The Effect of Different Training Regimens on Improved Sound Frequency Discrimination in Wistar Rats

Rat subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The rats were presented with differing patterns of target and non-target frequencies, with the target remaining constant between groups while the non-target varied between groups. The rats were rewarded with food for successful bar presses while the target tone was playing, and no reinforcement was delivered for presses that occurred during the non-target tone. The groups were labeled as Control, Rapid, and Gradual. The control group experienced a silence in the place of non-target tone, while the rapid and gradual groups received the same tone in the beginning, but the rate of tone change differed throughout the training process. The test phase involved all three groups experiencing a multitude of different tones, with correct versus incorrect responses monitored. Researchers hypothesized that the rats that received the intensive training provided by the gradual method would exhibit a greater attunement in discriminative ability when compared to both the rapid and control groups

Human CNS cultures exposed to HIV-1 gp120 reproduce dendritic injuries of HIV-1-associated dementia

HIV-1-associated dementia remains a common subacute to chronic central nervous system degeneration in adult and pediatric HIV-1 infected populations. A number of viral and host factors have been implicated including the HIV-1 120 kDa envelope glycoprotein (gp120). In human post-mortem studies using confocal scanning laser microscopy for microtubule-associated protein 2 and synaptophysin, neuronal dendritic pathology correlated with dementia. In the present study, primary human CNS cultures exposed to HIV-1 gp120 at 4 weeks in vitro suffered gliosis and dendritic damage analogous to that described in association with HIV-1-associated dementia

European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI)-Formulating Ideas for Better Medicines for Children.

© American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists 2016, published by Springer US, available online at doi: https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-016-0584-1The European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI), founded in 2007, aims to promote and facilitate the preparation of better and safe medicines for children through linking research and information dissemination. It brings together the capabilities of the industry, academics, hospitals, and regulators within a common platform in order to scope the solid understanding of the major issues, which will underpin the progress towards the future of paediatric medicines we want.The EuPFI was formed in parallel to the adoption of regulations within the EU and USA and has served as a community that drives research and dissemination through publications and the organisation of annual conferences. The membership and reach of this group have grown since its inception in 2007 and continue to develop and evolve to meet the continuing needs and ambitions of research into and development of age appropriate medicines. Five diverse workstreams (age-appropriate medicines, Biopharmaceutics, Administration Devices, Excipients and Taste Assessment & Taste Masking (TATM)) direct specific workpackages on behalf of the EuPFI. Furthermore, EuPFI interacts with multiple diverse professional groups across the globe to ensure efficient working in the area of paediatric medicines. Strong commitment and active involvement of all EuPFI stakeholders have proved to be vital to effectively address knowledge gaps related to paediatric medicines, discuss potential areas for further research and identify issues that need more attention and analysis in the future.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Laboratory Simulation of the Effect of Rocket Thrust on a Precessing Space Vehicle

Ground tests of solid propellant rocket motors have shown that metal-containing propellants produce various amounts of slag (primarily aluminum oxide) which is trapped in the motor case, causing a loss of specific impulse. Although not yet definitely established, the presence of a liquid pool of slag also may contribute to nutational instabilities that have been observed with certain spin-stabilized, upper-stage vehicles. Because of the rocket's axial acceleration, absent in the ground tests, estimates of in-flight slag mass have been very uncertain. Yet such estimates are needed to determine the magnitude of the control authority of the systems required for eliminating the instability. A test rig with an eccentrically mounted hemispherical bowl was designed and built which incorporates a follower force that properly aligns the thrust vector along the axis of spin. A program that computes the motion of a point mass in the spinning and precessing bowl was written. Using various RPMs, friction factors, and initial starting conditions, plots were generated showing the trace of the point mass around the inside of the fuel tank. The apparatus will incorporate future design features such as a variable nutation angle and a film height measuring instrument. Data obtained on the nutational instability characteristics will be used to determine order of magnitude estimates of control authority needed to minimize the sloshing effect

CT Imaging In The Anatomy Lab

Abstract: Competency in basic radiology is an essential skill for graduating physicians. In preclinical courses at Larner College of Medicine, imaging instruction is delivered via asynchronous modules and on still images. Student feedback indicated a need for improved exposure to radiology at an earlier stage of training. This project was developed to improve first-year medical students’ ability to interpret cross-sectional imaging and aid students’ learning of anatomy by introducing CT scans into the gross anatomy lab. To guide future directions of this curricular development and the potential development of best practices for other schools interested in using similar techniques, this study was designed to assess if there is an advantage or perceived benefit to learning on CT scans of cadavers versus scans of living individuals. Students were placed in three CT groups: CT Group 1 learned from images of the cadaver they were dissecting; CT Group 2 learned from images of a cadaver they were not dissecting; CT Group 3 learned from non-contrast images of a normal living individual. CT scans were uploaded to Pacsbin, a web-based DICOM viewer, and were accessible to students on iPads in anatomy lab and outside of lab on personal devices. Students learned how to utilize common DICOM features as well as how to identify and label anatomical structures through instructor-led e-modules. During lab dissection, students were assisted in the use of Pacsbin and identification of anatomical structures on CT scans by Radiology residents. Student knowledge was assessed on laboratory practical exams and CT image questions were administered via iPads, allowing students to view labeled structures in sagittal, coronal, or axial planes. This intervention was implemented only for the thorax and abdomen portions of the anatomy curriculum. Students were assessed specifically on their overall anatomy practical performance, the ability to correctly identify structures on cross-sectional images, and the ability to correctly identify spatial anatomical relationships. Surveys were administered before and after the intervention to evaluate students’ perceptions of their anatomical, pathological, and cross-sectional imaging knowledge, as well as student satisfaction with the intervention. Results did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the three study groups in practical examination scores, ability to correctly identify anatomical structures on CT images, or spatial anatomical knowledge. When compared with the performance of the previous class, there were no significant differences in practical exam scores for the thorax and abdomen. Survey data showed that students received the intervention positively. Students indicated improved anatomical and imaging knowledge after the course and most students reported feeling better prepared to use imaging software and interpret diagnostic imaging. Conclusions There was no academic advantage observed on practical exams between groups learning cross-sectional imaging from CT scans of cadavers versus living individuals. Positive outcomes were observed as a result of the intervention, as students reported improvements in anatomical knowledge, ability to interpret CT images, and utilize DICOM viewers similar to those seen in the clinical environment. While others have used post-mortem CT imaging in anatomy, none to our knowledge have compared it with scans from living individuals or made DICOM viewers available at each student table. IRB: Study0000213

Underwater acoustic emission monitoring – Experimental investigations and acoustic signature recognition of synthetic mooring ropes

Mooring ropes are essential components of offshore installations, and synthetic ropes are increasingly preferred because of their favourable cost to weight ratios. In-service condition of these materials is traditionally monitored through costly visual inspection, which adds to the operating costs of these structures.Acoustic Emissions (AE) are widely used for condition-monitoring in air, and show great potential underwater. This paper investigates the AE signatures of synthetic mooring ropes subjected to sinusoidal tension-tension loading in a controlled environment, using a large-scale dynamic tensile test rig. With a linear array of 3 broadband (20 Hz to 50 kHz) hydrophones, four main signatures are identified: low-to high frequency, low-amplitude signals (50 Hz to 10 kHz), low-amplitude broadband signals (10 kHz to 20 kHz), high amplitude signals (10 Hz to 48 kHz) and medium-amplitude signals (500 Hz to48 kHz). These AE types are related to different stages of rope behaviour, from bedding-in to degradation and failure. The main findings are that the failure location and breaking load can be identified through the detection of AE. The occurrence of high amplitude AE bursts in relation to the applied tensile load allows the detection of an imminent failure, i.e. prior to the failure event. These initial results indicate that AE analyses can enable the integrity of synthetic mooring ropes to be monitore

Emergency Department Septic Screening in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Non-RSV Bronchiolitis

Objective: To identify factors associated with culture-proven serious bacterial infection (SBI) and positive emergency department septic screening (EDSS) tests in children with bronchiolitis and to identify factors associated with the performance of EDSS.Methods: We reviewed an existing study database of patients with bronchiolitis. We defined a positive EDSS as urine with ≥10 WBC per high power field or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with ≥10 WBC per high power field (>25 WBC in neonates), or if organisms were identified on gram stain. We defined SBI as significant growth of an accepted pathogen in blood, urine or CSF. Our composite endpoint was positive if either of these was positive. The decision to perform testing was modeled using modified Poisson regression; the presence of the combined outcome was modeled using logistic regression modified for rare events.Results: We studied 640 children. Testing was performed in 199/640 (31.1%). These tended to be younger than two months RR 2.69 (95% CI 2.11, 3.44), febrile RR 2.01 (95% CI 1.58, 2.55), more dehydrated RR 1.50 (95% CI 1.28, 1.75) and had more severe chest wall retractions RR 1.54 (95% CI 1.22, 1.94). Only 11/640(1.7%) had a positive EDSS or SBI. Younger age (OR 0.67 per month; 95% CI 0.45, 0.99) and a negative RSV antigen test (OR 6.22; 95% CI 1.30, 29.85) were associated with the composite endpoint.Conclusion: Testing was more likely to be performed in children younger than two months of age, and in those who were febrile, dehydrated, and had more severe chest wall retractions. A positive EDSS or SBI was rare occurring in younger infants with non-RSV bronchiolitis. [West J Emerg Med. 2010; 11(1):60-67]

Validation of methods for converting the original Disease Activity Score (DAS) to the DAS28

© The Author(s) 2018.The Disease Activity Score (DAS) is integral in tailoring the clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and is an important measure in clinical research. Different versions have been developed over the years to improve reliability and ease of use. Combining the original DAS and the newer DAS28 data in both contemporary and historical studies is important for both primary and secondary data analyses. As such, a methodologically robust means of converting the old DAS to the new DAS28 measure would be invaluable. Using data from The Early RA Study (ERAS), a sub-sample of patients with both DAS and DAS28 data were used to develop new regression imputation formulas using the total DAS score (univariate), and using the separate components of the DAS score (multivariate). DAS were transformed to DAS28 using an existing formula quoted in the literature, and the newly developed formulas. Bland and Altman plots were used to compare the transformed DAS with the recorded DAS28 to ascertain levels of agreement. The current transformation formula tended to overestimate the true DAS28 score, particularly at the higher end of the scale. A formula which uses all separate components of the DAS was found to estimate the scores with a higher level of precision. A new formula is proposed that can be used by other early RA cohorts to convert the original DAS to DAS28.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

GOES-R STATIONKEEPING AND MOMENTUM MANAGEMENT

The NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) fire thrusters to remain within a 1deg longitude-latitude box and to dump accumulated angular momentum. In the past, maneuvers have disrupted GOES imaging due to attitude transients and the loss of orbit knowledge. If the R-series of spacecraft to be launched starting in 2012 were to follow current practice, maneuvers would still fail to meet Image Navigation and Registration (INR) specifications during and after thruster firings. Although maneuvers and recovery take only one percent of spacecraft lifetime, they sometimes come at inopportune times, such as hurricane season, when coverage is critical. To alleviate this problem, thruster firings small enough not to affect imaging are being considered. Eliminating post-maneuver recovery periods increases availability and facilitates autonomous operation. Frequent maneuvers also reduce 1ongitudeAatitude variation and allow satellite co-location. Improved orbit observations come from a high-altitude GPS receiver, and improved attitude control comes from thruster torque compensation. This paper reviews the effects of thruster firings on position knowledge and pointing control and suggests that low-thrust burns plus GPS and feedforward control offer a less disruptive approach to GOES-R stationkeeping and momentum management