Lean Success Breakout Session A: Industry-Government Infrastructure

Breakout session on industry-government infrastructur

TEMPERATURE-AND DEFORMATION-DEPENDENT STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SEMI- CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS BY X-RAY SCATTERING

ABSTRACT The special mechanical behaviour of semi-crystalline materials is caused by the temperaturedependent interaction between the crystalline and the amorphous phase with their specific mechanical properties. Thereby, the crystalline phase has higher strength and stiffness, it fails mainly under shear stress. The amorphous phase is tough above the glass transition with steadily decreasing strength with increasing temperature. Crazing may appear during. Under the complex load between the crystallites the amorphous phase tends to cavitation if the internal strength is too low with respect to the external load. This general behaviour was investigated and presented in the past by several different groups [1-2]. Recent investigations by synchrotron x-ray scattering enabled a highly time-and strain-resolved as well as temperature dependent investigation of structural changes during deformation. While wide angle diffraction enables a detailed characterization of the crystallites with respect to their orientation and deformation small angle scattering enables information about the size of the different phases and cavitation. Therefore the SAXS patterns were processed to estimate corddistribution-functions according to the procedures developed by Stribeck for samples with fiber symmetry [3]. The behaviour of different semi-crystalline polymers will be presented and compared with the behaviour of pure amorphous materials. A special attention will be turned on the structural events with respect to the stress-strain-curve. Some micrographs confirm the structural units, which were discussed on the basis of the x-ray pattern

Light and electron microscopic detection of (3 Gal β 1,4 GlcNAc β 1) sequences in asparagine-linked oligosaccharides with the Datura stramonium lectin

The Datura stramonium lectin recognizes with high affinity the disaccharide N -acetyllactosamine (Gal β 1,4 GlcNAc). We have developed a highly specific cytochemical affinity technique in which an ovomucoid-gold complex serves as second step reagent for the visualization of this lectin bound to reactive sequences present in tissue sections. The lectin binding sites were detected in semithin and ultrathin sections of aldehyde-fixed and low temperature Lowicryl K4M embedded tissues. For light microscopical labeling the photochemical silver reaction for signal amplification was required. The application of this technique for the detection of N -acetyllactosamine containing asparagine-linked oligosaccharides in various intracellular organelles and the plasma membrane is demonstrated.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47409/1/418_2004_Article_BF00524763.pd

Williams Syndrome and Music: A Systematic Integrative Review

Background: Researchers and clinicians have often cited a strong relationship between individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) and music. This review systematically identified, analyzed, and synthesized research findings related to WS and music.Methods: Thirty-one articles were identified that examined this relationship and were divided into seven areas. This process covered a diverse array of methodologies, with aims to: (1) report current findings; (2) assess methodological quality; and (3) discuss the potential implications and considerations for the clinical use of music with this population.Results: Results indicate that individuals with WS demonstrate a high degree of variability in skill and engagement in music, presenting with musical skills that are more in line with their cognitive abilities than chronological age (CA). Musical strengths for this population appear to be based more in musicality and expressivity than formal musical skills, which are expressed through a heightened interest in music, a greater propensity toward musical activities, and a heightened emotional responsiveness to music. Individuals with WS seem to conserve the overall structure of musical phrases better than they can discriminate or reproduce them exactly. The affinity for music often found in this population may be rooted in atypical auditory processing, autonomic irregularities, and differential neurobiology.Conclusions: More studies are needed to explore how this affinity for music can be harnessed in clinical and educational interventions

Branding the nation: Towards a better understanding

This paper aims to clarify some misunderstanding about nation branding. It examines the origins and interpretations of the concept, and draws a comparison between nation branding and commercial branding. A new definition is offered that emphasises the need to shift from “branding” the nation to nation image management

Development of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs

Abstract Background: Out-of-school time (Ost) programs serve over 8 million children per year and have ample opportunity to promote health through menu and physical activity choices. Until recently, however, the field has lacked a comprehensive set of operationalizable standards for healthy eating and physical activity. the National Afterschool Association adopted voluntary healthy eating and physical activity quality standards (HePAQs) in April, 2011. Methods: We describe the development of HePAQs. this work reflects a social ecological model for changing children's eating and activity behaviors through program-level interventions. the standards were developed using a national, mixed-methods needs assessment, review of existing standards and expert recommendations, and a participatory process of discussion, review, and consensus engaging 19 influential service and policy organizations and agencies in the Healthy Out-of-school time (HOst) coalition, which we convened in 2009. Results: the HOst coalition approved a final version of the HePAQs in January, 2011. the 11 standards address content, curriculum selection, staff training, program support, and environmental support for healthy eating and physical activity. in April, 2011, the HePAQs were adopted by the National Afterschool Association, and have subsequently been widely disseminated. extensive adoption and implementation efforts are underway. Conclusions: the availability of a comprehensive set of standards for healthy eating and physical activity in Ost provides practical information to help community-based youth-serving organizations participate in obesity and chronic disease prevention. A working awareness of their content will be useful to scientists undertaking health promotion studies in the out-of-school time setting

Quantum Graphs: A simple model for Chaotic Scattering

We connect quantum graphs with infinite leads, and turn them to scattering systems. We show that they display all the features which characterize quantum scattering systems with an underlying classical chaotic dynamics: typical poles, delay time and conductance distributions, Ericson fluctuations, and when considered statistically, the ensemble of scattering matrices reproduce quite well the predictions of appropriately defined Random Matrix ensembles. The underlying classical dynamics can be defined, and it provides important parameters which are needed for the quantum theory. In particular, we derive exact expressions for the scattering matrix, and an exact trace formula for the density of resonances, in terms of classical orbits, analogous to the semiclassical theory of chaotic scattering. We use this in order to investigate the origin of the connection between Random Matrix Theory and the underlying classical chaotic dynamics. Being an exact theory, and due to its relative simplicity, it offers new insights into this problem which is at the fore-front of the research in chaotic scattering and related fields.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figures, submitted to J. Phys. A Special Issue -- Random Matrix Theor

Compensatory ingestion upon dietary restriction in Drosophila melanogaster

Dietary restriction extends the lifespan of numerous, evolutionarily diverse species. In D. melanogaster, a prominent model for research on the interaction between nutrition and longevity, dietary restriction is typically based on medium dilution, with possible compensatory ingestion commonly being neglected. Possible problems with this approach are revealed by using a method for direct monitoring of D. melanogaster feeding behavior. This demonstrates that dietary restriction elicits robust compensatory changes in food consumption. As a result, the effect of medium dilution is overestimated and, in certain cases, even fully compensated for. Our results strongly indicate that feeding behavior and nutritional composition act concertedly to determine fly lifespan. Feeding behavior thus emerges as a central element in D. melanogaster aging

Theories for influencer identification in complex networks

In social and biological systems, the structural heterogeneity of interaction networks gives rise to the emergence of a small set of influential nodes, or influencers, in a series of dynamical processes. Although much smaller than the entire network, these influencers were observed to be able to shape the collective dynamics of large populations in different contexts. As such, the successful identification of influencers should have profound implications in various real-world spreading dynamics such as viral marketing, epidemic outbreaks and cascading failure. In this chapter, we first summarize the centrality-based approach in finding single influencers in complex networks, and then discuss the more complicated problem of locating multiple influencers from a collective point of view. Progress rooted in collective influence theory, belief-propagation and computer science will be presented. Finally, we present some applications of influencer identification in diverse real-world systems, including online social platforms, scientific publication, brain networks and socioeconomic systems.Comment: 24 pages, 6 figure

Improving prescribing practices with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): synthesis of 10 studies to explore reasons for variation in malaria RDT uptake and adherence.

OBJECTIVES: The overuse of antimalarial drugs is widespread. Effective methods to improve prescribing practice remain unclear. We evaluated the impact of 10 interventions that introduced rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) on the use of tests and adherence to results in different contexts. DESIGN: A comparative case study approach, analysing variation in outcomes across different settings. SETTING: Studies from the ACT Consortium evaluating mRDTs with a range of supporting interventions in 6 malaria endemic countries. Providers were governmental or non-governmental healthcare workers, private retail sector workers or community volunteers. Each study arm in a distinct setting was considered a case. PARTICIPANTS: 28 cases from 10 studies were included, representing 148 461 patients seeking care for suspected malaria. INTERVENTIONS: The interventions included different mRDT training packages, supervision, supplies and community sensitisation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis explored variation in: (1) uptake of mRDTs (% febrile patients tested); (2) provider adherence to positive mRDTs (% Plasmodium falciparum positive prescribed/given Artemisinin Combination Treatment); (3) provider adherence to negative mRDTs (% P. falciparum negative not prescribed/given antimalarial). RESULTS: Outcomes varied widely across cases: 12-100% mRDT uptake; 44-98% adherence to positive mRDTs; 27-100% adherence to negative mRDTs. Providers appeared more motivated to perform well when mRDTs and intervention characteristics fitted with their own priorities. Goodness of fit of mRDTs with existing consultation and diagnostic practices appeared crucial to maximising the impact of mRDTs on care, as did prior familiarity with malaria testing; adequate human resources and supplies; possible alternative treatments for mRDT-negative patients; a more directive intervention approach and local preferences for ACTs. CONCLUSIONS: Basic training and resources are essential but insufficient to maximise the potential of mRDTs in many contexts. Programme design should respond to assessments of provider priorities, expectations and capacities. As mRDTs become established, the intensity of supporting interventions required seems likely to reduce