusion system. Continuous administration of Propofol infusion during surgical procedures is essential but it unduly increases the load of an anesthetist working in a multitasking scenario in the operation theatre. Manual and target controlled infusion systems are not appropriate to handle instabilities like blood pressure and heart rate changes arising due to interpatient and intrapatient variability. Patient safety, large interindividual variability, and less postoperative effects are the main factors motivating automation in anesthesia administration. The idea of automated system for Propofol infusion excites control engineers to come up with more sophisticated systems that can handle optimum delivery of anesthetic drugs during surgery and avoid postoperative effects. A linear control technique is applied initially using three compartmental pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models. Later on, sliding mode control and model predicative control achieve considerable results with nonlinear sigmoid model. Chattering and uncertainties are further improved by employing adaptive fuzzy control and H∞ control. The proposed sliding mode control scheme can easily handle the nonlinearities and achieve an optimum hypnosis level as compared to linear control schemes, hence preventing mishaps such as underdosing and overdosing of anesthesia. PMID:28466018

Educational Vouchers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pickard, Brent W.; Richards, Donald M.

1976-01-01

Summarizes the rationale for educational voucher systems, outlines model voucher systems, discusses implications of voucher systems, and suggests a generalized plan for applying voucher systems in continuing education. (Available from the Department of Educational Administration, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2G5;…

Career Education. Administrators and Counselors Implementation Model. Module IV--Planning. (4.1) Develop Plans for Curriculum Preparation and Infusion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, John A.; Chock, Mona K.O.

Part of a 13-volume series designed to be used as a group inservice or a self-learning system to train school administrators and counselors for their role in career education, this first section (4.1) of module 4 (Planning) is designed to assist principals and other school administrators to develop plans for curriculum preparation and infusion of…

The neuropsychopharmacology of phencyclidine: from NMDA receptor hypofunction to the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.

PubMed

Jentsch, J D; Roth, R H

1999-03-01

Administration of noncompetitive NMDA/glutamate receptor antagonists, such as phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine, to humans induces a broad range of schizophrenic-like symptomatology, findings that have contributed to a hypoglutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia. Moreover, a history of experimental investigations of the effects of these drugs in animals suggests that NMDA receptor antagonists may model some behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia in nonhuman subjects. In this review, the usefulness of PCP administration as a potential animal model of schizophrenia is considered. To support the contention that NMDA receptor antagonist administration represents a viable model of schizophrenia, the behavioral and neurobiological effects of these drugs are discussed, especially with regard to differing profiles following single-dose and long-term exposure. The neurochemical effects of NMDA receptor antagonist administration are argued to support a neurobiological hypothesis of schizophrenia, which includes pathophysiology within several neurotransmitter systems, manifested in behavioral pathology. Future directions for the application of NMDA receptor antagonist models of schizophrenia to preclinical and pathophysiological research are offered.

Information System Implementation: Benchmarking the Stages.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calbos, Dennis P.

1984-01-01

The evolution of administrative data processing systems at the University of Georgia is summarized. Nolan's revised stage model was used as a framework to present the university's experience and relate it to the growing body of system implementation research. (Author/MLW)

75 FR 76647 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 747-8 Airplanes, Systems and Data Networks Security-Isolation or...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-09

...: Digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. The proposed network architecture..., communication, and navigation systems (Aircraft Control Domain), 2. Airline business and administrative support... system architectures. Furthermore, 14 CFR regulations and current system safety assessment policy and...

Microsphere-Based Rapamycin Delivery, Systemic Versus Local Administration in a Rat Model of Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

PubMed

Zandstra, Jurjen; van Beuge, Marike M; Zuidema, Johan; Petersen, Arjen H; Staal, Mark; Duque, Luisa F; Rodriguez, Sergio; Lathuile, Audrey A R; Veldhuis, Gert J; Steendam, Rob; Bank, Ruud A; Popa, Eliane R

2015-10-01

The increasing prevalence and treatment costs of kidney diseases call for innovative therapeutic strategies that prevent disease progression at an early stage. We studied a novel method of subcapsular injection of monodisperse microspheres, to use as a local delivery system of drugs to the kidney. We generated placebo- and rapamycin monodisperse microspheres to investigate subcapsular delivery of drugs. Using a rat model of acute kidney injury, subcapsular injection of placebo and rapamycin monodisperse microspheres (monospheres) was compared to subcutaneous injection, mimicking systemic administration. We did not find any adverse effects related to the delivery method. Irrespective of the injection site, a similar low dose of rapamycin was present in the circulation. However, only local intrarenal delivery of rapamycin from monospheres led to decreased macrophage infiltration and a significantly lower amount of myofibroblasts in the kidney, where systemic administration did not. Local delivery of rapamycin did cause a transient increase in the deposition of collagen I, but not of collagen III. We conclude that therapeutic effects can be increased when rapamycin is delivered subcapsularly by monospheres, which, combined with low systemic concentrations, may lead to an effective intrarenal delivery method.

Impacts of Modeled Recommendations of the National Commission on Energy Policy

EIA Publications

2005-01-01

This report provides the Energy Information Administration's analysis of those National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP) energy policy recommendations that could be simulated using the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS).

Formulation and evaluation of in situ gelling systems for intranasal administration of gastrodin.

PubMed

Cai, Zheng; Song, Xiangrong; Sun, Feng; Yang, Zhaoxiang; Hou, Shixiang; Liu, Zhongqiu

2011-12-01

Gastrodin is the major bioactive constituent of the traditional Chinese drug "Tianma." It is used in the treatment of some nervous system diseases and can be transported to the brain via intranasal administration. In the current paper, the development of a novel ion-activated in situ gelling system for the nasal delivery of gastrodin is discussed. An in situ perfusion model was used to determine the absorption-rate constant of gastrodin through rat nasal mucosa. The optimal formulation was determined by measuring the critical cation concentration, anti-dilution capacity, gel expansion coefficient, water-holding capacity, and adhesive capacity. The best formulation consisted of 10% gastrodin, 0.5% deacetylated gellan gum as the gelatinizer, and 0.03% ethylparaben as the preservative. The rheological properties of gastrodin nasal in situ gels were also investigated. The viscosity and elasticity sharply increased at temperatures below 25°C. When physiological concentrations of cations were added into the preparation, the mixture gelled into a semi-solid. The results of an accelerated stability test show that gastrodin nasal in situ gels can be stable for more than 2 years. Mucociliary toxicity was evaluated using the in situ toad palate model and the rat nasal mucociliary method; both models demonstrated no measurable ciliotoxicity. Pharmacodynamic studies suggest that similar acesodyne and sedative effects were induced following intranasal administration of 50 mg/kg gastrodin nasal in situ gels or oral administration of 100 mg/kg gastrodin solution. The in situ gel preparation is a safe and effective nasal delivery system for gastrodin.

Model Adoption Exchange Payment System: Technical Specifications and User Instructions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ambrosino, Robert J.

This user's manual, designed to meet the needs of adoption exchange administrators and program managers for a formal tool to assist them in the overall management and operation of their program, presents the Model Adoption Exchange Payment System (MAEPS), which was developed to improve the delivery of adoption exchange services throughout the…

Systems Models and Programs for Higher Education. A Catalogue.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shoemaker, William A.

In recent years there has been considerable effort devoted to the development of systems models and programs that would assist college and university administrators in obtaining and analyzing data about internal operations. Such management data presumably would be helpful in decisionmaking. In this document an effort has been made to provide a…

Geometric models, antenna gains, and protection ratios as developed for BC SAT-R2 conference software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, E. F.

1982-01-01

Mathematical models used in the software package developed for use at the 1983 Regional Administrative Radio Conference on broadcasting satellites. The models described are those used in the Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program (SOUP) analysis. The geometric relationships necessary to model broadcasting satellite systems are discussed. Antenna models represent copolarized and cross polarized performance as functions of the off axis angle. The protection ratio is modelled as a co-channel value and a template representing systems with frequency offsets.

Career Education. Administrators and Counselors Implementation Model. Module III--Teacher Information and Orientation for Administrators. (3.1) Identify Change Strategy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, John A.; Chock, Mona K.O.

Part of a 13-volume series designed to be used as a group inservice or a self-learning system to train school administrators and counselors for their role in career education, this section of module 3 is designed to identify change strategies to help the principal motivate teachers to accept the concept of career education. (Module 3 is one of six…

Space Station Freedom (SSF) Data Management System (DMS) performance model data base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stovall, John R.

1993-01-01

The purpose of this document was originally to be a working document summarizing Space Station Freedom (SSF) Data Management System (DMS) hardware and software design, configuration, performance and estimated loading data from a myriad of source documents such that the parameters provided could be used to build a dynamic performance model of the DMS. The document is published at this time as a close-out of the DMS performance modeling effort resulting from the Clinton Administration mandated Space Station Redesign. The DMS as documented in this report is no longer a part of the redesigned Space Station. The performance modeling effort was a joint undertaking between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) Flight Data Systems Division (FDSD) and the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) Spacecraft Data Systems Research Branch. The scope of this document is limited to the DMS core network through the Man Tended Configuration (MTC) as it existed prior to the 1993 Clinton Administration mandated Space Station Redesign. Data is provided for the Standard Data Processors (SDP's), Multiplexer/Demultiplexers (MDM's) and Mass Storage Units (MSU's). Planned future releases would have added the additional hardware and software descriptions needed to describe the complete DMS. Performance and loading data through the Permanent Manned Configuration (PMC) was to have been included as it became available. No future releases of this document are presently planned pending completion of the present Space Station Redesign activities and task reassessment.

Pressurized storm sewer simulation : model enhancement.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1991-01-01

A modified Pressurized Flow Simulation Model, PFSM, was developed and attached to the Federal Highway Administration, FHWA, Pool Funded PFP-HYDRA Package. Four hydrograph options are available for simulating inflow to a sewer system under surcharge o...

78 FR 73993 - Special Conditions: Cessna Model 680 Series Airplanes; Aircraft Electronic System Security...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-10

... design feature associated with the architecture and connectivity capabilities of the airplanes' computer... vulnerabilities to the airplanes' systems. The proposed network architecture includes the following connectivity.... Operator business and administrative support systems, and 3. Passenger entertainment systems, and access by...

78 FR 76772 - Special Conditions: Airbus Model A350-900 Airplanes; Permanently Installed Rechargeable Lithium...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-19

... Installed Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries and Battery Systems AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... feature associated with permanently installed rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and battery systems... batteries and battery systems on aircraft. Lithium-ion batteries and battery systems have new hazards that...

77 FR 21861 - Special Conditions: Boeing, Model 777F; Enhanced Flight Vision System

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-12

... System AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions; request for... with an advanced, enhanced flight vision system (EFVS). The EFVS consists of a head-up display (HUD) system modified to display forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery. The applicable airworthiness...

Systemic ketamine inhibits hypersensitivity after surgery via descending inhibitory pathways in rats.

PubMed

Koizuka, Shiro; Obata, Hideaki; Sasaki, Masayuki; Saito, Shigeru; Goto, Fumio

2005-05-01

Systemic ketamine suppresses several types of chronic pain. Although ketamine is used as a general anesthetic agent, the analgesic effect of systemic ketamine for early-stage postoperative pain is not clear. We investigated the efficacy and mechanism of systemic ketamine in a rat model of postoperative pain. An incision was made in the plantar aspect of the left hind paw in male Wistar rats. Mechanical hypersensitivity was measured using calibrated von Frey filaments. The anti-hypersensitivity effect of systemic or intrathecal administration of ketamine was determined every hour after making the incision. We examined the effects of intrathecal pretreatment with yohimbine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, and methysergide, a serotonergic receptor antagonist, on the anti-hypersensitivity effect of ketamine. We also examined the effect of systemic ketamine on the c-fos immunoreactivity in the spinal cord. Systemic administration of ketamine at doses from 3 to 30 mg.kg(-1) produced anti-hypersensitivity effects in a dose-dependent manner. Intrathecal administration of ketamine had no effect. There was no significant difference between effects of pre- and post-incisional administration. Intrathecal pretreatment with yohimbine (10 microg) or methysergide (15 microg) completely reversed the anti-hypersensitivity effects of systemic ketamine. Systemic ketamine reduced fos expression in laminae I-II in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord ipsilateral to the paw incision. The results suggest that systemic administration of ketamine perioperatively suppresses early-stage postoperative pain via monoaminergic descending inhibitory pathways.

Academic Administration as the Puppet Masters (Sicelankobe). The Consequences?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amory, A.

2008-01-01

This article investigates the notions of race, gender and learning technology as a consequence of the commodification of educational administrative systems (part of new managerialism--neo-liberalism), in order to foster debate. It also asks if new managerialism is an appropriate model within an African arena. New managerialism can be defined as…

Service beyond Silos: Analyzing Data Trends to Inform the One-Stop Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fifolt, Matthew

2010-01-01

Institutions of higher education, like other large organizations, can have complex and complicated administrative structures. Nowhere is this more true than in the area of student services. Internal systems and processes that have become almost second nature to the individuals who staff administrative units can seem confusing and frustrating to…

75 FR 49377 - Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model Avro 146-RJ and BAe 146 Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-13

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2010...: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We...://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30...

76 FR 59011 - Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-23

... available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2011...: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We...

40 CFR 85.2224 - Exhaust analysis system-EPA 81.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... are solely in effect. The following exceptions apply: In a state where the Administrator has approved... earlier model year vehicles or engines; in a state where the Administrator has approved a SIP revision... dual sample probe must provide equal flow in each leg. The equal flow criterion is considered to be met...

Model Plan for Administration and Supervision Services. (Student Vocational Organization Coordinator.) Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wonser, Renee; Kohns, Donald

Growing out of a project to improve administrative and support services for North Dakota student vocational organizations, this manual outlines possible duties and responsibilities of a state-level student vocational organizational coordinator based on a sequential planning and implementation system. The manual is divided into four areas with…

Administrative skills for academy physicians.

PubMed

Aluise, J J; Schmitz, C C; Bland, C J; McArtor, R E

To function effectively within the multifaceted environment of the academic medical center, academic physicians need to heighten their understanding of the economics of the health care system, and further develop their leadership and managerial skills. A literature base on organizational development and management education is now available, which addresses the unique nature of the professional organization, including academic medical centers. This article describes an administration development curriculum for academic physicians. Competency statements, instructional strategies, and references provide health care educators with a model for developing administrative skills programs for academic physicians and other health care professionals. The continuing success of the academic medical center as a responsive health care system may depend on the degree to which academic physicians and their colleagues in other fields gain sophistication in self-management and organizational administration. Health care educators can apply the competencies and instructional strategies offered in this article to administrative development programs for physicians and other health professionals in their institutions.

System for assessing Aviation's Global Emissions (SAGE). Version 1.5 : validation assessment, model assumptions and uncertainties

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-09-01

The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Environment and Energy (AEE) has : developed the System for assessing Aviations Global Emissions (SAGE) with support from the Volpe National : Transportation Systems Center (Vo...

Air traffic control resource management strategies and the small aircraft transportation system: A system dynamics perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galvin, James J., Jr.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is leading a research effort to develop a Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) that will expand air transportation capabilities to hundreds of underutilized airports in the United States. Most of the research effort addresses the technological development of the small aircraft as well as the systems to manage airspace usage and surface activities at airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will also play a major role in the successful implementation of SATS, however, the administration is reluctant to embrace the unproven concept. The purpose of the research presented in this dissertation is to determine if the FAA can pursue a resource management strategy that will support the current radar-based Air Traffic Control (ATC) system as well as a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)-based ATC system required by the SATS. The research centered around the use of the System Dynamics modeling methodology to determine the future behavior of the principle components of the ATC system over time. The research included a model of the ATC system consisting of people, facilities, equipment, airports, aircraft, the FAA budget, and the Airport and Airways Trust Fund. The model generated system performance behavior used to evaluate three scenarios. The first scenario depicted the base case behavior of the system if the FAA continued its current resource management practices. The second scenario depicted the behavior of the system if the FAA emphasized development of GPS-based ATC systems. The third scenario depicted a combined resource management strategy that supplemented radar systems with GPS systems. The findings of the research were that the FAA must pursue a resource management strategy that primarily funds a radar-based ATC system and directs lesser funding toward a GPS-based supplemental ATC system. The most significant contribution of this research was the insight and understanding gained of how several resource management strategies and the presence of SATS aircraft may impact the future US Air Traffic Control system.

Effects of Tetrodotoxin in Mouse Models of Visceral Pain

PubMed Central

González-Cano, Rafael; Tejada, Miguel Ángel; Artacho-Cordón, Antonia; Nieto, Francisco Rafael; Entrena, José Manuel; Wood, John N.; Cendán, Cruz Miguel

2017-01-01

Visceral pain is very common and represents a major unmet clinical need for which current pharmacological treatments are often insufficient. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that exerts analgesic actions in both humans and rodents under different somatic pain conditions, but its effect has been unexplored in visceral pain. Therefore, we tested the effects of systemic TTX in viscero-specific mouse models of chemical stimulation of the colon (intracolonic instillation of capsaicin and mustard oil) and intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. The subcutaneous administration of TTX dose-dependently inhibited the number of pain-related behaviors in all evaluated pain models and reversed the referred mechanical hyperalgesia (examined by stimulation of the abdomen with von Frey filaments) induced by capsaicin and cyclophosphamide, but not that induced by mustard oil. Morphine inhibited both pain responses and the referred mechanical hyperalgesia in all tests. Conditional nociceptor‑specific Nav1.7 knockout mice treated with TTX showed the same responses as littermate controls after the administration of the algogens. No motor incoordination after the administration of TTX was observed. These results suggest that blockade of TTX-sensitive sodium channels, but not Nav1.7 subtype alone, by systemic administration of TTX might be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of visceral pain. PMID:28635651

Public sector administration of ecological economics systems using mediated modeling.

PubMed

van den Belt, Marjan; Kenyan, Jennifer R; Krueger, Elizabeth; Maynard, Alison; Roy, Matthew Galen; Raphael, Ian

2010-01-01

In today's climate of government outsourcing and multiple stakeholder involvement in public sector management and service delivery, it is more important than ever to rethink and redesign the structure of how policy decisions are made, implemented, monitored, and adapted to new realities. The traditional command-and-control approach is now less effective because an increasing amount of responsibility to deliver public goods and services falls on networks of nongovernment agencies. Even though public administrators are seeking new decision-making models in an increasingly more complex environment, the public sector currently only sparsely utilizes Mediated Modeling (MM). There is growing evidence, however, that by employing MM and similar tools, public interest networks can be better equipped to deal with their long-term viability while maintaining the short-term needs of their clients. However, it may require a shift in organizational culture within and between organizations to achieve the desired results. This paper explores the successes and barriers to implementing MM and similar tools in the public sector and offers insights into utilizing them through a review of case studies and interdisciplinary literature. We aim to raise a broader interest in MM and similar tools among public sector administrators at various administrative levels. We focus primarily, but not exclusively, on those cases operating at the interface of ecology and socio-economic systems.

Alerts Visualization and Clustering in Network-based Intrusion Detection

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

Yang, Dr. Li; Gasior, Wade C; Dasireddy, Swetha

2010-04-01

Today's Intrusion detection systems when deployed on a busy network overload the network with huge number of alerts. This behavior of producing too much raw information makes it less effective. We propose a system which takes both raw data and Snort alerts to visualize and analyze possible intrusions in a network. Then we present with two models for the visualization of clustered alerts. Our first model gives the network administrator with the logical topology of the network and detailed information of each node that involves its associated alerts and connections. In the second model, flocking model, presents the network administratormore » with the visual representation of IDS data in which each alert is represented in different color and the alerts with maximum similarity move together. This gives network administrator with the idea of detecting various of intrusions through visualizing the alert patterns.« less

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Exogenous insulin does not increase muscle protein synthesis rate when administered systemically: a systematic review.

PubMed

Trommelen, Jorn; Groen, Bart B L; Hamer, Henrike M; de Groot, Lisette C P G M; van Loon, Luc J C

2015-07-01

Though it is well appreciated that insulin plays an important role in the regulation of muscle protein metabolism, there is much discrepancy in the literature on the capacity of exogenous insulin administration to increase muscle protein synthesis rates in vivo in humans. To assess whether exogenous insulin administration increases muscle protein synthesis rates in young and older adults. A systematic review of clinical trials was performed and the presence or absence of an increase in muscle protein synthesis rate was reported for each individual study arm. In a stepwise manner, multiple models were constructed that excluded study arms based on the following conditions: model 1, concurrent hyperaminoacidemia; model 2, insulin-induced hypoaminoacidemia; model 3, supraphysiological insulin concentrations; and model 4, older, more insulin resistant, subjects. From the presented data in the current systematic review, we conclude that: i) exogenous insulin and amino acid administration effectively increase muscle protein synthesis, but this effect is attributed to the hyperaminoacidemia; ii) exogenous insulin administered systemically induces hypoaminoacidemia which obviates any insulin-stimulatory effect on muscle protein synthesis; iii) exogenous insulin resulting in supraphysiological insulin levels exceeding 50, 000  pmol/l may effectively augment muscle protein synthesis; iv) exogenous insulin may have a diminished effect on muscle protein synthesis in older adults due to age-related anabolic resistance; and v) exogenous insulin administered systemically does not increase muscle protein synthesis in healthy, young adults. © 2015 European Society of Endocrinology.

75 FR 77569 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System Mode...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-13

... Unusual Design Features The GVI will have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system. This system... the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of operation, a means must be provided to... Control System Mode Annunciation AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of...

Frequency of pediatric medication administration errors and contributing factors.

PubMed

Ozkan, Suzan; Kocaman, Gulseren; Ozturk, Candan; Seren, Seyda

2011-01-01

This study examined the frequency of pediatric medication administration errors and contributing factors. This research used the undisguised observation method and Critical Incident Technique. Errors and contributing factors were classified through the Organizational Accident Model. Errors were made in 36.5% of the 2344 doses that were observed. The most frequent errors were those associated with administration at the wrong time. According to the results of this study, errors arise from problems within the system.

Investigating pulmonary and systemic pharmacokinetics of inhaled olodaterol in healthy volunteers using a population pharmacokinetic approach.

PubMed

Borghardt, Jens Markus; Weber, Benjamin; Staab, Alexander; Kunz, Christina; Formella, Stephan; Kloft, Charlotte

2016-03-01

Olodaterol, a novel β2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is a long-acting, once-daily inhaled bronchodilator approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The aim of the present study was to describe the plasma and urine pharmacokinetics of olodaterol after intravenous administration and oral inhalation in healthy volunteers by population pharmacokinetic modelling and thereby to infer its pulmonary fate. Plasma and urine data after intravenous administration (0.5-25 μg) and oral inhalation (2.5-70 μg via the Respimat® inhaler) were available from a total of 148 healthy volunteers (single and multiple dosing). A stepwise model building approach was applied, using population pharmacokinetic modelling. Systemic disposition parameters were fixed to estimates obtained from intravenous data when modelling data after inhalation. A pharmacokinetic model, including three depot compartments with associated parallel first-order absorption processes (pulmonary model) on top of a four-compartment body model (systemic disposition model), was found to describe the data the best. The dose reaching the lung (pulmonary bioavailable fraction) was estimated to be 49.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46.1, 52.7%] of the dose released from the device. A large proportion of the pulmonary bioavailable fraction [70.1% (95% CI 66.8, 73.3%)] was absorbed with a half-life of 21.8 h (95% CI 19.7, 24.4 h). The plasma and urine pharmacokinetics of olodaterol after intravenous administration and oral inhalation in healthy volunteers were adequately described. The key finding was that a high proportion of the pulmonary bioavailable fraction had an extended pulmonary residence time. This finding was not expected based on the physicochemical properties of olodaterol. © 2015 The British Pharmacological Society.

Minipig as a potential translatable model for monoclonal antibody pharmacokinetics after intravenous and subcutaneous administration

PubMed Central

Benincosa, Lisa; Birnböck, Herbert; Boswell, C Andrew; Bumbaca, Daniela; Cowan, Kyra J; Danilenko, Dimitry M; Daugherty, Ann L; Fielder, Paul J; Grimm, Hans Peter; Joshi, Amita; Justies, Nicole; Kolaitis, Gerry; Lewin-Koh, Nicholas; Li, Jing; McVay, Sami; O'Mahony, Jennifer; Otteneder, Michael; Pantze, Michael; Putnam, Wendy S; Qiu, Zhihua J; Ruppel, Jane; Singer, Thomas; Stauch, Oliver; Theil, Frank-Peter; Visich, Jennifer; Yang, Jihong; Ying, Yong

2012-01-01

Subcutaneous (SC) delivery is a common route of administration for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) properties requiring long-term or frequent drug administration. An ideal in vivo preclinical model for predicting human PK following SC administration may be one in which the skin and overall physiological characteristics are similar to that of humans. In this study, the PK properties of a series of therapeutic mAbs following intravenous (IV) and SC administration in Göttingen minipigs were compared with data obtained previously from humans. The present studies demonstrated: (1) minipig is predictive of human linear clearance; (2) the SC bioavailabilities in minipigs are weakly correlated with those in human; (3) minipig mAb SC absorption rates are generally higher than those in human and (4) the SC bioavailability appears to correlate with systemic clearance in minipigs. Given the important role of the neonatal Fc-receptor (FcRn) in the PK of mAbs, the in vitro binding affinities of these IgGs against porcine, human and cynomolgus monkey FcRn were tested. The result showed comparable FcRn binding affinities across species. Further, mAbs with higher isoelectric point tended to have faster systemic clearance and lower SC bioavailability in both minipig and human. Taken together, these data lend increased support for the use of the minipig as an alternative predictive model for human IV and SC PK of mAbs. PMID:22453096

Development of statistical models to forecast crossing times of commercial vehicles.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-07-01

Border crossing time measurement systems for commercial vehicles are being implemented throughout : the U.S.-Mexico border. These systems are based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. : With funding from the Federal Highway Administr...

Comparing administered and market-based water allocation systems through a consistent agent-based modeling framework.

PubMed

Zhao, Jianshi; Cai, Ximing; Wang, Zhongjing

2013-07-15

Water allocation can be undertaken through administered systems (AS), market-based systems (MS), or a combination of the two. The debate on the performance of the two systems has lasted for decades but still calls for attention in both research and practice. This paper compares water users' behavior under AS and MS through a consistent agent-based modeling framework for water allocation analysis that incorporates variables particular to both MS (e.g., water trade and trading prices) and AS (water use violations and penalties/subsidies). Analogous to the economic theory of water markets under MS, the theory of rational violation justifies the exchange of entitled water under AS through the use of cross-subsidies. Under water stress conditions, a unique water allocation equilibrium can be achieved by following a simple bargaining rule that does not depend upon initial market prices under MS, or initial economic incentives under AS. The modeling analysis shows that the behavior of water users (agents) depends on transaction, or administrative, costs, as well as their autonomy. Reducing transaction costs under MS or administrative costs under AS will mitigate the effect that equity constraints (originating with primary water allocation) have on the system's total net economic benefits. Moreover, hydrologic uncertainty is shown to increase market prices under MS and penalties/subsidies under AS and, in most cases, also increases transaction, or administrative, costs. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of motor disability in MPTP-treated macaques using a telemetry system for estimating circadian motor activity.

PubMed

Barcia, C; De Pablos, V; Bautista-Hernández, V; Sanchez-Bahillo, A; Fernández-Barreiro, A; Poza, M; Herrero, M T

2004-03-15

The parkinsonian symptoms of primates after MPTP exposure can be measured by several visual methods (classical motor scores). However, these methods have a subjective bias, especially as regards the evaluation of the motor activity. Computerized monitoring systems represent an unbiased method for measuring the motor disability of monkeys after MPTP administration. In this work the motor activity of monkeys before and after MPTP administration is measured and compared with the activity of a control intact group by means of a telemetry system. A pronounced decrease in motor activity was observed after MPTP administration. These results suggest the monitoring method used is suited for characterizing the motor incapacity and possible improvements following treatments to test different therapies to control Parkinson's disease in MPTP models involving primates.

Development of a Knowledge-Based System Approach for Decision Making in Construction Projects

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-01

a generic model for an administrative facility and medical facility with predefined fixed building systems based on Air Force criteria and past...MAINTENANCE HANGAR (MEDIUM BAY) CORROSION CONTROL HANGAR (HIGH BAY) FUEL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE HANGAR (MEDIUM BAY) MEDICAL MODEL 82 Table 5-1--continued...BUILDING SUPPORT MEDICAL LOGISTICS MEDICAL TOTAL 85 Table 5-2--continued MISSILE ASSEMBLY AND MAINTENANCE BUILDING TOTAL MISSILE LOADING AND UNLOADING

Explicit Finite Element Modeling of Multilayer Composite Fabric for Gas Turbine Engine Containment Systems, Phase II. Part 3; Material Model Development and Simulation of Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simmons, J.; Erlich, D.; Shockey, D.

2009-01-01

A team consisting of Arizona State University, Honeywell Engines, Systems & Services, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center, and SRI International collaborated to develop computational models and verification testing for designing and evaluating turbine engine fan blade fabric containment structures. This research was conducted under the Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Assurance Center of Excellence and was sponsored by the Aircraft Catastrophic Failure Prevention Program. The research was directed toward improving the modeling of a turbine engine fabric containment structure for an engine blade-out containment demonstration test required for certification of aircraft engines. The research conducted in Phase II began a new level of capability to design and develop fan blade containment systems for turbine engines. Significant progress was made in three areas: (1) further development of the ballistic fabric model to increase confidence and robustness in the material models for the Kevlar(TradeName) and Zylon(TradeName) material models developed in Phase I, (2) the capability was improved for finite element modeling of multiple layers of fabric using multiple layers of shell elements, and (3) large-scale simulations were performed. This report concentrates on the material model development and simulations of the impact tests.

Cooperating systems: Layered MAS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rochowiak, Daniel

1990-01-01

Distributed intelligent systems can be distinguished by the models that they use. The model developed focuses on layered multiagent system conceived of as a bureaucracy in which a distributed data base serves as a central means of communication. The various generic bureaus of such a system is described and a basic vocabulary for such systems is presented. In presenting the bureaus and vocabularies, special attention is given to the sorts of reasonings that are appropriate. A bureaucratic model has a hierarchy of master system and work group that organizes E agents and B agents. The master system provides the administrative services and support facilities for the work groups.

Integrated Noise Model (INM) version 6.0 technical manual

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-01-31

The Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Environment and Energy (FAA, AEE-100) has : developed Version 6.0 of the Integrated Noise Model (INM) with support from the John A. Volpe : National Transportation Systems Center, Acoustics Facility (Vol...

Integrated noise model (INM) version 7.0 technical manual

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-31

The Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Environment and Energy (FAA, AEE-100) has developed Version 7.0 of the Integrated Noise Model (INM) with support from the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Acoustics Facility (Volpe C...

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : Roadside Intervention Effectiveness Model, fiscal year 2010.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-11-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, has developed an analytic model to measure the effectiveness of roadside inspections and traffic enforcements in te...

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : Roadside Intervention Effectiveness Model, fiscal year 2012.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-02-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National : Transportation Systems Center, has developed an analytic model to measure the effectiveness of roadside : inspections and traffic enforcements i...

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : roadside intervention effectiveness model, fiscal year 2013.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-08-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, has developed an analytic model to measure the effectiveness of roadside inspections and traffic enforcements in te...

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : roadside intervention effectiveness model fiscal year 2011.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-06-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, has developed an analytic model to measure the effectiveness of roadside inspections and traffic enforcements in te...

Integrated Noise Model (INM), version 5.1 : technical manual

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-12-01

The Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Environment and Energy (FAA, AEE-120) : has developed Version 5.1 of the Integrated Noise Model (INM) with support from the : John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Acoustics Facility (Vol...

Enabling Systemic Change: Creating an ePortfolio Implementation Framework through Design and Development Research for Use by Higher Education Professionals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blevins, Samantha; Brill, Jennifer

2017-01-01

Drawing from a design and development research approach, specifically model research, this study investigated the perspectives of higher education faculty and administrators regarding their experiences with a university-wide electronic portfolio implementation initiative. Participants in the study were fifty-two faculty and administrators at a…

Effects of parecoxib on the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rats.

PubMed

Arung, Willy; Jehaes, François; Cheramy, Jean-Paul; Defraigne, Jean-Olivier; Meurisse, Michel; Honoré, Pierre; Drion, Pierre; Detry, Olivier

2013-12-01

No systemic preventive therapy has been successful in inhibiting the development of postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of 5 day administration of parecoxib, on PPA prevention and on suture or wound healing in rats. In a model of PPAs induced by peritoneal electrical burn, 30 rats were randomized into 3 groups according to parecoxib administration route (control; intraperitoneal (IP); intramuscular (IM)). Plasma and peritoneal levels of PAI-1 and tPA were measured at T0, after 90 min of surgery (T90), and on postoperative day 10 (D10). In a cecum resection model, 20 rats were randomized into two groups (control and IP parecoxib), and abdominal wound healing and suture leakage were assessed at D10. In both models, PPAs were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively on D10. Administration of parecoxib significantly decreased the quantity (p < .05) and the severity (p < .01) of PPAs in both models. In addition, parecoxib administration did not cause healing defects or infectious complications in the two models. In the peritoneal burn model, IP or IM parecoxib administration inhibited the increase of postoperative plasma and peritoneum PAI-1 levels, an increase that was observed in the control group (p < .01). No anastomosis leakage could be demonstrated in both groups in the cecum resection model. This study showed that, in these rat models, parecoxib might reduce PPA formation. Confirmation of the safety of parecoxib on intestinal anastomoses is required and should be investigated in further animal models.

The health care system is making 'too much noise' to provide family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units: Perspectives of health care providers and hospital administrators.

PubMed

Benzies, Karen M; Shah, Vibhuti; Aziz, Khalid; Lodha, Abhay; Misfeldt, Renée

2018-05-11

To describe the perspectives of health care providers and hospital administrators on their experiences of providing care for infants in Level II neonatal intensive care units and their families. We conducted 36 qualitative interviews with neonatal health care providers and hospital administrators and analysed data using a descriptive interpretive approach. 10 Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Units in a single, integrated health care system in one Canadian province. Three major themes emerged: (1) providing family-centred care, (2) working amidst health care system challenges, and (3) recommending improvements to the health care system. The overarching theme was that the health care system was making 'too much noise' for health care providers and hospital administrators to provide family-centred care in ways that would benefit infants and their families. Recommended improvements included: refining staffing models, enhancing professional development, providing tools to deliver consistent care, recognising parental capacity to be involved in care, strengthening continuity of care, supporting families to be with their infant, and designing family-friendly environments. When implementing family-centred care initiatives, health care providers and hospital administrators need to consider the complexity of providing care in Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Units, and recognise that health care system changes may be necessary to optimise implementation. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

a Study on the Improvement of Cadastral System in Mongolia - Focused on National Land Information System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munkhbaatar, B.; Lee, J.

2015-10-01

National land information system (NLIS) is an essential part of the Mongolian land reform. NLIS is a web based and centralized system which covers administration of cadastral database all over the country among land departments. Current ongoing NLIS implementation is vital to improve the cadastral system in Mongolia. This study is intended to define existing problems in current Mongolian cadastral system and propose administrative institutional and systematic implementation through NLIS. Once NLIS launches with proposed model of comprehensive cadastral system it will lead to not only economic and sustainable development but also contribute to citizens' satisfaction and lessen the burdensomeness of bureaucracy. Moreover, prevention of land conflicts, especially in metropolitan area as well as gathering land tax and fees. Furthermore after establishment of NLIS, it is advisable that connecting NLIS to other relevant state administrational organizations or institutions that have relevant database system. Connections with other relevant organizations will facilitate not only smooth and productive workflow but also offer reliable and more valuable information by its systemic integration with NLIS.

Registering Names and Addresses for Information Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knapp, Arthur A.

The identification of administrative authorities and the development of associated procedures for registering and accessing names and addresses of communications data systems are considered in this paper. It is noted that, for data communications systems using standards based on the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model specified by…

76 FR 36861 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Systems Security Isolation or...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-23

... incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: Digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. The proposed architecture and network configuration may be used for, or interfaced with... navigation systems (aircraft control domain), 2. Airline business and administrative support (airline...

Antiepileptogenic Effect of Subchronic Palmitoylethanolamide Treatment in a Mouse Model of Acute Epilepsy.

PubMed

Post, Julia M; Loch, Sebastian; Lerner, Raissa; Remmers, Floortje; Lomazzo, Ermelinda; Lutz, Beat; Bindila, Laura

2018-01-01

Research on the antiepileptic effects of (endo-)cannabinoids has remarkably progressed in the years following the discovery of fundamental role of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in controlling neural excitability. Moreover, an increasing number of well-documented cases of epilepsy patients exhibiting multi-drug resistance report beneficial effects of cannabis use. Pre-clinical and clinical research has increasingly focused on the antiepileptic effectiveness of exogenous administration of cannabinoids and/or pharmacologically induced increase of eCBs such as anandamide (also known as arachidonoylethanolamide [AEA]). Concomitant research has uncovered the contribution of neuroinflammatory processes and peripheral immunity to the onset and progression of epilepsy. Accordingly, modulation of inflammatory pathways such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was pursued as alternative therapeutic strategy for epilepsy. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide related to the centrally and peripherally present eCB AEA, and is a naturally occurring nutrient that has long been recognized for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Neuroprotective and anti-hyperalgesic properties of PEA were evidenced in neurodegenerative diseases, and antiepileptic effects in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), maximal electroshock (MES) and amygdaloid kindling models of epileptic seizures. Moreover, numerous clinical trials in chronic pain revealed that PEA treatment is devoid of addiction potential, dose limiting side effects and psychoactive effects, rendering PEA an appealing candidate as antiepileptic compound or adjuvant. In the present study, we aimed at assessing antiepileptic properties of PEA in a mouse model of acute epileptic seizures induced by systemic administration of kainic acid (KA). KA-induced epilepsy in rodents is assumed to resemble to different extents human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) depending on the route of KA administration; intracerebral (i.c.) injection was recently shown to most closely mimic human TLE, while systemic KA administration causes more widespread pathological damage, both in brain and periphery. To explore the potential of PEA to exert therapeutic effects both in brain and periphery, acute and subchronic administration of PEA by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection was assessed on mice with systemically administered KA. Specifically, we investigated: (i) neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties of acute and subchronic PEA treatment in KA-induced seizure models, and (ii) temporal dynamics of eCB and eicosanoid (eiC) levels in hippocampus and plasma over 180 min post seizure induction in PEA-treated and non-treated KA-injected mice vs. vehicle injected mice. Finally, we compared the systemic PEA treatment with, and in combination with, pharmacological blockade of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in brain and periphery, in terms of anticonvulsant properties and modulation of eCBs and eiCs. Here, we demonstrate that subchronic administration of PEA significantly alleviates seizure intensity, promotes neuroprotection and induces modulation of the plasma and hippocampal eCB and eiC levels in systemic KA-injected mice.

Training Administrators in Anasynthesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silvern, Leonard C.

1971-01-01

The author discusses the application of physical and mathematical systems to non-physical social systems; specifically education and cinema, the process of analysis, synthesis, modeling and simulation. The author describes the course he has developed to instruct students in anasynthesis. (Author/RR)

Matching vehicle responses using the model-following control method

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-02-24

The Variable Dynamic Testbed Vehicle (VDTV) is presently being developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is being designed to have a steer-by-wire" front steering system and an independent rear steering system. Th...

Combined local and systemic bleomycin administration in electrochemotherapy to reduce the number of treatment sessions

PubMed Central

Tellado, Matias; Olaiz, Nahuel; Michinski, Sebastian; Marshall, Guillermo

2016-01-01

Background Electrochemotherapy (ECT), a medical treatment widely used in human patients for tumor treatment, increases bleomycin toxicity by 1000 fold in the treated area with an objective response rate of around 80%. Despite its high response rate, there are still 20% of cases in which the patients are not responding. This could be ascribed to the fact that bleomycin, when administered systemically, is not reaching the whole tumor mass properly because of the characteristics of tumor vascularization, in which case local administration could cover areas that are unreachable by systemic administration. Patients and methods We propose combined bleomycin administration, both systemic and local, using companion animals as models. We selected 22 canine patients which failed to achieve a complete response after an ECT treatment session. Eleven underwent another standard ECT session (control group), while 11 received a combined local and systemic administration of bleomycin in the second treatment session. Results According to the WHO criteria, the response rates in the combined administration group were: complete response (CR) 54% (6), partial response (PR) 36% (4), stable disease (SD) 10% (1). In the control group, these were: CR 0% (0), PR 19% (2), SD 63% (7), progressive disease (PD) 18% (2). In the combined group 91% objective responses (CR+PR) were obtained. In the control group 19% objective responses were obtained. The difference in the response rate between the treatment groups was significant (p < 0.01). Conclusions Combined local and systemic bleomycin administration was effective in previously to ECT non responding canine patients. The results indicate that this approach could be useful and effective in specific population of patients and reduce the number of treatment sessions needed to obtain an objective response. PMID:27069450

Robust model predictive control for optimal continuous drug administration.

PubMed

Sopasakis, Pantelis; Patrinos, Panagiotis; Sarimveis, Haralambos

2014-10-01

In this paper the model predictive control (MPC) technology is used for tackling the optimal drug administration problem. The important advantage of MPC compared to other control technologies is that it explicitly takes into account the constraints of the system. In particular, for drug treatments of living organisms, MPC can guarantee satisfaction of the minimum toxic concentration (MTC) constraints. A whole-body physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model serves as the dynamic prediction model of the system after it is formulated as a discrete-time state-space model. Only plasma measurements are assumed to be measured on-line. The rest of the states (drug concentrations in other organs and tissues) are estimated in real time by designing an artificial observer. The complete system (observer and MPC controller) is able to drive the drug concentration to the desired levels at the organs of interest, while satisfying the imposed constraints, even in the presence of modelling errors, disturbances and noise. A case study on a PBPK model with 7 compartments, constraints on 5 tissues and a variable drug concentration set-point illustrates the efficiency of the methodology in drug dosing control applications. The proposed methodology is also tested in an uncertain setting and proves successful in presence of modelling errors and inaccurate measurements. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships of central nervous system effects of scopolamine in healthy subjects

PubMed Central

Liem-Moolenaar, Marieke; de Boer, Peter; Timmers, Maarten; Schoemaker, Rik C; van Hasselt, J G Coen; Schmidt, Stephan; van Gerven, Joop M A

2011-01-01

AIM(S) Although scopolamine is a frequently used memory impairment model, the relationships between exposure and corresponding central nervous system (CNS) effects are mostly unknown. The aim of our study was to characterize these using pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) modelling. METHODS In two double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way crossover studies, 0.5-mg scopolamine was administered i.v. to 90 healthy male subjects. PK and PD/safety measures were monitored pre-dose and up to 8.5 h after administration. PK–PD relationships were modelled using non-linear mixed-effect modelling. RESULTS Most PD responses following scopolamine administration in 85 subjects differed significantly from placebo. As PD measures lagged behind the plasma PK profile, PK–PD relationships were modelled using an effect compartment and arbitrarily categorized according to their equilibration half-lives (t1/2keo; hysteresis measure). t1/2keo for heart rate was 17 min, saccadic eye movements and adaptive tracking 1–1.5 h, body sway, smooth pursuit, visual analogue scales alertness and psychedelic 2.5–3.5 h, pupil size, finger tapping and visual analogue scales feeling high more than 8 h. CONCLUSIONS Scopolamine affected different CNS functions in a concentration-dependent manner, which based on their distinct PK–PD characteristics seemed to reflect multiple distinct functional pathways of the cholinergic system. All PD effects showed considerable albeit variable delays compared with plasma concentrations. The t1/2keo of the central effects was longer than of the peripheral effects on heart rate, which at least partly reflects the long CNS retention of scopolamine, but possibly also the triggering of independent secondary mechanisms. PK–PD analysis can optimize scopolamine administration regimens for future research and give insight into the physiology and pharmacology of human cholinergic systems. PMID:21306419

Provider practices in the primary care behavioral health (PCBH) model: an initial examination in the Veterans Health Administration and United States Air Force.

PubMed

Funderburk, Jennifer S; Dobmeyer, Anne C; Hunter, Christopher L; Walsh, Christine O; Maisto, Stephen A

2013-12-01

The goals of this study were to identify characteristics of both behavioral health providers (BHPs) and the patients seen in a primary care behavioral health (PCBH) model of service delivery using prospective data obtained from BHPs. A secondary objective was to explore similarities and differences between these variables within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and United States Air Force (USAF) primary care clinics. A total of 159 VHA and 23 USAF BHPs, representing almost every state in the United States, completed the study, yielding data from 403 patient appointments. BHPs completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed BHP and setting characteristics, and a separate questionnaire after each patient seen on one day of clinical service. Data demonstrated that there are many similarities between the VHA and USAF BHPs and practices. Both systems tend to use well-trained psychologists as BHPs, had systems that support the BHP being in close proximity to the primary care providers, and have seamless operational elements (i.e., shared record, one waiting room, same-day appointments, and administrative support for BHPs). Comorbid anxiety and depression was the most common presenting problem in both systems, but overall rates were higher in VHA clinics, and patients were significantly more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions. This study provides the first systematic, prospective examination of BHPs and practices within a PCBH model of service delivery in two large health systems with well over 5 years of experience with behavioral health integration. Many elements of the PCBH model were implemented in a manner consistent with the model, although some variability exists within both settings. These data can help guide future implementation and training efforts.

Improving risk prediction accuracy for new soldiers in the U.S. Army by adding self-report survey data to administrative data.

PubMed

Bernecker, Samantha L; Rosellini, Anthony J; Nock, Matthew K; Chiu, Wai Tat; Gutierrez, Peter M; Hwang, Irving; Joiner, Thomas E; Naifeh, James A; Sampson, Nancy A; Zaslavsky, Alan M; Stein, Murray B; Ursano, Robert J; Kessler, Ronald C

2018-04-03

High rates of mental disorders, suicidality, and interpersonal violence early in the military career have raised interest in implementing preventive interventions with high-risk new enlistees. The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS) developed risk-targeting systems for these outcomes based on machine learning methods using administrative data predictors. However, administrative data omit many risk factors, raising the question whether risk targeting could be improved by adding self-report survey data to prediction models. If so, the Army may gain from routinely administering surveys that assess additional risk factors. The STARRS New Soldier Survey was administered to 21,790 Regular Army soldiers who agreed to have survey data linked to administrative records. As reported previously, machine learning models using administrative data as predictors found that small proportions of high-risk soldiers accounted for high proportions of negative outcomes. Other machine learning models using self-report survey data as predictors were developed previously for three of these outcomes: major physical violence and sexual violence perpetration among men and sexual violence victimization among women. Here we examined the extent to which this survey information increases prediction accuracy, over models based solely on administrative data, for those three outcomes. We used discrete-time survival analysis to estimate a series of models predicting first occurrence, assessing how model fit improved and concentration of risk increased when adding the predicted risk score based on survey data to the predicted risk score based on administrative data. The addition of survey data improved prediction significantly for all outcomes. In the most extreme case, the percentage of reported sexual violence victimization among the 5% of female soldiers with highest predicted risk increased from 17.5% using only administrative predictors to 29.4% adding survey predictors, a 67.9% proportional increase in prediction accuracy. Other proportional increases in concentration of risk ranged from 4.8% to 49.5% (median = 26.0%). Data from an ongoing New Soldier Survey could substantially improve accuracy of risk models compared to models based exclusively on administrative predictors. Depending upon the characteristics of interventions used, the increase in targeting accuracy from survey data might offset survey administration costs.

76 FR 14795 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System Mode...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-18

...). Novel or Unusual Design Features The GVI will have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system. This... type certification basis for Gulfstream GVI airplanes. If the design of the flight control system has... Control System Mode Annunciation. AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final...

Use of information systems in Air Force medical treatment facilities in strategic planning and decision-making.

PubMed

Yap, Glenn A; Platonova, Elena A; Musa, Philip F

2006-02-01

An exploratory study used Ansoff's strategic planning model as a framework to assess perceived effectiveness of information systems in supporting strategic business plan development at Air Force medical treatment facilities (MTFs). Results showed information systems were most effective in supporting historical trend analysis, strategic business plans appeared to be a balance of operational and strategic plans, and facilities perceived a greater need for new clinical, vice administrative, information systems to support strategic planning processes. Administrators believed information systems should not be developed at the local level and perceived information systems have the greatest impact on improving clinical quality outcomes, followed by ability to deliver cost effective care and finally, ability to increase market share.

Businnes Model of Cors-Tr Tusaga-Aktif

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakici, S.; Erkek, B.; İlbey, A.; Kulaksiz, E.

2017-11-01

CORS-TR (TUSAGA-Aktif (Turkish National Permanent GNSS Network - Active)), serves location information at cm level accuracy in Turkey and TR Northern Cyprus in few seconds, where adequate numbers of GNSS satellites are observed and communication possibilities are present. No ground control points and benchmarks are necessary. There are 146 permanent GNSS stations within the CORS-TR System. Station data are transferred online to the main control center located in the Mapping Department of the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre. CORS-TR System was established in 2008 and has been updated in software, hardware, communication and pricing areas from technical and administrative point of view in order to improve the system and provide better service to the users. Thus, the added value obtained from the CORS-TR System has been increased and contributed to the more efficient use of country resources. In this paper, how the technical, administrative and financial studies in the operation of the CORS-TR System were managed with a sustainable business model, studies for solving problems encountered in operating of the system, the cost / benefit analysis of the system and the sharing of experience gained from the perspective of how web-based applications are managed and the business model of the CORS-TR System are explained in detail.

The effects of lipoic acid on redox status in brain regions and systemic circulation in streptozotocin-induced sporadic Alzheimer's disease model.

PubMed

Erdoğan, Mehmet Evren; Aydın, Seval; Yanar, Karolin; Mengi, Murat; Kansu, Ahmet Doğukan; Cebe, Tamer; Belce, Ahmet; Çelikten, Mert; Çakatay, Ufuk

2017-08-01

While the deterioration of insulin-glucose metabolism (IGM), impaired redox homeostasis (IRH), β-amyloid accumulation was reported in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (SAD) model, aforementioned factors related to lipoic acid administration and anthropometric indexes (AIs) are not yet studied with integrative approach. β-amyloid accumulation, redox homeostasis biomarkers and AIs are investigated in SAD model. Streptozotocin-induced inhibition of insulin-signaling cascade but not GLUT-2 and GLUT-3 transporters takes a role in β-amyloid accumulation. Inhibition types are related to IRH in cortex, hippocampus and systemic circulation. Lipoic acid (LA) shows both antioxidant and prooxidant effect according to the anatomical location. LA administration also leads to improved AIs during GLUT-2 inhibition and cortical redox status in GLUT-3 inhibited group. Optimal LA action could be possible if its redox behavior is balanced to antioxidant effect. Diagnostic usage of systemic IRH parameters as biomarkers and their possible correlations with deteriorated IGM should be investigated. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Directory of Energy Information Administration model abstracts 1988

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

Not Available

1988-01-01

This directory contains descriptions about each basic and auxiliary model, including the title, acronym, purpose, and type, followed by more detailed information on characteristics, uses, and requirements. For developing models, limited information is provided. Sources for additional information are identified. Included in this directory are 44 EIA models active as of February 1, 1988; 16 of which operate on personal computers. Models that run on personal computers are identified by ''PC'' as part of the acronyms. The main body of this directory is an alphabetical listing of all basic and auxiliary EIA models. Appendix A identifies major EIA modeling systemsmore » and the models within these systems, and Appendix B identifies EIA models by type (basic or auxiliary). Appendix C lists developing models and contact persons for those models. A basic model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being sufficiently important to require sustained support and public scrutiny. An auxiliary model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being used only occasionally in analyses, and therefore requires minimal levels of documentation. A developing model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being under development and yet of sufficient interest to require a basic level of documentation at a future date. EIA also leases models developed by proprietary software vendors. Documentation for these ''proprietary'' models is the responsibility of the companies from which they are leased. EIA has recently leased models from Chase Econometrics, Inc., Data Resources, Inc. (DRI), the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (WEFA). Leased models are not abstracted here.« less

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : Carrier Intervention Effectiveness Model, Version 1.1, technical report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-04-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), has developed a quantitative model to measure the effectiveness of motor carrier interventions in terms of ...

INM, integrated noise model, version 4.11 : user's guide, supplement

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-12-01

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, in support of the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Environment and Energy, has developed Version 4.11 of the Integrated Noise Model (INM). This User's Guide is a supplement to INM, Version 3...

Guidelines for Applying the Capability Maturity Model Analysis to Connected and Automated Vehicle Deployment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-11-23

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has adapted the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Capability Maturity Model (CMM) to describe the operational maturity of Infrastructure Owner-Operator (IOO) agencies across a range of i...

HNM, heliport noise model : version 2.2 user's guide

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1994-02-01

The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), in support of : the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Environment and Energy, has developed : Version 2.2 of the Heliport Noise Model (HNM). The HNM is a computer progr...

76 FR 31456 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System: Control...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-01

... Control System: Control Surface Position Awareness AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... electronic flight control system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or... regulatory adequacy pursuant to section 611 of Public Law 92-574, the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.'' The FAA...

76 FR 72087 - Special Conditions: Diamond Aircraft Industries, Model DA-40NG; Electronic Engine Control (EEC...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-22

... engine design certification, and the certification requirements for engine control systems are driven by... following novel or unusual design features: Electronic engine control system. Discussion As discussed above...; Electronic Engine Control (EEC) System AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final...

SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION OF BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS ENHANCES PULMONARY SENSITIZATION TO HOUSE DUST MITE IN JUVENILE RATS

EPA Science Inventory

The incidence of allergies and asthma has increased significantly in the past few decades. The objectives of this study were to establish an allergy model in weanling rats to more closely reflect the developing immune system of children, and to determine whether systemic administ...

Systemic administration of a PEGylated adenovirus vector with a cancer-specific promoter is effective in a mouse model of metastasis.

PubMed

Yao, X; Yoshioka, Y; Morishige, T; Eto, Y; Watanabe, H; Okada, Y; Mizuguchi, H; Mukai, Y; Okada, N; Nakagawa, S

2009-12-01

Cancer gene therapy by adenovirus vectors (Advs) for metastatic cancer is limited because systemic administration of Adv produces low therapeutic effect and severe side effects. In this study, we generated a dual cancer-specific targeting vector system by using PEGylation and the telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter and attempted to treat experimental metastases through systemic administration of the vectors. We first optimized the molecular size of PEG and modification ratios used to create PEG-Ads. Systemic administration of PEG-Ad with 20-kDa PEG at a 45% modification ratio (PEG[20K/45%]-Ad) resulted in higher tumor-selective transgene expression than unmodified Adv. Next, we examined the effectiveness against metastases and side effects of a TERT promoter-driven PEG[20K/45%]-Ad containing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene (PEG-Ad-TERT/HSVtk). Systemic administration of PEG-Ad-TERT/HSVtk showed superior antitumor effects against metastases with negligible side effects. A cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-driven PEG[20K/45%]-Ad also produced antimetastatic effects, but these were accompanied by side effects. Combining PEG-Ad-TERT/HSVtk with etoposide or 5-fluorouracil enhanced the therapeutic effects with negligible side effects. These results suggest that modification with 20-kDa PEG at a 45% modification ratio is the optimal condition for PEGylation of Adv, and PEG-Ad-TERT/HSVtk is a prototype Adv for systemic cancer gene therapy against metastases.

INDUCTION OF DNA ADDUCTS, TUMORS, AND KI-RAS ONCOGENE MUTATIONS IN STRAIN A/J MOUSE LUNG BY IP. ADMINISTRATION OF DIBENZ[A,H]ANTHRACENE

EPA Science Inventory

Induction of DNA adducts, tumors, and Ki-ras oncogene mutations in strain AlJ mouse lung by ip. administration of dibenz[a,h]anthracene

Previous studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (P AH) induced lung tumors in the strain NJ mouse model system have demonstrated qua...

Supporting Comprehensive, Integrated, Three-Tiered Models of Prevention in Schools: Administrators' Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lane, Kathleen Lynne; Carter, Erik W.; Jenkins, Abbie; Dwiggins, Lauren; Germer, Kathryn

2015-01-01

We report findings from a statewide survey of 365 site-level administrators developed to (a) learn about the extent to which schools across the state were implementing components of multi-tiered systems of support and (b) determine the areas in which these schools might need professional development or resources to support them. At least half of…

Development of microparticles for oral administration of the non-conventional radical scavenger IAC and testing in an inflammatory rat model.

PubMed

Passerini, Nadia; Albertini, Beatrice; Sabatino, Marcello Di; Corace, Giuseppe; Luppi, Barbara; Canistro, Donatella; Vivarelli, Fabio; Cirillo, Silvia; Soleti, Antonio; Merizzi, Giulia; Paolini, Moreno

2016-10-15

The bis (1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-decandioate (IAC), is an innovative non- radical scavenger used with success in numerous disease models such as inflammation, neurological disorders, hepatitis and diabetes. The pharmacological treatments have been performed by the intraperitoneal route of administration, representing to date, the main limit for the drug use. The aim of this study was to develop a delivery system that allows the oral administration of IAC while maintaining its therapeutic efficacy. Solid Lipid Microparticles (SLMs) containing a theoretical 18% (w/w) of IAC have been produced by the spray congealing technology; three formulations have been tested (A, B and C) using different low melting point carriers (stearic acid, Compritol(®) HD5ATO and carnauba wax) alone or in combination. All IAC loaded SLMs exhibited a spherical shape, encapsulation efficiency higher than 94% and particle size suitable for the oral route. Administered per os at different dosages in an inflammation rat model, all SLMs demonstrated their efficacy in reducing oedema and alleviating pain, compared to the gold standards Indomethacin and Paracetamol. These results suggested that the SLMs are an efficacious delivery system for the oral administration of IAC, potentially useful for the treatment of others diseases related to an over production of free radicals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Emerging Global Model with Chinese Characteristics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohrman, Kathryn

2008-01-01

The Emerging Global Model is the blueprint for China's leading research universities to become internationally respected institutions. Government leaders and campus administrators seek universities with the research intensity and global perspective of the best European and North American institutions. International ranking systems provide…

Scalable AZTech data server enhancements for planning and operations : user services requirements study

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-11-08

In 1996, the Federal Highway Administration awarded a Model Deployment Initiative grant to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area to assist in the deployment and integration of a model Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Using funding from both the feder...

Local Delivery of Cannabinoid-Loaded Microparticles Inhibits Tumor Growth in a Murine Xenograft Model of Glioblastoma Multiforme

PubMed Central

Gil-Alegre, Maria Esther; Torres, Sofía; García-Taboada, Elena; Aberturas, María del Rosario; Molpeceres, Jesús

2013-01-01

Cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana and their derivatives, are currently investigated due to their potential therapeutic application for the management of many different diseases, including cancer. Specifically, Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) – the two major ingredients of marijuana – have been shown to inhibit tumor growth in a number of animal models of cancer, including glioma. Although there are several pharmaceutical preparations that permit the oral administration of THC or its analogue nabilone or the oromucosal delivery of a THC- and CBD-enriched cannabis extract, the systemic administration of cannabinoids has several limitations in part derived from the high lipophilicity exhibited by these compounds. In this work we analyzed CBD- and THC-loaded poly-ε-caprolactone microparticles as an alternative delivery system for long-term cannabinoid administration in a murine xenograft model of glioma. In vitro characterization of THC- and CBD-loaded microparticles showed that this method of microencapsulation facilitates a sustained release of the two cannabinoids for several days. Local administration of THC-, CBD- or a mixture (1∶1 w:w) of THC- and CBD-loaded microparticles every 5 days to mice bearing glioma xenografts reduced tumour growth with the same efficacy than a daily local administration of the equivalent amount of those cannabinoids in solution. Moreover, treatment with cannabinoid-loaded microparticles enhanced apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation and angiogenesis in these tumours. Our findings support that THC- and CBD-loaded microparticles could be used as an alternative method of cannabinoid delivery in anticancer therapies. PMID:23349970

Local delivery of cannabinoid-loaded microparticles inhibits tumor growth in a murine xenograft model of glioblastoma multiforme.

PubMed

Hernán Pérez de la Ossa, Dolores; Lorente, Mar; Gil-Alegre, Maria Esther; Torres, Sofía; García-Taboada, Elena; Aberturas, María Del Rosario; Molpeceres, Jesús; Velasco, Guillermo; Torres-Suárez, Ana Isabel

2013-01-01

Cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana and their derivatives, are currently investigated due to their potential therapeutic application for the management of many different diseases, including cancer. Specifically, Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) - the two major ingredients of marijuana - have been shown to inhibit tumor growth in a number of animal models of cancer, including glioma. Although there are several pharmaceutical preparations that permit the oral administration of THC or its analogue nabilone or the oromucosal delivery of a THC- and CBD-enriched cannabis extract, the systemic administration of cannabinoids has several limitations in part derived from the high lipophilicity exhibited by these compounds. In this work we analyzed CBD- and THC-loaded poly-ε-caprolactone microparticles as an alternative delivery system for long-term cannabinoid administration in a murine xenograft model of glioma. In vitro characterization of THC- and CBD-loaded microparticles showed that this method of microencapsulation facilitates a sustained release of the two cannabinoids for several days. Local administration of THC-, CBD- or a mixture (1:1 w:w) of THC- and CBD-loaded microparticles every 5 days to mice bearing glioma xenografts reduced tumour growth with the same efficacy than a daily local administration of the equivalent amount of those cannabinoids in solution. Moreover, treatment with cannabinoid-loaded microparticles enhanced apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation and angiogenesis in these tumours. Our findings support that THC- and CBD-loaded microparticles could be used as an alternative method of cannabinoid delivery in anticancer therapies.

Identifying type 1 and type 2 diabetic cases using administrative data: a tree-structured model.

PubMed

Lo-Ciganic, Weihsuan; Zgibor, Janice C; Ruppert, Kristine; Arena, Vincent C; Stone, Roslyn A

2011-05-01

To date, few administrative diabetes mellitus (DM) registries have distinguished type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using a classification tree model, a prediction rule was developed to distinguish T1DM from T2DM in a large administrative database. The Medical Archival Retrieval System at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center included administrative and clinical data from January 1, 2000, through September 30, 2009, for 209,647 DM patients aged ≥18 years. Probable cases (8,173 T1DM and 125,111 T2DM) were identified by applying clinical criteria to administrative data. Nonparametric classification tree models were fit using TIBCO Spotfire S+ 8.1 (TIBCO Software), with model size based on 10-fold cross validation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of T1DM were estimated. The main predictors that distinguished T1DM from T2DM are age <40 years; International Classification of Disease, 9th revision, codes of T1DM or T2DM diagnosis; inpatient oral hypoglycemic agent use; inpatient insulin use; and episode(s) of diabetic ketoacidosis diagnosis. Compared with a complex clinical algorithm, the tree-structured model to predict T1DM had 92.8% sensitivity, 99.3% specificity, 89.5% PPV, and 99.5% NPV. The preliminary predictive rule appears to be promising. Being able to distinguish between DM subtypes in administrative databases will allow large-scale subtype-specific analyses of medical care costs, morbidity, and mortality. © 2011 Diabetes Technology Society.

Implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Collaboration between School Psychologists and Administrators to Promote Systems-Level Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eagle, John W.; Dowd-Eagle, Shannon E.; Snyder, Andrew; Holtzman, Elizabeth Gibbons

2015-01-01

Current educational reform mandates the implementation of school-based models for early identification and intervention, progress monitoring, and data-based assessment of student progress. This article provides an overview of interdisciplinary collaboration for systems-level consultation within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.…

HIS/BUI: a conceptual model for bottom-up integration of hospital information systems.

PubMed

Zviran, M; Armoni, A; Glezer, C

1998-06-01

Many successful applications of information systems have been introduced and implemented in hospitals. However, the integration of these applications into a cohesive hospital-wide information system has proved to be more complicated to develop and difficult to accomplish than expected. This paper introduces HIS/BUI, a framework for bottom-up integration of hospital information systems, and demonstrates its application through a real-life case scenario. The scope of the proposed framework is the integration of heterogeneous clinical, administrative, and financial information elements of a hospital into a unified system environment. Under the integrated architecture, all existing local applications are preserved and interconnected to an information hub that serves as a central medical and administrative data warehouse.

Model Based Verification of Cyber Range Event Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-13

Commercial and Open Source Systems," in SOSP, Cascais, Portugal, 2011. [3] Sanjai Narain, Sharad Malik, and Ehab Al-Shaer, "Towards Eliminating...Configuration Errors in Cyber Infrastructure," in 4th IEEE Symposium on Configuration Analytics and Automation, Arlington, VA, 2011. [4] Sanjai Narain...Verlag, 2010. [5] Sanjai Narain, "Network Configuration Management via Model Finding," in 19th Large Installation System Administration Conference, San

Systems Operations Studies for Automated Guideway Transit Systems : Discrete Event Simulation Model User's Manual.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1982-06-01

In order to examine specific Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) developments and concepts, and to build a better knowledge base for future decision-making, the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) undertook a new program of studies and techn...

A case-mix classification system for explaining healthcare costs using administrative data in Italy.

PubMed

Corti, Maria Chiara; Avossa, Francesco; Schievano, Elena; Gallina, Pietro; Ferroni, Eliana; Alba, Natalia; Dotto, Matilde; Basso, Cristina; Netti, Silvia Tiozzo; Fedeli, Ugo; Mantoan, Domenico

2018-03-04

The Italian National Health Service (NHS) provides universal coverage to all citizens, granting primary and hospital care with a copayment system for outpatient and drug services. Financing of Local Health Trusts (LHTs) is based on a capitation system adjusted only for age, gender and area of residence. We applied a risk-adjustment system (Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups System, ACG® System) in order to explain health care costs using routinely collected administrative data in the Veneto Region (North-eastern Italy). All residents in the Veneto Region were included in the study. The ACG system was applied to classify the regional population based on the following information sources for the year 2015: Hospital Discharges, Emergency Room visits, Chronic disease registry for copayment exemptions, ambulatory visits, medications, the Home care database, and drug prescriptions. Simple linear regressions were used to contrast an age-gender model to models incorporating more comprehensive risk measures aimed at predicting health care costs. A simple age-gender model explained only 8% of the variance of 2015 total costs. Adding diagnoses-related variables provided a 23% increase, while pharmacy based variables provided an additional 17% increase in explained variance. The adjusted R-squared of the comprehensive model was 6 times that of the simple age-gender model. ACG System provides substantial improvement in predicting health care costs when compared to simple age-gender adjustments. Aging itself is not the main determinant of the increase of health care costs, which is better explained by the accumulation of chronic conditions and the resulting multimorbidity. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

75 FR 20518 - Special Conditions: Cirrus Design Corporation Model SF50 Airplane; Full Authority Digital Engine...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-20

...; Special Conditions No. 23-246-SC] Special Conditions: Cirrus Design Corporation Model SF50 Airplane; Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION... Cirrus Design Corporation model SF50 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature...

The effect of acute aripiprazole treatment on chemically and electrically induced seizures in mice: The role of nitric oxide.

PubMed

Shafaroodi, Hamed; Oveisi, Simin; Hosseini, Mahsa; Niknahad, Hossein; Moezi, Leila

2015-07-01

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug which acts through dopamine and serotonin receptors. Aripiprazole was noted to have antiseizure effects in a study on mice, while it induced seizures in a few human case reports. Dopaminergic and serotonergic systems relate to nitric oxide, and aripiprazole also has effects on dopamine and serotonin receptors. This study investigated the effects of aripiprazole on seizures and the potential role of nitric oxide in the process. The following three models were examined to explore the role of aripiprazole on seizures in mice: 1 - pentylenetetrazole administered intravenously, 2 - pentylenetetrazole administered intraperitoneally, and 3 - electroshock. Aripiprazole administration delayed clonic seizure in intravenous and intraperitoneal pentylenetetrazole models. In the electroshock-induced seizure model, tonic seizure and mortality protection percent were increased after aripiprazole administration. In intraperitoneal administration of pentylenetetrazole, aripiprazole effects on clonic seizure latency were significantly decreased when l-NAME - a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole - a selective neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor, or aminoguanidine - a selective inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor was injected before aripiprazole administration. In the intravenous pentylenetetrazole method, administration of l-NAME or aminoguanidine inhibited aripiprazole effects on clonic seizure threshold. Aminoguanidine or l-NAME administration decreased aripiprazole-induced protection against tonic seizures and death in the electroshock model. In both intravenous and intraperitoneal seizure models, aripiprazole and l-arginine coadministration delayed the onset of clonic seizures. Moreover, it increased protection against tonic seizures and death in intraperitoneal pentylenetetrazole and electroshock models. In conclusion, the release of nitric oxide via iNOS or nNOS may be involved in anticonvulsant properties of aripiprazole. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Belimumab Administered Subcutaneously in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

PubMed

Struemper, Herbert; Thapar, Mita; Roth, David

2017-09-08

Intravenous belimumab 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks is indicated in patients with active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus receiving standard systemic lupus erythematosus care. Subcutaneous 200-mg weekly administration, which may prove more convenient for patients and improve adherence, is currently under investigation. The objective of this study was to characterize the population pharmacokinetics and exposure-efficacy response of subcutaneous belimumab in a pooled analysis of pharmacokinetic data [phase I: BEL114448 (NCT01583530) and BEL116119 (NCT01516450) in healthy subjects (n = 134); phase III: BEL112341 (NCT01484496) in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 554)] and pharmacodynamic data [BEL112341 in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 833)]. Non-linear mixed-effects modeling (NONMEM®) was used to develop a population pharmacokinetic model and perform a covariate analysis. Subsequently, exploratory exposure-response analysis and logistic regression modeling was performed based on the individual parameter estimates of the population pharmacokinetic model. Population-pharmacokinetic parameters for subcutaneous belimumab were consistent with those for intravenous belimumab and other immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibodies. Pharmacokinetic parameters and subcutaneous belimumab exposure were consistent between healthy subjects and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and no evidence for target-mediated disposition of belimumab was found. Subcutaneous belimumab steady-state exposure was achieved after ~11 weeks; subcutaneous belimumab steady-state minimum concentration exceeded that of intravenous belimumab after <4 weeks, and average steady-state concentration was similar to that achieved following intravenous administration. In patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus, subcutaneous belimumab 200 mg once weekly plus standard of care significantly improved the systemic lupus erythematosus responder index. However, at this dose, the systemic lupus erythematosus responder index response was not significantly associated with belimumab exposure concentrations. The analysis demonstrates that a 200-mg once-weekly dose of belimumab is appropriate for subcutaneous administration in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and that no dose adjustments are required for adult patients to maintain efficacy and safety.

Developing Indicators for the Child and Youth Mental Health System in Ontario.

PubMed

Yang, Julie; Kurdyak, Paul; Guttmann, Astrid

2016-01-01

When the Government of Ontario launched a comprehensive mental health and addictions strategy, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) was tasked with developing a scorecard for ongoing monitoring of the child and youth mental health system. Using existing administrative and survey-based healthcare and education data, researchers at ICES developed a scorecard consisting of 25 indicators that described at-risk populations, child and youth mental healthcare and relevant outcomes. This scorecard is the first in Canada to report on performance indicators for the child and youth mental health system and provides a model for monitoring child and youth mental health using routinely collected administrative data.

In vivo dual-delivery of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor through composites prepared by microfluidics for diabetes therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araújo, F.; Shrestha, N.; Gomes, M. J.; Herranz-Blanco, B.; Liu, D.; Hirvonen, J. J.; Granja, P. L.; Santos, H. A.; Sarmento, B.

2016-05-01

Oral delivery of proteins is still a challenge in the pharmaceutical field. Nanoparticles are among the most promising carrier systems for the oral delivery of proteins by increasing their oral bioavailability. However, most of the existent data regarding nanosystems for oral protein delivery is from in vitro studies, lacking in vivo experiments to evaluate the efficacy of these systems. Herein, a multifunctional composite system, tailored by droplet microfluidics, was used for dual delivery of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (iDPP4) in vivo. Oral delivery of GLP-1 with nano- or micro-systems has been studied before, but the simultaneous nanodelivery of GLP-1 with iDPP4 is a novel strategy presented here. The type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model, induced through the combined administration of streptozotocin and nicotinamide, a non-obese model of T2DM, was used. The combination of both drugs resulted in an increase in the hypoglycemic effects in a sustained, but prolonged manner, where the iDPP4 improved the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. Four hours after the oral administration of the system, blood glucose levels were decreased by 44%, and were constant for another 4 h, representing half of the glucose area under the curve when compared to the control. An enhancement of the plasmatic insulin levels was also observed 6 h after the oral administration of the dual-drug composite system and, although no statistically significant differences existed, the amount of pancreatic insulin was also higher. These are promising results for the oral delivery of GLP-1 to be pursued further in a chronic diabetic model study.

Pathologists' roles in clinical utilization management. A financing model for managed care.

PubMed

Zhao, J J; Liberman, A

2000-03-01

In ancillary or laboratory utilization management, the roles of pathologists have not been explored fully in managed care systems. Two possible reasons may account for this: pathologists' potential contributions have not been defined clearly, and effective measurement of and reasonable compensation for the pathologist's contribution remains vague. The responsibilities of pathologists in clinical practice may include clinical pathology and laboratory services (which have long been well-defined and are compensated according to a resource-based relative value system-based coding system), laboratory administration, clinical utilization management, and clinical research. Although laboratory administration services have been compensated with mechanisms such as percentage of total service revenue or fixed salary, the involvement of pathologists seems less today than in the past, owing to increased clinical workload and time constraints in an expanding managed care environment, especially in community hospital settings. The lack of financial incentives or appropriate compensation mechanisms for the services likely accounts for the current situation. Furthermore, the importance of pathologist-driven utilization management in laboratory services lacks recognition among hospital administrators, managed care executives, and pathologists themselves, despite its potential benefits for reducing cost and enhancing quality of care. We propose a financial compensation model for such services and summarize its advantages.

On the Characteristics of Higher Education in Canada and Its Inspiration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xu, Qingyun

2009-01-01

Higher education in Canada has rich features: the unique system of educational administration and policy; the distinct features of university management model; dynamic international education; and flexible and diverse in the school system and the financing system. Drawn from the four aspects, it could be used for reference in China's higher…

78 FR 52107 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-22

... Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries and Battery Systems AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... lithium ion batteries and battery system that will be used on an International Communications Group (ICG... the use of lithium ion batteries and battery systems on aircraft. Lithium ion batteries and battery...

An Application Domain Extension to CityGML for immovable property taxation: A Turkish case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Çağdaş, Volkan

2013-04-01

It is generally acknowledged that immovable property taxes are one of the main revenue sources for local government. The literature emphasizes that the administration of property taxes needs well-developed inventories or registers that provide complete and accurate records of the taxed properties and their legal-economic attributes. This requirement is generally fulfilled by Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) in which the coordinate exchange and sharing of geo-spatial data is provided by separate registers/information systems such as: cadastral systems, building and address registers. Recently, the Open Geospatial Consortium presented a core component of a 3D SDI in the form of an international domain standard for representing, storing and exchanging 3D city models. The CityGML allows the semantic and 3D geometrical representation of physical objects but does not deal with the legal and administrative aspects of the city objects which are required for the process of property taxation. This paper outlines the development of an Application Domain Extension (ADE) for the immovable property taxation domain that expands the CityGML data model with the legal and administrative concepts defined in Turkish Law. The study shows that this ADE could be a 3D national data model for municipal information systems and facilitate a more efficient taxation process, as well as providing data for urban planning, facility management and other municipal services.

Model Documentation of Base Case Data | Regional Energy Deployment System

Science.gov Websites

Model | Energy Analysis | NREL Documentation of Base Case Data Model Documentation of Base Case base case of the model. The base case was developed simply as a point of departure for other analyses Base Case derives many of its inputs from the Energy Information Administration's (EIA's) Annual Energy

Single Administration of Melatonin Modulates the Nitroxidergic System at the Peripheral Level and Reduces Thermal Nociceptive Hypersensitivity in Neuropathic Rats.

PubMed

Borsani, Elisa; Buffoli, Barbara; Bonazza, Veronica; Reiter, Russel J; Rezzani, Rita; Rodella, Luigi F

2017-10-14

Neuropathic pain is a severe condition with unsatisfactory treatments. Melatonin, an indolamine, seems to be a promising molecule suitable for this purpose due to its well-known anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant effects, as well as its modulation of the nitroxidergic system. Nevertheless, the data on its mechanism of action and potentialities are currently insufficient in this pathology, especially at the peripheral level. Thus, this work evaluated the effect of a single administration of melatonin in an established mononeuropathy pain model that monitors the behaviour and the changes in the nitroxidergic system in dorsal root ganglia and skin, which are affected by nervous impairment. Experiments were carried out on Sprague Dawley rats subdivided into the sham operated (control) and the chronic constriction injured animals, a model of peripheral neuropathic pain on sciatic nerve. Single administrations of melatonin (5-10 mg/kg) or vehicle were injected intraperitoneally on the 14th day after surgery, when the mononeuropathy was established. The animals were behaviourally tested for thermal hyperalgesia. The dorsal root ganglia and the plantar skin of the hind-paws were removed and processed for the immunohistochemical detection of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthases. The behavioural results showed an increase of withdrawal latency during the plantar test as early as 30 min after melatonin administration. The immunohistochemical results indicated a modulation of the nitroxidergic system both at dorsal root ganglia and skin level, permitting speculate on a possible mechanism of action. We showed that melatonin may be a possible therapeutic strategy in neuropathic pain.

Environmental impact analysis with the airspace concept evaluation system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Augustine, Stephen; Capozzi, Brian; DiFelici, John; Graham, Michael; Thompson, Terry; Miraflor, Raymond M. C.

2005-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center has developed the Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES), which is a fast-time simulation tool for evaluating Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems. This paper describes linking a capability to ACES which can analyze the environmental impact of proposed future ATM systems. This provides the ability to quickly evaluate metrics associated with environmental impacts of aviation for inclusion in multi-dimensional cost-benefit analysis of concepts for evolution of the National Airspace System (NAS) over the next several decades. The methodology used here may be summarized as follows: 1) Standard Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noise and emissions-inventory models, the Noise Impact Routing System (NIRS) and the Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS), respectively, are linked to ACES simulation outputs; 2) appropriate modifications are made to ACES outputs to incorporate all information needed by the environmental models (e.g., specific airframe and engine data); 3) noise and emissions calculations are performed for all traffic and airports in the study area for each of several scenarios, as simulated by ACES; and 4) impacts of future scenarios are compared to the current NAS baseline scenario. This paper also provides the results of initial end-to-end, proof-of-concept runs of the integrated ACES and environmental-modeling capability. These preliminary results demonstrate that if no growth is likely to be impeded by significant environmental impacts that could negatively affect communities throughout the nation.

The effects of exogenous surfactant administration on ventilation-induced inflammation in mouse models of lung injury.

PubMed

Puntorieri, Valeria; Hiansen, Josh Qua; McCaig, Lynda A; Yao, Li-Juan; Veldhuizen, Ruud A W; Lewis, James F

2013-11-20

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is an essential supportive therapy for acute lung injury (ALI); however it can also contribute to systemic inflammation. Since pulmonary surfactant has anti-inflammatory properties, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of exogenous surfactant administration on ventilation-induced systemic inflammation. Mice were randomized to receive an intra-tracheal instillation of a natural exogenous surfactant preparation (bLES, 50 mg/kg) or no treatment as a control. MV was then performed using the isolated and perfused mouse lung (IPML) set up. This model allowed for lung perfusion during MV. In experiment 1, mice were exposed to mechanical ventilation only (tidal volume =20 mL/kg, 2 hours). In experiment 2, hydrochloric acid or air was instilled intra-tracheally four hours before applying exogenous surfactant and ventilation (tidal volume =5 mL/kg, 2 hours). For both experiments, exogenous surfactant administration led to increased total and functional surfactant in the treated groups compared to the controls. Exogenous surfactant administration in mice exposed to MV only did not affect peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), lung IL-6 levels and the development of perfusate inflammation compared to non-treated controls. Acid injured mice exposed to conventional MV showed elevated PIP, lung IL-6 and protein levels and greater perfusate inflammation compared to air instilled controls. Instillation of exogenous surfactant did not influence the development of lung injury. Moreover, exogenous surfactant was not effective in reducing the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the perfusate. The data indicates that exogenous surfactant did not mitigate ventilation-induced systemic inflammation in our models. Future studies will focus on altering surfactant composition to improve its immuno-modulating activity.

The use of geospatial web services for exchanging utilities data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuczyńska, Joanna

2013-04-01

Geographic information technologies and related geo-information systems currently play an important role in the management of public administration in Poland. One of these tasks is to maintain and update Geodetic Evidence of Public Utilities (GESUT), part of the National Geodetic and Cartographic Resource, which contains an important for many institutions information of technical infrastructure. It requires an active exchange of data between the Geodesy and Cartography Documentation Centers and institutions, which administrate transmission lines. The administrator of public utilities, is legally obliged to provide information about utilities to GESUT. The aim of the research work was to develop a universal data exchange methodology, which can be implemented on a variety of hardware and software platforms. This methodology use Unified Modeling Language (UML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), and Geography Markup Language (GML). The proposed methodology is based on the two different strategies: Model Driven Architecture (MDA) and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Used solutions are consistent with the INSPIRE Directive and ISO 19100 series standards for geographic information. On the basis of analysis of the input data structures, conceptual models were built for both databases. Models were written in the universal modeling language: UML. Combined model that defines a common data structure was also built. This model was transformed into developed for the exchange of geographic information GML standard. The structure of the document describing the data that may be exchanged is defined in the .xsd file. Network services were selected and implemented in the system designed for data exchange based on open source tools. Methodology was implemented and tested. Data in the agreed data structure and metadata were set up on the server. Data access was provided by geospatial network services: data searching possibilities by Catalog Service for the Web (CSW), data collection by Web Feature Service (WFS). WFS provides also operation for modification data, for example to update them by utility administrator. The proposed solution significantly increases the efficiency of data exchange and facilitates maintenance the National Geodetic and Cartographic Resource.

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : carrier intervention effectiveness model (CIEM), version 1.1, report for Fiscal Year 2012 interventions.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-11-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), has developed a quantitative model to measure the effectiveness of motor carrier interventions in terms of ...

FMCSA Safety Program Effectiveness Measurement: Carrier Intervention Effectiveness Model (CIEM), Version 1.1 Report for Fiscal Year 2014 Interventions

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2018-04-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), has developed a quantitative model to measure the effectiveness of motor carrier interventions in terms of ...

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement: carrier intervention effectiveness model (CIEM), version 1.1 : report for fiscal year 2013 interventions.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-04-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), has developed a quantitative model to measure the effectiveness of motor carrier interventions in terms of ...

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : carrier intervention effectiveness model, version 1.0, summary report for fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-01-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National : Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), has developed a quantitative model to measure the effectiveness of motor : carrier interventions in terms...

FMCSA safety program effectiveness measurement : Carrier Intervention Effectiveness Model (CIEM), Version 1.1, report for fiscal year 2013 interventions.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-04-01

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), has developed a quantitative model to measure the effectiveness of motor carrier interventions in terms of ...

University Macro Analytic Simulation Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baron, Robert; Gulko, Warren

The University Macro Analytic Simulation System (UMASS) has been designed as a forecasting tool to help university administrators budgeting decisions. Alternative budgeting strategies can be tested on a computer model and then an operational alternative can be selected on the basis of the most desirable projected outcome. UMASS uses readily…

Parallel Ray Tracing Using the Message Passing Interface

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

software is available for lens design and for general optical systems modeling. It tends to be designed to run on a single processor and can be very...Cameron, Senior Member, IEEE Abstract—Ray-tracing software is available for lens design and for general optical systems modeling. It tends to be designed to...National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), optical ray tracing, parallel computing, parallel pro- cessing, prime numbers, ray tracing

A usability study of CPOE's medication administration functions: impact on physician-nurse cooperation.

PubMed

Beuscart-Zéphir, Marie Catherine; Pelayo, Sylvia; Degoulet, Patrice; Anceaux, Françoise; Guerlinger, Sandra; Meaux, Jean-Jacques

2004-01-01

Implementation of CPOE systems in Healthcare Institutions has proven efficient in reducing medication errors but it also induces hidden side-effects on Doctor-Nurse cooperation. We propose a usability engineering approach to this problem. An extensive activity analysis of the medication ordering and administration process was performed in several departments of 3 different hospitals. Two of these hospitals are still using paper-based orders, while the 3rd one is in the roll-out phase of medication functions of its CPOE system. We performed a usability assessment of this CPOE system. The usability assessment uncovered usability problems for the entry of medication administration time scheduling by the physician and revealed that the information can be ambiguous for the nurse. The comparison of cooperation models in both situation shows that users tend to adopt a distributed decision making paradigm in the paper-based situation, while the CPOE system supports a centralized decision making process. This analysis can support recommendation for the re-engineering of the Human-Computer Interface.

76 FR 81885 - Airworthiness Directives; Goodrich Evacuation Systems Approved Under Technical Standard Order...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-29

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2011... installed on Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to supersede an existing AD. That NPRM...

School-Based Job Placement Service Model: Phase I, Planning. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gingerich, Garland E.

To assist school administrators and guidance personnel in providing job placement services, a study was conducted to: (1) develop a model design for a school-based job placement system, (2) identify students to be served by the model, (3) list specific services provided to students, and (4) develop job descriptions for each individual responsible…

COBEL model as part of a terminal-area ceiling and visibility (C and V) nowcast system : a progress report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-07-18

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS) is supporting the development of products aimed at providing automated guidance to the air traffic managers for the anticipation of changes in ceiling and visibility ...

An evaluation of the accuracy of the Federal Transit Administration approved, groundborne noise and vibration prediction model for rail transit systems; a case study for a new subway line using post construction, transit operation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carman, Richard A.; Reyes, Carlos H.

2005-09-01

The groundborne noise and vibration model developed by Nelson and Saurenman in 1984, now recognized by the Federal Transit Administration as the approved model for new transit system facilities, is entering its third decade of use by engineers and consultants in the transit industry. The accuracy of the model has been explored in the past (e.g., Carman and Wolfe). New data obtained for a recently completed extension to a major heavy rail transit system provides an opportunity to evaluate the accuracy of the model once more. During the engineering design phase of the project, noise and vibration predictions were performed for numerous buildings adjacent to the new subway line. The values predicted by the model were used to determine the need for and type of noise and/or vibration control measures. After the start of transit operations on the new line, noise and vibration measurements were made inside several of the buildings to determine whether the criteria were in fact achieved. The measurement results are compared with the values predicted by the model. The predicted and measured, overall noise and vibration levels show very good agreement, whereas the spectral comparisons indicate some differences. Possible reasons for these differences are offered.

[Current quality management situation and administration countermeasure study of enterprises marketing corneal contact lens].

PubMed

Liu, Yungui; Yao, Ying; Shangguan, Shihao; Gu, Qun; Gao, Wuming; Chen, Yaoshui

2014-05-01

Study the current quality management situation of enterprises marketing corneal contact lens via systemic investigations and explore effective administration countermeasures in the future. The quality management indicators of sixty-two corneal contact lens marketing enterprises in Xuhui district of Shanghai were systematically investigated and enterprises of different operation models was compared and analyzed. Wholesale enterprises and retail chain enterprises are apparently better than independent enterprises almost in all facets. Facilitate market accession of corneal contact lens marketing enterprises, encourage the business model of retail chain, enhance supervision of corneal contact lens marketing enterprises, especially independent franchisors.

Managing the Process of Protection Level Assessment of the Complex Organization and Technical Industrial Enterprises

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorlov, A. P.; Averchenkov, V. I.; Rytov, M. Yu; Eryomenko, V. T.

2017-01-01

The article is concerned with mathematical simulation of protection level assessment of complex organizational and technical systems of industrial enterprises by creating automated system, which main functions are: information security (IS) audit, forming of the enterprise threats model, recommendations concerning creation of the information protection system, a set of organizational-administrative documentation.

Management Information Systems: Their Development and Use in the Administration of Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minter, John, Ed.; Lawrence, Ben, Ed.

The purpose of the seminar, which brought together users and developers of analytical models and associated management information systems, was to explore in depth the problems and possibilities of such systems for higher education institutions, and to review the current "state-of-the-art." The papers in this report are: "Evaluating the…

Design and implementation of a secure workflow system based on PKI/PMI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Kai; Jiang, Chao-hui

2013-03-01

As the traditional workflow system in privilege management has the following weaknesses: low privilege management efficiency, overburdened for administrator, lack of trust authority etc. A secure workflow model based on PKI/PMI is proposed after studying security requirements of the workflow systems in-depth. This model can achieve static and dynamic authorization after verifying user's ID through PKC and validating user's privilege information by using AC in workflow system. Practice shows that this system can meet the security requirements of WfMS. Moreover, it can not only improve system security, but also ensures integrity, confidentiality, availability and non-repudiation of the data in the system.

Hierarchical Network Models for Education Research: Hierarchical Latent Space Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sweet, Tracy M.; Thomas, Andrew C.; Junker, Brian W.

2013-01-01

Intervention studies in school systems are sometimes aimed not at changing curriculum or classroom technique, but rather at changing the way that teachers, teaching coaches, and administrators in schools work with one another--in short, changing the professional social networks of educators. Current methods of social network analysis are…

An Integrated Performance-Based Budgeting Model for Thai Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Charoenkul, Nantarat; Siribanpitak, Pruet

2012-01-01

This research mainly aims to develop an administrative model of performance-based budgeting for autonomous state universities. The sample population in this study covers 4 representatives of autonomous state universities from 4 regions of Thailand, where the performance-based budgeting system has been fully practiced. The research informants…

Component Design Report: International Transportation Energy Demand Determinants Model

EIA Publications

2017-01-01

This Component Design Report discusses working design elements for a new model to replace the International Transportation Model (ITran) in the World Energy Projection System Plus (WEPS ) that is maintained by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The key objective of the new International Transportation Energy Demand Determinants (ITEDD) model is to enable more rigorous, quantitative research related to energy consumption in the international transportation sectors.

The Effect of Citalopram on Midbrain CRF Receptors 1 and 2 in a Primate Model of Stress-Induced Amenorrhea

PubMed Central

Senashova, Olga; Reddy, Arubala P.; Cameron, Judy L.; Bethea, Cynthia L.

2012-01-01

We have demonstrated marked differences in the neurobiology of the serotonin system between stress-sensitive (SS) and stress-resilient (SR) cynomolgus macaques characterized in a model of stress-induced amenorrhea, also called functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Dysfunction of the serotonin system in SS monkeys suggested that administration of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) might correct FHA. This study examines the effect of escitalopram (CIT) administration to SS and SR monkeys on corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor 1 (CRF-R1) and CRF receptor 2 (CRF-R2) gene expression in the serotonin cell body region of the midbrain dorsal raphe. CRF-R1 was not significantly different between groups. There was a significant effect of treatment and a significant interaction between treatment and stress sensitivity on the average CRF-R2-positive pixel area (P < .004 and P < .006, respectively) and on the average number of CRF-R2-positive cells (P < .023 and P < .025, respectively). CIT significantly increased CRF-R2-positive pixel area and cell number in the SS group (pixel area P < .001; cell number P < .01; Bonferoni) but not in the SR group. In summary, CIT administration tended to decrease CRF-R1, but the small animal number precluded significance. CIT administration significantly increased CRF-R2 only in SS animals. These data suggest that the administration of CIT reduces anxiogenic components and increases anxiolytic components of the CRF system in the midbrain serotonin network, which in turn leads to improved ovarian function. Moreover, these data raise the possibility that SSRIs may be effective in the treatment of stress-induced infertility. PMID:22412189

Intranasal guanosine administration presents a wide therapeutic time window to reduce brain damage induced by permanent ischemia in rats.

PubMed

Ramos, Denise Barbosa; Muller, Gabriel Cardozo; Rocha, Guilherme Botter Maio; Dellavia, Gustavo Hirata; Almeida, Roberto Farina; Pettenuzzo, Leticia Ferreira; Loureiro, Samanta Oliveira; Hansel, Gisele; Horn, Ângelo Cássio Magalhães; Souza, Diogo Onofre; Ganzella, Marcelo

2016-03-01

In addition to its intracellular roles, the nucleoside guanosine (GUO) also has extracellular effects that identify it as a putative neuromodulator signaling molecule in the central nervous system. Indeed, GUO can modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission, and it can promote neuroprotective effects in animal models involving glutamate neurotoxicity, which is the case in brain ischemia. In the present study, we aimed to investigate a new in vivo GUO administration route (intranasal, IN) to determine putative improvement of GUO neuroprotective effects against an experimental model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Initially, we demonstrated that IN [(3)H] GUO administration reached the brain in a dose-dependent and saturable pattern in as few as 5 min, presenting a higher cerebrospinal GUO level compared with systemic administration. IN GUO treatment started immediately or even 3 h after ischemia onset prevented behavior impairment. The behavior recovery was not correlated to decreased brain infarct volume, but it was correlated to reduced mitochondrial dysfunction in the penumbra area. Therefore, we showed that the IN route is an efficient way to promptly deliver GUO to the CNS and that IN GUO treatment prevented behavioral and brain impairment caused by ischemia in a therapeutically wide time window.

Parkinson's Law quantified: three investigations on bureaucratic inefficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimek, Peter; Hanel, Rudolf; Thurner, Stefan

2009-03-01

We formulate three famous, descriptive essays of Parkinson on bureaucratic inefficiency in a quantifiable and dynamical socio-physical framework. In the first model we show how the use of recent opinion formation models for small groups can be used to understand Parkinson's observation that decision-making bodies such as cabinets or boards become highly inefficient once their size exceeds a critical 'Coefficient of Inefficiency', typically around 20. A second observation of Parkinson—which is sometimes referred to as Parkinson's Law—is that the growth of bureaucratic or administrative bodies usually goes hand in hand with a drastic decrease of its overall efficiency. In our second model we view a bureaucratic body as a system of a flow of workers, who enter, become promoted to various internal levels within the system over time, and leave the system after having served for a certain time. Promotion usually is associated with an increase of subordinates. Within the proposed model it becomes possible to work out the phase diagram under which conditions of bureaucratic growth can be confined. In our last model we assign individual efficiency curves to workers throughout their life in administration, and compute the optimum time to give them the old age pension, in order to ensure a maximum of efficiency within the body—in Parkinson's words we compute the 'Pension Point'.

The paradox of physicians and administrators in health care organizations.

PubMed

Peirce, J C

2000-01-01

Rapidly changing times in health care challenge both physicians and health care administrators to manage the paradox of providing orderly, high quality, and efficient care while bringing forth innovations to address present unmet problems and surprises that emerge. Health care has grown throughout the past several centuries through differentiation and integration, becoming a highly complex biological system with the hospital as the central attractive force--or "strange attractor"--during this century. The theoretical model of complex adaptive systems promises more effective strategic direction in addressing these chaotic times where the new strange attractor moves beyond the hospital.

Access Control Management for SCADA Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Seng-Phil; Ahn, Gail-Joon; Xu, Wenjuan

The information technology revolution has transformed all aspects of our society including critical infrastructures and led a significant shift from their old and disparate business models based on proprietary and legacy environments to more open and consolidated ones. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems have been widely used not only for industrial processes but also for some experimental facilities. Due to the nature of open environments, managing SCADA systems should meet various security requirements since system administrators need to deal with a large number of entities and functions involved in critical infrastructures. In this paper, we identify necessary access control requirements in SCADA systems and articulate access control policies for the simulated SCADA systems. We also attempt to analyze and realize those requirements and policies in the context of role-based access control that is suitable for simplifying administrative tasks in large scale enterprises.

Model citizens. Outsourcing helps start-up Medicare HMO.

PubMed

Slavic, B; Adami, S

1999-04-01

Health Plans of Pennsylvania (HPP), the managed care arm of Crozer-Keystone Health System, in Media, Pa. Selecting the information systems and building the infrastructure to support the start-up of a new Medicare HMO product. HPP chose to outsource the information systems needed to integrate all the components of managed care administration into a cost-effective and cohesive program. Because of its aggressive programming and start-up of the MedCarePlus product offering, HPP became the first plan in the country to submit Medicare claims data electronically for encounter reporting to the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). "Through an integrated team approach, an organization truly can benefit from the economies of scale gained through outsourcing."

Settlement Patterns and the Governing Structures of 19th Century School Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richardson, John G.

Examination of state school governance structures in the late 19th century reveals three regional models, each springing from particular patterns of settlement and political administration. Historical explanations for school system origins have drawn mainly on the histories of northeastern cities and states. They have underemphasized regional…

Transforming Systems Engineering through Model Centric Engineering

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-08-08

12 Figure 5. Semantic Web Technologies related to Layers of Abstraction ................................. 23 Figure 6. NASA /JPL Instantiation...of OpenMBEE (circa 2014) ................................................. 24 Figure 7. NASA /JPL Foundational Ontology for Systems Engineering...Engineering (DE) Transformation initiative, and our relationship that we have fostered with National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) Jet

The Park School Systems Approach to Piagetian Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Rose R.

While three models of the application of Piaget's theory to education have been identified, the Park School (Norwalk, Connecticut) adds a fourth. This method involves a systems approach that extends beyond curricula and derives teaching techniques and administrative practices from Piaget's view. The approach uses logical games and…

The Comprehensive Career Education System: System Administrators Component K-12.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Educational Properties Inc., Irvine, CA.

Using the example of a Career Education Model developed by the Orange County, California Consortium, the document provides guidelines for setting up career education programs in local educational agencies. Component levels, a definition of career education, and Consortium program background are discussed. Subsequent chapters include: Program…

Development of a 3D Underground Cadastral System with Indoor Mapping for As-Built BIM: The Case Study of Gangnam Subway Station in Korea.

PubMed

Kim, Sangmin; Kim, Jeonghyun; Jung, Jaehoon; Heo, Joon

2015-12-09

The cadastral system provides land ownership information by registering and representing land boundaries on a map. The current cadastral system in Korea, however, focuses mainly on the management of 2D land-surface boundaries. It is not yet possible to provide efficient or reliable land administration, as this 2D system cannot support or manage land information on 3D properties (including architectures and civil infrastructures) for both above-ground and underground facilities. A geometrical model of the 3D parcel, therefore, is required for registration of 3D properties. This paper, considering the role of the cadastral system, proposes a framework for a 3D underground cadastral system that can register various types of 3D underground properties using indoor mapping for as-built Building Information Modeling (BIM). The implementation consists of four phases: (1) geometric modeling of a real underground infrastructure using terrestrial laser scanning data; (2) implementation of as-built BIM based on geometric modeling results; (3) accuracy assessment for created as-built BIM using reference points acquired by total station; and (4) creation of three types of 3D underground cadastral map to represent underground properties. The experimental results, based on indoor mapping for as-built BIM, show that the proposed framework for a 3D underground cadastral system is able to register the rights, responsibilities, and restrictions corresponding to the 3D underground properties. In this way, clearly identifying the underground physical situation enables more reliable and effective decision-making in all aspects of the national land administration system.

Systems Acquisition Manager’s Guide for the Use of Models and Simulations

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-09-01

are many others that deserve recognition , but in fairness to all, there are too many to mention. The three research fellows would like to thank all of...information or user accounts: Modeling and Simulation Information System ATTN: Administrative Supr 1901 N. Beauregard St., Suite 510, Alexa . VA 22311...intelli- gence (e.g., understanding visual images, understanding speech and written text, problem 1-1 solving and medical diagnosis). (Krueger) Brawler

Integration of models of various types of aquifers for water quality management in the transboundary area of the Soča/Isonzo river basin (Slovenia/Italy).

PubMed

Vižintin, Goran; Ravbar, Nataša; Janež, Jože; Koren, Eva; Janež, Naško; Zini, Luca; Treu, Francesco; Petrič, Metka

2018-04-01

Due to intrinsic characteristics of aquifers groundwater frequently passes between various types of aquifers without hindrance. The complex connection of underground water paths enables flow regardless of administrative boundaries. This can cause problems in water resources management. Numerical modelling is an important tool for the understanding, interpretation and management of aquifers. Useful and reliable methods of numerical modelling differ with regard to the type of aquifer, but their connections in a single hydrodynamic model are rare. The purpose of this study was to connect different models into an integrated system that enables determination of water travel time from the point of contamination to water sources. The worst-case scenario is considered. The system was applied in the Soča/Isonzo basin, a transboundary river in Slovenia and Italy, where there is a complex contact of karst and intergranular aquifers and surface flows over bedrock with low permeability. Time cell models were first elaborated separately for individual hydrogeological units. These were the result of numerical hydrological modelling (intergranular aquifer and surface flow) or complex GIS analysis taking into account the vulnerability map and tracer tests results (karst aquifer). The obtained cellular models present the basis of a contamination early-warning system, since it allows an estimation when contaminants can be expected to appear, and in which water sources. The system proves that the contaminants spread rapidly through karst aquifers and via surface flows, and more slowly through intergranular aquifers. For this reason, karst water sources are more at risk from one-off contamination incidents, while water sources in intergranular aquifers are more at risk in cases of long-term contamination. The system that has been developed is the basis for a single system of protection, action and quality monitoring in the areas of complex aquifer systems within or on the borders of administrative units. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Regionalization of the Washington State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Program: Employee Awareness, Buy-In, and Communication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Alison J.; Teuteberg, Dan

2015-01-01

Washington's 4-H program is transitioning from a predominately single-county faculty model to a regional system. This article highlights survey results regarding the level of awareness and buy-in that Extension administration, faculty, and staff have concerning the regional model and how communication about the model took place. While most…

Effect of intraarticular tramadol administration in the rat model of knee joint inflammation.

PubMed

Garlicki, Jarosław; Dorazil-Dudzik, Magdalena; Wordliczek, Jerzy; Przewłocka, Barbara

2006-01-01

Local administration of exogenous opioids may cause effective analgesia without adverse symptoms from the central nervous system. Experiments show that peripheral antinociceptive effect of opioids is observed especially in inflammatory pain. The aim of the research was to estimate the effect of tramadol on nociceptive process at the level of peripheral nervous system, after its local administration in the model of knee joint inflammation. Tramadol was administered intraarticulary into the rat knee joint, before the inflammation as a preemptive analgesia and, for comparison, after the intraarticular injection of carrageenan. The research determined the influence of tramadol injection on pain threshold for thermal stimuli, development of inflammatory processes using the measurement of joint edema and motor function following the induction of knee joint inflammation in the rat. Functional assessment of knee joint with inflammation, in terms of rats' mobility and body position as well as joint loading and mobility were studied. The results of the experiments show that local administration of tramadol induces antinociceptive effect. The effect of tramadol, which elicits also a decrease in inflammatory edema, appears not only after its administration after carrageenan when inflammation was already present, but also in the case of its injection prior to carrageenan in the scheme of preemptive analgesia. The results of the described research show that not only morphine but also another opioid, tramadol, widely used in clinical practice, inhibits nociception, edema and functional impairment of the paw after its local application directly to the inflamed knee joint.

Spinal Cord Injury Model System Information Network

MedlinePlus

... a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ... do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by ...

Greenhouse gas emissions modeling : a tool for federal facility decommissioning

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-10-21

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility inventory is constantly changing as newer systems supplant older infrastructure in response to technological advances. Transformational change embodied by the FAAs Next Generation Air Transportati...

The neurotoxic effects of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea on the electrophysiological property and visual signal transmission of rat's retina

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

Tao, Ye; Chen, Tao; Liu, Bei

The neurotoxic effects of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) on the inner retinal neurons and related visual signal circuits have not been described in any animal models or human, despite ample morphological evidences about the MNU induced photoreceptor (PR) degeneration. With the helping of MEA (multielectrode array) recording system, we gained the opportunity to systemically explore the neural activities and visual signal pathways of MNU administrated rats. Our MEA research identified remarkable alterations in the electrophysiological properties and firstly provided instructive information about the neurotoxicity of MNU that affects the signal transmission in the inner retina. Moreover, the spatial electrophysiological functions of retinamore » were monitored and found that the focal PRs had different vulnerabilities to the MNU. The MNU-induced PR dysfunction exhibited a distinct spatial- and time-dependent progression. In contrast, the spiking activities of both central and peripheral RGCs altered synchronously in response to the MNU administration. Pharmacological tests suggested that gap junctions played a pivotal role in this homogeneous response of RGCs. SNR analysis of MNU treated retina suggested that the signaling efficiency and fidelity of inner retinal circuits have been ruined by this toxicant, although the microstructure of the inner retina seemed relatively consolidated. The present study provided an appropriate example of MEA investigations on the toxicant induced pathological models and the effects of the pharmacological compounds on neuron activities. The positional MEA information would enrich our knowledge about the pathology of MNU induced RP models, and eventually be instrumental for elucidating the underlying mechanism of human RP. - Highlights: • We systemically explored the neural activities and visual signal pathways of MNU administrated retinas. • The focal photoreceptors had different vulnerabilities to the MNU administration. • Pharmacological tests suggested that gap junctions played a pivotal role in this homogeneous response of RGCs. • The present study provided an appropriate example of MEA investigations on the toxicant induced pathological models. • The MEA information would enrich our knowledge about the pathology of MNU induced RP models.« less

Mechanistic Oral Absorption Modeling and Simulation for Formulation Development and Bioequivalence Evaluation: Report of an FDA Public Workshop.

PubMed

Zhang, X; Duan, J; Kesisoglou, F; Novakovic, J; Amidon, G L; Jamei, M; Lukacova, V; Eissing, T; Tsakalozou, E; Zhao, L; Lionberger, R

2017-08-01

On May 19, 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hosted a public workshop, entitled "Mechanistic Oral Absorption Modeling and Simulation for Formulation Development and Bioequivalence Evaluation." The topic of mechanistic oral absorption modeling, which is one of the major applications of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulation, focuses on predicting oral absorption by mechanistically integrating gastrointestinal transit, dissolution, and permeation processes, incorporating systems, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and the drug product information, into a systemic mathematical whole-body framework. © 2017 The Authors CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

A systems approach to healthcare: agent-based modeling, community mental health, and population well-being.

PubMed

Silverman, Barry G; Hanrahan, Nancy; Bharathy, Gnana; Gordon, Kim; Johnson, Dan

2015-02-01

Explore whether agent-based modeling and simulation can help healthcare administrators discover interventions that increase population wellness and quality of care while, simultaneously, decreasing costs. Since important dynamics often lie in the social determinants outside the health facilities that provide services, this study thus models the problem at three levels (individuals, organizations, and society). The study explores the utility of translating an existing (prize winning) software for modeling complex societal systems and agent's daily life activities (like a Sim City style of software), into a desired decision support system. A case study tests if the 3 levels of system modeling approach is feasible, valid, and useful. The case study involves an urban population with serious mental health and Philadelphia's Medicaid population (n=527,056), in particular. Section 3 explains the models using data from the case study and thereby establishes feasibility of the approach for modeling a real system. The models were trained and tuned using national epidemiologic datasets and various domain expert inputs. To avoid co-mingling of training and testing data, the simulations were then run and compared (Section 4.1) to an analysis of 250,000 Philadelphia patient hospital admissions for the year 2010 in terms of re-hospitalization rate, number of doctor visits, and days in hospital. Based on the Student t-test, deviations between simulated vs. real world outcomes are not statistically significant. Validity is thus established for the 2008-2010 timeframe. We computed models of various types of interventions that were ineffective as well as 4 categories of interventions (e.g., reduced per-nurse caseload, increased check-ins and stays, etc.) that result in improvement in well-being and cost. The 3 level approach appears to be useful to help health administrators sort through system complexities to find effective interventions at lower costs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeling C-Band Co-Channel Interference From AeroMACS Omni-Directional Antennas to Mobile Satellite Service Feeder Uplinks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Jeffrey D.

2011-01-01

A new C-band (5091 to 5150 MHz) airport communications system designated as Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System (AeroMACS) is being planned under the Federal Aviation Administration s NextGen program. An interference analysis software program, Visualyse Professional (Transfinite Systems Ltd), is being utilized to provide guidelines on limitations for AeroMACS transmitters to avoid interference with other systems. A scenario consisting of a single omni-directional transmitting antenna at each of the major contiguous United States airports is modeled and the steps required to build the model are reported. The results are shown to agree very well with a previous study.

How to obtain the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS)

EIA Publications

2013-01-01

The National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) NEMS is used by the modelers at the U. S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) who understand its structure and programming. NEMS has only been used by a few organizations outside of the EIA, because most people that requested NEMS found out that it was too difficult or rigid to use. NEMS is not typically used for state-level analysis and is poorly suited for application to other countries. However, many do obtain the model simply to use the data in its input files or to examine the source code.

Mechanistic Oral Absorption Modeling and Simulation for Formulation Development and Bioequivalence Evaluation: Report of an FDA Public Workshop

PubMed Central

Duan, J; Kesisoglou, F; Novakovic, J; Amidon, GL; Jamei, M; Lukacova, V; Eissing, T; Tsakalozou, E; Zhao, L; Lionberger, R

2017-01-01

On May 19, 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hosted a public workshop, entitled “Mechanistic Oral Absorption Modeling and Simulation for Formulation Development and Bioequivalence Evaluation.”1 The topic of mechanistic oral absorption modeling, which is one of the major applications of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulation, focuses on predicting oral absorption by mechanistically integrating gastrointestinal transit, dissolution, and permeation processes, incorporating systems, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and the drug product information, into a systemic mathematical whole‐body framework.2 PMID:28571121

Urothelial conversion of 5-aminolevulinic acid to protoporphyrin IX following oral or intravesical administration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Ronald B.; Miller, Gerald G.; Brown, Kevin; Bhatnagar, Rakesh; Tulip, John; McPhee, Malcolm S.

1995-03-01

Preferential conversion of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to protoporphyrin-IX (Pp-IX) occurs in malignant tissue, with accumulation to diagnostic and therapeutic levels. Recent studies have suggested selective conversion in epithelial tissue following oral or intravenous administration. Topical application avoids systemic photosensitization. However, the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer lining the urinary bladder is believed to be a protective barrier generally limiting mucosal absorption. Our objective was to evaluate uptake and conversion of 5-ALA following intravesical or oral administration. Using a rat model, Pp-IX content within epithelial and muscularis layers was quantitated by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Following intravesical administration, Pp-IX accumulated predominantly in the urothelium; whereas following oral administration, Pp-IX accumulated in both the urothelium and muscularis. Intravesical 5-ALA administration is feasible and may afford selective photosensitization of the urothelium for treatment of carcinoma in situ.

Implementation of a Shared Resource Financial Management System

PubMed Central

Caldwell, T.; Gerlach, R.; Israel, M.; Bobin, S.

2010-01-01

CF-6 Norris Cotton Cancer Center (NCCC), an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center at Dartmouth Medical School, administers 12 Life Sciences Shared Resources. These resources are diverse and offer multiple products and services. Previous methods for tracking resource use, billing, and financial management were time consuming, error prone and lacked appropriate financial management tools. To address these problems, we developed and implemented a web-based application with a built-in authorization system that uses Perl, ModPerl, Apache2, and Oracle as the software infrastructure. The application uses a role-based system to differentiate administrative users with those requesting services and includes many features requested by users and administrators. To begin development, we chose a resource that had an uncomplicated service, a large number of users, and required the use of all of the applications features. The Molecular Biology Core Facility at NCCC fit these requirements and was used as a model for developing and testing the application. After model development, institution wide deployment followed a three-stage process. The first stage was to interview the resource manager and staff to understand day-to-day operations. At the second stage, we generated and tested customized forms defining resource services. During the third stage, we added new resource users and administrators to the system before final deployment. Twelve months after deployment, resource administrators reported that the new system performed well for internal and external billing and tracking resource utilization. Users preferred the application's web-based system for distribution of DNA sequencing and other data. The sample tracking features have enhanced day-to-day resource operations, and an on-line scheduling module for shared instruments has proven a much-needed utility. Principal investigators now are able to restrict user spending to specific accounts and have final approval of the invoices before the billing, which has significantly reduced the number of unpaid invoices.

A European benchmarking system to evaluate in-hospital mortality rates in acute coronary syndrome: the EURHOBOP project.

PubMed

Dégano, Irene R; Subirana, Isaac; Torre, Marina; Grau, María; Vila, Joan; Fusco, Danilo; Kirchberger, Inge; Ferrières, Jean; Malmivaara, Antti; Azevedo, Ana; Meisinger, Christa; Bongard, Vanina; Farmakis, Dimitros; Davoli, Marina; Häkkinen, Unto; Araújo, Carla; Lekakis, John; Elosua, Roberto; Marrugat, Jaume

2015-03-01

Hospital performance models in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are useful to assess patient management. While models are available for individual countries, mainly US, cross-European performance models are lacking. Thus, we aimed to develop a system to benchmark European hospitals in AMI and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), based on predicted in-hospital mortality. We used the EURopean HOspital Benchmarking by Outcomes in ACS Processes (EURHOBOP) cohort to develop the models, which included 11,631 AMI patients and 8276 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who underwent PCI. Models were validated with a cohort of 55,955 European ACS patients. Multilevel logistic regression was used to predict in-hospital mortality in European hospitals for AMI and PCI. Administrative and clinical models were constructed with patient- and hospital-level covariates, as well as hospital- and country-based random effects. Internal cross-validation and external validation showed good discrimination at the patient level and good calibration at the hospital level, based on the C-index (0.736-0.819) and the concordance correlation coefficient (55.4%-80.3%). Mortality ratios (MRs) showed excellent concordance between administrative and clinical models (97.5% for AMI and 91.6% for PCI). Exclusion of transfers and hospital stays ≤1day did not affect in-hospital mortality prediction in sensitivity analyses, as shown by MR concordance (80.9%-85.4%). Models were used to develop a benchmarking system to compare in-hospital mortality rates of European hospitals with similar characteristics. The developed system, based on the EURHOBOP models, is a simple and reliable tool to compare in-hospital mortality rates between European hospitals in AMI and PCI. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Revisiting Bevacizumab + Cytotoxics Scheduling Using Mathematical Modeling: Proof of Concept Study in Experimental Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

PubMed

Imbs, Diane-Charlotte; El Cheikh, Raouf; Boyer, Arnaud; Ciccolini, Joseph; Mascaux, Céline; Lacarelle, Bruno; Barlesi, Fabrice; Barbolosi, Dominique; Benzekry, Sébastien

2018-01-01

Concomitant administration of bevacizumab and pemetrexed-cisplatin is a common treatment for advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Vascular normalization following bevacizumab administration may transiently enhance drug delivery, suggesting improved efficacy with sequential administration. To investigate optimal scheduling, we conducted a study in NSCLC-bearing mice. First, experiments demonstrated improved efficacy when using sequential vs. concomitant scheduling of bevacizumab and chemotherapy. Combining this data with a mathematical model of tumor growth under therapy accounting for the normalization effect, we predicted an optimal delay of 2.8 days between bevacizumab and chemotherapy. This prediction was confirmed experimentally, with reduced tumor growth of 38% as compared to concomitant scheduling, and prolonged survival (74 vs. 70 days). Alternate sequencing of 8 days failed in achieving a similar increase in efficacy, thus emphasizing the utility of modeling support to identify optimal scheduling. The model could also be a useful tool in the clinic to personally tailor regimen sequences. © 2017 The Authors CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

77 FR 18297 - Air Traffic Noise, Fuel Burn, and Emissions Modeling Using the Aviation Environmental Design Tool...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-27

... Integrated Routing System-- NIRS].'' The FAA developed the AEDT 2a to model aircraft noise, fuel burn, and... operations schedule. These data are used to compute aircraft noise, fuel burn and emissions simultaneously... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Noise, Fuel Burn, and...

The Pilot Training Study: A Cost-Estimating Model for Undergraduate Pilot Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allison, S. L.

A means for estimating the resource requirements and attendant costs of any configuration of the undergraduate pilot training system (UPT) is described by inputs that are supplied by the user of the model. The inputs consist of data such as UPT graduate requirements, course syllabus requirements, instructor-student ratios, administrative and…

State Energy Efficiency Program Evaluation Inventory

EIA Publications

2013-01-01

The focus of this inventory, some of which has been placed into a searchable spreadsheet, is to support the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) and to research cost information in state-mandated energy efficiency program evaluations – e.g., for use in updating analytic and modeling assumptions used by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

78 FR 11555 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Design Roll Maneuver for Electronic...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-19

...; Design Roll Maneuver for Electronic Flight Controls AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... design roll maneuver for electronic flight controls, specifically an electronic flight control system... control surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is designed for 8 passengers, with a maximum of 12 passengers...

Program (Re)design Model: A Sustainable, System-Level Approach to Faculty Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fowler, Debra; Macik, Maria L.; Sandoval, Carolyn L.; Bakenhus, Chelsea; MacWillie, Sherri

2016-01-01

Traditional professional development related to teaching is offered on a short-term basis and at the individual level. Recent experiences and research studies have led to an organizational level model in which the educational developer forms a sustained partnership with administrators, faculty, staff, and students in a department, offering…

78 FR 31838 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplanes; Flight Envelope Protection: General...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-28

... new control architecture and a full digital flight control system which provides flight envelope... Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing... metal with composite empennage and control surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is designed for 8...

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Activity in the Nucleus Accumbens Is Required for the Maintenance of Ethanol Self-Administration in a Rat Genetic Model of High Alcohol Intake

PubMed Central

Besheer, Joyce; Grondin, Julie J.M.; Cannady, Reginald; Sharko, Amanda C.; Faccidomo, Sara; Hodge, Clyde W.

2010-01-01

Background Systemic modulation of Group I and II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) regulate ethanol self-administration in a variety of animal models. Although these receptors are expressed in reward-related brain regions, the anatomical specificity of their functional involvement in ethanol self-administration remains to be characterized. This study sought to evaluate the functional role of Group I (mGluR5) and Group II (mGluR2/3) in mesocorticolimbic brain regions in ethanol self-administration. Methods Alcohol-preferring (P) rats, a genetic model of high alcohol drinking, were trained to self-administer ethanol (15% v/v) versus water in operant conditioning chambers. Effects of brain site-specific infusion of the mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP) and the mGluR2/3 agonist were then assessed on the maintenance of self-administration. Results Microinjection of the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP in the nucleus accumbens reduced ethanol self-administration at a dose that did not alter locomotor activity. By contrast, infusion of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 in the nucleus accumbens reduced self-administration and produced nonspecific reductions in locomotor activity. The mGluR5 involvement showed anatomical specificity as evidenced by lack of effect of MPEP infusion in the dorsomedial caudate or medial prefrontal cortex on ethanol self-administration. To determine reinforcer specificity, P-rats were trained to self-administer sucrose (.4% w/v) versus water, and effects of intra-accumbens MPEP were tested. The MPEP did not alter sucrose self-administration or motor behavior. Conclusions These results suggest that mGluR5 activity specifically in the nucleus accumbens is required for the maintenance of ethanol self-administration in individuals with genetic risk for high alcohol consumption. PMID:19897175

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 activity in the nucleus accumbens is required for the maintenance of ethanol self-administration in a rat genetic model of high alcohol intake.

PubMed

Besheer, Joyce; Grondin, Julie J M; Cannady, Reginald; Sharko, Amanda C; Faccidomo, Sara; Hodge, Clyde W

2010-05-01

Systemic modulation of Group I and II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) regulate ethanol self-administration in a variety of animal models. Although these receptors are expressed in reward-related brain regions, the anatomical specificity of their functional involvement in ethanol self-administration remains to be characterized. This study sought to evaluate the functional role of Group I (mGluR5) and Group II (mGluR2/3) in mesocorticolimbic brain regions in ethanol self-administration. Alcohol-preferring (P) rats, a genetic model of high alcohol drinking, were trained to self-administer ethanol (15% v/v) versus water in operant conditioning chambers. Effects of brain site-specific infusion of the mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP) and the mGluR2/3 agonist were then assessed on the maintenance of self-administration. Microinjection of the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP in the nucleus accumbens reduced ethanol self-administration at a dose that did not alter locomotor activity. By contrast, infusion of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 in the nucleus accumbens reduced self-administration and produced nonspecific reductions in locomotor activity. The mGluR5 involvement showed anatomical specificity as evidenced by lack of effect of MPEP infusion in the dorsomedial caudate or medial prefrontal cortex on ethanol self-administration. To determine reinforcer specificity, P-rats were trained to self-administer sucrose (.4% w/v) versus water, and effects of intra-accumbens MPEP were tested. The MPEP did not alter sucrose self-administration or motor behavior. These results suggest that mGluR5 activity specifically in the nucleus accumbens is required for the maintenance of ethanol self-administration in individuals with genetic risk for high alcohol consumption. Copyright 2010 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Validation of the rheumatic disease comorbidity index.

PubMed

England, Bryant R; Sayles, Harlan; Mikuls, Ted R; Johnson, Dannette S; Michaud, Kaleb

2015-05-01

There is no consensus on which comorbidity index is optimal for rheumatic health outcomes research. We compared a new Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI) with the Charlson-Deyo Index (CDI), Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI), Elixhauser Total Score (ETS), Elixhauser Point System (EPS), and a simple comorbidity count (COUNT) using a US cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Using administrative diagnostic codes and patient self-reporting, we tested predictive values of the RDCI, CDI, FCI, ETS, EPS, and COUNT for 2 outcomes: all-cause mortality and physical functioning. Indices were compared using 3 models: bare (consisting of age, sex, and race), administrative (bare plus visit frequency, body mass index, and treatments), and clinic (administrative plus erythrocyte sedimentation rate, nodules, rheumatoid factor positivity, and patient activity scale). The ETS and RDCI best predicted death, with FCI performing the worst. The FCI best predicted function, with ETS and RDCI performing nearly as well. CDI predicted function poorly. The order of indices remained relatively unchanged in the different models, though the magnitude of improvement in Akaike's information criterion decreased in the administrative and clinic models. The RDCI and ETS are excellent indices as a means of accounting for comorbid illness when the RA-related outcomes of death and physical functioning are studied using administrative data. The RDCI is a versatile index and appears to perform well with self-report data as well as administrative data. Further studies are warranted to compare these indices using other outcomes in diverse study populations. © 2015, American College of Rheumatology.

Effect of mode of administration on guaifenesin pharmacokinetics and expectorant action in the rat model.

PubMed

Kagan, Leonid; Lavy, Eran; Hoffman, Amnon

2009-06-01

Guaifenesin is a very commonly used and prescribed oral expectorant drug. However, its mechanism of action is not completely elucidated and the available information is limited. The purpose was to evaluate whether guaifenesin action on respiratory tract secretion is mediated through a reflex stimulation of the gastric mucosa or by the systemic exposure due to the absorption of the drug to the blood circulation. Guaifenesin was administered to rats by various routes: intravenous bolus, oral gavage, and gastric, jejunal or cecal infusions (through surgically implanted catheters). Phenol red respiratory tract secretion (after intraperitoneal or intravenous injection) was used as a marker for degree of expectorant action. Administration of saline by gavage was used as control. Respiratory secretion following oral bolus was approximately 2-fold higher (p<0.05) than that of control. Following IV administration the increase of respiratory secretion did not occur despite the fact that systemic exposure to guaifenesin was 1.5-fold higher than following oral administration. The abdominal surgery was found to eliminate the effect of guaifenesin although it did not change systemic absorption. Guaifenesin was equally absorbed from all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. It was demonstrated that expectorant action of guaifenesin is mediated by stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract and not by the systemic exposure to the drug.

Proceedings of the Symposium on Current Concepts and Approaches on Animal Test Alternatives

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-09-01

vertebrate model, more specifically, the chorloallantoic membrane (CAN) of a developing chicken embryo, has been proposed for use as an alternative...and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C. He has a B.S. in pharmacy (University of New Mexico ) and a Ph.D. in pharmacology (University of Colorado...model is represented by the choriallantoic membrane system (CAM).20,21 This system uses fertilized chicken eggs, whose vascular network (or CAM) is

Integrating Operational Energy Implications into System-Level Combat Effects Modeling: Assessing the Combat Effectiveness and Fuel Use of ABCT 2020 and Current ABCT

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-01

Endy M. Daehner, John Matsumura, Thomas J. Herbert , Jeremy R. Kurz, Keith Walters Integrating Operational Energy Implications into System-Level... George Guthridge, and Megan Corso for their clear guid- ance and assistance throughout the study. We also received valuable information and insights from...helped with processing modeling and simulation outputs. Laura Novacic and Donna Mead provided invaluable administrative assistance and help with

An Evaluation of Alternatives for Processing of Administrative Pay Vouchers: A Simulation Approach.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

Finance Travel Voucher Q-GERT Productivity Personnel Forecasts Simulation Model 20. ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse side if necessary end Jdentfly by...Finance Office (ACF) has devised a Point System for use in determining the productivity of the ACF Travel Section (ACFTT). This Point System sets values...5 to 5+) to be assigned to incoming travel vouchers based on voucher complexity. This research had set objectives of (1) building an ACFTT model that

An Exploration of Teachers' and Administrators' Perspectives: The Collaborative Process Using the Danielson Framework for Teaching Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Landolfi, Adrienne M.

2016-01-01

As accountability measures continue to increase within education, public school systems have integrated standards-based evaluation systems to formally assess professional practices among educators. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent in which the communication process between evaluators and teachers impacts teacher performance…

75 FR 23822 - Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment on the Proposed Models for Plant-Specific Adoption of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-04

... Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) under Accession Number ML092670242. The proposed... and Maintenance Program'' is being proposed for Section [5.5] [``Administrative Controls--Programs and... and Management System (ADAMS): Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are...

Tropical-Cyclone Formation: Theory and Idealized Modelling

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-01

to saturation at the sea-surface temperature and the positive entropy flux from the ocean surface...and Atmospheric Administration; IFEX = Intensity Forecasting Experiment. 15GFS = NOAA Global Forecasting System ; NOGAPS = Navy Operational Global... Atmospheric Prediction System ; UKMET = United Kingdom Meteorological Office. 16 http://www.met.nps.edu/~mtmontgo/storms2010.html 18 overcomes

D-amphetamine stimulates unconditioned exploration/approach behaviors in crayfish: towards a conserved evolutionary function of ancestral drug reward

PubMed Central

Alcaro, Antonio; Panksepp, Jaak; Huber, Robert

2012-01-01

In mammals, rewarding properties of drugs depend on their capacity to activate a dopamine-mediated appetitive motivational seeking state—a system that allows animals to pursue and find all kinds of objects and events needed for survival. With such states strongly conserved in evolution, invertebrates have recently been developed into a powerful model in addiction research, where a shared ancestral brain system for the acquisition of reward can mediate drug addiction in many species. A conditioned place preference paradigm has illustrated that crayfish seek out environments that had previously been paired with psychostimulant and opioid administration. The present work demonstrates that the administration of d-amphetamine stimulates active explorative behaviors in crayfish through the action of the drug within their head ganglion. Crayfish, with a modularly organized and experimentally accessible, ganglionic nervous system offers a unique model to investigate (1) the fundamental, biological mechanisms of addictive drug reward; (2) how an appetitive/seeking disposition is implemented in a simple neural system, and (3) how it mediates the rewarding actions of major drugs of abuse. PMID:21504757

Integration of AERMOD into EDMS

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-06-22

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires the use of the Emissions and : Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS) for air quality analysis involving aviation sources. : Dispersion in EDMS has previously been computed by CALINE3 and PAL2. With the :...

A Detailed Physiologically Based Model to Simulate the Pharmacokinetics and Hormonal Pharmacodynamics of Enalapril on the Circulating Endocrine Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

PubMed Central

Claassen, Karina; Willmann, Stefan; Eissing, Thomas; Preusser, Tobias; Block, Michael

2013-01-01

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders including hypertension and is one of the most important targets for drugs. A whole body physiologically based pharmacokinetic (wb PBPK) model integrating this hormone circulation system and its inhibition can be used to explore the influence of drugs that interfere with this system, and thus to improve the understanding of interactions between drugs and the target system. In this study, we describe the development of a mechanistic RAAS model and exemplify drug action by a simulation of enalapril administration. Enalapril and its metabolite enalaprilat are potent inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE). To this end, a coupled dynamic parent-metabolite PBPK model was developed and linked with the RAAS model that consists of seven coupled PBPK models for aldosterone, ACE, angiotensin 1, angiotensin 2, angiotensin 2 receptor type 1, renin, and prorenin. The results indicate that the model represents the interactions in the RAAS in response to the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of enalapril and enalaprilat in an accurate manner. The full set of RAAS-hormone profiles and interactions are consistently described at pre- and post-administration steady state as well as during their dynamic transition and show a good agreement with literature data. The model allows a simultaneous representation of the parent-metabolite conversion to the active form as well as the effect of the drug on the hormone levels, offering a detailed mechanistic insight into the hormone cascade and its inhibition. This model constitutes a first major step to establish a PBPK-PD-model including the PK and the mode of action (MoA) of a drug acting on a dynamic RAAS that can be further used to link to clinical endpoints such as blood pressure. PMID:23404365

Earth Observing System (EOS) Communication (Ecom) Modeling, Analysis, and Testbed (EMAT) activiy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Desai, Vishal

1994-01-01

This paper describes the Earth Observing System (EOS) Communication (Ecom) Modeling, Analysis, and Testbed (EMAT) activity performed by Code 540 in support of the Ecom project. Ecom is the ground-to-ground data transport system for operational EOS traffic. The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Communications (Nascom) Division, Code 540, is responsible for implementing Ecom. Ecom interfaces with various systems to transport EOS forward link commands, return link telemetry, and science payload data. To understand the complexities surrounding the design and implementation of Ecom, it is necessary that sufficient testbedding, modeling, and analysis be conducted prior to the design phase. These activities, when grouped, are referred to as the EMAT activity. This paper describes work accomplished to date in each of the three major EMAT activities: modeling, analysis, and testbedding.

Topical versus systemic 5-aminolevulinic acid administration for photodynamic therapy of the colon in B10.RBP mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gil, Maciej; Woszczynski, Marek; Regula, Jaroslaw; MacRobert, Alexander J.; Butruk, Eugeniusz; Bown, Stephen G.

1999-07-01

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is an interesting photosensitizing substance for photodynamic therapy (PDT), successfully applied topically for urological malignancy. In gastroenterology it has proven efficacy for treatment of some GI neoplasms after systemic administration. This study was aimed at investigating the possibility of topical 5-ALA administration also for the PDT of gut cancer in a mice model. 5-ALA solution at different concentrations (5%, 1.5%, and 0.5%) was instilled in the colon of mice, which was later removed and examined by fluorescence microscopy. The results of fluorescence studies were compared with those obtained in a control group treated with 5-ALA given systematically. Satisfactory epithelial fluorescence levels and good selectivity between gut layers were obtained after intracolonic 5-ALA instillation. However, mean fluorescence intensity was higher after systemic drug applications. Our results suggest that 5-ALA may probably be used topically for the PDT of some gut neoplasms.

The Congruence of Mental Models amongst District and Site Level Administrators of Walkthroughs as a Vehicle for System-Wide School Improvement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evans, Lisa Marie

2010-01-01

Though change theorists recognize the importance of individuals within change efforts, the impact of perceptions, or mental models, on change initiatives at the organizational level is not fully understood. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a greater understanding of the mental models (beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and feelings)…

Methamphetamine addiction: involvement of CREB and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways

PubMed Central

Krasnova, Irina N.; Justinova, Zuzana; Cadet, Jean Lud

2017-01-01

Rationale and objectives Addiction to psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH) remains a major public health problem in the world. Animal models that use METH self-administration incorporate many features of human drug-taking behavior and are very helpful in elucidating mechanisms underlying METH addiction. These models are also helping to decipher the neurobiological substrates of associated neuropsychiatric complications. This review summarizes our work on the influence of METH self-administration on dopamine systems, transcriptional and immune responses in the brain. Methods We used the rat model of METH self-administration with extended access (15 hours/day for 8 consecutive days) to investigate the effects of voluntary METH intake on the markers of dopamine system integrity and changes in gene expression observed in the brain at 2 hours – 1 month after cessation of drug exposure. Results Extended access to METH self-administration caused changes in the rat brain that are consistent with clinical findings reported in neuroimaging and post-mortem studies of human METH addicts. In addition, gene expression studies using striatal tissues from METH self-administering rats revealed increased expression of genes involved in CREB signaling pathway and in the activation of neuroinflammatory response in the brain. Conclusion These data show an association of METH exposure with activation of neuroplastic and neuroinflammatory cascades in the brain. The neuroplastic changes may be involved in promoting METH addiction. Neuroinflammatory processes in the striatum may underlie cognitive deficits, depression, and parkinsonism reported in METH addicts. Therapeutic approaches that include suppression of neuroinflammation may be beneficial to addicted patients. PMID:26873080

On Roles of Models in Information Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sølvberg, Arne

The increasing penetration of computers into all aspects of human activity makes it desirable that the interplay among software, data and the domains where computers are applied is made more transparent. An approach to this end is to explicitly relate the modeling concepts of the domains, e.g., natural science, technology and business, to the modeling concepts of software and data. This may make it simpler to build comprehensible integrated models of the interactions between computers and non-computers, e.g., interaction among computers, people, physical processes, biological processes, and administrative processes. This chapter contains an analysis of various facets of the modeling environment for information systems engineering. The lack of satisfactory conceptual modeling tools seems to be central to the unsatisfactory state-of-the-art in establishing information systems. The chapter contains a proposal for defining a concept of information that is relevant to information systems engineering.

Ghrelin and the cardiovascular system.

PubMed

Tokudome, Takeshi; Kishimoto, Ichiro; Miyazato, Mikiya; Kangawa, Kenj

2014-01-01

Ghrelin is a peptide that was originally isolated from the stomach. It exerts potent growth hormone (GH)-releasing and orexigenic activities. Several studies have highlighted the therapeutic benefits of ghrelin for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In animal models of chronic heart failure, the administration of ghrelin improved cardiac function and remodeling; these findings were replicated in human patients with heart failure. Moreover, in an animal study, ghrelin administration effectively reduced pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia. In addition, repeated administration of ghrelin to cachectic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had positive effects on overall body function, including muscle wasting, functional capacity and sympathetic activity. The administration of ghrelin early after myocardial infarction (MI) reduced fatal arrhythmia and related mortality. In ghrelin-deficient mice, both exogenous and endogenous ghrelin were protective against fatal arrhythmia and promoted remodeling after MI. Although the mechanisms underlying the effects of ghrelin on the cardiovascular system remain unclear, there are indications that its beneficial effects are mediated through both direct physiological actions, including increased GH levels, improved energy balance and direct actions on cardiovascular cells, and regulation of autonomic nervous system activity. Therefore, ghrelin is a promising novel therapeutic agent for cardiovascular disease. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

HIV quality report cards: impact of case-mix adjustment and statistical methods.

PubMed

Ohl, Michael E; Richardson, Kelly K; Goto, Michihiko; Vaughan-Sarrazin, Mary; Schweizer, Marin L; Perencevich, Eli N

2014-10-15

There will be increasing pressure to publicly report and rank the performance of healthcare systems on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) quality measures. To inform discussion of public reporting, we evaluated the influence of case-mix adjustment when ranking individual care systems on the viral control quality measure. We used data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) HIV Clinical Case Registry and administrative databases to estimate case-mix adjusted viral control for 91 local systems caring for 12 368 patients. We compared results using 2 adjustment methods, the observed-to-expected estimator and the risk-standardized ratio. Overall, 10 913 patients (88.2%) achieved viral control (viral load ≤400 copies/mL). Prior to case-mix adjustment, system-level viral control ranged from 51% to 100%. Seventeen (19%) systems were labeled as low outliers (performance significantly below the overall mean) and 11 (12%) as high outliers. Adjustment for case mix (patient demographics, comorbidity, CD4 nadir, time on therapy, and income from VHA administrative databases) reduced the number of low outliers by approximately one-third, but results differed by method. The adjustment model had moderate discrimination (c statistic = 0.66), suggesting potential for unadjusted risk when using administrative data to measure case mix. Case-mix adjustment affects rankings of care systems on the viral control quality measure. Given the sensitivity of rankings to selection of case-mix adjustment methods-and potential for unadjusted risk when using variables limited to current administrative databases-the HIV care community should explore optimal methods for case-mix adjustment before moving forward with public reporting. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2014. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

Chip-based human liver-intestine and liver-skin co-cultures--A first step toward systemic repeated dose substance testing in vitro.

PubMed

Maschmeyer, Ilka; Hasenberg, Tobias; Jaenicke, Annika; Lindner, Marcus; Lorenz, Alexandra Katharina; Zech, Julie; Garbe, Leif-Alexander; Sonntag, Frank; Hayden, Patrick; Ayehunie, Seyoum; Lauster, Roland; Marx, Uwe; Materne, Eva-Maria

2015-09-01

Systemic repeated dose safety assessment and systemic efficacy evaluation of substances are currently carried out on laboratory animals and in humans due to the lack of predictive alternatives. Relevant international regulations, such as OECD and ICH guidelines, demand long-term testing and oral, dermal, inhalation, and systemic exposure routes for such evaluations. So-called "human-on-a-chip" concepts are aiming to replace respective animals and humans in substance evaluation with miniaturized functional human organisms. The major technical hurdle toward success in this field is the life-like combination of human barrier organ models, such as intestine, lung or skin, with parenchymal organ equivalents, such as liver, at the smallest biologically acceptable scale. Here, we report on a reproducible homeostatic long-term co-culture of human liver equivalents with either a reconstructed human intestinal barrier model or a human skin biopsy applying a microphysiological system. We used a multi-organ chip (MOC) platform, which provides pulsatile fluid flow within physiological ranges at low media-to-tissue ratios. The MOC supports submerse cultivation of an intact intestinal barrier model and an air-liquid interface for the skin model during their co-culture with the liver equivalents respectively at (1)/100.000 the scale of their human counterparts in vivo. To increase the degree of organismal emulation, microfluidic channels of the liver-skin co-culture could be successfully covered with human endothelial cells, thus mimicking human vasculature, for the first time. Finally, exposure routes emulating oral and systemic administration in humans have been qualified by applying a repeated dose administration of a model substance - troglitazone - to the chip-based co-cultures. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Development of a 3D Underground Cadastral System with Indoor Mapping for As-Built BIM: The Case Study of Gangnam Subway Station in Korea

PubMed Central

Kim, Sangmin; Kim, Jeonghyun; Jung, Jaehoon; Heo, Joon

2015-01-01

The cadastral system provides land ownership information by registering and representing land boundaries on a map. The current cadastral system in Korea, however, focuses mainly on the management of 2D land-surface boundaries. It is not yet possible to provide efficient or reliable land administration, as this 2D system cannot support or manage land information on 3D properties (including architectures and civil infrastructures) for both above-ground and underground facilities. A geometrical model of the 3D parcel, therefore, is required for registration of 3D properties. This paper, considering the role of the cadastral system, proposes a framework for a 3D underground cadastral system that can register various types of 3D underground properties using indoor mapping for as-built Building Information Modeling (BIM). The implementation consists of four phases: (1) geometric modeling of a real underground infrastructure using terrestrial laser scanning data; (2) implementation of as-built BIM based on geometric modeling results; (3) accuracy assessment for created as-built BIM using reference points acquired by total station; and (4) creation of three types of 3D underground cadastral map to represent underground properties. The experimental results, based on indoor mapping for as-built BIM, show that the proposed framework for a 3D underground cadastral system is able to register the rights, responsibilities, and restrictions corresponding to the 3D underground properties. In this way, clearly identifying the underground physical situation enables more reliable and effective decision-making in all aspects of the national land administration system. PMID:26690174

A Forecast Skill Comparison between CliPAS One-Tier and Two-Tier Hindcast Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J.; Wang, B.; Kang, I.

2006-05-01

A 24-year (1981-2004) MME hindcast experimental dataset is produced under the "Climate Prediction and Its Application to Society" (CliPAS) project sponsored by Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA). This dataset consists of 5 one-tier model systems from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Frontier Research Center for Global Change (FRCGC), Seoul National University (SNU), and University of Hawaii (UH) and 5 two-tier model systems from Florida State University (FSU), Geophysical Fluid Dynamic Lab (GFDL), SNU, and UH. Multi-model Ensemble (MME) Forecast skills of seasonal precipitation and atmospheric circulation are compared between CliPAS one-tier and two-tier hindcast experiments for seasonal mean precipitation and atmospheric circulation. For winter prediction, two-tier MME has a comparable skill to one-tier MME. However, it is demonstrated that in the Asian-Australian monsoon (A-AM) heavy precipitation regions, one-tier systems are superior to two-tier systems in summer season. The reason is that inclusion of the local warm pool- monsoon interaction in the one-tier system improves the ENSO teleconnection with monsoon regions. Both one-tier and two-tier MME fail to predict Indian monsoon circulation, while they have a significantly good skill for the broad scale monsoon circulation defined by Webster and Yang index. One-tier system has a much better skill to predict the monsoon circulation over the western North pacific where air-sea interaction plays an important role than two-tier system.

A Conceptual Model of the Information Requirements of Nursing Organizations

PubMed Central

Miller, Emmy

1989-01-01

Three related issues play a role in the identification of the information requirements of nursing organizations. These issues are the current state of computer systems in health care organizations, the lack of a well-defined data set for nursing, and the absence of models representing data and information relevant to clinical and administrative nursing practice. This paper will examine current methods of data collection, processing, and storage in clinical and administrative nursing practice for the purpose of identifying the information requirements of nursing organizations. To satisfy these information requirements, database technology can be used; however, a model for database design is needed that reflects the conceptual framework of nursing and the professional concerns of nurses. A conceptual model of the types of data necessary to produce the desired information will be presented and the relationships among data will be delineated.

School Finance in the Digital-Learning Era. Creating Sound Policy for Digital Learning. A Working Paper Series from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hill, Paul T.

2011-01-01

America's system for financing K-12 education is not neutral about innovation and the use of new technologies. Indeed, that system is stacked against them. To remedy this, our education-funding system needs to shift dramatically. Instead of today's model--which rigidly funds programs, staff positions, and administrative structures, instead of…

Supraspinally-administered agmatine attenuates the development of oral fentanyl self-administration

PubMed Central

Wade, Carrie L.; Schuster, Daniel J.; Domingo, Kristine M.; Kitto, Kelley F.; Fairbanks, Carolyn A.

2009-01-01

The decarboxylation product of arginine, agmatine, has effectively reduced or prevented opioid-induced tolerance and dependence when given either systemically (intraperitoneally or subcutaneously) or centrally (intrathecally or intracerebroventricularly). Systemically administered agmatine also reduces the escalation phase of intravenous fentanyl self-administration in rats. The present study assessed whether centrally (intracerebroventricular, i.c.v.) delivered agmatine could prevent the development of fentanyl self-administration in mice. Mice were trained to respond under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR1) schedule for either fentanyl (0.7 μg/70 μl, p.o.) or food reinforcement. Agmatine (10 nmol/5 μl), injected i.c.v. 12-14h before the first session and every other evening (12-14h before session) for 2 weeks, completely attenuated oral fentanyl self-administration (but not food-maintained responding) compared to saline-injected controls. When agmatine was administered after fentanyl self-administration had been established (day 8) it had no attenuating effects on bar pressing. This dose of agmatine does not decrease locomotor activity as assessed by rotarod. The present findings significantly extend the previous observation that agmatine prevents opioid-maintained behavior to a chronic model of oral fentanyl self-administration as well as identifying a supraspinal site of action for agmatine inhibition of drug addiction. PMID:18495108

Fitchburg Municipal Airport Noise Measurement Study : summary of measurements, data and analysis

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-11-01

The U.S. Department of Transportation, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), : Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division, is providing technical support to the Federal Aviation : Administration (FAA), with the coo...

A new model to improve aggregate air traffic demand predictions

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-08-20

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic flow management (TFM) : decision-making is based primarily on a comparison of predictions of traffic demand and : available capacity at various National Airspace System (NAS) elements such as airports...

Validation protocol for digital audio recorders used in aircraft-noise-certification testing

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-11-01

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administra-tion, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division (Volpe), is supporting the aircraft noise certification i...

Remote infrared audible signage (RIAS) pilot program report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-07-01

The Remote Infrared Audible Sign Model Accessibility Program (RIAS MAP) is a program funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to evaluate the effectiveness of remote infrared audible sign systems in enabling persons with visual and cognitiv...

The anti-tumor activity of a neutralizing nanobody targeting leptin receptor in a mouse model of melanoma.

PubMed

McMurphy, Travis; Xiao, Run; Magee, Daniel; Slater, Andrew; Zabeau, Lennart; Tavernier, Jan; Cao, Lei

2014-01-01

Environmental and genetic activation of a brain-adipocyte axis inhibits cancer progression. Leptin is the primary peripheral mediator of this anticancer effect in a mouse model of melanoma. In this study we assessed the effect of a leptin receptor antagonist on melanoma progression. Local administration of a neutralizing nanobody targeting the leptin receptor at low dose adjacent to tumor decreased tumor mass with no effects on body weight or food intake. In contrast, systemic administration of the nanobody failed to suppress tumor growth. Daily intraperitoneal injection of high-dose nanobody led to weight gain, hyperphagia, increased adiposity, hyperleptinemia, and hyperinsulinemia, and central effects mimicking leptin deficiency. The blockade of central actions of leptin by systemic delivery of nanobody may compromise its anticancer effect, underscoring the need to develop peripherally acting leptin antagonists coupled with efficient cancer-targeting delivery.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors improve learning consolidation in young and in KA-induced-neurodegeneration and SAMP-8-mutant mice.

PubMed

Fontán-Lozano, Angela; Romero-Granados, Rocío; Troncoso, Julieta; Múnera, Alejandro; Delgado-García, José María; Carrión, Angel M

2008-10-01

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are enzymes that maintain chromatin in a condensate state, related with absence of transcription. We have studied the role of HDAC on learning and memory processes. Both eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) and object recognition memory (ORM) induced an increase in histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3). Systemic treatment with HDAC inhibitors improved cognitive processes in EBCC and in ORM tests. Immunohistochemistry and gene expression analyses indicated that administration of HDAC inhibitors decreased the stimulation threshold for Ac-H3, and gene expression to reach the levels required for learning and memory. Finally, we evaluated the effect of systemic administration of HDAC inhibitors to mice models of neurodegeneration and aging. HDAC inhibitors reversed learning and consolidation deficits in ORM in these models. These results point out HDAC inhibitors as candidate agents for the palliative treatment of learning and memory impairments in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders.

Model documentation report: Transportation sector model of the National Energy Modeling System

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

Not Available

1994-03-01

This report documents the objectives, analytical approach and development of the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) Transportation Model (TRAN). The report catalogues and describes the model assumptions, computational methodology, parameter estimation techniques, model source code, and forecast results generated by the model. This document serves three purposes. First, it is a reference document providing a detailed description of TRAN for model analysts, users, and the public. Second, this report meets the legal requirements of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to provide adequate documentation in support of its statistical and forecast reports (Public Law 93-275, 57(b)(1)). Third, it permits continuity inmore » model development by providing documentation from which energy analysts can undertake model enhancements, data updates, and parameter refinements.« less

A Coupled Probabilistic Wake Vortex and Aircraft Response Prediction Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gloudemans, Thijs; Van Lochem, Sander; Ras, Eelco; Malissa, Joel; Ahmad, Nashat N.; Lewis, Timothy A.

2016-01-01

Wake vortex spacing standards along with weather and runway occupancy time, restrict terminal area throughput and impose major constraints on the overall capacity and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). For more than two decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been conducting research on characterizing wake vortex behavior in order to develop fast-time wake transport and decay prediction models. It is expected that the models can be used in the systems level design of advanced air traffic management (ATM) concepts that safely increase the capacity of the NAS. It is also envisioned that at a later stage of maturity, these models could potentially be used operationally, in groundbased spacing and scheduling systems as well as on the flight deck.

Realizing the Potential of Management and Leadership: Toward a Synthesis of Western and Indigenous Perspectives in the Modernization of Non-Western Societies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sapre, Padmakar M.

2000-01-01

Examines the tradition/Westernization debate against the background of India's exposure to Western ideas through its higher education system. Proposes a shift from a centralized, bureaucratic educational-administration model to a managerial- professional model that synthesizes Western and indigenous perspectives. Self-knowledge and responsiveness…

Micro and Mainframe Computer Models for Improved Planning in Awarding Financial Aid to Disadvantaged Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Attinasi, Louis C., Jr.; Fenske, Robert H.

1988-01-01

Two computer models used at Arizona State University recognize the tendency of students from low-income and minority backgrounds to apply for assistance late in the funding cycle. They permit administrators to project the amount of aid needed by such students. The Financial Aid Computerized Tracking System is described. (Author/MLW)

77 FR 64025 - Special Conditions: Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes; Interaction of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-18

... series airplanes with modification 160023 (Sharklet). These airplanes will have novel or unusual design... novel or unusual design features on the model series of airplanes listed above. It is not a rule of... Series Airplanes; Interaction of Systems and Structures AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA...

Computerized Adaptive Testing System Design: Preliminary Design Considerations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

the administrative or operational requirements of CAT and presented - # k*----.,ku nh-n.-utu (IPOI efi~g.2me (PMU tQ7q. vim NPRDC TR 82-52 July 1982...design model for a computerized adaptive testing ( CAT ) system was developed and presented through a series of hierarchy plus input-process-output (HIPO...physical system was addressed through brief discussions of hardware, software, interfaces, and personnel requirements. Further steps in CAT system

The Aviation System Analysis Capability Airport Capacity and Delay Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, David A.; Nelson, Caroline; Shapiro, Gerald

1998-01-01

The ASAC Airport Capacity Model and the ASAC Airport Delay Model support analyses of technologies addressing airport capacity. NASA's Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC) Airport Capacity Model estimates the capacity of an airport as a function of weather, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) procedures, traffic characteristics, and the level of technology available. Airport capacity is presented as a Pareto frontier of arrivals per hour versus departures per hour. The ASAC Airport Delay Model allows the user to estimate the minutes of arrival delay for an airport, given its (weather dependent) capacity. Historical weather observations and demand patterns are provided by ASAC as inputs to the delay model. The ASAC economic models can translate a reduction in delay minutes into benefit dollars.

Associated degeneration of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons in the rat nigrostriatal lactacystin model of parkinsonism and their neuroprotection by valproate

PubMed Central

Harrison, Ian F.; Anis, Hiba K.; Dexter, David T.

2016-01-01

Parkinson’s disease (PD) manifests clinically as bradykinesia, rigidity, and development of a resting tremor, primarily due to degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathways in the brain. Intranigral administration of the irreversible ubiquitin proteasome system inhibitor, lactacystin, has been used extensively to model nigrostriatal degeneration in rats, and study the effects of candidate neuroprotective agents on the integrity of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system. Recently however, adjacent extra-nigral brain regions such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been noted to also become affected in this model, yet their integrity in studies of candidate neuroprotective agents in the model have largely been overlooked. Here we quantify the extent and distribution of dopaminergic degeneration in the VTA of rats intranigrally lesioned with lactacystin, and quantify the extent of VTA dopaminergic neuroprotection after systemic treatment with an epigenetic therapeutic agent, valproate, shown previously to protect dopaminergic SNpc neurons in this model. We found that unilateral intranigral administration of lactacystin resulted in a 53.81% and 31.72% interhemispheric loss of dopaminergic SNpc and VTA neurons, respectively. Daily systemic treatment of lactacystin lesioned rats with valproate however resulted in dose-dependant neuroprotection of VTA neurons. Our findings demonstrate that not only is the VTA also affected in the intranigral lactacystin rat model of PD, but that this extra-nigral brain region is substrate for neuroprotection by valproate, an agent shown previously to induce neuroprotection and neurorestoration of SNpc dopaminergic neurons in this model. Our results therefore suggest that valproate is a candidate for extra-nigral as well as intra-nigral neuroprotection. PMID:26742637

Associated degeneration of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons in the rat nigrostriatal lactacystin model of parkinsonism and their neuroprotection by valproate.

PubMed

Harrison, Ian F; Anis, Hiba K; Dexter, David T

2016-02-12

Parkinson's disease (PD) manifests clinically as bradykinesia, rigidity, and development of a resting tremor, primarily due to degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathways in the brain. Intranigral administration of the irreversible ubiquitin proteasome system inhibitor, lactacystin, has been used extensively to model nigrostriatal degeneration in rats, and study the effects of candidate neuroprotective agents on the integrity of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system. Recently however, adjacent extra-nigral brain regions such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been noted to also become affected in this model, yet their integrity in studies of candidate neuroprotective agents in the model have largely been overlooked. Here we quantify the extent and distribution of dopaminergic degeneration in the VTA of rats intranigrally lesioned with lactacystin, and quantify the extent of VTA dopaminergic neuroprotection after systemic treatment with an epigenetic therapeutic agent, valproate, shown previously to protect dopaminergic SNpc neurons in this model. We found that unilateral intranigral administration of lactacystin resulted in a 53.81% and 31.72% interhemispheric loss of dopaminergic SNpc and VTA neurons, respectively. Daily systemic treatment of lactacystin lesioned rats with valproate however resulted in dose-dependant neuroprotection of VTA neurons. Our findings demonstrate that not only is the VTA also affected in the intranigral lactacystin rat model of PD, but that this extra-nigral brain region is substrate for neuroprotection by valproate, an agent shown previously to induce neuroprotection and neurorestoration of SNpc dopaminergic neurons in this model. Our results therefore suggest that valproate is a candidate for extra-nigral as well as intra-nigral neuroprotection. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

The Role of Organizational Context and External Influences in the Implementation of Evidence-Based Programs: An Exploratory Study. Report IV

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collins, Ashleigh; Burkhauser, Mary

2008-01-01

The implementation of high-quality evidence-based practices cannot occur without facilitative administration, systems-level partnerships, and decision-support data systems. The authors believe that understanding "what works" in program "implementation" is just as important as understanding "what works" in a program "model." Recently, researchers…

Breaking Ground in Higher Ed: A Look at New Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mroz, Donald; Mulgrew, Francis X.

2012-01-01

The debate about the need for change in America's K-12 education system has been raging for decades. Teachers, parents, administrators and government leaders alike have been grappling with how to transform a system that has been failing too many students for too long, according to a recent Center for Education Policy study. Until recently, the…

78 FR 37958 - Special Conditions: Cessna Aircraft Company, Model J182T; Electronic Engine Control System...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-25

...; Electronic Engine Control System Installation AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION... feature(s) associated with the installation of an electronic engine control. The applicable airworthiness...) Engines, Inc. SR305-230E-C1 which is a four-stroke, air cooled, diesel cycle engine that uses turbine (jet...

School Retrofit Design Analysis System. A Microcomputer Model for School Energy Use.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Canipe, Stephen Lee

The School Retrofit Design Analysis System (SRDAS) developed in this study provides a non-technical method for the school administrator to use in evaluating alternative energy saving retrofit and new construction design possibilities. By providing a high degree of flexibility, SRDAS is applicable to a wide range of school building and retrofit…

Creation of Lung-Targeted Dexamethasone Immunoliposome and Its Therapeutic Effect on Bleomycin-Induced Lung Injury in Rats

PubMed Central

Li, Nan; Hu, Yang; Zhang, Yuan; Xu, Jin-Fu; Li, Xia; Ren, Jie; Su, Bo; Yuan, Wei-Zhong; Teng, Xin-Rong; Zhang, Rong-Xuan; Jiang, Dian-hua; Mulet, Xavier; Li, Hui-Ping

2013-01-01

Objective Acute lung injury (ALI), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, which is routinely treated with the administration of systemic glucocorticoids. The current study investigated the distribution and therapeutic effect of a dexamethasone(DXM)-loaded immunoliposome (NLP) functionalized with pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) antibody (SPA-DXM-NLP) in an animal model. Methods DXM-NLP was prepared using film dispersion combined with extrusion techniques. SP-A antibody was used as the lung targeting agent. Tissue distribution of SPA-DXM-NLP was investigated in liver, spleen, kidney and lung tissue. The efficacy of SPA-DXM-NLP against lung injury was assessed in a rat model of bleomycin-induced acute lung injury. Results The SPA-DXM-NLP complex was successfully synthesized and the particles were stable at 4°C. Pulmonary dexamethasone levels were 40 times higher with SPA-DXM-NLP than conventional dexamethasone injection. Administration of SPA-DXM-NLP significantly attenuated lung injury and inflammation, decreased incidence of infection, and increased survival in animal models. Conclusions The administration of SPA-DXM-NLP to animal models resulted in increased levels of DXM in the lungs, indicating active targeting. The efficacy against ALI of the immunoliposomes was shown to be superior to conventional dexamethasone administration. These results demonstrate the potential of actively targeted glucocorticoid therapy in the treatment of lung disease in clinical practice. PMID:23516459

Automatic Fault Characterization via Abnormality-Enhanced Classification

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

Bronevetsky, G; Laguna, I; de Supinski, B R

Enterprise and high-performance computing systems are growing extremely large and complex, employing hundreds to hundreds of thousands of processors and software/hardware stacks built by many people across many organizations. As the growing scale of these machines increases the frequency of faults, system complexity makes these faults difficult to detect and to diagnose. Current system management techniques, which focus primarily on efficient data access and query mechanisms, require system administrators to examine the behavior of various system services manually. Growing system complexity is making this manual process unmanageable: administrators require more effective management tools that can detect faults and help tomore » identify their root causes. System administrators need timely notification when a fault is manifested that includes the type of fault, the time period in which it occurred and the processor on which it originated. Statistical modeling approaches can accurately characterize system behavior. However, the complex effects of system faults make these tools difficult to apply effectively. This paper investigates the application of classification and clustering algorithms to fault detection and characterization. We show experimentally that naively applying these methods achieves poor accuracy. Further, we design novel techniques that combine classification algorithms with information on the abnormality of application behavior to improve detection and characterization accuracy. Our experiments demonstrate that these techniques can detect and characterize faults with 65% accuracy, compared to just 5% accuracy for naive approaches.« less

RBAC Driven Least Privilege Architecture For Control Systems

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

Hull, Julie; Markham, Mark

The concept of role based access control (RBAC) within the IT environment has been studied by researchers and was supported by NIST (circa 1992). This earlier work highlighted the benefits of RBAC which include reduced administrative workload and policies which are easier to analyze and apply. The goals of this research were to expand the application of RBAC in the following ways. Apply RBAC to the control systems environment: The typical RBAC model within the IT environment is used to control a user’s access to files. Within the control system environment files are replaced with measurement (e.g., temperature) and controlmore » (e.g. valve) points organized as a hierarchy of control assets (e.g. a boiler, compressor, refinery unit). Control points have parameters (e.g., high alarm limit, set point, etc.) associated with them. The RBAC model is extended to support access to points and their parameters based upon roles while at the same time allowing permissions for the points to be defined at the asset level or point level directly. In addition, centralized policy administration with distributed access enforcement mechanisms was developed to support the distributed architecture of distributed control systems and SCADA; Extend the RBAC model to include access control for software and devices: The established RBAC approach is to assign users to roles. This work extends that notion by first breaking the control system down into three layers 1) users, 2) software and 3) devices. An RBAC model is then created for each of these three layers. The result is that RBAC can be used to define machine-to-machine policy enforced via the IP security (IPsec) protocol. This highlights the potential to use RBAC for machine-to-machine connectivity within the internet of things; and Enable dynamic policy based upon the operating mode of the system: The IT environment is generally static with respect to policy. However, large cyber physical systems such as industrial controls have various operating modes (start-up, normal operation, emergency, shut-down and maintenance are typical). The policy enforcement architecture must be able to support changes in access permissions as the mode of the control system changes. For example an operator’s role may not allow the operator to shut down a pump during “normal operation” but that same operator role may be given permission to shut down the pump if the refinery transitions to “emergency” mode. The effectiveness of the approach was validated by applying it to the Experion Process Knowledge System. This is a large commercial industrial control system often used to control oil refineries and other assets within the oil and gas sector. As a by-product, other industries using Experion (Pharmaceuticals, Specialty Chemicals, etc.) also benefit from increased security. Policies representative of those that would be used within an oil refinery were created and validated against the RBAC model as implemented in the underlying SQL database. The administration of policy is simplified which in turn makes it practical for security administrators to specify policies which enforce least privilege. The result is a qualitative reduction in risk. The benefits of the enhanced RBAC model are clear and as a result. Honeywell is incorporating portions of the RBAC research into the 2014 release of Experion.« less

Performance and Evaluation of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office Observing System Simulation Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prive, Nikki; Errico, R. M.; Carvalho, D.

2018-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (NASA/GMAO) has spent more than a decade developing and implementing a global Observing System Simulation Experiment framework for use in evaluting both new observation types as well as the behavior of data assimilation systems. The NASA/GMAO OSSE has constantly evolved to relect changes in the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation data assimiation system, the Global Earth Observing System model, version 5 (GEOS-5), and the real world observational network. Software and observational datasets for the GMAO OSSE are publicly available, along with a technical report. Substantial modifications have recently been made to the NASA/GMAO OSSE framework, including the character of synthetic observation errors, new instrument types, and more sophisticated atmospheric wind vectors. These improvements will be described, along with the overall performance of the current OSSE. Lessons learned from investigations into correlated errors and model error will be discussed.

Full-scale two-car impact test: comparison of measured and model results

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-04-06

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is : conducting research into the crashworthiness of rail vehicles in : support of the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of : Research and Development. The approach taken has focused on : the re...

Production of synthetic winds for the Global Reference Atmosphere Model (GRAM)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-12-15

The Aerospace Corporation was tasked by the Volpe National Transportation systems Center to provide technical support to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA/AST), in developing a method based on Princip...

Behind start of take-off roll aircraft sound level directivity study - revision 1

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-04-30

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Langley Research Center (LaRC) and the Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division of the United States Department of Transportations John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Cente...

Knowledge Acquisition Methods for the IHDS Diagnostic Review Expert System

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-12-01

The Federal Highway Administration's Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) is a suite of CADD-compatible programs that highway designers can use to evaluate the safety effects of various design alternatives. The IHSDM will include a Policy ...

Passenger train emergency systems : review of egress variables and egress simulation models

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-05-20

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations are intended to ensure the safe, timely, and effective evacuation of intercity and commuter rail passengers when necessary during passenger train emergencies. Although it is recognized that during the...

Passenger train emergency systems : review of egress variables and egress simulation models.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-04-01

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations are intended to ensure the safe, timely, and effective evacuation of intercity and commuter rail passengers when necessary during passenger train emergencies. Although it is recognized that during the...

Managing the Cooperative Network: The Public Administration Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diener, Ronald E.

1981-01-01

Recommends that library administrators turn to public administration models in preference to business administration models for network management; this choice is predicated on the not-for-profit aspects of public service organizations. (RAA)

PRESYNAPTIC DOPAMINE MODULATION BY STIMULANT SELF ADMINISTRATION

PubMed Central

España, Rodrigo A.; Jones, Sara R.

2013-01-01

The mesolimbic dopamine system is an essential participant in the initiation and modulation of various forms of goal-directed behavior, including drug reinforcement and addiction processes. Dopamine neurotransmission is increased by acute administration of all drugs of abuse, including the stimulants cocaine and amphetamine. Chronic exposure to these drugs via voluntary self-administration provides a model of stimulant abuse that is useful in evaluating potential behavioral and neurochemical adaptations that occur during addiction. This review describes commonly used methodologies to measure dopamine and baseline parameters of presynaptic dopamine regulation, including exocytotic release and reuptake through the dopamine transporter in the nucleus accumbens core, as well as dramatic adaptations in dopamine neurotransmission and drug sensitivity that occur with acute non-contingent and chronic, contingent self-administration of cocaine and amphetamine. PMID:23277050

Regional Intraosseous Administration of Prophylactic Antibiotics is More Effective Than Systemic Administration in a Mouse Model of TKA.

PubMed

Young, Simon W; Roberts, Tim; Johnson, Sarah; Dalton, James P; Coleman, Brendan; Wiles, Siouxsie

2015-11-01

In human TKA studies, intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of prophylactic antibiotics achieves local tissue antibiotic concentrations 10 times greater than systemic administration. However, it is unclear if such high concentrations provide more effective prophylaxis. We asked: (1) What prophylaxis dosage and route (intravenous [IV] versus IORA of prophylactic antibiotics) produce less in vivo bacterial burden compared with no-antibiotic controls? (2) Compared with controls, what prophylaxis dosage and route yield fewer colony-forming units (CFUs) in euthanized animals in a model of TKA? (3) Is prophylactic IORA of antibiotics more effective than same-dose IV antibiotic administration in reducing CFUs? Mice (six to nine per group) were block randomized to one of six prophylaxis regimens: control, systemic cefazolin (C100IV), IORA of cefazolin (C100IORA), systemic vancomycin (V110IV), low-dose systemic vancomycin (V25IV), and low-dose IORA of vancomycin (V25IORA). Surgery involved placement of an intraarticular knee prosthesis, followed by an inoculum of bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus strain Xen36. Biophotonic imaging assessed in vivo bacterial loads, and after 4 days bacterial load was quantified using culture-based techniques. Comparisons were made for each prophylactic regimen to controls and between same-dose IV and IORA of prophylactic antibiotic regimens. Mice treated with systemic high-dose vancomycin, IORA of vancomycin, or IORA of cefazolin had lower in vivo Staphylococcus aureus burdens (median area under curve, Control: 5.0 × 10(6); V110IV: 1.5 × 10(6), difference of medians 3.5 × 10(6), p = 0.003; V25IV: 1.94 × 10(6), difference 3.07 × 10(6), p = 0.49; V25IORA: 1.51 × 10(6), difference 3.5 × 10(6), p = 0.0011; C100IORA: 1.55 × 10(6), difference 3.46 × 10(6), p = 0.0016; C100IV: 2.35 × 10(6), difference 2.66 × 10(6), p = 0.23.) Similar findings were seen with culture-based techniques on recovered implants. IORA of prophylactic antibiotics was more effective than same-dose IV administration in reducing bacterial load on recovered implants (median CFUs < 7.0 × 10(0) vs 2.83 × 10(2), p = 0.0183). IORA of prophylactic cefazolin and vancomycin was more effective than the same dose of antibiotic given systemically. The effectiveness of vancomycin in particular was enhanced by IORA of prophylactic antibiotics despite using a lower dose. Our study supports previous studies of IORA of prophylactic antibiotics in humans and suggests this novel form of administration has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of prophylaxis in TKA. Because of concerns regarding antibiotic stewardship, IORA of prophylactic vancomycin may be more appropriately restricted to patients having TKA who are at greater risk of infection, and clinical trials are in progress.

[Correction of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system disorders by bioflavonoids during modeling of cholesterol atherosclerosis in rabbits].

PubMed

Shysh, A M; Pashevin, D O; Dosenko, V Ie; Moĭbenko, O O

2011-01-01

We have studied the influence of bioflavonoids (quercetin, corvitin) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in the modeling of cholesterol atherosclerosis in rabbits. It has been shown that simultaneous administration of the quercetin derivative corvitin suppressed lipid peroxidation. We showed that under hypercholesterolemia, the concentration of malone dialdehyde in myocardial tissue in rabbits is significantly increased, while administration of bioflavonoids decreased the concentration of malone dialdehyde by 38.3%. Furthermore, corvitin caused activating effects on antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in cardiac tissue. Our data suggest that bioflavonoids are able to suppress lipid peroxidation and prevent the decrease ofantioxidant enzymes activity in rabbits with cholesterol-rich diet induced atherosclerosis.

Knowledge Transfer and Dissemination of Advanced Practice Nursing Information and Research to Acute-Care Administrators.

PubMed

Carter, Nancy; Dobbins, Maureen; Peachey, Gladys; Hoxby, Heather; Ireland, Sandra; Akhtar-Danesh, Noori; DiCenso, Alba

2014-03-01

The objective of this study was to ascertain the information needs and knowledge-dissemination preferences of acute-care administrators with respect to advanced practice nursing (APN). Supportive leadership is imperative for the success of APN roles and administrators need up-to-date research evidence and information, but it is unclear what the information needs of administrators are and how they prefer to receive the information. A survey tool was developed from the literature and from the findings of a qualitative study with acute-care leaders. Of 107 surveys distributed to nursing administrators in 2 teaching hospitals, 79 (73.8%) were returned. Just over half of respondents reported wanting APN information related to model of care and patient and systems outcomes of APN care; the majority expressed a preference for electronic transmission of the information. Researchers need multiple strategies for distributing context-specific APN evidence and information to nursing administrators. Copyright© by Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University.

Chemical profiling with HPLC-FTMS of exogenous and endogenous chemicals susceptible to the administration of chotosan in an animal model of type 2 diabetes-induced dementia.

PubMed

Niu, Yimin; Li, Feng; Inada, Chikako; Tanaka, Ken; Watanabe, Shiro; Fujiwara, Hironori; Sasaki-Hamada, Sachie; Oka, Jun-Ichiro; Matsumoto, Kinzo

2015-02-01

In our previous study, the daily administration of chotosan (CTS), a Kampo formula consisting of Uncaria and other 10 different crude drugs, ameliorated cognitive deficits in several animal models of dementia including type 2 diabetic db/db mice in a similar manner to tacrine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The present study investigated the metabonomics of CTS in db/db mice, a type 2 diabetes model, and m/m mice, a non-diabetes control strain, to identify the exogenous and endogenous chemicals susceptible to the administration of CTS using high performance liquid chromatography equipped with an orbitrap hybrid Fourier transform mass spectrometer. The results obtained revealed that the systemic administration of CTS for 20 days led to the distribution of Uncalia plant-derived alkaloids such as rhynchophylline, hirsuteine, and corynoxeine in the plasma and brains of db/db and m/m mice and induced alterations in four major metabolic pathways; i.e., (1) purine, (2) tryptophan, (3) cysteine and methionine, (4) glycerophospholipids in db/db mice. Moreover, glycerophosphocholine (GPC) levels in the plasma and brain were significantly higher in CTS-treated db/db mice than in vehicle-treated control animals. The results of the in vitro experiment using organotypic hippocampal slice cultures demonstrated that GPC (10-30 μM), as well as tacrine, protected hippocampal cells from N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced excitotoxicity in a manner that was reversible with the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine, whereas GPC had no effect on the activity of acetylcholinesterase in vitro. Our results demonstrated that some CTS constituents with neuropharmacological activity were distributed in the plasma and brain tissue following the systemic administration of CTS and may subsequently have affected some metabolic pathways including glycerophospholipid metabolism and cognitive function in db/db mice. Moreover, the present metabonomic analysis suggested that GPC is a putative endogenous chemical that may be involved in the tacrine-like actions of CTS in the present diabetic animal model. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A program for identification of linear systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buell, J.; Kalaba, R.; Ruspini, E.; Yakush, A.

1971-01-01

A program has been written for the identification of parameters in certain linear systems. These systems appear in biomedical problems, particularly in compartmental models of pharmacokinetics. The method presented here assumes that some of the state variables are regularly modified by jump conditions. This simulates administration of drugs following some prescribed drug regime. Parameters are identified by a least-square fit of the linear differential system to a set of experimental observations. The method is especially suited when the interval of observation of the system is very long.

Myocardial protection using diadenosine tetraphosphate with pharmacological preconditioning.

PubMed

Ahmet, I; Sawa, Y; Nishimura, M; Yamaguchi, T; Kitakaze, M; Matsuda, H

2000-09-01

We have reported a similar cardioprotective effect and mechanism of diadenosine tetraphosphate (AP4A) and ischemic preconditioning in rat hearts. In this study, the applicability of AP4A administration to cardiac surgery was tested by using a canine cardiopulmonary bypass model. Hearts underwent 60 minutes of cardioplegic arrest (34 degrees C) by a single dose of cardioplegia. Cardioplegia contained either AP4A (40 micromol/L; n = 6) or saline (n = 6). Beagles were weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass 30 minutes after reperfusion, and left ventricular function was evaluated after another 30 minutes by using the cardiac loop analysis system. Administration of AP4A significantly improved the postischemic recovery of cardiac function and reduced the leakage of serum creatine kinase compared with saline. Systemic vascular resistance, mean aortic blood pressure, and the electrocardiographic indices were not significantly altered by AP4A administration. Administration of AP4A was cardioprotective without apparent adverse effects. Because the cardioprotective mechanism may be similar to that of ischemic preconditioning, the addition of AP4A into cardioplegia may be a novel safe method for clinical application of preconditioning cardioprotection.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Protect the Fetal Brain After Hypoxia-Ischemia.

PubMed

Ophelders, Daan R M G; Wolfs, Tim G A M; Jellema, Reint K; Zwanenburg, Alex; Andriessen, Peter; Delhaas, Tammo; Ludwig, Anna-Kristin; Radtke, Stefan; Peters, Vera; Janssen, Leon; Giebel, Bernd; Kramer, Boris W

2016-06-01

Preterm neonates are susceptible to perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, for which no treatment is available. In a preclinical animal model of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in ovine fetuses, we have demonstrated the neuroprotective potential of systemically administered mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The mechanism of MSC treatment is unclear but suggested to be paracrine, through secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Therefore, we investigated in this study the protective effects of mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in a preclinical model of preterm hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Ovine fetuses were subjected to global hypoxia-ischemia by transient umbilical cord occlusion, followed by in utero intravenous administration of MSC-EVs. The therapeutic effects of MSC-EV administration were assessed by analysis of electrophysiological parameters and histology of the brain. Systemic administration of MSC-EVs improved brain function by reducing the total number and duration of seizures, and by preserving baroreceptor reflex sensitivity. These functional protections were accompanied by a tendency to prevent hypomyelination. Cerebral inflammation remained unaffected by the MSC-EV treatment. Our data demonstrate that MSC-EV treatment might provide a novel strategy to reduce the neurological sequelae following hypoxic-ischemic injury of the preterm brain. Our study results suggest that a cell-free preparation comprising neuroprotective MSC-EVs could substitute MSCs in the treatment of preterm neonates with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, thereby circumventing the potential risks of systemic administration of living cells. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) show promise in treating hypoxic-ischemic injury of the preterm brain. Study results suggest administration of extracellular vesicles, rather than intact MSCs, is sufficient to exert therapeutic effects and avoids potential concerns associated with administration of living cells. The therapeutic efficacy of systemically administered mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) on hypoxia-ischemia-induced injury was assessed in the preterm ovine brain. Impaired function and structural injury of the fetal brain was improved following global hypoxia-ischemia. A cell-free preparation of MSC-EVs could substitute for the cellular counterpart in the treatment of preterm neonates with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. This may open new clinical applications for "off-the-shelf" interventions with MSC-EVs. ©AlphaMed Press.

76 FR 40388 - Establishment of the Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-08

... evaluation of the existing management and administration of the trust administration system to support a... review of the manner in which the Department audits the management of the trust administration system... Department's management and administration of the trust administration system, including a review of the...

Optimization of a murine and human tissue model to recapitulate dermal and pulmonary features of systemic sclerosis

PubMed Central

Watanabe, Tomoya; Mlakar, Logan; Heywood, Jonathan; Malaab, Maya; Hoffman, Stanley

2017-01-01

The murine bleomycin (BLM)-induced fibrosis model is the most widely used in systemic sclerosis (SSc) studies. It has been reported that systemic delivery of BLM via continuous diffusion from subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps can cause fibrosis of the skin, lungs, and other internal organs. However, the mouse strain, dosage of BLM, administration period, and additional important features differ from one report to the next. In this study, by employing the pump model in C57BL/6J mice, we show a dose-dependent increase in lung fibrosis by day 28 and a transient increase in dermal thickness. Dermal thickness and the level of collagen in skin treated with high-dose BLM was significantly higher than in skin treated with low dose BLM or vehicle. A reduction in the thickness of the adipose layer was noted in both high and low dose groups at earlier time points suggesting that the loss of the fat layer precedes the onset of fibrosis. High-dose BLM also induced dermal fibrosis and increased expression of fibrosis-associated genes ex vivo in human skin, thus confirming and extending the in vivo findings, and demonstrating that a human organ culture model can be used to assess the effect of BLM on skin. In summary, our findings suggest that the BLM pump model is an attractive model to analyze the underlying mechanisms of fibrosis and test the efficacy of potential therapies. However, the choice of mouse strain, duration of BLM administration and dose must be carefully considered when using this model. PMID:28651005

Optimization of a murine and human tissue model to recapitulate dermal and pulmonary features of systemic sclerosis.

PubMed

Watanabe, Tomoya; Nishimoto, Tetsuya; Mlakar, Logan; Heywood, Jonathan; Malaab, Maya; Hoffman, Stanley; Feghali-Bostwick, Carol

2017-01-01

The murine bleomycin (BLM)-induced fibrosis model is the most widely used in systemic sclerosis (SSc) studies. It has been reported that systemic delivery of BLM via continuous diffusion from subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps can cause fibrosis of the skin, lungs, and other internal organs. However, the mouse strain, dosage of BLM, administration period, and additional important features differ from one report to the next. In this study, by employing the pump model in C57BL/6J mice, we show a dose-dependent increase in lung fibrosis by day 28 and a transient increase in dermal thickness. Dermal thickness and the level of collagen in skin treated with high-dose BLM was significantly higher than in skin treated with low dose BLM or vehicle. A reduction in the thickness of the adipose layer was noted in both high and low dose groups at earlier time points suggesting that the loss of the fat layer precedes the onset of fibrosis. High-dose BLM also induced dermal fibrosis and increased expression of fibrosis-associated genes ex vivo in human skin, thus confirming and extending the in vivo findings, and demonstrating that a human organ culture model can be used to assess the effect of BLM on skin. In summary, our findings suggest that the BLM pump model is an attractive model to analyze the underlying mechanisms of fibrosis and test the efficacy of potential therapies. However, the choice of mouse strain, duration of BLM administration and dose must be carefully considered when using this model.

Ultra High Bypass Integrated System Test

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-09-14

NASA’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Pratt & Whitney, completed testing of an Ultra High Bypass Ratio Turbofan Model in the 9’ x 15’ Low Speed Wind Tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center. The fan model is representative of the next generation of efficient and quiet Ultra High Bypass Ratio Turbofan Engine designs.

Model documentation: Natural gas transmission and distribution model of the National Energy Modeling System. Volume 1

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

NONE

1995-02-17

The Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution Model (NGTDM) is the component of the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) that is used to represent the domestic natural gas transmission and distribution system. NEMS was developed in the Office of integrated Analysis and Forecasting of the Energy information Administration (EIA). NEMS is the third in a series of computer-based, midterm energy modeling systems used since 1974 by the EIA and its predecessor, the Federal Energy Administration, to analyze domestic energy-economy markets and develop projections. The NGTDM is the model within the NEMS that represents the transmission, distribution, and pricing of natural gas.more » The model also includes representations of the end-use demand for natural gas, the production of domestic natural gas, and the availability of natural gas traded on the international market based on information received from other NEMS models. The NGTDM determines the flow of natural gas in an aggregate, domestic pipeline network, connecting domestic and foreign supply regions with 12 demand regions. The methodology employed allows the analysis of impacts of regional capacity constraints in the interstate natural gas pipeline network and the identification of pipeline capacity expansion requirements. There is an explicit representation of core and noncore markets for natural gas transmission and distribution services, and the key components of pipeline tariffs are represented in a pricing algorithm. Natural gas pricing and flow patterns are derived by obtaining a market equilibrium across the three main elements of the natural gas market: the supply element, the demand element, and the transmission and distribution network that links them. The NGTDM consists of four modules: the Annual Flow Module, the Capacity F-expansion Module, the Pipeline Tariff Module, and the Distributor Tariff Module. A model abstract is provided in Appendix A.« less

Analytical modelling of rail defects and its applications to rail defect management

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-01-01

This report is the third in a three-part series describing the technical contributions of the Federal Railroad Administration and the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center to the UIC/WEC (International Union of Railways/World Executive Council...

AN OPERATIONAL EVALUATION OF THE ETA - CMAQ AIR QUALITY FORECAST MODEL

EPA Science Inventory

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are developing an operational, nationwide Air Quality Forecasting (AQF) system. An experimental phase of this program, which couples NOAA's Et...

AN OPERATIONAL EVALUATION OF THE ETA-CMAQ AIR QUALITY FORECAST MODEL

EPA Science Inventory

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are developing an Air Quality Forecasting Program that will eventually result in an operational Nationwide Air Quality Forecasting System. The initial pha...

Alterations in the Striatal Dopamine System During Intravenous Methamphetamine Exposure: Effects of Contingent and Noncontingent Administration

PubMed Central

Laćan, Goran; Hadamitzky, Martin; Kuczenski, Ronald; Melega, William P.

2014-01-01

The continuing spread of methamphetamine (METH) abuse has stimulated research aimed at understanding consequences of its prolonged exposure. Alterations in nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) system parameters have been characterized in experimental studies after discontinuation of long term METH but fewer studies have included similar assessments during METH exposure. Here, we report METH plasma pharmacokinetics and striatal DA system alterations in rat after noncontingent and contingent METH administration for 7.5 weeks. Escalating METH exposure was delivered by dynamic infusion (DI) that incorporated a ‘humanized’ plasma METH half life, or by intravenous self-administration (IVSA) that included binge intakes. Kinetic modeling of DI and IVSA for 24 h periods during the final week of METH exposure showed that plasma METH levels remained between 0.7–1.5 μM. Animals were sacrificed during their last METH administration for autoradiography assessment using [3H]ligands and D2 agonist-induced [35S]GTPγS binding. DA transporter binding was decreased (DI, 34%; IVSA, 15%) while vesicular monoamine transporter binding and substantia nigra DA cell numbers were unchanged. Decreases were measured for D2 receptor (DI and IVSA, 15–20%) and [35S]GTPγS binding (DI, 35%; IVSA, 18%). These similar patterns of DI and IVSA associated decreases in striatal DA markers reflect consequences of cumulative METH exposure and not the drug delivery method. For METH IVSA, individual differences were observed, yet each animal’s total intake was similar within and across three 24 h binges. IVSA rodent models may be useful for identifying molecular mechanisms that are associated with METH binges in humans. PMID:23417852

Establishment of hydrochloric acid/lipopolysaccharide-induced pelvic inflammatory disease model.

PubMed

Oh, Yeonsu; Lee, Jaehun; Kim, Hyeon-Cheol; Hahn, Tae-Wook; Yoon, Byung-Il; Han, Jeong-Hee; Kwon, Yong-Soo; Park, Joung Jun; Koo, Deog-Bon; Rhee, Ki-Jong; Jung, Bae Dong

2016-09-30

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is one of the most problematic complications experienced by women with sexually transmitted diseases, frequently causes secondary infections after reproductive abnormalities in veterinary animals. Although the uterus is self-protective, it becomes fragile during periods or pregnancy. To investigate PID, bacteria or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from gram negative bacteria has been used to induce the disease in several animal models. However, when LPS is applied to the peritoneum, it often causes systemic sepsis leading to death and the PID was not consistently demonstrated. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been used to induce inflammation in the lungs and stomach but not tested for reproductive organs. In this study, we developed a PID model in mice by HCl and LPS sequential intracervical (i.c.) administration. The proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, were detected in the mouse uterus by western blot analysis and cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after HCl (25 mg/kg) administration i.c. followed by four LPS (50 mg/kg) treatments. Moreover, mice exhibited increased infiltration of neutrophils in the endometrium and epithelial layer. These results suggest that ic co-administration of HCl and LPS induces PID in mice. This new model may provide a consistent and reproducible PID model for future research.

Establishment of hydrochloric acid/lipopolysaccharide-induced pelvic inflammatory disease model

PubMed Central

Oh, Yeonsu; Lee, Jaehun; Kim, Hyeon-Cheol; Hahn, Tae-Wook; Yoon, Byung-Il; Han, Jeong-Hee; Kwon, Yong-Soo; Park, Joung Jun; Koo, Deog-Bon; Rhee, Ki-Jong

2016-01-01

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is one of the most problematic complications experienced by women with sexually transmitted diseases, frequently causes secondary infections after reproductive abnormalities in veterinary animals. Although the uterus is self-protective, it becomes fragile during periods or pregnancy. To investigate PID, bacteria or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from gram negative bacteria has been used to induce the disease in several animal models. However, when LPS is applied to the peritoneum, it often causes systemic sepsis leading to death and the PID was not consistently demonstrated. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been used to induce inflammation in the lungs and stomach but not tested for reproductive organs. In this study, we developed a PID model in mice by HCl and LPS sequential intracervical (i.c.) administration. The proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, were detected in the mouse uterus by western blot analysis and cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after HCl (25 mg/kg) administration i.c. followed by four LPS (50 mg/kg) treatments. Moreover, mice exhibited increased infiltration of neutrophils in the endometrium and epithelial layer. These results suggest that ic co-administration of HCl and LPS induces PID in mice. This new model may provide a consistent and reproducible PID model for future research. PMID:26726020

A Cyber Situational Awareness Model for Network Administrators

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

environments, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence , and so on. As users’ data requirements grow more complex, they demand information...security of systems of interest. Further, artificial intelligence is a powerful concept in information technology. Therefore, new research should...look into how to use artificial intelligence to develop CSA. Human interaction with cyber systems is not making networks and their components safer

Development of a Microcomputer-Based Adaptive Testing System. Phase I. Specification of Requirements and Preliminary Design.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-30

treatments, and cure (or kill ) a patient. Administratively, the items were in a multiple-choice format and the simulation proceeded by branching...Discs: dual 5 1/4 inch floppies (IM) Bus: N/A Operating System: CP/M, MmmOST Price: $3,495 -14 ~-174- - ’i~ Model 820 Xerox 1341 West Mockingbird Lane

An analysis of stakeholder views on children's mental health services.

PubMed

Rodríguez, Adriana; Southam-Gerow, Michael A; O'Connor, Mary Katherine; Allin, Robert B

2014-01-01

The purpose was to examine the perspectives of mental health stakeholders as a means to guide the adaptation of evidence-based treatments. The Mental Health System Ecological (MHSE) model was used to organize therapist, administrator, and parent perspectives gathered using qualitative methods. The MHSE model posits the influences of client-level, provider-level, intervention-specific, service delivery, organizational, and service system characteristics on implementation. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with community mental health stakeholders and included parents, therapists, and administrators (N = 21). Participants included 11 primarily Caucasian (90.48%) female participants, ranging in ages between 31 and 57 years. Data were analyzed according to the MHSE model. Frequency counts were tabulated for each theme and stakeholder group differences were determined using the Mann-Whitney test. Stakeholder groups mentioned needs at each level of the MHSE model. Stakeholder group differences most notably emerged with child and family themes, which included complexity of mental health issues, parenting differences, and family stressors. Stakeholders identified challenges for optimal mental health services for children across multiple levels of an ecological model. Implications of the findings are discussed, including the continued relevance of adapting mental health interventions by increasing their flexible application across multiple target problems and the promise of partnership approaches.

The hospital incident command system: modified model for hospitals in iran.

PubMed

Djalali, Ahmadreza; Hosseinijenab, Vahid; Peyravi, Mahmoudreza; Nekoei-Moghadam, Mahmood; Hosseini, Bashir; Schoenthal, Lisa; Koenig, Kristi L

2015-03-27

Effectiveness of hospital management of disasters requires a well-defined and rehearsed system. The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), as a standardized method for command and control, was established in Iranian hospitals, but it has performed fairly during disaster exercises. This paper describes the process for, and modifications to HICS undertaken to optimize disaster management in hospitals in Iran. In 2013, a group of 11 subject matter experts participated in an expert consensus modified Delphi to develop modifications to the 2006 version of HICS. The following changes were recommended by the expert panel and subsequently implemented: 1) A Quality Control Officer was added to the Command group; 2) Security was defined as a new section; 3) Infrastructure and Business Continuity Branches were moved from the Operations Section to the Logistics and the Administration Sections, respectively; and 4) the Planning Section was merged within the Finance/Administration Section. An expert consensus group developed a modified HICS that is more feasible to implement given the managerial organization of hospitals in Iran. This new model may enhance hospital performance in managing disasters. Additional studies are needed to test the feasibility and efficacy of the modified HICS in Iran, both during simulations and actual disasters. This process may be a useful model for other countries desiring to improve disaster incident management systems for their hospitals.

Concept, Simulation, and Instrumentation for Radiometric Inflight Icing Detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryerson, Charles; Koenig, George G.; Reehorst, Andrew L.; Scott, Forrest R.

2009-01-01

The multi-agency Flight in Icing Remote Sensing Team (FIRST), a consortium of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has developed technologies for remotely detecting hazardous inflight icing conditions. The USACE Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) assessed the potential of onboard passive microwave radiometers for remotely detecting icing conditions ahead of aircraft. The dual wavelength system differences the brightness temperature of Space and clouds, with greater differences potentially indicating closer and higher magnitude cloud liquid water content (LWC). The Air Force RADiative TRANsfer model (RADTRAN) was enhanced to assess the flight track sensing concept, and a 'flying' RADTRAN was developed to simulate a radiometer system flying through simulated clouds. Neural network techniques were developed to invert brightness temperatures and obtain integrated cloud liquid water. In addition, a dual wavelength Direct-Detection Polarimeter Radiometer (DDPR) system was built for detecting hazardous drizzle drops. This paper reviews technology development to date and addresses initial polarimeter performance.

State Analysis Database Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rasmussen, Robert; Bennett, Matthew

2006-01-01

The State Analysis Database Tool software establishes a productive environment for collaboration among software and system engineers engaged in the development of complex interacting systems. The tool embodies State Analysis, a model-based system engineering methodology founded on a state-based control architecture (see figure). A state represents a momentary condition of an evolving system, and a model may describe how a state evolves and is affected by other states. The State Analysis methodology is a process for capturing system and software requirements in the form of explicit models and states, and defining goal-based operational plans consistent with the models. Requirements, models, and operational concerns have traditionally been documented in a variety of system engineering artifacts that address different aspects of a mission s lifecycle. In State Analysis, requirements, models, and operations information are State Analysis artifacts that are consistent and stored in a State Analysis Database. The tool includes a back-end database, a multi-platform front-end client, and Web-based administrative functions. The tool is structured to prompt an engineer to follow the State Analysis methodology, to encourage state discovery and model description, and to make software requirements and operations plans consistent with model descriptions.

A question of time: systemic corticosteroids in managing acute asthma in children.

PubMed

Bhogal, Sanjit K

2013-01-01

The aim of this article is to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of systemic corticosteroids in managing acute asthma in children as it relates to the timing of its administration. Three themes relevant to the timing of systemic corticosteroid administration as it relates to managing acute asthma in children are addressed, namely the evidence for early administration of systemic corticosteroid; factors associated with the administration of systemic corticosteroids and evidence for nurse-initiated administration of systemic corticosteroid. There is a clear inverse relationship between time elapsed from the intake of systemic corticosteroids to disposition and the risk of admission. The variable timing of systemic corticosteroid may explain the variable success of clinical care pathways to manage acute asthma. Recent studies have documented a significant reduction hospital admission with early administration of systemic corticosteroid. For acute asthma pathways to succeed in improving hospital admission rates, implementation of such pathways must be linked to barriers to the administration of systemic corticosteroids. Findings from the studies cited provide guidance in the administration of systemic corticosteroids in children with asthma in the real life setting of an emergency department.

In Silico Modeling Approach for the Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Dissolution, Supersaturation, and Precipitation of Posaconazole.

PubMed

Hens, Bart; Pathak, Shriram M; Mitra, Amitava; Patel, Nikunjkumar; Liu, Bo; Patel, Sanjaykumar; Jamei, Masoud; Brouwers, Joachim; Augustijns, Patrick; Turner, David B

2017-12-04

The aim of this study was to evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) dissolution, supersaturation, and precipitation of posaconazole, formulated as an acidified (pH 1.6) and neutral (pH 7.1) suspension. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulation tool was applied to simulate GI and systemic concentration-time profiles of posaconazole, which were directly compared with intraluminal and systemic data measured in humans. The Advanced Dissolution Absorption and Metabolism (ADAM) model of the Simcyp Simulator correctly simulated incomplete gastric dissolution and saturated duodenal concentrations of posaconazole in the duodenal fluids following administration of the neutral suspension. In contrast, gastric dissolution was approximately 2-fold higher after administration of the acidified suspension, which resulted in supersaturated concentrations of posaconazole upon transfer to the upper small intestine. The precipitation kinetics of posaconazole were described by two precipitation rate constants, extracted by semimechanistic modeling of a two-stage medium change in vitro dissolution test. The 2-fold difference in exposure in the duodenal compartment for the two formulations corresponded with a 2-fold difference in systemic exposure. This study demonstrated for the first time predictive in silico simulations of GI dissolution, supersaturation, and precipitation for a weakly basic compound in part informed by modeling of in vitro dissolution experiments and validated via clinical measurements in both GI fluids and plasma. Sensitivity analysis with the PBPK model indicated that the critical supersaturation ratio (CSR) and second precipitation rate constant (sPRC) are important parameters of the model. Due to the limitations of the two-stage medium change experiment the CSR was extracted directly from the clinical data. However, in vitro experiments with the BioGIT transfer system performed after completion of the in silico modeling provided an almost identical CSR to the clinical study value; this had no significant impact on the PBPK model predictions.

[Work regulation in the context of new public versus private relations in health].

PubMed

Barbosa, Nelson Bezerra

2010-08-01

This work discusses the management of the work relations in the context of the new systems of public vs. private relation in health, having as reference the experience of the habilitation of Social Organizations (SO), responsible for the administration of a group of hospitals in the state of São Paulo. The urgency in this kind of management supported on the legal figure of the SO has implications in the management of Human Resources in Health (HRH) through the adoption of flexibilization mechanisms which include ways of selection, hiring and dismissal, payment rules and functional progression similar to the actions adopted by the market. The establishment of this sort of administration refers to the new paradigm proposed by the managerial administrative reform which suggests the exhaustion of the bureaucratic model to promote adjustment of the public administration to the transformations originated in the new stage of internationalization of the economy and its unfolding in the work world, as well as to the new standards of requirements of performance of the public field. Aspects related to the management of HHR are approached in the two ruling modalities in the Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo: Direct Administration Hospitals (DAH) and units organized under the SO model (SOH).

Deep Space Network Antenna Monitoring Using Adaptive Time Series Methods and Hidden Markov Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smyth, Padhraic; Mellstrom, Jeff

1993-01-01

The Deep Space Network (DSN)(designed and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provides end-to-end telecommunication capabilities between earth and various interplanetary spacecraft throughout the solar system.

Development of index based pavement performance models for pavement management system (PMS) of LADOTD : tech summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-03-01

A research study was initiated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) in conjunction with the : Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to evaluate the overall performance and eff ectiveness of LADOTDs Pavement Manage...

Project CLIMB.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeLucca, Adolph

1982-01-01

As a state and national model for a basic skills curriculum for Kindergarten through grade 12 students, Coordination Learning Integration--Middlesex Basics (Project CLIMB) is described. The unified system was developed by teachers with administrative support to accomodate all students' reading and mathematics needs. Project CLIMB's development and…

EXENATIDE IMPROVES HYPERTENSION IN A RAT MODEL OF THE METABOLIC SYNDROME

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Exenatide is a peptide incretin mimetic that has glucoregulatory actions associated with weight reduction. Previous reports demonstrated acute increases in blood pressure after systemic or intracerebroventricular administration of exenatide or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in rats. However, there ...

Leadership Academies: Elixir for Common School Ills.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

School Administrator, 1989

1989-01-01

Describes a model leadership academy program at Topeka (Kansas) Public Schools in cooperation with Kansas State University. Created in 1987, the academy was designed to serve the school system's unique needs while fostering innovative educational experiences for administrator preparation. Includes four references. (MLH)

Novel orally available salvinorin A analog PR-38 inhibits gastrointestinal motility and reduces abdominal pain in mouse models mimicking irritable bowel syndrome.

PubMed

Sałaga, M; Polepally, P R; Sobczak, M; Grzywacz, D; Kamysz, W; Sibaev, A; Storr, M; Do Rego, J C; Zjawiony, J K; Fichna, J

2014-07-01

The opioid and cannabinoid systems play a crucial role in multiple physiological processes in the central nervous system and in the periphery. Selective opioid as well as cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonists exert a potent inhibitory action on gastrointestinal (GI) motility and pain. In this study, we examined (in vitro and in vivo) whether PR-38 (2-O-cinnamoylsalvinorin B), a novel analog of salvinorin A, can interact with both systems and demonstrate therapeutic effects. We used mouse models of hypermotility, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. We also assessed the influence of PR-38 on the central nervous system by measurement of motoric parameters and exploratory behaviors in mice. Subsequently, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of PR-38 in mouse blood samples after intraperitoneal and oral administration. PR-38 significantly inhibited mouse colonic motility in vitro and in vivo. Administration of PR-38 significantly prolonged the whole GI transit time, and this effect was mediated by µ- and κ-opioid receptors and the CB1 receptor. PR-38 reversed hypermotility and reduced pain in mouse models mimicking functional GI disorders. These data expand our understanding of the interactions between opioid and cannabinoid systems and their functions in the GI tract. We also provide a novel framework for the development of future potential treatments of functional GI disorders. Copyright © 2014 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

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

Friese, Ryan; Khemka, Bhavesh; Maciejewski, Anthony A

Rising costs of energy consumption and an ongoing effort for increases in computing performance are leading to a significant need for energy-efficient computing. Before systems such as supercomputers, servers, and datacenters can begin operating in an energy-efficient manner, the energy consumption and performance characteristics of the system must be analyzed. In this paper, we provide an analysis framework that will allow a system administrator to investigate the tradeoffs between system energy consumption and utility earned by a system (as a measure of system performance). We model these trade-offs as a bi-objective resource allocation problem. We use a popular multi-objective geneticmore » algorithm to construct Pareto fronts to illustrate how different resource allocations can cause a system to consume significantly different amounts of energy and earn different amounts of utility. We demonstrate our analysis framework using real data collected from online benchmarks, and further provide a method to create larger data sets that exhibit similar heterogeneity characteristics to real data sets. This analysis framework can provide system administrators with insight to make intelligent scheduling decisions based on the energy and utility needs of their systems.« less

Intravesical Toll-like receptor 7 agonist R-837: Optimization of its formulation in an orthotopic mouse model of bladder cancer

PubMed Central

Hayashi, Tomoko; Crain, Brian; Corr, Maripat; Chan, Michael; Cottam, Howard B; Maj, Roberto; Barberis, Alcide; Leoni, Lorenzo; Carson, Dennis A

2013-01-01

Objective To study the immune response caused by the intravesical administration of the immunomodulator R-837 in various formulations and to estimate its therapeutic potential for bladder cancer. Methods Female C57BL/6 mice were intravesically treated with different formulations of R-837, a Toll-like receptor 7 agonist used for treating genital warts and skin malignancy. The tested formulation mixtures contained different ratios of lactic acid, a thermosensitive poloxamer polymer (Lutrol F127) and 2-(hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Induction of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) was analyzed by Luminex microbeads assay. The therapeutic potential of intravesical administration of R-837 was assessed in an orthotopic, syngeneic mouse model of bladder cancer using MB49 cells. Results Intravesical administration of R-837 in lactic acid alone induced systemic and bladder TNFα and KC in a dose-dependent manner. Formulations including poloxamer decreased systemic absorption of R-837 and significantly reduced systemic and local induction of KC. Addition of HPβCD in the poloxamer formulation particularly reversed levels of systemic and local levels of TNFα and KC. Histological examination showed that poloxamer-HPβCD formulation allowed infiltration of mononuclear cells into urothelium and lamina propria. In studies using orthotopic mouse bladder cancer, the tumor loads in R-837-treated mice were significantly lower than those in vehicle-treated or non-treated mice. Conclusion The optimized poloxamer-HPβCD formulation of R-837 shows therapeutic potential for bladder cancer while avoiding adverse side-effects. PMID:20337728

NASA/NBS (National Aeronautics and Space Administration/National Bureau of Standards) standard reference model for telerobot control system architecture (NASREM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Albus, James S.; Mccain, Harry G.; Lumia, Ronald

1989-01-01

The document describes the NASA Standard Reference Model (NASREM) Architecture for the Space Station Telerobot Control System. It defines the functional requirements and high level specifications of the control system for the NASA space Station document for the functional specification, and a guideline for the development of the control system architecture, of the 10C Flight Telerobot Servicer. The NASREM telerobot control system architecture defines a set of standard modules and interfaces which facilitates software design, development, validation, and test, and make possible the integration of telerobotics software from a wide variety of sources. Standard interfaces also provide the software hooks necessary to incrementally upgrade future Flight Telerobot Systems as new capabilities develop in computer science, robotics, and autonomous system control.

Therapeutic treatment with ascorbate rescues mice from heat stroke-induced death by attenuating systemic inflammatory response and hypothalamic neuronal damage.

PubMed

Chang, Chia-Yu; Chen, Jen-Yin; Chen, Sheng-Hsien; Cheng, Tain-Junn; Lin, Mao-Tsun; Hu, Miao-Lin

2016-04-01

The impact of ascorbate on oxidative stress-related diseases is moderate because of its limited oral bioavailability and rapid clearance. However, recent evidence of the clinical benefit of parenteral vitamin C administration has emerged, especially in critical care. Heatstroke is defined as a form of excessive hyperthermia associated with a systemic inflammatory response that results in multiple organ dysfunctions in which central nervous system disorders such as delirium, convulsions, and coma are predominant. The thermoregulatory, immune, coagulation and tissue injury responses of heatstroke closely resemble those observed during sepsis and are likely mediated by similar cellular mechanisms. This study was performed by using the characteristic high lethality rate and sepsis-mimic systemic inflammatory response of a murine model of heat stroke to test our hypothesis that supra-physiological doses of ascorbate may have therapeutic use in critical care. We demonstrated that parenteral administration of ascorbate abrogated the lethality and thermoregulatory dysfunction in murine model of heat stroke by attenuating heat stroke-induced accelerated systemic inflammatory, coagulation responses and the resultant multiple organ injury, especially in hypothalamus. Overall, our findings support the hypothesis and notion that supra-physiological doses of ascorbate may have therapeutic use in critical care. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

150 kW Class Solar Electric Propulsion Spacecraft Power Architecture Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Csank, Jeffrey T.; Aulisio, Michael V.; Loop, Benjamin

2017-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solar Electric Propulsion Technology Demonstration Mission in conjunction with PC Krause and Associates has created a Simulink-based power architecture model for a 50 kilo-Watt (kW) solar electric propulsion system. NASA has extended this model to investigate 150 kW solar electric propulsion systems. Increasing the power system capability from 50 kW to 150 kW better aligns with the anticipated power requirements for Mars and other deep space explorations. The high-power solar electric propulsion capability has been identified as a critical part of NASAs future beyond-low-Earth-orbit for human-crewed exploration missions. This paper presents multiple 150 kW architectures, simulation results, and a discussion of their merits.

Measuring physicians' productivity in a Veterans' Affairs Medical Center.

PubMed

Coleman, David L; Moran, Eileen; Serfilippi, Delchi; Mulinski, Paul; Rosenthal, Ronnie; Gordon, Bruce; Mogielnicki, R Peter

2003-07-01

The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs includes patient care, education, research, and backup to the Department of Defense. Because the measurement of physicians' productivity must reflect both institutional goals and market forces, the authors designed a productivity model that uses measures of clinical workload and academic activities commensurate with the VA's investments in these activities. The productivity model evaluates four domains of physicians' activity: clinical work, education, research, and administration. Examples of the application of the productivity model in the evaluation of VA-paid physician-staff and in the composition of contracts for clinical services are provided. The proposed model is a relatively simple strategy for measuring a broad range of the work of academic physicians in VA medical centers. The model provides incentives for documentation of resident supervision and participation in administrative activities required for effective and efficient clinical care. In addition, the model can aid in determining resource distribution among clinical services and permits comparison with non-VA health care systems. A strategy for modifying the model to incorporate measures of quality of clinical care, research, education, and administration is proposed. The model has been a useful part of the process to ensure the optimum use of resources and to meet clinical and academic institutional goals. The activities and accomplishments used to define physician productivity will have a substantial influence on the character of the medical profession, the vitality of medical education and research, and the cost and quality of health care.

Systems Level Metabolic Phenotype of Methotrexate Administration in the Context of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in the Rat

PubMed Central

Kyriakides, Michael; Hardwick, Rhiannon N.; Jin, Zhaosheng; Goedken, Michael J.; Holmes, Elaine; Cherrington, Nathan J.; Coen, Muireann

2014-01-01

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a significant clinical challenge with respect to patient morbidity and mortality. We investigated the hepatotoxicity and systems level metabolic phenotype of methotrexate (MTX) in the context of a prevalent liver disease; non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic-based metabonomic approach was employed to analyze the metabolic consequences of MTX (0, 10, 40, and 100 mg/kg) in the urine and liver of healthy rats (control diet) and in a model of NASH (methionine-choline deficient diet). Histopathological analysis confirmed baseline (0 mg/kg) liver necrosis, liver inflammation, and lipid accumulation in the NASH model. Administration of MTX (40 and 100 mg/kg) led to liver necrosis in the control cohort, whereas the NASH cohort also displayed biliary hyperplasia and liver fibrosis (100 mg/kg), providing evidence of the synergistic effect of MTX and NASH. The complementary hepatic and urinary metabolic phenotypes of the NASH model, at baseline, revealed perturbation of multiple metabolites associated with oxidative and energetic stress, and folate homeostasis. Administration of MTX in both diet cohorts showed dose-dependent metabolic consequences affecting gut microbial, energy, nucleobase, nucleoside, and folate metabolism. Furthermore, a unique panel of metabolic changes reflective of the synergistic effect of MTX and NASH was identified, including the elevation of hepatic phenylalanine, urocanate, acetate, and both urinary and hepatic formiminoglutamic acid. This systems level metabonomic analysis of the hepatotoxicity of MTX in the context of NASH provided novel mechanistic insight of potential wider clinical relevance for further understanding the role of liver pathology as a risk factor for ADRs. PMID:25145655

Target-Specific Delivery of an Antibody That Blocks the Formation of Collagen Deposits in Skin and Lung.

PubMed

Fertala, Jolanta; Romero, Freddy; Summer, Ross; Fertala, Andrzej

2017-10-01

Regardless of the cause of organ fibrosis, its main unwanted consequence is the formation of collagen fibril-rich deposits that hamper the structure and function of affected tissues. Although many strategies have been proposed for the treatment of fibrotic diseases, no therapy has been developed, which can effectively block the formation of collagen fibril deposits. With this in mind, we recently developed an antibody-based therapy to block key interactions that drive collagen molecules into fibrils. In this study, we analyzed target specificity, which is a main parameter that defines the safe use of all antibody-based therapies in humans. We hypothesized that, regardless of the route of administration, our antibody would preferentially bind to free collagen molecules synthesized at the sites of fibrosis and have minimal off-target interactions when applied in various tissues. To test this hypothesis, we used two experimental models of organ fibrosis: (1) a keloid model, in which antibody constructs were directly implanted under the skin of nude mice and (2) an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis, in which our antibody was administered systemically by intravenous injection. Following administration, we studied the distribution of our antibody within target and off-target sites as well as analyzed its effects on fibrotic tissue formation. We found that local and systemic application of our antibody had high specificity for targeting collagen fibrillogenesis and also appeared safe and therapeutically effective. In summary, this study provides the basis for further testing our antifibrotic antibody in a broad range of disease conditions and suggests that this treatment approach will be effective if delivered by local or systemic administration.

Nowcast model for hazardous material spill prevention and response, San Francisco Bay, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cheng, Ralph T.; Wilmot, Wayne L.; Galt, Jerry A.

1997-01-01

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) installed the Physical Oceanographic Real-time System (PORTS) in San Francisco Bay, California, to provide real-time observations of tides, tidal currents, and meteorological conditions to, among other purposes, guide hazardous material spill prevention and response. Integrated with nowcast modeling techniques and dissemination of real-time data and the nowcasting results through the Internet on the World Wide Web, emerging technologies used in PORTS for real-time data collection forms a nowcast modeling system. Users can download tides and tidal current distribution in San Francisco Bay for their specific applications and/or for further analysis.

Physiological significance of ghrelin revealed by studies using genetically engineered mouse models with modifications in the ghrelin system.

PubMed

Ariyasu, Hiroyuki; Akamizu, Takashi

2015-01-01

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor (GHS-R or ghrelin receptor), is a 28-amino acid acylated peptide mainly produced in the stomach. The pharmacological administration of ghrelin is known to exert diverse effects, such as stimulating GH secretion, promoting food intake, and increasing adiposity. In recent years, genetically engineered mouse models have provided important insights into the physiology of various hormones. In this review, we discuss current knowledge regarding the physiological significance of ghrelin on the basis of studies using genetically engineered mouse models with modifications in the ghrelin system.

Predicting Sexual Assault Perpetration in the US Army Using Administrative Data

PubMed Central

Rosellini, Anthony J.; Monahan, John; Street, Amy E.; Petukhova, Maria V.; Sampson, Nancy A.; Benedek, David M.; Bliese, Paul; Stein, Murray B.; Ursano, Robert J.; Kessler, Ronald C.

2017-01-01

Introduction The Department of Defense uses a universal prevention framework for sexual assault prevention, with each branch implementing their own branch-wide programs. Intensive interventions exist, but would be cost-effective only if targeted at high-risk personnel. This study developed actuarial models to identify male U.S. Army soldiers at high risk of administratively-recorded sexual assault perpetration. Methods This study investigated administratively-recorded sexual assault perpetration among the 821,807 male Army soldiers serving 2004–2009. Other temporally prior administrative data were used as predictors. Penalized discrete-time (person-month) survival analysis (conducted in 2016) was used to select the smallest possible number of stable predictors to maximize number of sexual assaults among the 5% of soldiers with highest predicted risk of perpetration (top-ventile concentration of risk [COR]). Separate models were developed for assaults against non-family and intra-family adults and minors. Results 4,640 male soldiers were found to be perpetrators against non-family adults, 1,384 against non-family minors, 380 against intra-family adults, and 335 against intra-family minors. Top-ventile COR was 16.2–20.2% predicting perpetration against non-family adults and minors and 34.2–65.1% against intra-family adults and minors. Final predictors consisted largely of measures of prior crime involvement and the presence-treatment of mental disorders. Conclusions Administrative data can be used to develop actuarial models that identify a high proportion of sexual assault perpetrators. If a system is developed to routinely consolidate administrative predictors, predictions could be generated periodically to identify those in need of preventive intervention. Whether this would be cost-effective, though, would depend on intervention costs, effectiveness, and competing risks. PMID:28818420

Spacecraft VHF Radio Propagation Analysis in Ocean Environments Including Atmospheric Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwu, Shian; Moreno, Gerardo; Desilva, Kanishka; Jih, CIndy

2010-01-01

The Communication Systems Simulation Laboratory (CSSL) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center (JSC) is tasked to perform spacecraft and ground network communication system simulations. The CSSL has developed simulation tools that model spacecraft communication systems and the space/ground environment in which they operate. This paper is to analyze a spacecraft's very high frequency (VHF) radio signal propagation and the impact to performance when landing in an ocean. Very little research work has been done for VHF radio systems in a maritime environment. Rigorous Radio Frequency (RF) modeling/simulation techniques were employed for various environmental effects. The simulation results illustrate the significance of the environmental effects on the VHF radio system performance.

Creating a Common Data Model for Comparative Effectiveness with the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership.

PubMed

FitzHenry, F; Resnic, F S; Robbins, S L; Denton, J; Nookala, L; Meeker, D; Ohno-Machado, L; Matheny, M E

2015-01-01

Adoption of a common data model across health systems is a key infrastructure requirement to allow large scale distributed comparative effectiveness analyses. There are a growing number of common data models (CDM), such as Mini-Sentinel, and the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) CDMs. In this case study, we describe the challenges and opportunities of a study specific use of the OMOP CDM by two health systems and describe three comparative effectiveness use cases developed from the CDM. The project transformed two health system databases (using crosswalks provided) into the OMOP CDM. Cohorts were developed from the transformed CDMs for three comparative effectiveness use case examples. Administrative/billing, demographic, order history, medication, and laboratory were included in the CDM transformation and cohort development rules. Record counts per person month are presented for the eligible cohorts, highlighting differences between the civilian and federal datasets, e.g. the federal data set had more outpatient visits per person month (6.44 vs. 2.05 per person month). The count of medications per person month reflected the fact that one system's medications were extracted from orders while the other system had pharmacy fills and medication administration records. The federal system also had a higher prevalence of the conditions in all three use cases. Both systems required manual coding of some types of data to convert to the CDM. The data transformation to the CDM was time consuming and resources required were substantial, beyond requirements for collecting native source data. The need to manually code subsets of data limited the conversion. However, once the native data was converted to the CDM, both systems were then able to use the same queries to identify cohorts. Thus, the CDM minimized the effort to develop cohorts and analyze the results across the sites.

Effects of escitalopram, R-citalopram, and reboxetine on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, and depression-like behavior in mice after lipopolysaccharide administration.

PubMed

Dong, Chao; Zhang, Ji-chun; Yao, Wei; Ren, Qian; Yang, Chun; Ma, Min; Han, Mei; Saito, Ryo; Hashimoto, Kenji

2016-05-01

Inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology of depression. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram, its inactive enantiomer R-citalopram, and selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NRI) reboxetine, show anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects in an inflammation-induced model of depression. Pretreatment with escitalopram (1, 3, or 10mg/kg, i.p.) markedly blocked an increase in the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), after a single administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.5mg/kg). Furthermore, escitalopram (3 or 10mg/kg) significantly increased the serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) by a single administration of LPS. In contrast, pretreatment with R-citalopram (10mg/kg, i.p.) or reboxetine (10mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect the alterations in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 after LPS administration. Co-administration of reboxetine with escitalopram did not show anti-inflammatory effects. Pretreatment with escitalopram (10mg/kg) significantly attenuated LPS-induced increase of the immobility time in the tail-suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). In contrast, pretreatment with R-citalopram (10mg/kg), or reboxetine (10mg/kg) did not alter LPS-induced increase of immobility time of TST and FST. Interestingly, co-administration of reboxetine with escitalopram did not show antidepressant effect in this model. These findings suggest that escitalopram, but not R-citalopram and reboxetine, has anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects in LPS-treated model of depression, and that reboxetine can antagonize the effects of escitalopram in the inflammation model. Therefore, it is likely that serotonergic system plays a key role in the pathophysiology of inflammation-induced depression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

MYELIN, COPPER, AND THE CUPRIZONE MODEL OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

PubMed Central

Herring, Nicole R.; Konradi, Christine

2010-01-01

In recent years increasing evidence is pointing toward white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. The present paper will provide an overview over the role of myelin in cognition and brain function, and its potential involvement in brain disorders. Furthermore, we will examine one particular experimental model for the study of dysmyelination, created by the administration of the toxin cuprizone. Cuprizone, a copper chelator, causes white matter abnormalities in rodents. The administration of cuprizone during specific developmental periods allows for the targeting of specific brain areas for dysmyelination. Thus, cuprizone can be used to study the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of myelin deficiencies in the central nervous system, and its effect on behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders. PMID:21196354

Development and analytical characterization of a new antiparasitic fenbendazole compound tablet and pharmacokinetic investigations after its oral administration to dogs.

PubMed

Dai, Cunchun; Qu, Shaoqi; Zhang, Ruili; Zhao, Li; Li, Yuwen; Zhu, Jiajia; Wang, Chunmei; Guo, Hui; Hao, Zhihui

2018-02-01

The objective of this study was to prepare a new compound fenbendazole tablet containing 29.7 % fenbendazole, 1.50 % praziquantel and 0.059 % ivermectin for oral administration. The tablets were successfully prepared using mannitol as filler agent, polyvinyl polypyrrolidone as disintegrant, 5 % povidone (PVAK30) as a binder agent and magnesium stearate as lubricant. The appearance, hardness, fragility, time limit of disintegration and fenbendazole dissolution at 45 min all met the technical standards of the Ministry of Agriculture for the People's Republic of China. We used high performance liquid chromatography and electrospray-mass spectrometry for drug detection. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg fenbendazole, 5 mg/kg praziquantel and 0.2 mg/kg ivermectin using a non-compartmental model defined peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of 495, 826, 73 ng/mL, and 218 ng/mL for the metabolite oxfendazole, respectively. The area under the curve (AUClast) values for these drugs were 4653, 1045, 1971 and 5525 h×ng/mL, respectively. This study enriches the pharmacokinetic data of compound fenbendazole tablets using dogs as a model system. The new tablet formulation was assimilated quickly and systemically and this study will be beneficial for the clinical application of parasite treatments in dogs.

System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

Administrative Agent ESC/XPK 5 Eglin Street Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2100 The ideas and findings in this report should not be construed as an...collaboration and authority, (2) motivation and accountability, (3) multiple models, (4) expectation of evolution, ( 5 ) highly fluid processes, and (6...executives • a mechanism to deliver value, manage performance, and mitigate risk • a method to assign accountability for decisions and performance

Crows Landing noise measurement study : summary of measurements, data and analysis for the MD600N helicopter

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-05-31

The U.S. Department of Transportation, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division, provided technical support to the Federal Aviation Administration, as a part of a National Ro...

Positive effects of β-amyrin on pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice via GABAergic neurotransmitter system.

PubMed

Jeon, Se Jin; Park, Ho Jae; Gao, Qingtao; Lee, Hyung Eun; Park, Se Jin; Hong, Eunyoung; Jang, Dae Sik; Shin, Chan Young; Cheong, Jae Hoon; Ryu, Jong Hoon

2015-09-15

Sleep loss, insomnia, is considered a sign of imbalance of physiological rhythm, which can be used as pre-clinic diagnosis of various neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study is to understand the pharmacological actions of α- or β-amyrin, natural triterpene compound, on the sleep in mice. To analyze the sleeping behavior, we used the well-known pentobarbital-induced sleeping model after single administration of either α- or β-amyrin. The sleeping onset time was remarkably decreased and duration was prolonged by β-amyrin (1, 3, or 10mg/kg) but not by α-amyrin (1, 3, or 10mg/kg). These effects were significantly blocked by GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline. Moreover, β-amyrin increased brain GABA level compared to the vehicle administration. Overall, the present study suggests that β-amyrin would enhance the total sleeping behavior in pentobarbital-induced sleeping model via the activation of GABAergic neurotransmitter system through GABA content in the brain. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Planning the future of JPL's management and administrative support systems around an integrated database

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ebersole, M. M.

1983-01-01

JPL's management and administrative support systems have been developed piece meal and without consistency in design approach over the past twenty years. These systems are now proving to be inadequate to support effective management of tasks and administration of the Laboratory. New approaches are needed. Modern database management technology has the potential for providing the foundation for more effective administrative tools for JPL managers and administrators. Plans for upgrading JPL's management and administrative systems over a six year period evolving around the development of an integrated management and administrative data base are discussed.

Efficacy of the GluK1/AMPA Receptor Antagonist LY293558 against Seizures and Neuropathology in a Soman-Exposure Model without Pretreatment and its Pharmacokinetics after Intramuscular Administration

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

status epilepticus (SE)], which are due to elevated acetylcholine levels in the peripheral and central nervous system (for reviews see Bajgar, 2005... status epilepticus . 133 at W alter R eed A rm y Institute of R esearch on January 10, 2013 jpet.aspetjournals.org D ow nloaded from an unexpected...induced generalized seizures and reduces the total duration of status epilepticus (SE) in the 24- hour period after soman exposure. (A) Administration of

Effect of Repeated Glucagon Doses on Hepatic Glycogen in Type 1 Diabetes: Implications for a Bihormonal Closed-Loop System

PubMed Central

El Youssef, Joseph; Bakhtiani, Parkash A.; Cai, Yu; Stobbe, Jade M.; Branigan, Deborah; Ramsey, Katrina; Jacobs, Peter; Reddy, Ravi; Woods, Mark; Ward, W. Kenneth

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE To evaluate subjects with type 1 diabetes for hepatic glycogen depletion after repeated doses of glucagon, simulating delivery in a bihormonal closed-loop system. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Eleven adult subjects with type 1 diabetes participated. Subjects underwent estimation of hepatic glycogen using 13C MRS. MRS was performed at the following four time points: fasting and after a meal at baseline, and fasting and after a meal after eight doses of subcutaneously administered glucagon at a dose of 2 µg/kg, for a total mean dose of 1,126 µg over 16 h. The primary and secondary end points were, respectively, estimated hepatic glycogen by MRS and incremental area under the glucose curve for a 90-min interval after glucagon administration. RESULTS In the eight subjects with complete data sets, estimated glycogen stores were similar at baseline and after repeated glucagon doses. In the fasting state, glycogen averaged 21 ± 3 g/L before glucagon administration and 25 ± 4 g/L after glucagon administration (mean ± SEM) (P = NS). In the fed state, glycogen averaged 40 ± 2 g/L before glucagon administration and 34 ± 4 g/L after glucagon administration (P = NS). With the use of an insulin action model, the rise in glucose after the last dose of glucagon was comparable to the rise after the first dose, as measured by the 90-min incremental area under the glucose curve. CONCLUSIONS In adult subjects with well-controlled type 1 diabetes (mean A1C 7.2%), glycogen stores and the hyperglycemic response to glucagon administration are maintained even after receiving multiple doses of glucagon. This finding supports the safety of repeated glucagon delivery in the setting of a bihormonal closed-loop system. PMID:26341131

[Managerial performance in public health services: a case study in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil].

PubMed

Barbieri, Ana Rita; Hortale, Virginia Alonso

2005-01-01

This paper presents part of a doctoral dissertation that developed a theoretical model capable of identifying managerial performance in various administrative levels of a Municipal Health Secretariat. The methodology was a case study of the Municipal Health Secretariat in Campo Grande, capital of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The theoretical model was based on recent debates emphasizing the need to modernize public administration, with an emphasis on efficacy and efficiency in the organizations as a whole. Some 31 interviews were conducted with the objective of identifying the managers' performance, through questions based on their daily practices in planning, organization, direction, and control. Managers from higher hierarchical levels obtained better results, while those in basic health units generally developed activities and complied with decisions passed down by imposition, with limited capacity to plan, organize, or control activities pertaining to their management sphere. These results stem partially from the charismatic leadership and centralizing administration of the current management in the municipal health system.

A technology ecosystem perspective on hospital management information systems: lessons from the health literature.

PubMed

Bain, Christopher A; Standing, Craig

2009-01-01

Hospital managers have a large range of information needs including quality metrics, financial reports, access information needs, educational, resourcing and decision support needs. Currently these needs involve interactions by managers with numerous disparate systems, both electronic such as SAP, Oracle Financials, PAS' (patient administration systems) like HOMER, and relevant websites; and paper-based systems. Hospital management information systems (HMIS) can be thought of sitting within a Technology Ecosystem (TE). In addition, Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS) could benefit from a broader and deeper TE model, and the HMIS environment may in fact represents its own TE (the HMTE). This research will examine lessons from the health literature in relation to some of these issues, and propose an extension to the base model of a TE.

The Protective Effects of IGF-I against β-Amyloid-related Downregulation of Hippocampal Somatostatinergic System Involve Activation of Akt and Protein Kinase A.

PubMed

Aguado-Llera, David; Canelles, Sandra; Frago, Laura M; Chowen, Julie A; Argente, Jesús; Arilla, Eduardo; Barrios, Vicente

2018-03-15

Somatostatin (SRIF), a neuropeptide highly distributed in the hippocampus and involved in learning and memory, is markedly reduced in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. The effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) against β amyloid (Aβ)-induced neuronal death and associated cognitive disorders have been extensively reported in experimental models of this disease. Here, we examined the effect of IGF-I on the hippocampal somatostatinergic system in Aβ-treated rats and the molecular mechanisms associated with changes in this peptidergic system. Intracerebroventricular Aβ25-35 administration during 14 days (300 pmol/day) to male rats increased Aβ25-35 levels and cell death and markedly reduced SRIF and SRIF receptor 2 levels in the hippocampus. These deleterious effects were associated with reduced Akt and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Subcutaneous IGF-I co-administration (50 µg/kg/day) reduced hippocampal Aβ25-35 levels, cell death and JNK activation. In addition, IGF-I prevented the reduction in the components of the somatostatinergic system affected by Aβ infusion. Its co-administration also augmented protein kinase A (PKA) activity, as well as Akt and CREB phosphorylation. These results suggest that IGF-I co-administration may have protective effects on the hippocampal somatostatinergic system against Aβ insult through up-regulation of PKA activity and Akt and CREB phosphorylation. Copyright © 2018 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Role of rennin-angiotensin system in cholinergic agonist carbachol-induced cardiovascular responses in ovine fetus].

PubMed

Geng, Chun-Song; Wan, Zhen; Feng, Ya-Hong; Fan, Yi-Sun

2012-06-25

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the cholinergic agonist carbachol-induced cardiovascular responses, changes of renin-angiotensin system were examined in fetal hormonal systems. In the ovine fetal model under stressless condition, the cardiovascular function was recorded. Blood samples were collected before (during baseline period) and after the intravenous administration of carbachol. Simultaneously, the levels of angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin II (Ang II) and vasopressin in the fetal plasma were detected by immunoradiological method. Also, blood gas, plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations were analyzed in blood samples. Results showed that in chronically prepared ovine fetus, intravenous infusion of carbachol led to a significant decrease of heart rate (P < 0.05), and a transient decrease followed by an increase of blood pressure (P < 0.05) within 30 min. After the intravenous infusion of carbachol, blood concentrations of Ang I and Ang II in near-term ovine fetus were both significantly increased (P < 0.05); however, blood concentration of vasopressin, values of blood gas, electrolytes and plasma osmolality in near-term ovine fetus were not significantly changed (P > 0.05). Blood levels of Ang I and Ang II in the atropine (M receptor antagonist) + carbachol intravenous administration group was lower than those in the carbachol group without atropine administration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study indicates that the near-term changes of cardiovascular system induced by intravenous administration of carbachol in ovine fetus, such as blood pressure and heart rate, are associated with the changes of hormones of circulatory renin-angiotensin system.

Modifying the Toyota Production System for continuous performance improvement in an academic children's hospital.

PubMed

Stapleton, F Bruder; Hendricks, James; Hagan, Patrick; DelBeccaro, Mark

2009-08-01

The Toyota Production System (TPS) has become a successful model for improving efficiency and eliminating errors in manufacturing processes. In an effort to provide patients and families with the highest quality clinical care, our academic children's hospital has modified the techniques of the TPS for a program in continuous performance improvement (CPI) and has expanded its application to educational and research programs. Over a period of years, physicians, nurses, residents, administrators, and hospital staff have become actively engaged in a culture of continuous performance improvement. This article provides background into the methods of CPI and describes examples of how we have applied these methods for improvement in clinical care, resident teaching, and research administration.

Modeling Business Processes in Public Administration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Repa, Vaclav

During more than 10 years of its existence business process modeling became a regular part of organization management practice. It is mostly regarded. as a part of information system development or even as a way to implement some supporting technology (for instance workflow system). Although I do not agree with such reduction of the real meaning of a business process, it is necessary to admit that information technologies play an essential role in business processes (see [1] for more information), Consequently, an information system is inseparable from a business process itself because it is a cornerstone of the general basic infrastructure of a business. This fact impacts on all dimensions of business process management. One of these dimensions is the methodology that postulates that the information systems development provide the business process management with exact methods and tools for modeling business processes. Also the methodology underlying the approach presented in this paper has its roots in the information systems development methodology.

Model documentation Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution Model of the National Energy Modeling System. Volume 1

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

NONE

1996-02-26

The Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution Model (NGTDM) of the National Energy Modeling System is developed and maintained by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting. This report documents the archived version of the NGTDM that was used to produce the natural gas forecasts presented in the Annual Energy Outlook 1996, (DOE/EIA-0383(96)). The purpose of this report is to provide a reference document for model analysts, users, and the public that defines the objectives of the model, describes its basic approach, and provides detail on the methodology employed. Previously this report represented Volume I of amore » two-volume set. Volume II reported on model performance, detailing convergence criteria and properties, results of sensitivity testing, comparison of model outputs with the literature and/or other model results, and major unresolved issues.« less

The ties that bind: interorganizational linkages and physician-system alignment.

PubMed

Alexander, J A; Waters, T M; Burns, L R; Shortell, S M; Gillies, R R; Budetti, P P; Zuckerman, H S

2001-07-01

To examine the association between the degree of alignment between physicians and health care systems, and interorganizational linkages between physician groups and health care systems. The study used a cross sectional, comparative analysis using a sample of 1,279 physicians practicing in loosely affiliated arrangements and 1,781 physicians in 61 groups closely affiliated with 14 vertically integrated health systems. Measures of physician alignment were based on multiitem scales validated in previous studies and derived from surveys sent to individual physicians. Measures of interorganizational linkages were specified at the institutional, administrative, and technical core levels of the physician group and were developed from surveys sent to the administrator of each of the 61 physician groups in the sample. Two stage Heckman models with fixed effects adjustments in the second stage were used to correct for sample selection and clustering respectively. After accounting for sample selection, fixed effects, and group and individual controls, physicians in groups with more valued practice service linkages display consistently higher alignment with systems than physicians in groups that have fewer such linkages. Results also suggest that centralized administrative control lowers physician-system alignment for selected measures of alignment. Governance interlocks exhibited only weak associations with alignment. Our findings suggest that alignment generally follows resource exchanges that promote value-added contributions to physicians and physician groups while preserving control and authority within the group.

Dan Goldin Presentation: Pathway to the Future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

In the "Path to the Future" presentation held at NASA's Langley Center on March 31, 1999, NASA's Administrator Daniel S. Goldin outlined the future direction and strategies of NASA in relation to the general space exploration enterprise. NASA's Vision, Future System Characteristics, Evolutions of Engineering, and Revolutionary Changes are the four main topics of the presentation. In part one, the Administrator talks in detail about NASA's vision in relation to the NASA Strategic Activities that are Space Science, Earth Science, Human Exploration, and Aeronautics & Space Transportation. Topics discussed in this section include: space science for the 21st century, flying in mars atmosphere (mars plane), exploring new worlds, interplanetary internets, earth observation and measurements, distributed information-system-in-the-sky, science enabling understanding and application, space station, microgravity, science and exploration strategies, human mars mission, advance space transportation program, general aviation revitalization, and reusable launch vehicles. In part two, he briefly talks about the future system characteristics. He discusses major system characteristics like resiliencey, self-sufficiency, high distribution, ultra-efficiency, and autonomy and the necessity to overcome any distance, time, and extreme environment barriers. Part three of Mr. Goldin's talk deals with engineering evolution, mainly evolution in the Computer Aided Design (CAD)/Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) systems. These systems include computer aided drafting, computerized solid models, virtual product development (VPD) systems, networked VPD systems, and knowledge enriched networked VPD systems. In part four, the last part, the Administrator talks about the need for revolutionary changes in communication and networking areas of a system. According to the administrator, the four major areas that need cultural changes in the creativity process are human-centered computing, an infrastructure for distributed collaboration, rapid synthesis and simulation tools, and life-cycle integration and validation. Mr. Goldin concludes his presentation with the following maxim "Collaborate, Integrate, Innovate or Stagnate and Evaporate." He also answers some questions after the presentation.

Advanced Technology System Scheduling Governance Model

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

Ang, Jim; Carnes, Brian; Hoang, Thuc

In the fall of 2005, the Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Program appointed a team to formulate a governance model for allocating resources and scheduling the stockpile stewardship workload on ASC capability systems. This update to the original document takes into account the new technical challenges and roles for advanced technology (AT) systems and the new ASC Program workload categories that must be supported. The goal of this updated model is to effectively allocate and schedule AT computing resources among all three National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) laboratories for weapons deliverables that merit priority on this class of resource. Themore » process outlined below describes how proposed work can be evaluated and approved for resource allocations while preserving high effective utilization of the systems. This approach will provide the broadest possible benefit to the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP).« less

Nurses' attitudes toward the use of the bar-coding medication administration system.

PubMed

Marini, Sana Daya; Hasman, Arie; Huijer, Huda Abu-Saad; Dimassi, Hani

2010-01-01

This study determines nurses' attitudes toward bar-coding medication administration system use. Some of the factors underlying the successful use of bar-coding medication administration systems that are viewed as a connotative indicator of users' attitudes were used to gather data that describe the attitudinal basis for system adoption and use decisions in terms of subjective satisfaction. Only 67 nurses in the United States had the chance to respond to the e-questionnaire posted on the CARING list server for the months of June and July 2007. Participants rated their satisfaction with bar-coding medication administration system use based on system functionality, usability, and its positive/negative impact on the nursing practice. Results showed, to some extent, positive attitude, but the image profile draws attention to nurses' concerns for improving certain system characteristics. The high bar-coding medication administration system skills revealed a more negative perception of the system by the nursing staff. The reasons underlying dissatisfaction with bar-coding medication administration use by skillful users are an important source of knowledge that can be helpful for system development as well as system deployment. As a result, strengthening bar-coding medication administration system usability by magnifying its ability to eliminate medication errors and the contributing factors, maximizing system functionality by ascertaining its power as an extra eye in the medication administration process, and impacting the clinical nursing practice positively by being helpful to nurses, speeding up the medication administration process, and being user-friendly can offer a congenial settings for establishing positive attitude toward system use, which in turn leads to successful bar-coding medication administration system use.

A Translational Murine Model of Sub-Lethal Intoxication with Shiga Toxin 2 Reveals Novel Ultrastructural Findings in the Brain Striatum

PubMed Central

Tironi-Farinati, Carla; Geoghegan, Patricia A.; Cangelosi, Adriana; Pinto, Alipio; Loidl, C. Fabian; Goldstein, Jorge

2013-01-01

Infection by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli causes hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), acute renal failure, and also central nervous system complications in around 30% of the children affected. Besides, neurological deficits are one of the most unrepairable and untreatable outcomes of HUS. Study of the striatum is relevant because basal ganglia are one of the brain areas most commonly affected in patients that have suffered from HUS and since the deleterious effects of a sub-lethal dose of Shiga toxin have never been studied in the striatum, the purpose of this study was to attempt to simulate an infection by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in a murine model. To this end, intravenous administration of a sub-lethal dose of Shiga toxin 2 (0.5 ηg per mouse) was used and the correlation between neurological manifestations and ultrastructural changes in striatal brain cells was studied in detail. Neurological manifestations included significant motor behavior abnormalities in spontaneous motor activity, gait, pelvic elevation and hind limb activity eight days after administration of the toxin. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the toxin caused early perivascular edema two days after administration, as well as significant damage in astrocytes four days after administration and significant damage in neurons and oligodendrocytes eight days after administration. Interrupted synapses and mast cell extravasation were also found eight days after administration of the toxin. We thus conclude that the chronological order of events observed in the striatum could explain the neurological disorders found eight days after administration of the toxin. PMID:23383285

Discrete-choice modelling of patient preferences for modes of drug administration.

PubMed

Tetteh, Ebenezer Kwabena; Morris, Steve; Titcheneker-Hooker, Nigel

2017-12-01

The administration of (biologically-derived) drugs for various disease conditions involves consumption of resources that constitutes a direct monetary cost to healthcare payers and providers. An often ignored cost relates to a mismatch between patients' preferences and the mode of drug administration. The "intangible" benefits of giving patients what they want in terms of the mode of drug delivery is seldom considered. This study aims to evaluate, in monetary terms, end-user preferences for the non-monetary attributes of different modes of drug administration using a discrete-choice experiment. It provides empirical support to the notion that there are significant benefits from developing patient-friendly approaches to drug delivery. The gross benefits per patient per unit administration is in the same order of magnitude as the savings in resource costs of administering drugs. The study argues that, as long as the underlying manufacturing science is capable, a patient-centred approach to producing drug delivery systems should be encouraged and pursued.

Analysis of production-inventory decisions in a decentralized supply chain with price-dependent demand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurdhi, N. A.; Irsanianto, S. T.; Sutanto

2017-01-01

In this paper, we consider a production-inventory supply chain system with single-manufacturer and single-retailer. There are many types of contract that guarantee the supply chain. However, the administrative costs of the contract are usually neglected in real situation. The additional gain from integration may not cover the extra administrative costs may not addressed to supply chain. Therefore, a Stackelberg game and RFM policy are examined in order to investigate its performance on supply chain. The RFM policy is applied because its administrative costs are lower than othe policies. Although RFM policy is not capable of coordinating the channel, it leads to considerable improvements over the channel. The purpose of this research is to present a model of integrated policy, in which the goal is to maximize the whole system profit, and to evaluate decentralized-Stackelberg and RFM policies, in which individual firms in the supply chain have their own objectives and decisions to optimize.

Modeling Air Traffic Management Technologies with a Queuing Network Model of the National Airspace System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Long, Dou; Lee, David; Johnson, Jesse; Gaier, Eric; Kostiuk, Peter

1999-01-01

This report describes an integrated model of air traffic management (ATM) tools under development in two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) programs -Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) and Advanced Air Transport Technologies (AATT). The model is made by adjusting parameters of LMINET, a queuing network model of the National Airspace System (NAS), which the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) developed for NASA. Operating LMINET with models of various combinations of TAP and AATT will give quantitative information about the effects of the tools on operations of the NAS. The costs of delays under different scenarios are calculated. An extension of Air Carrier Investment Model (ACIM) under ASAC developed by the Institute for NASA maps the technologies' impacts on NASA operations into cross-comparable benefits estimates for technologies and sets of technologies.

A new minimal-stress freely-moving rat model for preclinical studies on intranasal administration of CNS drugs.

PubMed

Stevens, Jasper; Suidgeest, Ernst; van der Graaf, Piet Hein; Danhof, Meindert; de Lange, Elizabeth C M

2009-08-01

To develop a new minimal-stress model for intranasal administration in freely moving rats and to evaluate in this model the brain distribution of acetaminophen following intranasal versus intravenous administration. Male Wistar rats received one intranasal cannula, an intra-cerebral microdialysis probe, and two blood cannulas for drug administration and serial blood sampling respectively. To evaluate this novel model, the following experiments were conducted. 1) Evans Blue was administered to verify the selectivity of intranasal exposure. 2) During a 1 min infusion 10, 20, or 40 microl saline was administered intranasally or 250 microl intravenously. Corticosterone plasma concentrations over time were compared as biomarkers for stress. 3) 200 microg of the model drug acetaminophen was given in identical setup and plasma, and brain pharmacokinetics were determined. In 96% of the rats, only the targeted nasal cavity was deeply colored. Corticosterone plasma concentrations were not influenced, neither by route nor volume of administration. Pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen were identical after intravenous and intranasal administration, although the Cmax in microdialysates was reached a little earlier following intravenous administration. A new minimal-stress model for intranasal administration in freely moving rats has been successfully developed and allows direct comparison with intravenous administration.

Repeated administration of mazindol reduces spontaneous pain-related behaviors without modifying bone density and microarchitecture in a mouse model of complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced knee arthritis

PubMed Central

Robledo-González, LE; Martínez-Martínez, A; Vargas-Muñoz, VM; Acosta-González, RI; Plancarte-Sánchez, R; Anaya-Reyes, M; Fernández del Valle-Laisequilla, C; Reyes-García, JG; Jiménez-Andrade, JM

2017-01-01

Background The role of dopaminergic system in the development of rheumatoid arthritis-related pain, a major symptom in this disease, has not been explored. Therefore, the anti-nociceptive effect of mazindol, a dopamine uptake inhibitor, was evaluated in a model of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Furthermore, as studies have shown that the dopaminergic system regulates bone metabolism, the effect of mazindol on bone mass and microarchitecture was determined. Methods Adult ICR male mice received intra-articular injections of either CFA or saline into the right knee joint every week. Spontaneous pain-like behaviors (flinching and guarding) and locomotor activity were assessed at day 26 post-first CFA, following which, a single intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered dose of mazindol was given (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg). Then, the antinociceptive effect of a repeated administration of 3 mg/kg mazindol (daily, i.p.; day 15–day 26) was evaluated. Additionally, at day 26, the participation of D1-like, D2-like or opioid receptors in the antinociceptive effect of mazindol was evaluated. The effect of mazindol on bone density and microarchitecture was evaluated by micro-computed tomography. Results Acute administration of mazindol decreased the spontaneous pain-like behaviors in a dose-dependent manner without reducing the knee edema. However, mazindol at 10 mg/kg significantly increased the locomotor activity; therefore, 3 mg/kg mazindol was used for further studies. Repeated administration of 3 mg/kg mazindol significantly decreased the pain-like behaviors without modifying locomotor activity. The antinociceptive effect of mazindol was blocked by administration of a D2-like receptor antagonist (haloperidol), but not by administration of D1-like receptor antagonist (SCH 23390) or an opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone). Repeated administration of mazindol did not significantly modify the density and microarchitecture of periarticular bone of the arthritic and nonarthritic knee joints. Conclusion Results suggest that mazindol via D2-like receptors has an antinociceptive role in mice with CFA-induced knee arthritis without modifying the bone health negatively. PMID:28794657

Repeated administration of mazindol reduces spontaneous pain-related behaviors without modifying bone density and microarchitecture in a mouse model of complete Freund's adjuvant-induced knee arthritis.

PubMed

Robledo-González, L E; Martínez-Martínez, A; Vargas-Muñoz, V M; Acosta-González, R I; Plancarte-Sánchez, R; Anaya-Reyes, M; Fernández Del Valle-Laisequilla, C; Reyes-García, J G; Jiménez-Andrade, J M

2017-01-01

The role of dopaminergic system in the development of rheumatoid arthritis-related pain, a major symptom in this disease, has not been explored. Therefore, the anti-nociceptive effect of mazindol, a dopamine uptake inhibitor, was evaluated in a model of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Furthermore, as studies have shown that the dopaminergic system regulates bone metabolism, the effect of mazindol on bone mass and microarchitecture was determined. Adult ICR male mice received intra-articular injections of either CFA or saline into the right knee joint every week. Spontaneous pain-like behaviors (flinching and guarding) and locomotor activity were assessed at day 26 post-first CFA, following which, a single intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered dose of mazindol was given (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg). Then, the antinociceptive effect of a repeated administration of 3 mg/kg mazindol (daily, i.p.; day 15-day 26) was evaluated. Additionally, at day 26, the participation of D1-like, D2-like or opioid receptors in the antinociceptive effect of mazindol was evaluated. The effect of mazindol on bone density and microarchitecture was evaluated by micro-computed tomography. Acute administration of mazindol decreased the spontaneous pain-like behaviors in a dose-dependent manner without reducing the knee edema. However, mazindol at 10 mg/kg significantly increased the locomotor activity; therefore, 3 mg/kg mazindol was used for further studies. Repeated administration of 3 mg/kg mazindol significantly decreased the pain-like behaviors without modifying locomotor activity. The antinociceptive effect of mazindol was blocked by administration of a D2-like receptor antagonist (haloperidol), but not by administration of D1-like receptor antagonist (SCH 23390) or an opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone). Repeated administration of mazindol did not significantly modify the density and microarchitecture of periarticular bone of the arthritic and nonarthritic knee joints. Results suggest that mazindol via D2-like receptors has an antinociceptive role in mice with CFA-induced knee arthritis without modifying the bone health negatively.

Screening of nanoparticulate delivery systems for the photodetection of cancer in a simple and cost-effective model.

PubMed

Zeisser-Labouèbe, Magali; Delie, Florence; Gurny, Robert; Lange, Norbert

2009-02-01

In urology, fluorescence-based imaging methods have been proven to significantly improve the detection of small, barely visible tumors and reduce the recurrence rate. Under ethical and economical pressure, new effective screening systems have to be developed to exploit and assess novel strategies for fluorescence photodetection in other areas. For this purpose, the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the developing chick embryo is an attractive alternative model to the mammalian models. Hypericin encapsulated into nanoparticles for the photodetection of ovarian metastases was evaluated in the CAM model with respect to vascular extravazation and tumor targeting and compared with free drug following intravenous administration. To validate the CAM model as a valuable screening system for photodetection of cancer, we drew a comparison with results obtained on a conventional rodent model. Rodent and CAM models led to the same conclusion regarding the benefits of nanoencapsulation to improve selective accumulation of drug in ovarian micrometastases.

Docosahexaenoic acid provides protection from impairment of learning ability in Alzheimer's disease model rats.

PubMed

Hashimoto, Michio; Hossain, Shahdat; Shimada, Toshio; Sugioka, Kozo; Yamasaki, Hiroshi; Fujii, Yoshimi; Ishibashi, Yutaka; Oka, Jun-Ichiro; Shido, Osamu

2002-06-01

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3), a major n-3 fatty acid of the brain, has been implicated in restoration and enhancement of memory-related functions. Because Alzheimer's disease impairs memory, and infusion of amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide (1-40) into the rat cerebral ventricle reduces learning ability, we investigated the effect of dietary pre-administration of docosahexaenoic acid on avoidance learning ability in Abeta peptide-produced Alzheimer's disease model rats. After a mini-osmotic pump filled with Abeta peptide or vehicle was implanted in docosahexaenoic acid-fed and control rats, they were subjected to an active avoidance task in a shuttle avoidance system apparatus. Pre-administration of docosahexaenoic acid had a profoundly beneficial effect on the decline in avoidance learning ability in the Alzheimer's disease model rats, associated with an increase in the cortico-hippocampal docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid molar ratio, and a decrease in neuronal apoptotic products. Docosahexaenoic acid pre-administration furthermore increased cortico-hippocampal reduced glutathione levels and glutathione reductase activity, and suppressed the increase in lipid peroxide and reactive oxygen species levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the Alzheimer's disease model rats, suggesting an increase in antioxidative defence. Docosahexaenoic acid is thus a possible prophylactic means for preventing the learning deficiencies of Alzheimer's disease.

Bile pigment pharmacokinetics and absorption in the rat: therapeutic potential for enteral administration

PubMed Central

Bulmer, AC; Coombes, JS; Blanchfield, JT; Toth, I; Fassett, RG; Taylor, SM

2011-01-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Bilirubin and biliverdin possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and their exogenous administration protects against the effects of inflammation and trauma in experimental models. Despite the therapeutic potential of bile pigments, little is known about their in vivo parenteral or enteral absorption after exogenous administration. This study investigated the absorption and pharmacokinetics of bile pigments after i.v., i.p. and intraduodenal (i.d.) administration in addition to their metabolism and routes of excretion. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Anaesthetized Wistar rats had their bile duct, jugular and portal veins cannulated. Bile pigments were infused and their circulating concentrations/biliary excretion were measured over 180 min. KEY RESULTS After i.v. administration of unconjugated bilirubin, biliverdin and bilirubin ditaurate, their plasma concentrations decreased exponentially over time. Subsequently, native and metabolized compounds appeared in the bile. When administered i.p., their absolute bioavailabilities equalled 14.0, 16.1 and 33.1%, respectively, and correspondingly 38, 28 and 34% of the same bile pigment doses were excreted in the bile. Administration of unconjugated bilirubin and bilirubin ditaurate i.d. increased their portal and systemic concentrations and their systemic bioavailability equalled 1.0 and 2.0%, respectively. Correspondingly, 2.7 and 4.6%, of the doses were excreted in the bile. Biliverdin was rapidly metabolized and these products were absorbed and excreted via the urine and bile. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Bile pigment absorption from the peritoneal and duodenal cavities demonstrate new routes of administration for the treatment of inflammatory and traumatic pathology. Oral biliverdin administration may lead to the production of active metabolite that protect from inflammation/complement activation. PMID:21486273

21 CFR 21.20 - Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record Systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Administration Privacy Act Record Systems. 21.20 Section 21.20 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL PROTECTION OF PRIVACY Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record Systems § 21.20 Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record...

76 FR 45336 - Departmental Offices; Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Systems of Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-28

... systems of records entitled ``Treasury/DO .191--Human Resources and Administrative Records System.'' DATES... system of records Treasury/DO .191 entitled ``Human Resources and Administrative Records system,'' follow: Treasury/DO .191 System Name: Human Resources and Administrative Records System * * * * * Categories of...

75 FR 52373 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-25

... Administration. Type of Review: NEW. Title of Collection: Evaluation of the Technology-Based Learning Grants. OMB... technology based learning. The initiative increases worker access to training while stimulating the development of innovative models and uses for technology based learning in the public workforce system. For...

Floatplane Source Noise Measurements : Summary of Measurements, Data and Analyses for the Cessna 182S Skylane and De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-01-31

The U.S. Department of Transportation, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division, provides technical support to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the cooperation...

MODELING THE POTENTIAL SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF BEEF CATTLE GRAZING USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

EPA Science Inventory

Data regarding grazing utilization in the western United States are typically compiled within administrative boundaries(e.g. allotment,pasture). For large areas, an assumption of uniform distribution is seldom valid. Previous studies show that vegetation type, degree of slope, an...

Functional aging in pilots : an examination of a mathematical model based on medical data on general aviation pilots.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1982-06-01

The purpose of this study was to apply mathematical procedures to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot medical data to examine the feasibility of devising a linear numbering system such that (1) the cumulative probability distribution func...

A Primer on Simulation and Gaming.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barton, Richard F.

In a primer intended for the administrative professions, for the behavioral sciences, and for education, simulation and its various aspects are defined, illustrated, and explained. Man-model simulation, man-computer simulation, all-computer simulation, and analysis are discussed as techniques for studying object systems (parts of the "real…

Alternant Leadership: Increasing School System Effectiveness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knoop, Robert; Wagner, James

1986-01-01

A model of "alternant leadership"--leading and succeeding one another by turn--is presented that proposes a democratic, collegial, multivoter, team approach to electing educational leaders. The rationale is based on contingency theories of administration and studies on leadership succession. Related articles are EA 519 583 and 584. (MLF)

78 FR 75453 - Special Conditions: Cessna Model 750 Series Airplanes; Aircraft Electronic System Security...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-12

... the comment for an association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can...; facsimile 425-227-1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The network architecture is composed of several connected... business and administrative support, and 3. Passenger entertainment. The applicable airworthiness...

The Myth of Our Failed Education System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Troy, J. Forrest

1998-01-01

A veteran newspaper editor speaks unashamedly in support of public schools, dispelling myths about teacher workload, student performance, vouchers and charter schools as reform models, outdated school boards, and overpaid administrators. Schools should revamp their public relations by publishing positive items in newsletters and creating speaker's…

Management By/Of Objectives at DeKalb Community College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott, W. Wayne

A model is presented to help community college administrators coordinate efforts to achieve institutional objectives. Two kinds of objectives are discussed: (1) functional performance objectives, which entail maintaining predetermined standards of performance for the repetitive systems and functions of the college; and (2) change objectives, which…

Antidepressants prevent hierarchy destabilization induced by lipopolysaccharide administration in mice: a neurobiological approach to depression.

PubMed

Cohn, Daniel Wagner Hamada; Kinoshita, Denise; Palermo-Neto, João

2012-07-01

In spite of the high prevalence and negative impact of depression, little is known about its pathophysiology. Basic research on depression needs new animal models in order to increase knowledge of the disease and search for new therapies. The work presented here aims to provide a neurobiologically validated model for investigating the relationships among sickness behavior, antidepressants treatment, and social dominance behavior. For this purpose, dominant individuals from dyads of male Swiss mice were treated with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce social hierarchy destabilization. Two groups were treated with the antidepressants imipramine and fluoxetine prior to LPS administration. In these groups, antidepressant treatment prevented the occurrence of social destabilization. These results indicate that this model could be useful in providing new insights into the understanding of the brain systems involved in depression. © 2012 New York Academy of Sciences.

The effect of systemic administration of G-CSF on a full-thickness cartilage defect in a rabbit model MSC proliferation as presumed mechanism

PubMed Central

Sasaki, T.; Akagi, R.; Akatsu, Y.; Fukawa, T.; Hoshi, H.; Yamamoto, Y.; Enomoto, T.; Sato, Y.; Nakagawa, R.; Takahashi, K.; Yamaguchi, S.

2017-01-01

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation in vitro and to determine whether pre-microfracture systemic administration of G-CSF (a bone marrow stimulant) could improve the quality of repaired tissue of a full-thickness cartilage defect in a rabbit model. Methods MSCs from rabbits were cultured in a control medium and medium with G-CSF (low-dose: 4 μg, high-dose: 40 μg). At one, three, and five days after culturing, cells were counted. Differential potential of cultured cells were examined by stimulating them with a osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic medium. A total of 30 rabbits were divided into three groups. The low-dose group (n = 10) received 10 μg/kg of G-CSF daily, the high-dose group (n = 10) received 50 μg/kg daily by subcutaneous injection for three days prior to creating cartilage defects. The control group (n = 10) was administered saline for three days. At 48 hours after the first injection, a 5.2 mm diameter cylindrical osteochondral defect was created in the femoral trochlea. At four and 12 weeks post-operatively, repaired tissue was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. Results The cell count in the low-dose G-CSF medium was significantly higher than that in the control medium. The differentiation potential of MSCs was preserved after culturing them with G-CSF. Macroscopically, defects were filled and surfaces were smoother in the G-CSF groups than in the control group at four weeks. At 12 weeks, the quality of repaired cartilage improved further, and defects were almost completely filled in all groups. Microscopically, at four weeks, defects were partially filled with hyaline-like cartilage in the G-CSF groups. At 12 weeks, defects were repaired with hyaline-like cartilage in all groups. Conclusions G-CSF promoted proliferation of MSCs in vitro. The systemic administration of G-CSF promoted the repair of damaged cartilage possibly through increasing the number of MSCs in a rabbit model. Cite this article: T. Sasaki, R. Akagi, Y. Akatsu, T. Fukawa, H. Hoshi, Y. Yamamoto, T. Enomoto, Y. Sato, R. Nakagawa, K. Takahashi, S. Yamaguchi, T. Sasho. The effect of systemic administration of G-CSF on a full-thickness cartilage defect in a rabbit model MSC proliferation as presumed mechanism: G-CSF for cartilage repair. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:123–131. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.63.BJR-2016-0083. PMID:28258115

Facility Will Help Transition Models Into Operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Mohi

2009-02-01

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA SWPC), in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), is establishing a center to promote and facilitate the transition of space weather models to operations. The new facility, called the Developmental Testbed Center (DTC), will take models used by researchers and rigorously test them to see if they can withstand continued use as viable warning systems. If a model used in a space weather warning system crashes or fails to perform well, severe consequences can result. These include increased radiation risks to astronauts and people traveling on high-altitude flights, national security vulnerabilities from the loss of military satellite communications, and the cost of replacing damaged military and commercial spacecraft.

The Use of Behavior Models for Predicting Complex Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gore, Brian F.

2010-01-01

Modeling and simulation (M&S) plays an important role when complex human-system notions are being proposed, developed and tested within the system design process. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as an agency uses many different types of M&S approaches for predicting human-system interactions, especially when it is early in the development phase of a conceptual design. NASA Ames Research Center possesses a number of M&S capabilities ranging from airflow, flight path models, aircraft models, scheduling models, human performance models (HPMs), and bioinformatics models among a host of other kinds of M&S capabilities that are used for predicting whether the proposed designs will benefit the specific mission criteria. The Man-Machine Integration Design and Analysis System (MIDAS) is a NASA ARC HPM software tool that integrates many models of human behavior with environment models, equipment models, and procedural / task models. The challenge to model comprehensibility is heightened as the number of models that are integrated and the requisite fidelity of the procedural sets are increased. Model transparency is needed for some of the more complex HPMs to maintain comprehensibility of the integrated model performance. This will be exemplified in a recent MIDAS v5 application model and plans for future model refinements will be presented.

NEMS Freight Transportation Module Improvement Study

EIA Publications

2015-01-01

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) contracted with IHS Global, Inc. (IHS) to analyze the relationship between the value of industrial output, physical output, and freight movement in the United States for use in updating analytic assumptions and modeling structure within the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) freight transportation module, including forecasting methodologies and processes to identify possible alternative approaches that would improve multi-modal freight flow and fuel consumption estimation.

Perspectives on the Use of the Problem-Solving Model from the Viewpoint of a School Psychologist, Administrator, and Teacher from a Large Midwest Urban School District

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lau, Matthew Y.; Sieler, Jay D.; Muyskens, Paul; Canter, Andrea; VanKeuren, Barbara; Marston, Doug

2006-01-01

The Minneapolis Public School System has been implementing an intervention-based approach to special education placement. This Problem-Solving Model (PSM) was designed to de-emphasize the role of norm-referenced tests and to provide early instructional interventions. The basic outline of the PSM is to define the problem, determine the best…

76 FR 12627 - Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-08

... Industries GmbH Models DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA... on Diamond aeroplanes, the majority of which were DA 40. In additional, at least 18 doors have been... conditions) while the aeroplane was parked. All DA 40 and DA 42 aeroplanes have a system installed that...

42 CFR 102.90 - Reconsideration of the Secretary's eligibility and benefits determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resources and Services... carrier or private courier service must be sent to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau.... When the Associate Administrator of the Healthcare Systems Bureau (the Associate Administrator...

42 CFR 102.90 - Reconsideration of the Secretary's eligibility and benefits determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resources and Services... carrier or private courier service must be sent to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau.... When the Associate Administrator of the Healthcare Systems Bureau (the Associate Administrator...

42 CFR 102.90 - Reconsideration of the Secretary's eligibility and benefits determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resources and Services... carrier or private courier service must be sent to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau.... When the Associate Administrator of the Healthcare Systems Bureau (the Associate Administrator...

42 CFR 102.90 - Reconsideration of the Secretary's eligibility and benefits determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resources and Services... carrier or private courier service must be sent to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau.... When the Associate Administrator of the Healthcare Systems Bureau (the Associate Administrator...

42 CFR 102.90 - Reconsideration of the Secretary's eligibility and benefits determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resources and Services... carrier or private courier service must be sent to the Associate Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau.... When the Associate Administrator of the Healthcare Systems Bureau (the Associate Administrator...

Methodology for the Assessment of the Macroeconomic Impacts of Stricter CAFE Standards - Addendum

EIA Publications

2002-01-01

This assessment of the economic impacts of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards marks the first time the Energy Information Administration has used the new direct linkage of the DRI-WEFA Macroeconomic Model to the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) in a policy setting. This methodology assures an internally consistent solution between the energy market concepts forecast by NEMS and the aggregate economy as forecast by the DRI-WEFA Macroeconomic Model of the U.S. Economy.

Active Control of Wind-Tunnel Model Aeroelastic Response Using Neural Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott, Robert C.

2000-01-01

NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 Under a joint research and development effort conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and The Boeing Company (formerly McDonnell Douglas) three neural-network based control systems were developed and tested. The control systems were experimentally evaluated using a transonic wind-tunnel model in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. One system used a neural network to schedule flutter suppression control laws, another employed a neural network in a predictive control scheme, and the third employed a neural network in an inverse model control scheme. All three of these control schemes successfully suppressed flutter to or near the limits of the testing apparatus, and represent the first experimental applications of neural networks to flutter suppression. This paper will summarize the findings of this project.

Absorption of Bupivacaine after Administration of a Lozenge as Topical Treatment for Pain from Oral Mucositis.

PubMed

Mogensen, Stine; Sverrisdóttir, Eva; Sveinsdóttir, Kolbrún; Treldal, Charlotte; Jensen, Kenneth; Jensen, Anders Bonde; Kristensen, Claus Andrup; Jacobsen, Jette; Kreilgaard, Mads; Petersen, Janne; Andersen, Ove

2017-01-01

The aim was to investigate systemic exposure after administration of a novel bupivacaine lozenge in healthy individuals with normal mucosa and in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with oral mucositis. A lozenge containing 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg bupivacaine, respectively, was administered as single dose to 10 healthy individuals, and a lozenge containing 25 mg bupivacaine was administered as single dose to 10 HNC patients with oral mucositis and as multiple doses to five patients with HNC. Blood samples were collected for 6 hr from the healthy individuals and 3 hr from the patients with HNC, respectively, after administration. The plasma concentration-time profiles of bupivacaine were fitted to pharmacokinetic models using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling, evaluating demographics and health status as covariates. The population pharmacokinetics (PK) of bupivacaine lozenge was best described by a two-compartment distribution model with absorption transit compartments. All the observed plasma concentrations were well below the bupivacaine concentrations (2000-2250 ng/ml) which have caused toxic symptoms. The PK model suggested that relative bioavailability was two times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 1-2 and three times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 3-4 than in the healthy individuals. Simulations showed that the plasma concentrations would be below the toxic limit after repeated dosing every second hour with 25 mg bupivacaine for five days. The 25-mg bupivacaine lozenges were safe without systemic toxic levels of bupivacaine or risk of side effects. Based on PK simulations of repeated doses of 25 mg every two hours for 16 hr a day, the lozenges can be administered with minimum risk of exceeding the toxic limit. © 2016 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).

Intraintestinal administration of ulinastatin protects against sepsis by relieving intestinal damage.

PubMed

Yang, Bingchang; Gao, Min; Wang, Kangkai; Jiang, Yu; Peng, Yue; Zhang, Huali; Yang, Mingshi; Xiao, Xianzhong

2017-05-01

Intravenous administration of ulinastatin (UTI), a broad spectral protease inhibitor, has been used on an experimental basis with severe sepsis patients in Asia. However, the effects of intraintestinal administration of UTI on intestinal and multiple organ damage in sepsis have not been reported. In this study, we established a sepsis model in rats using cecal ligation and puncture and compared the effects of intraintestinal administration of UTI through an artificial fistula of duodenum and intraperitoneal administration of UTI on the pathophysiological changes of sepsis. It was found that intraintestinal administration of UTI (1) significantly improved the survival of septic rats, (2) significantly reduced the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 as well as intestinal injury biomarkers diamine oxidase, D-lactic acid, and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4, and (3) significantly reduced intestinal microscopic and ultrastructural damage of septic rats. In addition, the protective effects of intraintestinal administration of UTI were significantly better than those of intraperitoneal administration of UTI. Overall, the present study for the first time revealed that intraintestinal administration of protease inhibitor UTI could reduce systemic inflammatory responses and multiple organ dysfunction in rats with sepsis by inhibiting autodigestion of intestinal wall due to proteases and provided new research ideas and experimental evidences for treatment of sepsis by intraintestinal administration of UTI. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

FDA 2011 process validation guidance: lifecycle compliance model.

PubMed

Campbell, Cliff

2014-01-01

This article has been written as a contribution to the industry's efforts in migrating from a document-driven to a data-driven compliance mindset. A combination of target product profile, control engineering, and general sum principle techniques is presented as the basis of a simple but scalable lifecycle compliance model in support of modernized process validation. Unit operations and significant variables occupy pole position within the model, documentation requirements being treated as a derivative or consequence of the modeling process. The quality system is repositioned as a subordinate of system quality, this being defined as the integral of related "system qualities". The article represents a structured interpretation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 2011 Guidance for Industry on Process Validation and is based on the author's educational background and his manufacturing/consulting experience in the validation field. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Guidance for Industry on Process Validation (2011) provides a wide-ranging and rigorous outline of compliant drug manufacturing requirements relative to its 20(th) century predecessor (1987). Its declared focus is patient safety, and it identifies three inter-related (and obvious) stages of the compliance lifecycle. Firstly, processes must be designed, both from a technical and quality perspective. Secondly, processes must be qualified, providing evidence that the manufacturing facility is fully "roadworthy" and fit for its intended purpose. Thirdly, processes must be verified, meaning that commercial batches must be monitored to ensure that processes remain in a state of control throughout their lifetime.

Restructuring in response to case mix reimbursement in nursing homes: A contingency approach

PubMed Central

Zinn, Jacqueline; Feng, Zhanlian; Mor, Vincent; Intrator, Orna; Grabowski, David

2013-01-01

Background Resident-based case mix reimbursement has become the dominant mechanism for publicly funded nursing home care. In 1998 skilled nursing facility reimbursement changed from cost-based to case mix adjusted payments under the Medicare Prospective Payment System for the costs of all skilled nursing facility care provided to Medicare recipients. In addition, as of 2004, 35 state Medicaid programs had implemented some form of case mix reimbursement. Purpose The purpose of the study is to determine if the implementation of Medicare and Medicaid case mix reimbursement increased the administrative burden on nursing homes, as evidenced by increased levels of nurses in administrative functions. Methodology/Approach The primary data for this study come from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Online Survey Certification and Reporting database from 1997 through 2004, a national nursing home database containing aggregated facility-level information, including staffing, organizational characteristics and resident conditions, on all Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing facilities in the country. We conducted multivariate regression analyses using a facility fixed-effects model to examine the effects of the implementation of Medicaid case mix reimbursement and Medicare Prospective Payment System on changes in the level of total administrative nurse staffing in nursing homes. Findings Both Medicaid case mix reimbursement and Medicare Prospective Payment System increased the level of administrative nurse staffing, on average by 5.5% and 4.0% respectively. However, lack of evidence for a substitution effect suggests that any decline in direct care staffing after the introduction of case mix reimbursement is not attributable to a shift from clinical nursing resources to administrative functions. Practice Implications Our findings indicate that the administrative burden posed by case mix reimbursement has resource implications for all freestanding facilities. At the margin, the increased administrative burden imposed by case mix may become a factor influencing a range of decisions, including resident admission and staff hiring. PMID:18360162

Restructuring in response to case mix reimbursement in nursing homes: a contingency approach.

PubMed

Zinn, Jacqueline; Feng, Zhanlian; Mor, Vincent; Intrator, Orna; Grabowski, David

2008-01-01

Resident-based case mix reimbursement has become the dominant mechanism for publicly funded nursing home care. In 1998 skilled nursing facility reimbursement changed from cost-based to case mix adjusted payments under the Medicare Prospective Payment System for the costs of all skilled nursing facility care provided to Medicare recipients. In addition, as of 2004, 35 state Medicaid programs had implemented some form of case mix reimbursement. The purpose of the study is to determine if the implementation of Medicare and Medicaid case mix reimbursement increased the administrative burden on nursing homes, as evidenced by increased levels of nurses in administrative functions. The primary data for this study come from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Online Survey Certification and Reporting database from 1997 through 2004, a national nursing home database containing aggregated facility-level information, including staffing, organizational characteristics and resident conditions, on all Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing facilities in the country. We conducted multivariate regression analyses using a facility fixed-effects model to examine the effects of the implementation of Medicaid case mix reimbursement and Medicare Prospective Payment System on changes in the level of total administrative nurse staffing in nursing homes. Both Medicaid case mix reimbursement and Medicare Prospective Payment System increased the level of administrative nurse staffing, on average by 5.5% and 4.0% respectively. However, lack of evidence for a substitution effect suggests that any decline in direct care staffing after the introduction of case mix reimbursement is not attributable to a shift from clinical nursing resources to administrative functions. Our findings indicate that the administrative burden posed by case mix reimbursement has resource implications for all freestanding facilities. At the margin, the increased administrative burden imposed by case mix may become a factor influencing a range of decisions, including resident admission and staff hiring.

Using administrative medical claims data to supplement state disease registry systems for reporting zoonotic infections.

PubMed

Jones, Stephen G; Coulter, Steven; Conner, William

2013-01-01

To determine what, if any, opportunity exists in using administrative medical claims data for supplemental reporting to the state infectious disease registry system. Cases of five tick-borne (Lyme disease (LD), babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), tularemia) and two mosquito-borne diseases (West Nile virus, La Crosse viral encephalitis) reported to the Tennessee Department of Health during 2000-2009 were selected for study. Similarly, medically diagnosed cases from a Tennessee-based managed care organization (MCO) claims data warehouse were extracted for the same time period. MCO and Tennessee Department of Health incidence rates were compared using a complete randomized block design within a general linear mixed model to measure potential supplemental reporting opportunity. MCO LD incidence was 7.7 times higher (p<0.001) than that reported to the state, possibly indicating significant under-reporting (∼196 unreported cases per year). MCO data also suggest about 33 cases of RMSF go unreported each year in Tennessee (p<0.001). Three cases of babesiosis were discovered using claims data, a significant finding as this disease was only recently confirmed in Tennessee. Data sharing between MCOs and health departments for vaccine information already exists (eg, the Vaccine Safety Datalink Rapid Cycle Analysis project). There may be a significant opportunity in Tennessee to supplement the current passive infectious disease reporting system with administrative claims data, particularly for LD and RMSF. There are limitations with administrative claims data, but health plans may help bridge data gaps and support the federal administration's vision of combining public and private data into one source.

Assessing Resilience in Power Grids as a Particular Case of Supply Chain Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

system , the budget needs, or the subject in question, would point to a differentiated approach. Table 1. Protection and Resilience Relationship...coast. Likewise, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes 19 statistics about severe weather. Climatological models...toward maximum entropy . However, living systems are “open” in the sense that they continually draw upon external sources of energy and maintain a

DAWN (Design Assistant Workstation) for advanced physical-chemical life support systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rudokas, Mary R.; Cantwell, Elizabeth R.; Robinson, Peter I.; Shenk, Timothy W.

1989-01-01

This paper reports the results of a project supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (NASA-OAST) under the Advanced Life Support Development Program. It is an initial attempt to integrate artificial intelligence techniques (via expert systems) with conventional quantitative modeling tools for advanced physical-chemical life support systems. The addition of artificial intelligence techniques will assist the designer in the definition and simulation of loosely/well-defined life support processes/problems as well as assist in the capture of design knowledge, both quantitative and qualitative. Expert system and conventional modeling tools are integrated to provide a design workstation that assists the engineer/scientist in creating, evaluating, documenting and optimizing physical-chemical life support systems for short-term and extended duration missions.

Treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in a rat model by using multiple daily doses of oral administration of G-CSF-containing nanoparticles.

PubMed

Su, Fang-Yi; Chuang, Er-Yuan; Lin, Po-Yen; Chou, Yi-Chun; Chen, Chiung-Tong; Mi, Fwu-Long; Wey, Shiaw-Pyng; Yen, Tzu-Chen; Lin, Kun-Ju; Sung, Hsing-Wen

2014-04-01

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia often increases the likelihood of life-threatening infections. In this study, a nanoparticle (NP) system composed of chitosan and poly(γ-glutamic acid) conjugated with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (γPGA-DTPA) was prepared for oral delivery of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a hematopoietic growth factor. The therapeutic potential of this NP system for daily administration of G-CSF to treat neutropenia associated with chemotherapy was evaluated in a rat model. In vitro results indicate that the procedures of NP loading and release preserved the structural integrity and bioactivity of the G-CSF molecules adequately. Those results further demonstrated the enzymatic inhibition activity of γPGA-DTPA towards G-CSF against intestinal proteases. Additionally, the in vivo biodistribution study clearly identified accumulations of G-CSF in the heart, liver, bone marrow, and urinary bladder, an indication of systemic absorption of G-CSF; its relative bioavailability was approximately 13.6%. Moreover, significant glucose uptake was observed in bone marrow during G-CSF treatment, suggesting increased bone marrow metabolism and neutrophil production. Consequently, neutrophil count in the blood increased in a sustained manner; this fact may help a patient's immune system recover from the side effects of chemotherapy. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

International Space Station Centrifuge Rotor Models A Comparison of the Euler-Lagrange and the Bond Graph Modeling Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Louis H.; Ramakrishnan, Jayant; Granda, Jose J.

2006-01-01

The assembly and operation of the International Space Station (ISS) require extensive testing and engineering analysis to verify that the Space Station system of systems would work together without any adverse interactions. Since the dynamic behavior of an entire Space Station cannot be tested on earth, math models of the Space Station structures and mechanical systems have to be built and integrated in computer simulations and analysis tools to analyze and predict what will happen in space. The ISS Centrifuge Rotor (CR) is one of many mechanical systems that need to be modeled and analyzed to verify the ISS integrated system performance on-orbit. This study investigates using Bond Graph modeling techniques as quick and simplified ways to generate models of the ISS Centrifuge Rotor. This paper outlines the steps used to generate simple and more complex models of the CR using Bond Graph Computer Aided Modeling Program with Graphical Input (CAMP-G). Comparisons of the Bond Graph CR models with those derived from Euler-Lagrange equations in MATLAB and those developed using multibody dynamic simulation at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the Bond Graph modeling approach for aeronautics and space applications.

48 CFR 342.7101 - Contract administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Contract administration. 342.7101 Section 342.7101 Federal Acquisition Regulations System HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Administrative Actions for Cost Overruns 342.7101 Contract administration. ...

48 CFR 342.7101 - Contract administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract administration. 342.7101 Section 342.7101 Federal Acquisition Regulations System HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Administrative Actions for Cost Overruns 342.7101 Contract administration. ...

Practices for caring in nursing: Brazilian research groups.

PubMed

Erdmann, A L; de Andrade, S R; de Mello, A L Ferreira; Klock, P; do Nascimento, K C; Koerich, M Santos; Backes, D Stein

2011-09-01

The present study considers the production of knowledge and the interactions in the environment of research and their relationships in the system of caring in nursing and health. To elaborate a theoretical model of the organization of the practices used for caring, based on the experiences made by the research groups of administration and management in nursing, in Brazil. The study is based on grounded theory. Twelve leaders of research groups, working as professors in public universities in the south and the south-east of Brazil, distributed in sample groups, were interviewed. The core phenomenon 'research groups of administration and management in nursing: arrangements and interactions in the system of caring in nursing' was derived from the categories: conceptual bases and contexts of the research groups; experiencing interactions in the research groups; functionality of the research groups; and outputs of the research groups. The research groups are integrated in the system of caring in nursing. The activities of the Brazilian administration and management in nursing research groups are process oriented and in a process of constant renovation, socially relevant, operate in a complex scenario and contribute to the advancement of the organizations of the system of caring in nursing through strengthening the connection among academia, service and community. © 2011 The Authors. International Nursing Review © 2011 International Council of Nurses.

Effect of Short-Term Fasting on Systemic Cytochrome P450-Mediated Drug Metabolism in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Study Using a Cocktail Approach.

PubMed

Lammers, Laureen A; Achterbergh, Roos; van Schaik, Ron H N; Romijn, Johannes A; Mathôt, Ron A A

2017-10-01

Short-term fasting can alter drug exposure but it is unknown whether this is an effect of altered oral bioavailability and/or systemic clearance. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the effect of short-term fasting on oral bioavailability and systemic clearance of different drugs. In a randomized, controlled, crossover trial, 12 healthy subjects received a single administration of a cytochrome P450 (CYP) probe cocktail, consisting of caffeine (CYP1A2), metoprolol (CYP2D6), midazolam (CYP3A4), omeprazole (CYP2C19) and warfarin (CYP2C9), on four occasions: an oral (1) and intravenous (2) administration after an overnight fast (control) and an oral (3) and intravenous (4) administration after 36 h of fasting. Pharmacokinetic parameters of the probe drugs were analyzed using the nonlinear mixed-effects modeling software NONMEM. Short-term fasting increased systemic caffeine clearance by 17% (p = 0.04) and metoprolol clearance by 13% (p < 0.01), whereas S-warfarin clearance decreased by 19% (p < 0.01). Fasting did not affect bioavailability. The study demonstrates that short-term fasting alters CYP-mediated drug metabolism in a non-uniform pattern without affecting oral bioavailability.

The Modeling of Virtual Environment Distance Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xueqin, Chang

This research presented a virtual environment that integrates in a virtual mockup services available in a university campus for students and teachers communication in different actual locations. Advantages of this system include: the remote access to a variety of services and educational tools, the representation of real structures and landscapes in an interactive 3D model that favors localization of services and preserves the administrative organization of the university. For that, the system was implemented a control access for users and an interface to allow the use of previous educational equipments and resources not designed for distance education mode.

From hospital information system components to the medical record and clinical guidelines & protocols.

PubMed

Veloso, M; Estevão, N; Ferreira, P; Rodrigues, R; Costa, C T; Barahona, P

1997-01-01

This paper introduces an ongoing project towards the development of a new generation HIS, aiming at the integration of clinical and administrative information within a common framework. Its design incorporates explicit knowledge about domain objects and professional activities to be processed by the system together with related knowledge management services and act management services. The paper presents the conceptual model of the proposed HIS architecture, that supports a rich and fully integrated patient data model, enabling the implementation of a dynamic electronic patient record tightly coupled with computerised guideline knowledge bases.

A model structure for an EBM program in a multihospital system.

PubMed

Schumacher, Dale N; Stock, Joseph R; Richards, Joan K

2003-01-01

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) offers a great opportunity to translate advances in medical science into advances in clinical practice. We describe the structure of a comprehensive EBM program in a multihospital community teaching system. This EBM model is distinct and separate from the peer review process and has achieved substantial physician involvement. The program emanates from the Board of Directors Quality of Care Committee and has strong administrative support. The approach relies extensively on physician involvement and expert physician panels to enhance existing EBM practice guidelines, with an explicit strategy of performance reports and feedback.

Availability Estimation for Facilities in Extreme Geographical Locations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischer, Gerd M.; Omotoso, Oluseun; Chen, Guangming; Evans, John W.

2012-01-01

A value added analysis for the Reliability. Availability and Maintainability of McMurdo Ground Station was developed, which will be a useful tool for system managers in sparing, maintenance planning and determining vital performance metrics needed for readiness assessment of the upgrades to the McMurdo System. Output of this study can also be used as inputs and recommendations for the application of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) for the system. ReliaSoft's BlockSim. a commercial Reliability Analysis software package, has been used to model the availability of the system upgrade to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Near Earth Network (NEN) Ground Station at McMurdo Station in the Antarctica. The logistics challenges due to the closure of access to McMurdo Station during the Antarctic winter was modeled using a weighted composite of four Weibull distributions. one of the possible choices for statistical distributions throughout the software program and usually used to account for failure rates of components supplied by different manufacturers. The inaccessibility of the antenna site on a hill outside McMurdo Station throughout one year due to severe weather was modeled with a Weibull distribution for the repair crew availability. The Weibull distribution is based on an analysis of the available weather data for the antenna site for 2007 in combination with the rules for travel restrictions due to severe weather imposed by the administrating agency, the National Science Foundation (NSF). The simulations resulted in an upper bound for the system availability and allowed for identification of components that would improve availability based on a higher on-site spare count than initially planned.

Automated Transformation of CDISC ODM to OpenClinica.

PubMed

Gessner, Sophia; Storck, Michael; Hegselmann, Stefan; Dugas, Martin; Soto-Rey, Iñaki

2017-01-01

Due to the increasing use of electronic data capture systems for clinical research, the interest in saving resources by automatically generating and reusing case report forms in clinical studies is growing. OpenClinica, an open-source electronic data capture system enables the reuse of metadata in its own Excel import template, hampering the reuse of metadata defined in other standard formats. One of these standard formats is the Operational Data Model for metadata, administrative and clinical data in clinical studies. This work suggests a mapping from Operational Data Model to OpenClinica and describes the implementation of a converter to automatically generate OpenClinica conform case report forms based upon metadata in the Operational Data Model.

Prevention of Intraabdominal Adhesions by Local and Systemic Administration of Immunosuppressive Drugs

PubMed Central

Peker, Kemal; Inal, Abdullah; Sayar, Ilyas; Sahin, Murat; Gullu, Huriye; Inal, Duriye Gul; Isik, Arda

2013-01-01

Background: Intraperitoneal adhesion formation is a serious postsurgical issue. Adhesions develop after damage to the peritoneum by surgery, irradiation, infection or trauma. Objectives: Using a rat model, we compared the effectiveness of systemic and intraperitoneally administered common immunosuppressive drugs for prevention of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions. Materials and Methods: Peritoneal adhesions were induced in 98 female Wistar-Albino rats by cecal abrasion and peritoneal excision. Rats were randomly separated into seven groups, each containing fourteen rats, and the standard experimental model was applied to all of rats. 14 days later, rats were euthanized, intraperitoneal adhesions were scored and tissues were examined histologically using hematoxylin/eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Results: Throughout the investigation, no animal died during or after surgery. In all of experimental groups, decrease in fibrosis was statistically significant. Decrease in fibrosis was most prominently in intraperitoneal tacrolimus group (P = 0.000), and decrease was least in intraperitoneal cyclosporine group (P = 0.022). Vascular proliferation was significantly decreased in all experimental groups (P < 0.05) except for systemic tacrolimus group (P = 0.139). Most prominent reduction in vascular proliferation was in intraperitoneal tacrolimus group (P = 0.000). Conclusions: Administration of immunosuppressive drugs is effective for prevention of intraperitoneal adhesions. PMID:24693396

Model based verification of the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Protocol for NASA systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Powell, John D.; Gilliam, David

2004-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has tens of thousands of networked computer systems and applications. Software Security vulnerabilities present risks such as lost or corrupted data, information theft, and unavailability of critical systems. These risks represent potentially enormous costs to NASA. The NASA Code Q research initiative 'Reducing Software Security Risk (RSSR) Trough an Integrated Approach' offers formal verification of information technology (IT), through the creation of a Software Security Assessment Instrument (SSAI), to address software security risks.

The Use of Fuzzy Cognitive Modelling to Manage Information Security Audit of Information Portals of Regional Executive Authorities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rytov, M. Yu; Leksikov, E. V.; Sakalo, V. I.; Kovalev, P. A.

2017-01-01

At the moment the domestic policy of the Russian Federation is being formed in difficult conditions of a foreign policy situation. The regional policy is built on the platform of alignment of social and economic development indices. To maintain the activity of regional social and economic systems is important for the management system of executive authorities (EA), including regional ones. To ensure feasibility of public administration, it is necessary to have vitally active social and economic systems.

Exploring Digital Badges in University Courses: Relationships between Quantity, Engagement, and Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fanfarelli, Joseph R.; McDaniel, Rudy

2017-01-01

Digital badging research is gaining momentum as instructors and administrators consider new models for assessing learning in nontraditional contexts (e.g., informal science learning programs, flexible online courses, adaptive learning systems). While many studies are examining the effectiveness of digital badges for pedagogical functions, such as…

Extending Open Education in the United States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spodek, Bernard

The educational idealogy and administration of the person-oriented English Infant School and the object-oriented traditional American primary school are contrasted in this paper. The English Infant School movement is a contemporary model of open education. Development of opern educational systems in America should emphasize transfer of the spirit…

77 FR 64699 - Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-23

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2012... electrical load. This AD was prompted by an electrical failure on an Agusta Model A109E helicopter that... of the circuit breaker, loss of electrical power to instruments powered by the ``BATT BUS'' system...

A Comparative Verification of Forecasts from Two Operational Solar Wind Models (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-08

much confidence to place on predicted parameters. Cost /benefit information is provided to administrators who decide to sustain or replace existing...magnetic field magnitude and three components of the magnetic field vector in the geocentric solar magnetospheric (GSM) coordinate system at each hour of

A Comparative Verification of Forecasts from Two Operational Solar Wind Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-16

knowing how much confidence to place on predicted parameters. Cost /benefit information is provided to administrators who decide to sustain or...components of the magnetic field vector in the geocentric solar magnetospheric (GSM) coordinate system at each hour of forecast time. For an example of a

A University/School Collaboration Model for Systemic Change through Site-Based Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hackmann, Donald G.; Berry, James E.

The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Collaborative School Improvement Program was established in 1978 within the College of Education's Office of Collaborative Education. The program assists local district personnel with school improvement and staff development activities through training teachers, administrators, board members, and other staff…

78 FR 30324 - Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-22

... and scope of necessary audits of the Department's trust administration system; (5) Recommend options... thorough evaluation of the existing Indian trust management and trust administration system to support a... the Department's management of the trust administration system in support of the Commission's efforts...

Rnomads: An R Interface with the NOAA Operational Model Archive and Distribution System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowman, D. C.; Lees, J. M.

2014-12-01

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Operational Model Archive and Distribution System (NOMADS) facilitates rapid delivery of real time and archived environmental data sets from multiple agencies. These data are distributed free to the scientific community, industry, and the public. The rNOMADS package provides an interface between NOMADS and the R programming language. Like R itself, rNOMADS is open source and cross platform. It utilizes server-side functionality on the NOMADS system to subset model outputs for delivery to client R users. There are currently 57 real time and 10 archived models available through rNOMADS. Atmospheric models include the Global Forecast System and North American Mesoscale. Oceanic models include WAVEWATCH III and U. S. Navy Operational Global Ocean Model. rNOMADS has been downloaded 1700 times in the year since it was released. At the time of writing, it is being used for wind and solar power modeling, climate monitoring related to food security concerns, and storm surge/inundation calculations, among others. We introduce this new package and show how it can be used to extract data for infrasonic waveform modeling in the atmosphere.

The novel KMO inhibitor CHDI-340246 leads to a restoration of electrophysiological alterations in mouse models of Huntington's disease.

PubMed

Beaumont, Vahri; Mrzljak, Ladislav; Dijkman, Ulrike; Freije, Robert; Heins, Mariette; Rassoulpour, Arash; Tombaugh, Geoffrey; Gelman, Simon; Bradaia, Amyaouch; Steidl, Esther; Gleyzes, Melanie; Heikkinen, Taneli; Lehtimäki, Kimmo; Puoliväli, Jukka; Kontkanen, Outi; Javier, Robyn M; Neagoe, Ioana; Deisemann, Heike; Winkler, Dirk; Ebneth, Andreas; Khetarpal, Vinod; Toledo-Sherman, Leticia; Dominguez, Celia; Park, Larry C; Munoz-Sanjuan, Ignacio

2016-08-01

Dysregulation of the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway has been associated with the progression of Huntington's disease (HD). In particular, elevated levels of the kynurenine metabolites 3-hydroxy kynurenine (3-OH-Kyn) and quinolinic acid (Quin), have been reported in the brains of HD patients as well as in rodent models of HD. The production of these metabolites is controlled by the activity of kynurenine mono-oxygenase (KMO), an enzyme which catalyzes the synthesis of 3-OH-Kyn from Kyn. In order to determine the role of KMO in the phenotype of mouse models of HD, we have developed a potent and selective KMO inhibitor termed CHDI-340246. We show that this compound, when administered orally to transgenic mouse models of HD, potently and dose-dependently modulates the Kyn pathway in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous system. The administration of CHDI-340246 leads to an inhibition of the formation of 3-OH-Kyn and Quin, and to an elevation of Kyn and Kynurenic acid (KynA) levels in brain tissues. We show that administration of CHDI-340246 or of Kyn and of KynA can restore several electrophysiological alterations in mouse models of HD, both acutely and after chronic administration. However, using a comprehensive panel of behavioral tests, we demonstrate that the chronic dosing of a selective KMO inhibitor does not significantly modify behavioral phenotypes or natural progression in mouse models of HD. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

78 FR 59082 - Privacy Act of 1974; Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-25

... Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) System of Records AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety... Administration DOT/FMCSA 001 Motor Carrier Management Information System System of Records.'' This system of... Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration--DOT/FMCSA 001 Motor Carrier Management Information System...

A statewide model program to improve emergency department readiness for pediatric care.

PubMed

Cichon, Mark E; Fuchs, Susan; Lyons, Evelyn; Leonard, Daniel

2009-08-01

Pediatric emergency patients have unique needs, requiring specialized personnel, training, equipment, supplies, and medications. Deficiencies in these areas have resulted in historically poorer outcomes for pediatric patients versus adults. Since 1985, federally funded Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) programs in each state have been working to improve the quality of pediatric emergency care. The Health Resources and Services Administration now requires that all EMSC grantees report on specific performance measures. This includes implementation of a standardized system recognizing hospitals that are able to stabilize or manage pediatric medical emergencies and trauma cases. We describe the steps involved in implementing Illinois' 3-level facility recognition process to illustrate a model that other states might use to provide appropriate pediatric care and comply with new Health Resources and Services Administration performance measures.

Climate Science's Globally Distributed Infrastructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, D. N.

2016-12-01

The Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) is primarily funded by the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Science (the Office of Biological and Environmental Research [BER] Climate Data Informatics Program and the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research Next Generation Network for Science Program), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the European Infrastructure for the European Network for Earth System Modeling (IS-ENES), and the Australian National University (ANU). Support also comes from other U.S. federal and international agencies. The federation works across multiple worldwide data centers and spans seven international network organizations to provide users with the ability to access, analyze, and visualize data using a globally federated collection of networks, computers, and software. Its architecture employs a series of geographically distributed peer nodes that are independently administered and united by common federation protocols and application programming interfaces (APIs). The full ESGF infrastructure has now been adopted by multiple Earth science projects and allows access to petabytes of geophysical data, including the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP; output used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment reports), multiple model intercomparison projects (MIPs; endorsed by the World Climate Research Programme [WCRP]), and the Accelerated Climate Modeling for Energy (ACME; ESGF is included in the overarching ACME workflow process to store model output). ESGF is a successful example of integration of disparate open-source technologies into a cohesive functional system that serves the needs the global climate science community. Data served by ESGF includes not only model output but also observational data from satellites and instruments, reanalysis, and generated images.

21 CFR 21.20 - Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record Systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Administration Privacy Act Record Systems. 21.20 Section 21.20 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... Act Record Systems § 21.20 Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record... of each year a notice concerning each Privacy Act Record System as defined in § 21.3(c) that is not...

21 CFR 21.20 - Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record Systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Administration Privacy Act Record Systems. 21.20 Section 21.20 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... Act Record Systems § 21.20 Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record... of each year a notice concerning each Privacy Act Record System as defined in § 21.3(c) that is not...

21 CFR 21.20 - Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record Systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Administration Privacy Act Record Systems. 21.20 Section 21.20 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... Act Record Systems § 21.20 Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record... of each year a notice concerning each Privacy Act Record System as defined in § 21.3(c) that is not...

21 CFR 21.20 - Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record Systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Administration Privacy Act Record Systems. 21.20 Section 21.20 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... Act Record Systems § 21.20 Procedures for notice of Food and Drug Administration Privacy Act Record... of each year a notice concerning each Privacy Act Record System as defined in § 21.3(c) that is not...

Improved computer simulation of the TCAS 3 circular array mounted on an aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rojas, R. G.; Chen, Y. C.; Burnside, Walter D.

1989-03-01

The Traffic advisory and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assist aircraft pilots in mid-air collision avoidance. This report concentrates on the computer simulation of the enchanced TCAS 2 systems mounted on a Boeing 727. First, the moment method is used to obtain an accurate model for the enhanced TCAS 2 antenna array. Then, the OSU Aircraft Code is used to generate theoretical radiation patterns of this model mounted on a simulated Boeing 727 model. Scattering error curves obtained from these patterns can be used to evaluate the performance of this system in determining the angular position of another aircraft with respect to the TCAS-equipped aircraft. Finally, the tracking of another aircraft is simulated when the TCAS-equipped aircraft follows a prescribed escape curve. In short, the computer models developed in this report have generality, completeness and yield reasonable results.

48 CFR 252.245-7003 - Contractor Property Management System Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Management System Administration. 252.245-7003 Section 252.245-7003 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of Provisions And Clauses 252.245-7003 Contractor Property Management System Administration. As prescribed in 245.107, insert the following clause: CONTRACTOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM...

Systemic correction of the muscle disorder glycogen storage disease type II after hepatic targeting of a modified adenovirus vector encoding human acid-α-glucosidase

PubMed Central

Amalfitano, A.; McVie-Wylie, A. J.; Hu, H.; Dawson, T. L.; Raben, N.; Plotz, P.; Chen, Y. T.

1999-01-01

This report demonstrates that a single intravenous administration of a gene therapy vector can potentially result in the correction of all affected muscles in a mouse model of a human genetic muscle disease. These results were achieved by capitalizing both on the positive attributes of modified adenovirus-based vectoring systems and receptor-mediated lysosomal targeting of enzymes. The muscle disease treated, glycogen storage disease type II, is a lysosomal storage disorder that manifests as a progressive myopathy, secondary to massive glycogen accumulations in the skeletal and/or cardiac muscles of affected individuals. We demonstrated that a single intravenous administration of a modified Ad vector encoding human acid α-glucosidase (GAA) resulted in efficient hepatic transduction and secretion of high levels of the precursor GAA proenzyme into the plasma of treated animals. Subsequently, systemic distribution and uptake of the proenzyme into the skeletal and cardiac muscles of the GAA-knockout mouse was confirmed. As a result, systemic decreases (and correction) of the glycogen accumulations in a variety of muscle tissues was demonstrated. This model can potentially be expanded to include the treatment of other lysosomal enzyme disorders. Lessons learned from systemic genetic therapy of muscle disorders also should have implications for other muscle diseases, such as the muscular dystrophies. PMID:10430861

The secure authorization model for healthcare information system.

PubMed

Hsu, Wen-Shin; Pan, Jiann-I

2013-10-01

Exploring healthcare system for assisting medical services or transmitting patients' personal health information in web application has been widely investigated. Information and communication technologies have been applied to the medical services and healthcare area for a number of years to resolve problems in medical management. In the healthcare system, not all users are allowed to access all the information. Several authorization models for restricting users to access specific information at specific permissions have been proposed. However, as the number of users and the amount of information grows, the difficulties for administrating user authorization will increase. The critical problem limits the widespread usage of the healthcare system. This paper proposes an approach for role-based and extends it to deal with the information for authorizations in the healthcare system. We propose the role-based authorization model which supports authorizations for different kinds of objects, and a new authorization domain. Based on this model, we discuss the issues and requirements of security in the healthcare systems. The security issues for services shared between different healthcare industries will also be discussed.

Reform and Development of Educational Administration System in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Qiang; Wu, Zhongyuan

2008-01-01

The paper mainly introduces the development of the educational administration agency in China, including the evolution of the educational administration agency, the Course of instituting legal system of education in China, the missions of the now Minister of Education, questions emerged in the development of the educational administration system,…

Immunomodulatory Effect of Agave tequilana Evaluated on an Autoimmunity Like-SLE Model Induced in Balb/c Mice with Pristane.

PubMed

Gutiérrez Nava, Zúlima Jannette; Jiménez-Aparicio, Antonio Ruperto; Herrera-Ruiz, Maribel Lucila; Jiménez-Ferrer, Enrique

2017-05-25

In this work, the immunomodulatory activity of the acetone extract and the fructans obtained from Agave tequilana were evaluated, on the systemic autoimmunity type-SLE model generated by the administration of 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (TMPD, also known as pristane) on Balb/c female mice. The systemic autoimmunity type-SLE was observed seven months after the application of TMPD, in which the animals from the negative control group (animals with damage and without any other treatment) developed articular inflammation, proteinuria, an increment of the antinuclear antibody titters and tissue pro-inflammatory cytokines levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α e IFN-γ) as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The administration of the different treatments and the extracts of A. tequilana , provoked the decrease of: articular inflammation, the development of proteinuria, ssDNA/dsDNA antinuclear antibody titters and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-10. The phytochemical analysis of the acetone extract identified the presence of the following compounds: β-sitosterol glycoside; 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (phytol); octadecadienoic acid-2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester; stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one; cycloartenone and cycloartenol. Therefore, A. tequilana contains active compounds with the capacity to modify the evolution of the systemic autoimmunity type-SLE on a murine model.

5 CFR 930.205 - Administrative law judge pay system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Administrative law judge pay system. 930.205 Section 930.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS (MISCELLANEOUS) Administrative Law...

5 CFR 930.205 - Administrative law judge pay system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Administrative law judge pay system. 930.205 Section 930.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS (MISCELLANEOUS) Administrative Law...

5 CFR 930.205 - Administrative law judge pay system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Administrative law judge pay system. 930.205 Section 930.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS (MISCELLANEOUS) Administrative Law...

5 CFR 930.205 - Administrative law judge pay system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Administrative law judge pay system. 930.205 Section 930.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS (MISCELLANEOUS) Administrative Law...

5 CFR 930.205 - Administrative law judge pay system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Administrative law judge pay system. 930.205 Section 930.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS (MISCELLANEOUS) Administrative Law...

48 CFR 702.170-2 - Administrator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Administrator. 702.170-2 Section 702.170-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions 702.170-2 Administrator. Administrator means the Administrator or...

Ionospheric threats to the integrity of airborne GPS users

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Datta-Barua, Seebany

The Global Positioning System (GPS) has both revolutionized and entwined the worlds of aviation and atmospheric science. As the largest and most unpredictable source of GPS positioning error, the ionospheric layer of the atmosphere, if left unchecked, can endanger the safety, or "integrity," of the single frequency airborne user. An augmentation system is a differential-GPS-based navigation system that provides integrity through independent ionospheric monitoring by reference stations. However, the monitor stations are not in general colocated with the user's GPS receiver. The augmentation system must protect users from possible ionosphere density variations occurring between its measurements and the user's. This study analyzes observations from ionospherically active periods to identify what types of ionospheric disturbances may cause threats to user safety if left unmitigated. This work identifies when such disturbances may occur using a geomagnetic measure of activity and then considers two disturbances as case studies. The first case study indicates the need for a non-trivial threat model for the Federal Aviation Administration's Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) that was not known prior to the work. The second case study uses ground- and space-based data to model an ionospheric disturbance of interest to the Federal Aviation Administration's Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). This work is a step in the justification for, and possible future refinement of, one of the WAAS integrity algorithms. For both WAAS and LAAS, integrity threats are basically caused by events that may be occurring but are unobservable. Prior to the data available in this solar cycle, events of such magnitude were not known to be possible. This work serves as evidence that the ionospheric threat models developed for WARS and LAAS are warranted and that they are sufficiently conservative to maintain user integrity even under extreme ionospheric behavior.

Building Analytic Capacity and Statistical Literacy Among Title IV-E MSW Students

PubMed Central

LERY, BRIDGETTE; PUTNAM-HORNSTEIN, EMILY; WIEGMANN, WENDY; KING, BRYN

2016-01-01

Building and sustaining effective child welfare practice requires an infrastructure of social work professionals trained to use data to identify target populations, connect interventions to outcomes, adapt practice to varying contexts and dynamic populations, and assess their own effectiveness. Increasingly, public agencies are implementing models of self-assessment in which administrative data are used to guide and continuously evaluate the implementation of programs and policies. The research curriculum described in the article was developed to provide Title IV-E and other students interested in public child welfare systems with hands-on opportunities to become experienced and “statistically literate” users of aggregated public child welfare data from California’s administrative child welfare system, attending to the often missing link between data/research and practice improvement. PMID:27429600

Space weather forecasting with a Multimodel Ensemble Prediction System (MEPS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schunk, R. W.; Scherliess, L.; Eccles, V.; Gardner, L. C.; Sojka, J. J.; Zhu, L.; Pi, X.; Mannucci, A. J.; Butala, M.; Wilson, B. D.; Komjathy, A.; Wang, C.; Rosen, G.

2016-07-01

The goal of the Multimodel Ensemble Prediction System (MEPS) program is to improve space weather specification and forecasting with ensemble modeling. Space weather can have detrimental effects on a variety of civilian and military systems and operations, and many of the applications pertain to the ionosphere and upper atmosphere. Space weather can affect over-the-horizon radars, HF communications, surveying and navigation systems, surveillance, spacecraft charging, power grids, pipelines, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA's) Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Because of its importance, numerous space weather forecasting approaches are being pursued, including those involving empirical, physics-based, and data assimilation models. Clearly, if there are sufficient data, the data assimilation modeling approach is expected to be the most reliable, but different data assimilation models can produce different results. Therefore, like the meteorology community, we created a Multimodel Ensemble Prediction System (MEPS) for the Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Electrodynamics (ITE) system that is based on different data assimilation models. The MEPS ensemble is composed of seven physics-based data assimilation models for the ionosphere, ionosphere-plasmasphere, thermosphere, high-latitude ionosphere-electrodynamics, and middle to low latitude ionosphere-electrodynamics. Hence, multiple data assimilation models can be used to describe each region. A selected storm event that was reconstructed with four different data assimilation models covering the middle and low latitude ionosphere is presented and discussed. In addition, the effect of different data types on the reconstructions is shown.

The regulatory system for diabetes mellitus: Modeling rates of glucose infusions and insulin injections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jin; Tang, Sanyi; Cheke, Robert A.

2016-08-01

Novel mathematical models with open and closed-loop control for type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus were developed to improve understanding of the glucose-insulin regulatory system. A hybrid impulsive glucose-insulin model with different frequencies of glucose infusions and insulin injections was analyzed, and the existence and uniqueness of the positive periodic solution for type 1 diabetes, which is globally asymptotically stable, was studied analytically. Moreover, permanence of the system for type 2 diabetes was demonstrated which showed that the glucose concentration level is uniformly bounded above and below. To investigate how to prevent hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia being caused by this system, we developed a model involving periodic intakes of glucose with insulin injections applied only when the blood glucose level reached a given critical glucose threshold. In addition, our numerical analysis revealed that the period, the frequency and the dose of glucose infusions and insulin injections are crucial for insulin therapies, and the results provide clinical strategies for insulin-administration practices.

Data Model for Multi Hazard Risk Assessment Spatial Support Decision System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrejchenko, Vera; Bakker, Wim; van Westen, Cees

2014-05-01

The goal of the CHANGES Spatial Decision Support System is to support end-users in making decisions related to risk reduction measures for areas at risk from multiple hydro-meteorological hazards. The crucial parts in the design of the system are the user requirements, the data model, the data storage and management, and the relationships between the objects in the system. The implementation of the data model is carried out entirely with an open source database management system with a spatial extension. The web application is implemented using open source geospatial technologies with PostGIS as the database, Python for scripting, and Geoserver and javascript libraries for visualization and the client-side user-interface. The model can handle information from different study areas (currently, study areas from France, Romania, Italia and Poland are considered). Furthermore, the data model handles information about administrative units, projects accessible by different types of users, user-defined hazard types (floods, snow avalanches, debris flows, etc.), hazard intensity maps of different return periods, spatial probability maps, elements at risk maps (buildings, land parcels, linear features etc.), economic and population vulnerability information dependent on the hazard type and the type of the element at risk, in the form of vulnerability curves. The system has an inbuilt database of vulnerability curves, but users can also add their own ones. Included in the model is the management of a combination of different scenarios (e.g. related to climate change, land use change or population change) and alternatives (possible risk-reduction measures), as well as data-structures for saving the calculated economic or population loss or exposure per element at risk, aggregation of the loss and exposure using the administrative unit maps, and finally, producing the risk maps. The risk data can be used for cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE). The data model includes data-structures for CBA and SMCE. The model is at the stage where risk and cost-benefit calculations can be stored but the remaining part is currently under development. Multi-criteria information, user management and the relation of these with the rest of the model is our next step. Having a carefully designed data model plays a crucial role in the development of the whole system for rapid development, keeping the data consistent, and in the end, support the end-user in making good decisions in risk-reduction measures related to multiple natural hazards. This work is part of the EU FP7 Marie Curie ITN "CHANGES"project (www.changes-itn.edu)

Modeling the outcomes of nursing home care.

PubMed

Rohrer, J E; Hogan, A J

1987-01-01

In this exploratory analysis using data on 290 patients, we use regression analysis to model patient outcomes in two Veterans Administration nursing homes. We find resource use, as measured with minutes of nursing time, to be associated with outcomes when case mix is controlled. Our results suggest that, under case-based reimbursement systems, nursing homes could increase their revenues by withholding unskilled and psychosocial care and discouraging physicians' visits. Implications for nursing home policy are discussed.

Emerging accounting trends accounting for leases.

PubMed

Valletta, Robert; Huggins, Brian

2010-12-01

A new model for lease accounting can have a significant impact on hospitals and healthcare organizations. The new approach proposes a "right-of-use" model that involves complex estimates and significant administrative burden. Hospitals and health systems that draw heavily on lease arrangements should start preparing for the new approach now even though guidance and a final rule are not expected until mid-2011. This article highlights a number of considerations from the lessee point of view.

Flagellin preconditioning enhances the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in an irradiation-induced proctitis model.

PubMed

Linard, Christine; Strup-Perrot, Carine; Lacave-Lapalun, Jean-Victor; Benderitter, Marc

2016-09-01

The success of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for proctitis depends not only on cell donors but also on host microenvironmental factors, which play a major role in conditioning mesenchymal stem cell immunosuppressive action and repair. This study sought to determine if flagellin, a TLR5 ligand, can enhance the mesenchymal stem cell treatment efficacy in radiation-induced proctitis. With the use of a colorectal model of 27 Gy irradiation in rats, we investigated and compared the effects on immune capacity and remodeling at 28 d after irradiation of the following: 1) systemic mesenchymal stem cell (5 × 10(6)) administration at d 7 after irradiation, 2) administration of flagellin at d 3 and systemic mesenchymal stem cell administration at d 7, and 3) in vitro preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells with flagellin, 24 h before their administration on d 7. The mucosal CD8(+) T cell population was normalized after treatment with flagellin-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells or flagellin plus mesenchymal stem cells, whereas mesenchymal stem cells alone did not alter the radiation-induced elevation of CD8(+) T cell frequency. Mesenchymal stem cell treatment returned the irradiation-elevated frequency of CD25(+) cells in the mucosa-to-control levels, whereas both flagellin-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cell and flagellin-plus-mesenchymal stem cell treatment each significantly increased not only CD25(+) cell frequency but also forkhead box p3 and IL-2Rα expression. Specifically, IL-10 was overexpressed after flagellin-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cell treatment. Analysis of collagen expression showed that the collagen type 1/collagen type 3 ratio, an indicator of wound-healing maturation, was low in the irradiated and mesenchymal stem cell-treated groups and returned to the normal level only after the flagellin-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cell treatment. This was associated with a reduction in myofibroblast accumulation. In a proctitis model, flagellin-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells improved colonic immune capacity and enhanced tissue remodeling. © Society for Leukocyte Biology.

Effect of orally administered Lactobacillus brevis HY7401 in a food allergy mouse model.

PubMed

Lee, Jeongmin; Bang, Jieun; Woo, Hee-Jong

2013-11-28

We had found that orally administered Lactobacillus species were effective immune modulators in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice. To validate these findings, we investigated the effects of orally administered Lactobacillus brevis HY7401 in OVA-T cell receptor transgenic mice. This strain showed a tendency to induce Th1 cytokines and inhibit Th2 cytokines. All assayed isotypes of OVA-specific antibody were effectively reduced. Systemic anaphylaxis was also relatively reduced with the probiotic administration. These results reveal that L. brevis HY7401 might be useful to promote anti-allergic processes through oral administration.

The Role of Model Fidelity in Understanding the Food-Energy-Water Nexus at the Asset Level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tidwell, V. C.; Lowry, T. S.; Behery, S.; Macknick, J.; Yang, Y. C. E.

2017-12-01

An improved understanding of the food-energy-water nexus at the asset level (e.g., power plant, irrigation ditch, water utility) is necessary for the efficient management and operations of connected infrastructure systems. Interdependencies potentially influencing the operations of a particular asset can be numerous. For example, operations of energy and agricultural assets depend on the delivery of water, which in turn depend on the physical hydrology, river/reservoir operations, water rights, the networked water infrastructure and other factors. A critical challenge becomes identification of those linkages central to the analysis of the system. Toward this need, a case study was conducted centered on the San Juan River basin, a major tributary to the Colorado River. A unique opportunity was afforded by the availability of two sets of coupled models built on the same simulation platform but formulated at distinctly different fidelities. Comparative analysis was driven by statistically downscaled climate data from three global climate models (emission scenario RCP 8.5) and planned growth in regional water demand. Precipitation was partitioned between evaporation, runoff and recharge using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrologic model. Priority administration of small-scale water use of upland tributary flows was simulated using Colorado's StateMod model. Mainstem operations of the San Juan River, including releases from Navajo Reservoir, were subsequently modeled using RiverWare to estimate impacts on water deliveries, environmental flows and interbasin transfers out to the year 2100. Models differ in the spatial resolution, disaggregation of water use, infrastructure operations and representation of system dynamics. Comparisons drawn between this suite of coupled models provides insight into the value of model fidelity relative to assessing asset vulnerability to a range of uncertain growth and climate futures. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA-0003525.

Longitudinal Effects of Ketamine on Dendritic Architecture In Vivo in the Mouse Medial Frontal Cortex123

PubMed Central

Phoumthipphavong, Victoria; Barthas, Florent; Hassett, Samantha

2016-01-01

Abstract A single subanesthetic dose of ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, leads to fast-acting antidepressant effects. In rodent models, systemic ketamine is associated with higher dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex, reflecting structural remodeling that may underlie the behavioral changes. However, turnover of dendritic spines is a dynamic process in vivo, and the longitudinal effects of ketamine on structural plasticity remain unclear. The purpose of the current study is to use subcellular resolution optical imaging to determine the time course of dendritic alterations in vivo following systemic ketamine administration in mice. We used two-photon microscopy to visualize repeatedly the same set of dendritic branches in the mouse medial frontal cortex (MFC) before and after a single injection of ketamine or saline. Compared to controls, ketamine-injected mice had higher dendritic spine density in MFC for up to 2 weeks. This prolonged increase in spine density was driven by an elevated spine formation rate, and not by changes in the spine elimination rate. A fraction of the new spines following ketamine injection was persistent, which is indicative of functional synapses. In a few cases, we also observed retraction of distal apical tuft branches on the day immediately after ketamine administration. These results indicate that following systemic ketamine administration, certain dendritic inputs in MFC are removed immediately, while others are added gradually. These dynamic structural modifications are consistent with a model of ketamine action in which the net effect is a rebalancing of synaptic inputs received by frontal cortical neurons. PMID:27066532

Risperidone and aripiprazole alleviate prenatal valproic acid-induced abnormalities in behaviors and dendritic spine density in mice.

PubMed

Hara, Yuta; Ago, Yukio; Taruta, Atsuki; Hasebe, Shigeru; Kawase, Haruki; Tanabe, Wataru; Tsukada, Shinji; Nakazawa, Takanobu; Hashimoto, Hitoshi; Matsuda, Toshio; Takuma, Kazuhiro

2017-11-01

Rodents exposed prenatally to valproic acid (VPA) exhibit autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behavioral abnormalities. We recently found that prenatal VPA exposure causes hypofunction of the prefrontal dopaminergic system in mice. This suggests that the dopaminergic system may be a potential pharmacological target for treatment of behavioral abnormalities in ASD patients. In the present study, we examined the effects of antipsychotic drugs, which affect the dopaminergic system, on the social interaction deficits, recognition memory impairment, and reduction in dendritic spine density in the VPA mouse model of ASD. Both acute and chronic administrations of the atypical antipsychotic drugs risperidone and aripiprazole increased prefrontal dopamine (DA) release, while the typical antipsychotic drug haloperidol did not. Chronic risperidone and aripiprazole, but not haloperidol, increased the expression of c-Fos in the prefrontal cortex, although they all increased c-Fos expression in the striatum. Chronic, but not acute, administrations of risperidone and aripiprazole improved the VPA-induced social interaction deficits and recognition memory impairment, as well as the reduction in dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In contrast, chronic administration of haloperidol did not ameliorate VPA-induced abnormalities in behaviors and dendritic spine density. These findings indicate that chronic risperidone and aripiprazole treatments improve VPA-induced abnormalities in behaviors and prefrontal dendritic spine density, which may be mediated by repeated elevation of extracellular DA in the prefrontal cortex. Our results also imply that loss of prefrontal dendritic spines may be involved in the abnormal behaviors in the VPA mouse model of ASD.

Contemporary Development Trends in Administrative-Legal Relations in the System of Administrative Justice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abdikerimova, Aynur A.

2016-01-01

The purpose of the study is to determine the main contemporary development trends in administrative-legal relations in the field of administrative justice. In order to examine theoretical and practical issues of modern administrative justice, normative legal acts identifying the relations in the system of administrative justice in the Republic in…

[Bemetil pharmacokinetics in an experiment on rats].

PubMed

Boĭko, S S; Bobkov, Iu G; Zherdev, V P; Dvorianinov, A A

1987-01-01

Pharmacokinetics of bemetil (2-ethyl-mercaptobenzimidazole), a representative of the group of actoprotectors, was studied at intravenous and intragastric administration during the experiment on rats by using gas-liquid chromatography. It was found that at intragastric administration the drug rapidly appeared in the systemic circulation, reached the maximal concentration in one hour; the character of bemetil elimination from the blood was biexponential at both routes of administration. The two-compartment model was used for calculation of the main pharmacokinetic constants and bioavailability. The analysis of the experimental findings on urinary excretion of bemetil made it possible to conclude that little amount of the drug (0.56%) is excreted in the urine in the unchanged form; most amount of bemetil is excreted in the form of metabolites and in the bound state.

Modeling, simulation, and analysis at Sandia National Laboratories for health care systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polito, Joseph

1994-12-01

Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis are special competencies of the Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories which have been developed and refined through years of national defense work. Today, many of these skills are being applied to the problem of understanding the performance of medical devices and treatments. At Sandia National Laboratories we are developing models at all three levels of health care delivery: (1) phenomenology models for Observation and Test, (2) model-based outcomes simulations for Diagnosis and Prescription, and (3) model-based design and control simulations for the Administration of Treatment. A sampling of specific applications include non-invasive sensors for blood glucose, ultrasonic scanning for development of prosthetics, automated breast cancer diagnosis, laser burn debridement, surgical staple deformation, minimally invasive control for administration of a photodynamic drug, and human-friendly decision support aids for computer-aided diagnosis. These and other projects are being performed at Sandia with support from the DOE and in cooperation with medical research centers and private companies. Our objective is to leverage government engineering, modeling, and simulation skills with the biotechnical expertise of the health care community to create a more knowledge-rich environment for decision making and treatment.

Enablers and inhibitors of the implementation of the Casalud Model, a Mexican innovative healthcare model for non-communicable disease prevention and control.

PubMed

Tapia-Conyer, Roberto; Saucedo-Martinez, Rodrigo; Mujica-Rosales, Ricardo; Gallardo-Rincon, Hector; Campos-Rivera, Paola Abril; Lee, Evan; Waugh, Craig; Guajardo, Lucia; Torres-Beltran, Braulio; Quijano-Gonzalez, Ursula; Soni-Gallardo, Lidia

2016-07-22

The Mexican healthcare system is under increasing strain due to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (especially type 2 diabetes), mounting costs, and a reactive curative approach focused on treating existing diseases and their complications rather than preventing them. Casalud is a comprehensive primary healthcare model that enables proactive prevention and disease management throughout the continuum of care, using innovative technologies and a patient-centred approach. Data were collected over a 2-year period in eight primary health clinics (PHCs) in two states in central Mexico to identify and assess enablers and inhibitors of the implementation process of Casalud. We used mixed quantitative and qualitative data collection tools: surveys, in-depth interviews, and participant and non-participant observations. Transcripts and field notes were analyzed and coded using Framework Analysis, focusing on defining and describing enablers and inhibitors of the implementation process. We identified seven recurring topics in the analyzed textual data. Four topics were categorized as enablers: political support for the Casalud model, alignment with current healthcare trends, ongoing technical improvements (to ease adoption and support), and capacity building. Three topics were categorized as inhibitors: administrative practices, health clinic human resources, and the lack of a shared vision of the model. Enablers are located at PHCs and across all levels of government, and include political support for, and the technological validity of, the model. The main inhibitor is the persistence of obsolete administrative practices at both state and PHC levels, which puts the administrative feasibility of the model's implementation in jeopardy. Constructing a shared vision around the model could facilitate the implementation of Casalud as well as circumvent administrative inhibitors. In order to overcome PHC-level barriers, it is crucial to have an efficient and straightforward adaptation and updating process for technological tools. One of the key lessons learned from the implementation of the Casalud model is that a degree of uncertainty must be tolerated when quickly scaling up a healthcare intervention. Similar patient-centred technology-based models must remain open to change and be able to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.

The National Health Insurance system as one type of new typology: the case of South Korea and Taiwan.

PubMed

Lee, Sang-Yi; Chun, Chang-Bae; Lee, Yong-Gab; Seo, Nam Kyu

2008-01-01

A typology is the useful way of understanding the key frameworks of health care system. With many different criteria of health care system, several typologies have been introduced and applied to each country's health care system. Among those, National Health Service (NHS), Social Health Insurance (SHI), and Private Health Insurance (PHI) are three most well-known types of health care system in the 3-model typology. Differentiated from the existing 3-model typology of health care system, South Korea and Taiwan implemented new concept of National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Since none of previous typologies can be applied to these countries' NHI to explain its unique features in a proper manner, a new typology needs to be introduced. Therefore, this paper introduces a new typology with two crucial variables that are 'state administration for health care financing' and 'main body for health care provision'. With these two variables, the world's national health care systems can be divided into four types of model: NHS, SHI, NHI, and PHI (Liberal model). This research outlines the rationale of developing new typology and introduces main features and frameworks of the NHI that South Korea and Taiwan implemented in the 1990 s.

A novel animal model to evaluate the ability of a drug delivery system to promote the passage through the BBB.

PubMed

Iannone, Michelangelo; Cosco, Donato; Cilurzo, Felisa; Celia, Christian; Paolino, Donatella; Mollace, Vincenzo; Rotiroti, Domenicantonio; Fresta, Massimo

2010-01-18

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the potentiality of a novel animal model to be used for the in vivo evaluation of the ability of a drug delivery system to promote the passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and/or to improve the brain localization of a bioactive compound. A Tween 80-coated poly-L-lactid acid nanoparticles was used as a model of colloidal drug delivery system, able to trespass the BBB. Tacrine, administered in LiCl pre-treated rats, induces electrocorticographic seizures and delayed hippocampal damage. The toxic effects of tacrine-loaded poly-L-lactid acid nanoparticles (5mg/kg), a saline solution of tacrine (5mg/kg) and an empty colloidal nanoparticle suspension were compared following i.p. administration in LiCl-pre-treated Wistar rats. All the animals treated with tacrine-loaded nanoparticles showed an earlier outcome of CNS adverse symptoms, i.e. epileptic onset, with respect to those animals treated with the free compound (10 min vs. 22 min respectively). In addition, tacrine-loaded nanoparticles administration induced damage of neuronal cells in CA1 field of the hippocampus in all treated animals, while the saline solution of tacrine only in 60% of animals. Empty nanoparticles provided similar results to control (saline-treated) group of animals. In conclusion, the evaluation of time-to-onset of symptoms and the severity of neurodegenerative processes induced by the tacrine-lithium model of epilepsy in the rat, could be used to evaluate preliminarily the capability of a drug delivery system to trespass (or not) the BBB in vivo. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

78 FR 66376 - Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-05

... management and administration of the trust administration system; (2) Review the Department's provision of... and scope of necessary audits of the Department's trust administration system; (5) Recommend options...'s management and administration of the trust assets within a two-year period and will offer...

Immunomodulation with bacterial extracts in respiratory diseases.

PubMed

Palma-Carlos, A G; Palma-Carlos, M L

1990-01-01

A lyophilized bacterial extract (Broncho-Vaxom) has been studied in a large number of models and found to induce specific and nonspecific responses by oral administration. It stimulates the systemic and local immune response. It activates the macrophages that play a key part in the immune system, modulates the immunoglobulin level, and potentiates the lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and other mitogens. The effect of this bacterial extract on T-lymphocyte subpopulations is currently under study.

Modelling Participatory Geographic Information System for Customary Land Conflict Resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gyamera, E. A.; Arko-Adjei, A.; Duncan, E. E.; Kuma, J. S. Y.

2017-11-01

Since land contributes to about 73 % of most countries Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attention on land rights have tremendously increased globally. Conflicts over land have therefore become part of the major problems associated with land administration. However, the conventional mechanisms for land conflict resolution do not provide satisfactory result to disputants due to various factors. This study sought to develop a Framework of using Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) for customary land conflict resolution. The framework was modelled using Unified Modelling Language (UML). The PGIS framework, called butterfly model, consists of three units namely, Social Unit (SU), Technical Unit (TU) and Decision Making Unit (DMU). The name butterfly model for land conflict resolution was adopted for the framework based on its features and properties. The framework has therefore been recommended to be adopted for land conflict resolution in customary areas.

Metabolomic and pharmacokinetic study on the mechanism underlying the lipid-lowering effect of oral-administrated berberine

PubMed Central

Gu, Shenghua; Cao, Bei; Sun, Runbin; Tang, Yueqing; Paletta, Janice L.; Wu, Xiao-Lei; Liu, Linsheng; Zha, Weibin; Zhao, Chunyan; Li, Yan; Radlon, Jason M.; Hylemon, Phillip B.; Zhou, Huiping; Aa, Jiye; Wang, Guangji

2014-01-01

Clinic and animal studies demonstrated that oral-administrated berberine had distinct lipid-lowering effect. However, pharmacokinetic studies showed berberine was poorly absorbed into the body so that the levels of berberine in the blood and target tissues were far below the effective concentrations revealed. To probe the underlying mechanism, the effect of berberine on biological system was studied on a high-fat-diet-induced hamster hyperlipidemia model. Our results showed that intragastric-administered berberine was poorly absorbed into circulation and most berberine accumulated in gut content. Although the bioavailability for intragastric-administered berberine was much lower than that of intraperitoneal-administered berberine, it had stronger lipid-lowing effect, indicating gastrointestinal is a potential target for hypolipidemic effect of berberine. Metabolomic study on both serum and gut content showed that oral-administrated berberine significantly regulated molecules involved in lipid metabolism, and increased the generation of bile acids in the hyperlipidemic model. DNA analysis revealed that the oral-administered berberine modulated the gut microbiota, and BBR showed a significant inhibition on the 7α-dehydroxylation conversion of cholic acid to deoxycholic acid, indicating a decreased elimination of bile acids in the gut. However, in model hamsters, elevated bile acids failed to down-regulate the expression and function of CYP7A1 in a negative feed-back way. It was suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effect for oral-administrated berberine is involved in its effect on modulating the turnover of bile acids and farnesoid X receptor signal pathway. PMID:25411028

Topical CpG Adjuvantation of a Protein-Based Vaccine Induces Protective Immunity to Listeria monocytogenes

PubMed Central

Cheng, Wing Ki; Wee, Kathleen; Kollmann, Tobias R.

2014-01-01

Robust CD8+ T cell responses are essential for immune protection against intracellular pathogens. Using parenteral administration of ovalbumin (OVA) protein as a model antigen, the effect of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 1826, as an adjuvant delivered either topically, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly on antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses in a mouse model was evaluated. Topical CpG adjuvant increased the frequency of OVA-specific CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood and in the spleen. The more effective strategy to administer topical CpG adjuvant to enhance CD8+ T cell responses was single-dose administration at the time of antigen injection with a prime-boost regimen. Topical CpG adjuvant conferred both rapid and long-lasting protection against systemic challenge with recombinant Listeria monocytogenes expressing the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope of OVA257–264 (strain Lm-OVA) in a TLR9-dependent manner. Topical CpG adjuvant induced a higher proportion of CD8+ effector memory T cells than parenteral administration of the adjuvant. Although traditional vaccination strategies involve coformulation of antigen and adjuvant, split administration using topical adjuvant is effective and has advantages of safety and flexibility. Split administration of topical CpG ODN 1826 with parenteral protein antigen is superior to other administration strategies in enhancing both acute and memory protective CD8+ T cell immune responses to subcutaneous protein vaccines. This vaccination strategy induces rapid and persistent protective immune responses against the intracellular organism L. monocytogenes. PMID:24391136

[Co-payment on prescription drugs in the Spanish public health system: Certainty, risk and selection of risks].

PubMed

Simó Miñana, Juan

2015-12-01

The model of co-payment on prescription drugs in the Spanish National Health System (NHS) changed on 1 July 2012. For more than three decades that it was not modified. This article provides a brief historical reminder of the evolution of this model of co-payment. The basic characteristics of this model are compared with the model of copayment on prescription drugs of the Administrative Mutualism (Civil Servants). The document provides detailed information on the percentage of effective copayment, fundraising effects, the economic participation of the patient, among others, in both models. Finally, listed pending improvements not addressed by 2012 changes such as the concentration of the co-payment in the active patient population and risk selection promoted by the differences in the financial contribution between the two models of co-payment (NHS and Mutualist). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

48 CFR 30.607 - Subcontract administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Subcontract administration. 30.607 Section 30.607 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION CAS Administration 30.607 Subcontract...

Federal Emergency Management Information System (FEMIS) system administration guide. Version 1.2

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

Burford, M.J.; Burnett, R.A.; Curtis, L.M.

The Federal Emergency Management Information System (FEMIS) is an emergency management planning and analysis tool that is being developed under the direction of the US Army Chemical biological Defense Command. The FEMIS System Administration Guide defines FEMIS hardware and software requirements and gives instructions for installing the FEMIS system package. System administrators, database administrators, and general users can use this guide to install, configure, and maintain the FEMIS client software package. This document provides a description of the FEMIS environment; distribution media; data, communications, and electronic mail servers; user workstations; and system management.

Bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody, inhibits osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Nagai, Toshihiro; Sato, Masato; Kobayashi, Miyuki; Yokoyama, Munetaka; Tani, Yoshiki; Mochida, Joji

2014-09-18

Angiogenesis is an important factor in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated the efficacy of bevacizumab, an antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor and an inhibitor of angiogenesis, in the treatment of OA using a rabbit model of anterior cruciate ligament transection. First, we evaluated the response of gene expression and histology of the normal joint to bevacizumab treatment. Next, in a rabbit model of OA induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection, we used macroscopic and histological evaluations and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine the responses to intravenous (systemic) administration of bevacizumab (OAB IV group). We also investigated the efficacy of intra-articular (local) administration of bevacizumab in OA-induced rabbits (OAB IA group). Histologically, bevacizumab had no negative effect in normal joints. Bevacizumab did not increase the expression of genes for catabolic factors in the synovium, subchondral bone, or articular cartilage, but it increased the expression of collagen type 2 in the articular cartilage. Macroscopically and histologically, the OAB IV group exhibited a reduction in articular cartilage degeneration and less osteophyte formation and synovitis compared with the control group (no bevacizumab; OA group). Real-time PCR showed significantly lower expression of catabolic factors in the synovium in the OAB IV group compared with the OA group. In articular cartilage, expression levels of aggrecan, collagen type 2, and chondromodulin-1 were higher in the OAB IV group than in the OA group. Histological evaluation and assessment of pain behaviour showed a superior effect in the OAB IA group compared with the OAB IV group 12 weeks after administration of bevacizumab, even though the total dosage given to the OAB IA group was half that received by the OAB IV group. Considering the dosage and potential adverse effects of bevacizumab, the local administration of bevacizumab is a more advantageous approach than systemic administration. Our results suggest that intra-articular bevacizumab may offer a new therapeutic approach for patients with post-traumatic OA.

76 FR 9399 - ITS Joint Program Office; Pre-Proposal Safety Pilot Joint Bidders Conference; Notice of Public...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-17

... Conference; Notice of Public Meeting AGENCY: Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S... Rhode Island Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20036. The conference is for interested parties to learn about... systems. The model deployment data generated will be used for establishing safety benefits in support of...

IT Software Development and IT Operations Strategic Alignment: An Agile DevOps Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hart, Michael

2017-01-01

Information Technology (IT) departments that include development and operations are essential to develop software that meet customer needs. DevOps is a term originally constructed from software development and IT operations. DevOps includes the collaboration of all stakeholders such as software engineers and systems administrators involved in the…

Overcoming barriers to ITS : lessons from other technologies : final task C report : models ff public and private participation in ATMS/ATIS

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-09-01

This report documents the results of a Federal Highway ADministration (FHWA) study of the agency's Highqay Performance Monitoring System (HPMS). The purpose of this study was to assist FHWA in conducting a comprehensive review of the HPMS, designed t...

A Database Training Module for Nassau Community College Staff and Faculty.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goodman, Harriett Ziskin

A training module developed following the Instructional System Design model was implemented at Nassau Community College (NCC) to teach its administration, faculty, and staff members computer skills that would enable them to use the available computer equipment more efficiently. Using this module, each trainee designed a file to be used for the…

Fixing Advising: A Model for Faculty Advising

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crocker, Robert M.; Kahla, Marlene; Allen, Charlotte

2014-01-01

This paper addresses mandates to fix the advising process with a focus on faculty advising systems. Measures of student success and satisfaction, administrative issues, and faculty concerns are among the many factors discussed. Regression analysis is used to explore long-voiced faculty complaints that students do not follow advice. A case study is…

Securing a (New) Seat at the Table: Distributed Leadership and School Psychologists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Enz, Ashley; McCullum, Charcelor

2018-01-01

In a time of greater demands on school systems and increased strain on human and material resources, the need for expanded leadership models is becoming increasingly apparent. As a result, educational stakeholders are investing in leadership roles beyond the traditional school administrators, engaging various educators' leadership capacities at…

Glutamate Signaling and Mitochnodrial Dysfunction in Models of Parkinson’s Disease

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

synaptic response; 3) antagonism of ionotropic glutamate receptors essentially eliminates the response to PPN stimulation, suggesting that nicotinic...systemic administration of drug, significantly lowers mitochondrial oxidant stress. Third, antagonizing glutamatergic NMDA receptors , but not...metabotropic glutamate receptors , diminishes oxidant stress in dopaminergic neurons; stimulating NMDA receptors raises stress levels. Fourth, blocking

Development of an Effective Special Therapy Bed Management System at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-01

Patillo, 1990). The administrative support element attempted to pattern itself after the clinical model, hoping to better manage shortages of personnel...Material ManaQement Quarterly, 11(3), 36-48. Thomas, C. (1989). Specialty beds: Decision making made easy. Ostomy -Wound Management, 23, 51-59. Thomson

A College Administrator's Framework to Assess Compliance with Accreditation Mandates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis†, Jerry M.; Rivera, John-Juan

2014-01-01

A framework to assess the impact of complying with college accreditation mandates is developed based on North's (1996) concepts of transaction costs, property rights, and institutions; Clayton's (1999) Systems Alignment Model; and the educational production function described by Hanushek (2007). The framework demonstrates how sought…

76 FR 57625 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER Series Airplanes...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-16

... Series Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Installations AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or... Specialists, Inc., proposes to use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in a dual Class 3 EFB system on Boeing...

Organization of Model Systems for Primary Care Practice and Education: Problems and Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seidel, Henry M.

1975-01-01

Lists issues in planning primary care education, e.g. fear of dilution of excellence, competition for resources, delivery of care, the teaching objective, M.D. and new health professional, benefit and service structure, financial structure, physical and administrative locus, marketing. Emphasis is on coordination of educational research, and…

Chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis in broilers: Further defining a bacterial challenge model using the wire flooring model.

PubMed

Al-Rubaye, Adnan A K; Ekesi, Nnamdi S; Zaki, Sura; Emami, Nima K; Wideman, Robert F; Rhoads, Douglas D

2017-02-01

Lameness in broiler chickens is a significant animal welfare and financial issue. Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) leading to lameness can be enhanced by rearing young broilers on wire flooring. Using the wire floor system, we identified Staphylococcus agnetis as the predominant isolate in BCO of the proximal tibiae and femora, and blood of lame broilers. Administration of S. agnetis isolates in water can induce lameness. We now report that the wire floor system increases bacterial translocation into the blood stream. We have also determined that approximately 10 5 CFU/mL is the minimum effective dose in the drinking water and that challenge at 10, 20, or 30 days of age produces similar incidences of lameness. BCO isolates of S. agnetis are much more effective than other Staphylococcus species and can overwhelm the protective effects of some commercial probiotics. Finally, we also demonstrated that the BCO lameness induced by administration of S. agnetis in the drinking water is transmissible to unchallenged broilers in the same pen. © 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Stress modulation of drug self-administration: implications for addiction comorbidity with post-traumatic stress disorder

PubMed Central

Logrip, Marian L.; Zorrilla, Eric P.; Koob, George F.

2011-01-01

Drug abuse and dependence present significant health burdens for our society, affecting roughly 10% of the population. Stress likely contributes to the development and persistence of drug use; for example, rates of substance dependence are elevated among individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thus, understanding the interaction between stress and drug use, and associated neuroadaptations, is key for developing therapies to combat substance use disorders. For this purpose, many rodent models of the effects of stress exposure on substance use have been developed; the models can be classified according to three categories of stress exposure: developmental, adult nonsocial, and adult social. The present review addresses preclinical findings on the effect of each type of trauma on responses to and self-administration of drugs of abuse by focusing on a key exemplar for each category. In addition, the potential efficacy of targeting neuropeptide systems that have been implicated in stress responses and stress system neuroadaptation in order to treat comorbid PTSD and substance abuse will be discussed. PMID:21782834

Systemic administration of bevacizumab prolongs survival in an in vivo model of platinum pre-treated ovarian cancer

PubMed Central

REIN, DANIEL T.; VOLKMER, ANNE KATHRIN; VOLKMER, JENS; BEYER, INES M.; JANNI, WOLFGANG; FLEISCH, MARKUS C.; WELTER, ANNE KATHRIN; BAUERSCHLAG, DIRK; SCHÖNDORF, THOMAS; BREIDENBACH, MARTINA

2012-01-01

Ovarian cancer patients often suffer from malignant ascites and pleural effusion. Apart from worsening the outcome, this condition frequently impairs the quality of life in patients who are already distressed by ovarian cancer. This study investigated whether single intraperitoneal administration of the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab is capable of reducing the ascites-related body surface and prolonging survival. The study was performed in an orthotopic murine model of peritoneal disseminated platin-resistant ovarian cancer. Mice were treated with bevacizumab and/or paclitaxel or buffer (control). Reduction of body surface and increased survival rates were assessed as therapeutic success. Survival of mice in all treatment groups was significantly enhanced when compared to the non-treatment control group. The combination of paclitaxel plus bevacizumab significantly improved body surface as well as overall survival in comparison to a treatment with only one of the drugs. Treatment of malignant effusion with a single dose of bevacizumab as an intraperitoneal application, with or without cytostatic co-medication, may be a powerful alternative to systemic treatment. PMID:22740945

KUS121, an ATP regulator, mitigates chorioretinal pathologies in animal models of age-related macular degeneration.

PubMed

Muraoka, Yuki; Iida, Yuto; Ikeda, Hanako O; Iwai, Sachiko; Hata, Masayuki; Iwata, Takeshi; Nakayama, Mao; Shimozawa, Nobuhiro; Katakai, Yuko; Kakizuka, Akira; Yoshimura, Nagahisa; Tsujikawa, Akitaka

2018-05-01

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness among elderly people. The appearance of drusen is a clinical manifestation and a harbinger of both exudative and atrophic AMD. Recently, antibody-based medicines have been used to treat the exudative type. However, they do not restore good vision in patients. Moreover, no effective treatment is available for atrophic AMD. We have created small chemicals (Kyoto University Substances; KUSs) that act as ATP regulators inside cells. In the present study, we examined the in vivo efficacy of KUS121 in C-C chemokine receptor type 2-deficient mice, a mouse model of AMD. Systemic administration of KUS121 prevented or reduced drusen-like lesions and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and then substantially mitigated chorioretinal pathologies with significant preservation of visual function. Additionally, we confirmed that long-term oral administration of KUS121 caused no systemic complications in drusen-affected monkeys. ATP regulation by KUSs may represent a novel strategy in the treatment of drusen and prevention of disease progression in AMD.

Forecasting the Movement of Educational Administrators Through Vacancy Flows

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Daniel J.

1976-01-01

Discusses the problem of forecasting manpower flows in administrative hierarchies of educational organizations, reviews groups of manpower models, discusses characteristics of administrative hierarchies and the vacancy model as it relates to those characteristics, and carries out validation and projective tests of the model. (Author/IRT)

Establishment and outcomes of a model primary care pharmacy service system.

PubMed

Carmichael, Jannet M; Alvarez, Autumn; Chaput, Ryan; DiMaggio, Jennifer; Magallon, Heather; Mambourg, Scott

2004-03-01

The establishment and outcomes of a model primary care pharmacy service system are described. A primary care pharmacy practice model was established at a government health care facility in March 1996. The original objective was to establish a primary pharmacy practice model that would demonstrate improved patient outcomes and maximize the pharmacist's contributions to drug therapy. Since its inception, many improvements have been realized and supported by advanced computer and automated systems, expanded disease state management practices, and unique practitioner and administrative support. Many outcomes studies have been performed on the pharmacist-initiated and -managed clinics, leading to improved patient care and conveying the quality-conscious and cost-effective role pharmacists can play as independent practitioners in this environment. These activities demonstrate cutting-edge leadership in health-system pharmacy. Redesign has been used to improve consistent access to a medication expert and has significantly improved the quality of patient care while easing physicians' workload without increasing health care costs. A system using pharmacists as independent practitioners to promote primary care has achieved high-quality and cost-effective patient care.

21 CFR 203.34 - Policies and procedures; administrative systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... distribution security and audit system, including conducting random and for-cause audits of sales... 21 Food and Drugs 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Policies and procedures; administrative systems...; administrative systems. Each manufacturer or authorized distributor of record that distributes drug samples shall...

Assessment of Interval Data and Their Potential Application to Residential Electricity End-Use Modeling, An

EIA Publications

2015-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is investigating the potential benefits of incorporating interval electricity data into its residential energy end use models. This includes interval smart meter and submeter data from utility assets and systems. It is expected that these data will play a significant role in informing residential energy efficiency policies in the future. Therefore, a long-term strategy for improving the RECS end-use models will not be complete without an investigation of the current state of affairs of submeter data, including their potential for use in the context of residential building energy modeling.

Modeling the effects of inflammation in bone fracture healing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kojouharov, H. V.; Trejo, I.; Chen-Charpentier, B. M.

2017-10-01

A new mathematical model is presented to study the early inflammatory effects in bone healing. It consists of a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations that represents the interactions among macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells, and osteoblasts. A qualitative analysis of the model is performed to determine the equilibria and their corresponding stability properties. A set of numerical simulations is performed to support the theoretical results. The model is also used to numerically monitor the evolution of a broken bone for different types of fractures and to explore possible treatments to accelerate bone healing by administrating anti-inflammatory drugs.

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: dispensing and administration--2011.

PubMed

Pedersen, Craig A; Schneider, Philip J; Scheckelhoff, Douglas J

2012-05-01

Results of the 2011 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings that pertain to dispensing and administration are presented. A stratified random sample of pharmacy directors at 1401 general and children's medical-surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed by mail. In this national probability sample survey, the response rate was 40.1%. Decentralization of the medication-use system continues, with 40% of hospitals using a decentralized system and 58% of hospitals planning to use a decentralized model in the future. Automated dispensing cabinets were used by 89% of hospitals, robots were used by 11%, carousels were used in 18%, and machine-readable coding was used in 34% of hospitals to verify doses before dispensing. Overall, 65% of hospitals had a United States Pharmacopeia chapter 797 compliant cleanroom for compounding sterile preparations. Medication administration records (MARs) have become increasingly computerized, with 67% of hospitals using electronic MARs. Bar-code-assisted medication administration was used in 50% of hospitals, and 68% of hospitals had smart infusion pumps. Health information is becoming more electronic, with 67% of hospitals having partially or completely implemented an electronic health record and 34% of hospitals having computerized prescriber order entry. The use of these technologies has substantially increased over the past year. The average number of full-time equivalent staff per 100 occupied beds averaged 17.5 for pharmacists and 15.0 for technicians. Directors of pharmacy reported declining vacancy rates for pharmacists. Pharmacists continue to improve medication use at the dispensing and administration steps of the medication-use system. The adoption of new technology is changing the philosophy of medication distribution, and health information is rapidly becoming electronic.

Surveillance of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases using administrative data.

PubMed

Bernatsky, S; Lix, L; Hanly, J G; Hudson, M; Badley, E; Peschken, C; Pineau, C A; Clarke, A E; Fortin, P R; Smith, M; Bélisle, P; Lagace, C; Bergeron, L; Joseph, L

2011-04-01

There is growing interest in developing tools and methods for the surveillance of chronic rheumatic diseases, using existing resources such as administrative health databases. To illustrate how this might work, we used population-based administrative data to estimate and compare the prevalence of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) across three Canadian provinces, assessing for regional differences and the effects of demographic factors. Cases of SARDs (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, primary Sjogren's, polymyositis/dermatomyositis) were ascertained from provincial physician billing and hospitalization data. We combined information from three case definitions, using hierarchical Bayesian latent class regression models that account for the imperfect nature of each case definition. Using methods that account for the imperfect nature of both billing and hospitalization databases, we estimated the over-all prevalence of SARDs to be approximately 2-3 cases per 1,000 residents. Stratified prevalence estimates suggested similar demographic trends across provinces (i.e. greater prevalence in females-versus-males, and in persons of older age). The prevalence in older females approached or exceeded 1 in 100, which may reflect the high burden of primary Sjogren's syndrome in this group. Adjusting for demographics, there was a greater prevalence in urban-versus-rural settings. In our work, prevalence estimates had good face validity and provided useful information about potential regional and demographic variations. Our results suggest that surveillance of some rheumatic diseases using administrative data may indeed be feasible. Our work highlights the usefulness of using multiple data sources, adjusting for the error in each.

48 CFR 228.106 - Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Administration. 228.106 Section 228.106 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Bonds 228.106 Administration. ...

48 CFR 228.106 - Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Administration. 228.106 Section 228.106 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Bonds 228.106 Administration. ...

48 CFR 228.106 - Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Administration. 228.106 Section 228.106 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Bonds 228.106 Administration. ...

48 CFR 228.106 - Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Administration. 228.106 Section 228.106 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Bonds 228.106 Administration. ...

48 CFR 228.106 - Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Administration. 228.106 Section 228.106 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Bonds 228.106 Administration. ...

Cardea: Dynamic Access Control in Distributed Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lepro, Rebekah

2004-01-01

Modern authorization systems span domains of administration, rely on many different authentication sources, and manage complex attributes as part of the authorization process. This . paper presents Cardea, a distributed system that facilitates dynamic access control, as a valuable piece of an inter-operable authorization framework. First, the authorization model employed in Cardea and its functionality goals are examined. Next, critical features of the system architecture and its handling of the authorization process are then examined. Then the S A M L and XACML standards, as incorporated into the system, are analyzed. Finally, the future directions of this project are outlined and connection points with general components of an authorization system are highlighted.

How and why do countries differ in their governance and financing-related administrative expenditure in health care? An analysis of OECD countries by health care system typology.

PubMed

Hagenaars, Luc L; Klazinga, Niek S; Mueller, Michael; Morgan, David J; Jeurissen, Patrick P T

2018-01-01

Administration is vital for health care. Its importance may increase as health care systems become more complex, but academic attention has remained minimal. We investigated trends in administrative expenditure across OECD countries, cross-country spending differences, spending differences between health care system typologies, and differences in the scale and scope of administrative functions across typologies. We used OECD data, which include health system governance and financing-related administrative activities by regulators, governance bodies, and insurers (macrolevel), but exclude administrative expenditure by health care providers (mesolevel and microlevel). We find that governance and financing-related administrative spending at the macrolevel has remained stable over the last decade at slightly over 3% of total health spending. Cross-country differences range from 1.3% of health spending in Iceland to 8.3% in the United States. Voluntary private health insurance bears much higher administrative costs than compulsory schemes in all countries. Among compulsory schemes, multiple payers exhibit significantly higher administrative spending than single payers. Among single-payer schemes, those where entitlements are based on residency have significantly lower administrative spending than those with single social health insurance, albeit with a small difference. These differences can partially be explained because multi-payer and voluntary private health insurance schemes require additional administrative functions and enjoy less economies of scale. Studies in hospitals and primary care indicate similar differences in administrative costs across health system typologies at the mesolevel and microlevel of health care delivery, which warrants more research on total administrative costs at all the levels of health systems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

23 CFR 940.13 - Project administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Project administration. 940.13 Section 940.13 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS § 940.13 Project administration. (a) Prior to...

23 CFR 940.13 - Project administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Project administration. 940.13 Section 940.13 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS § 940.13 Project administration. (a) Prior to...

23 CFR 940.13 - Project administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Project administration. 940.13 Section 940.13 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS § 940.13 Project administration. (a) Prior to...

23 CFR 940.13 - Project administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Project administration. 940.13 Section 940.13 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS § 940.13 Project administration. (a) Prior to...

Review of retrofit strategies decision system in historic perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bostenaru Dan, M. D.

2004-06-01

Urban development is a process. In structuring and developing its phases different actors are implied, who act under different, sometimes opposite, dynamic conditions and within different reference systems. This paper aims to explore the contribution of participatism to disaster mitigation, when this concerns earthquake impact on urban settlements, through the support provided to multi-criteria decision in matters of retrofit. The research broadness in field of decision making on one side and the lack of a specific model for the retrofit of existing buildings on another side led to an extensive review of the state of the art in related models to address the issue. Core idea in the selection of existing models has been the preoccupation for collaborative issues, in other words, the consideration for the different actors implied in the planning process. The historic perspective on participative planning models is made from the view of two generations of citizen implication. The first approaches focus on the participation of the building owner/inhabitant in the planning process of building construction. As current strategies building rehabilitation and selection from alternative retrofit strategies are presented. New developments include innovative models using the internet or spatial databases. The investigated participation approaches show, that participation and communication as a more comprehensive term are an old topic in the field politics-democratisation-urbanism. In all cases it can be talked of "successful learning processes", of the improvement of the level of the professional debate. More than 30 years history of participation marked a transition in understanding the concept: from participation, based on a central decision process leading to a solution controlled and steered by the political-administrative system, to communication, characterised by simultaneous decision processes taking place outside politics and administration in co-operative procedures.

Implementation of a GPS-RO data processing system for the KIAPS-LETKF data assimilation system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, H.; Kang, J.-S.; Jo, Y.; Kang, J. H.

2014-11-01

The Korea Institute of Atmospheric Prediction Systems (KIAPS) has been developing a new global numerical weather prediction model and an advanced data assimilation system. As part of the KIAPS Package for Observation Processing (KPOP) system for data assimilation, preprocessing and quality control modules for bending angle measurements of global positioning system radio occultation (GPS-RO) data have been implemented and examined. GPS-RO data processing system is composed of several steps for checking observation locations, missing values, physical values for Earth radius of curvature, and geoid undulation. An observation-minus-background check is implemented by use of a one-dimensional observational bending angle operator and tangent point drift is also considered in the quality control process. We have tested GPS-RO observations utilized by the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) within KPOP, based on both the KMA global model and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model-Spectral Element (CAM-SE) as a model background. Background fields from the CAM-SE model are incorporated for the preparation of assimilation experiments with the KIAPS-LETKF data assimilation system, which has been successfully implemented to a cubed-sphere model with fully unstructured quadrilateral meshes. As a result of data processing, the bending angle departure statistics between observation and background shows significant improvement. Also, the first experiment in assimilating GPS-RO bending angle resulting from KPOP within KIAPS-LETKF shows encouraging results.

Administrative Technology and the School Executive: Applying the Systems Approach to Educational Administration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knezevich, Stephen J., Ed.

In this era of rapid social change, educational administrators have discovered that new approaches to problem solving and decision making are needed. Systems analysis could afford a promising approach to administrative problems by providing a number of systematic techniques designed to sharpen administrative decision making, enhance efficiency,…

Neuroprotective Effect of Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid on N-Methyl-D-Aspartate-Induced Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration

PubMed Central

Fernández-Sánchez, Laura; Rondón, Netxibeth; Esquiva, Gema; Germain, Francisco; de la Villa, Pedro; Cuenca, Nicolás

2015-01-01

Retinal ganglion cell degeneration underlies the pathophysiology of diseases affecting the retina and optic nerve. Several studies have previously evidenced the anti-apoptotic properties of the bile constituent, tauroursodeoxycholic acid, in diverse models of photoreceptor degeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of systemic administration of tauroursodeoxycholic acid on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced damage in the rat retina using a functional and morphological approach. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid was administered intraperitoneally before and after intravitreal injection of NMDA. Three days after insult, full-field electroretinograms showed reductions in the amplitudes of the positive and negative-scotopic threshold responses, scotopic a- and b-waves and oscillatory potentials. Quantitative morphological evaluation of whole-mount retinas demonstrated a reduction in the density of retinal ganglion cells. Systemic administration of tauroursodeoxycholic acid attenuated the functional impairment induced by NMDA, which correlated with a higher retinal ganglion cell density. Our findings sustain the efficacy of tauroursodeoxycholic acid administration in vivo, suggesting it would be a good candidate for the pharmacological treatment of degenerative diseases coursing with retinal ganglion cell loss. PMID:26379056

Changes in oxidative stress intensity in blood of tumor-bearing rats following different modes of administration of rhenium-platinum system.

PubMed

Shamelashvili, K L; Shtemenko, N I; Leus, L V; Babiy, S O; Shtemenko, O V

2016-01-01

Effects of the different modes of administration of dichlorotetra-μ-isobutyratodirhenium(ІІІ) – І – (in water solution, liposomes, nanoliposomes and together with cisplatin – in the rhenium-platinum system) on the intensity of lipid peroxidation (LP) in blood plasma and the activity of the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were investigated on the model of tumor growth. A decrease in the concentration of TBA-active substances caused by dirhenium compounds was shown to be independent of the administration mode and the extent of the tumor growth inhibition. I was four-times more effective in inhibition of the LP burst than any known antioxidant. I induced the increasing activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and decreasing activity of catalase. In vitro experiments with native superoxide dismutase, the interaction of І with following activation of the active center of the enzyme was confirmed and the superoxide dismutase activity of І was shown, that may contribute to the enhancement of the enzyme activity in vivo. The cluster rhenium compounds may be promising nontoxic potent antioxidants capable of deactivating superoxide radicals.

Teacher Preferences for Alternative School Site Administrative Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hewitt, Paul M.; Denny, George S.; Pijanowski, John C.

2012-01-01

Public school teachers with high leadership potential who stated that they had no interest in being school principals were surveyed on their attitudes about six alternative school site administrative organizational models. Of the 391 teachers surveyed, 53% identified the Co-Principal model as the preferred school site administrative structure. In…

75 FR 7651 - Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-22

... Administration Leadership and Workforce Development--VA'' (161VA10A2). DATES: Comments on this new system of.... Description of Proposed Systems of Records Veterans Health Administration Leadership and Workforce Development... Affairs. 161VA10A2 SYSTEM NAME: Veterans Health Administration Leadership and Workforce Development--VA...

Organizational Effectiveness: Development and Validation of Integrated Models. Report II. Empirical Studies of Organizational Effectiveness Using Multivariate Models

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-04-01

34 ’Institute for Social Research LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL AREA DTIC ~EL ECT-ICI /AUG 2 1983 U. S. Army D C3 Research Institute for the Behavioral and...about or aIlowing changes within the organizatin itself (Georgopoulos, 1972; Georgopoulos & Tannenbaum, 1957). As open systems, organizations and their...in school organizations. Unpublished manuscript, The University of Michigan, 1980. Selznick, P. Leadership in administration. Evanston, Ill.: Row