NASA’s System Behind the System: Developing Systems Engineers

The purpose of this paper is to share NASA’s model for developing high-potential, mid-level systems engineers and the results achieved. It describes the complex system approach to technical leadership development and factors that contributed to the program’s success. Findings show that identifying, training, and developing the entire learning system—not just program participants—significantly affected the participants’ ability to make a greater contribution to the organization. NASA achieved an 80% first year, and 90% second year, success rate of individuals transitioning into more complex and difficult positions upon returning to their organizations. Comparatively, the average failure rate for executive transition is 40%. NASA’s findings are applicable to other organizations. Developing potential leaders by involving the entire system in which the individual works, while holding their leadership accountable, produces qualified leaders ready to meet the organization’s ongoing challenges

Conformational modulation of sequence recognition in synthetic macromolecules

The different triplet sequences in high molecular weight aromatic copolyimides comprising pyromellitimide units ("I") flanked by either ether-ketone ("K") or ether-sulfone residues ("S") show different binding strengths for pyrene-based tweezer-molecules. Such molecules bind primarily to the diimide unit through complementary π-π-stacking and hydrogen bonding. However, as shown by the magnitudes of 1H NMR complexation shifts and tweezer-polymer binding constants, the triplet "SIS" binds tweezer-molecules more strongly than "KIS" which in turn bind such molecules more strongly than "KIK". Computational models for tweezer-polymer binding, together with single-crystal X-ray analyses of tweezer-complexes with macrocyclic ether-imides, reveal that the variations in binding strength between the different triplet sequences arise from the different conformational preferences of aromatic rings at diarylketone and diarylsulfone linkages. These preferences determine whether or not chain-folding and secondary π−π-stacking occurs between the arms of the tweezermolecule and the 4,4'-biphenylene units which flank the central diimide residue

Mechanistic evidence underpinning dietary policy: bringing the jigsaw pieces together?

Observational research, mainly prospective cohort studies (PCS), has represented a long-standing challenge for those attempting to draw up consistent policy recommendations in the area of diet and health. This has been due to the inherent limitations in ascribing causality from observed associations due to problems of confounding of the findings and publication and citation bias. Developments in nutritional epidemiology research over the past 20–30 years have enabled causal criteria to be derived from observational studies and the totality of the primary literature to be reviewed objectively, reducing previous focus on narrative accounts of individual studies. The gold standard approach to assessing causal relationships is via randomised controlled trials (RCT), but neither RCT nor PCS provide direct evidence for biological plausibility, which is a key criterion for assessing causality. Although extensive mechanistic data are available in the literature, a systematic approach to select and assess quality and relevance of published studies has not been available. This limits their use in the development of diet and health policy. Recent studies have investigated a proposed two-step framework and novel methodologies for integrating heterogeneous data from cell, animal and human studies. Pilot and feasibility studies have shown this to be a useful novel approach to studies of diet and cancer, but further refinements are required, including development of appropriate quality criteria which are less dependent on RCT designs. Future studies are needed to fully verify the approach and its potential for use in other diet–disease relationships

Acute effects of elevated NEFA on vascular function: a comparison of SFA and MUFA

There is emerging evidence to show that high levels of NEFA contribute to endothelial dysfunction and impaired insulin sensitivity. However, the impact of NEFA composition remains unclear. A total of ten healthy men consumed test drinks containing 50 g of palm stearin (rich in SFA) or high-oleic sunflower oil (rich in MUFA) on separate occasions; a third day included no fat as a control. The fats were emulsified into chocolate drinks and given as a bolus (approximately 10 g fat) at baseline followed by smaller amounts (approximately 3 g fat) every 30 min throughout the 6 h study day. An intravenous heparin infusion was initiated 2 h after the bolus, which resulted in a three- to fourfold increase in circulating NEFA level from baseline. Mean arterial stiffness as measured by digital volume pulse was higher during the consumption of SFA (P,0·001) but not MUFA (P¼0·089) compared with the control. Overall insulin and gastric inhibitory peptide response was greater during the consumption of both fats compared with the control (P,0·001); there was a second insulin peak in response to MUFA unlike SFA. Consumption of SFA resulted in higher levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sI-CAM) at 330 min than that of MUFA or control (P#0·048). There was no effect of the test drinks on glucose, total nitrite, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 or endothelin-1 concentrations. The present study indicates a potential negative impact of elevated NEFA derived from the consumption of SFA on arterial stiffness and sI-CAM levels. More studies are needed to fully investigate the impact of NEFA composition on risk factors for CVD

Aceite de oliva y la hemostasia

Olive oil is a key component of the traditional Mediterranean diet; a diet that may explain the low rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Southern European. (Extra virgin) Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and phenolic compounds, both of which have been investigated for their effects on plasma lipids and lipoproteins, measures of oxidation and factors related to thrombosis. This issue aims to summarise the current understanding of the effects of such dietary components on the haemostatic system and subsequent risk of CVD. To date, evidence suggests that diets rich in MUFA and thus in olive oil attenuate the thrombotic response via a reduction in platelet aggregation and in postprandial FVII levels. Thrombosis is a key event in causing heart attacks and strokes, which if modulated by diet could pose a cost-effective way of reducing CVD incidence in populations that adhere to MUFA/olive oil-rich diets long-term.El aceite de oliva es un componente esencial de la dieta Mediterránea que puede explicar el bajo índice de enfermedad cardiovascular (CVD) en los países del sur de Europa. El aceite de oliva (extra virgen) es una fuente de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados (MUFA) y de compuestos fenólicos, de gran interés por sus efectos, entre otros, sobre las lipoproteínas y los lípidos plasmáticos, su capacidad antioxidante y su papel en la expresión de factores relacionados con la trombosis. En este capítulo se presenta un resumen del conocimiento actual sobre la influencia derivada del consumo de aceite de oliva (extra virgen) en el sistema hemostático y el riesgo de CVD. Por ahora se sabe que dietas ricas en MUFA (aceite de oliva) pueden atenuar la respuesta trombótica mediante la reducción de la agregación plaquetaria y de las concentraciones postprandiales del factor VII de coagulación (FVII). La trombosis es un evento relevante en los ataques al corazón y el ictus, de manera que su modulación con la dieta puede constituir una forma rentable para la disminución de la incidencia de CVD en poblaciones que consumen dietas enriquecidas en MUFA/aceite de oliva durante largo tiempo

Mechanical Evidence of the Orbital Angular Momentum to Energy Ratio of Vortex Beams

We measure, in a single experiment, both the radiation pressure and the torque due to a wide variety of propagating acoustic vortex beams. The results validate, for the first time directly, the theoretically predicted ratio of the orbital angular momentum to linear momentum in a propagating beam. We experimentally determine this ratio using simultaneous measurements of both the levitation force and the torque on an acoustic absorber exerted by a broad range of helical ultrasonic beams produced by a 1000-element matrix transducer array. In general, beams with helical phase fronts have been shown to contain orbital angular momentum as the result of the azimuthal component of the Poynting vector around the propagation axis. Theory predicts that for both optical and acoustic helical beams the ratio of the angular momentum current of the beam to the power should be given by the ratio of the beam’s topological charge to its angular frequency. This direct experimental observation that the ratio of the torque to power does convincingly match the expected value (given by the topological charge to angular frequency ratio of the beam) is a fundamental result

Recent developments in targeting access to high cost medicines in Australia

BACKGROUND: In Australia, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has developed a set of arrangements to control access to high-cost medicines to ensure their use is cost-effective. These medicines include the tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNFIs) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this first phase of a qualitative study was to explore basic views on the restricted access to TNFIs in order to confirm where further investigation should take place in the next phase. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2004 with a member of the four relevant stakeholder groups. Participants were asked their opinions about features of the establishment, process and effects of the system of restricted access to TNFIs. Views on the collaboration between stakeholder groups in the decision-making process were also collected. RESULTS: The principle of 'controlled access' to TNFIs was supported in general. There were concerns regarding some of the specific eligibility criteria. Wider and more transparent stakeholder consultation was judged desirable. Some flexibility around prescribing of TNFIs by physicians, and regular review of the arrangements were proposed. These themes will inform the next phase of the study. CONCLUSION: This first phase highlighted a range of issues associated with the PBS arrangements restricting access to TNFIs. Timely review and report of issues and concerns associated with such policy developments that arose in practice are essential. There is a need for a more comprehensive exploration across a wide range of stakeholders with different perspectives that will in turn be helpful in guiding policy and practice around national arrangements to manage access to high-cost medicines

Rating the Financial Health of U.S. Production Agriculture using Synthetic Credit Rating

Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Production Economics,