Correct Model Research Articles

A Restoring Force Correction Model for Enveloped Steel Jacket-Confined Seismic-Damaged Rectangular Recycled Aggregate Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Columns

In order to establish a suitable restoring force correction model for enveloped steel jacket (ESJ)-confined seismic-damaged rectangular recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tubular (RRACFST) columns, based on experimental research, a study of the seismic performance and parameters of ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns was carried out. The restoring force theory, model test, and OpenSees simulation of ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns were conducted. Firstly, a trilinear model of the skeleton curve and a suitable restoring force model for ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns were established. The results were compared with the model test results, and it was found that the two results had good consistency. Secondly, the initial damage of the RRACFST column was simulated by the reducing material properties method, and a correct numerical model for ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns was proposed. The influence mechanism of seismic parameters of the RRACFST column was clarified. Finally, the seismic parameter combination with the best seismic performance for ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns was established; namely, the replacement rate of recycled coarse aggregate is 50%, the concrete strength is C40, the axial compression ratio is 0.3, the strength of the rectangular steel tube is Q345, the wall thickness of the steel tube is 4 mm, and the slenderness ratio is 7.5.

Effect of Vegetation Growth, Agricultural Irrigation and Climatic Variability on Streamflow in Wujiang, China

Vegetation restoration and farmland irrigation are important environmental factors affecting the water cycle process in basins. Analyzing the impact of vegetation restoration and farmland irrigation on runoff is an international frontier and hot topic in current research, which is crucial for the management and protection of water resources, especially for the ecological protection and high-quality development of basins. Based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), effective irrigated area (EIA), and meteorology and hydrology data for Wujiang River (WJR), this research aims to quantitatively calculate the influence degree of vegetation recovery, agricultural irrigation, and climatic variability on discharge alteration in WJR. First, Mann–Kendall and Pettitt approaches were used for recognizing the mutation year of streamflow data at Wulong station from 1982 to 2015. Then, a corrective Budyko model was built by constructing multiple linear regression equations for the NDVI, climate factors, EIA, and Budyko parameters. Finally, the corrective Budyko model was adopted to reveal how vegetation restoration, agri-cultural irrigation, and climate variation influence discharge alteration in WJR. The results showed the following: (1) Both runoff depth (R) and rainfall (Pr) exhibited a non-significant de-clining tendency, while potential evapotranspiration (ET0) demonstrated a non-significant in-creasing tendency. The NDVI and EIA both demonstrated a notable upward tendency (p<0.01). (2) The mutation year of discharge in WJR was 2004. (3) The underlying surface parameters ω have a strong correlation with vegetation, agricultural irrigation, and climate factors. (4) The contribution of rainfall (Pr), potential evapotranspiration (ET0), NDVI, EIA, and human activities to runoff depth in WJR were 57.34%, 24.67%, -11.75%, 11.71%, and 18.02%, respectively. This re-search is helpful for elucidating the effects of ecological construction measures and agricultural irrigation on streamflow in WJR, and offers great scientific significance and practical value for understanding the evolution mechanism of water circulation and for managing regional water resources.

Investigation of the Theoretical Model of Nano-Coolant Thermal Conductivity Suitable for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The fuel cell vehicle is one of the essential directions for developing new energy vehicles. But heat dissipation is a critical technical difficulty that needs to be solved urgently. Nano-coolant is a promising coolant that can potentially replace the existing coolant of a fuel cell. However, its thermal conductivity has a significant impact on heat dissipation performance, which is closely related to nanoparticles’ thermal conductivity, nanoparticles’ volume fraction, and the nano-coolant temperature. Many scholars have created the thermal conductivity models for nano-coolants to explore the mechanism of nano-coolants’ thermal conductivity. At present, there is no unified opinion on the mechanism of the micro thermal conductivity of the nano-coolant. Hence, this paper proposed a novel model to predict the thermal conductivity of ethylene glycol/deionized water-based nano-coolants. A corrected model was designed based on the Hamilton & Crosser model and nanolayer theory. Finally, a new theoretical model of nano-coolant thermal conductivity suitable for fuel cell vehicles was constructed based on the base fluid’s experimental data.

Tratamento endodôntico em sessão única em dentes com lesão apical: relato de caso

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry responsible for treating the inside of the teeth through endodontic treatment. One of the main objectives of endodontic treatment is to guide the root canal system to a clean place, consequently eliminating microorganisms, providing the cure of the infection and later restoring the function of the tooth. Endodontic treatment performed correctly is successful in the long term regardless of the number of sessions, therefore, endodontic treatment in a single session is a great alternative due to the saving of operative time, lower risk of infiltrations, shorter time to resume function of the tooth in the stomatognathic system, reduced risk of cross-infection and reduced drug administration to patients who need antibiotic prophylaxis. The success of the root canal treatment will depend on the infection control through the correct cleaning and modeling of the canals, the filling of the same through the obturation and all the care to be executed and not the medication used between sessions. Thus, the objective of this work is to report the effectiveness of endodontic treatment in a single session through a clinical case report of a patient with a large periapical lesion in elements 21 and 22.

Evaluating Natural Course Performance in Parametric G-formula: Review of Current Practice and Illustration Based on the United Autoworkers-General Motors Cohort.

The parametric g-formula is a causal inference method that appropriately adjusts for time-varying confounding affected by prior exposure. Like all parametric methods, it assumes correct model specification, usually assessed by comparing the observed outcome with the simulated outcome under no intervention (natural course). However, it is unclear how to evaluate natural course performance and whether other variables should also be considered. We reviewed current practices for evaluating model misspecification in applications of parametric g-formula. To illustrate the pitfalls of current practices, we then applied the parametric g-formula to examine cardiovascular disease mortality in relation to occupational exposure in the United Autoworkers-General Motors cohort (UAW-GM), comparing 20 parametric model sets and qualitatively assessing natural course performance for all time-varying variables over follow-up. We found that current practices of evaluating model misspecification are often insufficient, increasing risk of bias and statistical cherry picking. Based on our motivational analyses of the UAW-GM cohort, good natural course performance of the outcome does not guarantee good simulations of other covariates; poor predictions of exposures and covariates may still exist. We recommend reporting natural course performance for all time-varying variables at all time-points. Objective criteria for evaluating model misspecification in parametric g-formula need to be developed.

Study on microscopic pores and physico-mechanical properties of red clay modified by calcium carbonate

Red clay as a special soil has a high liquid-plastic limit, water swelling and water loss shrinkage. To solve the problems red clay was modified by calcium carbonate produced in Hezhou, Guangxi. The Liquid-plastic limit, water loss shrinkage, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and consolidated drained (CD) triaxial shear test were carried out on the modified soils. The results show that when the calcium carbonate content is 20%, the plastic limit is 24.38 and the liquid limit is 38.67, which are reduced by 35.04% and 22.16%, respectively. The Montmorillonite content in the modified soil is reduced by 27.7%. The shrinkage coefficient decreased from 0.325 to 0.102. The NMR test shows that the content is 5% and 10% would lead to a decrease in the macropores and an increase in the micropores pores. The phenomenon is the opposite (15% and 20%). All contents led to the porosity increase. The calcium carbonate content of 5% was selected for triaxial shear tests to obtain the stress-strain curves. The Duncan-Zhang was used to predict the modified soil. The model has a large error in the prediction of the peak of the principal stress difference, but the overall trend is relatively consistent. Therefore, the correction coefficient related to the confining pressure was introduced. The corrected model fits the triaxial shear test well. The research provides a method for the liquid-plastic limits and shrinkage properties of modified red clay, explores the influence of calcium carbonate content on microscopic pores, and the correction of the model provides a theoretical basis for practical application.

Analysis of Mapping the Private Sector Involvement in Correctional Institution Development and Operation Based on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model

This study integrates various views on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in correctional institution based on the experiences of various countries (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Japan, Canada). Referring to the terminology of PPP in a broad sense, the correctional institution PPP models according to this study are: 1) the “private governance” model; 2) the “hybrid management” model; 3) the “service infrastructure” model; and 4) the “contracting out certain limited functions” model. The characteristics of the four correctional institution PPP models are mapped in the task specifications in correctional institution, both in the development and operation stages of correctional institution. In the correctional institution development stage, there are design, construction and financing. In the correctional institution operation stage, there are accommodation services or building maintenance; management and administration; and correction services. Only the “private governance” model regulates the involvement of the private sector in all stages of correctional institution development and operation. Through an analysis of the terminology of “correctional institution” and correction function, this study elaborates on the characteristics of the four correctional institution PPP models by mapping private sector involvement in correctional services (order, amenity and service) which show the specific functional characteristics of correctional institution. The “private governance” model allows private sector involvement in all three aspects of correctional services, while the “service infrastructure” model does not allow the private sector to be involved in all aspects of the correctional services in question. The “hybrid management” model and the “contracting out certain limited functions” model allow private sector involvement in the amenity and service aspects, but not in the order or custody aspects. Keywords: correctional institution, correctional service, order-amenity-service, Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

Unveiling the origin of XMM-Newton soft proton flares. I. Design and validation of a response matrix for proton spectral analysis

Low-energy ($<$ 300 keV) protons entering the field of view of XMM-Newton can scatter with the X-ray mirror surface and reach the focal plane. They are observed in the form of a sudden increase in the background level, the so-called soft proton flares, affecting up to 40<!PCT!> of the mission observing time. Soft protons can hardly be disentangled from true X-ray events and cannot be rejected on board. All future high throughput grazing incidence X-ray telescopes operating outside the radiation belts are potentially affected by soft proton-induced contamination that must be foreseen and limited since the design phase. In-flight XMM-Newton 's observations of soft protons represent a unique laboratory to validate and improve our understanding of their interaction with the mirror, optical filters, and X-ray instruments. At the same time, such models would link the observed background flares to the primary proton population encountered by the telescope, converting XMM-Newton into a monitor for soft protons. We built a Geant4 simulation of XMM-Newton including a verified mass model of the X-ray mirror, the focal plane assembly, and the EPIC MOS and pn-CCDs. Analytical computations and, when available, laboratory measurements collected from literature were used to verify the correct modelling of the proton scattering and transmission to the detection plane. Similarly to the instrument X-ray response, we encoded the energy redistribution and proton transmission efficiency into a redistribution matrix file (RMF), mapping the probability that a proton from 2 to 300 keV is detected in a certain detector channel, and an auxiliary response file (ARF), storing the grasp towards protons. Both files were formatted according to the standard NASA calibration database and any compliant X-ray data analysis tool can be used to simulate or analyse soft proton-induced background spectra. An overall systematic uncertainty of 30<!PCT!> was assumed on the basis of the estimated accuracy of the mirror geometry and transmission models. For the validation, three averaged soft proton spectra, one for each filter configuration, were extracted from a collection of 13 years of MOS observations of the focused non X-ray background and analysed with Xspec . A similar power-law distribution is found for the three filter configurations, plus black-body-like emission below tens of keV used as a correction factor, based on the dedicated spectral analysis of 55 in-flight proton flares presented in Paper II. The best-fit model is in agreement with the power-law distribution predicted from independent measurements for the XMM-Newton orbit, spent mostly in the magnetosheath and nearby regions. For the first time we are able to link detected soft proton flares with the proton radiation environment in the Earth's magnetosphere, while proving the validity of the simulation chain in predicting the background of future missions. Benefiting from this work and contributions from the Athena instrument consortia, we also present the response files for the Athena mission and updated estimates for its focused charged background.

Research on The local clothing thermal insulation prediction model with different dress state of indoor occupants

In a dynamic and non-uniform thermal environment, adjusting personal dress states is an effective method for achieving thermal comfort. During this process, clothing thermal insulation, as a key parameter in human thermoregulation models, is not uniformly distributed across the body. However, current thermal comfort standards do not provide a direct method for obtaining local clothing thermal insulation. Based on field surveys, this study summarized typical year-round clothing ensembles and common dress states, and tested the local thermal insulation of 40 clothing ensembles and 60 individual garments using a thermal manikin. Subsequently, a prediction model for the local thermal insulation of clothing ensembles was developed based on the overall thermal insulation of individual garments. Meanwhile, it was found that changes in dress state significantly alter the thermal insulation of body parts such as the arms and chest. Simulations conducted using the JOS-3 and UCB models revealed that the lower the ambient temperature, the greater the impact of changes in local clothing thermal insulation on human skin temperature and thermal sensation. Finally, a correction model for different dress states was developed, and comparison with existing models showed the lower root mean square error (RMSE) between the predicted and measured values. This study provides a more accurate and convenient method for determining local thermal insulation, offering a data foundation for improving indoor environmental control and enhancing energy efficiency.

A new solution for the observed isotropic cosmic birefringence angle and its implications for the anisotropic counterpart through a Boltzmann approach

Abstract Cosmic Birefringence (CB) is a phenomenon in which the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation is rotated as it travels through space due to the coupling between photons and an axion-like field. We look for a solution able to explain the result obtained from the Planck Public Release 4 (PR4), which has provided a hint of detection of the CB angle, α = (0.30 ± 0.11)∘. In addition to the solutions, already present in the literature, which need a non-negligible evolution in time of the axion-like field during recombination, we find a new region of the parameter space that allows for a nearly constant time evolution of such a field in the same epoch. The latter reinforces the possibility to employ the commonly used relations connecting the observed CMB spectra with the unrotated ones, through trigonometric functions of the CB angle. However, if the homogeneous axion field sourcing isotropic birefringence is almost constant in time during the matter-dominated era, this does not automatically imply that the same holds also for the associated inhomogeneous perturbations. For this reason, in this paper we present a fully generalized Boltzmann treatment of this phenomenon, that is able, for the first time to our knowledge to deal with the time evolution of anisotropic cosmic birefringence (ACB). We employ this approach to provide predictions of ACB, in particular for the set of best-fit parameters found in the new solution of the isotropic case. If the latter is the correct model, we expect an ACB spectrum of the order of (10-15 ÷ 10-32) deg2 for the auto-correlation, and (10-7 ÷ 10-17) μK·deg for the cross-correlations with the CMB T and E fields, depending on the angular scale.

Considerations in designing climate change assessments for complex, non-linear hydrological systems

Bias correction of climate model simulations is vital to allow climate change impacts to be assessed for water resources systems. However, there has been limited research to date on the implications of system non-linearity on bias correction approaches. Here we bias correct regional climate model simulations of precipitation and evapotranspiration and use the output to force hydrological and water balance models of five small, interconnected lakes located south west of Sydney. We show that substantial, non-linear storage within the lakes amplifies biases that are not evident when the climate forcing or even the hydrological model simulations are evaluated using daily distributions of the climate variables and streamflow.The non-linearity in the stage-storage relationships of the lakes means that each lake responds differently to the same climate forcings. For example, ensemble mean projections for one lake suggest increases in water level across the full distribution of lake levels, whilst other lakes are projected to have decreasing water levels up to the median of the distribution, but increases during wetter conditions. These differences are explained by the varying influence of potential evapotranspiration increases depending on the surface area of the lakes at different depths. Using bottom up climate change assessments, we further explore these non-linear responses of the lakes to different climate forcings. We show that bottom up climate change assessments can provide information on the relative role of potential evapotranspiration changes compared to precipitation changes, providing more guidance to ecosystem managers than just using bias corrected climate model simulations alone. The paper discusses opportunities for future work to improve representation of climate attributes important for storage dominated water resource and natural ecosystems

On identifying dynamic length scales in crystal plasticity

Materials are often heterogeneous at various length scales, with variations in grain structure, defects, and composition which has a strong influence on the emergent macroscopic plastic behavior. In particular, heterogeneities lead to fluctuations in the plastic response in the form of jerky flow and ubiquitous strain bursts. One of the crucial aspects of plasticity modeling is scale bridging: In order to deliver physically correct crystal plasticity models, one needs to determine relevant microstructural length scales. In this paper we advance the idea that continuum descriptions of dislocation mediated plasticity cannot neglect dynamic correlations related to the avalanche behavior. We present an extensive weakest link analysis of crystal plasticity by means of three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics simulations with and without spherical precipitates. We investigate strain bursts and related length scales and conclude that while sufficiently strong obstacles to dislocation motion tend to confine the dislocation avalanches within well-defined sub-volumes, in pure dislocation systems the avalanches may span the system, implying that the dynamic length scale is, in fact, the size of the entire sample. Consequences of this finding on continuum modeling are thoroughly discussed.

Cancer care delivery in prisons: From barriers to best practices.

49 Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death in US prisons. Incarcerated patients with cancer have 92% higher 5-year mortality than the general population with cancer, but little is known about how to improve cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in this high-risk population. Methods: We conducted interviews with state prison medical directors and primary care clinicians, and medical, radiation and gynecologic oncologists who coordinate or provide cancer care for individuals incarcerated in prison. Participants were recruited via 1) email invitation to participants at a correctional health conference, 2) purposeful sampling using targeted emails to clinicians in prison systems selected for diversity in size, geography and correctional health model (e.g., contracted care), and 3) snowball sampling of individuals from research and participant networks. Participants were interviewed about 1) logistics of cancer care delivery from screening and treatment through end-of-life care, 2) barriers and facilitators to cancer care delivery, and 3) evidence-based strategies to facilitate cancer care in prisons, including best practices. Interview transcripts were analyzed using mixed inductive/deductive thematic content analysis to identify emerging themes. Results: 34 participants from 16 prison systems were interviewed (10 medical directors, 6 PCPs, 14 oncologists, 4 other). Participants reported prison clinicians coordinate most cancer care (e.g., screening, diagnosis and symptom management), while cancer treatment largely occurs in community or academic facilities outside of prison. Common barriers identified included underscreening / delays in diagnosis, complex logistical coordination, poor communication (between patients and oncologists, and prison clinicians and oncologists), inadequate symptom management, dehumanizing practices, loss-to-follow-up after release and that patients often come from marginalized populations. Common facilitators were better access to insurance, cancer screening, and general medical and cancer care than incarcerated patients might receive before/after incarceration. Participants identified multiple ways to improve cancer screening (creating enforceable standards, increasing continuing medical education, implementing electronic medical record reminders, reducing logistical barriers), cancer treatment (implementing navigators within prisons and cancer centers, prioritizing care with oncologist input, keeping care in prisons, decarceration), and transitions to the community (Medicaid activation prior to release, community partnerships to facilitate care transitions). Conclusions: Incarceration imposes multiple barriers to cancer care delivery, but clinicians identified numerous tools to improve cancer care in prison. Future studies should test and optimize these strategies to improve cancer outcomes for incarcerated patients.

On erosion wear of flat specimens incorporating roughness angle correction

Particle erosion-induced damage to structural walls constitutes a critical concern in aerospace and petrochemical engineering. Over time, this phenomenon leads to surface roughening, thereby altering particle impingement dynamics, a facet often overlooked in current simulation methodologies. This study proposes a novel numerical approach for investigating erosion characteristics of flat specimens, integrating a corrective model for roughness angle to enhance accuracy in predicting erosion profiles. Experimental validation confirms the superior performance of the proposed correction method, achieving a remarkable enhancement of approximately 60.27% in accurately predicting maximum erosion depth compared to conventional techniques. Notably, the corrected erosion depth exhibits a nonlinear relationship with erosion duration, closely mirroring experimental observations. In regions characterized by intensified erosion rates, the present method discloses a notable decrease of approximately 1.8° in forecasted particle impact angles with advancing erosion stages, thereby achieving closer adherence to empirical trends. The refined simulation method effectively rectifies historical overestimations, offering a robust framework for future studies in erosion prediction and mitigation strategies.

Model-implied simulation-based power estimation for correctly specified and distributionally misspecified models: Applications to nonlinear and linear structural equation models.

Closed-form (asymptotic) analytical power estimation is only available for limited classes of models, requiring correct model specification for most applications. Simulation-based power estimation can be applied in almost all scenarios where data following the model can be estimated. However, a general framework for calculating the required sample sizes for given power rates is still lacking. We propose a new model-implied simulation-based power estimation (MSPE) method for the z-test that makes use of the asymptotic normality property of estimates of a wide class of estimators, the M-estimators, and give theoretical justification for the approach. M-estimators include maximum-likelihood, least squares estimates and limited information estimators, but also estimators used for misspecified models, hence, the new simulation-based power modeling method is widely applicable. The MSPE employs a parametric model to describe the relationship between power and sample size, which can then be used to determine the required sample size for a specified power rate. We highlight its performance in linear and nonlinear structural equation models (SEM) for correctly specified models and models under distributional misspecification. Simulation results suggest that the new power modeling method is unbiased and shows good performance with regard to root mean squared error and type I error rates for the predicted required sample sizes and predicted power rates, outperforming alternative approaches, such as the naïve approach of selecting a discrete selection of sample sizes with linear interpolation of power or simple logistic regression approaches. The MSPE appears to be a valuable tool to estimate power for models without an (asymptotic) analytical power estimation.

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ ПРОЦЕССА ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЯ ДЕФИЦИТА ВЫЧИСЛИТЕЛЬНЫХ МОЩНОСТЕЙ НА ЗНАЧИМОМ ОБЪЕКТЕ КРИТИЧЕСКОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЙ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЫ

The aim of the study is to formalize the process of forecasting the computing power deficit at significant objects of critical information infrastructure using a functional model. The task is to create a correct functional model for forecasting the computing power deficit. To solve this problem, the BPwin software product and functional modelling methods are used. The novelty of the work lies in using the analytical alignment of dynamic series to forecast the computing power deficit at significant objects of critical information infrastructure. As the study result, the authors build a functional model of the process of forecasting the computing power deficit at significant objects of critical information infrastructure. Thus, the resulting functional model reflects the technological features of the process of forecasting the computing power deficit and can be automated and applied to significant objects of critical information infrastructure in the future.

Were the autophagosome-lysosome/vacuole fusion models illustrated correctly in the literature?

ABSTRACT Exploration of autophagy in different species has become a hotspot in cell biology in the past decades. Macroautophagy (hereafter, autophagy) is the most widely studied type. One of the hallmarks of autophagy is the fusion of the outer membrane (OM) of a closed double-membrane mature autophagosome (AP) with the lysosomal/vacuolar single membrane. Most researchers in the autophagy field agree upon this description. However, AP-lysosome/vacuole fusion models that do not follow this description frequently appear in the literature, even published in some prestigious journals until now. Some of the misrepresented models are from autophagy laboratories with brilliant publication records. These flaws should be addressed as a public announcement in the autophagy field to avoid spreading misinformation. The editors and reviewers are the guardians to ensure correct models. Abbreviations: AP: autophagosome; IM: inner membrane; OM: outer membrane.

A Nondestructive and Rapid Method for the Determination of Triamterene Content by Transmission Raman Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics

Background: Triamterene is a potassium-conserving diuretic mainly used in the treatment of edematous diseases. Although there are some methods to measure the content of triamterene, the existing methods have the characteristics of sample destructiveness and low flux, making it difficult to meet the needs of online monitoring. In recent years, transmission Raman spectroscopy (TRS), as a new technology for the determination of drug content, has emerged as being nondestructive and rapid and provides a new method for the determination of triamterene content. Objective: In this study, we used transmission Raman spectroscopy combined with partial least squares (PLS) approaches to establish a six concentration levels model for measuring the content of triamterene. The model was applied to determine whether tablets are commercially available. Method: Firstly, TRS was used to collect the spectra of the principal components and mixed excipients of triamterene, and the feasibility test was carried out. Secondly, six concentration levels were determined by the design of experimental (DOE), and hand-made tablets were prepared to obtain corresponding spectra. The content prediction model was established by the PLS method, and the content of triamterene was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to correct the model. Finally, the model was applied to the determination of triamterene in commercially available tablets. Results: The results showed that the established model was successfully applied to the determination of triamterene. The values of RMSEC (0.0089783) and RMSECV (0.0097241) of the final model were very low and close to each other. The relative error of 12 hand-made tablets predicted by this model was less than 5% compared with the results determined by HPLC. In addition, in the process of applying the model to the determination of the content of commercially available tablets, the accuracy of the model can be significantly improved by adding the spectrum of commercially available tablets. The corrected model was used to determine the content of triamterene in two commercially available tablets. The results showed that the relative error was less than 5%. Conclusion: We described a new strategy to analyze the content of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in triamterene tablets by TRS with PLS. The established model has the advantage of non-destructive and rapid quantitation, which can provide a new method for real-time monitoring of production lines and promote the development of process analytical technology (PAT).

OGLE-IV Period–Luminosity Relation of the LMC: An Analysis Using Mean and Median Magnitudes

The Period–Luminosity (PL) relation for Cepheid variable stars in the LMC is crucial for distance measurements in astronomy. This study analyzes the impact of using the median rather than the mean of the PL relation’s slope and zero-point. It also examines the persistence of the break at approximately 10 days and addresses specification issues in the PL relation model. Using VI-band median and mean magnitudes from the OGLE-IV survey, corrected for extinction, we fit the PL relation employing robust MM-regression, which features a high breakdown point and robust standard errors. Statistical tests and residual analysis are conducted to identify and correct model deficiencies. Our findings indicate a significant change in the PL relation for Cepheids with periods of 10 days or longer, regardless of whether median or mean magnitudes are used. A bias in the zero-point and slope estimators is observed when using median magnitudes instead of mean magnitudes, especially in the V band. By identifying and correcting regression issues and considering the period break, our estimators for the slope and zero-point are more accurate for distance calculations. Comparative analysis of the models for each band quantifies the bias introduced by using median magnitudes, highlighting the importance of considering the Cepheids’ periods for accurate location measure results, similar to those obtained using mean magnitudes.

Acceptability, Feasibility, and Appropriateness of the B-OK Bottles as an Implementation Strategy for Treatment Adherence Support by Medical Case Managers

AbstractAntiretroviral therapy treatment adherence support by medical case managers is an evidence-based practice, but effectiveness may be constrained by limited understanding of antiretroviral therapy’s benefits among people with HIV. We used mixed methods to evaluate the pre-implementation context of the B-OK Bottles (“B-OK”) — a visual aid designed to correct HIV mental models — as an implementation strategy for treatment adherence support by medical case managers in Philadelphia. We assessed outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness among medical case managers and people with HIV. We conducted case manager focus groups at four agencies, and enrolled clients of case managers at these agencies. Clients received the B-OK intervention, a survey, and individual interviews. Among clients, we assessed implementation scales: Acceptability of Intervention Measure, Feasibility of Intervention Measure, and Intervention Appropriateness Measure. During focus groups, medical case managers (N = 29) found B-OK to be highly acceptable and feasible, and that it would be appropriate as a conversation starter. Individual interviews (N = 52) also demonstrated high degrees of B-OK acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness for use by case managers. Medical case managers and people with HIV felt that B-OK could improve individual motivation for medication adherence. However, participants also identified other substantial barriers to adherence besides knowledge and understanding. Quantitative results were consistent with our qualitative findings, with high scores on implementation scales. This study suggests that B-OK would be acceptable, feasible, and appropriate as an implementation strategy for treatment adherence support by medical case managers, but that a multifaceted approach is likely needed to achieve optimal adherence.