Production of Monodisperse, Crack-Free Cerium Oxide Microspheres by Internal Gelation Sol-Gel Methods.

Traditional powder processes for fabricating plutonium-238 oxide heat source pellets used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators contaminate facilities and pose a health hazard to workers. These problems have motivated steps to validate an alternative, dust-free technique to produce equivalent pellets. Established internal gelation sol-gel methods for fabricating uranium oxide microspheres have been modified to produce monodisperse spheres of cerium dioxide with diameters less than 200 micron. A two-fluid nozzle designed to accommodate short needles in a chill-able configuration has resulted in the production of sintered cerium dioxide microspheres with an average diameter of 100.28 micron ± 2.8 micron. Final sphere diameter was controlled within the range 65 – 210 micron by adjustments to feed solution and stripping oil feed rates. Sol-gel equipment designed and constructed for this study is capable of producing enough gelling product in one day to yield 10 g of sintered cerium dioxide microspheres. Improvements were made to sphere washing techniques to prevent microsphere cracking upon drying and also reduce impurity levels. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that spheres washed by the improved method have 4.5 times less volatile mass loss upon heating than spheres washed by a traditional process. Impurity analysis on sintered microspheres has shown carbon impurities below 30 ppm and trace element levels below specified limits for Pu-238 oxide fuels. Experimental results with a lab-scale apparatus demonstrated that 10s of grams of monodisperse cerium oxide microspheres can be produced by internal gelation methods with low impurity levels. These findings provide motivation for additional research to demonstrate dust-free production of plutonium oxide microspheres.PHDNuclear Engineering and Radiological SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110369/1/jkatalen_1.pd

Case of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis in a Caucasian Male and Review of Literature

Objective. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP), a known condition in Asian men, is becoming increasingly common in men from Western countries. Since suspicion for TPP as a differential in diagnosis is of utmost importance to avoid overcorrection of hypokalemia and other complications, we are reporting a case of TPP in a 25-year-old Caucasian male. Methods. The patient presented with intermittent lower extremity weakness after consumption of a large high-carbohydrate meal. Clinical examination revealed diffusely enlarged thyroid gland, no muscle power in lower extremities, tremors, and brisk deep tendon reflexes. Results. Clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with Graves’ disease and the patient had hypokalemia. The patient responded to potassium repletion and was treated with propylthiouracil and propranolol. After treatment with radioactive iodine, the patient developed postablative hypothyroidism for which he was treated with levothyroxine. Conclusion. Since this condition is overlooked by physicians in Western countries, we present a case of TPP in a Caucasian male thus showing the importance of consideration of TPP in Caucasians despite its rare occurrence and the need for prompt diagnosis to avoid the danger of hyperkalemia in management of the paralytic attack in TPP patients

Performance of a computable phenotype for identification of patients with diabetes within PCORnet: The Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network

Purpose: PCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, represents an innovative system for the conduct of observational and pragmatic studies. We describe the identification and validation of a retrospective cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) from four PCORnet sites. Methods: We adapted existing computable phenotypes (CP) for the identification of patients with T2DM and evaluated their performance across four PCORnet sites (2012-2016). Patients entered the cohort on the earliest date they met one of three CP categories: (CP1) coded T2DM diagnosis (ICD-9/ICD-10) and an antidiabetic prescription, (CP2) diagnosis and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, or (CP3) an antidiabetic prescription and HbA1c ≥6.5%. We required evidence of health care utilization in each of the 2 prior years for each patient, as we also developed an incident T2DM CP to identify the subset of patients without documentation of T2DM in the 365 days before t 0 . Among a systematic sample of patients, we calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) for the T2DM CP and incident-T2DM CP using electronic health record (EHR) review as reference. Results: The CP identified 50 657 patients with T2DM. The PPV of patients randomly selected for validation was 96.2% (n = 1572; CI:95.1-97.0) and was consistently high across sites. The PPV for the incident-T2DM CP was 5.8% (CI:4.5-7.5). Conclusions: The T2DM CP accurately and efficiently identified patients with T2DM across multiple sites that participate in PCORnet, although the incident T2DM CP requires further study. PCORnet is a valuable data source for future epidemiological and comparative effectiveness research among patients with T2DM

Automated telephone communication systems for preventive healthcare and management of long-term conditions

Background Automated telephone communication systems (ATCS) can deliver voice messages and collect health-related information from patients using either their telephone’s touch-tone keypad or voice recognition software. ATCS can supplement or replace telephone contact between health professionals and patients. There are four different types of ATCS: unidirectional (one-way, non-interactive voice communication), interactive voice response (IVR) systems, ATCS with additional functions such as access to an expert to request advice (ATCS Plus) and multimodal ATCS, where the calls are delivered as part of a multicomponent intervention. Objectives To assess the effects of ATCS for preventing disease and managing long-term conditions on behavioural change, clinical, process, cognitive, patient-centred and adverse outcomes. Search methods We searched 10 electronic databases (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; MEDLINE; Embase; PsycINFO; CINAHL; Global Health; WHOLIS; LILACS; Web of Science; and ASSIA); three grey literature sources (Dissertation Abstracts, Index to Theses, Australasian Digital Theses); and two trial registries (www.controlled-trials.com; www.clinicaltrials.gov) for papers published between 1980 and June 2015. Selection criteria Randomised, cluster- and quasi-randomised trials, interrupted time series and controlled before-and-after studies comparing ATCS interventions, with any control or another ATCS type were eligible for inclusion. Studies in all settings, for all consumers/carers, in any preventive healthcare or long term condition management role were eligible. Data collection and analysis We used standard Cochrane methods to select and extract data and to appraise eligible studies. Main results We included 132 trials (N = 4,669,689). Studies spanned across several clinical areas, assessing many comparisons based on evaluation of different ATCS types and variable comparison groups. Forty-one studies evaluated ATCS for delivering preventive healthcare, 84 for managing long-term conditions, and seven studies for appointment reminders. We downgraded our certainty in the evidence primarily because of the risk of bias for many outcomes. We judged the risk of bias arising from allocation processes to be low for just over half the studies and unclear for the remainder. We considered most studies to be at unclear risk of performance or detection bias due to blinding, while only 16% of studies were at low risk. We generally judged the risk of bias due to missing data and selective outcome reporting to be unclear. For preventive healthcare, ATCS (ATCS Plus, IVR, unidirectional) probably increase immunisation uptake in children (risk ratio (RR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18 to 1.32; 5 studies, N = 10,454; moderate certainty) and to a lesser extent in adolescents (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.11; 2 studies, N = 5725; moderate certainty). The effects of ATCS in adults are unclear (RR 2.18, 95% CI 0.53 to 9.02; 2 studies, N = 1743; very low certainty). For screening, multimodal ATCS increase uptake of screening for breast cancer (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.04; 2 studies, N = 462; high certainty) and colorectal cancer (CRC) (RR 2.19, 95% CI 1.88 to 2.55; 3 studies, N = 1013; high certainty) versus usual care. It may also increase osteoporosis screening. ATCS Plus interventions probably slightly increase cervical cancer screening (moderate certainty), but effects on osteoporosis screening are uncertain. IVR systems probably increase CRC screening at 6 months (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.48; 2 studies, N = 16,915; moderate certainty) but not at 9 to 12 months, with probably little or no effect of IVR (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.99, 1.11; 2 studies, 2599 participants; moderate certainty) or unidirectional ATCS on breast cancer screening. Appointment reminders delivered through IVR or unidirectional ATCS may improve attendance rates compared with no calls (low certainty). For long-term management, medication or laboratory test adherence provided the most general evidence across conditions (25 studies, data not combined). Multimodal ATCS versus usual care showed conflicting effects (positive and uncertain) on medication adherence. ATCS Plus probably slightly (versus control; moderate certainty) or probably (versus usual care; moderate certainty) improves medication adherence but may have little effect on adherence to tests (versus control). IVR probably slightly improves medication adherence versus control (moderate certainty). Compared with usual care, IVR probably improves test adherence and slightly increases medication adherence up to six months but has little or no effect at longer time points (moderate certainty). Unidirectional ATCS, compared with control, may have little effect or slightly improve medication adherence (low certainty). The evidence suggested little or no consistent effect of any ATCS type on clinical outcomes (blood pressure control, blood lipids, asthma control, therapeutic coverage) related to adherence, but only a small number of studies contributed clinical outcome data. The above results focus on areas with the most general findings across conditions. In condition-specific areas, the effects of ATCS varied, including by the type of ATCS intervention in use. Multimodal ATCS probably decrease both cancer pain and chronic pain as well as depression (moderate certainty), but other ATCS types were less effective. Depending on the type of intervention, ATCS may have small effects on outcomes for physical activity, weight management, alcohol consumption, and diabetes mellitus. ATCS have little or no effect on outcomes related to heart failure, hypertension, mental health or smoking cessation, and there is insufficient evidence to determine their effects for preventing alcohol/ substance misuse or managing illicit drug addiction, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS, hypercholesterolaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, spinal cord dysfunction or psychological stress in carers. Only four trials (3%) reported adverse events, and it was unclear whether these were related to the intervention

The Oculus: A Nanosatellite for Space Situational Awareness

As a part of the Air Force’s University Nanosatellite Program, Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) has designed and built a nanosatellite for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) research. The Oculus has the capability to visually detect and monitor resident space objects (RSOs) using space-to-space imagers as well as the ability to perform known attitude maneuvers while flying over U.S. observatories in order to anchor models and algorithms used to determine spacecraft attitude from unresolved ground imagery. Over 150 students at Michigan Tech have designed and built the Oculus, a three-axis-controlled nanosatellite equipped with two visible imagers, releasable free-flying imaging targets, and a sophisticated computing and image processing system

Student Perceptions of the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge: Comparison of Two Academic Institutions

Student Perceptions of the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge: Comparison of Two Academic InstitutionsIn 2008, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) updated their body of knowledge(BOK2) that defines how a combination of education and experience shall fulfill developmentalrequirements for entry into the civil engineering (CE) profession. A student seeking licensure asa professional engineer (PE) ought to attain a specified level of achievement in each of 24different foundational, technical, and professional outcomes in order to demonstrate theproficiency and preparedness the profession expects.Determining how potential and existing civil engineering students perceive the BOK2 has been asubject of interest, recently investigated by Angela Bielefeldt at the University of Colorado,Boulder (CU). Potential students can use the BOK2 to learn about their chosen field of study,visualize a roadmap for future development, and better understand the dedication their professionrequires. Graduating seniors can use the BOK2 to assess their personal development, their ownstrengths and weaknesses, and coincidently identify the strengths and weaknesses of theirundergraduate engineering program. Student feedback can help leaders in higher education tomake positive changes in their school’s program in order to better prepare students forprofessional service.This study replicates Bielefeldt’s 2010 investigation under different conditions (i.e. at a militaryacademy as opposed to a research-oriented academic institution) in order to provide confirmationthat the BOK2 framework is a useful tool for evaluating CE curriculums across a wide range ofinstitutions. We queried 42 seniors within a military academy’s CE program on their personalstrengths and weaknesses in the context of the 24 outcomes suggested by the ASCE BOK2. Inaddition, we asked these students to identify apparent curriculum weaknesses and rank order the24 outcomes in terms of perceived importance.This study is of interest to any undergraduate CE program administrator who is interested inassessing pedagogy and developing learning experiences to better prepare students forprofessional licensure. The study also assists practicing engineers to provide appropriatementorship and engineering experience to further prepare engineer interns for eventual licensureas a PE

Fabrication of Cerium Oxide and Uranium Oxide Microspheres for Space Nuclear Power Applications

Cerium oxide and uranium oxide microspheres are being produced via an internal gelation sol-gel method to investigate alternative fabrication routes for space nuclear fuels. Depleted uranium and non-radioactive cerium are being utilized as surrogates for plutonium-238 (Pu-238) used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators and for enriched uranium required by nuclear thermal rockets. While current methods used to produce Pu-238 fuels at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) involve the generation of fine powders that pose a respiratory hazard and have a propensity to contaminate glove boxes, the sol-gel route allows for the generation of oxide microsphere fuels through an aqueous route. The sol-gel method does not generate fine powders and may require fewer processing steps than the LANL method with less operator handling. High-quality cerium dioxide microspheres have been fabricated in the desired size range and equipment is being prepared to establish a uranium dioxide microsphere production capability

Infrastructure and the Operational Art: A Handbook for Understanding, Visualizing, and Describing Infrastructure Systems

The Army’s understanding of infrastructure as an operational variable has been evolving over the past 30 years in response to significant events ranging from international conflicts to domestic weather-related disasters. These experiences have combined to drive a significant shift in infrastructure doctrine, which now demands that commanders and staffs understand, visualize, and describe the infrastructure variable to accomplish the Army’s assigned infrastructure missions of protecting, restoring, and developing infrastructure—all missions essential to restoring stability after conflict or disaster. Current Army doctrine, however, does not say how commanders and staffs are to approach these challenging tasks. This report presents a cognitive framework for understanding, visualizing, and describing infrastructure by using five conceptual models created to allow commanders and staffs to think critically, creatively, and completely about infrastructure problems. The report also includes the scholarship behind the models including verification, validation, and certification as well as example applications of the models to actual situations. Infrastructure is a concern for both civil society and the military, and the models work equally well in both. The authors actively solicit feedback from any reader on the use, application, and improvement of these model

Nanosatellite Attitude Control System for the Oculus: A Space-Based Imaging Platform for Space Situational Awareness

Space situational awareness (SSA) with in-space imaging is one of the top priorities of the U.S. military. The Oculus is a low-cost test bed for nanosatellite in-space imaging technologies. The purpose of the Oculus is to (1) demonstrate vision-based attitude control for tracking resident space objects (RSOs), (2) provide in-space validation of two imaging devices, and (3) train future space-systems engineers through both undergraduate and graduate student research and development. One of the major challenges of creating a low-cost nanosat imaging test bed is the three-axis attitude control system. The Oculus\u27 mission requires two types of attitude control: inertially referenced attitude control and visually referenced attitude control. The visually referenced attitude control, focused upon in this paper, requires precise RSO tracking where both a wide field-of-view imager and a narrow field-of-view imager are used to provide feedback for visual servoing of the spacecraft. Such precise attitude control is implemented using reaction wheels. This paper describes the control strategies used for Oculus\u27 attitude control for visual servoing. Closed-loop performance is illustrated using a dynamic simulation of the spacecraft and a hardware-in-the-loop test bed utilizing a Stewart platform