Novel Approaches to Chemically Cross-Linked Phosphazene Structures: Hydrosilylation vs Piers–Rubinsztajn Reaction

Finding new ways for the preparation of cross-linked structures is a significant problem in terms of materials for biomedical application, lithium batteries electrolytes, and etc. Within this work we have studied the possibility to utilize hydrosilylation and Piers-Rubinsztajn reactions to obtain cross-linked model phosphazene compounds, containing eugenoxy and guaiacoxy groups. It was shown that Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction cannot be efficiently used to prepare tailored polymer-matrix, due to the catalyst deactivation by nitrogen atoms of phosphazene units. A number of cross-linked phosphazene-based materials was obtained with the use of hydrosilylation reaction and their properties were studied by NMR spectroscopy, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. This work showed a perspective for the use of eugenoxy functional groups for the preparation of three-dimensional hybrid phosphazene/siloxane-based materials for various applications.

Feasibility of de-linking reimbursement of antimicrobials from sales: the Australian perspective as a qualitative case study

Background There is a disparity in the economic return achievable for antimicrobials compared with other drugs because of the need for stewardship. This has led to a decline in pharmaceutical companies’ willingness to invest in the development of these drugs and a consequent global interest in funding models where reimbursement is de-linked from sales. Objectives To explore the perspective of stakeholders regarding the feasibility of de-linked reimbursement of antimicrobials in Australia. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants sourced from the pharmaceutical industry and individuals representing public-sector payers or regulators. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and thematically analysed using the framework method. Results Five key themes were identified in the interviews: funding silos are a barrier to de-linking reimbursement; varying levels of supporting evidence are (currently) required for funding depending upon setting; funding status or cost is used as a stewardship tool; a de-linked model may cost more; and concerns regarding governance and access to antimicrobials exist in the private sector. Conclusions Australia’s current multi-tiered funding of medicines across different levels of government was perceived as a barrier to de-linked reimbursement. Participants felt that the responsibility for antimicrobial funding and stewardship should be integrated and centralized. Implementing a nationally funded de-linked reimbursement model for new antimicrobials would require a review of funding decision-making criteria, given that most MDR infections are off-label indications and could not then be funded through the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Findings from this study could be applicable to other countries with reimbursement frameworks similar to Australia.

Addressing the Water–Energy Nexus by Coupling the Hydrological Model with a New Energy LISENGY Model: A Case Study in the Iberian Peninsula

As water is required for producing hydropower, and subsequently the water balance is changed for downstream areas, the linking of hydrological and energy models is needed to properly address the interactions among them. In this study, volume–depth-based water storage estimation models were proposed for individual lakes and reservoirs in the Iberian Peninsula using the 30-year Global Water Surface dataset and reservoir morphometry methodology which enables to evaluate reservoirs where data were not available before. The models were subsequently implemented within the new hydropower model called LISENGY that provides the first comprehensive assessment of the temporal and spatial dynamics of water storage, water depth and hydropower production in the Iberian Peninsula. The LISENGY model was coupled with the distributed LISFLOOD hydrological model. The seasonal and interannual changes in energy production were assessed for 168 studied reservoirs with diverse morphometries, which is unique. Conical, concave and convex regression reservoir relationships were distinguished, and optimized turbine discharge and power production were computed. A 10-year water–energy linked system for the 2007–2016 period has been established for the Iberian Peninsula which was not available before. The results showed that it is possible to connect those two models and that the timing and magnitude of simulated storage were well reproduced. The study represents the first step towards integrated pan-European water–energy modeling. Future climate scenarios and energy demands are to be fed into the linked model system to evaluate expected future hydropower generation and possible water scarcity issues.

The The Characterization and Modeling the Mechanical Properties of High Strength Concrete (HSC) Modified with Fly Ash (FA)

One of the main challenges facing Civil Engineering community is to modify cement quantity in the mix design by admixtures to enhance the mechanical properties. According to more than 1000 data from literature, mechanical characteristics of concrete modified with FA were discussed. The statistical variation with modeling were achieved by set of data. The cement was replaced up to 70% with FA (weight of dry cement) and by cube of concrete testing up to 90 days of curing time and different w/c ratio. The compressive strength of concrete varied from 18-67 MPa, while, for modified concrete with FA, compressive strength ranged from 21-94 MPa, tensile strength ranged from 1-9 MPa and flexural strengths ranged from 3 - 10 MPa. The w/c ratio of concrete modified with FA varied from 0.24-0.53, also the FA content varied from 0-50 %. Vipulanandan correlation model was effective by connecting mechanical properties and compare with Hoek-Brown model. The nonlinear model was used to investigate the effect of FA on properties of normal and high strength concrete. Study results presented a worthy correlation between compressive strength and curing time, w/c ratio and FA content. By using the interactive linked (model) for compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths of concrete quantified well as a function of w/c ratio, curing time and FA content by using a nonlinear relationship.

Modeling the Economic Impact of Interventions for Older Populations with Multimorbidity: A Method of Linking Multiple Single-Disease Models

Introduction. Individuals from older populations tend to have more than 1 health condition (multimorbidity). Current approaches to produce economic evidence for clinical guidelines using decision-analytic models typically use a single-disease approach, which may not appropriately reflect the competing risks within a population with multimorbidity. This study aims to demonstrate a proof-of-concept method of modeling multiple conditions in a single decision-analytic model to estimate the impact of multimorbidity on the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Methods. Multiple conditions were modeled within a single decision-analytic model by linking multiple single-disease models. Individual discrete event simulation models were developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of preventative interventions for a case study assuming a UK National Health Service perspective. The case study used 3 diseases (heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis) that were combined within a single linked model. The linked model, with and without correlations between diseases incorporated, simulated the general population aged 45 years and older to compare results in terms of lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Results. The estimated incremental costs and QALYs for health care interventions differed when 3 diseases were modeled simultaneously (£840; 0.234 QALYs) compared with aggregated results from 3 single-disease models (£408; 0.280QALYs). With correlations between diseases additionally incorporated, both absolute and incremental costs and QALY estimates changed in different directions, suggesting that the inclusion of correlations can alter model results. Discussion. Linking multiple single-disease models provides a methodological option for decision analysts who undertake research on populations with multimorbidity. It also has potential for wider applications in informing decisions on commissioning of health care services and long-term priority setting across diseases and health care programs through providing potentially more accurate estimations of the relative cost-effectiveness of interventions.

Forest adaptation and transition in the eastern united states under climate change : a forest landscape modeling method

Forest management is rapidly shifting in focus to address the adaptive capacity of forests under uncertain future climates. Managers and researchers often utilize models to proactively develop strategies for forest adaptation management and in order for these models to provide useful results they must realistically represent a multitude of complex processes. Here we detail a linked-model methodology for predicting the response of forests to climate change over large heterogeneous landscapes under a range of adaptation management scenarios. We used a forest ecosystem process model to simulate forests across the eastern United States under a range of future climate scenarios and found that ecotones between major forest types or natural community types may be the most vulnerable to large declines in biomass due to climate change. We then show that the implementation of a probability-based method for estimating individual tree fire mortality can realistically reproduce conditions observed in field inventory data. Finally, we test the effectiveness of different climate forest adaptation strategies at maintaining or increasing the presence and geographic distribution of species on a heterogeneous landscape under climate change.