Are there predictive pupillometry markers in determining external ventricular device (EVD) weaning failure or success in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients?

Pupillometers objectively measure constriction (i.e., parasympathetic pathwy) and dilation (i.e., sympathetic pathway) velocities of the pupillary reflex. These pathways may be affected by increases in ventricular size due to changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, such as during external ventricular device (EVD) weaning in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients. This pilot study evaluated if changes in pupillary responses could be predictive of EVD weaning failure in aSAH patients. Additionally, we analyzed ventricular size and pupillary reactions in these two groups.Includes bibliographical reference

Cell-Trappable Chemiluminescent Probes For Monitoring Hydrogen Sulfide in Living Cells

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important biological signaling molecule that has been recognized alongside nitric oxide and carbon monoxide as being a small gasotransmitter that is enzymatically produced and impacts multiple physiological functions. To detect hydrogen sulfide, there has been a focus on developing fluorescent probes to target particular analytes; however, fluorescent probes lack sensitivity and depth penetration due to background autofluorescence and light scattering. Chemiluminescence does not require light excitation, which greatly reduces the amount of autofluorescence and photoactivation. In order to detect hydrogen sulfide in living systems with high sensitivity, a series of sterically stabilized 1,2-dioxetane chemiluminescent reduction-reaction based hydrogen sulfide probes have been synthesized. These probes are prepared in 10-11 synthetic steps, with key transformations including a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction to form a tetra- substituted enol ether, a Mitsunobu reaction to install the sensing trigger, and a versatile Heck reaction to append electron-withdrawing groups. The final preparation of the sterically crowded 1,2-dioxetane proceeds in high yields and is accomplished by a [2+2] cycloaddition with singlet oxygen generated by an energy pooling mechanism from triplet oxygen and the triplet state of methylene blue accessed via visible light irradiation. The appendage of an acetoxymethyl ester enables cell-trappability and enhances utility for monitoring hydrogen sulfide in living cells. These newly synthesized hydrogen sulfide chemiluminescent probes have been tested at a physiological relevant pH both in vitro and in living systems. This dissertation contains the synthesis and characterization of two new hydrogen sulfide chemiluminescent probes, CHS-4 and CHS-5-AM

Seed systems smallholder farmers use

Seed can be an important entry point for promoting productivity, nutrition and resilience among smallholder farmers. While investments have primarily focused on strengthening the formal sector, this article documents the degree to which the informal sector remains the core for seed acquisition, especially in Africa. Conclusions drawn from a uniquely comprehensive data set, 9660 observations across six countries and covering 40 crops, show that farmers access 90.2 % of their seed from informal systems with 50.9 % of that deriving from local markets. Further, 55 % of seed is paid for by cash, indicating that smallholders are already making important investments in this arena. Targeted interventions are proposed for rendering formal and informal seed sector more smallholder-responsive and for scaling up positive impacts

Corporate Revenue Miscalculations & The Impact On Stakeholders

Corporate earnings restatements are regarded as one of the most significant issues in accounting today. While there are various factors that can influence profitability, revenue is the key contributor to a business’ net income. During the 2000s, a multitude of domestic and multinational corporations faced significant issues with their revenue recognition practices. Although the investing public might regard any revenue restatement as laden with possible fraud, this is not always the case. Multinational firms face dual accounting systems, such as U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Currently, similarities and differences between the accounting systems exist. However, key differences between GAAP and IFRS may cease to exist in upcoming years due to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB’s) and the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB’s) joint effort to converge the two systems. Throughout this paper, examples of revenue “miscalculations” will be presented as well as any penalties levied by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission against implicated corporations. Accordingly, the impact that revenue blunders have on shareholder wealth will be examined. Finally, the authors will present recommendations for mitigating revenue “errors” in the future

Corporate Revenue Miscalculations & The Impact On Stakeholders

Corporate earnings restatements are regarded as one of the most significant issues in accounting today.  While there are various factors that can influence profitability, revenue is the key contributor to a business’ net income.  During the 2000s, a multitude of domestic and multinational corporations faced significant issues with their revenue recognition practices.  Although the investing public might regard any revenue restatement as laden with possible fraud, this is not always the case.  Multinational firms face dual accounting systems, such as U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Currently, similarities and differences between the accounting systems exist.  However, key differences between GAAP and IFRS may cease to exist in upcoming years due to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB’s) and the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB’s) joint effort to converge the two systems.  Throughout this paper, examples of revenue “miscalculations” will be presented as well any penalties levied by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission against implicated corporations.  Accordingly, the impact that revenue blunders have on shareholder wealth will be examined.  Finally, the authors will present recommendations for mitigating revenue “errors” in the future

Development and Validity of the Student-Run Outpatient Physical Therapy Experience Survey: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The preparation of professionals who are culturally sensitive and provide patient centered care is an expected outcome of physical therapist education. A review of the literature revealed that patient experience and outcome data regarding physical therapy student-led clinics are lacking. The purpose of this pilot study was to develop a valid patient experience survey that assessed patient centeredness and cultural competence in a gender-neutral manner. Methods: Questions for a new survey, Student-run Outpatient Physical Therapy Experience Survey (SOPTES) were generated using two validated surveys, the Questionnaire of Patient’s Experiences in Post-Acute Outpatient Physical Therapy Settings (PEPAP-Q) and the Tucker-Culturally Sensitive Health Care Provider Inventory Patient Form. The SOPTES was implemented with the validated PEPAP-Q in a student-led clinic and given to 88 patients at discharge. Correlation and exploratory factor analysis were performed. Results: The correlations of patient scores between the two surveys, revealed a significant moderate correlation based on 2-tail analysis (ρ =.396, p \u3c 0.001). Exploratory factor analysis revealed five themes for the PEPAP-Q (patient centered care, supportive environment, availability, invested interest, and adaptability) and three themes in the SOPTES (patient centered care, availability, cultural competence). Conclusion: These findings support the development and use of the SOPTES in a student-led physical therapy clinic to assess student cultural sensitivity and provision of patient centered care

History of Childhood Abuse and Posttraumatic Growth's Effects on Reactions to Subsequent Traumatic Events

Previous research indicates that those with a history of abuse have an increased risk to experience subsequent traumatic events. This study utilized a convenience sample of undergraduate students to examine the reaction of those with a history of abuse to subsequent traumatic experiences. In addition, the study assessed the level of posttraumatic growth an individual experiences following childhood abuse. The level of posttraumatic growth was examined to determine if the growth allowed for participants to better handle successive traumas. Those with a history of abuse experienced higher levels of symptomology following a successive traumatic event. Results did not support the hypothesis that among those with a history of abuse, lower levels of posttraumatic growth would predict higher levels of symptoms following a later trauma. Implications and limitations of the study, as well as directions for future research are discussed