Probabilistic simulation of the human factor in structural reliability

Many structural failures have occasionally been attributed to human factors in engineering design, analyses maintenance, and fabrication processes. Every facet of the engineering process is heavily governed by human factors and the degree of uncertainty associated with them. Factors such as societal, physical, professional, psychological, and many others introduce uncertainties that significantly influence the reliability of human performance. Quantifying human factors and associated uncertainties in structural reliability require: (1) identification of the fundamental factors that influence human performance, and (2) models to describe the interaction of these factors. An approach is being developed to quantify the uncertainties associated with the human performance. This approach consists of a multi factor model in conjunction with direct Monte-Carlo simulation

Simulation of probabilistic wind loads and building analysis

Probabilistic wind loads likely to occur on a structure during its design life are predicted. Described here is a suitable multifactor interactive equation (MFIE) model and its use in the Composite Load Spectra (CLS) computer program to simulate the wind pressure cumulative distribution functions on four sides of a building. The simulated probabilistic wind pressure load was applied to a building frame, and cumulative distribution functions of sway displacements and reliability against overturning were obtained using NESSUS (Numerical Evaluation of Stochastic Structure Under Stress), a stochastic finite element computer code. The geometry of the building and the properties of building members were also considered as random in the NESSUS analysis. The uncertainties of wind pressure, building geometry, and member section property were qualified in terms of their respective sensitivities on the structural response

Reliability of the SRG110 Stirling Convertor Quantified

The NASA Glenn Research Center has been involved in the development of Stirling power-conversion technology and is currently providing technical support to the Department of Energy and Lockheed Martin, of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, their system integration contractor, for the 110-W Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG110). Stirling radioisotope power-conversion technology is a potential candidate for future deep-space science and exploration missions. The SRG110 has a multifold increase in efficiency and would reduce the inventory of the radioisotope fuel by a factor of 4 in comparison to systems used to power past missions

South-Asian American and Asian-Indian Americans Parents: Children\u27s Education and Parental Participation

Parental participation supports students\u27 academic success and increases positive peer interactions. Prior to the 1980s, parental participation was viewed as a unidimensional construct; however, it has since been understood as a multidimensional one. Studies from Epstein have demonstrated that culture, community, and family structures are some of the many factors that affect parental participation. In addition, Huntsinger and Jose have demonstrated that Asian-American parents participate in their children\u27s education differently than do European Americans, yet research has not examined the specificities of South-Asian Americans\u27 (SAAs) and Asian-Indian Americans\u27 (AIAs) parental involvement. There are 6 recognized methods that parents can use to participate in their child\u27s education. Assuming that the methods of participation used by parents can affect their children\u27s academic performance and social development, the purpose of this study was to examine these methods of parental participation with respect to AIAs and SAAs. Using Epstein\u27s questionnaire, 308 AIA/SAA parents were recruited who had a child born in the United States and who was attending a U.S. school between kindergarten and Grade 2 at the time of the study. MANOVA and ANOVA tests were used to calculate whether a significant difference existed amongst the 6 methods of parental participation, based on the gender of the parent or the gender of the child. There was no significant preference among the 6 methods of parental participation, nor was any difference found that related to the gender of the child. However, the results indicated that mothers were more involved than fathers in their child\u27s education, although there was no preference among the 6 methods. Given the lack of clear direction emergent in these findings, implications for future research to further the understanding of parental participation of SAA/AIA are discussed

Submandibular gland sparing IMRT in locally advanced head and neck cancers : impact on radiation induced xerostomia.

Background: Xerostomia is one of the most prominent complications in patients with Head and Neck cancers who receive radiation, as it usually involves delivering a high dose to the salivary glands bilaterally.Xerostomia significantly reduces quality of life (QoL) and only parotid gland sparing has shown inconsistent results in improving xerostomia. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study in which locally advanced (stage III/ IV) oropharynx, hypopharynx and supraglottic larynx cases that were treated from January 2015 to April 2015were included. Out of the 37 patients, 17 were included in the study arm(contralateral SMG spared). Parotid gland sparing was done in both the groups. The mean doses of the contralateral parotid and submandibular glands were kept under 26Gy and 39Gy respectively. Xerostomia outcomes were assessed based on RTOG grading and patient rated xerostomia specific QoLquestionnaire. Results:The grading for xerostomia(of 2 or higher) at the end of treatment, at 3 and 6 months from commencement of treatment were 76%, 53% and 21% respectively in the study group and 80%, 68% and 54% in the control group. The difference at 6 months was statistically significant(p <0.009) The xerostomia questionnaire scored by the patients at the end of 6 months showed a mean score of 13 in the study arm against a score of 24 in the control arm. Conclusion:Sparing of the contralateral SMG in a selected group of patients of locally advanced head and neck cancers using IMRT is feasible and results in improvement of overall xerostomia outcomes which ultimately can lead to better QoL

Advances in cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is a technique described since recorded history, yet it has greatly evolved only in the latter half of the past century. The development of the intraocular lens and phacoemulsification as a technique for cataract removal could be considered as the two most significant strides that have been made in this surgical field. This review takes a comprehensive look at all aspects of cataract surgery, starting from patient selection through the process of consent, anaesthesia, biometry, lens power calculation, refractive targeting, phacoemulsification, choice of intraocular lens and management of complications, such as posterior capsular opacification, as well as future developments. As the most common ophthalmic surgery and with the expanding range of intraocular lens options, optometrists have an important and growing role in managing patients with cataract

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonists: Do They Increase Cardiovascular Risk?

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists have a significant role on glucose and fat metabolism. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are predominantly PPARγ agonists, and their primary benefit appears to be the prevention of diabetic complications by improving glycemic control and lipid profile. Recently, the cardiovascular safety of rosiglitazone was brought to center stage following meta analyses and the interim analysis of the RECORD trial. Current evidence points to rosiglitazone having a greater risk of myocardial ischemic events than placebo, metformin, or sulfonylureas. This review article discusses the mechanism of action of PPAR agonists and correlates it with clinical and laboratory outcomes in the published literature. In addition, this review article attempts to discuss some of the molecular mechanisms regarding the association between TZDs therapy and the nontraditional cardiovascular risks

A community based study to determine incidence of cervical cancer and willingness of women to participate in cervical cancer screening program in Navsari, Gujarat, India

Background: Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a major health problem faced by the Indian women. Regular cervical cytological examination by all sexually active women can prevent the occurrence of carcinoma cervix. Early detection of cervical cancer is possible with Pap smear tests. Methods: Women above 25 years of age, living in study area and want to participate in study were included. Total 2352 women were enrolled in study. House to house visits were conducted in all the village area by using simple random sampling method. Information about cervical cancer was given. Pap test for cervical cancer screening was carried out by gynaecologist. Cytological examination and confirmation was done by pathologists.Results: A total of 3001 women had attended village level IEC session and out that, 2352 (78.4%) women took part in the screening program. Out of these 2352 women, 2007 women (85.3% compliance) had given consent for physical cervical examination and Pap smear. The incidence of cervical cancer was 0.2% on the basis of clinical examination and biopsy.Conclusions: Higher compliance for undergoing vaginal examination and Pap test shows the positive health seeking behaviour of the women but for that, strong IEC and sensitization about the disease must be done to improve the participation. Sensitivity of Pap test was poor and couldn’t find true positive cases