Blood Transfusion Effects in Kidney Transplantation

Within the three decades since the beginnings of the field of clinical renal transplantation there have been four phases in blood transfusion policies, swinging from liberal transfusions to avoidance of transfusions, followed by a repeat cycle of deliberate transfusions and at present turning back to abstinence again. Because of improving skills at the prevention and treatment of rejections, the beneficial effects of random transfusions in the transplant population as a whole is marginal. This comes at a time when community fears of blood-borne infections and the prospects of supporting red cell production by the use of EPO have emerged as new factors in blood banking. Observations on patients at risk for graft loss, namely those having rejection episodes, indicate that a beneficial blood transfusion effect still exists, however. Future application of deliberate HLA antigen exposure in conjunction with novel immunological manipulations may provide a more effective avenue to tolerance induction. The use of blood transfusions matched for one HLA-DR antigen with the recipient has produced major benefits in preliminary trials and represents one starting point in this direction

Successful Collaboration in an Agile framework

Agile is an iterative and incremental framework for developing software. The core values of Agile foster collaboration. This study focuses on experiences of Agile practicioners to understand the core values in practice settings

The foraging strategy of Diadema antillarum (Philippi) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

Diadema antillarum (Philippi) is a common echinoid grazer in Caribbean reef areas. Field observations in st . Croix, u.s.v.r. an.d Disc. overy Bay, Jamaica and laboratory experiments demonstrate that these urchins have a strong feeding preference for algal turf. Seasonal variation in the abundance of this preferred food item results in increased incidences of live coral predation. Experimental manipulations demonstrate that over the short term food availability is more important than urchin density in determining prey item choice. Size and abundance data show an inverse relationship between urchin density and mean individual urchin size. There is also an inverse relationship between urchin density and algal turf abundance. This relationship is also shown experimentally as well as the effects of urchin grazing intensity on algal primary productivity and the numbers of algal species surviving. Tagging experiments demonstrate that homing behavior exists for these urchins. A simple model is presented to summarize factors regulating Diadema populations and their effects on the benthic algal community

The Clapham Saints: A Correlational Study between a Christian\u27s Level of Commitment to the Christian Faith and Their Engagement in Human Trafficking Political Matters

The purpose of this correlational study is to determine if a relationship exists between the commitment level of Christians who attend a church in the Northern Shenandoah Valley portion of Virginia that falls under the covering of Abba’s House––Chattanooga, Tennessee as assessed by the Belief into Action (BIAC) scale, and their level of engagement in human trafficking political matters, as assessed by the Human Trafficking Political Engagement (HTPE) scale. Every year, millions of individuals become victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking victims are created in God\u27s image, leaving Christians obligated to protect them. William Wilberforce and the Clapham Saints’ political engagement ended slavery and fought against other social ills. Similarly, Christians, today can leave God\u27s imprint on human trafficking legislation by engaging in politics. To determine if Christians are interested in political engagement, similar to the Clapham Saints, the researcher sought to determine the relationship between Christian commitment and engagement in human trafficking political matters