Sustainability of a university designed and developed media annotation tool to prepare learners with skills needed for future employment

RMIT University‘s media annotation tool (MAT) is a computer software program dedicated to incorporating video footage to the student learning experience in a novel manner. In addition to the usual functions associated with videos, MAT allows users to enter written comments at strategic and key positions to emphasise the required learning points. Innovatively introduced to creatively support learning for work-ready skills, in 2011 MAT was integrated into courses across nine student cohorts, over six disciplines, in the Vocational and Higher Education (undergraduate and post graduate) sectors of the university. This paper will focus on analysis of insights of teacher experiences using MAT, highlighting sustainable ways forward with university designed innovations. It will introduce the context of implementing MAT and discuss the process of evaluating the requirements for promoting MAT to the wider university community and, more specifically, to embed and sustain MAT into the long-term

Viviendo la experiencia de la parturición en un modelo asistencial humanizado

That was a qualitative study with phenomenological approach that aimed at understanding women's post-partum experiences in a humanized assistance. Data were collected in a hospital from São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Eight women in post-partum period were interviewed. From data analysis two themes were extracted: Bearing the labor and Having the opportunity rescuing autonomy, being disclosed the phenomenon: Living the ambiguity on the birth process in a humanized assistance model. The reports show feelings like pain, fear and anxiety, however, it allowed a participation and rescuing autonomy. Although the study have been realized in a humanized assistance, the women's experiences reveals that they are far from an effective humanization, according to its principles. This study can be used to guide educative actions target to humanization and to generate managerial changesEste es un estudio cualitativo con abordaje fenomenológica con la finalidad de comprender las experiencias de puerperas que vivieron el trabajo de parto y el parto en la asistencia humanizada. La colecta de los dados ocurrio en un hospital en la ciudad de São Paulo, donde fuera entrevistadas ocho mujeres en el periodo post-partum. De la analisis de los dados surgieron los temas: Soportando el trabajo de parto y Tiendo la oportunidad de rescatar la autonomía, siendo desvelado lo fenómeno Viviendo la ambigüedad de la parturición en un modelo asistencial humanizado. Los relatos evidenciaron sentimientos relacionados a dolor, miedo y ansiedad, pero, posibilitou la participación y rescate de la autonomía. Aunque el estudio tener sido realizad en la asistencia humanizada, las experiencias de las puérperas fueram distantes de los principios de la asistencia humanizada. El actual estudio puede nortear aciones educativas al parto direccionadas para humanización y generar innovación en la asistenciaTratou-se de um estudo qualitativo baseado na abordagem fenomenológica com o objetivo de compreender as experiências de puérperas que vivenciaram o trabalho de parto e o parto em um modelo assistencial humanizado. Os dados foram coletados em um hospital localizado na cidade de São Paulo, onde foram entrevistadas oito puérperas. Da análise dos dados surgiram os temas: Suportando o trabalho de parto e Tendo a oportunidade de resgatar a autonomia, e o fenômeno desvelado foi Vivendo a ambiguidade da parturição em um modelo assistencial humanizado. Os relatos evidenciaram sentimentos como dor, medo e ansiedade, porém, possibilitou a participação e resgate da autonomia. Embora o estudo tenha sido realizado em um modelo assistencial considerado humanizado, as experiências das puérperas revelam que ainda se distanciam de uma efetiva humanização, conforme seus princípios. Este estudo pode ser utilizado para nortear ações educativas voltadas à humanização e gerar mudanças assistenciaisUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de EnfermagemUNIFESP, Depto. de EnfermagemSciEL

Prioritizing Suitable Locations for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Based on Social Factors in Philadelphia

Municipalities across the United States are prioritizing green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects due to their potential to concurrently optimize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of the “triple bottom line”. While placement of these features is often based on biophysical variables regarding the natural and built environments, highly urbanized areas often exhibit either limited data or minimal variability in these characteristics. Using a case study of Philadelphia and building on previous work to prioritize GSI features in disadvantaged communities, this study addresses the dual concerns of the inequitable benefits of distribution and suitable site placement of GSI using a model to evaluate and integrate social variables to support decision making regarding GSI implementation. Results of this study indicate locations both suitable and optimal for the implementation of four types of GSI features: tree trenches, pervious pavement, rain gardens, and green roofs. Considerations of block-level site placement assets and liabilities are discussed, with recommendations for use of this analysis for future GSI programs

Brownfields Area-Wide Plan: Lower North Delaware Industrial District, Philadelphia

A Brownfields Area-Wide Plan is created for a key portion of Philadelphia’s Lower North Delaware Industrial District. The brownfields challenges in the project are representative of both location-specific factors and issues typical of brownfield redevelopment. One hundred and fifty years of industrial history, from coal to textile or food distribution, cannot help but leave a trace. Locational factors including high vacancy rates, weak market forces, and former industrial uses highlight the classic brownfields challenges of financial barriers, liability issues, and cleanup considerations. The coalescence of these types of difficulties significantly impacts the economic, social, public health, and environmental justice concerns within the project area, and significantly hampers development. This plan summarizes the cleanup and reuse implementation strategies for the catalyst sites using information obtained through research into community engagement, prioritization, existing conditions, partnerships, and potential resources

The sonographer’s role in RFA therapy of liver lesions

Interventional techniques using ultrasound guidance, such as Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) of liver lesions, are the domain of the radiologist. However, real time ultrasound imaging as performed by the sonographer, is critical in monitoring the successful insertion and placement of the RFA needle. RFA is used to create a localised and controlled application of heat in order to induce necrosis of cells within the liver lesions

Lymph node imaging with magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography and fluorescence techniques

The knowledge that unbound gadolinium was responsible for NSF highlighted the need for alternative and safer imaging agents for MRI applications. Nanoparticles (used in conjunction with MRI) were identified as offering the potential and promise, to be safer across a multitude of applications; some dedicated for the investigation of specific disease processes. In particular, iron oxide nanoparticles have been considered as offering the greatest possibility as an MRI contrast (imaging) agent in both the research and clinical arenas. Advantages offered by T10 dextran coated iron oxide nanoparticles include human biocompatibility with a safe and known excretion pathway. The dextran coating can be functionalised, thus providing opportunities for creative compounds to be created. For example, experimental work contributing to this thesis has resulted in T10 dextran coated iron oxide nanoparticles being radiolabelled with 68Ga – and this is being presented for consideration as a potential imaging agent for PET/MRI; that is, 68Ga providing an imaging agent effect on PET imaging while the iron oxide component provides simultaneous imaging contrast with MRI. 68Ga itself provides an advantage over 99mTc (the most commonly used PET imaging agent); it has an improved imaging sensitivity over 99mTc and is less costly to generate, requiring 68Ge (a radio-isotope of germainium) and a gallium generator. The clinical benefit to developing iron oxide nanoparticles radio-labelled with 68Ga is also to improve the imaging of lymph nodes in oncology patients (as well as a PET/MRI contrast agent). Also presented here are the PET imaging findings, identifying the prostate draining lymph nodes, from four prostate cancer patients having had these nanoparticle preparations directly injected into their prostate glands. Iron oxide nanoparticles can also be loaded into immune cells, in vitro; for this thesis, murine dendritic cells (bone marrow derived) and human dendritic cells (monocyte derived) were used, as dendritic cells are known to migrate to lymph nodes. The combination of iron oxide nanoparticles radiolabelled with 68Ga, and in vitro cell loading, offer the potential to re-visit cellular MRI to determine if imaging advances can be made in this area. To support these achievements and claims, this thesis includes in vitro murine dendritic cell and in vitro human dendritic cell studies and also in vivo murine and in vivo human imaging studies. Chapter 1 provides a review of the literature, identifying; the advantages of iron oxide nanoparticles over the limitations of gadolinium based contrast agents; their relevance to MRI and also their capabilities of being internalised by certain cells for targeting imaging applications. The overall aims of the thesis are presented. Chapter 2 explains in detail the materials used, the methods employed and the physical and chemical processes that underpin all of the in vitro and in vivo experiments. The processes used draw upon knowledge from a range of disciplines, including cell biology, immunology, chemistry, physics, medical imaging, nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals. This chapter describes how the iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared and the radiolabelling process used. The functionalised method used for the T10 dextran coating is explained, thus providing attachment sites for either 68Ga or fluorescent markers such as FITC or R-PE for in vitro (murine and human) and in vivo (murine) experiments. Also described are the in vitro cellular (murine and human) experimental process with dendritic cells and iron oxide nanoparticles, investigating dose dependent and time dependent uptake. Chapter 3 provides an analysis of the physical characteristics of the laboratory produced T10 dextran coated iron oxide nanoparticles (using TEM and SEM) and an important assessment of how these nanoparticles behaved in a magnetic environment, namely at 1.5T and 3.0T clinical MRI environment; calculating and graphing the R2 and T2 relaxivity rate values of nanoparticle concentration at a specific TE value and magnetic field strength. The methodology of radiolabelling these nanoparticles with 68Ga is described and the results of TLC are provided, demonstrating the levels of bound and unbound 68Ga. Any effects T10 dextran coated iron oxide nanoparticles could cause on cell proliferation was assessed with PBMC using the MTS assay technique and compared with the effect that Dotarem® (safest gadolinium based contrast agent) may have on these same cells. Chapter 4 investigates the characterisation of nanoparticle uptake by murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (GM-CSF and Flt3) in vitro, with dose (concentration) dependent and time dependent uptake studies. These same BM-DCs were observed for apoptotic effects, in vitro, using various nanoparticle concentrations over a 24 hour incubation period. A murine CBA kit was used to also ascertain any inflammatory response in these BM-DCs to the presence of nanoparticles; assessed using the supernatant from in vitro experiments Chapter 5 reports on the characterisation of nanoparticle uptake by human monocyte derived DCs, in vitro. Dose (concentration) dependent and time dependent uptake in CD14+ and CD11+ cells were identified. In vitro supernatant assessment for an inflammatory response using a human CBA kit was used. Dose dependent uptake, in vitro, was also quantified in other cells that play varying roles in an immune response; namely PBMC, lymphocytes, granulocytes/monocytes. Chapter 6 examines in vivo applications of nanoparticle preparations; murine and human. Lymphatic drainage to the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes in C57/BL6 female mice were assessed using flow cytometry; following local subcutaneous injection of T10 dextran coated iron oxide nanoparticles tagged with FITC. To observe any systemic effects of these nanoparticles in these mice, biochemical analysis of blood serum was conducted and histopathological assessment performed, using H&E and Perls Prussian Blue, of the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys and PAS staining of the kidneys (to observe the basement membrane). Following footpad injections of T10 dextran coated IONPs tagged with FITC and radiolabelled with 68Ga, separate PET and MRI imaging of mice was conducted and on both imaging modalities, image contrast effects due to 68Ga (PET) and iron oxide nanoparticles (MRI) were identified. Most importantly, PET imaging results from patients (positive for prostate cancer) undergoing insertion of gold seeds (for later radiotherapy treatment) having T10 dextran coated IONPs radiolabelled with 68Ga demonstrated observed drainage to lymph nodes with the PET component of a PET/CT scanner

Geomorphological map of the Lipari volcanic island (Aeolian Archipelago – Italy)

A 1:10,000-scale geomorphological map of the Lipari volcanic island (Aeolian Archipelago – Italy) is presented in this paper. The associated map, which includes volcanic and epivolcanic landforms, is obtained combining the available geological information with data derived from the analysis of a digital terrain model, integrated with aerial photographic observations and field surveys. The map shows that the location of the main volcanic morphologies is strongly controlled by local tectonic structures striking NNW-SSE, while the epivolcanic morphologies are mainly related to the continuous uplift induced by the prevalence of regional tectonic processes. The aim of this work is to provide an improved geomorphological map, with a reasonably comprehensive overview of the landforms present in the most densely populated island of the Aeolian Archipelago. This map can be also used as a support for future studies of land management on the island

In vivo standardization of bone ultrasonometry of the clavicle

OBJECTIVE: The assessment of fracture union includes physical examination and radiographic imaging, which depend on the examiner’s experience. The development of ancillary methods may avoid prolonged treatments and the improper removal of implants. Quantitative bone ultrasonometry has been studied for this purpose and will soon be included in clinical practice. The aims of the present study were to assess the feasibility of using this technique on the clavicle and to standardize its in vivo application. METHODS: Twenty adult volunteers, including 10 men and 10 women without medical conditions or a previous history of clavicle fracture, underwent axial quantitative ultrasonometric assessment using transducers in various positions (different distances between the transducers and different angulations relative to the clavicle). RESULTS: Similar values of wave propagation velocity were obtained in the different tested set-ups, which included distinct distances between the transducers and angular positions relative to the clavicle. There were significant differences only in the transducers positioned at 0° and at 5 or 7 cm apart. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bone ultrasonometry on the clavicle is feasible and the standardization of the technique proposed in this study (transducers placed at 45° and at 7 cm apart) will allow its future application in clinical trials to evaluate the healing process of diaphyseal fractures of the clavicle

Cryogenic Characterization of FBK HD Near-UV Sensitive SiPMs

We report on the characterization of near-ultraviolet high density silicon photomultiplier (\SiPM) developed at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (\FBK) at cryogenic temperature. A dedicated setup was built to measure the primary dark noise and correlated noise of the \SiPMs\ between 40 and 300~K. Moreover, an analysis program and data acquisition system were developed to allow the precise characterization of these parameters, some of which can vary up to 7 orders of magnitude between room temperature and 40~K. We demonstrate that it is possible to operate the \FBK\ near-ultraviolet high density \SiPMs\ at temperatures lower than 100~K with a dark rate below 0.01 cps/mm$^2$ and total correlated noise probability below 35\% at an over-voltage of 6~V. These results are relevant for the development of future cryogenic particle detectors using \SiPMs\ as photosensors