The Probability Of Mission Success /POMS/

Probability of mission success by trajectory optimization for translunar space flight

Examination of accelerated first order methods for aircraft flight path optimization

Accelerated first order methods for aircraft flight path optimizatio

Circulating emm types of Streptococcus pyogenes in Scotland: 2011-2015

No abstract available

Celecoxib or Diclofenac Hepatic Status in the Presence or Absence of Rebamipide

OBJECTIVE: Utilization of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac, can produce gastrointestinal ulceration. Thus, cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitors, such as celecoxib, and protective agents (e.g. rebamipide) have been employed to alleviate harmful NSAID effects. This study sought to explore the influence of rebamipide on the hepatic outcomes following administration of two commonly prescribed NSAIDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were given either vehicle or rebamipide (30 mg/kg) orally twice daily for two days, then on the third day respective groups were dosed with either vehicle, celecoxib (40 mg/kg), or diclofenac (10 mg/kg) in addition to a respective dose of vehicle or rebamipide. Livers were collected on day 4 following euthanasia. Hepatic tissue was examined via histopathology and assayed for oxidative stress and specific NSAID concentration. RESULTS: The liver sections were found to be free from structural changes. Oxidative stress biomarkers, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, were discovered to be unaltered among the groups tested. The hepatic NSAID concentrations were not significantly affected by the presence of rebamipide. CONCLUSIONS: The concomitant administration of rebamipide does not influence the hepatic condition of rats administered either celecoxib or diclofenac at the dosages and over the time course examined

A Chebyshev minimax technique oriented to aerospace trajectory optimization problems.

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76822/1/AIAA-6604-910.pd

Dosimetry, clinical factors and medication intake influencing urinary symptoms after prostate radiotherapy: An analysis of data from the RADAR prostate radiotherapy trial

Purpose/Objective: To identify dosimetry, clinical factors and medication intake impacting urinary symptoms after prostate radiotherapy. Material and Methods: Data describing clinical factors and bladder dosimetry (reduced with principal component (PC) analysis) for 754 patients treated with external beam radiotherapy accrued by TROG 03.04 RADAR prostate radiotherapy trial were available for analysis. Urinary symptoms (frequency, incontinence, dysuria and haematuria) were prospectively assessed using LENT-SOMA to a median of 72 months. The endpoints assessed were prevalence (grade≥1) at the end of radiotherapy (representing acute symptoms), at 18-, 36- and 54-month follow-ups (representing late symptoms) and peak late incidence including only grade≥2. Impact of factors were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models with correction for over-optimism. Results: Baseline symptoms, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, age and PC1 (correlated to the mean dose) impact symptoms at \u3e1 timepoints. Associations at a single timepoint were found for cerebrovascular condition, ECOG status and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake. Peak incidence analysis shows the impact of baseline, bowel and cerebrovascular condition and smoking status. Conclusions: The prevalence and incidence analysis provide a complementary view for urinary symptom prediction. Sustained impacts across time points were found for several factors while some associations were not repeated at different time points suggesting poorer or transient impact

Bacterial biofilm formation on indwelling urethral catheters

Urethral catheters are the most commonly deployed medical devices and used to manage a wide range of conditions in both hospital and community care settings. The use of long-term catheterization, where the catheter remains in place for a period &gt;28 days remains common, and the care of these patients is often undermined by the acquisition of infections and formation of biofilms on catheter surfaces. Particular problems arise from colonization with urease-producing species such as Proteus mirabilis, which form unusual crystalline biofilms that encrust catheter surfaces and block urine flow. Encrustation and blockage often lead to a range of serious clinical complications and emergency hospital referrals in long-term catheterized patients. Here we review current understanding of bacterial biofilm formation on urethral catheters, with a focus on crystalline biofilm formation by P. mirabilis, as well as approaches that may be used to control biofilm formation on these devices. Significance and Impact of the Study: Urinary catheters are the most commonly used medical devices in many healthcare systems, but their use predisposes to infection and provide ideal conditions for bacterial biofilm formation. Patients managed by long-term urethral catheterization are particularly vulnerable to biofilm-related infections, with crystalline biofilm formation by urease producing species frequently leading to catheter blockage and other serious clinical complications. This review considers current knowledge regarding biofilm formation on urethral catheters, and possible strategies for their control.</p

Recycling bins, garbage cans or think tanks? Three myths regarding policy analysis institutes

The phrase 'think tank' has become ubiquitous – overworked and underspecified – in the political lexicon. It is entrenched in scholarly discussions of public policy as well as in the 'policy wonk' of journalists, lobbyists and spin-doctors. This does not mean that there is an agreed definition of think tank or consensual understanding of their roles and functions. Nevertheless, the majority of organizations with this label undertake policy research of some kind. The idea of think tanks as a research communication 'bridge' presupposes that there are discernible boundaries between (social) science and policy. This paper will investigate some of these boundaries. The frontiers are not only organizational and legal; they also exist in how the 'public interest' is conceived by these bodies and their financiers. Moreover, the social interactions and exchanges involved in 'bridging', themselves muddy the conception of 'boundary', allowing for analysis to go beyond the dualism imposed in seeing science on one side of the bridge, and the state on the other, to address the complex relations between experts and public policy

SSRL Emergency Response Shore Tool

The SSRL Emergency Response Shore Tool (wherein SSRL signifies Smart Systems Research Laboratory ) is a computer program within a system of communication and mobile-computing software and hardware being developed to increase the situational awareness of first responders at building collapses. This program is intended for use mainly in planning and constructing shores to stabilize partially collapsed structures. The program consists of client and server components, runs in the Windows operating system on commercial off-the-shelf portable computers, and can utilize such additional hardware as digital cameras and Global Positioning System devices. A first responder can enter directly, into a portable computer running this program, the dimensions of a required shore. The shore dimensions, plus an optional digital photograph of the shore site, can then be uploaded via a wireless network to a server. Once on the server, the shore report is time-stamped and made available on similarly equipped portable computers carried by other first responders, including shore wood cutters and an incident commander. The staff in a command center can use the shore reports and photographs to monitor progress and to consult with structural engineers to assess whether a building is in imminent danger of further collapse