Trust in Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

In traditional Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) system, vehicles equipped with onboard sensors such as radar, camera, and infrared detect pedestrians, alert the driver and/ or automatically take actions to prevent vehicle-pedestrian collision. In some situations, a vehicle may not be able to detect a pedestrian due to blind spots. Such a vehicle could benefit from the sensor data from neighboring vehicles in making such safety critical decisions. We propose a trust model for ensuring shared data are valid and trustworthy for use in making safety critical decisions. Simulation results of the proposed trust model show promise

Ballistic evaluationof LOVA propellant in high calibre gun

'This paper presents the data obrained on dynamic firing of a cellulose acetate binder-based low vulnerability ammunition (LOV A) propellant using 120 mm fin-stabilised armour piercing discarding sabot (FSAPDS) kinetic energyammunition. An optimised propellant composition formulated ~sing fine RDX as an energetic ingredient and a mixture of cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose as binder was qualified fit for firing in a high calibre gun by its successful static evaluation for absolute ballistics using high pressure closed vessel technique. Dynamic firing of the propellant processed in heptatubular geometry was undertaken to assess the propellant charge mass. This propellant achieved higher muzzle velocity as compared to the standard NQ/M119 triple-base propellant while meeting the non-vulnerability characteristics convincingly

Feasibility Study of Processing Estane-based LOVA Gun Propellant

Low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) propellant are currently being developed globally toreplace all types of single-base, double-base and triple-base gun propellants, because LOVApropellants possess advantage like low vulnerability without compromising on ballistic properties.The objective of present study is to establish processing of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE);estane-based LOVA gun propellant in cord/heptatubular geometry.  Keeping in view variousadvantages of TPE such as simple processing, greater dimensional stability, lower productionlosses, superior insensitivity, and mechanical properties of the propellants, estane 5731(polyurethane-ester-MDI, aromatic polyester) is selected for feasibility study as a binder inLOVA-based gun propellant composition, processed by solvent and semi-solvent methods andcompared feasibility of processing as well as their evaluation wrt ballistics, vulnerability, andmechanical properties. The results indicate that gun propellants processed by semi-solventmethod and extruded at elevated temperatures exhibit better ballistics, mechanical, andvulnerability properties

Accuracy of infection reporting in US nursing home ratings

Objective: To assess the accuracy of nursing home-reported data on urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are publicly reported on Nursing Home Care Compare, and pneumonia, which are not publicly reported. Data sources and study setting: We used secondary data for 100% of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in the United States between 2011 and 2017. Study design: We identified Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who were nursing home residents between 2011 and 2017 and admitted to a hospital with a primary diagnosis of UTI or pneumonia. After linking these hospital claims to resident-level nursing home-reported assessment data in the Minimum Data Set, we calculated the percentages of infections that were appropriately reported and assessed variation by resident- and nursing home-level characteristics. We developed a claims-based nursing home-level measure of hospitalized infections and estimated correlations between this and publicly reported ratings. Data extraction methods: Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who were nursing home residents and hospitalized for UTI or pneumonia during the study period were included. Principal findings: Reporting rates were low for both infections (UTI: short-stay residents 29.1% and long-stay residents 19.2%; pneumonia: short-stay residents 66.0% and long-stay residents 70.6%). UTI reporting rates increased when counting additional assessments, but it is unclear whether these reports are for the same versus a newly developed UTI. Black residents had slightly lower reporting rates, as did nursing homes with more Black residents. Correlations between our claims-based measure and publicly reported ratings were poor. Conclusions: UTI and pneumonia were substantially underreported in data used for national public reporting. Alternative approaches are needed to improve surveillance of nursing home quality.</p

Glycidyl Azide Polymer-based Enhanced Energy LOVA Gun Propellant

In this study, cyclotrimethylene trinitramine propellants with triacetin (TA)-plasticisedcellulose acetate (CA) and nitrocellulose (NC) combination as binders were evaluated for lowvulnerable ammunition (LOVA). Triacetin was replaced by energetic plasticiser; glycidyl azidepolymer (GAP) in increments to enhance the performance in terms of force constant . In additionto ballistics, parameters like vulnerability, mechanical and thermal properties of GAP-basedpropellants in comparison to those of TA-based propellants, were also determined. The studybrings out that the incorporation of 2-6 per cent GAP in place of TA resulted in the enhancementof force constant by 22-70 J/g and improved overall combustion characteristics. DSC revealedthat thermal decomposition of GAP-LOVA propellants evolved more energy than TA-LOVApropellants. GAP-based LOVA propellant similar to TA-plasticised LOVA propellant, was foundsuperior to NQ propellant in vulnerability tests as well as in hot fragment conductive ignition(HFCI) studies. As regards mechanical properties, incorporation of GAP resulted in improvedcompression strength

Critical role of NKT cells in posttransplant alloantibody production

We previously reported that posttransplant alloantibody production in CD8-deficient hosts is IL-4+ CD4+ T cell-dependent and IgG1 isotype-dominant. The current studies investigated the hypothesis that IL-4-producing natural killer T cells (NKT cells) contribute to maximal alloantibody production. To investigate this, alloantibody levels were examined in CD8-deficient WT, CD1d KO and Jα18 KO transplant recipients. We found that the magnitude of IgG1 alloantibody production was critically dependent on the presence of type I NKT cells, which are activated by day 1 posttransplant. Unexpectedly, type I NKT cell contribution to enhanced IgG1 alloantibody levels was interferon-γ-dependent and IL-4-independent. Cognate interactions between type I NKT and B cells alone do not stimulate alloantibody production. Instead, NKT cells appear to enhance maturation of IL-4+ CD4+ T cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report to substantiate a critical role for type I NKT cells in enhancing in vivo antibody production in response to endogenous antigenic stimuli

Development and evaluation of an illustrated paediatric leaflet ‘Coming to Hospital: a guide to what goes on’

Background: A paediatric information leaflet was produced to better prepare patients for time spent in hospital and to improve experience by informing them what to expect. Methods: The ‘Coming to Hospital’ leaflet was designed with input from paediatric research groups, and in collaboration with a children’s author and publishing company. A questionnaire to evaluate the leaflet was developed; face validity was established in a pilot. The real-time patient experience of these leaflets was evaluated on paediatric wards in a university hospital. Results: The evaluation revealed that a significant majority of children ‘really liked’ the leaflet and found it helpful. 53 out of 72 of children reported that the leaflet made them feel ‘happy’ or ‘calm’, with no children responding that it made them feel ‘very worried’. The leaflet was found to be informative, well presented and reassuring. Many parents stated that they wished they had received the leaflet prior to their child’s first hospital visit. Suggestions for changes to the leaflet were minimal; it was considered to include all relevant information. Conclusion: A leaflet designed by clinical staff, patients and a publishing company was welcomed by paediatric patients and their parents. Patients reported it made them feel calmer. Such a leaflet should be available widely to improve children’s experience of coming to hospital. Collaborations between clinicians, academics and publishing companies can produce positive results for the paediatric population

Where Do We Go From Here? The Need for Genetic Referrals in Patients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Findings from a Regional Survey

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess primary health care providers’ knowledge and use of genetic services for children whose hearing screening indicates they may be deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) and identify areas in which health care providers can be supported to increase family education and referral of families for genetic consultation. Methodology: A survey was developed on current practices, knowledge, and perceived beliefs regarding genetic education and referrals for deafness. The surveys were distributed to pediatricians, family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, and WV. Results: Among 266 respondents, 80% were uninformed about Early Hearing Detection Intervention (EHDI) 1-3-6 guidelines prior to taking the survey. Approximately 55% were not confident about the genetic causes of deafness, 44% rarely consulted genetics professionals, 41% had not referred families to genetics, and 37% were not confident about the importance of genetic referrals. Conclusions: Integrated, targeted, and user-friendly genetics education strategies in the existing EHDI framework are needed to ensure adequate awareness and delivery of genetics services for D/HH children