Interactive displays in medical art

Medical illustration is a field of visual communication with a long history. Traditional medical illustrations are static, 2-D, printed images; highly realistic depictions of the gross morphology of anatomical structures. Today medicine requires the visualization of structures and processes that have never before been seen. Complex 3-D spatial relationships require interpretation from 2-D diagnostic imagery. Pictures that move in real time have become clinical and research tools for physicians. Medical illustrators are involved with the development of interactive visual displays for three different, but not discrete, functions: as educational materials, as clinical and research tools, and as data bases of standard imagery used to produce visuals. The production of interactive displays in the medical arts is examined

Molecular analysis of an oxytetracycline resistance gene from Streptomyces rimosus

An oxytetracycline (OTC) resistance gene, otcl. has been cloned previously from Streptomvces rimosus 15883, a commercial producer of the antibiotic. This gene confers protection to the hosts ribosomes from arrest of translation by OTC. The otcl gene has been sequenced and its transcriptional regulation pattern has been analysed. The otcl structural gene encodes a polypeptide of 71.329KD. The predicted amino acid (a. a.) sequence is highly homologous with the tetM polypeptide, from a Streptococcal transposon Tn1545. The tetM polypeptide also protects the protein synthesing machinery from the action of tetracycline. The first 130 amino acids of each polypeptide are 67% homologous and smaller regions of extensive homology are dispersed throughout the sequences. The amino terminal end of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) from E. coli is also homologous. It exhibits 36% . homology and if chemically equivalent amino acids are considered, 48% homology to the otcl polypeptide. This homology includes the characterised GTP binding site of EF-Tu. The conservation of a. a. between otcl. tetM and EF-Tu suggests that the amino terminal end of otcl has a similar function to the amino terminal end of the EF-Tu. Possibly the otcl polypeptide acts as an alternative EF-Tu in S. rimosus which protects protein synthesis from the inhibitory effects of oxytetracycline. Two transcriptional start sites have been identified for the otcl structural gene. Transcription initiates 129bp (otclp1) and 339-344bp (otclp2) upstream of the translational initiation codon. otclp1 resembles an E. coli type consensus promoter and otcIp2 has not been sequenced it is external to the cloned DNA. Both transcripts were identified by S1 mapping with RNA from S. rimosus. Six closely clustered divergent transcriptional start sites (the otcpA1-6 promoters) have been identified with RNA from S. lividans TK24 containing a clone of the region 5' to the otcl structural gene and 11% of the coding region. These promoters overlap the otclp1 start site and the transcript overlaps the otcZ coding region (one of the OTC production genes) which is transcribed in the same direction as otcl. Promoter activity has been recorded from promoter probe constructs of this region but the divergent transcriptional activity is repressed in constructs which contain 45% of the otcl coding sequence. The transcriptional start sites of otcpA1-6 have not been identified with RNA from S. rimosus which is consistent with the promoter probe data. In promoter probe constructs otclp1 is partially repressed by promoter activity from otcpA1-6. otcpA1 is very similar to a group of streptomycete promoters which are probably transcribed by core RNA polymerase in association with sigma factor 49. The otcpA1-5 promoters show no homology to any recognized promoter sequence. The transcriptional complexity of this region indicates several levels of regulation i.e. the number and variety of promoter signals, repression of the divergent transcript by sequences within the coding region of otcl (possibly the otcl polypeptide itself) and partial repression of otclp1 by the transcriptional activity of overlapping promoters otcpA1-6. The function of the divergent transcript is unknown but it is possible that it regulates the expression of otcZ. This regulation might be mediated by an anti-sense RNA or if the transcript is translated, by the polypeptide. Such control of the expression of an OTC biosynthetic gene would ensure that a cell was expressing otcl and therefore resistant to OTC before the onset of OTC production

A Review of the Recommendations Governing Quality Assurance of Ultrasound Systems Used for Guidance in Prostate Brachytherapy

Ultrasound guided brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer has become a routine treatment option, due to many benefits including patient recovery and dose localisation [1]; however it is not clear whether the standards which govern the image quality for these systems are adequate. Upon review of the recommended standards for ultrasound systems used in prostate brachytherapy procedures, the recommended tests do not appear to be specific to the clinical application of ultrasound guided prostate brachytherapy. Rather they are generic and similar to those recommended for other clinical applications such as general abdominal scanning [2]. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that these tests should be specific to the clinical application [3,4] in order to gain meaningful data about the performance of the system for the application, and also to detect clinically relevant changes in quality control results. An additional problem is that there are no clinically relevant test phantom recommended for the quality assurance of ultrasound systems used in prostate brachytherapy. The image quality for this application of ultrasound needs to be monitored to ensure consistent levels of confidence in the procedure. This paper reviews the currently recommended test guidelines and test phantoms for ultrasound systems used in prostate brachytherapy from the different standard bodies and professional organisations. A critical analysis of those tests which are most reflective of the imaging and guidance tasks undertaken in an ultrasound guided prostate brachytherapy procedure will also be presented to inform the design of a TRUS quality assurance protocol

Effect of base stacking on the relative thermodynamic stability of oligonucleotide complexes: A spectroscopic study

Three-strand oligonucleotide complexes are employed to assess the effect of base stacking and base pair mismatch on the relative thermodynamic stabilities of oligonucleotide duplexes. The melting behavior of three-strand oligonucleotide complexes incorporating nicks and gaps as well as internal single base mismatches is monitored using temperature-dependent optical absorption spectroscopy. A sequential three-state equilibrium model is used to analyze the measured melting profiles and evaluate thermodynamic parameters associated with dissociation of the complexes. The free-energy of stabilization of a nick complex compared to a gap complex due to base stacking is determined to be -1.9 kcal/mol. The influence of a mispaired base in these systems is shown to destabilize a nick complex by 3.1 kcal/mol and a gap complex by 2.8 kcal/mol, respectively.This work was supported by the HEA PRTLI1 Nanoscale Science and Technology Initiative.Peer reviewe

Luminescent optical detection of volatile electron deficient compounds by conjugated polymer nanofibers

Optical detection of volatile electron deficient analytes via fluorescence quenching is demonstrated using ca. 200 nm diameter template-synthesized polyfluorene nanofibers as nanoscale detection elements. Observed trends in analyte quenching effectiveness suggest that, in addition to energetic factors, analyte vapor pressure and polymer/analyte solubility play an important role in the emission quenching process. Individual nanofibers successfully act as luminescent reporters of volatile nitroaromatics at sub-parts per million levels. Geometric factors, relating to the nanocylindrical geometry of the fibers and to low nanofiber substrate coverage, providing a less crowded environment around fibers, appear to play a role in providing access by electron deficient quencher molecules to the excited states within the fibers, thereby facilitating the pronounced fluorescence quenching response

Exploring the potential of grass feedstock from marginal land in Ireland: Does marginal mean lower yield?

peer-reviewedThe production of biomass feedstock from marginal land has attracted much attention as a means of avoiding conflict between the production of food and fuel. Yield potentials from marginal lands have generally not been quantified although it is generally assumed that lower biomass yields can be expected from marginal lands. A three year study was conducted in Ireland in order to determine if grass yields of perennial rhizomatous grasses (cocksfoot, tall fescue, reed canary grass, festulolium) for anaerobic digestion from three marginal land sites (very wet site, very dry site, site prone to flooding) could match yields from better soils. Randomised complete block designs were established on each site in 2012 with two varieties of each grass species as treatments. Three grass harvests were taken from each site in 2013 and in 2014. There was no significant difference between yields from the control site and those from the very dry site and the site prone to flooding. Biomass yields from the very wet site were 85% of those from the control site. Highest yields were obtained from festulolium which were significantly higher than yields from perennial ryegrass. An energy analysis showed that maximising the production of grass from low lying mineral marginal grassland in Ireland could provide enough energy to meet the energy requirements of both the private car fleet and the heavy goods vehicle fleet while avoiding conflict with food production which could be concentrated on conventional land

Uptake to a community based chronic illness rehabilitation programme (CBCIR): Is there a gender disparity?

Background: Multi-morbidity and chronic conditions pose a threat to population health. Despite known benefits of rehabilitation using structured exercise, uptake to such programmes remain sub-optimal. The aim of this study is to identify the psychosocial and health related fitness correlates of uptake to a CBCIR in men and women, with the secondary aim of identifying the rate of uptake. Methods: Participants referred to a CBCIR via GPs and hospitals completed an induction process. This introduced them to the CBCIR programme and got them to complete a multi-section questionnaire (including instruments on physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, intentions for exercise, and perceived family/friend social support) and complete a battery of physical health measures (including the Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), a lower body strength test and body mass index (BMI)). Post induction participants who attended an exercise class were classified as ‘Uptakers’, whilst those who never came back were classified as ‘Non-Uptakers’. Class attendance was objectively monitored by the researchers. Data were analysed using SPSS, and are presented using means, standard deviations and proportions, group differences are examined via t-tests and logistic regression was used to predict uptake. Results: A total of 441 participants (56% male; average age 64.3 ±12 years completed induction measures. Overall, 77% were identified as Uptakers (81% female, 74% male, p=0.068, 2-sided). Among men, Uptakers reported more days of 30mins moderate to vigorous physical activity (t(111) = -2.499,

A between sex analysis of self and proxy efficacy and its relationship with attendance at a community based chronic illness rehabilitation programme.

Background: Physical activity is a principal intervention in primary and secondary prevention of chronic illness. While the benefits of community based rehabilitation is acknowledged,the rate of attendance and adherence remains sub optimal. Self-efficacy is acknowledged to be a key factor relating to adherence in rehabilitation but the construct of proxy efficacy, defined as one’s confidence in the skills and abilities of a third party to function effectively on another’s behalf, is less often studied. This paper examines the relationship between gender and ‘self’ and ‘proxy-efficacy’ and their potential role in attendance to a community based chronic illness rehabiliation (CBCIR) programme. Methods: Participants attending induction at the programme completed a questionnaire assessing demographics and both self (9 items) and proxy efficacy for exercise (9 items) which was assessed on a Likert scale from 0 (not confident at all) to 10 (very confident), with a higher score indicating greater efficacy. Subsequently, attendance was objectively monitored by researchers at exercise sessions for 24 weeks. Results: 69 participants (M age=65.5 +9.8 years, 56% Male) completed all measures. Mean proxy-efficacy and mean self-efficacy is significantly greater in women compared to men (p<0.05). Mean proxy-efficacy was found to be higher than mean self-efficacy in both males (proxy-efficacy=8.7+1.2, self efficacy=8.3+1.8) and females (proxyefficacy= 7.7+2.2, self-efficacy=6.5+2.0) with no correlation between the variables. Correlational analyses found a moderate significant positive correlation between proxy efficacy and number of weeks attended in the 24 weeks (r=.440,p<.05) in women with no correlation observed between self-efficacy and weeks attended. No correlations are observed between either form of efficacy and attendance in men. Discussion: Participants report greater confidence in the proxy agent than themselves as the agent. This was furthered in women with an association identified between proxy efficacy and 24-week attendance. These results suggest the importance of the proxy for women in a CBCIR setting but further longitudinal research should be carried out in the area of proxy efficacy and attendance at community based chronic illness rehabilitation programmes. Implications: An understanding of these variables help CBCIR programme facilitators intervene to ensure greater attendance

Alcohol and other drug use among children and young people in Ireland: prevalence, risk and protective factors, consequences, responses, and policies.

In most developed countries, substance use is a major public health issue, particularly among young people. Alcohol and other drug use is one of the leading risk factors for disease and injury and is also responsible for a considerable number of premature deaths. The national drugs strategy in Ireland aims to prevent early substance use and to minimise harm for those who have already started to use substances. The strategy also plans to develop existing prevention programmes, with an emphasis on tackling risk factors for vulnerable groups and improving services for young people. Using multiple information sources, this overview outlines the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use among young people in Ireland. It examines the risk and protective factors that may encourage or discourage young people to begin using such substances and/or lead to problematic use. It also examines the consequences of drug and alcohol use, such as hospitalisations, deaths, and crime. This overview outlines the responses to drug and alcohol use among young people, including treatment data and the strategies and legislation that guide stakeholders in preventing and minimising harm due to substance use

Global Software Innovators Strengthening the Software Innovation Capacity of Europe and Korea

Global entrepreneurial talent management is a key challenge for the software sector internationally where competition for high-end skills is intense. SMEs are at a significant disadvantage when competing with major multinationals to access these skills. The Information and Communications Technology sector accounts for 5% of all employment in the EU and there are 900,000 vacancies in this sector in 2017 [1], however over 50% of senior ICT managers believe graduates lack the necessary combination of technical, business and interpersonal skills [2]. In addition, only 4 in 1000 women work in the ICT sector [3]. To address these challenges, HubLinked, an EU-funded Knowledge Alliance partnership of 11 industry and HE partners in the EU and Korea, is developing an integrated curriculum for industry-oriented, internationalised, innovation focused and interdisciplinary Computer Science degrees (“CSI4”). CSI4 features Global Labs, where teams of students work across timezones to prototype software, an internationalization-at-home experience which mimics working in a global ICT campany