Thermal Conductivity Studies of High Polymers Final Report

Thermal conductivity studies of high polymer

Morphology of Polyanhydride Microsphere Delivery Systems

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to elucidate the mechanism of polymer degradation and drug release in polyanhydride microspheres. Three different fabrication methods — solvent removal, solvent evaporation, and hot melt microencapsulation — were used to prepare polyanhydride microspheres containing a variety of drugs. The morphology of these microspheres releasing drug in vitro and in vivo was studied by SEM and compared with degradation and release data measured by conventional methods. Microspheres prepared by the three techniques were shown to have distinctive morphological characteristics induced by the nature of the fabrication method. In addition, SEM analysis could be used to explain the drug release profiles and polymer degradation behavior seen in vitro as well as the in vivo effects of insulin-loaded microspheres on diabetic rats. This study has shown SEM to be an important and powerful tool for analyzing the effects of microsphere fabrication method on drug release

Experiments in free shear flows: Status and needs for the future

Experiments in free turbulent flows are recommended with the primary concern placed on classical flows in order to augment understanding and for model building. Five classes of experiments dealing with classical free turbulent flows are outlined and proposed as being of particular significance for the near future. These classes include the following: (1) Experiments clarifying the effect of density variation owing to use of different gases, with and without the additional effect of density variation due to high Mach number or other effects; (2) experiments clarifying the role and importance of various parameters which determine the behavior of the near field as well as the condictions under which any of these parameters can be neglected; (3) experiments determining the cumulative effect of initial conditions in terms of distance to fully established flow; (4) experiments for cases where two layers of distinctly different initial turbulence structure flow side by side at the same mean speed; and (5) experiment using contemporary experimental techniques to study structure in free turbulent shear flows in order to compliment and support contemporary work on boundary layers

Stochastic Model for Modulus of Elasticity of Lumber

A model was developed for generating the lengthwise variability in modulus of elasticity (MOE) of lumber. A limited grade selection of southern pine visual and machine stress-rated (MSR) grades formed the basic data base, A second-order Markov model was used to generate serially correlated MOE's along 30-inch segments for a piece of lumber. Modulus of elasticity indexes were obtained by dividing each correlated MOE by the average MOE of the piece of lumber. The MOE of each segment was obtained by multiplying the MOE indexes by a single random observation from a distribution of MOE. The distribution characteristics of the generated MOE values are preserved, and the first- and second-order lengthwise serial correlations are preserved

Programmable Automated Welding System (PAWS): Control of welding through software and hardware

The ATD phase of the PAWS program ended in November 1992 and the follow-on ManTech program was started in September 1993. The system will be industrially hardened during the first year of this program. Follow-on years will focus upon the transition into specific end-user sites. These implementations will also expand the system into other welding processes (e.g. FCAW, GTAW, PAW). In addition, the architecture is being developed for application to other non-welding robotic processes (e.g. inspection, surface finishing). Future development is anticipated to encompass hardening for extreme environments, expanded exception handling techniques, and application to a range of manipulators

Coming in Warm: Qualitative Study and Concept Map to Cultivate Patient‐Centered Empathy in Emergency Care

Background Increased empathy may improve patient perceptions and outcomes. No training tool has been derived to teach empathy to emergency care providers. Accordingly, we engaged patients to assist in creating a concept map to teach empathy to emergency care providers. Methods We recruited patients, patient caretakers and patient advocates with emergency department experience to participate in three separate focus groups (n = 18 participants). Facilitators guided discussion about behaviors that physicians should demonstrate in order to rapidly create trust, enhance patient perception that the physician understood the patient's point of view, needs, concerns, fears, and optimize patient/caregiver understanding of their experience. Verbatim transcripts from the three focus groups were read by the authors and by consensus, 5 major themes with 10 minor themes were identified. After creating a codebook with thematic definitions, one author reviewed all transcripts to a library of verbatim excerpts coded by theme. To test for inter‐rater reliability, two other authors similarly coded a random sample of 40% of the transcripts. Authors independently chose excerpts that represented consensus and strong emotional responses from participants. Results Approximately 90% of opinions and preferences fell within 15 themes, with five central themes: Provider transparency, Acknowledgement of patient's emotions, Provider disposition, Trust in physician, and Listening. Participants also highlighted the need for authenticity, context and individuality to enhance empathic communication. For empathy map content, patients offered example behaviors that promote perceptions of physician warmth, respect, physical touch, knowledge of medical history, explanation of tests, transparency, and treating patients as partners. The resulting concept map was named the “Empathy Circle”. Conclusions Focus group participants emphasized themes and tangible behaviors to improve empathy in emergency care. These were incorporated into the “Empathy Circle”, a novel concept map that can serve as the framework to teach empathy to emergency care providers

Hypnotics' association with mortality or cancer: a matched cohort study

Objectives: An estimated 6%e10 % of US adults took a hypnotic drug for poor sleep in 2010. This study extends previous reports associating hypnotics with excess mortality. Setting: A large integrated health system in the USA. Design: Longitudinal electronic medical records were extracted for a one-to-two matched cohort survival analysis. Subjects: Subjects (mean age 54 years) were 10 529 patients who received hypnotic prescriptions and 23 676 matched controls with no hypnotic prescriptions, followed for an average of 2.5 year

Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Black Cherry (Prunus Serotina EHRH.)

The dynamic mechanical properties of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) have been investigated as a function of temperature at audio frequencies. Relaxation processes are evident near 200, 360, and 510 K. The process near 200 K was investigated as a function of initial moisture content (based on mass measurements prior to testing). At moisture contents greater than about 20%, the damping peak is centered near 185 K. This relaxation shifts with moisture content, and at moisture contents below 6%, the peak is centered near 225 K. The relaxation in the 360 K region is also associated with initial moisture content. For oven-dry black cherry specimens, the dynamic mechanical properties in the 360 K region are nearly temperature-independent. The relaxation near 510 K is believed to be associated with thermal degradation of wood constituents that are known to degrade in that temperature region

Responsiveness of PROMIS® to change in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive chronic disease characterized by airflow obstruction that leads to shortness of breath and substantial negative impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQL). The course of COPD includes periodic acute exacerbations that require changes in treatment and/or hospitalizations. This study was designed to examine the responsiveness of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) measures to changes associated with COPD exacerbation recovery.MethodsA longitudinal analysis using mixed-effects models was conducted of people who were enrolled while stable (n = 100) and those who experienced an acute exacerbation (n = 85). PROMIS (physical function, pain interference, pain behavior, fatigue, anxiety, depression, anger, social roles, discretionary social activities, Global Health, dyspnea severity and dyspnea functional limitations) and COPD-targeted HRQL measures were completed at baseline and at 12 weeks.ResultsWe administered PROMIS measures using computer adaptive testing (CAT), followed by administration of any remaining short form (SF) items that had not yet been administered by CAT. Examination of the difference between group differences from baseline to 12 weeks in the stable and exacerbation groups revealed that the exacerbation group changed (improved) significantly more than the stable group in anxiety (p < .001 to p < .01; f2 effect size [ES] = 0.023/0.021), fatigue (p < .0001; ES = 0.036/0.047) and social roles (p < .001 to p < .05; ES = 0.035/0.024). All effect sizes were small in magnitude and smaller than hypothesized. Depression was also statistically significant (p < .05, SF only) but the ES was trivial. For all other PROMIS domains, the differences were not significant and ES were trivial.ConclusionsThis longitudinal study provides some support for the validity of the PROMIS fatigue, anxiety, and social roles domains in COPD, but further evaluation of responsiveness is warranted

Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Nonstoichiometric, Amine-Cured Epoxy Resin

The dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy resins cured with nonstoichiometric amounts [37%-103% of stoichiometric composition (SC)] of diethylenetriamine at room temperature have been measured in the temperature range 85° to 300°K and correlated to structures of cured resins. The dynamic mechanical behavior changed above and below 62.5% of SC, at which network structures are formed. The intensities of γ- and β-peaks, ～150° and ～250°K, respectively, depend upon the concentration of DETA used. The processes of the γ- and β-peaks are discussed