Improved method for roadside barrier length of need modeling using real-world trajectories

The 2011 AASHTO Roadside Design Guide (RDG) contains perhaps the most widely used procedure for choosing an appropriate length of need (LON) for roadside barriers. However, this procedure has several limitations. The procedure uses a highly simplified model of vehicle departure, and the procedure does not allow designers to specify an explicit level of protection. A new procedure for choosing LON that addresses these limitations is presented in this paper. This new procedure is based on recent, real-world road departure trajectories and uses this departure data in a more realistic way. The new procedure also allows LON to be specified for a precisely known level of protection – a level which can be based on number of crashes, injury outcomes or even estimated crash cost – while still remaining straightforward and quick to use like the 2011 RDG procedure.     

Impact of Reaction Conditions on MnO2 Genesis during Permanganate Oxidation

To enhance the understanding of the behavior and effects of the precipitation of MnO2 particles in the subsurface generated during in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) using permanganate, laboratory batch experiments were completed to examine the influence that varied reaction matrix conditions have on the generation and properties of manganese oxides. The conditions examined include organic material type and concentration, permanganate concentration, pH, and the presence of calcium (as a representative divalent cation) in solution. Experimental studies included: (1) spectrophotometric examination of permanganate depletion and manganese oxides generation over time during reactions with trichloroethene; (2) scanning electron microscopy analyses of manganese particle morphology; (3) particle size distribution (filtration) characterization studies; and (4) optical particle sizing and numeration studies. Bench-scale, batch experiments were conducted to focus on fundamental chemical properties affecting particle development under varied potential environmental conditions. The amount of manganese oxides particles that develop, grow, and potentially settle as a result of permanganate ISCO of organic contaminants is a function of the particle size and concentration, the time allowed for particle development, and the impact of matrix conditions on the ability of particles to agglomerate.     

The role of perspective in the accessibility of goals during reading.

An implicit assumption of several causal reasoning models is that readers adopt the goals of a narrative's protagonist during text comprehension. In apparent violation of this assumption, readers participating in Experiment 1 of the present study drew inferences relevant to a protagonist's goal even when that goal was already satisfied from the perspective of the protagonist. In Experiments 2 and 3, participants were explicitly asked to view the text situation from the point of view of the protagonist. In this case, the goals of the reader and the protagonist should be the same. In these experiments, participants focused on the goals of the protagonist only when those goals had not been satisfied from the perspective of the protagonist. These results are discussed in terms of reader- and character-based perspectives and in terms of text characteristics that cue perspective taking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Normal-incidence InAs self-assembled quantum-dot infrared photodetectors with a high detectivity

An InAs/AlGaAs quantum-dot infrared photodetector based on bound-to-bound intraband transitions in undoped InAs quantum dots is reported. AlGaAs blocking layers were employed to achieve low dark current. The photoresponse peaked at 6.2 /spl mu/m. At 77 K and -0.7 V bias, the responsivity was 14 mA/W and the detectivity, D*, was 10/sup 10/ cm/spl middot/Hz/sup 1/2//W.     

Experience With Nocturnal Hemodialysis

In order to provide a highly efficient, long-duration form of hemodialysis, we developed nocturnal hemodialysis. Patients were dialyzed nightly at home for 8 – 10 hours, 6 – 7 nights/week. We kept the dialysate flow at 100 mL/min and the blood flow at 250 – 300 mL/min. Patients were monitored remotely from the hospital through a computer connection. An internal jugular line was used as an access. We have trained 12 patients over 30 months and have accumulated 160 patient-months worth of data. The patients tolerated the dialysis very well and slept through the night. There was a significant improvement in their sense of well-being. Nightly Kt/V was 0.99. Weekly removal of phosphate was two times as high and β ₂ -microglobulin four times as high as conventional hemodialysis. All patients have discontinued their phosphate binders and have increased their dietary phosphate and protein intake. Hypertension was controlled with fewer medications, and erythropoietin dosages decreased. Complications were infrequent and included catheter occlusion and infections. Reusing the dialyzers decreased the cost of the treatment to levels similar to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Nocturnal hemodialysis represents a viable dialysis modality that combines high quality, low cost, and excellent tolerance.     

Adherence to pharmacologic management of hypertension

Adherence to pharmacologic therapy of hypertension is low (in the range of 50-70%) and has important implications both for blood pressure control and cardiovascular complications. Based on a review of the literature using the levels of evidence grading technique, determinants of adherence to the pharmacologic therapy of hypertension have been assessed. Additionally, interventions to improve compliance were evaluated. Patient-centred, health care provider-centred and drug-specific factors have all been shown to affect adherence rates. We conclude that the extent of adherence to pharmacologic therapy is modifiable. Measurable improvements in adherence can be obtained from simplified medication regimens and a combination of behaviour strategies, including the tailoring of pill-taking to patients' daily habits and rituals, the advocacy of self-monitoring of pills and blood pressure, and the institution of reward systems.