178 research outputs found

    The Impact of Collaborative Modalities on Wireless Robotics

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    Many mathematicians would agree that, had it not been for evolutionary programming, the refinement of the UNIVAC computer might never have occurred. In our research, we disconfirm the investigation of SCSI disks, which embodies the technical principles of theory [28, 6, 18]. In our research, we examine how journaling file systems can be applied to the synthesis of Boolean logic

    Evaluation of technology aimed to improve nitrogen use efficiency for delayedlood rice (Oryza sativa L.) production

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    Improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency is crucial for maximizing growth and yield in rice production. Tools to determine precise midseason N rates as well as knowledge of the effects of starter fertilizer N applications on rice growth and yield are lacking. Field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 at the Delta Research and Extension Center to evaluate canopy reflectance as a means for determining yield and N nutrition at midseason and to assess agronomic effects and N recovery efficiency of starter fertilizer N. Measurable in-season parameters were significantly related to grain yield. Grain yield and measured parameters were related to canopy reflectance. The results of this study support the continued research of canopy reflectance for predicting N nutrition indicators and yield. Minimal growth responses were observed when starter N was applied to seedling rice. Nitrogen recovery increased significantly throughout the growing season; however, less than 20% recovery was obtained

    Adaptive responses to maternal nutrient restriction alter placental transport in ewes

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    Introduction: Maternal nutrient partitioning, uteroplacental blood flow, transporter activity, and fetoplacental metabolism mediate nutrient delivery to the fetus. Inadequate availability or delivery of nutrients results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal nutrient restriction can result in IUGR, but only in an unforeseeable subset of individuals. Methods: To elucidate potential mechanisms regulating fetal nutrient availability, singleton sheep pregnancies were generated by embryo transfer. Pregnant ewes received either a 50% NRC (NR; n = 24) or 100% NRC (n = 7) diet from gestational Day 35 until necropsy on Day 125. Maternal weight did not correlate with fetal weight; therefore, the six heaviest (NR Non-IUGR) and five lightest (NR IUGR) fetuses from nutrient-restricted ewes, and seven 100% NRC fetuses, were compared to investigate differences in nutrient availability. Results: Insulin, multiple amino acids, and their metabolites, were reduced in fetal circulation of NR IUGR compared to NR Non-IUGR and 100% NRC pregnancies. In contrast, glucose in fetal fluids was not different between groups. There was a nearly two-fold reduction in placentome volume and fetal/maternal interface length in NR IUGR compared to NR Non-IUGR and 100% NRC pregnancies. Changes in amino acid concentrations were associated with altered expression of cationic (SLC7A2, SLC7A6, and SLC7A7) and large neutral (SLC38A2) amino acid transporters in placentomes. Discussion: Results establish a novel approach to study placental adaptation to maternal undernutrition in sheep and support the hypothesis that amino acids and polyamines are critical mediators of placental and fetal growth in sheep

    Teaching patient-centered communication skills: a telephone follow-up curriculum for medical students

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    BackgroundTo encourage medical students' use of patient-centered skills in core clerkships, we implemented and evaluated a Telephone Follow-up Curriculum focusing on three communication behaviors: tailoring education to patients' level of understanding, promoting adherence by anticipating obstacles, and ensuring comprehension by having patients repeat the plans.MethodsThe intervention group consisted of two different cohorts of third-year medical students in longitudinal clerkships (n=41); traditional clerkship students comprised the comparison group (n = 185). Intervention students telephoned one to four patients 1 week after seeing them in outpatient clinics or inpatient care to follow up on recommendations. We used surveys, focus groups, and clinical performance examinations to assess student perception, knowledge and skills, and behavior change.ResultsStudents found that the curriculum had a positive impact on patient care, although some found the number of calls excessive. Students and faculty reported improvement in students' understanding of patients' health behaviors, knowledge of patient education, and attitudes toward telephone follow-up. Few students changed patient education behaviors or called additional patients. Intervention students scored higher in some communication skills on objective assessments.ConclusionA patient-centered communication curriculum can improve student knowledge and skills. While some intervention students perceived that they made too many calls, our data suggest that more calls, an increased sense of patient ownership, and role modeling by clerkship faculty may ensure incorporation and application of skills

    Tools to Assess Behavioral and Social Science Competencies in Medical Education: A Systematic Review

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    Behavioral and social science (BSS) competencies are needed to provide quality health care, but psychometrically validated measures to assess these competencies are difficult to find. Moreover, they have not been mapped to existing frameworks, like those from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate the quality of assessment tools used to measure BSS competencies

    Absence of XMRV in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of ARV-Treatment Naïve HIV-1 Infected and HIV-1/HCV Coinfected Individuals and Blood Donors

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    <div><h3>Background</h3><p>Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) has been found in the prostatic tissue of prostate cancer patients and in the blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. However, numerous studies have found little to no trace of XMRV in different human cohorts. Based on evidence suggesting common transmission routes between XMRV and HIV-1, HIV-1 infected individuals may represent a high-risk group for XMRV infection and spread.</p> <h3>Methodology/Principal Findings</h3><p>DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 179 HIV-1 infected treatment naïve patients, 86 of which were coinfected with HCV, and 54 healthy blood donors. DNA was screened for XMRV provirus with two sensitive, published PCR assays targeting XMRV <em>gag</em> and <em>env</em> and one sensitive, published nested PCR assay targeting <em>env</em>. Detection of XMRV was confirmed by DNA sequencing. One of the 179 HIV-1 infected patients tested positive for <em>gag</em> by non-nested PCR whereas the two other assays did not detect XMRV in any specimen. All healthy blood donors were negative for XMRV proviral sequences. Sera from 23 HIV-1 infected patients (15 HCV<sup>+</sup>) and 12 healthy donors were screened for the presence of XMRV-reactive antibodies by Western blot. Thirteen sera (57%) from HIV-1<sup>+</sup> patients and 6 sera (50%) from healthy donors showed reactivity to XMRV-infected cell lysate.</p> <h3>Conclusions/Significance</h3><p>The virtual absence of XMRV in PBMCs suggests that XMRV is not associated with HIV-1 infected or HIV-1/HCV coinfected patients, or blood donors. Although we noted isolated incidents of serum reactivity to XMRV, we are unable to verify the antibodies as XMRV specific.</p> </div
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