Human Pancreas GH-Releasing Factor Analog Restores High-Amplitude GH Pulses in CNS Lesion-Induced GH Deficiency

Lesions of the ventromedial-arcuate (VMH-ARC) region of the hypothalamus result in impaired growth accompanied by a marked suppression in spontaneous GH secretory bursts. We studied the effects of an analog of the recently characterized human pancreas GH-releasing factor hpGRF (1-40) on GH secretory dynamics in freely moving chronically cannulated rats bearing electrolytic lesions of the VMH-ARC. Intravenous administration of the hpGRF analog (hpGRFa) caused a dramatic surge of GH within 5 min; plasma GH levels rose to values as high as 2900 ng/ml and remained significantly elevated for 15-30 min post treatment. The simultaneous iv administration of somatostatin-14 and hpGRFa resulted in a significant inhibition of the hpGRFa-induced GH release at 5 min but not at 15 min. These results clearly demonstrate that impaired GH secretion resulting from VMH-ARC lesions can be restored by hpGRF. The findings are promising in that hpGRF and its analogs may provide valuable agents for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of growth secondary to CNS dysfunction

Systematic Review of Theoretical Perspectives Guiding the Study of Race and Racism in Higher Education Journals

Our study provides a review of theories that were used to study race and racism between 2010 and 2019 in higher education. We conducted a content analysis to identify concepts, statements and models used in higher education studies focused on race and racism in the three most highly read United States higher education journals. We also identified salient characteristics of studies focused on race and racism that applied critical race theory (CRT) and other frequently used theories and frameworks. Across the 172 reviewed studies, over 130 concepts, statements and models were identified that can be taken up by scholars and equity-minded higher education practitioners. Findings also offer direct implications and suggestions for future research focused on race and racism

"Transport Me Away": Fostering Flow in Open Offices through Virtual Reality

Open offices are cost-effective and continue to be popular. However, research shows that these environments, brimming with distractions and sensory overload, frequently hamper productivity. Our research investigates the use of virtual reality (VR) to mitigate distractions in an open office setting and improve one’s ability to be in flow. In a lab study, 35 participants performed visual programming tasks in four combinations of physical (open or closed office) and virtual environments(beach or virtual office). While participants both preferred and were in flow more in a closed office without VR, in an open office, the VR environments outperformed the no VR condition in all measures of flow, performance, and preference. Especially considering the recent rapid advancements in VR, our findings illustrate the potential VR has to improve flow and satisfaction in open offices

Estimating Clinical Scores From Wearable Sensor Data In Stroke Survivors

Research Objectives To investigate the suitability of a machine learning algorithm based on data collected using two wearable 3-axis accelerometers to predict the total Functional Ability Scale (FAS) score during the performance of a battery of motor tasks taken from the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT)

Metric development for the multicenter improving pediatric sepsis outcomes (IPSO) collaborative

BACKGROUND: A 56 US hospital collaborative, Improving Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes, has developed variables, metrics and a data analysis plan to track quality improvement (QI)-based patient outcomes over time. Improving Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes expands on previous pediatric sepsis QI efforts by improving electronic data capture and uniformity across sites. METHODS: An expert panel developed metrics and corresponding variables to assess improvements across the care delivery spectrum, including the emergency department, acute care units, hematology and oncology, and the ICU. Outcome, process, and balancing measures were represented. Variables and statistical process control charts were mapped to each metric, elucidating progress over time and informing plan-do-study-act cycles. Electronic health record (EHR) abstraction feasibility was prioritized. Time 0 was defined as time of earliest sepsis recognition (determined electronically), or as a clinically derived time 0 (manually abstracted), identifying earliest physiologic onset of sepsis. RESULTS: Twenty-four evidence-based metrics reflected timely and appropriate interventions for a uniformly defined sepsis cohort. Metrics mapped to statistical process control charts with 44 final variables; 40 could be abstracted automatically from multiple EHRs. Variables, including high-risk conditions and bedside huddle time, were challenging to abstract (reported in CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive data dictionary was developed for the largest pediatric sepsis QI collaborative, optimizing automation and ensuring sustainable reporting. These approaches can be used in other large-scale sepsis QI projects in which researchers seek to leverage EHR data abstraction

Snow properties (including grain size, density, depth and isotopic composition), measured in the frame of the citizen science programme "Vecinos de las Nieves" in the semiarid Andes in Chile from 2018 to 2021.

Precipitation that falls as snow at high elevations is one of the principal water sources for the downstream areas in the dry Andes of Central Chile. The last decade was especially dry, with most years showing below-normal annual precipitation - the so-called central Chile megadrought. Together with increased water consumption, the dry conditions have led to considerable water stress. People living in high mountain areas are especially vulnerable to this water scarcity, which raises their awareness and interest in meteorological observations. This dataset contains measurements of fresh snow and rain obtained in the citizen science project Vecinos de las Nieves (Spanish for “snow neighbors”) - a collaboration between scientists and community members who live, work or study in the mountainous sector (above 1100 m asl.) in the Andes mountains of the Coquimbo region, Chile (29°S to 32°S). Since 2018, following each snowfall during the austral Winter (May to August), the volunteers have measured the physical-chemical characteristics of the snow on the ground. Since 2021, the volunteers have also collected rainfall with a manual rain gauge. In total, 21 precipitation events have been documented, with a maximum snow depth of 292 mm at the highest observation site (3110 m asl.). In addition, 25 fresh snow samples from 9 snowfall events have been collected and successfully processed, to derivate stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, whose values are in line with the global meteoric line. The program Vecinos de las Nieves has generated new scientific understanding of snow and rain processes during the four winter periods, as well as connected isolated communities in the pursuit of science, and has highlighted the importance of local knowledge and interdisciplinary research in understanding snow dynamics and water availability in this area. Most participants have observed drier conditions in their environment during the last years, with fewer snow events compared to previous years, showing growing concern about the water availability in the future