System Engineering for J-2X Development: The Simpler, the Better

The Ares I and Ares V Vehicles will utilize the J-2X rocket engine developed for NASA by the Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne Company (PWR) as the upper stage engine (USE). The J-2X is an improved higher power version of the original J-2 engine used for Apollo. System Engineering (SE) facilitates direct and open discussions of issues and problems. This simple idea is often overlooked in large, complex engineering development programs. Definition and distribution of requirements from the engine level to the component level is controlled by Allocation Reports which breaks down numerical design objectives (weight, reliability, etc.) into quanta goals for each component area. Linked databases of design and verification requirements help eliminate redundancy and potential mistakes inherent in separated systems. Another tool, the Architecture Design Description (ADD), is used to control J-2X system architecture and effectively communicate configuration changes to those involved in the design process. But the proof of an effective process is in successful program accomplishment. SE is the methodology being used to meet the challenge of completing J-2X engine certification 2 years ahead of any engine program ever developed at PWR. This paper describes the simple, better SE tools and techniques used to achieve this success

Becoming a Psychology Undergraduate; Integrating Study Skills and Integrating Students

Three years of action research into a study skills and transition programme for psychology undergraduates are reported. The programme began as a ‘bolt-on’ response to perceptions of student deficit and developed to focus on transition to university. Data from three cohorts and over 600 students show attendance to be associated with higher academic grades and progression rates. The programme has also helped to establish relationships with peers and staff, prepare students for assessments, set expectations about study, and provided an opportunity to ask questions, to work collaboratively and to learn about referencing and plagiarism. Concerns with study skills highlighted by Wingate (2006) and others are discussed. </jats:p

Influence of the initial chemical conditions on the rational design of silica particles

The influence of the water content in the initial composition on the size of silica particles produced using the Stöber process is well known. We have shown that there are three morphological regimes defined by compositional boundaries. At low water levels (below stoichiometric ratio of water:tetraethoxysilane), very high surface area and aggregated structures are formed; at high water content (>40 wt%) similar structures are also seen. Between these two boundary conditions, discrete particles are formed whose size are dictated by the water content. Within the compositional regime that enables the classical Stöber silica, the structural evolution shows a more rapid attainment of final particle size than the rate of formation of silica supporting the monomer addition hypothesis. The clearer understanding of the role of the initial composition on the output of this synthesis method will be of considerable use for the establishment of reliable reproducible silica production for future industrial adoption

A reassuring presence: An evaluation of Bradford District Hospice at Home service

Within the United Kingdom, a developing role for primary care services in cancer and palliative care has resulted in an increase in palliative home care teams. The provision of professional care in the home setting seeks to provide necessary services and enhanced choice for patients whose preference is to die at home. A mismatch between patient preference for home death and the actual number of people who died at home was identified within Bradford, the locality of this study. In response to this mismatch, and reflecting the policy environment of wishing to enhance community service provision, the four Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in the city sought to offer support to patients who wished to remain in their own homes through the final stages of a terminal illness. To offer this support they set up a dedicated hospice at home team. This would provide services and support for patients in achieving a dignified, symptom free and peaceful death, allowing families to maximise time spent together. The aim of the study was to evaluate the Bradford hospice at home service from the perspective of carers, nurses and General Practitioners. Postal questionnaires were sent to carers (n = 289), district nurses (n = 508) and GP's (n = 444) using Bradford's hospice at home service. Resulting quantitative data was analysed using the Statical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data was analysed using grounded theory techniques. The data from carers, district nurses and GPs provide general support for the Bradford hospice at home service. Carers valued highly the opportunity to 'fulfil a promise' to the individual who wished to be cared for at home. District nurses and GPs cited the positive impact of access to specialist expertise. This was a 'reassuring presence' for primary healthcare teams and offered 'relief of carer anxiety' by providing prompt, accessible and sensitive care. Carers and health professionals welcomed the increased possibility of patients being cared for at home. The study identified the need to focus on improving skill levels of staff and on ensuring continuity of care

Councillors, Officers and Stakeholders in the New Council constitutions: findings form the ELG 2005 Sample Survey

This report presents findings from a 2005 survey of councillors, officers and stakeholders in 40 local authorities and is part of the ongoing evaluation of new council constitutions. The survey was designed to see whether the new arrangements were perceived to have achieved their objectives. Overwhelmingly, respondents express the view that the new arrangements provide a structure for effective political leadership while the evidence on the new arrangements having enhanced democratic legitimacy is less convincing. Encouragingly, the majority of officers and stakeholders (and about 50 per cent of councillors) are confident that checks and balances are in place to support transparent decision-making

Kinetics of endothelin-1 and effect selective ET_A antagonism on ET_B activation:a mathematical modeling analysis

Introduction: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulates renal and vascular function, but the clinical utility of selective ETA receptor antagonists has been limited due to associated fluid retention. The mechanisms underlying fluid retention remain poorly understood but could be a consequence of changes in ET-1 binding to the unantagonized ETB receptor, either through increased ET-1 or non-selective ETB.Methods: A mathematical model of ET-1 kinetics was developed to quantify effects of ETA antagonist exposure and selectivity on concentrations of ET-1 and its complexes with ETA and ETB receptors. The model describes ET-1 production, tissue and plasma distribution, ETA and ETB receptor binding, and receptor-mediated clearance, and was calibrated and validated with human ET-1 infusion studies.Results: The model confirmed the significant role of ETB in ET-1 clearance. By varying both drug ETA selectivity (Kib/Kia) and concentration over a wide range, simulations predicted that while selective ETA antagonist (selectivity &gt;1) always decreased [ET1-ETA], the change in [ET1-ETB] was more complex. It increased up to 45% as drug concentrations approached and exceeded Kia, but the increase was diminished as drug concentration increased further and fell below baseline at high concentrations. The drug concentration required to cause a decrease in [ET1-ETB] was lower as ETA selectivity decreased.Discussion: This is the first mechanistic mathematical model of ET-1 kinetics that describes receptor-mediated clearance, and the consequence of ETB blockade on ET-1 concentrations. It provides a useful tool that can coupled with experimental studies to quantitively understand and investigate this complex and dynamic system.</p

Children’s Perspectives on Living With a Sibling With a Chronic Illness

CONTEXT: Clinical guidance emphasizes the importance of considering the whole family when caring for a child with a pediatric chronic illness (PCI). However, there is a lack of research specific to sibling experience. Parental accounts are used in studies to examine family experiences; consequently, the direct voices of siblings are neglected. OBJECTIVE: The meta-synthesis was used to explore the experiences of siblings of children with PCIs to understand their perspectives; in particular, we observed what they feel had influenced their emotional well-being, to target interventions. DATA SOURCES: We searched PsychInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and Academic Search Complete databases from inception to April 2016. STUDY SELECTION: We selected qualitative articles used to examine children’s perspectives of living with a sibling with a PCI. Twelve articles were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: We observed participants’ characteristics, qualitative methodology, analysis, and themes. RESULTS: The thematic synthesis identified 2 overarching themes providing new insights. The first theme, “changing relationships,” had 2 subthemes: “changing family relationships” and “changing relationship to self.” The second theme, “managing changes,” had 3 subthemes: “coping and acceptance,” “support from friends, peers, and support groups,” and “negative reactions from others.” LIMITATIONS: Studies were often descriptive with little explicit qualitative analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are used to outline how changes in family relationships often result in reduced communication and a suppression of healthy siblings’ needs. Siblings develop strategies to help them cope with and accept their circumstances, including finding new prosocial ways of meeting their needs in the form of skills and roles they develop