Social Democracy in a Small Town

Non-fiction by Adel Fochtman

Impressions

Non-fiction by Adel Fochtmann

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of DNA-Functionalized Nanoparticle Building Blocks on GPUs

This thesis discusses massively parallel molecular dynamics simulations of nBLOCKs using graphical processing units. nBLOCKs are nanoscale building blocks composed of gold nanoparticles functionalized with single-stranded DNA molecules. To explore greater simulation time scales we implement our nBLOCK computational model as an extension to the coarse grain molecular simulator oxDNA. oxDNA is parameterized to match the thermodynamics of DNA strand hybridization as well as the mechanics of single stranded DNA and double stranded DNA. In addition to an in-depth review of our implementation details we also provide results of the model validation and performance tests. These validation and performance tests are comprised of over a hundred separate simulations spanning in simulation length from one thousand to ten million times steps and with simulation sizes ranging from 16 to 27832 particles. Together these tests show the ability of our implementation to handle the full range of basic nBLOCK topologies in a diverse set of conditions. A selection of the utilities developed during the course of this thesis are also discussed. We provide descriptions of the scripting utilities which support nBLOCK assembly generation, simulation, and analysis

Development of Data Models for Nursing Assessment of Cancer Survivors Using Concept Analysis

Objectives: Sharing of cancer-related information among healthcare professionals is crucial to ensuring the quality of longterm care for cancer survivors. Appropriate distribution of the essential facts can be achieved using data models. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate suitable data models for use in the nursing assessment of cancer survivors. Methods: The models developed in this study were based on a modification of concept analysis developed by Walker and Avant. Our approach involved determining the purpose of the analysis, identifying data elements, defining these elements and their uses, determining critical attributes, value sets, and cardinalities, and ultimately constructing data models which were examined externally by domain experts. Results: We developed 112 data models with 112 data elements, 29 critical attributes, 102 value sets, and 6 data types for the assessment of cancer survivors. External validation revealed that the data elements, critical attributes, and value sets proposed were comprehensive, relevant, and sufficiently useful to encompass nursing issues related to cancer survivors. Conclusions: Data models developed in this study will contribute to ensuring the semantic consistency of data collected from cancer survivors, which will improve the quality of nursing assessments and in turn translate to improved long-term patient care

OECD validation study to assess intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility of the zebrafish embryo toxicity test for acute aquatic toxicity testing

The OECD validation study of the zebrafish embryo acute toxicity test (ZFET) for acute aquatic toxicity testing evaluated the ZFET reproducibility by testing 20 chemicals at 5 different concentrations in 3 independent runs in at least 3 laboratories. Stock solutions and test concentrations were analytically confirmed for 11 chemicals. Newly fertilised zebrafish eggs (20/concentration and control) were exposed for 96 h to chemicals. Four apical endpoints were recorded daily as indicators of acute lethality: coagulation of the embryo, lack of somite formation, non-detachment of the tail bud from the yolk sac and lack of heartbeat. Results (LC50 values for 48/96 h exposure) show that the ZFET is a robust method with a good intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility (CV 30%) for some very toxic or volatile chemicals, and chemicals tested close to their limit of solubility. The ZFET is now available as OECD Test Guideline 236. Considering the high predictive capacity of the ZFET demonstrated by Belanger et al. (2013) in their retrospective analysis of acute fish toxicity and fish embryo acute toxicity data, the ZFET is ready to be considered for acute fish toxicity for regulatory purposes

Bruce Meadows

Bear Valley C&H allotment Bruce Meadows - Sheeptrail unit no cattle grazing on the allotment in 1999, as the permittees were approived for nonuse. Area was used as a fire camp in 1999. Fire Camp rehabilitation project.https://digscholarship.unco.edu/lowman_1999/1274/thumbnail.jp

Lanzamiento de aplicación para motivar la práctica de ejercicio en espacios públicos

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo diseñar, analizar la viabilidad y desarrollar el plan de lanzamiento de una propuesta tecnológica que resuelva la inclusión del ejercicio físico en la rutina diaria y promueva su práctica en espacios al aire libre, suponiendo que el no contar con un lugar en el cual guardar la pertenencia es una barrera a la hora de hacerlo. En principio se realizó una investigación preliminar, que consistió en determinar cuáles son las variables del macroentorno que afectan a la industria fitness, cuáles son los principales competidores en la categoría de aplicaciones deportivas y cuál el comportamiento del consumidor. Habiendo realizado este análisis y comprobado que existe lugar en el mercado para el desarrollo de una nueva propuesta, se trabajó sobre las características que debe tener la aplicación a desarrollar para ser valorada por el consumidor. Finalmente surge como propuesta SafeMood, una alternativa a las aplicaciones actuales para el monitoreo de entrenamiento, que trabaja el concepto de la seguridad a través de la salud, las pertenencias del usuario y el medio ambiente

Bruce Meadows

Bear Valley C&H allotment airpiort grathering pasture in bruce Meadows no cattle grazing on the allotment in 1999, as the permittees were approved for nonuse area was used as a fire camp & heli-base in 1999 fire camp &heli-base rehabilitation project.https://digscholarship.unco.edu/lowman_1999/1281/thumbnail.jp