Biaxial (Tension-Torsion) Testing of an Oxide/Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composite

High temperatures and structural loads in advanced aerospace structures often result in complex loading conditions. This study is focused on biaxial (tension-torsion) testing of an oxide-oxide porous matrix ceramic matrix composite (CMC) (NextelTM 720/AS) thin wall tube with a novel involute layup. Tests included pure torsion and biaxial (tension- torsion) loading. Strain gages were used in addition to digital image correlation (DIC) to measure strains and to detect crack initiation and propagation. Room temperature and 1100°C uniaxial tests were performed in a build up approach prior to biaxial (tension-torsion) testing. Double-notch shear (DNS) specimens were tested at 1100°C in air to obtain interlaminar shear strength (ILSS)

Resisting Displacement in the Southwest Bronx: Lessons from CASA's Tenant Organizing

CASA is proud to present our new white paper, Resisting Displacement: Lessons from CASA's Tenant Organizing in the Southwest Bronx!In the last year, CASA has organized or provided technical assistance to over 90 buildings, which are home to more than 7,000 families. In the last year alone, over 4,000 tenants have actively engaged in CASA's work. Our new white paper shares lessons in tenant organizing, explores the forces of displacement that we are up against, and solutions for fighting displacement in the context of an impending rezoning.This is a critical moment for the Southwest Bronx. A potential rezoning is imminent, and could have devastating impacts on low-income tenants of color, their communities, and the state of affordable housing. CASA has drawn on our organizing experience, coalition work, previous research and the experiences of the tenants we work with to draft this white paper.In the report we:Present a clear and accurate definition of displacement and counter the false assertion that most tenants leave neighborhoods by choice;Explain the tactics that landlords already use to exert displacement pressures on low-income tenants of color;Emphasize the risk of increased displacement posed by rezoning, and in particular the Jerome Avenue rezoning, when new housing is not genuinely affordable and there are insufficient protections against displacement;Offer solutions that would protect tenants from displacement, allow them to remain in their homes, and preserve their communities

Implementation of an emergency medicine research associates program: Sharing 20 years of experience

© 2018 Abar et al. Introduction: The use of research associates (RA) programs to facilitate study enrollment in the emergency department was initiated during the mid-1990s. The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) was an early adopting site for this model, which has experienced considerable growth and development over the past 20 years. Methods: Our goal was to detail the Emergency Department Research Associates (EDRA) program processes developed at the URMC that has led to our program’s sustainability and productivity. These processes, and the lessons learned during their development, can assist institutions seeking to establish an RA program or refine an existing program. Results: Defined procedures for selecting, training, and monitoring EDRAs have been created and refined with the goal of maximizing study enrollment and minimizing protocol deviations. Our EDRA program functions as a paid service center for investigators, and our EDRAs engage in a variety of study-related activities including screening and enrolling patients, administering surveys, collecting bio-specimens, and making follow-up calls. Over the past two years, our program has averaged 222 enrollments/month (standard deviation = 79.93), gathering roughly 25 participants per study per month. Conclusion: Our EDRA model has consistently resulted in some of the highest number of enrollments across a variety of recently funded, multi-center studies. Maintaining a high-quality EDRA program requires continual investment on the part of the leadership team, though the benefits to investigators within and outside the department outweigh these costs. [West J Emerg Med. 2018;19(3)606-612.

Using a computerized provider order entry system to meet the unique prescribing needs of children: description of an advanced dosing model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is well known that the information requirements necessary to safely treat children with therapeutic medications cannot be met with the same approaches used in adults. Over a 1-year period, Duke University Hospital engaged in the challenging task of enhancing an established computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system to address the unique medication dosing needs of pediatric patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An advanced dosing model (ADM) was designed to interact with our existing CPOE application to provide decision support enabling complex pediatric dose calculations based on chronological age, gestational age, weight, care area in the hospital, indication, and level of renal impairment. Given that weight is a critical component of medication dosing that may change over time, alerting logic was added to guard against erroneous entry or outdated weight information.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pediatric CPOE was deployed in a staggered fashion across 6 care areas over a 14-month period. Safeguards to prevent miskeyed values became important in allowing providers the flexibility to override the ADM logic if desired. Methods to guard against over- and under-dosing were added. The modular nature of our model allows us to easily add new dosing scenarios for specialized populations as the pediatric population and formulary change over time.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The medical needs of pediatric patients vary greatly from those of adults, and the information systems that support those needs require tailored approaches to design and implementation. When a single CPOE system is used for both adults and pediatrics, safeguards such as redirection and suppression must be used to protect children from inappropriate adult medication dosing content. Unlike other pediatric dosing systems, our model provides active dosing assistance and dosing process management, not just static dosing advice.</p

Assessment of feasibility, economics, and market potential for a molten salt system at 1000/sup 0/F reheat steam: feasibility, economics, and market potential

As a result of the Advanced Central Receiver (ACR) Phase I systems studies, Martin-Marietta Corporation (MMC) developed a conceptual design employing 1050/sup 0/F molten salt and a 950/sup 0/F/950/sup 0/F reheat turbine. This concept appears to have the potential for providing higher steam conditions leading to higher performance and wider market application. This report presents the results of a preliminary investigation of the system to determine the feasibility of providing 1000/sup 0/F/1000/sup 0/F steam and the impact of the required design modifications on the system performance, cost, and market potential for solar repowering. Two modified designs are investigated. In one modified design, the temperature of the molten salt is the same as in the MMC baseline design (1050/sup 0/F), but the steam generators have been modified to provide 1000/sup 0/F/1000/sup 0/F steam. In the other modified design, the enhanced steam conditions are obtained using molten salt at a temperature of 1100/sup 0/F