Reputation and Competence in Publicly Funded Science: Estimating the Effects on Research Group Productivity..

This paper estimates the "production function" for scientific research publications in the field of biotechnology. It utilizes an exceptionally rich and comprehensive data set pertaining to the universe of research groups that applied to a 1989-1993 research program in biotechnology and bio-instrumentation, sponsored by the Italian National research Council, CNR. A structural model of the resource allocation process in scientific research guides the selection of instruments in the econometric analysis, and controls for selectivity bias effects on estimates based on the performance of funded research units. The average elasticity of research output with respect to the research budget is estimated to be 0.6; but, for a small fraction of groups led by highly prestigious PIs this elasticity approaches 1. These estimates imply, conditional on the distribution of observed productivity, that a more unequal distribution of research funds would increase research output in the short-run. Past research publication performance is found to have an important effect on expect levels of grant funding, and hence on the unit's current productivity in terms of (quality adjusted) publications. The results show that the productivity of aggregate resource expenditures supporting scientific research is critically dependent on the institutional mechanisms and criteria employed in the allocation of such resources.

X-ray CT analysis after blast of composite sandwich panels

Four composite sandwich panels with either single density or graded density foam cores and different face-sheet materials were subjected to full-scale underwater blast testing. The panels were subjected to 1kg PE4 charge at a stand-off distance of 1 m. The panel with graded density core and carbon fiber face-sheets had the lowest deflection. Post-blast damage assessment was carried out using X-ray CT scanning. The damage assessment revealed that there is a trade-off between reduced panel deflection and panel damage. This research has been performed as part of a program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR)

Biodynamic Interfaces Are Essential for Human-Environment Interactions.

AbstractThe environment impacts human health in profound ways, yet few theories define the form of the relationship between human physiology and the environment. It is conjectured that such complex systems cannot interact directly, but rather their interaction requires the formation of an intermediary "interface." This position contrasts with current epidemiological constructs of causation, which implicitly assume that two complex systems transfer information directly while remaining separate entities. Further, it is contended that dynamic, process‐based interfaces incorporate components from all the interacting systems but exhibit operational independence. This property has many consequences, the foremost being that characteristics of the interface cannot be fully resolved by only studying the systems involved in the interaction. The interface itself must be the subject of inquiry. Without refocusing the attention on biodynamic interfaces, how the environment impacts health cannot be discerned. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/XeyjeZeyo4o

Security in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is an emerging technology that shows great promise for various futuristic applications both for mass public and military. The sensing technology combined with processing power and wireless communication makes it lucrative for being exploited in abundance in future. The inclusion of wireless communication technology also incurs various types of security threats. The intent of this paper is to investigate the security related issues and challenges in wireless sensor networks. We identify the security threats, review proposed security mechanisms for wireless sensor networks. We also discuss the holistic view of security for ensuring layered and robust security in wireless sensor networks

STATISTICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND RESPONSE SURFACE ANALYSIS OF NEFOPAM HYDROCHLORIDE NANOSPHERES USING 35 BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN

Objective: Objective of the current investigation was to analyze effects of operating conditions on characteristics of nefopam hydrochloride nanospheres (NFH-NS). Statistical assessment and diagnostic analysis examined an adequacy and reliability of models.Methods: NFH-NS were developed by quasi solvent diffusion technique using poly (meth) acrylates by 35 Box-Behnken design. Drug: polymer ratio (X1), surfactant concentration (X2), stirring time (X3), DP/CP Ratio (X4) and stirring speed (X5) were selected as independent variables. Response variables investigated were % entrapment efficiency (% EE), mean particle size, % process yield and % drug loading (% DL).Results: Standardized Pareto chart illustrated that X1 and X5 were important factors (p<0.05) affecting response parameters of nanospheres. Significant model F-value (p<0.05) and non-significant lack of fit F-value (p>0.05) epitomized an accuracy of data. Smaller value of predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS) for regression models stipulated good fit of models. Diagnostic analysis proved normality of data and signified that actual values of response parameters were in agreement with predicted values. Graphical analysis concluded that X1, X2, X4 and X5 had the significant positive effect on % EE. X1 and X5 produced remarkable synergistic and antagonistic effect on mean particle size, respectively. X1 and X5 exhibited positive effect on % process yield. X1 produced significant antagonistic effect on % DL.Conclusion: Optimization report concluded that formulation prepared with 1:3 drug: polymer ratio (w/w), 2 % (w/v) surfactant, 3.8 h stirring time, 1:12 DP/CP ratio and 2000 rpm stirring speed was having highest desirability function of 0.920. Regression models indicated good fit of model, adequate model discrimination and concluded that models can be used to navigate design space.Â

A Configuration Management and Monitoring Toolkit for EOS and Kinetic Drive Cluster

Abstract EOS is a simple storage software solution to manage multi PB storage at CERN. Seagate ki Abstract EOS is a simple storage software solution to manage multi PB storage at CERN. Seagate kinetic drives have been interfaced with the CERN EOS disk storage system abstracting multiple drives as a cluster. Drive cluster are managed by EOS like a single storage mount point. Each drive cluster, access keys and the cluster layout is described in a JSON file. Monitoring EOS and managing configuration files for thousands of disks was inefficient. This project aimed at the development of a web toolkit for configuration management and monitoring of thousands of kinetic drives and EOS via a simple web interface. The proposed application allows to define, modify and publish kinetic drive cluster configurations and to monitor key statistics and individual drive parameters on demand. In this report, I cover how I went about building this toolkit. Keywords: EOS, Configuration Management, Monitor, Kinetic Drives, AngularJS, Drive clus-ter, CERN storage, Seagate, Performance Optimization -netic drives have been interfaced with the CERN EOS disk storage system abstracting multiple drives as a cluster. Drive cluster are managed by EOS like a single storage mount point. Each drive cluster, access keys and the cluster layout is described in a JSON file. Monitoring EOS and managing configuration files for thousands of disks was inefficient. This project aimed at the development of a web toolkit for configuration management and monitoring of thousands of kinetic drives and EOS via a simple web interface. The proposed application allows to define, modify and publish kinetic drive cluster configurations and to monitor key statistics and individual drive parameters on demand. In this report, I cover how I went about building this toolkit. Keywords: EOS, Configuration Management, Monitor, Kinetic Drives, AngularJS, Drive clus-ter, CERN storage, Seagate, Performance Optimizatio

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF UV-SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF NEFOPAM HYDROCHLORIDE IN POLYMETHACRYLATE NANOSPHERES

Objective: To develop and validate simple, sensitive, accurate, specific, precise, rugged, robust and reproducible UV spectrophotometry method for the quantitative estimation of Nefopam hydrochloride (NFH) loaded in polymethacrylate nanospheres (NFH-NS) as per ICH guidelines.Methods: Polymethacrylate nanospheres of NFH were fabricated by quasi-solvent diffusion technique. The analytical method used phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 as a solvent for the estimation of NFH which has the absorption maxima (λmax) value 266 nm. The calibration curve was plotted for NFH in beer's range of 50-400 μg/ml. linear regression of calibration curve was performed by Graph Pad Prism version 5.01 for windows to find a p-value of the regression coefficient. The amount of NFH in polymethacrylate nanospheres (NFH-NS) was analyzed spectrophotometrically using regression equation obtained from the calibration curve. The analytical method was validated for linearity, range, accuracy, specificity, precision, ruggedness and robustness. Sandell's sensitivity value was determined for validation of sensitivity. The drug content of polymethacrylate nanospheres (NFH-NS) was estimated using regression equation.Results: Polymethacrylate nanospheres of NFH were successfully fabricated by quasi-solvent diffusion technique. Regression equation obtained from calibration curve was y = 0.002x+0.001. The estimated amount of NFH in 50 mg of NFH-NS analyzed by UV spectrophotometry using regression equation was found 10.19 mg. Developed analytical method for NFH was found linear in the concentration range of 50-400 μg/ml with high correlation coefficient of 0.9994 with p-value 0.008325 (*p<0.05). Molar absorptivity (ε), sandell's sensitivity and best-fit value slope was found to be 2.5 × 10-3, 0.115 and 0.002509±0.00002569, respectively. Mean percentage recovery was found in accepted limit of 98%-102% which validated the accuracy of the method. Method exhibited system precision as well as intra-day precision as exemplified by % RSD of 0.570 and 0.704%, respectively. The proposed analytical method was validated for ruggedness, sensitivity, and robustness.Conclusion: It was concluded that developed UV spectrophotometry method was accurate, precise, linear, specific, rugged, robust and sensitive and, therefore, can be used for routine analysis and quantitative estimation of NFH loaded in polymethacrylate nanospheres.Â

Failure analysis using X-ray computed tomography of composite sandwich panels subjected to full-scale blast loading

The tailorable mechanical properties and high strength-to-weight ratios of composite sandwich panels make them of interest to the commercial marine and naval sector, however, further investigation into their blast resilience is required. The experiments performed in this study aimed to identify whether alterations to the composite skins or core of a sandwich panel can yield improved blast resilience both in air and underwater. Underwater blast loads using 1.28 kg TNT equivalent charge at a stand-off distance of 1 m were performed on four different composite sandwich panels. Results revealed that implementing a stepwise graded density foam core, with increasing density away from the blast, reduces the deflection of the panel and damage sustained. Furthermore, the skin material affects the extent of panel deflection and damage, the lower strain to failure of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) skins reduces deflection but increases skin debonding. A further two panels were subjected to a 100 kg TNT air blast loading at a 15 m stand-off to compare the effect of a graded density core and the results support the underwater blast results. Future modelling of these experiments will aid the design process and should aim to include material damage mechanisms to identify the most suitable skins