An observational cohort study to evaluate the use of serum Raman spectroscopy in a rapid diagnosis center setting

Cancer presenting with non-specific vague symptoms remains a clinical challenge. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of serum Raman spectroscopy for cancer detection in a rapid diagnosis center (RDC) setting. The primary aim was to identify significant spectral peaks of change in sera from cancer patients and the secondary aim was to assign molecular species at Raman peaks.In this prospective observation study of a secondary care RDC, patients referred with vague cancer-related symptoms were recruited. Raman spectra of blood sera of 54 patients was obtained. Of these, 10 patients were diagnosed with cancer, and 44 no significant pathology (control). Common spectral increase/decrease between control and cancer was seen in spectral peaks 830 cm−1, 878 cm−1, 1031 cm−1, 1174 cm−1, 1397 cm−1 tentatively attributed to amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and proteins. Individual differences between cancer and control via statistical analysis identifies 3 peaks with significance for all 10 of the cancer patients. The peaks are 878 cm−1, 1449 cm−1 and 1519 cm−1, tentatively attributed to proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, and carotenoids. Differences are also seen for at least 9 of the cancers in the peaks at 830 cm−1, 851 cm−1, 1127 cm−1, 1174 cm−1, 1270 cm−1, and 1656 cm−1, tentatively attributed to amino acids, lactate, lipids, triglycerides, carbohydrates, and proteins.Raman spectroscopy has the potential to enhance RDC referral criteria through the detection of peak differences seen commonly with different cancer types. Development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based models could enable rapid detection and discrimination of different cancer types with more data availability

Short report:Autistic adults' recommendations on how to improve autistic portrayals in TV-series and movies

Background: TV-series and movies are important sources of knowledge about autism for the general public. Aims: This study’s purpose was to elicit autistic adults’ opinions on portrayals of autistic characters in film and television productions and how this can be improved. Methods and procedure: In this study, we examined the recommendations of autistic adults (n = 798, Mage = 30.3, 48% female) and non-autistic adults (n = 1463, Mage = 35.0, 62% female) from 90 countries on how film and television productions can improve autistic portrayals. Outcomes and results: Autistic adults rated three improvement factors as most important: (1) Appointing autistic writers, (2) Having an autistic consultant, and (3) Representing greater di- versity in autistic characters. Compared to the non-autistic groups, autistic adults rated “Appointing autistic writers” as more important. Autistic participants also endorsed “Having an autism-expert consultant” and “Making the character display all relevant diagnostic criteria” significantly less than non-autistic groups. Conclusions and implications: Participants strongly endorsed that autistic adults should to a much larger extent be included as writers, consultants and actors to enhance the making of autistic characters in film and TV.publishedVersio

Assessment of the quality of online patient information resources for patients considering parastomal hernia treatment

Aim: The aim was to examine the quality of online patient information resources for patients considering parastomal hernia treatment.Methods: A Google search was conducted using lay search terms for patient facing sources on parastomal hernia. The quality of the content was assessed using the validated DISCERN instrument. Readability of written content was established using the Flesch–Kincaid score. Sources were also assessed against the essential content and process standards from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) framework for shared decision making support tools. Content analysis was also undertaken to explore what the sources covered and to identify any commonalities across the content.Results: Fourteen sources were identified and assessed using the identified tools. The mean Flesch–Kincaid reading ease score was 43.61, suggesting that the information was difficult to read. The overall quality of the identified sources was low based on the pooled analysis of the DISCERN and Flesch–Kincaid scores, and when assessed against the criteria in the NICE standards framework for shared decision making tools. Content analysis identified eight categories encompassing 59 codes, which highlighted considerable variation between sources.Conclusions: The current information available to patients considering parastomal hernia treatment is of low quality and often does not contain enough information on treatment options for patients to be able to make an informed decision about the best treatment for them. There is a need for high-quality information, ideally co-produced with patients, to provide patients with the necessary information to allow them to make informed decisions about their treatment options when faced with a symptomatic parastomal hernia

Building empathy through a design thinking project : a case study with middle secondary schoolboys

Adolescents' empathy is an essential socio-emotional concept that helps mediate friendships and family relationships. Year 10 boys, aged 14-15 years, were invited to participate in a five-day experiential education program (Design Week) based on a social equity challenge using a Design Thinking concept. Students worked in small groups, mentored by experts. Student groups developed innovative solutions to support women who experienced domestic and family violence. As a key outcome, students' empathy measured by the Comprehensive State Empathy Scale increased significantly from a baseline of 63% to 75% at post-test, representing a large effect size (d= 1.06). Six empathy subscale factors were also significantly increased (p= <0.05). The program was feasible and was rated by teachers and students as engaging, relevant to learning, and learning about complex social issues. This paper presents a case study of the Design Week program, shown to be worthy of further testing with secondary school adolescents. © 2021, Western Australian Institute for Educational Research Inc. All rights reserved

Inside NanoSail-D: A Tiny Satellite with Big Ideas

"Small But Mighty" certainly describes the NanoSail-D experiment and mission. Its unique goals and designs were simple, but the implications of this technology are far reaching. From a tiny 3U CubeSat, NanoSail-D deployed a 10 square meter solar sail. This was the first sail vehicle to orbit the earth and was only the second time a sail was unfurled in space. The NanoSail-D team included: two NASA centers, Marshall and Ames, the universities of Alabama in Huntsville and Santa Clara in California, the Air Force Research Laboratory and many contractors including NeXolve, Gray Research and several others. The collaborative nature was imperative to the success of this project. In addition, the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the Von Braun Center for Science and Innovation and Dynetics Inc. jointly sponsored the NanoSail-D project. This paper presents in-depth insight into the NanoSail-D development. Its design was a combination of left over space hardware coupled with cutting edge technology. Since this NanoSail-D mission was different from the first, several modifications were necessary for the second NanoSail-D unit. Unforeseen problems arose during refurbishment of the second unit and the team had to overcome these obstacles. Simple interfaces, clear responsibilities and division of effort allowed the team members to work independently on the common goal. This endeavor formed working relationships lasting well beyond the end of this mission. NanoSail-D pushed the technology envelop with future applications for all classes of satellites. NanoSail-D is truly a small but mighty satellite, which may cast a very big shadow for years to come

Forum on Identity

The forum contributors draw on their personal experiences and insights to put forth ideas about contingent faculty\u27s relations with other faculty and with the academic institution as a whole

Nanodiamond-Gutta Percha Composite Biomaterials for Root Canal Therapy.

Root canal therapy (RCT) represents a standard of treatment that addresses infected pulp tissue in teeth and protects against future infection. RCT involves removing dental pulp comprising blood vessels and nerve tissue, decontaminating residually infected tissue through biomechanical instrumentation, and root canal obturation using a filler material to replace the space that was previously composed of dental pulp. Gutta percha (GP) is typically used as the filler material, as it is malleable, inert, and biocompatible. While filling the root canal space with GP is the standard of care for endodontic therapies, it has exhibited limitations including leakage, root canal reinfection, and poor mechanical properties. To address these challenges, clinicians have explored the use of alternative root filling materials other than GP. Among the classes of materials that are being explored as novel endodontic therapy platforms, nanodiamonds (NDs) may offer unique advantages due to their favorable properties, particularly for dental applications. These include versatile faceted surface chemistry, biocompatibility, and their role in improving mechanical properties, among others. This study developed a ND-embedded GP (NDGP) that was functionalized with amoxicillin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly used for endodontic infection. Comprehensive materials characterization confirmed improved mechanical properties of NDGP over unmodified GP. In addition, digital radiography and microcomputed tomography imaging demonstrated that obturation of root canals with NDGP could be achieved using clinically relevant techniques. Furthermore, bacterial growth inhibition assays confirmed drug functionality of NDGP functionalized with amoxicillin. This study demonstrates a promising path toward NDGP implementation in future endodontic therapy for improved treatment outcomes

Effective chacteristics of Iranian nursing students in their relationship with clinical nurses

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of undergraduate nursing students, which may determine the nature of their relationship with clinical nurses. Relationships between nursing students and clinical nurses are critical to maximize student learning outcomes and produce skilled graduates for the future health workforce. Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted from January to August 2016. Twenty nine semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 undergraduate nursing students in Tabriz nursing and midwifery faculty. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim (in Persian), and analyzed using conventional content analysis to identify themes. Results: Four key themes emerged: educational factors (cognitive knowledge and practical skills, and learning motivation); communication skills; perceived support (perceived support from nurses and educators); and psychological state (fear of the relationship and self-confidence). Self-confidence is an emphasized concept in nursing students' willingness and ability to relate with clinical nurses. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that educational, communicative and psychological factors are important determinants of student communication with nurses. However, self-confidence is the most important factor in establishing such relationship. Self-confidence could be further assessed to identify nursing students who need greater support or would benefit from greater educational interventions to achieve relational skills