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A state-dependent approximation method for estimating truck queue length at marine terminals
Get PDFAs international trade and freight volumes increase, there is a growing port congestion problem, leading to the long truck queues at US marine terminal gates. To address this problem, some countermeasures have been proposed and implemented for reducing truck queue length at marine terminals. To assess the effectiveness of these countermeasures, a method for accurately estimating terminal gate truck queue length is needed. This study developed a new method, named the state-dependent approximation method, for estimating the truck queue length at marine terminals. Based on the simulation of the truck queuing system, it was found that it takes several hours for the truck queue length to reach its steady state, and neglecting the queue formation (queue dispersion) processes will cause overestimation (underestimation) of truck queue length. The developed model can take into account the queue formation and dispersion processes, and it can be used to estimate the truck queue length caused by short-term oversaturation at marine terminals. For model evaluation, a simulation-based case study was conducted to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the developed model by comparing its results with the simulated queue lengths and the results of other four existing methods, including the fluid flow model, the M/M/S queuing model, and a simulation-based regression model developed a previous study. The evaluation results indicate that the developed model outperformed the other four modeling methods for different states of queue formation and dispersion processes. In addition, this new method can accurately estimate the truck queue length caused by the short-term system oversaturation during peak hours. Therefore, it will be useful for assessing the effectiveness of the countermeasures that are targeted at reducing the peak-hour congestion at marine terminals
Exact Christoffel-Darboux expansions: A new, multidimensional, algebraic, eigenenergy bounding method
Get PDFAlthough the Christoffel-Darboux representation (CDR) plays an important role within the theory of orthogonal polynomials, and many important bosonic and fermionic, multidimensional, Hermitian and Non-Hermitian, systems can be transformed into a moment equation representation (MER), the union of the two into an effective, algebraic, eigenenergy bounding method has been overlooked. This particular fusion of the two representations (CDR and MER), defines the Orthonormal Polynomial Projection Quantization-Bounding Method (OPPQ-BM), as developed here. We use it to analyze several one dimensional and two dimensional systems, including the quadratic Zeeman effect for strong-superstrong magnetic fields. For this problem, we match or surpass the excellent, but intricate, results of Kravchenko et al (1996 Phys. Rev. A 54 287) for a broad range of magnetic fields, without the need for any truncations or approximations. The methods developed here apply to any linear, partial differential equation eigen-parameter problem, hermitian or non-hermitian
A novel irinotecan-lipiodol nanoemulsion for intravascular administration: pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in the normal and tumor bearing rat liver
No full textColorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States and treatment options are limited for patients who develop liver metastases. Several chemotherapeutic regimens have been used for transvascular liver-directed therapy in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases without clear evidence of superiority of one therapy over another. We describe the development of a novel nanoemulsion through combining irinotecan (IRI), a first line systemic agent used for the treatment of colon cancer, with lipiodol, an oily contrast medium derived from poppy seed oil, and evaluated its pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profile as a function of portal venous chemoembolization (PVCE) versus transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) delivery. The Tessari technique was used to create a stable emulsion (20 mg IRI mixed with 2 mL lipiodol) with resultant particle size ranging from 28.9 nm to 56.4 nm. Pharmacokinetic profile established through venous sampling in Buffalo rats demonstrate that the area under the curve (AUC0−∞) of IRI was significantly less after PVCE with IRI-lipiodol as compared to IRI alone (131 vs. 316 µg*min/mL, p-value =.023), suggesting significantly higher amounts of IRI retention in the liver with the IRI-lipiodol nanoemulsion via first-pass extraction. Subseqent biodistribution studies in tumor-bearing WAG/Rjj rats revealed more IRI present in the tumor following TACE versus PVCE (29.19 ± 12.33 µg/g versus 3.42 ± 1.62; p-value =.0033) or IV (29.19 ± 12.33 µg/g versus 1.05 ± 0.47; p-value =.0035). The IRI-lipiodol nanoemulsion demonstrated an acceptable hepatotoxicity profile in all routes of administration. In conclusion, the IRI-lipiodol nanoemulsion via TACE showed promise and warrants further investigation as an option for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Identifying Human Traffickers Profile and Predictors of Sentencing Outcomes
Get PDFHuman trafficking is often referred to as modern day slavery and has gripped society and challenged the fabric of humanity. To provide a better understanding of this this crime, this study aimed to identify the common demographic profiles among perpetrators of human trafficking; what factors influence trafficking; whether various types of human trafficking influence rates of prosecution, conviction, and length of sentence; and if relationships exit among various characteristics of traffickers such as gender, race, ethnicity, and age of traffickers. The study uncovered a number of limitations in prior research on this topic; one of the most serious being that most research has focused primarily on victims and not the perpetrators of human trafficking. This study utilized secondary data on arrests, charges, prosecutions, and sentences obtained from a large city District Attorney’s Office in the southwest. Among others, the study findings indicate that most human trafficking perpetrators tend to be males, between ages of 18 and 24, and cases involving minors victims were prosecuted at a higher rate than those cases involving adult’s victims. The result of the study will potentially improve future law enforcement work of investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases as well as create an increased awareness of the underlying determinants of the low rate of prosecution and sentencing of offenders
Methods Utilized for Music Education and Their Effectiveness
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to educate, inform, and analyze how music is taught within the education system today. Music is a very essential part of the education system and is oftentimes overlooked. The State of Texas has a system that is different from most states when it comes to education and meeting academic standards on all grade levels(Matthew 2006).This alone has placed fear in some educators for teaching within the State of Texas because they just want to be successful overall and give their students the opportunity to do the same. The most frustrating thing to me, is watching parents and students not even wanting to enroll in any Music courses because they do not see nor understand the benefits of Music and how it can create a huge impact on their mental health, as well as their daily academics in Science, Technology, English, and Math (STEM). These preconceived misconceptions can often deprive students of the opportunity to exercise their skills and abilities. It can also deprive the educators of molding some amazing musicians, vocalists, pianists, performers, etc. The purpose of this paper is to educate parents, students, educators, and future music educators about the multiple learning approaches/methods created by music educators of the past. These methods were created to be applied and used as a guide for teachers to utilize teaching strategies for music in more ways than one. The focus of this paper is to understand what the Gordon learning theory, Orff approach, and Kodaly method are, who created them, and how they have been applied in schools over the years
Investigating Corruption Amongst Uniformed Police Officers in Local Police Departments
Get PDFPolice corruption within the United States has been around since the formation of the first police department in Boston, Massachusetts. Furthermore, the pervasiveness of police corruption threaten the lives and safety of civilians residing in the U.S. Past reform movements failed to eradicate the issue and bring about change. This has inspired the question how can police departments and uniformed officers be reformed to eradicate police corruption. A case study of uniformed police officers in popular police departments would demonstrate the pervasiveness, adaptability, and factors of police corruption. A historical analysis of the New York Police Department, Miami Police Department, and Los Angeles Police department proved that corruption adapts over time and is molded by the environment and culture of the department. This analysis has led to five possible reform solutions that could possibly eradicate police corruption
Panel III Discussion: The U.S. Constitution: Reimagining We the People as an Inclusive Construct
Get PDFFormer Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas, a graduate of Texas Southern University, on July 25, 1974, in a speech to the House Judiciary Committee said, “Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, “We, the people.” It is a very eloquent beginning. But when the document was completed on the seventeenth of September 1787, I was not included in that “We, the people.” I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision I have finally been included in “We, the people.”” Additionally, she said “My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total. “I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution.” This presentation explored whether “We the People” as conceived in the constitution actually includes Black people and other persons of color, immigrants, non-English speakers, LGBTQ communities and criminalized and/or incarcerated citizens
Characterization of Indoor Dust-Derived Trace Elements and Organic Contaminants Impact on Human Lung Cells
Get PDFThese days, people spend most of their time indoors. Therefore, indoor dust can be one of the main pathways of exposure to toxic contaminants. Indoor dust is a complex mixture of particles with organic and inorganic pollutants, such as heavy metals, smoke residues, flame retardants, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and plasticizers. Depending on the size and the composition, indoor dust has been associated with different toxicological effects because of its ability to modify several biological activities, activate different cellular pathways, and induce DNA adducts. These alterations can lead to respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung fibrosis and cancer. This study aimed to determine the effect of the indoor dust (Trace Elements Indoor Dust and Organic Contaminants House Dust) on cell viability, cytotoxicity, cellular death mechanism, cellular oxidative stress, inflammasome activation, and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase pathway activation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) after exposure to different dust concentrations (10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250, and 500 µg/ml). The research covers the proliferation of normal human bronchial epithelial cells using 3-(4,5 dimethyl-2-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Viability and apoptosis were measured in BEAS-2B cells by the Triplex assay. Cytotoxicity was measured using LDH-Glo cytotoxicity assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by the dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation assay and the ROS-Glo-H2O2 assay. For detection of inflammation, Inflammasome-Glo Caspase-1 assay was used. MAPK protein levels (JNK, ERK1/2, and p38) and antioxidant enzymes’ levels (Superoxide Dismutase-1, Superoxide Dismutase-2, Catalase, and Glutathione Peroxidase) were determined using western blotting. Our findings indicate that indoor dust exposure results in cell growth suppression, cell cytotoxicity, ROS overproduction, antioxidant enzymes activation, activation of the inflammatory response, and MAPK pathway activation in normal lung cells, which together cause apoptotic, necrotic, and pyroptotic cell death, and that may pose a risk for respiratory disorders and airway injury
Investigation of toxic chemicals in plant-based milk alternatives
Get PDFMilk is a dietary component consumed all over the world and is known to be essential for development in children. Despite all the nutritional advantages associated with milk consumption, several issues like lactose intolerance, and high lipid content, etc., negatively affects the perception of cow milk consumption, and has grown into general health concerns. Issues with cow milk consumption drove for a healthier alternative and this led to plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA). Several studies have linked consumption of these PBMAs with other negative effects such as: allergy, poor nutrient profile and the presence of other foreign chemicals. This study’s main objective is to investigate the chemical profile of milk samples to detect the presence of toxic chemicals such as heavy metals and pesticides. As well as detect the concentration of essential elements present in milk samples. This study uses instrumentation analysis such as an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) device to analyze the presence of heavy metals as well as essential elements in milk samples. For organic contaminants which include pesticides, the gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detector (ECD) is used. Results obtained for heavy metals showed trace concentration of Pb, Cd and Cr in the majority of the PBMA samples, specifically Hemp milk (1.0 µg/l for Pb; 1.2 µg/l for Cr) and Soy milk (0.4 µg/l for Cd), while heavy metal concentration for cow milk was below detection limit. Organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residue limit was present in all milk samples. The concentrations for the OCPs banned by the Stockholm Convention was higher than the residue limits set by EPA and FAO-WHO. This is of concern as most banned OCPs are classified as carcinogens, even at trace concentrations. HCB, Mirex, toxaphene, and Chlordane had residue concentrations above 200 µg/kg. Overall, cow milk had no significant difference in pesticide residue limits compared to PBMAs like almond, coconut, soy, and oat. Almond, coconut and soy milk were more fortified in essential elements than cow milk. However, heavy metal concentration in cow milk was BDL compared to that of most PBMAs
Systemic Racism and Minority Disparities in Health Care
Get PDFHistorically, racial discrimination in society has had an adverse effect on the health of African Americans. This type of inequality has also affected other persons of color, and it has been reported that racism has insidious effects on many White individuals, especially on their health as well. Four critical issues will be addressed in this paper: First, the impact of discrimination on the health care of African Americans and others. From slavery to lynching to incarceration, generations of African American families have endured trauma. Psychologist and other social scientists have said that these continuing experiences with racism may lie at the root of many well-documented race-based physical health disparities that affect this population. The second issue is the impact of police misconduct on the health of African Americans. Historically, numerous African Americans have lived in fear of law enforcement officials armed with weapons who have monitored their behavior, attacked them on the streets and in their homes, and killed them for the slightest alleged provocation. A third issue is racial disparities in the provision of health care of which there have been numerous accounts. It has been noted that African Americans, other minorities, and the poor have historically been subjected to health care neglect and abuse, and have had their preferences for certain medical benefits ignored. In fact, people of color in the United States have faced disparities in the access to health care, in the quality of the care they receive, as well as health outcomes. The fourth issue involves systemic racism and its effect on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Initial CDC data showed obvious disparities among those receiving the vaccine while highlighting severe gaps across communities. Evidence has indicated that Black and Hispanic people have been vaccinated against Coronavirus at much lower rates than White persons despite being disproportionately hit by the pandemic according to CDC data. In short, access to the vaccine has not been fair to minorities and the poor in various locations throughout the United States, which could be shown to be a violation of Equal Protection under the Constitution. This paper will also include a small sampling of case studies and court opinions that illustrate alleged discrimination by physicians and hospitals involving health care matters