Graphical User Interface for Simulink Integrated Performance Analysis Model

The J-2X Engine (built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne,) in the Upper Stage of the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, will only start within a certain range of temperature and pressure for Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen propellants. The purpose of the Simulink Integrated Performance Analysis Model is to verify that in all reasonable conditions the temperature and pressure of the propellants are within the required J-2X engine start boxes. In order to run the simulation, test variables must be entered at all reasonable values of parameters such as heat leak and mass flow rate. To make this testing process as efficient as possible in order to save the maximum amount of time and money, and to show that the J-2X engine will start when it is required to do so, a graphical user interface (GUI) was created to allow the input of values to be used as parameters in the Simulink Model, without opening or altering the contents of the model. The GUI must allow for test data to come from Microsoft Excel files, allow those values to be edited before testing, place those values into the Simulink Model, and get the output from the Simulink Model. The GUI was built using MATLAB, and will run the Simulink simulation when the Simulate option is activated. After running the simulation, the GUI will construct a new Microsoft Excel file, as well as a MATLAB matrix file, using the output values for each test of the simulation so that they may graphed and compared to other values

Weekly Versus Monthly Testosterone Administration On Fast and Slow Skeletal Muscle Fibers in Older Adult Males

Context: In older adults, loss of mobility due to sarcopenia is exacerbated in men with low serum T. T replacement therapy is known to increase muscle mass and strength, but the effect of weekly (WK) vs monthly (MO) administration on specific fiber types is unknown. Objective: To determine the efficacy of WK vs MO T replacement on the size and functional capacity of individual fast and slow skeletal muscle fiber types. Design, Setting, and Patients: Subjects were randomized into a 5-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All subjects (ages, 61–71 y) were community-dwelling men who had T levels \u3c 500 ng/dL. Intervention: Subjects were dosed weekly for 5 months, receiving continuous T (WK, n = 5; 100 mg T enanthate, im injection), monthly cycled T (MO, n = 7; alternating months of T and placebo), or placebo (n = 7). Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained before and after treatment. Main Outcome Measures: Main outcomes for individual slow and fast fibers included fiber diameter, peak force (P0), rate of tension development, maximal shortening velocity, peak power, and Ca2+ sensitivity. Results: Both treatments increased fiber diameter and peak power, with WK treatment 5-fold more effective than MO in increasing type I fiber P0. WK effects on fiber diameter and force were 1.5-fold higher in slow fibers compared to fast fibers. In fast type II fibers, diameter and P0 increased similarly between treatments. The increased power was entirely due to increased fiber size and force. Conclusions: In conclusion, T replacement effects were fiber-type dependent, restricted to increases in cell size, P0, and peak power, and dependent on the paradigm selected (WK vs MO)

Anomalous relaxation kinetics of biological lattice-ligand binding models

We discuss theoretical models for the cooperative binding dynamics of ligands to substrates, such as dimeric motor proteins to microtubules or more extended macromolecules like tropomyosin to actin filaments. We study the effects of steric constraints, size of ligands, binding rates and interaction between neighboring proteins on the binding dynamics and binding stoichiometry. Starting from an empty lattice the binding dynamics goes, quite generally, through several stages. The first stage represents fast initial binding closely resembling the physics of random sequential adsorption processes. Typically this initial process leaves the system in a metastable locked state with many small gaps between blocks of bound molecules. In a second stage the gaps annihilate slowly as the ligands detach and reattach. This results in an algebraic decay of the gap concentration and interesting scaling behavior. Upon identifying the gaps with particles we show that the dynamics in this regime can be explained by mapping it onto various reaction-diffusion models. The final approach to equilibrium shows some interesting dynamic scaling properties. We also discuss the effect of cooperativity on the equilibrium stoichiometry, and their consequences for the interpretation of biochemical and image reconstruction results.Comment: REVTeX, 20 pages, 17 figures; review, to appear in Chemical Physics; v2: minor correction

Are There Local Analogs of Lyman Break Galaxies?

To make direct comparisons in the rest-far-ultraviolet between LBGs at z~3 and more local star-forming galaxies, we use HST/STIS to image a set of 12 nearby (z<0.05) HII galaxies in the FUV and a set of 14 luminous compact blue galaxies (LCBGs) at moderate redshift (z~0.5) in the NUV, corresponding to the rest-FUV. We then subject both sets of galaxy images and those of LBGs at z~3 to the same morphological and structural analysis. We find many qualitative and quantitative similarities between the rest-FUV characteristics of distant LBGs and of the more nearby starburst samples, including general morphologies, sizes, asymmetries, and concentrations. Along with some kinematic similarities, this implies that nearby HII galaxies and LCBGs may be reasonable local analogs of distant Lyman break galaxies.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. To appear in "Starbursts: from 30 Doradus to Lyman Break Galaxies" 2005, eds. R. de Grijs and R. M. Gonzalez Delgado (Kluwer

Ways that designers and fabricators can help each other

We show that, when designers and fabricators understand each other&apos;s art, there are ways to combine their techniques to achieve the best results with the minimum difficulty. We share some problems that we have encountered, and sometimes caused ourselves, in hopes of helping the reader avoid the same pitfalls.

A Retrospective Descriptive Study of Stat TPN Orders in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is used in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to meet metabolic demand and provide growth. To prevent harm from critical laboratory abnormalities, stat TPNs can be ordered urgently to change the content of infusing TPN. Each stat order breaks the daily cycle and often leads to additional stat orders. Limited supplies of ingredients brought focus on our liberal stat TPN policy and how to reduce the number of stat TPNs safely. The purpose of this project was to evaluate biochemical abnormalities associated with stat TPNs and identify leverage points to reduce stat TPNs in NICU patients. METHODS: Data from 1/1/10 to 6/30/10 were abstracted from Meditech, NeoData, and patient charts for NICU stat TPN orders. Demographics, laboratory results (sodium, potassium, calcium, and glucose), and key variables were gathered and critical laboratory values were identified. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients had evaluable orders for 255 stat TPNs. Mean gestation was 31 weeks (SD = 5) and birth weight was 1.744 kg (SD = 0.993). Seven (3%) were never infused. Twenty (12.6%) of first stat TPNs were from patients taking nothing by mouth. Eighty-eight of first stat TPNs had no critical labs (55% of initial stat TPNs). Of follow-up stat orders, 43% (38/89) followed unnecessary initial stat TPNs. Of the 55 abnormalities that generated the initial stat TPNs, 44 (80%) corrected. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty-two percent of stat TPNs could not be justified. For situations that were justified, 20% of laboratory abnormalities from initial stat TPNs were not corrected. These data provide an opportunity to reduce unnecessary costs and save limited resources

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have proven efficacy in the treatment of panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. Accumulating data shows that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment can also be efficacious in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. This review summarizes the findings of randomized controlled trials of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, examines the strengths and weaknesses of other therapeutic approaches and considers potential new treatments for patients with this chronic and disabling anxiety disorder

Perspectives on next steps in classification of oro-facial pain - part 2: role of psychosocial factors

This study was initiated by a symposium, in which the present authors contributed, organised by the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network in March 2013. The purpose of the study was to review the status of biobehavioural research - both quantitative and qualitative - related to oro-facial pain (OFP) with respect to the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of OFP conditions, and how this information can optimally be used for developing a structured OFP classification system for research. In particular, we address representation of psychosocial entities in classification systems, use of qualitative research to identify and understand the full scope of psychosocial entities and their interaction, and the usage of classification system for guiding treatment. We then provide recommendations for addressing these problems, including how ontological principles can inform this process

Perspectives on next steps in classification of oro-facial pain - part 1: role of ontology

The purpose of this study was to review existing principles of oro-facial pain classifications and to specify design recommendations for a new system that would reflect recent insights in biomedical classification systems, terminologies and ontologies. The study was initiated by a symposium organised by the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network in March 2013, to which the present authors contributed. The following areas are addressed: problems with current classification approaches, status of the ontological basis of pain disorders, insufficient diagnostic aids and biomarkers for pain disorders, exploratory nature of current pain terminology and classification systems, and problems with prevailing classification methods from an ontological perspective. Four recommendations for addressing these problems are as follows: (i) develop a hypothesis-driven classification structure built on principles that ensure to our best understanding an accurate description of the relations among all entities involved in oro-facial pain disorders; (ii) take into account the physiology and phenomenology of oro-facial pain disorders to adequately represent both domains including psychosocial entities in a classification system; (iii) plan at the beginning for field-testing at strategic development stages; and (iv) consider how the classification system will be implemented. Implications in relation to the specific domains of psychosocial factors and biomarkers for inclusion into an oro-facial pain classification system are described in two separate papers