Keratin Dynamics: Modeling the Interplay between Turnover and Transport

Keratin are among the most abundant proteins in epithelial cells. Functions of the keratin network in cells are shaped by their dynamical organization. Using a collection of experimentally-driven mathematical models, different hypotheses for the turnover and transport of the keratin material in epithelial cells are tested. The interplay between turnover and transport and their effects on the keratin organization in cells are hence investigated by combining mathematical modeling and experimental data. Amongst the collection of mathematical models considered, a best model strongly supported by experimental data is identified. Fundamental to this approach is the fact that optimal parameter values associated with the best fit for each model are established. The best candidate among the best fits is characterized by the disassembly of the assembled keratin material in the perinuclear region and an active transport of the assembled keratin. Our study shows that an active transport of the assembled keratin is required to explain the experimentally observed keratin organization.Comment: 27 pages, 11 Figure

Effectiveness of QR Code Technology for the Child User’s Informal Learning

Quick Response (QR) code technology plays an important role in scaffolding the child user’s active learning in informal environments. This study examines the impact of mobile phones and QR codes on two informal learning outcomes: increased interest and greater knowledge understanding. Ninety-one children and their families participated in the study as part of the iQ Zoo Project. Qualitative findings suggest that most children’s interest in learning about animals was either maintained or increased as a result of the experience. Quantitative results reveal that QR Code Technology was effective in promoting knowledge gains, especially on subjects that are challenging for the informal learner

Uncommon Ground Green Residence Design

The owner of a local restaurant envisions a modern, sustainable, and cost-effective residential addition above his business. The goal of this project is to design the most energy efficient and sustainable dwelling unit possible with the highest return on investment. In order to accomplish this, the project team designed multiple subsystems for the unit, including its structure, solar energy, indoor water use, rainwater management, ventilation, and thermal regulation. Various design strategies were implemented to reach a final holistic design of all required systems. A risk analysis was conducted in order to iterate the design and provide risk mitigation recommendations. Calculations along with modeling tested the final design to ensure its functionality. This testing resulted in outputs that confirmed the design’s structural integrity, energy-efficiency, comfort, sustainability, and financial feasibility

A Privileged Pedagogy for Privileged Students? A Preliminary Mixed-Methods Analysis Comparing First-Generation and Non-First-Generation College Students on Post-Evaluations of Service-Learning Courses

Service-learning is frequently described as a high-impact teaching activity that benefits students in numerous ways. However, fewer studies explore how underserved students respond to service-learning courses, and fewer still look specifically at first-generation college students. First generation college students face numerous documented obstacles to persisting and achieving in college, and a need exists for more systematic study of whether service-learning pedagogy supports or challenges first generation students as they face and overcome those obstacles. This study compared 260 undergraduate students, approximately half of whom were first-generation college students, and their self-reported gains in three student learning outcomes: academic enhancement, personal growth, and civic engagement. Through a mixed-methods analysis, findings indicate that first-generation college students responded at least as well as their peers to service-learning. In areas of difference, first-generation college students responded more strongly than their peers. Overall, results indicate surprising similarities between the first generation students and their peers, as well as important differences regarding compassion, motivation, agency, and sense of solidarity

Estresores psicosociales asociados a preeclampsia en mujeres de Lima, Perú

Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre estresores psicosociales y preeclampsia en mujeres atendidas en el Hospital Vitarte 2017. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de casos y controles, realizado en el Hospital de Vitarte en Lima, Perú, en 40 puérperas, asignadas en dos grupos apareados por distrito de procedencia y fecha de ingreso, 20 casos con diagnóstico de preeclampsia durante la gestación y 20 controles sin preeclampsia, puérperas de parto normal. Se utilizaron cuatro instrumentos: el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo Estado (IDARE), el Inventario de Depresión Rasgo Estado (IDERE), el APGAR familiar y la ficha de tamizaje de violencia basada en género para la identificación de estresores psicosociales (ansiedad, depresión, disfunción familiar y violencia). Se consideraron las pruebas Chi cuadrado (significativo p<0.05) y Odds Ratio para hallar el riesgo de presentar preeclampsia con sus intervalos de confianza al 95%. Resultados: Los estresores psicológicos asociados significativamente con preeclampsia fueron: ansiedad estado (OR: 33.8; IC 95%: 1.80636.91), ansiedad rasgo (OR: 27.8; IC 95%: 1.48-526.14), ansiedad (OR: 41.0; IC 95%: 2.18-770.12), depresión estado (OR: 57.0; IC 95%: 6.00541.46), depresión rasgo (OR: 27.8; IC 95%: 1.48-526.14) y depresión (OR: 76.0; IC 95%: 7.69 750.49). Los estresores sociales asociados significativamente con preeclampsia fueron: violencia psicológica (OR: 10.2; IC 95%: 1.12-93.34) y violencia basada en género (OR: 10.2; IC 95%: 1.12-93.34). Los estresores psicológicos (OR: 107.6; IC 95%: 10.20-1135.58) y sociales (OR: 22.6; IC 95%: 4.37-117.46) se asociaron significativamente a preeclampsia. Conclusiones: Hubo relación estadísticamente significativa entre estresores psicosociales y preeclampsia

Perfil epidemiológico de pacientes tamizados reactivos para VIH y hepatitis B que acuden al Hospital Vitarte, 2018

Introducción: Las infecciones por VIH y hepatitis B son un problema de salud mundial, debido a la morbi-mortalidad y el impacto socioeconómico que generan. Frente a ello, la comunidad internacional propuso un plan de acción para evitar su propagación y erradicar el SIDA al 2030. Objetivo: Describir el perfil epidemiológico de pacientes tamizados reactivos para VIH y hepatitis B que acuden al Hospital Vitarte durante el 2018. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal, realizado en el Hospital Vitarte mediante observación documental de 62 historias clínicas de pacientes tamizados con prueba rápida de VIH y hepatitis B reactiva, atendidos en el Consultorio de Consejería. Se evaluaron características sociodemográficas, comportamiento sexual y antecedentes personales. Para el análisis se empleó estadística descriptiva. Resultados: El 53.2% eran mujeres, su edad promedio fue 31 años y en varones 37 años, predominó la educación secundaria completa en ambos grupos con 42.4% y 55.2% respectivamente, el 57.6% de mujeres eran convivientes y el 62.1% de varones solteros. La edad promedio de inicio de relaciones sexuales fue 17 años, el promedio de parejas sexuales en mujeres fue 2.4 y en varones 8.4, el 32.5% no usaron preservativo, 6.9% de varones era homosexual y 13.8% bisexual. El 19.4% eran gestantes, 8.1% puérperas, 6.5% postaborto. El 33.9% tenía antecedentes quirúrgicos, 40.3% bebía alcohol, 19.4% tenía tatuajes, 3.2% piercing, 11.3% consumió drogas o tuvo tuberculosis, 6.5% recibió transfusión sanguínea. El 61.3% dio reactivo a la prueba rápida de VIH y el 41.9 % reactivo para hepatitis B. Conclusiones: Los pacientes tamizados reactivos para VIH y hepatitis B tienen entre 30 a 59 años, con educación secundaria, estado civil conviviente, su primera relación sexual fue a los 17 años, con un promedio de 5 parejas sexuales, más del 30% no usaba preservativo, 9.7% era homosexual o bisexual, con antecedentes de consumo de alcohol, cirugías y tatuajes

Characteristics and treatments of large cystic brain metastasis: radiosurgery and stereotactic aspiration.

Brain metastasis represents one of the most common causes of intracranial tumors in adults, and the incidence of brain metastasis continues to rise due to the increasing survival of cancer patients. Yet, the development of cystic brain metastasis remains a relatively rare occurrence. In this review, we describe the characteristics of cystic brain metastasis and evaluate the combined use of stereotactic aspiration and radiosurgery in treating large cystic brain metastasis. The results of several studies show that stereotactic radiosurgery produces comparable local tumor control and survival rates as other surgery protocols. When the size of the tumor interferes with radiosurgery, stereotactic aspiration of the metastasis should be considered to reduce the target volume as well as decreasing the chance of radiation induced necrosis and providing symptomatic relief from mass effect. The combined use of stereotactic aspiration and radiosurgery has strong implications in improving patient outcomes

Diagnosis and Treatment of the Meso-Acromion of the Shoulder

The failed fusion between two acromial apophyses, called an os acromiale, is often asymptomatic and found incidentally during evaluation for unrelated shoulder pathology. Though this is frequently not the primary pain source, a mobile os acromiale fragment can cause inflammation at the pseudarthrosis site, rotator cuff impingement, or AC joint arthritis. Varying operative techniques exist with good to satisfactory results for symptomatic patients. Several operative techniques have been described including open excision, open reduction-internal fixation (ORIF), arthroscopic acromioplasty or subacromial decompression, and arthroscopic excision. Open excision of a meso-acromion can lead to persistent pain and deltoid weakness and atrophy. The management of a meso-acromial fragment with ORIF can also result in persistent pain and deltoid weakness and atrophy with nonunion of the fragments. Arthroscopic excision of the meso-acromion is described as a viable alternative for surgical candidates

Electro-kinetic technology as a low-cost method for dewatering food by-product

Increasing volumes of food waste, intense environmental awareness, and stringent legislation have imposed increased demands upon conventional food waste management. Food byproducts that were once considered to be without value are now being utilized as reusable materials, fuels, and energy in order to reduce waste. One major barrier to the valorization of food by-products is their high moisture content. This has brought about the necessity of dewatering food waste for any potential re-use for certain disposal options. A laboratory system for experimentally characterizing electro-kinetic dewatering of food by-products was evaluated. The bench scale system, which is an augmented filter press, was used to investigate the dewatering at constant voltage. Five food by-products (brewer’s spent grain, cauliflower trimmings, mango peel, orange peel, and melon peel) were studied. The results indicated that electro-kinetic dewatering combined with mechanical dewatering can reduce the percentage of moisture from 78% to 71% for brewer’s spent grain, from 77% to 68% for orange peel, from 80% to 73% for mango peel, from 91% to 74% for melon peel, and from 92% to 80% for cauliflower trimmings. The total moisture reduction showed a correlation with electrical conductivity (R2¼0.89). The energy consumption of every sample was evaluated and was found to be up to 60 times more economical compared to thermal processing