Simulation of optically-stimulated luminescence of zircon

Mineral zircon, ZrSiO4, belongs to a class of materials that can be used as a chronological tool in geology and archaeology for measurements of the natural radiation dose and the sample age by optical methods. The model of optically stimulated luminescence developed earlier is used to investigate the applicability of the single-aliquot regenerative-dose method (SAR) for dating with zircon. Various implementations of the SAR method are considered and practical recommendations are formulated.

Brand Loyalty, Generic Entry and Price Competition in Pharmaceuticals in the Quarter Century After the 1984 Waxman-Hatch Legislation

The landmark Waxman-Hatch Act of 1984 represented a “grand compromise” legislation that sought to balance incentives for innovation by establishing finite periods of market exclusivity yet simultaneously providing access to lower cost generics expeditiously following patent expiration. Here we examine trends in the first quarter century since passage of the legislation, building on earlier work by Grabowski and Vernon [1992,1996] and Cook [1998]. The generic share of retail prescriptions in the U.S. has grown from 18.6% in 1984 to 74.5% in 2009, with a notable acceleration in recent years. This increase reflects increases in both the share of the total market potentially accessible by generics, and the generic efficiency rate – the latter frequently approaching 100%. Whereas in 1994, the generic price index fell from 100 to 80 in the 12 months following initial generic entry and by 24 months to 65, in 2009 the comparable generic price indexes are 68 and 27, respectively. Recent studies sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons focus only on brand prices and ignore substitution to lower priced options following loss of patent protection. For the prescription drugs most commonly used by beneficiaries in Medicare Part D, the average price per prescription declined by 21.3% from 2006 to 2009, rather than increasing by 25-28% as reported by the AARP. Finally, we quantify changes over time in the average daily cost of pharmaceutical treatment in nine major therapy areas, encompassing the entire set of molecules within each therapy class, not simply the molecule whose patent has expired. Across all nine therapeutic areas, at 24 months post-generic entry, the weighted mean reduction in pharmaceutical treatment cost per patient is 35.1%.

Characterizing Markets for Biopharmaceutical Innovations: Do Biologics Differ from Small Molecules?

Much has been written about the seemingly less formal, more agile biotechnology industry and its extensive interactions with academia and startups, as well as its distinct scientific, manufacturing and regulatory profile. Employing a data base encompassing all 96 biologics and 212 small molecules newly launched in the U.S. between 1998Q1 and 2008Q4, we compare their downstream clinical and commercial characteristics -- therapeutic class concentration, launch delays following approval, Orphan Drug and priority review status, supplemental indications, black box warning and safety record, and pricing and revenue growth during the product life cycle. We conclude that the market dynamics of biologics differ substantially from those of small molecules, although therapeutic class composition plays a major role.

Gas-phase domino cyclisation of phosphonium ylides leading to the total synthesis of Eustifoline D

The authors thank EPSRC (UK) for a DTA studentship (Grant No. EP/P501768/1).Six stabilised phosphonium ylides bearing ortho-benzylaminophenyl and cinnamoyl (or a heterocyclic analogue) groups have been prepared and upon flash vacuum pyrolysis at 800 °C were found to undergo cascade cyclization processes to give mainly 3-styrylquinolines but also in some cases ring-fused carbazoles and other fused-ring heterocyclic products. By starting with an appropriate ring-methylated precursor the natural product Eustifoline D was obtained in 19% yield in the pyrolysis in addition to the 3-(2-furylethenyl)quinoline (46%).PostprintPeer reviewe

Short report: Evaluation of wider community support for a neurodiversity teaching programme designed using participatory methods

Children with diagnoses such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and so on often experience bullying at school. This group can be described as neurodivergent, meaning they think and process information differently from most people. Previous research suggests that increasing people's knowledge can be an effective way to reduce stigma and bullying. Therefore, we decided to create a primary school resource to teach about neurodiversity - the concept that all humans vary in how our brains work. Working with educators, our research team - which included neurodivergent people - developed plans for a teaching programme called Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS). Next, we wanted to know whether these plans, developed by our small neurodiverse team, would be endorsed by the wider community. To find out, we conducted an online feedback survey about our plans for the resource. We analysed feedback from 111 people who participated. Most of them identified as neurodivergent (70%) and reported being familiar with neurodiversity (98%), meaning they could provide an informed opinion on our plans. Over 90% of people expressed support for the planned programme content described in the survey, and 73% of them approved our intended definition of the resource's core concept, neurodiversity. From these results, we concluded that there was a high level of support for the planned LEANS programme content across those from the wider community who completed the survey. Consequently, we continued developing the LEANS programme in line with the initial plans from our neurodiverse team. The completed resource is now available as a free download

Anomalous luminescence of subglacial sediment at Haut glacier d'Arolla, Switzerland - a consequence of resetting at the glacier bed?

<p>Luminescence has the potential to elucidate glacial geomorphic processes because primary glacial sediment sources and transport pathways are associated with contrasting degrees of exposure to light. Most notably, sediment entrained from extraglacial sources should be at least partially reset, whereas sediment produced by glacial erosion of subglacial bedrock should retain substantial luminescence commensurate with a geological irradiation history.</p> <p>We set out to test the validity of this assumption at Haut Glacier d’Arolla, Switzerland using sediment sampled extraglacially and from the glacier bed. Contrary to our expectations, the subglacial samples exhibited natural signals that were substantially lower than those of other sample groups, and further (albeit limited) analyses have indicated no obvious differences in sample group luminescence characteristics or behaviour that could account for this observation. For glaciological reasons, we can eliminate both the possibility that the subglacial sediment has been extraglacially-reset or exposed in situ to heat or light. We therefore advocate investigation of possible resetting processes related to subglacial crushing and grinding, and speculate that such processes, if more generally present, may enable the dating of subglacially-deposited tills using luminescence-based techniques.</p&gt

North: Volume One

A region. A route. A response. — Welcome to the first edition of North; a new publication produced by students and staff from the Photography Department at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston. North is intended to be a showcase of photographic activity from North West England and a decisive challenge to the traditional degree show model that relies on gallery display as a default. At UCLan we pride ourselves on offering an open environment for early career practitioners to explore topics and approaches to visual communication however they choose. Our resistance to pursuing a ‘UCLan Style’ can be seen in the eclectic range of work featured in North produced by final year undergraduate students.This approach is only possible through the community of practice that has been developed by the combined efforts and diverse interests of an active and committed team of staff. Technical expertise, research informed teaching and contemporary industry links support the work of all students whilst simultaneously generating original work, as can be seen here in the portfolios of John Van Aitken and Brian J Morrison .Preston may not be top of the list of recognised photography cities ,yet it is precisely this anonymity that can give people the space to engage with photography and develop their personal voice with the medium. Jamie Hawkesworth and Ayesha Jones are two recent alumni that used their time of study to work out what it is they wanted to do with photography and are now recognised at an international level. Thank you for joining us; North is just the starting point of an archive of the future

Further studies on the pyrolytic domino cyclization of stabilized phosphonium ylides bearing an ortho-aminophenyl group

The authors thank the EPSRC (UK) for a DTA studentship (Grant No. EP/P501768/1).Four new stabilized phosphonium ylides containing a 2-(benzyl(methyl)amino)phenyl group have been prepared and characterized and are found, upon pyrolysis under gas-phase flow conditions, to lose Ph3PO and benzyl radical to afford new heterocyclic products resulting from domino cyclization of both C- and N-centred radicals. Most products arise from processes of the former type and have quinoline, phenanthridine or ring-fused phenanthridine structures, while in one case a process of the latter type leads to a benzocarbazole product. The X-ray structure of a 2-(methyl(tosyl)amino)phenyl ylide is also reported.Publisher PDFPublisher PDFPeer reviewe