Protecting labour. Carrie Hall and the master and servant act

On 21 April 1891, a domestic servant named Carrie Hall appeared before two Perth magistrates charged under the Master and Servants Act with deserting her master's service. Her 'master' or employer was Richard Septimus Haynes - lawyer, Perth City Councillor, political radical and co-founder with John Horgan of Western Australia's Eight Hours Association} Haynes had taken Hall and a fellow servant, Kate Brown, before the Perth Police Court on similar charges; but whereas Kate Brown was discharged with a caution, Hall received a fine or one month in Fremantle Gaol in default. The wages which Haynes had offered Hall wer

Prospective isolation of human bone marrow stromal cell subsets: a comparative study between Stro-1-, CD146- and CD105-enriched populations

Stro-1 has proved an efficacious marker for enrichment of skeletal stem and progenitor cells although isolated populations remain heterogeneous, exhibiting variable colony-forming efficiency and osteogenic differentiation potential. The emerging findings that skeletal stem cells originate from adventitial reticular cells have brought two further markers to the fore including CD146 and CD105 (both primarily endothelial and perivascular). This study has compared CD146-, CD105- and Stro-1 (individual and in combination)-enriched human bone marrow stromal cell subsets and assessed whether these endothelial/perivascular markers offer further selection over conventional Stro-1. Fluorescent cell sorting quantification showed that CD146 and CD105 both targeted smaller (2.22% ± 0.59% and 6.94% ± 1.34%, respectively) and potentially different human bone marrow stromal cell fractions compared to Stro-1 (16.29% ± 0.78%). CD146+, but not CD105+, cells exhibited similar alkaline phosphatase-positive colony-forming efficiency in vitro and collagen/proteoglycan deposition in vivo to Stro-1+ cells. Molecular analysis of a number of select osteogenic and potential osteo-predictive genes including ALP, CADM1, CLEC3B, DCN, LOXL4, OPN, POSTN and SATB2 showed Stro-1+ and CD146+ populations possessed similar expression profiles. A discrete human bone marrow stromal cell fraction (2.04% ± 0.41%) exhibited positive immuno-labelling for both Stro-1 and CD146. The data presented here show that CD146+ populations are comparable but not superior to Stro-1+ populations. However, this study demonstrates the critical need for new candidate markers with which to isolate homogeneous skeletal stem cell populations or skeletal stem cell populations which exhibit homogeneous in vitro/in vivo characteristics, for implementation within tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies

Emergency Undocking Curriculum in Robotic Surgery

Introduction Traditional instruction for robotic surgery is typically devoid of training that addresses the delineation of interprofessional roles for operating room personnel. An emergency undocking scenario was developed for robotic surgeons with the objectives of improving time to access the patient, provider knowledge of and confidence in emergency undocking, completion of predetermined critical actions, and delineation of operating room personnel roles. Methods Over one month, participants joined in three sessions: Session 1 - formative, Session 2 - review, and Session 3 - summative. Embedded standardized participants (ESPs) represented members of the interprofessional team. Prior to entering the operating room for Sessions 1 and 3, trainees were asked to complete a confidence survey and multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) for knowledge assessment. Participants were randomized to one of two cases and participated in the reciprocal case for the final session four weeks later. Following Session 1, participants underwent an educational intervention, including the proper technique for emergency undocking, emphasis on operating room personnel roles, and hands-on practice. Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) residents in post-graduate Years 2-4 and attending physicians with robotics privileges at Summa Health Akron Campus or Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center were invited to participate. A total of 21 participants enrolled and finished the study. Results Among the 21 participants, there was a significant increase in the baseline level of knowledge (p-value=0.001) and in the confidence of surgeons when faced with an emergency undocking after the completion of our curriculum (p-value=0.003). Additionally, an improvement in the undocking times (p-value<0.001) and an increase in the critical actions performed (p-value=0.002) were observed. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that incorporating this curriculum into the training programs of robotic surgeons is an effective way to improve the surgical skill of emergency undocking

Honduras: Community Development and Education

STEP Category: Education AbroadMy project is a study abroad trip to Honduras that is focused on community development and education. This particular education abroad trip is targeted for my major of Agricultural Systems Management, as well as the majors of Construction Systems Management and Agricultural Science Education. These three majors come together to help build and educate people within Honduras on agriculture. I was given an opportunity to learn about Honduran issues related to agriculture, education and international development through community outreach and education about agricultural needs and practices.The Ohio State University Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP)Academic Major: Agricultural Systems Managemen

Synthesis and thermoelectric characterization of Bi2Te3 nanoparticles

We report a novel synthesis for near monodisperse, sub-10-nm Bi2Te3 nanoparticles. At first, a new reduction route to bismuth nanoparticles is described which are applied as starting materials in the formation of rhombohedral Bi2Te3 nanoparticles. After ligand removal by a novel hydrazine hydrate etching procedure, the nanoparticle powder is spark plasma sintered to a pellet with preserved crystal grain sizes. Unlike previous works on the properties of Bi2Te3 nanoparticles, the full thermoelectric characterization of such sintered pellets shows a highly reduced thermal conductivity and the same electric conductivity as bulk n-type Bi2Te3.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl

Seeing two faces together: preference formation in humans and rhesus macaques

Humans, great apes and old world monkeys show selective attention to faces depending on conspecificity, familiarity, and social status supporting the view that primates share similar face processing mechanisms. Although many studies have been done on face scanning strategy in monkeys and humans, the mechanisms influencing viewing preference have received little attention. To determine how face categories influence viewing preference in humans and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), we performed two eye-tracking experiments using a visual preference task whereby pairs of faces from different species were presented simultaneously. The results indicated that viewing time was significantly influenced by the pairing of the face categories. Humans showed a strong bias towards an own-race face in an Asian–Caucasian condition. Rhesus macaques directed more attention towards non-human primate faces when they were paired with human faces, regardless of the species. When rhesus faces were paired with faces from Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) or chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), the novel species’ faces attracted more attention. These results indicate that monkeys’ viewing preferences, as assessed by a visual preference task, are modulated by several factors, species and dominance being the most influential

A randomized control trial evaluating fluorescent ink versus dark ink tattoos for breast radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this UK study was to evaluate interfraction reproducibility and body image score when using ultraviolet (UV) tattoos (not visible in ambient lighting) for external references during breast/chest wall radiotherapy and compare with conventional dark ink. METHODS: In this non-blinded, single-centre, parallel group, randomized control trial, patients were allocated to receive either conventional dark ink or UV ink tattoos using computer-generated random blocks. Participant assignment was not masked. Systematic (∑) and random (σ) setup errors were determined using electronic portal images. Body image questionnaires were completed at pre-treatment, 1 month and 6 months to determine the impact of tattoo type on body image. The primary end point was to determine that UV tattoo random error (σsetup) was no less accurate than with conventional dark ink tattoos, i.e. <2.8 mm. RESULTS: 46 patients were randomized to receive conventional dark or UV ink tattoos. 45 patients completed treatment (UV: n = 23, dark: n = 22). σsetup for the UV tattoo group was <2.8 mm in the u and v directions (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). A larger proportion of patients reported improvement in body image score in the UV tattoo group compared with the dark ink group at 1 month [56% (13/23) vs 14% (3/22), respectively] and 6 months [52% (11/21) vs 38% (8/21), respectively]. CONCLUSION: UV tattoos were associated with interfraction setup reproducibility comparable with conventional dark ink. Patients reported a more favourable change in body image score up to 6 months following treatment. Advances in knowledge: This study is the first to evaluate UV tattoo external references in a randomized control trial

Efectos de la circulación extracorpórea sobre el filtrado glomerular en la cirugía cardiovascular pediátrica

Objetivoconocer como afecta la circulación extracorpórea la función renal tomando como marcador la alteración del filtrado glomerular.Material y métodose realizó un estudio prospectivo, analítico y observacional en 63 pacientes pediátricos sometidos a cirugía cardiaca electiva con circulación extracorpórea en el Cardiocentro Pediátrico «William Soler» entre octubre de 2009 y abril de 2010. Se calcularon las variaciones del filtrado glomerular durante la circulación extracorpórea por el método de Schwartz y se extrajeron muestras de sangre antes y después de la circulación extracorpórea para determinar las cifras de creatinina en el plasma. Los datos se procesaron con el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 11.5.1. Los resultados se expresaron en forma de media, desviación estándar y por cientos. Se consideró que existió diferencia o asociación significativa si la probabilidad asociada al test aplicado era menor que 0,05 (p<0,05). El análisis se realizó por medio de pruebas no paramétricas dado n < 30 y a través de muestras relacionadas.Resultadosla disminución del filtrado glomerular pos-circulación extracorpórea, no se asoció con el tipo de cardiopatía (p<0,056) y sí con el estado previo de éste (p<0,000). El tiempo de duración de la circulación extracorpórea contribuyó significativamente al deterioro del filtrado glomerular (p<0,021); no así el tiempo de pinzamiento aórtico (p<0,06). El volumen de orina obtenido durante el tiempo de la circulación extracorpórea (p<0,051) y en el período trans-operatorio (p<0.056) no fue un índice de buen funcionamiento renal medido a través del filtrado glomerular.Conclusionesla circulación extracorpórea afecta de manera significativa la función renal tomando como marcador la alteración del filtrado glomerular.Objectiveknow how extracorporeal circulation affects renal function taking as marker the impairment of the glomerular filtration rate.Material and methodwe performed a prospective analytical observational study in 63 pediatric patients that underwent elective cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation in the Pediatric Cardiac Center ¨William Soler¨ between october 2009 and april 2010. Variations of glomerular filtration rate during extracorporeal circulation were calculated by the Schwartz method and blood samples were taken to determine plasma creatinine values before and after extracorporeal circulation. Data were processed with the SPSS statistical package version 11.5.1. Results were expressed as mean, standard deviation and percentage. We considered that difference or significant association existed if the probability associated to the applied test was less than 0,05 (p<0,05). Analysis was performed by nonparametric testing given n < 30 and through related samples.Resultsthe decline in glomerular filtration rate post extracorporeal circulation was not associated to the type of cardiopathy (p<0,056) but it was associated to its previous state (p<0,000). The duration of extracorporeal circulation contributes significantly to the deterioration of the glomerular filtration rate (p<0,021); this did not happen with the aortic clamping time (p<0,06). The volume of urine obtained during the duration of extracorporeal circulation (p<0,051) and during the trans-operative period (p<0,056) was not an index of appropriate renal function measured by glomerular filtration rate.Conclusionsextracorporeal circulation affects significantly the renal function taking as a marker the impairment of glomerular filtration rate

Geographical concentration of falciparum malaria treated in the UK and delay to treatment with artesunate in severe cases: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify geographical concentration of falciparum malaria cases in the UK at a hospital level. To assess potential delay-to-treatment associated with hub-and-spoke distribution of artesunate in severe cases. DESIGN: Observational study using national and hospital data. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 3520 patients notified to the Malaria Reference Laboratory 2008-2010, 34 patients treated with intravenous artesunate from a tropical diseases centre 2002-2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Geographical location of falciparum cases notified in the UK. Diagnosis-to-treatment times for intravenous artesunate. RESULTS: Eight centres accounted for 43.9% of the UK's total cases; notifications from 107 centres accounted for 10.2% of cases; 51.5% of hospitals seeing malaria notified 5 or fewer cases in 3 years. Centres that saw <10 cases/year treat 26.3% of malaria cases; 6.1% of cases are treated in hospitals seeing <2 cases/year. Concentration of falciparum malaria was highest in Greater London (1925, 54.7%), South East (515, 14.6%), East of England (402, 11.4%) and North West (192, 5.4%). The North East and Northern Ireland each notified 5 or fewer cases per year. Median diagnosis-to-treatment time was 1 h (range 0.5-5) for patients receiving artesunate in the specialist centre; 7.5 h (range 4-26) for patients receiving it in referring hospitals via the hub-and-spoke system (p=0.02); 25 h (range 9-45) for patients receiving it on transfer to the regional centre from a referring hospital (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Most UK hospitals see few cases of falciparum malaria and geographical distances are significant. Over 25% of cases are seen in hospitals where malaria is rare, although 60% are seen in hospitals seeing over 50 cases over 3 years. A hub-and-spoke system minimises drug wastage and ensures availability in centres seeing most cases but is associated with treatment delays elsewhere. As with all observational studies, there are limitations, which are discussed