Contraceptive drugs intended for family planning are used by the majority of married or inunion women in almost all regions of the world. The two most prevalent types of hormones associated with contraception are synthetic estrogens and progestins. Hormonal based contraceptives contain a dose of a synthetic progesterone (progestin) or a combination of a progestin and a synthetic estrogen. In this study we use mathematical modeling to understand better how these contraceptive paradigms prevent ovulation, special focus is on understanding how changes in dose impact hormonal cycling. To explain this phenomenon, we added two autocrine mechanisms essential to achieve contraception within our previous menstrual cycle models. This new model predicts mean daily blood concentrations of key hormones during a contraceptive state achieved by administering progestins, synthetic estrogens, or a combined treatment. Model outputs are compared with data from two clinical trials: one for a progestin only treatment and one for a combined hormonal treatment. Results show that contraception can be achieved with synthetic estrogen, with progestin, and by combining the two hormones. An advantage of the combined treatment is that a contraceptive state can be obtained at a lower dose of each hormone. The model studied here is qualitative in nature, but can be coupled with a pharmacokinetic/pharamacodynamic (PKPD) model providing the ability to fit exogenous inputs to specific bioavailability and affinity. A model of this type may allow insight into a specific drug's effects, which has potential to be useful in the pre-clinical trial stage identifying the lowest dose required to achieve contraception.

We present a Brownian Dynamics model of biological molecule separation in periodic nanofilter arrays. The biological molecules are modeled using the WormLike-Chain model with Hydrodynamic Interactions. We focus on short dsDNA molecules; this places the separation process either in the Ogston sieving regime or the transition region between Ogston sieving and entropic trapping. Our simulation results are validated using the experimental results of Fu et al. (Phys Rev Lett 97:018103, 2006); particular attention is paid to the model's ability to quantitatively capture experimental results using realistic values of all physical parameters. Our simulation results showed that molecule mobility is sensitive to the device geometry. Moreover, our model is used for validating the theoretical prediction of Li et al. (Anal Bioanal Chem 394:427-435, 2009) who proposed a separation process featuring an asymmetric device and an electric field of alternating polarity. Good agreement is found between our simulation results and the predictions of the theoretical model of Li et al.

The variability of tensile mechanical properties of a polymer matrix composite material with woven fabric reinforcement is studied using both experimental work and numerical simulations. Four E-glass/vinyl ester composite plates were fabricated using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) by a US Navy contractor. The materials and process selected are representative of Marine grade composites typically used by the US Navy. Standard and modified D3039 tensile coupons were obtained from the plates and the laboratory results were compared with those of a 3D probabilistic finite element analysis (FEA). In the probabilistic FEA model, elastic properties, strength parameters, and geometric properties of the woven fabric E-glass/vinyl ester coupons were considered as random fields, and generated using Monte Carlo simulations. The study evaluates the effects of spatial correlation, finite element size, probability distribution functions (PDF) types, and failure criteria on statistical strength properties of the [(0 w /90 f )/(0 f /90 w )] 2s tension coupons. Comparisons of experimental and probabilistic FEA results provide useful information on how to assign mean, COV, and PDF of material properties to individual finite elements within a mesh. The results are relevant in developing design properties for these composites.

A collective outreach approach is fundamental for a scientific project. The Green Edge Project studied the impact of climate change on the dynamics of phytoplankton and their role in the Arctic Ocean, including the impact on human populations. We involved scientists and target audiences to ensure that the communications strategy was in agreement with scientists and audience requirements. We developed websites (academic site and blogs and an educational platform). Then, we produced a 52-minute documentary, ‘Arctic Bloom’, and infographics were created to explain experiments on the ice. We also organised a photo exhibition and live videos that enabled primary school-age students to ask questions directly of scientists working on the research icebreaker. Finally, both students and professionals drew their own conception of Arctic science, and our social media sites reached diverse groups of people. The evaluation results showed a large number of education structures (approximately 8000 schools and 104 museums or educational organisations) engaged with our communications outputs and encouraging statistics about website visits (117 021 and 3739 visits on the blog and the YouTube channel, respectively). Selecting different, but intersecting techniques, to promote a better understanding of the science contributed to the success of the communication and outreach outputs of the 3-year project.

Contraceptive rings releasing 300 µg E2 and 75-125 µg/day of ENG or 500-900 µg/day of NOMAC provided adequate ovulation inhibition and cycle control and are generally well-tolerated. While non-inferiority to NuvaRing was not met, among the investigational rings, the ENG-E2 125/300 ring provided the best cycle control.