Use of modelling to inform public health policy: a case study on the blood-borne transmission of variant-CJD

Since the identification of variant Creutzfeldt–Jacob Disease in the late 1980s, the possibility that this disease might be passed on via blood transfusion has presented challenging policy questions for Government and blood services in the UK. This paper discusses the use of mathematical modelling to inform policy in this area of health protection. We focus on the use of a relatively simple analytical model to explore how many such infections might eventually be expected to result in clinical cases under a range of alternative scenarios of interest to policy, and on the potential impact of possible additional counter measures. We comment on the value of triangulating between findings generated using distinct modelling approaches and observational data

Electron-impact ionization of atomic hydrogen at 2 eV above threshold

The convergent close-coupling method is applied to the calculation of fully differential cross sections for ionization of atomic hydrogen by 15.6 eV electrons. We find that even at this low energy the method is able to yield predictive results with small uncertainty. As a consequence we suspect that the experimental normalization at this energy is approximately a factor of two too high.Comment: 10 page

Raman excitation spectroscopy of carbon nanotubes: effects of pressure medium and pressure

Raman excitation and emission spectra for the radial breathing mode (RBM) are reported, together with a preliminary analysis. From the position of the peaks on the two-dimensional plot of excitation resonance energy against Raman shift, the chiral indices (m, n) for each peak are identified. Peaks shift from their positions in air when different pressure media are added - water, hexane, sulphuric acid - and when the nanotubes are unbundled in water with surfactant and sonication. The shift is about 2 - 3 cm-1 in RBM frequency, but unexpectedly large in resonance energy, being spread over up to 100meV for a given peak. This contrasts with the effect of pressure. The shift of the peaks of semiconducting nanotubes in water under pressure is orthogonal to the shift from air to water. This permits the separation of the effects of the pressure medium and the pressure, and will enable the true pressure coefficients of the RBM and the other Raman peaks for each (m, n) to be established unambiguously.Comment: 6 pages, 3 Figures, Proceedings of EHPRG 2011 (Paris

Neutron inelastic scattering investigation of the magnetic excitations in Cu_2Te_2O_5X_2 (X=Br, Cl)

Neutron inelastic scattering investigations have been performed on the spin tetrahedral system Cu_2Te_2O_5X_2 (X = Cl, Br). We report the observation of magnetic excitations with a dispersive component in both compounds, associated with the 3D incommensurate magnetic order that develops below $T^{Cl}_{N}$=18.2 K and $T^{Br}_{N}$=11.4 K. The excitation in Cu_2Te_2O_5Cl_2 softens as the temperature approaches $T^{Cl}_{N}$, leaving diffuse quasi-elastic scattering above the transition temperature. In the bromide, the excitations are present well above $T^{Br}_{N}$, which might be attributed to the presence of a degree of low dimensional correlations above $T^{Br}_{N}$ in this compound

From one body to two bodies: psychoanalytic perspectives on the therapist’s body as the analytic object. A hermeneutic literature review

Interpersonal and intersubjective ideas have expanded traditional psychoanalytic theory to consider the subjectivity of the therapist in the therapeutic encounter, including the therapist’s body. Theorists from the relational and intersubjective schools view bodies as intersubjective and embedded in relational context. In the intersubjective therapeutic relationship, the therapist’s and client’s bodies are seen to be attuned – picking up on and contributing to each other’s experience. Body development is viewed as a process of attunement and incorporation between the mother’s and infant’s bodies which is influenced by cultural patterning. These early experiences are seen to create a base structure for which future bodily experience builds on. Care and handling that is consistent and empathically attuned is seen to instill a sense of stability and vitality in the infant’s body while care that is inconsistent or lacking in empathy is seen to lead to distress and fragility in the body, and ongoing body difficulty. In view of the relational development of the body, it is proposed that the therapist’s body represents the maternal body in the transference-countertransference relationship and is evocative of primitive projections and associations. Examples of how therapists have experienced their body as meaningful to the therapeutic encounter are discussed using psychodynamic theories, including Winnicott, the relational school and the intersubjective school. It is suggested that in a culturally-aware, containing, intersubjective relationship with the therapist’s body, clients’ can incorporate new bodily experiences, develop subjectivity, and improve bodily distress. This dissertation uses a hermeneutic literature review to look at predominantly female psychoanalytic perspectives on the therapist’s body as clinically meaningful and uses the concept of the analytic object to do this. The research question asked is: What are the current perspectives in psychoanalytic psychotherapy on the therapist’s body as the analytic object and what are the ways it is worked with in practice

Pressure coefficients of Raman modes of carbon nanotubes resolved by chirality: Environmental effect on graphene sheet

Studies of the mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes are hindered by the availability only of ensembles of tubes with a range of diameters. Tunable Raman excitation spectroscopy picks out identifiable tubes. Under high pressure, the radial breathing mode shows a strong environmental effect shown here to be largely independent of the nature of the environment . For the G-mode, the pressure coefficient varies with diameter consistent with the thick-wall tube model. However, results show an unexpectedly strong environmental effect on the pressure coefficients. Reappraisal of data for graphene and graphite gives the G-mode Grueuneisen parameter gamma = 1.34 and the shear deformation parameter beta = 1.34.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review

Growth and Empowerment for Indigenous Australians in Substance Abuse Treatment

This paper describes psychosocial outcomes of an Indigenous residential substance abuse rehabilitation centre in Australia, examines the sensitivity to change of the new Growth and Empowerment Measure (GEM), and explores the degree to which service users value cultural components of the treatment program. Participants were 57 Indigenous and 46 non-Indigenous male clients from Oolong House. Intake, 8-weeks, and 16-weeks (program completion) measures of Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ-8), and GEM were completed. The Treatment Component Evaluation (TCE) was completed at 16-weeks. There were significant improvements for participants, with a decrease in psychological distress and increases in refusal self-efficacy and empowerment. Effect sizes for GEM were medium to large across the time-points (r00.61 to 0.70 for all four subscales from baseline to 8-weeks; r00.44 to 0.70 for three subscales from 8-weeks to 16-weeks), indicating sensitivity to change. Indigenous participants rated cultural components of treatment significantly more helpful than did non-Indigenous participants. Implications for future research and substance abuse interventions for Indigenous Australians are discussed

Application of Computer Modeling in the Design of a Multiphase Flow Metering System

Two numerical models (CONVAS and PSI-Cell) for analyzing steady nonequilibrium gas-particle flow through a venturi and an orifice plate are discussed. These models are validated by comparing the predictions with experimental data. Utilizing these models, parametric curves for Venturis and orifice plates have been generated. Using these curves a methodology has been outlined for designing a twophase mass flowmeter

Deep Space Network information system architecture study

The purpose of this article is to describe an architecture for the Deep Space Network (DSN) information system in the years 2000-2010 and to provide guidelines for its evolution during the 1990s. The study scope is defined to be from the front-end areas at the antennas to the end users (spacecraft teams, principal investigators, archival storage systems, and non-NASA partners). The architectural vision provides guidance for major DSN implementation efforts during the next decade. A strong motivation for the study is an expected dramatic improvement in information-systems technologies, such as the following: computer processing, automation technology (including knowledge-based systems), networking and data transport, software and hardware engineering, and human-interface technology. The proposed Ground Information System has the following major features: unified architecture from the front-end area to the end user; open-systems standards to achieve interoperability; DSN production of level 0 data; delivery of level 0 data from the Deep Space Communications Complex, if desired; dedicated telemetry processors for each receiver; security against unauthorized access and errors; and highly automated monitor and control

A first-in-human, randomized, controlled, subject- and reviewer-blinded multicenter study of Actamax™ Adhesion Barrier

Purpose: Post-surgical adhesions remain a significant concern following abdominopelvic surgery. This study was to assess safety, manageability and explore preliminary efficacy of applying a degradable hydrogel adhesion barrier to areas of surgical trauma following gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery. Methods: This first-in-human, prospective, randomized, multicenter, subject- and reviewer-blinded clinical study was conducted in 78 premenopausal women (18–46 years) wishing to maintain fertility and undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery with planned clinically indicated second-look laparoscopy (SLL) at 4–12 weeks. The first two patients of each surgeon received hydrogel, up to 30 mL sprayed over all sites of surgical trauma, and were assessed for safety and application only (n = 12). Subsequent subjects (n = 66) were randomized 1:1 to receive either hydrogel (Treatment, n = 35) or not (Control, n = 31); 63 completed the SLL. Results: No adverse event was assessed as serious, or possibly device related. None was severe or fatal. Adverse events were reported for 17 treated subjects (17/47, 36.2%) and 13 Controls (13/31, 41.9%). For 95.7% of treated subjects, surgeons found the device “easy” or “very easy” to use; in 54.5%, some residual material was evident at SLL. For 63 randomized subjects who completed the SLL, adjusted between-group difference in the change from baseline adhesion score demonstrated a 41.4% reduction for Treatment compared with Controls (p = 0.017), with a 49.5% reduction (p = 0.008) among myomectomy subjects (n = 34). Conclusion: Spray application of a degradable hydrogel adhesion barrier during gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery was performed easily and safely, without evidence of clinically significant adverse outcomes. Data suggest the hydrogel was effective in reducing postoperative adhesion development, particularly following myomectomy