Maintenance, its place in bank and office building management

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston Universit

Alien Registration- Fowler, Kenneth G. (Portland, Cumberland County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/23913/thumbnail.jp

Vitamin C Intravenous Treatment In the Setting of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Results From the Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled CITRIS-AF Pilot Study

BackgroundCatheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), but high levels of post-procedure inflammation predict adverse clinical events. Ascorbic acid (AA) has shown promise in reducing inflammation but is untested in this population. We sought to test the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effects on inflammatory biomarkers in the CITRIS-AF (Vitamin C Intravenous Treatment In the Setting of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation) pilot study. Methods and ResultsPatients scheduled to undergo AF ablation (N=20) were randomized 1:1 to double-blinded treatment with AA (200 mg/kg divided over 24 hours) or placebo. C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels were obtained before the first infusion and repeated at 24 hours and 30 days. Pain levels within 24 hours and early recurrence of AF within 90 days were recorded. Median and interquartile range were aged 63 (56–70) years, 13 (65%) men, and 18 (90%) white. Baseline data were similar between the 2 groups except ejection fraction. Baseline C-reactive protein levels were 2.56 (1.47–5.87) mg/L and similar between groups (P=0.48). Change in C-reactive protein from baseline to 24 hours was +10.79 (+6.56–23.19) mg/L in the placebo group and +3.01 (+0.40–5.43) mg/L in the AA group (P=0.02). Conversely, change in interleukin-6 was numerically higher in the AA group, though not statistically significant (P=0.32). One patient in each arm developed pericarditis; no adverse events related to the infusions were seen. There were no significant differences between aggregated post-procedure pain levels within 24 hours or early recurrence of AF (both P\u3e0.05). ConclusionsHigh-dose AA is safe and well tolerated at the time of AF ablation and may be associated with a blunted rise in C-reactive protein, although consistent findings were not seen in interleukin-6 levels. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the potential benefit in improving clinically relevant outcomes

CodeVA Elementary Coaches Academy : Impact of Computer Science Implementation in K-5

Abstract This study investigated the impact of CodeVA’s elementary coach’s academy (ECA) on computer science implementation in elementary schools across the state of Virginia. The research took a multimethod qualitative and quantitative approach through surveys, focus groups, interviews and observations of ECA coaches and participants, along with the analysis of historical data provided by CodeVA. The capstone research questions were: “What is the impact of the elementary coaches academy?” and “What impacts the effectiveness of CodeVA’s elementary coaches academy?” In general, the data collected suggested that CodeVA has been effective in reaching its intended audience and meeting the needs of cohort participants, but there is still room for improvement. The review of the data resulted in five overarching anchors being identified that produced the following recommendations: “ use evidenced based coaching models to increase impact”; “utilize adult learning principles to create specific professional development”; “create a more structured professional learning community for ECA”; “improve advanced communication of ECA professional development opportunities” and “create a cache of resources to improve outside access to information for facilitators and coaches of the ECA” Keywords: CodeVA, computer science, elementary coaches academ

Low Pressure Greenhouse Concepts for Mars

A project was initiated to begin testing some environmental limits for managing plant growth systems. These limits will help determine some of the concepts for building plant enclosures for use on Mars. In particular, this study focuses on the effects of reduced atmospheric pressures. Structural design is considered as it relates to the biological processes that would occur within that structure. The design must be closely tied to the functionality of the biological system and has a few primary concerns that need to be tested to resolve the question as to the path of the design. Early tests indicate that plants can survive and grow at low (greater than 76 mb) pressure

The effects of sildenafil on ciliary beat frequency in patients with pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria disease: phase I/II trial.

RATIONALE:Pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) disease has increased over the past several decades, especially in older women. Abnormal mucociliary clearance and abnormal nasal nitric oxide (nNO) have been associated with PNTM disease in other patient cohorts. Mucociliary clearance can be affected by NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signalling and, therefore, modulation of the pathway may be possible with phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil as a novel therapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE:To define ex vivo characteristics of PNTM disease affected by sildenafil. METHODS:Subjects with PNTM infections were recruited into an open-label dose-escalation trial of sildenafil. Laboratory measurements and mucociliary measurements-ciliary beat frequency, nNO and 24-hour sputum production-were collected throughout the study period. Patients received sildenafil daily during the study period, with escalation from 20 to 40 mg three times per day. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:Increased ciliary beat frequency occurred after a single dose of 40 mg sildenafil and after extended dosing of 40 mg sildenafil. The increase ciliary beat frequency was not seen with 20 mg sildenafil dosing. There were no changes in sputum production, nNO production, Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis-NTM module (QOL-B-NTM) questionnaire or the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire during the study period. CONCLUSION:Sildenafil, 40 mg, increased ciliary beat frequency acutely as well as with extended administration

Effect of aerobic or resistance exercise, or both, on intermuscular and visceral fat and physical and metabolic function in older adults with obesity while dieting

BACKGROUND: Obesity exacerbates age-related effects on body composition and physical and metabolic function. Which exercise mode is most effective in mitigating these deleterious changes in dieting older adults with obesity is unknown. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, we performed a head-to-head comparison of aerobic (AEX), resistance (REX), or combination (COMB) exercise during matched ~10% weight loss in 160 obese older adults. Prespecified analyses compared 6-month changes in intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) assessed using MRI, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) by oral glucose tolerance test, physical function using Modified Physical Performance Test (PPT), VO2peak, gait speed, and knee strength by dynamometry. RESULTS: IMAT and VAT decreased more in COMB than AEX and REX groups (IMAT; -41% vs -28% and -23% and VAT: -36% vs -19% and -21%; p = .003 to .01); IMAT and VAT decreased in all groups more than control (between-group p \u3c .001). ISI increased more in COMB than AEX and REX groups (86% vs 50% and 39%; p = .005 to .03). PPT improved more in COMB than AEX and REX groups, while VO2peak improved more in COMB and AEX than REX group (all p \u3c .05). Knee strength improved more in COMB and REX than AEX group (all p \u3c .05). Changes in IMAT and VAT correlated with PPT (r = -0.28 and -0.39), VO2peak (r = -0.49 and -0.52), gait speed (r = -0.25 and -0.36), and ISI (r = -0.49 and -0.52; all p \u3c .05). CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss plus combination aerobic and resistance exercise was most effective in improving ectopic fat deposition and physical and metabolic function in older adults with obesity

Bostonia: The Boston University Alumni Magazine. Volume 32

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

Detection of intermediates and kinetic control during assembly of bacteriophage P22 procapsid

Bacteriophage P22 serves as a model for the assembly and maturation of other icosahedral double-stranded DNA viruses. P22 coat and scaffolding proteins assemble in vitro into an icosahedral procapsid, which then expands during DNA packaging (maturation). Efficient in vitro assembly makes this system suitable for design and production of monodisperse spherical nanoparticles (diameter ≈50 nm). In this work we explore the possibility of controlling the outcome of assembly by scaffolding protein engineering. The scaffolding protein exists in monomer-dimer-tetramer equilibrium. We address the role of monomers and dimers in assembly by using three different scaffolding proteins with altered monomer-dimer equilibrium (weak dimer, covalent dimer, monomer). The progress and outcome of assembly was monitored by time-resolved X-ray scattering which allowed us to distinguish between closed shells and incomplete assembly intermediates. Binding of scaffolding monomer activates the coat protein for assembly. Excess dimeric scaffolding protein resulted in rapid nucleation and kinetic trapping yielding incomplete shells. Addition of monomeric wild type scaffold with excess coat protein completed these metastable shells. Thus, the monomeric scaffolding protein plays an essential role in the elongation phase by activating the coat and effectively lowering its critical concentration for assembly