Computer Skills Effects of Flight Data Monitoring Technology in an Aircraft Inspection Process

Purdue University has recently purchased and deployed a new fleet of aircraft that include a cutting edge avionics suite with flight data monitoring technology. This technology gathers data during flight on airframe, powerplant, and flight parameters of the airplane. This study evaluated how the new technologies influenced the inspection process of the airplanes, as well as highlight new skills required by the inspectors to utilize the technologies. This issue was addressed because inspectors may not be able to take full advantage of what the new data from the airplane if they don’t possess the proper skills to access and assess the information. The project was conducted through process mapping the inspection process as it is currently without the new technology, and after the implementation of the new technology. The maps were used to identify how the process and where the process has changed. From these changes it highlighted the skills were required to use the new technology. The result of the project was four process maps, as well as identification of different skills needed to complete the inspection utilizing the new technology. The process maps with the skills highlighted, may be used to develop training needs or as a tool to benchmark required skills and abilities during the hiring process

Model Arctic Council for sustainable development

I argue that Model Arctic Council (MAC) has a role to play in Arctic sustainable development. Like the better-known Model United Nations (MUN), MAC is a form of simulation pedagogy, an experiential learning process in which secondary-school pupils or university students comprehend the nature and importance of complex issues such as sustainable development by imagining themselves as diplomats trying to negotiate a common approach to them. After demonstrating the educational value of diplomatic simulations in general, I introduce MUN as its most popular form, and I assess a case-study of a global MUN program designed to advance knowledge and action among youth in respect of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This case-study, taken together with the structure, subject-matter and educational value of MAC itself, strongly suggests that MAC can be used to advance knowledge and action among both Arctic and non-Arctic youth in respect of Arctic sustainable development, including understanding how the notion of sustainable development is both contested in general and contextualized in the Arctic. Combining this analysis with professional experience, I offer practical recommendations to educators about the effective design and use of MAC and other simulation pedagogies

Combining an SSRI with an anticonvulsant in depressed patients with dysphoric mood: an open study

BACKGROUND: Several patients with unipolar depression present with prominent dysphoric mood. We aimed at examining the effectiveness of the combination of an SSRI with an anticonvulsant in such patients. METHODS: Thirty-five newly admitted outpatients with substantial anger, irritability, aggressiveness or hostility who were diagnosed a DSM-IV unipolar depressive disorder were rated on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) scale, and a scale for the rapid dimensional assessment (SVARAD), were prescribed an SSRI and an anticonvulsant (usually valproate), and were followed up for 12 weeks. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test for within-subject changes in scale scores over time. RESULTS: Thirty-two and 23 patients attended the follow-up visits 4 and 12 weeks later, respectively. Significant decreases (p < .001) were observed in HDRS total score, HDRS and SVARAD anxiety factors, HDRS and SVARAD core depression factors, and SVARAD anger/irritability factor. Adjusting for age or gender did not change the results. Most patients (82%) were rated as improved or much improved on the CGI. CONCLUSION: Although our study has several limitations, we observed a remarkable improvement in most unipolar depressed outpatients with dysphoric mood treated with an SSRI and an anticonvulsant. The effectiveness of anticonvulsants might be linked to their action on symptoms of aggression and behavioural activation

A systematic review of qualitative evidence of cancer patients’ attitudes to mindfulness

Mindfulness has been described as a non-elaborative, non-judgmental, present-centred awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation is acknowledged and accepted. The aim of the present study was to systematically search and synthesise qualitative evidence of cancer patients’ attitudes to mindfulness. A systematic review of qualitative evidence was conducted following the SPICE framework. All cancers were included. Medline, Cinahl, Science Direct, O-Alster and New Bank were searched from the first available year to August 2016 using the search terms; wellbeing, mindfulness, qualitative. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts; potentially relevant articles were retrieved and assessed independently by two reviewers. Data was extracted and quality assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative research checklist. In total 233 studies, conducted between 2005 and 2015 were identified with six included in the final analysis. Four themes were identified: Coping strategies developed through mindfulness course; Positive outcomes of mindful practice; Challenges with engaging in mindful practice; and Group identification and shared experience. The current evidence supports the view that mindfulness is an effective intervention to help people adjust to living with and beyond cancer, however more qualitative work is needed in this area

Intracellular molecular effects of insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aim of the study</p> <p>Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Data obtained from muscle biopsies have demonstrated altered insulin signaling (IS) in patients with MetS. The IS regulates critical cell functions including molecular-regulated cellular metabolite fluxes, protein and energetic metabolism, cell proliferation and apoptosis with consequent regulation of cell life including endothelial homeostasis and blood coagulation. However, little is known about blood cell IS in MetS patients. The aim of this study was to develop a method to evaluate IS in peripheral lymphocytes to identify altered intracellular molecules in patients with MetS to use as risk biomarkers of vascular thrombosis.</p> <p>Patients and Methods</p> <p>We investigated 40 patients with MetS and 20 controls. MetS was defined according to guidelines from the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Blood samples were taken from all participants. Total mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood using density gradient centrifugation. IS molecules were evaluated using Western blot analysis followed by computer-assisted densitometer evaluation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Lymphocytes of MetS patients showed a reduced mTOR expression (the mammalian target of rapamycin) which is a fundamental molecule of IS. Major impairment of IS was confirmed by reduced upstream and downstream mTOR molecules which regulate fundamental cells metabolic functions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In patients with MetS, we found a reduction of mTOR and other mTOR-related molecules involved in insulin resistance, cell repair, coagulation and vasculogenesis. A reduced expression of mTOR may reflect an increased risk of vascular thrombosis.</p

DDS-induced colorectal fibrosis in mice: anti-fibrotic effects of GED 0507-34 levo, a novel PPARγ ligand

Intestinal fibrosis is a progressive process characterized by de novo synthesis and uncontrolled deposition of extracellular matrix components (ECM) following a tissue chronic inflammation mainly regulated by Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)β/ Smads pathway. Frequently associated to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), intestinal fibrosis may lead to stenosis and obstructions that require surgery up to 75% of patients as drugs currently used in IBD are unable to improve fibrostenosis lesions (1). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ is able to antagonize (TGF) β/Smads and could be an crucial target to develop novel antifibrotic therapeutic strategies (2). Aim of this study is to evaluate the antifibrotic action of a novel PPARγ agonist, GED 0507-34 levo, in colonic fibrosis in mice. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting evaluations, TGFβ1, CTGF, Collagen types I-III, Smad3, α-SMA, were performed in in three groups of C57BL/6 mice: Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS) colitis group, DSS+GED group and controls. Evident macroscopic and microscopic lesions in the most of colons of DSS treated mice were observed compared to DSS+GED mice and controls. The tissue levels of the main markers of fibrosis resulted significantly increased in DSS mice and restored by administration of GED. GED seems to prevents ECM colonic deposition and to improve the intestinal fibrotic lesions by its ability in controlling TGFβ/Smads pathway signalling activation

Anti-fibrotic effect of a novel PPAR-γ ligand, GED-0507-34 LEVO, in DSS induced colonic fibrosis in mice

Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which chronic inflammation leads to abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix components (ECM) causing obstruction and loss of function of the intestinal tract involved (1). Fibrogenesis is mainly regulates by trasforming growth factor (TGF) β/Smad pathway and a key antagonist of this signaling is represented by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ. As the anti-inflammatory drugs currently used in IBD are unable to improve intestinal fibrosis the exploration of new therapeutical approaches has now became crucial (2). Aim of this study is to evaluate the antifibrotic action of a novel PPARγ agonist, GED-0507-34-LEVO (GED), in colon fibrosis in mice. Chronic colitis and fibrosis were induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of 2,5% (w/v) dextrane sulphate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 5 days followed by 7 days of water for 3 cycles. Mice were divided into 3 groups: DSS, DSS+GED and control. 30mg/Kg/mice of GED was daily administrated by oral gavage starting from the second DSS cycle. Samples from colon were excised and processed to assess macroscopic lesions, histological and morphometrical aspects and immunohistochemical and immunoblotting analysis for TGFβ1, CTGF, collagen types I-III, Smad3,α-SMA. Evident shortening and dilation in the most of colons of DSS treated mice were observed. Macroscopic and microscopic findings were significantly improved in DSS mice+GED compared with control mice. The tissue levels of collagen and α-SMA, specific markers of fibrosis, resulted significantly increased in mice receving DSS compared to control mice, as well as the expression of TGFβ1, CTGF, Smad3. DSS+GED group showed reduced expression of all markers involved. GED significantly improves the intestinal fibrotic lesions in DSS chronic colitis murine model and controls the pivotal molecular events leading to fibrosis