552 research outputs found
Flexible Ultrathin PolyDVB/EVB Composite Membranes for the Optimization of a Whole Blood Glucose Sensor.
An ultrathin composite membrane has been developed as the outer covering barrier
in a model amperometric glucose oxidase enzyme electrode. The membrane was
formed by cathodic electropolymerization of divinylbenzene/ethylvinylbenzene at
the surface of a gold coated polyester support membrane. Permeability
coefficients were determined for O2 and glucose across membranes with a range of
polymer thicknesses. Anionic interferents (such as ascorbate), were screened
from the working electrode via a charge exclusion mechanism. The enzyme
electrode showed an initial 10% signal drift when first exposed to whole human
blood over a period of 2 hours, after which responses remained essentially
stable. Whole blood patient glucose determinations yielded a correlation
coefficient of r2=0.99 compared to standard hospital analyses
Path Toward a Unifid Geometry for Radiation Transport
The Direct Accelerated Geometry for Radiation Analysis and Design (DAGRAD) element of the RadWorks Project under Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) of NASA will enable new designs and concepts of operation for radiation risk assessment, mitigation and protection. This element is designed to produce a solution that will allow NASA to calculate the transport of space radiation through complex computer-aided design (CAD) models using the state-of-the-art analytic and Monte Carlo radiation transport codes. Due to the inherent hazard of astronaut and spacecraft exposure to ionizing radiation in low-Earth orbit (LEO) or in deep space, risk analyses must be performed for all crew vehicles and habitats. Incorporating these analyses into the design process can minimize the mass needed solely for radiation protection. Transport of the radiation fields as they pass through shielding and body materials can be simulated using Monte Carlo techniques or described by the Boltzmann equation, which is obtained by balancing changes in particle fluxes as they traverse a small volume of material with the gains and losses caused by atomic and nuclear collisions. Deterministic codes that solve the Boltzmann transport equation, such as HZETRN [high charge and energy transport code developed by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC)], are generally computationally faster than Monte Carlo codes such as FLUKA, GEANT4, MCNP(X) or PHITS; however, they are currently limited to transport in one dimension, which poorly represents the secondary light ion and neutron radiation fields. NASA currently uses HZETRN space radiation transport software, both because it is computationally efficient and because proven methods have been developed for using this software to analyze complex geometries. Although Monte Carlo codes describe the relevant physics in a fully three-dimensional manner, their computational costs have thus far prevented their widespread use for analysis of complex CAD models, leading to the creation and maintenance of toolkit-specific simplistic geometry models. The work presented here builds on the Direct Accelerated Geometry Monte Carlo (DAGMC) toolkit developed for use with the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code. The workflow for achieving radiation transport on CAD models using MCNP and FLUKA has been demonstrated and the results of analyses on realistic spacecraft/habitats will be presented. Future work is planned that will further automate this process and enable the use of multiple radiation transport codes on identical geometry models imported from CAD. This effort will enhance the modeling tools used by NASA to accurately evaluate the astronaut space radiation risk and accurately determine the protection provided by as-designed exploration mission vehicles and habitat
Factors that influence elementary school teachersâ attitudes towards inclusion of visually impaired children in Turkey
There is a scarcity of research on inclusion of visually impaired children in Turkey. Specifically, a gap exists concerning the attitudes of elementary school teachers towards the inclusion of visually impaired children in mainstream schools. This paper uses data from two questionnaires, leveraging the responses of 253 teachers from rural and urban areas. The results demonstrate that elementary school teachers commonly hold positive attitudes towards the inclusion of visually impaired children and that teachersâ initial and in-service training about inclusion positively influenced their attitudes. Our findings are in contrast with earlier research which argues teachers do not hold positive attitudes to inclusion, and highlights that a key barrier to inclusion stems from elementary school teachers feeling unprepared to teach visually impaired children. We conclude that greater post-qualification training is required to enable teachers to operationalize different approaches that facilitate the inclusion of visually impaired children
POPULATION ATTRIBUTABLE RISK FOR 30-DAY READMISSION FOLLOWING HEART FAILURE HOSPITALIZATION FROM A LARGE MULTI-STATE HEALTHCARE COST AND UTILIZATION PROJECT STATE INPATIENT DATABASE
Studies on Pre-slaughter Handling of Pigs and its Relationship to Meat Quality
End of Project ReportsTwo quality defects of pork which are affected by preslaughter
handling are PSE (Pale Soft Exudative) and DFD (Dark
Firm Dry) meat.
The incidence of PSE pork is mainly a function of the breed of
pig but short-term stressful handling before slaughter and feeding
too close to slaughter are also involved. DFD meat is a result of
prolonged stressful handling. PSE meat is pale and uneven in
colour and exudes fluid making it unattractive in the retail display
while dark meat appears stale and is prone to bacterial spoilage.
After slaughter muscle metabolism continues and muscle glycogen
is converted to lactic acid reducing meat pH. Prolonged stress
results in glycogen depletion, pre-slaughter feeding results in
elevated levels. Colour may be assessed subjectively by eye or
objectively by a meter colour but pH of the meat is closely related
to colour and measurement of pH at 45 minutes post-slaughter is
frequently used to predict ultimate colour and pH.
The objective of this study was to examine pre-slaughter handling
practices and their relationship with meat quality (pH, colour).
In the first trial, a survey of the amounts of stomach contents in
pigs at slaughter in two factories found similar amounts to
comparable surveys in France and the UK. It was concluded that
most pigs had been fasted for an adequate time before delivery.
The relationship between the amount of stomach contents and
meat quality in this survey was poor.
In the second trial, pigs from the Moorepark herd fed by either a
computerised wet feeding system or an ad libitum dry feed system
were slaughtered after overnight fasting or with feed available up
to loading for transport to the factory, two to three hours before
slaughter. There was no difference between feeding systems in
meat colour or pH but fasted pigs, on both feeding systems, had
darker meat and meat of a higher pH.
In the third and fourth trials a survey of transport vehicles was
carried out and meat quality of pigs delivered in modern and old-type vehicles was compared. Most trucks examined (78%) were
four years old or more. Few had modern hydraulic lifting gear for
the top decks. Space allowances during transportation were
generally adequate but delays in unloading could, in warm weather,
cause stress on pigs. There was little evidence for an effect of
vehicle on meat quality parameters but day to day variation in
carcass temperature and pH suggested a need for further research
on factory influences on meat quality.
Feeding of Magneium Aspartate to pigs for the last 5 days prior
to slaughter has been shown, in Australia, to have a beneficial
effect on meat colour and drip loss. In the final trial in this study
Mg Asp had no effect on meat quality parameters.European Union Structural Funds (EAGGF
Comparative landscape dynamics of two anuran species: climateâdriven interaction of local and regional processes
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117162/1/ecm2009793503.pd
Ethnic Layers of Detroit: Experiencing Place through Digital Storytelling
Ethnic Layers of Detroit (ELD) seeks to engage students in documenting and sharing the complex layers of Detroitâs ethnic histories though an interactive digital storytelling web portal. We are requesting Level II funding to expand on our pilot project to hire student assistants to develop 20-25 additional multimedia narratives over an 18-month period.This project is innovative in that it facilitates interdisciplinary investigation and collaboration, and uses available technology in new ways to explore the multilayered connections between people, practices and the urban environment through narrative and experientially-based learning activities. By constructing a student-centered project with overlapping creative, intellectual, and technical training opportunities, our project will provide students with the transferable skills and experience to communicate with and contribute to a range of humanities, multimedia, and urban-focused colleagues and careers
Realities and experiences of community health volunteers as agents for behaviour change: evidence from an informal urban settlement in Kisumu, Kenya.
BACKGROUND: Community health workers play an important role in health service delivery and are increasingly involved in behaviour change interventions, including for hygiene-related behaviour change. However, their role and capacity to deliver behaviour change interventions, particularly in high-density urban settlements, remain under-researched. This study examines the behaviour change-related activities of community health volunteers (CHVs)-community health workers affiliated with the Kenyan Ministry of Health-in a peri-urban settlement in Kenya, in order to assess their capabilities, opportunities to work effectively, and sources of motivation. METHODS: This mixed-methods study included a census of 16 CHVs who work in the study area. All CHVs participated in structured observations of their daily duties, structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and two focus group discussions. Structured data were analysed descriptively. Thematic content analysis was followed for qualitative data. Results were synthesized and interpreted using the capability, opportunity, motivation for behaviour change framework, COM-B. RESULTS: In addition to their responsibilities with the Ministry of Health, CHVs partnered with a range of non-governmental organizations engaged in health and development programming, often receiving small stipends from these organizations. CHVs reported employing a limited number of behaviour change techniques when interacting with community members at the household level. Capability: While supervision and support from the MOH was robust, CHV training was inconsistent and inadequate with regard to behaviour change and CHVs often lacked material resources necessary for their work. Opportunity: CHVs spent very little time with the households in their allocated catchment area. The number of households contacted per day was insufficient to reach all assigned households within a given month as required and the brief time spent with households limited the quality of engagement. MOTIVATION: Lack of compensation was noted as a demotivating factor for CHVs. This was compounded by the challenging social environment and CHVs' low motivation to encourage behaviour change in local communities. CONCLUSIONS: In a complex urban environment, CHVs faced challenges that limited their capacity to be involved in behaviour change interventions. More resources, better coordination, and additional training in modern behaviour change approaches are needed to ensure their optimal performance in implementing health programmes
Linked Data Approach For Automated Failure Detection In Pressure Sewers Using Real-Time Sensor Data
The increased availability of sensor data presents opportunities for machine-assisted analytics, reporting and exploration of the sensed environment. Sensor networks provide the ability to observe physical phenomena in real-time and provide useful information to help conservation and management of environmental resources. Thus, exploring these real-time datasets can provide valuable insights for informing policy and decision support in domains such as water quality monitoring, early warning disaster detection, and physical asset degradation monitoring. However, the semantic meaning, format and interface heterogeneity of the sensors and sensor observations are barriers to effective discovery and analysis of events. We propose ontology-driven approaches for performing event detection over real-time sensor data. In this paper, we apply linked data approaches using sensor and domain ontologies for describing sensor observations, event constraints and triggered event notifications for detecting failure in pressure sewers. Specifically, we present a prototype event detection system that implements the above approach for detecting multi-stage fracture failure of PVC and Asbestos Cement pressure sewer mains, that remotely monitor sensor data (i.e. pump flow and wet well levels) and produces event notifications based on sensor observation semantics. The methodology explores how new uses (and additional value) can be found for the large volumes of hydraulic sensor data that organisations such as water utilities already gather in business-as-usual practices
Dabrafenib for Treating Unresectable, Advanced or Metastatic BRAF V600 Mutation-Positive Melanoma: An Evidence Review Group Perspective
- âŠ