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In 2017, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics released the inaugural national, multi-modal transportation noise map prototype. The noise modeling and mapping effort was envisioned as a way to facilitate the geographic tracking of national trends and provide insight into transportation noise-related questions as changes occur over time - changes between modes, types of vehicles within modes and the geographic shifts of populations. How do changes in aircraft technology change the transportation noise landscape? Does increased high speed rail availability affect highway-related noise? How does a population shift away from urban centers affect the soundscape? The inaugural model included aviation and highway sources. The first update, released in November 2020, includes passenger rail-related noise in addition to aviation and highway sources. Operations in this new mode include commuter rail mainline, high-speed electric, light rail, heavy rail and streetcars, along with commuter rail horns at highway-rail grade crossings. The data for this noise map were modeled based on USDOT methods, with adjustments and simplifications to model on a national scale. This paper focuses on the modeling methods and geospatial approach used to develop the passenger rail noise data layer.

We report the phase diagram for the binary creatine–citric acid mixture which features a stable and broad eutectic region. Combinations containing 10–60 mol% creatine yield a deep eutectic solvent with a glass transition temperature at 270 K. Addition of up to 70 mol% water to the binary mixture affords retention of the eutectic nature and a handle to vary solvent viscosity and polarity.

Enzyme activity in organic solvents is usually much lower than its performance in aqueous media. To develop water-mimicking environment for the enzyme, we designed ionic liquids functionalized with tert-alcohol (as hydrogen-bond donor) and ether groups (as hydrogen-bond acceptors). These “water-like” ionic media have high thermal stability and low viscosities, and produced higher lipase and protease activities and stabilities than some enzyme-compatible organic solvents (such as tert-butanol and diisopropyl ether) and conventional ionic liquids (e.g., [BMIM][Tf2N]) during transesterification reactions under low water contents. In addition, these unique ionic solvents are found suitable media for asymmetric synthesis. Our experimental and MD simulations data illustrate the interactions between these water-mimicking solvent molecules and the enzyme.

Batteries are commonly connected in series and parallel to form modules that meet the power and energy requirements of specific applications. However, conclusions about battery performance and degradation under different conditions are often based on single cell cycling results. In this study, we evaluate the performance of lithium-ion eight-cell modules in six different series-parallel configurations over the course of hundreds of cycles. Each cell was individually instrumented for voltage, current, and temperature monitoring. Current data were collected using closed-loop Hall effect sensors to provide accurate measurements of parallel branch currents without the influence of in-circuit shunt sensing elements. This cell-level data collection enabled calculation of the underutilization of individual cells and assessment of differences in energy lost to cell balancing for different configurations. We also evaluated current redistribution in parallel cells, which in some cases yielded transients with peak magnitudes more than twice the average expected cell current value. The capacity and energy fade of the full modules was compared to that of individual cells cycled under the same conditions. This module cycling study, one of the broadest reported to date, allows us to systematically evaluate the performance trade-offs and safety implications of different module configurations. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-mission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525. SAND2022-5209 A

Objective: Active mattresses are used to prevent, treat and relieve pressure ulcers (PU) by intermittent contact pressure/relief. However, no studies have directly assessed the vascular endothelial response to long-term active mattress use. This study investigated the hypothesis that eight weeks use of an active mattress would lead to improvements in vascular endothelial function in healthy participants. Methods: Physiological parameters of baseline skin temperature (BskT), resting blood flow (RBF) and endothelial function as measured using post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH), were assessed at baseline (week 0); following eight weeks of sleeping on an active mattress, and after an eight week washout period (at week 16). Results: We recruited 10 healthy participants (four male, age 52.7±8.5 years, six female age 51.8±17.5 years). Following active mattress use RBF, PORH and BskT at the hallux pulp increased by 336%, 197% and 3.5°C, respectively. Mean values increased from 24.3±38.3 perfusion units to 106.0±100.3 perfusion units (p=0.021) and from 13,456±10,225 to 40,252±23,995 perfusion units x seconds (p=0.003) and from 22.9±2.5°C to 26.4±1.9°C (pConclusion: Active mattress use for eight weeks leads to significant improvements in RBF, PORH, and BskT. These results suggest that active mattress use can improve endothelial function. Future research is required to explore the potential of active mattress use in the treatment and management of diseases and conditions that would benefit from an improved endothelial function.

Background/Aim: Central sleep apnea (CSA) is common in heart failure. Measurement of crackles, a physical sign of lung congestion, may be a useful outcome measure for investigation of appropriate therapies in this patient group. The Sonomat measures crackles, as well as at-home diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing. We aimed to quantify the effects of PAP modalities on both CSA and crackles in heart failure using the Sonomat. Methods: We recorded multiple all-night sleep studies with the Sonomat which included 11 diagnostic (Dx), 13 CPAP and 8 adaptive servo ventilation (ASV) studies in a single patient with heart failure. We measured the central apnea/hypopnea index (CAHI), crackle latency (min) and crackle duration (% analysis time). Median (interquartile range) values are reported. Results: Severe CSA was evident on Dx (CAHI=64 [60, 66]/hr), with significant reductions using CPAP (CAHI=31 [22, 42.5]/hr; p Conclusions: CPAP decreased crackle duration and increased latency without therapeutic effect on CSA. In contrast, ASV controlled central apneas and reduced crackle duration but latency was unchanged. Titration of end-expiratory pressures with ASV, aimed at reducing crackles (pulmonary congestion) may improve its efficacy.

Crackles, acoustic signs of interstitial lung disease (ILD), have a high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing ILD. Clinically, the resolution of physician-detected crackles is also used to gauge therapeutic response or lack thereof. Aim: Explore the utility of continuous recordings of crackles during natural sleep followed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with ILD Methods: Polysomnography with simultaneous respiratory sound recordings using the Sonomat were undertaken in four ILD patients (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), connective tissue diseases (CTD-ILD) and asbestosis). All had bilateral basal crackles, detected using a stethoscope prior to overnight recordings. The Sonomat, validated for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing (Norman et al. Sleep, 2014) is a thin mattress overlay housing electronic stethoscopes that continuously capture respiratory sounds during sleep. Audio replay of recorded lung sounds allows verification of the presence, intensity and density of crackles. These characteristics can be quantified using digital processing. Results: All patients had obstructive sleep apnoea and crackles during sleep. CPAP therapy during sleep reduced crackles presence in three patients. Conclusion: Quantitative measurement of crackles in sleeping patients with ILD is possible. The finding that crackle presence decreases during CPAP suggests a possible therapeutic benefit. Quantified crackle measurements may improve diagnosis, staging and treatment of ILD.

We currently print and ship over 100 metric tons of paper a year to members worldwide in the form of hard copies of the Financial Analysts Journal, which goes against the formal sustainability mission of CFA Institute to use resources responsibly and achieve its objectives ethically. What can you do to help? If possible, go digital and forgo print!

PurposeThe paper's aim is to theorize and assess a structural model that incorporates radio frequency identification (RFID) technology utilization and supply chain information sharing as antecedents to supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachData from a sample of 155 manufacturing sector and service sector organizations were collected and the model was assessed following a structural equation methodology.FindingsRFID technology utilization does not directly impact supply chain performance. Adoption of RFID technology, however, leads to improved information sharing among supply chain members, which in turn leads to improved supply chain performance.Research limitations/implicationsRFID technology utilization is in the introductory and growth stages of the technology utilization life cycle. Interpretation of the results should be tempered in light of this early stage of adoption.Practical implicationsPractitioners can expect improved customer satisfaction through the implementation of RFID technology and the information sharing that the technology facilitates.Originality/valueThe study offers empirical support for the adoption of RFID technology within an enterprise resource planning context for the purpose of improving supply chain performance.

IPI-504 (retaspimycin hydrochloride) is an Hsp90 inhibitor that is the subject of multiple clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. IPI-504 is an aqueous soluble (>200 mg/ml) hydroquinone hydrochloride salt of 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a quinone derivative also undergoing clinical evaluation, albeit with suboptimal formulations that address its inferior aqueous solubility (∼50 µg/ml). IPI-504 interconverts with 17-AAG in vivo through oxidation-reduction reactions that result in a dynamic redox equilibrium. The development challenges associated with redox active molecules are significant due to the pH, oxygen, and temperature sensitivities associated with such chemotypes. The API and sterile drug product manufacturing processes thus warrant the monitoring and control of these key variables. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical development challenges associated with cancer agents that are often fast-tracked due to unmet medical needs mandate a rapid development cycle with associated regulatory hurdles. Drug Dev Res 71: 429–438, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The Financial Analysts Journal welcomes Dr. Heidi Raubenheimer, CFA, as its managing editor and Head of Journal Publications at CFA Institute.

A rational new method for the synthesis of variable-sized Fe3O4 nanoparticles by aerial oxidation of Fe(OH)2 under visible light irradiation in the presence of trace EDTA has been investigated. The size of the Fe3O4 nanocrystals was controlled at about 11.5−30.0 nm by varying the reaction conditions in aqueous solution at room temperature. The oxidation reaction was significantly accelerated by visible light in the presence of EDTA. A rapid oxidation rate was favorable for decreasing the size of the Fe3O4 nanocrystals. The as-obtained Fe3O4 particles showed uniform spherical shape and a narrow size distribution. The variable-sized Fe3O4 nanocrystals exhibited different magnetic properties.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), cardiac and respiratory disease are highly prevalent in the elderly population, and often not diagnosed. A contactless mattress-based monitor (Sonomat) records breath and heart sounds, simultaneously detecting breathing and body movements. This enables the identification of adventitious sounds and the quantification of sleep and sleep disturbance (Norman, M.B. et al. Sleep 2014; 37(9):1477-1487). Aim: To assess the capability of contactless monitoring in elderly people for SDB, respiratory and cardiac disease. Methods: Eight volunteers (3 male, age = 84 ± 4 years) were from an in-home telemonitoring project. The participants were required to turn the device on/off at sleep-time and wake-time respectively. Data was stored in the device for offline analysis. Results: All subjects performed successful Sonomat recordings. Pathological sounds were present in all subjects. Crackles typically occurred at the same time as central apneas and hypopneas. Conclusion: Nocturnal contactless monitoring is achievable with elderly people at home. Signs of nocturnal respiratory and cardiac co-morbidities were identified in all. A high prevalence of SDB and cardiorespiratory comorbidities in elderly has been confirmed.

Successful materials management extends far beyond the hospital walls. More than ever, effective materials managers are partnering with suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and group purchasing organizations to reduce costs, improve inventory control and increase operational efficiency. This requires partners who are intimately familiar with both the unique requirements of individual health care settings and best practices throughout the industry. Beyond achieving better balance-sheet results, this consultative approach ultimately leads to standardized, proven processes that help ensure quality care is delivered safely. Health Forum convened a group of health care executives and industry vendors Nov. 4, 2005, in Chicago to discuss hospital-vendor partnerships. The closed-door dialogue focused on how hospitals can work with vendors to improve operations. Health Forum would like to thank all of the participants for their open and candid discussion, as well as the sponsors for supporting this event.

Technological advances have an ever-increasing impact on our society. Globalization and the changing structures of organizations have created virtual work groups that are distributed across space (different sites) and time. Collaboration among workers is vital to both ongoing organizational activities and project-based activities. Communication is often seen as the most important factor contributing to the success of individuals, project teams, and organizational growth. Improved connectivity together with the increase in groups and teams has resulted in increased interest in extending the usefulness of IT at the individual level to support the issues faced by dispersed teams. This study compares the performance of sixty-four virtual teams utilizing four different collaborative technologies; text-only, audio-only, text-video and audio-video. While the results of the study found no significant difference between the quality of the decisions for teams using text-only versus audio-only communication, the addition of video to audio-only communication resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of teams’ strategic decisions.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading causative agent of blood-borne chronic hepatitis and is the target of intensive vaccine research. The virus genome encodes a number of structural and nonstructural antigens which could be used in a subunit vaccine. The HCV envelope glycoprotein E2 has recently been shown to bind CD81 on human cells and therefore is a prime candidate for inclusion in any such vaccine. The experiments presented here assessed the optimal form of HCV E2 antigen from the perspective of antibody generation. The quality of recombinant E2 protein was evaluated by both the capacity to bind its putative receptor CD81 on human cells and the ability to elicit antibodies that inhibited this binding (NOB antibodies). We show that truncated E2 proteins expressed in mammalian cells bind with high efficiency to human cells and elicit NOB antibodies in guinea pigs only when purified from the core-glycosylated intracellular fraction, whereas the complex-glycosylated secreted fraction does not bind and elicits no NOB antibodies. We also show that carbohydrate moieties are not necessary for E2 binding to human cells and that only the monomeric nonaggregated fraction can bind to CD81. Moreover, comparing recombinant intracellular E2 protein to several E2-encoding DNA vaccines in mice, we found that protein immunization is superior to DNA in both the quantity and quality of the antibody response elicited. Together, our data suggest that to elicit antibodies aimed at blocking HCV binding to CD81 on human cells, the antigen of choice is a mammalian cell-expressed, monomeric E2 protein purified from the intracellular fraction.

A series of phenylphosphonates, Zn(1-x)Mn(x)(O(3)PC(6)H(5)) x H(2)O, where x = 0, 0.005, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0, has been prepared and their photoluminescence responses studied. The presence of Mn in the sample results in a red emission, whilst when x = 0 the emission is green. Levels of Mn1 mol% result in an orange emission. Ag(6)(m-O(3)PC(6)H(4)CO(2))(2) has been prepared by hydrothermal reaction of Ag(NO(3)) and m-phosphonobenzoic acid. The material has a 1D channel structure in which the channels are lined with the phenyl groups. Ag(6)(m-O(3)PC(6)H(4)CO(2))(2) shows a green luminescence response to laser excitation, whilst the related Zn material, Zn(3)(m-O(3)PC(6)H(4)CO(2))(2), shows an unusual yellow emission.

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In the United States, litigation often follows an accidental injury or death of an individual. In this paper, the method used in the United States to establish the economic damages resulting from an injury or death is outlined. The paper addresses the loss of wages, fringe benefits and household services. While there is general agreement as to the formula used to compute the economic loss, there is some disagreement as to what variables should be employed in the analysis. This paper presents the method for computing the economic loss and points out where alternative values may be used

Fifty-nine adult education courses were randomly assigned to a fee and non-fee condition to establish the extent to which fee and non-fee courses attract different clientele. Seven hundred and twenty-one participants completed the Education Participation Scale and a questionnaire eliciting social and demographic data. Nearly 70 per cent of the participants enrolled in the non- fee courses. Participants were motivated by E.P.S. factors cognitive interest and escape stimula tion. The social, demographic and motivational profile of non-fee payers was similar to that of the fee-payers. In pursuit of variable configurations that explain fee-status (paying or not paying) a multi-variate AID3 analysis was run. With fee-status as the dependent variable the independent variables accounted for 35 per cent of the variance. It was concluded that mere removal of fees from leisure-centered adult education courses does not result in the attraction of participants who are significantly different from the middle-class participants traditionally attracted to such courses. The results are discussed within the framework of Miller's force-field analysis and Boshier's congruence model.

No abstract available.

Study of the changes occurring in simian brain exposed to protons of varied energy, given in wide dose and dose-rate ranges. Results show that inflammatory reaction and glycogen accumulation in astrocytes occurred practically in all animals. Cerebral cortical necrosis, granule cell pyknosis, and inflammatory reaction occurred at doses far lower than effective for high-energy gamma radiation given other series of monkeys at comparable dose rates. Metallic impregnation, carried out in virtually all the animals tested, revealed a wide variation in glial response even at equal doses and dose rates in the same proton energy series. Proton energy effect, dose effect, dose-time effect, and dose-rate effect were evident in the various morphological categories investigated, but inconsistencies were encountered.

1. 1. Penicillin concentrations in wounds rose to therapeutic levels in less than ten minutes and remained therapeutic for six to eight hours after a single intravenous injection of 100,000 units/kg., even though plasma levels were not therapeutic after four hours. 2. 2. Penicillin kinetics were not greatly changed by the age of the unhealed wound between seven and twenty-one days. 3. 3. Diffusion seems to be the primary mode of transport of penicillin into wounds. 4. 4. The rate of diffusion appears to be limited by the avascular fibrin-collagen barrier of the wound.

A simple circuit is presented that performs the unity power factor function with low harmonic distortion of the input line current. The circuit is of the resistor emulation type. A description of circuit operation and design parameters are included as well as measured performance. An in depth description of the large signal computer model that was used to verify harmonic current content and control loop performance is presented.

The psoriasiform lesions, including psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, and geographic tongue, are discussed. The entity of “ectopic geographic tongue” is given special attention, and eight new cases are presented. Two examples of oral psoriasis and two examples of oral lesions of Reiter's syndrome are also reported. The similarities, differences, and possible relationship of these diseases are discussed.