Sleeping on a problem: the impact of sleep disturbance on intensive care patients - a clinical review

Sleep disturbance is commonly encountered amongst intensive care patients and has significant psychophysiological effects, which protract recovery and increases mortality. Bio-physiological monitoring of intensive care patients reveal alterations in sleep architecture, with reduced sleep quality and continuity. The etiological causes of sleep disturbance are considered to be multifactorial, although environmental stressors namely, noise, light and clinical care interactions have been frequently cited in both subjective and objective studies. As a result, interventions are targeted towards modifiable factors to ameliorate their impact. This paper reviews normal sleep physiology and the impact that sleep disturbance has on patient psychophysiological recovery, and the contribution that the clinical environment has on intensive care patients' sleep

Sex, contraception and childbearing among high-risk youth: do different factors influence males and females?

Journal ArticleDuring adolescence, many young people begin to experiment with new roles. One important area of exploration is sexual activity, which involves a certain amount of risk-taking

A Bioinformatics Study on Whether or Not Mrub_2763 gene in \u3cem\u3eM. ruber\u3c/em\u3e is Similar to the LpxB Gene in \u3cem\u3eE. coli\u3c/em\u3e and if Mrub_2768 is Similar to the LpxD gene in \u3cem\u3eE. coli\u3c/em\u3e.

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the gene Mrub_2768 and Mrub_2763. We predict that Mrub_2768 (DNA coordinates 2808186..2809178 on the reverse strand) encodes the enzyme UDP-3-O-(3-hydroxymyristoyl)glucosamine N-acyltransferase (LpxD), which is the third step of the Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00540). It catalyzes the conversion of UDP-3-O-(3-hydroxymyristoyl)-α-D-glucosamine + a(3R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl-[acp] → a holo-[acyl-carrier protein] + UDP-2-N,3-O-bis[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-α-D-glucosamine. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b0179, which has the gene identifier LpxD. We also predict that Mrub_2763 (DNA coordinates 2803805..2804974 on the reverse strand) encodes for the enzyme Lipid A disaccharide synthetase (LpxB), which is the fifth step of the Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00540). It catalyzes the conversion of of 2,3-bis[(3R)-3-hydroxymyristoyol]-α-D-glucosamiyl 1-phosphate + UDP-2-N,3-O-bis[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-α-D-glucosamine → UDP + H + Lipid A disaccharide. Not enough data came up for Mrub_2763 in order to confirm that it was an ortholog of LpxB; the results were inconclusive. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b0182, which has the gene identifier LpxB

Determinants of first sex by age 14 in a high-risk adolescent population

Journal ArticleA study using data for mothers from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and their children aged 14 or older indicates that, after accounting for a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic antecedents, children are significantly more likely to become sexually active before age 14 if their mother had sex at an early age and if she has worked extensively. In addition, early sexual debut is eight times as likely among black boys as among non-Hispanic white boys

Assessment of the Occurrence and Distribution of Unpermitted Wastewater Treatment Systems Along a Section of Bozeman Creek and Identification of Recommendations to Address Fecal Contamination

Introduction - Bozeman Creek is considered “impaired” because sediment, nutrients and E. coli are at levels that impair the use of water for beneficial purposes such as irrigation or recreation. These E. coli can come from wildlife, livestock, pets or leaking septic tanks. Previous monitoring points to wastewater from septic systems as a major source of contamination to this stream. The research goal is to assess the impact of unpermitted wastewater systems on Bozeman Creek and to identify recommendations to address aging septic systems. Methods - Online Health Department records are being reviewed to research the following questions: 1) What percentage of septic systems along a defined area of Bozeman Creek are unpermitted and what are their locations? 2) What percentage of permitted systems along a defined area of Bozeman Creek are >25 years old, and what are their locations? Additionally, a literature search is being conducted to identify best practices for the department and partners to address the status of onsite wastewater treatment along Bozeman Creek. GIS model is being created to assess which properties are most at risk of contaminating the creek. Results - 34 properties were identified along the portion of Bozeman creek; 47 % of these properties lack septic system permits. Of those with permits, 56% are systems 25 years or older. Development of a GIS risk assessment model is underway. Conclusions - The results of this project will be useful to health department staff to address wastewater sources contaminating Bozeman creek and serve as a model for other waterways

Developing a Web-Based Evaluation Tool for Purchasing Electronic Resources: A Librarian-Faculty-Student Partnership

Introduction “While the principles of collection development, which were developed in the world of print publications, do not change radically with new publishing technologies, methods of decision making and specific selection guidelines must be adjusted significantly to incorporate new publishing formats” (Demas). The goals of acquiring and maintaining a good collection of resources that directly benefit teaching and research at a university are important ones. It is nearly impossible for most library budgets to acquire every available electronic research database and the task of deciding which of these resources to purchase has been mostly left to librarians. In order to have a tool that would aid librarians in determining which electronic resources to acquire, the University of Akron Libraries developed an “Electronic Resources Previews Project Page” and introduced it on the library’s Web site in February 2005. The purpose of the Previews Project is to involve faculty, students, and librarians together in the evaluation and assessment of new electronic resources. With the volume and variety of research information becoming available electronically, the librarians at the University of Akron needed a more efficient way of keeping track of what is available and what information these resources provide. Previously, vendors and publishers would contact any number of librarians and offer a temporary trial of their product; after that the subject librarians would notify other colleagues and various teaching faculty with the logon and trial information. These librarians and faculty were then asked to logon and try out the resource and report their opinion on its value. The subject librarians would then forward the information to the Head of Collection Management who would consider these resources for possible purchase depending on the opinions and available funds. This was typically done through a series of email messages and phone conversations, and there was no consistent procedure in place. Trials on a number of electronic resource databases have also been available through the statewide consortium, OhioLINK. A procedure was needed to have a consistent way of arranging for and handling trials of electronic resources, and more importantly, having all the information in one place where librarians, faculty and students could have easy access for previewing and evaluating. Use of the Previews Project page by the Head of Collection Management would ensure an organized and systematic file of previewed electronic resources. With the creation and hiring of a new library position in 2004 (Electronic Resources Librarian), the Associate Dean of University Libraries envisioned the design and implementation of a Web-based tool for evaluating new electronic resources. After the initial plan was written the Associate Dean, the Head of Collection Management, and the Electronic Resources Librarian met to discuss and draw a workflow diagram for the creation, implementation and use of this new Web-based tool which became known as the “e-Resources Previews Project.” The goals and outcomes of this project are as follows: 1) develop a new and easy Web-based evaluation instrument for faculty, librarians, and students to assess individual electronic resources; 2) assess the potential use of a new resource by faculty and students prior to committing financial resources; 3) gather documentation from faculty and students to use as support for any additional funding requests; 4) develop methods for active collaboration between librarians and teaching faculty for using the resources in promoting student success via classroom assignments; 5) use the information gathered from librarians, faculty, and students to help with purchasing decisions; and 6) acquire the best resources and promote their use on campus

Developing a Web-Based Evaluation Tool for Purchasing Electronic Resources: A Librarian-Faculty-Student Partnership

Introduction “While the principles of collection development, which were developed in the world of print publications, do not change radically with new publishing technologies, methods of decision making and specific selection guidelines must be adjusted significantly to incorporate new publishing formats” (Demas). The goals of acquiring and maintaining a good collection of resources that directly benefit teaching and research at a university are important ones. It is nearly impossible for most library budgets to acquire every available electronic research database and the task of deciding which of these resources to purchase has been mostly left to librarians. In order to have a tool that would aid librarians in determining which electronic resources to acquire, the University of Akron Libraries developed an “Electronic Resources Previews Project Page” and introduced it on the library’s Web site in February 2005. The purpose of the Previews Project is to involve faculty, students, and librarians together in the evaluation and assessment of new electronic resources. With the volume and variety of research information becoming available electronically, the librarians at the University of Akron needed a more efficient way of keeping track of what is available and what information these resources provide. Previously, vendors and publishers would contact any number of librarians and offer a temporary trial of their product; after that the subject librarians would notify other colleagues and various teaching faculty with the logon and trial information. These librarians and faculty were then asked to logon and try out the resource and report their opinion on its value. The subject librarians would then forward the information to the Head of Collection Management who would consider these resources for possible purchase depending on the opinions and available funds. This was typically done through a series of email messages and phone conversations, and there was no consistent procedure in place. Trials on a number of electronic resource databases have also been available through the statewide consortium, OhioLINK. A procedure was needed to have a consistent way of arranging for and handling trials of electronic resources, and more importantly, having all the information in one place where librarians, faculty and students could have easy access for previewing and evaluating. Use of the Previews Project page by the Head of Collection Management would ensure an organized and systematic file of previewed electronic resources. With the creation and hiring of a new library position in 2004 (Electronic Resources Librarian), the Associate Dean of University Libraries envisioned the design and implementation of a Web-based tool for evaluating new electronic resources. After the initial plan was written the Associate Dean, the Head of Collection Management, and the Electronic Resources Librarian met to discuss and draw a workflow diagram for the creation, implementation and use of this new Web-based tool which became known as the “e-Resources Previews Project.” The goals and outcomes of this project are as follows: 1) develop a new and easy Web-based evaluation instrument for faculty, librarians, and students to assess individual electronic resources; 2) assess the potential use of a new resource by faculty and students prior to committing financial resources; 3) gather documentation from faculty and students to use as support for any additional funding requests; 4) develop methods for active collaboration between librarians and teaching faculty for using the resources in promoting student success via classroom assignments; 5) use the information gathered from librarians, faculty, and students to help with purchasing decisions; and 6) acquire the best resources and promote their use on campus

Patient self-report for evaluating mild cognitive impairment and prodromal Alzheimer's disease

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are used to evaluate disease and treatments in many therapeutic areas, capturing relevant aspects of the disorder not obtainable through clinician or informant report, including those for which patients may have a greater level of awareness than those around them. Using PRO measures in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents challenges given the presence of cognitive impairment and loss of insight. This overview presents issues relevant to the value of patient report with emphasis on the role of insight. Complex activities of daily living functioning and executive functioning emerge as areas of particular promise for obtaining patient self-report. The full promise of patient self-report has yet to be realized in MCI and prodromal AD, however, in part because of lack of PRO measures developed specifically for mild disease, limited use of best practices in new measure development, and limited attention to psychometric evaluation. Resolving different diagnostic definitions and improving clinical understanding of MCI and prodromal AD will also be critical to the development and use of PRO measures