Mouse Social Network Dynamics and Community Structure are Associated with Plasticity-Related Brain Gene Expression

Laboratory studies of social behavior have typically focused on dyadic interactions occurring within a limited spatiotemporal context. However, this strategy prevents analyses of the dynamics of group social behavior and constrains identification of the biological pathways mediating individual differences in behavior. In the current study, we aimed to identify the spatiotemporal dynamics and hierarchical organization of a large social network of male mice. We also sought to determine if standard assays of social and exploratory behavior are predictive of social behavior in this social network and whether individual network position was associated with the mRNA expression of two plasticity-related genes, DNA methyltransferase 1 and 3a. Mice were observed to form a hierarchically organized social network and self-organized into two separate social network communities. Members of both communities exhibited distinct patterns of socio-spatial organization within the vivaria that was not limited to only agonistic interactions. We further established that exploratory and social behaviors in standard behavioral assays conducted prior to placing the mice into the large group was predictive of initial network position and behavior but were not associated with final social network position. Finally, we determined that social network position is associated with variation in mRNA levels of two neural plasticity genes, DNMT1 and DNMT3a, in the hippocampus but not the mPOA. This work demonstrates the importance of understanding the role of social context and complex social dynamics in determining the relationship between individual differences in social behavior and brain gene expression

Amine Swingbed Payload Project Management

The International Space Station (ISS) has been designed as a laboratory for demonstrating technologies in a microgravity environment, benefitting exploration programs by reducing the overall risk of implementing such technologies in new spacecraft. At the beginning of fiscal year 2010, the ISS program manager requested that the amine-based, pressure-swing carbon dioxide and humidity absorption technology (designed by Hamilton Sundstrand, baselined for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and tested at the Johnson Space Center in relevant environments, including with humans, since 2005) be developed into a payload for ISS Utilization. In addition to evaluating the amine technology in a flight environment before the first launch of the Orion vehicle, the ISS program wanted to determine the capability of the amine technology to remove carbon dioxide from the ISS cabin environment at the metabolic rate of the full 6 ]person crew. Because the amine technology vents the absorbed carbon dioxide and water vapor to space vacuum (open loop), additional hardware needed to be developed to minimize the amount of air and water resources lost overboard. Additionally, the payload system would be launched on two separate Space Shuttle flights, with the heart of the payload-the swingbed unit itself-launching a full year before the remainder of the payload. This paper discusses the project management and challenges of developing the amine swingbed payload in order to accomplish the technology objectives of both the open -loop Orion application as well as the closed-loop ISS application

Defining Sedation-Related Adverse Events in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Background Clinical trials exploring optimal sedation management in critically ill pediatric patients are urgently needed to improve both short- and long-term outcomes. Concise operational definitions that define and provide best-available estimates of sedation-related adverse events (AE) in the pediatric population are fundamental to this line of inquiry. Objectives To perform a multiphase systematic review of the literature to identify, define, and provide estimates of sedation-related AEs in the pediatric ICU setting for use in a multicenter clinical trial. Methods In Phase One, we identified and operationally defined the AE. OVID-MEDLINE and CINAHL databases were searched from January 1998 to January 2012. Key terms included sedation, intensive and critical care. We limited our search to data-based clinical trials from neonatal to adult age. In Phase Two, we replicated the search strategy for all AEs and identified pediatric-specific AE rates. Results We reviewed 20 articles identifying sedation-related adverse events and 64 articles on the pediatric-specific sedation-related AE. A total of eleven sedation-related AEs were identified, operationally defined and estimated pediatric event rates were derived. AEs included: inadequate sedation management, inadequate pain management, clinically significant iatrogenic withdrawal, unplanned endotracheal tube extubation, post-extubation stridor with chest-wall retractions at rest, extubation failure, unplanned removal of invasive tubes, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated bloodstream infection, Stage II+ pressure ulcers and new tracheostomy. Conclusions Concise operational definitions that defined and provided best-available event rates of sedation-related AEs in the pediatric population are presented. Uniform reporting of adverse events will improve subject and patient safety

Prospective Evaluation of Sedation-Related Adverse Events in Pediatric Patients Ventilated for Acute Respiratory Failure

Objectives: Sedation-related adverse events in critically ill pediatric patients lack reproducible operational definitions and reference standards. Understanding these adverse events is essential to improving the quality of patient care and for developing prevention strategies in critically ill children. The purpose of this study was to test operational definitions and estimate the rate and site-to-site heterogeneity of sedation-related adverse events. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Twenty-two pediatric intensive care units in the United States enrolling baseline patients into a prerandomization phase of a multicenter trial on sedation management. Patients: Pediatric patients intubated and mechanically ventilated for acute respiratory failure. Data Extraction: Analysis of adverse event data using consistent operational definitions from a Web-based data management system. Measurements and Main Results: There were 594 sedation-related adverse events reported in 308 subjects, for a rate of 1.9 adverse events per subject and 16.6 adverse events per 100 pediatric intensive care unit days. Fifty-four percent of subjects had at least one adverse event. Seven (1%) adverse events were classified as severe, 347 (58%) as moderate, and 240 (40%) as mild. Agitation (30% of subjects, 41% of events) and pain (27% of subjects, 29% of events) were the most frequently reported events. Eight percent of subjects (n = 24) experienced 54 episodes of clinically significant iatrogenic withdrawal. Unplanned endotracheal tube extubation occurred at a rate of 0.82 per 100 ventilator days, and 32 subjects experienced postextubation stridor. Adverse events with moderate intraclass correlation coefficients included: Inadequate sedation management (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.130), clinically significant iatrogenic withdrawal (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.088), inadequate pain management (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.080), and postextubation stridor (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.078). Conclusions: Operational definitions for sedation-related adverse events were consistently applied across multiple pediatric intensive care units. Adverse event rates were different from what has been previously reported in single-center studies. Many adverse events have moderate intraclass correlation coefficients, signaling site-to-site heterogeneity

An application of HOMER and ACMANT for homogenising monthly precipitation records in Ireland.

Climate change studies based only on raw long-term data are potentially flawed due to the many breaks introduced from non-climatic sources, consequently quality controlled and homogenised climate data is desirable for basing climate related decision making on. Seasonal cycles of precipitation in Ireland and the UK are projected to become more marked as the climate changes, and regional extremes in summer dry spells and winter precipitation have been recorded in recent years. Therefore to analyse and monitor the evolution of precipitation patterns across Ireland, quality controlled and homogenous climate series are needed

An application of HOMER and ACMANT for homogenising monthly precipitation records in Ireland.

Climate change studies based only on raw long-term data are potentially flawed due to the many breaks introduced from non-climatic sources, consequently quality controlled and homogenised climate data is desirable for basing climate related decision making on. Seasonal cycles of precipitation in Ireland and the UK are projected to become more marked as the climate changes, and regional extremes in summer dry spells and winter precipitation have been recorded in recent years. Therefore to analyse and monitor the evolution of precipitation patterns across Ireland, quality controlled and homogenous climate series are needed

Amine Swingbed Payload Project Management

The International Space Station (ISS) has been designed as a laboratory for demonstrating technologies in a microgravity environment, benefitting exploration programs by reducing the overall risk of implementing such technologies in new spacecraft. At the beginning of fiscal year 2010, the ISS program manager requested that the amine-based, pressure-swing carbon dioxide and humidity absorption technology (designed by Hamilton Sundstrand, baselined for the ORION Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and tested at the Johnson Space Center in relevant environments, including with humans, since 2005) be developed into a payload for ISS Utilization. In addition to evaluating the amine technology in a flight environment before the first launch of the ORION vehicle, the ISS program wanted to determine the capability of the amine technology to remove carbon dioxide from the ISS cabin environment at the metabolic rate of the full 6-person crew. Because the amine technology vents the absorbed carbon dioxide and water vapor to space vacuum (open loop), additional hardware needed to be developed to minimize the amount of air and water resources lost overboard. Additionally, the payload system would be launched on two separate Space Shuttle flights, with the heart of the payload the swingbed unit itself launching a full year before the remainder of the payload. This paper discusses the project management and challenges of developing the amine swingbed payload in order to accomplish the technology objectives of both the open-loop ORION application as well as the closed-loop ISS application

The Iowa Homemaker vol.22, no.7

Keeping Up With Today, Virginia Brainard, page 2 Dear Homemaker Staff, Ensign Eleanor White, page 3 American Schools Hit Wartime Stride, Joyce Curley, page 5 Vicky Dame Fashion… and You, Mary Lou Springer, page 6 What’s New in Home Economics, Helen Horton, page 8 Who’s Who on the Campus, Grace Brown, page 10 We Recommend, Eileen Dudgeon, page 11 I’m a Homemaking Jill-of-all-trades, Anna Keppy, page 12 Notions Department, Marian Loofe, page 14 Across Alumnae Desks, Mary Ellen Sullivan, page 1

The Iowa Homemaker vol.25, no.5

Poem, Harris Kramer, page 2 Keeping Up With Today, Jeanne O’Connor, page 3 Campus Christmas Traditions, Florence Nylin, page 4 Evolution of a Button, Shirliann Fortman, page 5 Letter to the Homemaker Staff, Joyce Curley, page 6 Students Create Own Books, Marjorie Clampitt, page 8 Variety in Christmas Celebrations, Rosalie Riglin, page 9 Careers for Foods Graduates, Mary Lowell Schwinn, page 10 What’s New in Home Economics, Doris Adams, page 12 Gay Holiday Clothes, Josephine Ahern, page 14 Home Economics Pioneer, June Welch, page 17 U. S. Christmas Combines Customs, Louise Stuckert, page 18 Across Alumnae Desks, Etha Schipull, page 19 Give a Good Book, Dorothy Lindecker, page 20 Coeds Share Ideas, page 21 Careers for Homemakers, Betsy Nichol, page 22 Alums in the News, Philomena Beck, page 2