Universal shape ratios for polymers grafted at a flat surface

We consider dilute non-adsorbed polymers grafted at an impenetrable surface and compute several quantities which characterize the polymer shape: the asphericity and the ratios of the eigenvalues of the radius-of-gyration tensor. The results are only slightly different from those obtained for polymers in the bulk, showing that the surface has little influence on the polymer shape.Comment: 10 pages, LaTe

Statistical analysis of Ni nanowires breaking processes: a numerical simulation study

A statistical analysis of the breaking behavior of Ni nanowires is presented. Using molecular dynamic simulations, we have determined the time evolution of both the nanowire atomic structure and its minimum cross section (Sm(t)). Accumulating thousands of independent breaking events, Sm histograms are built and used to study the influence of the temperature, the crystalline stretching direction and the initial nanowire size. The proportion of monomers, dimers and more complex structures at the latest stages of the breaking process are calculated, finding important differences among results obtained for different nanowire orientations and sizes. Three main cases have been observed. (A) [111] stretching direction and large nanowire sizes: the wire evolves from more complex structures to monomers and dimers prior its rupture; well ordered structures is presented during the breaking process. (B) Large nanowires stretched along the [100] and [110] directions: the system mainly breaks from complex structures (low probability of finding monomers and dimers), having disordered regions during their breakage; at room temperature, a huge histogram peak around Sm=5 appears, showing the presence of long staggered pentagonal Ni wires with ...-5-1-5-... structure. (C) Initial wire size is small: strong size effects independently on the temperature and stretching direction. Finally, the local structure around monomers and dimmers do not depend on the stretching direction. These configurations differ from those usually chosen in static studies of conductance.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figure

Theoretical investigation of transgastric and intraductal approaches for ultrasound-based thermal therapy of the pancreas.

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to theoretically investigate the feasibility of intraductal and transgastric approaches to ultrasound-based thermal therapy of pancreatic tumors, and to evaluate possible treatment strategies.MethodsThis study considered ultrasound applicators with 1.2 mm outer diameter tubular transducers, which are inserted into the tissue to be treated by an endoscopic approach, either via insertion through the gastric wall (transgastric) or within the pancreatic duct lumen (intraductal). 8 patient-specific, 3D, transient, biothermal and acoustic finite element models were generated to model hyperthermia (n = 2) and ablation (n = 6), using sectored (210°-270°, n = 4) and 360° (n = 4) transducers for treatment of 3.3-17.0 cm3 tumors in the head (n = 5), body (n = 2), and tail (n = 1) of the pancreas. A parametric study was performed to determine appropriate treatment parameters as a function of tissue attenuation, blood perfusion rates, and distance to sensitive anatomy.ResultsParametric studies indicated that pancreatic tumors up to 2.5 or 2.7 cm diameter can be ablated within 10 min with the transgastric and intraductal approaches, respectively. Patient-specific simulations demonstrated that 67.1-83.3% of the volumes of four sample 3.3-11.4 cm3 tumors could be ablated within 3-10 min using transgastric or intraductal approaches. 55.3-60.0% of the volume of a large 17.0 cm3 tumor could be ablated using multiple applicator positions within 20-30 min with either transgastric or intraductal approaches. 89.9-94.7% of the volume of two 4.4-11.4 cm3 tumors could be treated with intraductal hyperthermia. Sectored applicators are effective in directing acoustic output away from and preserving sensitive structures. When acoustic energy is directed towards sensitive structures, applicators should be placed at least 13.9-14.8 mm from major vessels like the aorta, 9.4-12.0 mm from other vessels, depending on the vessel size and flow rate, and 14 mm from the duodenum.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the feasibility of generating shaped or conformal ablative or hyperthermic temperature distributions within pancreatic tumors using transgastric or intraductal ultrasound

Localization of UFD2A Transcripts in Adult and Fry Zebrafish

Examines the spacio-temporal expression of the three alternative splice forms of UFD2A in zebrafish to further understanding of UFD2A\u27s role in muscle developmen

Book Review: Women in Twentieth-Century Africa

Review of Women in Twentieth-Century Africa, by Iris Berger. Cambridge University Press, 2016

Evidence-informed in-service professional development to support KEIS providers\u27 sustained fidelity to caregiver coaching.

Part C early intervention (EI) providers are expected to implement family-centered, capacity-building practices with the increasing number of caregivers of eligible infants and toddlers with or at risk of developmental delays or disabilities. There is a current knowledge to practice gap in service provision, establishing the need for evidence-informed professional development. The Coaching in Early Intervention Training and Mentorship Program (CEITMP) was developed to expand the professional knowledge and skills of Kentucky’s cross-disciplinary (i.e., developmental interventionists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists) EI providers to coach caregivers to promote their increased confidence and competence to support their child’s development and learning. The CEITMP embedded adult learning principles and included professional development specialists’ supporting training and mentorship for EI providers over a 32-week period by introducing and illustrating strength-based caregiver coaching, offering performance feedback on providers’ video recorded EI visits and self-assessments, facilitating collaborative teaming, and providing follow-up to support sustained fidelity to caregiver coaching practices. Active Implementation Frameworks were applied to retrospectively investigate implementation and intervention data from the first four years of the statewide, multi-component training and mentorship program. Results indicated the CEITMP was implemented with good fidelity and was key in supporting EI providers to complete the program successfully; EI providers demonstrated the ability to use and sustain caregiver coaching with fidelity; and aggregate state data showed positive child and family outcomes. These results emphasize the significance of ensuring both intervention and implementation fidelity to promote intended outcomes

Consumer Research Needs from the Food and Drug Administration on Front-of-Package Nutritional Labeling

Americans have increasingly busy lifestyles and desire quick and nutritious food choices. To provide consumers with at-a-glance nutrition information, many food manufacturers have introduced front-of-package (FOP) nutritional labeling systems. The purpose of this review is to reach out to the marketing and public policy discipline by identifying research needs on FOP systems not only to aid decision making for federal agencies, but also to help advance research on this important topic. We describe the many FOP systems, the FDA\u27s regulatory background and approach to FOP systems, recent experimental research and gaps in knowledge, and research needs on FOP nutrition labeling

Fast microwave-assisted synthesis of Li-stuffed garnets and insights into Li diffusion from muon spin spectroscopy

Lithium-stuffed garnets attract huge attention due to their outstanding potential as solid-state electrolytes for lithium batteries. However, there exists a persistent challenge in the reliable synthesis of these complex functional oxides together with a lack of complete understanding of the lithium-ion diffusion mechanisms in these important materials. Addressing these issues is critical to realizing the application of garnet materials as electrolytes in all solid-state lithium-ion batteries. In this work, a cubic phase garnet of nominal composition Li6.5Al0.25La2.92Zr2O12 is synthesized through a microwave-assisted solid-state route for the first time, reducing considerably the reaction times and heating temperatures. Lithium-ion diffusion behavior is investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and state-of-art muon spin relaxation (μSR) spectroscopy, displaying activation energies of 0.55 ± 0.03 eV and 0.19 ± 0.01 eV respectively. This difference arises from the high inter-grain resistance, which contributes to the total resistance in EIS measurements. In contrast, μSR acts as a local probe providing insights on the order of the lattice, giving an estimated value of 4.62 × 10−11 cm2 s−1 for the lithium diffusion coefficient. These results demonstrate the potential of this lithium-stuffed garnet as a solid-state electrolyte for all-solid state lithium-ion batteries, an area of growing interest in the energy storage community

Empowering Villages Community Center: Kilimbi, Rwanda

In collaboration with Journeyman International and Empowering Villages this project includes the structural drawings and calculations for a community center located in a rural part of Kilimbi, Rwanda. The structural systems utilized include conventional wood framing, wood framed trusses, special concrete moment frames, special concrete cantilevered columns, conventional continuous foundations, pad footings and a slab on grade. The goal of this project is to promote a healthy community dynamic by providing spaces for assembly, social programs, skills training, and recreation. It includes classrooms, a library, and outdoor learning areas