In vitro evaluation of poly (L-lactide-co-glycolide) membrane

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the properties of a new membrane dedicated for the treatment of bone defects in periodontology according to guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique. The first part of this study was to prepare the membrane from resorbable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and verify its microstructure. Biological evaluation was lead using the cells interesting from the point of view of GTR, e.g. human fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). It was found that the obtained membrane has asymmetric microstructure and defined pore size. Cell culture experiments show that the membrane is biocompatible with fibroblasts and hMSC. Both types of cell proliferated well on the membrane. HMSC cultured on the membrane exhibited better osteogenic differentiation and higher mineralization as compared to control tissue culture polystyrene

Self-reduction of the native TiO2(110) surface during cooling after thermal annealing - in-operando investigations

We investigate the thermal reduction of TiO2 in ultra-high vacuum. Contrary to what is usually assumed, we observe that the maximal surface reduction occurs not during the heating, but during the cooling of the sample back to room temperature. We describe the self-reduction, which occurs as a result of differences in the energies of defect formation in the bulk and surface regions. The findings presented are based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy carried out in-operando during the heating and cooling steps. The presented conclusions, concerning the course of redox processes, are especially important when considering oxides for resistive switching and neuromorphic applications and also when describing the mechanisms related to the basics of operation of solid oxide fuel cells

Recent Decisions

Admiralty--Workmen\u27s Compensation--Receipt of Benefits under State Workmen\u27s Compensation Act containing Exclusive Remedy Provision does not Bar Subsequent Action against Employer for Unseaworthiness Patricia D. Owen ====================== Common Market--Council Regulations--Regulation Stake Precedence over Provisions of Member States\u27 Constitutions Jeffery R. Rush ===================== Discovery--Aid to Foreign or International Tribunals--United States Courts can Compel Testimony only on Behalf of Foreign or International Tribunals Empowered to make Binding Adjudications Frank R. Krok ===================== Extradition--Statute of Limitations--mere Absence is not Equivalent to Fleeing from Justice under 18 U.S.C. § 3290 Paul P. Sanford ===================== International Court of Justice--Procedure Temporary Relief in the Form of Interim Measures Granted on Prima Facie Evidence of Jurisdiction and Jurisdiction of the Merits Found on Basis of Prior Agreement to Compulsory I.C.J. Jurisdiction Edward N. Perry ==================== Jurisdiction--NATO--North Atlantic Treaty Organization status of Forces Agreement not an Exclusive Remedy for Member of United States Force or Civilian Component Edward A. Betancour

Distributed Cognition in Cancer Treatment Decision Making: An Application of the DECIDE Decision-Making Styles Typology

Distributed cognition occurs when cognitive and affective schemas are shared between two or more people during interpersonal discussion. Although extant research focuses on distributed cognition in decision making between health care providers and patients, studies show that caregivers are also highly influential in the treatment decisions of patients. However, there are little empirical data describing how and when families exert influence. The current article addresses this gap by examining decisional support in the context of cancer randomized clinical trial (RCT) decision making. Data are drawn from in-depth interviews with rural, Appalachian cancer patients (N = 46). Analysis of transcript data yielded empirical support for four distinct models of health decision making. The implications of these findings for developing interventions to improve the quality of treatment decision making and overall well-being are discussed

Distributed Cognition in Cancer Treatment Decision Making: An Application of the DECIDE Decision-Making Styles Typology

Distributed cognition occurs when cognitive and affective schemas are shared between two or more people during interpersonal discussion. Although extant research focuses on distributed cognition in decision making between health care providers and patients, studies show that caregivers are also highly influential in the treatment decisions of patients. However, there are little empirical data describing how and when families exert influence. The current article addresses this gap by examining decisional support in the context of cancer randomized clinical trial (RCT) decision making. Data are drawn from in-depth interviews with rural, Appalachian cancer patients (N = 46). Analysis of transcript data yielded empirical support for four distinct models of health decision making. The implications of these findings for developing interventions to improve the quality of treatment decision making and overall well-being are discussed

A multi-study examination of the role of repeated spaced retrieval in the word learning of children with developmental language disorder

Background Many children with developmental language disorders (DLD) have well-documented weaknesses in vocabulary. In recent years, investigators have explored the nature of these weaknesses through the use of novel word learning paradigms. These studies have begun to uncover specific areas of difficulty and have provided hints about possible intervention strategies that might help these children learn words more accurately and efficiently. Among the studies of this type are those that incorporate repeated spaced retrieval activities in the learning procedures. Methods In this study, we examined the data from four of these studies that employed the same types of participants (4- and 5-year-old children with DLD and same-age children with typical language development), research design, and outcome measures. The studies differed primarily in the type of learning condition that was being compared to a spaced retrieval condition. A mixed-effects modeling framework was used, enabling the data from the four studies and different outcome measures to be aggregated. Results Across the studies, more words in the repeated spaced retrieval condition were recalled than those in the comparison conditions. This was true regardless of outcome measure. Children with typical language development recalled more words than the children with DLD. Both groups benefited from spaced retrieval, though effects were larger for the group with DLD. Children recalled words as accurately 1 week after learning as they did at the 5-min mark; the two groups were essentially identical in this respect. Conclusions Overall, the findings support the continued refinement of these types of repeated spaced retrieval procedures, as they may have potential to serve as effective approaches to intervention

Characterizing Community Health Workers on Research Teams: Results From the Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities

Objectives. To quantify the characteristics of community health workers (CHWs) involved in community intervention research and, in particular, to characterize their job titles, roles, and responsibilities; recruitment and compensation; and training and supervision

Expanding capabilities to evaluate readiness for return to duty after mTBI: The CAMP study protocol

Physical Therapists affiliated with Intrepid Spirit Centers evaluate and treat Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) who have duty-limiting post-concussion symptoms to improve the ability to perform challenging tasks associated with military service. The Complex Assessment of Military Performance (CAMP) is a test battery that more closely approximates the occupational demands of ADSM without specific adherence to a particular branch of service or military occupational specialty. Subtasks were developed with military collaborators to include high level skills that all service members must be able to perform such as reacting quickly, maintaining visual stability while moving and changing positions, and scanning for, noting, and/or remembering operationally relevant information under conditions of physical exertion. Objective: The purpose of this observational longitudinal study is to: 1- establish typical performance parameters for ADSM on the CAMP test battery 2- determine the element of the CAMP battery that demonstrate the greatest differences from standard performance and serve as predictors for successful return to duty and 3- develop clinician-facing feedback algorithms and displays and 4—develop materials for clinical dissemination. This ongoing multi-site study is currently funded through the CDMRP and has been approved by the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth IRB. Methods: ADSM undergoing post-concussion rehabilitation at the Intrepid Spirit Centers will be tested within one week of their initial Physical Therapy evaluation and after completing Physical Therapy. Control participants will include males, females, and ADSM from the Special Operations community. Participants will complete an intake form that includes questions about demographics, military service, deployment and concussion history, and profile and duty status. Other measures include those that explore concussion symptoms, sleep quality, post-traumatic stress, and perceptions of resilience. The CAMP includes three separate 10–15 minute tasks. Movement is recorded by wearable inertial sensors and heart rate variability is recorded with a POLAR10 monitor. The “Run-Roll” task requires rapid position changes, combat rolls and quick running forwards and backwards while carrying a simulated weapon. Visual stability before and after the task is also performed. The “Dual-Task Agility” task includes rapid running with and without a weighted vest and a working memory task. The “Patrol Exertion” task requires repeated stepping onto an exercise step while watching a virtual patrol video. Additional tasks include monitoring direction of travel, observing for signs of enemy presence, and reacting to multiple auditory signals embedded in the video. Discussion: Measures that evaluate relevant skills are vital to support safe return to duty for ADSM who may be exposed to imminent danger as part of training or mission demands. The CAMP is designed to be an ecologically valid and clinically feasible assessment that may be more sensitive to capturing subtle impairments that impact duty performance as test skills are integrated into dual and multi-tasks that reflect occupational demands. Assessment results may serve as a more robust indicator of readiness for full return to duty after concussion

On the electropolishing and anodic oxidation of Ti-15Mo alloy

This paper presents research on modifying the surface of Ti-15Mo alloy using electropolishing and anodic passivation. The electropolishing process was carried out in solutions containing sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, ammonium fluoride and oxalic acid. Whereas a voltage range from 20 to 100 V and a 1 M orthophosphoric acid solution were used during the anodic passivation. The influence of above mentioned processes parameters on the quality of the obtained oxide layer on Ti-15Mo alloy was investigated. The analysis of Ti-15Mo surface after modification was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ellipsometry, and mechanical tests. Moreover, the corrosion resistance was investigated using a potentiostatic method in Ringer's solution. It was found that electropolishing leads to an increase in the surface homogeneity and to the form of an oxide layer, which consisted of TiO2 and MoO3. Whereas the oxide layers obtained during anodic passivation were characterized by different properties depending on the applied voltage. The anodic passivation at various voltages (20-100 V) increased the surface wettability (94.5°-87.6°) in comparison to the electropolished sample (97.5°). Moreover, the obtained oxide layer after anodization exhibited a high hardness. The electrolytic polishing and anodic passivation of Ti-15Mo also improved corrosion resistance of the alloy in contact with Ringer's solution. The sample anodized at 80 V presented the highest corrosion resistance by the smallest corrosion current density (1.4 nA cm-2) and the highest polarization resistance (37.4 MΩ cm2). © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved