The effects of environmental temperature changes on the EKG of the squirrel monkey /Saimiri sciureus/

Environmental temperature effects on EKG of squirrel monkey - animal study of heart rate and T-wave amplitud

Single pulse avalanche robustness and repetitive stress ageing of SiC power MOSFETs

This paper presents an extensive electro-thermal characterisation of latest generation silicon carbide (SiC) Power MOSFETs under unclamped inductive switching (UIS) conditions. Tests are carried out to thoroughly understand the single pulse avalanche ruggedness limits of commercial SiC MOSFETs and assess their aging under repetitive stress conditions. Both a functional and a structural characterisation of the transistors is presented, with the aim of informing future device technology development for robust and reliable power system development

Modification of vestibular sensitivity in the rat

Vestibular sensitivity and associated locomotor responses of rats in rotating environmen

Overview and future advanced engineering applications for morphing surfaces by Shape Memory Alloy Materials

The development of structures able to autonomously change their characteristics in response to an external simulation is considered a promising research field. Indeed, these structures, called smart structures, can be adopted to improve the aerodynamic performance of air and land vehicles. In this work, an overview and future applications of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA)-based smart structures are presented. The use of SMA materials seems to be very promising in several engineering sectors. Advanced SMA-based devices, designed to improve the aerodynamic performance of vehicles by modifying the shape of the spoiler and the rear upper panel, are briefly introduced and discussed in this paper. Indeed, a simplified model simulating the SMA mechanical behavior has been considered to demonstrate the feasibility of the introduced smart structures for adaptive aerodynamic applications. Numerical simulations of the investigated structures are provided as a justification of the proposed designs

Let’s Sit at the Table for women’s empowerment

We report on Let’s Sit at the Table, an ongoing series of seven (so far) roundtables launched in partnership by the Dubai based social enterprise Evolvin' Women and The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel in September 2017. The roundtables were designed to explore best practices in the Gulf region driving women within the hospitality industry to senior leadership positions. Here we focus on one of the roundtables, which took place on February 21st, 2018 and was centered on the topic of empowering women in hospitality through education. The roundtable explored how to encourage women and girls to take up positions in fields where they lack representation, such as in the culinary arts. The roundtable was attended by ten experts in the areas of education and hospitality and revolved around several questions developed in line with the UN's Women Empowerment Principles (http://www.weprinciples.org/). To encourage further research we first briefly describe the problem as acknowledged in the academic literature and as experienced by one social enterprise in Dubai

A detailed protocol for RNA cleavage assay in sympathetic neurons

This protocol illustrates the use of an in vitro assay to study the cleavage of the IMPA1 3′UTR by the endonuclease Ago2 in sympathetic neurons. The procedure includes the preparation of cytoplasmic protein extracts and also describes the synthesis and labeling of the RNA probe. The protocol can be applied to other cell systems, RNA transcripts, and endonucleases to confirm the role of known cleavage site(s) and cleavage proteins, or to investigate new ones. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Andreassi et al. (2021)

Identifying Medication Management Smartphone App Features Suitable for Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities: Delphi Consensus Study

Background: Smartphone apps can be a tool to facilitate independent medication management among persons with developmental disabilities. At present, multiple medication management apps exist in the market, but only 1 has been specifically designed for persons with developmental disabilities. Before initiating further app development targeting this population, input from stakeholders including persons with developmental disabilities, caregivers, and professionals regarding the most preferred features should be obtained. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify medication management app features that are suitable to promote independence in the medication management process by young adults with developmental disabilities using a Delphi consensus method. Methods: A compilation of medication management app features was performed by searching the iTunes App Store, United States, in February 2016, using the following terms: adherence, medication, medication management, medication list, and medication reminder. After identifying features within the retrieved apps, a final list of 42 features grouped into 4 modules (medication list, medication reminder, medication administration record, and additional features) was included in a questionnaire for expert consensus rating. A total of 52 experts in developmental disabilities, including persons with developmental disabilities, caregivers, and professionals, were invited to participate in a 3-round Delphi technique. The purpose was to obtain consensus on features that are preferred and suitable to promote independence in the medication management process among persons with developmental disabilities. Consensus for the first, second, and third rounds was defined as ≥90%, ≥80%, and ≥75% agreement, respectively. Results: A total of 75 responses were received over the 3 Delphi rounds—30 in the first round, 24 in the second round, and 21 in the third round. At the end of the third round, cumulative consensus was achieved for 60% (12/20) items in the medication list module, 100% (3/3) in the medication reminder module, 67% (2/3) in the medication administration record module, and 63% (10/16) in the additional features module. In addition to the medication list, medication reminder, and medication administration record features, experts selected the following top 3 most important additional features: automatic refills through pharmacies; ability to share medication information from the app with providers; and ability to share medication information from the app with family, friends, and caregivers. The top 3 least important features included a link to an official drug information source, privacy settings and password protection, and prescription refill reminders. Conclusions: Although several mobile apps for medication management exist, few are specifically designed to support persons with developmental disabilities in the complex medication management process. Of the 42 different features assessed, 64% (27/42) achieved consensus for inclusion in a future medication management app. This study provides information on the features of a medication management app that are most important to persons with developmental disabilities, caregivers, and professionals

Seeking for the rational basis of the median model: the optimal combination of multi-model ensemble results

International audienceIn this paper we present an approach for the statistical analysis of multi-model ensemble results. The models considered here are operational long-range transport and dispersion models, also used for the real-time simulation of pollutant dispersion or the accidental release of radioactive nuclides. We first introduce the theoretical basis (with its roots sinking into the Bayes theorem) and then apply this approach to the analysis of model results obtained during the ETEX-1 exercise. We recover some interesting results, supporting the heuristic approach called "median model", originally introduced in Galmarini et al. (2004a, b). This approach also provides a way to systematically reduce (and quantify) model uncertainties, thus supporting the decision-making process and/or regulatory-purpose activities in a very effective manner

Attentional processes during P3-based Brain Computer Interface task in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

To be available for a wide range of end-users a brain-computer interface (BCI) should be flexible and adaptable to end-users’ cognitive strengths and weaknesses. People’s cognitive abilities change according to the disease they are affected by, and people suffering from the same disease could have different cognitive capacities. We aimed at investigating how the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease, and two different cognitive attentional aspects [1] influenced the usage of a P3-based BC

Fibreglass wind turbine blades: Damage tolerant design and verification

This paper presents the damage tolerant design and verification of a composite materials wind turbine blade expected to be manufactured with the manufacturing process named OneShot Blade® technology. This technology allows the production of wind turbine blades without adhesives and/or bonding processes, leading to a significant reduction in labour hours, costs and materials. Here, the OneShot Blade® oriented design of a 10-meter long fibreglass blade is introduced. Two different configurations (conventional and lightened) have been investigated highlighting their damage tolerant characteristics. Structural performances have been evaluated to verify that the structure complies with the IEC 61400-2 and Germanischer-Lloyd (GL) regulations by considering several loading conditions. Finally, comparisons against a similar wind turbine blade, manufactured by means of a standard process, has been presented, to highlight the advantages of the proposed technology