Spy1 Levels Predict Sensitivity of Refractory Multiple Myeloma to Therapy

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an aggressive hematopoietic malignancy with a poor prognosis that is caused by the abnormal growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) have been explored as a possible treatment for MM, with limited clinical success. We postulate that the cyclin-like protein, Spy1 (SPDYA), which is capable of overriding cell-cycle checkpoints, may play a role in limiting therapeutic effectiveness. To support this hypothesis, we have found that Spy1 is highly expressed in MM patient samples and human cell lines. We aim to explore the role that Spy1 plays in CKI resistance in MM using a variety of in vitro and in vivo techniques. Firstly, we intend to create and optimize an in vitro platform to study MM using patient samples collected from clinicians at Windsor Regional Hospital. Using this culture, and human cell lines, we intend to investigate the methylation status of Spy1 and other MM genes in Spy1 overexpression and knockout conditions to see the effects of epigenetic regulation. Then, we will perform drug and toxicity assays with standard CKIs using our Spy1 overexpression and knock-down lines to observe response to CKIs, expecting lines with higher Spy1 to demonstrate increased therapy resistance. Finally, our cells with manipulated Spy1 levels will be injected into zebrafish to test the effects of CKIs in vivo. Collectively, we aim to explore the role Spy1 may play in resistance to CKI therapy in MM, to improve disease understanding and identify areas treatments may be improved

ASSESSMENT OF ERROR LEVELS ACROSS THE DOMAIN OF A THREE DIMENSIONAL UNDERWATER MOTION CAPTURE METHODOLOGY

Assessing human movement underwater presents many challenges, and it is therefore important to understand error across the whole capture domain to ensure accuracy in resulting kinematics. This study assessed the accuracy across the capture domain of a submerged motion capture methodology. Six Qualisys cameras created an underwater capture volume of 8x2x2m. Average error levels across the domain were acceptable in two uncertainty trials (1.23mm ± 8.23mm and 1.34mm ± 9.65mm), but error increased at the ends and top of the domain. By selecting an area of interest for assessment that excluded areas with lower accuracy, error was reduced to 0.53mm (± 1.45mm). This study highlights the need to investigate error levels across a motion capture domain, particularly when this is a large volume, to ensure results obtained from investigations are reliable

The Measurement of Service Quality in the Tour Operating Sector: A Methodological Comparison

ABSTRACT Service quality in the tourism industry receives increasing attention in the literature and yet confusion still exists as to which measure offers the greatest validity. The two main research instruments are Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) and SERVQUAL. However, both measures have been questioned and research has introduced measures that multiply SERVQUAL by Importance, as well a measure of just performance (SERVPERF). This paper assesses these four main methods of measuring customer service quality. The data were obtained in co-operation with a major UK tour operator. 220 respondents completed a questionnaire before departure on what elements were important to them and what their expectations were for these elements. Then towards the end of their holiday respondents were issued with a second questionnaire measuring performance on the same elements. The research found that although there was variety in the rankings of the 13 different elements, there was no statistical difference between the four methodologies. The final section of the paper considers the implications of this finding for tourism managers and future research in the area of service quality

IMPACT OF KINEMATIC MODIFICATION IN THE UNDERWATER UNDULATORY SWIMMING PERFORMANCE OF A SWIMMER

This work is a case study observing the impact of various kinematics modifications in the simulated pressure forces and hydrodynamic work done by an athlete performing maximum effort Underwater Undulatory Swimming (UUS). The studied athlete was recorded using a Motion Capture methodology. Seven key joints were identified to represent the athlete’s motion and their position were fitted with a fourth order Fourier series. This kinematic data was then modified to reduce or amplify the upper-body and lower-body motion but also to have a linear wave propagation. The kinematics (10 in total) were inputted in an unsteady 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver, Lily Pad. Results suggest directions for improvement in the execution of the athlete’s swimming style, whether it is for reducing the hydrodynamic work done or minimising resistive forces

TWO AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENTS OF LOWER-LIMB KINEMATICS IN UNDERWATER FLY KICK

The purpose of this study was to compare sagittal plane lower limb kinematics of underwater fly kick measured using two and three-dimensional methods. Eight male participants (average FINA points score 801±138) completed underwater fly kick trials, recorded using a six camera Qualisys underwater system. Each trial was analysed using both two and three-dimensional methods. Lower-limb angles were significantly underestimated using two-dimensional methods, particularly at the hip where flexion and range of motion reduced by 13.73 degrees and 15.91 degrees respectively. The ankle and hip produce a large amount motion in the transverse and frontal planes. The results of two-dimensional analyses of underwater fly kick should be interpreted with caution due reductions in measured angles, and exclusion of out-of-plane kinematic information

Impact of the relationship between managers and board of directors on performance of agricultural cooperatives

Abstract Cooperatives operate under a business model that creates unique challenges in financial management, governance, strategy, and communication. There have been a number of efforts to identify challenges, critical issues and success factors for agricultural cooperatives. One of the issues agricultural cooperatives are facing is the relationship between managers and the board of directors. Directors in a cooperative occupy a crucial position between members and hired management. Acting as a group, directors set the objectives for the cooperative and decide what the cooperative will do while the general manager decides how it can best be done, subject to board review. Success of a cooperative mainly depends on good board/ manager relationships. This study was focused on evaluation of impact of the relationship between the board of directors and managers on performance of agricultural cooperatives. Data originated from a mail survey and personal interviews among managers and chairmen of agricultural cooperatives in Texas. The results showed that size of the cooperative had negative impact on performance while more frequent engagement of the managers in strategic planning, higher level of managers' job satisfaction, and organizational commitment positively affect the profitability of a cooperative

The Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances 2016

The Center for Global Prosperity (CGP) at the Hudson Institute is pleased to present the 2016 Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances. Over a 10-year period, the ninth edition of the Index reports on the sources and magnitude of global philanthropy from developed and emerging economies to the developing world. As in previous editions of the Index, private financial flows—including philanthropy, remittances, and private capital investment—continue to grow and surpass government aid. In addition to the magnitude of the developed and emerging economies’ total economic engagement with the developing world, the 2016 Index highlights the new partnerships and infrastructure that support philanthropic giving around the world

Requirements for Point of Care Devices using Use Case Maps

Point of Care (PoC) testing (diagnosis) is a method for bringing medical laboratories to a patient’s home to conduct diagnostic tests so that the patient does not need to go to the doctor or laboratory in person. PoC testing reduces the burden on expensive laboratory setups and provides management of patient care in cost effective manner. The design and development of the PoC device and the associated infrastructure must be done with extreme rigor, as the PoC system meets the definition of a mission critical or safety critical system. Requirements creation and management are the key processes for ensuring that a highly reliable and low defect PoC system is developed since accurate PoC testing-based diagnosis is an essential process improvement for remote patient care management. It is important that the requirements be specified accurately, completely and without any ambiguity so that the PoC device can be designed and developed with minimal errors. This provides physicians a vehicle to diagnose patients with drastically increased reliability. This paper explains how Use Case Maps (UCM), a modeling technique, can help to sufficiently model requirement specifications for a PoC system development. It illustrates PoC functional requirements and security requirements in terms of the UCM representation. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150616

The Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances 2013

The 2013 Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances breaks new ground by measuring and analyzing the financial flows of emerging economies to the developing world, including philanthropy, remittances, government aid, and private investment. This year’s Index, sponsored by the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa, Canada, is the first attempt to systematically capture this information. The research will add to the ongoing work of the Center for Global Prosperity (CGP) at Hudson Institute. Over the last decade, CGP has demonstrated how the landscape of international development has changed. Of the total financial flows The Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances 2013 from developed to developing countries, over 80 percent are private. Government aid, at less than 20 percent, is now a minority shareholder, the opposite of 40 years ago

The Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances 2010

Philanthropy to the developing world remained steady in 2008 and remittances continued to grow—despite the global recession and dire forecasts—providing a much needed lifeline to poor people throughout the world. And they were more resilient to the downturn than private capital flows to developing countries, which fell dramatically in 2008. Despite this, private flows still accounted for three-quarters of the developed world’s economic dealings with developing countries in 2008, proving that this innovative, diverse new foreign aid architecture is here to stay in good times and in bad