A time-dependent anisotropic model for argillaceous rocks: application to an underground excavation in Callovo-Oxfordian claystone

The paper presents a constitutive model for argillaceous rocks, developed within the framework of elastoplasticity, that includes a number of features that are relevant for a satisfactory description of their hydromechanical behaviour: anisotropy of strength and stiffness, behaviour nonlinearity and occurrence of plastic strains prior to peak strength, significant softening after peak, time-dependent creep deformations and permeability increase due to damage. Both saturated and unsaturated conditions are envisaged. The constitutive model is then applied to the simulation of triaxial and creep tests on Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) claystone. Although the main objective has been the simulation of the COx claystone behaviour, the model can be readily used for other argillaceous materials. The constitutive model developed is then applied, via a suitable coupled hydromechanical formulation, to the analysis of the excavation of a drift in the Meuse/Haute-Marne Underground Research Laboratory. The pattern of observed pore water pressures and displacements, as well as the shape and extent of the damaged zone, are generally satisfactorily reproduced. The relevance and importance of rock anisotropy and of the development of a damaged zone around the excavations are clearly demonstrated.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120

Components of a protein tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation network were identified in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Three phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr) proteins of 27, 36, and 52 kDa were identified through their conspicuous immunoreactions with RC20H monoclonal antibodies specific for P-Tyr. These immunoreactions were outcompeted completely by free P-Tyr (5 mM) but not by phosphoserine or phosphothreonine. The P-Tyr content of the three major P-Tyr proteins and several minor proteins increased with their time of incubation in the presence of Mg-ATP and the protein phosphatase inhibitors sodium orthovanadate and sodium fluoride. Incubation of the same extracts with [g-32P]ATP but not [a-32P]ATP led to the phosphorylation of five polypeptides with molecular masses of 20, 27, 52, 85, and 100 kDa. Human placental protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, with absolute specificity for P-Tyr, liberated significant quantities of 32Pi from four of the polypeptides, confirming that a portion of the protein-bound phosphate was present as 32P-Tyr. Alkaline phosphatase and the dual-specificity protein phosphatase IphP from the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune UTEX 584 also dephosphorylated these proteins and did so with greater apparent efficiency. Two of the polypeptides were partially purified, and phosphoamino analysis identified 32P-Tyr, [32P]phosphoserine, and [32P]phosphothreonine. Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 cell extracts contained a protein tyrosine phosphatase activity that was abolished in the presence of sodium orthovanadate and inhibited significantly by the sulfhydryl-modifying agents p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonic acid and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate as well as by heparin. In Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 the presence and/or phosphorylation status of P-Tyr proteins was influenced by incident photon flux density

Analysis of strain localization with a non-local plasticity model

Strain localization can be defined as the accumulation of deformations in narrow zones, in the form of shear bands or cracks, commonly observed in several geomaterials like concrete, rocks, dense sands, or stiff fine-grained soils. The numerical simulation of such phenomenon under the framework of continuum mechanics involves a number of difficulties, as standard formulations tend to deliver nonobjective results due to the loss of ellipticity of the governing equation at the onset of localization. In the present paper, a non-local plasticity model is described, capable of simulating strain localization objectively, without resulting in mesh-dependent results. The model is intended for modelling stiff fine-grained soils, thus the yield surface and its evolution with deformation captures the main behaviour characteristics of these materials. A number of analyses have been performed to assess the developed formulation for the simulation of localized deformation patterns. Relevant aspects have been addressed, such as the thickness of the shear band, its orientation, and the onset of localization in a boundary value problem. In addition, a real plane strain experiment on Beaucaire marl [2] has been simulated, and the results of the analysis are compared not only with global measurements, but with the entire strain field, observed experimentally using the false relief stereophotogrammetry technique [1]. The behaviour of the test has been satisfactorily reproduced in terms of both, global measurements and strain fields.Postprint (published version

Major program value creation and capture: the S3 framework for assessing and minimizing risk propagation to maximize opportunities for value creation

Large-scale, mission-critical initiatives are increasingly deployed through major programs, or assemblies of projects that span and situate across sectors, industries, and/or geographies. To better track risk propagation within major programs, we reconceptualize them as temporary ecosystems, or interlinked organizations whose project-based interdependencies last until the program’s conclusion. This basis motivates our S3 framework and its three unifying themes. Scoping identifies program vulnerabilities to disruptions. Scaffolding develops digital and organizational tools to connect program skills with needs. Sensing engages with those oftexcluded in programs. We translate this framework into action through a worked example of Oman’s National Vision 2040

Multisite study assessing the effect of cognitive test anxiety on academic and standardized test performance

Objective. To evaluate the degree of cognitive test anxiety (CTA) present in student pharmacists at multiple pharmacy programs in the United States and to determine if there are associations between self-reported CTA and relevant academic outcomes. Methods. All 2018-2019 advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) students from three US Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs (N=260) were invited to participate in the study. Participants completed a validated 37-question survey that included the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale-2 (CTAS-2) along with demographics-related questions. Responses were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal Wallace, and multiple linear regression where appropriate. Results. One hundred twenty-four students (48%) from the three programs participated in the study, and the individual data of 119 (46%) were included in the final analysis. Twenty-two students (18.5%) were classified as having high CTA, 41 (34.5%) as having moderate CTA, and 56 (47.1%) as having low CTA. High CTA predicted a 8.9 point lower NAPLEX total scaled score after accounting for other variables and was also correlated with lower cumulative didactic GPA, performance on the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA), and increased likelihood of requiring course remediation. Conclusion. High cognitive test anxiety affects 18% of pharmacy students and may significantly impact their performance on a variety of traditional student success measures, including the NAPLEX. Pharmacy educators should consider further use and adoption of test anxiety measurements to identify and assist potentially struggling students

Nonlocal plasticity modelling of strain localisation in stiff clays

The paper addresses the numerical simulation of strain localisation in stiff clays that exhibit softening behaviour. An elastoplastic constitutive model developed to incorporate key features of stiff clay behaviour is described first. A non-local formulation is then introduced for the regularisation of the analysis of localisation. A series of analyses were conducted to explore relevant aspects of the numerical simulation of localisation. A 3D analysis was also performed to assess the suitability of the approach presented for 3D applications. Finally, application to the simulation of a laboratory test on Beaucaire marl results in an excellent reproduction of experimental observations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Vitamin D3 inhibits p38 MAPK and senescence-associated inflammatory mediator secretion by senescent fibroblasts that impacts immune responses during ageing

Vitamin D3 replacement in older insufficient adults significantly improves their antigen‐specific varicella zoster virus (VZV) cutaneous immunity. However, the mechanisms involved in this enhancement of cutaneous immunity are not known. Here, we show for the first time that vitamin D3 blocks the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) production by senescent fibroblasts by partially inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis of skin biopsies from older subjects after vitamin D3 supplementation shows that vitamin D3 inhibits the same inflammatory pathways in response to saline as the specific p38 inhibitor, losmapimod, which also enhances immunity in the skin of older subjects. Vitamin D3 supplementation therefore may enhance immunity during ageing in part by blocking p38 MAPK signalling and in turn inhibit SASP production from senescent cells in vivo

Antimicrobial point prevalence surveys in two Ghanaian hospitals : opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship

Background: Improved knowledge regarding antimicrobial use in Ghana is urgently needed to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This includes point prevalence studies (PPS) in hospitals. Objectives were: (i) provide baseline data in two hospitals (Keta Municipal Hospital – KMH and Ghana Police Hospital – GPH) and identify priorities for improvement; (ii) assess the feasibility of conducting PPS; (iii) compare results with others. Methods: Standard PPS design using the Global PPS paper forms, subsequently transferred to their template. Training undertaken by the Scottish team. Quality indicators included rationale for use; stop and review dates, and guideline compliance. Results: Prevalence of antibiotic use was 65.0% in GPH and 82.0% in KMH. Penicillins and other beta-lactam antibiotics were the most prescribed in both hospitals, with third generation cephalosporins mainly used in GPH. Antibiotic treatment was mainly empirical and commonly administered intravenously (IV), duration was generally short with timely oral switching, and infections were mainly community acquired. Encouragingly, good documentation of the indications for antibiotic use in both hospitals and 50.0-66.0% guideline compliance (although for many indications no guideline existed). In addition, almost all prescribed antibiotics had stop dates and there appeared no missed doses. The duration of use for surgical prophylaxis was generally more than one day (69.0% in GPH and 77.0% in KMH). Conclusions: These two hospitals were the first in Ghana to use the Global PPS system. We found the PPS was feasible and relatively rapid, achieved with limited training. Targets for improvement identified included broad-spectrum antibiotics, duration of treatment and high empiric use

Forest height estimation in a tropical forest context from PolInSAR measurements: Illustration from the TropiSAR campaign in French Guyana

The BIOMASS mission was retained in January 2009 as one of the three candidates for the next Earth Explorer Core mission to go to phase A. BIOMASS main objective is to provide information on the carbon sinks and sources in the forests globally, which will be of essential value for climate modelling and policy adaptation, e.g. REDD. Up to now, biomass retrieval algorithms have been developed and validated for the range of biomass up to 300 t/ha. The methods are based on combining SAR intensity and SAR Polarimetric interferometry (PolInSAR) which provide respectively estimates of biomass and canopy height. The remaining questions concern the overall performance of the retrieval algorithms in tropical forests characterized by high biomass density (> 300 t/ha) and complex structure. The TropiSAR experiment in French Guyana was proposed to provide feedbacks on the performances of a P-band SAR to measure biomass and canopy height of a tropical forest with higher biomass density. Characterising tropical forests is essential as it represents a large component of the terrestrial carbon pool and the carbon sources. Specifically, TropiSAR was designed to provide measurements of temporal coherence at P-band over tropical forests for time intervals compatible with space-borne missions (typically 20-30 days), to assess performances of methods transforming P-Band SAR intensity and interferometric measurements into forest biomass and forest height. The SAR system is the ONERA airborne system SETHI that flew in French Guyana in August 2009. This paper presents the first results from this analysis. The temporal coherence at P-band over tropical forests is observed to remain high even after 22 days, a time interval period compatible with typical SAR orbit cycle. The vegetation height map estimated from Polarimetric interferometry is shown to be in good agreement with Lidar measured heights and the in-situ measurements in the study area. The PolInSAR derived height captures the main structural features of the studied forests

Co-Curriculum Implementation and Assessment in Accredited Doctor of Pharmacy Programs

Objective. To determine how accredited Doctor of Pharmacy programs implement and evaluate the co-curriculum requirement as mandated by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Methods. A survey was administered to all ACPE-accredited pharmacy programs to collect information regarding how co-curriculum models were being implemented, including types of activities, structure, learning outcomes, oversight, and assessment. The frequency of responses to items were presented to describe the general features of co-curriculum models. Results. The types of co-curricular activities reported by programs were generally consistent, with the majority of programs categorizing these activities and allowing students to choose which they would engage in. Most respondents reported that the program mapped co-curricular activities to learning outcomes, primarily ACPE Standards 1-4. The structural oversight of the co-curriculum typically included a co-curriculum committee, subcommittee, or task force, and supporting offices. The most common offices/departments involved in the co-curriculum were assessment, student affairs/services, experiential education, and academic/curricular affairs. The most common assessments were reflections, self-assessment surveys, and checklists. Conclusion. In most programs, implementation of the co-curriculum was a joint effort among various individuals, committees, and offices. Given the developing nature of programs, descriptive studies should be repeated to identify how programs develop and enhance co-curriculum models. The study results may be useful to members of the Academy when evaluating the current state of co-curriculum implementation and potential areas for program development