Signal Systems Experiencing Ecological Reconnection Through Communicative Biomimesis

Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed.Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed.Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed.Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed.Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed.Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed.Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed.Throughout the evolution of mankind, technological advancement has supported rapid urbanization and the development of modern convenience. As societies develop, a detrimental shift has occurred in human cultural evolution. While urbanization has led to comfort and convenience, a change has also occurred in the way people relate to their built environment. Human cultures have long been based upon the natural environment in which they are encompassed, but as populations move away from the natural environment, cultural development hads detached from its natural basis, thus severing the co-evolutionary process between man and nature. Built environments have digressed from occupiable spatial supplements within the natural environment, into structures which hinder any connection between nature and humankind. This has in turn detached much of the human cultural connection to the natural environment. To remedy this detachment, this research focuses on the development of a biomimetic design methodology that employs spatial experience as a means of communication. This design methodology is then applied to three densely urbanized sites through the insertion of a footbridge overpass. Toronto, Singapore, and Perth, are each located in varied climatic regions, providing highly varied biota from which the biomimetic design methodology is based. Each overpass, features five spatial components, each communicating specific environmental status levels taken from the immediate surrounding natural environment. Each overpass is then analyzed in terms of how effectively the five components perform spatial communication. Possible improvements are explored, both in terms of spatial communication, and coherence of the biomimetic language. Projected future applications are considered, and explorations of alternative uses are analyzed

Acetyl Distribution in Acetylated Whole Wood and Reactivity of Isolated Wood Cell-Wall Components to Acetic Anhydride

Lignin, holocellulose, cellulose, and hemicelluloses were isolated from pine wood and reacted with acetic anhydride. The order of reactivity was found to be lignin < hemicellulose

Innovative Use of EHR to Support Admission Screening for Emerging Pathogens

CentraCare hospitals were the first in Minnesota to identify a patient with Candida auris (C. auris), an emerging pathogen. 2018 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health department recommended adoption of enhanced admission screening process to allow for early identification of patients at risk of being colonized with C. auris/Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms (CROs). C. auris, a fungus, and CROs, comprised of organisms from the Enterobacteriaceae family resistant to carbapenems, are emerging multidrug resistant pathogens. Emphasis on identification and early isolation of at-risk patients decreases risk of transmission.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1128/thumbnail.jp

Gender Differences and the Influence of Body Composition on Land and Pool-Based Assessments of Anaerobic Power and Capacity

Consistent differences between males and females have been shown in land-based measurements of anaerobic power and capacity. However, these differences have not been investigated for a tethered 30-s maximal swimming test (TST). The purpose of this study is to explore gender differences in land and pool-based assessments of anaerobic power (F(peak)) and capacity (F(mean)), as well as the influence of body composition. Thirteen males and fifteen females completed land (Wingate (WAnT)) and pool-based (TST) measures of anaerobic power and capacity previously described in the literature. Additionally, the subjects completed assessments of body composition via air displacement plethysmography. The males produced higher force than the females for F(peak) (p < 0.001) and F(mean) (p = 0.008) during the TST. However, linear regression analysis determined that lean mass significantly predicted F(peak) (p = 0.002) and F(mean) (p < 0.001) during the TST, while gender was no longer significant (p = 0.694 and p = 0.136, respectively). In conclusion, increases in anaerobic power and capacity (F(peak) and F(mean)) may be a function of increased lean mass in males and females, warranting future research on the impact of resistance training programs on force production and swimming performance

Telerounding: A Scoping Review and Implications for Future Healthcare Practice

Telerounding is slated to become an important avenue for future healthcare practice. As utilization of telerounding is increasing, a review of the literature is necessary to distill themes and identify critical considerations for the implementation of telerounding. We provide evidence of the utility of telerounding and considerations to support its implementation in future healthcare practice based on a scoping review. Method: We collected articles from nine scientific databases from the earliest dated available articles to August 2020. We identified whether each article centered on telerounding policies, regulations, or practice. We also organized information from each article and sorted themes into four categories: sample characteristics, technology utilized, study constructs, and research outcomes. Results: We identified 21 articles related to telerounding that fit our criteria. All articles emphasized telerounding practice. Most articles reported data collected from surgical wards, had adult samples, and utilized robotic telerounding systems. Most articles reported null effects or positive effects on their measured variables. Discussion: Providers and patients can benefit from the effective implementation of telerounding. Telerounding can support patient care by reducing travel expenses and opportunities for infection. Evidence suggests that telerounding can reduce patient length of stay. Patients and providers are willing to utilize telerounding, but patient willingness is influenced by age and education. Telerounding does not appear to negatively impact satisfaction or patient care. Organizations seeking to implement telerounding systems must consider education for their providers, logistics associated with hardware and software, scheduling, and characteristics of the organizational context that can support telerounding. Considerations provided in this article can mitigate difficulties associated with the implementation of telerounding

Development of Type 1 Diabetes in Wild Bank Voles Associated With Islet Autoantibodies and the Novel Ljungan Virus

Wild bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) may develop diabetes in laboratory captivity. The aim of this study was to test whether bank voles develop type 1 diabetes in association with Ljungan virus. Two groups of bank voles were analyzed for diabetes, pancreas histology, autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65), IA-2, and insulin by standardized radioligand-binding assays as well as antibodies to in vitro transcribed and translated Ljungan virus antigens. Group A represented 101 trapped bank voles, which were screened for diabetes when euthanized within 24 hours of capture. Group B represented 67 bank voles, which were trapped and kept in the laboratory for 1 month before being euthanized. Group A bank voles did not have diabetes. Bank voles in group B (22/67; 33%) developed diabetes due to specific lysis of pancreatic islet beta cells. Compared to nondiabetic group B bank voles, diabetic animals had increased levels of GAD65 (P < .0001), IA-2 (P < .0001), and insulin (P = .03) autoantibodies. Affected islets stained positive for Ljungan virus, a novel picorna virus isolated from bank voles. Ljungan virus inoculation of nondiabetic wild bank voles induced beta-cell lysis. Compared to group A bank voles, Ljungan virus antibodies were increased in both nondiabetic (P < .0001) and diabetic (P = .0015) group B bank voles. Levels of Ljungan virus antibodies were also increased in young age at onset of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in children (P < .01). These findings support the hypothesis that the development of type 1 diabetes in captured wild bank voles is associated with Ljungan virus. It is speculated that bank voles may have a possible zoonotic role as a reservoir and vector for virus that may contribute to the incidence of type 1 diabetes in humans

Salvinorin A Regulates Dopamine Transporter Function Via A Kappa Opioid Receptor and ERK1/2-Dependent Mechanism

Salvinorin A (SalA), a selective κ-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist, produces dysphoria and pro-depressant like effects. These actions have been attributed to inhibition of striatal dopamine release. The dopamine transporter (DAT) regulates dopamine transmission via uptake of released neurotransmitter. KORs are apposed to DAT in dopamine nerve terminals suggesting an additional target by which SalA modulates dopamine transmission. SalA produced a concentration-dependent, nor-binaltorphimine (BNI)- and pertussis toxin-sensitive increase of ASP+ accumulation in EM4 cells coexpressing myc-KOR and YFP-DAT, using live cell imaging and the fluorescent monoamine transporter substrate, trans 4-(4-(dimethylamino)-styryl)-N-methylpyridinium) (ASP+). Other KOR agonists also increased DAT activity that was abolished by BNI pretreatment. While SalA increased DAT activity, SalA treatment decreased serotonin transporter (SERT) activity and had no effect on norepinephrine transporter (NET) activity. In striatum, SalA increased the Vmax for DAT mediated DA transport and DAT surface expression. SalA up-regulation of DAT function is mediated by KOR activation and the KOR-linked extracellular signal regulated kinase-½ (ERK1/2) pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation and BRET studies revealed that DAT and KOR exist in a complex. In live cells, DAT and KOR exhibited robust FRET signals under basal conditions. SalA exposure caused a rapid and significant increase of the FRET signal. This suggests that the formation of KOR and DAT complexes is promoted in response to KOR activation. Together, these data suggest that enhanced DA transport and decreased DA release resulting in decreased dopamine signaling may contribute to the dysphoric and pro-depressant like effects of SalA and other KOR agonists

High-throughput mediation analysis of human proteome and metabolome identifies mediators of post-bariatric surgical diabetes control

To improve the power of mediation in high-throughput studies, here we introduce High-throughput mediation analysis (Hitman), which accounts for direction of mediation and applies empirical Bayesian linear modeling. We apply Hitman in a retrospective, exploratory analysis of the SLIMM-T2D clinical trial in which participants with type 2 diabetes were randomized to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or nonsurgical diabetes/weight management, and fasting plasma proteome and metabolome were assayed up to 3 years. RYGB caused greater improvement in HbA1c, which was mediated by growth hormone receptor (GHR). GHR’s mediation is more significant than clinical mediators, including BMI. GHR decreases at 3 months postoperatively alongside increased insulin-like growth factor binding proteins IGFBP1/BP2; plasma GH increased at 1 year. Experimental validation indicates (1) hepatic GHR expression decreases in post-bariatric rats; (2) GHR knockdown in primary hepatocytes decreases gluconeogenic gene expression and glucose production. Thus, RYGB may induce resistance to diabetogenic effects of GH signaling

Consensus Recommendations for the Use of Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Technologies in Clinical Practice

International audienceThe significant and growing global prevalence of diabetes continues to challenge people with diabetes (PwD), healthcare providers and payers. While maintaining near-normal glucose levels has been shown to prevent or delay the progression of the long-term complications of diabetes, a significant proportion of PwD are not attaining their glycemic goals. During the past six years, we have seen tremendous advances in automated insulin delivery (AID) technologies. Numerous randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have shown that the use of AID systems is safe and effective in helping PwD achieve their long-term glycemic goals while reducing hypoglycemia risk. Thus, AID systems have recently become an integral part of diabetes management. However, recommendations for using AID systems in clinical settings have been lacking. Such guided recommendations are critical for AID success and acceptance. All clinicians working with PwD need to become familiar with the available systems in order to eliminate disparities in diabetes quality of care. This report provides much-needed guidance for clinicians who are interested in utilizing AIDs and presents a comprehensive listing of the evidence payers should consider when determining eligibility criteria for AID insurance coverage