Influenza Vaccinations, Fall 2009: Model School-Located Vaccination Clinics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herl Jenlink, Carolyn; Kuehnert, Paul; Mazyck, Donna

2010-01-01

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus presented a major challenge to health departments, schools, and other community partners to effectively vaccinate large numbers of Americans, primarily children. The use of school-located vaccination (SLV) programs to address this challenge led health departments and schools to become creative in developing models for…

Quantifying soil profile change caused by land use in central Missouri loess hillslopes

Treesearch

Samuel J. Indorante; John M. Kabrick; Brad D. Lee; Jon M. Maatta

2014-01-01

Three major challenges are present when studying anthropogenic impacts on soil profile properties: (i) site selection; (ii) sampling and modeling native and cultivated soil-landscape relationships; and (iii) graphically and statistically comparing native and cultivated sites to model soil profile changes. This study addressed those challenges by measuring and modeling...

Winning the Skills Race.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council on Competitiveness, Washington, DC.

This document reports on how key stakeholders in work force preparedness nationwide are responding to pressures of the skills race. Part 1 presents an overview of the skills challenge and the economic and social consequences of failing to meet the challenge. Part 2 examines the impact of the skills shortage on major stakeholders and explains how…

Creating Safe Schools: Roles and Challenges, a Federal Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Modzeleski, William

1996-01-01

Presents an overview of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, a key federal program that provides funding directly to states and local educational agencies to facilitate drug and violence prevention programs. The Gun-Free Schools Act is also examined, and the major challenges communities face in correcting school safety problems are…

The New Basic Agenda: Public Policy Directions for Student Success.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California Community Colleges, Sacramento. Board of Governors.

Intended as a guide for policymakers in the California community colleges for the last half of the 1990s, this report describes four challenges facing the community college system and identifies major policy directions. Following an introduction, the following challenges are presented: (1) the delivery of high quality education in a manner that…

America's Role in the World: Challenges to American Businesses and Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindsay, James M.; Daalder, Ivo H.

2005-01-01

At its Summer 2003 meeting, the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) engaged the questions of America's role in the post-Sept.11, 2001 world. Following a series of panel presentations, BHEF members specifically examined the important issues of sustaining, legitimating, and using American power. Six major foreign policy challenges facing the…

Distributed Prognostic Health Management with Gaussian Process Regression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saha, Sankalita; Saha, Bhaskar; Saxena, Abhinav; Goebel, Kai Frank

2010-01-01

Distributed prognostics architecture design is an enabling step for efficient implementation of health management systems. A major challenge encountered in such design is formulation of optimal distributed prognostics algorithms. In this paper. we present a distributed GPR based prognostics algorithm whose target platform is a wireless sensor network. In addition to challenges encountered in a distributed implementation, a wireless network poses constraints on communication patterns, thereby making the problem more challenging. The prognostics application that was used to demonstrate our new algorithms is battery prognostics. In order to present trade-offs within different prognostic approaches, we present comparison with the distributed implementation of a particle filter based prognostics for the same battery data.

Evaluation of 3M(TM) Scotchlite linear delineation system : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-09-01

Major construction projects present many hazards for drivers to negotiate. Detours, lane shifts and confusing curves : present unique challenges to all drivers. At night, the difficulties in negotiating these obstacles are amplified due to : reduced ...

Giant fibrosarcoma prostuberans of abodominal wall: management problems in resources-constrained country.

PubMed

Chukwuanukwu, T O G; Anyanwu, S N C

2009-09-01

Abdominal wall sarcomas represent less than 1% of adult malignancies. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans can grow to very large sizes and the recommended resection 2-3 cm from the macroscopic tumour margin can produce very large full thickness defects of the abdominal wall. Reconstruction of such defects can be quite challenging in resource constrained areas where patients present late with giant lesions. To highlight the presentation and management challenges faced by the surgical oncologist and reconstructive surgeon in a resource constrained country when faced with giant Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the abdominal wall. Prospective study of patients with abdominal wall soft tissue sarcoma presenting to the authors. Cases of giant dermatofibrosarcoma protuberns who underwent surgery were analysed. Seven cases managed over an eight year period (January 2000 to December 2007). Age ranged from 27-70 yrs with slight female preponderance 1.5:1 F:M. Three presented with recurrent fungating masses. Only one could be reconstructed with prolene mesh. One recurrence was noted during the period under study. Poverty, ignorance and lack of necessary working tools are major challenges faced by the surgical oncologist and reconstructive surgeon in resource constrained areas and pose a major obstacle to the control of cancer in these areas.

Systems Challenges for Hypersonic Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunt, James L.; Laruelle, Gerard; Wagner, Alain

1997-01-01

This paper examines the system challenges posed by fully reusable hypersonic cruise airplanes and access to space vehicles. Hydrocarbon and hydrogen fueled airplanes are considered with cruise speeds of Mach 5 and 10, respectively. The access to space matrix is examined. Airbreathing and rocket powered, single- and two-stage vehicles are considered. Reference vehicle architectures are presented. Major systems/subsystems challenges are described. Advanced, enhancing systems concepts as well as common system technologies are discussed.

Skin cancers in albinos in a teaching Hospital in eastern Nigeria - presentation and challenges of care.

PubMed

Opara, Kingsley O; Jiburum, Bernard C

2010-08-25

Albinism is a genetic disorder characterized by lack of skin pigmentation. It has a worldwide distribution but is commoner in areas close to the equator like Nigeria. Skin cancers are a major risk associated with albinism and are thought to be a major cause of death in African albinos. Challenges faced in the care of these patients need to be highlighted in order to develop a holistic management approach with a significant public health impact. The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of skin cancers seen in Albinos, and to highlight problems encountered in their management. Case records of albinos managed in Imo state University teaching Hospital from June 2007 to May 2009 were reviewed. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the period under review, albinos accounted for 67% of patients managed for primary skin cancers. There were twenty patients with thirty eight (38) lesions. Sixty one percent of the patients were below 40 years. Average duration of symptoms at presentation was 26 months. The commonest reason for late presentation was the lack of funds. Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest histologic variant. Most patients were unable to complete treatment due to lack of funds. Albinism appears to be the most important risk factor in the development of skin cancers in our environment. Late presentation and poor rate of completion of treatment due to poverty are major challenges.

Comparing Novice and Expert Perceptions of Interactive Multimedia Tools for Conveying Conceptions of Size and Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Magana, Alejandra; Newby, Timothy; Brophy, Sean

2012-01-01

Education in nanotechnology presents major challenges in science literacy. One of these challenges relates to conveying size and scale-related concepts. Because of the potential difficulties in conveying concepts and ideas that are not visible to the naked eye, multimedia for learning could be an appropriate vehicle to deliver curricular materials…

Networked Governance in Three Policy Areas with Implications for the Common Core State Standards Initiative

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manna, Paul

2010-01-01

Policy makers and researchers now recognize that designing effective institutions to govern policy networks is a major challenge of the 21st Century. Presently, the Common Core State Standards Initiative resembles an emerging network of organizations united around the goal of developing clear and challenging academic expectations for students in…

Reflections on Teaching App Inventor for Non-Beginner Programmers: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soares, Andrey

2014-01-01

App Inventor has been used successfully to teach introduction to programming course for CS/IS/IT and Non-CS majors. Now, researchers are looking on how to include the tool in the curriculum of more advanced computing courses. This paper presents some Issues, Challenges and Opportunities observed while teaching courses on Mobile Application…

Women in the Changing Workplace: New Opportunities and New Challenges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

21st Century Policy Review, 1992

1992-01-01

This interview with Elsie Vartanian, Director of the Women's Bureau of the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, reviews the impact of economic and technological changes on women in the workplace, and examines major challenges these changes present. The role of the Women's Bureau in promoting and improving employment…

A Major Force in Economic Development: A Challenge for the North Carolina Community College System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lancaster, H. Martin

No other institution has played a more significant role in support of economic development in North Carolina than the North Carolina Community College System. Presented are three challenges that will define the System's future relevance in support of economic development: (1) its ability to stay ahead of the "tidal wave" that is…

Transition Services for DHH Adolescents and Young Adults with Disabilities: Challenges and Theoretical Frameworks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luft, Pamela

2015-01-01

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) adolescents and young adults with disabilities (DWD) are a highly diverse group who may also demonstrate a range of functional limitations. These present unique challenges to professional efforts to provide high-quality transition services. Despite these issues, a majority of this population has cognitive abilities…

Additive and Interactive Effects of Stimulus Degradation: No Challenge for CDP+

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ziegler, Johannes C.; Perry, Conrad; Zorzi, Marco

2009-01-01

S. O'Malley and D. Besner (2008) showed that additive effects of stimulus degradation and word frequency in reading aloud occur in the presence of nonwords but not in pure word lists. They argued that this dissociation presents a major challenge to interactive computational models of reading aloud and claimed that no currently implemented model is…

Student Development and Experimental-Gestalt Therapy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Witchel, Robert

The rapid pace at which societal changes have occurred in our culture has presented a tremendous challenge to higher education. A major attempt to meet this challenge has been the Tomorrow's Higher Education (THE) Project. The goal of the THE Project is to reconceptualize student affaris work in a way that will provide a measure of creative input…

Early Childhood Education in Europe. Achievements: Challenges and Possibilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Urban, Mathias

2009-01-01

This document is the report of a study commissioned by Education International. The aim of this study is to present key characteristics of ECE systems, to highlight strengths and successful approaches and to identify major challenges and areas where urgent action is needed. To achieve this aim, the report comprises two main sections. The first…

The Assurance Challenges of Advanced Packaging Technologies for Electronics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sampson, Michael J.

2010-01-01

Advances in microelectronic parts performance are driving towards finer feature sizes, three-dimensional geometries and ever-increasing number of transistor equivalents that are resulting in increased die sizes and interconnection (I/O) counts. The resultant packaging necessary to provide assemble-ability, environmental protection, testability and interconnection to the circuit board for the active die creates major challenges, particularly for space applications, Traditionally, NASA has used hermetically packaged microcircuits whenever available but the new demands make hermetic packaging less and less practical at the same time as more and more expensive, Some part types of great interest to NASA designers are currently only available in non-hermetic packaging. It is a far more complex quality and reliability assurance challenge to gain confidence in the long-term survivability and effectiveness of nonhermetic packages than for hermetic ones. Although they may provide more rugged environmental protection than the familiar Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs), the non-hermetic Ceramic Column Grid Array (CCGA) packages that are the focus of this presentation present a unique combination of challenges to assessing their suitability for spaceflight use. The presentation will discuss the bases for these challenges, some examples of the techniques proposed to mitigate them and a proposed approach to a US MIL specification Class for non-hermetic microcircuits suitable for space application, Class Y, to be incorporated into M. IL-PRF-38535. It has recently emerged that some major packaging suppliers are offering hermetic area array packages that may offer alternatives to the nonhermetic CCGA styles but have also got their own inspectability and testability issues which will be briefly discussed in the presentation,

The Grapes of Class: Teaching Chemistry Concepts at a Winery

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luck, Linda A.; Blondo, Ryan M.

2012-01-01

Nonscience majors often believe that the concepts and techniques in chemistry have little relevance to someone outside the "ivy-covered walls of academia". The challenge for science instructors is to develop and implement lessons that present science in a way that will capture the interest of the nonscience major, while remaining rigorous enough…

Monitoring sodium content of restaurant foods: Public health challenges and opportunities

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Excess sodium intake is a major preventable risk factor for high blood pressure, a leading cause for heart disease and stroke. The majority of sodium intake comes from packaged and restaurant foods. At present, data on the sodium content of restaurant foods is limited. The purpose of this study i...

Nurse's Breakout Session Injury/Illness Case Management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hesselgesser, Connie

2001-01-01

An overview of the work related injury and illness case management model developed at the Johnson Space Center was presented. The major accomplishments and the challenges of implementation were discussed.

Constructing New Finance Models That Balance Equity, Adequacy and Efficiency with Responsiveness. Education Finance in the States: Its Past, Present and Future. ECS Issue Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guthrie, James W.

Policymakers continue to face major challenges in education finance, despite a history of reforms. Today's challenges include ensuring financial adequacy, maintaining gains in distributional equality, coping with the increasing need for teachers, satisfying public preference for diversity in schools and programs, and devising performance…

Workshop on New Madrid geodesy and the challenges of understanding intraplate earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Boyd, Oliver; Calais, Eric; Langbein, John; Magistrale, Harold; Stein, Seth; Zoback, Mark

2013-01-01

On March 4, 2011, 26 researchers gathered in Norwood, Massachusetts, for a workshop sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey and FM Global to discuss geodesy in and around the New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ) and its relation to earthquake hazard. The group addressed the challenge of reconciling current geodetic measurements, which show low present-day surface strain rates, with paleoseismic evidence of recent, relatively frequent, major earthquakes in the region. Several researchers were invited by the organizing committee to give overview presentations while all participants were encouraged to present their most recent ideas. The overview presentations appear in this report along with a set of recommendations.

Leadership Under Challenge: Information Technology R&D in a Competitive World. An Assessment of the Federal Networking and Information Technology R&D Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

challenges. The challengers are not only established competitors in Asia and Western Europe but also newcomers such as India and China. Their methods...or regions. Today’s Major Competitors Presently, the three strongest country and regional competitors to the United States are Japan, East Asia ...photography, and their strong position in computer components and office machinery. Education is another advantage. Japan’s universities are the best in Asia

Benefits of and Barriers to Pharmacogenomics-Guided Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder.

PubMed

Ahmed, Ahmed T; Weinshilboum, Richard; Frye, Mark A

2018-05-01

Antidepressants have reduced the symptom burden for many Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) patients, but drug-related side effects and treatment resistance continue to present major challenges. Pharmacogenomics represents one approach to enhance antidepressant efficacy and avoid adverse reactions, but concerns remain with regard to the overall "value equation," and several barriers must be overcome to achieve the full potential of MDD pharmacogenomics. © 2018 American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

California’s K-12 Public Schools: How Are They Doing?

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

series. RAND monographs present major research findings that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND mono- graphs...percent Asian and other, and 9 percent black. It is likely that by 2012–2013, the majority of California public school children will be Hispanic... majority of school district revenues. The school dis- tricts currently have few options for raising their own funds. Further, a growing share of education

Vaccines and global health.

PubMed

Greenwood, Brian; Salisbury, David; Hill, Adrian V S

2011-10-12

Vaccines have made a major contribution to global health in recent decades but they could do much more. In November 2011, a Royal Society discussion meeting, 'New vaccines for global health', was held in London to discuss the past contribution of vaccines to global health and to consider what more could be expected in the future. Papers presented at the meeting reviewed recent successes in the deployment of vaccines against major infections of childhood and the challenges faced in developing vaccines against some of the world's remaining major infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), malaria and tuberculosis. The important contribution that development of more effective veterinary vaccines could make to global health was also addressed. Some of the social and financial challenges to the development and deployment of new vaccines were reviewed. The latter issues were also discussed at a subsequent satellite meeting, 'Accelerating vaccine development', held at the Kavli Royal Society International Centre. Delegates at this meeting considered challenges to the more rapid development and deployment of both human and veterinary vaccines and how these might be addressed. Papers based on presentations at the discussion meeting and a summary of the main conclusions of the satellite meeting are included in this issue of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.

DNA vaccination with a plasmid encoding LACK-TSA fusion against Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice.

PubMed

Maspi, N; Ghaffarifar, F; Sharifi, Z; Dalimi, A; Khademi, S Z

2017-12-01

Vaccination would be the most important strategy for the prevention and elimination of leishmaniasis. The aim of the present study was to compare the immune responses induced following DNA vaccination with LACK (Leishmania analogue of the receptor kinase C), TSA (Thiol-specific-antioxidant) genes alone or LACK-TSA fusion against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated before and after challenge with Leishmania major (L. major). In addition, the mean lesion size was also measured from 3th week post-infection. All immunized mice showed a partial immunity characterized by higher interferon (IFN)-γ and Immunoglobulin G (IgG2a) levels compared to control groups (p<0.05). IFN-γ/ Interleukin (IL)-4 and IgG2a/IgG1 ratios demonstrated the highest IFN-γ and IgG2a levels in the group receiving LACK-TSA fusion. Mean lesion sizes reduced significantly in all immunized mice compared with control groups at 7th week post-infection (p<0.05). In addition, there was a significant reduction in mean lesion size of LACK-TSA and TSA groups than LACK group after challenge (p<0.05). In the present study, DNA immunization promoted Th1 immune response and confirmed the previous observations on immunogenicity of LACK and TSA antigens against CL. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that a bivalent vaccine can induce stronger immune responses and protection against infectious challenge with L. major.

Shaping Institutional Vision: The Risk of Presidential Leadership in Small Colleges. A Preliminary Report. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Chunsheng; Strange, C. Carney

This paper presents the results of a qualitative study of the leadership of nine presidents who have accepted the risks and challenges of executive leadership in nine small Midwestern colleges. Focus is directed toward these presidents' risk-taking strategies with respect to the major leadership challenges of being a senior executive of a small…

Linguistic Challenges in the Mathematical Register for EFL Learners: Linguistic and Multimodal Strategies to Help Learners Tackle Mathematics Word Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Simon

2015-01-01

In learning mathematics through English, one of the major challenges facing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners is understanding the language used to present word problems in mathematics texts. Without comprehending such language, learners are not able to carry out the targeted calculations no matter how familiar they are with the…

New Ethical Challenges within Environmental and Sustainability Education: A Response

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Todd, Sharon

2016-01-01

One of the major points to grow out of the four papers presented in this issue is how to think of education in relation to the various challenges facing the biosphere, facing the future of human and other than human life forms, and facing the sheer difficulties of planning what to do about them. The differences in the role of education, of course,…

The savory method can not green deserts or reverse climate change

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Mr. Allan Savory addressed one of the major environmental challenges of our time – rapidly increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations and climate warming - in a video presentation entitled, "How to green the world's deserts and reverse climate change" that was presented at the 2013 TED (Technology, E...

Building cell models and simulations from microscope images.

PubMed

Murphy, Robert F

2016-03-01

The use of fluorescence microscopy has undergone a major revolution over the past twenty years, both with the development of dramatic new technologies and with the widespread adoption of image analysis and machine learning methods. Many open source software tools provide the ability to use these methods in a wide range of studies, and many molecular and cellular phenotypes can now be automatically distinguished. This article presents the next major challenge in microscopy automation, the creation of accurate models of cell organization directly from images, and reviews the progress that has been made towards this challenge. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Critical Ethnography: A Useful Methodology in Conducting Health Research in Different Resource Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oladele, Dunsi; Richter, Solina; Clark, Alexander; Laing, Lory

2012-01-01

Over the years, many policies have been implemented across nations to prevent, reduce and tighten enforcement on smoking and tobacco use. However, despite all of the major initiatives, smoking related deaths and diseases still remain high and present a major challenge for many nations of the world. In this paper we argue that conducting a critical…

Technology test bed review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcconnaughey, H. V.

1992-01-01

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: (1) Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) technology test bed (TTB) history; (2) TTB objectives; (3) TTB major accomplishments; (4) TTB contributions to SSME; (5) major impacts of 3001 testing; (6) some challenges to computational fluid dynamics (CFD); (7) the high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP); and (8) 3001 lessons learned in design and operations.

Challenges in Leadership in Vocational Education. National EPD Leadership Development Seminar Proceedings (Atlantic City, New Jersey, December 2, 1977). Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bottoms, Gene; And Others

Current delivery systems for vocational education and their implications for the future is the topic of presentations included in this report of an EPDA (Educational Professions Development Act) leadership development seminar. Major contents are an evaluation summary, texts of the three major speeches, and outlines of afternoon interaction…

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of Education

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

GAO United States General Accounting Office Performance and Accountability SeriesJanuary 2001 Major Management Challenges and Program Risks ...34) Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of Education Contract or Grant Number Program Element Number Authors...Accountability Series: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks . In that series, GAO advised the Congress that it planned to reassess the

Book Analysis: Challenger: A Major Malfunction.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

REPORT NUMBER 88-113S TITLE BOOK ANALYSIS: CHALLENGER : A MAJOR MALFUNCTION AUTHOR(S) MAJOR THOMAS M. HALL, USAF FACULTY ADVISOR LT COL JOhN R. GRELLMAN... CHALLENGER : A MAJOR MALFUNCTION 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) Hall, Thomas M., Major, USAF 13a. TYPE OF REPORT 13b. TIME COVERED 14. DATE OF REPORT (Year, Month...identify by block number) FIELD GROUP SUB-GROUP 19. ABSTRACT Continue on reverse if necessary and identify by block number) This report analyzes Challenger

Challenges in transformation of the "traditional block rotation" medical student clinical education into a longitudinal integrated clerkship model.

PubMed

Heddle, William; Roberton, Gayle; Mahoney, Sarah; Walters, Lucie; Strasser, Sarah; Worley, Paul

2014-01-01

Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LIC) in the first major clinical year in medical student training have been demonstrated to be at least equivalent to and in some areas superior to the "traditional block rotation" (TBR). Flinders University School of Medicine is starting a pilot changing the traditional teaching at the major Academic Medical Centre from TBR to LIC (50% of students in other locations in the medical school already have a partial or full LIC programme). This paper summarises the expected challenges presented at the "Rendez-Vous" Conference in October 2012: (a) creating urgency, (b) training to be a clinician rather than imparting knowledge, (c) resistance to change. We discuss the unexpected challenges that have evolved since then: (a) difficulty finalising the precise schedule, (b) underestimating time requirements, (c) managing the change process inclusively. Transformation of a "block rotation" to "LIC" medical student education in a tertiary academic teaching hospital has many challenges, many of which can be anticipated, but some are unexpected.

Electronic health records approaches and challenges: a comparison between Malaysia and four East Asian countries.

PubMed

Abd Ghani, Mohd Khanapi; Bali, Rajeev K; Naguib, Raouf N G; Marshall, Ian M

2008-01-01

An integrated Lifetime Health Record (LHR) is fundamental for achieving seamless and continuous access to patient medical information and for the continuum of care. However, the aim has not yet been fully realised. The efforts are actively progressing around the globe. Every stage of the development of the LHR initiatives had presented peculiar challenges. The best lessons in life are those of someone else's experiences. This paper presents an overview of the development approaches undertaken by four East Asian countries in implementing a national Electronic Health Record (EHR) in the public health system. The major challenges elicited from the review including integration efforts, process reengineering, funding, people, and law and regulation will be presented, compared, discussed and used as lessons learned for the further development of the Malaysian integrated LHR.

Why we need GMO crops in agriculture

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The fact that in a very short period of 35 years the global population will reach an estimated 9 billion people presents a massive challenge to agriculture: how do we feed all of these people with nutritious food in a sustainable way? At the present time the yields of most of our major crops are sta...

Overcoming Molehills and Mountains Implementing a New Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salute, Joan; McDougal, John; Stephens, Karen

2011-01-01

This slide presentation reviews some of the challenges and accomplishments of implementing a new program. The purpose of the presentation is to: (1) Share the challenges that were encountered formulating a new program concurrent with formulating & implementing new spacecraft development projects: (a) Immature mission concepts put on the fast track (b) Need to reconcile ambitious objectives with cost and budget reality (c) Changes of major stakeholders (d) Timing, timing, timing (e) Changing ground rules, assumptions, and risk tolerance (f) The role of centers, (2) Share the successes to date despite the challenges (3) Demonstrate how interdependencies between the program, projects, NASA HQ environment, and external political forces affect the process, and how expectations must be managed while dealing with external factors and great change.

Corrosion Assessment Guidance for High Strength Steels (Phase 1)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-08-01

The continuing worldwide demand for natural gas presents major challenges to pipeline operators. There is increasing need to construct long distance, high capacity transmission pipelines, particularly in the more remote areas of Arctic North America,...

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Department of Transportation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-01-01

This report is part of a special series entitled the Performance and Accountability Series: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. This report addresses the major performance and accountability challenges facing the Department of Transportati...

Orbital cellulitis: clinical course and management challenges. the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital experience.

PubMed

Balogun, Bolanle G; Balogun, Modupe M; Adekoya, Bola J

2012-01-01

Orbital cellulitis is a devastating acute infection of orbital soft tissues located posterior to the orbital septum. It is both vision and life-threatening. It is an ocular emergency which most often present in childhood. This article reviewed cases presenting during the study period with the view of examining the pattern of presentation, clinical course and management challenges. A retrospective study was conducted on patients presenting with orbital cellulitis between January 2008 and June 2011. Socio-demographic data, entry and discharge visual acuity, presenting complaints, predisposing factors, duration of complaints, admission period and complications were extracted from clinical records and analyzed. Seventeen (17) patients presented with orbital cellulitis constituting 6.2% of ocular emergency admissions during the study period. Twelve (70.6%) were males. Thirteen (76.5%) were children. The major predisposing factors were upper respiratory tract infections, and facial and globe injuries in five (22.7%) cases respectively. Only five (29.4%), presented within three days of disease onset. Average duration of admission was 10.6 days. Complications during the course of disease were category 4 and 5 blindness in five (23.5%), orbital abscess four (23.5%), cavernous sinus thrombosis two (11.8%), contralateral preseptal cellulitis two (11.8%) and exposure keratopathy in one (5.9%). Orbital cellulitis has remained a disease with high ocular morbidity. The major management challenges were poor financial status of patients precluding necessary diagnostic laboratory and imaging studies. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment are crucial to the preservation of vision and reduced occurrence of complications. The importance of record keeping is also highlighted.

Caring for a major government official: challenges and lessons learned.

PubMed

Weiss, Yoram G; Mor-Yosef, Shlomo; Sprung, Charles L; Weissman, Charles; Weiss, Yuval

2007-07-01

Analysis of the medical, organizational, and administrative issues surrounding the care of a dignitary in an intensive care unit. On January 4, 2006, Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister was emergently admitted to the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem owing to a severe intracranial hemorrhage. Immediately following his admission, he underwent an extensive neurosurgical procedure to control the bleeding. Thereafter, he required intensive care for 5 months and underwent additional procedures. This admission presented organizational and administrative challenges. The major challenge was to provide the Prime Minister with the best medical care while avoiding the "very important person syndrome" and simultaneously continuing routine hospital activities. To coordinate his complicated medical management, a consultation forum was established composed of all the physicians directly involved in Mr. Sharon's care. Additionally, a senior intensivist was chosen to coordinate the medical care and, along with a physician from the hospital administration, assist with administrative issues. Among the issues that the coordinating team addressed, with the help of many other hospital services, included patient confidentiality vs. public information, security of the patient's medical chart (including laboratory data and imaging), and coordination with security personnel. The acute care of a major governmental official requires the medical staff to address many administrative issues, while providing the "very important person" patient with appropriate intensive medical care. This article presents a strategy for addressing these issues.

RNA Interference in Insect Vectors for Plant Viruses.

PubMed

Kanakala, Surapathrudu; Ghanim, Murad

2016-12-12

Insects and other arthropods are the most important vectors of plant pathogens. The majority of plant pathogens are disseminated by arthropod vectors such as aphids, beetles, leafhoppers, planthoppers, thrips and whiteflies. Transmission of plant pathogens and the challenges in managing insect vectors due to insecticide resistance are factors that contribute to major food losses in agriculture. RNA interference (RNAi) was recently suggested as a promising strategy for controlling insect pests, including those that serve as important vectors for plant pathogens. The last decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in the functional analysis of insect genes, especially those whose silencing results in mortality or interference with pathogen transmission. The identification of such candidates poses a major challenge for increasing the role of RNAi in pest control. Another challenge is to understand the RNAi machinery in insect cells and whether components that were identified in other organisms are also present in insect. This review will focus on summarizing success cases in which RNAi was used for silencing genes in insect vector for plant pathogens, and will be particularly helpful for vector biologists.

RNA Interference in Insect Vectors for Plant Viruses

PubMed Central

Kanakala, Surapathrudu; Ghanim, Murad

2016-01-01

Insects and other arthropods are the most important vectors of plant pathogens. The majority of plant pathogens are disseminated by arthropod vectors such as aphids, beetles, leafhoppers, planthoppers, thrips and whiteflies. Transmission of plant pathogens and the challenges in managing insect vectors due to insecticide resistance are factors that contribute to major food losses in agriculture. RNA interference (RNAi) was recently suggested as a promising strategy for controlling insect pests, including those that serve as important vectors for plant pathogens. The last decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in the functional analysis of insect genes, especially those whose silencing results in mortality or interference with pathogen transmission. The identification of such candidates poses a major challenge for increasing the role of RNAi in pest control. Another challenge is to understand the RNAi machinery in insect cells and whether components that were identified in other organisms are also present in insect. This review will focus on summarizing success cases in which RNAi was used for silencing genes in insect vector for plant pathogens, and will be particularly helpful for vector biologists. PMID:27973446

Challenges in Bio-fabrication of Organoid Cultures.

PubMed

Peng, Weijie; Datta, Pallab; Wu, Yang; Dey, Madhuri; Ayan, Bugra; Dababneh, Amer; Ozbolat, Ibrahim T

2018-06-01

Three-dimensional (3D) organoids have shown advantages in cell culture over traditional two-dimensional (2D) culture, and have great potential in various applications of tissue engineering. However, there are limitations in current organoid fabrication technologies, such as uncontrolled size, poor reproductively, and inadequate complexity of organoids. In this chapter, we present the existing techniques and discuss the major challenges for 3D organoid biofabrication. Future perspectives on organoid bioprinting are also discussed, where bioprinting technologies are expected to make a major contribution in organoid fabrication, such as realizing mass production and constructing complex heterotypic tissues, and thus further advance the translational application of organoids in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as well drug testing and pharmaceutics.

Hydrological research in Ethiopia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gebremichael, M.

2012-12-01

Almost all major development problems in Ethiopia are water-related: food insecurity, low economic development, recurrent droughts, disastrous floods, poor health conditions, and low energy condition. In order to develop and manage existing water resources in a sustainable manner, knowledge is required about water availability, water quality, water demand in various sectors, and the impacts of water resource projects on health and the environment. The lack of ground-based data has been a major challenge for generating this knowledge. Current advances in remote sensing and computer simulation technology could provide alternative source of datasets. In this talk, I will present the challenges and opportunities in using remote sensing datasets and hydrological models in regions such as Africa where ground-based datasets are scarce.

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of State

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of StateGAO-01-252 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001 Report...Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of State Contract or...special series, first issued in January 1999, entitled the Performance and Accountability Series: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks . In

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of the Interior

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the InteriorGAO-01-249 Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001 Report Type N/A Dates...Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the Interior Contract or Grant...first issued in January 1999, entitled the Performance and Accountability Series: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks . In that series, GAO

Climate Change and Health in the Urban Context: The Experience of Barcelona.

PubMed

Villalbí, Joan R; Ventayol, Irma

2016-07-01

Climate change poses huge challenges for public health, and cities are at the forefront of this process. The purpose of this paper is to present the issues climate change poses for public health in the city of Barcelona, how they are being addressed, and what are the current major challenges, trying to contribute to the development of a baseline understanding of the status of adaptation in cities from a public health perspective. The major issues related to climate change faced by the city are common to other urban centers in a Mediterranean climate: heat waves, water availability and quality, air quality, and diseases transmitted by vectors, and all are reviewed in detail with empirical data. They are not a potential threat for the future, but have actually challenged the city services and infrastructure over the last years, requiring sustainable responses and rigorous planning. © The Author(s) 2016.

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of the Treasury

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the TreasuryGAO-01-254 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001...Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the...High Risks (GAO-01-159SP), in November 2000.This report addresses the major performance and accountability challenges facing the Department of the

Impact and Challenge R&D in the FY 1983 Budget. Colloquium Proceedings (Washington, D.C. June 23-24, 1982).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teich, Albert H., Ed.; Weinberg, Jill P., Ed.

Provided are papers and speeches presented at the Seventh Annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Colloquium on Research and Development (R&D) Policy. Presenters included key representatives of Congress, the Reagan administration, government agencies, and those involved in industry and university R&D. Major areas…

Mobile City and Language Guides--New Links between Formal and Informal Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bo-Kristensen, Mads; Ankerstjerne, Niels Ole; Neutzsky-Wulff, Chresteria; Schelde, Herluf

2009-01-01

One of the major challenges in second and foreign language education, is to create links between formal and informal learning environments. Mobile City and Language Guides present examples of theoretical and practical reflections on such links. This paper presents and discusses the first considerations of Mobile City and Language Guides in…

Using a Stance Corpus to Learn about Effective Authorial Stance-Taking: A Textlinguistic Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Peichin

2012-01-01

Presenting a persuasive authorial stance is a major challenge for second language (L2) writers in writing academic research. Failure to present an effective authorial stance often results in poor evaluation, which compromises a writer's research potential. This study proposes a "textlinguistic" approach to advanced academic writing to complement a…

Family Life and the Impact of Previous and Present Residential and Day Care Support for Children with Major Cognitive and Behavioural Challenges: A Dilemma for Services and Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, R. I.; Geider, S.; Primrose, A.; Jokinen, N. S.

2011-01-01

Introduction: Since the development of inclusion and integration, parents have increasingly become the major, and sometimes the only, carers of their children with disabilities. Many families speak of stress and frustration with service and community support, and some have turned to residential and specialised day care services to overcome…

Challenges facing European agriculture and possible biotechnological solutions.

PubMed

Ricroch, Agnès; Harwood, Wendy; Svobodová, Zdeňka; Sági, László; Hundleby, Penelope; Badea, Elena Marcela; Rosca, Ioan; Cruz, Gabriela; Salema Fevereiro, Manuel Pedro; Marfà Riera, Victoria; Jansson, Stefan; Morandini, Piero; Bojinov, Bojin; Cetiner, Selim; Custers, René; Schrader, Uwe; Jacobsen, Hans-Joerg; Martin-Laffon, Jacqueline; Boisron, Audrey; Kuntz, Marcel

2016-10-01

Agriculture faces many challenges to maximize yields while it is required to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner. In the present study, we analyze the major agricultural challenges identified by European farmers (primarily related to biotic stresses) in 13 countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, UK and Turkey, for nine major crops (barley, beet, grapevine, maize, oilseed rape, olive, potato, sunflower and wheat). Most biotic stresses (BSs) are related to fungi or insects, but viral diseases, bacterial diseases and even parasitic plants have an important impact on yield and harvest quality. We examine how these challenges have been addressed by public and private research sectors, using either conventional breeding, marker-assisted selection, transgenesis, cisgenesis, RNAi technology or mutagenesis. Both national surveys and scientific literature analysis followed by text mining were employed to evaluate genetic engineering (GE) and non-GE approaches. This is the first report of text mining of the scientific literature on plant breeding and agricultural biotechnology research. For the nine major crops in Europe, 128 BS challenges were identified with 40% of these addressed neither in the scientific literature nor in recent European public research programs. We found evidence that the private sector was addressing only a few of these "neglected" challenges. Consequently, there are considerable gaps between farmer's needs and current breeding and biotechnology research. We also provide evidence that the current political situation in certain European countries is an impediment to GE research in order to address these agricultural challenges in the future. This study should also contribute to the decision-making process on future pertinent international consortia to fill the identified research gaps.

An Interdisciplinary Module on Regulating Carbon Emissions to Mitigate Climate Change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penny, S.; Sethi, G.; Smyth, R.; Leibensperger, E. M.; Gervich, C.; Batur, P.

2016-12-01

The dynamics of the unfolding carbon regulatory process presents a unique and timely opportunity to teach students about the grand challenge brought by climate change and the importance of systems thinking and interdisciplinary problem solving. In this poster, we summarize our recently developed 4-week activity-based class module "Regulating Carbon Emissions to Mitigate Climate Change," which we have developed as part of the InTeGrate ("Interdisciplinary Teaching about Earth for a Sustainable Future") program. These materials are suitable for introductory non-majors, environmental sciences majors, and political science majors, and we have formally piloted in each of these settings. This module is truly interdisciplinary and spans topics such as the Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, costs and benefits of carbon abatement, and climate sensitivity. We discuss the unique challenges (and rewards!) that we experienced teaching materials entirely outside one's expertise.

Science and Technology in a Conserving Society.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Press, Frank

1979-01-01

The science and technology advisor to the President of the United States presents the challenges facing Americans today in the fields of science and technology. The major topics focused on are people and development, agriculture, biomass and bioconversion, and regulation. (SA)

Investigating Integration Capabilities Between Ifc and Citygml LOD3 for 3d City Modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Floros, G.; Pispidikis, I.; Dimopoulou, E.

2017-10-01

Smart cities are applied to an increasing number of application fields. This evolution though urges data collection and integration, hence major issues arise that need to be tackled. One of the most important challenges is the heterogeneity of collected data, especially if those data derive from different standards and vary in terms of geometry, topology and semantics. Another key challenge is the efficient analysis and visualization of spatial data, which due to the complexity of the physical reality in modern world, 2D GIS struggles to cope with. So, in order to facilitate data analysis and enhance the role of smart cities, the 3rd dimension needs to be implemented. Standards such as CityGML and IFC fulfill that necessity but they present major differences in their schemas that render their integration a challenging task. This paper focuses on addressing those differences, examining the up to date research work and investigates an alternative methodology in order to bridge the gap between those Standards. Within this framework, a generic IFC model is generated and converted to a CityGML Model, which is validated and evaluated on its geometrical correctness and semantical coherence. General results as well as future research considerations are presented.

A Student's Candid Reactions to Recruiters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Velcamp, John T.

1970-01-01

Actual records of a chemical engineering major present a number of interviews held with assorted companies. His comments suggest that while initially he sought status, location and challenge, he became more interested in the personal touch," and selected his employer on that basis. (CJ)

Staying Connected: Sustaining Collaborative Care Models with Limited Funding.

PubMed

Johnston, Brenda J; Peppard, Lora; Newton, Marian

2015-08-01

Providing psychiatric services in the primary care setting is challenging. The multidisciplinary, coordinated approach of collaborative care models (CCMs) addresses these challenges. The purpose of the current article is to discuss the implementation of a CCM at a free medical clinic (FMC) where volunteer staff provide the majority of services. Essential components of CCMs include (a) comprehensive screening and assessment, (b) shared development and communication of care plans among providers and the patient, and (c) care coordination and management. Challenges to implementing and sustaining a CCM at a FMC in Virginia attempting to meet the medical and psychiatric needs of the underserved are addressed. Although the CCM produced favorable outcomes, sustaining the model long-term presented many challenges. Strategies for addressing these challenges are discussed. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

Studying geodesy and earthquake hazard in and around the New Madrid Seismic Zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Boyd, Oliver Salz; Magistrale, Harold

2011-01-01

Workshop on New Madrid Geodesy and the Challenges of Understanding Intraplate Earthquakes; Norwood, Massachusetts, 4 March 2011 Twenty-six researchers gathered for a workshop sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and FM Global to discuss geodesy in and around the New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ) and its relation to earthquake hazards. The group addressed the challenge of reconciling current geodetic measurements, which show low present-day surface strain rates, with paleoseismic evidence of recent, relatively frequent, major earthquakes in the region. The workshop presentations and conclusions will be available in a forthcoming USGS open-file report (http://pubs.usgs.gov).

Neurocognitive differential diagnosis of dementing diseases: Alzheimer's Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Major Depressive Disorder.

PubMed

Braaten, Alyssa J; Parsons, Thomas D; McCue, Robert; Sellers, Alfred; Burns, William J

2006-11-01

Similarities in presentation of Dementia of Alzheimer's Type, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Major Depressive Disorder, pose differential diagnosis challenges. The current study identifies specific neuropsychological patterns of scores for Dementia of Alzheimer's Type, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Major Depressive Disorder. Neuropsychological domains directly assessed in the study included: immediate memory, delayed memory, confrontational naming, verbal fluency, attention, concentration, and executive functioning. The results reveal specific neuropsychological comparative profiles for Dementia of Alzheimer's Type, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Major Depressive Disorder. The identification of these profiles will assist in the differential diagnosis of these disorders and aid in patient treatment.

Affordances and Alignments: Continuing Challenges in Advising Undergraduate Psychology Majors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Landrum, R. Eric

2018-01-01

Challenges abound in providing accurate and useful information to prospective and declared psychology majors about their career options and how to make decisions that will lead to satisfying and rewarding postgraduate lives. One component of this challenge is that by majoring in psychology, career affordances (i.e., the opportunities and…

Baseline integrated behavioural and biological assessment among most at-risk populations in six high-prevalence states of India: design and implementation challenges.

PubMed

Saidel, Tobi; Adhikary, Rajatashuvra; Mainkar, Mandar; Dale, Jayesh; Loo, Virginia; Rahman, Motiur; Ramesh, Banadakoppa M; Paranjape, Ramesh S

2008-12-01

This paper presents key methodological approaches and challenges in implementing and analysing the first round of the integrated biobehavioural assessment of most-at-risk populations, conducted in conjunction with evaluation of Avahan, the India AIDS initiative. The survey collected data on HIV risk behaviours, sexually transmitted infections and HIV prevalence in 29 districts in six high-prevalence states of India. Groups included female sex workers and clients, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users and truck drivers. Strategies for overcoming some challenges of the large-scale surveys among vulnerable populations, including sampling hidden populations, involvement of the communities targeted by the survey, laboratory and quality control in remote, non-clinic field settings, and data analysis and data use are presented. Satisfying the need for protocols, guidelines and tools that allowed for sufficient standardization, while being tailored enough to fit diverse local situations on such a large scale, with so many implementing partners, emerged as a major management challenge. A major lesson from the first round is the vital importance of investing upfront time in tailoring the sampling methods, data collection instruments, and analysis plan to match measurement objectives. Despite the challenges, the integrated biobehavioural assessment was a huge achievement, and was largely successful in providing previously unavailable information about the HIV situation among populations that are critical to the curtailment of HIV spread in India. Lessons from the first round will be used to evolve the second round into an exercise with increased evaluative capability for Avahan.

Neurodevelopmental surveillance in the first 2 years after extremely preterm birth: evidence, challenges, and guidelines.

PubMed

Msall, Michael E

2006-03-01

During the past decade, major advances in maternal-fetal medicine and neonatology have resulted in unprecedented survival of very preterm babies. These babies represent a small fraction of infants born preterm, but present significant challenges with respect to respiratory, nutritional, and developmental vulnerabilities. Several efforts involving the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands have provided information on regional trends over time with respect to neonatal morbidities and neurodevelopmental outcomes through the first two years of life. Historically gross and fine motor, cognitive and communicative skills, vision and hearing performance have been the focus of assessment. Indicators of major neurodevelopmental disabilities at 2 years have included presence of severe neurosensory impairment, i.e. cerebral palsy, sensorineural hearing loss requiring aides, and blindness. In addition cognitive developmental disability has been generally defined as a Bayley MDI or developmental quotient <70, i.e. lower than 2 standard deviations below the mean. However these outcomes cannot reliably capture trajectories of resiliency as well as more complex developmental challenges in the domains of coordination, perception, attention, communication, and learning. Recently tools have become available for assessing functional status in gross motor, communicative, adaptive and social-emotional behaviours of imitation, regulation, and play. This review will describe the major progress in assessing early neurodevelopmental status of vulnerable survivors receiving new biomedical technologies, highlight challenges, and propose guidelines based on current best evidence.

Conducting research with communities of color

Treesearch

Leo McAvoy; Patricia L. Winter; Corliss W. Outley; Dan McDonald; Deborah J. Chavez

2000-01-01

This article presents the major challenges facing those who want to address the issues of race and ethnicity through research with communities of color; general methodological recommendations appropriate to many communities of color; and, specific research method recommendations for African American, American Indian, and Hispanic American communities.

Best Practices in Working with Students with Emotion Dysregulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cunningham, Jennifer; Mendez, Linda M. Raffaele; Sundman-Wheat, Ashley N.

2011-01-01

Students with emotion dysregulation have significant difficulty modulating emotional reactions, particularly in response to frustration or challenge. These children can present with a variety of DSM diagnoses in schools, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), major depressive disorder (MDD),…

Air Quality Modeling of Traffic-related Air Pollutants for the NEXUS Study

EPA Science Inventory

The paper presents the results of the model applications to estimate exposure metrics in support of an epidemiologic study in Detroit, Michigan. A major challenge in traffic-related air pollution exposure studies is the lack of information regarding pollutant exposure characteriz...

New Consortial Model for E-Books Acquisitions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swindler, Luke

2016-01-01

E-books constitute major challenges for library collections generally and present fundamental problems for consortial collection development specifically. The Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) and Oxford University Press (OUP) have created a mutually equitable and financially sustainable model for the consortial acquisition of e-books…

[Clinical dilemma: an unusual case of ascites].

PubMed

Romi, Hila; Hausman, Michael; Kachko, Leonid; Emanuel, Sikuler

2012-12-01

Cirrhotic portal hypertension is the major cause of ascites. Ascites is the most common expression of decompensated liver disease. However, other etiologies may occur and may pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A patient with chronic hepatitis C and an unusual cause of ascites is presented.

Teaching Chromatography Using Virtual Laboratory Exercises

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, David C.

2007-01-01

Though deceptively simple to teach, chromatography presents many nuances and complex interactions that challenge both student and instructor. Time and instrumentation provide major obstacles to a thorough examination of these details in the laboratory. Modern chromatographic method-development software provides an opportunity to overcome this,…

Human Space Flight Challenges: Get a Leg Up

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lloyd, Charles W.

2008-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews some of the challenges that spaceflight imposes on the Human system. It describes four of the signs and symptoms of fluid shift in the astronaut when they fly in low earth orbit. It describes how the leg muscles influence blood flow It also outlines the four phases of "fluid shift" and where the majority of the central volume of blood is located in the body And it reviews other changes to the body systems as a result of Fluid Shift

"Endovascular embolic hemispherectomy": a strategy for the initial management of catastrophic holohemispheric epilepsy in the neonate.

PubMed

Oluigbo, Chima; Pearl, Monica S; Tsuchida, Tammy N; Chang, Taeun; Ho, Cheng-Ying; Gaillard, William D

2017-03-01

Conflicting challenges abound in the management of the newborn with intractable epilepsy related to hemimegalencephaly. Early hemispherectomy to stop seizures and prevent deleterious consequences to future neurocognitive development must be weighed against the technical and anesthetic challenges of performing major hemispheric surgery in the neonate. We hereby present our experience with two neonates with hemimegalencephaly and intractable seizures who were managed using a strategy of initial minimally invasive embolization of the cerebral blood supply to the involved hemisphere. Immediate significant seizure control was achieved after embolization of the cerebral blood supply to the involved hemisphere followed by delayed ipsilateral hemispheric resection at a later optimal age. The considerations and challenges encountered in the course of the management of these patients are discussed, and a literature review is presented.

An Overview of Science Challenges Pertaining to our Understanding of Extreme Geomagnetically Induced Currents. Chapter 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ngwira, Chigomezyo M.; Pulkkinen, Antti A.

2018-01-01

Vulnerability of man-made infrastructure to Earth-directed space weather events is a serious concern for today's technology-dependent society. Space weather-driven geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) can disrupt operation of extended electrically conducting technological systems. The threat of adverse impacts on critical technological infrastructure, like power grids, oil and gas pipelines, and communication networks, has sparked renewed interest in extreme space weather. Because extreme space weather events have low occurrence rate but potentially high impact, this presents a major challenge for our understanding of extreme GIC activity. In this chapter, we discuss some of the key science challenges pertaining to our understanding of extreme events. In addition, we present an overview of GICs including highlights of severe impacts over the last 80 years and recent U.S. Federal actions relevant to this community.

Current Challenges for HTCMC Aero-Propulsion Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DiCarlo, James A.; Bansal, Narottam P.

2007-01-01

In comparison to the best metallic materials, HTCMC aero-propulsion engine components offer the opportunity of reduced weight and higher temperature operation, with corresponding improvements in engine cooling requirements, emissions, thrust, and specific fuel consumption. Although much progress has been made in the development of advanced HTCMC constituent materials and processes, major challenges still remain for their implementation into these components. The objectives of this presentation are to briefly review (1) potential HTCMC aero-propulsion components and their generic material performance requirements, (2) recent progress at NASA and elsewhere concerning advanced constituents and processes for meeting these requirements, (3) key HTCMC component implementation challenges that are currently being encountered, and (4) on-going activities within the new NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program that are addressing these challenges.

Traffic Flow Management Wrap-Up

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grabbe, Shon

2011-01-01

Traffic Flow Management involves the scheduling and routing of air traffic subject to airport and airspace capacity constraints, and the efficient use of available airspace. Significant challenges in this area include: (1) weather integration and forecasting, (2) accounting for user preferences in the Traffic Flow Management decision making process, and (3) understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of air traffic on the environment. To address these challenges, researchers in the Traffic Flow Management area are developing modeling, simulation and optimization techniques to route and schedule air traffic flights and flows while accommodating user preferences, accounting for system uncertainties and considering the environmental impacts of aviation. This presentation will highlight some of the major challenges facing researchers in this domain, while also showcasing recent innovations designed to address these challenges.

"Hedge Your Bets": Technology's Role in Young Gay Men's Relationship Challenges.

PubMed

McKie, Raymond M; Milhausen, Robin R; Lachowsky, Nathan J

2017-01-01

Technology is playing an increasingly pervasive role among young gay men in the process of meeting potential romantic or sexual partners. We investigated challenges posed by technology related to young gay men's relationships. Focus groups (n = 9) of young gay men aged 18-24 (n = 43) were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was used to identify two major themes regarding challenges to relationship development and maintenance. Subthemes include unrealistic expectations of relationships, inauthentic self-presentation online, sexual primacy over romance, increased opportunities for infidelity, and jealousy. The implications of this study for sexual education and sexual health promotion are discussed.

Connectivity inference from neural recording data: Challenges, mathematical bases and research directions.

PubMed

Magrans de Abril, Ildefons; Yoshimoto, Junichiro; Doya, Kenji

2018-06-01

This article presents a review of computational methods for connectivity inference from neural activity data derived from multi-electrode recordings or fluorescence imaging. We first identify biophysical and technical challenges in connectivity inference along the data processing pipeline. We then review connectivity inference methods based on two major mathematical foundations, namely, descriptive model-free approaches and generative model-based approaches. We investigate representative studies in both categories and clarify which challenges have been addressed by which method. We further identify critical open issues and possible research directions. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Dissociation between history and challenge in patients with physical urticaria.

PubMed

Komarow, Hirsh D; Arceo, Sarah; Young, Michael; Nelson, Celeste; Metcalfe, Dean D

2014-01-01

Physical urticaria is a subtype of chronic urticaria induced by a physical stimulus. To evaluate the consistency between a history of physical urticaria and results of challenge testing. Seventy-six subjects, ages 3 to 77 years old, were referred with the diagnosis of a physical urticaria and were evaluated by using challenge testing directed toward the presenting diagnosis, yet included other stimuli based on history. The majority of subjects were tested to 3 or more stimuli, thus 294 provocation tests were performed. Fifty-seven subjects were surveyed for the status of their physical urticaria at least 1 year after initial evaluation. Of the 76 subjects with a positive history of a physical urticaria, 38% (n = 29) were challenge negative to the presenting diagnosis. Eight subjects within the challenge negative group reacted positively to additional testing, thus 28% (n = 21) remained negative to all challenge testing, which allowed discontinuation of medications and avoidance behavior. A negative challenge result was less likely with subjects who presented with cold-induced urticaria (25%), delayed pressure urticaria (25%), and dermatographism (29%), yet more common with cholinergic (65%) and solar urticaria (67%). A 1-year follow-up survey of 57 subjects was consistent with initial results. Nineteen of this subgroup were rechallenged for the presenting diagnosis, and the outcome was unchanged in 17 subjects and, in 2 subjects the urticaria had resolved. The diagnosis by history of a physical urticaria should be verified by testing whenever possible and particularly if the condition is judged as severe and thus requires both significant life-style changes and pharmacologic intervention. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Improving DLA Supply Chain Agility: Lead Times, Order Quantities, and Information Flow

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-01

effective inventory management. The dynamism of supply appears to be less than demand, with major problems from supply-side vola- tility not apparent...presents a challenge for efficient and effective inventory management. The dynamism of supply appears to be much less, with major problems from...a vehicle safety problem that newly appears. Or the lead time for the customer change of plan may be less than the lead time to procure the item. So

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of Labor

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of LaborGAO-01-251 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001 Report...Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of Labor Contract or... Challenges and High Risks (GAO-01-159SP), in November 2000. This 2001 Performance and Accountability Series contains separate reports on 21 agencies

Summary of the 2014 Sandia V&V Challenge Workshop

DOE PAGES

Schroeder, Benjamin B.; Hu, Kenneth T.; Mullins, Joshua Grady; ...

2016-02-19

A discussion of the five responses to the 2014 Sandia Verification and Validation (V&V) Challenge Problem, presented within this special issue, is provided hereafter. Overviews of the challenge problem workshop, workshop participants, and the problem statement are also included. Brief summations of teams' responses to the challenge problem are provided. Issues that arose throughout the responses that are deemed applicable to the general verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification (VVUQ) community are the main focal point of this paper. The discussion is oriented and organized into big picture comparison of data and model usage, VVUQ activities, and differentiating conceptual themes behindmore » the teams' VVUQ strategies. Significant differences are noted in the teams' approaches toward all VVUQ activities, and those deemed most relevant are discussed. Beyond the specific details of VVUQ implementations, thematic concepts are found to create differences among the approaches; some of the major themes are discussed. Lastly, an encapsulation of the key contributions, the lessons learned, and advice for the future are presented.« less

CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GLAUCOMA IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY; A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF PROVIDERS' PERSPECTIVES.

PubMed

Adekoya, B J; Adepoju, F G; Moshood, K F; Balarabe, A H

2015-01-01

Glaucoma management is challenging to patients as well as to the eye care providers. The study is aimed at describing the challenges faced by providers using qualitative methods. In-depth interviews were conducted with selected Ophthalmologists and resident doctors in ophthalmology at centres offering medical and surgical glaucoma services in Lagos state, Nigeria, according to established qualitative methods. This was done using semi-structured, open ended questions to explore the providers' perspective on glaucoma burden, challenges in the management, surgery for glaucoma, acceptance of glaucoma surgery by patients, and recommendations for improving glaucoma services. The discussions were recorded with the aid of a micro-cassette recorder. Familiarisation was done to identify key ideas in the data, then, the main themes and sub-themes were identified. Quotes that reflect the themes and sub-themes were then identified in the data. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 11 ophthalmologists and resident doctors in training. Majority were of the opinion that glaucoma is a significant burden constituting about 35% of outpatient visits. Identified patient related challenges include; late presentation, lack of glaucoma awareness, delay in referral from optometrists, and poor compliance with medications. Shortages in needed equipment were also identified. Availability, affordability and counterfeiting of drugs were the major challenges related to medical treatment. Majority of the participants agreed that surgery should be offered to the patients as soon as the diagnosis of glaucoma is made. However, continuous monitoring of the patient on medical treatment is another line of option for them in early cases; if they are convinced the patients will be compliant. Some respondents considered the current number of glaucoma surgeries as adequate, while some think otherwise. Reasons put forward for reluctance to offer glaucoma surgery include; late presentation, lack of patient satisfaction, complications of surgery, and negative publicity. Even though the challenges in the management of glaucoma in developing countries are many, they are not insurmountable. There is need for concerted and integrated efforts involving all cadres of eye care practitioners, patients, institutions and governments to address this important eye disease. Improved awareness, provision of adequate equipment, availability and affordability of medications, need for training and retraining of eye care providers are all important measures that can lead to better management of the glaucoma patient.

Young Scientists Discuss Recent Advances, Future Challenges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baum, Rudy M.

1989-01-01

Discusses a National Academy of Science forum at which a group of outstanding young researchers in astronomy, molecular and developmental biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, atmospheric science, and materials science met for three days of formal presentations and informal conversations. Provides a short synopsis of major speakers. (MVL)

Aerospace Management, Volume 5 Number 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaprielyan, S. Peter

Presented are articles and reports dealing with aspects of the aerospace programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Of major concern are the technological and managerial challenges within the space station and space shuttle programs. Other reports are given on: (1) medical experiments, (2) satellites, (3) international…

Employability: Review and Research Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guilbert, Laure; Bernaud, Jean-Luc; Gouvernet, Brice; Rossier, Jérôme

2016-01-01

Professional transition, employment, and reemployment are major concerns for nations facing adverse economic situations. The employability construct represents a scientific challenge in order to better understand the relationship between the job seekers' issues and the expectations of the world of work. This paper presents a review of the concept…

Strategies for Educational Action To Meet Veterinary Medicine's Role in Biodefense and Public Health.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, John; Blackwell, Michael; Buss, Daryl; Eyre, Peter; Held, Joe R.; Ogilvie, Tim; Pappaioanou, Marguerite; Sawyer, Leigh

2003-01-01

Summarizes recommendations of a conference focused on how veterinary education needs to change to meet the challenges ahead related to biodefense and public health. Presents results of seven sections, each dealing with a major issue related to veterinary medical education. (SLD)

[Health situation and issues in the Seychelles in 2012].

PubMed

Bovet, P; Gédéon, J; Louange, M; Durasnel, P; Aubry, P; Gaüzère, B-A

2013-01-01

Off the coast of Kenya, the Seychelles, home to 87,400 inhabitants mostly of African origin, have largely completed their demographic and epidemiologic transitions. Major investments in infrastructure and social services have fostered steady economic growth. Health care and education are free. The predominance of chronic non-communicable diseases and rapid aging of the population nonetheless present significant challenges for public health and the health system. Like the other small island states in the region, the Seychelles continue to be threatened by arbovirus outbreaks. Health indicators are good, but the geographic isolation, the small and aging population, and limited resources make a major challenge maintaining and sustaining an effective workforce of health professionals, a constantly evolving technical platform, and increasing amount of medications particularly in view of the increasing burden of chronic diseases.

Female children with ambiguous genitalia in awareness-poor subregion.

PubMed

Osifo, Osarumwense D; Amusan, Taiwo I

2009-12-01

Congenital aberrations of female children's external genitalia are common worldwide with varied mode of presentation especially in regions with poor awareness. This prospective experience between July 2004 and June 2008 at two Nigerian healthcare facilities is on the mode of presentation and challenges of management of female children with ambiguous genitalia. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) 19 (47.5%), female pseudohermaphroditism 20 (50%) and vaginal atresia 1 (2.5%) manifested as aberrations of external genitalia of 40 female children who presented between the ages of 3 months and 16 years (average 9 years). Cultural influence, lack of awareness, inadequate examination of external genitalia at birth and lack of diagnostic facilities resulted in late presentation and diagnosis with all the cases of CAH and pseudohermaphroditism raised as males. Five cases who developed female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty attempted suicide before presentation. Gender reassignment and feminizing genitoplasty were major challenges, but outcomes were encouraging.

The problem is not just sample size: the consequences of low base rates in policing experiments in smaller cities.

PubMed

Hinkle, Joshua C; Weisburd, David; Famega, Christine; Ready, Justin

2013-01-01

Hot spots policing is one of the most influential police innovations, with a strong body of experimental research showing it to be effective in reducing crime and disorder. However, most studies have been conducted in major cities, and we thus know little about whether it is effective in smaller cities, which account for a majority of police agencies. The lack of experimental studies in smaller cities is likely in part due to challenges designing statistically powerful tests in such contexts. The current article explores the challenges of statistical power and "noise" resulting from low base rates of crime in smaller cities and provides suggestions for future evaluations to overcome these limitations. Data from a randomized experimental evaluation of broken windows policing in hot spots are used to illustrate the challenges that low base rates present for evaluating hot spots policing programs in smaller cities. Analyses show low base rates make it difficult to detect treatment effects. Very large effect sizes would be required to reach sufficient power, and random fluctuations around low base rates make detecting treatment effects difficult, irrespective of power, by masking differences between treatment and control groups. Low base rates present strong challenges to researchers attempting to evaluate hot spots policing in smaller cities. As such, base rates must be taken directly into account when designing experimental evaluations. The article offers suggestions for researchers attempting to expand the examination of hot spots policing and other microplace-based interventions to smaller jurisdictions.

Cyber physical systems based on cloud computing and internet of things for energy efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suciu, George; Butca, Cristina; Suciu, Victor; Cretu, Alexandru; Fratu, Octavian

2016-12-01

Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) and energy efficiency play a major role in the context of industry expansion. Management practices for improving efficiency in the field of energy consumption became a priority of many major industries who are inefficient in terms of exploitation costs. The effort of adopting energy management means in an organization is quite challenging due to the lack of resources and expertise. One major problem consists in the lack of knowledge for energy management and practices. This paper aims to present authors' concept in creating a Cyber Physical Energy System (CPES) that will change organizations' way of consuming energy, by making them aware of their use. The presented concept will consider the security of the whole system and the easy integration with the existing electric network infrastructure.

Collaborators in Catechesis: Bishops, Publishers, Diocesan Directors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Catholic Educational Association, Washington, DC.

This volume is a record of discussions held at an invitational symposium that explored the major issues and challenges that face the catechetical ministry. The theme of this event was one of partnership and collaboration. The following presentations were made: (1) "Catechesis: An Ecclesial Ministry" (P. Laghi); (2) "Bishops Concerns…

A Prevalidation of the Product-Process Matrix

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashenbaum, Bryan

2013-01-01

A major challenge for instructors of supply chain and operations management (SCOM) courses is to help students who have never seen a production floor visualize concepts, such as the product-process matrix from standard introductory SCOM texts. This article presents a classroom exercise, which "prevalidates" the product-process matrix.…

Educating a New Majority: Transforming America's Educational System for Diversity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rendon, Laura I., Ed.; Hope, Richard O., Ed.

This book presents 20 papers on the current status and future needs of disadvantaged minority students in the elementary, secondary, and higher education systems. Papers are grouped into four sections: current challenges to minority education; restructuring schools to foster minority student success; reforming higher education; and leadership…

Life Ate My Homework

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cook, Susan L.; Krupar, Karen

2010-01-01

The economic chaos of the last two years has presented major challenges for college students. As professors at a large public university, the authors are accustomed to monitoring the broader social and economic climate for students so that they can swiftly identify "teachable moments" and seize those moments to improve learning. But what is a…

Conflict and Peace Research: South African Realities and Challenges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nieuwmeijer, Louise, Ed.; Olivier, Johan, Ed.

This report resulted from a national workshop held September 5-6, 1995, near Johannesburg, South Africa. The theme of the workshop, "Reflections on Conflict and Peace," was chosen to echo the nature and purpose of the workshop. The major papers presented include: (1) "Conflict and Peace Research Methodology" (Louise…

Career Counseling with Undocumented Latino Youth: A Qualitative Analysis of School Counselors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Storlie, Cassandra Ann

2013-01-01

The career development trajectory of undocumented Latino youth can present unique challenges for school counselors. Undocumented Latino youth have few career choices due to holding different values from the majority culture, realistic fears of deportation, restrictions in obtaining lawful employment, and having an unconventional pathway to…

Development of insect resistant sunflowers: Updates and challenges

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Entomology research of the sunflower research unit, USDA-ARS, in Fargo, ND, was discussed in a presentation to a group of producers, industry representatives, and scientists. There are 4 major insect pests for which we have no genetic resistance currently, and the goal of our work is to find genetic...

Trends Shaping Education--2008 Edition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

OECD Publishing (NJ3), 2008

2008-01-01

This new biennial publication presents the latest available information on 26 major current trends in education, grouped in 9 broad themes (ageing, global challenges, the new economic landscape, work and jobs, the learning society, ICT, citizenship and the state, social connections and values, and sustainable affluence). For each trend, there is a…

The Liberal Arts in Higher Education: Challenging Assumptions, Exploring Possibilities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glyer, Diana, Ed.; Weeks, David L., Ed.

This book presents four major articles and 10 brief book reviews concerning the liberal arts in higher education. An introduction by the editors, "Liberal Education: Initiating the Conversation," precedes the articles. The articles are: (1) "The Classical Liberal Arts Tradition" (Christopher Flannery and Rae Wineland Newstad); (2) "Modern and…

A Multiple-Channel Model of Task-Dependent Ambiguity Resolution in Sentence Comprehension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Logacev, Pavel; Vasishth, Shravan

2016-01-01

Traxler, Pickering, and Clifton (1998) found that ambiguous sentences are read faster than their unambiguous counterparts. This so-called "ambiguity advantage" has presented a major challenge to classical theories of human sentence comprehension (parsing) because its most prominent explanation, in the form of the unrestricted race model…

Teleworking: Guidelines for Good Practice. IES Report 329.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huws, Ursula; And Others

Because teleworking presents major new challenges to human resource managers, trade unions, and others involved in the development of good employment practices, this book provides practical guidelines for good practice in regard to teleworkers that recognize that teleworking is not a single category, but covers at least five distinct groups with…

World Education Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Paris (France).

This first edition of the World Education Report presents an analysis of major trends and policy issues in education in the world today. The report reviews the worldwide expansion of enrollment in formal education since 1970, focusing especially on primary and elementary education and on continuing challenges for educational policy in those areas.…

State Board for Community Colleges Strategic Plan, 2000-2002 and Beyond.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Virginia State Dept. of Community Colleges, Richmond.

This report presents the major accomplishments, opportunities, and challenges identified in Virginia Community College System's (VCCS) strategic assessment, as well as goals that address critical issues for the college system. The mission of the VCCS is to provide comprehensive higher education and workforce training programs and services of…

Staff Development: A Gestalt Paradigm.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parsons, Michael H.

Hagerstown Junior College, Maryland, has had a staff development program for the past five years. The major components have been evaluated, revised, and integrated into a gestalt paradigm--a total institutional thrust designed to insure that the goals of the college meet the challenges presented by the service area. Each component exists to foster…

Telecommunications in Rural America: Opportunities and Challenges for the Health Care System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Puskin, Dena S.

1992-01-01

Presents major themes dealing with the application of telecommunications to rural health care, such as barriers to rural health care delivery, cost effectiveness, lack of technology infrastructure, and human capital needs. Discusses distance learning and telemedicine for health professionals. Lists elements of a successful telecommunications…

[A modern look at benign stenosing lesions. Etiology and pathogenesis of diagnostic capabilities. A systematic review].

PubMed

Pakhabova, E Iu; Belova, G V

2012-01-01

The problem of nonneoplastic stenosis of major duodenal papilla is on joint of gastroenterology and surgery and present a challenge for physicians. This article reviews what is known about the pathogenesis, epidemiology and diagnostics of papillostenosis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

In vitro function of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor predicts in vivo sensitivity of oviparous vertebrates to dioxin-like compounds

EPA Science Inventory

Differences in sensitivity to dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) among species and taxa presents a major challenge to ecological risk assessments. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) regulates adverse effects associated with exposure to DLCs in vertebrates. Prior investig...

The aerodynamic challenges of the design and development of the space shuttle orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, J. C.; Underwood, J. M.; Hillje, E. R.; Whitnah, A. M.; Romere, P. O.; Gamble, J. D.; Roberts, B. B.; Ware, G. M.; Scallion, W. I.; Spencer, B., Jr.

1985-01-01

The major aerodynamic design challenge at the beginning of the United States Space Transportation System (STS) research and development phase was to design a vehicle that would fly as a spacecraft during early entry and as an aircraft during the final phase of entry. The design was further complicated because the envisioned vehicle was statically unstable during a portion of the aircraft mode of operation. The second challenge was the development of preflight aerodynamic predictions with an accuracy consistent with conducting a manned flight on the initial orbital flight. A brief history of the early contractual studies is presented highlighting the technical results and management decisions influencing the aerodynamic challenges. The configuration evolution and the development of preflight aerodynamic predictions will be reviewed. The results from the first four test flights shows excellent agreement with the preflight aerodynamic predictions over the majority of the flight regimes. The only regimes showing significant disagreement is confined primarily to early entry, where prediction of the basic vehicle trim and the influence of the reaction control system jets on the flow field were found to be deficient. Postflight results are analyzed to explain these prediction deficiencies.

Nanonization strategies for poorly water-soluble drugs.

PubMed

Chen, Huabing; Khemtong, Chalermchai; Yang, Xiangliang; Chang, Xueling; Gao, Jinming

2011-04-01

Poor water solubility for many drugs and drug candidates remains a major obstacle to their development and clinical application. Conventional formulations to improve solubility suffer from low bioavailability and poor pharmacokinetics, with some carriers rendering systemic toxicities (e.g. Cremophor(®) EL). In this review, several major nanonization techniques that seek to overcome these limitations for drug solubilization are presented. Strategies including drug nanocrystals, nanoemulsions and polymeric micelles are reviewed. Finally, perspectives on existing challenges and future opportunities are highlighted. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A review of design issues specific to hypersonic flight vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sziroczak, D.; Smith, H.

2016-07-01

This paper provides an overview of the current technical issues and challenges associated with the design of hypersonic vehicles. Two distinct classes of vehicles are reviewed; Hypersonic Transports and Space Launchers, their common features and differences are examined. After a brief historical overview, the paper takes a multi-disciplinary approach to these vehicles, discusses various design aspects, and technical challenges. Operational issues are explored, including mission profiles, current and predicted markets, in addition to environmental effects and human factors. Technological issues are also reviewed, focusing on the three major challenge areas associated with these vehicles: aerothermodynamics, propulsion, and structures. In addition, matters of reliability and maintainability are also presented. The paper also reviews the certification and flight testing of these vehicles from a global perspective. Finally the current stakeholders in the field of hypersonic flight are presented, summarizing the active programs and promising concepts.

SU-E-J-110: A Novel Level Set Active Contour Algorithm for Multimodality Joint Segmentation/Registration Using the Jensen-Rényi Divergence.

PubMed

Markel, D; Naqa, I El; Freeman, C; Vallières, M

2012-06-01

To present a novel joint segmentation/registration for multimodality image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy. A major challenge to this framework is the sensitivity of many segmentation or registration algorithms to noise. Presented is a level set active contour based on the Jensen-Renyi (JR) divergence to achieve improved noise robustness in a multi-modality imaging space. To present a novel joint segmentation/registration for multimodality image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy. A major challenge to this framework is the sensitivity of many segmentation or registration algorithms to noise. Presented is a level set active contour based on the Jensen-Renyi (JR) divergence to achieve improved noise robustness in a multi-modality imaging space. It was found that JR divergence when used for segmentation has an improved robustness to noise compared to using mutual information, or other entropy-based metrics. The MI metric failed at around 2/3 the noise power than the JR divergence. The JR divergence metric is useful for the task of joint segmentation/registration of multimodality images and shows improved results compared entropy based metric. The algorithm can be easily modified to incorporate non-intensity based images, which would allow applications into multi-modality and texture analysis. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Family life and the impact of previous and present residential and day care support for children with major cognitive and behavioural challenges: a dilemma for services and policy.

PubMed

Brown, R I; Geider, S; Primrose, A; Jokinen, N S

2011-09-01

Since the development of inclusion and integration, parents have increasingly become the major, and sometimes the only, carers of their children with disabilities. Many families speak of stress and frustration with service and community support, and some have turned to residential and specialised day care services to overcome challenges. The need for, and experiences of, such services needs to be examined not just in terms of the child but also in terms of family impact. The study involved interviewing parents on a 1:1 basis and in a focus group to examine the perceptions of family life, along with their later experience of full-time day and residential care. The children had multiple diagnoses of intellectual disability plus major challenging behaviour. The results describe the major challenges facing families when the children spent most or all of their time at home. This contrasted starkly with the changes in perceived family life once the children were in residential care and day support. Improvements in behaviour of the children were noted and children began to return home for periods of time. Parent noted increased stability of family life, involvement of siblings in more normal community life and increased opportunities for spouses to function more effectively in one or more life domains. Family members perceived a major improvement in overall quality of life. The results are consistent with findings in other family quality of life studies in terms of family experience, and the types of challenges faced when the child was at home, including when excluded from the regular education system. Extensive support in raising children is required by parents and without this there is a deleterious effect on family life. Many families experienced exclusion within their home communities. Full-time day and residential support were provided, allowing the family to function more effectively and later to provide a more natural home environment for the child. The article raises questions of policy concerning family well-being, as well as the needs of the child. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

From Prototype to Product: Making Participatory Design of mHealth Commercially Viable.

PubMed

Andersen, Tariq O; Bansler, Jørgen P; Kensing, Finn; Moll, Jonas

2017-01-01

This paper delves into the challenges of engaging patients, clinicians and industry stakeholders in the participatory design of an mHealth platform for patient-clinician collaboration. It follows the process from the development of a research prototype to a commercial software product. In particular, we draw attention to four major challenges of (a) aligning the different concerns of patients and clinicians, (b) designing according to clinical accountability, (c) ensuring commercial interest, and (d) dealing with regulatory constraints when prototyping safety critical health Information Technology. Using four illustrative cases, we discuss what these challenges entail and the implications they pose to Participatory Design. We conclude the paper by presenting lessons learned.

Structure-based drug design: docking and scoring.

PubMed

Kroemer, Romano T

2007-08-01

This review gives an introduction into ligand - receptor docking and illustrates the basic underlying concepts. An overview of different approaches and algorithms is provided. Although the application of docking and scoring has led to some remarkable successes, there are still some major challenges ahead, which are outlined here as well. Approaches to address some of these challenges and the latest developments in the area are presented. Some aspects of the assessment of docking program performance are discussed. A number of successful applications of structure-based virtual screening are described.

The Public Health Challenge.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ember, Lois R.

1987-01-01

Discussed are public health challenges related to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). A major challenge is changing habits and damping incipient fear. Education is considered by some to be one of the major public health weapons. Described are various programs, legal issues, and policies being considered and implemented. (RH)

Managing Our Environment, A Report on Ways Agricultural Research Fights Pollution.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.

A report on the ways agricultural research attempts to fight pollution is presented in this series of articles covering some of the major challenges facing scientists and regulatory officials working in agricultural research. Improved resource management is stressed with the use of advanced technologies as the avenue to solving environmental…

Knowledge Production in Higher Education: Policies and Practices in Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogbodo, Charles M.; Efanga, Sunday I.; Ikpe, Usen G.

2013-01-01

This paper presents a discussion on knowledge production in higher education, policies and practices in Nigeria. At the introduction, the overall objectives of higher education are highlighted and the concepts of policies explained. The paper therefore identifies some factors as the major challenges to knowledge production; some of the factors are…

Towards Web Service-Based Educational Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sampson, Demetrios G.

2005-01-01

The need for designing the next generation of web service-based educational systems with the ability of integrating components from different tools and platforms is now recognised as the major challenge in advanced learning technologies. In this paper, we discuss this issue and we present the conceptual design of such environment, referred to as…

Exploring Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by UPM TESL Undergraduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Safian, Nur Hanisah; Malakar, Sharmila; Kalajahi, Seyed Ali Rezvani

2014-01-01

Vocabulary learning is one of the most challenging factors that learners will face during the process of second language learning. The main pursuit of the present study was to investigate the vocabulary language strategies among Malaysian ESL students majoring in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at University Putra Malaysia. There are…

Coordinated pre-preemption of traffic signals to enhance railroad grade crossing safety in urban areas and estimation of train impacts to arterial travel time delay : [technical summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-01-01

Rail lines present two major challenges to the : roadways they intersect: potential for collisions : and increased congestion. In addition, congestion : can contribute collision hazards when drivers are : impatient or vehicles are prevented from clea...

Mary E. Switzer Memorial Lecture: The Next Decade: Issues and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perry, J. Warren

1978-01-01

Stating that our present health programs are more producer-oriented than people- or community-oriented, the author outlines major issues in allied health education to respond to new emphases in the health system, regionalism, health personnel overproduction, graduate study and research, and the need to evaluate the allied health education concept.…

Instructional Materials for Improving the Quality of the Environment. Information Bulletin. No. 2, 1985.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Disinger, John F.; Blosser, Patricia E., Ed.

Three major themes of ecology, ethics, and economics characterize the current conservation/environmental movement and present a challenge for the environmental educator in teaching about environmental quality. This bulletin provides assistance for the practitioner by identifying current instructional materials that address concerns in this area.…

The Glass Ceiling: Progress and Persistent Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLlwain, Wendy M.

2012-01-01

It has been written that since 2001, there has not been any significant progress and the glass ceiling is still intact. Women are still underrepresented in top positions (Anonymous, 2004). If this is true, the glass ceiling presents a major barrier between women and their desire to advance into executive or senior management positions. In addition…

Connecticut's Challenge: An Agenda for Educational Equity and Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Connecticut State Board of Education, Hartford.

In early 1984, Connecticut's state board of education adopted an agenda of seven major initiatives for improving the quality of education in the state. Each initiative was further broken down into one or more specific issues. This document examines the background of each issue, presents recommendations for addressing the issue, discusses…

College Students' Revenge Goals across Friend, Romantic Partner, and Roommate Contexts: The Role of Interpretations and Emotions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDonald, Kristina L.; Asher, Steven R.

2013-01-01

Residential college environments provide young people with distinctive relationship opportunities and challenges. A major purpose of the present study was to learn whether college students respond differently to conflict-of-interest vignettes in three different relationship contexts. Students were more likely to make negative interpretations about…

Application of emerging technologies to control Salmonella in foods: a review

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Salmonella is one of the major causes of foodborne illnesses in United States and many other parts of the world. The ubiquitous nature of the organisms and innumerous serotypes present in various foods makes it interesting and challenging for researchers to strive for its elimination. In the past d...

Reasoning about Multiple Variables: Control of Variables Is Not the Only Challenge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuhn, Deanna

2007-01-01

Thirty fourth-grade students participated in an extended intervention previously successful in fostering skills of scientific investigation and inference, notably control of variables (COV). The intervention was similarly successful for a majority of students in the present study, enabling them to isolate the three causal and two noncausal…

Sustainable Mobility, Future Fuels, and the Periodic Table

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wallington, Timothy J.; Anderson, James E.; Siegel, Donald J.; Tamor, Michael A.; Mueller, Sherry A.; Winkler, Sandra L.; Nielsen, Ole J.

2013-01-01

Providing sustainable mobility is a major challenge that will require new vehicle and fuel technologies. Alternative and future fuels are the subject of considerable research and public interest. A simple approach is presented that can be used in science education lectures at the high school or undergraduate level to provide students with an…

Working Economics: Labor Policy and Conducive Economy in the Netherlands

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Korver, Ton

2004-01-01

The conducive economy challenges both the conceptual foundations and the practices of present-day economies. In the Netherlands, a few initiatives during the 1980s and early 1990s looked promising, in particular, as these initiatives focused on work quality as one major precondition for reducing disability and enhancing labor participation.…

Joint Schemes for Physical Layer Security and Error Correction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adamo, Oluwayomi

2011-01-01

The major challenges facing resource constraint wireless devices are error resilience, security and speed. Three joint schemes are presented in this research which could be broadly divided into error correction based and cipher based. The error correction based ciphers take advantage of the properties of LDPC codes and Nordstrom Robinson code. A…

Maintaining Long-Term Therapeutic Programmes: A Qualitative Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, J. F.

2006-01-01

Maintaining therapeutic programmes for people with learning disabilities over long periods of time presents a major challenge to care systems as the limited and slow pace of client behavioural change is often insufficient to sustain staff behaviour. In this study, a 17-year-old young man with profound learning difficulties was successfully…

What Works, Works Everywhere: Q&A with Michael Barber

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crow, Tracy

2009-01-01

This article presents an interview with Michael Barber, a partner at McKinsey & Company, leading its global education practice. He has been working on major challenges of performance, organization, and reform in government and the public services, especially education, in the U.S., U.K., and other countries. Barber was instrumental in preparing…

Implementing Keyword and Question Generation Approaches in Teaching EFL Summary Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chou, Mu-hsuan

2012-01-01

Summary writing has been considered an important aspect of academic writing. However, writing summaries can be a challenging task for the majority of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. Research into teaching summary writing has focused on different processes to teach EFL learners. The present study adopted two methods--keyword and…

When Do Infants Begin to Follow a Point?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bertenthal, Bennett I.; Boyer, Ty W.; Harding, Samuel

2014-01-01

Infants' understanding of a pointing gesture represents a major milestone in their communicative development. The current consensus is that infants are not capable of following a pointing gesture until 9-12 months of age. In this article, we present evidence from 4- and 6-month-old infants challenging this conclusion. Infants were tested with…

The Implementation of Progress Files in Higher Education: Reflection as National Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clegg, Sue; Bradley, Sally

2006-01-01

Progress files, involving personal development planning (PDP), are becoming a feature of many higher education systems internationally. In the UK they will become mandatory for all undergraduate students from 2005. This presents a major implementation challenge, because while reflection has been a cornerstone of practice in some areas of higher…

The CLIA-Model: A Framework for Designing Powerful Learning Environments for Thinking and Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Corte, Erik; Verschaffel, Lieven; Masui, Chris

2004-01-01

A major challenge for education and educational research is to build on our present understanding of learning for designing environments for education that are conducive to fostering in students self-regulatory and cooperative learning skills, transferable knowledge, and a disposition toward competent thinking and problem solving. Taking into…

Return to Work and Social Communication Ability Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Douglas, Jacinta M.; Bracy, Christine A.; Snow, Pamela C.

2016-01-01

Purpose: Return to competitive employment presents a major challenge to adults who survive traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study was undertaken to better understand factors that shape employment outcome by comparing the communication profiles and self-awareness of communication deficits of adults who return to and maintain employment with those…

Motion compensation using a suctioning stabilizer for intravital microscopy

PubMed Central

Vinegoni, Claudio; Lee, Sungon; Gorbatov, Rostic; Weissleder, Ralph

2013-01-01

Motion artifacts continue to present a major challenge to single cell imaging in cardiothoracic organs such as the beating heart, blood vessels, or lung. In this study, we present a new water-immersion suctioning stabilizer that enables minimally invasive intravital fluorescence microscopy using water-based stick objectives. The stabilizer works by reducing major motion excursions and can be used in conjunction with both prospective or retrospective gating approaches. We show that the new approach offers cellular resolution in the beating murine heart without perturbing normal physiology. In addition, because this technique allows multiple areas to be easily probed, it offers the opportunity for wide area coverage at high resolution. PMID:24086796

Generating a Reduced Gravity Environment on Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dungan, Larry K.; Cunningham, Tom; Poncia, Dina

2010-01-01

Since the 1950s several reduced gravity simulators have been designed and utilized in preparing humans for spaceflight and in reduced gravity system development. The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) is the newest and most realistic gravity offload simulator. ARGOS provides three degrees of motion within the test area and is scalable for full building deployment. The inertia of the overhead system is eliminated by an active motor and control system. This presentation will discuss what ARGOS is, how it functions, and the unique challenges of interfacing to the human. Test data and video for human and robotic systems will be presented. A major variable in the human machine interaction is the interface of ARGOS to the human. These challenges along with design solutions will be discussed.

Challenges in Translational Development of Pharmaceutical Cocrystals.

PubMed

Kale, Dnyaneshwar P; Zode, Sandeep S; Bansal, Arvind K

2017-02-01

The last 2 decades have witnessed increased research in the area of cocrystals resulting in deeper scientific understanding, increase in intellectual property landscape, and evolution in the regulatory environment. Pharmaceutical cocrystals have received significant attention as a new solid form on account of their ability to modulate poor physicochemical properties of drug molecules. However, pharmaceutical development of cocrystals could be challenging, thus limiting their translation into viable drug products. In the present commentary, the role of cocrystals in the modulation of material properties and challenges involved in the pharmaceutical development of cocrystals have been discussed. The major hurdles encountered in the development of cocrystals such as safety of coformers, unpredictable performance during dissolution and solubility in different media, difficulties in establishing in vitro-in vivo correlation, and polymorphism have been extensively discussed. The influence of selecting appropriate formulation and process design on these challenges has been discussed. Finally, a brief outline of cocrystals that are undergoing clinical development has also been presented. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Celebrating methodological challenges and changes: reflecting on the emergence and importance of the role of qualitative evidence in Cochrane reviews

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Cochrane systematic reviews have proven to be beneficial for decision making processes, both on a practitioner and a policy level, and there are current initiatives to extend the types of evidence used by them, including qualitative research. In this article we outline the major achievements of the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group. Although the Group has encountered numerous challenges in dealing with the evolution of qualitative evidence synthesis, both outside and within the Cochrane Collaboration, it has successfully responded to the challenges posed in terms of incorporating qualitative evidence in systematic reviews. The Methods Group will continue to advocate for more flexible and inclusive approaches to evidence synthesis in order to meet the exciting challenges and opportunities presented by mixed methods systematic reviews and reviews of complex interventions. PMID:24135194

Promises and challenges in solid-state lighting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schubert, Fred

2010-03-01

Lighting technologies based on semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer unprecedented promises that include three major benefits: (i) Gigantic energy savings enabled by efficient conversion of electrical energy to optical energy; (ii) Substantial positive contributions to sustainability through reduced emissions of global-warming gases, acid-rain gases, and toxic substances such as mercury; and (iii) The creation of new paradigms in lighting driven by the unique controllability of solid-state lighting sources. Due to the powerful nature of these benefits, the transition from conventional lighting sources to solid-state lighting is virtually assured. This presentation will illustrate the new world of lighting and illustrate the pervasive changes to be expected in lighting, displays, communications, and biotechnology. The presentation will also address the formidable challenges that must be addressed to continue the further advancement of solid-state lighting technology. These challenges offer opportunities for research and innovation. Specific challenges include light management, carrier transport, and optical design. We will present some innovative approaches in order to solve known technical challenges faced by solid-state lighting. These approaches include the demonstration and use of new optical thin-film materials with a continuously tunable refractive index. These approaches also include the use of polarization-matched structures that reduce the polarization fields in GaInN LEDs and the hotly debated efficiency droop, that is, the decreasing LED efficiency at high currents.

Using Grand Challenges to Teach Science: A Biology-Geology Collaboration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyford, M.; Myers, J. D.

2012-12-01

Three science courses at the University of Wyoming explore the inextricable connections between science and society by centering on grand challenges. Two of these courses are introductory integrated science courses for non-majors while the third is an upper level course for majors and non-majors. Through collaboration, the authors have developed these courses to explore the grand challenges of energy, water and climate. Each course focuses on the fundamental STEM principles required for a citizen to understand each grand challenge. However, the courses also emphasize the non-STEM perspectives (e.g., economics, politics, human well-being, externalities) that underlie each grand challenge and argue that creating equitable, sustainable and just solutions to the grand challenges hinges on an understanding of STEM and non-STEM perspectives. Moreover, the authors also consider the multitude of personal perspectives individuals bring to the classroom (e.g., values, beliefs, empathy misconceptions) that influence any stakeholder's ability to engage in fruitful discussions about grand challenge solutions. Discovering Science (LIFE 1002) focuses on the grand challenges of energy and climate. Students attend three one-hour lectures, one two-hour lab and a one-hour discussion each week. Lectures emphasize the STEM and non-STEM principles underlying each grand challenge. Laboratory activities are designed to be interdisciplinary and engage students in inquiry-driven activities to reinforce concepts from lecture and to model how science is conducted. Labs also expose students to the difficulties often associated with scientific studies, the limits of science, and the inherent uncertainties associated with scientific findings. Discussion sessions provide an opportunity for students to explore the complexity of the grand challenges from STEM and non-STEM perspectives, and expose the multitude of personal perspectives an individual might harbor related to each grand challenge. Global Sustainability: Managing Earth's Resources (GEOL 1600) focuses on the energy-water climate nexus with a similar emphasis on STEM and non-STEM perspectives as LIFE 1002. Each week, there are three one hour lectures and a two hour lab. To set the stage for global and systems thinking, the concept of the Anthropocene and planetary boundaries are introduced early in the semester. Lectures focus on a variety of energy-water-climate topics and provide the content background for the labs. Labs are mini-case studies that address a variety of issues set in different global contexts, e.g. groundwater in Bangladesh, coal in China and petroleum in Saudi Arabia. Often the labs cover two weeks with one part covering science and the other economics. Unlike the other two courses, Energy: A Geological Perspective (GEOL 3650), is enrolled with half geology majors and half non-majors, representing almost every college on campus. Its organizational structure is similar to 1600. Labs focus on case studies, each lasting from 3 to 5 weeks, with each week addressing a different aspect of the same issue and social context, e.g. geology, economics, engineering, regulatory and political/social. Students, working in groups, present oral and written reports. Topics range from nuclear power and weapons in Iran to atmospheric emissions and global climate treaties.

Gelatin controversies in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products: Authentication methods, current status, and future challenges.

PubMed

Ali, Eaqub; Sultana, Sharmin; Hamid, Sharifah Bee Abd; Hossain, Motalib; Yehya, Wageeh A; Kader, Abdul; Bhargava, Suresh K

2018-06-13

Gelatin is a highly purified animal protein of pig, cow, and fish origins and is extensively used in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. However, the acceptability of gelatin products greatly depends on the animal sources of the gelatin. Porcine and bovine gelatins have attractive features but limited acceptance because of religious prohibitions and potential zoonotic threats, whereas fish gelatin is welcomed in all religions and cultures. Thus, source authentication is a must for gelatin products but it is greatly challenging due to the breakdown of both protein and DNA biomarkers in processed gelatins. Therefore, several methods have been proposed for gelatin identification, but a comprehensive and systematic document that includes all of the techniques does not exist. This up-to-date review addresses this research gap and presents, in an accessible format, the major gelatin source authentication techniques, which are primarily nucleic acid and protein based. Instead of presenting these methods in paragraph form which needs much attention in reading, the major methods are schematically depicted, and their comparative features are tabulated. Future technologies are forecasted, and challenges are outlined. Overall, this review paper has the merit to serve as a reference guide for the production and application of gelatin in academia and industry and will act as a platform for the development of improved methods for gelatin authentication.

Perceived mathematical ability under challenge: a longitudinal perspective on sex segregation among STEM degree fields.

PubMed

Nix, Samantha; Perez-Felkner, Lara; Thomas, Kirby

2015-01-01

Students' perceptions of their mathematics ability vary by gender and seem to influence science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree choice. Related, students' perceptions during academic difficulty are increasingly studied in educational psychology, suggesting a link between such perceptions and task persistence. Despite interest in examining the gender disparities in STEM, these concepts have not been considered in tandem. In this manuscript, we investigate how perceived ability under challenge-in particular in mathematics domains-influences entry into the most sex-segregated and mathematics-intensive undergraduate degrees: physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science (PEMC). Using nationally representative Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS) data, we estimate the influence of perceived ability under challenging conditions on advanced high school science course taking, selection of an intended STEM major, and specific major type 2 years after high school. Demonstrating the importance of specificity when discussing how gender influences STEM career pathways, the intersecting effects of gender and perceived ability under mathematics challenge were distinct for each scientific major category. Perceived ability under challenge in secondary school varied by gender, and was highly predictive of selecting PEMC and health sciences majors. Notably, women's 12th grade perceptions of their ability under mathematics challenge increased their probability of selecting PEMC majors over and above biology. In addition, gender moderated the effect of growth mindset on students' selection of health science majors. Perceptions of ability under challenge in general and verbal domains also influenced retention in and declaration of certain STEM majors. The implications of these results are discussed, with particular attention to access to advanced scientific coursework in high school and interventions aimed at enhancing young women's perceptions of their ability, in particular in response to the potentially inhibiting influence of stereotype threat on their pathways to scientific degrees.

Recognition of medication information from discharge summaries using ensembles of classifiers.

PubMed

Doan, Son; Collier, Nigel; Xu, Hua; Pham, Hoang Duy; Tu, Minh Phuong

2012-05-07

Extraction of clinical information such as medications or problems from clinical text is an important task of clinical natural language processing (NLP). Rule-based methods are often used in clinical NLP systems because they are easy to adapt and customize. Recently, supervised machine learning methods have proven to be effective in clinical NLP as well. However, combining different classifiers to further improve the performance of clinical entity recognition systems has not been investigated extensively. Combining classifiers into an ensemble classifier presents both challenges and opportunities to improve performance in such NLP tasks. We investigated ensemble classifiers that used different voting strategies to combine outputs from three individual classifiers: a rule-based system, a support vector machine (SVM) based system, and a conditional random field (CRF) based system. Three voting methods were proposed and evaluated using the annotated data sets from the 2009 i2b2 NLP challenge: simple majority, local SVM-based voting, and local CRF-based voting. Evaluation on 268 manually annotated discharge summaries from the i2b2 challenge showed that the local CRF-based voting method achieved the best F-score of 90.84% (94.11% Precision, 87.81% Recall) for 10-fold cross-validation. We then compared our systems with the first-ranked system in the challenge by using the same training and test sets. Our system based on majority voting achieved a better F-score of 89.65% (93.91% Precision, 85.76% Recall) than the previously reported F-score of 89.19% (93.78% Precision, 85.03% Recall) by the first-ranked system in the challenge. Our experimental results using the 2009 i2b2 challenge datasets showed that ensemble classifiers that combine individual classifiers into a voting system could achieve better performance than a single classifier in recognizing medication information from clinical text. It suggests that simple strategies that can be easily implemented such as majority voting could have the potential to significantly improve clinical entity recognition.

Towards Increased Engagement of Geoscientists in Global Development Frameworks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gill, Joel

2016-04-01

Geoscientists have the potential to make a significant contribution to tackling some of the major socio-environmental challenges of today, including extreme poverty, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. This presentation explores the importance and social responsibility of geoscientists to engage in such work through understanding and supporting key global development frameworks. During 2015 the international community agreed three important agendas for change. Each framework relates to the intersection of environmental processes with human activities and behaviours, addressing significant challenges affecting society. The frameworks are (i) the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development, (ii) the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and (iii) subject to final confirmation at the time of writing, an agreement on climate change at the Paris Conference of the Parties - COP21. The UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development, for example, includes 17 goals aiming to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and ensure environmental sustainability. Specific goals relate to clean water and sanitation, clean and affordable energy, the development of resilient infrastructure, and the need for climate action. Given this context, here (i) a synthesis is presented of the role of geoscience in successfully achieving these major global development frameworks agreed in 2015, (ii) the ethical and social understanding that underpins effective engagement by geoscientists in the science-policy-practice interface is discussed, and (iii) this required ethical understanding is placed into the context of geoscience training and development needs. This approach demonstrates the importance of geoscientists from across all sectors and specialisms, engaging in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of global development frameworks. It highlights the importance of a greater awareness and consideration of our ethical responsibilities in order to better support efforts to tackle major societal challenges.

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Small Business Administration

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

2001 Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Small Business AdministrationGAO-01-260 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY...34) 00JAN2001 Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Small Business ...Administration (SBA) as it seeks to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of the nations small businesses and help businesses and families

Incompletely treated malignancies of the major salivary gland: Toward evidence-based care.

PubMed

Tam, Samantha; Sandulache, Vlad C; Metwalli, Kareem A; Rock, Crosby D; Eraj, Salman A; Sheu, Tommy; El-Naggar, Adel K; Fuller, Clifton D; Weber, Randal S; Lai, Stephen Y

2018-05-07

Unexpected malignancy is common in major salivary gland tumors due to variability of workup, creating challenging treatment decisions. The purpose of this study was to define treatment-related outcomes for patients with incompletely treated major salivary gland tumors. A retrospective cohort study was completed of patients with incompletely treated major salivary gland tumors. Tumor burden at presentation was established and treatment categorized. The Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to determine predictors of survival and failure. Of the 440 included patients, patients with gross residual or metastatic disease had a worse overall survival (OS; P < .001). Presentation status was an independent predictor of OS on multivariate analysis (gross residual disease adjusted hazard ratio [HR adjusted ] 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-5.30; metastatic disease HR adjusted 9.53; 95% CI 3.04-27.06). Failure to achieve gross total resection during initial surgery resulted in worse OS. Adequate preoperative planning is required for initial surgical management to optimize tumor control and survival. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Engine technology challenges for a 21st Century High-Speed Civil Transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaw, Robert J.; Gilkey, Samuel; Hines, Richard

1993-01-01

Ongoing NASA-funded studies by Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas, General Electric, and Pratt & Whitney indicate that an opportunity exists for a 21st Century High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) to become a major part of the international air transportation system. However, before industry will consider an HSCT product launch and an investment estimated to be over $15 billion for design and certification, major technology advances must be made. An overview of the propulsion-specific technology advances that must be in hand before an HSCT product launch could be considered is presented.

Use of the ditramax system to communicate esthetic specifications to the laboratory.

PubMed

Margossian, Patrice; Laborde, Gilles; Koubi, Stephen; Couderc, Gullaume; Mariani, Paul

2011-01-01

Prosthetic restoration of the anterior teeth is a major esthetic challenge. Esthetic treatment consists of creating pleasantly proportioned teeth and integrating them harmoniously into the patient's gingiva, lips, and face. The communication of clinical data to the laboratory is critical to the success of any esthetic treatment. The purpose here is to present a straightforward, efficient, and reproducible means of communicating esthetic specifications to ceramists, allowing them to work as though the patient was actually in front of them, with access to all of the major facial esthetic criteria.

Public employees' health benefits survive major threats, so far.

PubMed

Hurley, Robert E; Felland, Laurie; Gerland, Anneliese; Pickreign, Jeremy

2006-01-01

Previous studies of public employees' health benefits indicate that they have been spared many of the changes evident in the private sector. But the recession and plunging state revenues in the early 2000s presented growing challenges to trying to preserve these benefits. Findings from the Round Five site visits of the Community Tracking Study (2005) reveal that benefits have still witnessed surprisingly few major modifications. But a growing gap between public- and private-sector benefits and new accounting requirements for government entities' retirement costs raise new threats to this protected status.

Promoting correct car seat use in parents of young children: challenges, recommendations, and implications for health communication.

PubMed

Weaver, Nancy L; Brixey, Suzanne N; Williams, Janice; Nansel, Tonja R

2013-03-01

Injuries involving motor vehicles continue to be the biggest threat to the safety of children. Although child safety seats (CSS) have been established as a central countermeasure in decreasing injury risk, the majority of parents do not use the correct car seat correctly. There are many challenges in promoting correct car seat use, which itself is a complex behavior. To advance this critical protective behavior, the public health community would benefit from clarifying CSS messaging, communicating clearly, and addressing the conflicting recommendations of product use. In this article, we present current challenges in promoting CSS use and draw on health communication and other fields to offer recommendations for future work in this area.

Thermoelectric Energy Conversion: Future Directions and Technology Development Needs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fleurial, Jean-Pierre

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the process of thermoelectric energy conversion along with key technology needs and challenges. The topics include: 1) The Case for Thermoelectrics; 2) Advances in Thermoelectrics: Investment Needed; 3) Current U.S. Investment (FY07); 4) Increasing Thermoelectric Materials Conversion Efficiency Key Science Needs and Challenges; 5) Developing Advanced TE Components & Systems Key Technology Needs and Challenges; 6) Thermoelectrics; 7) 200W Class Lightweight Portable Thermoelectric Generator; 8) Hybrid Absorption Cooling/TE Power Cogeneration System; 9) Major Opportunities in Energy Industry; 10) Automobile Waste Heat Recovery; 11) Thermoelectrics at JPL; 12) Recent Advances at JPL in Thermoelectric Converter Component Technologies; 13) Thermoelectrics Background on Power Generation and Cooling Operational Modes; 14) Thermoelectric Power Generation; and 15) Thermoelectric Cooling.

Vaccination of horses with a recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara virus (MVA) expressing African horse sickness (AHS) virus major capsid protein VP2 provides complete clinical protection against challenge.

PubMed

Alberca, Berta; Bachanek-Bankowska, Katarzyna; Cabana, Marta; Calvo-Pinilla, Eva; Viaplana, Elisenda; Frost, Lorraine; Gubbins, Simon; Urniza, Alicia; Mertens, Peter; Castillo-Olivares, Javier

2014-06-17

African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is an arthropod-borne pathogen that infects all species of equidae and causes high mortality in horses. Previously, a recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus expressing the protein VP2 of AHSV serotype 4 was shown to induce virus neutralising antibodies in horses and protected interferon alpha receptor gene knock-out mice (IFNAR -/-) against virulent AHSV challenge. This study builds on the previous work, examining the protective efficacy of MVA-VP2 vaccination in the natural host of AHSV infection. A study group of 4 horses was vaccinated twice with a recombinant MVA virus expressing the major capsid protein (VP2) of AHSV serotype 9. Vaccinated animals and a control group of unvaccinated horses were then challenged with a virulent strain of AHSV-9. The vaccinated animals were completely protected against clinical disease and also against viraemia as measured by standard end-point dilution assays. In contrast, all control horses presented viraemia after challenge and succumbed to the infection. These results demonstrate the potential of recombinant MVA viruses expressing the outer capsid VP2 of AHSV as a protective vaccine against AHSV infection in the field. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Multiplexed colorimetric detection of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus and Bartonella DNA using gold and silver nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mancuso, Matthew; Jiang, Li; Cesarman, Ethel; Erickson, David

2013-01-01

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an infectious cancer occurring most commonly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients and in endemic regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, where KS is among the top four most prevalent cancers. The cause of KS is the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, also called HHV-8), an oncogenic herpesvirus that while routinely diagnosed in developed nations, provides challenges to developing world medical providers and point-of-care detection. A major challenge in the diagnosis of KS is the existence of a number of other diseases with similar clinical presentation and histopathological features, requiring the detection of KSHV in a biopsy sample. In this work we develop an answer to this challenge by creating a multiplexed one-pot detection system for KSHV DNA and DNA from a frequently confounding disease, bacillary angiomatosis. Gold and silver nanoparticle aggregation reactions are tuned for each target and a multi-color change system is developed capable of detecting both targets down to levels between 1 nM and 2 nM. The system developed here could later be integrated with microfluidic sample processing to create a final device capable of solving the two major challenges in point-of-care KS detection.

Long-Term Pain and Recovery After Major Pediatric Surgery: A Qualitative Study With Teens, Parents, and Perioperative Care Providers.

PubMed

Rabbitts, Jennifer A; Aaron, Rachel V; Fisher, Emma; Lang, Emily A; Bridgwater, Caroline; Tai, Gabrielle Ghafari; Palermo, Tonya M

2017-07-01

Research developing targeted treatment focused on coping with children's long-term pain after surgery is needed because of the high prevalence of chronic pain after surgery. This qualitative study aimed to: 1) understand the child's and family's experiences of pain over the course of their surgical experience, and 2) gather stakeholder input regarding potential barriers and facilitators of perioperative intervention delivery. Fifteen children ages 10 to 18 years who underwent recent major surgery, their primary caregivers, and 17 perioperative health care providers were interviewed. Interviews were coded using semantic thematic analysis. The perioperative period presented emotional challenges for families. Families felt unprepared for surgery and pain. Recovery and regaining physical functioning at home was challenging. Families struggled to return to valued activities. Families reported interest in a perioperative psychosocial intervention. Providers endorsed that families would benefit from enhanced coping skills. They emphasized that families would benefit from more detailed preparatory information. Providers suggested that flexible intervention delivery at home would be ideal. Research developing interventions addressing pain and anxiety in children undergoing major surgery is critically needed. The findings of the present study can inform intervention development with the aim of improving short- as well as long-term recovery in children undergoing major surgery. This qualitative study examined children and their parents' experience of long-term pain and recovery after major surgery, identifying barriers and facilitators of perioperative intervention delivery. Families experienced surgery as stressful, and felt underprepared for pain and recovery. Families and health care providers expressed interest in a preoperative intervention teaching coping skills. Copyright © 2017 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advanced visualization platform for surgical operating room coordination: distributed video board system.

PubMed

Hu, Peter F; Xiao, Yan; Ho, Danny; Mackenzie, Colin F; Hu, Hao; Voigt, Roger; Martz, Douglas

2006-06-01

One of the major challenges for day-of-surgery operating room coordination is accurate and timely situation awareness. Distributed and secure real-time status information is key to addressing these challenges. This article reports on the design and implementation of a passive status monitoring system in a 19-room surgical suite of a major academic medical center. Key design requirements considered included integrated real-time operating room status display, access control, security, and network impact. The system used live operating room video images and patient vital signs obtained through monitors to automatically update events and operating room status. Images were presented on a "need-to-know" basis, and access was controlled by identification badge authorization. The system delivered reliable real-time operating room images and status with acceptable network impact. Operating room status was visualized at 4 separate locations and was used continuously by clinicians and operating room service providers to coordinate operating room activities.

Millennium III Challenges: A Major Role for Agricultural Research/Extension/Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, Washington, DC.

This report by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) ad hoc Committee on Federal Support for Agricultural Research, Extension and Education suggests solutions to major challenges in agricultural research. Three new realities provide a powerful rationale for major new investment in agriculture: dramatic…

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks, Department of Education. Performance and Accountability Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Comptroller General of the U.S., Washington, DC.

This report addresses the major performance and management challenges that have limited the effectiveness of the Department of Education in carrying out its mission. The booklet addresses corrective actions that Education has taken or initiated on these challenges--including a number of management initiatives to improve controls over the…

Introducing Evolution to Non-Biology Majors via the Fossil Record: A Case Study from the Israeli High School System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dodick, Jeff; Orion, Nir

2003-01-01

Discusses challenges faced in the teaching and learning of evolution. Presents a curricular program and a case study on evolutionary biology. Investigates students' conceptual knowledge after exposure to the program "From Dinosaurs to Darwin," which focuses on fossil records as evidence of evolution. (Contains 32 references.) (YDS)

Teaching Materials and Strategies for the AP Music Theory Exam

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lively, Michael T.

2017-01-01

Each year, many students take the Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory Exam, and the majority of these students enroll in specialized AP music theory classes as part of the preparation process. For the teachers of these AP music theory classes, a number of challenges are presented by the difficulty and complexity of the exam subject material as…

Women and Careers: Issues and Challenges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Konek, Carol Wolfe, Ed.; Kitch, Sally L., Ed.

This book presents, in 11 chapters, results of a major survey to discover how women feel about the key issues surrounding their experiences in the workplace. The survey, conducted by the Research Group on Women and Work, was sent to 770 women in Wichita, Kansas; it received 494 responses, augmented by 238 responses to a follow-up survey 5 years…

Student Information Systems--Implementation Challenges and the Road Ahead

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mukerjee, Sheila

2012-01-01

This paper presents a practitioner's view on student system implementations in the Australian university sector. A student information system is a core system of any university and integral to its operations and services to students. These systems are constantly on the list of major projects and at any point in time, a university is either…

Challenge of the Future: Visions and Versions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conboy, William A., Ed.

This book presents background information and approximately 40 articles on various aspects of the future. It is intended for use as a textbook and/or reader in advanced high school or college level future studies courses. The objectives are to help students of the future examine major problems and issues and to encourage them to devise new models…

Drawings as an Alternative Way of Understanding Young Children's Constructions of Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kendrick, Maureen; McKay, Roberta

2004-01-01

As teachers seek to reflect children's diverse experience in the subject matter they present and in the questions they explore, they must also embrace childrens multifaceted ways of knowing. Their major pedagogical challenge is to help children transform what they know into modes of representation that allow for a full range of human experience.…

Families: It's About Time! = Les familles ont besoin de temps!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCloskey, Donna, Ed.

1997-01-01

This document presents a broad view of the Great Canadian Family--all of Canada's families, large and small, "traditional" and otherwise. The issue also examines the challenges of family life at the end of the twentieth century, in two major articles. The first article, "Of Wings and Roots" (Alan Mirabelli and Robert Glossop),…

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Physlet-Based Materials in Supporting Conceptual Learning about Electricity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ülen, Simon; Gerlic, Ivan; Slavinec, Mitja; Repnik, Robert

2017-01-01

To provide a good understanding of many abstract concepts in the field of electricity above that of their students is often a major challenge for secondary school teachers. Many educational researchers promote conceptual learning as a teaching approach that can help teachers to achieve this goal. In this paper, we present Physlet-based materials…

At Issue: Survival Tactics for Small, Rural-Serving Community Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hicks, Clyde; Jones, Stephanie J.

2011-01-01

Currently, a majority of two-year colleges in the United States are located in rural areas. Small, rural-serving community colleges are instrumental to the survival of the communities they reside in, as well as vital to the stakeholders they serve. How does being a rural community college present specialized challenges and in what ways do the…

A Plan for the Evaluation of California's Class Size Reduction Initiative.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirst, Michael; Bomstedt, George; Stecher, Brian

In July 1996, California began its Class Size Reduction (CSR) Initiative. To gauge the effectiveness of this initiative, an analysis of its objectives and an overview of proposed strategies for evaluating CSR are presented here. An outline of the major challenges that stand between CSR and its mission are provided. These include logistical…

Adapting to climate change at Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park

Treesearch

Jessica E. Halofsky; David L. Peterson; Kathy A. O’Halloran; Catherine Hawkins Hoffman

2011-01-01

Climate change presents a major challenge to natural resource managers both because of the magnitude of potential effects of climate change on ecosystem structure, processes, and function, and because of the uncertainty associated with those potential ecological effects. Concrete ways to adapt to climate change are needed to help natural resource managers take the...

Pathways to the Tenure Track: Reflections from Faculty of Color on Their Recruitment to a Research University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayo, J. B., Jr.; Chhuon, Vichet

2014-01-01

The effective recruitment and retention of faculty of color continue to present major challenges to universities, in part, because the normal search process in higher education has been largely unsuccessful at diversifying faculty. Therefore, universities have implemented alternative strategies to recruit and retain scholars of color, including…

Insights: Proceedings of the Conference on Consumer and Homemaking Education (Anaheim, California, November 9-10, 1970).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holzkamper, Charlot, Ed.

"Insights" presents the texts of the major addresses, panel reactions, and proceedings of the first State-wide conference on consumer and home-making education, entitled "The Challenge of Change." A theme that emerged was the need for greater cooperation between classroom and community in teaching students not only about the…

Challenges of managing disease in tall orchard trees – pecan scab, a case study

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Managing disease in tall orchard trees presents unique issues not found in relatively shorter horticultural and agronomic crops, simply due to height. Pecan scab (caused by Fusicladium effusum [G. Winter] Seyran et al.) is used as an example of a major disease of one of the tallest orchard crops in ...

"...becouse Suspension Dosent Teatch You Anything" [sic]: What Students with Challenging Behaviours Say about School Suspension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Michail, Samia

2012-01-01

The literature on school suspension contains negligible discussion from the perspective of the student. This paper begins to contribute that missing point of view. It presents the findings of an ethnographic study with students in middle childhood who have been suspended from school. For the overwhelming majority of study participants, being…

Present Problems and Future Challenges of the Korea National Open University. ZIFF Papiere 113.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Jae-Woong

Korea National Open University (KNOU) opened in 1972 as a correspondence college designed to improve adult learners' preparation for Korea's college examination. KNOU has been redefined as "an institution for adults who are deprived, by various reasons, of higher education opportunities and is now playing a major role in developing lifelong…

Recovery Coaches and Substance Exposed Births: An Experiment in Child Welfare

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ryan, Joseph P.; Choi, Sam; Hong, Jun Sung; Hernandez, Pedro; Larrison, Christopher R.

2008-01-01

Objectives: Substance exposed infants present a major challenge to child welfare and public health systems. Prenatal substance exposure and continued substance abuse in the home are associated with a wide range of adverse social, emotional, and developmental outcomes. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the use of recovery coaches in…

Descriptive Analysis of the Instructional Control of Teachers in a Classroom of Students with Behavioral Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eldar, Eitan; Ayvazo, Shiri; Hirschmann, Michal

2018-01-01

Classroom management still remains a topic of major apprehension for teachers, and especially for those teaching students who display challenging behaviors. This paper presents an empirical examination that supplemented an exceptional project of the ministry of education in a small Middle-East country to support students with severe problem…

NASA-OAST program in photovoltaic energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mullin, J. P.; Flood, D. J.

1982-01-01

The NASA program in photovoltaic energy conversion includes research and technology development efforts on solar cells, blankets, and arrays. The overall objectives are to increase conversion efficiency, reduce mass, reduce cost, and increase operating life. The potential growth of space power requirements in the future presents a major challenge to the current state of technology in space photovoltaic systems.

Relapse of Extinguished Fear after Exposure to a Dangerous Context Is Mitigated by Testing in a Safe Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goode, Travis D.; Kim, Janice J.; Maren, Stephen

2015-01-01

Aversive events can trigger relapse of extinguished fear memories, presenting a major challenge to the long-term efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Here, we examined factors regulating the relapse of extinguished fear after exposure of rats to a dangerous context. Rats received unsignaled shock in a distinct context ("dangerous"…

Microscopy Images as Interactive Tools in Cell Modeling and Cell Biology Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Araujo-Jorge, Tania C.; Cardona, Tania S.; Mendes, Claudia L. S.; Henriques-Pons, Andrea; Meirelles, Rosane M. S.; Coutinho, Claudia M. L. M.; Aguiar, Luiz Edmundo V.; Meirelles, Maria de Nazareth L.; de Castro, Solange L.; Barbosa, Helene S.; Luz, Mauricio R. M. P.

2004-01-01

The advent of genomics, proteomics, and microarray technology has brought much excitement to science, both in teaching and in learning. The public is eager to know about the processes of life. In the present context of the explosive growth of scientific information, a major challenge of modern cell biology is to popularize basic concepts of…

Expert Panel Consensus for and Analysis of Key Attributes on Websites Devoted to Weight Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Stephen L.; Land, Diane; Johnson, Chandrika; Miller, Kim

2014-01-01

Background: Obesity presents major challenges to public health in the United States. Trials of web-based interventions for weight control suggest that the Internet is a promising option for program delivery. Purpose: This study sought consensus among experts regarding critical components of successful weight control and to systematically examine…

New monoclonal antibodies against a novel subtype of Shiga toxin 1 produced by Enterobacter cloacae and their use in analysis of human serum

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Shiga toxin (Stx) is a major virulence factor for several bacterial pathogens that cause potentially fatal illness, including Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. The continual emergence of new subtypes of Stxs presents challenges in clinical diagnosis of infections caused by Shiga toxin-producing org...

The Future of Press Freedom: Journalism and Law Perspectives. A Wingspread Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wisconsin Univ., Madison. Univ. Extension.

The purpose of this report is to raise some of the major challenges to press freedom, full public information, and media responsibility. It consists of several papers presented at a symposium held in Wisconsin in May 1972 dealing with freedom of the press particularly from the perspectives of journalism and law. The first paper discusses…

Student Performance in Mathematics: Should We Be Concerned? Evidence from a Retail Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Enderson, Mary C.; Mann, Manveer

2018-01-01

This article describes how for many college students the transition to college-level mathematics courses presents new challenges beyond those that were part of the high school experience. In this interdisciplinary study forty-four non-mathematics and non-science majors, enrolled in a retail-buying course, were studied to examine student confidence…

First-Time Mothers' Expectations of Parenthood: What Happens When Optimistic Expectations Are Not Matched by Later Experiences?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harwood, Kate; McLean, Neil; Durkin, Kevin

2007-01-01

Becoming a parent is a major developmental transition of adulthood. Individuals often have optimistic expectations about parenthood, yet this transition also presents a number of challenges. The authors investigated whether new parents have overly optimistic expectations about parenthood and, if they do, how this influences their adjustment to…

Roma Pupils' Identification with School in Slovenia and Serbia: Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macura-Milovanovic, Suncica; Munda, Milanka; Pecek, Mojca

2013-01-01

The research presented in this paper aims to challenge the belief held by some education professionals that Roma pupils do not value education. The research sample included groups of Roma pupils from two countries (Slovenia and Serbia) and from different socio-economic backgrounds. The results suggest that the majority of the pupils are aware of…

"The Role of the Unit in Physics and Psychometrics": A Commentary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dunne, Timothy T.

2011-01-01

The challenge for a discussant of the Humphry article in this issue is that the profundity of the simple insights of the article, and the lucid arguments by which the insights are sustained, might be easily overlooked, undervalued, or misconstrued. At the risk of repeating major inferences already presented, one may note that the article…

Pharmaceutical Pricing and Market Access Outlook Europe 2010-HealthNetwork Communications' fourth annual conference. 24-25 March 2010, London, UK.

PubMed

Ogbighele, Erhimuvi

2010-05-01

The HealthNetwork Communications' Fourth Annual Conference on Pharmaceutical Pricing and Market Access Outlook Europe 2010, held in London, included topics covering the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry, specifically related to pricing and reimbursement, and demonstrating the value of a pharmaceutical. This conference report highlights selected presentations on a global perspective on pricing and reimbursement, with an analysis of the specific, unique challenges in the six major markets, Europe, the US, Canada, Germany, the UK and Japan, and a discussion of the benefits of risk-sharing schemes.

Health Performance and Challenges in Korea: a Review of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013.

PubMed

Lee, Yo Han; Yoon, Seok Jun; Kim, Arim; Seo, Hyeyoung; Ko, Seulki

2016-11-01

The global burden of disease study (GBD) provides valuable information for evaluating population health in terms of disease burden. This study collected and reviewed GBD data in Korea for the year 1990 and 2013. The burdens of cancer, cardiovascular disease, communicable disease, and injuries have decreased remarkably, thereby greatly diminishing the overall disease burden on Korea. Meanwhile, the burdens due to non-fatal chronic diseases such as neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal disease became major burden contributors. Responding to this circumstance presents a complex challenge to the Korean health system and Korean health policy.

Idiopathic burning mouth syndrome: a common treatment-refractory somatoform condition responsive to ECT.

PubMed

McGirr, Alexander; Davis, Lindsay; Vila-Rodriguez, Fidel

2014-04-30

Somatic symptom disorders are common causes of disability and suffering, and can pose significant management challenges. Idiopathic burning mouth syndrome is a challenging somatic symptom disorder with relatively high prevalence, particularly among post-menopausal women. Here, we present the case of a woman with severe treatment refractory idiopathic burning mouth syndrome and comorbid major depressive disorder, who was successfully treated with bitemporal electroconvulsive therapy. This case highlights the potential effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy in idiopathic burning mouth syndrome when other treatment options have been exhausted. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

2017 Oersted Medal Presentation: The changing face of physics and the students who take physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tobochnik, Jan

2017-06-01

I have never found teaching physics to be as interesting as it is now for two reasons. Students are changing rapidly and it is an intellectual challenge to figure out the best way to work with them. Simultaneously, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a major disconnect between what we teach, which has barely changed since I started teaching, and what physicists and other scientists are actually doing in their research. I will discuss these changes and what is being done at Kalamazoo College and elsewhere to address these challenges.

Health Performance and Challenges in Korea: a Review of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The global burden of disease study (GBD) provides valuable information for evaluating population health in terms of disease burden. This study collected and reviewed GBD data in Korea for the year 1990 and 2013. The burdens of cancer, cardiovascular disease, communicable disease, and injuries have decreased remarkably, thereby greatly diminishing the overall disease burden on Korea. Meanwhile, the burdens due to non-fatal chronic diseases such as neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal disease became major burden contributors. Responding to this circumstance presents a complex challenge to the Korean health system and Korean health policy. PMID:27775248

Polyatomic interferences on high precision uranium isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICP-MS: Applications to environmental sampling for nuclear safeguards

DOE PAGES

Pollington, Anthony D.; Kinman, William S.; Hanson, Susan K.; ...

2015-09-04

Modern mass spectrometry and separation techniques have made measurement of major uranium isotope ratios a routine task; however accurate and precise measurement of the minor uranium isotopes remains a challenge as sample size decreases. One particular challenge is the presence of isobaric interferences and their impact on the accuracy of minor isotope 234U and 236U measurements. Furthermore, we present techniques used for routine U isotopic analysis of environmental nuclear safeguards samples and evaluate polyatomic interferences that negatively impact accuracy as well as methods to mitigate their impacts.

Prevention of work disability due to musculoskeletal disorders: the challenge of implementing evidence.

PubMed

Loisel, Patrick; Buchbinder, Rachelle; Hazard, Rowland; Keller, Robert; Scheel, Inger; van Tulder, Maurits; Webster, Barbara

2005-12-01

The process of returning disabled workers to work presents numerous challenges. In spite of the growing evidence regarding work disability prevention, little uptake of this evidence has been observed. One reason for limited dissemination of evidence is the complexity of the problem, as it is subject to multiple legal, administrative, social, political, and cultural challenges. A literature review and collection of experts' opinion is presented, on the current evidence for work disability prevention, and barriers to evidence implementation. Recommendations are presented for enhancing implementation of research results. The current evidence regarding work disability prevention shows that some clinical interventions (advice to return to modified work and graded activity programs) and some non-clinical interventions (at a service and policy/community level but not at a practice level) are effective in reducing work absenteeism. Implementation of evidence in work disability is a major challenge because intervention recommendations are often imprecise and not yet practical for immediate use, many barriers exist, and many stakeholders are involved. Future studies should involve all relevant stakeholders and aim at developing new strategies that are effective, efficient, and have a potential for successful implementation. These studies should be based upon a clearer conceptualization of the broader context and inter-relationships that determine return to work outcomes.

Lessons learned for composite structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitehead, R. S.

1991-01-01

Lessons learned for composite structures are presented in three technology areas: materials, manufacturing, and design. In addition, future challenges for composite structures are presented. Composite materials have long gestation periods from the developmental stage to fully matured production status. Many examples exist of unsuccessful attempts to accelerate this gestation period. Experience has shown that technology transition of a new material system to fully matured production status is time consuming, involves risk, is expensive and should not be undertaken lightly. The future challenges for composite materials require an intensification of the science based approach to material development, extension of the vendor/customer interaction process to include all engineering disciplines of the end user, reduced material costs because they are a significant factor in overall part cost, and improved batch-to-batch pre-preg physical property control. Historical manufacturing lessons learned are presented using current in-service production structure as examples. Most producibility problems for these structures can be traced to their sequential engineering design. This caused an excessive emphasis on design-to-weight and schedule at the expense of design-to-cost. This resulted in expensive performance originated designs, which required costly tooling and led to non-producible parts. Historically these problems have been allowed to persist throughout the production run. The current/future approach for the production of affordable composite structures mandates concurrent engineering design where equal emphasis is placed on product and process design. Design for simplified assembly is also emphasized, since assembly costs account for a major portion of total airframe costs. The future challenge for composite manufacturing is, therefore, to utilize concurrent engineering in conjunction with automated manufacturing techniques to build affordable composite structures. Composite design experience has shown that significant weight savings have been achieved, outstanding fatigue and corrosion resistance have been demonstrated, and in-service performance has been very successful. Currently no structural design show stoppers exist for composite structures. A major lesson learned is that the full scale static test is the key test for composites, since it is the primary structural 'hot spot' indicator. The major durability issue is supportability of thin skinned structure. Impact damage has been identified as the most significant issue for the damage tolerance control of composite structures. However, delaminations induced during assembly operations have demonstrated a significant nuisance value. The future challenges for composite structures are threefold. Firstly, composite airframe weight fraction should increase to 60 percent. At the same time, the cost of composite structures must be reduced by 50 percent to attain the goal of affordability. To support these challenges it is essential to develop lower cost materials and processes.

Oil-Free Shaft Support System Rotordynamics: Past, Present, and Future Challenges and Opportunities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DellaCorte, Christopher

2011-01-01

Recent breakthroughs in Oil-Free technologies have enabled new high-speed rotor systems and turbomachinery. Such technologies can include compliant-surface gas bearings, magnetic bearings, and advanced solid lubricants and tribo-materials. This presentation briefly reviews critical technology developments and the current state-of-the-art, emerging Oil-Free rotor systems and discusses obstacles preventing more widespread use. Key examples of "best practices" for deploying Oil-Free technologies will be presented and remaining major technical questions surrounding Oil-Free technologies will be brought forward.

New strategy for protein interactions and application to structure-based drug design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Xiaoqin

One of the greatest challenges in computational biophysics is to predict interactions between biological molecules, which play critical roles in biological processes and rational design of therapeutic drugs. Biomolecular interactions involve delicate interplay between multiple interactions, including electrostatic interactions, van der Waals interactions, solvent effect, and conformational entropic effect. Accurate determination of these complex and subtle interactions is challenging. Moreover, a biological molecule such as a protein usually consists of thousands of atoms, and thus occupies a huge conformational space. The large degrees of freedom pose further challenges for accurate prediction of biomolecular interactions. Here, I will present our development of physics-based theory and computational modeling on protein interactions with other molecules. The major strategy is to extract microscopic energetics from the information embedded in the experimentally-determined structures of protein complexes. I will also present applications of the methods to structure-based therapeutic design. Supported by NSF CAREER Award DBI-0953839, NIH R01GM109980, and the American Heart Association (Midwest Affiliate) [13GRNT16990076].

Managing laboratory automation in a changing pharmaceutical industry

PubMed Central

Rutherford, Michael L.

1995-01-01

The health care reform movement in the USA and increased requirements by regulatory agencies continue to have a major impact on the pharmaceutical industry and the laboratory. Laboratory management is expected to improve effciency by providing more analytical results at a lower cost, increasing customer service, reducing cycle time, while ensuring accurate results and more effective use of their staff. To achieve these expectations, many laboratories are using robotics and automated work stations. Establishing automated systems presents many challenges for laboratory management, including project and hardware selection, budget justification, implementation, validation, training, and support. To address these management challenges, the rationale for project selection and implementation, the obstacles encountered, project outcome, and learning points for several automated systems recently implemented in the Quality Control Laboratories at Eli Lilly are presented. PMID:18925014

Presidential address, 1995. Surgery 2000: a look back to the future

PubMed Central

Heughan, Christopher

1996-01-01

The present demoralized state of Canadian surgery is due to a number of short-term influences. They include financial restraints, the desire of government agencies to off-load blame for unpopular decisions onto doctors and altered public expectations. The major long-term challenge will be a shortage of physicians and a severe shortage of general surgeons because of the superimposition of longer-term trends in medical demographics on short-term political reactions to a perceived oversupply of doctors. General surgeons need to identify the significant, long-term threats and challenges. If they can do this and plan their responses knowledgably, with some measure of altruism, the future in general surgery will be a bright one for present and future residents and medical students. PMID:8640616

Speeding up GW Calculations to Meet the Challenge of Large Scale Quasiparticle Predictions.

PubMed

Gao, Weiwei; Xia, Weiyi; Gao, Xiang; Zhang, Peihong

2016-11-11

Although the GW approximation is recognized as one of the most accurate theories for predicting materials excited states properties, scaling up conventional GW calculations for large systems remains a major challenge. We present a powerful and simple-to-implement method that can drastically accelerate fully converged GW calculations for large systems, enabling fast and accurate quasiparticle calculations for complex materials systems. We demonstrate the performance of this new method by presenting the results for ZnO and MgO supercells. A speed-up factor of nearly two orders of magnitude is achieved for a system containing 256 atoms (1024 valence electrons) with a negligibly small numerical error of ±0.03 eV. Finally, we discuss the application of our method to the GW calculations for 2D materials.

Major Challenges for the Modern Chemistry in Particular and Science in General.

PubMed

Uskokovíc, Vuk

2010-11-01

In the past few hundred years, science has exerted an enormous influence on the way the world appears to human observers. Despite phenomenal accomplishments of science, science nowadays faces numerous challenges that threaten its continued success. As scientific inventions become embedded within human societies, the challenges are further multiplied. In this critical review, some of the critical challenges for the field of modern chemistry are discussed, including: (a) interlinking theoretical knowledge and experimental approaches; (b) implementing the principles of sustainability at the roots of the chemical design; (c) defining science from a philosophical perspective that acknowledges both pragmatic and realistic aspects thereof; (d) instigating interdisciplinary research; (e) learning to recognize and appreciate the aesthetic aspects of scientific knowledge and methodology, and promote truly inspiring education in chemistry. In the conclusion, I recapitulate that the evolution of human knowledge inherently depends upon our ability to adopt creative problem-solving attitudes, and that challenges will always be present within the scope of scientific interests.

Adult education and the challenges of regional development: Policy and sustainability in North Denmark

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rasmussen, Palle; Staugaard, Hans Jørgen

2016-10-01

Adult education is governed at many levels - internationally, nationally and locally. The authors of this paper look at the challenges, structures and practices of adult education policy at the local level, more specifically in North Denmark (Northern Jutland), one of the five administrative regions of the Danish nation-state. In many ways, the current educational challenges in this remote region of Europe are similar to what can be observed worldwide and especially in countries which are generally considered welfare states. The authors see the growing social and educational divide between the region's peripheral areas and its largest city centre as a major challenge - for society as a whole and for adult education in particular. It is from this perspective that the authors describe the present structures of adult education in the region and the strategies employed by local authorities and educational institutions. This is followed by an evaluation of both structures and efforts in terms of their ability to cope with the challenges.

Major Challenges for the Modern Chemistry in Particular and Science in General

PubMed Central

Uskokovíc, Vuk

2013-01-01

In the past few hundred years, science has exerted an enormous influence on the way the world appears to human observers. Despite phenomenal accomplishments of science, science nowadays faces numerous challenges that threaten its continued success. As scientific inventions become embedded within human societies, the challenges are further multiplied. In this critical review, some of the critical challenges for the field of modern chemistry are discussed, including: (a) interlinking theoretical knowledge and experimental approaches; (b) implementing the principles of sustainability at the roots of the chemical design; (c) defining science from a philosophical perspective that acknowledges both pragmatic and realistic aspects thereof; (d) instigating interdisciplinary research; (e) learning to recognize and appreciate the aesthetic aspects of scientific knowledge and methodology, and promote truly inspiring education in chemistry. In the conclusion, I recapitulate that the evolution of human knowledge inherently depends upon our ability to adopt creative problem-solving attitudes, and that challenges will always be present within the scope of scientific interests. PMID:24465151

Print information to inform decisions about mammography screening participation in 16 countries with population-based programs.

PubMed

Zapka, Jane G; Geller, Berta M; Bulliard, Jean-Luc; Fracheboud, Jacques; Sancho-Garnier, Helene; Ballard-Barbash, Rachel

2006-10-01

To profile and compare the content and presentation of written communications related to informed decision-making about mammography. Materials from 16 screening programs organized at the national or regional level were analyzed according to five major information domains suggested by the international literature. A majority of countries provided information on the program (interval, cost and quality). There was considerable variability in comprehensiveness of elements in the domains, e.g., test characteristics (false positive/negative) and pros and cons of screening. The majority noted the likelihood of recall for further tests, few commented on the risks of additional tests or finding unimportant tumors. The audit also found variation in presentation (words and pictures). Presentation of comprehensive, but balanced information on screening benefits and risks is complex and daunting. Issues such as framing effects, coupled with debate about screening efficacy are challenging to the design of effective information tools. The objective of increasing screening prevalence at the population level must be balanced with objectively presenting complete and clear information. Additional research is needed on how information (and mode of presentation) impact screening decisions. Public health officials need to articulate their objectives and review written communication according to important decision-making domains.

Space shuttle program solid rocket booster decelerator subsystem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnard, J. W.

1985-01-01

The recovery of the Solid Rocket Boosters presented a major challenge. The SRB represents the largest payload ever recovered and presents the added complication that it is continually emitting hot gases and burning particles of insulation and other debris. Some items, such as portions of the nozzle, are large enough to burn through the nylon parachute material. The SRB Decelerator Subsystem program was highly successful in that no SRB has been lost as a result of inadequate performance of the DSS.

Somatic symptom disorder treated with electroconvulsive therapy.

PubMed

Borisovskaya, Anna; Augsburger, Jay Alan

2017-05-01

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a challenging condition to treat with chronic pain, a common and disabling symptom. We present a patient who received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for SSD with significant improvement in pain and gastrointestinal symptoms. We also present a brief literature review of similar cases treated with ECT. Preliminary evidence suggests that ECT should be considered for treatment of SSD comorbid with major depressive disorder, when standard treatments fail. Further research is needed to clarify whether ECT can be used for SSD without associated depression.

Perceived mathematical ability under challenge: a longitudinal perspective on sex segregation among STEM degree fields

PubMed Central

Nix, Samantha; Perez-Felkner, Lara; Thomas, Kirby

2015-01-01

Students' perceptions of their mathematics ability vary by gender and seem to influence science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree choice. Related, students' perceptions during academic difficulty are increasingly studied in educational psychology, suggesting a link between such perceptions and task persistence. Despite interest in examining the gender disparities in STEM, these concepts have not been considered in tandem. In this manuscript, we investigate how perceived ability under challenge—in particular in mathematics domains—influences entry into the most sex-segregated and mathematics-intensive undergraduate degrees: physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science (PEMC). Using nationally representative Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS) data, we estimate the influence of perceived ability under challenging conditions on advanced high school science course taking, selection of an intended STEM major, and specific major type 2 years after high school. Demonstrating the importance of specificity when discussing how gender influences STEM career pathways, the intersecting effects of gender and perceived ability under mathematics challenge were distinct for each scientific major category. Perceived ability under challenge in secondary school varied by gender, and was highly predictive of selecting PEMC and health sciences majors. Notably, women's 12th grade perceptions of their ability under mathematics challenge increased their probability of selecting PEMC majors over and above biology. In addition, gender moderated the effect of growth mindset on students' selection of health science majors. Perceptions of ability under challenge in general and verbal domains also influenced retention in and declaration of certain STEM majors. The implications of these results are discussed, with particular attention to access to advanced scientific coursework in high school and interventions aimed at enhancing young women's perceptions of their ability, in particular in response to the potentially inhibiting influence of stereotype threat on their pathways to scientific degrees. PMID:26113823

Progress in nanoscale dry processes for fabrication of high-aspect-ratio features: How can we control critical dimension uniformity at the bottom?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishikawa, Kenji; Karahashi, Kazuhiro; Ishijima, Tatsuo; Cho, Sung Il; Elliott, Simon; Hausmann, Dennis; Mocuta, Dan; Wilson, Aaron; Kinoshita, Keizo

2018-06-01

In this review, we discuss the progress of emerging dry processes for nanoscale fabrication of high-aspect-ratio features, including emerging design technology for manufacturability. Experts in the fields of plasma processing have contributed to addressing the increasingly challenging demands of nanoscale deposition and etching technologies for high-aspect-ratio features. The discussion of our atomic-scale understanding of physicochemical reactions involving ion bombardment and neutral transport presents the major challenges shared across the plasma science and technology community. Focus is placed on advances in fabrication technology that control surface reactions on three-dimensional features, as well as state-of-the-art techniques used in semiconductor manufacturing with a brief summary of future challenges.

OBESITY: CHALLENGES TO VENTILATORY CONTROL DURING EXERCISE A BRIEF REVIEW

PubMed Central

Babb, Tony G.

2013-01-01

Obesity is a national health issue in the US. Among the many physiological changes induced by obesity, it also presents a unique challenge to ventilatory control during exercise due to increased metabolic demand of moving larger limbs, increased work of breathing due to extra weight on the chest wall, and changes in breathing mechanics. These challenges to ventilatory control in obesity can be inconspicuous or overt among obese adults but for the most part adaptation of ventilatory control during exercise in obesity appears remarkably unnoticed in the majority of obese people. In this brief review, the changes to ventilatory control required for maintaining normal ventilation during exercise will be examined, especially the interaction between respiratory neural drive and ventilation. Also, gaps in our current knowledge will be discussed. PMID:23707540

Imaging of convection enhanced delivery of toxins in humans.

PubMed

Mehta, Ankit I; Choi, Bryan D; Raghavan, Raghu; Brady, Martin; Friedman, Allan H; Bigner, Darell D; Pastan, Ira; Sampson, John H

2011-03-01

Drug delivery of immunotoxins to brain tumors circumventing the blood brain barrier is a significant challenge. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) circumvents the blood brain barrier through direct intracerebral application using a hydrostatic pressure gradient to percolate therapeutic compounds throughout the interstitial spaces of infiltrated brain and tumors. The efficacy of CED is determined through the distribution of the therapeutic agent to the targeted region. The vast majority of patients fail to receive a significant amount of coverage of the area at risk for tumor recurrence. Understanding this challenge, it is surprising that so little work has been done to monitor the delivery of therapeutic agents using this novel approach. Here we present a review of imaging in convection enhanced delivery monitoring of toxins in humans, and discuss future challenges in the field.

Imaging of Convection Enhanced Delivery of Toxins in Humans

PubMed Central

Mehta, Ankit I.; Choi, Bryan D.; Raghavan, Raghu; Brady, Martin; Friedman, Allan H.; Bigner, Darell D.; Pastan, Ira; Sampson, John H.

2011-01-01

Drug delivery of immunotoxins to brain tumors circumventing the blood brain barrier is a significant challenge. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) circumvents the blood brain barrier through direct intracerebral application using a hydrostatic pressure gradient to percolate therapeutic compounds throughout the interstitial spaces of infiltrated brain and tumors. The efficacy of CED is determined through the distribution of the therapeutic agent to the targeted region. The vast majority of patients fail to receive a significant amount of coverage of the area at risk for tumor recurrence. Understanding this challenge, it is surprising that so little work has been done to monitor the delivery of therapeutic agents using this novel approach. Here we present a review of imaging in convection enhanced delivery monitoring of toxins in humans, and discuss future challenges in the field. PMID:22069706

The MedlinePlus public user interface: studies of design challenges and opportunities.

PubMed

Marill, Jennifer L; Miller, Naomi; Kitendaugh, Paula

2006-01-01

What are the challenges involved in designing, modifying, and improving a major health information portal that serves over sixty million page views a month? MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine's (NLM's) consumer health Website, is examined. Challenges are presented as six "studies," which describe selected design issues and how NLM staff resolved them. Improving MedlinePlus is an iterative process. Changes in the public user interface are ongoing, reflecting Web design trends, usability testing recommendations, user survey results, new technical requirements, and the need to grow the site in an orderly way. Testing and analysis should accompany Website design modifications. New technologies may enhance a site but also introduce problems. Further modifications to MedlinePlus will be informed by the experiences described here.

Day Care: A Program in Search of a Policy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bikales, Gerda

This report examines current issues relating to day care and challenges many of the policy assumptions that underlie a major public program of subsidized day care for children. A historical perspective of day care is presented and various types of day care are described. The costs and benefits of day care are examined and the relation of day care…

Interaction of Bacteriophages with the Immune System: Induction of Bacteriophage-Specific Antibodies.

PubMed

Dąbrowska, Krystyna

2018-01-01

In all cases when a bacteriophage makes direct contact with a mammalian organism, it may challenge the mammalian immunological system. Its major consequence is production of antibodies specific to the bacteriophage. Here we present protocols applicable in studies of bacteriophage ability to induce specific antibodies. The protocols have been divided into three parts: purification, immunization, and detection (ELISA).

The Accessible Institution of Higher Education: Opportunity, Challenge, and Response. National Conference (4th, Boston, Massachusetts, July 13-17, 1981).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simon, Stephen H., Comp.

The document contains proceedings of the fourth national conference on meeting the needs of disabled students in higher education. Fifty-one presentations are divided into nine major categories--keynote address, the international year of disabled persons, management of a support services office, legal and planning issues, counseling students with…

The Title and Three Core Values from the First Three Lines of The Declaration of Independence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Kenneth Michael

2013-01-01

Teaching the Declaration of Independence can be a challenge. This article presents a lesson plan based on an explication of the title and the first three lines of the Declaration intended to make the American founding era relevant to today's college students. Assuming civic education is a major goal of teaching American Government, assuming…

Applying the Science of Learning: Evidence-Based Principles for the Design of Multimedia Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayer, Richard E.

2008-01-01

During the last 100 years, a major accomplishment of psychology has been the development of a science of learning aimed at understanding how people learn. In attempting to apply the science of learning, a central challenge of psychology and education is the development of a science of instruction aimed at understanding how to present material in…

Integrating Art and History: A Model for the Middle School Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kahn, Brian

2017-01-01

One of the major challenges facing middle level social studies teachers is to help young adolescents understand the relevance of the past in the present day. As middle level learners are primed to develop their cognitive abilities and to view people and events from the past from multiple perspectives, it is imperative that teachers go beyond the…

Media Literacy Education: Lessons from the Center for Media Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thoman, Elizabeth; Jolls, Tessa

2005-01-01

Today information about the world around people comes to them not only through words on a piece of paper, but more and more through the powerful images and sounds of their multimedia culture. This explosion in information has presented a major challenge to the world of formal education. The transformation of their culture from an industrial age to…

Education, Culture, and Development: Co-ordinated Policies and Strategies. The Situation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tedesco, J. C.

This document is a brief presentation of the relation among education, culture, and development in the Latin American and Caribbean countries that focuses on two major aspects: (1) the new development strategies currently being implemented in the region, and (2) the educational actions being undertaken as an answer to the new challenges posed by…

Utilizing the Composite Financial Index as Strategic Financial Analysis for Measuring Financial Health and Student Success Rates among Iowa Community Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Humburg, Dawn Ann

2012-01-01

The phrase "survival of the fittest" is coming to fruition in higher education today. Less than strategic financial moves have no place in post-secondary education. Facing the realities of our current economy is dictating major changes in how colleges are "doing business." These changes present enormous challenges to community…

Episodic Recollection in Animals: ''If It Walks like a Duck and Quacks like a Duck...''

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eichenbaum, H.; Fortin, N.J.; Ergorul, C.; Wright, S.P.; Agster, K.L.

2005-01-01

In humans, episodic memory is most commonly defined as the subjective experience of recollection, presenting a major challenge to the identification of episodic memory in animals. Here we take the position that episodic memory also has several other distinctive qualities that can be assessed objectively in animals, as well as humans, and the…

Chartbook of Major Indicators: Conditions Placing Children in the South at Risk.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Southern Inst. on Children and Families, Columbia, SC.

Noting that the southern region of the United States is challenged by some of the most difficult and entrenched economic, health, and social problems that place children at risk, this chartbook presents information on indicators of the current status of children and families in the South and contrasts conditions in the South with those in other…

The climate-wildfire-air quality system: interactions and feedbacks across spatial and temporal scales

Treesearch

E. Natasha Stavros; Donald McKenzie; Narasimhan Larkin

2014-01-01

Future climate change and its effects on social and ecological systems present challenges for preserving valued ecosystem services, including local and regional air quality. Wildfire is a major source of air-quality impact in some locations, and a substantial contributor to pollutants of concern, including nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are regulated to...

Introducing Chemical Reactions Concepts in K-6 through a Hands-On Food Spherification and Spaghetti-Fication Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gupta, Anju; Hill, Nicole; Valenzuela, Patricia; Johnson, Eric

2017-01-01

Recruiting students in STEM majors to fill the gap in STEM workforce is a continued challenge, which can be addressed by introducing scientific principles through hand-on activities to the students at an early stage. This paper presents the design, implementation and assessment of a chemistry-related workshop for sixth grade students that were…

Achieving Diversity. Issues in the Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Racial/Ethnic Students in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Courtland

Much has been done in recent years to enhance the quality of the educational experience for students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups on college campuses. However, many major problems still exist, presenting professionals concerned with the educational development of students with many significant challenges. This literature review…

Adipose Tissue: Sanctuary for HIV/SIV Persistence and Replication.

PubMed

Pallikkuth, Suresh; Mohan, Mahesh

2015-12-01

This commentary highlights new findings from a recent study identifying adipose tissue as a potential HIV reservoir and a major site of inflammation during chronic human/simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV/SIV) infection. A concise discussion about upcoming challenges and new research avenues for reducing chronic adipose inflammation during HIV/SIV infection is presented. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fire Play: ICCARUS--Intelligent Command and Control, Acquisition and Review Using Simulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Powell, James; Wright, Theo; Newland, Paul; Creed, Chris; Logan, Brian

2008-01-01

Is it possible to educate a fire officer to deal intelligently with the command and control of a major fire event he will never have experienced? The authors of this paper believe there is, and present here just one solution to this training challenge. It involves the development of an intelligent simulation based upon computer managed interactive…

Voluntarism at the Crossroads: A Challenge for Adult Educators. Proceedings of a Conference (Hillside, Illinois, February 1978).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Niemi, John A., Ed.; Stone, Eve M., Ed.

Speeches and reports from participants at a two-day conference on voluntarism in adult education are presented. One major program goal was to explore the possibility of stimulating growth and development of service voluntary efforts in Northern Illinois. Special conference concerns included the use of volunteers in adult basic education, general…

No Place to Call Home: Child & Youth Homelessness in the United States. Poverty Fact Sheet

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Damron, Neil

2015-01-01

"No Place to Call Home: Child and Youth Homelessness in the United States," prepared by intern Neil Damron and released in May 2015, presents the statistics on child and youth homelessness and recent trends in Wisconsin and the United States. It explores the major challenges faced by homeless minors, and, drawing from recent research by…

Going on the Road: How to Make Touring Work for You and Your Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meyer, Matthew J.

1994-01-01

Presents an outline of six steps for touring with secondary school students. Describes the challenges of taking a show on the road, including creation of a theater space where none existed before, design and construction of a portable set, and doing and redoing the necessary "blocking." Includes a calendar for major steps in preparing…

The Employment Situation of People with Disabilities in Lebanon: Challenges and Opportunities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wehbi, Samantha; El-Lahib, Y.

2007-01-01

This article presents the findings of a study on the employment situation of people with disabilities in a rural region in Lebanon. The study was conducted as one of the activities of a community development project that saw the establishment of a job centre for people with disabilities. The majority of the study's 200 participants were…

Using Individualized Reinforcers and Hierarchical Exposure to Increase Food Flexibility in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koegel, Robert L.; Bharoocha, Amber A.; Ribnick, Courtney B.; Ribnick, Ryan C.; Bucio, Mario O.; Fredeen, Rosy M.; Koegel, Lynn Kern

2012-01-01

Inflexibility is a major characteristic of autism. In the present study we addressed inflexible mealtime behaviors and collected longitudinal data across 48 foods for 3 children, ages 6.4-7.8 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, for up to 22 weeks. Participants exhibited severe challenges with adherence to an extremely restricted…

CFD in design - A government perspective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kutler, Paul; Gross, Anthony R.

1989-01-01

Some of the research programs involving the use of CFD in the aerodynamic design process at government laboratories around the United States are presented. Technology transfer issues and future directions in the discipline or CFD are addressed. The major challengers in the aerosciences as well as other disciplines that will require high-performance computing resources such as massively parallel computers are examined.

Probing structures of large protein complexes using zero-length cross-linking.

PubMed

Rivera-Santiago, Roland F; Sriswasdi, Sira; Harper, Sandra L; Speicher, David W

2015-11-01

Structural mass spectrometry (MS) is a field with growing applicability for addressing complex biophysical questions regarding proteins and protein complexes. One of the major structural MS approaches involves the use of chemical cross-linking coupled with MS analysis (CX-MS) to identify proximal sites within macromolecules. Identified cross-linked sites can be used to probe novel protein-protein interactions or the derived distance constraints can be used to verify and refine molecular models. This review focuses on recent advances of "zero-length" cross-linking. Zero-length cross-linking reagents do not add any atoms to the cross-linked species due to the lack of a spacer arm. This provides a major advantage in the form of providing more precise distance constraints as the cross-linkable groups must be within salt bridge distances in order to react. However, identification of cross-linked peptides using these reagents presents unique challenges. We discuss recent efforts by our group to minimize these challenges by using multiple cycles of LC-MS/MS analysis and software specifically developed and optimized for identification of zero-length cross-linked peptides. Representative data utilizing our current protocol are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Preservice and Inservice Teachers' Challenges in the Planning of Practical Work in Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nivalainen, Ville; Asikainen, Mervi A.; Sormunen, Kari; Hirvonen, Pekka E.

2010-06-01

Practical work in school science plays many essential roles that have been discussed in the literature. However, less attention has been paid to how teachers learn the different roles of practical work and to the kind of challenges they face in their learning during laboratory courses designed for teachers. In the present study we applied the principles of grounded theory to frame a set of factors that seem to set major challenges concerning both successful work in the school physics laboratory and also in the preparation of lessons that exploit practical work. The subject groups of the study were preservice and inservice physics teachers who participated in a school laboratory course. Our results derived from a detailed analysis of tutoring discussions between the instructor and the participants in the course, which revealed that the challenges in practical or laboratory work consisted of the limitations of the laboratory facilities, an insufficient knowledge of physics, problems in understanding instructional approaches, and the general organization of practical work. Based on these findings, we present our recommendations on the preparation of preservice and inservice teachers for the more effective use of practical work in school science and in school physics.

Challenges and Ideas from a Research Program on High Quality, Evidence-Based Practice in School Mental Health

PubMed Central

Weist, Mark D.; Youngstrom, Eric A.; Stephan, Sharon; Lever, Nancy; Fowler, Johnathan; Taylor, Leslie; McDaniel, Heather; Chappelle, Lori; Paggeot, Samantha; Hoagwood, Kimberly

2013-01-01

Objective Reviews the progression of a research program designed to develop, implement and study the implementation of “achievable” evidence-based practices (EBPs) in schools. Reviews challenges encountered and ideas to overcome them to enhance this avenue of research. Method Presents two federally funded randomized controlled trials involving comparison of a four-component targeted intervention (Quality Assessment and Improvement, Family Engagement and Empowerment, Modular Evidence-Based Practice, Implementation Support) versus a comparison intervention focused on Personal Wellness. In both studies primary aims focused on changes in clinician attitudes and behavior, including the delivery of high quality, evidence-based practices and secondary aims focused on student level impacts. Results A number of challenges, many not reported in the literature are reviewed, and ideas for overcoming them are presented. Conclusions Given the reality that the majority of youth mental health services are delivered in schools and the potential of school mental health (SMH) services to provide a continuum of mental health care from promotion to intervention, it is critical that the field consider and address the logistical and methodological challenges associated with implementing and studying EBP implementation by clinicians. PMID:24063310

Challenges and ideas from a research program on high-quality, evidence-based practice in school mental health.

PubMed

Weist, Mark D; Youngstrom, Eric A; Stephan, Sharon; Lever, Nancy; Fowler, Johnathan; Taylor, Leslie; McDaniel, Heather; Chappelle, Lori; Paggeot, Samantha; Hoagwood, Kimberly

2014-01-01

This article reviews the progression of a research program designed to develop, implement, and study the implementation of "achievable" evidence-based practices (EBPs) in schools. We review challenges encountered and ideas to overcome them to enhance this avenue of research. The article presents two federally funded randomized controlled trials involving comparison of a four-component targeted intervention (Quality Assessment and Improvement, Family Engagement and Empowerment, Modular Evidence-Based Practice, Implementation Support) versus a comparison intervention focused on personal wellness. In both studies, primary aims focused on changes in clinician attitudes and behavior, including the delivery of high-quality EBPs and secondary aims focused on student-level impacts. A number of challenges, many not reported in the literature, are reviewed, and ideas for overcoming them are presented. Given the reality that the majority of youth mental health services are delivered in schools and the potential of school mental health services to provide a continuum of mental health care from promotion to intervention, it is critical that the field consider and address the logistical and methodological challenges associated with implementing and studying EBP implementation by clinicians.

Challenges for malaria elimination in Brazil.

PubMed

Ferreira, Marcelo U; Castro, Marcia C

2016-05-20

Brazil currently contributes 42 % of all malaria cases reported in the Latin America and the Caribbean, a region where major progress towards malaria elimination has been achieved in recent years. In 2014, malaria burden in Brazil (143,910 microscopically confirmed cases and 41 malaria-related deaths) has reached its lowest levels in 35 years, Plasmodium falciparum is highly focal, and the geographic boundary of transmission has considerably shrunk. Transmission in Brazil remains entrenched in the Amazon Basin, which accounts for 99.5 % of the country's malaria burden. This paper reviews major lessons learned from past and current malaria control policies in Brazil. A comprehensive discussion of the scientific and logistic challenges that may impact malaria elimination efforts in the country is presented in light of the launching of the Plan for Elimination of Malaria in Brazil in November 2015. Challenges for malaria elimination addressed include the high prevalence of symptomless and submicroscopic infections, emerging anti-malarial drug resistance in P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax and the lack of safe anti-relapse drugs, the largely neglected burden of malaria in pregnancy, the need for better vector control strategies where Anopheles mosquitoes present a highly variable biting behaviour, human movement, the need for effective surveillance and tools to identify foci of infection in areas with low transmission, and the effects of environmental changes and climatic variability in transmission. Control actions launched in Brazil and results to come are likely to influence control programs in other countries in the Americas.

Addressing challenges of heterogeneous tumor treatment through bispecific protein-mediated pretargeted drug delivery.

PubMed

Yang, Qi; Parker, Christina L; McCallen, Justin D; Lai, Samuel K

2015-12-28

Tumors are frequently characterized by genomically and phenotypically distinct cancer cell subpopulations within the same tumor or between tumor lesions, a phenomenon termed tumor heterogeneity. These diverse cancer cell populations pose a major challenge to targeted delivery of diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents, as the conventional approach of conjugating individual ligands to nanoparticles is often unable to facilitate intracellular delivery to the full spectrum of cancer cells present in a given tumor lesion or patient. As a result, many cancers are only partially suppressed, leading to eventual tumor regrowth and/or the development of drug-resistant tumors. Pretargeting (multistep targeting) approaches involving the administration of 1) a cocktail of bispecific proteins that can collectively bind to the entirety of a mixed tumor population followed by 2) nanoparticles containing therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents that can bind to the bispecific proteins accumulated on the surface of target cells offer the potential to overcome many of the challenges associated with drug delivery to heterogeneous tumors. Despite its considerable success in improving the efficacy of radioimmunotherapy, the pretargeting strategy remains underexplored for a majority of nanoparticle therapeutic applications, especially for targeted delivery to heterogeneous tumors. In this review, we will present concepts in tumor heterogeneity, the shortcomings of conventional targeted systems, lessons learned from pretargeted radioimmunotherapy, and important considerations for harnessing the pretargeting strategy to improve nanoparticle delivery to heterogeneous tumors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pandemic policy and planning considerations for universities: findings from a tabletop exercise.

PubMed

Beaton, Randal; Stergachis, Andy; Thompson, Jack; Osaki, Carl; Johnson, Clark; Charvat, Steven J; Marsden-Haug, Nicola

2007-12-01

The potential for a novel influenza virus to cause a pandemic represents a significant threat to global health. Planning for pandemic flu, as compared to planning for other types of hazards, presents some unique challenges to businesses, communities, and education institutions. To identify and address the challenges that may be faced by major metropolitan universities during a flu pandemic, a tabletop exercise was developed, offered, and evaluated. Its purpose was to assess existing University of Washington (UW) plans and policies for responding to an influenza pandemic. On May 31, 2006, more than 50 participants, including UW administrators and unit leaders and a number of key external partners, participated in a tabletop exercise designed to simulate all phases of an influenza pandemic. This exercise revealed existing gaps in university pandemic influenza plans and policies, including issues related to isolation and quarantine, continuity of operations, disaster mental health services, integration of volunteers into a disaster response, tracking travel of university students and personnel, communication problems, and ways to meet the needs of resident and foreign students and faculty during an outbreak. Policy and planning recommendations are offered that address each of these challenges faced by UW as well as other major research universities and colleges.

Present capabilities and future requirements for computer-aided geometric modeling in the design and manufacture of gas turbine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caille, E.; Propen, M.; Hoffman, A.

1984-01-01

Gas turbine engine design requires the ability to rapidly develop complex structures which are subject to severe thermal and mechanical operating loads. As in all facets of the aerospace industry, engine designs are constantly driving towards increased performance, higher temperatures, higher speeds, and lower weight. The ability to address such requirements in a relatively short time frame has resulted in a major thrust towards integrated design/analysis/manufacturing systems. These computer driven graphics systems represent a unique challenge, with major payback opportunities if properly conceived, implemented, and applied.

Electrical power systems for Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, W. E.

1984-01-01

Major challenges in power system development are described. Evolutionary growth, operational lifetime, and other design requirements are discussed. A pictorial view of weight-optimized power system applications shows which systems are best for missions of various lengths and required power level. Following definition of the major elements of the electrical power system, an overview of element options and a brief technology assessment are presented. Selected trade-study results show end-to-end system efficiencies, required photovoltaic power capability as a function of energy storage system efficiency, and comparisons with other systems such as a solar dynamic power system.

Medical entomology--back to the future?

PubMed

Reisen, William K

2014-12-01

Some of problems and challenges facing Medical/Veterinary Entomology are presented from my perspective, focusing on the current millennium. Topics include anthropogenic environmental changes created by population growth, administrative problems hindering science's response to these changes, and some of the scientific discoveries potentially providing solutions. As the title implies, many recent research discoveries have yet to be translated into major changes in control approaches for the major vectorborne public health problems, thereby providing an interesting mix of modern surveillance technology used to track problems and direct historical intervention solutions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Collision Avoidance Short Course Part I: Theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hejduk, Matthew D.

2017-01-01

Satellite conjunction assessment is perhaps the fastest-growing area in space situational awareness and protection, with military, civil, and commercial satellite owner operators embracing more and more sophisticated processes to avoid the avoidable namely collisions between high-value space assets and orbital debris. NASA and CNES have collaborated to offer an introductory short course on all the major aspects of the conjunction assessment problem. This half-day course will cover satellite conjunction dynamics and theory, JSpOC conjunction data products, major risk assessment parameters and plots, conjunction remediation decision support, and present and future challenges. This briefing represents the NASA portion of the course.

Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyyappan, Meyya

2003-01-01

Nanotechnology seeks to exploit novel physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, electrical, and other properties, which arise primarily due to the nanoscale nature of certain materials. A key example is carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which exhibit unique electrical and extraordinary mechanical properties and offer remarkable potential for revolutionary applications in electronics devices, computing, and data storage technology, sensors, composites, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), and as tip in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for imaging and nanolithography. Thus the CNT synthesis, characterization, and applications touch upon all disciplines of science and engineering. This presentation will provide an overview and progress report on this and other major research candidates in Nanotechnology and address opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Changing Role of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory in Defining Resistance in Gram-negatives.

PubMed

Endimiani, Andrea; Jacobs, Michael R

2016-06-01

The evolution of resistance in Gram-negatives has challenged the clinical microbiology laboratory to implement new methods for their detection. Multidrug-resistant strains present major challenges to conventional and new detection methods. More rapid pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing have been developed for use directly on specimens, including fluorescence in situ hybridization tests, automated polymerase chain reaction systems, microarrays, mass spectroscopy, next-generation sequencing, and microfluidics. Review of these methods shows the advances that have been made in rapid detection of resistance in cultures, but limited progress in direct detection from specimens. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear response of mid-latitude weather to the changing Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Overland, James E.; Dethloff, Klaus; Francis, Jennifer A.; Hall, Richard J.; Hanna, Edward; Kim, Seong-Joong; Screen, James A.; Shepherd, Theodore G.; Vihma, Timo

2016-11-01

Are continuing changes in the Arctic influencing wind patterns and the occurrence of extreme weather events in northern mid-latitudes? The chaotic nature of atmospheric circulation precludes easy answers. The topic is a major science challenge, as continued Arctic temperature increases are an inevitable aspect of anthropogenic climate change. We propose a perspective that rejects simple cause-and-effect pathways and notes diagnostic challenges in interpreting atmospheric dynamics. We present a way forward based on understanding multiple processes that lead to uncertainties in Arctic and mid-latitude weather and climate linkages. We emphasize community coordination for both scientific progress and communication to a broader public.

TOPSAN: a dynamic web database for structural genomics.

PubMed

Ellrott, Kyle; Zmasek, Christian M; Weekes, Dana; Sri Krishna, S; Bakolitsa, Constantina; Godzik, Adam; Wooley, John

2011-01-01

The Open Protein Structure Annotation Network (TOPSAN) is a web-based collaboration platform for exploring and annotating structures determined by structural genomics efforts. Characterization of those structures presents a challenge since the majority of the proteins themselves have not yet been characterized. Responding to this challenge, the TOPSAN platform facilitates collaborative annotation and investigation via a user-friendly web-based interface pre-populated with automatically generated information. Semantic web technologies expand and enrich TOPSAN's content through links to larger sets of related databases, and thus, enable data integration from disparate sources and data mining via conventional query languages. TOPSAN can be found at http://www.topsan.org.

Pioneering space exploration: The JSC strategy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

The framework that JCS's senior management will use to guide effective decision making to achieve our long-rang goals while soliciting inputs from all levels of JSC is presented. This plan was developed to allow us to meet head-on the responsibilities and challenges we have today while assuring that we are well prepared to meet the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. The JSC strategy is closely aligned with the overall strategic direction currently being defined by NASA. One of our major goals was to keep our plan and process tightly focused but flexible enough so that as our national interests in space exploration evolve, so can JSC.

Evaluation of the Department of the Navy’s (DoN’s) Managers Internal Control (MIC) Manual

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

50 e. Managing Risk during Change (Major Factor #5) ...............50 3. Control Activities...Five Standards of Internal Management Controls as Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Control Activities, Information and Communication, and...Major Management Challenges In 2003, GAO produced another report titled Major Management Challenges and Program Risks for the DoD. This report

Perception of Iranian Middle-Aged Women Regarding Moral Health Concept: A Content Analysis

PubMed Central

Salsali, Mahvash; Rezaee, Nasrin; Seyedfatemi, Naimeh; Rahnavard, Zahra

2015-01-01

Introduction: The present study aimed at exploring and describing the perception of moral health from middle-aged women standpoints. Women’s decisive role in family is undeniable. In the family which is built upon tradition, faith and ethics, this is women’s principle which is represented in the moral health of the individual and the society, deals with the nature of the vice and virtue. This study attempted to identify the perception of Iranian middle-aged women about the concept of moral health. Method: The present study completed through a content analysis method. Twenty two middle-aged women were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were granted by face to face, semi-structured interview. Result: Our major categories are devotion, preserving moral values and moral challenges. Devotion category includes subcategories such as prioritizing the health of family members and trying to save marriage. Preserving moral values category includes subcategories such as respecting values and consolidating beliefs over time. Moral challenges category consists of individual and familial challenges subcategories. Conclusion: Moral health is of high importance which affects various dimensions of individual, social and familial life. The findings of the present study presented new dimensions of middle-aged women’s health regarding moral health which can finally have different consequences on familial and social moral health. PMID:25948455

Perception of Iranian middle-aged women regarding moral health concept: a content analysis.

PubMed

Salsali, Mahvash; Rezaee, Nasrin; Seyedfatemi, Naimeh; Rahnavard, Zahra

2014-11-30

The present study aimed at exploring and describing the perception of moral health from middle-aged women standpoints. Women's decisive role in family is undeniable. In the family which is built upon tradition, faith and ethics, this is women's principle which is represented in the moral health of the individual and the society, deals with the nature of the vice and virtue. This study attempted to identify the perception of Iranian middle-aged women about the concept of moral health. The present study completed through a content analysis method. Twenty two middle-aged women were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were granted by face to face, semi-structured interview. Our major categories are devotion, preserving moral values and moral challenges. Devotion category includes subcategories such as prioritizing the health of family members and trying to save marriage. Preserving moral values category includes subcategories such as respecting values and consolidating beliefs over time. Moral challenges category consists of individual and familial challenges subcategories. Moral health is of high importance which affects various dimensions of individual, social and familial life. The findings of the present study presented new dimensions of middle-aged women's health regarding moral health which can finally have different consequences on familial and social moral health.

An integrated fit-for-the-use assessment of marine data adequacy in the Baltic Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

She, Jun; Novellino, Antonio

2017-04-01

The value of data can only be realized when they are used. Therefore one major factor to determine the extent of the value of data is their level of "fitness-for-the-use". The purpose of the Baltic Sea Check Point project is to assess adequacy of the Baltic Sea data in areas of air, water, biota, seabed and human activities for their usages in social-economic benefit areas and marine knowledge generation, which are presented by eleven challenge areas. The data assessed focused mainly on in situ observations but also include satellite observations, model data, human activity data and integrated data by combining models and observations. The eleven challenge areas are wind farm siting, marine protected areas, oil platform leak, climate change, coastal protection, fishery management, fishery impact, eutrophication, riverine inputs, bathymetry and alien species. The assessment is mainly qualitative with focus on the availability and accessibility, e.g. completeness, coverage, resolution and precision when using the data for pre-defined tasks in each challenge areas, e.g., wind farm site suitability design, generate 100 year time series of sea level for the Baltic coastal stretches etc. The procedure of the assessment is taken in four steps: i) to describe the pre-defined data use cases and objectives; ii) to specify data requirements in performing the data use cases; iii) to investigate the data availability and iv) to assess the data adequacy in terms of the "fitness-for-the-use" of data in the selected challenge areas by comparing the data availability with the data requirements. Due to the complexity involved in the assessment, in-situ observations, especially those from EMODnet, are given more focus than other datasets although all the potential data sources from national, regional and European levels are taken into account. For each challenge area, data adequacy for key variables is assessed and outcomes will be reported. Recommendations for major data gaps, priorities for future observations will also be given.The developed web platform for challenges products and assessment will be also presented.

Pedophiles and stalkers as transplant candidates: one program's experience.

PubMed

Paris, Wayne; Miller, Rachel; Hille, Cheryl; Nour, Bakr; Griggs, Johnny

2005-12-01

Transplant assessment of pedophiles and stalkers presents a challenge for clinicians and requires the ability to separate the science from the hysteria. Although rarely seen in organ transplant clinics, the presence of psychosexual disorders can result in both criminal charges and harsh societal reactions. Clinicians must be able to assess and make informed recommendations about the suitability of the candidate and any potential risks for staff, other patients, and society at large. Six patients (5 pedophiles and 1 stalker) were assessed at our major regional multiorgan transplant program; each patient presented with unique and challenging assessment, treatment, and selection issues for the transplant team. The objectives of this article are to raise awareness of the issues associated with pedophiles and stalkers, and to provide the basis for better-informed discussions based on one program's struggles with its candidate selection and follow-up.

Speeding up GW Calculations to Meet the Challenge of Large Scale Quasiparticle Predictions

PubMed Central

Gao, Weiwei; Xia, Weiyi; Gao, Xiang; Zhang, Peihong

2016-01-01

Although the GW approximation is recognized as one of the most accurate theories for predicting materials excited states properties, scaling up conventional GW calculations for large systems remains a major challenge. We present a powerful and simple-to-implement method that can drastically accelerate fully converged GW calculations for large systems, enabling fast and accurate quasiparticle calculations for complex materials systems. We demonstrate the performance of this new method by presenting the results for ZnO and MgO supercells. A speed-up factor of nearly two orders of magnitude is achieved for a system containing 256 atoms (1024 valence electrons) with a negligibly small numerical error of ±0.03 eV. Finally, we discuss the application of our method to the GW calculations for 2D materials. PMID:27833140

Major Mental Illness in Those Who Sexually Abuse.

PubMed

Moulden, Heather M; Marshall, Liam E

2017-11-09

There is evidence showing an increasing prevalence of mental illness in those in conflict with the law. However, there are many factors affecting the detection, treatment, and management of criminals who are mentally ill. Sex offenders with major mental illness present many challenges to those providing treatment and management services. For example, it is important to consider whether sexually offensive behavior is the cause of criminal behavior or whether it is reflective of an antisocial orientation. Recent evidence suggests it may help better understand and inform risk assessment and management. This paper will review the literature on mental illness among sexual offenders, present a typology to aid in the assessment, treatment, and management of sexual offender with mental illness, and highlight important considerations when providing treatment to sexual offenders with mental illness.

Marshall Space Flight Center 1960-1985: 25th anniversary report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

The Marshall Space FLight Center marks its 25th aniversary with a record of notable achievements. These accomplishments are the essence of the Marshall Center's history. Behind the scenes of the space launches and missions, however, lies the story of challenges faced and problems solved. The highlights of that story are presented. The story is organized not as a straight chronology but as three parallel reviews of the major assignments: propulsion systems and launch vehicles, space science research and technology, and manned space systems. The general goals were to reach space, to know and understand the space environment, and to inhabit and utilize space for the benefit of mankind. Also included is a chronology of major events, presented as a fold-out chart for ready reference.

Analysis and Perspective from the Complex Aerospace Systems Exchange (CASE) 2013

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Kennie H.; Parker, Peter A.; Detweiler, Kurt N.; McGowan, Anna-Maria R.; Dress, David A.; Kimmel, William M.

2014-01-01

NASA Langley Research Center embedded four rapporteurs at the Complex Aerospace Systems Exchange (CASE) held in August 2013 with the objective to capture the essence of the conference presentations and discussions. CASE was established to provide a discussion forum among chief engineers, program managers, and systems engineers on challenges in the engineering of complex aerospace systems. The meeting consists of invited presentations and panels from industry, academia, and government followed by discussions among attendees. This report presents the major and reoccurring themes captured throughout the meeting and provides analysis and insights to further the CASE mission.

Food security: crops for people not for cars.

PubMed

Kullander, Sven

2010-05-01

Humankind is currently faced with the huge challenge of securing a sustainable energy supply and biofuels constitute one of the major options. However, the commercially traded edible crops are barely sufficient to meet food demand of the present world population. Certain regions, for example EU-27, do not even have a sufficient indigenous crop production. Of this follows that motor biofuels based on edible crops should be avoided. To replace more than some percent of the fossil motor fuels, non-edible biomass-rest products and wastes-should instead be considered for conversion to biofuels. In this way, about 10% of the current fossil fuels can be replaced. Feeding a world population expected to grow by some 50% during the next 50 years will be a major challenge. For environmental reasons it seems that agricultural land cannot be expanded very much, maybe not at all. The solution to the increasing food demand seems therefore to be using the present crop production more efficiently and increasing output from present agricultural land, maintaining biodiversity and climate stability within reasonable limits. In the future, agriculture will need more energy and more water irrigation. Food production is, however, already very energy demanding, requiring several times more externally provided energy than the energy content of the food itself. A sufficient energy supply will be a key issue for the future farming!

Morehouse Physics & Dual Degree Engineering Program: We C . A . R . E . Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rockward, Willie S.

2015-03-01

Growing the physics major at any undergraduate institution, especially Morehouse College - a private, all-male, liberal arts HBCU, can be very challenging. To address this challenge at Morehouse, the faculty and staff in the Department of Physics and Dual Degree Engineering Program (Physics & DDEP) are applying a methodology and pedagogical approach called ``We C . A . R . E '' which stands for Curriculum,Advisement,Recruitment/Retention/Research, andExtras. This approach utilizes an integrated strategy of cultural (family-orientated), collaborative (shared-governance), and career (personalized-pathways) modalities to provide the momentum of growing the physics major at Morehouse from 10-12 students to over 100 students in less than 5 years. Physics & DDEP at Morehouse, creatively, altered faculty course assignments, curriculum offerings, and departmental policies while expanding research projects, student organizations, and external collaborations. This method supplies a variety of meaningful, academic and research experiences for undergraduates at Morehouse and thoroughly prepares students for graduate studies or professional careers in STEM disciplines. Thus, a detailed overview of the ``We C . A . R . E . '' approach will be presented along with the Physics & DDEP vision, alterations and expansions in growing the physics major at Morehouse College. Department of Physics and Dual Degree Engineering Program, Atlanta, Georgia 30314.

Teaching Practical Watershed Science to non-Watershed Science Majors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fassnacht, S. R.; Laituri, M.; Layden, P.; Coleman, R.

2008-12-01

The Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR) at Colorado State University (CSU) has had a long tradition of integrating field measurements into the classroom, dating back to the first forestry summer camp held in 1917 at the CSU Pingree Park mountain campus. In the early 1960s, the Cooperative Watershed Management Unit coordinated efforts to understand and analyse the basic resources of the area, with an emphasis on the geology, hydrology, and climate. Much of this understand is now used as the Abiotic (Geology and Watershed) component of a five-credit, four-week course offered twice each summer at Pingree Park. With the exception of Geology students who have their own field course, this Natural Resources Ecology and Measurements course (NR 220) is required for all WCNR undergraduate students. These majors include Watershed Science, Forestry, Rangeland Ecology, Fisheries, Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, and Recreation and Tourism. Since most of these are students are much better trained in biological and/or social sciences rather than physical sciences, a challenge for the Watershed professor is to teaching practical Watershed Science to non-Watershed Science majors. This presentation describes how this challenge is met and how this course helps broaden the knowledge base of Natural Resources students.

Atherectomy in Peripheral Artery Disease: A Review.

PubMed

Bhat, Tariq M; Afari, Maxwell E; Garcia, Lawrence A

2017-04-01

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a clinical manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The physiological force and shear stress from angioplasty and stenting have made PAD treatment challenging. Atherectomy devices have continued to emerge as a major therapy in the management of peripheral vascular disease. This article presents a review of the current literature for the atherectomy devices used in PAD.

The Social Networks of People with Intellectual Disability Living in the Community 12 Years after Resettlement from Long-Stay Hospitals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forrester-Jones, Rachel; Carpenter, John; Coolen-Schrijner, Pauline; Cambridge, Paul; Tate, Alison; Beecham, Jennifer; Hallam, Angela; Knapp, Martin; Wooff, David

2006-01-01

Background: The social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities presents a major challenge to services. As part of a 12-year follow up of people resettled from long-stay hospitals, the size of 213 individuals' social networks and the types of social support they received were investigated, as viewed by people with intellectual…

A field method for soil erosion measurements in agricultural and natural lands

Treesearch

Y.P. Hsieh; K.T. Grant; G.C. Bugna

2009-01-01

Soil erosion is one of the most important watershed processes in nature, yet quantifying it under field conditions remains a challenge. The lack of soil erosion field data is a major factor hindering our ability to predict soil erosion in a watershed. We present here the development of a simple and sensitive field method that quantifies soil erosion and the resulting...

DARPA 7-Day Challenge

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-17

generic symptoms including fever , chills, headache, cough, myalgias, and painful lesions located around the site of vector transmission. Typhoidal ...ultimately present in one of two forms (Ulceroglandular or Typhoidal ) 72,73 . Ulceroglanduar tularemia occurs in a majority of patients and resulting...pneumonia, and high fever 72 . The host immune response to F. tularensis is poorly defined to date. Mice infected with the type A strain are unable to

The Role of Technology: Theme Group 3. Proceedings of the International Congress on Mathematical Education (5th, Adelaide, South Australia, August 24-30, 1984).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohyla, Jury, Ed.

This conference report bears witness to the centrality and growing significance of the debate on the impact of technology on mathematics education. It presents an overview of the conference's Technology Theme group's work, featuring summaries of the reports of 17 constituent working groups under 6 major headings: (1) "Challenges to the…

Vegetation controls on carbon and nitrogen cycling and retention: contrasts in spruce and hardwood watershed budgets

Treesearch

Charlene N. Kelly; Stephen H. Schoenholtz; Mary Beth Adams

2010-01-01

Anthropogenic sources of nitrogen (N) have altered the global N cycle to such an extent as to nearly double the rate of N that enters many terrestrial ecosystems. However, predicting the fate of N inputs continues to present challenges, as a multitude of environmental factors play major roles in determining N pathways. This research investigates the role of specific...

The CRC 20 Years: An Overview of Some of the Major Achievements and Remaining Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doek, Jaap E.

2009-01-01

On 20 November 1989, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). It entered into force on 2 September 1990 and has by now been ratified by 193 States, making the most universally ratified human rights treaty. This overview will present and discuss the impact of this treaty both at the…

Approaching the Challenge of Student Retention through the Lens of Quality Control: A Conceptual Model of University Business Student Retention Utilizing Six Sigma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenicke, Lawrence O.; Holmes, Monica C.; Pisani, Michael J.

2013-01-01

Student retention in higher education is a major issue as academic institutions compete for fewer students and face declining enrollments. A conceptual model of applying the quality improvement methodology of Six Sigma to the problem of undergraduate student retention in a college of business is presented. Improvement techniques such as cause and…

Exploring the relationship between parcelization metrics and natural resource managers' perceptions of forest land parcelization intensity

Treesearch

Michael A. Kilgore; Stephanie A. Snyder

2016-01-01

A major challenge associated with forest land parcelization, defined as the subdivision of forest land holdings into smaller ownership parcels, is that little information exists on how to measure its severity and judge its impacts across forest landscapes. To address this information gap, an on-line survey presented field-based public natural resource managers in the...

Antibody tumor penetration

PubMed Central

Thurber, Greg M.; Schmidt, Michael M.; Wittrup, K. Dane

2009-01-01

Antibodies have proven to be effective agents in cancer imaging and therapy. One of the major challenges still facing the field is the heterogeneous distribution of these agents in tumors when administered systemically. Large regions of untargeted cells can therefore escape therapy and potentially select for more resistant cells. We present here a summary of theoretical and experimental approaches to analyze and improve antibody penetration in tumor tissue. PMID:18541331

A unique method of retention for gum stripper- a case report.

PubMed

Doddamani, Santosh S; T S, Priyanka

2014-12-01

Successful restoration of partially edentulous situations, especially kennedy's class-I, II &IV requires lot of contemporary and conventional treatment approaches. Semi precision attachments play a major role in retention of clinically challenging partially edentulous situation. Attachment retained partial dentures can be one of the successful treatment option in prosthdontics. This article presents a unique technique of retaining gum stripper using semi precision attachments.

Role of Adult Education and Mass Media for Civic Education. Report of the Asian Pacific Seminar (New Delhi, India, September 10-14, 1985).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saxena, J. C., Ed.; Sachdeva, J. L., Ed.

This publication contains six presentations from a seminar that stressed that the problem of adult education should be viewed from the angle of human resource development and all necessary interdepartmental linkages should be developed. The keynote address, "Major Challenges and Prospects of Adult Education for the Year 2000" (T. M.…

Recent Progress on ECH Technology for ITER

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sirigiri, Jagadishwar

2005-10-01

The Electron Cyclotron Heating and Current Drive (ECH&CD) system for ITER is a critical ITER system that must be available for use on Day 1 of the ITER experimental program. The applications of the system include plasma start-up, plasma heating and suppression of Neoclassical Tearing Modes (NTMs). These applications are accomplished using 27 one megawatt continuous wave gyrotrons: 24 at a frequency of 170 GHz and 3 at a frequency of 120 GHz. There are DC power supplies for the gyrotrons, a transmission line system, one launcher at the equatorial plane and three upper port launchers. The US will play a major role in delivering parts of the ECH&CD system to ITER. The present state-of-the-art includes major advances in all areas of ECH technology. In the US, a major effort is underway to supply gyrotrons of up to 1.5 MW power level at 110 GHz to General Atomics for use in heating the DIII-D tokamak. This presentation will include a brief review of the state-of-the-art, worldwide, in ECH technology. The requirements for the ITER ECH&CD system will then be reviewed. ITER calls for gyrotrons capable of operating from a 50 kV power supply, after potential depression, with a minimum of 50% overall efficiency. This is a very significant challenge and some approaches to meeting this goal will be presented. Recent experimental results at MIT showing improved efficiency of high frequency, 1.5 MW gyrotrons will be described. These results will be incorporated into the planned development of gyrotrons for ITER. The ITER ECH&CD system will also be a challenge to the transmission lines, which must operate at high average power at up to 1000 seconds and with high efficiency. The technology challenges and efforts in the US and other ITER parties to solve these problems will be reviewed. *In collaboration with E. Choi, C. Marchewka, I. Mastovosky, M. A. Shapiro and R. J. Temkin. This work is supported by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences of the U. S. Department of Energy.

“Pretty Pictures” with the HDI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buckner, Spencer L.

2017-01-01

The Half-Degree Imager (HDI) has been in use on the 0.9-m WIYN telescope since October 2013. The instrument has well served the consortium as evidenced by the posters in this session and presentations at the concurrent special session held at this meeting. One thing that has been missing from the mix are aesthetically pleasing images for use in publicity and public outreach. Making “pretty pictures” with a scientific instrument such as HDI presents a number of challenges and opportunities. The chief challenge is finding the time to do the basic imaging given the limited telescope time available to users. Most users are understandably reluctant to take time away from imaging for their scientific research to take images whose primary purpose is to make a pretty picture. Fortunately, imaging of some objects to make pretty pictures can be done under sky conditions that are less than ideal when photometric studies would have limited usefulness. Another challenge is the raw HDI images must be converted from an extended FITS format into a normal FITS and a filter line added to the header to make the images usable by most commercially available image processing software. On the plus side, pretty picture images can serve to inspire prospective students into astronomy. Austin Peay State University has a popular astrophotography class that makes use of images taken with the HDI camera to introduce students to basic image processing techniques. The course is taken by both physics majors on the astrophysics track and non-science majors completing the astronomy minor. Pretty pictures can also be used as a recruitment tool to bring students into astronomy. APSU houses physics, biology, chemistry, agriculture and medical technology in the same building and displaying astronomical pictures at strategic locations around the building serves to recruit non-science majors to take more astronomy courses. Finally, the images can be used in publicity and outreach efforts by the university. This poster presents some of the techniques used in processing the images tor aesthetic value and how those images are used in recruitment, publicity and outreach. Several of the finished images in poster-sized prints will be available for viewing.

Tailoring Modified Moore Method Techniques to Liberal Arts Mathematics Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hitchman, Theron J.; Shaw, Douglas

2015-01-01

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) techniques can be used in mathematics courses for non-majors, such as courses required for liberal arts majors to fulfill graduation requirements. Unique challenges are discussed, followed by adaptations of IBL techniques to overcome those challenges.

In-Space Assembly Capability Assessment for Potential Human Exploration and Science Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jefferies, Sharon A.; Jones, Christopher A.; Arney, Dale C.; Stillwagen, Frederic H.; Chai, Patrick R.; Hutchinson, Craig D.; Stafford, Matthew A.; Moses, Robert W.; Dempsey, James A.; Rodgers, Erica M.;

Stress in crisis managers: evidence from self-report and psychophysiological assessments.

PubMed

Janka, A; Adler, C; Fischer, L; Perakakis, P; Guerra, P; Duschek, S

2015-12-01

Directing disaster operations represents a major professional challenge. Despite its importance to health and professional performance, research on stress in crisis management remains scarce. The present study aimed to investigate self-reported stress and psychophysiological stress responses in crisis managers. For this purpose, 30 crisis managers were compared with 30 managers from other disciplines, in terms of self-reported stress, health status and psychophysiological reactivity to crisis-related and non-specific visual and acoustic aversive stimuli and cognitive challenge. Crisis managers reported lower stress levels, a more positive strain-recuperation-balance, greater social resources, reduced physical symptoms, as well as more physical exercise and less alcohol consumption. They exhibited diminished electrodermal and heart rate responses to crisis-related and non-specific stressors. The results indicate reduced stress and physical complaints, diminished psychophysiological stress reactivity, and a healthier life-style in crisis managers. Improved stress resistance may limit vulnerability to stress-related performance decline and facilitate preparedness for major incidents.

Perceptual awareness and its neural basis: bridging experimental and theoretical paradigms

PubMed Central

Raffone, Antonino; Srinivasan, Narayanan; van Leeuwen, Cees

2014-01-01

Understanding consciousness is a major scientific challenge of our times, and perceptual awareness is an integral part of that challenge. This Theme Issue aims to provide a timely focus on crucial insights from leading scientists on perceptual awareness and its neural basis. The issue refers to key research questions and findings in perceptual awareness research and aims to be a catalyst for further research, by bringing together the state-of-the-art. It shows how bridges are being built between empirical and theoretical research and proposes new directions for the study of multisensory awareness and the role of the states of the body therein. In this introduction, we highlight crucial problems that have characterized the development of the study of perceptual awareness. We then provide an overview of major experimental and theoretical paradigms related to perceptual awareness and its neural basis. Finally, we present an overview of the Theme Issue, with reference to the contributed articles and their relationships. PMID:24639576

Social responsibilities of a physician: reflections of Major General S L Bhatia (1891-1981).

PubMed

Hegde, Radhika; Vaz, Mario

2017-01-01

This paper examines various documents written by Major General SL Bhatia CIE, MC, IMS from the 1920s to the1960s on the "Social Responsibilities of a Physician". His reflections are of historical significance, since they provide us with an insight into the challenges confronting the people who attempted to rebuild a nation plagued by poverty resulting from fractured agricultural growth, a feudalistic social structure and the regional inequalities that accompany it, and prolonged imperial rule, among other things. Bhatia's thoughts, especially on medical education and the condition of rural health and sanitation, enable us to understand India's present health concerns through the prism of the past. The writings of Bhatia, who lived during a period of transition in India, reflect an understanding of health issues from the perspectives both of an administrator and a physician struggling to meet the challenges of a nascent nation. He insisted on rooting his medical teachings in the principles of the humanities and ethics.

Regulatory challenges for autologous tissue engineered products on their way from bench to bedside in Europe.

PubMed

Ram-Liebig, Gouya; Bednarz, Juergen; Stuerzebecher, Burkard; Fahlenkamp, Dirk; Barbagli, Guido; Romano, Giuseppe; Balsmeyer, Ulf; Spiegeler, Maria-Elsa; Liebig, Soeren; Knispel, Helmut

2015-03-01

Since the late eighties of last century the high potential of tissue engineered products (TEP)s has been shown for the treatment of various diseases and many scientific publications appeared in this field. However, only few products reached the market since. Development of TEPs is a promising but owing to its novelty a very challenging task that requires experts in this still developing field as well as ample financial resources. This paper summarises relevant regulatory challenges during quality, preclinical and clinical development of autologous TEPs in Europe. Selected strategies on how to manage major issues are presented, together with some examples from the development of an autologous TEP for urethroplasty. Considering these aspects may help other investigators with potential strategies during the development of novel TEPs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Strategic Planning for Health Care Cost Controls in a Constantly Changing Environment.

PubMed

Hembree, William E

2015-01-01

Health care cost increases are showing a resurgence. Despite recent years' comparatively modest increases, the projections for 2015 cost increases range from 6.6% to 7%--three to four times larger than 2015's expected underlying inflation. This resurgence is just one of many rapidly changing external and internal challenges health plan sponsors must overcome (and this resurgence advances the date when the majority of employers will trigger the "Cadillac tax"). What's needed is a planning approach that is effective in overcoming all known and yet-to-be-discovered challenges, not just affordability. This article provides detailed guidance in adopting six proven strategic planning steps. Following these steps will proactively and effectively create a flexible strategic plan for the present and future of employers' health plans that will withstand all internal and external challenges.

Obesity: challenges to ventilatory control during exercise--a brief review.

PubMed

Babb, Tony G

2013-11-01

Obesity is a national health issue in the US. Among the many physiological changes induced by obesity, it also presents a unique challenge to ventilatory control during exercise due to increased metabolic demand of moving larger limbs, increased work of breathing due to extra weight on the chest wall, and changes in breathing mechanics. These challenges to ventilatory control in obesity can be inconspicuous or overt among obese adults but for the most part adaptation of ventilatory control during exercise in obesity appears remarkably unnoticed in the majority of obese people. In this brief review, the changes to ventilatory control required for maintaining normal ventilation during exercise will be examined, especially the interaction between respiratory neural drive and ventilation. Also, gaps in our current knowledge will be discussed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis: challenges and opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.

PubMed

Koch, Anastasia; Cox, Helen; Mizrahi, Valerie

2018-06-06

With an estimated incidence of 490000 cases in 2016, multidrug resistant tuberculosis (TB), against which key first-line anti-tuberculars are less efficacious, presents major challenges for global health. Poor treatment outcomes coupled with a yawning treatment gap between those in need of second-line therapy and those who receive it, underscore the urgent need for new approaches to tackle the scourge of drug-resistant TB. Against this background, significant progress has been made in understanding the complex biology of TB drug resistance and disease pathogenesis, and in establishing a pipeline for delivering new drugs and drug combinations. In this review, we highlight the challenges of drug-resistant TB and the ways in which new advances could be harnessed to improve treatment outcomes. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Extent of alcohol prohibition in civil policy in Muslim majority countries: the impact of globalization.

PubMed

Al-Ansari, Basma; Thow, Anne-Marie; Day, Carolyn A; Conigrave, Katherine M

2016-10-01

Many policies have been introduced to reduce alcohol harm in different countries. However, Muslim majority countries (MMCs), where the major religion (Islam) prohibits alcohol consumption, have less well-developed civil alcohol policies. Overall, MMCs have low prevalence of alcohol consumption, although recently most MMCs have been undergoing transition, which has sometimes increased pressure for alcohol availability and impacted on social practices, alcohol policies and broader public health. Globalization, the influence of the global alcohol industry, recent governmental transition or political instability and the presence of immigrants from non-Muslim countries can all affect civil alcohol policy. In this context, consumption overall has increased compared with two decades ago. This paper presents an overview of current civil alcohol policy, with regard to the presence or absence of alcohol prohibition, and provides an insight into the legal availability of alcohol in MMCs and the challenges facing policymakers. English, Arabic and Persian language sources were examined, using PubMed, government websites for each country and the World Health Organization (WHO). Some of the challenges MMCs may face in developing alcohol policies are explored, including the need to interact with the global economy and the potential influence of the alcohol industry. Muslim majority countries have adopted a range of civil alcohol policies in recent decades. There is a pressing need for better data and to support Muslim majority countries in alcohol policy development. Lessons from Muslim majority countries can help to inform other parts of the world. © 2015 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Enhancement of immune response induced by DNA vaccine cocktail expressing complete LACK and TSA genes against Leishmania major.

PubMed

Ghaffarifar, Fatemeh; Jorjani, Ogholniaz; Sharifi, Zohreh; Dalimi, Abdolhossein; Hassan, Zuhair M; Tabatabaie, Fatemeh; Khoshzaban, Fariba; Hezarjaribi, Hajar Ziaei

2013-04-01

Leishmaniasis is an important disease in humans. Leishmania homologue of receptor for Activated C Kinase (LACK) and thiol specific antioxidant (TSA) as immuno-dominant antigens of Leishmania major are considered the most promising molecules for a DNA vaccine. We constructed a DNA cocktail, containing plasmids encoding LACK and TSA genes of Leishmania major and evaluated the immune response and survival rate in BALB/c mice. IgG and Interferon gamma values were noticeably increased in the immunized group with DNA cocktail vaccine, which were significantly higher than those in the single-gene vaccinated and control groups (p < 0.05) following the immunization and after challenging with Leishmania major. Interleukin 4 values were decreased in all immunized groups, but only in DNA vaccine cocktail and single-gene vaccination with pc-LACK there were statistical differences with control groups (p > 0.05). The immunized mice with the cocktail DNA vaccine presented a considerable reduction in diameter of lesion compared to other groups and a significant difference was observed (p < 0.05) in this regard. The survival time of the immunized mice with the cocktail DNA vaccine was significantly higher than that in the other groups (p < 0.05) after their being challenged with Leishmania major. The findings of this study indicated that the cocktail DNA vaccine increased the cellular response and survival rate and induced protection against infection with Leishmania in the mice. © 2012 The Authors © 2012 APMIS.

Re-assessing the relationship between sporozoite dose and incubation period in Plasmodium vivax malaria: a systematic re-analysis.

PubMed

Lover, Andrew A; Coker, Richard J

2014-05-01

Infections with the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax are noteworthy for potentially very long incubation periods (6-9 months), which present a major barrier to disease elimination. Increased sporozoite challenge has been reported to be associated with both shorter incubation and pre-patent periods in a range of human challenge studies. However, this evidence base has scant empirical foundation, as these historical analyses were limited by available analytic methods, and provides no quantitative estimates of effect size. Following a comprehensive literature search, we re-analysed all identified studies using survival and/or logistic models plus contingency tables. We have found very weak evidence for dose-dependence at entomologically plausible inocula levels. These results strongly suggest that sporozoite dosage is not an important driver of long-latency. Evidence presented suggests that parasite strain and vector species have quantitatively greater impacts, and the potential existence of a dose threshold for human dose-response to sporozoites. Greater consideration of the complex interplay between these aspects of vectors and parasites are important for human challenge experiments, vaccine trials, and epidemiology towards global malaria elimination.

Wafer-shape metrics based foundry lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sungtae; Liang, Frida; Mileham, Jeffrey; Tsai, Damon; Bouche, Eric; Lee, Sean; Huang, Albert; Hua, C. F.; Wei, Ming Sheng

2017-03-01

As device shrink, there are many difficulties with process integration and device yield. Lithography process control is expected to be a major challenge due to tighter overlay and focus control requirement. The understanding and control of stresses accumulated during device fabrication has becoming more critical at advanced technology nodes. Within-wafer stress variations cause local wafer distortions which in turn present challenges for managing overlay and depth of focus during lithography. A novel technique for measuring distortion is Coherent Gradient Sensing (CGS) interferometry, which is capable of generating a high-density distortion data set of the full wafer within a time frame suitable for a high volume manufacturing (HVM) environment. In this paper, we describe the adoption of CGS (Coherent Gradient Sensing) interferometry into high volume foundry manufacturing to overcome these challenges. Leveraging this high density 3D metrology, we characterized its In-plane distortion as well as its topography capabilities applied to the full flow of an advanced foundry manufacturing. Case studies are presented that summarize the use of CGS data to reveal correlations between in-plane distortion and overlay variation as well as between topography and device yield.

MO-B-201-01: Overcoming the Challenges of Motion Management in Current Lung SBRT Practice

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

Shang, C.

The motion management in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a key to success for a SBRT program, and still an on-going challenging task. A major factor is that moving structures behave differently than standing structures when examined by imaging modalities, and thus require special considerations and employments. Understanding the motion effects to these different imaging processes is a prerequisite for a decent motion management program. The commonly used motion control techniques to physically restrict tumor motion, if adopted correctly, effectively increase the conformity and accuracy of hypofractionated treatment. The effective application of such requires one to understand the mechanicsmore » of the application and the related physiology especially related to respiration. The image-guided radiation beam control, or tumor tracking, further realized the endeavor for precision-targeting. During tumor tracking, the respiratory motion is often constantly monitored by non-ionizing beam sources using the body surface as its surrogate. This then has to synchronize with the actual internal tumor motion. The latter is often accomplished by stereo X-ray imaging or similar techniques. With these advanced technologies, one may drastically reduce the treated volume and increase the clinicians’ confidence for a high fractional ablative radiation dose. However, the challenges in implementing the motion management may not be trivial and is dependent on each clinic case. This session of presentations is intended to provide an overview of the current techniques used in managing the tumor motion in SBRT, specifically for routine lung SBRT, proton based treatments, and newly-developed MR guided RT. Learning Objectives: Through this presentation, the audience will understand basic roles of commonly used imaging modalities for lung cancer studies; familiarize the major advantages and limitations of each discussed motion control methods; familiarize the major advantages and limitations of each discussed radiation beam control methodology and tumor tacking method; understand the key points in motion management for a high quality SBRT program.« less

Computational Aeroelastic Modeling of Airframes and TurboMachinery: Progress and Challenges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartels, R. E.; Sayma, A. I.

2006-01-01

Computational analyses such as computational fluid dynamics and computational structural dynamics have made major advances toward maturity as engineering tools. Computational aeroelasticity is the integration of these disciplines. As computational aeroelasticity matures it too finds an increasing role in the design and analysis of aerospace vehicles. This paper presents a survey of the current state of computational aeroelasticity with a discussion of recent research, success and continuing challenges in its progressive integration into multidisciplinary aerospace design. This paper approaches computational aeroelasticity from the perspective of the two main areas of application: airframe and turbomachinery design. An overview will be presented of the different prediction methods used for each field of application. Differing levels of nonlinear modeling will be discussed with insight into accuracy versus complexity and computational requirements. Subjects will include current advanced methods (linear and nonlinear), nonlinear flow models, use of order reduction techniques and future trends in incorporating structural nonlinearity. Examples in which computational aeroelasticity is currently being integrated into the design of airframes and turbomachinery will be presented.

Biocatalysis and biomimetics

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

Burrington, J.D.; Clark, D.S.

1989-01-01

This book presents recent advances in catalytic science and biotechnology. The chapters illustrate how many of the key challenges in biotechnology can be addressed by bringing together traditionally separate disciplines within chemistry and biology. The authors focus on emerging enabling technologies at the interfaces of catalysis and biology that will provide new opportunities for the chemicals industries. Key aspects to be presented within this major theme of catalysis and biotechnology are biomimetics and hybrid catalysts, biocatalytic applications of computers and expert systems, enzyme solid-state structure and immobilization, enzyme structure-activity relationships, and the use of enzymes under novel conditions.

Potential of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers as drug carriers of camptothecin based on encapsulation studies.

PubMed

Cheng, Yiyun; Li, Mingzhong; Xu, Tongwen

2008-08-01

Camptothecin (CPT), a plant alkaloid isolated from Camptotheca acuminata, has an extremely low solubility in aqueous medium, which presents a major challenge during drug formulation in clinical trails. In the present study we investigated the potential of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers as drug carriers of CPT through aqueous solubility studies. Results showed that the aqueous solubility of CPT was significantly increased by PAMAM dendrimers. The effect of PAMAM generation on CPT solubility was also evaluated. These studies indicated that PAMAM dendrimers might be considered as biocompatible carriers of CPT.

Evaluation of Warm and Cold Shaft Designs for Large Multi-megawatt Direct Drive Offshore Superconducting Wind Generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulkarni, Devdatta; Chen, Edward; Ho, Mantak; Karmaker, Haran

For offshore large multi-megawatt direct drive wind generators, because of its ability to generate high flux fields, superconducting (SC) technology can offer significant size and mass reduction over traditional technologies. However, cryogenic cooling design remains as one of the major obstacles to overcome. Different cryogenic cooling designs, such as warm shaft and cold shaft rotor design, present different advantages and challenges technically and commercially. This paper presents the investigations on both designs for large SC generators from manufacturability and service perspectives.

Inpatient Violence.

PubMed

Fisher, Kayla

2016-12-01

Inpatient violence constitutes a major concern for staff, patients, and administrators. Violence can cause physical injury and psychological trauma. Although violence presents a challenge to inpatient clinicians, it should not be viewed as inevitable. By looking at history of violence, in addition to clinical and other historical factors, clinicians can identify which patients present the most risk of exhibiting violent behavior and whether the violence would most likely flow from psychosis, impulsivity, or predatory characteristics. With that information, clinicians can provide environmental and treatment modifications to lessen the likelihood of violence. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rainwater harvesting in South Africa: Challenges and opportunities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mwenge Kahinda, J.; Taigbenu, A. E.

Water paucity remains a major threat to poverty, hunger alleviation as well as sustainable development. Innovative water technologies such as rainwater harvesting (RWH) have the potential to improve rural water supply and contribute to the provision of the first 6 kl of water consumed monthly. RWH can also be the solution to South Africa food security by increasing water productivity of dryland agriculture and enabling homestead gardening. Although used for decades in South Africa, rainwater harvesting (RWH) is still far from being utilised to its full potential as unresolved challenges prevent its wide scale adoption. The paper presents the challenges and opportunities to the upscaling of RWH in South Africa. Key challenges preventing the nationwide expansion of RWH are the current water related legislations, the lack of finances and the absence of a national umbrella body that coordinates. While opportunities lie in the worth of knowledge gathered by research projects, funded over the last two decades, on the biophysical and socio-economic impacts of RWH.

Multimodeling: new approaches for linking ecological models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gross, Louis J.; DeAngelis, Donald L.; Scott, J. Michael; Heglund, Patricia J.; Morrison, Michael L.

2006-01-01

The Everglades region of South Florida presents one of the major natural system management challenges facing the United States. With its assortment of alligators, crocodiles, manatees, panthers, large mixed flocks of wading birds, highly diverse subtropical flora, and sea of sawgrass, the ecosystem is unique in this country (Davis and Ogden 1994). The region is also perhaps the largest human-controlled system on the planet in that the major environmental factor influencing the region is water, and water flows are managed on a daily basis--subject to the vagaries of rainfall--by a massive system of locks, pumps, canals, and levees constructed over the past century. The changes brought about by such control have led to extensive modifications of historical patterns and magnitudes of flow, causing large declines in many native species, extensive changes in nutrient cycling and vegetation across south Florida, and great increases in pollutants such as mercury. Constrained by the conflicting demands of agriculture, urban human populations, and wildlife for control of water resources, and the varying agendas of hosts of government agencies and nongovernmental organizations, there is now an ongoing effort to plan for major changes to the system with expenditure estimates of eight billion dollars or more over the next several decades (USACOE 1999). Carrying out such planning, particularly as it impacts the natural systems of the region, provides one of the major challenges to the new field of computational ecology.

The Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Impacted by Modern Assisted Reproductive Technologies

PubMed Central

Brezina, Paul R.; Zhao, Yulian

2012-01-01

Background. While assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization has given hope to millions of couples suffering from infertility, it has also introduced countless ethical, legal, and social challenges. The objective of this paper is to identify the aspects of ART that are most relevant to present-day society and discuss the multiple ethical, legal, and social challenges inherent to this technology. Scope of Review. This paper evaluates some of the most visible and challenging topics in the field of ART and outlines the ethical, legal, and social challenges they introduce. Major Conclusions. ART has resulted in a tectonic shift in the way physicians and the general population perceive infertility and ethics. In the coming years, advancing technology is likely to exacerbate ethical, legal, and social concerns associated with ART. ART is directly challenging society to reevaluate the way in which human life, social justice and equality, and claims to genetic offspring are viewed. Furthermore, these issues will force legal systems to modify existing laws to accommodate the unique challenges created by ART. Society has a responsibility to ensure that the advances achieved through ART are implemented in a socially responsible manner. PMID:22272208

Establishment of Stable, Cell-Mediated Immunity that Makes "Susceptible" Mice Resistant to Leishmania major

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bretscher, Peter A.; Wei, Guojian; Menon, Juthika N.; Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle

1992-07-01

Cell-mediated, but not antibody-mediated, immune responses protect humans against certain pathogens that produce chronic diseases such as leishmaniasis. Effective vaccination against such pathogens must therefore produce an immunological "imprint" so that stable, cell-mediated immunity is induced in all individuals after natural infection. BALB/c mice "innately susceptible" to Leishmania major produce antibodies after substantial infection. In the present study, "susceptible" mice injected with a small number of parasites mounted a cell-mediated response and acquired resistance to a larger, normally pathogenic, challenge. This vaccination strategy may be applicable in diseases in which protection is dependent on cell-mediated immunity.

Galileo spacecraft integration - International cooperation on a planetary mission in the Shuttle era

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spehalski, R. J.

1983-01-01

The Galileo mission is designed to greatly expand scientific knowledge of Jupiter and its system. The retropropulsion module (RPM) as a major functional element of the Galileo spacecraft is described. The major mission and spacecraft requirements on the RPM are presented. Complexities of the integration process due to the international interface are identified. Challenges associated with integration with new launch vehicles, the Shuttle and upper stage, and their relationships to the RPM are discussed. The results of the integration process involving mission and propulsion performance, reliability, mechanical and thermal interfaces, and safety are described. Finally, considerations and recommendations for future missions involving international cooperation are given.

Animal leptospirosis.

PubMed

Ellis, William A

2015-01-01

Leptospirosis is a global disease of animals, which can have a major economic impact on livestock industries and is an important zoonosis. The current knowledge base is heavily biased towards the developed agricultural economies. The disease situation in the developing economies presents a major challenge as humans and animals frequently live in close association. The severity of disease varies with the infecting serovar and the affected species, but there are many common aspects across the species; for example, the acute phase of infection is mostly sub-clinical and the greatest economic losses arise from chronic infection causing reproductive wastage. The principles of, and tests for, diagnosis, treatment, control and surveillance are applicable across the species.

Collision Avoidance "Short Course" Part III: CA Role in Changing Space Flight Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, Lauri

2017-01-01

Satellite conjunction assessment is perhaps the fastest-growing area in space situational awareness and protection, with military, civil, and commercial satellite owner operators embracing more and more sophisticated processes to avoid the avoidable namely collisions between high-value space assets and orbital debris. NASA and CNES have collaborated to offer an introductory short course on all the major aspects of the conjunction assessment problem. This half-day course will cover satellite conjunction dynamics and theory, JSpOC conjunction data products, major risk assessment parameters and plots, conjunction remediation decision support, and present and future challenges. This briefing represents the NASA portion of the course.

Challenges and Facilitators to Promoting a Healthy Food Environment and Communicating Effectively with Parents to Improve Food Behaviors of School Children.

PubMed

Luesse, Hiershenee B; Paul, Rachel; Gray, Heewon L; Koch, Pamela; Contento, Isobel; Marsick, Victoria

2018-02-14

Background Childhood obesity is a major public health concern and families play an important role. Improving strategies to reach parents and directing tailored nutrition education to them is needed. Purpose To investigate the challenges and facilitators to promoting a healthy environment at home and to identify communication preferences to inform intervention strategies for effectively reaching low-income urban minority families. Procedure Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with four groups involving 16 low-income urban parents (94% female; 88% Hispanic/Latino, 12% African American) of elementary school children. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed applying Social Cognitive Theory and using in-vivo coding. Main Findings The most common barriers to parents providing healthy foods to their children were accommodating child preferences and familial opposition. Parents showed intentionality to engage in healthy behaviors, and often shared procedural knowledge for reaching health goals. The analyses of desired communication channels yielded major preferences: tailored information, information provided through multiple mediums, appropriate duration/frequency of messages, and presented from a voice of authority. Conclusion and Implication While parents expressed desires to be healthy, the home food environment presented substantial challenges. Multi-media supports such as workshops, flyers, and text messaging may be useful to facilitate the sharing of information to minimize the tensions between intentionality and reaching desired goals to be healthy. Some parents thought that information received through text messaging could be easily shared and would act as a voice of authority to support child behavior change.

Evaluation of the efficacy of an autogenous Escherichia coli vaccine in broiler breeders.

PubMed

Li, Lili; Thøfner, Ida; Christensen, Jens Peter; Ronco, Troels; Pedersen, Karl; Olsen, Rikke H

2017-06-01

In poultry production Escherichia coli autogenous vaccines are often used. However, the efficacy of autogenous E. coli vaccinations has not been evaluated experimentally in chickens after start of lay. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of an autogenous E. coli vaccine in broiler breeders. Three groups of 28-week-old broiler breeders (unvaccinated, vaccinated once and twice, respectively) were challenged with a homologous E. coli strain (same strain as included in the vaccine) or a heterologous challenge strain in an experimental ascending model. The clinical outcome was most pronounced in the unvaccinated group; however, the vast majority of chickens in the vaccinated groups had severe pathological manifestations similar to findings in the unvaccinated group after challenge with a homologous as well as a heterologous E. coli strain. Although significant titre rises in IgY antibodies were observed in the twice vaccinated group, antibodies did not confer significant protection in terms of pathological impact. Neither could transfer of maternal-derived antibodies to offspring be demonstrated. In conclusion, with the use of the present model for ascending infection, significant protection of an autogenous E. coli vaccine against neither a homologous nor a heterologous E. coli challenge could not be documented.

Hydrogen storage and fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Di-Jia

2018-01-01

Global warming and future energy supply are two major challenges facing American public today. To overcome such challenges, it is imperative to maximize the existing fuel utilization with new conversion technologies while exploring alternative energy sources with minimal environmental impact. Hydrogen fuel cell represents a next-generation energy-efficient technology in transportation and stationary power productions. In this presentation, a brief overview of the current technology status of on-board hydrogen storage and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell in transportation will be provided. The directions of the future researches in these technological fields, including a recent "big idea" of "H2@Scale" currently developed at the U. S. Department of Energy, will also be discussed.

Temporal reasoning over clinical text: the state of the art

PubMed Central

Sun, Weiyi; Rumshisky, Anna; Uzuner, Ozlem

2013-01-01

Objectives To provide an overview of the problem of temporal reasoning over clinical text and to summarize the state of the art in clinical natural language processing for this task. Target audience This overview targets medical informatics researchers who are unfamiliar with the problems and applications of temporal reasoning over clinical text. Scope We review the major applications of text-based temporal reasoning, describe the challenges for software systems handling temporal information in clinical text, and give an overview of the state of the art. Finally, we present some perspectives on future research directions that emerged during the recent community-wide challenge on text-based temporal reasoning in the clinical domain. PMID:23676245

Transmission expansion with smart switching under demand uncertainty and line failures

DOE PAGES

Schumacher, Kathryn M.; Chen, Richard Li-Yang; Cohn, Amy E. M.

2016-06-07

One of the major challenges in deciding where to build new transmission lines is that there is uncertainty regarding future loads, renewal generation output and equipment failures. We propose a robust optimization model whose transmission expansion solutions ensure that demand can be met over a wide range of conditions. Specifically, we require feasible operation for all loads and renewable generation levels within given ranges, and for all single transmission line failures. Furthermore, we consider transmission switching as an allowable recovery action. This relatively inexpensive method of redirecting power flows improves resiliency, but introduces computational challenges. Lastly, we present a novelmore » algorithm to solve this model. Computational results are discussed.« less

Using Technology to Improve Treatment Outcomes for Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders.

PubMed

Darcy, Alison M; Lock, James

2017-01-01

Dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments are among the biggest challenges facing clinical psychiatry. Developing scalable evidence-based treatments is a major priority and fraught with challenges. This article describes the development of 3 technology-based innovations. It discusses the use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and mobile applications. Three projects are presented: (1) the modification of a MOOC methodology for psychotherapy training clinicians in manualized family-based therapy (FBT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa; (2) a modified MOOC platform for the delivery of FBT; and (3) the development of mobile applications for treatment augmentation and delivery. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Challenges facing an understanding of the nature of low-energy excited states in photosynthesis.

PubMed

Reimers, Jeffrey R; Biczysko, Malgorzata; Bruce, Douglas; Coker, David F; Frankcombe, Terry J; Hashimoto, Hideki; Hauer, Jürgen; Jankowiak, Ryszard; Kramer, Tobias; Linnanto, Juha; Mamedov, Fikret; Müh, Frank; Rätsep, Margus; Renger, Thomas; Styring, Stenbjörn; Wan, Jian; Wang, Zhuan; Wang-Otomo, Zheng-Yu; Weng, Yu-Xiang; Yang, Chunhong; Zhang, Jian-Ping; Freiberg, Arvi; Krausz, Elmars

2016-09-01

While the majority of the photochemical states and pathways related to the biological capture of solar energy are now well understood and provide paradigms for artificial device design, additional low-energy states have been discovered in many systems with obscure origins and significance. However, as low-energy states are naively expected to be critical to function, these observations pose important challenges. A review of known properties of low energy states covering eight photochemical systems, and options for their interpretation, are presented. A concerted experimental and theoretical research strategy is suggested and outlined, this being aimed at providing a fully comprehensive understanding. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Charting a path for health sciences librarians in an integrated information environment.

PubMed

Jones, C J

1993-10-01

Changes in the health information environment present a major challenge to health sciences librarians. To successfully meet this challenge, librarians must apply the concepts of informal, self-directed, lifelong learning to their own carers. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is creating an integrated information environment in health care organizations. The health sciences librarian brings unique knowledge and skills to this environment. The reference technique, a methodology that closely parallels other problem-solving approaches such as the physician's diagnostic technique, equips librarians with the conceptual skills to develop creative solutions to information management problems. Each health sciences librarian must assume responsibility for extending professional skills and abilities and demonstrating them in the workplace.

[Norovirus gastroenteritis in adult].

PubMed

Kanda, Akio

2012-08-01

Noroviruses cause epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis in both children and adults. There is a wide range of genetic diversity among the noroviruses, which are subdivided into genogroups and further classified into genotypes. The onset of illness is typically abrupt and often includes vomiting and diarrhea. Fever is present in approximately half of patients. Although short duration of illness is characteristic, it can be severe and fatal among the patient with underlying illness. RT-PCR is currently the mainstay of diagnosis, but not clinical routine. Infectious dose is relatively low and secondary attack rates are high. Controlling outbreaks of norovirus are major challenges. Norovirus virus-like particle vaccine may provide protection against infection after challenge with a homologous virus.

Architectural Visualization of C/C++ Source Code for Program Comprehension

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

Panas, T; Epperly, T W; Quinlan, D

2006-09-01

Structural and behavioral visualization of large-scale legacy systems to aid program comprehension is still a major challenge. The challenge is even greater when applications are implemented in flexible and expressive languages such as C and C++. In this paper, we consider visualization of static and dynamic aspects of large-scale scientific C/C++ applications. For our investigation, we reuse and integrate specialized analysis and visualization tools. Furthermore, we present a novel layout algorithm that permits a compressive architectural view of a large-scale software system. Our layout is unique in that it allows traditional program visualizations, i.e., graph structures, to be seen inmore » relation to the application's file structure.« less

Review of Electronics Based on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

PubMed

Cao, Yu; Cong, Sen; Cao, Xuan; Wu, Fanqi; Liu, Qingzhou; Amer, Moh R; Zhou, Chongwu

2017-08-14

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are extremely promising materials for building next-generation electronics due to their unique physical and electronic properties. In this article, we will review the research efforts and achievements of SWNTs in three electronic fields, namely analog radio-frequency electronics, digital electronics, and macroelectronics. In each SWNT-based electronic field, we will present the major challenges, the evolutions of the methods to overcome these challenges, and the state-of-the-art of the achievements. At last, we will discuss future directions which could lead to the broad applications of SWNTs. We hope this review could inspire more research on SWNT-based electronics, and accelerate the applications of SWNTs.

Rock climbing: A local-global algorithm to compute minimum energy and minimum free energy pathways.

PubMed

Templeton, Clark; Chen, Szu-Hua; Fathizadeh, Arman; Elber, Ron

2017-10-21

The calculation of minimum energy or minimum free energy paths is an important step in the quantitative and qualitative studies of chemical and physical processes. The computations of these coordinates present a significant challenge and have attracted considerable theoretical and computational interest. Here we present a new local-global approach to study reaction coordinates, based on a gradual optimization of an action. Like other global algorithms, it provides a path between known reactants and products, but it uses a local algorithm to extend the current path in small steps. The local-global approach does not require an initial guess to the path, a major challenge for global pathway finders. Finally, it provides an exact answer (the steepest descent path) at the end of the calculations. Numerical examples are provided for the Mueller potential and for a conformational transition in a solvated ring system.

Directing solar photons to sustainably meet food, energy, and water needs.

PubMed

Gençer, Emre; Miskin, Caleb; Sun, Xingshu; Khan, M Ryyan; Bermel, Peter; Alam, M Ashraf; Agrawal, Rakesh

2017-06-09

As we approach a "Full Earth" of over ten billion people within the next century, unprecedented demands will be placed on food, energy and water (FEW) supplies. The grand challenge before us is to sustainably meet humanity's FEW needs using scarcer resources. To overcome this challenge, we propose the utilization of the entire solar spectrum by redirecting solar photons to maximize FEW production from a given land area. We present novel solar spectrum unbundling FEW systems (SUFEWS), which can meet FEW needs locally while reducing the overall environmental impact of meeting these needs. The ability to meet FEW needs locally is critical, as significant population growth is expected in less-developed areas of the world. The proposed system presents a solution to harness the same amount of solar products (crops, electricity, and purified water) that could otherwise require ~60% more land if SUFEWS were not used-a major step for Full Earth preparedness.

Exploiting the pliability and lateral mobility of Pickering emulsion for enhanced vaccination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Yufei; Wu, Jie; Wei, Wei; Du, Yiqun; Wan, Tao; Ma, Xiaowei; An, Wenqi; Guo, Aiying; Miao, Chunyu; Yue, Hua; Li, Shuoguo; Cao, Xuetao; Su, Zhiguo; Ma, Guanghui

2018-02-01

A major challenge in vaccine formulations is the stimulation of both the humoral and cellular immune response for well-defined antigens with high efficacy and safety. Adjuvant research has focused on developing particulate carriers to model the sizes, shapes and compositions of microbes or diseased cells, but not antigen fluidity and pliability. Here, we develop Pickering emulsions--that is, particle-stabilized emulsions that retain the force-dependent deformability and lateral mobility of presented antigens while displaying high biosafety and antigen-loading capabilities. Compared with solid particles and conventional surfactant-stabilized emulsions, the optimized Pickering emulsions enhance the recruitment, antigen uptake and activation of antigen-presenting cells, potently stimulating both humoral and cellular adaptive responses, and thus increasing the survival of mice upon lethal challenge. The pliability and lateral mobility of antigen-loaded Pickering emulsions may provide a facile, effective, safe and broadly applicable strategy to enhance adaptive immunity against infections and diseases.

Runtime Performance and Virtual Network Control Alternatives in VM-Based High-Fidelity Network Simulations

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

Yoginath, Srikanth B; Perumalla, Kalyan S; Henz, Brian J

2012-01-01

In prior work (Yoginath and Perumalla, 2011; Yoginath, Perumalla and Henz, 2012), the motivation, challenges and issues were articulated in favor of virtual time ordering of Virtual Machines (VMs) in network simulations hosted on multi-core machines. Two major components in the overall virtualization challenge are (1) virtual timeline establishment and scheduling of VMs, and (2) virtualization of inter-VM communication. Here, we extend prior work by presenting scaling results for the first component, with experiment results on up to 128 VMs scheduled in virtual time order on a single 12-core host. We also explore the solution space of design alternatives formore » the second component, and present performance results from a multi-threaded, multi-queue implementation of inter-VM network control for synchronized execution with VM scheduling, incorporated in our NetWarp simulation system.« less

Developing open-source codes for electromagnetic geophysics using industry support

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Key, K.

2017-12-01

Funding for open-source software development in academia often takes the form of grants and fellowships awarded by government bodies and foundations where there is no conflict-of-interest between the funding entity and the free dissemination of the open-source software products. Conversely, funding for open-source projects in the geophysics industry presents challenges to conventional business models where proprietary licensing offers value that is not present in open-source software. Such proprietary constraints make it easier to convince companies to fund academic software development under exclusive software distribution agreements. A major challenge for obtaining commercial funding for open-source projects is to offer a value proposition that overcomes the criticism that such funding is a give-away to the competition. This work draws upon a decade of experience developing open-source electromagnetic geophysics software for the oil, gas and minerals exploration industry, and examines various approaches that have been effective for sustaining industry sponsorship.

Solid Solution Characterization in Metal by Original Tomographic Scanning Microwave Microscopy Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourillot, Eric; Vitry, Pauline; Optasanu, Virgil; Plassard, Cédric; Lacroute, Yvon; Montessin, Tony; Lesniewska, Eric

A general challenge in metallic components is the need for materials research to improve the service lifetime of the structural tanks or tubes subjected to harsh environments or the storage medium for the products. One major problem is the formation of lightest chemical elements bubbles or different chemical association, which can have a significant impact on the mechanical properties and structural stability of materials. The high migration mobility of these light chemical elements in solids presents a challenge for experimental characterization. Here, we present work relating to an original non-destructive, with high spatial resolution, tomographic technique based on Scanning Microwave Microscopy (SMM), which is used to visualize in-depth chemical composition of solid solution of a light chemical element in a metal. The experiments showed the capacity of SMM to detect volume. Measurements realized at different frequencies give access to a tomographic study of the sample.

The Future of Asset Management for Human Space Exploration: Supply Classification and an Integrated Database

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shull, Sarah A.; Gralla, Erica L.; deWeck, Olivier L.; Shishko, Robert

2006-01-01

One of the major logistical challenges in human space exploration is asset management. This paper presents observations on the practice of asset management in support of human space flight to date and discusses a functional-based supply classification and a framework for an integrated database that could be used to improve asset management and logistics for human missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

New Challenges in Developing High School and Post High School Programs in Agricultural Occupations. Conference Report. Resident Instruction Series No. 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New Mexico State Univ., University Park. Coll. of Agriculture and Home Economics.

A special 2-week conference designed to assist nine participating states in developing plans for new educational programs in agricultural occupations was hosted by the New Mexico State University, July 20-31, 1964. Major papers presented to the 35 participants were: (1) Purpose of the Conference, (2) Where We Have Been--and Where We Are Now, (3)…

Young Science Journalism: Writing Popular Scientific Articles May Contribute to an Increase of High-School Students' Interest in the Natural Sciences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simon, Uwe K.; Steindl, Hanna; Larcher, Nicole; Kulac, Helga; Hotter, Annelies

2016-01-01

Far too few high-school students choose subjects from the natural sciences (NaSc) for their majors in many countries. Even fewer study biology, chemistry or physics at university. Those, that do, often lack training to present and discuss scientific results and ideas in texts. To meet these challenges the center for didactics of biology of Graz…

A Systems Analysis and Design Case Study for a Business Modeling Learning Experience for a Capstone CIS/IS Systems Development Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russell, Jack; Russell, Barbara

2015-01-01

The goal is to provide a robust and challenging problem statement for a capstone, advanced systems analysis and design course for CIS/MIS/CS majors. In addition to the problem narrative, a representative solution for much of the business modeling deliverables is presented using the UML paradigm. A structured analysis deliverable will be the topic…

Changes in Psychological Distress among East German Adolescents Facing German Unification: The Role of Commitment to the Old System and of Self-Efficacy Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pinquart, Martin; Silbereisen, Rainer K.; Juang, Linda P.

2004-01-01

Abrupt social change, such as the breakdown of a political system of the former communist states, presents a major adaptive challenge to the individual. The authors analyzed whether commitment to the old political system and high self-efficacy beliefs measured before German unification would predict change in psychological distress in East German…

Antibody tumor penetration: transport opposed by systemic and antigen-mediated clearance.

PubMed

Thurber, Greg M; Schmidt, Michael M; Wittrup, K Dane

2008-09-01

Antibodies have proven to be effective agents in cancer imaging and therapy. One of the major challenges still facing the field is the heterogeneous distribution of these agents in tumors when administered systemically. Large regions of untargeted cells can therefore escape therapy and potentially select for more resistant cells. We present here a summary of theoretical and experimental approaches to analyze and improve antibody penetration in tumor tissue.

A Unique Method of Retention for Gum Stripper- A Case Report

PubMed Central

T.S., Priyanka

2014-01-01

Successful restoration of partially edentulous situations, especially kennedy’s class-I, II &IV requires lot of contemporary and conventional treatment approaches. Semi precision attachments play a major role in retention of clinically challenging partially edentulous situation. Attachment retained partial dentures can be one of the successful treatment option in prosthdontics. This article presents a unique technique of retaining gum stripper using semi precision attachments. PMID:25654046

Nanoscale Advances in Catalysis and Energy Applications

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

Li, Yimin; Somorjai, Gabor A.

2010-05-12

In this perspective, we present an overview of nanoscience applications in catalysis, energy conversion, and energy conservation technologies. We discuss how novel physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials can be applied and engineered to meet the advanced material requirements in the new generation of chemical and energy conversion devices. We highlight some of the latest advances in these nanotechnologies and provide an outlook at the major challenges for further developments.

Surgical management of chest wall trauma.

PubMed

Molnar, Tamas F

2010-11-01

Recent paradigm shift in major trauma profile elevates chest wall injuries among the most important topics of the specialty. Due to mass casualties of terror attacks and asymmetric warfare, civilian and military trauma care challenges thoracic surgery, traumatology, intensive anesthesiology, and related specialties. Contemporary advances of the main issues are systemically presented and discussed, such as soft tissue and bony structure injuries, complex traumas like flail chest, and extensively destroyed chest wall.

Virtual Inertia: Current Trends and Future Directions

DOE PAGES

Tamrakar, Ujjwol; Shrestha, Dipesh; Maharjan, Manisha; ...

2017-06-26

The modern power system is progressing from a synchronous machine-based system towards an inverter-dominated system, with a large-scale penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) like wind and photovoltaics. RES units today represent a major share of the generation, and the traditional approach of integrating themas grid following units can lead to frequency instability. Many researchers have pointed towards using inverters with virtual inertia control algorithms so that they appear as synchronous generators to the grid, maintaining and enhancing system stability. Our paper presents a literature review of the current state-of-the-art of virtual inertia implementation techniques, and explores potential research directionsmore » and challenges. The major virtual inertia topologies are compared and classified. Through literature review and simulations of some selected topologies it has been shown that similar inertial response can be achieved by relating the parameters of these topologies through time constants and inertia constants, although the exact frequency dynamics may vary slightly. The suitability of a topology depends on system control architecture and desired level of detail in replication of the dynamics of synchronous generators. We present a discussion on the challenges and research directions which points out several research needs, especially for systems level integration of virtual inertia systems.« less

Virtual Inertia: Current Trends and Future Directions

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

Tamrakar, Ujjwol; Shrestha, Dipesh; Maharjan, Manisha

The modern power system is progressing from a synchronous machine-based system towards an inverter-dominated system, with a large-scale penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) like wind and photovoltaics. RES units today represent a major share of the generation, and the traditional approach of integrating themas grid following units can lead to frequency instability. Many researchers have pointed towards using inverters with virtual inertia control algorithms so that they appear as synchronous generators to the grid, maintaining and enhancing system stability. Our paper presents a literature review of the current state-of-the-art of virtual inertia implementation techniques, and explores potential research directionsmore » and challenges. The major virtual inertia topologies are compared and classified. Through literature review and simulations of some selected topologies it has been shown that similar inertial response can be achieved by relating the parameters of these topologies through time constants and inertia constants, although the exact frequency dynamics may vary slightly. The suitability of a topology depends on system control architecture and desired level of detail in replication of the dynamics of synchronous generators. We present a discussion on the challenges and research directions which points out several research needs, especially for systems level integration of virtual inertia systems.« less

Harmonisation of Global Land-Use Scenarios for the Period 1500-2100 for IPCC-AR5

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

Hurtt, George; Chini, Louise Parsons; Frolking, Steve

2009-06-01

In preparation for the fifth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change climate change assessment (IPCC-AR5), the international community is developing new advanced computer models (CMs) to address the combined effects of human activities (e.g. land-use and fossil fuel emissions) on the carbon-climate system. In addition, four Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios of the future (2005-2100) are being developed by four Integrated Assessment Modeling teams (IAMs) to be used as input to the CMs for future climate projections. The diversity of requirements and approaches among CMs and IAMs for tracking land-use changes (past, present, and future), presents major challenges for treating land-usemore » comprehensively and consistently between these communities. As part of an international working group, we have been working to meet these challenges by developing a "harmonized" set of land-use change scenarios that smoothly connects gridded historical reconstructions of land-use with future projections, in a format required by CMs. This approach to harmonizing the treatment of land-use between two key modeling communities, CMs and IAMs, represents a major advance that will facilitate more consistent and fuller treatments of land-use/land-use change effects including both CO2 emissions and corresponding land-surface changes.« less

E-waste: a problem or an opportunity? Review of issues, challenges and solutions in Asian countries.

PubMed

Herat, Sunil; Agamuthu, P

2012-11-01

Safe management of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste/WEEE) is becoming a major problem for many countries around the world. In particular, developing countries face a number of issues with the generation, transboundary movement and management of e-waste. It is estimated that the world generates around 20-50 million tonnes of e-waste annually, most of it from Asian countries. Improper handling of e-waste can cause harm to the environment and human health because of its toxic components. Several countries around the world are now struggling to deal with this emerging threat. Although the current emphasis is on end-of-life management of e-waste activities, such as reuse, servicing, remanufacturing, recycling and disposal, upstream reduction of e-waste generation through green design and cleaner production is gaining much attention. Environmentally sound management (ESM) of e-waste in developing countries is absent or very limited. Transboundary movement of e-waste is a major issue throughout the region. Dealing with the informal recycling sector is a complex social and environmental issue. There are significant numbers of such challenges faced by these countries in achieving ESM of e-waste. This article aims to present a review of challenges and issues faced by Asian countries in managing their e-waste in a sustainable way.

Special Report: E-Waste Management in the United States and Public Health Implications.

PubMed

Seeberger, Jessica; Grandhi, Radhika; Kim, Stephani S; Mase, William A; Reponen, Tiina; Ho, Shuk-mei; Chen, Aimin

2016-10-01

Electronic waste (e-waste) generation is increasing worldwide, and its management becomes a significant challenge because of the many toxicants present in electronic devices. The U.S. is a major producer of e-waste, although its management practice and policy regulation are not sufficient to meet the challenge. We reviewed e-waste generation, current management practices and trends, policy challenges, potential health impact, and toxicant exposure prevention in the U.S. A large amount of toxic metals, flame retardants, and other persistent organic pollutants exist in e-waste or can be released from the disposal of e-waste (e.g., landfill, incineration, recycling). Landfill is still a major method used to dispose of obsolete electronic devices, and only about half of the states have initiated a landfill ban for e-waste. Recycling of e-waste is an increasing trend in the past few years. There is potential, however, for workers to be exposed to a mixture of toxicants in e-waste and these exposures should be curtailed. Perspectives and recommendations are provided regarding managing e-waste in the U.S. to protect public health, including enacting federal legislation, discontinuing landfill disposal, protecting workers in recycling facilities from toxicant exposure, reducing toxicant release into the environment, and raising awareness of this growing environmental health issue among the public.

Management experiences and trends for water reuse implementation in Northern California.

PubMed

Bischel, Heather N; Simon, Gregory L; Frisby, Tammy M; Luthy, Richard G

2012-01-03

In 2010, California fell nearly 300,000 acre-ft per year (AFY) short of its goal to recycle 1,000,000 AFY of municipal wastewater. Growth of recycled water in the 48 Northern California counties represented only 20% of the statewide increase in reuse between 2001 and 2009. To evaluate these trends and experiences, major drivers and challenges that influenced the implementation of recycled water programs in Northern California are presented based on a survey of 71 program managers conducted in 2010. Regulatory requirements limiting discharge, cited by 65% of respondents as a driver for program implementation, historically played an important role in motivating many water reuse programs in the region. More recently, pressures from limited water supplies and needs for system reliability are prevalent drivers. Almost half of respondents (49%) cited ecological protection or enhancement goals as drivers for implementation. However, water reuse for direct benefit of natural systems and wildlife habitat represents just 6-7% of total recycling in Northern California and few financial incentives exist for such projects. Economic challenges are the greatest barrier to successful project implementation. In particular, high costs of distribution systems (pipelines) are especially challenging, with $1 to 3 million/mile costs experienced. Negative perceptions of water reuse were cited by only 26% of respondents as major hindrances to implementation of surveyed programs.

Multiscale Simulations of Protein Landscapes: Using Coarse Grained Models as Reference Potentials to Full Explicit Models

PubMed Central

Messer, Benjamin M.; Roca, Maite; Chu, Zhen T.; Vicatos, Spyridon; Kilshtain, Alexandra Vardi; Warshel, Arieh

2009-01-01

Evaluating the free energy landscape of proteins and the corresponding functional aspects presents a major challenge for computer simulation approaches. This challenge is due to the complexity of the landscape and the enormous computer time needed for converging simulations. The use of simplified coarse grained (CG) folding models offers an effective way of sampling the landscape but such a treatment, however, may not give the correct description of the effect of the actual protein residues. A general way around this problem that has been put forward in our early work (Fan et al, Theor Chem Acc (1999) 103:77-80) uses the CG model as a reference potential for free energy calculations of different properties of the explicit model. This method is refined and extended here, focusing on improving the electrostatic treatment and on demonstrating key applications. This application includes: evaluation of changes of folding energy upon mutations, calculations of transition states binding free energies (which are crucial for rational enzyme design), evaluation of catalytic landscape and simulation of the time dependent responses to pH changes. Furthermore, the general potential of our approach in overcoming major challenges in studies of structure function correlation in proteins is discussed. PMID:20052756

Coarse Grained Model for Biological Simulations: Recent Refinements and Validation

PubMed Central

Vicatos, Spyridon; Rychkova, Anna; Mukherjee, Shayantani; Warshel, Arieh

2014-01-01

Exploring the free energy landscape of proteins and modeling the corresponding functional aspects presents a major challenge for computer simulation approaches. This challenge is due to the complexity of the landscape and the enormous computer time needed for converging simulations. The use of various simplified coarse grained (CG) models offers an effective way of sampling the landscape, but most current models are not expected to give a reliable description of protein stability and functional aspects. The main problem is associated with insufficient focus on the electrostatic features of the model. In this respect our recent CG model offers significant advantage as it has been refined while focusing on its electrostatic free energy. Here we review the current state of our model, describing recent refinement, extensions and validation studies while focusing on demonstrating key applications. These include studies of protein stability, extending the model to include membranes and electrolytes and electrodes as well as studies of voltage activated proteins, protein insertion trough the translocon, the action of molecular motors and even the coupling of the stalled ribosome and the translocon. Our example illustrates the general potential of our approach in overcoming major challenges in studies of structure function correlation in proteins and large macromolecular complexes. PMID:25050439

Perceived Challenges in Primary Literature in a Master’s Class: Effects of Experience and Instruction

PubMed Central

Lie, Richard; Abdullah, Christopher; He, Wenliang; Tour, Ella

2016-01-01

Primary literature offers rich opportunities to teach students how to “think like a scientist,” but the challenges students face when they attempt to read research articles are not well understood. Here, we present an analysis of what master’s students perceive as the most challenging aspects of engaging with primary literature. We examined 69 pairs of pre- and postcourse responses from students enrolled in a master’s-level course that offered a structured analysis of primary literature. On the basis of these responses, we identified six categories of challenges. Before instruction, “techniques” and “experimental data” were the most frequently identified categories of challenges. The majority of difficulties students perceived in the primary literature corresponded to Bloom’s lower-order cognitive skills. After instruction, “conclusions” were identified as the most difficult aspect of primary literature, and the frequency of challenges that corresponded to higher-order cognitive skills increased significantly among students who reported less experience with primary literature. These changes are consistent with a more competent perception of the primary literature, in which these students increasingly focus on challenges requiring critical thinking. Students’ difficulties identified here can inform the design of instructional approaches aimed to teach students how to critically read scientific papers. PMID:27909027

A Computational Methodology to Overcome the Challenges Associated With the Search for Specific Enzyme Targets to Develop Drugs Against Leishmania major

PubMed Central

Catharina, Larissa; Lima, Carlyle Ribeiro; Franca, Alexander; Guimarães, Ana Carolina Ramos; Alves-Ferreira, Marcelo; Tuffery, Pierre; Derreumaux, Philippe; Carels, Nicolas

2017-01-01

We present an approach for detecting enzymes that are specific of Leishmania major compared with Homo sapiens and provide targets that may assist research in drug development. This approach is based on traditional techniques of sequence homology comparison by similarity search and Markov modeling; it integrates the characterization of enzymatic functionality, secondary and tertiary protein structures, protein domain architecture, and metabolic environment. From 67 enzymes represented by 42 enzymatic activities classified by AnEnPi (Analogous Enzymes Pipeline) as specific for L major compared with H sapiens, only 40 (23 Enzyme Commission [EC] numbers) could actually be considered as strictly specific of L major and 27 enzymes (19 EC numbers) were disregarded for having ambiguous homologies or analogies with H sapiens. Among the 40 strictly specific enzymes, we identified sterol 24-C-methyltransferase, pyruvate phosphate dikinase, trypanothione synthetase, and RNA-editing ligase as 4 essential enzymes for L major that may serve as targets for drug development. PMID:28638238

A Computational Methodology to Overcome the Challenges Associated With the Search for Specific Enzyme Targets to Develop Drugs Against Leishmania major.

PubMed

Catharina, Larissa; Lima, Carlyle Ribeiro; Franca, Alexander; Guimarães, Ana Carolina Ramos; Alves-Ferreira, Marcelo; Tuffery, Pierre; Derreumaux, Philippe; Carels, Nicolas

2017-01-01

We present an approach for detecting enzymes that are specific of Leishmania major compared with Homo sapiens and provide targets that may assist research in drug development. This approach is based on traditional techniques of sequence homology comparison by similarity search and Markov modeling; it integrates the characterization of enzymatic functionality, secondary and tertiary protein structures, protein domain architecture, and metabolic environment. From 67 enzymes represented by 42 enzymatic activities classified by AnEnPi (Analogous Enzymes Pipeline) as specific for L major compared with H sapiens , only 40 (23 Enzyme Commission [EC] numbers) could actually be considered as strictly specific of L major and 27 enzymes (19 EC numbers) were disregarded for having ambiguous homologies or analogies with H sapiens . Among the 40 strictly specific enzymes, we identified sterol 24-C-methyltransferase, pyruvate phosphate dikinase, trypanothione synthetase, and RNA-editing ligase as 4 essential enzymes for L major that may serve as targets for drug development.

Common Challenges Faced by Women of Color in Physics, and Actions Faculty Can Take to Minimize Those Challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Angela; Ong, Maria; Ko, Lily T.; Smith, Janet; Hodari, Apriel

2017-09-01

Women of color are deeply underrepresented in physics. Between 2002 and 2012, only 1% of graduating physics majors were Black women and another 1% were Latinas; only 61 American Indian women total completed degrees in physics in those years (out of 48,000 physics majors). This isolation can lead to additional obstacles that women of color majoring in physics must face above and beyond the challenging material. In this article we draw on qualitative findings to describe common obstacles women of color face. However, departments can take deliberate steps so that underrepresentation need not turn into loneliness and isolation. We describe the characteristics of a department where women of color report that they are thriving. We end with concrete steps physics faculty can take to support women physics majors of color.

Concise Review: Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Regenerative Medicine: Applications and Challenges

PubMed Central

Chong, Mark Seow Khoon; Ng, Wei Kai

2016-01-01

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are currently being studied as candidate cell sources for revascularization strategies. Significant advances have been made in understanding the biology of EPCs, and preclinical studies have demonstrated the vasculogenic, angiogenic, and beneficial paracrine effects of transplanted EPCs in the treatment of ischemic diseases. Despite these promising results, widespread clinical acceptance of EPCs for clinical therapies remains hampered by several challenges. The present study provides a concise summary of the different EPC populations being studied for ischemic therapies and their known roles in the healing of ischemic tissues. The challenges and issues surrounding the use of EPCs and the current strategies being developed to improve the harvest efficiency and functionality of EPCs for application in regenerative medicine are discussed. Significance Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have immense clinical value for cardiovascular therapies. The present study provides a concise description of the EPC subpopulations being evaluated for clinical applications. The current major lines of investigation involving preclinical and clinical evaluations of EPCs are discussed, and significant gaps limiting the translation of EPCs are highlighted. The present report could be useful for clinicians and clinical researchers with interests in ischemic therapy and for basic scientists working in the related fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. PMID:26956207

Non-invasive systemic drug delivery through mucosal routes.

PubMed

Goyal, Amit K; Singh, Ranjit; Chauhan, Gaurav; Rath, Goutam

2018-04-24

Science of drug delivery has achieved tremendous milestones in the last few decades. Emergence of novel drug delivery techniques and the most popular nanotechnology directed the drug delivery to another level. Without any doubt, present technology holds the proficiency to approach even the intercellular targets. Between all these success auras, there lies wads of giant challenges. One such challenge is delivering the molecule directly to the blood stream. Parenteral route is considered as the most effective route for delivering active pharmaceutical substances, but is associated with major disadvantages of painful drug delivery. Modern drug delivery suggests several approaches to outstrip this painful phenomenon. In the present article, we represent a new systematic vision to understand the ability and desirability of mucosal sites to achieve painless drug delivery. Human mucosa presents supreme proximity to the blood circulation that one can even observe with naked eye. Advances in drug delivery provide numerous approaches to exploit the mucosa for systemic reach. However, the revolutionary success is still unapproachable, with an understandable reason of associated complexities and challenges. This manuscript summarizes the significance of each mucosal site, on the basis of anatomical-physiological grounds. Particular attention is given to rationalize the selection of disease and a suitable drug delivery approach for its treatment.

Psychosocial Interventions for Patients and Caregivers in the Age of New Communication Technologies: Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Care

PubMed Central

BADR, HODA; CARMACK, CINDY L.; DIEFENBACH, MICHAEL A.

2014-01-01

Interactive health communication technologies (IHCTs) present a new opportunity and challenge for cancer control researchers who focus on couple and family-based psychosocial interventions. In this article we first present findings from a systematic review of eight studies that utilized IHCTs in psychosocial interventions with cancer patients and their caregivers. Although this research area is still in its infancy, studies suggest that it is feasible to incorporate IHCTs in such interventions, that IHCTs are generally well-accepted by patients and caregivers, and that the choice of technology is largely dependent on intervention target (i.e., patient, caregiver, or both) and outcomes (e.g., decision-making, symptom management, lifestyle behaviors). A major research gap has been the lack of integration of Web 2.0 technologies (e.g., social media), despite the fact that social support and communication are frequently targeted components of interventions that involve cancer patients and their caregivers. Given this, we next present findings from a qualitative study that we conducted to describe the different needs and preferences of 13 cancer survivors and 12 caregivers with regard to social media use. Finally, we discuss some of the opportunities and challenges of using IHCTs in psychosocial interventions for cancer patients and their caregivers and propose directions for future research. PMID:25629218

Towards Actionable Waterborne and Vector-borne Disease Forecasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaitchik, B. F.

2015-12-01

Numerous studies have shown that remote sensing (RS) and Earth System Models (ESM) can make important contributions to the analysis, monitoring and prediction of waterborne and vector-borne illnesses. Unsurprisingly, however, the great majority of these studies have been proof-of-concept investigations, and vanishingly few have been translated into operational and utilized disease early warning systems. To some extent this is simply an example of the general challenge of translating research findings into decision-relevant operations. Disease early warning, however, entails specific challenges that distinguish it from many other fields of environmental monitoring and prediction. Some of these challenges stem from predictability and data constraints, while others relate to the difficulty of communicating predictions and the particularly high price of false alarms. This presentation will review progress on the translation of analysis to decision making, identify avenues for enhancing forecast utility, and propose priorities for future RS and ESM investments in disease monitoring and prediction.

Changing household responses to drought in Tharaka, Kenya: vulnerability, persistence and challenge.

PubMed

Smucker, Thomas A; Wisner, Ben

2008-06-01

Drought is a recurring challenge to the livelihoods of those living in Tharaka District, Kenya, situated in the semi-arid zone to the east of Mount Kenya, from the lowest slopes of the mountain to the banks of the Tana River. This part of Kenya has been marginal to the economic and political life of Kenya from the colonial period until the present day. A study of more than 30 years of change in how people in Tharaka cope with drought reveals resilience in the face of major macro-level transformations, which include privatisation of landownership, population growth, political decentralisation, increased conflict over natural resources, different market conditions, and environmental shifts. However, the study also shows troubling signs of increased use of drought responses that are incompatible with long-term agrarian livelihoods. Government policy needs to address the challenge of drought under these new macro conditions if sustainable human development is to be achieved.

Challenges, issues and trends in fall detection systems

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Since falls are a major public health problem among older people, the number of systems aimed at detecting them has increased dramatically over recent years. This work presents an extensive literature review of fall detection systems, including comparisons among various kinds of studies. It aims to serve as a reference for both clinicians and biomedical engineers planning or conducting field investigations. Challenges, issues and trends in fall detection have been identified after the reviewing work. The number of studies using context-aware techniques is still increasing but there is a new trend towards the integration of fall detection into smartphones as well as the use of machine learning methods in the detection algorithm. We have also identified challenges regarding performance under real-life conditions, usability, and user acceptance as well as issues related to power consumption, real-time operations, sensing limitations, privacy and record of real-life falls. PMID:23829390

Toward a Social Psychophysics of Face Communication.

PubMed

Jack, Rachael E; Schyns, Philippe G

2017-01-03

As a highly social species, humans are equipped with a powerful tool for social communication-the face. Although seemingly simple, the human face can elicit multiple social perceptions due to the rich variations of its movements, morphology, and complexion. Consequently, identifying precisely what face information elicits different social perceptions is a complex empirical challenge that has largely remained beyond the reach of traditional methods. In the past decade, the emerging field of social psychophysics has developed new methods to address this challenge, with the potential to transfer psychophysical laws of social perception to the digital economy via avatars and social robots. At this exciting juncture, it is timely to review these new methodological developments. In this article, we introduce and review the foundational methodological developments of social psychophysics, present work done in the past decade that has advanced understanding of the face as a tool for social communication, and discuss the major challenges that lie ahead.

What Are the Lived Challenges Experienced by Black Females in a STEM Doctoral Program at a Majority White Institution?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cleare, Sharlane S.

The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges experienced by Black female STEM doctoral students at a Majority White Institution. This study examined how, and to what extent did the Majority White Institution's STEM environment influenced such challenges. The qualitative phenomenological approach to this investigation utilized the lenses of Black Feminist Thought and Critical Race Feminism Theoretical Frameworks as interconnected lenses by which to conceptualize this phenomenon. This study answered the following question: What are the lived challenges experienced by Black female in a STEM doctoral program at a Majority White Institution? Purposeful and snowball sampling were employed to recruit participants for this investigation. Both sampling methods were selected because of their wide use in qualitative investigations, as well as their proven ability to precisely source quality participants (Biernacki, & Waldorf,1981; Palinkas, Horwitz, Green, Wisdom, Duan, & Hoagwood, (2015). Observations, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and focus groups were conducted with eleven (11) Black females STEM doctoral students currently studying at a large Majority White Institution in the Midwest. The findings from this study suggest that this is a phenomenon worthy of considerable attention. Research in the area of Black females in STEM doctoral programs at Majority White Institutions can be further expanded and updated. Therefore, this study will contribute and supplement existing literature on Black females in STEM doctoral programs at Majority White Institutions. Most importantly, the results obtained from this study can assist Majority White Institutions in the development and enhancement of programs and policies specifically geared towards addressing the needs of this underrepresented minority population segment.

Beyond Astro 101: A First Report on Applying Interactive Education Techniques to an Astronphysics Class for Majors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrin, Marshall D.; Ghez, A. M.

2009-05-01

Learner-centered interactive instruction methods now have a proven track record in improving learning in "Astro 101" courses for non-majors, but have rarely been applied to higher-level astronomy courses. Can we hope for similar gains in classes aimed at astrophysics majors, or is the subject matter too fundamentally different for those techniques to apply? We present here an initial report on an updated calculus-based Introduction to Astrophysics class at UCLA that suggests such techniques can indeed result in increased learning for major students. We augmented the traditional blackboard-derivation lectures and challenging weekly problem sets by adding online questions on pre-reading assignments (''just-in-time teaching'') and frequent multiple-choice questions in class ("Think-Pair-Share''). We describe our approach, and present examples of the new Think-Pair-Share questions developed for this more sophisticated material. Our informal observations after one term are that with this approach, students are more engaged and alert, and score higher on exams than typical in previous years. This is anecdotal evidence, not hard data yet, and there is clearly a vast amount of work to be done in this area. But our first impressions strongly encourage us that interactive methods should be able improve the astrophysics major just as they have improved Astro 101.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Food Challenge-proven Non-IgE Cow's Milk Allergy Are Dissipated by Early School Age.

PubMed

Helin, Noora; Kolho, Kaija-Leena; Qvist, Erik; Mäkelä, Mika; Merras-Salmio, Laura

2018-04-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the current well-being and dietary restrictions in children 6 years after food challenge-confirmed diagnosis of non-IgE cow's milk protein allergy, compared to peers with gastrointestinal symptoms but negative food challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic process retrospectively. This is an Internet-based survey for mothers whose children underwent 6 years ago the double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge for cow's milk (CM) because of gastrointestinal symptoms causing suspicion of non-IgE CM protein allergy. Concurrent dietary restrictions, overall well-being, medical history, and retrospective views on the food challenge were queried using a study-specific questionnaire, the Quality of life using PedsQL general score and parental stress with the Parenting Stress Index questionnaire. Mothers of 42 children (23 girls), median age of 6.7 years (range 5.7-8.6), participated in the survey, the response rate was 70%. All children now consumed cow's milk protein. The only food restrictions reported were empirical lactose-free diets in 7 children (17%). One-third of the children in both groups were presently reported to have eating-related issues such as picky eating. Quality of life was good and present parenting stress was average in both groups. The majority of the mothers (87%) felt positive or neutral about the food challenge performed in infancy. The non-IgE CM allergy with gastrointestinal symptoms diagnosed in infancy was a transient condition with good outcome. At an early school age, nearly all children have a good quality of life and a regular diet. The use of the double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge was well-endorsed.

Implications of Anomalous Pectoralis Muscle in Reconstructive Breast Surgery: The Oblique Pectoralis Anterior

PubMed Central

Huber, Katherine Marie; Boyd, Travis Guthrie; Quillo, Amy R; Wilhelmi, Bradon J

2012-01-01

Introduction: Many case reports have described anatomical variants of the pectoralis muscles. However, there is a paucity of published literature on the consequence of such presentations in reconstructive breast surgery. Methods: A 45-year-old female patient with breast cancer presented for left mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with tissue expander. During mastectomy, she was noted to have an extra muscle anterior to her pectoralis major muscle. This variant had not previously been described in the literature and was therefore named the oblique pectoralis anterior. After inspection of the aberrant musculature, the decision was made to release the inferolateral insertion of the accessory muscle with the inferior edge of pectoralis major. An adequate pocket for the expander was created. Results: After routine expansion and implant exchange, muscular coverage of the implant from pectoralis major and the oblique pectoralis anterior muscle approximated 70%. The patient was left with good symmetry and a cosmetic result, despite the challenges presented by her anomalous chest wall musculature. Discussion: Prior knowledge of the various anatomic aberrations described in the literature can prepare a surgeon to properly incorporate and utilize the variant anatomy, should it be encountered, to benefit the outcome of the operation. PMID:22977679

Replacement Behaviors for Identified Functions of Challenging Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matson, Johnny L.; Shoemaker, Mary E.; Sipes, Megan; Horovitz, Max; Worley, Julie A.; Kozlowski, Alison M.

2011-01-01

Functional assessment has become a major feature of learning-based research. A critical element of the majority of these studies includes not only methods and procedures to identify the cause of the challenging behavior, but to establish replacement treatment methods. By far the most common intervention in the 176 studies we reviewed was…

In vivo microrobots for natural orifice transluminal surgery. Current status and future perspectives.

PubMed

Forgione, A

2009-06-01

The possibility to operate inside the peritoneal cavity through small holes performed in hollow organs that is presented by Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) represents a major paradigm shift in general surgery. While this new approach seems very appealing from patients' perspectives because it eliminates completely abdominal wall aggression and promises to reduce postoperative pain, it is very challenging for surgeons because of the major constraints imposed by both the mode of access and the limited technology currently available. For this reason NOTES applications at the present time are performed by only a few surgeons and mainly to perform non-complex procedures. While new devices are under development, many of them are trying mainly to simply improve current endoscopic platforms and seem not to offer breakthrough solutions. The numerous challenges introduced by natural orifice approaches require a radical shift in the conception of new technologies in order to make this emerging operative access safe and reproducible. The convergence of several enabling technologies in the field of miniaturization, communication and micro-mechatronics brings the possibility to realize on a large scale the revolutionary concept of miniature in vivo co-operative robots. These robots provide vision and task assistance without the constraints of the entry incision and have been shown in experimental settings to possess many qualities that could be ideal to partner with Natural Orifice Surgery. This article explores the current status of microrobotics as well as presents potential future scenarios of their applications in NOTES.

Psychiatric and Medical Disorders in the after Math of the Uttarakhand Disaster: Assessment, Approach, and Future Challenges

PubMed Central

Channaveerachari, Naveen Kumar; Raj, Aneel; Joshi, Suvarna; Paramita, Prajna; Somanathan, Revathi; Chandran, Dhanya; Kasi, Sekar; Bangalore, N. Roopesh; Math, Suresh Bada

2015-01-01

Purpose: To present the descriptive data on the frequency of medical and psychiatric morbidity and also to discuss various pertinent issues relevant to the disaster management, the future challenges and psychosocial needs of the 2013 floods in Uttarakhand, India. Materials and Methods: Observation was undertaken by the disaster management team of National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in the worst affected four districts of Uttarakhand. Qualified psychiatrists diagnosed the patients using the International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria. Data were collected by direct observation, interview of the survivors, group sessions, individual key-informant interview, individual session, and group interventions. Results: Patients with physical health problems formed the majority of treatment seekers (39.6%) in this report. Only about 2% had disaster induced psychiatric diagnoses. As was expected, minor mental disorders in the form of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders formed majority of the psychiatric morbidity. Substance use disorders appear to be very highly prevalent in the community; however, we were not able to assess the morbidity systematically. Conclusions: The mental health infrastructure and manpower is abysmally inadequate. There is an urgent need to implement the National Mental Health Program to increase the mental health infrastructure and services in the four major disaster-affected districts. PMID:25969596

Psychiatric and medical disorders in the after math of the uttarakhand disaster: assessment, approach, and future challenges.

PubMed

Channaveerachari, Naveen Kumar; Raj, Aneel; Joshi, Suvarna; Paramita, Prajna; Somanathan, Revathi; Chandran, Dhanya; Kasi, Sekar; Bangalore, N Roopesh; Math, Suresh Bada

2015-01-01

To present the descriptive data on the frequency of medical and psychiatric morbidity and also to discuss various pertinent issues relevant to the disaster management, the future challenges and psychosocial needs of the 2013 floods in Uttarakhand, India. Observation was undertaken by the disaster management team of National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in the worst affected four districts of Uttarakhand. Qualified psychiatrists diagnosed the patients using the International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria. Data were collected by direct observation, interview of the survivors, group sessions, individual key-informant interview, individual session, and group interventions. Patients with physical health problems formed the majority of treatment seekers (39.6%) in this report. Only about 2% had disaster induced psychiatric diagnoses. As was expected, minor mental disorders in the form of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders formed majority of the psychiatric morbidity. Substance use disorders appear to be very highly prevalent in the community; however, we were not able to assess the morbidity systematically. The mental health infrastructure and manpower is abysmally inadequate. There is an urgent need to implement the National Mental Health Program to increase the mental health infrastructure and services in the four major disaster-affected districts.

Tumor dormancy and cell signaling. V. Regrowth of the BCL1 tumor after dormancy is established.

PubMed

Vitetta, E S; Tucker, T F; Racila, E; Huang, Y W; Marches, R; Lane, N; Scheuermann, R H; Street, N E; Watanabe, T; Uhr, J W

1997-06-15

The majority of BALB/c mice immunized with the BCL1 lymphoma-derived idiotype (Id+) IgM and subsequently challenged with BCL1 tumor cells develop a state of tumor dormancy. The vast majority of dormant lymphoma cells are in cell cycle arrest, but there are also residual replicating cells. In the present studies, we attempted to define features of both the dormant lymphoma cells and the host that lead to escape from dormancy. Escape from dormancy occurs at a steady rate over a 2-year period, suggesting that it is a stochastic process. We found that, in the majority of mice, escape was due to the emergence of genetic variants that were no longer susceptible to the anti-Id-mediated induction of dormancy. Ten percent of these variants were Id-; the remainder were Id+ but could grow in the presence of anti-Id antibodies, suggesting that there were mutations in molecules involved in one or more mIg-mediated negative-signaling pathways. In two of five such escapees, alterations in either Syk, HS1, and/or Lyn were observed. In a small percentage of mice, a low titer of circulating anti-Id antibody before tumor challenge correlated with a subsequent, more rapid loss of dormancy.

Bridging the Divide between Neuroprosthetic Design, Tissue Engineering and Neurobiology

PubMed Central

Leach, Jennie B.; Achyuta, Anil Kumar H.; Murthy, Shashi K.

2009-01-01

Neuroprosthetic devices have made a major impact in the treatment of a variety of disorders such as paralysis and stroke. However, a major impediment in the advancement of this technology is the challenge of maintaining device performance during chronic implantation (months to years) due to complex intrinsic host responses such as gliosis or glial scarring. The objective of this review is to bring together research communities in neurobiology, tissue engineering, and neuroprosthetics to address the major obstacles encountered in the translation of neuroprosthetics technology into long-term clinical use. This article draws connections between specific challenges faced by current neuroprosthetics technology and recent advances in the areas of nerve tissue engineering and neurobiology. Within the context of the device–nervous system interface and central nervous system implants, areas of synergistic opportunity are discussed, including platforms to present cells with multiple cues, controlled delivery of bioactive factors, three-dimensional constructs and in vitro models of gliosis and brain injury, nerve regeneration strategies, and neural stem/progenitor cell biology. Finally, recent insights gained from the fields of developmental neurobiology and cancer biology are discussed as examples of exciting new biological knowledge that may provide fresh inspiration toward novel technologies to address the complexities associated with long-term neuroprosthetic device performance. PMID:20161810

Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Hirschfeld, R M

2014-12-01

Patients with bipolar disorder spend approximately half of their lives symptomatic and the majority of that time suffering from symptoms of depression, which complicates the accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Challenges in the differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder are reviewed, and the clinical utility of several screening instruments is evaluated. The estimated lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder (i.e., unipolar depression) is over 3 and one-half times that of bipolar spectrum disorders. The clinical presentation of a major depressive episode in a bipolar disorder patient does not differ substantially from that of a patient with major depressive disorder (unipolar depression). Therefore, it is not surprising that without proper screening and comprehensive evaluation many patients with bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder (unipolar depression). In general, antidepressants have demonstrated little or no efficacy for depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, and treatment guidelines recommend using antidepressants only as an adjunct to mood stabilizers for patients with bipolar disorder. Thus, correct identification of bipolar disorder among patients who present with depression is critical for providing appropriate treatment and improving patient outcomes. Clinical characteristics indicative of bipolar disorder versus major depressive disorder identified in this review are based on group differences and may not apply to each individual patient. The overview of demographic and clinical characteristics provided by this review may help medical professionals distinguish between major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Several validated, easily administered screening instruments are available and can greatly improve the recognition of bipolar disorder in patients with depression. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Educational Leadership: Key Challenges and Ethical Tensions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duignan, Patrick

2007-01-01

"Educational Leadership" is a major research book on contemporary leadership challenges for educational leaders. In this groundbreaking new work, educational leaders in schools, including teachers, are provided with ways of analysing and resolving common but complex leadership challenges. Ethical tensions inherent in these challenges are…

The Constitutionality of the K-12 Funding System in Illinois, Volume I: Legal Issues. MacArthur/Spencer Series Number 3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Franklin, David L.; And Others

This is volume I of a two-volume study of the constitutionality of the K-12 funding system in Illinois. In this volume, seven steps are presented in the issues and outcomes of the major judicial challenges to systems of state aid to public schools. The first chapter looks at the history of state aid litigation up to the time California became the…

Minnesota K-12 Education: The Current Debate, the Present Condition. A Report of the CURA/College of Education Project on the Future of K-12 Public Education in Minnesota.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peek, Thomas R.; And Others

The purpose of this report is to provide an accurate picture of the nature and condition of Minnesota's K-12 public education system and the challenges it faces in the coming years. Section I describes the major concerns about Minnesota education (centering on excellence and student performance, system accountability and responsiveness, and…

Affording shared responsibility for universal coverage: insights from California.

PubMed

Curtis, Rick; Neuschler, Ed

2009-01-01

This paper presents key insights from California's recent experience in developing a plan for universal health coverage with "shared responsibility" among individuals, employers, and governments. A major challenge was finding an acceptable balance among the goals of affordability, equity, and cost to the state. Although reform did not pass, the state's approach-particularly differences from Massachusetts regarding modest-income workers and related employer and public roles-provides important insights for federal reform.

Density functional theory across chemistry, physics and biology.

PubMed

van Mourik, Tanja; Bühl, Michael; Gaigeot, Marie-Pierre

2014-03-13

The past decades have seen density functional theory (DFT) evolve from a rising star in computational quantum chemistry to one of its major players. This Theme Issue, which comes half a century after the publication of the Hohenberg-Kohn theorems that laid the foundations of modern DFT, reviews progress and challenges in present-day DFT research. Rather than trying to be comprehensive, this Theme Issue attempts to give a flavour of selected aspects of DFT.

Securing electronic health records with novel mobile encryption schemes.

PubMed

Weerasinghe, Dasun; Elmufti, Kalid; Rajarajan, Muttukrishnan; Rakocevic, Veselin

2007-01-01

Mobile devices have penetrated the healthcare sector due to their increased functionality, low cost, high reliability and easy-to-use nature. However, in healthcare applications the privacy and security of the transmitted information must be preserved. Therefore applications require a concrete security framework based on long-term security keys, such as the security key that can be found in a mobile Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The wireless nature of communication links in mobile networks presents a major challenge in this respect. This paper presents a novel protocol that will send the information securely while including the access privileges to the authorized recipient.

Automotive sensors: past, present and future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prosser, S. J.

2007-07-01

This paper will provide a review of past, present and future automotive sensors. Today's vehicles have become highly complex sophisticated electronic control systems and the majority of innovations have been solely achieved through electronics and the use of advanced sensors. A range of technologies have been used over the past twenty years including silicon microengineering, thick film, capacitive, variable reluctance, optical and radar. The automotive sensor market continues to grow with respect to vehicle production level in recognition of the transition to electronically controlled electrically actuated systems. The environment for these sensors continues to be increasingly challenging with respect to robustness, reliability, quality and cost.

Neuropathological Assessment as an Endpoint in Clinical Trial Design.

PubMed

Gentleman, Steve; Liu, Alan King Lun

2018-01-01

Different neurodegenerative conditions can have complex, overlapping clinical presentations that make accurate diagnosis during life very challenging. For this reason, confirmation of the clinical diagnosis still requires postmortem verification. This is particularly relevant for clinical trials of novel therapeutics where it is important to ascertain what disease and/or pathology modifying effects the therapeutics have had. Furthermore, it is important to confirm that patients in the trial actually had the correct clinical diagnosis as this will have a major bearing on the interpretation of trial results. Here we present a simple protocol for pathological assessment of neurodegenerative changes.

The development and evaluation of an internal workplace violence risk assessment protocol: one organization's experience.

PubMed

Heitt, Michael C; Tamburo, Melissa Back

2005-01-01

The creation and development of a Risk Assessment Team at a large urban university is presented as a case study, with particular focus on the role the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plays in the multidisciplinary team. The structure of the team and differing roles and responsibilities of members will be discussed. A specific protocol for addressing incidents will be introduced, along with changes in the team ' response over time. Major lessons learned will be presented, as well as the challenges the team faces today, and discussion of areas for future research and evaluation.

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

Park, J.; Ahn, Y.; Tilka, J. A.

Disorder in the potential-energy landscape presents a major obstacle to the more rapid development of semiconductor quantum device technologies. We report a large-magnitude source of disorder, beyond commonly considered unintentional background doping or fixed charge in oxide layers: nanoscale strain fields induced by residual stresses in nanopatterned metal gates. Quantitative analysis of synchrotron coherent hard x-ray nanobeam diffraction patterns reveals gate-induced curvature and strains up to 0.03% in a buried Si quantum well within a Si/SiGe heterostructure. Furthermore, electrode stress presents both challenges to the design of devices and opportunities associated with the lateral manipulation of electronic energy levels.

Learning for Vocation Apprentice Participation in Work Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lyngsnes, Kitt; Rismark, Marit

2011-01-01

The high drop-out rate in upper secondary education is a major challenge to European and US educational programmes. Upper secondary education in Norway faces a similar challenge, because in recent decades, around one-third of the students drop out of the educational programmes. The majority of the drop-outs are students in vocational programmes,…

Families, Schools, and Major Demographic Trends in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crosnoe, Robert; Benner, Aprile D.

2012-01-01

Although long-term social change is challenging to study, it is theoretically important because its effects are not immediate and it is not usually powered by major social institutions. Another challenge is that individuals are often only vaguely aware of long-term social changes and do not fully consider how they might be affected personally. As…

Student Attraction, Persistence and Retention in STEM Programs: Successes and Continuing Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sithole, Alec; Chiyaka, Edward T.; McCarthy, Peter; Mupinga, Davison M.; Bucklein, Brian K.; Kibirige, Joachim

2017-01-01

Low student enrollment and high attrition rates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education are major challenges in higher education. Many STEM entrants end-up switching their majors to non-STEM fields, perform poorly relative to their peers in other programs, and/or drop out of college without earning any academic…

Towards large-scale, human-based, mesoscopic neurotechnologies.

PubMed

Chang, Edward F

2015-04-08

Direct human brain recordings have transformed the scope of neuroscience in the past decade. Progress has relied upon currently available neurophysiological approaches in the context of patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures for medical treatment. While this setting has provided precious opportunities for scientific research, it also has presented significant constraints on the development of new neurotechnologies. A major challenge now is how to achieve high-resolution spatiotemporal neural recordings at a large scale. By narrowing the gap between current approaches, new directions tailored to the mesoscopic (intermediate) scale of resolution may overcome the barriers towards safe and reliable human-based neurotechnology development, with major implications for advancing both basic research and clinical translation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Synthetic biology toward microbial secondary metabolites and pharmaceuticals].

PubMed

Wu, Lin-Zhuan; Hong, Bin

2013-02-01

Microbial secondary metabolites are one of the major sources of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antitumor, anti-virus and immunosuppressive agents for clinical use. Present challenges in microbial pharmaceutical development are the discovery of novel secondary metabolites with significant biological activities, improving the fermentation titers of industrial microbial strains, and production of natural product drugs by re-establishing their biosynthetic pathways in suitable microbial hosts. Synthetic biology, which is developed from systematic biology and metabolic engineering, provides a significant driving force for microbial pharmaceutical development. The review describes the major applications of synthetic biology in novel microbial secondary metabolite discovery, improved production of known secondary metabolites and the production of some natural drugs in genetically modified or reconstructed model microorganisms.

A brief recent history of the epidemiology of congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom.

PubMed

Simms, Ian; Goh, Beng T; French, Patrick; Wallace, Lesley A; Irvine, Neil; Thomas, Daniel Rh; Winter, Andrew J; Lyall, Hermione; Webb, Sharon

2018-01-01

Within a century, congenital syphilis has been reduced from a major cause of morbidity and mortality to a condition rarely seen in the UK. Here, newly-derived literature and information searches were used to create a contemporary overview of the epidemic, including its epidemiology. Although constrained by high-quality healthcare services and with an incidence below the World Health Organization elimination threshold, congenital syphilis still has the potential to cause major consequences for the health and life chances of affected infants. If the complex challenges presented by this preventable disease are to be resolved, intervention strategies need to be optimised, rigorously assessed and extended across Europe.

Radiotherapy and wound healing: principles, management and prospects (review).

PubMed

Gieringer, Matthias; Gosepath, Jan; Naim, Ramin

2011-08-01

Radiation therapy is a major therapeutic modality in the management of cancer patients. Over 60% of these patients receive radiotherapy at some point during their course of treatment and over 90% will develop skin reactions after therapy. Problematic wound healing in radiation-damaged tissue constitutes a major surgical difficulty and despite all efforts, irradiated skin remains a therapeutic challenge. This review provides an overview of the fundamental principles of radiation therapy with regards to the wound healing in normal and irradiated skin. Furthermore, it presents techniques that describe how to prevent and manage skin side effects as well as prospects that may improve cutaneous wound repair in general and in irradiated skin.

Treat the brain and treat the periphery: toward a holistic approach to major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Zheng, Xiao; Zhang, Xueli; Wang, Guangji; Hao, Haiping

2015-05-01

The limited medication for major depressive disorder (MDD) against an ever-rising disease burden presents an urgent need for therapeutic innovations. During recent years, studies looking at the systems regulation of mental health and disease have shown a remarkably powerful control of MDD by systemic signals. Meanwhile, the identification of a host of targets outside the brain opens the way to treat MDD by targeting systemic signals. We examine these emerging findings and consider the implications for current thinking regarding MDD pathogenesis and treatment. We highlight the opportunities and challenges of a periphery-targeting strategy and propose its incorporation into a holistic approach. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Medical education in Albania: Challenges and opportunities.

PubMed

Turkeshi, Eralda

2011-01-01

Albania is a small south-eastern European country still recovering from almost half a century of a fierce communist regime. While major reform and support have focused on healthcare and higher education (HE) in the past decade, there have not been major attempts to improve medical education. The time is now ready for medical education improvements created by increasing internal and external pressures as Albania aims to align its HE with the European Union standards and adapts the Bologna system. This article presents a summary of the current status of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuous medical education in Albania and suggests opportunities for development and partnerships that would help the country's medical education reform.

Collision Avoidance Short Course: Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis - NASA Robotic CARA. Part I: ; Theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hejduk, M. D.; Frigm, Ryan C.

2015-01-01

Satellite conjunction assessment is perhaps the fastest growing area in space situational awareness and protection with military, civil and commercial satellite owner-operators embracing more and more sophisticated processes to avoid the avoidable - namely collisions between high value space assets and orbital debris. NASA and Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) have collaborated to offer an introductory short course on all the major aspects of the conjunctions assessment problem. This half-day course will cover satellite conjunction dynamics and theory. Joint Space Operations Center (JsPOC) conjunction data products, major risk assessment parameters and plots, conjunction remediation decision support, and present and future challenges. This briefing represents the NASA portion of the course.

Structures of membrane proteins

PubMed Central

Vinothkumar, Kutti R.; Henderson, Richard

2010-01-01

In reviewing the structures of membrane proteins determined up to the end of 2009, we present in words and pictures the most informative examples from each family. We group the structures together according to their function and architecture to provide an overview of the major principles and variations on the most common themes. The first structures, determined 20 years ago, were those of naturally abundant proteins with limited conformational variability, and each membrane protein structure determined was a major landmark. With the advent of complete genome sequences and efficient expression systems, there has been an explosion in the rate of membrane protein structure determination, with many classes represented. New structures are published every month and more than 150 unique membrane protein structures have been determined. This review analyses the reasons for this success, discusses the challenges that still lie ahead, and presents a concise summary of the key achievements with illustrated examples selected from each class. PMID:20667175

The Translation of Teachers' Understanding of Gifted Students Into Instructional Strategies for Teaching Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Soonhye; Steve Oliver, J.

2009-08-01

This study examined how instructional challenges presented by gifted students shaped teachers’ instructional strategies. This study is a qualitative research grounded in a social constructivist framework. The participants were three high school science teachers who were teaching identified gifted students in both heterogeneously- and homogeneously-grouped classrooms. Major data sources are classroom observations and interviews. Data analysis indicated that these science teachers developed content-specific teaching strategies based on their understanding of gifted students, including: (a) instructional differentiation, e.g., thematic units, (b) variety in instructional mode and/or students’ products, (c) student grouping strategies and peer tutoring, (d) individualized support, (e) strategies to manage challenging questions, (f) strategies to deal with the perfectionism, and (g) psychologically safe classroom environments.

On Textual Analysis and Machine Learning for Cyberstalking Detection.

PubMed

Frommholz, Ingo; Al-Khateeb, Haider M; Potthast, Martin; Ghasem, Zinnar; Shukla, Mitul; Short, Emma

2016-01-01

Cyber security has become a major concern for users and businesses alike. Cyberstalking and harassment have been identified as a growing anti-social problem. Besides detecting cyberstalking and harassment, there is the need to gather digital evidence, often by the victim. To this end, we provide an overview of and discuss relevant technological means, in particular coming from text analytics as well as machine learning, that are capable to address the above challenges. We present a framework for the detection of text-based cyberstalking and the role and challenges of some core techniques such as author identification, text classification and personalisation. We then discuss PAN, a network and evaluation initiative that focusses on digital text forensics, in particular author identification.

Restricting marketing to children: consensus on policy interventions to address obesity.

PubMed

Raine, Kim D; Lobstein, Tim; Landon, Jane; Kent, Monique Potvin; Pellerin, Suzie; Caulfield, Timothy; Finegood, Diane; Mongeau, Lyne; Neary, Neil; Spence, John C

2013-05-01

Obesity presents major challenges for public health and the evidence is strong. Lessons from tobacco control indicate a need for changing the policy and environments to make healthy choices easier and to create more opportunities for children to achieve healthy weights. In April 2011, the Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention convened a consensus conference on environmental determinants of obesity such as marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children. We examine the political environment, evidence, issues, and challenges of placing restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages within Canada. We recommend a national regulatory system prohibiting commercial marketing of foods and beverages to children and suggest that effective regulations must set minimum standards, monitor compliance, and enact penalties for non-compliance.

Future evolution of distributed systems for smart grid - The challenges and opportunities to using decentralized energy system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konopko, Joanna

2015-12-01

A decentralized energy system is a relatively new approach in the power industry. Decentralized energy systems provide promising opportunities for deploying renewable energy sources locally available as well as for expanding access to clean energy services to remote communities. The electricity system of the future must produce and distribute electricity that is reliable and affordable. To accomplish these goals, both the electricity grid and the existing regulatory system must be smarter. In this paper, the major issues and challenges in distributed systems for smart grid are discussed and future trends are presented. The smart grid technologies and distributed generation systems are explored. A general overview of the comparison of the traditional grid and smart grid is also included.

The politicization of abortion and the evolution of abortion counseling.

PubMed

Joffe, Carole

2013-01-01

The field of abortion counseling originated in the abortion rights movement of the 1970s. During its evolution to the present day, it has faced significant challenges, primarily arising from the increasing politicization and stigmatization of abortion since legalization. Abortion counseling has been affected not only by the imposition of antiabortion statutes, but also by the changing needs of patients who have come of age in a very different era than when this occupation was first developed. One major innovation--head and heart counseling--departs in significant ways from previous conventions of the field and illustrates the complex and changing political meanings of abortion and therefore the challenges to abortion providers in the years following Roe v Wade.

Enhanced ergonomics approaches for product design: a user experience ecosystem perspective and case studies.

PubMed

Xu, Wei

2014-01-01

This paper first discusses the major inefficiencies faced in current human factors and ergonomics (HFE) approaches: (1) delivering an optimal end-to-end user experience (UX) to users of a solution across its solution lifecycle stages; (2) strategically influencing the product business and technology capability roadmaps from a UX perspective and (3) proactively identifying new market opportunities and influencing the platform architecture capabilities on which the UX of end products relies. In response to these challenges, three case studies are presented to demonstrate how enhanced ergonomics design approaches have effectively addressed the challenges faced in current HFE approaches. Then, the enhanced ergonomics design approaches are conceptualised by a user-experience ecosystem (UXE) framework, from a UX ecosystem perspective. Finally, evidence supporting the UXE, the advantage and the formalised process for executing UXE and methodological considerations are discussed. Practitioner Summary: This paper presents enhanced ergonomics approaches to product design via three case studies to effectively address current HFE challenges by leveraging a systematic end-to-end UX approach, UX roadmaps and emerging UX associated with prioritised user needs and usages. Thus, HFE professionals can be more strategic, creative and influential.

The role of advanced sensing in smart cities.

PubMed

Hancke, Gerhard P; Silva, Bruno de Carvalho E; Hancke, Gerhard P

2012-12-27

In a world where resources are scarce and urban areas consume the vast majority of these resources, it is vital to make cities greener and more sustainable. Advanced systems to improve and automate processes within a city will play a leading role in smart cities. From smart design of buildings, which capture rain water for later use, to intelligent control systems, which can monitor infrastructures autonomously, the possible improvements enabled by sensing technologies are immense. Ubiquitous sensing poses numerous challenges, which are of a technological or social nature. This paper presents an overview of the state of the art with regards to sensing in smart cities. Topics include sensing applications in smart cities, sensing platforms and technical challenges associated with these technologies. In an effort to provide a holistic view of how sensing technologies play a role in smart cities, a range of applications and technical challenges associated with these applications are discussed. As some of these applications and technologies belong to different disciplines, the material presented in this paper attempts to bridge these to provide a broad overview, which can be of help to researchers and developers in understanding how advanced sensing can play a role in smart cities.

The Role of Advanced Sensing in Smart Cities

PubMed Central

Hancke, Gerhard P.; de Carvalho e Silva, Bruno; Hancke, Gerhard P.

2013-01-01

In a world where resources are scarce and urban areas consume the vast majority of these resources, it is vital to make cities greener and more sustainable. Advanced systems to improve and automate processes within a city will play a leading role in smart cities. From smart design of buildings, which capture rain water for later use, to intelligent control systems, which can monitor infrastructures autonomously, the possible improvements enabled by sensing technologies are immense. Ubiquitous sensing poses numerous challenges, which are of a technological or social nature. This paper presents an overview of the state of the art with regards to sensing in smart cities. Topics include sensing applications in smart cities, sensing platforms and technical challenges associated with these technologies. In an effort to provide a holistic view of how sensing technologies play a role in smart cities, a range of applications and technical challenges associated with these applications are discussed. As some of these applications and technologies belong to different disciplines, the material presented in this paper attempts to bridge these to provide a broad overview, which can be of help to researchers and developers in understanding how advanced sensing can play a role in smart cities. PMID:23271603

International Year of Planet Earth - Accomplishments, Activities, Challenges and Plans in Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fucugauchi, J. U.; Perez-Cruz, L. L.; Alaniz-Alvarez, S.

2009-12-01

The International Year of Planet Earth started as a joint initiative by UNESCO and IUGS with the participation of several geosciences organizations, and developed into a major international geosciences program for the triennium 2007-2009, with the inclusion and participation of national and regional committees. In this presentation we focus on current activities and plans in our country and the participation in international activities. Mexican community has been part of international programs since the International Geophysical Year, continuing through its participation in other programs, e.g., Upper Mantle, Geodynamics, Lithosphere, IHY, IPY and eGY. IYPE activities have concentrated in publications, OneGeology, radio/TV programs, organization of conferences, meetings and outreach events. A book series on Earth Science Experiments for Children has been edited, with first books published on “Atmospheric Pressure and Free Fall of Objects”, “Light and Colors”, “Standing on Archimedes”, “Foucault and Climate” and “Earth and its Waves “. Books are distributed to schools, with tens of thousand copies distributed nationwide and new editions underway. Other publications include leaflets, books and special El Faro issues (edited by the National University) and articles in other journals. In 2007 the AGU Joint Assembly with international participation from US, Canada, Europe and Latin America was held in Acapulco. Current plans include an electronic open-access journal, additional publications of the Planet Earth series, articles and special issues in journals and magazines, plus events on selected themes from the IYPE science program, particularly on Megacities, Hazards, Resources and Biodiversity. Mexico City metropolitan area, with > 22 million inhabitants presents special challenges, being at high altitude within an active tectonic and volcanic area requiring major efforts in water supply, water control, rains and waste disposal and management. Involvement in international activities includes OneGeology, translation into Spanish of IYPE thematic leaflets and participation in meetings and outreach activities. A major long-lasting legacy of IYPE is the formation of links/partnerships within Latin America and in the international context. Consolidating and expanding cooperation/partnership in research, education and outreach will then be our major challenges. In addition to future plans in different countries and regions, we consider that IYPE should develop long-term initiatives for enhancing international cooperation and ensuring increased effective use by society of the Earth and space sciences.

Treatments for the challenging behaviours of adults with intellectual disabilities.

PubMed

Matson, Johnny L; Neal, Daniene; Kozlowski, Alison M

2012-10-01

To provide an overview and critical assessment of common problems and best evidence practice in treatments for the challenging behaviours (CBs) of adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Commonly observed problems that present obstacles to successful treatment plans are discussed, followed by an analysis of available research on the efficacy of behavioural and pharmacological therapies. Behavioural and pharmacological interventions are most commonly used when addressing CBs in people with IDs. However, within each of these techniques, there are methods that have support in the literature for efficacy and those that do not. As clinicians, it is important to follow research so that we are engaging in best practices when developing treatment plans for CBs. One of the most consuming issues for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who work with people who evince developmental disabilities, such as IDs, are CBs. These problems are very dangerous and are a major impediment to independent, less restrictive living. However, there is a major gap between what researchers show is effective and much of what occurs in real-world settings.

Design and Development of Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 Inhibitors: Challenges and Future Directions.

PubMed

Koeberle, Andreas; Laufer, Stefan A; Werz, Oliver

2016-07-14

Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES)-1 is responsible for the massive prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation during inflammation. Increasing evidence reveals mPGES-1 inhibitors as a safe alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The first selective mPGES-1 inhibitors recently entered clinical trials. Major challenges for drug development have been the high plasma protein binding of lead structures, interspecies discrepancies, nuisance inhibition, sophisticated enzyme assays, and limited structural information about the mPGES-1 inhibitor binding site. Since most of these drawbacks could be solved during the past few years, we are standing at the threshold of a new era of mPGES-1-targeting anti-inflammatory drugs. This perspective introduces mPGES-1 as a key player within the network of eicosanoid biosynthesis and summarizes our current understanding of its structure and mechanism. Moreover, we present high-throughput and in silico screening techniques and discuss the structure-activity relationship and pharmacological potential of major mPGES-1 inhibitor classes in light of recent insights from pharmacophore models and cocrystallization studies.

Decision Making Under Uncertainty and Complexity: A Model-Based Scenario Approach to Supporting Integrated Water Resources Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y.; Gupta, H.; Wagener, T.; Stewart, S.; Mahmoud, M.; Hartmann, H.; Springer, E.

2007-12-01

Some of the most challenging issues facing contemporary water resources management are those typified by complex coupled human-environmental systems with poorly characterized uncertainties. In other words, major decisions regarding water resources have to be made in the face of substantial uncertainty and complexity. It has been suggested that integrated models can be used to coherently assemble information from a broad set of domains, and can therefore serve as an effective means for tackling the complexity of environmental systems. Further, well-conceived scenarios can effectively inform decision making, particularly when high complexity and poorly characterized uncertainties make the problem intractable via traditional uncertainty analysis methods. This presentation discusses the integrated modeling framework adopted by SAHRA, an NSF Science & Technology Center, to investigate stakeholder-driven water sustainability issues within the semi-arid southwestern US. The multi-disciplinary, multi-resolution modeling framework incorporates a formal scenario approach to analyze the impacts of plausible (albeit uncertain) alternative futures to support adaptive management of water resources systems. Some of the major challenges involved in, and lessons learned from, this effort will be discussed.

Educating the next generation of explorers at an historically Black University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaudhury, S.; Rodriguez, W. J.

2003-04-01

This paper describes the development of an innovative undergraduate research training model based at an Historically Black University in the USA that involves students with majors in diverse scientific disciplines in authentic Earth Systems Science research. Educating those who will be the next generation of explorers of earth and space poses several challenges at smaller academic institutions that might lack dedicated resources for this area of study. Over a 5-year span, Norfolk State University has been developing a program that has afforded the opportunity for students majoring in biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering and science education to work collaboratively in teams on research projects that emphasize the use of scientific visualization in studying the environment. Recently, a hands-on component has been added through partnerships with local K-12 school teachers in data collection and reporting for the GLOBE Program (GLobal Observations to Benefit the Environment). The successes and challenges of this program along with some innovative uses of technology to promote inquiry learning will be presented in this paper.

Respiratory medicine in China: progress, challenges, and opportunities.

PubMed

Wang, Chen; Xiao, Fei; Qiao, Renli; Shen, Ying H

2013-06-01

The past century witnessed a rapid development of respiratory medicine in China. The major burden of respiratory disease has shifted from infectious diseases to chronic noninfectious diseases. Great achievements have been made in improving the national standard of clinical management of various respiratory diseases and in smoking control. The specialty of respiratory medicine is expanding into pulmonary and critical care medicine. Nevertheless, respiratory diseases remain a major public health problem, with new challenges such as air pollution and nosocomial infections. This review describes the history, accomplishments, new challenges, and opportunities in respiratory medicine in China.

Management, Analysis, and Visualization of Experimental and Observational Data – The Convergence of Data and Computing

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

Bethel, E. Wes; Greenwald, Martin; Kleese van Dam, Kerstin

Scientific user facilities—particle accelerators, telescopes, colliders, supercomputers, light sources, sequencing facilities, and more—operated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) generate ever increasing volumes of data at unprecedented rates from experiments, observations, and simulations. At the same time there is a growing community of experimentalists that require real-time data analysis feedback, to enable them to steer their complex experimental instruments to optimized scientific outcomes and new discoveries. Recent efforts in DOE-SC have focused on articulating the data-centric challenges and opportunities facing these science communities. Key challenges include difficulties coping with data size, rate, and complexity inmore » the context of both real-time and post-experiment data analysis and interpretation. Solutions will require algorithmic and mathematical advances, as well as hardware and software infrastructures that adequately support data-intensive scientific workloads. This paper presents the summary findings of a workshop held by DOE-SC in September 2015, convened to identify the major challenges and the research that is needed to meet those challenges.« less

Management, Analysis, and Visualization of Experimental and Observational Data -- The Convergence of Data and Computing

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

Bethel, E. Wes; Greenwald, Martin; Kleese van Dam, Kersten

Scientific user facilities---particle accelerators, telescopes, colliders, supercomputers, light sources, sequencing facilities, and more---operated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) generate ever increasing volumes of data at unprecedented rates from experiments, observations, and simulations. At the same time there is a growing community of experimentalists that require real-time data analysis feedback, to enable them to steer their complex experimental instruments to optimized scientific outcomes and new discoveries. Recent efforts in DOE-SC have focused on articulating the data-centric challenges and opportunities facing these science communities. Key challenges include difficulties coping with data size, rate, and complexity inmore » the context of both real-time and post-experiment data analysis and interpretation. Solutions will require algorithmic and mathematical advances, as well as hardware and software infrastructures that adequately support data-intensive scientific workloads. This paper presents the summary findings of a workshop held by DOE-SC in September 2015, convened to identify the major challenges and the research that is needed to meet those challenges.« less

Implementing Multisector Nutrition Programs in Ethiopia and Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities From a Stakeholder Perspective.

PubMed

Kennedy, Eileen; Fekadu, Habtamu; Ghosh, Shibani; Baral, Kedar; Davis, Dale; Sapkota, Diplav; Webb, Patrick

2016-12-01

Effective governance is essential for effective nutrition program implementation. There are additional challenges in launching multisector plans to enhance nutritional status. The present study compares the challenges and opportunities in Ethiopia and Nepal in designing and implementing a multisector plan for nutrition. A semi-quantitative questionnaire with open-ended questions was used to solicit information from senior national-level policy officials and other key stakeholders. The nature of the major nutrition problems in each country was similar; these include malnutrition (particularly stunting), food insecurity, and micronutrient malnutrition. The main challenges identified included the need for more specificity in the roles of agencies/individuals in program implementation, more effective mechanisms for linking national to subnational officials, methods for creating awareness of the plans, and a dedicated line item in the budgets of each agency. The level of enthusiasm was high in both countries. Respondents in both countries highlighted the need to identify a "champion" at the highest level who would keep the momentum for the respective plans alive. © The Author(s) 2016.

Supply Chain Management on IBS Implementation in Klang Valley Construction Industry: Challenges and Issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azrizal Fauzi, Mohd; Hasim, Sulaiman; Awang, Anizah; Ridzuan, Ahmad Ruslan Mohd; Nur Yunus, Juzailah

2017-12-01

Industrialized Building System (IBS) is a system where the components of the building are manufactured in a factory and it will be transported to the site to form the structures. The supply chain management (SCM) is a system where the delivery flows of the IBS products from manufacturers to the site. The aim of this research is to identify the major challenges and to analyze the issues on IBS implementation in SCM in Klang Valley from the manufacturers perspective. The methodology used in this paper is based on primary data through questionnaire and interview. Questionnaires were sent to the Manufacturers. It can be concluded that this paper attempts to present more on the challenges and issues that those companies of manufacturers faced during their success journey in finding integration in their supply chain. The main contributions of this paper are integrating all the supply chain integration challenges and issues on IBS. Therefore, these contributions will be helpful for the organization of manufacturers and IBS players that establish the integration in their SCM.

Implementation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses strategy: challenges and recommendations in Botswana.

PubMed

Mupara, Lucia U; Lubbe, Johanna C

2016-01-01

Under-five mortality has been a major public health challenge from time immemorial. In response to this challenge, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund developed the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy and presented it to the whole world as a key approach to reduce child morbidity and mortality. Botswana started to implement the IMCI strategy in 1998. Reductions in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) have been documented, although the reduction is not on par with the expected Millennium Development Goal 4 predictions. A quantitative study was done to identify the problems IMCI implementers face when tending children under 5 years in the Gaborone Health District of Botswana. The study population was made up of all the IMCI-trained and registered nurses, and systematic sampling was used to randomly select study participants. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The study findings indicated challenges related to low training coverage, health systems, and the unique features of the IMCI strategy. The comprehensive implementation of the IMCI strategy has the potential to significantly influence the U5MR in Botswana.

School Administrator Perceptions of Cyberbullying Facilitators and Barriers to Preventive Action: A Qualitative Study.

PubMed

Young, Rachel; Tully, Melissa; Ramirez, Marizen

2017-06-01

Schools are often held responsible for preventing or addressing cyberbullying, yet little is known about school administrator perceptions of cyberbullying and the challenges they face in addressing this public health issue. The goal of this study is to examine school administrators' perceptions of the facilitators of cyberbullying and barriers to primary and secondary prevention strategies. Public school administrators ( N = 36) participated in in-depth interviews about bullying and discussed their experiences with cyberbullying and their perceptions of cyberbullying facilitators and barriers to prevention. Three main themes arose from the analysis: (1) cyberbullying as a major challenge; (2) facilitators of cyberbullying and barriers to preventive action, including parents and technology; and (3) prevention efforts, including unclear jurisdiction for action, primary versus secondary prevention efforts, and technology attributes that facilitate school response to bullying. Although administrators perceive cyberbullying as a major challenge facing their schools, they are often unsure about appropriate primary and secondary prevention efforts. Relationships with parents and police complicate response and prevention as schools attempt to navigate unclear jurisdiction. Additionally, technology presents a challenge to schools because it is seen as an enabler of cyberbullying, a facilitator of prevention, and a necessary part of education efforts. Lack of research on prevention strategies, parents' knowledge and attitudes, and confusion about responsibility for addressing cyberbullying are barriers to action. Findings suggest administrators could benefit from additional clarity on which strategies are most effective for primary prevention of cyberbullying, and that prevention strategies should proactively involve parents to promote effective collaboration with schools.

Diabetes mellitus: Exploring the challenges in the drug development process.

PubMed

Vaz, Julius A; Patnaik, Ashis

2012-07-01

Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions and continues to be a major burden on society globally. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated the global burden of diabetes to be 366 million in 2011 and predicted that by 2030 this will have risen to 552 million. In spite of newer and effective treatment options, newer delivery and diagnostic devices, stricter glycaemic targets, better treatment guidelines and increased awareness of the disease, baseline glycosylated hemoglobin remains relatively high in subjects diagnosed and treated with type 2 diabetes. The search continues for an ideal anti diabetic drug that will not only normalize blood glucose but also provide beta cell rest and possibly restoration of beta cell function. The development of anti diabetic drugs is riddled with fundamental challenges. The concept of beta cell rest and restoration is yet to be completely understood and proven on a long term. The ideal therapeutic approach to treating type 2 diabetes is not yet determined. Our understanding of drug safety in early clinical development is primarily limited to "Type A" reactions. Until marketing authorization most drugs are approved based on the principle of confirming non-inferiority with an existing gold standard or determining superiority to a placebo. The need to obtain robust pharmaco-economic data prior to marketing authorization in order to determine appropriate pricing of a new drug remains a major challenge. The present review outlines some of the challenges in drug development of anti-diabetic drugs citing examples of pulmonary insulin, insulin analogues, thiazolidinediones and the GLP1 analogues.

Manned spacecraft electrical power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, William E.; Nored, Donald L.

1987-01-01

A brief history of the development of electrical power systems from the earliest manned space flights illustrates a natural trend toward a growth of electrical power requirements and operational lifetimes with each succeeding space program. A review of the design philosophy and development experience associated with the Space Shuttle Orbiter electrical power system is presented, beginning with the state of technology at the conclusion of the Apollo Program. A discussion of prototype, verification, and qualification hardware is included, and several design improvements following the first Orbiter flight are described. The problems encountered, the scientific and engineering approaches used to meet the technological challenges, and the results obtained are stressed. Major technology barriers and their solutions are discussed, and a brief Orbiter flight experience summary of early Space Shuttle missions is included. A description of projected Space Station power requirements and candidate system concepts which could satisfy these anticipated needs is presented. Significant challenges different from Space Shuttle, innovative concepts and ideas, and station growth considerations are discussed. The Phase B Advanced Development hardware program is summarized and a status of Phase B preliminary tradeoff studies is presented.

Distilled single-cell genome sequencing and de novo assembly for sparse microbial communities.

PubMed

Taghavi, Zeinab; Movahedi, Narjes S; Draghici, Sorin; Chitsaz, Hamidreza

2013-10-01

Identification of every single genome present in a microbial sample is an important and challenging task with crucial applications. It is challenging because there are typically millions of cells in a microbial sample, the vast majority of which elude cultivation. The most accurate method to date is exhaustive single-cell sequencing using multiple displacement amplification, which is simply intractable for a large number of cells. However, there is hope for breaking this barrier, as the number of different cell types with distinct genome sequences is usually much smaller than the number of cells. Here, we present a novel divide and conquer method to sequence and de novo assemble all distinct genomes present in a microbial sample with a sequencing cost and computational complexity proportional to the number of genome types, rather than the number of cells. The method is implemented in a tool called Squeezambler. We evaluated Squeezambler on simulated data. The proposed divide and conquer method successfully reduces the cost of sequencing in comparison with the naïve exhaustive approach. Squeezambler and datasets are available at http://compbio.cs.wayne.edu/software/squeezambler/.

Assessment and mitigation of diagnostic-generated electromagnetic interference at the National Ignition Facilitya)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, C. G.; Ayers, J.; Felker, B.; Ferguson, W.; Holder, J. P.; Nagel, S. R.; Piston, K. W.; Simanovskaia, N.; Throop, A. L.; Chung, M.; Hilsabeck, T.

2012-10-01

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is an ever-present challenge at laser facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The major source of EMI at such facilities is laser-target interaction that can generate intense electromagnetic fields within, and outside of, the laser target chamber. In addition, the diagnostics themselves can be a source of EMI, even interfering with themselves. In this paper we describe EMI generated by ARIANE and DIXI, present measurements, and discuss effects of the diagnostic-generated EMI on ARIANE's CCD and on a PMT nearby DIXI. Finally we present some of the efforts we have made to mitigate the effects of diagnostic-generated EMI on NIF diagnostics.

Oncological image analysis.

PubMed

Brady, Sir Michael; Highnam, Ralph; Irving, Benjamin; Schnabel, Julia A

2016-10-01

Cancer is one of the world's major healthcare challenges and, as such, an important application of medical image analysis. After a brief introduction to cancer, we summarise some of the major developments in oncological image analysis over the past 20 years, but concentrating those in the authors' laboratories, and then outline opportunities and challenges for the next decade. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Completion of a Full Course of Primary Schooling among All Children Everywhere by 2015: A Case of Sub-Saharan Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wamala, Robert

2013-01-01

Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) remains a major challenge, particularly in developing countries. Specifically, achieving the target of completing a full course of primary schooling among all children, which is goal two, is a major challenge for Sub-Saharan Africa. Though literature consensually suggests that the…

Clicking to Learn: A Case Study of Embedding Radio-Frequency Based Clickers in an Introductory Management Information Systems Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Matthew L.; Hauck, Roslin V.

2008-01-01

The challenges associated with teaching a core introductory management information systems (MIS) course are well known (large class sizes serving a majority of non-MIS majors, sustaining student interests, encouraging class participation, etc.). This study offers a mechanism towards managing these challenges through the use of a simple and…

Management of epilepsy during pregnancy: an update

PubMed Central

Patel, Sima I.; Pennell, Page B.

2015-01-01

The clinical management of women with epilepsy on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy presents unique challenges. The goal of treatment is optimal seizure control with minimal in utero fetal exposure to AEDs in an effort to reduce the risk of structural and neurodevelopmental teratogenic effects. This paper reviews the following key issues pertaining to women with epilepsy during pregnancy: AED pharmacokinetics; clinical management of AEDs; seizure frequency; major congenital malformation; neurodevelopmental outcomes; perinatal complications; and breast feeding. PMID:27006699

Critical Issues--and Therefore Opportunities--for Community Colleges. Presentation to Congressman Major R. Owens, Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, and to the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Progressive Challenge (Washington, DC, July 27, 1999).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mellander, Gustavo A.; Mellander, Nelly

This document discusses the following critical issues in community college education: (1) computers and technology, (2) faculty retirements and the boomlets, (3) adjunct teachers, and (4) societal problems, including people being left behind. A digital divide has arisen in America and a national agenda is needed that will fully train all adults in…

Fire suppression in human-crew spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedman, Robert; Dietrich, Daniel L.

1991-01-01

Fire extinguishment agents range from water and foam in early-design spacecraft (Halon 1301 in the present Shuttle) to carbon dioxide proposed for the Space Station Freedom. The major challenge to spacecraft fire extinguishment design and operations is from the micro-gravity environment, which minimizes natural convection and profoundly influences combustion and extinguishing agent effectiveness, dispersal, and post-fire cleanup. Discussed here are extinguishment in microgravity, fire-suppression problems anticipated in future spacecraft, and research needs and opportunities.

Review of the Burden of Esophageal Cancer in Malaysia.

PubMed

Siti-Azrin, Ab Hamid; Wan-Nor-Asyikeen, Wan Adnan; Norsa'adah, Bachok

2016-01-01

Esophageal cancer is one of the top leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Malaysia. To date, neither the prevalence nor incidence of esophageal cancer nationally have been recorded. Esophageal cancer remains a major and lethal health problem even if it is not common in Malaysia. The late presentation of esophageal cancer makes it a difficult and challenging medical problem. Therefore, more governmental and non-governmental organizations of Malaysia should emphasize primary and secondary prevention strategies.

Protein Bioinformatics Databases and Resources

PubMed Central

Chen, Chuming; Huang, Hongzhan; Wu, Cathy H.

2017-01-01

Many publicly available data repositories and resources have been developed to support protein related information management, data-driven hypothesis generation and biological knowledge discovery. To help researchers quickly find the appropriate protein related informatics resources, we present a comprehensive review (with categorization and description) of major protein bioinformatics databases in this chapter. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities for developing next-generation protein bioinformatics databases and resources to support data integration and data analytics in the Big Data era. PMID:28150231

Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: Current Insights in Diagnosis and Treatment

PubMed Central

Matthyssens, Lucas E.; Creytens, David; Ceelen, Wim P.

2015-01-01

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLS) is a rare, biologically heterogeneous tumor that present considerable challenges due to its size and deep location. As a consequence, the majority of patients with high-grade RLS will develop locally recurrent disease following surgery, and this constitutes the cause of death in most patients. Here, we review current insights and controversies regarding histology, molecular biology, extent of surgery, (neo)adjuvant treatment, and systemic treatment including novel targeted agents in RLS. PMID:25713799

Evaluation of introduction scenarios for a broadband access network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bocker, Geert-Jan; Cuthbert, Laurie; Gobbi, Roberta; Inch, Robert; Sara, Lini

1995-02-01

The provision of broadband services at a reasonable cost to residential and small business customers is one of the major challenges facing operators. The introduction of cost-effective systems considering the existing infrastructure is an important study. Within the RACE project 2024 Broadband Access Facilities, the economic and evolution aspects of different introduction scenarios of a broadband access system suitable for providing these services are investigated. This paper presents the final results of this study.

Cystic fibrosis modifier genes.

PubMed Central

Davies, Jane; Alton, Eric; Griesenbach, Uta

2005-01-01

Since the recognition that CFTR genotype was not a good predictor of pulmonary disease severity in CF, several candidate modifier genes have been identified. It is unlikely that a single modifier gene will be found, but more probable that several haplotypes in combination may contribute, which in itself presents a major methodological challenge. The aims of such studies are to increase our understanding of disease pathogenesis, to aid prognosis and ultimately to lead to the development of novel treatments. PMID:16025767

Challenges Facing ZnO and GaN: Facts and Myths. Held in Glen Allen, Virginia on 18-19 October 2007

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-01

115 4 VIII.4.3.1. Improving dopant solubility........................................................... 115 VIII.4.3.2. Designing shallow defect...possible (e.g., ZnMgO grown at AFRL-Hanscom). intentional doping •Boron and aluminum only suspected n-type dopants detected (red) •Nitrogen...and sodium as only possible p-type dopants detected (blue) •The major impurity consistently present is silicon (from the quartz ampoule) •Elements

Primary breast tuberculosis: diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas.

PubMed

Hiremath, Bharati V; Subramaniam, Narayana

2015-01-01

To review the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with treating isolated primary breast tuberculosis through discussion of our series of seven cases. Although breast is an uncommon site of occurrence of tuberculosis and isolated primary breast tuberculosis is an even rarer entity, its importance lies in distinguishing it from more common pathologies like abscesses or malignancy and avoiding unnecessary erroneous surgical intervention. The spectrum and presentation is wide and varied and we present our experience in managing seven such cases. A retrospective analysis of all the cases of histopathologically proven primary breast tuberculosis in the last three years at M.S. Ramaiah Hospital (2012-2014) was done. Analysis was in terms of mode of presentation, clinical features, diagnostic modalities used for evaluation and confirmation of the diagnosis, medical treatment and surgical intervention, if any. Special emphasis was placed on dilemmas in diagnosis and difficulties encountered during treatment. All cases were followed up till cure. Patients most commonly presented with a breast abscess, painful breast lumps and recurrent abscesses. Other foci of tuberculosis were ruled out in all of these patients. Majority were treated exclusively with anti-tubercular therapy (although regimens varied), but those with abscesses underwent incision and drainage. All cases were treated and followed up till cure. The challenges associated with primary breast tuberculosis are multiple, including which anti-tubercular therapy regimen to use, when to surgically intervene (as the breast is a cosmetically important area) and treating atypical mycobacteria. We provide a detailed discussion of the challenges we faced and review of literature.

Plastid biotechnology for crop production: present status and future perspectives

PubMed Central

Daniell, Henry

2012-01-01

The world population is expected to reach an estimated 9.2 billion by 2050. Therefore, food production globally has to increase by 70% in order to feed the world, while total arable land, which has reached its maximal utilization, may even decrease. Moreover, climate change adds yet another challenge to global food security. In order to feed the world in 2050, biotechnological advances in modern agriculture are essential. Plant genetic engineering, which has created a new wave of global crop production after the first green revolution, will continue to play an important role in modern agriculture to meet these challenges. Plastid genetic engineering, with several unique advantages including transgene containment, has made significant progress in the last two decades in various biotechnology applications including development of crops with high levels of resistance to insects, bacterial, fungal and viral diseases, different types of herbicides, drought, salt and cold tolerance, cytoplasmic male sterility, metabolic engineering, phytoremediation of toxic metals and production of many vaccine antigens, biopharmaceuticals and biofuels. However, useful traits should be engineered via chloroplast genomes of several major crops. This review provides insight into the current state of the art of plastid engineering in relation to agricultural production, especially for engineering agronomic traits. Understanding the bottleneck of this technology and challenges for improvement of major crops in a changing climate are discussed. PMID:21437683

Cross-protective effect of a combined L5 plus L3 Leishmania major ribosomal protein based vaccine combined with a Th1 adjuvant in murine cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Two Leishmania major ribosomal proteins L3 (LmL3) and L5 (LmL5) have been described as protective molecules against cutaneous leishmaniasis due to infection with L. major and Leishmania braziliensis in BALB/c mice when immunized with a Th1 adjuvant (non-methylated CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides; CpG-ODN). In the present study we analyzed the cross-protective efficacy of an LmL3-LmL5-CpG ODN combined vaccine against infection with Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi (syn. Leishmania infantum) the etiologic agents of different clinical forms of human leishmaniasis in South America. Methods The combined vaccine was administered subcutaneously to BALB/c mice. After immunization the cellular and humoral responses elicited were analyzed. Mice were independently challenged with L. amazonensis and L. chagasi. The size of the cutaneous lesions caused by the infection with the first species, the parasite loads and the immune response in both infection models were analyzed nine weeks after challenge. Results Mice vaccinated with the combined vaccine showed a Th1-like response against LmL3 and LmL5. Vaccinated mice were able to delay lesion development due to L. amazonensis infection and to control parasite loads in the site of infection. A reduction of the parasite burden in the lymph nodes draining the site of infection and in the liver and spleen was observed in the vaccinated mice after a subcutaneous infection with L. chagasi. In both models of infection, protection was correlated to parasite antigen-specific production of IFN-γ and down-regulation of parasite-mediated IL-4 and IL-10 responses. Conclusions The data presented here demonstrate the potential use of L. major L3 and L5 recombinant ribosomal proteins for the development of vaccines against various Leishmania species. PMID:24382098

Cross-protective effect of a combined L5 plus L3 Leishmania major ribosomal protein based vaccine combined with a Th1 adjuvant in murine cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.

PubMed

Ramirez, Laura; Corvo, Laura; Duarte, Mariana C; Chávez-Fumagalli, Miguel A; Valadares, Diogo G; Santos, Diego M; de Oliveira, Camila I; Escutia, Marta R; Alonso, Carlos; Bonay, Pedro; Tavares, Carlos A P; Coelho, Eduardo A F; Soto, Manuel

2014-01-02

Two Leishmania major ribosomal proteins L3 (LmL3) and L5 (LmL5) have been described as protective molecules against cutaneous leishmaniasis due to infection with L. major and Leishmania braziliensis in BALB/c mice when immunized with a Th1 adjuvant (non-methylated CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides; CpG-ODN). In the present study we analyzed the cross-protective efficacy of an LmL3-LmL5-CpG ODN combined vaccine against infection with Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi (syn. Leishmania infantum) the etiologic agents of different clinical forms of human leishmaniasis in South America. The combined vaccine was administered subcutaneously to BALB/c mice. After immunization the cellular and humoral responses elicited were analyzed. Mice were independently challenged with L. amazonensis and L. chagasi. The size of the cutaneous lesions caused by the infection with the first species, the parasite loads and the immune response in both infection models were analyzed nine weeks after challenge. Mice vaccinated with the combined vaccine showed a Th1-like response against LmL3 and LmL5. Vaccinated mice were able to delay lesion development due to L. amazonensis infection and to control parasite loads in the site of infection. A reduction of the parasite burden in the lymph nodes draining the site of infection and in the liver and spleen was observed in the vaccinated mice after a subcutaneous infection with L. chagasi. In both models of infection, protection was correlated to parasite antigen-specific production of IFN-γ and down-regulation of parasite-mediated IL-4 and IL-10 responses. The data presented here demonstrate the potential use of L. major L3 and L5 recombinant ribosomal proteins for the development of vaccines against various Leishmania species.

Large prospective birth cohort studies on environmental contaminants and child health - goals, challenges, limitations and needs.

PubMed

Luo, Zhong-Cheng; Liu, Jian-Meng; Fraser, William D

2010-02-01

The adverse health effects of environmental contaminants (ECs) are a rising public health concern, and a major threat to sustainable socioeconomic development. The developing fetuses and growing children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of ECs. However, assessing the health impact of ECs presents a major challenge, given that multiple outcomes may arise from one exposure, multiple exposures may result in one outcome, and the complex interactions between ECs, and between ECs, nutrients and genetic factors, and the dynamic temporal changes in EC exposures during the life course. Large-scale prospective birth cohort studies collecting extensive data and specimen starting from the prenatal or pre-conception period, although costly, hold promise as a means to more clearly quantify the health effects of ECs, and to unravel the complex interactions between ECs, nutrients and genotypes. A number of such large-scale studies have been launched in some developed counties. We present an overview of "why", "what" and "how" behind these efforts with an objective to uncover major unidentified limitations and needs. Three major limitations were identified: (1) limited data and bio-specimens regarding early life EC exposure assessments in some birth cohort studies; (2) heavy participant burdens in some birth cohort studies may bias participant recruitment, and risk substantial loss to follow-up, protocol deviations limiting the quality of data and specimens collection, with an overall potential bias towards the null effect; (3) lack of concerted efforts in building comparable birth cohorts across countries to take advantage of natural "experiments" (large EC exposure level differences between countries) for more in-depth assessments of dose-response relationships, threshold exposure levels, and positive and negative effect modifiers. Addressing these concerns in current or future large-scale birth cohort studies may help to produce better evidence on the health effects of ECs.

Developing leaders: implementation of a peer advising program for a public health sciences undergraduate program.

PubMed

Griffin, Megan; DiFulvio, Gloria T; Gerber, Daniel Shea

2014-01-01

Peer advising is an integral part of our undergraduate advising system in the Public Health Sciences major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The program was developed in 2009 to address the advising needs of a rapidly growing major that went from 25 to over 530 majors between 2007 and 2014. Each year, 9-12 top performing upper-level students are chosen through an intensive application process. A major goal of the program is to provide curriculum and career guidance to students in the major and empower students in their academic and professional pursuits. The year-long program involves several components, including: staffing the drop-in advising center, attending training seminars, developing and presenting workshops for students, meeting prospective students and families, evaluating ways to improve the program, and collaborating on self-directed projects. The peer advisors (PAs) also provide program staff insight into the needs and perspectives of students in the major. In turn, PAs gain valuable leadership and communication skills, and learn strategies for improving student success. The Peer Advising Program builds community and fosters personal and professional development for the PAs. In this paper, we will discuss the undergraduate peer advising model, the benefits and challenges of the program, and lessons learned. Several methods were used to understand the perceived benefits and challenges of the program and experiences of students who utilized the Peer Advising Center. The data for this evaluation were drawn from three sources: (1) archival records from the Peer Advising Center; (2) feedback from PAs who completed the year-long internship; and (3) a survey of students who utilized the Peer Advising Center. Results of this preliminary evaluation indicate that PAs gain valuable skills that they can carry into their professional world. The program is also a way to engage students in building community within the major.

Directing solar photons to sustainably meet food, energy, and water needs

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

Gencer, Emre; Miskin, Caleb; Sun, Xingshu

As we approach a “Full Earth” of over ten billion people within the next century, unprecedented demands will be placed on food, energy and water (FEW) supplies. The grand challenge before us is to sustainably meet humanity’s FEW needs using scarcer resources. To overcome this challenge, we propose the utilization of the entire solar spectrum by redirecting solar photons to maximize FEW production from a given land area. We present novel solar spectrum unbundling FEW systems (SUFEWS), which can meet FEW needs locally while reducing the overall environmental impact of meeting these needs. The ability to meet FEW needs locallymore » is critical, as significant population growth is expected in less-developed areas of the world. As a result, the proposed system presents a solution to harness the same amount of solar products (crops, electricity, and purified water) that could otherwise require ~60% more land if SUFEWS were not used—a major step for Full Earth preparedness.« less

Challenges and future in vaccines, drug development, and immunomodulatory therapy.

PubMed

Kling, Heather M; Nau, Gerard J; Ross, Ted M; Evans, Thomas G; Chakraborty, Krishnendu; Empey, Kerry M; Flynn, JoAnne L

2014-08-01

Pulmonary diseases and infections are among the top contributors to human morbidity and mortality worldwide, and despite the successful history of vaccines and antimicrobial therapeutics, infectious disease still presents a significant threat to human health. Effective vaccines are frequently unavailable in developing countries, and successful vaccines have yet to be developed for major global maladies, such as tuberculosis. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance poses a growing threat to human health. The "Challenges and Future in Vaccines, Drug Development, and Immunomodulatory Therapy" session of the 2013 Pittsburgh International Lung Conference highlighted several recent and current studies related to treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, highly pathogenic influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and tuberculosis. Research presented here focused on novel antimicrobial therapies, new vaccines that are either in development or currently in clinical trials, and the potential for immunomodulatory therapies. These studies are making important contributions to the areas of microbiology, virology, and immunology related to pulmonary diseases and infections and are paving the way for improvements in the efficacy of vaccines and antimicrobials.

Challenges to modeling the Sun-Earth System: A Workshop Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spann, James F.

2006-01-01

This special issue of the Journal of' Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics is a compilation of 23 papers presented at The 2004 Huntsville Modeling Workshop: Challenges to Modeling thc San-Earth System held in Huntsville, AB on October 18-22, 2004. The title of the workshop appropriately captures the theme of what was presented and discussed by the 120 participants. Currently, end-to-end modeling of the Sun-Earth system is a major goal of the National Space Weather and NASA living with a star (LWS) programs. While profound advances have been made in modeling isolated regions of the Sun-Earth system, minimal progress has been achieved in modeling the end-to-end system. The transfer of mass, energy and momentum through the coupled Sun-Earth system spans a wide range of scales inn time and space. The uncertainty in the underlying physics responsible for coupling contiguous regions of the Sun-Earth system is recognized as a significant barrier to progress

A Perpendicular Biased 2nd Harmonic Cavity for the Fermilab Booster

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

Tan, C. Y.; Dey, J.; Madrak, R. L.

2015-07-13

A perpendicular biased 2nd harmonic cavity is currently being designed for the Fermilab Booster. Its purpose cavity is to flatten the bucket at injection and thus change the longitudinal beam distribution so that space charge effects are decreased. It can also with transition crossing. The reason for the choice of perpendicular biasing over parallel biasing is that the Q of the cavity is much higher and thus allows the accelerating voltage to be a factor of two higher than a similar parallel biased cavity. This cavity will also provide a higher accelerating voltage per meter than the present folded transmissionmore » line cavity. However, this type of cavity presents technical challenges that need to be addressed. The two major issues are cooling of the garnet material from the effects of the RF and the cavity itself from eddy current heating because of the 15 Hz bias field ramp. This paper will address the technical challenge of preventing the garnet from overheating.« less

[How patient safety programmes can be successfully implemented - an example from Switzerland].

PubMed

Kobler, Irene; Mascherek, Anna; Bezzola, Paula

2015-01-01

Internationally, the implementation of patient safety programmes poses a major challenge. In the first part, we will demonstrate that various measures have been found to be effective in the literature but that they often do not reach the patient because their implementation proves difficult. Difficulties arise from both the complexity of the interventions themselves and from different organisational settings in individual hospitals. The second part specifically describes the implementation of patient safety improvement programmes in Switzerland and discusses measures intended to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of implementation in Switzerland. Then, the national pilot programme to improve patient safety in surgery is presented, which was launched by the federal Swiss government and has been implemented by the patient safety foundation. Procedures, challenges and highlights in implementing the programme in Switzerland on a national level are outlined. Finally, first (preliminary) results are presented and critically discussed. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Fabrication and Test of Large Area Spider-Web Bolometers for CMB Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biasotti, M.; Ceriale, V.; Corsini, D.; De Gerone, M.; Gatti, F.; Orlando, A.; Pizzigoni, G.

2016-08-01

Detecting the primordial 'B-mode' polarization of the cosmic microwave background is one of the major challenges of modern observational cosmology. Microwave telescopes need sensitive cryogenic bolometers with an overall equivalent noise temperature in the nK range. In this paper, we present the development status of large area (about 1 cm2) spider-web bolometer, which imply additional fabrication challenges. The spider-web is a suspended Si3N4 1 \\upmu m-thick and 8-mm diameter with mesh size of 250 \\upmu m. The thermal sensitive element is a superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) at the center of the bolometer. The first prototype is a Ti-Au TES with transition temperature tuned around 350 mK, new devices will be a Mo-Au bilayer tuned to have a transition temperature of 500 mK. We present the fabrication process with micro-machining techniques from silicon wafer covered with SiO2 - Si3N4 CVD films, 0.3 and 1 \\upmu m- thick, respectively, and preliminary tests.

Complex temporal topic evolution modelling using the Kullback-Leibler divergence and the Bhattacharyya distance.

PubMed

Andrei, Victor; Arandjelović, Ognjen

2016-12-01

The rapidly expanding corpus of medical research literature presents major challenges in the understanding of previous work, the extraction of maximum information from collected data, and the identification of promising research directions. We present a case for the use of advanced machine learning techniques as an aide in this task and introduce a novel methodology that is shown to be capable of extracting meaningful information from large longitudinal corpora and of tracking complex temporal changes within it. Our framework is based on (i) the discretization of time into epochs, (ii) epoch-wise topic discovery using a hierarchical Dirichlet process-based model, and (iii) a temporal similarity graph which allows for the modelling of complex topic changes. More specifically, this is the first work that discusses and distinguishes between two groups of particularly challenging topic evolution phenomena: topic splitting and speciation and topic convergence and merging, in addition to the more widely recognized emergence and disappearance and gradual evolution. The proposed framework is evaluated on a public medical literature corpus.

A Thin Film Multifunction Sensor for Harsh Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wrbanek, John D.; Fralick, Gustave C.; Martin, Lisa C.; Blaha, Charles A.

2001-01-01

The status of work at NASA Glenn Research Center to develop a minimally intrusive integrated sensor to provide realtime measurement of strain, heat flux and flow in high temperature environments is presented in this paper. The sensor can be beneficial as a single package to characterize multiple stress and strain modes simultaneously on materials and components during engine development and validation. A major technical challenge is to take existing individual gauge designs and modify them into one integrated thin film sensor. Ultimately, the goal is to develop the ability to deposit the sensors directly onto internal engine parts or on a small thin substrate that can be attached to engine components. Several prototype sensors constructed of platinum, platinum-rhodium alloy, and alumina on constant-strain alumina beams have been built and bench-tested. The technical challenges of the design. construction, and testing are discussed. Data from the preliminary testing of the sensor array is presented. The future direction for the sensor development is discussed as well.

Directing solar photons to sustainably meet food, energy, and water needs

DOE PAGES

Gencer, Emre; Miskin, Caleb; Sun, Xingshu; ...

2017-06-09

As we approach a “Full Earth” of over ten billion people within the next century, unprecedented demands will be placed on food, energy and water (FEW) supplies. The grand challenge before us is to sustainably meet humanity’s FEW needs using scarcer resources. To overcome this challenge, we propose the utilization of the entire solar spectrum by redirecting solar photons to maximize FEW production from a given land area. We present novel solar spectrum unbundling FEW systems (SUFEWS), which can meet FEW needs locally while reducing the overall environmental impact of meeting these needs. The ability to meet FEW needs locallymore » is critical, as significant population growth is expected in less-developed areas of the world. As a result, the proposed system presents a solution to harness the same amount of solar products (crops, electricity, and purified water) that could otherwise require ~60% more land if SUFEWS were not used—a major step for Full Earth preparedness.« less

Snow Leopard Cloud: A Multi-national Education Training and Experimentation Cloud and Its Security Challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cayirci, Erdal; Rong, Chunming; Huiskamp, Wim; Verkoelen, Cor

Military/civilian education training and experimentation networks (ETEN) are an important application area for the cloud computing concept. However, major security challenges have to be overcome to realize an ETEN. These challenges can be categorized as security challenges typical to any cloud and multi-level security challenges specific to an ETEN environment. The cloud approach for ETEN is introduced and its security challenges are explained in this paper.

Linguistic Knowledge Aspects in Academic Reading: Challenges and Deployed Strategies by English-Major Undergraduates at a Jordanian Institution of Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albashtawi, Abeer H.; Jaganathan, Paramaswari; Singh, Manjet

2016-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the linguistic knowledge aspect in academic reading, the challenges and the deployed strategies by English major undergraduates at a Jordanian institution of higher education. The importance of the study is attributed to the importance of the academic reading at university which is closely related to the academic…

Common Challenges Faced by Women of Color in Physics, and Actions Faculty Can Take to Minimize Those Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Angela; Ong, Maria; Ko, Lily T.; Smith, Janet; Hodari, Apriel

2017-01-01

Women of color are deeply underrepresented in physics. Between 2002 and 2012, only 1% of graduating physics majors were Black women and another 1% were Latinas; only 61 American Indian women total completed degrees in physics in those years (out of 48,000 physics majors). This isolation can lead to additional obstacles that women of color majoring…

Grand challenges in understanding the interplay of climate and land changes

DOE PAGES

Liu, Shuguang; Bond-Lamberty, Ben; Boysen, Lena R.; ...

2017-03-28

Half of the Earth s land surface has been altered by human activities, creating various consequences on the climate and weather systems at local to global scales, which in turn affects a myriad of land surface processes and our adaptation behaviors. We here review the status and major knowledge gaps of studying the interactions of land and atmospheric changes and present eleven grand challenge areas for scientific research and adaptation communities in the coming decade: (1) collective and separate impacts of major land changes and the interactions with non-land-change factors such as atmospheric CO2 increase, (2) carbon and other biogeochemicalmore » cycles, (3) climatically relevant biospheric emissions such as aerosols, (4) water cycle, (5) agriculture, (6) urbanization, (7) gradual acclimation of plants, communities, and ecosystems to climate and environmental changes, (8) plant migration, (9) land use projections, (10) reduction of uncertainties in models and data, and finally (11) adaptation strategies. We conclude that we need to create and maintain a close cross-disciplinary coordination between measurements and process representation in models to analyze complex multi-facet interrelated perturbations and feedbacks between land and climate changes. Along with major scientific research thrusts, land-use and land cover change mitigation and adaptation assessments should be strengthened to identify barriers that need to be overcome, evaluate and prioritize opportunities, and examine how decision making processes work in specific contexts.« less

Grand challenges in understanding the interplay of climate and land changes

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

Liu, Shuguang; Bond-Lamberty, Ben; Boysen, Lena R.

Half of the Earth s land surface has been altered by human activities, creating various consequences on the climate and weather systems at local to global scales, which in turn affects a myriad of land surface processes and our adaptation behaviors. We here review the status and major knowledge gaps of studying the interactions of land and atmospheric changes and present eleven grand challenge areas for scientific research and adaptation communities in the coming decade: (1) collective and separate impacts of major land changes and the interactions with non-land-change factors such as atmospheric CO2 increase, (2) carbon and other biogeochemicalmore » cycles, (3) climatically relevant biospheric emissions such as aerosols, (4) water cycle, (5) agriculture, (6) urbanization, (7) gradual acclimation of plants, communities, and ecosystems to climate and environmental changes, (8) plant migration, (9) land use projections, (10) reduction of uncertainties in models and data, and finally (11) adaptation strategies. We conclude that we need to create and maintain a close cross-disciplinary coordination between measurements and process representation in models to analyze complex multi-facet interrelated perturbations and feedbacks between land and climate changes. Along with major scientific research thrusts, land-use and land cover change mitigation and adaptation assessments should be strengthened to identify barriers that need to be overcome, evaluate and prioritize opportunities, and examine how decision making processes work in specific contexts.« less

Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing a Change Initiative in Long-Term Care Using the INTERACT® Quality Improvement Program.

PubMed

Tappen, Ruth M; Wolf, David G; Rahemi, Zahra; Engstrom, Gabriella; Rojido, Carolina; Shutes, Jill M; Ouslander, Joseph G

Implementation of major organizational change initiatives presents a challenge for long-term care leadership. Implementation of the INTERACT® (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers) quality improvement program, designed to improve the management of acute changes in condition and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations of nursing home residents, serves as an example to illustrate the facilitators and barriers to major change in long-term care. As part of a larger study of the impact of INTERACT® on rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, staff of 71 nursing homes were called monthly to follow-up on their progress and discuss successful facilitating strategies and any challenges and barriers they encountered during the yearlong implementation period. Themes related to barriers and facilitators were identified. Six major barriers to implementation were identified: the magnitude and complexity of the change (35%), instability of facility leadership (27%), competing demands (40%), stakeholder resistance (49%), scarce resources (86%), and technical problems (31%). Six facilitating strategies were also reported: organization-wide involvement (68%), leadership support (41%), use of administrative authority (14%), adequate training (66%), persistence and oversight on the part of the champion (73%), and unfolding positive results (14%). Successful introduction of a complex change such as the INTERACT® quality improvement program in a long-term care facility requires attention to the facilitators and barriers identified in this report from those at the frontline.

Welfare Effects of the Use of a Combination of Local Anesthesia and NSAID for Disbudding Analgesia in Dairy Calves—Reviewed Across Different Welfare Concerns

PubMed Central

Herskin, Mette S.; Nielsen, Bodil H.

2018-01-01

Across the international dairy industry, the vast majority of dairy herds have dehorned cows. Farmers choose to dehorn calves for different reasons such as easier handling of non-horned cattle and reduced risk of injuries in animals and staff. This review focuses on disbudding by use of hot-iron cautery as is practiced by dairy farmers in calves <3 months of age. We examine welfare effects of the use of NSAIDs in combination with a local anesthetic including indicators relevant for the three major welfare concerns—affective states, basic health, and functioning as well as the possibility to behave naturally. Across indicators of animal welfare, the majority of available evidence suggest that the use of NSAIDs in combination with a local anesthetic is advantageous in terms of animal welfare, and no studies suggest that NSAIDs are a disadvantage to animal welfare. However, irrespective of the welfare concern, use of NSAIDs combined with a local anesthetic does not fully eliminate the welfare challenges from disbudding. Further research is needed in order to fully understand the effects of this medication protocol on calf welfare, including knowledge about the duration of healing and the presence of long-term pain. At present, this lack of knowledge challenges the precise formulation of adequate pain management—in terms of medication protocol, duration, dosage, and type of administration. PMID:29922684

Contextual Challenges to Safe Surgery in a Resource-limited Setting: A Multicenter, Multiprofessional Qualitative Study.

PubMed

Scott, John W; Lin, Yihan; Ntakiyiruta, Georges; Mutabazi, Zeta A; Davis, William Austin; Morris, Megan A; Smink, Douglas S; Riviello, Robert; Yule, Steven

2018-03-01

Safe surgery should be available to all patients, no matter the setting. The purpose of this study was to explore the contextual-specific challenges to safe surgical care encountered by surgeons and surgical teams in many in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and to understand the ways in which surgical teams overcome them. Optimal surgical performance is highly complex and requires providers to integrate and communicate information regarding the patient, task, team, and environment to coordinate team-based care that is timely, effective, and safe. Resource limitations common to many LMICs present unique challenges to surgeons operating in these environments, but have never been formally described. Using a grounded theory approach, we interviewed 34 experienced providers (surgeons, anesthetists, and nurses) at the 4 tertiary referral centers in Rwanda, to understand the challenges to safe surgical care and strategies to overcome them. Interview transcripts were coded line-by-line and iteratively analyzed for emerging themes until thematic saturation was reached. Rwandan-described challenges related to 4 domains: physical resources, human resources, overall systems support, and communication/language. The majority of these challenges arose from significant variability in either the quantity or quality of these domains. Surgical providers exhibited examples of resilient strategies to anticipate, monitor, respond to, and learn from these challenges. Resource variability rather than lack of resources underlies many contextual challenges to safe surgical care in a LMIC setting. Understanding these challenges and resilient strategies to overcome them is critical for both LMIC surgical providers and surgeons from HICs working in similar settings.

CombiMotif: A new algorithm for network motifs discovery in protein-protein interaction networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Jiawei; Li, Guanghui; Song, Dan; Liang, Cheng

2014-12-01

Discovering motifs in protein-protein interaction networks is becoming a current major challenge in computational biology, since the distribution of the number of network motifs can reveal significant systemic differences among species. However, this task can be computationally expensive because of the involvement of graph isomorphic detection. In this paper, we present a new algorithm (CombiMotif) that incorporates combinatorial techniques to count non-induced occurrences of subgraph topologies in the form of trees. The efficiency of our algorithm is demonstrated by comparing the obtained results with the current state-of-the art subgraph counting algorithms. We also show major differences between unicellular and multicellular organisms. The datasets and source code of CombiMotif are freely available upon request.

Charting the landscape of priority problems in psychiatry, part 1: classification and diagnosis.

PubMed

Stephan, Klaas E; Bach, Dominik R; Fletcher, Paul C; Flint, Jonathan; Frank, Michael J; Friston, Karl J; Heinz, Andreas; Huys, Quentin J M; Owen, Michael J; Binder, Elisabeth B; Dayan, Peter; Johnstone, Eve C; Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas; Montague, P Read; Schnyder, Ulrich; Wang, Xiao-Jing; Breakspear, Michael

2016-01-01

Contemporary psychiatry faces major challenges. Its syndrome-based disease classification is not based on mechanisms and does not guide treatment, which largely depends on trial and error. The development of therapies is hindered by ignorance of potential beneficiary patient subgroups. Neuroscientific and genetics research have yet to affect disease definitions or contribute to clinical decision making. In this challenging setting, what should psychiatric research focus on? In two companion papers, we present a list of problems nominated by clinicians and researchers from different disciplines as candidates for future scientific investigation of mental disorders. These problems are loosely grouped into challenges concerning nosology and diagnosis (this Personal View) and problems related to pathogenesis and aetiology (in the companion Personal View). Motivated by successful examples in other disciplines, particularly the list of Hilbert's problems in mathematics, this subjective and eclectic list of priority problems is intended for psychiatric researchers, helping to re-focus existing research and providing perspectives for future psychiatric science. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mapping the Challenges of Magnesium Battery.

PubMed

Song, Jaehee; Sahadeo, Emily; Noked, Malachi; Lee, Sang Bok

2016-05-05

Rechargeable Mg battery has been considered a major candidate as a beyond lithium ion battery technology, which is apparent through the tremendous works done in the field over the past decades. The challenges for realization of Mg battery are complicated, multidisciplinary, and the tremendous work done to overcome these challenges is very hard to organize in a regular review paper. Additionally, we claim that organization of the huge amount of information accumulated by the great scientific progress achieved by various groups in the field will shed the light on the unexplored research domains and give clear perspectives and guidelines for next breakthrough to take place. In this Perspective, we provide a convenient map of Mg battery research in a form of radar chart of Mg electrolytes, which evaluates the electrolyte under the important components of Mg batteries. The presented radar charts visualize the accumulated knowledge on Mg battery and allow for navigation of not only the current research state but also future perspective of Mg battery at a glance.

Health care for undocumented immigrants in Texas: past, present, and future.

PubMed

Kuruvilla, Rohit; Raghavan, Rajeev

2014-07-01

Providing health care to the 1.6 million undocumented immigrants in Texas is an existing challenge. Despite continued growth of this vulnerable population, legislation between 1986 and 2013 has made it more difficult for states to provide adequate and cost-effective care. As this population ages and develops chronic illnesses, Texas physicians, health care administrators, and legislators will be facing a major challenge. New legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act and immigration reform, does not address or attempt to solve the issue of providing health care to this population. One example of inadequate care and poor resource allocation is the experience of undocumented immigrants with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In Texas, these immigrants depend on safety net hospital systems for dialysis treatments. Often, treatments are provided only when their conditions become an emergency, typically at a higher cost, with worse outcomes. This article reviews the legislation regarding health care for undocumented immigrants, particularly those with chronic illnesses such as ESRD, and details specific challenges facing Texas physicians in the future.

Building Evidence for Health: Green Buildings, Current Science, and Future Challenges.

PubMed

Cedeño-Laurent, J G; Williams, A; MacNaughton, P; Cao, X; Eitland, E; Spengler, J; Allen, J

2018-04-01

Civilizational challenges have questioned the status quo of energy and material consumption by humans. From the built environment perspective, a response to these challenges was the creation of green buildings. Although the revolutionary capacity of the green building movement has elevated the expectations of new commercial construction, its rate of implementation has secluded the majority of the population from its benefits. Beyond reductions in energy usage and increases in market value, the main strength of green buildings may be the procurement of healthier building environments. Further pursuing the right to healthy indoor environments could help the green building movement to attain its full potential as a transformational public health tool. On the basis of 40 years of research on indoor environmental quality, we present a summary of nine environment elements that are foundational to human health. We posit the role of green buildings as a critical research platform within a novel sustainability framework based on social-environmental capital assets.

Current challenges for confronting the public health problem of snakebite envenoming in Central America

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Snakebite envenoming is a serious public health problem in Central America, where approximately 5,500 cases occur every year. Panama has the highest incidence and El Salvador the lowest. The majority, and most severe, cases are inflicted by the pit viper Bothrops asper (family Viperidae), locally known as ‘terciopelo’, ‘barba amarilla’ or ‘equis’. About 1% of the bites are caused by coral snakes of the genus Micrurus (family Elapidae). Despite significant and successful efforts in Central America regarding snakebite envenomings in the areas of research, antivenom manufacture and quality control, training of health professionals in the diagnosis and clinical management of bites, and prevention of snakebites, much remains to be done in order to further reduce the impact of this medical condition. This essay presents seven challenges for improving the confrontation of snakebite envenoming in Central America. Overcoming these challenges demands a coordinated partnership of highly diverse stakeholders though inter-sectorial and inter-programmatic interventions. PMID:24602234

Slab waveguide photobioreactors for microalgae based biofuel production.

PubMed

Jung, Erica Eunjung; Kalontarov, Michael; Doud, Devin F R; Ooms, Matthew D; Angenent, Largus T; Sinton, David; Erickson, David

2012-10-07

Microalgae are a promising feedstock for sustainable biofuel production. At present, however, there are a number of challenges that limit the economic viability of the process. Two of the major challenges are the non-uniform distribution of light in photobioreactors and the inefficiencies associated with traditional biomass processing. To address the latter limitation, a number of studies have demonstrated organisms that directly secrete fuels without requiring organism harvesting. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel optofluidic photobioreactor that can help address the light distribution challenge while being compatible with these chemical secreting organisms. Our approach is based on light delivery to surface bound photosynthetic organisms through the evanescent field of an optically excited slab waveguide. In addition to characterizing organism growth-rates in the system, we also show here, for the first time, that the photon usage efficiency of evanescent field illumination is comparable to the direct illumination used in traditional photobioreactors. We also show that the stackable nature of the slab waveguide approach could yield a 12-fold improvement in the volumetric productivity.

Challenges with Deploying and Integrating Environmental Control and Life Support Functions in a Lunar Architecture with High Degrees of Mobility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bagdigian, Robert M.

2009-01-01

Visions of lunar outposts often depict a collection of fixed elements such as pressurized habitats, in and around which human inhabitants spend the large majority of their surface stay time. In such an outpost, an efficient deployment of environmental control and life support equipment can be achieved by centralizing certain functions within one or a minimum number of habitable elements and relying on the exchange of gases and liquids between elements via atmosphere ventilation and plumbed interfaces. However, a rigidly fixed outpost can constrain the degree to which the total lunar landscape can be explored. The capability to enable widespread access across the landscape makes a lunar architecture with a high degree of surface mobility attractive. Such mobility presents unique challenges to the efficient deployment of environmental control and life support functions in multiple elements that may for long periods of time be operated independently. This paper describes some of those anticipated challenges.

Microbiome Therapeutics – Advances and Challenges

PubMed Central

Mimee, Mark; Citorik, Robert J.; Lu, Timothy K.

2016-01-01

The microbial community that lives on and in the human body exerts a major impact on human health, from metabolism to immunity. In order to leverage the close associations between microbes and their host, development of therapeutics targeting the microbiota has surged in recent years. Here, we discuss current additive and subtractive strategies to manipulate the microbiota, focusing on bacteria engineered to produce therapeutic payloads, consortia of natural organisms and selective antimicrobials. Further, we present challenges faced by the community in the development of microbiome therapeutics, including designing microbial therapies that are adapted for specific geographies in the body, stable colonization with microbial therapies, discovery of clinically relevant biosensors, robustness of engineered synthetic gene circuits and addressing safety and biocontainment concerns. Moving forward, collaboration between basic and applied researchers and clinicians to address these challenges will poise the field to herald an age of next-generation, cellular therapies that draw on novel findings in basic research to inform directed augmentation of the human microbiota. PMID:27158095

Microbiome therapeutics - Advances and challenges.

PubMed

Mimee, Mark; Citorik, Robert J; Lu, Timothy K

2016-10-01

The microbial community that lives on and in the human body exerts a major impact on human health, from metabolism to immunity. In order to leverage the close associations between microbes and their host, development of therapeutics targeting the microbiota has surged in recent years. Here, we discuss current additive and subtractive strategies to manipulate the microbiota, focusing on bacteria engineered to produce therapeutic payloads, consortia of natural organisms and selective antimicrobials. Further, we present challenges faced by the community in the development of microbiome therapeutics, including designing microbial therapies that are adapted for specific geographies in the body, stable colonization with microbial therapies, discovery of clinically relevant biosensors, robustness of engineered synthetic gene circuits and addressing safety and biocontainment concerns. Moving forward, collaboration between basic and applied researchers and clinicians to address these challenges will poise the field to herald an age of next-generation, cellular therapies that draw on novel findings in basic research to inform directed augmentation of the human microbiota. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Medication Assisted Treatment Research with Criminal Justice Populations: Challenges of Implementation

PubMed Central

Gordon, Michael S.; Kinlock, Timothy W.; Miller, Patrice M.

2011-01-01

Creating, implementing and evaluating substance abuse interventions, especially medication-assisted treatments, for prisoners, parolees, and probationers with histories of heroin addiction is an especially challenging endeavor because of the difficulty in coordinating and achieving cooperation among diverse criminal justice, substance abuse treatment, research, and social service agencies, each with its own priorities and agenda. In addition, there are special rules that must be followed when conducting research with criminal justice-involved populations, particularly prisoners. The following case studies will explore the authors’ experience of over 10 years conducting pharmacotherapy research using methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone with criminal justice populations. The major obstacles and how they were overcome are presented. Finally, recommendations are provided with regard to implementing and conducting research with criminal justice populations. PMID:22086665

Achondroplasia: anaesthetic challenges for caesarean section.

PubMed

Dubiel, L; Scott, G A; Agaram, R; McGrady, E; Duncan, A; Litchfield, K N

2014-08-01

Pregnancy in women with achondroplasia presents major challenges for anaesthetists and obstetricians. We report the case of a woman with achondroplasia who underwent general anaesthesia for an elective caesarean section. She was 99cm in height and her condition was further complicated by severe kyphoscoliosis and previous back surgery. She was reviewed in the first trimester at the anaesthetic high-risk clinic. A multidisciplinary team was convened to plan her peripartum care. Because of increasing dyspnoea caesarean section was performed at 32weeks of gestation. She received a general anaesthetic using a modified rapid-sequence technique with remifentanil and rocuronium. The intraoperative period was complicated by desaturation and high airway pressures. The woman's postoperative care was complicated by respiratory compromise requiring high dependency care. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Turning Participatory Microbiome Research into Usable Data: Lessons from the American Gut Project

PubMed Central

Debelius, Justine W.; Vázquez-Baeza, Yoshiki; McDonald, Daniel; Xu, Zhenjiang; Wolfe, Elaine; Knight, Rob

2016-01-01

The role of the human microbiome is the subject of continued investigation resulting in increased understanding. However, current microbiome research has only scratched the surface of the variety of healthy microbiomes. Public participation in science through crowdsourcing and crowdfunding microbiome research provides a novel opportunity for both participants and investigators. However, turning participatory science into publishable data can be challenging. Clear communication with the participant base and among researchers can ameliorate some challenges. Three major aspects need to be considered: recruitment and ongoing interaction, sample collection, and data analysis. Usable data can be maximized through diligent participant interaction, careful survey design, and maintaining an open source pipeline. While participatory science will complement rather than replace traditional avenues, it presents new opportunities for studies in the microbiome and beyond. PMID:27047589

Turning Participatory Microbiome Research into Usable Data: Lessons from the American Gut Project.

PubMed

Debelius, Justine W; Vázquez-Baeza, Yoshiki; McDonald, Daniel; Xu, Zhenjiang; Wolfe, Elaine; Knight, Rob

2016-03-01

The role of the human microbiome is the subject of continued investigation resulting in increased understanding. However, current microbiome research has only scratched the surface of the variety of healthy microbiomes. Public participation in science through crowdsourcing and crowdfunding microbiome research provides a novel opportunity for both participants and investigators. However, turning participatory science into publishable data can be challenging. Clear communication with the participant base and among researchers can ameliorate some challenges. Three major aspects need to be considered: recruitment and ongoing interaction, sample collection, and data analysis. Usable data can be maximized through diligent participant interaction, careful survey design, and maintaining an open source pipeline. While participatory science will complement rather than replace traditional avenues, it presents new opportunities for studies in the microbiome and beyond.

The Complexities of Implementing Cluster Supply Chain - Case Study of JCH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Xiao; Zhang, Jibiao; Wang, Yang

As a new type of management pattern, "cluster supply chain" (CSC) can help SMEs to face the global challenges through all kinds of collaboration. However, a major challenge in implementing CSC is the gap between theory and practice in the field. In an effort to provide a better understanding of this emerging phenomenon, this paper presents the implementation process of CSC in the context of JingCheng Mechanical & Electrical Holding co., ltd.(JCH) as a case study. The cast study of JCH suggests that the key problems in the practice of cluster supply chain: How do small firms use cluster supply chain? Only after we clarify the problem, the actual construction and operation of cluster supply chain does show successful results as it should be.

[Genetic mutation databases: stakes and perspectives for orphan genetic diseases].

PubMed

Humbertclaude, V; Tuffery-Giraud, S; Bareil, C; Thèze, C; Paulet, D; Desmet, F-O; Hamroun, D; Baux, D; Girardet, A; Collod-Béroud, G; Khau Van Kien, P; Roux, A-F; des Georges, M; Béroud, C; Claustres, M

2010-10-01

New technologies, which constantly become available for mutation detection and gene analysis, have contributed to an exponential rate of discovery of disease genes and variation in the human genome. The task of collecting and documenting this enormous amount of data in genetic databases represents a major challenge for the future of biological and medical science. The Locus Specific Databases (LSDBs) are so far the most efficient mutation databases. This review presents the main types of databases available for the analysis of mutations responsible for genetic disorders, as well as open perspectives for new therapeutic research or challenges for future medicine. Accurate and exhaustive collection of variations in human genomes will be crucial for research and personalized delivery of healthcare. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Restricting marketing to children: Consensus on policy interventions to address obesity

PubMed Central

Raine, Kim D; Lobstein, Tim; Landon, Jane; Kent, Monique Potvin; Pellerin, Suzie; Caulfield, Timothy; Finegood, Diane; Mongeau, Lyne; Neary, Neil; Spence, John C

2013-01-01

Obesity presents major challenges for public health and the evidence is strong. Lessons from tobacco control indicate a need for changing the policy and environments to make healthy choices easier and to create more opportunities for children to achieve healthy weights. In April 2011, the Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention convened a consensus conference on environmental determinants of obesity such as marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children. We examine the political environment, evidence, issues, and challenges of placing restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages within Canada. We recommend a national regulatory system prohibiting commercial marketing of foods and beverages to children and suggest that effective regulations must set minimum standards, monitor compliance, and enact penalties for non-compliance. PMID:23447026

The challenges facing wearable sensor systems.

PubMed

McAdams, Eric; Gehin, Claudine; Massot, Bertrand; McLaughlin, James

2012-01-01

It has been pointed out that, in spite of significant national and international funding programmes, there is a dearth of successfully commercialised wearable monitoring systems. Although problems such as financial reimbursement, device interoperability and the present lack of the required connected healthcare infrastructure are major hurdles to the provision of remote clinical monitoring of home-based patients, the "Mount Everest" of monitoring applications, why are wearable systems not already commercialised and used in less demanding applications? The numerous wearable systems which appear on the Web and even in the literature are, for the most part, basic prototypes unsuited to the demands of real-life applications. SMEs which do seek to commercialise clinically promising systems are unfortunately faced with many challenges and few as yet have survived long enough to successfully commercialise their innovations.

Graph-Based Cooperative Localization Using Symmetric Measurement Equations.

PubMed

Gulati, Dhiraj; Zhang, Feihu; Clarke, Daniel; Knoll, Alois

2017-06-17

Precise localization is a key requirement for the success of highly assisted or autonomous vehicles. The diminishing cost of hardware has resulted in a proliferation of the number of sensors in the environment. Cooperative localization (CL) presents itself as a feasible and effective solution for localizing the ego-vehicle and its neighboring vehicles. However, one of the major challenges to fully realize the effective use of infrastructure sensors for jointly estimating the state of a vehicle in cooperative vehicle-infrastructure localization is an effective data association. In this paper, we propose a method which implements symmetric measurement equations within factor graphs in order to overcome the data association challenge with a reduced bandwidth overhead. Simulated results demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach in comparison with our previously proposed approach of topology factors.

Graph-Based Cooperative Localization Using Symmetric Measurement Equations

PubMed Central

Gulati, Dhiraj; Zhang, Feihu; Clarke, Daniel; Knoll, Alois

2017-01-01

Precise localization is a key requirement for the success of highly assisted or autonomous vehicles. The diminishing cost of hardware has resulted in a proliferation of the number of sensors in the environment. Cooperative localization (CL) presents itself as a feasible and effective solution for localizing the ego-vehicle and its neighboring vehicles. However, one of the major challenges to fully realize the effective use of infrastructure sensors for jointly estimating the state of a vehicle in cooperative vehicle-infrastructure localization is an effective data association. In this paper, we propose a method which implements symmetric measurement equations within factor graphs in order to overcome the data association challenge with a reduced bandwidth overhead. Simulated results demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach in comparison with our previously proposed approach of topology factors. PMID:28629141

[A serious challenge for youth protection services: intervening with parents suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD)].

PubMed

Laporte, Lise

2007-01-01

An exploratory survey of 68 youth protection services' workers in Montréal, who followed 1,030 children reveals that 39 % of these children have at least one parent who suffer from mental health problems. Among these parents, 48 % of mothers and 30 % of fathers have a personality disorder, and for the majority, a borderline personality disorder. This mental health problem is preoccupying for youth protection workers because of its high prevalence, its impact on children and case workers and the difficulties brought forth by having to intervene in a context of authority and within an organization not adapted to the management of this mental health problem. Some intervention's guidelines to work with these parents are presented as well as some challenges and future perspectives.

Professional Ethics for Digital Age Psychiatry: Boundaries, Privacy, and Communication.

PubMed

Sabin, James E; Harland, Jonathan Clark

2017-09-01

Internet and social media use continue to expand rapidly. Many patients and psychiatrists are bringing digital technologies into the treatment process, but relatively little attention has been paid to the ethical challenges in doing this. This review presents ethical guidelines for psychiatry in the digital age. Surveys demonstrate that patients are eager to make digital technologies part of their treatment. Substantial numbers search for professional and personal information about their therapists. Attitudes among psychiatrists about using digital technologies with patients range from dread to enthusiastic adoption. Digital technologies create four major ethical challenges for psychiatry: managing clinical boundaries; maintaining privacy and confidentiality; establishing realistic expectations regarding digital communications; and upholding professional ideals. Traditional ethical expectations are valid for the evolving digital arena, but guidance must be adapted for actual application in practice.

Theory, modeling, and simulation of structural and functional materials: Micromechanics, microstructures, and properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Yongmei

In recent years, theoretical modeling and computational simulation of microstructure evolution and materials property has been attracting much attention. While significant advances have been made, two major challenges remain. One is the integration of multiple physical phenomena for simulation of complex materials behavior, the other is the bridging over multiple length and time scales in materials modeling and simulation. The research presented in this Thesis is focused mainly on tackling the first major challenge. In this Thesis, a unified Phase Field Microelasticity (PFM) approach is developed. This approach is an advanced version of the phase field method that takes into account the exact elasticity of arbitrarily anisotropic, elastically and structurally inhomogeneous systems. The proposed theory and models are applicable to infinite solids, elastic half-space, and finite bodies with arbitrary-shaped free surfaces, which may undergo various concomitant physical processes. The Phase Field Microelasticity approach is employed to formulate the theories and models of martensitic transformation, dislocation dynamics, and crack evolution in single crystal and polycrystalline solids. It is also used to study strain relaxation in heteroepitaxial thin films through misfit dislocation and surface roughening. Magnetic domain evolution in nanocrystalline thin films is also investigated. Numerous simulation studies are performed. Comparison with analytical predictions and experimental observations are presented. Agreement verities the theory and models as realistic simulation tools for computational materials science and engineering. The same Phase Field Microelasticity formalism of individual models of different physical phenomena makes it easy to integrate multiple physical processes into one unified simulation model, where multiple phenomena are treated as various relaxation modes that together act as one common cooperative phenomenon. The model does not impose a priori constraints on possible microstructure evolution paths. This gives the model predicting power, where material system itself "chooses" the optimal path for multiple processes. The advances made in this Thesis present a significant step forward to overcome the first challenge, mesoscale multi-physics modeling and simulation of materials. At the end of this Thesis, the way to tackle the second challenge, bridging over multiple length and time scales in materials modeling and simulation, is discussed based on connection between the mesoscale Phase Field Microelasticity modeling and microscopic atomistic calculation as well as macroscopic continuum theory.

Clinicopathological profile and surgical treatment of abdominal tuberculosis: a single centre experience in northwestern Tanzania

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Abdominal tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem worldwide and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to general surgeons practicing in resource-limited countries. This study was conducted to describe the clinicopathological profile and outcome of surgical treatment of abdominal tuberculosis in our setting and compare with what is described in literature. Methods A prospective descriptive study of patients who presented with abdominal tuberculosis was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in northwestern Tanzania from January 2006 to February 2012. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from relevant authorities. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0. Results Out of 256 patients enrolled in the study, males outnumbered females. The median age was 28 years (range = 16–68 years). The majority of patients (77.3%) had primary abdominal tuberculosis. A total of 127 (49.6%) patients presented with intestinal obstruction, 106 (41.4%) with peritonitis, 17 (6.6%) with abdominal masses and 6 (2.3%) patients with multiple fistulae in ano. Forty-eight (18.8%) patients were HIV positive. A total of 212 (82.8%) patients underwent surgical treatment for abdominal tuberculosis. Bands /adhesions (58.5%) were the most common operative findings. Ileo-caecal region was the most common bowel involved in 122 (57.5%) patients. Release of adhesions and bands was the most frequent surgical procedure performed in 58.5% of cases. Complication and mortality rates were 29.7% and 18.8% respectively. The overall median length of hospital stay was 32 days and was significantly longer in patients with complications (p < 0.001). Advanced age (age ≥ 65 years), co-morbid illness, late presentation, HIV positivity and CD4+ count < 200 cells/μl were statistically significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.0001). The follow up of patients were generally poor as only 37.5% of patients were available for follow up at twelve months after discharge. Conclusion Abdominal tuberculosis constitutes a major public health problem in our environment and presents a diagnostic challenge requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. Early diagnosis, early anti-tuberculous therapy and surgical treatment of the associated complications are essential for survival. PMID:23758837

Rectus sheath catheter infusions for post-operative pain management.

PubMed

Layzell, Mandy

2014-06-24

Managing pain following major abdominal surgery remains a challenge. Traditionally, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) or epidural analgesia have been used, which have improved post-operative pain and the patient experience, but have presented some problems in recovery. PCA can cause adverse effects, including sedation, nausea, vomiting, and prolonged gastric ileus. While epidurals do have some advantages over PCA, there are risks involved related to catheter insertion and adverse effects, such as hypotension and motor blocks which limit mobility. This article examines rectus sheath catheter infusions, a relatively new and alternative technique to epidural analgesia, and presents some early audit data related to pain scores, analgesic use and mobility.

Materials @ LANL: Solutions for National Security Challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teter, David

2012-10-01

Materials science activities impact many programmatic missions at LANL including nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, renewable energy, global security and nonproliferation. An overview of the LANL materials science strategy and examples of materials science programs will be presented. Major materials leadership areas are in materials dynamics, actinides and correlated electron materials, materials in radiation extremes, energetic materials, integrated nanomaterials and complex functional materials. Los Alamos is also planning a large-scale, signature science facility called MaRIE (Matter Radiation Interactions in Extremes) to address in-situ characterization of materials in dynamic and radiation environments using multiple high energy probes. An overview of this facility will also be presented.

Electrode-stress-induced nanoscale disorder in Si quantum electronic devices

DOE PAGES

Park, J.; Ahn, Y.; Tilka, J. A.; ...

2016-06-20

Disorder in the potential-energy landscape presents a major obstacle to the more rapid development of semiconductor quantum device technologies. We report a large-magnitude source of disorder, beyond commonly considered unintentional background doping or fixed charge in oxide layers: nanoscale strain fields induced by residual stresses in nanopatterned metal gates. Quantitative analysis of synchrotron coherent hard x-ray nanobeam diffraction patterns reveals gate-induced curvature and strains up to 0.03% in a buried Si quantum well within a Si/SiGe heterostructure. Furthermore, electrode stress presents both challenges to the design of devices and opportunities associated with the lateral manipulation of electronic energy levels.

Full-mouth esthetic rehabilitation with acellular dermal matrix.

PubMed

Clozza, Emanuele; Suzuki, Takanori; Engebretson, Steven P

2014-01-01

Treatment of multiple recession defects with the adjunct use of a connective tissue graft (CTG) represents a challenge when diagnosed in several teeth of the mouth. The amount of CTG harvested from the palate may not be adequate to address this condition. In such scenarios, alternative sources such as acellular dermal matrix (ADM) are preferred due to the unlimited availability. A case report is presented, dealing with the treatment of multiple gingival recessions affecting the majority of dentition using ADM, with a 6-month follow-up.

Your policies, our children: messages from refugee parents to child welfare workers and policymakers.

PubMed

Dumbrill, Gary C

2009-01-01

In this study, refugee parents living in Canada share their views of parenting and their experiences of Canadian child welfare services. Using photovoice methods, parents develop messages for child welfare workers and policymakers working with refugee families and communities. The messages are presented from the parents' point of view within three major themes: understanding the hopes and fears we have for our children, understanding our settlement challenges, and working with us in the development of child welfare policies and services.

Mystery of Seasonality: Getting the Rhythm of Nature

PubMed Central

Naumova, Elena N.

2008-01-01

Seasonality, a systematic periodic occurrence of events over the course of a year, is a well-known phenomenon in life and health sciences. Understanding seasonal fluctuations in diseases patterns presents us with a major challenge. To develop efficient strategies for disease prevention and control, we need to grasp the main determinants of temporal variations and their interactions. This paper will introduce the notion of seasonality by outlining several of its factors, using as illustrations respiratory and enteric water- or food-borne infections. PMID:16681184

African-American Congregational Care and Counseling: Transcending Universal and Culturally-Specific Barriers.

PubMed

Armstrong, Tonya D

2016-06-01

This article addresses two major African-American congregational care needs: (1) helping suffering people to access sustained mental health care, particularly in a large/mega-church; and (2) helping suffering people with multi-layered challenges to access appropriate, skilled care that transcends traditional barriers and is consistent with their faith. One model of congregational care is presented with concrete examples of how cultural, theological, and strategic concerns are discussed, with broad implications for diverse faith communities. © The Author(s) 2016.

Challenge from Without: Analysis of the Recommendations Advanced by Five National Education Task Forces and Their Policy Implications for Precollege and Higher Education. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government Special Report Series Number 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kemmerer, Frances; And Others

This report includes expanded versions of two papers by Frances Kemmerer and Alan P. Wagner which were first presented at a 1983 working seminar on the recommendations of five national educational task forces and their implications for New York State educational policy. Included also is a major additional paper contributed by W. Paul Vogt. The…

Seizures associated with low-dose tramadol for chronic pain treatment

PubMed Central

Beyaz, Serbülent Gökhan; Sonbahar, Tuğba; Bayar, Fikret; Erdem, Ali Fuat

2016-01-01

The management of cancer pain still poses a major challenge for clinicians. Tramadol is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic. Its well-known side effects include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness; seizures are a rare side effect. Some reports have found that tramadol triggers seizure activity at high doses, whereas a few preclinical studies have found that this seizure activity is not dose-related. We herein present a case involving a patient with laryngeal cancer who developed seizures while on low-dose oral tramadol. PMID:27212778