As assessment of power system vulnerability to release of carbon fibers during commercial aviation accidents

The vulnerability of a power distribution system in Bedford and Lexington, Massachusetts to power outages as a result of exposure to carbon fibers released in a commercial aviation accident in 1993 was examined. Possible crash scenarios at Logan Airport based on current operational data and estimated carbon fiber usage levels were used to predict exposure levels and occurrence probabilities. The analysis predicts a mean time between carbon fiber induced power outages of 2300 years with an expected annual consequence of 0.7 persons losing power. In comparison to historical outage data for the system, this represents a 0.007% increase in outage rate and 0.07% increase in consequence

Novel Analogue of Colchicine Induces Selective Pro-Death Autophagy and Necrosis in Human Cancer Cells

Colchicine, a natural product of Colchicum autumnae currently used for gout treatment, is a tubulin targeting compound which inhibits microtubule formation by targeting fast dividing cells. This tubulin-targeting property has lead researchers to investigate the potential of colchicine and analogs as possible cancer therapies. One major study conducted on an analogue of allocolchicine, ZD 6126, was halted in phase 2 clinical trials due to severe cardio-toxicity associated with treatment. This study involves the development and testing of novel allocolchicine analogues that hold non-toxic anti-cancer properties. Currently we have synthesized and evaluated the anti-cancer activities of two analogues; N-acetyl-O-methylcolchinol (NSC 51046 or NCME), which is structurally similar to ZD 6126, and (S)-3,8,9,10-tetramethoxyallocolchicine (Green 1), which is a novel derivative of allocolchicine that is isomeric in the A ring. NSC 51046 was found to be non-selective as it induced apoptosis in both BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells and in normal human fibroblasts. Interestingly, we found that Green 1 was able to modestly induce pro-death autophagy in these pancreatic cancer cells and E6-1 leukemia cells but not in normal human fibroblasts. Unlike colchicine and NSC 51046, Green 1 does not appear to affect tubulin polymerization indicating that it has a different molecular target. Green 1 also caused increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mitochondria isolated from pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, in vivo studies revealed that Green 1 was well tolerated in mice. Our findings suggest that a small change in the structure of colchicine has apparently changed the mechanism of action and lead to improved selectivity. This may lead to better selective treatments in cancer therapy

A portable neutron spectroscope (NSPECT) for detection, imaging and identification of nuclear material

We have developed, fabricated and tested a prototype imaging neutron spectrometer designed for real-time neutron source location and identification. Real-time detection and identification is important for locating materials. These materials, specifically uranium and transuranics, emit neutrons via spontaneous or induced fission. Unlike other forms of radiation (e.g. gamma rays), penetrating neutron emission is very uncommon. The instrument detects these neutrons, constructs images of the emission pattern, and reports the neutron spectrum. The device will be useful for security and proliferation deterrence, as well as for nuclear waste characterization and monitoring. The instrument is optimized for imaging and spectroscopy in the 1-20 MeV range. The detection principle is based upon multiple elastic neutron-proton scatters in organic scintillator. Two detector panel layers are utilized. By measuring the recoil proton and scattered neutron locations and energies, the direction and energy spectrum of the incident neutrons can be determined and discrete and extended sources identified. Event reconstruction yields an image of the source and its location. The hardware is low power, low mass, and rugged. Its modular design allows the user to combine multiple units for increased sensitivity. We will report the results of laboratory testing of the instrument, including exposure to a calibrated Cf-252 source. Instrument parameters include energy and angular resolution, gamma rejection, minimum source identification distances and times, and projected effective area for a fully populated instrument

La relation entre le contexte de l'évaluation du rendement et l'indulgence de l'évaluateur

La présente étude s'insère dans les multiples efforts de recherche déployés pour mieux circonscrire les paramètres de l'évaluation du rendement. À partir du modèle de Murphy et Cleveland (1995), les auteurs développent une méthodologie originale qui permet de tester empiriquement auprès de 106 fonctionnaires de la fonction publique québécoise la motivation de l'évaluateur à produire des évaluations indulgentes de leurs subordonnés. Les résultats révèlent que l'indulgence s'avère une réponse à un contexte défavorable d'évaluation : les variables contextuelles influencent significativement les appréciations faites par l'évaluateur.There has been a substantial amount of research on performance appraisal. Practically all of this work has focused on understanding and improving a rater's ability to provide accurate ratings. Thus a plethora of research exists regarding such issues as the effect of rating formats and training on the ability to perform accurate evaluations of subordinates. More recently, several researchers have suggested that increasing the quality of performance ratings can only occur through a better understanding of the cognitive processes that underlie performance judgments. This perspective argues that rating errors and inaccurate appraisals are a function of the rater's information processing capabilities. Recent models of performance appraisal have focused on motivational factors rather then cognitive deficits as explanations for apparent rater errors. Despite recent calls for more work in this area, very few studies have investigated the motivation to inflate ratings in the performance appraisal context. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the performance appraisal context and rater motivation to inflate ratings. Hypotheses were developed from the Murphy and Cleveland (1995) model of rater leniency. The assumption underlying the study is that rating inaccuracy is predominantly intentional.The participants in the study were 106 managers in the Quebec public sector. Rating inflation was defined as the discrepancy between public and private performance appraisal ratings for a target ratee. A standardized interview and two questionnaires were used to collect the data. To gather public rating for the target ratee, each participant was asked to get an anonymous copy of the target ratee's last performance appraisal from the human resource department. Each participant's private ratings of the target ratee were collected. Private performance ratings consisted of the rater's personal judgment of the employee's performance during the most recent performance appraisal period. These ratings were made during the interview on a copy of the appraisal form normally used by the ratee. After finishing the interview, the researcher gave participants a first questionnaire and one month later sent the second questionnaire. The questionnaires included measures of context variables.As expected, raters' perceptions of the performance appraisal context are related to rating behaviour. Specifically, the results show that the quality of the interpersonal relationship between supervisor and subordinate influence rating inflation. The ratings of an employee in low-quality relationships are inflated. In contrast, supervisory ratings are more accurate for employees in high-quality relationships. A supervisons perceptions of subordinates' self rating of their performance is related to rating inflation. This accountability pressure might arise because supervisors wish to avoid conflict. The level of rating inflation varies across raters and in relation to the type of standard used to judge performance. The lack of clear performance standards is related to rating inflation. Discomfort in giving feedback was not significantly related to rater motivation to inflate ratings. The results also indicate that the purpose of performance ratings effects rating inflation. Rating inflation will be more likely to occur when performance appraisal is not linked to human resource management decisions. Rater trust in the appraisal System is likely to affect rater motivation. Low trust in the System is related to rating inflation. As predicted, a rater's impression of management activities is related to rating inflation. Raters are likely to inflate ratings to maintain a positive image of the organization and to maintain an appropriate image vis-a-vis his or her subordinates. Consistent with the hypothesis, managers may be more likely to inflate ratings when there are political influences within the performance appraisal process. Overall, the findings suggest that the performance appraisal context does affect rater behaviour. This research helps to bridge the gap between practice and research in the area of performance appraisal.El présente estudio se intégra dentro de los multiples esfuerzos de investigaciòn desarrollados para mejor comprender los paràmetros de evaluaciòn del rendimiento. A partir del modelo de Murphy y Cleveland (1995), los autores desarrollaron una metodologia original que permite probar empìricamente de un grupo de 106 funcionarios de la funciòn publica de Québec, la motivaciòn del evaluador de producir evaluaciones indulgentes de sus subordinados. Los resultados revelaron que la indulgencia se muestra como una respuesta a un contexto desfavorable de evaluaciòn: las variables conceptuales influencian significativamente las apreciaciones hechas por el evaluador

Pre-Travel Health Care of Immigrants Returning Home to Visit Friends and Relatives

Immigrants returning home to visit friends and relatives (VFR travelers) are at higher risk of travel-associated illness than other international travelers. We evaluated 3,707 VFR and 17,507 non-VFR travelers seen for pre-travel consultation in Global TravEpiNet during 2009–2011; all were traveling to resource-poor destinations. VFR travelers more commonly visited urban destinations than non-VFR travelers (42% versus 30%, P < 0.0001); 54% of VFR travelers were female, and 18% of VFR travelers were under 6 years old. VFR travelers sought health advice closer to their departure than non-VFR travelers (median days before departure was 17 versus 26, P < 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, being a VFR traveler was an independent predictor of declining a recommended vaccine. Missed opportunities for vaccination could be addressed by improving the timing of pre-travel health care and increasing the acceptance of vaccines. Making pre-travel health care available in primary care settings may be one step to this goal

Occult Cushing\u27s Syndrome Presenting with Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a frequent complication both of endogenous hypercortisolism and of long-term treatment with corticosteroids, but only rarely is it the major clinical feature with the more characteristic features absent or minimally present. In the two patients presented, hypercortisolism was uncovered only during routine evaluation of osteoporosis. This presentation is probably due to slow progression of the disease and is often associated with so-called black adenoma of the adrenal gland. Secondary causes should be sought in all patients with seemingly senile or postmenopausal osteoporosis

Travel Characteristics and Yellow Fever Vaccine Usage Among US Global TravEpiNet Travelers Visiting Countries with Risk of Yellow Fever Virus Transmission, 2009–2011

Yellow fever (YF) vaccine-associated serious adverse events and changing YF epidemiology have challenged healthcare providers to vaccinate only travelers whose risk of YF during travel is greater than their risk of adverse events. We describe the travel characteristics and YF vaccine use among US travelers visiting Global TravEpiNet clinics from January of 2009 to March of 2011. Of 16,660 travelers, 5,588 (34%) had itineraries to areas with risk of YF virus transmission. Of those travelers visiting one country with YF risk (N = 4,517), 71% were vaccinated at the visit, and 20% were presumed to be immune from prior vaccination. However, travelers visiting friends and relatives (odds ratio [OR] = 2.57, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.27–5.22) or going to Nigeria (OR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.37–6.62) were significantly more likely to decline vaccination. To optimize YF vaccine use, clinicians should discuss an individual's risk–benefit assessment of vaccination and close knowledge gaps regarding vaccine use among at-risk populations