Macro and Microfluidic Flows for Skeletal Regenerative Medicine

Fluid flow has a great potential as a cell stimulatory tool for skeletal regenerative medicine, because fluid flow-induced bone cell mechanotransduction in vivo plays a critical role in maintaining healthy bone homeostasis. Applications of fluid flow for skeletal regenerative medicine are reviewed at macro and microscale. Macroflow in two dimensions (2D), in which flow velocity varies along the normal direction to the flow, has explored molecular mechanisms of bone forming cell mechanotransduction responsible for flow-regulated differentiation, mineralized matrix deposition, and stem cell osteogenesis. Though 2D flow set-ups are useful for mechanistic studies due to easiness in in situ and post-flow assays, engineering skeletal tissue constructs should involve three dimensional (3D) flows, e.g., flow through porous scaffolds. Skeletal tissue engineering using 3D flows has produced promising outcomes, but 3D flow conditions (e.g., shear stress vs. chemotransport) and scaffold characteristics should further be tailored. Ideally, data gained from 2D flows may be utilized to engineer improved 3D bone tissue constructs. Recent microfluidics approaches suggest a strong potential to mimic in vivo microscale interstitial flows in bone. Though there have been few microfluidics studies on bone cells, it was demonstrated that microfluidic platform can be used to conduct high throughput screening of bone cell mechanotransduction behavior under biomimicking flow conditions

Influence of structure on the optical limiting properties of nanotubes

We investigate the role of carbon nanotubes structure on their optical limiting properties. Samples of different and well-characterized structural features are studied by optical limiting and pump-probe experiments. The influence of the diameter's size on the nano-object is demonstrated. Indeed, both nucleation and growth of gas bubbles are expected to be sensitive to diameter

The Digital Death Conundrum: How Federal and State Laws Prevent Fiduciaries from Managing Digital Property

This article discusses four types of fiduciaries, each of which is affected by the vast growth in and the need to manage digital property. The article begins by defining digital property and discussing why it must be managed. The article then discusses how digital property affects powers of attorney, conservatorships, probate administration, and trusts. After illustrating the problems that digital property creates for each fiduciary, the article shifts to resolving these problems. It begins by debunking purported solutions by both private and governmental entities. It concludes by offering a holistic approach to resolving the conflicts facing account holders, fiduciaries, and service providers and providing the level of security sought in fiduciary property management, as well as a best-practices approach in the interim to a complete solution

Combination of carbon nanotubes and two-photon absorbers for broadband optical limiting

New systems are required for optical limiting against broadband laser pulses. We demonstrate that the association of non-linear scattering from single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and multiphoton absorption (MPA) from organic chromophores is a promising approach to extend performances of optical limiters over broad spectral and temporal ranges. Such composites display high linear transmission and good neutral colorimetry and are particularly efficient in the nanosecond regime due to cumulative effects.Comment: 5 avril 200

Nuances of the psychogastroenterology patient: A predictive model for gastrointestinal quality of life improvement

BackgroundGastrointestinal conditions are multifactorial in nature, and certain patients can benefit greatly from brain–gut psychotherapies delivered by mental health professionals who specialize in psychogastroenterology. This study aimed to identify features associated with improvements in GI‐specific quality of life scores following behavioral health interventions (BHI). The second aim was to create a psychogastroenterology referral care pathway incorporating identified characteristics for greatest benefit from GI‐specific behavioral therapy.MethodsWe performed a prospective observational study of 101 (63 women; median age, 45 years) gastroenterology patients referred for psychogastroenterology consultation at a single center. Patients attended an average of seven sessions with a single GI psychologist where evidence‐based brain–gut psychotherapies were employed. GI‐specific quality of life (IBS‐QOL) and psychological distress (BSI‐18) were assessed before and after BHI. Patients completed self‐reported questionnaires. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine predictors associated with IBS‐QOL score improvement.Key ResultsA total of 53 (52.5%) patients experienced improvement in IBS‐QOL score. Patients with improved IBS‐QOL scores had significantly higher baseline BSI general domain T‐scores (61.9 vs. 56.9, P = 0.002). Female gender (odds ratio [OR], 3.2), pretreatment BSI somatization T‐score ≥63 (OR, 3.7), and a diagnosis of depression (OR, 4.2) were associated with greater odds of IBS‐QOL score improvement following BHI.Conclusions and InferencesWe identified factors associated with response to GI‐specific BHI to aid in optimizing the utilization of psychogastroenterology services and provide referring providers with information to inform treatment recommendations. Female patients with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBIs), high somatization, and depression should be considered a priority for brain–gut psychotherapies.Gastrointestinal conditions are multifactorial in nature, and certain patients can benefit greatly from brain–gut psychotherapies delivered by mental health professionals who specialize in psychogastroenterology. Females with disorders of gut–brain interaction, high somatization, and depression should be considered priority for brain–gut psychotherapies. Behavioral health outcomes were not limited to disease; patients with IBD should be routinely considered for referral. Optimizing utilization of GI‐specific behavioral health specialists for the best outcomes can maximize quality of life and disease experience, but also improve value‐based care.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151345/1/nmo13663.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151345/2/nmo13663_am.pd

Failure to communicate: Inefficiencies in voluntary incentive programs for private forest owners in Michigan

Coordinating forest management across thousands of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners is a difficult yet necessary task for state land management agencies. Voluntary Incentive Programs (VIPs) can coordinate the decentralized activities of these owners in return for services or financial incentives. However, many VIPs typically have low enrollment. Our study investigates the implementation of VIPs to increase forest management coordination among NIPFs in Michigan. We present findings from 20 semi-structured interviews with leaders of state and local land management organizations, and government officials at state natural resource agencies, and contrast their answers with those recorded from 37 interviews of NIPF owners regarding their knowledge and attitudes toward VIPs. Our interviews highlight a critical disconnect between NIPF owner motivations and VIP incentives, as well as misallocated resources for VIP promotion by state agencies, driving low enrollment. At the core, low enrollment in VIPs is generated by inadequate communication between NIPF owners and program managers, along with distrust of government agency objectives. Viewing managers as “street level bureaucrats”, civil servants whose job discretion is impacted heavily by available resources, may increase our understanding of the issues plaguing VIPs and help identify improvements to VIP design and implementation

Magnetic Resonance

Contains research objectives and reports on three research projects

Trajectory Optimization: OTIS 4

The latest release of the Optimal Trajectories by Implicit Simulation (OTIS4) allows users to simulate and optimize aerospace vehicle trajectories. With OTIS4, one can seamlessly generate optimal trajectories and parametric vehicle designs simultaneously. New features also allow OTIS4 to solve non-aerospace continuous time optimal control problems. The inputs and outputs of OTIS4 have been updated extensively from previous versions. Inputs now make use of objectoriented constructs, including one called a metastring. Metastrings use a greatly improved calculator and common nomenclature to reduce the user s workload. They allow for more flexibility in specifying vehicle physical models, boundary conditions, and path constraints. The OTIS4 calculator supports common mathematical functions, Boolean operations, and conditional statements. This allows users to define their own variables for use as outputs, constraints, or objective functions. The user-defined outputs can directly interface with other programs, such as spreadsheets, plotting packages, and visualization programs. Internally, OTIS4 has more explicit and implicit integration procedures, including high-order collocation methods, the pseudo-spectral method, and several variations of multiple shooting. Users may switch easily between the various methods. Several unique numerical techniques such as automated variable scaling and implicit integration grid refinement, support the integration methods. OTIS4 is also significantly more user friendly than previous versions. The installation process is nearly identical on various platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, and Linux operating systems. Cross-platform scripts also help make the execution of OTIS and post-processing of data easier. OTIS4 is supplied free by NASA and is subject to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) restrictions. Users must have a Fortran compiler, and a Python interpreter is highly recommended

Metropolitan Area Designations by OMB: History, Current Definitions, and Uses

On December 27, 2000, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced its uniform criteria, or “standards,” for defining metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas in the current decade. These areas together are termed “core based statistical areas” (CBSAs). Also announced were the standards for defining New England city and town areas (NECTAs), which are conceptually similar to CBSAs. The 2000 standards superseded those for defining metropolitan statistical areas in the 1990s

Lifetime Reproductive Benefits of Cooperative Polygamy Vary for Males and Females in the Acorn Woodpecker (\u3ci\u3eMelanerpes formicivorus\u3c/i\u3e)

Cooperative breeding strategies lead to short-term direct fitness losses when individuals forfeit or share reproduction. The direct fitness benefits of cooperative strategies are often delayed and difficult to quantify, requiring data on lifetime reproduction. Here, we use a longitudinal dataset to examine the lifetime reproductive success of cooperative polygamy in acorn woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus), which nest as lone pairs or share reproduction with same-sex cobreeders. We found that males and females produced fewer young per successful nesting attempt when sharing reproduction. However, males nesting in duos and trios had longer reproductive lifespans, more lifetime nesting attempts and higher lifetime reproductive success than those breeding alone. For females, cobreeding in duos increased reproductive lifespan so the lifetime reproductive success of females nesting in duos was comparable to those nesting alone and higher than those nesting in trios. These results suggest that for male duos and trios, reproductive success alone may provide sufficient fitness benefits to explain the presence of cooperative polygamy, and the benefits of cobreeding as a duo in females are higher than previously assumed. Lifetime individual fitness data are crucial to reveal the full costs and benefits of cooperative polygamy