Factors that Influence Persistence of Biology Majors at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

To promote diversity within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, we must identify factors that influence or hinder historically underrepresented minority (URM) students’ persistence to degrees in STEM. We documented potential factors that influence students’ persistence in an undergraduate biology program and created a 14-item, Likert-scale instrument. We recruited 137 undergraduate biology majors at a Hispanic-serving institution in Texas to report which factors they found influential in their decision to remain enrolled in their degree programs. We used a modified social cognitive career theory model of career choice to guide interpretation of the reported influences and identify patterns in responses. We documented three highly influential factors for all students: personal motivation, potential learning experiences, and job opportunities with the job opportunities showing a significant difference (P=0.036) between White and URM student groups. We also found a trend (P=0.056) indicating White students were more influenced by role models and mentors than URM students. Our findings suggest that personal motivation and potential job opportunities are the most influential factors driving students to seek educational opportunities that could lead to STEM careers. However, access to a diverse pool of role models also has the potential to provide positive impacts on student persistence in STEM

Selected foot length ratios in a non-pathological sample

Este estudio presenta los ratios de longitud del pie en una muestra midiendo las impresiones del pie obtenidas con una plataforma de presiones plantares disponible en el mercado. Estimamos un cociente medio de 1.3 (SD = 0.04) entre la longitud del pie y la distancia entre el talón y la cabeza del primer metatarsiano, 5.5 (SD = 0.49) entre la longitud del pie y el ancho del talón y 3.3 (SD = 0.3) entre la longitud del pie y la anchura del mismo en la zona metatarsal. Estos cocientes fueron similares, en comparación a otros estudios publicados previamente. No solo estos resultados pueden proporcionar información útil a la hora de la clasificación de los diferentes tipos de pie, si no también pueden servir de ayuda a la industria del calzado para diseñar con rigor calzados terapéuticos.This study reports on selected foot length ratios using foot prints obtained from a commercially available pressure platform system. An average ratio of 1.3 (SD = 0.04 ) between the foot length and the distance between heel and the head of the first metatarsal, 5.5 (SD = 0.49 ) between the foot length and heel width and 3.3 (SD = 0.3) between the foot length and ball width, were estimated. These ratios were consistent across the subjects and are comparable to previously published studies. While the results may provide useful information in the classification of foot types, it will also help the footwear industry in the modelling of lasts for therapeutic footwear

AMPK:regulating energy balance at the cellular and whole body levels

AMP-activated protein kinase appears to have evolved in single-celled eukaryotes as an adenine nucleotide sensor that maintains energy homeostasis at the cellular level. However, during evolution of more complex multicellular organisms, the system has adapted to interact with hormones so that it also plays a key role in balancing energy intake and expenditure at the whole body level

Exploiting Opportunities for Pollution Prevention in EPA Enforcement Agreements

Two relatively new EPA policies encourage the inclusion of pollution prevention in regulatory enforcement settlements. The advantages to a firm include reduction or elimination of environmental problems at the source (thus decreasing reliance on end-of-pipe controls), enhanced prospects for future compliance, and a potential for a reduction in the assessed penalty. We discuss the factors that influence both EPA and firms to include pollution prevention in enforcement settlements, characterize the process in a few exemplary cases, and recommend ways to enhance and expand these activities. The research presented focused on case study analysis of 10 recent EPA-negotiated enforcement settlements that included chemical substitutions, process changes, or closed-loop recyclin

Use of spinal cord stimulation in managing neuropathic foot pain: an observational pilot case series study

Objective: In cases of complex regional pain syndrome where conservative treatment is unsuccessful in controlling neuropathic foot pain spinal cord stimulation may be considered. To our knowledge there have been no such cases reported in the foot & ankle literature. The aim of the study was to establish useful information that may supplement our understanding of this complex multifactorial problem and help toinform future management of similar cases. Methods: A pilot observational case series study was undertaken to investigate the use of spinal cord stimulation in the management of neuropathic foot pain using five cases with complex regional pain syndrome (type I). Results: Reduced pain following spinal cord stimulation was reported. The interval between diagnosis and commencement of spinal cord stimulation was variable between cases and maybe responsible for differing levels and timing of pain relief experienced. Conclusion: Careful preoperative diagnosis, robust patient selection and close postoperative monitoring are vital for a successful outcome. The small sample size and potential for bias, limit the generalizability to a larger population. A larger study is therefore indicated to expand upon preliminary findings

Cell wall arabinan is essential for guard cell function

Stomatal guard cells play a key role in the ability of plants to survive on dry land, because their movements regulate the exchange of gases and water vapor between the external environment and the interior of the plant. The walls of these cells are exceptionally strong and must undergo large and reversible deformation during stomatal opening and closing. The molecular basis of the unique strength and flexibility of guard cell walls is unknown. We show that degradation of cell wall arabinan prevents either stomatal opening or closing. This locking of guard cell wall movements can be reversed if homogalacturonan is subsequently removed from the wall. We suggest that arabinans maintain flexibility in the cell wall by preventing homogalacturonan polymers from forming tight associations

The benefits of reducing anxiety in a Podiatric Surgical Unit in the UK with Midazolam

La sedación se ha utilizado con frecuencia junto a muchas de las intervenciones quirúrgicas realizadas bajo anestésicos locales (AL) . En la cirugía podológica, hay una escasez de literatura sobre los efectos de la sedación ante las señales fisiológicas de los pacientes. La anestesia general se practica con mayor frecuencia que la sedación con anestésico local en podología . El objetivo de esta estudioa fue analizar la presión arterial ( PA) y frecuencia cardiaca (FC ) en contra de la administración de midazolam. Se realizó una evaluación retrospectiva de las registros de sedación antes de los procedimientos de podología llevadas a cabo durante los años 2008/2009 . La PA ( sistólica / diastólica mm de Hg ) y la FC ( latidos / min ) se registraron antes de la administración de midazolam y durante los primeros 30 minutos después de la administración . Noventa y cuatro pacientes ( 74 mujeres, 20 hombres) fueron ingresados para cirugía podológica . Se realizaron Noventa y nueve intervenciones , con cinco de los sujetos sometidos a dos procedimientos. La edad media fue de 59 ± 13,5 años ( 21-87 ) y la dosis media de midazolam administrado fue 2,8 ± 1,3 mg ( 0,5-8 ) . La media de la PA antes de administrar midazolam fue de 148 /85 mmHg y la FC 80. A los 30 minutos la PA era de 136 /80 y la FC 71 . La PA y la FC fueron significativamente diferentes con una p < 0,001 para la lectura antes de la administración. Los resultados presentados indican el uso de este fármaco junto con el anestesico local en un contexto de sedación tiene resultados favorables.Sedation has been frequently used alongside many surgical interventions under local anaesthetics (LA). In podiatric surgery, there is a paucity of literature on the effects of sedation drugs on surrogate measures of patients’ physiological signs. General anaesthetic is practised more frequently than sedation assisted local anaesthetic in podiatry. The aim of this audit was to analyse blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) against the administration of midazolam. A retrospective assessment of sedation notes prior to podiatric procedures undertaken during the years 2008/2009 was performed. BP (systolic/diastolic mm Hg) and heart rate (beats/min) were recorded prior to the administration of midazolam and for the first 30 minutes following administration. Ninety-four consecutive patients (74 women, 20 men) were admitted for podiatric surgery. Ninety-nine interventions were performed, with five of the subjects undergoing two procedures. The mean age was 59±13.5 years (21-87) and average midazolam administered 2.8±1.3 mg (0.5-8). Average BP prior to midazolam was 148/85 mm Hg and HR 80. At 30 minutes assessment BP was 136/80 and HR 71. BP and HR differences were significantly different at p<0.001 to the reading prior to administration. The results presented indicate the use of such a drug as an adjunct to LA in a sedation context has favourable results

Measuring agreement on linguistic expressions in medical treatment scenarios

Quality of life assessment represents a key process of deciding treatment success and viability. As such, patients’ perceptions of their functional status and well-being are important inputs for impairment assessment. Given that patient completed questionnaires are often used to assess patient status and determine future treatment options, it is important to know the level of agreement of the words used by patients and different groups of medical professionals. In this paper, we propose a measure called the Agreement Ratio which provides a ratio of overall agreement when modelling words through Fuzzy Sets (FSs). The measure has been specifically designed for assessing this agreement in fuzzy sets which are generated from data such as patient responses. The measure relies on using the Jaccard Similarity Measure for comparing the different levels of agreement in the FSs generated. Synthetic examples are provided in order to show how to calculate the measure for given Fuzzy Sets. An application to real-world data is provided as well as a discussion about the results and the potential of the proposed measure

Mouse hypothalamic GT1-7 cells demonstrate AMPK-dependent intrinsic glucose-sensing behaviour.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Hypothalamic glucose-excited (GE) neurons contribute to whole-body glucose homeostasis and participate in the detection of hypoglycaemia. This system appears defective in type 1 diabetes, in which hypoglycaemia commonly occurs. Unfortunately, it is at present unclear which molecular components required for glucose sensing are produced in individual neurons and how these are functionally linked. We used the GT1-7 mouse hypothalamic cell line to address these issues. METHODS: Electrophysiological recordings, coupled with measurements of gene expression and protein levels and activity, were made from unmodified GT1-7 cells and cells in which AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) catalytic subunit gene expression and activity were reduced. RESULTS: Hypothalamic GT1-7 neurons express the genes encoding glucokinase and ATP-sensitive K(+) channel (K(ATP)) subunits K ( ir ) 6.2 and Sur1 and exhibit GE-type glucose-sensing behaviour. Lowered extracellular glucose concentration hyperpolarised the cells in a concentration-dependent manner, an outcome that was reversed by tolbutamide. Inhibition of glucose uptake or metabolism hyperpolarised cells, showing that energy metabolism is required to maintain their resting membrane potential. Short hairpin (sh)RNA directed to Ampkα2 (also known as Prkaa2) reduced GT1-7 cell AMPKα2, but not AMPKα1, activity and lowered the threshold for hypoglycaemia-induced hyperpolarisation. shAmpkα1 (also known as Prkaa1) had no effect on glucose-sensing or AMPKα2 activity. Decreased uncoupling protein 2 (Ucp2) mRNA was detected in AMPKα2-reduced cells, suggesting that AMPKα2 regulates UCP2 levels. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We have demonstrated that GT1-7 cells closely mimic GE neuron glucose-sensing behaviour, and reducing AMPKα2 blunts their responsiveness to hypoglycaemic challenge, possibly by altering UCP2 activity. These results show that suppression of AMPKα2 activity inhibits normal glucose-sensing behaviour and may contribute to defective detection of hypoglycaemia.This study was funded by: grants from the Wellcome Trust (grant numbers 068692 and 086989) and Diabetes UK (grant number RD08/0003681) to M.L.J. Ashford; a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Postdoctoral Fellowship to C. Beall (grant number 3-576-2010); grants from JDRF and European Foundation for the study of Diabetes to R.J. McCrimmon, and from the British Heart Foundation to A. Jovanović