The Investigation of Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions about Critical Reading Self-Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karabay, Aysegül; Kusdemir Kayiran, Bilge; Isik, Dilek

2015-01-01

Problem Statement: Teachers have important roles in teaching critical reading skills that already exist in the curriculum. Teachers themselves should have critical reading skills and be able to identify them so as to be able to teach these skills to their students. Therefore, it becomes necessary to determine the extent to which pre-service…

The essential role of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in regulating T cell immunity.

PubMed

Wang, Dashan

2018-06-01

The aim of this paper is to clarify the critical role of GPCR signaling in T cell immunity. The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most common targets in current pharmaceutical industry, and represent the largest and most versatile family of cell surface communicating molecules. GPCRs can be activated by a diverse array of ligands including neurotransmitters, chemokines as well as sensory stimuli. Therefore, GPCRs are involved in many key cellular and physiological processes, such as sense of light, taste and smell, neurotransmission, metabolism, endocrine and exocrine secretion. In recent years, GPCRs have been found to play an important role in immune system. T cell is an important type of immune cell, which plays a central role in cell-mediated immunity. A variety of GPCRs and their signaling mediators (RGS proteins, GRKs and β-arrestin) have been found to express in T cells and involved T cell-mediated immunity. We will summarize the role of GPCR signaling and their regulatory molecules in T cell activation, homeostasis and function in this article. GPCR signaling plays an important role in T cell activation, homeostasis and function. GPCR signaling is critical in regulating T cell immunity.

Emerging role for corticotropin releasing factor signaling in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis at the intersection of stress and reward.

PubMed

Silberman, Yuval; Winder, Danny G

2013-01-01

Stress and anxiety play an important role in the development and maintenance of drug and alcohol addiction. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a brain region involved in the production of long-term stress-related behaviors, plays an important role in animal models of relapse, such as reinstatement to previously extinguished drug-seeking behaviors. While a number of neurotransmitter systems have been suggested to play a role in these behaviors, recent evidence points to the neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) as being critically important in BNST-mediated reinstatement behaviors. Although numerous studies indicate that the BNST is a complex brain region with multiple afferent and efferent systems and a variety of cell types, there has only been limited work to determine how CRF modulates this complex neuronal system at the circuit level. Recent work from our lab and others have begun to unravel these BNST neurocircuits and explore their roles in CRF-related reinstatement behaviors. This review will examine the role of CRF signaling in drug addiction and reinstatement with an emphasis on critical neurocircuitry within the BNST that may offer new insights into treatments for addiction.

Characteristic of critical and creative thinking of students of mathematics education study program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rochmad; Agoestanto, A.; Kharis, M.

2018-03-01

Critical and creative thinking give important role in learning matematics for mathematics education students. This research to explored the characteristic of critical and creative thinking of students of mathematics study program in mathematics department. Critical thinking and creative thinking can be illustrated as two sides of a coin, which one is associated to the other. In elementary linear algebra courses, however, critical thinking can be seen as a foundation to build students’ creative thinking.

Mechanisms and function of autophagy in intestinal disease.

PubMed

Lassen, Kara G; Xavier, Ramnik J

2018-01-01

The discovery of numerous genetic variants in the human genome that are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has revealed critical pathways that play important roles in intestinal homeostasis. These genetic studies have identified a critical role for macroautophagy/autophagy and more recently, lysosomal function, in maintaining the intestinal barrier and mucosal homeostasis. This review highlights recent work on the functional characterization of IBD-associated human genetic variants in cell type-specific functions for autophagy.

Interleukin-17A critically contributes to susceptibility to Riemerella anatipestifer infection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Although IL-17 cytokines play critical roles in host defense immunity, dysregulated expression of these cytokines is associated with inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Riemerella anatipestifer (R. anatipestifer) is the most important infectious bacterium in the duck industry, and can cause up to...

Interleukin-17A critically contributes to susceptibility to Riemerella anatipestifer infection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Although IL-17 cytokines play critical roles in host defensive immunity, dysregulated expression of these cytokines is involved with inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Riemerella anatipestifer is the most economically important infectious bacterium in duck industry and causes up to 75% mortality...

Students' Critical Thinking Improvement through "PDEODE" and "STAD" Combination in the Nutrition and Health Lecture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wulandari, Tabitha Sri Hartati; Amin, Mohamad; Zubaidah, Siti; IAM, Mimien Henie

2017-01-01

Students' critical thinking skills are very important in the 21st century. Learning strategies can play a role in enhancing students' critical thinking skills in the Nutrition and Health lecture. The results of a survey in 2013 showed that the implementation of learning strategies had not given students the opportunity to practice their critical…

Microglia: An Active Player in the Regulation of Synaptic Activity

PubMed Central

Ji, Kyungmin; Miyauchi, Jeremy; Tsirka, Stella E.

2013-01-01

Synaptic plasticity is critical for elaboration and adaptation in the developing and developed brain. It is well established that astrocytes play an important role in the maintenance of what has been dubbed “the tripartite synapse”. Increasing evidence shows that a fourth cell type, microglia, is critical to this maintenance as well. Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). Because of their well-characterized inflammatory functions, research has primarily focused on their innate immune properties. The role of microglia in the maintenance of synapses in development and in homeostasis is not as well defined. A number of significant findings have shed light on the critical role of microglia at the synapse. It is becoming increasingly clear that microglia play a seminal role in proper synaptic development and elimination. PMID:24303218

Vital pathways for hospital librarians: present and future roles

PubMed Central

Holst, Ruth; Funk, Carla J.; Adams, Heidi Sue; Bandy, Margaret; Boss, Catherine Mary; Hill, Beth; Joseph, Claire B.; Lett, Rosalind K.

2009-01-01

Objectives: The research objectives were to (1) describe the current and future roles of hospital librarians and the challenges they face and (2) find evidence supporting the hypothesis that librarians are essential to hospitals in achieving the organizations' mission-critical goals. Method: The authors used results from a previous research study that identified the five organizational mission-critical goals important to hospital administrators and then searched the literature and solicited examples from hospital librarians to describe the librarian's role in helping hospitals achieve these goals. Results: The literature supports the hypothesis that hospital librarians play important roles in the success of the hospital. Librarians support quality clinical care, efficient and effective hospital operations, continuing education for staff, research and innovation, and patient, family, and community health information needs. Conclusion: Hospital librarians fulfill many mission-critical roles in today's hospital, providing the right information at the right time in a variety of ways to enhance hospital and medical staff effectiveness, optimize patient care, improve patient outcomes, and increase patient and family satisfaction with the hospital and its services. Because hospital librarians and their services provide an excellent return on investment for the hospital and help the hospital keep its competitive edge, hospital staff should have access to the services of a professional librarian. PMID:19851493

Vital pathways for hospital librarians: present and future roles.

PubMed

Holst, Ruth; Funk, Carla J; Adams, Heidi Sue; Bandy, Margaret; Boss, Catherine Mary; Hill, Beth; Joseph, Claire B; Lett, Rosalind K

2009-10-01

The research objectives were to (1) describe the current and future roles of hospital librarians and the challenges they face and (2) find evidence supporting the hypothesis that librarians are essential to hospitals in achieving the organizations' mission-critical goals. The authors used results from a previous research study that identified the five organizational mission-critical goals important to hospital administrators and then searched the literature and solicited examples from hospital librarians to describe the librarian's role in helping hospitals achieve these goals. The literature supports the hypothesis that hospital librarians play important roles in the success of the hospital. Librarians support quality clinical care, efficient and effective hospital operations, continuing education for staff, research and innovation, and patient, family, and community health information needs. Hospital librarians fulfill many mission-critical roles in today's hospital, providing the right information at the right time in a variety of ways to enhance hospital and medical staff effectiveness, optimize patient care, improve patient outcomes, and increase patient and family satisfaction with the hospital and its services. Because hospital librarians and their services provide an excellent return on investment for the hospital and help the hospital keep its competitive edge, hospital staff should have access to the services of a professional librarian.

EFFECTS OF ALTERED HABITATS ON COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES OF THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

EPA Science Inventory

This research emphasizes the role of critical estuarine habitats to species that provide an ecosystem service, namely those fish and shellfish of economic importance. Vegetated habitats are examined for their capacity to provide and sustain commercially important shrimp, oyster, ...

From Cultural Imperialists to Takeover Victims? Questions on Hollywood's Buyouts from the Critical Tradition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McAnany, Emile G.; Wilkinson, Kenton T.

1992-01-01

Examines the history of the cultural imperialism debate. Reviews international questions raised concerning the role and influence of the still-popular Hollywood products. Examines changing ownership patterns in Hollywood (buyouts by major foreign interests). Notes important trends, and suggests areas for critical research. (SR)

Identity Constructions in Bilingual Advertising: A Critical-Cognitive Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Songqing

2017-01-01

Does English always play an important role in constructing identities within the multimodal ad? This question has wide-ranging implications for the study of identity constructions in bilingual advertising in particular, and for bilingualism and multilingualism generally. This article presents a critical-cognitive approach that is an evidence-based…

The important and diverse roles of antibodies in the host response to Borrelia infections.

PubMed

LaRocca, T J; Benach, J L

2008-01-01

Antibodies are of critical importance in the host response to tick-borne Borrelia species that cause relapsing fever and Lyme disease. Recent studies on the role of various B cell subsets in the host response to Borrelia, complement-independent, bactericidal antibodies, and diagnostics led to this review that focuses on the array of functions that antibodies to Borrelia can perform.

Metabolomic Analysis in Heart Failure.

PubMed

Ikegami, Ryutaro; Shimizu, Ippei; Yoshida, Yohko; Minamino, Tohru

2017-12-25

It is thought that at least 6,500 low-molecular-weight metabolites exist in humans, and these metabolites have various important roles in biological systems in addition to proteins and genes. Comprehensive assessment of endogenous metabolites is called metabolomics, and recent advances in this field have enabled us to understand the critical role of previously unknown metabolites or metabolic pathways in the cardiovascular system. In this review, we will focus on heart failure and how metabolomic analysis has contributed to improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of this critical condition.

The Role of Bacterial Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases in the Regulation of the Biosynthesis of Secreted Polysaccharides

PubMed Central

Morona, Renato

2014-01-01

Abstract Significance: Tyrosine phosphorylation and associated protein tyrosine phosphatases are gaining prominence as critical mechanisms in the regulation of fundamental processes in a wide variety of bacteria. In particular, these phosphatases have been associated with the control of the biosynthesis of capsular polysaccharides and extracellular polysaccharides, critically important virulence factors for bacteria. Recent Advances: Deletion and overexpression of the phosphatases result in altered polysaccharide biosynthesis in a range of bacteria. The recent structures of associated auto-phosphorylating tyrosine kinases have suggested that the phosphatases may be critical for the cycling of the kinases between monomers and higher order oligomers. Critical Issues: Additional substrates of the phosphatases apart from cognate kinases are currently being identified. These are likely to be critical to our understanding of the mechanism by which polysaccharide biosynthesis is regulated. Future Directions: Ultimately, these protein tyrosine phosphatases are an attractive target for the development of novel antimicrobials. This is particularly the case for the polymerase and histidinol phosphatase family, which is predominantly found in bacteria. Furthermore, the determination of bacterial tyrosine phosphoproteomes will likely help to uncover the fundamental roles, mechanism, and critical importance of these phosphatases in a wide range of bacteria. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 20, 2274–2289. PMID:24295407

The Role of Prosodic Sensitivity in Children's Reading Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whalley, Karen; Hansen, Julie

2006-01-01

While the critical importance of phonological awareness (segmental phonology) to reading ability is well established, the potential role of prosody (suprasegmental phonology) in reading development has only recently been explored. This study examined the relationship between children's prosodic skills and reading ability. Hierarchical multiple…

The role of student’s critical asking question in developing student’s critical thinking skills

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoso, T.; Yuanita, L.; Erman, E.

2018-01-01

Questioning means thinking, and thinking is manifested in the form of questions. Research that studies the relationship between questioning and students’ critical thinking skills is little, if any. The aim of this study is to examine how student’s questions skill correlates to student’s critical thinking skills in learning of chemistry. The research design used was one group pretest-posttest design. The participants involved were 94 students, all of whom attended their last semesters, Chemistry Education of Tadulako University. A pre-test was administered to check participants’ ability to ask critical questions and critical thinking skills in learning chemistry. Then, the students were taught by using questioning technique. After accomplishing the lesson, a post-test was given to evaluate their progress. Obtained data were analyzed by using Pair-Samples T.Test and correlation methods. The result shows that the level of the questions plays an important role in critical thinking skills is the question levels of predictive, analysis, evaluation and inference.

A Matter of Timing: Enhancing Positive Change for the Developing Brain

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fox, Nathan A.; Zeanah, Charles H.; Nelson, Charles A.

2014-01-01

Neuroscientists have long believed that there are sensitive periods in development during which the effects of experience play a critical role. And developmental psychologists have argued for the importance of early experience in the first years of life as being critical for brain and behavioral development. Most of the neuroscience research…

Critical Pedagogy: Constructing an Arch of Social Dreaming and a Doorway to Hope.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLaren, Peter

1991-01-01

Constructing an arch of social dreaming means developing a politics of difference that actively contests the devaluation of persons relegated as "others." In this connection, features of critical pedagogy, the role it plays in the struggle against current neoconservatism, and the importance of language are considered. (SLD)

From the Los Angeles Zoo to the Classroom: Transforming Real Cases via Role-Play into Productive Learning Activities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cherif, Abour H.; Verma, Sujata; Somervill, Christine

1998-01-01

Explains how to transfer a relevant written article into a learning activity involving active role play. Enables the development of critical thinking skills and helps to humanize science by highlighting its importance in everyday life. (DDR)

Review on subsurface colloids and colloid-associated contaminant transport in saturated porous media.

PubMed

Kanti Sen, Tushar; Khilar, Kartic C

2006-02-28

In this review article, the authors present up-to-date developments on experimental, modeling and field studies on the role of subsurface colloidal fines on contaminant transport in saturated porous media. It is a complex phenomenon in porous media involving several basic processes such as colloidal fines release, dispersion stabilization, migration and fines entrapment/plugging at the pore constrictions and adsorption at solid/liquid interface. The effects of these basic processes on the contaminant transport have been compiled. Here the authors first present the compilation on in situ colloidal fines sources, release, stabilization of colloidal dispersion and migration which are a function of physical and chemical conditions of subsurface environment and finally their role in inorganic and organic contaminants transport in porous media. The important aspects of this article are as follows: (i) it gives not only complete compilation on colloidal fines-facilitated contaminant transport but also reviews the new role of colloidal fines in contaminant retardation due to plugging of pore constrictions. This plugging phenomenon also depends on various factors such as concentration of colloidal fines, superficial velocity and bead-to-particle size ratio. This plugging-based contaminant transport can be used to develop containment technique in soil and groundwater remediation. (ii) It also presents the importance of critical salt concentration (CSC), critical ionic strength for mixed salt, critical shear stressor critical particle concentration (CPC) on in situ colloidal fines release and migration and consequently their role on contaminant transport in porous media. (iii) It also reviews another class of colloidal fines called biocolloids and their transport in porous media. Finally, the authors highlight the future research based on their critical review on colloid-associated contaminant transport in saturated porous media.

Strategic Conversation Quality and Engagement: Assessment of a New Measure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van der Merwe, Louis; Chermack, Thomas J.; Kulikowich, Jonna; Yang, Baiyin

2007-01-01

When considering organization strategy-making and execution from a learning perspective, the role of conversation and engagement is of critical importance, yet little research has been conducted in this area. Recent publications have suggested an increasing role for conversation and dialogue in strategic planning processes. The present study…

Initiating a Dialogue.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woolley, Jacqueline D.

1997-01-01

Responds to some of the specific criticisms of commentators, focusing on highlighting and exploring the themes of the role of culture, how adults characterize children, the meaning of the word "real," the importance of looking at adult literature, the role of process and content, placing a value on magical thinking, and similarities and…

Data dialogues: critical connections for designing and implementing future nanomaterial research

EPA Science Inventory

This Commentary discusses the important role of “data dialogues” or structured discussions between ENM researchers in EHS fields (e.g., toxicology, exposure science, and industrial hygiene) and decision makers who use the data researchers collect. The importance of these structur...

Culture Consciousness among Hmong Immigrant Leaders: Beyond the Dichotomy of Cultural Essentialism and Cultural Hybridity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ngo, Bic

2013-01-01

This article illustrates the culture consciousness of Hmong immigrant community leaders as they made sense of the educational experiences of Hmong American children and families. It draws on the work of scholars who have theorized "critical" essentialism to suggest that Hmong leaders are critically aware of the role and import of…

Managing Teacher Preparation for Curriculum Execution and School Improvement in Rivers State

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agi, Ugochukwu Kysburn; Harrison, Anthony

2016-01-01

The teacher remains a critical part of the epicenter of the educational system. The importance attached to the role of the teacher in curriculum execution and value orientation makes teacher preparation or his future duties and responsibilities no less critical. In this paper therefore, teacher preparation is conceived and defined as an academic…

Untrodden Paths: A Critical Conversation about Wilder Places in Outdoor Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Straker, Jo; Potter, Tom G.; Irwin, David

2017-01-01

This paper asks, what is the outdoors, and challenges conceptions of the role the outdoors play in education. It critically examines why a better understanding of the outdoors is important to outdoor education, how wilder places are essential to education, and how learning generated from these places can be translated into sustainable thinking and…

The benefits of a critical stance: a reflection on past papers on the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour.

PubMed

Manstead, Antony S R

2011-09-01

In this paper, I reflect on past papers published in the British Journal of Social Psychology (BJSP) that have played a role in the development of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). I focus on seven papers that fall into five categories: (1) those that critique the TRA/TPB for taking insufficient account of social factors; (2) those that critique the models on the grounds that many social behaviours are 'habitual'; (3) those that critically examine the construct of perceived behavioural control; (4) those that argue for the importance of affective factors, which appear to be overlooked in the TRA/TPB; and (5) those that argue for the importance of studying the role of moderating factors and interaction effects in the TRA/TPB. I conclude that BJSP's traditional focus on criticism and theory development is one that benefits the journal and the field. ©2011 The British Psychological Society.

Critical Role for Very-Long Chain Sphingolipids in Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Development and Homeostasis.

PubMed

Saroha, Ashish; Pewzner-Jung, Yael; Ferreira, Natalia S; Sharma, Piyush; Jouan, Youenn; Kelly, Samuel L; Feldmesser, Ester; Merrill, Alfred H; Trottein, François; Paget, Christophe; Lang, Karl S; Futerman, Anthony H

2017-01-01

The role of sphingolipids (SLs) in the immune system has come under increasing scrutiny recently due to the emerging contributions that these important membrane components play in regulating a variety of immunological processes. The acyl chain length of SLs appears particularly critical in determining SL function. Here, we show a role for very-long acyl chain SLs (VLC-SLs) in invariant natural killer T ( i NKT) cell maturation in the thymus and homeostasis in the liver. Ceramide synthase 2-null mice, which lack VLC-SLs, were susceptible to a hepatotropic strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which is due to a reduction in the number of i NKT cells. Bone marrow chimera experiments indicated that hematopoietic-derived VLC-SLs are essential for maturation of i NKT cells in the thymus, whereas parenchymal-derived VLC-SLs are crucial for i NKT cell survival and maintenance in the liver. Our findings suggest a critical role for VLC-SL in i NKT cell physiology.

Predicting field weed emergence with empirical models and soft computing techniques

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Seedling emergence is the most important phenological process that influences the success of weed species; therefore, predicting weed emergence timing plays a critical role in scheduling weed management measures. Important efforts have been made in the attempt to develop models to predict seedling e...

The Dual Role of Vegetation as a Constraint on Mass and Energy Flux into the Critical Zone and as an Emergent Property of Geophysical Critical Zone Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooks, P. D.; Swetnam, T. L.; Barnard, H. R.; Singha, K.; Harpold, A.; Litvak, M. E.

2017-12-01

Spatial patterns in vegetation long have been used to scale both landsurface-atmosphere exchanges of water and carbon as well as to infer subsurface structure. These pursuits typical proceed in isolation and rarely do inferences gained from one community propagate to related efforts in another. Perhaps more importantly, vegetation often is treated as an emergent property of landscape-climate interactions rather than an active modifier of both critical zone structure and energy fluxes. We posit that vegetation structure and activity are under utilized as a tool towards understanding landscape evolution and present examples that begin to disentangle the role of vegetation as both an emergent property and an active control on critical zone structure and function. As climate change, population growth, and land use changes threaten water resources worldwide, the need for the new insights vegetation can provide becomes not just a basic science priority, but a pressing applied science question with clear societal importance. This presentation will provide an overview of recent efforts to address the dual role of vegetation in both modifying and reflecting critical zone structure in the western North American forests. For example, interactions between topography and stand scale vegetation structure influence both solar radiation and turbulence altering landscape scale partitioning of evaporation vs transpiration with major impacts of surface water supply. Similarly, interactions between topographic shading, lateral redistribution of plant available water, and subsurface storage create a mosaic of drought resistance and resilience across complex terrain. These complex interactions between geophysical and vegetation components of critical zone structure result in predictable patterns in catchment scale hydrologic partitioning within individual watersheds while simultaneously suggesting testable hypotheses for why catchments under similar climate regimes respond so differently to drought stress.

Statewide Cellular Coverage Map

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-02-01

The role of wireless communications in transportation is becoming increasingly important. Wireless communications are critical for many applications of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) such as Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Automated Co...

Current opinion in Microbiology Roles of adaptor proteins in regulation of bacterial proteolysis

PubMed Central

Battesti, Aurelia; Gottesman, Susan

2013-01-01

Elimination of non-functional or unwanted proteins is critical for cell growth and regulation. In bacteria, ATP-dependent proteases target cytoplasmic proteins for degradation, contributing to both protein quality control and regulation of specific proteins, thus playing roles parallel to that of the proteasome in eukaryotic cells. Adaptor proteins provide a way to modulate the substrate specificity of the proteases and allow regulated proteolysis. Advances over the past few years have provided new insight into how adaptor proteins interact with both substrates and proteases and how adaptor functions are regulated. An important advance has come with the recognition of the critical roles of anti-adaptor proteins in regulating adaptor availability. PMID:23375660

A delicate balance: role of MMP-9 in brain development and pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.

PubMed

Reinhard, Sarah M; Razak, Khaleel; Ethell, Iryna M

2015-01-01

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical regulator of neural network development and plasticity. As neuronal circuits develop, the ECM stabilizes synaptic contacts, while its cleavage has both permissive and active roles in the regulation of plasticity. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is a member of a large family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that can cleave ECM and several cell surface receptors allowing for synaptic and circuit level reorganization. It is becoming increasingly clear that the regulated activity of MMP-9 is critical for central nervous system (CNS) development. In particular, MMP-9 has a role in the development of sensory circuits during early postnatal periods, called 'critical periods.' MMP-9 can regulate sensory-mediated, local circuit reorganization through its ability to control synaptogenesis, axonal pathfinding and myelination. Although activity-dependent activation of MMP-9 at specific synapses plays an important role in multiple plasticity mechanisms throughout the CNS, misregulated activation of the enzyme is implicated in a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Growing evidence also suggests a role for MMP-9 in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders including Fragile X Syndrome. This review outlines the various actions of MMP-9 during postnatal brain development, critical for future studies exploring novel therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Sniffing on microbes: diverse roles of microbial volatile organic compounds in plant health.

PubMed

Bitas, Vasileios; Kim, Hye-Seon; Bennett, Joan W; Kang, Seogchan

2013-08-01

Secreted proteins and metabolites play diverse and critical roles in organismal and organism-environment interactions. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) can travel far from the point of production through the atmosphere, porous soils, and liquid, making them ideal info-chemicals for mediating both short- and long-distance intercellular and organismal interactions. Critical ecological roles for animal- and plant-derived VOC in directing animal behaviors and for VOC as a language for plant-to-plant communication and regulators of various physiological processes have been well documented. Similarly, microbial VOC appear to be involved in antagonism, mutualism, intra- and interspecies regulation of cellular and developmental processes, and modification of their surrounding environments. However, the available knowledge of how microbial VOC affect other organisms is very limited. Evidence supporting diverse roles of microbial VOC with the focus on their impact on plant health is reviewed here. Given the vast diversity of microbes in nature and the critical importance of microbial communities associated with plants for their ecology and fitness, systematic exploration of microbial VOC and characterization of their biological functions and ecological roles will likely uncover novel mechanisms for controlling diverse biological processes critical to plant health and will also offer tangible practical benefits in addressing agricultural and environmental problems.

Role of T Cells in Malnutrition and Obesity

PubMed Central

Gerriets, Valerie A.; MacIver, Nancie J.

2014-01-01

Nutritional status is critically important for immune cell function. While obesity is characterized by inflammation that promotes metabolic syndrome including cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance, malnutrition can result in immune cell defects and increased risk of mortality from infectious diseases. T cells play an important role in the immune adaptation to both obesity and malnutrition. T cells in obesity have been shown to have an early and critical role in inducing inflammation, accompanying the accumulation of inflammatory macrophages in obese adipose tissue, which are known to promote insulin resistance. How T cells are recruited to adipose tissue and activated in obesity is a topic of considerable interest. Conversely, T cell number is decreased in malnourished individuals, and T cells in the setting of malnutrition have decreased effector function and proliferative capacity. The adipokine leptin, which is secreted in proportion to adipocyte mass, may have a key role in mediating adipocyte-T cell interactions in both obesity and malnutrition, and has been shown to promote effector T cell function and metabolism while inhibiting regulatory T cell proliferation. Additionally, key molecular signals are involved in T cell metabolic adaptation during nutrient stress; among them, the metabolic regulator AMP kinase and the mammalian target of rapamycin have critical roles in regulating T cell number, function, and metabolism. In summary, understanding how T cell number and function are altered in obesity and malnutrition will lead to better understanding of and treatment for diseases where nutritional status determines clinical outcome. PMID:25157251

[Enteral nutrition and the critically ill patient].

PubMed

Planas, M

1999-09-01

Critically ill patients often suffer from malnutrition y loss of muscle weight throughout the whole time they are ill, even when they receive nutritional therapy, due to the tremendous amount of stress they undergo accompanied by a high degree of hypercatabolism. The most recent theories all coincide in the importance of the intestine as the preferred way for nutrients to enter the bodies of these patients because besides fulfilling its function to absorb and digest nutrients, the intestine plays an important role as a barrier to bacteria and their toxins. For these reasons, enteral nutrition should be the first option to consider whenever we must feed a critically ill patient by artificial means.

Quality focus shining on corporate ethics.

PubMed

2003-01-01

Compliance just scratches the surface of a comprehensive ethics policy. Being true to your mission is a critical component of governance responsibilities. Quality managers play an important role in feedback, implementation.

Important characteristics of a director of medical education.

PubMed

Powell, V D; George, R J

1993-11-01

In osteopathic graduate medical education programs, the Director of Medical Education (DME) plays the key leadership role. This article outlines critical characteristics and skills that the DME should possess to successfully perform in this role. Central to this success is a passionate commitment to osteopathic medical education and a commitment to justice and fairness.

Critical role of fatty acid metabolism in ILC2 mediated barrier protection during malnutrition and helminth infection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) play an important role in many immune processes, including control of infections, inflammation and tissue repair. To date little is known about the metabolism of ILCs under steady-state conditions and infection, and whether these cells can metabolically adapt in response...

Dreaming Our Future: Developing Democratic Professional Practice?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, Derrick

2006-01-01

This paper addresses issues in relation to recent criticism of teacher education, set in the broader context of political agitation for changes to the purposes, role and outcomes of education within society. The paper raises questions around the purpose of schooling and its role in modern societies and argues for the pedagogical importance of…

Pedagogy in Catastrophic Times: Giroux and the Tasks of Critical Public Intellectuals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morris, Doug

2012-01-01

This article reflects on Henry Giroux's work as a critical public intellectual and the important role his work plays in fostering educated hope and insurgent possibilities during our present times of daily and longer term catastrophes. In addition to attempting to capture the experience of what it means and how it feels to read Giroux along with…

Assessment of Prospective Teachers' Views Regarding the Concept of Criticism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karakus, Neslihan

2015-01-01

Critical thinking is one of the skills that exist in the Turkish course curriculum and is aimed to be acquired by students. The objective of the study is to determine prospective Turkish teachers' perspectives regarding the concept of critism, which is both a mental exercise and carries an important role in the world of ideas. In order to assess…

Information Skills and Critical Literacy: Where Are Our Digikids at with Online Searching and Are Their Teachers Helping?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ladbrook, Judine; Prober, Elizabeth

2011-01-01

International studies and theorists have posited that digital technologies play an important role in students' lives and that students display a broad range of literacy skills when using them. The New Zealand Curriculum (2007) states that students should be literate, critical thinkers who actively seek, use and create knowledge. This paper reports…

Analysis and critical assessment of the current and near future plans of the Brazilian satellite applications program and its role in the global space program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parada, N. D. J. (Principal Investigator)

1983-01-01

Brazilian programs using satellites for remote sensing, meteorology and communications are analyzed including their current status and near future plans. The experience gained and available information are used to critically discuss some aspects of great importance for the existing and prospective user countries.

Contemporary criticisms of the received wilderness idea

Treesearch

J. Baird Callicott

2000-01-01

Names are important. The name “wilderness” is fraught with historical baggage obfuscating the most important role of wilderness areas for contemporary conservation. The received wilderness idea has been and remains a tool of androcentrism, racism, colonialism, and genocide. It privileges virile and primitive recreation, because the...

Research utilisation and critical thinking among newly graduated nurses: predictors for research use. A quantitative cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Wangensteen, Sigrid; Johansson, Inger S; Björkström, Monica E; Nordström, Gun

2011-09-01

The aim was to describe research utilisation among newly graduated nurses and to explore critical thinking dispositions and other individual and contextual factors as possible predictors for research use. Nurses are expected to be research users, and variations in research utilisation are explained by individual and contextual factors. To our knowledge, critical thinking dispositions have not earlier been explored as predictors for research use. A cross-sectional design was chosen. Data collection was carried out from October 2006 to April 2007 using the Research Utilization Questionnaire (RUQ) and the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI). The response rate was 33% (n =617). Pearson's chi-square test and regression analyses were used for statistical calculations. The respondents reported a positive attitude towards research, but only 24% (n = 148) were defined as research users. A significantly higher proportion of research users reported high critical thinking scores. Critical thinking explained 20% of the variance in attitude towards research and 11% of the variance in research use. Availability and support to implement research findings was the second strongest predictor for research use. Critical thinking, a significant predictor for attitude towards research and for the use of research, should be recognised and strengthened in nursing education and clinical practice. Contextual factors seem to be important for newly graduated nurses' use of research. Nurse leaders play an important role in nurturing newly graduated nurses' critical thinking and assisting them in transferring their positive attitude towards research into research use. Nurse educators play a significant role in supporting, challenging and supervising nursing students to be critical thinkers and strong believers in research utilisation. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Distinct Roles of Velvet Complex in the Development, Stress Tolerance, and Secondary Metabolism in Pestalotiopsis microspora, a Taxol Producer

PubMed Central

Akhberdi, Oren; Zhang, Qian; Wang, Dan; Wang, Haichuan; Hao, Xiaoran; Liu, Yanjie; Wei, Dongsheng; Zhu, Xudong

2018-01-01

The velvet family proteins have been shown to play critical roles in fungal secondary metabolism and development. However, variations of the roles have been observed in different fungi. We report here the observation on the role of three velvet complex components VeA, VelB, and LaeA in Pestalotiopsis microspora, a formerly reported taxol-producing fungus. Deletion of individual members led to the retardation of vegetative growth and sporulation and pigmentation, suggesting critical roles in these processes. The mutant strain △velB appeared hypersensitive to osmotic stress and the dye Congo red, whereas △veA and △laeA were little affected by the pressures, suggesting only velB was required for the integrity of the cell wall. Importantly, we found that the genes played distinct roles in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in P. microspora. For instance, the production of pestalotiollide B, a previously characterized polyketide, required velB and laeA. In contrast, the veA gene appeared to inhibit the pestalotiollide B (PB) role in its biosynthesis. This study suggests that the three components of the velvet complex are important global regulators, but with distinct roles in hyphal growth, asexual production, and secondary metabolism in P. microspora. This work provides information for further understanding the biosynthesis of secondary metabolism in the fungus. PMID:29538316

Distinct Roles of Velvet Complex in the Development, Stress Tolerance, and Secondary Metabolism in Pestalotiopsis microspora, a Taxol Producer.

PubMed

Akhberdi, Oren; Zhang, Qian; Wang, Dan; Wang, Haichuan; Hao, Xiaoran; Liu, Yanjie; Wei, Dongsheng; Zhu, Xudong

2018-03-14

The velvet family proteins have been shown to play critical roles in fungal secondary metabolism and development. However, variations of the roles have been observed in different fungi. We report here the observation on the role of three velvet complex components VeA, VelB, and LaeA in Pestalotiopsis microspora , a formerly reported taxol-producing fungus. Deletion of individual members led to the retardation of vegetative growth and sporulation and pigmentation, suggesting critical roles in these processes. The mutant strain △velB appeared hypersensitive to osmotic stress and the dye Congo red, whereas △veA and △laeA were little affected by the pressures, suggesting only velB was required for the integrity of the cell wall. Importantly, we found that the genes played distinct roles in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in P. microspora . For instance, the production of pestalotiollide B, a previously characterized polyketide, required velB and laeA . In contrast, the veA gene appeared to inhibit the pestalotiollide B (PB) role in its biosynthesis. This study suggests that the three components of the velvet complex are important global regulators, but with distinct roles in hyphal growth, asexual production, and secondary metabolism in P. microspora . This work provides information for further understanding the biosynthesis of secondary metabolism in the fungus.

The Role of Competence Level in the Self-Efficacy-Skills Relationship: An Empirical Examination of the Skill Acquisition Process and Its Implications for Information Technology Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Downey, James P.; Zeltmann, Steven

2009-01-01

The role of computer training has long been critical in organizations as reliance on technology for strategic advantage increases in importance. How to most effectively conduct such training has clear implications for organizations. This study examines one area of training which is not well understood: the role that competence level plays in the…

The experience of schizophrenia: what's gender got to do with it? A critical review of the current status of research on schizophrenia.

PubMed

Nasser, Elizabeth H; Walders, Natalie; Jenkins, Janis H

2002-01-01

The role of gender in schizophrenia is explored, and literature on gender and schizophrenia is critically reviewed. The importance of investigating gender differences in schizophrenia is underscored by the lack of sufficient research in this area to date and the comparative neglect of sociocultural issues during the "decade of the brain." The importance of incorporating gender factors into research analysis is demonstrated via an interdisciplinary discussion that involves psychiatric, anthropological, and sociological theory. Methodological and measurement issues in gender-based research are considered. Selected directions for future research initiatives that expand beyond a dichotomous comparison of "male" and "female" sex differences to examine the role of gender along a continuum as a sociocultural influence on schizophrenia onset, illness presentation, and treatment are presented.

From Knowledge to Wisdom: Critical Evaluation in New Literacy Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nichols, Phil

2012-01-01

In an effort to expose students to a wide array of 21st century literacies, it is easy for teachers to forget the equally important role of leading students in critical inquiry regarding "when" and "why" particular media ought to be used. This results in students who possess knowledge of how to use a medium but lack the wisdom to truly understand…

Expanding the Horizons for Critical Literacy in a Bilingual Preschool Classroom: Children's Responses in Discussions with Gender-Themed Picture Books

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, So Jung

2016-01-01

The current study explores how picture books can be used in bilingual classrooms to support more critical understandings of gender stereotypes by preschool children. The research uses a reader-response perspective that stresses the importance of the reader's role in interpreting texts as well as sociocultural theory to analyze the social dynamics…

Contribution of chaperones to STAT pathway signaling

PubMed Central

Bocchini, Claire E; Kasembeli, Moses M; Roh, Soung-Hun; Tweardy, David J

2014-01-01

Aberrant STAT signaling is associated with the development and progression of many cancers and immune related diseases. Recent findings demonstrate that proteostasis modulators under clinical investigation for cancer therapy have a significant impact on STAT signaling, which may be critical for mediating their anti-cancer effects. Chaperones are critical for protein folding, stability and function and, thus, play an essential role in the maintenance of proteostasis. In this review we discuss the role of chaperones in STAT and tyrosine kinase (TK) protein folding, modulation of STAT and TK activity, and degradation of TKs. We highlight the important role of chaperones in STAT signaling, and how this knowledge has provided a framework for the development of new therapeutic avenues of targeting STAT signaling related pathologies. PMID:26413421

Using Digital Resources to Explore the Role of Children in the Framing of Social Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berson, Ilene R.

2008-01-01

The first campaign commercials were aired on television in 1952, and from their inception, children have played a critical role in the framing of political ads. Understanding these frames provides important insight into a powerful communication element that is used to influence opinions by connecting with deeply held beliefs about American…

University Student and Teacher Perceptions of Teacher Roles in Promoting Autonomous Language Learning with Technology outside the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lai, Chun; Yeung, Yuk; Hu, Jingjing

2016-01-01

Helping students to become autonomous learners, who actively utilize technologies for learning outside the classroom, is important for successful language learning. Teachers, as significant social agents who shape students' intellectual and social experiences, have a critical role to play. This study examined students' and teachers' perceptions of…

"A Hedge against the Future": The Post-Cold War Rhetoric of Nuclear Weapons Modernization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Bryan C.

2010-01-01

Rhetoric has traditionally played an important role in constituting the nuclear future, yet that role has changed significantly since the declared end of the Cold War. Viewed from the perspectives of nuclear criticism and postmodern theories of risk and security, current rhetoric of US nuclear modernization demonstrates how contingencies of voice…

Parents' Interactions with Preschoolers during Shared Book Reading: Three Strategies for Promoting Quality Interactions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Han, Jisu; Neuharth-Pritchett, Stacey

2014-01-01

Research shows that home environments play a critical role in developing children's early literacy skills. Given the importance of developing early literacy skills to bolster children's chances for subsequent academic success, this article highlights the role of parent-child shared book reading. Summarizing research on different types of…

Explaining Semantic Short-Term Memory Deficits: Evidence for the Critical Role of Semantic Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoffman, Paul; Jefferies, Elizabeth; Lambon Ralph, Matthew A.

2011-01-01

Patients with apparently selective short-term memory (STM) deficits for semantic information have played an important role in developing multi-store theories of STM and challenge the idea that verbal STM is supported by maintaining activation in the language system. We propose that semantic STM deficits are not as selective as previously thought…

Teacher Classroom Practices and Mathematics Performance in South African Schools: A Reflection on TIMSS 2011

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arends, Fabian; Winnaar, Lolita; Mosimege, Mogege

2017-01-01

Teachers play an important role in the provision of quality education. The variety of classroom practices they use in interacting with learners play a critical role in the understanding of mathematical concepts and overall performance in Mathematics. Following the work done by Hattie (2009, 2012) in relation to classroom practices this study…

An Experimental Study of Instructor Immediacy in the Wimba Virtual Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bodie, Lorah Wood

2009-01-01

The social underpinnings of learning make it important to understand how people experience themselves and form relationships in web-based educational environments. Social presence is a critical factor of a communication medium that plays an important role in building community and improving the effectiveness of instruction. The components of…

Cardioprotective Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 2 by Suppressing Apoptosis and Necroptosis.

PubMed

Guo, Xiaoyun; Yin, Haifeng; Li, Lei; Chen, Yi; Li, Jing; Doan, Jessica; Steinmetz, Rachel; Liu, Qinghang

2017-08-22

Programmed cell death, including apoptosis, mitochondria-mediated necrosis, and necroptosis, is critically involved in ischemic cardiac injury, pathological cardiac remodeling, and heart failure progression. Whereas apoptosis and mitochondria-mediated necrosis signaling is well established, the regulatory mechanisms of necroptosis and its significance in the pathogenesis of heart failure remain elusive. We examined the role of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (Traf2) in regulating myocardial necroptosis and remodeling using genetic mouse models. We also performed molecular and cellular biology studies to elucidate the mechanisms by which Traf2 regulates necroptosis signaling. We identified a critical role for Traf2 in myocardial survival and homeostasis by suppressing necroptosis. Cardiac-specific deletion of Traf2 in mice triggered necroptotic cardiac cell death, pathological remodeling, and heart failure. Plasma tumor necrosis factor α level was significantly elevated in Traf2 -deficient mice, and genetic ablation of TNFR1 largely abrogated pathological cardiac remodeling and dysfunction associated with Traf2 deletion. Mechanistically, Traf2 critically regulates receptor-interacting proteins 1 and 3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein necroptotic signaling with the adaptor protein tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein with death domain as an upstream regulator and transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 as a downstream effector. It is important to note that genetic deletion of RIP3 largely rescued the cardiac phenotype triggered by Traf2 deletion, validating a critical role of necroptosis in regulating pathological remodeling and heart failure propensity. These results identify an important Traf2-mediated, NFκB-independent, prosurvival pathway in the heart by suppressing necroptotic signaling, which may serve as a new therapeutic target for pathological remodeling and heart failure. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Critical role of caveolin-1 in ocular neovascularization and multitargeted antiangiogenic effects of cavtratin via JNK

PubMed Central

Jiang, Yida; Lin, Xianchai; Tang, Zhongshu; Lee, Chunsik; Tian, Geng; Du, Yuxiang; Yin, Xiangke; Ren, Xiangrong; Huang, Lijuan; Ye, Zhimin; Chen, Wei; Zhang, Fan; Mi, Jia; Gao, Zhiqin; Wang, Shasha; Chen, Qishan; Xing, Liying; Wang, Bin; Cao, Yihai; Sessa, William C.; Ju, Rong; Liu, Yizhi; Li, Xuri

2017-01-01

Ocular neovascularization is a devastating pathology of numerous ocular diseases and is a major cause of blindness. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) plays important roles in the vascular system. However, little is known regarding its function and mechanisms in ocular neovascularization. Here, using comprehensive model systems and a cell permeable peptide of Cav-1, cavtratin, we show that Cav-1 is a critical player in ocular neovascularization. The genetic deletion of Cav-1 exacerbated and cavtratin administration inhibited choroidal and retinal neovascularization. Importantly, combined administration of cavtratin and anti–VEGF-A inhibited neovascularization more effectively than monotherapy, suggesting the existence of other pathways inhibited by cavtratin in addition to VEGF-A. Indeed, we found that cavtratin suppressed multiple critical components of pathological angiogenesis, including inflammation, permeability, PDGF-B and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression (eNOS). Mechanistically, we show that cavtratin inhibits CNV and the survival and migration of microglia and macrophages via JNK. Together, our data demonstrate the unique advantages of cavtratin in antiangiogenic therapy to treat neovascular diseases. PMID:28923916

A delicate balance: role of MMP-9 in brain development and pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders

PubMed Central

Reinhard, Sarah M.; Razak, Khaleel; Ethell, Iryna M.

2015-01-01

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical regulator of neural network development and plasticity. As neuronal circuits develop, the ECM stabilizes synaptic contacts, while its cleavage has both permissive and active roles in the regulation of plasticity. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is a member of a large family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that can cleave ECM and several cell surface receptors allowing for synaptic and circuit level reorganization. It is becoming increasingly clear that the regulated activity of MMP-9 is critical for central nervous system (CNS) development. In particular, MMP-9 has a role in the development of sensory circuits during early postnatal periods, called ‘critical periods.’ MMP-9 can regulate sensory-mediated, local circuit reorganization through its ability to control synaptogenesis, axonal pathfinding and myelination. Although activity-dependent activation of MMP-9 at specific synapses plays an important role in multiple plasticity mechanisms throughout the CNS, misregulated activation of the enzyme is implicated in a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Growing evidence also suggests a role for MMP-9 in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders including Fragile X Syndrome. This review outlines the various actions of MMP-9 during postnatal brain development, critical for future studies exploring novel therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders. PMID:26283917

Critical role of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema in mice.

PubMed

Fujita, Masaki; Ouchi, Hiroshi; Ikegame, Satoshi; Harada, Eiji; Matsumoto, Takemasa; Uchino, Junji; Nakanishi, Yoichi; Watanabe, Kentaro

2016-01-01

COPD is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Although tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has a critical role in the development of COPD, the role of different TNF receptors (TNFRs) in pulmonary emphysema has not been resolved. We aimed to clarify the role of TNFRs in the development of pulmonary emphysema. TNF-α transgenic mice, a murine model of COPD in which the mice spontaneously develop emphysema with a large increase in lung volume and pulmonary hypertension, were crossed with either TNFR1-deficient mice or TNFR2-deficient mice. After 6 months, the gross appearance of the lung, lung histology, and pulmonary and cardiac physiology were determined. In addition, the relationship between apoptosis and emphysema was investigated. Pulmonary emphysema-like changes disappeared with deletion of TNFR1. However, slight improvements were attained with deletion of TNFR2. Apoptotic cells in the interstitium of the lung were observed in TNF-α transgenic mice. The apoptotic signals through TNFR1 appear critical for the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. In contrast, the inflammatory process has a less important role for the development of emphysema.

The role of health information technology on critical care services in Thailand.

PubMed

Wacharasint, Petch

2014-01-01

Health information technology (IT) has become an important part of current medical practice, especially in critical care services. One significant advance is the use of telemedicine which was initiated in Thailand nearly two decades ago. Telemedicine is also used in the intensive care unit or what has been termed the "Tele-ICU". It has evolved as an alternate paradigm linking the intensivist and critical care specialists to critically ill patients in remote areas. In this article, the author has reviewed the evidence of health IT on critical care services in Thailand, focusing on telemedicine, as well as the concept of the 'Tele-ICU' and its challenges. These factors may assist intensivists to reach more critically ill patients in remote areas.

Antiviral Natural Products and Herbal Medicines

PubMed Central

Lin, Liang-Tzung; Hsu, Wen-Chan; Lin, Chun-Ching

2014-01-01

Viral infections play an important role in human diseases, and recent outbreaks in the advent of globalization and ease of travel have underscored their prevention as a critical issue in safeguarding public health. Despite the progress made in immunization and drug development, many viruses lack preventive vaccines and efficient antiviral therapies, which are often beset by the generation of viral escape mutants. Thus, identifying novel antiviral drugs is of critical importance and natural products are an excellent source for such discoveries. In this mini-review, we summarize the antiviral effects reported for several natural products and herbal medicines. PMID:24872930

Mechanotransduction in Endothelial Cells Studied with Fluorescence Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chien, Shu

2011-01-01

Mechanotransduction involves the conversion of mechanical stimuli to intracellular signaling to modulate gene and protein expressions and hence cellular functions in endothelial cells, thus playing importance roles in the regulation of homeostasis in health and disease. The aim of this paper is to investigate the dynamics of mechanotransduction in endothelial cells by the use of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study the temporal and spatial activation of Src kinase and focal adhesion kinase, both of which play critical roles in many cellular processes. The results have contributed to the elucidation of the roles of these two important signaling molecules and their interactions in mediating mechanotransduction.

Critical power for self-focusing of optical beam in absorbing media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Pengfei; Zhang, Lin; Lin, Lie; Zhang, Nan; Wang, Yan; Liu, Weiwei

2018-04-01

Self-focusing effects are of central importance for most nonlinear optical effects. The critical power for self-focusing is commonly investigated theoretically without considering a material’s absorption. Although this is practicable for various materials, investigating the critical power for self-focusing in media with non-negligible absorption is also necessary, because this is the situation usually met in practice. In this paper, the simple analytical expressions describing the relationships among incident power, absorption coefficient and focal position are provided by a simple physical model based on the Fermat principle. Expressions for the absorption dependent critical power are also derived; these can play important roles in experimental and applied research on self-focusing-related nonlinear optical phenomena in absorbing media. Numerical results, based on the nonlinear wave equation—and which can predict experimental results perfectly—are also presented, and agree quantitatively with the analytical results proposed in this paper.

Addressing Learning Style Criticism: The Unified Learning Style Model Revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popescu, Elvira

Learning style is one of the individual differences that play an important but controversial role in the learning process. This paper aims at providing a critical analysis regarding learning styles and their use in technology enhanced learning. The identified criticism issues are addressed by reappraising the so called Unified Learning Style Model (ULSM). A detailed description of the ULSM components is provided, together with their rationale. The practical applicability of the model in adaptive web-based educational systems and its advantages versus traditional learning style models are also outlined.

New Forces at Work in Mining: Industry View of Critical Technologies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peterson, D. J.; LaTourrette, Tom; Bartis, James T.

2007-04-01

RAND has just published a report entitled, "New Forces at Work in Mining: Industry Views of Critical Technologies," by D. J. Peterson, Tom LaTourrette, and James T. Bartis. The report presents the results of a series of in-depth discussions with leading mining industry representatives selected for their prominent position and their ability to think broadly about technology trends. The discussions highlighted the importance of collaborative technology research, development, and implementation strategies and the increasingly critical role of mine personnel in the utilization of new technologies.

Self-organized criticality in neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarenkov, Vladimir I.; Kirillov, A. B.

1991-08-01

Possible mechanisms of creating different types of persistent states for informational processing are regarded. It is presented two origins of criticalities - self-organized and phase transition. A comparative analyses of their behavior is given. It is demonstrated that despite a likeness there are important differences. These differences can play a significant role to explain the physical issue of such highest functions of the brain as a short-term memory and attention. 1.

Cytokines and their STATs in cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.

PubMed

Cummings, Hannah E; Tuladhar, Rashmi; Satoskar, Abhay R

2010-01-01

Cytokines play a critical role in shaping the host immune response to Leishmania infection and directing the development of protective and non-protective immunities during infection. Cytokines exert their biological activities through the activation and translocation of transcription factors into the nucleus whether they drive the expression of specific cytokine-responsive genes. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STATs) are transcription factors which play a critical role in mediating signaling downstream of cytokine receptors and are important for shaping the host immune response during Leishmania infection. Here we discuss the signature cytokines and their associated STATs involved in the host immune response during cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.

Building Winning Teams in the 21st Century Operating Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-28

react to critical incidents and organizational crisis, (3) deliberate role modeling and coaching, (4) criteria for the allocation of rewards and...status, and (5) operational criteria for recruitment, selection and promotion.39 Leaders use reinforcing mechanisms as secondary means to assist...pay attention to, deliberate role modeling, and most importantly, operational criteria for selection and promotion, the Army will not achieve

Civic Engagement. The University as a Public Good

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cantor, Nancy

2004-01-01

As a public good, universities have a rare and critical role to play. While Universities educate leaders for the future, they also address important societal issues of the day. The discoveries can and do change the world. The groundwork is laid for the future as work is done to preserve the culture of the past. The university?s role is "rare"…

An Overview of the Roles and Responsibilities of Chinese Medical Colleges in Body Donation Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Luqing; Xiao, Ming; Gu, Mufeng; Zhang, Yongjie; Jin, Jianliang; Ding, Jiong

2014-01-01

The use of human tissue is critical for gross anatomy education in the health professions. Chinese medical colleges have faced a shortage of anatomical specimens over the past decade. While body donation plays an important role in overcoming this gap, this practice has only recently been introduced in China, and the donation rate is relatively low…

The importance of touch in the development of attachment.

PubMed

Duhn, Lenora

2010-12-01

Until recently the role of human touch in the social world of the developing infant has not been given special attention. Instead the focus, in part due to John Bowlby's Attachment Theory, has centered on the critical need for a child to develop a secure attachment to his caregiver. To be sure, this has provided a valuable contribution to understanding and promoting a child's well-being in his early years and beyond. Yet Bowlby's theory is limited in its discussion of the meaning of human touch and its role in development of attachment. As such, it now becomes more critical to delve into the factors that significantly foster development of attachment, specifically the concept of human touch. With recognition of the importance for a child to develop secure attachment to his caregiver, the essential function that human nurturing touch provides in facilitating that connection is explored.

RNA-Seq detection of differential gene expression in the rumen of beef steers associated with feed efficiency phenotypes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The efficient utilization of feedstuffs is an economically important trait in beef production. The rumen is important to the digestive process of steers interacting with feed, microbial populations, and volatile fatty acids indicating it may play a critical role in feed efficiency. To gain an unders...

Residual impact of methyl salicylate fumigation at the breaker stage on C6 volatile biopathway in red tomato fruit

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Flavor, which is comprised of aroma and taste, is an important tomato characteristic. Methyl salicylate (MeSA), acting as a critical mobile signal, plays an important role in tomato stress responses and ripening processes. However, less is studied on the impact of its application at early ripening s...

Role of surface elasticity in the drainage of soap films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonin, A. A.; Bonfillon, A.; Langevin, D.

1993-10-01

We present measurements of the thinning velocity of circular horizontal soap films made from dilute surfactant solutions (around the critical micellar concentration). We have solved numerically the hydrodynamic equations for the drainage process. After data fitting, we deduce the values of the elasticities of the surfactant monolayer that stabilizes the soap film. These elasticity values have been compared to elasticities obtained independently from the study of waves at the surface of the solution. The comparison reveals the importance of surface convection in the drainage process and demonstrates the important role of surface elasticity.

Role of sleep quality in the metabolic syndrome

PubMed Central

Koren, Dorit; Dumin, Magdalena; Gozal, David

2016-01-01

Emerging evidence has assigned an important role to sleep as a modulator of metabolic homeostasis. The impact of variations in sleep duration, sleep-disordered breathing, and chronotype to cardiometabolic function encompasses a wide array of perturbations spanning from obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease risk and mortality in both adults and children. Here, we critically and extensively review the published literature on such important issues and provide a comprehensive overview of the most salient pathophysiologic pathways underlying the links between sleep, sleep disorders, and cardiometabolic functioning. PMID:27601926

The role of the United States Army active component pediatricians in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and provide comfort.

PubMed

Pierce, J R

1993-02-01

The professional activities and experiences of Army active component pediatricians deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort are reported. The 37 pediatricians who served in Southwest Asia were surveyed by a voluntary questionnaire. The survey revealed that Army pediatricians played an important role in these operations and in supporting the combat forces in Southwest Asia. They also played a critical role in caring for children displaced by the war and its aftermath in southern and northern Iraq. Pediatricians played an equally important role in continuing to provide care and support for the family members left behind in the United States and Europe.

The pharmacist's role in promoting preconception health.

PubMed

El-Ibiary, Shareen Y; Raney, Erin C; Moos, Merry-K

2014-01-01

To review the pharmacist's role in preconception health. PubMed search using the terms preconception, immunizations, epilepsy, diabetes, depression, tobacco, asthma, hypertension, anticoagulation, pharmacist, pregnancy, and current national guidelines. Preconception health has become recognized as an important public health focus to improve pregnancy outcomes. Pharmacists have a unique role as accessible health care providers to optimize preconception health by screening women for tobacco use, appropriate immunizations, and current medication use. Counseling patients on preconception risk factors and adequate folic acid supplementation as well as providing recommendations for safe and effective management of chronic conditions are also critical and within the scope of practice for pharmacists. Pharmacists play an important role in medication screening, chronic disease state management, and preconception planning to aid women in preparing for healthy pregnancies.

A Critical Role of Lyst-Interacting Protein5, a Positive Regulator of Multivesicular Body Biogenesis, in Plant Responses to Heat and Salt Stresses1

PubMed Central

Wang, Fei; Yang, Yan; Wang, Zhe; Zhou, Jie; Fan, Baofang; Chen, Zhixiang

2015-01-01

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are unique endosomes containing vesicles in the lumen and play critical roles in many cellular processes. We have recently shown that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Lyst-Interacting Protein5 (LIP5), a positive regulator of the Suppressor of K+ Transport Growth Defect1 (SKD1) AAA ATPase in MVB biogenesis, is a critical target of the mitogen-activated protein kinases MPK3 and MPK6 and plays an important role in the plant immune system. In this study, we report that the LIP5-regulated MVB pathway also plays a critical role in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Disruption of LIP5 causes compromised tolerance to both heat and salt stresses. The critical role of LIP5 in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses is dependent on its ability to interact with Suppressor of K+ Transport Growth Defect1. When compared with wild-type plants, lip5 mutants accumulate increased levels of ubiquitinated protein aggregates and NaCl under heat and salt stresses, respectively. Further analysis using fluorescent dye and MVB markers reveals that abiotic stress increases the formation of endocytic vesicles and MVBs in a largely LIP5-dependent manner. LIP5 is also required for the salt-induced increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species, which have been implicated in signaling of salt stress responses. Basal levels of LIP5 phosphorylation by MPKs and the stability of LIP5 are elevated by salt stress, and mutation of MPK phosphorylation sites in LIP5 reduces the stability and compromises the ability to complement the lip5 salt-sensitive mutant phenotype. These results collectively indicate that the MVB pathway is positively regulated by pathogen/stress-responsive MPK3/6 through LIP5 phosphorylation and plays a critical role in broad plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. PMID:26229051

Integrating advanced practice providers into medical critical care teams.

PubMed

McCarthy, Christine; O'Rourke, Nancy C; Madison, J Mark

2013-03-01

Because there is increasing demand for critical care providers in the United States, many medical ICUs for adults have begun to integrate nurse practitioners and physician assistants into their medical teams. Studies suggest that such advanced practice providers (APPs), when appropriately trained in acute care, can be highly effective in helping to deliver high-quality medical critical care and can be important elements of teams with multiple providers, including those with medical house staff. One aspect of building an integrated team is a practice model that features appropriate coding and billing of services by all providers. Therefore, it is important to understand an APP's scope of practice, when they are qualified for reimbursement, and how they may appropriately coordinate coding and billing with other team providers. In particular, understanding when and how to appropriately code for critical care services (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] code 99291, critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient, first 30-74 min; CPT code 99292, critical care, each additional 30 min) and procedures is vital for creating a sustainable program. Because APPs will likely play a growing role in medical critical care units in the future, more studies are needed to compare different practice models and to determine the best way to deploy this talent in specific ICU settings.

On the optimal two-impulse maneuver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bonneau, F. G.; Diarra, C. M.

1992-01-01

An algorithm and a solution to the optimal two-impulse maneuver for the Ulysses spacecraft is presented. The option in which both maneuvers are designed using the critical plane strategy, which further reduces the propellant budget, is included. Results show savings of 12.4 and 16.7 m/s for full targeting and critical plane strategy, respectively. It is argued that this software will play an important role in the area of multimission maneuver design.

New insights into the gut as the driver of critical illness and organ failure.

PubMed

Meng, Mei; Klingensmith, Nathan J; Coopersmith, Craig M

2017-04-01

The gut has long been hypothesized to be the 'motor' of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. This review serves as an update on new data elucidating the role of the gut as the propagator of organ failure in critical illness. Under basal conditions, the gut absorbs nutrients and serves as a barrier that prevents approximately 40 trillion intraluminal microbes and their products from causing host injury. However, in critical illness, gut integrity is disrupted with hyperpermeability and increased epithelial apoptosis, allowing contamination of extraluminal sites that are ordinarily sterile. These alterations in gut integrity are further exacerbated in the setting of preexisting comorbidities. The normally commensal microflora is also altered in critical illness, with increases in microbial virulence and decreases in diversity, which leads to further pathologic responses within the host. All components of the gut are adversely impacted by critical illness. Gut injury can not only propagate local damage, but can also cause distant injury and organ failure. Understanding how the multifaceted components of the gut interact and how these are perturbed in critical illness may play an important role in turning off the 'motor' of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in the future.

Quality: from imperatives to innovations.

PubMed

Dunbar, S

1987-05-01

I have outlined the quality issues facing critical care nurses today and have also presented some challenges for the future. Critical care nurses must now enter a new era characterized by unification, collaboration and involvement, increased professional autonomy, and caring to meet the customer's expectations for quality in fact and quality in perception. Through innovation, critical care nurses can control the pace of change and influence quality in critical care. Recall the kaleidoscope and remember that its intent is to make the whole seem more than the sum of its parts. The image on the horizon is a dynamic and powerful nursing profession as a whole, with critical care nurses assuming an essential and more important role. In fact, the image on the horizon looks bright to me.

Two roles of the context in Pavlovian fear conditioning.

PubMed

Urcelay, Gonzalo P; Miller, Ralph R

2010-04-01

At both empirical and theoretical levels, multiple functional roles of contextual information upon memory performance have been proposed without a clear dissociation of these roles. Some theories have assumed that contexts are functionally similar to cues, whereas other views emphasize the retrieval facilitating properties of contextual information. In Experiment 1, we observed that one critical parameter, the spacing of trials, could determine whether the context would function as a conditioned stimulus or as a retrieval cue for memories trained in different phases. Experiments 2 and 3 doubly dissociated these functions by selectively disrupting one role but not the other, and vice versa. Overall, these observations identify one determinant of different functions of contextual information and pose a major challenge to theories of learning that assume exclusively one or the other function of the context. Moreover, these data emphasize the importance of parametric variations on behavioral control, which has critical implications for studies designed to understand the role of the hippocampus in processing of contextual attributes.

Soy Tu Hijo: Los Primeros Anos Marcan Para Siempre (I Am Your Child: The First Years Last Forever). [Videotape].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reiner Foundation, Washington, DC.

New research in brain development reveals the vital importance of the relationship between caregiver and child in the critical first years of life. This Spanish-language video explores the role of parents in stimulating early childhood development. The 28-minute video discusses: (1) attachment and the role of touch in creating a bond between…

Examining the Educative Aims and Practices of Decision-Makers in Sport for Development and Peace Organizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Svensson, Per G.; Hancock, Meg G.; Hums, Mary A.

2016-01-01

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) policy-makers and practitioners continue to offer ambitious claims regarding the potential role of sport-based programs for promoting social change. Yet, it is important to put sport under a critical lens in order to develop a more balanced and realistic understanding of the role of sport in society. Whether…

The Physician's Role in Assessing and Counseling Aging Drivers: A Training Session for Undergraduate Medical Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rull, Gary; Rosher, Richard B.; Robinson, Sherry; McCann-Stone, Nancy

2008-01-01

The critical need for physicians to become entrenched in the issues of older drivers and public safety is the focus of a training initiative developed as a component of an innovative geriatrics curriculum, Aging (Couple) Across the Curriculum. As the number of aging drivers in the United States rises, physicians can play an important role in…

Policy-as-Discourse and Schools in the Role of Health Promotion: The Application of Bernstein's Transmission Context in Policy Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leow, Anthony Chee Siong

2011-01-01

As one of the most important sites in and through which state agendas are articulated and disseminated, schools and teachers play critical roles in the implementation of state-driven policies and initiatives targeted at children and young people. This is especially pertinent in the current educational landscape where schools and teachers are…

Role of insular cortex in visceral hypersensitivity model in rats subjected to chronic stress.

PubMed

Yi, LiSha; Sun, HuiHui; Ge, Chao; Chen, Ying; Peng, HaiXia; Jiang, YuanXi; Wu, Ping; Tang, YinHan; Meng, QingWei; Xu, ShuChang

2014-12-30

Abnormal processing of visceral sensation at the level of the central nervous system has been proven to be important in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of stress related functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, the specific mechanism is still not clear. The insular cortex (IC) was considered as one important visceral sensory area. Moreover, the IC has been shown to be involved in various neuropsychiatric diseases such as panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, whether the IC is important in psychological stress related visceral hypersensitivity has not been studied yet. In our study, through destruction of the bilateral IC, we explored whether the IC played a critical role in the formation of visceral hypersensitivity induced by chronic stress on rats. Chronic partial restraint stress was used to establish viscerally hypersensitive rat model. Bilateral IC lesions were generated by N-methyl-D-day (door) aspartate. After a recovery period of 7 days, 14-day consecutive restraint stress was performed. The visceromotor response to colorectal distension was monitored by recording electromyogram to measure rats׳ visceral sensitivity. We found that bilateral insular cortex lesion could markedly inhibit the formation of visceral hypersensitivity induced by chronic stress. The insular cortex plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of stress-related visceral hypersensitivity.

Implementing Transfer of Learning in Training and Professional Development in a US Public Child Welfare Agency: What Works?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strand, Virginia; Bosco-Ruggiero, Stephanie

2011-01-01

In-service training in public child welfare agencies in the United States has long been viewed as an important vehicle for the improvement of job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and therefore as important to retention in child welfare. This article examines the critical role of transfer of learning strategies in such training and…

National Language Needs and Federal Support of National Language Capacity: The Critical Role of Title VI of the Higher Education Act.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brecht, Richard D.; Rivers, William P.

The years since the fall of the Soviet Union have seen dramatic changes in international relations, global economics, global communications, population migration, and international organized crime. A survey of language needs in the federal government identified 43 countries of primary importance, 19 of secondary importance, and 30 languages…

Seeing White: Children of Color and the Disney Fairy Tale Princess

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hurley, Dorothy L.

2005-01-01

The children's self-image is affected by the ways in which they see themselves in texts both verbal and visual which plays an important role in building self-image and the belief-system of the children. The development of critical literacy skills in children and teachers and the importance of exposing the children to transcultural literature are…

The link between national security and biometrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Etter, Delores M.

2005-03-01

National security today requires identification of people, things and activities. Biometrics plays an important role in the identification of people, and indirectly, in the identification of things and activities. Therefore, the development of technology and systems that provide faster and more accurate biometric identification is critical to the defense of our country. In addition, the development of a broad range of biometrics is necessary to provide the range of options needed to address flexible and adaptive adversaries. This paper will discuss the importance of a number of critical areas in the development of an environment to support biometrics, including research and development, biometric education, standards, pilot projects, and privacy assurance.

Mechanisms of stress-induced cellular HSP72 release: implications for exercise-induced increases in extracellular HSP72.

PubMed

Lancaster, Graeme I; Febbraio, Mark A

2005-01-01

The heat shock proteins are a family of highly conserved proteins with critical roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in protecting the cell from stressful conditions. While the critical intracellular roles of heat shock proteins are undisputed, evidence suggests that the cell possess the necessary machinery to actively secrete specific heat shock proteins in response to cellular stress. In this review, we firstly discuss the evidence that physical exercise induces the release of heat shock protein 72 from specific tissues in humans. Importantly, it appears as though this release is the result of an active secretory process, as opposed to non-specific processes such as cell lysis. Next we discuss recent in vitro evidence that has identified a mechanistic basis for the observation that cellular stress induces the release of a specific subset of heat shock proteins. Importantly, while the classical protein secretory pathway does not seem to be involved in the stress-induced release of HSP72, we discuss the evidence that lipid-rafts and exosomes are important mediators of the stress-induced release of HSP72.

Role of the human papilloma virus in the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and malignancy.

PubMed

Jastreboff, A M; Cymet, T

2002-04-01

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a public health problem as a sexually transmitted disease and as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various cancers. The clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and virology that are critical to understanding the process of cervical dysplasia and neoplasia are reviewed. A discussion of the cervical transformation zone and the classification of cervical dysplasia and neoplasia leads into the importance of the Papanicolaou smear in prevention of potentially devastating sequelae of this virus. The role of the immune system in the progression of the disease and how it relates to vaccines, as well as treatment and prevention of HPV, are reviewed.

Role of the human papilloma virus in the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and malignancy

PubMed Central

Jastreboff, A; Cymet, T

2002-01-01

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a public health problem as a sexually transmitted disease and as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various cancers. The clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and virology that are critical to understanding the process of cervical dysplasia and neoplasia are reviewed. A discussion of the cervical transformation zone and the classification of cervical dysplasia and neoplasia leads into the importance of the Papanicolaou smear in prevention of potentially devastating sequelae of this virus. The role of the immune system in the progression of the disease and how it relates to vaccines, as well as treatment and prevention of HPV, are reviewed. PMID:11930025

Technology-Critical Elements: Economic and Policy Perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eggert, R. G.

2017-12-01

Critical elements are those that provide essential functionality to modern engineered materials, have few ready substitutes and are subject to supply-chain risks or concerns about long-run availability. This paper provides economic and public-policy perspectives on critical elements. It suggests: that which elements are critical is situational and changes over time; that we are not running out of mineral-derived raw materials in a geologic sense but rather, for some elements, face scarcities that are technological, environmental, political or economic in nature; and that public policy's most important role over the longer term is fostering scientific and technological innovation, especially early stage research, that has the potential to overcome these scarcities.

Present knowledge and perspectives on the role of copper in brake materials and related environmental issues: A critical assessment.

PubMed

Straffelini, Giovanni; Ciudin, Rodica; Ciotti, Alessandro; Gialanella, Stefano

2015-12-01

This critical review presents several aspects related to the use of copper as a main component in brake pads in road vehicles. The compositions of these materials are attracting increasing interest and concern due to the relative contribution of wear products to particulate matter emissions in the environment as a result of braking action even though there has been a reduction in exhaust products from internal combustion engines. We review the data on the main wear mechanisms in brake systems and highlight the positive role of copper. However, similar to other heavy metal emissions, even the release of copper into the atmosphere may have important environmental and health effects. Thus, several replacement strategies are being pursued, and the positive and negative features will be critically reviewed. Additionally, the future perspectives in materials development will be discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exploring creativity and critical thinking in traditional and innovative problem-based learning groups.

PubMed

Chan, Zenobia C Y

2013-08-01

To explore students' attitude towards problem-based learning, creativity and critical thinking, and the relevance to nursing education and clinical practice. Critical thinking and creativity are crucial in nursing education. The teaching approach of problem-based learning can help to reduce the difficulties of nurturing problem-solving skills. However, there is little in the literature on how to improve the effectiveness of a problem-based learning lesson by designing appropriate and innovative activities such as composing songs, writing poems and using role plays. Exploratory qualitative study. A sample of 100 students participated in seven semi-structured focus groups, of which two were innovative groups and five were standard groups, adopting three activities in problem-based learning, namely composing songs, writing poems and performing role plays. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. There are three themes extracted from the conversations: 'students' perceptions of problem-based learning', 'students' perceptions of creative thinking' and 'students' perceptions of critical thinking'. Participants generally agreed that critical thinking is more important than creativity in problem-based learning and clinical practice. Participants in the innovative groups perceived a significantly closer relationship between critical thinking and nursing care, and between creativity and nursing care than the standard groups. Both standard and innovative groups agreed that problem-based learning could significantly increase their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Further, by composing songs, writing poems and using role plays, the innovative groups had significantly increased their awareness of the relationship among critical thinking, creativity and nursing care. Nursing educators should include more types of creative activities than it often does in conventional problem-based learning classes. The results could help nurse educators design an appropriate curriculum for preparing professional and ethical nurses for future clinical practice. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The Ethics of Globalizing Bioethics

PubMed Central

Rennie, Stuart; Mupenda, Bavon

2012-01-01

In the last decade, there have been efforts to globalize the field of bioethics, particularly in developing countries, where biomedical and other research is increasingly taking place. We describe and evaluate some key ethical criticisms directed towards these initiatives, and argue that while they may be marked by ethical, practical, and political tensions and pitfalls, they can nevertheless play an important role in stimulating critical bioethics culture in countries vulnerable to exploitation by foreign agencies and/or their own authorities. PMID:25632370

Listening in the General Education Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolvin, Andrew D.

2012-01-01

Research supports the point that listening skills play an important role in 21st century personal, academic, and professional success. This article argues that educators should include listening, a critical communication competency, in the oral communication course in the general education curriculum. (Contains 1 table.)

Reasoning with Geometric Shapes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seah, Rebecca

2015-01-01

Geometry belongs to branches of mathematics that develop students' visualisation, intuition, critical thinking, problem solving, deductive reasoning, logical argument and proof (Jones, 2002). It provides the basis for the development of spatial sense and plays an important role in acquiring advanced knowledge in science, technology, engineering,…

In-Situ Analysis Of Metal(loid)s In Plants: State Of The Art And Artefacts

EPA Science Inventory

Metals and metalloids play important roles in plant function and metabolism. Likewise, plants subsequently introduce vital dietary nutrition to people and animals. Understanding the transport, localisation and speciation of these elements is critical for understanding availabil...

Sleep Deprivation in Critical Illness: Its Role in Physical and Psychological Recovery

PubMed Central

Kamdar, Biren B.; Needham, Dale M.; Collop, Nancy A.

2012-01-01

Critically ill patients frequently experience poor sleep, characterized by frequent disruptions, loss of circadian rhythms, and a paucity of time spent in restorative sleep stages. Factors that are associated with sleep disruption in the intensive care unit (ICU) include patient-ventilator dysynchrony, medications, patient care interactions, and environmental noise and light. As the field of critical care increasingly focuses on patients' physical and psychological outcomes following critical illness, understanding the potential contribution of ICU-related sleep disruption on patient recovery is an important area of investigation. This review article summarizes the literature regarding sleep architecture and measurement in the critically ill, causes of ICU sleep fragmentation, and potential implications of ICU-related sleep disruption on patients' recovery from critical illness. With this background information, strategies to optimize sleep in the ICU are also discussed. PMID:21220271

Electrophysiology and Beyond: Multiple roles of Na+ channel β subunits in development and disease

PubMed Central

Patino, Gustavo A.; Isom, Lori L.

2010-01-01

Voltage-gated Na+ channel (VGSC) β subunits are not “auxiliary.” These multifunctional molecules not only modulate Na+ current (INa), but also function as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) – playing roles in aggregation, migration, invasion, neurite outgrowth, and axonal fasciculation. β subunits are integral members of VGSC signaling complexes at nodes of Ranvier, axon initial segments, and cardiac intercalated disks, regulating action potential propagation through critical intermolecular and cell-cell communication events. At least in vitro, many β subunit cell adhesive functions occur both in the presence and absence of pore-forming VGSC α subunits, and in vivo β subunits are expressed in excitable as well as non-excitable cells, thus β subunits may play important functional roles on their own, in the absence of α subunits. VGSC β1 subunits are essential for life and appear to be especially important during brain development. Mutations in β subunit genes result in a variety of human neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, some cancer cells exhibit alterations in β subunit expression during metastasis. In short, these proteins, originally thought of as merely accessory to α subunits, are critical players in their own right in human health and disease. Here we discuss the role of VGSC β subunits in the nervous system. PMID:20600605

The bias of experimental design, including strain background, in the determination of critical Streptococcus suis serotype 2 virulence factors

PubMed Central

Auger, Jean-Philippe; Chuzeville, Sarah; Roy, David; Mathieu-Denoncourt, Annabelle; Xu, Jianguo; Grenier, Daniel

2017-01-01

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an important porcine bacterial pathogen and emerging zoonotic agent mainly responsible for sudden death, septic shock, and meningitis. However, serotype 2 strains are genotypically and phenotypically heterogeneous. Though a multitude of virulence factors have been described for S. suis serotype 2, the lack of a clear definition regarding which ones are truly “critical” has created inconsistencies that have only recently been highlighted. Herein, the involvement of two factors previously described as being critical for S. suis serotype 2 virulence, whether the dipeptidyl peptidase IV and autolysin, were evaluated with regards to different ascribed functions using prototype strains belonging to important sequence types. Results demonstrate a lack of reproducibility with previously published data. In fact, the role of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV and autolysin as critical virulence factors could not be confirmed. Though certain in vitro functions may be ascribed to these factors, their roles are not unique for S. suis, probably due to compensation by other factors. As such, variations and discrepancies in experimental design, including in vitro assays, cell lines, and animal models, are an important source of differences between results. Moreover, the use of different sequence types in this study demonstrates that the role attributed to a virulence factor may vary according to the S. suis serotype 2 strain background. Consequently, it is necessary to establish standard experimental designs according to the experiment and purpose in order to facilitate comparison between laboratories. Alongside, studies should include strains of diverse origins in order to prevent erroneous and biased conclusions that could affect future studies. PMID:28753679

Basic principles of management for cervical spine trauma.

PubMed

O'Dowd, J K

2010-03-01

This article reviews the basic principles of management of cervical trauma. The technique and critical importance of careful assessment is described. Instability is defined, and the incidence of a second injury is highlighted. The concept of spinal clearance is discussed. Early reduction and stabilisation techniques are described, and the indications, and approach for surgery reviewed. The importance of the role of post-injury rehabilitation is identified.

Lowering the barrier to a decentralized NHIN using the open healthcare framework.

PubMed

Smith, Eishay; Kaufman, James H

2006-01-01

In this paper, we discuss two important elements to lowering the barrier to creation of a National Health Information Network. The first element is the adoption of standards that will enable interoperability while guarantee open interfaces (and preventing vendor lock-in). The second element is the role of open source. While adoption of open standards by large EMR vendors is critically important to enterprise healthcare providers and payors, the availability of inexpensive (or free) standardized Healthcare Information Technology for small physician practices is critical. By analogy to the emergence of the World Wide Web, a framework for creating inexpensive and open source applications for physicians will be as important to realizing a National Health Information Network as availability of free browser technology was to the growth of the internet.

MCEARD CONTRIBUTION TO ORD ASTHMA RESEARCH INITIATIVE

EPA Science Inventory

Beginning in 1998, EPA researchers have worked to examine the role of indoor molds/fungi in children's health. The make-up of the indoor environment is critical to the health of children in general and has a particularly important influence on the incidence and exacerbation of ...

Seizure Disorders: A Review for School Psychologists.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sachs, Henry T.; Barrett, Rowland P.

1995-01-01

Recognizing possible seizure disorders, medication side-effects, behavioral and cognitive effects of seizures, and their treatments are important skills for school psychologists because they affect 500,000 United States school-aged children attending regular education. A knowledgeable school professional serves a critical role in integrating…

Proteomic analysis of zebrafish brain tissue following exposure to the pesticide prochloraz

EPA Science Inventory

The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis plays a central role in the maintenance of homeostasis. Disruptions of this axis can have important implications for development and other critical biological processes. A number of compounds found in aquatic environments are known t...

Restoration planting options for limber pines in the southern Rocky Mountains

Treesearch

Anne Marie Casper; William R. Jacobi; Anna W. Schoettle; Kelly S. Burns

2011-01-01

Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis) populations in the southern Rocky Mountains are severely threatened by the combined impacts of mountain pine beetles and white pine blister rust. Limber pine's critical role in these high elevation ecosystems heightens the importance of mitigating these impacts.

4H-and-NASA-Leadership-Followership

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-09

Lots of people like to be the leader, but leaders need a team to follow them. Understanding when to lead and when to follow, and the importance of both roles, is a critical skill for success. To learn more visit www.nasa.gov/education/4H.

Employers, Families and Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Partnership for Family Involvement in Education (ED), Washington, DC.

Family involvement in education is good for business, critical to children's school achievement, and important in creating strong and vibrant communities. This report discusses the role of businesses and employers in helping partners and family members be more involved in children's learning. Throughout the report, programs at specific companies…

The Computer in Education--Are We over Our Heads?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schrader, Vincent E.

1984-01-01

Cautions school systems considering buying microcomputers that staying current with technology is difficult and that much existing software and hardware is inferior; identifies critical concerns involved in integrating computers into education; and stresses the importance of educators' role in controlling high tech. (MJL)

IgA is Important for Clearance and Critical for Protection from Rotavirus Infection

PubMed Central

Blutt, Sarah E; Miller, Amber D.; Salmon, Sharon L.; Metzger, Dennis W.; Conner, Margaret E

2012-01-01

Based on a lack of severe phenotype in human IgA deficiency syndromes, the role of IgA in controlling respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) infections has not been clearly defined. C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice lacking IgA (IgA−/−) were developed and used to address this question. When exposed to a common GI virus, rotavirus, IgA−/− mice exhibited a substantial and significant delay in clearance of the initial infection compared to wild type mice. IgA−/− mice excreted rotavirus in stool up to three weeks after the initial exposure compared to ten days observed in wild type mice. Importantly, IgA−/− mice failed to develop protective immunity against multiple repeat exposures to the virus. All IgA−/− mice excreted virus in the stool upon re-exposure to rotavirus while wild type mice were completely protected against re-infection. These findings clearly indicate a critical role for IgA in the establishment of immunity against a GI viral pathogen. PMID:22739233

Use of Children's Popular Culture in Literacy Curricula: An Analysis of the Papers by Parry (2002) and Dickie and Shuker (2014) through the Lenses of "No Research Can Be Value-Laden

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Altintug, Fatma Aslanturk; Debrelu, Emre

2018-01-01

This paper focuses on the importance of children's out-of-school experiences as their popular culture and discusses how such experiences contribute to their creativity and critical thinking. In addition to this, the paper also discusses the critical role of researchers' values in terms of how values affect the design and process of research. From…

Becoming business critical: Knowledge for Healthcare.

PubMed

Lacey Bryant, Sue; Stewart, David; Goswami, Louise; Grant, Maria J

2016-09-01

Significant progress has been made in implementing Knowledge for Healthcare. This editorial reports the central contribution of effective partnerships and the involvement of librarians and knowledge specialists in this work. There are compelling business priorities. Key elements of work-streams on demonstrating impact, workforce development and streamlining are indicated, along with areas of growing importance - knowledge management, embedded roles and health information for the public and patients. Knowledge, and the skills to help people to use it, are business critical. © 2016 Health Libraries Group.

Functional role of inorganic trace elements in angiogenesis-Part II: Cr, Si, Zn, Cu, and S.

PubMed

Saghiri, Mohammad Ali; Asatourian, Armen; Orangi, Jafar; Sorenson, Christine M; Sheibani, Nader

2015-10-01

Trace elements play critical roles in angiogenesis events. The effects of nitrogen, iron, selenium, phosphorus, gold, and calcium were discussed in part I. In part II, we evaluated the effect of chromium, silicon, zinc, copper, and sulfur on different aspects of angiogenesis, with critical roles in healing and regeneration processes, and undeniable roles in tumor growth and cancer therapy. This review is the second of series that serves as an overview of the role of inorganic elements in regulation of angiogenesis and vascular function. The methods of exposure, structure, mechanism, and potential activity of these trace elements are briefly discussed. An electronic search was performed on the role of these trace elements in angiogenesis from January 2005 to April 2014. The recent aspects of the relationship between five different trace elements and their role in regulation of angiogenesis, and homeostasis of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors were assessed. Many studies have investigated the effects and importance of these elements in angiogenesis events. Both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on angiogenesis are observed for the evaluated elements. Chromium can promote angiogenesis in pathological manners. Silicon as silica nanoparticles is anti-angiogenic, while in calcium silicate extracts and bioactive silicate glasses promote angiogenesis. Zinc is an anti-angiogenic agent acting on important genes and growth factors. Copper and sulfur compositions have pro-angiogenic functions by activating pro-angiogenic growth factors and promoting endothelial cells migration, growth, and tube formation. Thus, utilization of these elements may provide a unique opportunity to modulate angiogenesis under various setting. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

New insights into the gut as the driver of critical illness and organ failure

PubMed Central

Meng, Mei; Klingensmith, Nathan J.; Coopersmith, Craig M.

2017-01-01

Purpose of review The gut has long been hypothesized to be the “motor” of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This review serves as an update on new data elucidating the role of the gut as the propagator of organ failure in critical illness. Recent findings Under basal conditions, the gut absorbs nutrients and serves as a barrier that prevents approximately 40 trillion intraluminal microbes and their products from causing host injury. However, in critical illness, gut integrity is disrupted with hyperpermeability and increased epithelial apoptosis, allowing contamination of extraluminal sites that are ordinarily sterile. These alterations in gut integrity are further exacerbated in the setting of pre-existing co-morbidities. The normally commensal microflora is also altered in critical illness, with increases in microbial virulence and decreases in diversity, which leads to further pathologic responses within the host. Summary All components of the gut are adversely impacted by critical illness. Gut injury can not only propagate local damage, but can also cause distant injury and organ failure. Understanding how the multifaceted components of the gut interact and how these are perturbed in critical illness may play an important role in turning off the “motor” of MODS in the future. PMID:28092310

Critical Care Delivery: The Importance of Process of Care and ICU Structure to Improved Outcomes: An Update From the American College of Critical Care Medicine Task Force on Models of Critical Care.

PubMed

Weled, Barry J; Adzhigirey, Lana A; Hodgman, Tudy M; Brilli, Richard J; Spevetz, Antoinette; Kline, Andrea M; Montgomery, Vicki L; Puri, Nitin; Tisherman, Samuel A; Vespa, Paul M; Pronovost, Peter J; Rainey, Thomas G; Patterson, Andrew J; Wheeler, Derek S

2015-07-01

In 2001, the Society of Critical Care Medicine published practice model guidelines that focused on the delivery of critical care and the roles of different ICU team members. An exhaustive review of the additional literature published since the last guideline has demonstrated that both the structure and process of care in the ICU are important for achieving optimal patient outcomes. Since the publication of the original guideline, several authorities have recognized that improvements in the processes of care, ICU structure, and the use of quality improvement science methodologies can beneficially impact patient outcomes and reduce costs. Herein, we summarize findings of the American College of Critical Care Medicine Task Force on Models of Critical Care: 1) An intensivist-led, high-performing, multidisciplinary team dedicated to the ICU is an integral part of effective care delivery; 2) Process improvement is the backbone of achieving high-quality ICU outcomes; 3) Standardized protocols including care bundles and order sets to facilitate measurable processes and outcomes should be used and further developed in the ICU setting; and 4) Institutional support for comprehensive quality improvement programs as well as tele-ICU programs should be provided.

Dimer monomer transition and dimer re-formation play important role for ATM cellular function during DNA repair

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Du, Fengxia; Zhang, Minjie; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049

2014-10-03

Highlights: • ATM phosphorylates the opposite strand of the dimer in response to DNA damage. • The PETPVFRLT box of ATM plays a key role in its dimer dissociation in DNA repair. • The dephosphorylation of ATM is critical for dimer re-formation after DNA repair. - Abstract: The ATM protein kinase, is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is recruited and activated by DNA double-strand breaks, mediates responses to ionizing radiation in mammalian cells. Here we show that ATM is held inactive in unirradiated cells as a dimer and phosphorylates the opposite strand of the dimer in response to DNA damage.more » Cellular irradiation induces rapid intermolecular autophosphorylation of serine 1981 that causes dimer dissociation and initiates cellular ATM kinase activity. ATM cannot phosphorylate the substrates when it could not undergo dimer monomer transition. After DNA repair, the active monomer will undergo dephosphorylation to form dimer again and dephosphorylation is critical for dimer re-formation. Our work reveals novel function of ATM dimer monomer transition and explains why ATM dimer monomer transition plays such important role for ATM cellular activity during DNA repair.« less

You are what you eat: O-linked N-acetylglucosamine in disease, development and epigenetics.

PubMed

Olivier-Van Stichelen, Stéphanie; Hanover, John A

2015-07-01

The O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification is both responsive to nutrient availability and capable of altering intracellular cellular signalling. We summarize data defining a role for O-GlcNAcylation in metabolic homeostasis and epigenetic regulation of development in the intrauterine environment. O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) catalyzes nutrient-driven O-GlcNAc addition and is subject to random X-inactivation. OGT plays key roles in growth factor signalling, stem cell biology, epigenetics and possibly imprinting. The O-GlcNAcase, which removes O-GlcNAc, is subject to tight regulation by higher order chromatin structure. O-GlcNAc cycling plays an important role in the intrauterine environment wherein OGT expression is an important biomarker of placental stress. Regulation of O-GlcNAc cycling by X-inactivation, epigenetic regulation and nutrient-driven processes makes it an ideal candidate for a nutrient-dependent epigenetic regulator of human disease. In addition, O-GlcNAc cycling influences chromatin modifiers critical to the regulation and timing of normal development including the polycomb repression complex and the ten-eleven translocation proteins mediating DNA methyl cytosine demethylation. The pathway also impacts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis critical to intrauterine programming influencing disease susceptibility in later life.

Role of Bioreactors in Microbial Biomass and Energy Conversion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Liang; Zhang, Biao; Zhu, Xun

Bioenergy is the world’s largest contributor to the renewable and sustainable energy sector, and it plays a significant role in various energy industries. A large amount of research has contributed to the rapidly evolving field of bioenergy and one of the most important topics is the use of the bioreactor. Bioreactors play a critical role in the successful development of technologies for microbial biomass cultivation and energy conversion. In this chapter, after a brief introduction to bioreactors (basic concepts, configurations, functions, and influencing factors), the applications of the bioreactor in microbial biomass, microbial biofuel conversion, and microbial electrochemical systems aremore » described. Importantly, the role and significance of the bioreactor in the bioenergy process are discussed to provide a better understanding of the use of bioreactors in managing microbial biomass and energy conversion.« less

The "nation's conscience:" assessing bioethics commissions as public forums.

PubMed

Dzur, Albert W; Levin, Daniel

2004-12-01

As the fifth national bioethics commission has concluded its work and a sixth is currently underway, it is time to step back and consider appropriate measures of success. This paper argues that standard measures of commissions' influence fail to fully assess their role as public forums. From the perspective of democratic theory, a critical dimension of this role is public engagement: the ability of a commission to address the concerns of the general public, to learn how average citizens resolve moral issues in healthcare, and to monitor public opinion on the topics addressed in the commission. Such a public forum role is supported by the critical literature within bioethics, which has deemed some commissions successful, supported more generally by the history of bioethics as a reform discourse that has brought socially important values into the medical domain, and supported more generally still by the example of the great social issues commissions of the 1960s.

The Role of microRNAs in Bovine Infection and Immunity

PubMed Central

Lawless, Nathan; Vegh, Peter; O’Farrelly, Cliona; Lynn, David J.

2014-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNAs that are recognized as critical regulators of immune gene expression during infection. Many immunologically significant human miRNAs have been found to be conserved in agriculturally important species, including cattle. Discovering how bovine miRNAs mediate the immune defense during infection is critical to understanding the etiology of the most prevalent bovine diseases. Here, we review current knowledge of miRNAs in the bovine genome, and discuss the advances in understanding of miRNAs as regulators of immune cell function, and bovine immune response activation, regulation, and resolution. Finally, we consider the future perspectives on miRNAs in bovine viral disease, their role as potential biomarkers and in therapy. PMID:25505900

Interaction between EphrinB1 and CNK1 Found to Play Role in Tumor Progression | Poster

Cancer.gov

By Nancy Parrish, Staff Writer The family of proteins known as ephrins plays a critical role in a variety of biological processes. In a recent article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Hee Jun Cho, Ph.D., and colleagues report on the interaction between proteins CNK1 and ephrinB1 that promotes cell movement. Their findings may have an important implication in developing

Identity in recovery for mothers with a mental illness: A literature review.

PubMed

Hine, Rochelle Helena; Maybery, Darryl John; Goodyear, Melinda Jane

2018-03-01

The development of a positive identity beyond the mental illness has been highlighted as an important component of personal recovery. However, the experience of parenting is often overlooked in recovery discourse. This review aims to explore what the literature reveals about the process of developing a positive identity as part of personal recovery and how this may be shaped by the mothering role. A systematic literature search of 5 databases resulted in 27 articles being reviewed, with findings extracted and analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Evidence on the construct and scope of identity in recovery for mothers with mental illness was critically analyzed in the context of a personal recovery conceptual framework. The findings highlight that identity was rarely overtly defined in this literature, although the importance of motherhood was emphasized. Common barriers to uninterrupted and rewarding motherhood included illness and treatment, self-criticism, unsupportive families, discriminatory attitudes, and challenging relationships with children marred by intense and difficult emotions. The important role that psychiatric services can play but rarely do was a common finding. Personal recovery from mental illness is more effectively facilitated through supporting mothers to build positive, realistic, and diverse identities that allow them to acknowledge and respond to their mental health needs without fearing the loss of their parenting role or conforming to restrictive gendered stereotypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

DOT1L regulates dystrophin expression and is critical for cardiac function

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Anh T.; Xiao, Bin; Neppl, Ronald L.; Kallin, Eric M.; Li, Juan; Chen, Taiping; Wang, Da-Zhi; Xiao, Xiao; Zhang, Yi

2011-01-01

Histone methylation plays an important role in regulating gene expression. One such methylation occurs at Lys 79 of histone H3 (H3K79) and is catalyzed by the yeast DOT1 (disruptor of telomeric silencing) and its mammalian homolog, DOT1L. Previous studies have demonstrated that germline disruption of Dot1L in mice resulted in embryonic lethality. Here we report that cardiac-specific knockout of Dot1L results in increased mortality rate with chamber dilation, increased cardiomyocyte cell death, systolic dysfunction, and conduction abnormalities. These phenotypes mimic those exhibited in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Mechanistic studies reveal that DOT1L performs its function in cardiomyocytes through regulating Dystrophin (Dmd) transcription and, consequently, stability of the Dystrophin–glycoprotein complex important for cardiomyocyte viability. Importantly, expression of a miniDmd can largely rescue the DCM phenotypes, indicating that Dmd is a major target mediating DOT1L function in cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, analysis of available gene expression data sets indicates that DOT1L is down-regulated in idiopathic DCM patient samples compared with normal controls. Therefore, our study not only establishes a critical role for DOT1L-mediated H3K79 methylation in cardiomyocyte function, but also reveals the mechanism underlying the role of DOT1L in DCM. In addition, our study may open new avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of human heart disease. PMID:21289070

Facilitating critical thinking.

PubMed

Hansten, R I; Washburn, M J

2000-01-01

Supporting staff to think effectively is essential to improve clinical systems, decrease errors and sentinel events, and engage staff involvement to refine patient care systems in readiness for new care-delivery models that truly reflect the valued role of the RN. The authors explore practical methods, based on current research and national consulting experience, to facilitate the development of mature critical thinking skills. Assessment tools, a sample agenda for formal presentations, and teaching strategies using behavioral examples that make the important and necessary link of theory to reality are discussed in the form of a critical thinking test as well as a conceptual model for application in problem solving.

From equity to power: Critical Success Factors for Twinning between midwives, a Delphi study.

PubMed

Cadée, Franka; Nieuwenhuijze, Marianne J; Lagro-Janssen, Antoine L M; de Vries, Raymond

2018-02-28

To gain consensus for Critical Success Factors associated with Twinning in Midwifery. International publications identify midwifery as important for improving maternity care worldwide. Midwifery is a team effort where midwives play a key role. Yet their power to take on this role is often lacking. Twinning has garnered potential to develop power in professionals, however, its success varies because implementation is not always optimal. Critical Success Factors have demonstrated positive results in the managerial context and can be helpful to build effective Twinning relationships. We approached 56 midwife Twinning experts from 19 countries to participate in three Delphi rounds between 2016 - 2017. In round 1, experts gave input through an open ended questionnaire and this was analysed to formulate Critical Success Factors statements that were scored on a 1-7 Likert scale aiming to gain consensus in rounds 2 and 3. These statements were operationalized for practical use such as a check list in planning, monitoring and evaluation in the field. Thirty-three experts from 14 countries took part in all three Delphi rounds, producing 58 initial statements. This resulted in 25 Critical Success Factors covering issues of management, communication, commitment and values, most focus on equity. The Critical Success Factors formulated represent the necessary ingredients for successful Twinning by providing a practical implementation framework and promote further research into the effect of Twinning. Findings show that making equity explicit in Twinning may contribute towards the power of midwives to take on their identified key role. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Parkinson disease: a role for autophagy?

PubMed

Yang, Qian; Mao, Zixu

2010-08-01

Autophagy is a term used to describe the process by which lysosomes degrade intracellular components. Known originally as an adaptive response to nutrient deprivation, autophagy has now been recognized to play important roles in several human disorders including neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental results from genetic, cellular, and toxicological studies indicate that many of the etiological factors associated with Parkinson disease (PD) can perturb the autophagic process in various model systems. Thus, the emerging data support the view that dysregulation of autophagy may play a critical role in the pathogenic process of PD.

The role of gender in the socialization of emotion: key concepts and critical issues.

PubMed

Root, Amy Kennedy; Denham, Susanne A

2010-01-01

Given the omnipresent role of gender in children's and adolescents' development, it seems necessary to better understand how gender affects the process of emotion socialization. In this introductory chapter, the authors discuss the overarching themes and key concepts discussed in this volume, as well as outline the distinct contribution of each individual chapter. Each chapter within this volume underscores the important role that parents play in the socialization of emotion, and the impact gender-typed emotion socialization may have on later socioemotional adjustment. (c) Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Entangled communities and spatial synchronization lead to criticality in urban traffic

PubMed Central

Petri, Giovanni; Expert, Paul; Jensen, Henrik J.; Polak, John W.

2013-01-01

Understanding the relation between patterns of human mobility and the scaling of dynamical features of urban environments is a great importance for today's society. Although recent advancements have shed light on the characteristics of individual mobility, the role and importance of emerging human collective phenomena across time and space are still unclear. In this Article, we show by using two independent data-analysis techniques that the traffic in London is a combination of intertwined clusters, spanning the whole city and effectively behaving as a single correlated unit. This is due to algebraically decaying spatio-temporal correlations, that are akin to those shown by systems near a critical point. We describe these correlations in terms of Taylor's law for fluctuations and interpret them as the emerging result of an underlying spatial synchronisation. Finally, our results provide the first evidence for a large-scale spatial human system reaching a self-organized critical state. PMID:23660823

Reproductive glycogenetics--a critical factor in pregnancy success and species hybridisation.

PubMed

Jones, C J P; Aplin, J D

2009-03-01

Hybridisation occurs rarely in nature and experiments using interspecific transfer of embryos generally result in implantation failure. Here we show that appropriate glycosylation of the apposing surfaces of endometrium and trophoblast probably is an important factor and may play a critical role in pregnancy success. Examination of closely related species shows that each has its own specific pattern of glycosylation, or glycotype, at the fetomaternal interface and that interacting surfaces appear to show complementarity, suggesting the existence of a glycocode. Studies on a camel/llama hybrid show that for successful implantation to occur, a hybrid must have a placental glycosylation pattern similar to that of the host species, suggesting that the glycocode and appropriate glycosylation may be critical factors in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. This new field of reproductive glycogenetics is not only relevant to the development of new species but may also have important implications in the area of human fertility.

Glutamine: an obligatory parenteral nutrition substrate in critical care therapy.

PubMed

Stehle, Peter; Kuhn, Katharina S

2015-01-01

Critical illness is characterized by glutamine depletion owing to increased metabolic demand. Glutamine is essential to maintain intestinal integrity and function, sustain immunologic response, and maintain antioxidative balance. Insufficient endogenous availability of glutamine may impair outcome in critically ill patients. Consequently, glutamine has been considered to be a conditionally essential amino acid and a necessary component to complete any parenteral nutrition regimen. Recently, this scientifically sound recommendation has been questioned, primarily based on controversial findings from a large multicentre study published in 2013 that evoked considerable uncertainty among clinicians. The present review was conceived to clarify the most important questions surrounding glutamine supplementation in critical care. This was achieved by addressing the role of glutamine in the pathophysiology of critical illness, summarizing recent clinical studies in patients receiving parenteral nutrition with intravenous glutamine, and describing practical concepts for providing parenteral glutamine in critical care.

Glutamine: An Obligatory Parenteral Nutrition Substrate in Critical Care Therapy

PubMed Central

Stehle, Peter; Kuhn, Katharina S.

2015-01-01

Critical illness is characterized by glutamine depletion owing to increased metabolic demand. Glutamine is essential to maintain intestinal integrity and function, sustain immunologic response, and maintain antioxidative balance. Insufficient endogenous availability of glutamine may impair outcome in critically ill patients. Consequently, glutamine has been considered to be a conditionally essential amino acid and a necessary component to complete any parenteral nutrition regimen. Recently, this scientifically sound recommendation has been questioned, primarily based on controversial findings from a large multicentre study published in 2013 that evoked considerable uncertainty among clinicians. The present review was conceived to clarify the most important questions surrounding glutamine supplementation in critical care. This was achieved by addressing the role of glutamine in the pathophysiology of critical illness, summarizing recent clinical studies in patients receiving parenteral nutrition with intravenous glutamine, and describing practical concepts for providing parenteral glutamine in critical care. PMID:26495301

RISK ASSESSMENT/RISK MANAGEMENT FOR INDOOR MOLD

EPA Science Inventory

In 1998, a team of eight EPA researchers from NERL, NHEERL, NRMRL and NCEA organized to examine the role of indoor molds/fungi in children's health. The make-up of the indoor environment is critical to the health of children in general and has a particularly important influence ...

How Six States Are Implementing Principal Evaluation Systems. Integrated Leadership Development Initiative (ILDI)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mattson Almanzán, Heather; Sanders, Nancy; Kearney, Karen

2011-01-01

Research and professional leadership standards identify specific ways in which principals directly influence school organization and community relationships and exert less direct, but critically important, influence on teaching quality and instructional effectiveness. Principals' roles are central to supporting and supervising teachers'…

Teaching Data Handling in Foundation Phase: Teachers' Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Naidoo, Jayaluxmi; Mkhabela, Nokuphiwa

2017-01-01

Data handling plays an important role within mathematics education since it encompasses real-world situations and assists in developing critical thinking skills in learners. However, globally international assessments disclose that learners are not performing well in data handling. This article explores foundation phase South African teachers'…

Basic principles of management for cervical spine trauma

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

This article reviews the basic principles of management of cervical trauma. The technique and critical importance of careful assessment is described. Instability is defined, and the incidence of a second injury is highlighted. The concept of spinal clearance is discussed. Early reduction and stabilisation techniques are described, and the indications, and approach for surgery reviewed. The importance of the role of post-injury rehabilitation is identified. PMID:19701655

SNAPIN is critical for lysosomal acidification and autophagosome maturation in macrophages

PubMed Central

Shi, Bo; Huang, Qi-Quan; Birkett, Robert; Doyle, Renee; Dorfleutner, Andrea; Stehlik, Christian; He, Congcong; Pope, Richard M.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT We previously observed that SNAPIN, which is an adaptor protein in the SNARE core complex, was highly expressed in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue macrophages, but its role in macrophages and autoimmunity is unknown. To identify SNAPIN's role in these cells, we employed siRNA to silence the expression of SNAPIN in primary human macrophages. Silencing SNAPIN resulted in swollen lysosomes with impaired CTSD (cathepsin D) activation, although total CTSD was not reduced. Neither endosome cargo delivery nor lysosomal fusion with endosomes or autophagosomes was inhibited following the forced silencing of SNAPIN. The acidification of lysosomes and accumulation of autolysosomes in SNAPIN-silenced cells was inhibited, resulting in incomplete lysosomal hydrolysis and impaired macroautophagy/autophagy flux. Mechanistic studies employing ratiometric color fluorescence on living cells demonstrated that the reduction of SNAPIN resulted in a modest reduction of H+ pump activity; however, the more critical mechanism was a lysosomal proton leak. Overall, our results demonstrate that SNAPIN is critical in the maintenance of healthy lysosomes and autophagy through its role in lysosome acidification and autophagosome maturation in macrophages largely through preventing proton leak. These observations suggest an important role for SNAPIN and autophagy in the homeostasis of macrophages, particularly long-lived tissue resident macrophages. PMID:27929705

Interprofessional Care and Teamwork in the ICU.

PubMed

Donovan, Anne L; Aldrich, J Matthew; Gross, A Kendall; Barchas, Denise M; Thornton, Kevin C; Schell-Chaple, Hildy M; Gropper, Michael A; Lipshutz, Angela K M

2018-06-01

We describe the importance of interprofessional care in modern critical care medicine. This review highlights the essential roles played by specific members of the interprofessional care team, including patients and family members, and discusses quality improvement initiatives that require interprofessional collaboration for success. Studies were identified through MEDLINE search using a variety of search phrases related to interprofessional care, critical care provider types, and quality improvement initiatives. Additional articles were identified through a review of the reference lists of identified articles. Original articles, review articles, and systematic reviews were considered. Manuscripts were selected for inclusion based on expert opinion of well-designed or key studies and review articles. "Interprofessional care" refers to care provided by a team of healthcare professionals with overlapping expertise and an appreciation for the unique contribution of other team members as partners in achieving a common goal. A robust body of data supports improvement in patient-level outcomes when care is provided by an interprofessional team. Critical care nurses, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, respiratory care practitioners, rehabilitation specialists, dieticians, social workers, case managers, spiritual care providers, intensivists, and nonintensivist physicians each provide unique expertise and perspectives to patient care, and therefore play an important role in a team that must address the diverse needs of patients and families in the ICU. Engaging patients and families as partners in their healthcare is also critical. Many important ICU quality improvement initiatives require an interprofessional approach, including Awakening and Breathing Coordination, Delirium, Early Exercise/Mobility, and Family Empowerment bundle implementation, interprofessional rounding practices, unit-based quality improvement initiatives, Patient and Family Advisory Councils, end-of-life care, coordinated sedation awakening and spontaneous breathing trials, intrahospital transport, and transitions of care. A robust body of evidence supports an interprofessional approach as a key component in the provision of high-quality critical care to patients of increasing complexity and with increasingly diverse needs.

Being and doing politics: an outdated model or 21st century reality?

PubMed

Carnegie, Elaine; Kiger, Alice

2009-09-01

This paper presents a discussion of how critical social theory can be used as a tool for research, reflection and exploration of the political role of the nurse. Sociological theory can be used to examine ideologies within nursing systems in order to contribute to the future development of the profession. The importance of critical social theory has been identified in the literature as being directly relevant to holism which is central to the nature of nursing. Texts published in English were identified from 1990 to 2008 using the keywords critical social theory, community nursing, political advocacy, social justice, sociological theory, health inequalities, health democracy, equity and inequality. Critical social theory can be used as a tool to highlight ethical ways to practise nursing. One reason for examination of the community nurse's political role is a shift in focus from the individual as patient to communities experiencing health inequalities. Nursing needs to decide whether the profession will work at the political level, and where advocacy and citizenship are located within a community role. Nurse educators must prepare nurses for political participation, and nurse managers need to focus on national and local contexts in order to encourage policy analysis and community engagement within nursing practice. An understanding of critical social theory can aid decision-making in relation to global and local policy, enable the nursing profession to respond to social injustice, and permit nurses to work with communities in the pursuit of community health.

Enhancing superconducting critical current by randomness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y. L.; Thoutam, L. R.; Xiao, Z. L.; Shen, B.; Pearson, J. E.; Divan, R.; Ocola, L. E.; Crabtree, G. W.; Kwok, W. K.

2016-01-01

The key ingredient of high critical currents in a type-II superconductor is defect sites that pin vortices. Contrary to earlier understanding on nanopatterned artificial pinning, here we show unequivocally the advantages of a random pinscape over an ordered array in a wide magnetic field range. We reveal that the better performance of a random pinscape is due to the variation of its local density of pinning sites (LDOPS), which mitigates the motion of vortices. This is confirmed by achieving even higher enhancement of the critical current through a conformally mapped random pinscape, where the distribution of the LDOPS is further enlarged. The demonstrated key role of LDOPS in enhancing superconducting critical currents gets at the heart of random versus commensurate pinning. Our findings highlight the importance of random pinscapes in enhancing the superconducting critical currents of applied superconductors.

Long-term sequelae of critical illness: memories and health-related quality of life.

PubMed

Hough, Catherine Lee; Curtis, J Randall

2005-04-01

Impaired health-related quality of life after critical illness has been demonstrated in a number of studies. It is not clear exactly how or why critical illness and intensive care lead to impaired health status, but understanding this association is an important step to improving long-term outcomes of the critically ill. There is growing evidence that neuro-psychological symptoms play a significant role in this impairment and that management of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) may influence these symptoms. This commentary examines a recent study and places this study in the context of previous studies suggesting that both amnesia and persisting nightmares of the ICU experience are associated with impaired quality of life. Further research is needed if we are effectively to understand, prevent and treat the negative sequelae of critical illness.

Intellectual Disability Policy as Developed, Expressed, and Evaluated in AAIDD/The Arc Joint Statements: The Role of Organization Position Statements.

PubMed

Luckasson, Ruth; Ford, Marty E; McMillan, Elise D; Misilo, Frederick M; Nygren, Margaret A

2017-07-01

The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) and The Arc of the United States (The Arc) have a long history of joined efforts to develop, express, and evaluate disability policies. These efforts have resulted in a series of formal statements on critical issues such as education, healthcare, human rights, and criminal justice. Their joint efforts further important policy goals including providing clear strong communication about important policy values and directions, promulgating key principles of high quality supports and services, affirming best professional practices, and emphasizing personal outcomes. In addition, the joint efforts (a) affirm important aspects of organization identity; (b) enhance the organizations' abilities to assure the input of a wide variety of perspectives; (c) engage members' expanded ranges of experiences and talents; (d) multiply staff and leadership resources; (e) increase communication strength and avenues; and (f) establish processes for timely review and revision of policies as critical disability issues arise or change, and new opportunities for policy integration and advancement occur. This article describes the processes used to develop, express, and evaluate the position statements; summarizes the policy content of several joint statements; and discusses the role of these organization position statements.

An inside look at the sensory biology of triatomines.

PubMed

Barrozo, Romina B; Reisenman, Carolina E; Guerenstein, Pablo; Lazzari, Claudio R; Lorenzo, Marcelo G

Although kissing bugs (Triatominae: Reduviidae) are perhaps best known as vectors of Chagas disease, they are important experimental models in studies of insect sensory physiology, pioneered by the seminal studies of Wigglesworth and Gillet more than eighty years ago. Since then, many investigations have revealed that the thermal, hygric, visual and olfactory senses play critical roles in the orientation of these blood-sucking insects towards hosts. Here we review the current knowledge about the role of these sensory systems, focussing on relevant stimuli, sensory structures, receptor physiology and the molecular players involved in the complex and cryptic behavioural repertoire of these nocturnal insects. Odours are particularly relevant, as they are involved in host search and are used for sexual, aggregation and alarm communication. Tastants are critical for a proper recognition of hosts, food and conspecifics. Heat and relative humidity mediate orientation towards hosts and are also important for the selection of resting places. Vision, which mediates negative phototaxis and flight dispersion, is also critical for modulating shelter use and mediating escape responses. The molecular bases underlying the detection of sensory stimuli started to be uncovered by means of functional genetics due to both the recent publication of the genome sequence of Rhodnius prolixus and the availability of modern genome editing techniques. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Progesterone receptor in the prostate: A potential suppressor for benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

PubMed

Chen, RuiQi; Yu, Yue; Dong, Xuesen

2017-02-01

Advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen receptor pathway inhibition (ARPI) eventually progresses to castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), suggesting that (i) androgen receptor (AR) blockage is incomplete, and (ii) there are other critical molecular pathways contributing to prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Although most PCa occurs in the epithelium, prostate stroma is increasingly believed to play a crucial role in promoting tumorigenesis and facilitating tumor progression. In the stroma, sex steroid hormone receptors such as AR and estrogen receptor-α are implicated to have important functions, whereas the progesterone receptor (PR) remains largely under-investigated despite the high sequence and structural similarities between PR and AR. Stromal progesterone/PR signaling may play a critical role in PCa development and progression because not only progesterone is a critical precursor for de novo androgen steroidogenesis and an activator of mutant androgen receptors, but also PR functions in a ligand-independent manner in various important pathways. In fact, recent progress in our understanding of stromal PR function suggests that this receptor may exert an inhibitory effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), reactive stroma development, and PCa progression. These early findings of stromal PR warrant further investigations as this receptor could be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in PCa management. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Restoring tactile and proprioceptive sensation through a brain interface

PubMed Central

Tabot, Gregg A.; Kim, Sung Shin; Winberry, Jeremy E.; Bensmaia, Sliman J.

2014-01-01

Somatosensation plays a critical role in the dexterous manipulation of objects, in emotional communication, and in the embodiment of our limbs. For upper-limb neuroprostheses to be adopted by prospective users, prosthetic limbs will thus need to provide sensory information about the position of the limb in space and about objects grasped in the hand. One approach to restoring touch and proprioception consists of electrically stimulating neurons in somatosensory cortex in the hopes of eliciting meaningful sensations to support the dexterous use of the hands, promote their embodiment, and perhaps even restore the affective dimension of touch. In this review, we discuss the importance of touch and proprioception in everyday life, then describe approaches to providing artificial somatosensory feedback through intracortical microstimulation (ICMS). We explore the importance of biomimicry – the elicitation of naturalistic patterns of neuronal activation – and that of adaptation – the brain’s ability to adapt to novel sensory input, and argue that both biomimicry and adaptation will play a critical role in the artificial restoration of somatosensation. We also propose that the documented re-organization that occurs after injury does not pose a significant obstacle to brain interfaces. While still at an early stage of development, sensory restoration is a critical step in transitioning upper-limb neuroprostheses from the laboratory to the clinic. PMID:25201560

Restoring tactile and proprioceptive sensation through a brain interface.

PubMed

Tabot, Gregg A; Kim, Sung Shin; Winberry, Jeremy E; Bensmaia, Sliman J

2015-11-01

Somatosensation plays a critical role in the dexterous manipulation of objects, in emotional communication, and in the embodiment of our limbs. For upper-limb neuroprostheses to be adopted by prospective users, prosthetic limbs will thus need to provide sensory information about the position of the limb in space and about objects grasped in the hand. One approach to restoring touch and proprioception consists of electrically stimulating neurons in somatosensory cortex in the hopes of eliciting meaningful sensations to support the dexterous use of the hands, promote their embodiment, and perhaps even restore the affective dimension of touch. In this review, we discuss the importance of touch and proprioception in everyday life, then describe approaches to providing artificial somatosensory feedback through intracortical microstimulation (ICMS). We explore the importance of biomimicry--the elicitation of naturalistic patterns of neuronal activation--and that of adaptation--the brain's ability to adapt to novel sensory input, and argue that both biomimicry and adaptation will play a critical role in the artificial restoration of somatosensation. We also propose that the documented re-organization that occurs after injury does not pose a significant obstacle to brain interfaces. While still at an early stage of development, sensory restoration is a critical step in transitioning upper-limb neuroprostheses from the laboratory to the clinic. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A pilot investigation in constructing crisis communications: what leads to best practice?

PubMed

Firestone, Rachel M; Everly, George S

2013-01-01

Crisis communications can play an important role in mitigating, or exacerbating, the psychological and behavioral reactions to critical incidents and disasters. Effective crisis communications can serve to mitigate anxiogenesis and direct rapid and focused rescue, recovery, and rehabilitative operations. Ambiguous and/or deceptive communications can serve to worsen mental health reactions and delay operational response and recovery (Everly, Strouse, & Everly, 2010). It seems, therefore, that inquiry into the content of acute crisis communications would be warranted Said more simply, given limited time, cryptic messaging in social media, and the "sound bite" mentality that seems to govern news dissemination, it is important to identify the most important content to convey in the wake of critical incidents and disasters. This paper reports on a pilot investigation into "best practices" for the construction of acute crisis communications.

The role of tacit knowledge in the work context of nursing.

PubMed

Herbig, B; Büssing, A; Ewert, T

2001-06-01

Previous research on the role of tacit knowledge is ambiguous. Some studies show the superiority of expertise, while other studies found experts would not be better than laymen. This paper aims at clarifying the contribution of tacit knowledge to expertise in the domain of nursing. Two important concepts for dealing with critical situations are outlined - tacit knowledge and experience-guided working. The framework of tacit knowledge and experience-guided working can contribute to an explanation of the ambiguous results. Tacit knowledge is acquired implicitly in the course of working and is therefore not subject to reflection. For this reason it can contain erroneous or problematic contents. A method for the explication of tacit knowledge was developed and a laboratory study with 16 experienced nurses conducted. In the laboratory study the nurses had to deal with a critical nursing situation that was developed in co-operation with nursing experts. The explicit knowledge of the nurses was tested before the laboratory study. No systematic differences in explicit knowledge could be observed, i.e. differences in performance could not be attributed to this knowledge mode. Results from multidimensional scaling procedures illustrate differences in the tacit knowledge of nurses who successfully accomplished the critical situation and those who did not. The findings are in line with the assumption that experience-guided working is of the utmost importance for dealing with critical situations. Consequences of these results for nursing and person-related services in general are discussed and the aim of future research is outlined.

Enhancing Science Learning through Dynamic Bilingual Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evans, Leanne M.; Avila, Antonieta

2016-01-01

Language is one of the most important drivers of children's socialization and development of a sense of belonging within their school, community, and culture. For bilingual and multicultural children in particular, language plays a critical role in the development of their identity. If emergent language learners do not feel confident in their…

Pollen tube germination in maize does not require transcriptomic changes

EPA Science Inventory

One objective for our group is to better understand the molecular and genetic basis of pollen and pollen tube function, given its critical role in seed production and its importance as a means of gene flow between plant populations. We compared gene expression levels in seedlings...

Contributions of adipose tissue architectural and tensile properties toward defining healthy and unhealthy obesity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in maintenance of white adipose tissue (WAT) architecture and function, and proper ECM remodeling is critical to support WAT malleability to accomodate changes in energy storage needs. Obesity and adipocyte hypertrophy places a strain on the EC...

Situational or Personal: Interest in American History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Victoria Caterina

2010-01-01

The main purpose of the study was to investigate how individuals with a stated interest in American history described their interest. Understanding interest and the factors influencing interest development in a particular content is important as personal interest has been described as "having a critical role in the learning and development of…

Participant Observation and the Political Scientist: Possibilities, Priorities, and Practicalities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillespie, Andra; Michelson, Melissa R.

2011-01-01

Surveys, experiments, large-"N" datasets and formal models are common instruments in the political scientist's toolkit. In-depth interviews and focus groups play a critical role in helping scholars answer important political questions. In contrast, participant observation techniques are an underused methodological approach. In this article, we…

Teaching the 'A' Level Text: Emma.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huband, David

1987-01-01

Notes how important it is that any critical writing assignments should take into account the individual reading, and that the teacher's role is to steer discussion that stems from a class of individual readings. Explores some of the aspects of Jane Austen's novel "Emma" to which students readily respond. (HTH)

Critical role of surface roughness on colloid retention and release in porous media

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A thorough understanding of colloid transport in porous media is of great importance in many environmental and industrial applications. Extended-DLVO theory was employed to investigate the influence of nanoscale surface roughness (NSR) on the magnitudes of the secondary (F2min) and primary energy (F...

Tangible Technology-Enhanced Learning for Improvement of Student Collaboration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barneva, Reneta P.; Gelsomini, Federico; Kanev, Kamen; Bottoni, Paolo

2018-01-01

Collaboration among students in the course of learning plays an important role in developing communication skills. In particular, it helps for team building and brainstorming on solutions of complex problems. While an effective group organization is critical for the success of such collaborative learning, many instructors would make arbitrary…

Effect-Size Measures and Meta-Analytic Thinking in Counseling Psychology Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henson, Robin K.

2006-01-01

Effect sizes are critical to result interpretation and synthesis across studies. Although statistical significance testing has historically dominated the determination of result importance, modern views emphasize the role of effect sizes and confidence intervals. This article accessibly discusses how to calculate and interpret the effect sizes…

Women in the Olympics. A Sport Psychology Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ludwig, Martha M.

1996-01-01

Addresses psychological issues of elite female athletes preparing for Olympic competition. Perpetual social and gender role issues make women more receptive to psychological services. As women enter their final preparations for the Olympic Games, sport psychology is held to be of critical importance to help them with performance enhancement and…

The PASS Theory of Cognitive Processing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rijumol, K. C.; Thangarajathi, S.; Ananthasayanam, R.

2010-01-01

Traditional IQ technology, crystallized by the seminal work of Binet and Wechsler as well as others, has played a critical and profound role in psychology, making intelligence testing among the most important contributions psychology has made to society (Anastasi & Urbina, 1997). But this technology has limits; it has not had the advantage of…

Understanding the Researcher Identity Development of Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lamar, Margaret R.; Helm, Heather M.

2017-01-01

Counselor education and supervision (CES) doctoral students play an important role in contributing to knowledge in the counseling profession. CES doctoral students were interviewed to explore their researcher identity, a unique self-concept that possibly includes research self-efficacy and interest. Issues critical to facilitating researcher…

78 FR 49357 - National Health Center Week, 2013

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-14

... America A Proclamation Community health centers play a critical role in providing affordable, high-quality... people living in the United States depends on their services. They are an important source of jobs in... extend our thanks to the women and men who operate America's health centers. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK...

Some General Goals in Teaching Statistics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blalock, H. M.

1987-01-01

States that regardless of the content or level of a statistics course, five goals to reach are: (1) overcoming fears, resistances, and tendencies to memorize; (2) the importance of intellectual honesty and integrity; (3) understanding relationship between deductive and inductive inferences; (4) learning to play role of reasonable critic; and (5)…

On the Teaching of Science, Technology and International Affairs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiss, Charles

2012-01-01

Despite the ubiquity and critical importance of science and technology in international affairs, their role receives insufficient attention in traditional international relations curricula. There is little literature on how the relations between science, technology, economics, politics, law and culture should be taught in an international context.…

Hitting the Road: Safe Student Transportation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Labriola, Patrick

2013-01-01

This article highlights the importance of school administrators' taking an active role in selecting motor coach carriers for their school trips. School administrators must be able to prove due diligence in selecting safe motor carriers. If not, they risk significant liability exposure for neglecting this critical responsibility. The article…

Natural hazard modeling and uncertainty analysis [Chapter 2

Treesearch

Matthew Thompson; Jord J. Warmink

2017-01-01

Modeling can play a critical role in assessing and mitigating risks posed by natural hazards. These modeling efforts generally aim to characterize the occurrence, intensity, and potential consequences of natural hazards. Uncertainties surrounding the modeling process can have important implications for the development, application, evaluation, and interpretation of...

Motivations of Faculty Engagement in Internationalization: A Survey in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Bihong; Tu, Yangjun

2016-01-01

Faculty plays a critical role in the growing trend of internationalization in higher education. Thus, it is important to understand the factors that drive faculty members to get involved in internationalization. Employing structural equation model with data gathered from questionnaire, this study attempts to explore how faculty engagement in…

A Survey of Mycobionts of Federally Threatened

Treesearch

Jyotsna Sharma; Lawrence W. Zettler; J. W. Van Sambeek

2003-01-01

Terrestrial orchids require mycobionts for critical nutritional support during germination and growth. Despite the importance of such fungi, little is known of their identity and ecological roles. In the United States, the destruction of midwestern prairie ecosystems has resulted in the decline of the native Platanthera praeclara Sheviak and Bowles...

Accommodating the Newfound Strategic Importance of Educational Technologists within Higher Education: A Critical Literature Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shurville, Simon; Browne, Tom; Whitaker, Marian

2009-01-01

Purpose: Educational technologists make significant contributions to the development, organisational embedding and service provision of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) environments, which are key enablers for mass access to flexible higher education (HE). Given the increasing centrality of this role, it is advocated that institutions…

Higher Education Plays Critical Role in Society: More Women Leaders Can Make a Difference

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teague, Leah Jackson

2015-01-01

Leaders with a diverse set of experiences, viewpoints, and backgrounds are crucial to encouraging different perspectives, broadening an institution's world views, and fostering innovation particularly important at colleges and universities responsible for educating and training future leaders, workers, and citizens. Studies show that gender…

Architecture of the Suprahyoid Muscles: A Volumetric Musculoaponeurotic Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaw, Stephanie M.; Martino, Rosemary; Mahdi, Ali; Sawyer, Forrest Kip; Mathur, Sunita; Hope, Andrew; Agur, Anne M.

2017-01-01

Purpose: Suprahyoid muscles play a critical role in swallowing. The arrangement of the fiber bundles and aponeuroses has not been investigated volumetrically, even though muscle architecture is an important determinant of function. Thus, the purpose was to digitize, model in three dimensions, and quantify the architectural parameters of the…

Structure-function characterization of the human mitochondrial thiamin pyrophosphate transporter (hMTPPT; SLC25A19): Important roles for Ile(33), Ser(34), Asp(37), His(137) and Lys(291).

PubMed

Sabui, Subrata; Subramanian, Veedamali S; Kapadia, Rubina; Said, Hamid M

2016-08-01

Thiamin plays a critical role in cellular energy metabolism. Mammalian cells obtain the vitamin from their surroundings, converted it to thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) in the cytoplasm, followed by uptake of TPP by mitochondria via a carrier-mediated process that involves the MTPPT (product of the SLC25A19 gene). Previous studies have characterized different physiological/biological aspects of the human MTPPT (hMTPPT), but less is known about structural features that are important for its function. Here, we used a protein-docking model ("Phyre2" and "DockingServer") to predict residues that may be important for function (substrate recognition) of the hMTPPT; we also examined the role of conserved positively-charged residues predicted ("PRALINE") to be in the trans-membrane domains (TMDs) in uptake of the negatively-charged TPP. Among the six residues predicted by the docking model (i.e., Thr(29), Arg(30), Ile(33), Ser(34), Asp(37) and Phe(298)), only Ile(33), Ser(34) and Asp(37) were found to be critical for function. While no change in translational efficiency/protein stability of the Ser(34) mutant was observed, both the Ile(33) and Asp(37) mutants showed a decrease in this parameter(s); there was also a decrease in the expression of the latter two mutants in mitochondria. A need for a polar residue at position 34 of the hMTPPT was evident. Our findings with the positively-charged residues (i.e., His(82), His(137), Lys(231) and Lys(291)) predicted in the TMD showed that His(137) and Lys(291) are important for function (via a role in proper delivery of the protein to mitochondria). These investigations provide important information about the structure-function relationship of the hMTPPT. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On being supervised: getting value from a clinical supervisor and making the relationship work when it is not.

PubMed

Parker, Stephen; Suetani, Shuichi; Motamarri, Balaji

2017-12-01

The importance of clinical supervision is emphasised in psychiatric training programs. Despite this, the purpose and processes of supervision are often poorly defined. There is limited guidance available for trainees about their role in making supervision work. This paper considers the nature of supervision in psychiatric training and provides practical advice to help supervisees take active steps to make supervision work. In obtaining value from supervision, the active role of the supervisee in seeking feedback, finding value in criticism and building autonomy is emphasised. Additionally, the importance of exploring what value a supervisor can offer and maintaining realistic expectations is considered. Trainees can benefit from taking an active role in planning and managing their supervision to maximise their learning.

Osteopontin Regulates Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Replication and Assembly by Interacting with HCV Proteins and Lipid Droplets and by Binding to Receptors αVβ3 and CD44.

PubMed

Iqbal, Jawed; Sarkar-Dutta, Mehuli; McRae, Steven; Ramachandran, Akshaya; Kumar, Binod; Waris, Gulam

2018-07-01

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and assembly occur at the specialized site of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and lipid droplets (LDs), respectively. Recently, several host proteins have been shown to be involved in HCV replication and assembly. In the present study, we demonstrated the important relationship among osteopontin (OPN), the ER, and LDs. OPN is a secreted phosphoprotein, and overexpression of OPN in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue can lead to invasion and metastasis. OPN expression is also enhanced in HCV-associated HCC. Our recent studies have demonstrated the induction, proteolytic cleavage, and secretion of OPN in response to HCV infection. We also defined the critical role of secreted OPN in human hepatoma cell migration and invasion through binding to receptors integrin αVβ3 and CD44. However, the role of HCV-induced OPN in the HCV life cycle has not been elucidated. In this study, we showed a significant reduction in HCV replication, assembly, and infectivity in HCV-infected cells transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against OPN, αVβ3, and CD44. We also observed the association of endogenous OPN with HCV proteins (NS3, NS5A, NS4A/B, NS5B, and core). Confocal microscopy revealed the colocalization of OPN with HCV NS5A and core in the ER and LDs, indicating a possible role for OPN in HCV replication and assembly. Interestingly, the secreted OPN activated HCV replication, infectivity, and assembly through binding to αVβ3 and CD44. Collectively, these observations provide evidence that HCV-induced OPN is critical for HCV replication and assembly. IMPORTANCE Recently, our studies uncovered the critical role of HCV-induced endogenous and secreted OPN in migration and invasion of hepatocytes. However, the role of OPN in the HCV life cycle has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the importance of OPN in HCV replication and assembly. We demonstrated that endogenous OPN associates with HCV NS3, NS5A, NS5B, and core proteins, which are in close proximity to the ER and LDs. Moreover, we showed that the interactions of secreted OPN with cell surface receptors αVβ3 and CD44 are critical for HCV replication and assembly. These observations provide evidence that HCV-induced endogenous and secreted OPN play pivotal roles in HCV replication and assembly in HCV-infected cells. Taken together, our findings clearly demonstrate that targeting OPN may provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention of HCV pathogenesis. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Principles of Research Tissue Banking and Specimen Evaluation from the Pathologist's Perspective.

PubMed

McDonald, Sandra A

2010-12-01

Human tissue biorepositories have an increasingly visible and important role within industrial enterprises in supporting biomedical research, including the rapidly advancing fields of proteomics, pharmacogenomics, and molecular epidemiology. Pathologists play a vital but often underrecognized role in the operation of these tissue banks. Besides interpreting studies that arise from banked samples, pathologists are needed to characterize tissues for research, to conduct quality assurance programs, to assist with resource allocation decisions, and to serve an educational role for investigators using the tissues. This article describes these key principles and illustrates examples where pathologist involvement is crucial to biorepository management. Of overarching importance, pathologists play a critical role in helping biorepository users understand the principles of specimen evaluation (histologic and structural composition of tissues, and their limitations) so as to optimize the scientific benefit of the tissues. In conclusion, greater involvement of pathologists in research tissue banking will enhance the scientific utility of biorepositories.

Resolving protein interactions and organization downstream the T cell antigen receptor using single-molecule localization microscopy: a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherman, Eilon

2016-06-01

Signal transduction is mediated by heterogeneous and dynamic protein complexes. Such complexes play a critical role in diverse cell functions, with the important example of T cell activation. Biochemical studies of signalling complexes and their imaging by diffraction limited microscopy have resulted in an intricate network of interactions downstream the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). However, in spite of their crucial roles in T cell activation, much remains to be learned about these signalling complexes, including their heterogeneous contents and size distribution, their complex arrangements in the PM, and the molecular requirements for their formation. Here, we review how recent advancements in single molecule localization microscopy have helped to shed new light on the organization of signalling complexes in single molecule detail in intact T cells. From these studies emerges a picture where cells extensively employ hierarchical and dynamic patterns of nano-scale organization to control the local concentration of interacting molecular species. These patterns are suggested to play a critical role in cell decision making. The combination of SMLM with more traditional techniques is expected to continue and critically contribute to our understanding of multimolecular protein complexes and their significance to cell function.

Bcl11b-A Critical Neurodevelopmental Transcription Factor-Roles in Health and Disease.

PubMed

Lennon, Matthew J; Jones, Simon P; Lovelace, Michael D; Guillemin, Gilles J; Brew, Bruce J

2017-01-01

B cell leukemia 11b (Bcl11b) is a zinc finger protein transcription factor with a multiplicity of functions. It works as both a genetic suppressor and activator, acting directly, attaching to promoter regions, as well as indirectly, attaching to promoter-bound transcription factors. Bcl11b is a fundamental transcription factor in fetal development, with important roles for the differentiation and development of various neuronal subtypes in the central nervous system (CNS). It has been used as a specific marker of layer V subcerebral projection neurons as well as striatal interneurons. Bcl11b also has critical developmental functions in the immune, integumentary and cardiac systems, to the extent that Bcl11b knockout mice are incompatible with extra-uterine life. Bcl11b has been implicated in a number of disease states including Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, HIV and T-Cell malignancy, amongst others. Bcl11b is a fascinating protein whose critical roles in the CNS and other parts of the body are yet to be fully explicated. This review summarizes the current literature on Bcl11b and its functions in development, health, and disease as well as future directions for research.

Critical roles of chemokine receptor CCR5 in regulating glioblastoma proliferation and invasion.

PubMed

Zhao, Lanfu; Wang, Yuan; Xue, Yafei; Lv, Wenhai; Zhang, Yufu; He, Shiming

2015-11-01

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent malignant primary brain tumor in adults and exhibits a spectrum of aberrantly aggressive phenotype. Tumor cell proliferation and invasion are critically regulated by chemokines and their receptors. Recent studies have shown that the chemokine CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 play important roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. Nonetheless, the roles of the CCR5 in GBM still remain unclear. The present study provides the evidence that the chemokine receptor CCR5 is highly expressed and associated with poor prognosis in human GBM. Mechanistically, CCL5-CCR5 mediates activation of Akt, and subsequently induces proliferation and invasive responses in U87 and U251 cells. Moreover, down-regulation of CCR5 significantly inhibited the growth of glioma in U87 tumor xenograft mouse model. Finally, high CCR5 expression in GBM is correlated with increased p-Akt expression in patient samples. Together, these findings suggest that the CCR5 is a critical molecular event associated with gliomagenesis. © The Author 2015. Published by ABBS Editorial Office in association with Oxford University Press on behalf of the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Debating DSM-5: diagnosis and the sociology of critique

PubMed Central

Pickersgill, Martyn D

2014-01-01

The development of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—the DSM-5—has reenergised and driven further forward critical discourse about the place and role of diagnosis in mental health. The DSM-5 has attracted considerable criticism, not least about its role in processes of medicalisation. This paper suggests the need for a sociology of psychiatric critique. Sociological analysis can help map fields of contention, and cast fresh light on the assumptions and nuances of debate around the DSM-5; it underscores the importance of diagnosis to the governance of social and clinical life, as well as the wider discourses critical commentaries connect with and are activated by. More normatively, a sociology of critique can indicate which interests and values are structuring the dialogues being articulated, and just how diverse clinical opinion regarding the DSM can actually be. This has implications for the considerations of health services and policy decision-makers who might look to such debates for guidance. PMID:24327375

The Lauramann Howe Russell Papers: a Window into Critical Care Medicine during the American Civil War.

PubMed

Gorbaty, Benjamin

2017-10-01

The Civil War influenced all aspects of American society and culture, including the field of medicine and critical care. Union physician Lauramann Howe Russell's letter to his daughter, Ellen Howe, written on October 19, 1862, illustrates the changes in hospital construction, gender roles in healthcare and medical treatments which revolutionized healthcare during the Civil War. This letter offers a glimpse of the medical care of wounded soldiers during the early years of the Civil War. In describing his conversion hospital, he reveals the precursor to the new hospital construction which would greatly influence hospital design for decades to come. His description of women volunteers hints at the evolving role and growing importance of women in healthcare. Finally, the advancements in surgical and medical practice which developed during the Civil War are embodied in Russell's descriptions of his patients. His letter freezes a moment in medical history, bridging the gap between archaic medical practice and modern critical care. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Structural insights of ZIP4 extracellular domain critical for optimal zinc transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Tuo; Sui, Dexin; Hu, Jian

2016-06-01

The ZIP zinc transporter family is responsible for zinc uptake from the extracellular milieu or intracellular vesicles. The LIV-1 subfamily, containing nine out of the 14 human ZIP proteins, is featured with a large extracellular domain (ECD). The critical role of the ECD is manifested by disease-causing mutations on ZIP4, a representative LIV-1 protein. Here we report the first crystal structure of a mammalian ZIP4-ECD, which reveals two structurally independent subdomains and an unprecedented dimer centred at the signature PAL motif. Structure-guided mutagenesis, cell-based zinc uptake assays and mapping of the disease-causing mutations indicate that the two subdomains play pivotal but distinct roles and that the bridging region connecting them is particularly important for ZIP4 function. These findings lead to working hypotheses on how ZIP4-ECD exerts critical functions in zinc transport. The conserved dimeric architecture in ZIP4-ECD is also demonstrated to be a common structural feature among the LIV-1 proteins.

An ontology of geo-reasoning to support medical response to attacks with weapons of mass destruction.

PubMed

Kirsh, David; Peterson, Nichole; Lenert, Leslie A

2005-01-01

We study how Metropolitan Medical Response System units conceptualize the physical space of a disaster and their organized response. Using a variety of ethnographic methods before, during, and after a disaster drill, we have developed an initial ontology for geospatial and context-aware technology. The conceptual map of first responders is far more complex than a geographical map. Zones and Areas are used to describe documented concepts critical to MMRS operations. Ad hoc locations also play a critical role, helping first responders communicate tactics in spatial terms. Such distinctions play an important role in the way our experts think about their activity. Successful geoaware alerting systems must incorporate these notions if they are to seamlessly fit into the work flow of first responders.

The role of the immune system in neurofibromatosis type 1-associated nervous system tumors.

PubMed

Karmakar, Souvik; Reilly, Karlyne M

2017-01-01

With the recent development of new anticancer therapies targeting the immune system, it is important to understand which immune cell types and cytokines play critical roles in suppressing or promoting tumorigenesis. The role of mast cells in promoting neurofibroma growth in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients was hypothesized decades ago. More recent experiments in mouse models have demonstrated the causal role of mast cells in neurofibroma development and of microglia in optic pathway glioma development. We review here what is known about the role of NF1 mutation in immune cell function and the role of immune cells in promoting tumorigenesis in NF1. We also review the therapies targeting immune cell pathways and their promise in NF1 tumors.

[Candidemia and invasive candidiasis approach in critically ill patients: role of the echinocandins].

PubMed

Almirante, B; Garnacho-Montero, J; Maseda, E; Candel, F J; Grau, S; Guinea, J; Moreno, I; Muñoz, P; Ruiz-Santana, S

2017-10-01

Invasive infections caused by Candida spp. in critically ill patients may significantly worsen their prognosis, so it is of great importance to establish an early detection and a suitable therapeutic strategy. The objective of this study was to define the differential role of echinocandins in treating certain critical patient profiles. A scientific committee of 9 experts in infectious diseases, critical care, microbiology, and hospital pharmacy reviewed the existing evidence on the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in critically ill patients. After that, a questionnaire with 35 items was elaborated to be agreed by 26 specialists in the aforementioned disciplines using a modified Delphi method. After two rounds of evaluation, a consensus was reached in terms of agreement in 66% of the items. Some of the consensuses achieved included: it is not necessary to adjust the dose of echinocandins during renal replacement therapy; the echinocandins are the empirical and/or directed treatment of choice for candidemia and invasive candidiasis associated with biofilms; these drugs may be used in the antifungal prophylaxis of high-risk liver transplantation. In the absence of additional clinical data, it should be noted that micafungin is the echinocandin with the most available scientific evidence. The experts consulted showed a high degree of agreement on some of the most controversial aspects regarding the management of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in critical patients, which could inform of practical recommendations for their treatment.

The evolution of an unsteady translating nonlinear rossby-wave critical layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haynes, Peter H.; Cowley, Stephen J.

When a monochromatic Rossby wave is forced on a flow which is slowly varying in time, the location of the critical line, where the phase speed of the wave is equal to that of the flow, also slowly changes. It is shown that this translation can play an important role in the vorticity balance near the critical line. The behavior of the translating critical layer is analyzed for various values of y, a parameter which measures the relative importance of nonlinear advection and translation. First, the vorticity equation in the critical layer is solved numerically in an important special case, where the velocity field in the critical layer is independent of the vorticity distribution and constant in time. The solutions reveal a number of new aspects of the behavior which are introduced by the translation, including the formation of a wake behind the critical layer, and the possibility of "trapping" of fluid particles in the critical layer if y exceeds a threshold value. Viewed in a frame of reference moving with the critical line the vorticity distribution may tend to a steady state, except in a "vorticity front" far downstream in the wake. If streamlines in the critical layer are open this steady state may be a predominantly inviscid one; if they are closed a steady state is possible only with non-zero dissipation. For both the unsteady and steady flows the translation allows the "logarithmic phase jump" across the critical layer, 4, to be non-zero and negative. Hence, even when the viscosity is vanishingly small, the critical layer can act as a strong "absorber" of Eliassen-Palm wave activity. Second, steady-state solutions are obtained numerically for a case when the velocity field in the critical layer is not independent of the vorticity distribution there. The interaction restricts the formation of closed streamlines, and an asymptotic open-streamline solution for large y can be found. The critical layer again acts an absorber of wave activity, but with decreasing eNectiveness as y increases.

Life sciences - On the critical path for missions of exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sulzman, Frank M.; Connors, Mary M.; Gaiser, Karen

1988-01-01

Life sciences are important and critical to the safety and success of manned and long-duration space missions. The life science issues covered include gravitational physiology, space radiation, medical care delivery, environmental maintenance, bioregenerative systems, crew and human factors within and outside the spacecraft. The history of the role of life sciences in the space program is traced from the Apollo era, through the Skylab era to the Space Shuttle era. The life science issues of the space station program and manned missions to the moon and Mars are covered.

Air motions accompanying the development of a planetary wave critical layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salby, Murry L.; O'Sullivan, Donal; Callaghan, Patrick; Garcia, Rolando R.

1990-01-01

The horizontal air motions accompanying the development of a planetary wave critical layer are presently investigated on the sphere, in terms of wave amplitude, the characteristics of the zonal flow, and dissipation. While attention is given to adiabatic motions, which should furnish an upper bound on the redistribution of conserved quantities by eddy stirring, nonconservative processes may be important in determining how large a role eddy stirring actually plays in the redistribution of atmospheric constituents. Nonconservative processes may also influence tracer distributions by directly affecting dynamics.

Adult sex ratios and reproductive strategies: a critical re-examination of sex differences in human and animal societies

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

It is increasingly recognized that the relative proportion of potential mates to competitors in a population impacts a range of sex-specific behaviours and in particular mating and reproduction. However, while the adult sex ratio (ASR) has long been recognized as an important link between demography and behaviour, this relationship remains understudied. Here, we introduce the first inter-disciplinary collection of research on the causes and consequences of variation in the ASR in human and animal societies. This important topic is relevant to a wide audience of both social and biological scientists due to the central role that the relative number of males to females in a population plays for the evolution of, and contemporary variation in, sex roles across groups, species and higher taxa. The articles in this theme issue cover research on ASR across a variety of taxa and topics. They offer critical re-evaluations of theoretical foundations within both evolutionary and non-evolutionary fields, and propose innovative methodological approaches, present new empirical examples of behavioural consequences of ASR variation and reveal that the ASR plays a major role in determining population viability, especially in small populations and species with labile sex determination. This introductory paper puts the contributions of the theme issue into a broader context, identifies general trends across the literature and formulates directions for future research. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Adult sex ratios and reproductive decisions: a critical re-examination of sex differences in human and animal societies'. PMID:28760753

Reliable Communication Models in Interdependent Critical Infrastructure Networks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Sangkeun; Chinthavali, Supriya; Shankar, Mallikarjun

Modern critical infrastructure networks are becoming increasingly interdependent where the failures in one network may cascade to other dependent networks, causing severe widespread national-scale failures. A number of previous efforts have been made to analyze the resiliency and robustness of interdependent networks based on different models. However, communication network, which plays an important role in today's infrastructures to detect and handle failures, has attracted little attention in the interdependency studies, and no previous models have captured enough practical features in the critical infrastructure networks. In this paper, we study the interdependencies between communication network and other kinds of critical infrastructuremore » networks with an aim to identify vulnerable components and design resilient communication networks. We propose several interdependency models that systematically capture various features and dynamics of failures spreading in critical infrastructure networks. We also discuss several research challenges in building reliable communication solutions to handle failures in these models.« less

Talking out loud in class: utilizing discussion as an effective teaching strategy with adult learners.

PubMed

Hotler, Amy L

2013-09-01

Staff development is an important role of the school nurse, yet little is written to assist the nurse in this role. Though some obtain advanced degrees in education, most school nurses are not prepared for the staff development role without further education in pedagogy, teaching strategies, and evaluation methods. This article presents discussion as one of many active teaching strategies that can engage learners and promote critical thinking. More work is needed in the area of course design and implementation, as well as additional research to help identify the most effective teaching strategies for school employees.

The role of evidence based medicine in neurotrauma.

PubMed

Honeybul, S; Ho, K M

2015-04-01

The introduction of evidence based medicine de-emphasised clinical experience and so-called "background information" and stressed the importance of evidence gained from clinical research when making clinical decisions. For many years randomised controlled trials have been seen to be the only way to advance clinical practice, however, applying this methodology in the context of severe trauma can be problematic. In addition, it is increasingly recognised that considerable clinical experience is required in order to critically evaluate the quality of the evidence and the validity of the conclusions as presented. A contemporary example is seen when considering the role of decompressive craniectomy in the management of neurotrauma. Although there is a considerable amount of evidence available attesting to the efficacy of the procedure, considerable clinical expertise is required in order to properly interpret the results of these studies and the implications for clinical practice. Given these limitations the time may have come for a redesign of the traditional pyramid of evidence, to a model that re-emphasises the importance of "background information" such as pathophysiology and acknowledges the role of clinical experience such that the evidence can be critically evaluated in its appropriate context and the subsequent implications for clinical practice be clearly and objectively defined. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sumoylation Dynamics During Keratinocyte Differentiation

PubMed Central

Deyrieux, Adeline F.; Rosas-Acosta, Germán; Ozbun, Michelle A.; Wilson, Van G.

2012-01-01

Summary SUMO modification regulates the activity of numerous transcription factors that have a direct role in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, cellular proliferation, and development, but its role in differentiation processes is less clear. Keratinocyte differentiation requires the coordinated activation of a series of transcription factors, and as several critical keratinocyte transcription factors are known to be SUMO substrates, we investigated the role of sumoylation in keratinocyte differentiation. In a human keratinocyte cell line model (HaCaT cells), calcium-induced differentiation led to the transient and coordinated transcriptional activation of the genes encoding critical sumoylation system components, including SAE1, SAE2, Ubc9, SENP1, Miz-1 (PIASxβ), SUMO2, and SUMO3. The increased gene expression resulted in higher levels of the respective proteins and changes in the pattern of sumoylated substrate proteins during the differentiation process. Similar to the HaCaT results, stratified human foreskin keratinocytes showed an upregulation of Ubc9 in the suprabasal layers. Lastly, abrogation of sumoylation by Gam1 expression severely disrupted normal HaCaT differentiation, consistent with an important role for sumoylation in the proper progression of this biological process. PMID:17164289

Molecular Pathways: Translational and Therapeutic Implications of the Notch Signaling Pathway in Cancer

PubMed Central

Previs, Rebecca A.; Coleman, Robert L.; Harris, Adrian L.; Sood, Anil K.

2014-01-01

Over 100 years have passed since the first observation of the notched wing phenotype in Drosophila melanogaster, and significant progress has been made to characterize the role of the Notch receptor, its ligands, downstream targets, and crosstalk with other signaling pathways. The canonical Notch pathway with four Notch receptors (Notch1-4) and five ligands (DLL1, 3–4, Jagged 1–2) is an evolutionarily conserved cell signaling pathway that plays critical roles in cell-fate determination, differentiation, development, tissue patterning, cell proliferation, and death. In cancer, these roles have a critical impact on tumor behavior and response to therapy. Since the role of Notch remains tissue and context dependent, alterations within this pathway may lead to tumor suppressive or oncogenic phenotypes. Although no FDA approved therapies currently exist for the Notch pathway, multiple therapeutics (e.g., demcizumab, tarextumab, GSI MK0752, R04929097, and PF63084014) have been developed to target different aspects of this pathway for both hematologic and solid malignancies. Understanding the context-specific effects of the Notch pathway will be important for individualized therapies targeting this pathway. PMID:25388163

School Dissatisfaction in a Post-Disaster Environment: The Mediating Role of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sims, Alexandra J.; Boasso, Alyssa M.; Burch, Berre; Naser, Shereen; Overstreet, Stacy

2015-01-01

Background: School satisfaction is linked to a number of important school outcomes like academic performance and school engagement. Following exposure to disasters, adolescents may undergo mental health challenges that threaten factors critical to school satisfaction, such as positive school climate and supportive school relationships. Objective:…

Designing a Better Experience: A Qualitative Investigation of Student Engineering Internships

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paknejad, Mohammad R.

2016-01-01

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education play a very important role in preparing students with skills necessary to obtain better jobs, solve real-world challenges, and compete in the global economy. STEM education develops critical thinking and the ability to solve complex problems. Research showed that 8 out of 10 most…

Adaptation of California Measure of Mental Motivation-CM3

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özdemir, Hasan Fehmi; Demirtasli, Nükhet Çikrikçi

2015-01-01

Education without doubt, plays a vital role for individuals to gain the essential personal traits of the 21st century, also known as "knowledge age". One of the most important skills among these fundamental qualities which the individuals should be equipped with is critical thinking. California Measure of Mental Motivation-CM3 was…

Education for Freedom? "Living Room Learning" and the Liberal Arts of Government

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLean, Scott

2012-01-01

This article provokes critical reflection about the role of adult educators in contemporary processes of social control. It does so through presenting an empirical case study of an important liberal adult education program (Living Room Learning) and through introducing the work of British sociologist, Nikolas Rose. Rose's provocative ideas about…

Engaging Young Early School Leavers in Vocational Training. Research Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dommers, Eric; Myconos, George; Swain, Luke; Yung, Stephanie; Clarke, Kira

2017-01-01

With almost one-third of young people unemployed or underemployed, it is important for early school leavers to gain skills that improve their employment opportunities. The role that vocational education and training (VET) plays is critical, particularly for young early school leavers. Through interviews and focus groups with young people and those…

The Role of Spatial Ability and Strategy Preference for Spatial Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stieff, Mike; Ryu, Minjung; Dixon, Bonnie; Hegarty, Mary

2012-01-01

In organic chemistry, spatial reasoning is critical for reasoning about spatial relationships in three dimensions and representing spatial information in diagrams. Despite its importance, little is known about the underlying cognitive components of spatial reasoning and the strategies that students employ to solve spatial problems in organic…

Teachers' Perceptions of the Importance of Stories in the Lives of Children in Myanmar

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tin, H. W.; Nonis, Karen P.; Lim, Swee Eng Audrey; Honig, Alice Sterling

2013-01-01

Children's active involvement in storytelling develops diverse lifelong skills for critical thinking, cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Central to the success of attracting the attention of students for storytelling are the social-emotional roles that teachers play in children's lives. This study investigated 23 kindergarten teachers' views…

A Simple Model of Entrepreneurship for Principles of Economics Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gunter, Frank R.

2012-01-01

The critical roles of entrepreneurs in creating, operating, and destroying markets, as well as their importance in driving long-term economic growth are still generally either absent from principles of economics texts or relegated to later chapters. The primary difficulties in explaining entrepreneurship at the principles level are the lack of a…

The Role of Teachers in Facilitating Mathematics Learning Opportunities in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKim, Aaron J.; Velez, Jonathan J.; Everett, Michael W.; Sorensen, Tyson J.

2017-01-01

Strengthening knowledge and skills in mathematics is critically important to preparing the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and interdisciplinary thinkers. School-based agricultural education offers a valuable context to co-develop mathematics knowledge and skills alongside knowledge and skills in agriculture, food, and natural…

Finding Balance at the Elusive Mean

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hudson, Rick A.

2012-01-01

Data analysis plays an important role in people's lives. Citizens need to be able to conduct critical analyses of statistical information in the work place, in their personal lives, and when portrayed by the media. However, becoming a conscientious consumer of statistics is a gradual process. The experiences that students have with data in the…

Pathways from Polyvictimization to Youth Problem Behaviors: The Critical Role of School Engagement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Voisin, Dexter R.; Elsaesser, Caitlin M.

2013-01-01

School engagement has a powerful influence on youth development. Youth who fail in school are at significant risk for a host of subsequent psychosocial outcomes, including substance use, risky sexual behaviors, gang involvement, and increased contact with juvenile justice authorities. Although school engagement is an important determinant of key…

The Importance of Financial Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kezar, Adrianna; Yang, Hannah

2010-01-01

In this article, the authors argue that campus communities must play a more active role in developing financial literacy than they currently do--and not just by providing counseling in moments of emergency. They argue that financial literacy, as a life skill, as a requisite to citizenship, and as a critical intellectual competency, is an essential…

Identifying geographically based metapopulations for development of plant materials indigenous to rangeland ecosystems of the western USA

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Rangeland ecosystems account for about half of the earth's land surface. They play an important role in providing forage for livestock and wildlife, and they serve as critical watershed areas. Many of the world's rangelands have been degraded by overgrazing, marginal crop production, mineral and e...

Mathematics Professional Development: Critical Features for Developing Leadership Skills and Building Teachers' Capacity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koellner, Karen; Jacobs, Jennifer; Borko, Hilda

2011-01-01

This article focuses on three features of professional development (PD) programs that play an important role in developing leadership skills and building teachers' capacity: (1) fostering a professional learning community, (2) developing teachers' mathematical knowledge for teaching, and (3) adapting PD to support local needs and interests. We…

Family Health History Communication Networks of Older Adults: Importance of Social Relationships and Disease Perceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashida, Sato; Kaphingst, Kimberly A.; Goodman, Melody; Schafer, Ellen J.

2013-01-01

Older individuals play a critical role in disseminating family health history (FHH) information that can facilitate disease prevention among younger family members. This study evaluated the characteristics of older adults and their familial networks associated with two types of communication ("have shared" and "intend to share…

Genome size and invasiveness traits in the hybrid meadow knapweed complex (Centaurea x moncktonii) in eastern North America

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Hybridization and genomic admixture between divergent populations or species may be an important driver of plant invasiveness. Recent studies have emphasized the critical role that reductions in genome size may play in facilitating the rapid evolution of invasiveness, and small genome size has been ...

Putting Volition to Work in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winne, Philip H.

2004-01-01

Playing the role of constructive critic of articles in this special issue, I adopt the term self-reliance to refer to work habits, work styles, volition, and self-regulated learning. Starting with the belief that developing self-reliance is an important goal of education, I examine key issues that influence the likelihood of reaching this goal. I…

Using Scientific Enquiry to Make Sense of Global Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hogg, Max

2010-01-01

In a context where the science underlying global issues such as climate change often loses out to political opinions and distortions, science teachers have a unique and very important role. Science teachers can use global-learning approaches to encourage learners to develop skills in scientific enquiry and critical analysis of scientific issues.…

Increasing Assistant Principals' Capacity for Success Based on the New Principal Evaluation Instrument

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hager, Rhonda Keever

2012-01-01

The importance of leadership is critical with current accountability for student performance. The increased accountability for school leaders has caused a change in leadership roles to incorporate collaboration and shared leadership. Assistant principals are included in the concept of distributive leadership. A review of the literature shows…

The Critical Role of Dispositions: What's Missing in Measurements of English Teacher Candidate Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hochstetler, Sarah

2014-01-01

This article explores a fundamental indicator missing from current assessments of preservice teacher effectiveness, namely the importance of competencies central to professionalism and to impact on student learning. Drawing from her classroom experiences and relevant research, the author makes the case that evaluation of English teacher…

Small NGO Schools in India: Implications for Access and Innovation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blum, Nicole

2009-01-01

In addition to the proliferation of private, fee-paying schools in India, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play an important role in providing educational services, especially in un-served and under-served communities. This paper uses qualitative research to critically examine the nature and potential of NGO provision of primary schooling in…

Role of inward rectifier potassium channels in salivary gland function and sugar feeding of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The arthropod salivary gland is of critical importance for horizontal transmission of pathogens, yet a detailed understanding of the ion conductance pathways responsible for saliva production and excretion is lacking. A superfamily of potassium ion channels, known as inward rectifying potassium (Ki...

Calculating the configurational entropy of a landscape mosaic

Treesearch

Samuel A. Cushman

2016-01-01

Applications of entropy and the second law of thermodynamics in landscape ecology are rare and poorly developed. This is a fundamental limitation given the centrally important role the second law plays in all physical and biological processes. A critical first step to exploring the utility of thermodynamics in landscape ecology is to define the configurational...

Improving fungal disease forecasts in winter wheat: a critical role of intra-day variations of meteorological conditions

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Meteorological conditions are important factors in the development of fungal diseases in winter wheat and are the main inputs of the decision support systems used to forecast disease and thus determine timing for efficacious fungicide application. This study uses the Fourier transform method (FTM) t...

Still a Deadly Disease? Performance Appraisal Systems in Academic Libraries in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stilling, Glenn Ellen Starr; Byrd, Allison S.; Mazza, Emily Rose; Bergman, Shawn M.

2018-01-01

Performance appraisal of professional librarians in academic libraries is important because of the critical role these employees play. Professional librarians ensure that the library's resources and services are effective, relevant, and integrated within the parent institution. Performance appraisal and job feedback have been understudied in the…

Vegetation mapping as a guide to better silviculture

Treesearch

Marinus. Westveld

1951-01-01

Difficult and challenging problems confront the forester today. Disastrous floods, critical water shortages, and the uninterrupted trend of forest depletion have focused attention on the important role forests play in the strength, economy, and prosperity of the Nation. Forests are increasingly prized for recreation, the protection they afford sources of water, and...

Fidelity of Implementation: Bringing Written Curriculum Materials into the Equation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Superfine, Alison Castro; Marshall, Anne Marie; Kelso, Cathy

2015-01-01

Fidelity of curriculum implementation (FOI) is an important area of research because of the critical role it plays in understanding how and why curriculum materials work and how they can be improved. This analysis explores written features within the Math Trailblazers curriculum that may influence the ways teachers implement mathematics curriculum…

Factors Influencing the Institutionalization of Diversity in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meier, Kelly S.

2012-01-01

To understand the impact of diversity in higher education, it is important to consider the critical role that diversity plays in the educational process. This requires a broader understanding of the influence diversity can have on the curricular, co-curricular, and interpersonal experience of a developing college student (Denson & Chang,…

Activation of southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) estrogen receptors by phytoestrogens and their potential role in thereproductive failure of captive-born females

EPA Science Inventory

The captive southern white rhinoceros (SWR; Ceratotherium simum simum) population serves as an important genetic reservoir critical to the conservation of this vulnerable species. Unfortunately, captive populations are declining due to the poor reproductive success of captive-bor...

Reflections on the Black Woman's Role in the Community of Slaves.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Angela Y.

1981-01-01

Reprint of a 1971 article that criticizes the notion of Black matriarchy as implying that Black women actively assented to slavery. Discusses Black resistance to slavery, especially among women, and stresses the importance of recognizing such resistance if current popular sociological views on Black women are to be revised. (GC)

Leading the Ongoing Development of Collaborative Data Practices: Advancing a Schema for Diagnosis and Intervention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cosner, Shelby

2012-01-01

Research suggests that school leaders play an important role in cultivating and developing collaborative data practices by teachers. Although diagnosis and intervention are critical facets of leaders' work to support collaborative data practice development, this work remains poorly understood. Missing from data-use literature is more explicit and…

In-Service Teachers' Internet Self-Efficacy: A Re-Examination of Gender Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kahraman, Sakip; Yilmaz, Zeynel Abidin

2018-01-01

Teachers' Internet self-efficacy plays a critical role in their web-based professional development and on their students' learning outcomes in Internet-based learning environments. It is therefore important to periodically measure and evaluate teachers' self-efficacy regarding the Internet, which is a dynamic technology, using an instrument that…

Draft genome sequence of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) provides a resource for trait improvement

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is the world’s second most important grain legume crop, accounting for a significant proportion of human dietary protein and playing a critical role in food security in developing countries. We report the sequence of the ~738 Mb kabuli (CDC Frontier) chickpea genome, which...

Project Management for Web-Based Course Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Dong; Shearer, Rick

2004-01-01

Transferring face-to-face courses into Web-based courses is a trend in higher education. Whether this course transition is for distance education or for resident instruction, faculty members play a critical role in the process. Faculty members not only provide lesson content, but important insights into how content has been best presented in…

Collaborating on Tuition and Financial Aid Is Critical to the Region

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Syverud, Gretchen

2015-01-01

College affordability is an increasingly important public policy issue. With decision-making power over funding to institutions, funding to students, and the pricing of institutions, states play a tremendous role in determining what students pay for college. In New England, these decisions are spread across institutional boards, system offices,…

Characterizing and Assessing Co-Curricular Activities for Graduate and Professional-School Students: Exploring the Value of Intentional Assessment Planning and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waryas, Diane E.

2015-01-01

This chapter explores the importance of systematic evaluation of co-curricular activities directed at graduate- and professional- school students. Approaches to assessment and benefits of sound practice are presented along with the critical role that institutional researchers can play.

Separations: A Short History and a Cloudy Crystal Ball

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wankat, Phil

2009-01-01

Separations have played a major role in the history of chemical engineering and will continue to be important. Since separations have always been a major cost item in the process industries, they have always been a critical key to successful commercialization. First, while reviewing the history of separation processes we will observe that many…

How Can Research Mediators Better Mediate?: The Importance of Inward-Looking Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaw, Jessica

2018-01-01

Science can provide empirically-informed strategies and resources to inform and improve policy and practice, though all too often science, policy, and practice operate independently from one another. Research mediators play a critical role by attempting to connect these different worlds. This practice paper presents lessons learned and…

A Critical Approach and a Statistical Study to Leadership in University Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goulionis, Yannis

2013-01-01

The higher education sub-sector of the entire education system is very important and plays pivotal role in all walks of life. Quality in the universities cannot be orchestrated without charismatic and effective administration doubled with management decision-making techniques. The study was aimed at evaluating the management techniques used in…

Speech and Language Functions that Require a Functioning Broca's Area

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Cameron; Kleinman, Jonathan T.; Newhart, Melissa; Gingis, Leila; Pawlak, Mikolaj; Hillis, Argye E.

2008-01-01

A number of previous studies have indicated that Broca's area has an important role in understanding and producing syntactically complex sentences and other language functions. If Broca's area is critical for these functions, then either infarction of Broca's area or temporary hypoperfusion within this region should cause impairment of these…

Teaching Critical Thinking? New Directions in Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osborne, Jonathan

2014-01-01

Critique and questioning are central to the practice of science; without argument and evaluation, the construction of reliable knowledge would be impossible. The challenge is to incorporate an understanding of the role of critique and, more importantly, the ability to engage in critique, within the teaching of science. The emphasis in both the US…

Mobility and Desire: International Students and Asian Regionalism in Aspirational Singapore

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collins, Francis L.; Sidhu, Ravinder; Lewis, Nick; Yeoh, Brenda S. A.

2014-01-01

Higher education is playing an important role in Singapore's most recent cycle of modernization: to re-make itself into a global city through the continued accumulation of capital, "talent," and knowledge. This paper is a critical analysis of the accounts of a group of international students enrolled at the National University of…

Growth Factor Signaling and Memory Formation: Temporal and Spatial Integration of a Molecular Network

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kopec, Ashley M.; Carew, Thomas J.

2013-01-01

Growth factor (GF) signaling is critically important for developmental plasticity. It also plays a crucial role in adult plasticity, such as that required for memory formation. Although different GFs interact with receptors containing distinct types of kinase domains, they typically signal through converging intracellular cascades (e.g.,…

Analysis of Peer Learning Behaviors Using Multiple Representations in Virtual Reality and Their Impacts on Geometry Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hwang, Wu-Yuin; Hu, Shih-Shin

2013-01-01

Learning geometry emphasizes the importance of exploring different representations such as virtual manipulatives, written math formulas, and verbal explanations, which help students build math concepts and develop critical thinking. Besides helping individuals construct math knowledge, peer interaction also plays a crucial role in promoting an…

Statistical Significance Testing from Three Perspectives and Interpreting Statistical Significance and Nonsignificance and the Role of Statistics in Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levin, Joel R.; And Others

1993-01-01

Journal editors respond to criticisms of reliance on statistical significance in research reporting. Joel R. Levin ("Journal of Educational Psychology") defends its use, whereas William D. Schafer ("Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development") emphasizes the distinction between statistically significant and important. William Asher…

Building a Personal Learning Network for Intellectual Freedom: Join the Conversation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keuler, Annalisa

2012-01-01

Building a personal learning network (PLN) for intellectual freedom has long been an important role of a school librarian; however, in the steadily increasing onslaught of digital information that librarians face today, and in the future, the task has become mission-critical. Personal learning, it stands to reason, requires an appropriate dialogue…

Critical Citizenship Education and Community Interaction: A Reflection on Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Costandius, Elmarie; Rosochacki, Sophia; le Roux, Adrie

2014-01-01

The social transformation required in a democratic South Africa can only be achieved through the transformation of perceptions and attitudes. This article argues that community interaction can play an important role not only in raising the level of societal awareness of students, but also in the development of a symbiotic relationship between an…

The Role of Elaboration in the Comprehension and Retention of Prose: A Critical Review.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reder, Lynne M.

1980-01-01

Recent research in the area of prose comprehension is reviewed, including factors that affect amount of recall, representations of text structures, and use of world knowledge to aid comprehension. The need for more information processing models of comprehension is emphasized. Elaboration is considered important for comprehension and retention.…

Phonological Awareness, Executive Functioning, and Theory of Mind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farrar, M. Jeffrey; Ashwell, Sylvia

2012-01-01

Language plays a critical role in theory of mind (ToM) development, particularly the understanding of false beliefs (FB). Further, there is some evidence that the development of FB is important for metalinguistic development, such as the understanding of homonyms and synonyms. However, there is debate regarding the nature of this relationship.…

Social Justice: The Missing Link in School Administrators' Perspectives on Teacher Induction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pinto, Laura Elizabeth; Portelli, John P.; Rottmann, Cindy; Pashby, Karen; Barrett, Sarah Elizabeth; Mujuwamariya, Donatille

2012-01-01

Critical scholars view schooling as one piece of a larger struggle for democracy and social justice. We investigated 41 school administrators' perceptions about the role and importance of equity, diversity and social justice in new teacher induction in the province of Ontario. Interviews reveal that principals were interested in shaping teacher…

Transitioning to a More Sustainable Society: Unpacking the Role of the Learning-Action Nexus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moyer, Joanne M.; Sinclair, A. John; Quinn, Lisa

2016-01-01

In recent years, action on sustainability has been highly influential around the globe and many now recognize the importance of individual and social learning for inspiring action and achieving sustainability outcomes. Transformative learning theory has been criticized, however, for insufficient development of the link between learning and action.…

Student Engagement and Reading Competence: Important Connections and the Moderating Role of Parent Support

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bradley, Tera Lynn

2013-01-01

Student engagement is a multidimensional construct believed to be a critical component for understanding school dropout (Christenson et al., 2008). The majority of related research has focused primarily on overt (academic and behavioral) rather than covert (psychological and cognitive) subtypes of engagement; however, there is evidence to suggest…

Opening the Door for IT Leadership Opportunities: New Voices from the Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drury, Marilyn

2009-01-01

The growth and increasing criticality of the CIO role in higher education suggests the importance of recognizing and understanding the characteristics of successful CIOs and the environments supporting their success, with the goal of developing new leaders. Although the literature, in general, provides a rich knowledge base concerning IT…

Estimating the formation age distribution of continental crust by unmixing zircon ages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korenaga, Jun

2018-01-01

Continental crust provides first-order control on Earth's surface environment, enabling the presence of stable dry landmasses surrounded by deep oceans. The evolution of continental crust is important for atmospheric evolution, because continental crust is an essential component of deep carbon cycle and is likely to have played a critical role in the oxygenation of the atmosphere. Geochemical information stored in the mineral zircon, known for its resilience to diagenesis and metamorphism, has been central to ongoing debates on the genesis and evolution of continental crust. However, correction for crustal reworking, which is the most critical step when estimating original formation ages, has been incorrectly formulated, undermining the significance of previous estimates. Here I suggest a simple yet promising approach for reworking correction using the global compilation of zircon data. The present-day distribution of crustal formation age estimated by the new "unmixing" method serves as the lower bound to the true crustal growth, and large deviations from growth models based on mantle depletion imply the important role of crustal recycling through the Earth history.

Examining Arguments Generated by Year 5, 7, and 10 Students in Science Classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Aeran; Notebaert, Andrew; Diaz, Juan; Hand, Brian

2010-03-01

A critical component of science is the role of inquiry and argument in moving scientific knowledge forward. However, while students are expected to engage in inquiry activities in science classrooms, there is not always a similar emphasis on the role of argument within the inquiry activities. Building from previous studies on the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH), we were keen to find out if the writing structure used in the SWH approach helped students in Year 5, 7, and 10 to create well constructed arguments. We were also interested in examining which argument components were important for the quality of arguments generated by these students. Two hundred and ninety six writing samples were scored using an analysis framework to evaluate the quality of arguments. Step-wise multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine important argument components. The results of this study suggest that the SWH approach is useful in assisting students to develop reasonable arguments. The critical element determining the quality of the arguments is the relationship between the student’s written claims and his or her evidence.

The Role Of Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons In Fear and Extinction Memory

PubMed Central

Knox, Dayan

2016-01-01

Cholinergic input to the neocortex, dorsal hippocampus (dHipp), and basolateral amygdala (BLA) is critical for neural function and synaptic plasticity in these brain regions. Synaptic plasticity in the neocortex, dHipp, ventral Hipp (vHipp), and BLA has also been implicated in fear and extinction memory. This finding raises the possibility that basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons, the predominant source of acetylcholine in these brain regions, have an important role in mediating fear and extinction memory. While empirical studies support this hypothesis, there are interesting inconsistencies among these studies that raise questions about how best to define the role of BF cholinergic neurons in fear and extinction memory. Nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) cholinergic neurons that project to the BLA are critical for fear memory and contextual fear extinction memory. NBM cholinergic neurons that project to the neocortex are critical for cued and contextual fear conditioned suppression, but are not critical for fear memory in other behavioral paradigms and in the inhibitory avoidance paradigm may even inhibit contextual fear memory formation. Medial septum and diagonal band of Broca cholinergic neurons are critical for contextual fear memory and acquisition of cued fear extinction. Thus, even though the results of previous studies suggest BF cholinergic neurons modulate fear and extinction memory, inconsistent findings among these studies necessitates more research to better define the neural circuits and molecular processes through which BF cholinergic neurons modulate fear and extinction memory. Furthermore, studies determining if BF cholinergic neurons can be manipulated in such a manner so as to treat excessive fear in anxiety disorders are needed. PMID:27264248

NADPH Oxidases in Vascular Pathology

PubMed Central

Konior, Anna; Schramm, Agata; Czesnikiewicz-Guzik, Marta

2014-01-01

Abstract Significance: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in vascular disease. While there are many possible sources of ROS, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases play a central role. They are a source of “kindling radicals,” which affect other enzymes, such as nitric oxide synthase endothelial nitric oxide synthase or xanthine oxidase. This is important, as risk factors for atherosclerosis (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking) regulate the expression and activity of NADPH oxidases in the vessel wall. Recent Advances: There are seven isoforms in mammals: Nox1, Nox2, Nox3, Nox4, Nox5, Duox1 and Duox2. Nox1, Nox2, Nox4, and Nox5 are expressed in endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, or perivascular adipocytes. Other homologues have not been found or are expressed at very low levels; their roles have not been established. Nox1/Nox2 promote the development of endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and inflammation. Nox4 may have a role in protecting the vasculature during stress; however, when its activity is increased, it may be detrimental. Calcium-dependent Nox5 has been implicated in oxidative damage in human atherosclerosis. Critical Issues: NADPH oxidase-derived ROS play a role in vascular pathology as well as in the maintenance of normal physiological vascular function. We also discuss recently elucidated mechanisms such as the role of NADPH oxidases in vascular protection, vascular inflammation, pulmonary hypertension, tumor angiogenesis, and central nervous system regulation of vascular function and hypertension. Future Directions: Understanding the role of individual oxidases and interactions between homologues in vascular disease is critical for efficient pharmacological regulation of vascular NADPH oxidases in both the laboratory and clinical practice. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 20, 2794–2814. PMID:24180474

Astrocyte glycogen and lactate: New insights into learning and memory mechanisms.

PubMed

Alberini, Cristina M; Cruz, Emmanuel; Descalzi, Giannina; Bessières, Benjamin; Gao, Virginia

2018-06-01

Memory, the ability to retain learned information, is necessary for survival. Thus far, molecular and cellular investigations of memory formation and storage have mainly focused on neuronal mechanisms. In addition to neurons, however, the brain comprises other types of cells and systems, including glia and vasculature. Accordingly, recent experimental work has begun to ask questions about the roles of non-neuronal cells in memory formation. These studies provide evidence that all types of glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) make important contributions to the processing of encoded information and storing memories. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent findings on the critical role of astrocytes as providers of energy for the long-lasting neuronal changes that are necessary for long-term memory formation. We focus on three main findings: first, the role of glucose metabolism and the learning- and activity-dependent metabolic coupling between astrocytes and neurons in the service of long-term memory formation; second, the role of astrocytic glucose metabolism in arousal, a state that contributes to the formation of very long-lasting and detailed memories; and finally, in light of the high energy demands of the brain during early development, we will discuss the possible role of astrocytic and neuronal glucose metabolisms in the formation of early-life memories. We conclude by proposing future directions and discussing the implications of these findings for brain health and disease. Astrocyte glycogenolysis and lactate play a critical role in memory formation. Emotionally salient experiences form strong memories by recruiting astrocytic β2 adrenergic receptors and astrocyte-generated lactate. Glycogenolysis and astrocyte-neuron metabolic coupling may also play critical roles in memory formation during development, when the energy requirements of brain metabolism are at their peak. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cutting Edge: A Critical Functional Role for IL-23 in Psoriasis

PubMed Central

Tonel, Giulia; Conrad, Curdin; Laggner, Ute; Di Meglio, Paola; Grys, Katarzyna; McClanahan, Terrill K.; Blumenschein, Wendy M.; Qin, Jian-Zhong; Xin, Hong; Oldham, Elizabeth; Kastelein, Robert; Nickoloff, Brian J.; Nestle, Frank O.

2013-01-01

Interleukin-23 is a key cytokine involved in the generation of Th17 effector cells. Clinical efficacy of an anti-p40 mAb blocking both IL-12 and IL-23 and disease association with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL23R gene raise the question of a functional role of IL-23 in psoriasis. In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of IL-23 and its receptor in psoriasis and demonstrate its functional importance in a disease-relevant model system. The expression of IL-23 and its receptor was increased in the tissues of patients with psoriasis. Injection of a mAb specifically neutralizing human IL-23 showed IL-23–dependent inhibition of psoriasis development comparable to the use of anti-TNF blockers in a clinically relevant xenotransplant mouse model of psoriasis. Together, our results identify a critical functional role for IL-23 in psoriasis and provide the rationale for new treatment strategies in chronic epithelial inflammatory disorders. PMID:20956338

Cutting edge: A critical functional role for IL-23 in psoriasis.

PubMed

Tonel, Giulia; Conrad, Curdin; Laggner, Ute; Di Meglio, Paola; Grys, Katarzyna; McClanahan, Terrill K; Blumenschein, Wendy M; Qin, Jian-Zhong; Xin, Hong; Oldham, Elizabeth; Kastelein, Robert; Nickoloff, Brian J; Nestle, Frank O

2010-11-15

Interleukin-23 is a key cytokine involved in the generation of Th17 effector cells. Clinical efficacy of an anti-p40 mAb blocking both IL-12 and IL-23 and disease association with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL23R gene raise the question of a functional role of IL-23 in psoriasis. In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of IL-23 and its receptor in psoriasis and demonstrate its functional importance in a disease-relevant model system. The expression of IL-23 and its receptor was increased in the tissues of patients with psoriasis. Injection of a mAb specifically neutralizing human IL-23 showed IL-23-dependent inhibition of psoriasis development comparable to the use of anti-TNF blockers in a clinically relevant xenotransplant mouse model of psoriasis. Together, our results identify a critical functional role for IL-23 in psoriasis and provide the rationale for new treatment strategies in chronic epithelial inflammatory disorders.

Importance of the gas phase role to the prediction of energetic material behavior: An experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, A. N.; Son, S. F.; Asay, B. W.; Sander, R. K.

2005-03-01

Various thermal (radiative, conductive, and convective) initiation experiments are performed to demonstrate the importance of the gas phase role in combustion modeling of energetic materials (EM). A previously published condensed phase model that includes a predicted critical irradiance above which ignition is not possible is compared to experimental laser ignition results for octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Experimental results conflict with the predicted critical irradiance concept. The failure of the model is believed to result from a misconception about the role of the gas phase in the ignition process of energetic materials. The model assumes that ignition occurs at the surface and that evolution of gases inhibits ignition. High speed video of laser ignition, oven cook-off and hot wire ignition experiments captures the ignition of HMX and TNT in the gas phase. A laser ignition gap test is performed to further evaluate the effect of gas phase laser absorption and gas phase disruption on the ignition process. Results indicate that gas phase absorption of the laser energy is probably not the primary factor governing the gas phase ignition observations. It is discovered that a critical gap between an HMX pellet and a salt window of 6mm±0.4mm exists below which ignition by CO2 laser is not possible at the tested irradiances of 29W /cm2 and 38W/cm2 for HMX ignition. These observations demonstrate that a significant disruption of the gas phase, in certain scenarios, will inhibit ignition, independent of any condensed phase processes. These results underscore the importance of gas phase processes and illustrate that conditions can exist where simple condensed phase models are inadequate to accurately predict the behavior of energetic materials.

Qualitative systematic review: the unique experiences of the nurse-family member when a loved one is admitted with a critical illness.

PubMed

Giles, Tracey M; Hall, Karen L

2014-07-01

To interpret and synthesize nurse-family member experiences when a critically ill loved one is admitted to hospital. Having a family member hospitalized in a critical condition is an important stressor. When the family member is also a nurse, the provision of care is more complex, yet little research exists on this issue. Systematic review using Thomas and Harden's approach to thematic synthesis of qualitative research. Primary studies were located by searching CINAHL, Proquest, Journals@Ovid, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. No date restrictions were applied due to a lack of relevant literature. All studies that met inclusion criteria were retrieved (n = 1717) and seven met the review aim. Following critical appraisal, seven studies from 1999-2011 describing the nurse-family member's experience were reviewed and synthesized. Six characteristics of the nurse-family member experience were identified: specialized knowledge; dual-role conflicts; competing expectations; building relationships; being 'let in'; and healthcare setting. Nurse-family members experience important stressors that can negatively affect their psychological health and experience as a healthcare consumer. Nurse-family members want a different type of care than other healthcare consumers. Acknowledging nurse-family members' specialized knowledge and dual role, keeping them fully informed and allowing them to be with the patient and feel in control can reduce their fear and anxiety. Further research is needed to develop a deeper understanding of the unique experiences, challenges and needs of nurse-family members to provide them with an enhanced level of care. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Unprecedented Abundance of Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation Modulates Shigella flexneri Virulence.

PubMed

Standish, Alistair James; Teh, Min Yan; Tran, Elizabeth Ngoc Hoa; Doyle, Matthew Thomas; Baker, Paul J; Morona, Renato

2016-10-09

Evidence is accumulating that protein tyrosine phosphorylation plays a crucial role in the ability of important human bacterial pathogens to cause disease. While most works have concentrated on its role in the regulation of a major bacterial virulence factor, the polysaccharide capsule, recent studies have suggested a much broader role for this post-translational modification. This prompted us to investigate protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the human pathogen Shigella flexneri. We first completed a tyrosine phosphoproteome, identifying 905 unique tyrosine phosphorylation sites on at least 573 proteins (approximately 15% of all proteins). This is the most tyrosine-phosphorylated sites and proteins in a single bacterium identified to date, substantially more than the level seen in eukaryotic cells. Most had not previously been identified and included proteins encoded by the virulence plasmid, which is essential for S. flexneri to invade cells and cause disease. In order to investigate the function of these phosphorylation sites in important virulence factors, phosphomimetic and ablative mutations were constructed in the type 3 secretion system ATPase Spa47 and the master virulence regulator VirB. This revealed that tyrosine residues phosphorylated in our study are critical for Spa47 and VirB activity, and tyrosine phosphorylation likely regulates their functional activity and subsequently the virulence of this major human pathogen. This study suggests that tyrosine phosphorylation plays a critical role in regulating a wide variety of virulence factors in the human pathogen S. flexneri and serves as a base for future studies defining its complete role. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cisplatin binds to pre-miR-200b and impairs its processing to mature microRNA.

PubMed

Mezencev, R; Wartell, R M

2018-01-01

Cisplatin is an important anticancer drug with a complex mode of action, a variety of possible targets, and numerous resistance mechanisms. While genomic DNA has traditionally been considered to be its most critical anticancer target, several lines of evidence suggest that various RNAs and other biomolecules may play a role in its anticancer mode of action. In this report we demonstrate that cisplatin modifies pre-miR-200b, impairs its processing to mature miRNA, and decreases miR-200b expression in ovarian cancer cells. Considering the role of miR-200b in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer chemosensitivity, cisplatin-induced modification of pre-miR-200b and subsequent deregulation of mature miR-200b may, depending on cell context, limit anticancer activity of this important anticancer drug. More gener- ally, precursor miRNAs may be important targets of cisplatin and play a role in this drug's anticancer activity or modulate cell responses to this drug.

Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins as guardians of inflammatory responses critical for regulating insulin sensitivity.

PubMed

Galic, Sandra; Sachithanandan, Nirupa; Kay, Thomas W; Steinberg, Gregory R

2014-07-15

Overactivation of immune pathways in obesity is an important cause of insulin resistance and thus new approaches aimed to limit inflammation or its consequences may be effective for treating Type 2 diabetes. The SOCS (suppressors of cytokine signalling) are a family of proteins that play an essential role in mediating inflammatory responses in both immune cells and metabolic organs such as the liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. In the present review we discuss the role of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in controlling immune cells such as macrophages and T-cells and the impact this can have on systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. We also dissect the mechanisms by which SOCS (1-7) regulate insulin signalling in different tissues including their impact on the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrates. Lastly, we discuss the important findings from SOCS whole-body and tissue-specific null mice, which implicate an important role for these proteins in controlling insulin action and glucose homoeostasis in obesity.

Why gerontology and geriatrics can teach us a lot about mentoring.

PubMed

Clark, Phillip G

2018-05-15

Gerontology, geriatrics, and mentoring have a lot in common. The prototype of this role was Mentor, an older adult in Homer's The Odyssey, who was enlisted to look after Odysseus' son, Telemachus, while his father was away fighting the Trojan War. Portrayed as an older man, the name "mentor" literally means "a man who thinks," which is not a bad characterization generally for faculty members in gerontology! In particular, gerontological and geriatrics education can teach us a lot about the importance of mentoring and provide some critical insights into this role: (1) the importance of interprofessional leadership and modeling, (2) the application of the concept of "grand-generativity" to mentoring, (3) "it takes a community" to be effective in mentoring others, and (4) the need to tailor mentorship styles to the person and the situation. This discussion explores these topics and argues that gerontological and geriatrics educators have a particularly important role and responsibility in mentoring students, colleagues, and administrators related to the very future of our field.

[Importance of cleaning and disinfection of critical surfaces in dental health services. Impact of an intervention program].

PubMed

Véliz, Elena; Vergara, Teresa; Pearcy, Mercedes; Dabanch, Jeannette

Introduction Dental care has become a challenge for healthcare associated infection prevention programs, since the environment, within other factors, plays an important role in the transmission chain. Materials and Methods An intervention program was designed for the Dental Unit of Hospital Militar de Santiago, between years 2014 and 2015. The program contemplated 3 stages: diagnostic, intervention and evaluation stage. Objective To improve the safety of critical surfaces involved in dental healthcare. Results During the diagnostic stage, the cleaning and disinfection process was found to be deficient. The most contaminated critical surface was the instrument holder unit, then the clean area and lamp handle. The surfaces that significantly reduced their contamination, after the intervention, were the clean area and the instrument carrier unit. Conclusion Training in the processes of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and dental equipment is one of the cost-effective strategies in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAI), with simple and easy-to-apply methods.

Oligodendroglia: metabolic supporters of axons.

PubMed

Morrison, Brett M; Lee, Youngjin; Rothstein, Jeffrey D

2013-12-01

Axons are specialized extensions of neurons that are critical for the organization of the nervous system. To maintain function in axons that often extend some distance from the cell body, specialized mechanisms of energy delivery are likely to be necessary. Over the past decade, greater understanding of human demyelinating diseases and the development of animal models have suggested that oligodendroglia are critical for maintaining the function of axons. In this review, we discuss evidence for the vulnerability of neurons to energy deprivation, the importance of oligodendrocytes for axon function and survival, and recent data suggesting that transfer of energy metabolites from oligodendroglia to axons through monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) may be critical for the survival of axons. This pathway has important implications both for the basic biology of the nervous system and for human neurological disease. New insights into the role of oligodendroglial biology provide an exciting opportunity for revisions in nervous system biology, understanding myelin-based disorders, and therapeutics development. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

External Criticism by Parents and Obsessive Beliefs in Adolescents: Mediating Role of Beliefs associated with Inflated Responsibility.

PubMed

Halvaiepour, Zohreh; Nosratabadi, Mehdi

2015-09-18

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is considered as a rare disorder in children. According to cognitive theories, criticism triggers responsibility behavior and thus causes obsessive behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of beliefs associated with responsibility in the relationship between external criticism of parents and obsessive beliefs in adolescents. In this study, 547 high school students aged from 15 to18 years were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling from four regions of the education office in Shiraz. Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-child version (OBQ-CV), Pathway to Inflated Responsibility beliefs Scale (PIRBS), and perceived criticism questionnaire were used to collect data. Pearson's correlation was used to investigate the relationship between the study variables. For analysis of mediation model, multiple mediators analysis using Macro Software was used. External criticism only indirectly and through beliefs associated with inflated responsibility accounts for 6% of the variance of responsibility, 14% of the variance of threat estimation and 10% of the variance of perfectionism of obsessive beliefs (P<0.05). However, external criticism, both directly and indirectly and through beliefs associated with inflated responsibility accounts for 7% of the variance of the importance of obsessive beliefs. This study showed that the beliefs associated with inflated responsibility can mediate the relationship between external criticism and obsessive beliefs. According to the cognitive model of Salkovskis, criticism by parents, as a violation to and an influence on children, by affecting the subscales of inflated responsibility, can increase the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. In order to identify potential affecting mechanisms of criticism on obsessive-compulsive disorder, further experimental research is required.

Defense mechanisms in ethics consultation.

PubMed

Agich, George J

2011-12-01

While there is no denying the relevance of ethical knowledge and analytical and cognitive skills in ethics consultation, such knowledge and skills can be overemphasized. They can be effectively put into practice only by an ethics consultant, who has a broad range of other skills, including interpretive and communicative capacities as well as the capacity effectively to address the psychosocial needs of patients, family members, and healthcare professionals in the context of an ethics consultation case. In this paper, I discuss how emotion can play an important interpretive role in clinical ethics consultation and why attention to the role of defense mechanisms can be helpful. I concentrate on defense mechanisms, arguing first, that the presence of these mechanisms is understandable given the emotional stresses and communicative occlusions that occur between the families of patients and critical care professionals in the circumstances of critical care; second, that identifying these mechanisms is essential for interpreting and managing how these factors influence the way that the "facts" of the case are understood by family members; and, third, that effectively addressing these mechanisms is an important component for effectively doing ethics consultation. Recognizing defense mechanisms, understanding how and why they operate, and knowing how to deal with these defense mechanisms when they pose problems for communication or decision making are thus essential prerequisites for effective ethics consultation, especially in critical care.

Ahcyl2 upregulates NBCe1-B via multiple serine residues of the PEST domain-mediated association.

PubMed

Park, Pil Whan; Ahn, Jeong Yeal; Yang, Dongki

2016-07-01

Inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate [IP3] receptors binding protein released with IP3 (IRBIT) was previously reported as an activator of NBCe1-B. Recent studies have characterized IRBIT homologue S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase-like 2 (AHCYL2). AHCYL2 is highly homologous to IRBIT (88%) and heteromerizes with IRBIT. The two important domains in the N-terminus of AHCYL2 are a PEST domain and a coiled-coil domain which are highly comparable to those in IRBIT. Therefore, in this study, we tried to identify the role of those domains in mouse AHCYL2 (Ahcyl2), and we succeeded in identifying PEST domain of Ahcyl2 as a regulation region for NBCe1-B activity. Site directed mutagenesis and coimmunoprecipitation assay showed that NBCe1-B binds to the N-terminal Ahcyl2-PEST domain, and its binding is determined by the phosphorylation of 4 critical serine residues (Ser151, Ser154, Ser157, and Ser160) in Ahcyl2 PEST domain. Also we revealed that 4 critical serine residues in Ahcyl2 PEST domain are indispensable for the activation of NBCe1-B using measurement of intracellular pH experiment. Thus, these results suggested that the NBCe1-B is interacted with 4 critical serine residues in Ahcyl2 PEST domain, which play an important role in intracellular pH regulation through NBCe1-B.

The Role of Expectations in Game-Based Training.

PubMed

Kreutzer, Christine; Bowers, Clint

2015-01-01

The present work seeks to examine the importance of expectancies in computer-mediated treatment and training programs. Two studies examining the role of patient and trainee expectations are presented. Study 1 investigated how expectations of a training game for military surgical teams influence training performance outcomes. The findings have implications for the administration of game-based treatment and training systems. Study 2 explored how pre-treatment expectancies influence post-treatment reactions to a game-based intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results indicate that self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationship between expectancies and reactions. Together, these studies offer implications regarding the critical role of attitudes towards game-based training and treatment mechanisms.

The Role of the Transcriptional Response to DNA Replication Stress

PubMed Central

Herlihy, Anna E.; de Bruin, Robertus A.M.

2017-01-01

During DNA replication many factors can result in DNA replication stress. The DNA replication stress checkpoint prevents the accumulation of replication stress-induced DNA damage and the potential ensuing genome instability. A critical role for post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, in the replication stress checkpoint response has been well established. However, recent work has revealed an important role for transcription in the cellular response to DNA replication stress. In this review, we will provide an overview of current knowledge of the cellular response to DNA replication stress with a specific focus on the DNA replication stress checkpoint transcriptional response and its role in the prevention of replication stress-induced DNA damage. PMID:28257104

The changing role of history in restoration ecology

USGS Publications Warehouse

Eric Higgs,; Falk, Donald A.; Guerrini, Anita; Hall, Marcus; Harris, Jim; Hobbs, Richard J.; Jackson, Stephen T.; Rhemtulla, Jeanine M.; Throop, William

2014-01-01

In the face of rapid environmental and cultural change, orthodox concepts in restoration ecology such as historical fidelity are being challenged. Here we re-examine the diverse roles played by historical knowledge in restoration, and argue that these roles remain vitally important. As such, historical knowledge will be critical in shaping restoration ecology in the future. Perhaps the most crucial role in shifting from the present version of restoration ecology (“v1.0”) to a newer formulation (“v2.0”) is the value of historical knowledge in guiding scientific interpretation, recognizing key ecological legacies, and influencing the choices available to practitioners of ecosystem intervention under conditions of open-ended and rapid change.

The Role of the Transcriptional Response to DNA Replication Stress.

PubMed

Herlihy, Anna E; de Bruin, Robertus A M

2017-03-02

During DNA replication many factors can result in DNA replication stress. The DNA replication stress checkpoint prevents the accumulation of replication stress-induced DNA damage and the potential ensuing genome instability. A critical role for post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, in the replication stress checkpoint response has been well established. However, recent work has revealed an important role for transcription in the cellular response to DNA replication stress. In this review, we will provide an overview of current knowledge of the cellular response to DNA replication stress with a specific focus on the DNA replication stress checkpoint transcriptional response and its role in the prevention of replication stress-induced DNA damage.

Enhancing security and improving interoperability in healthcare information systems.

PubMed

Gritzalis, D A

1998-01-01

Security is a key issue in healthcare information systems, since most aspects of security become of considerable or even critical importance when handling healthcare information. In addition, the intense need for information exchange has revealed interoperability of systems and applications as another key issue. Standardization can play an important role towards both these issues. In this paper, relevant standardization activities are briefly presented, and existing and emerging healthcare information security standards are identified and critically analysed. The analysis is based on a framework which has been developed for this reason. Therefore, the identification of gaps and inconsistencies in current standardization, the description of the conflicts of standards with legislation, and the analysis of implications of these standards to user organizations, are the main results of this paper.

Strategic marketing: an introduction for medical specialists.

PubMed

Lexa, Frank James; Berlin, Jonathan

2006-03-01

Marketing and branding are 2 of the most important factors for business success in the United States. They are particularly critical in service industries such as diagnostic imaging. However, in spite of their strategic importance in radiology success, a search of the peer-reviewed radiology literature reveals a paucity of published work that addresses marketing for imaging practices. In particular, there is a dearth of literature addressing the role (both direct and indirect) of radiologists in marketing efforts. In this article, the authors attempt to identify and correct some common misconceptions that physicians and other scientific and technical professionals have about marketing. Basic terms and preliminary concepts are introduced to provide a foundational understanding of the topic, allowing the interested reader to move forward and explore these critical issues in greater depth.

Stability in shifting sands: contemporary leadership roles in critical care.

PubMed

Endacott, R; Boulanger, C; Chamberlain, W; Hendry, J; Ryan, H; Chaboyer, W

2008-10-01

Contemporary nursing leadership roles in critical care are a reflection of the changing environment in which critical care is provided. In the UK, critical care nursing faces challenges in the form of: reduced number and seniority of medical staff cover for acute wards; mandated responsibility for management of patients outside of critical care units, without corresponding responsibility for managing staff; increased public and political awareness of deficits in critical care; increased use of Assistant Practitioners; and emphasis on longer-term outcomes from intensive care. New leadership roles have met these challenges head on with two main foci: patient management across the acute/critical care interface and hospital wide policies and practice. The leadership roles examined in this paper highlight three underpinning goals: improved quality and safety of patient care; improved communication between professionals; and empowerment of junior nurses and doctors. There has been considerable investment in strategic leadership roles for critical care nursing; evidence is developing of the return on this investment for patient and service outcomes. Consideration must now be given to the preparation, mentorship and development of leadership roles for the next generation of nurse leaders.

Role of LRRK2 in the regulation of dopamine receptor trafficking

PubMed Central

Sanna, Simona; Taymans, Jean Marc; Morari, Michele; Brugnoli, Alberto; Frassineti, Martina; Masala, Alessandra; Esposito, Sonia; Galioto, Manuela; Valle, Cristiana; Carri, Maria Teresa; Biosa, Alice; Greggio, Elisa; Crosio, Claudia

2017-01-01

Mutations in LRRK2 play a critical role in both familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Up to date, the role of LRRK2 in PD onset and progression remains largely unknown. However, experimental evidence highlights a critical role of LRRK2 in the control of vesicle trafficking that in turn may regulate different aspects of neuronal physiology. We have analyzed the role of LRRK2 in regulating dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) and D2 (DRD2) trafficking. DRD1 and DRD2 are the most abundant dopamine receptors in the brain. They differ in structural, pharmacological and biochemical properties, as well as in localization and internalization mechanisms. Our results indicate that disease-associated mutant G2019S LRRK2 impairs DRD1 internalization, leading to an alteration in signal transduction. Moreover, the mutant forms of LRRK2 affect receptor turnover by decreasing the rate of DRD2 trafficking from the Golgi complex to the cell membrane. Collectively, our findings are consistent with the conclusion that LRRK2 influences the motility of neuronal vesicles and the neuronal receptor trafficking. These findings have important implications for the complex role that LRRK2 plays in neuronal physiology and the possible pathological mechanisms that may lead to neuronal death in PD. PMID:28582422

The Critical Roles of Zinc: Beyond Impact on Myocardial Signaling

PubMed Central

Lee, Sung Ryul; Noh, Su Jin; Pronto, Julius Ryan; Jeong, Yu Jeong; Kim, Hyoung Kyu; Song, In Sung; Xu, Zhelong; Kwon, Hyog Young; Kang, Se Chan; Sohn, Eun-Hwa; Ko, Kyung Soo; Rhee, Byoung Doo; Kim, Nari

2015-01-01

Zinc has been considered as a vital constituent of proteins, including enzymes. Mobile reactive zinc (Zn2+) is the key form of zinc involved in signal transductions, which are mainly driven by its binding to proteins or the release of zinc from proteins, possibly via a redox switch. There has been growing evidence of zinc's critical role in cell signaling, due to its flexible coordination geometry and rapid shifts in protein conformation to perform biological reactions. The importance and complexity of Zn2+ activity has been presumed to parallel the degree of calcium's participation in cellular processes. Whole body and cellular Zn2+ levels are largely regulated by metallothioneins (MTs), Zn2+ importers (ZIPs), and Zn2+ transporters (ZnTs). Numerous proteins involved in signaling pathways, mitochondrial metabolism, and ion channels that play a pivotal role in controlling cardiac contractility are common targets of Zn2+. However, these regulatory actions of Zn2+ are not limited to the function of the heart, but also extend to numerous other organ systems, such as the central nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular tissue, and secretory glands, such as the pancreas, prostate, and mammary glands. In this review, the regulation of cellular Zn2+ levels, Zn2+-mediated signal transduction, impacts of Zn2+ on ion channels and mitochondrial metabolism, and finally, the implications of Zn2+ in health and disease development were outlined to help widen the current understanding of the versatile and complex roles of Zn2+. PMID:26330751

The roles of critical care advanced practice nurse.

PubMed

Sung, Young Hee; Yi, Young Hee; Kwon, In Gak; Cho, Yong Ae

2006-12-01

To determine and compare the perception among nurses and doctors of the roles and tasks of critical care advanced practice nurses (APNs) in order to establish standardized and formally agreed role criteria for such critical care APNs. This study measured and analyzed the necessity of each of the roles and tasks of critical care APNs, as perceived by nurses and doctors, through a survey of 121 participants: 71 nurses in 7 intensive care units (ICUs) at a general hospital in Seoul, and 50 doctors who used ICUs. Data collection utilized a questionnaire of 128 questions in the following fields: direct practice (79), leadership and change agent (17), consultation and collaboration (15), education and counseling (11), and research (6). Both the nurses' and the doctors' groups confirmed the necessity of critical care APNs, with doctors who frequently used ICUs indicating a particularly strong need. As for the priority of each role of critical care APNs, the nurses considered direct practice to be the most critical, followed by education and counseling, research, consultation and collaboration, and leadership and change agent. The doctors also considered direct practice to be the most critical, followed by education and counseling, consultation and collaboration, research, and leadership and change agent. There was a statistically significant difference between how the two groups regarded all the roles, except for the consultation and collaboration roles. As for the necessity of each role of critical care APNs, the nurses considered research to be the most necessary, followed by education and counseling, consultation and collaboration, leadership and change agent, and direct practice. The doctors, on the other hand, considered education and counseling to be the most necessary, followed by research, consultation and collaboration, leadership and change agent, and direct practice. The responses of the two groups to all the roles, except for education and counseling roles, were significantly different. Nurses and doctors have different perceptions of the roles and tasks of critical care APNs. Thus, it is necessary for the combined nursing and medical fields to reach an official agreement on a set of criteria to standardize for the roles and tasks of critical care APNs.

A critical pathway for the frail elderly cardiac patient.

PubMed

Wit, Mirjam; Schaap, Annet; Umans, Victor

2011-12-01

The medical community needs to better respond to the predictable complexities associated with admission of frail and elderly cardiac patients who may need specific attention and care programs. The nurse practitioner can play an important role to continue and coordinate nursing and medical care. We propose a new critical pathway designed to improve cardiac and nursing care for frail elderly cardiac patients admitted with heart failure or atrial fibrillation. The critical pathway is developed by the nurse practitioner who will act as a pathway coordinator and take care of the medical care of these patients in a teaching hospital setting. This critical pathway is applied to all patients aged >75 years who are admitted for heart failure or atrial fibrillation. The pathway implementation identified 5 important socio-medical parameters that may account for a delayed length of stay, even in patients without a complicated medical situation: delirium and fall prevention, nutritional awareness, fluid restriction efforts, and information optimization of patients and spouses. We developed a critical care pathway for the frail elderly patients who are admitted for heart failure or atrial fibrillation. In doing so, we have been able to change the medical and social management of these patients at a general cardiology ward in a teaching hospital.

Beyond the Status Quo--Setting the Agenda for Effective Change: The Role of Leader within an International School Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morrison, Allan R.

2018-01-01

In today's competitive and rapidly evolving educational environment, the ability to implement appropriate and effective change is of critical importance to an international school's ongoing success. This study examines leadership characteristics and styles that support the development and forward momentum of a change agenda within the context of…

Opening the Door: How Community Organizations Address the Youth Unemployment Crisis. Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steinberg, Adria; Almeida, Cheryl

2015-01-01

Few Americans know the importance of community-based organizations, or CBOs, in helping tens of thousands of undereducated, underemployed young people find a job or go back to school. But the role of CBOs is growing more critical as the business, education, and philanthropic sectors increasingly recognize the need to enable the nation's millions…

Supporting Interethnic and Interracial Friendships among Youth to Reduce Prejudice and Racism in Schools: The Role of the School Counselor

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pica-Smith, Cinzia; Poynton, Timothy A.

2015-01-01

Supporting interethnic and interracial friendships in schools among children and adolescents is an important part of a progressive educational agenda informed in equity, social justice frameworks, and critical multicultural education that leads to a reduction in racial prejudice. Positive intergroup contact is a necessary condition in prejudice…

Broken Glass Everywhere: Deconstructing Popular Identities through Critical Hip Hop Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, Lauren Leigh

2016-01-01

In a society consumed by ever-increasing media and technology, it is more important now than ever that public schools provide their students with the skills and tools necessary to analyze, interpret, deconstruct, and construct popular media images and messages. Consequently, it is the role of educators to engage with popular media in the…

Scientific Caricatures in the Earth Science Classroom: An Alternative Assessment for Meaningful Science Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clary, Renee M.; Wandersee, James H.

2010-01-01

Archive-based, historical research of materials produced during the Golden Age of Geology (1788-1840) uncovered scientific caricatures (SCs) which may serve as a unique form of knowledge representation for students today. SCs played important roles in the past, stimulating critical inquiry among early geologists and fueling debates that addressed…

Concluding remarks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bohannan, Bruce

2001-01-01

This workshop brought proposed directions in instrumentation for the Isaac Newton Group together with scientific and technical needs of the ING astronomical community. A personal summary of the critical issues, questions, and approaches raised at this workshop includes the mission of the ING, the role of <4-m aperture telescopes today, the importance of continuous renewal, the power of AO, and the data glut.

Relaxation of DNA supercoiling leads to increased invasion of epithelial cells and protein secretion by Campylobacter jejuni

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Invasion of intestinal epithelial cells by Campylobacter jejuni is a critical step during infection of the human intestine by this important human pathogen. In this study we investigated the role played by DNA supercoiling in the regulation of invasion of epithelial cells and the mechanism by which ...

A Comparison of Community and State College Leader Perceptions of Trustee Involvement in Decision-Making

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morris, Adam A.; Miller, Michael T.

2014-01-01

Trustees play an important role in determining the direction, priorities, and future of higher education institutions, and as such, are critical actors in the decision-making and policy formation process. Numerous anecdotal reports have concluded that there are often competing interests in the use and structure of trustees throughout higher…

Making a Difference: The Future of HPT in Sustaining Best-Practice International Capacity Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, Steven J.; Coughlin, Patrick C.; Novak, M. Mari

2012-01-01

Over the past decade, human performance technology (HPT) has become an important source of rigor and application in support of best practices in capacity development. HPT shares common principles with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development best practices. This article explores HPT's critical role as the methodology of choice…

The Importance of Emotions: The Socialisation of Emotion in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bougher-Muckian, Hilary R.; Root, Amy E.; Coogle, Christan Grygas; Floyd, Kimberly K.

2016-01-01

Parents play a critical role in the development of children's emotional competence; however, little research examines parents' emotion socialisation practices among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we compared the emotion socialisation practices of parents of children with ASD and to those of parents of children that…

Social Environmental Risk and Protection: A Typology with Implications for Practice in Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowen, Natasha K.; Lee, Jung-Sook; Weller, Bridget E.

2007-01-01

Social environmental assessments can play a critical role in prevention planning in schools. The purpose of this study was to describe the importance of conducting social environmental assessments, demonstrate that complex social environmental data can be simplified into a useful and valid typology, and illustrate how the typology can guide…

Using Barbie Stories to Develop an Understanding of Polysemy and Encoding/Decoding

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zaslow, Emilie

2012-01-01

Since the 1970s, communication studies scholars who teach media analysis have incorporated key concepts of critical/cultural studies into their syllabi. Of central importance has been the theory that audiences are agentic and take an active role in the process of making meaning from the media with which they engage. Fundamental to this theoretical…

Going against the Grain: Gender-Specific Media Education in Catholic High Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lapayese, Yvette V.

2012-01-01

The Catholic Church has addressed the power of media, as well as the critical importance of understanding and educating Catholic youth on the media's role and place in modern culture. In this article, the narratives of female Catholic teachers are prioritized to illustrate how gender-specific media education influences the schooling experiences of…

Ozone Effects on Protein Carbonyl Content in the Frontal Cortex and Cerebellum of Young-Adult, Middle Age, and Senescent Brown Norway Rats

EPA Science Inventory

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in susceptibility and disease in old age. Understanding age-related susceptibility is a critical part of community-based human health risk assessment of chemical exposures. There is growing concern over a common air pollutant, ozone ...

3 CFR 8566 - Proclamation 8566 of September 17, 2010. National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, 2010

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... President of the United States of America A Proclamation Education is critical to our children’s future and... economy, we have an obligation to provide a high-quality education to our children and ensure they can... students. They play an important role in attracting underrepresented Americans to science, technology...

Different Battleground, New Advocacy Tactics: A Decade of Adult Learning in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Quintero, Lucia; Tuckett, Alan

2007-01-01

In anticipation of CONFINTEA VI, this article critically reflects on the last decade of English adult education policy. The United Kingdom played an important role in 1997's Hamburg conference by putting forward International Adult Learners' Week, and inspiring delegates by its enthusiasm for adult education. However the trajectory of the past ten…

Repairing Leaks in the Chemistry Teacher Pipeline: A Longitudinal Analysis of Praxis Chemistry Subject Assessment Examinees and Scores

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shah, Lisa; Hao, Jie; Schneider, Jeremy; Fallin, Rebekah; Cortes, Kimberly Linenberger; Ray, Herman E.; Rushton, Gregory T.

2018-01-01

Teachers play a critical role in the preparation of future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals. What teachers know about their discipline (i.e., content knowledge) has been identified as an important aspect of instructional effectiveness; however, studies have not yet assessed the content knowledge of…

Representation and Analysis of Chemistry Core Ideas in Science Education Standards between China and the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wan, Yanlan; Bi, Hualin

2016-01-01

Chemistry core ideas play an important role in students' chemistry learning. On the basis of the representations of chemistry core ideas about "substances" and "processes" in the Chinese Chemistry Curriculum Standards (CCCS) and the U.S. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), we conduct a critical comparison of chemistry…

#Sippingtea: Two Black Female Literacy Scholars Sharing Counter-Stories to Redefine Our Roles in the Academy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grey, ThedaMarie Gibbs; Williams-Farrier, Bonnie J.

2017-01-01

Through this piece, we draw upon critical race theory and Collins's Afrocentric feminist epistemology to highlight the importance of storytelling as a knowledge validation system in Black women's language. We illuminate and analyze a dialogic performance of two Black female literacy scholars in a coffee house "sipping tea," sharing…

Culturally Responsive Teaching for 21st-Century Art Education: Examining Race in a Studio Art Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, NaJuana

2012-01-01

In the art classroom--where art, identity, and culture are inextricably linked--racially and culturally responsive teaching play a critical role in how teachers interact with students and ultimately how students themselves come to understand cultural diversity, social inclusion, and antiracist behaviors. It is important that teachers understand…

We still need Smokey Bear!

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keeley, Jon E.

2001-01-01

It was gratifying to see articles in recent issues of Fire Management Today clarifying the role of Smokey Bear in wildland fire management strategies (Baily 1999; Brown 1999). These articles clearly spelled out Smokey’s importance in reducing unplanned human-ignited wildland fires and rightly criticized attempts to detract from Smokey’s campaign (Williams 1995; see also Vogl 1973).

Family Wellbeing of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tint, Ami; Weiss, Jonathan A.

2016-01-01

Families play an important role in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan. Indicators of family wellbeing can help to establish benchmarks for service provision and evaluation; however, a critical first step is a clear understanding of the construct in question. The purpose of the current scoping review was to (a)…

Postsuicide Intervention as a Prevention Tool: Developing a Comprehensive Campus Response to Suicide and Related Risk

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cimini, M. Dolores; Rivero, Estela M.

2013-01-01

This chapter explores the critical role of crisis intervention and other support after a suicide has occurred as part of a comprehensive suicide prevention response within college and university campuses. The important components of postsuicide intervention campus crisis response and protocols and the identification of key stakeholders to…

Lost Opportunities: The Status of Science Education in California Middle Schools. CenterView

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning at WestEd, 2012

2012-01-01

California's middle schools have a critical role to play in furthering their students' pursuit of science learning, in high school and beyond. The rapidly changing economy, advances in technology, and the press of global challenges only increase the importance of this responsibility. The potential is there for California's middle schools to…

Training, Understanding, and the Attitudes of Primary School Teachers Regarding Inclusive Education in Hong Kong

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leung, Chi-hung; Mak, Kit-ying

2010-01-01

Inclusive education is one of the most important issues in education in Hong Kong, China. Because the role of teachers is critical to the success of inclusive education, this study investigated some of the elements that determine the success of implementing inclusive education. Teachers' perceived definition of inclusive education, the…

A Critical Analysis of Concepts Associated with Sustainability in Early Childhood Curriculum Frameworks across Five National Contexts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weldemariam, Kassahun; Boyd, Diane; Hirst, Nicky; Sageidet, Barbara Maria; Browder, Jamison K.; Grogan, Leanne; Hughes, Fran

2017-01-01

Curriculum frameworks have an important role in providing guidance to early childhood practitioners on how to integrate knowledge about sustainability into their practice. This article examines how ideas about sustainability are integrated in the early childhood curricula for Australia, England, Norway, Sweden and the USA. The analyses were guided…

Enhancing the Capabilities of Associate Teachers in the Practicum: A New Zealand Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sewell, Alison; Hansen, Sally; Weir, Kama

2017-01-01

The practicum is critically important in initial teacher education. Yet too often, student-teachers are placed in schools where the associate teacher does not understand the mentoring component of their supervisory role. This study explores the impact of a school-university project on the associate teachers' mentoring in the practicum and in their…

The Role of Individualism/Collectivism in Critical Classroom Encounters: A Four Country Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frankel, Robert; Swanson, Scott R.; Sagan, Mariusz

2005-01-01

Internationalization raises the issue of whether, and to what extent, the inherent culture of a country may have particular influence on the nature of service interactions, and on education (i.e., student-professor interactions) specifically. Thus the service encounter in the classroom becomes a subject of increasing importance and interest with…

Does Constructive Performance Feedback Improve Citizenship Intentions and Job Satisfaction? The Roles of Perceived Opportunities for Advancement, Respect, and Mood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sommer, Kristin L.; Kulkarni, Mukta

2012-01-01

Organizational experts have long touted the importance of delivering negative performance feedback in a manner that enhances employee receptivity to feedback, yet the broader impacts of constructive feedback have received relatively little attention. The present investigation explored the impact of constructive, critical feedback on organizational…

Developing and Assessing College Student Teamwork Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Richard L.; Jones, Steven K.

2011-01-01

Some form of team-oriented work is employed in most, if not all, organizations today. It would seem, then, that an important role for higher education should involve developing critical teamwork skills among students so as to prepare them for success in life. This very point was highlighted in a 2009 poll conducted on behalf of the Association of…

Visual Speech Fills in Both Discrimination and Identification of Non-Intact Auditory Speech in Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jerger, Susan; Damian, Markus F.; McAlpine, Rachel P.; Abdi, Herve

2018-01-01

To communicate, children must discriminate and identify speech sounds. Because visual speech plays an important role in this process, we explored how visual speech influences phoneme discrimination and identification by children. Critical items had intact visual speech (e.g. baez) coupled to non-intact (excised onsets) auditory speech (signified…

Why Theory Matters More than Ever in the Age of Big Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wise, Alyssa Friend; Shaffer, David Williamson

2015-01-01

It is an exhilarating and important time for conducting research on learning, with unprecedented quantities of data available. There is a danger, however, in thinking that with enough data, the numbers speak for themselves. In fact, with larger amounts of data, theory plays an ever-more critical role in analysis. In this introduction to the…

Knowledge of Food and Drug Interactions among Nurses: Assessment Strategy for Continuing Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Enwerem, Nkechi M.; Okunji, Priscilla O.

2017-01-01

The effect of medication errors on patient quality care and safety is a critical ongoing concern requiring solutions. Although medication safety has been a concern of all healthcare professions, registered nurses play an important role in medication safety as patients' advocates. A cross sectional study with structured questionnaire on common FDI…

A Model of Women's Educational Factors Related to Delaying Girls' Marriage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Cristine A.; Stone, Rebecca Paulson; Kahando, Sarah

2012-01-01

Delaying girls' early marriage is a critical public health and education goal in developing countries, in which their own or their mothers' education may play an important role. This paper reviews the existing evidence of any relationship between girls' schooling or women's literacy education and delayed marriage for themselves or their daughters.…

HPERD Administrators' Perspectives Concerning Importance and Practice of Selected Marketing Methods.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ballew, Jerry L.

This paper reports on the critical role that marketing can have on the health, physical education, recreation, and dance professions (HPERD) and on a national survey of college administrators in the field and their attitudes and practices at the college level. The first half of the paper briefly traces the growing impact of marketing on service…

We Are All Related: Indigenous People Combine Traditional Knowledge, Geo-Science to Save Planet

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wildcat, Daniel

2008-01-01

Through a new working group, tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) are playing a critical leadership role in addressing some of the most difficult climate-related problems now facing the planet. Because of their unique cultural character, TCUs have an important voice. The American Indian and Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group was formed…

Yes-No Questions that Convey a Critical Stance in the Language Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waring, Hansun Zhang

2012-01-01

Despite certain important critiques, much of the work on teacher questions has centered on the distinction between referential and display questions as well as their roles in creating more or less communicative classrooms. With some notable exceptions, few have delved into the specificity of how questions work in the details of classroom…

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Biotechnology of Elementary Education Preservice Teachers: The First Spanish Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Casanoves, Marina; González, Ángel; Salvadó, Zoel; Haro, Juan; Novo, Maite

2015-01-01

Due to the important impact that biotechnology has on current Western societies, well-informed critical citizens are needed. People prepared to make conscious decisions about aspects of biotechnology that relate to their own lives. Teachers play a central role in all education systems. Thus, the biotechnological literacy of preservice teachers is…

Restoration planting options for limber pines in Colorado and Wyoming

Treesearch

Anne Marie Casper; William R. Jacobi; Anna W. Schoettle; Kelly S. Burns

2011-01-01

Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis) populations in the southern Rocky Mountains are severely threatened by the combined impacts of mountain pine beetles and white pine blister rust. Limber pineʼs critical role in these high elevation ecosystems heightens the importance of mitigating these impacts. To develop forest-scale planting methods, six limber pine seedling...

Death and Dying Attitudes, Anxieties, and Fears of Certified Nursing Assistants: A Descriptive Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamilton, Josephine A.

2010-01-01

The critical role of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to help elderly nursing home residents' move through declining conditions or diseases to death is salient. It is important for CNAs and nursing home leaders to understand CNAs' attitudes, fears, and anxieties toward death and dying. The quantitative study investigated CNA's…

"Twenty Percent Free!" So How Much Does the Original Bar Weigh?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawera, Ngarewa; Taylor, Merilyn

2011-01-01

Developing critical numeracy is important in a society where mathematics plays a particular and significant role. One way of helping learners to develop the level of numeracy required to participate in society is by exploring ideas embedded in rich, accessible tasks. These can be linked to contexts that have relevance in their lives. One…

Enhanced Deployment Strategy for Role-Based Hierarchical Application Agents in Wireless Sensor Networks with Established Clusterheads

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gendreau, Audrey

2014-01-01

Efficient self-organizing virtual clusterheads that supervise data collection based on their wireless connectivity, risk, and overhead costs, are an important element of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This function is especially critical during deployment when system resources are allocated to a subsequent application. In the presented research,…

The Role of Leadership: The Challenge of Knowledge Management and Learning in Knowledge-Intensive Organizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mas-Machuca, Marta

2014-01-01

Knowledge and learning are important driving forces for business success and competitiveness, especially in the knowledge-intensive organizations (KIO's) whose core business is to create and sell knowledge (e.g. education, R&D units, and consultancy organizations, among others). Previous works suggested one of the Critical Success Factor (CSF)…

MAVS Expressed by Hematopoietic Cells Is Critical for Control of West Nile Virus Infection and Pathogenesis.

PubMed

Zhao, Jincun; Vijay, Rahul; Zhao, Jingxian; Gale, Michael; Diamond, Michael S; Perlman, Stanley

2016-08-15

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most important cause of epidemic encephalitis in North America. Innate immune responses, which are critical for control of WNV infection, are initiated by signaling through pathogen recognition receptors, RIG-I and MDA5, and their downstream adaptor molecule, MAVS. Here, we show that a deficiency of MAVS in hematopoietic cells resulted in increased mortality and delayed WNV clearance from the brain. In Mavs(-/-) mice, a dysregulated immune response was detected, characterized by a massive influx of macrophages and virus-specific T cells into the infected brain. These T cells were polyfunctional and lysed peptide-pulsed target cells in vitro However, virus-specific T cells in the brains of infected Mavs(-/-) mice exhibited lower functional avidity than those in wild-type animals, and even virus-specific memory T cells generated by prior immunization could not protect Mavs(-/-) mice from WNV-induced lethal disease. Concomitant with ineffective virus clearance, macrophage numbers were increased in the Mavs(-/-) brain, and both macrophages and microglia exhibited an activated phenotype. Microarray analyses of leukocytes in the infected Mavs(-/-) brain showed a preferential expression of genes associated with activation and inflammation. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role for MAVS in hematopoietic cells in augmenting the kinetics of WNV clearance and thereby preventing a dysregulated and pathogenic immune response. West Nile virus (WNV) is the most important cause of mosquito-transmitted encephalitis in the United States. The innate immune response is known to be critical for protection in infected mice. Here, we show that expression of MAVS, a key adaptor molecule in the RIG-I-like receptor RNA-sensing pathway, in hematopoietic cells is critical for protection from lethal WNV infection. In the absence of MAVS, there is a massive infiltration of myeloid cells and virus-specific T cells into the brain and overexuberant production of proinflammatory cytokines. These results demonstrate the important role that MAVS expression in hematopoietic cells has in regulating the inflammatory response in the WNV-infected brain. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

On the critical forcing amplitude of forced nonlinear oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Febbo, Mariano; Ji, Jinchen C.

2013-12-01

The steady-state response of forced single degree-of-freedom weakly nonlinear oscillators under primary resonance conditions can exhibit saddle-node bifurcations, jump and hysteresis phenomena, if the amplitude of the excitation exceeds a certain value. This critical value of excitation amplitude or critical forcing amplitude plays an important role in determining the occurrence of saddle-node bifurcations in the frequency-response curve. This work develops an alternative method to determine the critical forcing amplitude for single degree-of-freedom nonlinear oscillators. Based on Lagrange multipliers approach, the proposed method considers the calculation of the critical forcing amplitude as an optimization problem with constraints that are imposed by the existence of locations of vertical tangency. In comparison with the Gröbner basis method, the proposed approach is more straightforward and thus easy to apply for finding the critical forcing amplitude both analytically and numerically. Three examples are given to confirm the validity of the theoretical predictions. The first two present the analytical form for the critical forcing amplitude and the third one is an example of a numerically computed solution.

Raising critical issues in the analysis of gender and science in children's literature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Sonya N.; Siry, Christina A.

2009-12-01

Trevor Owens' paper provides a critique of the role of gender and authority in selected children's books that presented biographies of Albert Einstein and Marie Curie. In the context of discussing Trevor's (2009) article about children's literature, this forum explores issues related to the (a) representation and construction of gender, science, and childhood in literature for children; (b) the need to consider socio/historical/cultural contexts in analytical and theoretical frameworks; and (c) the importance of fostering critical literacy perspectives in pre- and in-service science teachers and the children whom they teach.

Light-induced metal-insulator transition in a switchable mirror.

PubMed

Hoekstra, A F; Roy, A S; Rosenbaum, T F; Griessen, R; Wijngaarden, R J; Koeman, N J

2001-06-04

Rare earth hydride films can be converted reversibly from metallic mirrors to insulating windows simply by changing the surrounding hydrogen gas pressure at room temperature. At low temperatures, in situ doping is not possible in this way as hydrogen cannot diffuse. However, our finding of persistent photoconductivity under ultraviolet illumination offers an attractive possibility to tune yttrium hydride through the T = 0 metal-insulator transition. Conductivity and Hall measurements are used to determine critical exponents. The unusually large value for the product of the static and dynamical critical exponents appears to signify the important role played by electron-electron interactions.

(In/Out)side AIDS activism: searching for a critically engaged politics.

PubMed

Clark, J Elizabeth

2004-01-01

Experience has always been a hallmark of activist work; my work in AIDS activism began with my family's role as caretakers for two children whose parents died of HIV-related complications. Previously, my scholarly work critiqued political and medical establishments and their policies surrounding HIV/AIDS. At the NEH institute, I interacted with the medical world, shadowing nurses and doctors. Through this experience, I discovered the importance of interactivity as a crucial element of the critically engaged AIDS activist experience, creating a more thorough understanding of the medical establishment and a more humanized portrait of hospitals and their staff.

Novel Role for Interleukin-17 in Enhancing Type 1 Helper T Cell Immunity in the Female Genital Tract following Mucosal Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Vaccination

PubMed Central

Bagri, Puja; Anipindi, Varun C.; Nguyen, Philip V.; Vitali, Danielle; Stämpfli, Martin R.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT It is well established that interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production by CD4+ T cells is critical for antiviral immunity against herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) genital infection. However, the role of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) production by CD4+ T cells in HSV-2 antiviral immunity is yet to be elucidated. Here we demonstrate that IL-17A plays an important role in enhancing antiviral T helper type 1 (Th1) responses in the female genital tract (FGT) and is essential for effective protection conferred by HSV-2 vaccination. While IL-17A did not play a critical role during primary genital HSV-2 infection, seen by lack of differences in susceptibility between IL-17A-deficient (IL-17A−/−) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, it was critical for mediating antiviral responses after challenge/reexposure. Compared to WT mice, IL-17A−/− mice (i) infected intravaginally and reexposed or (ii) vaccinated intranasally and challenged intravaginally demonstrated poor outcomes. Following intravaginal HSV-2 reexposure or challenge, vaccinated IL-17A−/− mice had significantly higher mortality, greater disease severity, higher viral shedding, and higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in vaginal secretions. Furthermore, IL-17A−/− mice had impaired Th1 cell responses after challenge/reexposure, with significantly lower proportions of vaginal IFN-γ+ CD4+ T cells. The impaired Th1 cell responses in IL-17A−/− mice coincided with smaller populations of IFN-γ+ CD4+ tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells in the genital tract postimmunization. Taken together, these findings describe a novel role for IL-17A in regulating antiviral IFN-γ+ Th1 cell immunity in the vaginal tract. This strategy could be exploited to enhance antiviral immunity following HSV-2 vaccination. IMPORTANCE T helper type 1 (Th1) immunity, specifically interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production by CD4+ T cells, is critical for protection against genital herpesvirus (HSV-2) infection, and enhancing this response can potentially help improve disease outcomes. Our study demonstrated that interleukin-17A (IL-17A) plays an essential role in enhancing antiviral Th1 responses in the female genital tract (FGT). We found that in the absence of IL-17A, preexposed and vaccinated mice showed poor disease outcomes and were unable to overcome HSV-2 reexposure/challenge. IL-17A-deficient mice (IL-17A−/−) had smaller populations of IFN-γ+ CD4+ tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells in the genital tract postimmunization than did wild-type (WT) mice, which coincided with attenuated Th1 responses postchallenge. This has important implications for developing effective vaccines against HSV-2, as we propose that strategies inducing IL-17A in the genital tract may promote more effective Th1 cell immunity and better overall protection. PMID:28956763

Medical students' views of power in doctor-patient interactions: the value of teacher-learner relationships.

PubMed

Donetto, Sara

2010-02-01

This paper aims to contribute to the important, and relatively underexplored, area of medical education research that seeks to illuminate the value and meaning of relationships in the undergraduate education of doctors. Here I present new empirical material in which I ground my reflections on some ways in which teacher-learner relationships can help address medical students' often uncritical views of professional practice. The views I illustrate are of particular significance as they contrast sharply with the participative models of practice promoted by current policy, professional and educational discourses. My reflections stem from the analysis of data I generated for a larger, broadly ethnographic study exploring students' approaches to their future role as practitioners in one UK medical school. I draw upon this larger body of data and focus here on two examples in particular of the more general uncritical readings of medical professionalism I encountered at Sundown Medical School (an invented name), namely: students' often reductive views of medical power, and their simplistic formulations of patient education. I argue for the need to foster richer and more critical understandings of professional power and knowledge among students and educators, and suggest here that teacher-learner interactions could have an important role in fostering such richer understandings. I argue that teacher-learner relationships can model some of the dynamics of the practitioner-patient interaction and thus provide useful opportunities for closer and more critical analysis of power, education and knowledge in the medical school classroom as well as in the consultation room. I suggest that effective integration of participative and critical pedagogical strategies in medical curricula and more structured involvement of patients in the role of teachers may represent valuable strategies for the development of learning relationships that better promote reflexive and collaborative forms of professionalism.

Towards a Model of Reactive-Cracking: the Role of Reactions, Elasticity and Surface Energy Driven Flow in Poro-elastic Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, O.; Spiegelman, M. W.; Wilson, C. R.; Kelemen, P. B.

2016-12-01

Many critical processes can be described by reactive fluid flow in brittle media, including hydration/alteration of oceanic plates near spreading ridges, chemical weathering, and dehydration/decarbonation of subducting plates. Such hydration reactions can produce volume changes that may induce stresses large enough to drive fracture in the rock, in turn exposing new reactive surface and modifying the permeability. A better understanding of this potentially rich feedback could also be critical in the design of engineered systems for geologic carbon sequestration. To aid understanding of these processes we have developed a macroscopic continuum description of reactive fluid flow in an elastically deformable porous media. We explore the behaviour of this model by considering a simplified hydration reaction (e.g. olivine + H20 -> serpentine + brucite). In a closed system, these hydration reactions will continue to consume available fluids until the permeability reaches zero, leaving behind it a highly stressed residuum. Our model demonstrates this limiting behaviour, and that the elastic stresses generated are large enough to cause failure/fracture of the host rock. Whilst it is understood that `reactive fracture' is an important mechanism for the continued evolution of this process, it is also proposed that imbibition/surface energy driven flow may play a role. Through a simplified set of computational experiments, we investigate the relative roles of elasticity and surface energy in both a non-reactive purely poro-elastic framework, and then in the presence of reaction. We demonstrate that surface energy can drive rapid diffusion of porosity, thus allowing the reaction to propagate over larger areas. As we expect both surface energy and fracture/failure to be of importance in these processes, we plan to integrate the current model into one that allows for fracture once critical stresses are exceeded.

An official multi-society statement: the role of clinical research results in the practice of critical care medicine.

PubMed

Tonelli, Mark R; Curtis, J Randall; Guntupalli, Kalpalatha K; Rubenfeld, Gordon D; Arroliga, Alejandro C; Brochard, Laurent; Douglas, Ivor S; Gutterman, David D; Hall, Jesse R; Kavanagh, Brian P; Mancebo, Jordi; Misak, Cheryl J; Simpson, Steven Q; Slutsky, Arthur S; Suffredini, Anthony F; Thompson, B Taylor; Ware, Lorraine B; Wheeler, Arthur P; Levy, Mitchell M

2012-05-15

While the results of clinical research are clearly valuable in the care of critically ill patients, the limitations of such information and the role of other forms of medical knowledge for clinical decision making have not been carefully examined. The leadership of three large professional societies representing critical care practitioners convened a diverse group representing a wide variety of views regarding the role of clinical research results in clinical practice to develop a document to serve as a basis for agreement and a framework for ongoing discussion. Consensus was reached on several issues. While the results of rigorous clinical research are important in arriving at the best course of action for an individual critically ill patient, other forms of medical knowledge, including clinical experience and pathophysiologic reasoning, remain essential. No single source of knowledge is sufficient to guide clinical decisions, nor does one kind of knowledge always take precedence over others. Clinicians will find clinical research compelling for a variety of reasons that go beyond study design. While clinical practice guidelines and protocols based upon clinical research may improve care and decrease variability in practice, clinicians must be able to understand and articulate the rationale as to why a particular protocol or guideline is used or why an alternative approach is taken. Making this clinical reasoning explicit is necessary to understand practice variability. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of medical knowledge for clinical decision making and factors beyond study design that make clinical research compelling to clinicians can provide a framework for understanding the role of clinical research in practice.

Critical Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Different Phases of Wound Healing

PubMed Central

Pakyari, Mohammadreza; Farrokhi, Ali; Maharlooei, Mohsen Khosravi; Ghahary, Aziz

2013-01-01

Significance This review highlights the critical role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)1–3 within different phases of wound healing, in particular, late-stage wound healing. It is also very important to identify the TGF-β1–controlling factors involved in slowing down the healing process upon wound epithelialization. Recent Advances TGF-β1, as a growth factor, is a known proponent of dermal fibrosis. Several strategies to modulate or regulate TGF's actions have been thoroughly investigated in an effort to create successful therapies. This study reviews current discourse regarding the many roles of TGF-β1 in wound healing by modulating infiltrated immune cells and the extracellular matrix. Critical Issues It is well established that TGF-β1 functions as a wound-healing promoting factor, and thereby if in excess it may lead to overhealing outcomes, such as hypertrophic scarring and keloid. Thus, the regulation of TGF-β1 in the later stages of the healing process remains as critical issue of which to better understand. Future Directions One hypothesis is that cell communication is the key to regulate later stages of wound healing. To elucidate the role of keratinocyte/fibroblast cross talk in controlling the later stages of wound healing we need to: (1) identify those keratinocyte-released factors which would function as wound-healing stop signals, (2) evaluate the functionality of these factors in controlling the outcome of the healing process, and (3) formulate topical vehicles for these antifibrogenic factors to improve or even prevent the development of hypertrophic scarring and keloids as a result of deep trauma, burn injuries, and any type of surgical incision. PMID:24527344

Memory for Medication Side Effects in Younger and Older Adults: The Role of Subjective and Objective Importance

PubMed Central

Friedman, Michael C.; McGillivray, Shannon; Murayama, Kou; Castel, Alan D.

2014-01-01

Older adults often experience memory impairments, but can sometimes use selective processing and schematic support to remember important information. The current experiments investigate to what degree younger and healthy older adults remember medication side effects that were subjectively or objectively important to remember. Participants studied a list of common side effects, and rated how negative these effects were if they were to experience them, and were then given a free recall test. In Experiment 1, the severity of the side effects ranged from mild (e.g., itching) to severe (e.g., stroke), and in Experiment 2, certain side effects were indicated as critical to remember (i.e., “contact your doctor if you experience this”). There were no age differences in terms of free recall of the side effects, and older adults remembered more severe side effects relative to mild effects. However, older adults were less likely to recognize critical side effects on a later recognition test, relative to younger adults. The findings suggest that older adults can selectively remember medication side effects, but have difficulty identifying familiar but potentially critical side effects, and this has implications for monitoring medication use in older age. PMID:25331278

Ending on a positive: Examining the role of safety leadership decisions, behaviours and actions in a safety critical situation.

PubMed

Donovan, Sarah-Louise; Salmon, Paul M; Horberry, Timothy; Lenné, Michael G

2018-01-01

Safety leadership is an important factor in supporting safe performance in the workplace. The present case study examined the role of safety leadership during the Bingham Canyon Mine high-wall failure, a significant mining incident in which no fatalities or injuries were incurred. The Critical Decision Method (CDM) was used in conjunction with a self-reporting approach to examine safety leadership in terms of decisions, behaviours and actions that contributed to the incidents' safe outcome. Mapping the analysis onto Rasmussen's Risk Management Framework (Rasmussen, 1997), the findings demonstrate clear links between safety leadership decisions, and emergent behaviours and actions across the work system. Communication and engagement based decisions featured most prominently, and were linked to different leadership practices across the work system. Further, a core sub-set of CDM decision elements were linked to the open flow and exchange of information across the work system, which was critical to supporting the safe outcome. The findings provide practical implications for the development of safety leadership capability to support safety within the mining industry. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Function of Several Critical Amino Acids in Human Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Revealed by Its Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Korotchkina, Lioubov G.; Ciszak, E.; Patel, M.

2004-01-01

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), an alpha 2 beta 2 tetramer, catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate and reductive acetylation of lipoyl moieties of the dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase. The roles of beta W135, alpha P188, alpha M181, alpha H15 and alpha R349 of E1 determined by kinetic analysis were reassessed by analyzing the three-dimensional structure of human E1. The residues identified above are found to play a structural role rather than being directly involved in catalysis: beta W135 is the center residue in the hydrophobic interaction between beta and beta' subunits; alpha P188 and alpha M181 are critical for the conformation of the TPP-binding motif and interaction between alpha and beta subunits; alpha H15, is necessary for the organization of the N-terminus of alpha and alpha'; subunits and alpha R349 supports the interaction of the C-terminus of the alpha subunits with the beta subunits. Analysis of several critical E1 residues confirms the importance of residues distant from the active site for subunit interactions and enzyme function.

Functional, communicative and critical health literacy of chronic disease patients and their importance for self-management.

PubMed

Heijmans, Monique; Waverijn, Geeke; Rademakers, Jany; van der Vaart, Rosalie; Rijken, Mieke

2015-01-01

To provide insight into the level of health literacy among chronic disease patients in the Netherlands, to identify subgroups with low literacy and to examine the associations between health literacy and self-management. Self-report questionnaires were sent to a nationwide sample of 1.341 chronic disease patients. The Dutch Functional Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale (FCCHL), the Partners in Health scale (PIH) and Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Doctor Interactions (PEPPI-5) were used to assess health literacy and aspects of self-management. In general, health literacy skills were good. A higher age, lower education, lower income, multi-morbidity and/or functional limitations were associated with lower levels of health literacy. Communicative and critical health literacy were related to some aspects of self-management but not to all. Functional health literacy was less important. Communicative and critical health literacy play a role in successful self-management of chronic disease but the impact differs by context. Health literacy levels vary according to socio-demographic and disease characteristics of patients. Health care professionals should tailor their information and support to the health literacy skills and personal context of their patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Neurologically critical patient. Nurses' care].

PubMed

López Díaz, Cristina

2009-12-01

Handling a neurologically critical patient requires some necessary knowledge and aptitudes in order to avoid risks and complications which could worsen a patient's prognosis. To that end, in this article the author deals with two important points nursing personnel need to bear in mind: the distinct methods and catheters which can be used to monitor intracranial pressure, obtaining an important parameter for evaluation purposes and therapeutic follow-up on these patients, placing special emphasis on ventricular drainage and nursing care, and the operations nurses take when dealing with patients who present a risk of intracranial hypertension, setting up a protocol based on seven necessities in the Virginia Henderson model: breathing, elimination, temperature, hygiene and skin, feeding and hydration, mobility and safety. In each of these necessities, the author studies the problems these patients present, identifying them with a series of diagnoses according to NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association), and defining the care or nursing activities for each of them, which will prove essential to prevent cerebral ischemia after suffering a primary cerebral injury due to a "TCE"(Cranial Encephalic Trauma) hemorrhage, etc. Nurses' role in caring for neurologically critical patients proves to be of vital importance since these professionals must be capable of evaluating, preventing, controlling and identifying those risk situations which neurologically critical patients could present, avoiding possible complications, aiding their recuperation, and providing quality health care.

Autophagy in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

McPhee, Christina K; Baehrecke, Eric H

2009-09-01

Macroautophagy (autophagy) is a bulk cytoplasmic degradation process that is conserved from yeast to mammals. Autophagy is an important cellular response to starvation and stress, and plays critical roles in development, cell death, aging, immunity, and cancer. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster provides an excellent model system to study autophagy in vivo, in the context of a developing organism. Autophagy (atg) genes and their regulators are conserved in Drosophila, and autophagy is induced in response to nutrient starvation and hormones during development. In this review we provide an overview of how Drosophila research has contributed to our understanding of the role and regulation of autophagy in cell survival, growth, nutrient utilization, and cell death. Recent Drosophila research has also provided important mechanistic information about the role of autophagy in protein aggregation disorders, neurodegeneration, aging, and innate immunity. Differences in the role of autophagy in specific contexts and/or cell types suggest that there may be cell-context-specific regulators of autophagy, and studies in Drosophila are well-suited to yield discoveries about this specificity.

Acidic Ca2+ stores in neurodegeneration

PubMed Central

Lloyd-Evans, Emyr

2017-01-01

Lysosomes have emerged in the last decade as an immensely important intracellular site of Ca2+ storage and signalling. More recently there has been an increase in the number of new ion channels found to be functional on lysosomes and the potential roles that these signalling pathways might play in fundamental cellular processes are being uncovered. Defects in lysosomal function have been shown to result in changes in lysosomal Ca2+ homeostasis and ultimately can result in cell death. Several neurodegenerative diseases, from rare lysosomal storage diseases through to more common diseases of ageing, have recently been identified as having alterations in lysosomal Ca2+ homeostasis that may play an important role in neuronal excitotoxicity and ultimately cell death. This review will critically summarise these recent findings. PMID:28593104

The Ethics of Ambiguity: Rethinking the Role and Importance of Uncertainty in Medical Education and Practice.

PubMed

Domen, Ronald E

2016-01-01

Understanding and embracing uncertainty are critical for effective teacher-learner relationships as well as for shared decision-making in the physician-patient relationship. However, ambiguity has not been given serious consideration in either the undergraduate or graduate medical curricula or in the role it plays in patient-centered care. In this article, the author examines the ethics of ambiguity and argues for a pedagogy that includes education in the importance of, and tolerance of, ambiguity that is inherent in medical education and practice. Common threads running through the ethics of ambiguity are the virtue of respect, and the development of a culture of respect is required for the successful understanding and implementation of a pedagogy of ambiguity.

Intravenous Lipid Emulsions in Parenteral Nutrition123

PubMed Central

Fell, Gillian L; Nandivada, Prathima; Gura, Kathleen M; Puder, Mark

2015-01-01

Fat is an important macronutrient in the human diet. For patients with intestinal failure who are unable to absorb nutrients via the enteral route, intravenous lipid emulsions play a critical role in providing an energy-dense source of calories and supplying the essential fatty acids that cannot be endogenously synthesized. Over the last 50 y, lipid emulsions have been an important component of parenteral nutrition (PN), and over the last 10–15 y many new lipid emulsions have been manufactured with the goal of improving safety and efficacy profiles and achieving physiologically optimal formulations. The purpose of this review is to provide a background on the components of lipid emulsions, their role in PN, and to discuss the lipid emulsions available for intravenous use. Finally, the role of parenteral fat emulsions in the pathogenesis and management of PN-associated liver disease in PN-dependent pediatric patients is reviewed. PMID:26374182

Relationship between gut and sepsis: Role of ghrelin

PubMed Central

Das, Undurti N

2011-01-01

Ghrelin is a growth hormone secretagogue produced by the gut, and is expressed in the hypothalamus and other tissues as well. Ghrelin not only plays an important role in the regulation of appetite, energy balance and glucose homeostasis, but also shows anti-bacterial activity, suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production and restores gut barrier function. In experimental animals, ghrelin has shown significant beneficial actions in preventing mortality from sepsis. In the critically ill, corticosteroid insufficiency as a result of dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is known to occur. It is therefore possible that both gut and hypothalamus play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis by virtue of their ability to produce ghrelin, which, in turn, could be a protective phenomenon to suppress inflammation. It remains to be seen whether ghrelin and its analogues are of benefit in treating patients with sepsis. PMID:21537444

The role of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in fear and extinction memory.

PubMed

Knox, Dayan

2016-09-01

Cholinergic input to the neocortex, dorsal hippocampus (dHipp), and basolateral amygdala (BLA) is critical for neural function and synaptic plasticity in these brain regions. Synaptic plasticity in the neocortex, dHipp, ventral Hipp (vHipp), and BLA has also been implicated in fear and extinction memory. This finding raises the possibility that basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons, the predominant source of acetylcholine in these brain regions, have an important role in mediating fear and extinction memory. While empirical studies support this hypothesis, there are interesting inconsistencies among these studies that raise questions about how best to define the role of BF cholinergic neurons in fear and extinction memory. Nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) cholinergic neurons that project to the BLA are critical for fear memory and contextual fear extinction memory. NBM cholinergic neurons that project to the neocortex are critical for cued and contextual fear conditioned suppression, but are not critical for fear memory in other behavioral paradigms and in the inhibitory avoidance paradigm may even inhibit contextual fear memory formation. Medial septum and diagonal band of Broca cholinergic neurons are critical for contextual fear memory and acquisition of cued fear extinction. Thus, even though the results of previous studies suggest BF cholinergic neurons modulate fear and extinction memory, inconsistent findings among these studies necessitates more research to better define the neural circuits and molecular processes through which BF cholinergic neurons modulate fear and extinction memory. Furthermore, studies determining if BF cholinergic neurons can be manipulated in such a manner so as to treat excessive fear in anxiety disorders are needed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical Probes of Histone Lysine Methyltransferases

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Growing evidence suggests that histone methyltransferases (HMTs, also known as protein methyltransferases (PMTs)) play an important role in diverse biological processes and human diseases by regulating gene expression and the chromatin state. Therefore, HMTs have been increasingly recognized by the biomedical community as a class of potential therapeutic targets. High quality chemical probes of HMTs, as tools for deciphering their physiological functions and roles in human diseases and testing therapeutic hypotheses, are critical for advancing this promising field. In this review, we focus on the discovery, characterization, and biological applications of chemical probes for HMTs. PMID:25423077

Microfluidic breakups of confined droplets against a linear obstacle: The importance of the viscosity contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salkin, Louis; Courbin, Laurent; Panizza, Pascal

2012-09-01

Combining experiments and theory, we investigate the break-up dynamics of deformable objects, such as drops and bubbles, against a linear micro-obstacle. Our experiments bring the role of the viscosity contrast Δη between dispersed and continuous phases to light: the evolution of the critical capillary number to break a drop as a function of its size is either nonmonotonic (Δη>0) or monotonic (Δη≤0). In the case of positive viscosity contrasts, experiments and modeling reveal the existence of an unexpected critical object size for which the critical capillary number for breakup is minimum. Using simple physical arguments, we derive a model that well describes observations, provides diagrams mapping the four hydrodynamic regimes identified experimentally, and demonstrates that the critical size originating from confinement solely depends on geometrical parameters of the obstacle.

Critical Contribution of Tyr15 in the HIV-1 Integrase (IN) in Facilitating IN Assembly and Nonenzymatic Function through the IN Precursor Form with Reverse Transcriptase.

PubMed

Takahata, Tatsuro; Takeda, Eri; Tobiume, Minoru; Tokunaga, Kenzo; Yokoyama, Masaru; Huang, Yu-Lun; Hasegawa, Atsuhiko; Shioda, Tatsuo; Sato, Hironori; Kannagi, Mari; Masuda, Takao

2017-01-01

Nonenzymatic roles for HIV-1 integrase (IN) at steps prior to the enzymatic integration step have been reported. To obtain structural and functional insights into the nonenzymatic roles of IN, we performed genetic analyses of HIV-1 IN, focusing on a highly conserved Tyr15 in the N-terminal domain (NTD), which has previously been shown to regulate an equilibrium state between two NTD dimer conformations. Replacement of Tyr15 with alanine, histidine, or tryptophan prevented HIV-1 infection and caused severe impairment of reverse transcription without apparent defects in reverse transcriptase (RT) or in capsid disassembly kinetics after entry into cells. Cross-link analyses of recombinant IN proteins demonstrated that lethal mutations of Tyr15 severely impaired IN structure for assembly. Notably, replacement of Tyr15 with phenylalanine was tolerated for all IN functions, demonstrating that a benzene ring of the aromatic side chain is a key moiety for IN assembly and functions. Additional mutagenic analyses based on previously proposed tetramer models for IN assembly suggested a key role of Tyr15 in facilitating the hydrophobic interaction among IN subunits, together with other proximal residues within the subunit interface. A rescue experiment with a mutated HIV-1 with RT and IN deleted (ΔRT ΔIN) and IN and RT supplied in trans revealed that the nonenzymatic IN function might be exerted through the IN precursor conjugated with RT (RT-IN). Importantly, the lethal mutations of Tyr15 significantly reduced the RT-IN function and assembly. Taken together, Tyr15 seems to play a key role in facilitating the proper assembly of IN and RT on viral RNA through the RT-IN precursor form. Inhibitors of the IN enzymatic strand transfer function (INSTI) have been applied in combination antiretroviral therapies to treat HIV-1-infected patients. Recently, allosteric IN inhibitors (ALLINIs) that interact with HIV-1 IN residues, the locations of which are distinct from the catalytic sites targeted by INSTI, have been discovered. Importantly, ALLINIs affect the nonenzymatic role(s) of HIV-1 IN, providing a rationale for the development of next-generation IN inhibitors with a mechanism that is distinct from that of INSTI. Here, we demonstrate that Tyr15 in the HIV-1 IN NTD plays a critical role during IN assembly by facilitating the hydrophobic interaction of the NTD with the other domains of IN. Importantly, we found that the functional assembly of IN through its fusion form with RT is critical for IN to exert its nonenzymatic function. Our results provide a novel mechanistic insight into the nonenzymatic function of HIV-1 IN and its prevention. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Microbiology.

The role of intergenerational similarity and parenting in adolescent self-criticism: An actor-partner interdependence model.

PubMed

Bleys, Dries; Soenens, Bart; Boone, Liesbet; Claes, Stephan; Vliegen, Nicole; Luyten, Patrick

2016-06-01

Research investigating the development of adolescent self-criticism has typically focused on the role of either parental self-criticism or parenting. This study used an actor-partner interdependence model to examine an integrated theoretical model in which achievement-oriented psychological control has an intervening role in the relation between parental and adolescent self-criticism. Additionally, the relative contribution of both parents and the moderating role of adolescent gender were examined. Participants were 284 adolescents (M = 14 years, range = 12-16 years) and their parents (M = 46 years, range = 32-63 years). Results showed that only maternal self-criticism was directly related to adolescent self-criticism. However, both parents' achievement-oriented psychological control had an intervening role in the relation between parent and adolescent self-criticism in both boys and girls. Moreover, one parent's achievement-oriented psychological control was not predicted by the self-criticism of the other parent. Copyright © 2016 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Regulatory Considerations for Physiological Closed-Loop Controlled Medical Devices Used for Automated Critical Care: Food and Drug Administration Workshop Discussion Topics.

PubMed

Parvinian, Bahram; Scully, Christopher; Wiyor, Hanniebey; Kumar, Allison; Weininger, Sandy

2018-06-01

Part of the mission of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) at the US Food and Drug Administration is to facilitate medical device innovation. Therefore, CDRH plays an important role in helping its stakeholders such as manufacturers, health care professionals, patients, patient advocates, academia, and other government agencies navigate the regulatory landscape for medical devices. This is particularly important for innovative physiological closed-loop controlled (PCLC) devices used in critical care environments, such as intensive care units, emergency settings, and battlefield environments. CDRH's current working definition of a PCLC medical device is a medical device that incorporates physiological sensor(s) for automatic manipulation of a physiological variable through actuation of therapy that is conventionally made by a clinician. These emerging devices enable automatic therapy delivery and may have the potential to revolutionize the standard of care by ensuring adequate and timely therapy delivery with improved performance in high workload and high-stress environments. For emergency response and military applications, automatic PCLC devices may play an important role in reducing cognitive overload, minimizing human error, and enhancing medical care during surge scenarios (ie, events that exceed the capability of the normal medical infrastructure). CDRH held an open public workshop on October 13 and 14, 2015 with the aim of fostering an open discussion on design, implementation, and evaluation considerations associated with PCLC devices used in critical care environments. CDRH is currently developing regulatory recommendations and guidelines that will facilitate innovation for PCLC devices. This article highlights the contents of the white paper that was central to the workshop and focuses on the ensuing discussions regarding the engineering, clinical, and human factors considerations.

Hungry for Life: How the arcuate nucleus and neuropeptide Y may play a critical role in mediating the benefits of calorie restriction

PubMed Central

Minor, Robin K.; Chang, Joy W.; de Cabo, Rafael

2009-01-01

Laboratory studies consistently demonstrate extended lifespan in animals on calorie restriction (CR), where total caloric intake is reduced by 10–40% but adequate nutrition is otherwise maintained. CR has been further shown to delay the onset and severity of chronic diseases associated with aging such as cancer, and to extend the functional health span of important functions including cognition. Less understood are the underlying mechanisms through which CR might act to induce such alterations. One theory postulates that CR’s beneficial effects are intimately tied to the neuroendocrine response to low energy availability, of which the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus plays a pivotal role. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a neurotransmitter in the front line of the arcuate response to low energy availability, is the primary hunger signal affected by CR and therefore may be a critical mechanism for lifespan extension. PMID:19041366

Approaches to efficiently estimate solvation and explicit water energetics in ligand binding: the use of WaterMap [WaterMap and Its Implementation in Drug Discovery

DOE PAGES

Yang, Yue; Wong, Sergio E.; Lightstone, Felice C.

2012-09-08

Solvents play quite an important role in most chemical and biological processes. It is widely accepted that the presence of water or other solvents in many chemical reactions can result in much lower energy barrier. In enzymatic catalysis, water mediated reaction pathways have been observed in various studies. In addition, different conformation flexibility and hydrogen bond patterns have been discovered for cyclic peptides in the presence of membrane and water, further illustrating the impact of solvent in biological activities such like membrane penetration. moreover, as will be discussed later in this review, water also plays a critical role in host-guestmore » chemistry and thus is essential to drug design. As such, it is not surprising that accounting for solvents is critical in drug discovery since drugs must modulate biological systems.« less

Hungry for life: How the arcuate nucleus and neuropeptide Y may play a critical role in mediating the benefits of calorie restriction.

PubMed

Minor, Robin K; Chang, Joy W; de Cabo, Rafael

2009-02-05

Laboratory studies consistently demonstrate extended lifespan in animals on calorie restriction (CR), where total caloric intake is reduced by 10-40% but adequate nutrition is otherwise maintained. CR has been further shown to delay the onset and severity of chronic diseases associated with aging such as cancer, and to extend the functional health span of important faculties like cognition. Less understood are the underlying mechanisms through which CR might act to induce such alterations. One theory postulates that CR's beneficial effects are intimately tied to the neuroendocrine response to low energy availability, of which the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus plays a pivotal role. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a neurotransmitter in the front line of the arcuate response to low energy availability, is the primary hunger signal affected by CR and therefore may be a critical mechanism for lifespan extension.

Measuring reactive species and oxidative damage in vivo and in cell culture: how should you do it and what do the results mean?

PubMed Central

Halliwell, Barry; Whiteman, Matthew

2004-01-01

Free radicals and other reactive species (RS) are thought to play an important role in many human diseases. Establishing their precise role requires the ability to measure them and the oxidative damage that they cause. This article first reviews what is meant by the terms free radical, RS, antioxidant, oxidative damage and oxidative stress. It then critically examines methods used to trap RS, including spin trapping and aromatic hydroxylation, with a particular emphasis on those methods applicable to human studies. Methods used to measure oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins and methods used to detect RS in cell culture, especially the various fluorescent ‘probes' of RS, are also critically reviewed. The emphasis throughout is on the caution that is needed in applying these methods in view of possible errors and artifacts in interpreting the results. PMID:15155533

A central role for vesicle trafficking in epithelial neoplasia: Intracellular highways to carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Goldenring, James R.

2014-01-01

Epithelial cell carcinogenesis involves the loss of polarity, alteration of polarized protein presentation, dynamic cell morphology changes, increased proliferation and increased cell motility and invasion. Elements of membrane vesicle trafficking underlie all of these processes. Specific membrane trafficking regulators, including Rab small GTPases, through the coordinated dynamics of intracellular trafficking along cytoskeletal pathways, determine cell surface presentation of proteins and overall function of both differentiated and neoplastic cells. While mutations in vesicle trafficking proteins may not be direct drivers of transformation, elements of the machinery of vesicle movement play critical roles in the phenotypes of neoplastic cells. Therefore, the regulators of membrane vesicle trafficking decisions are critical mediators of the full spectrum of cell physiologies driving cancer cell biology, including initial loss of polarity, invasion and metastasis. Targeting of these fundamental intracellular processes may provide important points for manipulation of cancer cell behaviour. PMID:24108097

Topological dimension tunes activity patterns in hierarchical modular networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safari, Ali; Moretti, Paolo; Muñoz, Miguel A.

2017-11-01

Connectivity patterns of relevance in neuroscience and systems biology can be encoded in hierarchical modular networks (HMNs). Recent studies highlight the role of hierarchical modular organization in shaping brain activity patterns, providing an excellent substrate to promote both segregation and integration of neural information. Here, we propose an extensive analysis of the critical spreading rate (or ‘epidemic’ threshold)—separating a phase with endemic persistent activity from one in which activity ceases—on diverse HMNs. By employing analytical and computational techniques we determine the nature of such a threshold and scrutinize how it depends on general structural features of the underlying HMN. We critically discuss the extent to which current graph-spectral methods can be applied to predict the onset of spreading in HMNs and, most importantly, we elucidate the role played by the network topological dimension as a relevant and unifying structural parameter, controlling the epidemic threshold.

Asparagine promotes cancer cell proliferation through use as an amino acid exchange factor

PubMed Central

Krall, Abigail S.; Xu, Shili; Graeber, Thomas G.; Braas, Daniel; Christofk, Heather R.

2016-01-01

Cellular amino acid uptake is critical for mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activation and cell proliferation. However, the regulation of amino acid uptake is not well-understood. Here we describe a role for asparagine as an amino acid exchange factor: intracellular asparagine exchanges with extracellular amino acids. Through asparagine synthetase knockdown and altering of media asparagine concentrations, we show that intracellular asparagine levels regulate uptake of amino acids, especially serine, arginine and histidine. Through its exchange factor role, asparagine regulates mTORC1 activity and protein synthesis. In addition, we show that asparagine regulation of serine uptake influences serine metabolism and nucleotide synthesis, suggesting that asparagine is involved in coordinating protein and nucleotide synthesis. Finally, we show that maintenance of intracellular asparagine levels is critical for cancer cell growth. Collectively, our results indicate that asparagine is an important regulator of cancer cell amino acid homeostasis, anabolic metabolism and proliferation. PMID:27126896

The processing of semantic relatedness in the brain: Evidence from associative and categorical false recognition effects following transcranial direct current stimulation of the left anterior temporal lobe.

PubMed

Díez, Emiliano; Gómez-Ariza, Carlos J; Díez-Álamo, Antonio M; Alonso, María A; Fernandez, Angel

2017-08-01

A dominant view of the role of the anterior temporal lobe (ATL) in semantic memory is that it serves as an integration hub, specialized in the processing of semantic relatedness by way of mechanisms that bind together information from different brain areas to form coherent amodal representations of concepts. Two recent experiments, using brain stimulation techniques along with the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm, have found a consistent false memory reduction effect following stimulation of the ATL, pointing to the importance of the ATL in semantic/conceptual processing. To more precisely identify the specific process being involved, we conducted a DRM experiment in which transcranial direct current stimulation (anode/cathode/sham) was applied over the participants' left ATL during the study of lists of words that were associatively related to their non-presented critical words (e.g., rotten, worm, red, tree, liqueur, unripe, cake, food, eden, peel, for the critical item apple) or categorically related (e.g., pear, banana, peach, orange, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberry, cherry, kiwi, plum, for the same critical item apple). The results showed that correct recognition was not affected by stimulation. However, an interaction between stimulation condition and type of relation for false memories was found, explained by a significant false recognition reduction effect in the anodal condition for associative lists that was not observed for categorical lists. Results are congruent with previous findings and, more importantly, they help to clarify the nature and locus of false memory reduction effects, suggesting a differential role of the left ATL, and providing critical evidence for understanding the creation of semantic relatedness-based memory illusions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Role of Transition Metal Transporters for Iron, Zinc, Manganese, and Copper in the Pathogenesis of Yersinia pestis

PubMed Central

Perry, Robert D.; Bobrov, Alexander G.; Fetherston, Jacqueline D.

2015-01-01

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic plague, encodes a multitude of Fe transport systems. Some of these are defective due to frameshift or IS element insertions, while others are functional in vitro but have no established role in causing infections. Indeed only 3 Fe transporters (Ybt, Yfe and Feo) have been shown to be important in at least one form of plague. The yersiniabactin (Ybt) system is essential in the early dermal/lymphatic stages of bubonic plague, irrelevant in the septicemic stage, and critical in pneumonic plague. Two Mn transporters have been characterized (Yfe and MntH). These two systems play a role in bubonic plague but the double yfe mntH mutant is fully virulent in a mouse model of pneumonic plague. The same in vivo phenotype occurs with a mutant lacking two (Yfe and Feo) of four ferrous transporters. A role for the Ybt siderophore in Zn acquisition has been revealed. Ybt-dependent Zn acquisition uses a transport system completely independent of the Fe-Ybt uptake system. Together Ybt components and ZnuABC play a critical role in Zn acquisition in vivo. Single mutants in either system retain high virulence in a mouse model of septicemic plague while the double mutant is completely avirulent. PMID:25891079

The role of transition metal transporters for iron, zinc, manganese, and copper in the pathogenesis of Yersinia pestis.

PubMed

Perry, Robert D; Bobrov, Alexander G; Fetherston, Jacqueline D

2015-06-01

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic plague, encodes a multitude of Fe transport systems. Some of these are defective due to frameshift or IS element insertions, while others are functional in vitro but have no established role in causing infections. Indeed only 3 Fe transporters (Ybt, Yfe and Feo) have been shown to be important in at least one form of plague. The yersiniabactin (Ybt) system is essential in the early dermal/lymphatic stages of bubonic plague, irrelevant in the septicemic stage, and critical in pneumonic plague. Two Mn transporters have been characterized (Yfe and MntH). These two systems play a role in bubonic plague but the double yfe mntH mutant is fully virulent in a mouse model of pneumonic plague. The same in vivo phenotype occurs with a mutant lacking two (Yfe and Feo) of four ferrous transporters. A role for the Ybt siderophore in Zn acquisition has been revealed. Ybt-dependent Zn acquisition uses a transport system completely independent of the Fe-Ybt uptake system. Together Ybt components and ZnuABC play a critical role in Zn acquisition in vivo. Single mutants in either system retain high virulence in a mouse model of septicemic plague while the double mutant is completely avirulent.

Karyopherin alpha 1 regulates satellite cell proliferation and survival by modulating nuclear import

PubMed Central

Choo, Hyo-Jung; Cutler, Alicia; Rother, Franziska; Bader, Michael; Pavlath, Grace K.

2016-01-01

Satellite cells are stem cells with an essential role in skeletal muscle repair. Precise regulation of gene expression is critical for proper satellite cell quiescence, proliferation, differentiation and self -renewal. Nuclear proteins required for gene expression are dependent on the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery to access to nucleus, however little is known about regulation of nuclear transport in satellite cells. The best characterized nuclear import pathway is classical nuclear import which depends on a classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS) in a cargo protein and the heterodimeric import receptors, karyopherin alpha (KPNA) and beta (KPNB). Multiple KPNA1 paralogs exist and can differ in importing specific cNLS proteins required for cell differentiation and function. We show that transcripts for six Kpna paralogs underwent distinct changes in mouse satellite cells during muscle regeneration accompanied by changes in cNLS proteins in nuclei. Depletion of KPNA1, the most dramatically altered KPNA, caused satellite cells in uninjured muscle to prematurely activate, proliferate and undergo apoptosis leading to satellite cell exhaustion with age. Increased proliferation of satellite cells led to enhanced muscle regeneration at early stages of regeneration. In addition, we observed impaired nuclear localization of two key KPNA1 cargo proteins: p27, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor associated with cell cycle control and lymphoid enhancer factor 1, a critical co-transcription factor for β-catenin. These results indicate that regulated nuclear import of proteins by KPNA1 is critical for satellite cell proliferation and survival and establish classical nuclear import as a novel regulatory mechanism for controlling satellite cell fate. PMID:27434733

Users guide for seeds of western trees and shrubs.

Treesearch

William I. Stein; Rodger Danielson; Nancy Shaw; Scott Wolff; David Gerdes

1986-01-01

Because the role of tree and shrub seed is indispensable in the renewal of forests and ranges, their identity and quality are critically important. This guide briefly covers recommended practices for maintaining the identity of seeds, for sampling them, and for testing them for quality. Practices associated with the testing and use of tree seed have developed over many...

The Role of the Hippocampus in Retaining Relational Information across Short Delays: The Importance of Memory Load

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jeneson, Annette; Mauldin, Kristin N.; Hopkins, Ramona O.; Squire, Larry R.

2011-01-01

Patients with hippocampal damage are sometimes impaired at remembering information across delays as short as a few seconds. How are these impairments to be understood? One possibility is that retention of some kinds of information is critically dependent on the hippocampus, regardless of the retention interval and regardless of whether the task…

EVA safety: Space suit system interoperability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skoog, A. I.; McBarron, J. W.; Abramov, L. P.; Zvezda, A. O.

1995-01-01

The results and the recommendations of the International Academy of Astronautics extravehicular activities (IAA EVA) Committee work are presented. The IAA EVA protocols and operation were analyzed for harmonization procedures and for the standardization of safety critical and operationally important interfaces. The key role of EVA and how to improve the situation based on the identified EVA space suit system interoperability deficiencies were considered.

Private Scholarships Count: Access to Higher Education and the Critical Role of the Private Sector

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McSwain, Courtney; Cunningham, Alisa; Keselman, Yuliya; Merisotis, Jamie

2005-01-01

The first comprehensive study of private scholarship aid, this report provides an understanding of this type of aid, and examines its importance to students and to private aid providers. Key findings from the study indicate that over 3 billion dollars in private scholarship aid was awarded in 2003-04, that approximately one hundred million dollars…

The "Life at the Poles" Study Unit: Developing Junior High School Students' Ability to Recognize the Relations between Earth Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Assaraf, Orit Ben-Zvi; Orpaz, Idit

2010-01-01

Understanding of Earth's systems, including the crucial role of human beings within them, is an important part of citizens' ability to think intelligently and critically about the environment, pollution, sustainability and other socio-economic and scientific issues central to life in the modern world. Part of this understanding involves seeing the…

Nurturing Peaceful Children to Create a Caring World: The Role of Families and Communities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swick, Kevin J.; Freeman, Nancy K.

2004-01-01

With the constant reminders of wars and other human degradation going on in the world, education for "caring" is more critically important than ever to our future (Noddings, 2002). Televised accounts of the war in Iraq leave most caring people devastated. Civilian and military deaths and casualties challenge people's faith in a peaceful and…

Fire containment in wood construction doesn’t just happen

Treesearch

Robert H. White; Kuma Sumathipala

2007-01-01

Regardless of the type of construction, structures capable of containing a fully developed fire do not just happen. Fire walls or area separation walls play an important role in the building codes in that they allow each portion of a building separated by such walls to be treated as a separate building. Attention to construction details is critical to maximizing the...

A Conceptual Framework for Best Practices in Information Literacy Instruction Based on Stakeholders' Perceptions: A Case Study of Four Vietnamese Academic Libraries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diep, Kim Chi

2011-01-01

Information Literacy (IL) competencies are defined as "the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively" and are considered essential for students in their academic lives and future careers (ALA, 1989). IL plays an important role in developing critical thinking and problem solving skills, and improving academic…

The Role of Human Error in Design, Construction, and Reliability of Marine Structures.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-10-01

The 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear plant accident was largely a result of a failure to properly sort out and recognize critically important information...determinating the goals and objectives of the program and by evaluating and interpreting the results in terms of structural design, construction, and...67 Checking Models in Structural Design ....................................... 69 Nuclear Power Plants

Applying Recreation Survey Results to Recreation Planning for Water-Based Recreation Areas in California

Treesearch

Garrett Duncan; John Mintz; Douglas Rischbieter; John Baas

2004-01-01

This paper focuses on identifying applications of recreation survey results in the context of water-based recreation planning. Recreation researchers have sometimes been criticized for conducting research that is weak in applied value (Cordell 1999). The paper also focuses on the important, but sometimes forgotten role that private entities play (e.g., Pacific Gas and...

What Does the Acid Ionization Constant Tell You? An Organic Chemistry Student Guide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rossi, Robert D.

2013-01-01

Many students find the transition from first-year general chemistry to second-year organic chemistry a daunting task. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is their lack of a solid understanding and appreciation of the importance of some basic concepts and principles from general chemistry that play an extremely critical role in…

Spanish Working End of Law Degree in the European Higher Education Area

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alonso, Patricia Dominguez

2011-01-01

The working end of Law Degree is called to develop an important role when we consider that the European Higher Education Area is the student manager of his own learning and is considered essential that the student of law, among other skills, to acquire critical thinking skills, investigation techniques, personal development work and use of legal…

Major issues in miner health.

PubMed Central

Joyce, S

1998-01-01

As recently as the last few decades, thousands of miners died in explosions, roof collapses, fires, and floods each year, and lung disease caused by inhaling mineral dusts was ubiquitous. Miners worked virtually unprotected, and were often treated as expendable bodies fulfilling critical roles in this important industry, which in the United States comprises about 5% of the gross domestic product. PMID:9799195

A Claw Is like My Hand: Comparison Supports Goal Analysis in Infants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gerson, Sarah A.; Woodward, Amanda L.

2012-01-01

Understanding the intentional relations in others' actions is critical to human social life. Origins of this knowledge exist in the first year and are a function of both acting as an intentional agent and observing movement cues in actions. We explore a new mechanism we believe plays an important role in infants' understanding of new actions:…

Are the Most Prestigious Medical Journals Transparent Enough?

PubMed

Dal-Ré, Rafael

2016-09-01

The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has played a critical role in enhancing medical science reporting. Transparency in research is one of its most important objectives and the ICMJE has issued requirements for various stakeholders. However, ICMJE member journals have repeatedly failed to fully comply with a few transparency requirements. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Promoter methylation of E-cadherin, p16, and RAR-beta(2) genes in breast tumors and dietary intake of nutrients important in one-carbon metabolism

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Aberrant DNA methylation plays a critical role in carcinogenesis, and the availability of dietary factors involved in 1-carbon metabolism may contribute to aberrant DNA methylation. We investigated the association of intake of folate, vitamins B(2), B(6), B(12), and methionine with promoter methylat...

Ensuring the Criminological Skills of the Next Generation: A Case Study on the Importance of Enhanced Quantitative Method Teaching Provision

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chamberlain, John Martyn

2017-01-01

Against the backdrop of contemporary debates surrounding the public role of criminology, this article argues that a key barrier to ensuring that the next generation of criminologists is equipped with the skills necessary to engage in critical forms of citizenship, is the quantitative "skills gap" that undergraduate students possess as a…

Ethnic and Gender Differences in First-Year College Students' Goal Orientation, Self-Efficacy, and Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

D'Lima, Gabrielle Maria; Winsler, Adam; Kitsantas, Anastasia

2014-01-01

Critical ethnic and gender gaps exist in college retention and graduation rates. Early achievement motivation may play an important role in student persistence. A sample of undergraduates completed surveys tapping motivation at the beginning (n = 591) and end (n = 232) of their first semester in college. African American and Caucasian students…

Aboriginal Education as Cultural Brokerage: New Aboriginal Teachers Reflect on Language and Culture in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kitchen, Julian; Cherubini, Lorenzo; Trudeau, Lyn; Hodson, Janie M.

2009-01-01

This paper reports on a Talking Circle of six beginning Aboriginal teachers who discussed their roles as teachers. Participants criticized teacher education programs for not preparing them to teach in ways that are respectful of Aboriginal languages and culture. They discussed the importance of coming to know themselves and their culture. The…

Mothers' Perceptions of Citizenship, Practices for Developing Citizenship Conscience of Their Children and Problems They Encountered

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ersoy, A. Figen

2012-01-01

Family plays an important role in the development of citizenship awareness of children. The purpose of the present study is to figure out the citizenship perceptions of mothers, their practices for developing citizenship conscience of their children and to explore the problems they have encountered. In this study, critical case sampling method has…

Empowering People at Work in the Face of Death and Bereavement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Charles-Edwards, David

2009-01-01

How people respond at work may have a critical part to play in how bereaved or terminally ill colleagues manage their grief and their lives. Although counselors, human resources, occupational health staff, and others may have an important back-up role to play, pivotal support needs to come from line managers, colleagues, and, where they exist,…

"Are They Becoming More Reflective and/or Efficacious?" A Conceptual Model Mapping How Teachers' Self-Efficacy Beliefs Might Grow

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wyatt, Mark

2016-01-01

Conceptual models can fulfil important educative roles, particularly in fields where there are few such models and where constructs are confused, as in research into teachers' self-efficacy beliefs. In this area, one model developed in the late twentieth century subsequently became dominant, but seems flawed. This article addresses criticisms of…

Forum: Communication Activism Pedagogy. Critical Pedagogy Meets Transformation: Creating the Being of Communication Activists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Donovan, Matthew C. J.; Tracy, Sarah J.

2017-01-01

Communication activism pedagogy (CAP) is rooted in many of the same ideals as participatory action research (e.g., attending to issues of social inequality and oppression with the goal of enacting social change). Not only does participatory action serve an important role in taking research outside of the ivory tower, but also it notably gives…

Material/historic Reality: Catching the Transformation. From a Case of Applied Research to the Trans-Disciplinary Approach to Preserve Architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aveta, A.; Marino, B. G.; Amore, R.

2017-05-01

The present paper aims at dealing with some issues of knowledge of the architectural heritage. Given the increasing use of the innovative technologies in the field of the cultural heritage it is important to focus on their usefulness and potentialities in order to the conservation project management. The role of the new survey techniques and the accurate representations of the dimensional, structural and material consistency of the historic buildings and their context is mandatory and can influence the restoration choices. Starting from a recent applied research concerning a significant and symbolic monument of Naples, Castel Nuovo, the paper intends to highlight not only the importance of the integration of the specialist surveys, but also the role of the critical interpretation. The results of the different disciplines involved in the knowledge process have to be evaluated critically in view of the conservation of the tangible and intangible values. Furthermore, catching the complexity of architecture of the past depends on the capacity to maintain a close and constant contactwith the building physicality and also on a complex methodology which is inclusive of new interpretative instruments which could increase a virtuous hermeneutic circle.

Mechanical Control of Tissue Morphogenesis

PubMed Central

Patwari, Parth; Lee, Richard T.

2008-01-01

Mechanical forces participate in morphogenesis from the level of individual cells to whole organism patterning. This manuscript reviews recent research that has identified specific roles for mechanical forces in important developmental events. One well-defined example is that dynein-driven cilia create fluid flow that determines left-right patterning in the early mammalian embryo. Fluid flow is also important for vasculogenesis, and evidence suggests that fluid shear stress rather than fluid transport is primarily required for remodeling the early vasculature. Contraction of the actin cytoskeleton, driven by nonmuscle myosins and regulated by the Rho family GTPases, is a recurring mechanism for controlling morphogenesis throughout development, from gastrulation to cardiogenesis. Finally, novel experimental approaches suggest critical roles for the actin cytoskeleton and the mechanical environment in determining differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Insights into the mechanisms linking mechanical forces to cell and tissue differentiation pathways are important for understanding many congenital diseases and for developing regenerative medicine strategies. PMID:18669930

Integrins and small GTPases as modulators of phagocytosis.

PubMed

Sayedyahossein, Samar; Dagnino, Lina

2013-01-01

Phagocytosis is the mechanism whereby cells engulf large particles. This process has long been recognized as a critical component of the innate immune response, which constitutes the organism's defense against microorganisms. In addition, phagocytic internalization of apoptotic cells or cell fragments plays important roles in tissue homeostasis and remodeling. Phagocytosis requires target interactions with receptors on the plasma membrane of the phagocytic cell. Integrins have been identified as important mediators of particle clearance, in addition to their well-established roles in cell adhesion, migration and mechanotransduction. Indeed, these ubiquitously expressed proteins impart phagocytic capacity to epithelial, endothelial and mesenchymal cell types. The importance of integrins in particle internalization is emphasized by the ability of microbial and viral pathogens to exploit their signaling pathways to invade host cells, and by the wide variety of disorders that arise from abnormalities in integrin-dependent phagocytic uptake. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Shaping vulnerability to addiction - the contribution of behavior, neural circuits and molecular mechanisms.

PubMed

Egervari, Gabor; Ciccocioppo, Roberto; Jentsch, J David; Hurd, Yasmin L

2018-02-01

Substance use disorders continue to impose increasing medical, financial and emotional burdens on society in the form of morbidity and overdose, family disintegration, loss of employment and crime, while advances in prevention and treatment options remain limited. Importantly, not all individuals exposed to abused substances effectively develop the disease. Genetic factors play a significant role in determining addiction vulnerability and interactions between innate predisposition, environmental factors and personal experiences are also critical. Thus, understanding individual differences that contribute to the initiation of substance use as well as on long-term maladaptations driving compulsive drug use and relapse propensity is of critical importance to reduce this devastating disorder. In this paper, we discuss current topics in the field of addiction regarding individual vulnerability related to behavioral endophenotypes, neural circuits, as well as genetics and epigenetic mechanisms. Expanded knowledge of these factors is of importance to improve and personalize prevention and treatment interventions in the future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modulation of Perineuronal Nets and Parvalbumin with Developmental Song Learning

PubMed Central

Balmer, Timothy S.; Carels, Vanessa M.; Frisch, Jillian L.; Nick, Teresa A.

2009-01-01

Neural circuits and behavior are shaped during developmental phases of maximal plasticity known as sensitive or critical periods. Neural correlates of sensory critical periods have been identified, but their roles remain unclear. Factors that define critical periods in sensorimotor circuits and behavior are not known. Birdsong learning in the zebra finch occurs during a sensitive period similar to that for human speech. We now show that perineuronal nets, which correlate with sensory critical periods, surround parvalbumin-positive neurons in brain areas that are dedicated to singing. The percentage of both total and parvalbumin-positive neurons with perineuronal nets increased with development. In HVC (this acronym is the proper name), a song area important for sensorimotor integration, the percentage of parvalbumin neurons with perineuronal nets correlated with song maturity. Shifting the vocal critical period with tutor song deprivation decreased the percentage of neurons that were parvalbumin positive and the relative staining intensity of both parvalbumin and a component of perineuronal nets. Developmental song learning shares key characteristics with sensory critical periods, suggesting shared underlying mechanisms. PMID:19828802

Critical appraisal of scientific articles: part 1 of a series on evaluation of scientific publications.

PubMed

du Prel, Jean-Baptist; Röhrig, Bernd; Blettner, Maria

2009-02-01

In the era of evidence-based medicine, one of the most important skills a physician needs is the ability to analyze scientific literature critically. This is necessary to keep medical knowledge up to date and to ensure optimal patient care. The aim of this paper is to present an accessible introduction into critical appraisal of scientific articles. Using a selection of international literature, the reader is introduced to the principles of critical reading of scientific articles in medicine. For the sake of conciseness, detailed description of statistical methods is omitted. Widely accepted principles for critically appraising scientific articles are outlined. Basic knowledge of study design, structuring of an article, the role of different sections, of statistical presentations as well as sources of error and limitation are presented. The reader does not require extensive methodological knowledge. As far as necessary for critical appraisal of scientific articles, differences in research areas like epidemiology, clinical, and basic research are outlined. Further useful references are presented. Basic methodological knowledge is required to select and interpret scientific articles correctly.

Exponential nonlinear electrodynamics and backreaction effects on holographic superconductor in the Lifshitz black hole background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherkatghanad, Z.; Mirza, B.; Lalehgani Dezaki, F.

We analytically describe the properties of the s-wave holographic superconductor with the exponential nonlinear electrodynamics in the Lifshitz black hole background in four-dimensions. Employing an assumption the scalar and gauge fields backreact on the background geometry, we calculate the critical temperature as well as the condensation operator. Based on Sturm-Liouville method, we show that the critical temperature decreases with increasing exponential nonlinear electrodynamics and Lifshitz dynamical exponent, z, indicating that condensation becomes difficult. Also we find that the effects of backreaction has a more important role on the critical temperature and condensation operator in small values of Lifshitz dynamical exponent, while z is around one. In addition, the properties of the upper critical magnetic field in Lifshitz black hole background using Sturm-Liouville approach is investigated to describe the phase diagram of the corresponding holographic superconductor in the probe limit. We observe that the critical magnetic field decreases with increasing Lifshitz dynamical exponent, z, and it goes to zero at critical temperature, independent of the Lifshitz dynamical exponent, z.

Professional autonomy and job satisfaction: survey of critical care nurses in mainland Greece.

PubMed

Iliopoulou, Katerina K; While, Alison E

2010-11-01

This paper is a report of a study conducted to describe Greek critical care nurses' views on professional autonomy and its relationship with job satisfaction and other work-related variables. Professional autonomy is generally considered a highly desirable nursing attribute and a major factor in nurse job satisfaction. In the critical care environment, a high level of accountability, responsibility and autonomy are required to optimize outcomes of critically unstable patients. A questionnaire survey was conducted with a convenience sample of Greek critical care nurses (n = 431; response rate 70%) in 2007. Data were collected on professional autonomy, job satisfaction, role conflict and role ambiguity. Overall, nurses reported acting moderately autonomously. Younger nurses reported statistically significant lower levels of autonomy. Higher levels of autonomy were reported by female nurses. Multiple logistic regression revealed that appointment level, type of critical care unit and registration with a professional organization were independently associated with autonomy. A positive moderate association was found between reported autonomy, job satisfaction, role conflict and role ambiguity, but there was no relationship between job satisfaction and reported role conflict and role ambiguity. Further education, role enhancement and support are required for nurses working in critical care in Greece if they are to achieve the maximum potential of their professional role. Failure to address the perceptions of professional autonomy may have an impact on staff retention, because of job dissatisfaction. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Expressions of Critical Thinking in Role-Playing Simulations: Comparisons across Roles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ertmer, Peggy A.; Strobel, Johannes; Cheng, Xi; Chen, Xiaojun; Kim, Hannah; Olesova, Larissa; Sadaf, Ayesha; Tomory, Annette

2010-01-01

The development of critical thinking is crucial in professional education to augment the capabilities of pre-professional students. One method for enhancing critical thinking is participation in role-playing simulation-based scenarios where students work together to resolve a potentially real situation. In this study, undergraduate nursing…

Critical care: how should we evaluate our progress?

PubMed

Civetta, J M

1992-12-01

Review of the history and accomplishments of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) to determine appropriate directions for the future. Historical documents of the SCCM, Critical Care Medicine, bioethics and healthcare financing literature, Instant Library of Quotations. Identified (by the author) material containing specific statements concerning goals and objectives at the time of the founding of the SCCM and at intervals. Material supporting and criticizing predictive indices were identified and bioethical treatises concerning patient autonomy and quality-of-life decisions were chosen. Presidential addresses of the first three SCCM presidents, material relevant to preservation of life and alleviation of suffering from bioethical and healthcare financing perspectives. Relevant quotations. Initial goals and objectives were identified. Societal and economic factors changing critical care were analyzed for their effect on current and future SCCM directions and objectives. The founding members set important goals for critical care and patient care, research, education, and organization. From a perspective of what was foreseeable, these goals have been accomplished to an admirable degree. The SCCM has responded to these goals by providing educational programs and fostering research, especially in its annual meetings and through the publication of guidelines in Critical Care Medicine. The SCCM members would do well to read the first three presidential addresses to experience the eloquence and foresight firsthand, particularly with respect to the founders' spirit, considerations of training, scope of care, humanism, organization and relations within and outside of critical care, integration of care, and development of the scientific process at the bedside. There have been major changes in society since the SCCM was founded: the maturation of the concept of patient's autonomy; recognition of quality-of-life values; healthcare financing; and legal and ethical aspects of care. The critical care profession in general, and the SCCM specifically, should seek to develop effective cost-containment strategies and severity of illness or predictive indices. The SCCM should also educate the professions with respect to ethical issues and provide information directly to the public, especially in the areas of advance directives and withholding and withdrawing care. Through these contributions, the SCCM can assume its proper leadership role within medicine, but, of greater importance, in society. In doing so, societal myths and misunderstandings of the capabilities, futility, role, and limitations of critical care can be corrected. The organization and structure of the SCCM are well developed to accomplish these ends. The SCCM leaders are both able and willing. The objectives seem reasonable and should be attainable.

Cell Type-Specific Regulation of Immunological Synapse Dynamics by B7 Ligand Recognition

PubMed Central

Brzostek, Joanna; Gascoigne, Nicholas R. J.; Rybakin, Vasily

2016-01-01

B7 proteins CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) are expressed on most antigen-presenting cells and provide critical co-stimulatory or inhibitory input to T cells via their T-cell-expressed receptors: CD28 and CTLA-4. CD28 is expressed on effector T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and CD28-dependent signals are required for optimum activation of effector T cell functions. CD28 ligation on effector T cells leads to formation of distinct molecular patterns and induction of cytoskeletal rearrangements at the immunological synapse (IS). CD28 plays a critical role in recruitment of protein kinase C (PKC)-θ to the effector T cell IS. CTLA-4 is constitutively expressed on the surface of Tregs, but it is expressed on effector T cells only after activation. As CTLA-4 binds to B7 proteins with significantly higher affinity than CD28, B7 ligand recognition by cells expressing both receptors leads to displacement of CD28 and PKC-θ from the IS. In Tregs, B7 ligand recognition leads to recruitment of CTLA-4 and PKC-η to the IS. CTLA-4 plays a role in regulation of T effector and Treg IS stability and cell motility. Due to their important roles in regulating T-cell-mediated responses, B7 receptors are emerging as important drug targets in oncology. In this review, we present an integrated summary of current knowledge about the role of B7 family receptor–ligand interactions in the regulation of spatial and temporal IS dynamics in effector and Tregs. PMID:26870040

Approaches for Analyzing the Roles of Mast Cells and Their Proteases In Vivo

PubMed Central

Galli, Stephen J.; Tsai, Mindy; Marichal, Thomas; Tchougounova, Elena; Reber, Laurent L.; Pejler, Gunnar

2016-01-01

The roles of mast cells in health and disease remain incompletely understood. While the evidence that mast cells are critical effector cells in IgE-dependent anaphylaxis and other acute IgE-mediated allergic reactions seems unassailable, studies employing various mice deficient in mast cells or mast cell-associated proteases have yielded divergent conclusions about the roles of mast cells or their proteases in certain other immunological responses. Such “controversial” results call into question the relative utility of various older versus newer approaches to ascertain the roles of mast cells and mast cell proteases in vivo. This review discusses how both older and more recent mouse models have been used to investigate the functions of mast cells and their proteases in health and disease. We particularly focus on settings in which divergent conclusions about the importance of mast cells and their proteases have been supported by studies that employed different models of mast cell or mast cell protease deficiency. We think that two major conclusions can be drawn from such findings: (1) no matter which models of mast cell or mast cell protease deficiency one employs, the conclusions drawn from the experiments always should take into account the potential limitations of the models (particularly abnormalities affecting cell types other than mast cells) and (2) even when analyzing a biological response using a single model of mast cell or mast cell protease deficiency, details of experimental design are critical in efforts to define those conditions under which important contributions of mast cells or their proteases can be identified. PMID:25727288

FKBPL Is a Critical Antiangiogenic Regulator of Developmental and Pathological Angiogenesis

PubMed Central

Yakkundi, Anita; Bennett, Rachel; Hernández-Negrete, Ivette; Delalande, Jean-Marie; Hanna, Mary; Lyubomska, Oksana; Arthur, Kenneth; Short, Amy; McKeen, Hayley; Nelson, Laura; McCrudden, Cian M.; McNally, Ross; McClements, Lana; McCarthy, Helen O.; Burns, Alan J.; Bicknell, Roy; Kissenpfennig, Adrien

2015-01-01

Objective— The antitumor effects of FK506-binding protein like (FKBPL) and its extracellular role in angiogenesis are well characterized; however, its role in physiological/developmental angiogenesis and the effect of FKBPL ablation has not been evaluated. This is important as effects of some angiogenic proteins are dosage dependent. Here we evaluate the regulation of FKBPL secretion under angiogenic stimuli, as well as the effect of FKBPL ablation in angiogenesis using mouse and zebrafish models. Approach and Results— FKBPL is secreted maximally by human microvascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts, and this was specifically downregulated by proangiogenic hypoxic signals, but not by the angiogenic cytokines, VEGF or IL8. FKBPL’s critical role in angiogenesis was supported by our inability to generate an Fkbpl knockout mouse, with embryonic lethality occurring before E8.5. However, whilst Fkbpl heterozygotic embryos showed some vasculature irregularities, the mice developed normally. In murine angiogenesis models, including the ex vivo aortic ring assay, in vivo sponge assay, and tumor growth assay, Fkbpl+/− mice exhibited increased sprouting, enhanced vessel recruitment, and faster tumor growth, respectively, supporting the antiangiogenic function of FKBPL. In zebrafish, knockdown of zFkbpl using morpholinos disrupted the vasculature, and the phenotype was rescued with hFKBPL. Interestingly, this vessel disruption was ineffective when zcd44 was knocked-down, supporting the dependency of zFkbpl on zCd44 in zebrafish. Conclusions— FKBPL is an important regulator of angiogenesis, having an essential role in murine and zebrafish blood vessel development. Mouse models of angiogenesis demonstrated a proangiogenic phenotype in Fkbpl heterozygotes. PMID:25767277

The Parent Perspective: “Being a Good Parent” When Making Critical Decisions in the PICU

PubMed Central

October, Tessie W.; Fisher, Kiondra R.; Feudtner, Chris; Hinds, Pamela S.

2015-01-01

Objective To identify factors important to parents making decisions for their critically ill child. Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Setting Single center, tertiary care PICU. Subjects Parents making critical treatment decisions for their child. Intervention One-on-one interviews that used the Good Parent Tool-2 open-ended question that asks parents to describe factors important for parenting their ill child and how clinicians could help them achieve their definition of “being a good parent” to their child. Parent responses were analyzed thematically. Parents also ranked themes in order of importance to them using the Good Parent Ranking Exercise. Measurement and Main Results Of 53 eligible parents, 43 (81%) participated. We identified nine themes through content analysis of the parent’s narrative statements from the Good Parent Tool. Most commonly (60% of quotes) components of being a good parent described by parents included focusing on their child’s quality of life, advocating for their child with the medical team, and putting their child’s needs above their own. Themes key to parental decision making were similar regardless of parent race and socioeconomic status or child’s clinical status. We identified nine clinician strategies identified by parents as helping them fulfill their parenting role, most commonly, parents wanted to be kept informed (32% of quotes). Using the Good Parent Ranking Exercise, fathers ranked making informed medical decisions as most important, whereas mothers ranked focusing on the child’s health and putting their child’s needs above their own as most important. However, mothers who were not part of a couple ranked making informed medical decisions as most important. Conclusion These findings suggest a range of themes important for parents to “be a good parent” to their child while making critical decisions. Further studies need to explore whether clinician’s knowledge of the parent’s most valued factor can improve family-centered care. PMID:24583502

Role strain among male RNs in the critical care setting: Perceptions of an unfriendly workplace.

PubMed

Carte, Nicholas S; Williams, Collette

2017-12-01

Traditionally, nursing has been a female-dominated profession. Men employed as registered nurses have been in the minority and little is known about the experiences of this demographic. The purpose of this descriptive, quantitative study was to understand the relationship between the variables of demographics and causes of role strain among male nurses in critical care settings. The Sherrod Role Strain Scale assesses role strain within the context of role conflict, role overload, role ambiguity and role incongruity. Data analysis of the results included descriptive and inferential statistics. Inferential statistics involved the use of repeated measures ANOVA testing for significant difference in the causes of role strain between male nurses employed in critical care settings and a post hoc comparison of specific demographic data using multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs). Data from 37 male nurses in critical care settings from the northeast of the United States were used to calculate descriptive statistics standard deviation, mean of the data analysis and results of the repeated ANOVA and the post hoc secondary MANOVA analysis. The descriptive data showed that all participants worked full-time. There was an even split from those participants who worked day shift (46%) vs. night shift (43%), most the participants indicated they had 15 years or more experience as an registered nurse (54%). Significant findings of this study include two causes of role strain in male nurses employed in critical care settings which are: role ambiguity and role overload based on ethnicity. Consistent with previous research findings, the results of this study suggest that male registered nurses employed in critical care settings do experience role strain. The two main causes of role strain in male nurses are role ambiguity and role overload. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Glomerular Podocytes Express Type 1 Adenylate Cyclase: Inactivation Results in Susceptibility to Proteinuria

PubMed Central

Xiao, Zhijie; He, Liqun; Takemoto, Minoru; Jalanko, Hannu; Chan, Guy C.; Storm, Daniel R.; Betsholtz, Christer; Tryggvason, Karl; Patrakka, Jaakko

2011-01-01

Background/Aims The organization of actin cytoskeleton in podocyte foot processes plays a critical role in the maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier. The cAMP pathway is an important regulator of the actin network assembly in cells. However, the role of the cAMP pathway in podocytes is not well understood. Type 1 adenylate cyclase (Adcy1), previously thought to be specific for neuronal tissue, is a member of the family of enzymes that catalyses the formation of cAMP. In this study, we characterized the expression and role of Adcy1 in the kidney. Methods Expression of Adcy1 was studied by RT-PCR, Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. The role of Adcy1 in podocytes was investigated by analyzing Adcy1 knockout mice (Adcy1–/–). Results and Conclusion: Adcy1 is expressed in the kidney specifically by podocytes. In the kidney, Adcy1 does not have a critical role in normal physiological functioning as kidney histology and function are normal in Adcy1–/– mice. However, albumin overload resulted in severe albuminuria in Adcy1–/– mice, whereas wild-type control mice showed only mild albumin leakage to urine. In conclusion, we have identified Adcy1 as a novel podocyte signaling protein that seems to have a role in compensatory physiological processes in the glomerulus. PMID:21196775

S-Nitrosylation: Specificity, Occupancy, and Interaction with Other Post-Translational Modifications

PubMed Central

Kohr, Mark J.; Murphy, Elizabeth

2013-01-01

Abstract Significance: S-nitrosylation (SNO) has been identified throughout the body as an important signaling modification both in physiology and a variety of diseases. SNO is a multifaceted post-translational modification, in that it can either act as a signaling molecule itself or as an intermediate to other modifications. Recent Advances and Critical Issues: Through extensive SNO research, we have made progress toward understanding the importance of single cysteine-SNO sites; however, we are just beginning to explore the importance of specific SNO within the context of other SNO sites and post-translational modifications. Additionally, compartmentalization and SNO occupancy may play an important role in the consequences of the SNO modification. Future Directions: In this review, we will consider the context of SNO signaling and discuss how the transient nature of SNO, its role as an oxidative intermediate, and the pattern of SNO, should be considered when determining the impact of SNO signaling. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 19, 1209–1219. PMID:23157187

[Base excess. Parameter with exceptional clinical significance].

PubMed

Schaffartzik, W

2007-05-01

The base excess of blood (BE) plays an important role in the description of the acid-base status of a patient and is gaining in clinical interest. Apart from the Quick test, the age, the injury severity score and the Glasgow coma scale, the BE is becoming more and more important to identify, e. g. the risk of mortality for patients with multiple injuries. According to Zander the BE is calculated using the pH, pCO(2), haemoglobin concentration and the oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (sO(2)). The use of sO(2 )allows the blood gas analyser to determine only one value of BE, independent of the type of blood sample analyzed: arterial, mixed venous or venous. The BE and measurement of the lactate concentration (cLac) play an important role in diagnosing critically ill patients. In general, the change in BE corresponds to the change in cLac. If DeltaBE is smaller than DeltacLac the reason could be therapy with HCO(3)(-) but also with infusion solutions containing lactate. Physician are very familiar with the term BE, therefore, knowledge about an alkalizing or acidifying effect of an infusion solution would be very helpful in the treatment of patients, especially critically ill patients. Unfortunately, at present the description of an infusion solution with respect to BE has not yet been accepted by the manufacturers.

Evidence for the Critical Role of Sucrose Synthase for Anoxic Tolerance of Maize Roots using a Double Mutant

PubMed Central

Ricard, Bérénice; Toai, Tara Van; Chourey, Prem; Saglio, Pierre

1998-01-01

The induction of the sucrose synthase (SuSy) gene (SuSy) by low O2, low temperature, and limiting carbohydrate supply suggested a role in carbohydrate metabolism under stress conditions. The isolation of a maize (Zea mays L.) line mutant for the two known SuSy genes but functionally normal showed that SuSy activity might not be required for aerobic growth and allowed the possibility of investigating its importance during anaerobic stress. As assessed by root elongation after return to air, hypoxic pretreatment improved anoxic tolerance, in correlation with the number of SuSy genes and the level of SuSy expression. Furthermore, root death in double-mutant seedlings during anoxic incubation could be attributed to the impaired utilization of sucrose (Suc). Collectively, these data provide unequivocal evidence that Suc is the principal C source and that SuSy is the main enzyme active in Suc breakdown in roots of maize seedlings deprived of O2. In this situation, SuSy plays a critical role in anoxic tolerance. PMID:9536049

Managing Incidental Pancreatic Cysts.

PubMed

Phan, Jennifer; Raman Muthusamy, V

2018-06-09

The goal of this review is to critically analyze the current literature regarding the management of incidental pancreatic cysts. Given their increased rates of detection due to the frequent use of cross-sectional imaging, correctly identifying the subset of high risk lesions that are appropriate for surgical resection is critical. However, the existing consensus and societal guidelines discussed in this review lack high quality data to create evidence-based recommendations, making achieving this important aim challenging. Several recent studies have focused on the natural history of pancreatic cysts and defining the role of endoscopic ultrasound, which remains unclear. EUS-guided diagnostic tools include molecular analysis of obtained fluid; EUS-guided FNA, FNB, and intracystic forceps biopsy of the cyst wall; and confocal endomicroscopy. While their precise role in diagnosing pancreatic cystic neoplasms remains to be defined, they represent promising innovations that may play a future role in cyst assessment and management. Large, long-term, prospective studies of incidentally identified pancreatic cysts are essential to fully understand their natural history and potential for neoplastic progression. Given the absence of such data at present, an individualized patient approach is recommended.

[The origin of hydrogen peroxide in oral cavity and its role in oral microecology balance].

PubMed

Keke, Zhang; Xuedong, Zhou; Xin, Xu

2017-04-01

Hydrogen peroxide, an important antimicrobial agent in oral cavity, plays a significant role in the balance of oral microecology. At the early stage of biofilm formation, about 80% of the detected initial colonizers belong to the genus Streptococcus. These oral streptococci use different oxidase to produce hydrogen peroxide. Recent studies showed that the produced hydrogen peroxide plays a critical role in modulating oral microecology. Hydrogen peroxide modulates biofilm development attributed to its growth inhibitory nature. Hydrogen peroxide production is closely associated with extracellular DNA(eDNA) release from microbe and the development of its competent cell which are critical for biofilm development and also serves as source for horizontal gene transfer. Microbe also can reduce the damage to themselves through several detoxification mechanisms. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide is also involved in the regulation of interactions between oral microorganisms and host. Taken together, hydrogen peroxide is an imperative ecological factor that contributes to the microbial equilibrium in the oral cavity. Here we will give a brief review of both the origin and the function in the oral microecology balance of hydrogen peroxide.

Genetic evidence supporting a critical role of endothelial caveolin-1 during the progression of atherosclerosis

PubMed Central

Fernández-Hernando, Carlos; Yu, Jun; Suárez, Yajaira; Rahner, Christoph; Dávalos, Alberto; Lasunción, Miguel A.; Sessa, William C.

2009-01-01

SUMMARY The accumulation of LDL-derived cholesterol in the artery wall is the initiating event that causes atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms that lead to the initiation of atherosclerosis are still poorly understood. Here, by using endothelial cell-specific transgenesis of the caveolin-1 (Cav-1) gene in mice, we show the critical role of Cav-1 in promoting atherogenesis. Mice were generated lacking Cav-1 and apoE but expressing endothelial-specific Cav-1 in the double knockout background. Genetic ablation of Cav-1 on an apoE knockout background inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis while re-expression of Cav-1 in the endothelium promotes lesion expansion. Mechanistically, the loss of Cav-1 reduces LDL infiltration into the artery wall, promotes nitric oxide production and reduces the expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules, effects completely reversed in transgenic mice. In summary, this unique model provides physiological evidence supporting the important role of endothelial Cav-1 expression in regulating the entry of LDL into the vessel wall and the initiation of atherosclerosis. PMID:19583953

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 Links Extracellular Cues to Actin Cytoskeleton During Dendritic Spine Development

PubMed Central

Fu, Amy KY

2007-01-01

Emerging evidence has indicated a regulatory role of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in synaptic plasticity as well as in higher brain functions, such as learning and memory. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the actions of Cdk5 at synapses remain unclear. Recent findings demonstrate that Cdk5 regulates dendritic spine morphogenesis through modulating actin dynamics. Ephexin1 and WAVE-1, two important regulators of the actin cytoskeleton, have both been recently identified as substrates for Cdk5. Importantly, phosphorylation of these proteins by Cdk5 leads to dendritic spine loss, revealing a potential mechanism by which Cdk5 regulates synapse remodeling. Furthermore, Cdk5-dependent phosphorylation of ephexin1 is required for the ephrin-A1 mediated spine retraction, pointing to a critical role of Cdk5 in conveying signals from extracellular cues to actin cytoskeleton at synapses. Taken together, understanding the precise regulation of Cdk5 and its downstream targets at synapses would provide important insights into the multi-regulatory roles of Cdk5 in actin remodeling during dendritic spine development. PMID:19270534

Angiotensin receptor blockers: Focus on cardiac and renal injury.

PubMed

Arumugam, Somasundaram; Sreedhar, Remya; Thandavarayan, Rajarajan A; Karuppagounder, Vengadeshprabhu; Krishnamurthy, Prasanna; Suzuki, Kenji; Nakamura, Masahiko; Watanabe, Kenichi

2016-04-01

Angiotensin II, an important component of renin angiotensin system, is a potent vasopressor and its actions are mostly mediated via angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and role of AT2R in counterbalancing the actions of AT1R stimulation are under extensive research. In addition to its physiological actions, angiotensin II plays important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart failure. The effects of angiotensin II can be blocked by either suppressing its production by blocking angiotensin converting enzyme or by antagonizing its actions on AT1R using angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Instead of the extensive use of ARBs in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases, proper selection of a particular ARB is crucial as the clinical condition of individual patient is different and also their economic status would play an essential role in medication compliance. Thus a critical review of the proven and promising actions of ARBs against various pathological conditions will be of great importance for the clinicians as well as for the researchers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Are pediatric critical care medicine fellowships teaching and evaluating communication and professionalism?

PubMed

Turner, David A; Mink, Richard B; Lee, K Jane; Winkler, Margaret K; Ross, Sara L; Hornik, Christoph P; Schuette, Jennifer J; Mason, Katherine; Storgion, Stephanie A; Goodman, Denise M

2013-06-01

To describe the teaching and evaluation modalities used by pediatric critical care medicine training programs in the areas of professionalism and communication. Cross-sectional national survey. Pediatric critical care medicine fellowship programs. Pediatric critical care medicine program directors. None. Survey response rate was 67% of program directors in the United States, representing educators for 73% of current pediatric critical care medicine fellows. Respondents had a median of 4 years experience, with a median of seven fellows and 12 teaching faculty in their program. Faculty role modeling or direct observation with feedback were the most common modalities used to teach communication. However, six of the eight (75%) required elements of communication evaluated were not specifically taught by all programs. Faculty role modeling was the most commonly used technique to teach professionalism in 44% of the content areas evaluated, and didactics was the technique used in 44% of other professionalism content areas. Thirteen of the 16 required elements of professionalism (81%) were not taught by all programs. Evaluations by members of the healthcare team were used for assessment for both competencies. The use of a specific teaching technique was not related to program size, program director experience, or training in medical education. A wide range of techniques are currently used within pediatric critical care medicine to teach communication and professionalism, but there are a number of required elements that are not specifically taught by fellowship programs. These areas of deficiency represent opportunities for future investigation and improved education in the important competencies of communication and professionalism.

Cyber Security Threats to Safety-Critical, Space-Based Infrastructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, C. W.; Atencia Yepez, A.

2012-01-01

Space-based systems play an important role within national critical infrastructures. They are being integrated into advanced air-traffic management applications, rail signalling systems, energy distribution software etc. Unfortunately, the end users of communications, location sensing and timing applications often fail to understand that these infrastructures are vulnerable to a wide range of security threats. The following pages focus on concerns associated with potential cyber-attacks. These are important because future attacks may invalidate many of the safety assumptions that support the provision of critical space-based services. These safety assumptions are based on standard forms of hazard analysis that ignore cyber-security considerations This is a significant limitation when, for instance, security attacks can simultaneously exploit multiple vulnerabilities in a manner that would never occur without a deliberate enemy seeking to damage space based systems and ground infrastructures. We address this concern through the development of a combined safety and security risk assessment methodology. The aim is to identify attack scenarios that justify the allocation of additional design resources so that safety barriers can be strengthened to increase our resilience against security threats.

Society and 'good woman': A critical review of gender difference in depression.

PubMed

Maji, Sucharita

2018-06-01

Worldwide, women are found to suffer from depression significantly more than men. This has puzzled the scientists since no biological explanation can completely resolve the matter. Extant empirical work has been conducted to solve the mystery of the issue. However, most of the research has pivoted their attention to biology. Therefore, based on the previous literature from the disciplines of medicine, psychology and sociology, the author aimed at looking and reviewing the matter critically. Specifically, the present critical review aims at conceptualising the psychological, social and cultural factors in the context of gender difference in depression. The work reveals that psychological variables such as women's unique attachment patterns, relational self-construal, as well as a macro-level issue like power dynamics based on gender, and the skewed division of labour play an important role in gender difference in depression. The work also suggests that focusing solely on biological underpinnings may result in losing the entire scenario; therefore, social and cultural issues that place women in a socially disadvantaged position are equally important.

Challenging homophobia and heterosexism through storytelling and critical dialogue among Hong Kong Chinese immigrant parents in Toronto.

PubMed

Wong, Josephine Pui-Hing; Poon, Maurice Kwong-Lai

2013-01-01

Homophobia and heterosexism are ubiquitous in Canadian society. They contribute to significant health and mental health disparities for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth and their families. Anti-homophobia efforts tend to focus on students and teachers at school. While these efforts are important, they do not reach parents, who play an important role in shaping young people's attitudes towards gender and sexuality. To eliminate bullying and victimisation associated with homophobia at school and in the community, concerted efforts are urgently needed to mobilise parents to become champions against homophobia and heterosexism. In this paper, we report on our use of storytelling and critical dialogue to engage a group of Hong Kong Chinese immigrant parents in Toronto to interrogate their values and assumptions about homosexuality. In particular, we illustrate how we use storytelling to create a liminal space whereby the narrators and listeners collaborate to create counter-discourses that challenge social domination and exclusion. We then discuss the implications of using a critical dialogical approach to integrate anti-homophobia efforts in community parenting programmes.

Choice is good, but relevance is excellent: autonomy-enhancing and suppressing teacher behaviours predicting students' engagement in schoolwork.

PubMed

Assor, Avi; Kaplan, Haya; Roth, Guy

2002-06-01

This article examines two questions concerning teacher-behaviours that are characterised in Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) as autonomy-supportive or suppressive: (1) Can children differentiate among various types of autonomy-enhancing and suppressing teacher behaviours? (2) Which of those types of behaviour are particularly important in predicting feelings toward and engagement in schoolwork? It was hypothesised that teacher behaviours that help students to understand the relevance of schoolwork for their personal interests and goals are particularly important predictors of engagement in schoolwork. Israeli students in grades 3-5 (N = 498) and in grades 6-8 (N = 364) completed questionnaires assessing the variables of interest. Smallest Space Analyses indicated that both children and early adolescents can differentiate among three types of autonomy enhancing teacher behaviours - fostering relevance, allowing criticism, and providing choice - and three types of autonomy suppressing teacher behaviours - suppressing criticism, intruding, and forcing unmeaningful acts. Regression analyses supported the hypothesis concerning the importance of teacher behaviours that clarify the personal relevance of schoolwork. Among the autonomy-suppressing behaviours, 'Criticism-suppression' was the best predictor of feelings and engagement. The findings underscore the active and empathic nature of teachers' role in supporting students' autonomy, and suggest that autonomy-support is important not only for early adolescents but also for children. Discussion of potential determinants of the relative importance of various autonomy-affecting teacher actions suggests that provision of choice should not always be viewed as a major indicator of autonomy support.

Critical Thinking: The Role of Management Education. Developing Managers To Think Critically.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pierce, Gloria

Emphasizing critical thinking as the source of renewal and survival of organizations, this document begins by analyzing the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the destruction of the space shuttle Challenger as examples of inadequate critical thinking. The role of management education in promoting critical thinking is explored as well as the need for a…

The virtues in their place: virtue ethics in medicine.

PubMed

Jansen, L A

2000-01-01

We are currently in the midst of a revival of interest in the virtues. A number of contemporary moral philosophers have defended a virtue-based approach to ethics. But does this renewal of interest in the virtues have much to contribute to medical ethics and medical practice? This paper critically discusses this question. It considers and rejects a number of important arguments that purport to establish the significance of the virtues for medical practice. Against these arguments, the paper seeks to show that while the virtues have a genuine role to play in medical ethics, it is a limited role, one that is subordinate to the role that other moral concepts such as rules and principles play.

Acoustic emission study of deformation behavior of nacre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Shunfei; Luo, Hongyun; Han, Zhiyuan

2016-02-01

A study on the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics during deformation of nacre material was performed. We found that intermittent AE events are generated during nacre deformation. These avalanches may be attributed to microfracture events of the aragonite (CaCO3) nano-asperities and bridges during tablet sliding. These events show several critical features, such as the power-law distributions of the avalanche sizes and interval. These results suggest that the underlying fracture dynamics during nacre deformation display a self-organized criticality (SOC). The results also imply that the disorder and long-range correlation between local microfracture events may play important roles in nacre deformation.

Management by Textbook: The Role of Textbooks in Developing Critical Thinking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Errington, Alison; Bubna-Litic, David

2015-01-01

Critical thinking is widely regarded as a crucial capability for competent management and also for any leadership role in society. In this article, we ask, "How do textbooks play a role in the weakness of many management graduates' critical thinking skills?" Management teachers can find plentiful advice about best teaching practices, yet…

Inorganic chemistry in nuclear imaging and radiotherapy: current and future directions

PubMed Central

Carroll, Valerie; Demoin, Dustin W.; Hoffman, Timothy J; Jurisson, Silvia S

2013-01-01

Summary Radiometals play an important role in diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. This field of radiochemistry is multidisciplinary, involving radiometal production, separation of the radiometal from its target, chelate design for complexing the radiometal in a biologically stable environment, specific targeting of the radiometal to its in vivo site, and nuclear imaging and/or radiotherapy applications of the resultant radiopharmaceutical. The critical importance of inorganic chemistry in the design and application of radiometal-containing imaging and therapy agents is described from a historical perspective to future directions. PMID:25382874

Databases for Microbiologists

DOE PAGES

Zhulin, Igor B.

2015-05-26

Databases play an increasingly important role in biology. They archive, store, maintain, and share information on genes, genomes, expression data, protein sequences and structures, metabolites and reactions, interactions, and pathways. All these data are critically important to microbiologists. Furthermore, microbiology has its own databases that deal with model microorganisms, microbial diversity, physiology, and pathogenesis. Thousands of biological databases are currently available, and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with their development. Finally, the purpose of this minireview is to provide a brief survey of current databases that are of interest to microbiologists.

Databases for Microbiologists

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhulin, Igor B.

Databases play an increasingly important role in biology. They archive, store, maintain, and share information on genes, genomes, expression data, protein sequences and structures, metabolites and reactions, interactions, and pathways. All these data are critically important to microbiologists. Furthermore, microbiology has its own databases that deal with model microorganisms, microbial diversity, physiology, and pathogenesis. Thousands of biological databases are currently available, and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with their development. Finally, the purpose of this minireview is to provide a brief survey of current databases that are of interest to microbiologists.

Databases for Microbiologists

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Databases play an increasingly important role in biology. They archive, store, maintain, and share information on genes, genomes, expression data, protein sequences and structures, metabolites and reactions, interactions, and pathways. All these data are critically important to microbiologists. Furthermore, microbiology has its own databases that deal with model microorganisms, microbial diversity, physiology, and pathogenesis. Thousands of biological databases are currently available, and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with their development. The purpose of this minireview is to provide a brief survey of current databases that are of interest to microbiologists. PMID:26013493

Particle Energization throughout the Heliosphere: Opportunities with IMAP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zank, Gary

2016-04-01

Understanding the radiation environment at the Earth and beyond is one of the critical elements in our developing Space Weather capabilities and strategy. Furthermore, the energization of charged particles in a collisionless plasma remains one of the compelling unsolved yet universal problems in space physics and astrophysics. The proposed instrumentation of IMAP enables two critical goals: 1) real-time monitoring of the radiation and plasma environment as part of a Space Weather capability, and 2) making coordinated simultaneous measurements of all the basic plasma parameters needed to develop a comprehensive and detailed understanding of fundamental particle energization processes. Since the session addresses the "Physics of particle acceleration", we will survey briefly the critical open problems associated with particle acceleration during quiet and active solar wind periods. At least three elements will be discussed. 1) Dissipative processes in the quiet solar wind and at shock waves. For the former, we discuss emerging ideas about the dissipation of turbulence via structures such as flux ropes and their role in possibly energizing charged particles during quiet times, especially in the vicinity of the heliospheric current sheet. In the latter, reflected ions play an essential role in dissipative processes at both quasi-perpendicular and quasi-parallel shocks. This in turn has consequences for the energization of particles, the generation of turbulence upstream and downstream of the shock, and the importance of a pre-existing suprathermal ion population. 2) What is the role of pre-existing energetic particles versus injection from a background thermal population of charged particles in the context of diffusive shock acceleration? Does the pre-existing suprathermal particle population play a fundamental role in the dissipation processes governing heliospheric shock, as suggested by the case of the heliospheric termination shock and pickup ions? 3) What is the primary acceleration mechanism for electrons in the solar wind during both quiet and active solar wind periods? Apparently stable energetic electron power law distributions are observed for quiet periods. Does the observed kappa distribution function for electrons and the electron heat flux play an important role in generating energetic particle distributions during quiet times? The observed characteristics of energetic electrons in the vicinity of interplanetary shocks are frequently quite different from those predicted from classical diffusive shock acceleration. Is another mechanism at work? IMAPs ability to simultaneously measure energetic particles from energies as low as ~2 keV, pickup ions, the interplanetary magnetic field, and thermal plasma distributions will provide important constraints on theory and modeling of particle energization throughout the heliosphere.

Topoisomerases interlink genetic network underlying autism.

PubMed

Vokálová, Lenka; Durdiaková, Jaroslava; Ostatníková, Daniela

2015-12-01

DNA topoisomerases belong to the group of proteins that play an important role in the organizational dynamics of the human genome. Their enzymatic activity solves topological strain rising from DNA supercoiling occurring during transcription. DNA topoisomerases are especially important for transcription of genes involved in neurodevelopment. Disruption of topoisomerase activity in animal models resulted in impaired neurodevelopment and changed brain architecture. Recent research revealed that topoisomerases induced expression of the same group of genes as those associated with autism. Transcriptional inhibition of neuronal genes during critical stages of brain development may be responsible for pathology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. In this review we aim to outline the role of topoisomerase in neurodevelopment and its possible linkage to neuropathology of autism. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The left heart can only be as good as the right heart: determinants of function and dysfunction of the right ventricle.

PubMed

Magder, Sheldon

2007-12-01

Discussions of cardiac physiology and pathophysiology most often emphasise the function of the left heart. However, right heart dysfunction plays an important role in critically ill patients and is often not recognised. This is probably because the role of the right ventricle is for generating flow more than pressure, and flow is not easy to evaluate. Of importance, when right ventricular function limits cardiac output, assessing left ventricular function gives little indication of overall cardiac performance. It has recently become evident that the right ventricle also has different genetic origins and characteristics from the left ventricle. The right and left ventricles interact through series effects, diastolic interactions and systolic interactions. The mechanisms of these, and their physiological and pathological significance are discussed.

The role of the University of the West Indies Mona libraries in HIV/AIDS information access and dissemination.

PubMed

Harris, S

2013-01-01

The recommendations for controlling HIV/AIDS, whether prescriptive or descriptive, underscore the value of information: its translation into knowledge, and knowledge into behaviour. Thus, accessing, evaluating, disseminating and applying authoritative, credible and scholarly information on HIV/AIDS are critical elements in the control of this pandemic in the Web 2.0 era. The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona libraries have embraced this information role. This article provides insights into three of the information initiatives implemented by the UWI Mona libraries in this important capacity. In this regard, it also provides ideas for other West Indian information units and enhances communication on access to information products and services, albeit incrementally, in an important area of health services for the West Indies.

Technology transfer for adaptation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biagini, Bonizella; Kuhl, Laura; Gallagher, Kelly Sims; Ortiz, Claudia

2014-09-01

Technology alone will not be able to solve adaptation challenges, but it is likely to play an important role. As a result of the role of technology in adaptation and the importance of international collaboration for climate change, technology transfer for adaptation is a critical but understudied issue. Through an analysis of Global Environment Facility-managed adaptation projects, we find there is significantly more technology transfer occurring in adaptation projects than might be expected given the pessimistic rhetoric surrounding technology transfer for adaptation. Most projects focused on demonstration and early deployment/niche formation for existing technologies rather than earlier stages of innovation, which is understandable considering the pilot nature of the projects. Key challenges for the transfer process, including technology selection and appropriateness under climate change, markets and access to technology, and diffusion strategies are discussed in more detail.

The Importance of Southern Hemisphere CZOs for Evaluating Spatial Patterns of Chemical Structure in the Critical Zone and Assisting Human Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chadwick, O.

2014-12-01

The US Critical Zone Exploration Network (CZEN) is a network of sites designed to provide a better understanding of the integrated Earth surface system. The capacity of the critical zone to withstand perturbations, whether driven by climate, land use change, or spread of invasive species, depends on its chemical composition and physical state, which in turn depends on the time evolution of the critical zone. Many temperate and/or tectonically active critical zones contain a relatively short history due to rapid erosion but tectonically quiescent, tropical regions of the planet contain much longer records that need to be understood to cover the full suite of critical zone processes. Southern Hemisphere Critical Zone Observatories such as those proposed for Kruger National Park (KNP) in South Africa and for portions of the Yilgarn Craton in Western Australa will allow us to extend our temporal understanding of development of spatial heterogeneity in the chemical and physical structure of the critical zone. In addition to considering Earth and climate boundary conditions, these sites incorporate the roles that humans play in driving critical zone processes. For instance along the edges of KNP there is strong evidence of soil erosions due to periurbanization and small-scale agriculture. The existence of KNP provides an important contrast between a "natural" and "human-dominated" landscape that can be exploited to evaluate human impacts on critical zone resources and to develop targeted mitigation strategies. Western Australia has an exploitive economy that relies on large-scale agriculture and mineral extraction, both are intensive users of water which is scarce. The proposed CZO there will be partly focused on managing water under intense economic pressures. It is evident that if funding can be found for these sites they will enhance both critical zone science and practical applied science.

Dynamics of Liquids in Edges and Corners (DYLCO): IML-2 Experiment for the BDPU

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Langbein, D.; Weislogel, M.

1998-01-01

Knowledge of the behavior of fluids possessing free surfaces is important to many fluid systems, particularly in space, where the normally subtle effects of surface wettability play a more dramatic and often surprising role. DYLCO for the IML-2 mission was proposed as a simple experiment to probe the particular behavior of capillary surfaces in containers of irregular cross section. Temperature control was utilized to vary the fluid-solid contact angle, a questionable thermodynamic parameter of the system, small changes in which can dramatically influence the configuration, stability, and flow of a capillary surface. Container shapes, test fluid, and temperature ranges were selected for observing both local changes in interface curvature as well as a global change in fluid orientation due to a critical wetting phenomenon. The experiment hardware performed beyond what was expected and fluid interfaces could be readily digitized post flight to show the dependence of the interface curvature on temperature. For each of the containers tested surfaces were observed which did not satisfy the classic equations for the prediction of interface shape with constant contact angle boundary condition. This is explained by the presence of contact angle hysteresis arising from expansion and contraction of the liquid during the heating and cooling steps of the test procedure. More importantly, surfaces exceeding the critical surface curvature required for critical wetting were measured, yet no wetting was observed. These findings are indeed curious and pose key questions concerning the role of hysteresis for this critical wetting phenomena. The stability of such surfaces was determined numerically and it is shown that stability is enhance (reduced) when a surface is in its 'advancing' ('receding') state, The analysis shows complete instability as the critical wetting condition is reached. The case of ideal dynamic wetting is addressed analytically in detail with results of significant flow characteristics presented in closed form. The solutions indicate a square root of T dependence of the capillary 'rise' rate which is corroborated by drop tower tests. The analysis clearly shows that infinite time is necessary for surfaces to reorient at the critical wetting transition.

Sprouty2 regulates endochondral bone formation by modulation of RTK and BMP signaling

PubMed Central

Joo, Adriane; Long, Roger; Cheng, Zhiqiang; Alexander, Courtney; Chang, Wenhan; Klein, Ophir D.

2016-01-01

Skeletal development is regulated by the coordinated activity of signaling molecules that are both produced locally by cartilage and bone cells and also circulate systemically. During embryonic development and postnatal bone remodeling, receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) superfamily members play critical roles in the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and other bone cells. Recently, several molecules that regulate RTK signaling have been identified, including the four members of the Sprouty (Spry) family (Spry1–4). We report that Spry2 plays an important role in regulation of endochondral bone formation. Mice in which the Spry2 gene has been deleted have defective chondrogenesis and endochondral bone formation, with a postnatal decrease in skeletal size and trabecular bone mass. In these constitutive Spry2 mutants, both chondrocytes and osteoblasts undergo increased cell proliferation and impaired terminal differentiation. Tissue-specific Spry2 deletion by either osteoblast- (Col1-Cre) or chondrocyte- (Col2-Cre) specific drivers led to decreased relative bone mass, demonstrating the critical role of Spry2 in both cell types. Molecular analyses of signaling pathways in Spry2−/− mice revealed an unexpected upregulation of BMP signaling and decrease in RTK signaling. These results identify Spry2 as a critical regulator of endochondral bone formation that modulates signaling in both osteoblast and chondrocyte lineages. PMID:27130872

Does artificial nutrition improve outcome of critical illness? An alternative viewpoint!

PubMed

Heyland, Daren K; Wischmeyer, Paul E

2013-08-27

Recent studies challenge the beneficial role of artificial nutrition provided to critically ill patients and point out the limitations of existing studies in this area. We take a differing view of the existing data and refute many of the arguments put forward by previous authors. We review the mechanistic, observational, and experimental data supporting a role for early enteral nutrition in the critically ill patient. We conclude without question that more, high-quality research is needed to better define the role of artificial nutrition in the critical care setting, but until then early and adequate delivery of enteral nutrition is a legitimate, evidence-based treatment recommendation and we see no evidence-based role for restricting enteral nutrition in critically ill patients. The role of early supplemental parenteral nutrition continues to be defined as new data emerge.

Advanced Critical Care Practitioners - Practical experience of implementing the Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine Curriculum in a London Critical Care Unit.

PubMed

Lee, Geraldine; Gilroy, Jo-Anne; Ritchie, Alistair; Grover, Vimal; Gull, Keetje; Gruber, Pascale

2018-05-01

With a chronic shortage of doctors in intensive care, alternative roles are being explored. One of these is the role of the Advanced Critical Care Practitioner. The Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Curriculum was developed by the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine and is used to provide a structured programme of training. The Advanced Critical Care Practitioner programme consists of an academic and clinical component. This article outlines a practical approach of how the programme was developed and is currently being delivered at a single institution. This new advanced practice role offers opportunities to fill gaps in the medical workforce, improve continuity of patient care, provide mentoring and training for less experienced staff as well as offering a rewarding clinical role.

Medical paraclinical standards, political economy of clinic, and patients' clinical dependency; a critical conversation analysis of clinical counseling in South of iran.

PubMed

Kalateh Sadati, Ahmad; Iman, Mohammad Taghi; Bagheri Lankarani, Kamran

2014-07-01

Despite its benefits and importance, clinical counseling affects the patient both psychosocially and socially. Illness labeling not only leads to many problems for patient and his/her family but also it imposes high costs to health care system. Among various factors, doctor-patient relationship has an important role in the clinical counseling and its medical approach. The goal of this study is to evaluate the nature of clinical counseling based on critical approach. The context of research is the second major medical training center in Shiraz, Iran. In this study, Critical Conversation Analysis was used based on the methodologies of critical theories. Among about 50 consultation meetings digitally recorded, 33 were selected for this study. RESULTS show that the nature of doctor-patient relationship in these cases is based on paternalistic model. On the other hand, in all consultations, the important values that were legitimated with physicians were medical paraclinical standards. Paternalism in one hand and standardization on the other leads to dependency of patients to the clinic. Although we can't condone the paraclinical standards, clinical counseling and doctor-patient relationship need to reduce its dominance over counseling based on interpretation of human relations, paying attention to social and economical differences of peoples and biosocial and biocultural differences, and focusing on clinical examinations. Also, we need to accept that medicine is an art of interaction that can't reduce it to instrumental and linear methods of body treatment.

Expression profile of small RNAs in Acacia mangium secondary xylem tissue with contrasting lignin content - potential regulatory sequences in monolignol biosynthetic pathway

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Lignin, after cellulose, is the second most abundant biopolymer accounting for approximately 15-35% of the dry weight of wood. As an important component during wood formation, lignin is indispensable for plant structure and defense. However, it is an undesirable component in the pulp and paper industry. Removal of lignin from cellulose is costly and environmentally hazardous process. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to understand the role of enzymes and genes in controlling the amount and composition of lignin to be deposited in the cell wall. However, studies on the impact of downregulation and overexpression of monolignol biosynthesis genes in model species on lignin content, plant fitness and viability have been inconsistent. Recently, non-coding RNAs have been discovered to play an important role in regulating the entire monolignol biosynthesis pathway. As small RNAs have critical functions in various biological process during wood formation, small RNA profiling is an important tool for the identification of complete set of differentially expressed small RNAs between low lignin and high lignin secondary xylem. Results In line with this, we have generated two small RNAs libraries from samples with contrasting lignin content using Illumina GAII sequencer. About 10 million sequence reads were obtained in secondary xylem of Am48 with high lignin content (41%) and a corresponding 14 million sequence reads were obtained in secondary xylem of Am54 with low lignin content (21%). Our results suggested that A. mangium small RNAs are composed of a set of 12 highly conserved miRNAs families found in plant miRNAs database, 82 novel miRNAs and a large proportion of non-conserved small RNAs with low expression levels. The predicted target genes of those differentially expressed conserved and non-conserved miRNAs include transcription factors associated with regulation of the lignin biosynthetic pathway genes. Some of these small RNAs play an important role in epigenetic silencing. Differential expression of the small RNAs between secondary xylem tissues with contrasting lignin content suggests that a cascade of miRNAs play an interconnected role in regulating the lignin biosynthetic pathway in Acacia species. Conclusions Our study critically demonstrated the roles of small RNAs during secondary wall formation. Comparison of the expression pattern of small RNAs between secondary xylem tissues with contrasting lignin content strongly indicated that small RNAs play a key regulatory role during lignin biosynthesis. Our analyses suggest an evolutionary mechanism for miRNA targets on the basis of the length of their 5’ and 3’ UTRs and their cellular roles. The results obtained can be used to better understand the roles of small RNAs during lignin biosynthesis and for the development of gene constructs for silencing of specific genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis with minimal effect on plant fitness and viability. For the first time, small RNAs were proven to play an important regulatory role during lignin biosynthesis in A. mangium. PMID:22369296

Expression profile of small RNAs in Acacia mangium secondary xylem tissue with contrasting lignin content - potential regulatory sequences in monolignol biosynthetic pathway.

PubMed

Ong, Seong Siang; Wickneswari, Ratnam

2011-11-30

Lignin, after cellulose, is the second most abundant biopolymer accounting for approximately 15-35% of the dry weight of wood. As an important component during wood formation, lignin is indispensable for plant structure and defense. However, it is an undesirable component in the pulp and paper industry. Removal of lignin from cellulose is costly and environmentally hazardous process. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to understand the role of enzymes and genes in controlling the amount and composition of lignin to be deposited in the cell wall. However, studies on the impact of downregulation and overexpression of monolignol biosynthesis genes in model species on lignin content, plant fitness and viability have been inconsistent. Recently, non-coding RNAs have been discovered to play an important role in regulating the entire monolignol biosynthesis pathway. As small RNAs have critical functions in various biological process during wood formation, small RNA profiling is an important tool for the identification of complete set of differentially expressed small RNAs between low lignin and high lignin secondary xylem. In line with this, we have generated two small RNAs libraries from samples with contrasting lignin content using Illumina GAII sequencer. About 10 million sequence reads were obtained in secondary xylem of Am48 with high lignin content (41%) and a corresponding 14 million sequence reads were obtained in secondary xylem of Am54 with low lignin content (21%). Our results suggested that A. mangium small RNAs are composed of a set of 12 highly conserved miRNAs families found in plant miRNAs database, 82 novel miRNAs and a large proportion of non-conserved small RNAs with low expression levels. The predicted target genes of those differentially expressed conserved and non-conserved miRNAs include transcription factors associated with regulation of the lignin biosynthetic pathway genes. Some of these small RNAs play an important role in epigenetic silencing. Differential expression of the small RNAs between secondary xylem tissues with contrasting lignin content suggests that a cascade of miRNAs play an interconnected role in regulating the lignin biosynthetic pathway in Acacia species. Our study critically demonstrated the roles of small RNAs during secondary wall formation. Comparison of the expression pattern of small RNAs between secondary xylem tissues with contrasting lignin content strongly indicated that small RNAs play a key regulatory role during lignin biosynthesis. Our analyses suggest an evolutionary mechanism for miRNA targets on the basis of the length of their 5' and 3' UTRs and their cellular roles. The results obtained can be used to better understand the roles of small RNAs during lignin biosynthesis and for the development of gene constructs for silencing of specific genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis with minimal effect on plant fitness and viability. For the first time, small RNAs were proven to play an important regulatory role during lignin biosynthesis in A. mangium.

Younger and Older Adults’ Associative Memory for Social Information: The Role of Information Importance

PubMed Central

Hargis, Mary B.; Castel, Alan D.

2017-01-01

The ability to associate items in memory is critical for social interactions. Older adults show deficits in remembering associative information, but can sometimes remember high-value information. In two experiments, younger and older participants studied faces, names, and occupations that were of differing social value. There were no age differences in the recall of important information in Experiment 1, but age differences were present for less important information. In Experiment 2, when younger adults’ encoding time was reduced, age differences were largely absent. These findings are considered in light of value-directed strategies when remembering social associative information. PMID:28581330

Targeting the eIF4F translation initiation complex: a critical nexus for cancer development.

PubMed

Pelletier, Jerry; Graff, Jeremy; Ruggero, Davide; Sonenberg, Nahum

2015-01-15

Elevated protein synthesis is an important feature of many cancer cells and often arises as a consequence of increased signaling flux channeled to eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F), the key regulator of the mRNA-ribosome recruitment phase of translation initiation. In many cellular and preclinical models of cancer, eIF4F deregulation results in changes in translational efficiency of specific mRNA classes. Importantly, many of these mRNAs code for proteins that potently regulate critical cellular processes, such as cell growth and proliferation, enhanced cell survival and cell migration that ultimately impinge on several hallmarks of cancer, including increased angiogenesis, deregulated growth control, enhanced cellular survival, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and metastasis. By being positioned as the molecular nexus downstream of key oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., Ras, PI3K/AKT/TOR, and MYC), eIF4F serves as a direct link between important steps in cancer development and translation initiation. Identification of mRNAs particularly responsive to elevated eIF4F activity that typifies tumorigenesis underscores the critical role of eIF4F in cancer and raises the exciting possibility of developing new-in-class small molecules targeting translation initiation as antineoplastic agents. ©2014 American Association for Cancer Research.

Developing Critical Rationality as a Pedagogical Aim

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winch, Christopher

2004-01-01

The development of a conception of critical pedagogy is itself an aspect of the development of critical rationality within late modern societies, closely connected with the role of education in developing critical rationality. The role of critique pervades all aspects of life: for people as citizens, workers and self-determining private…

Novel Role for Interleukin-17 in Enhancing Type 1 Helper T Cell Immunity in the Female Genital Tract following Mucosal Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Vaccination.

PubMed

Bagri, Puja; Anipindi, Varun C; Nguyen, Philip V; Vitali, Danielle; Stämpfli, Martin R; Kaushic, Charu

2017-12-01

It is well established that interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production by CD4 + T cells is critical for antiviral immunity against herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) genital infection. However, the role of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) production by CD4 + T cells in HSV-2 antiviral immunity is yet to be elucidated. Here we demonstrate that IL-17A plays an important role in enhancing antiviral T helper type 1 (T h 1) responses in the female genital tract (FGT) and is essential for effective protection conferred by HSV-2 vaccination. While IL-17A did not play a critical role during primary genital HSV-2 infection, seen by lack of differences in susceptibility between IL-17A-deficient ( IL-17A -/- ) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, it was critical for mediating antiviral responses after challenge/reexposure. Compared to WT mice, IL-17A -/- mice (i) infected intravaginally and reexposed or (ii) vaccinated intranasally and challenged intravaginally demonstrated poor outcomes. Following intravaginal HSV-2 reexposure or challenge, vaccinated IL-17A -/- mice had significantly higher mortality, greater disease severity, higher viral shedding, and higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in vaginal secretions. Furthermore, IL-17A -/- mice had impaired T h 1 cell responses after challenge/reexposure, with significantly lower proportions of vaginal IFN-γ + CD4 + T cells. The impaired T h 1 cell responses in IL-17A -/- mice coincided with smaller populations of IFN-γ + CD4 + tissue resident memory T (T RM ) cells in the genital tract postimmunization. Taken together, these findings describe a novel role for IL-17A in regulating antiviral IFN-γ + T h 1 cell immunity in the vaginal tract. This strategy could be exploited to enhance antiviral immunity following HSV-2 vaccination. IMPORTANCE T helper type 1 (T h 1) immunity, specifically interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production by CD4 + T cells, is critical for protection against genital herpesvirus (HSV-2) infection, and enhancing this response can potentially help improve disease outcomes. Our study demonstrated that interleukin-17A (IL-17A) plays an essential role in enhancing antiviral T h 1 responses in the female genital tract (FGT). We found that in the absence of IL-17A, preexposed and vaccinated mice showed poor disease outcomes and were unable to overcome HSV-2 reexposure/challenge. IL-17A-deficient mice ( IL-17A -/- ) had smaller populations of IFN-γ + CD4 + tissue resident memory T (T RM ) cells in the genital tract postimmunization than did wild-type (WT) mice, which coincided with attenuated T h 1 responses postchallenge. This has important implications for developing effective vaccines against HSV-2, as we propose that strategies inducing IL-17A in the genital tract may promote more effective T h 1 cell immunity and better overall protection. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Brain’s DNA Repair Response to Neurotoxicants

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-07-01

it is possible that OTA exposure may impact on this ability of this structure to maintain its functional integrity over time. Indeed it is known...Gordon et al., 2004). In light of the critical role played by hippocampus in cognitive function, and the importance of neurogenesis in this structure ...uncompetitive inhibitorof both succinate-cytochrome c reductase and succinate dehydrogenase while sparing cytochrome oxidase and NADH dehydrogenase

Effectiveness of Drafting Models for Engineering Technology Students and Impacts on Spatial Visualization Ability: An Analysis and Consideration of Critical Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katsioloudis, Petros J.; Stefaniak, Jill E.

2018-01-01

Results from a number of studies indicate that the use of drafting models can positively influence the spatial visualization ability for engineering technology students. However, additional variables such as light, temperature, motion and color can play an important role but research provides inconsistent results. Considering this, a set of 5…

The Effect of Reducing the Weight of Homework Assignments on the Mathematics Achievement of Upper Level High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ortiz, Craig R.

2017-01-01

Homework varies widely in importance among both teachers and students, as well as in subject areas. In mathematics, it is generally expected that it plays a critical role in students' understanding of mathematics and will be assigned daily. However, it is also understood that whether students take homework seriously can be difficult to ascertain.…

The Kyoto Protocol and forestry practices in the United States

Treesearch

Bov B. Eav; Richard A. Birdsey; Linda S. Heath

2000-01-01

Forestry may play an important if not critical role in the ability of the U.S. to meet its greenhouse gas emissions target under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol. Given the low rate of change in the U.S. forest land area, the major anthropogenic influences on the current net forest carbon flux are forest management and protection activities that have resulted in...

Uses of Extra-Legal Sources in "Amicus Curiae" Briefs Submitted in "Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marin, Patricia; Horn, Catherine L.; Miksch, Karen; Garces, Liliana M.; Yun, John T.

2018-01-01

As the political arena becomes increasingly polarized, the legal arena is playing a more important role in the creation of education policy in the United States. One critical stage in the legal process for such efforts is at briefing where "amici curiae," or friends-of-the-court, may introduce additional arguments for the court to…

Reframing the Question of Whether Education Can Change Society

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Apple, Michael W.

2015-01-01

Among the most important questions critical educators can ask today are the following: Can schools play a role in making a more just society possible? If not, why not? If so, what can they do? These questions provide the basis for this article by Michael Apple, as well as for the books under discussion here. The books by David Blacker, John Marsh,…

Cameos, Supporting Roles and Stars: Citation and Reflection in the Context of Initial Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Jonathan

2013-01-01

Background: Reflection is well established as an important part of teacher education, but it is also the focus of critical enquiry. This means that reflection is of interest to those who wish to explore its use to produce "better" teachers. It is also of interest to scholars who are interested in the wider implications of reflection, for example,…

Helping All Students Become Einstein's Using Bibliotherapy When Teaching Mathematics to Prepare Students for a STEM World

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Furner, Joseph M.

2017-01-01

Today, being confident and having a sound understanding of mathematics is critical in an age of STEM. Teachers must play in important role in seeing that all students display their confidence in their ability to do mathematics. This paper explains the process of using bibliotherapy when teaching mathematics to address both the math anxious or the…

Effect of mechanical damage on emission of volatile organic compounds from plant leaves and implications for evaluation of host plant specificity of prospective biological control agents of weeds

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Assessment of host plant specificity is a critical step in the evaluation of classical biological control agents of weeds, which is necessary for avoiding possible damage to nontarget plants. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted by plants likely play an important role in determining which plant...

Provisioning in Agricultural Communities: Local, Regional and Global Cereal Prices and Local Production on Three Continents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Molly E.; Tondel, Fabien; Essam, Timothy; Thorne, Jennifer A.; Mann, Bristol F.; Eilerts, Gary

2012-01-01

Monitoring and incorporating diverse market and staple food information into food price indices is critical for food price analyses. Satellite remote sensing data and earth science models have an important role to play in improving humanitarian aid timing, delivery and distribution. Incorporating environmental observations into econometric models will improve food security analysis and understanding of market functioning.

Why I Do Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

World Cancer Research Day is recognized on September 24, 2017. This day presents an opportunity for all of us to remind the world of the critically important roles research and cancer researchers play in reducing the global burden of cancer. Together with ten other global partners, NCI participated in the planning and launch of this initiative, highlighting the amplified impact of international cooperation in the clinical research arena.

Classroom Discourse: The Role of Teachers' Instructional Practice for Promoting Student Dialogues in the Early Years Literacy Program (EYLP)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olaussen, Bodil Stokke

2016-01-01

Understanding that classroom discourse is important for reading comprehension and critical thinking is emerging. The aim of the present study was to analyze what teachers say and do, to promote discussion at a teacher-led station in the Early Years Literacy Program (EYLP). The EYLP is a program for reading instruction, organized at different…

Natural Product Total Synthesis in the Organic Laboratory: Total Synthesis of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE), a Potent 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor from Honeybee Hives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Touaibia, Mohamed; Guay, Michel

2011-01-01

Natural products play a critical role in modern organic synthesis and learning synthetic techniques is an important component of the organic laboratory experience. In addition to traditional one-step organic synthesis laboratories, a multistep natural product synthesis is an interesting experiment to challenge students. The proposed three-step…

Towards an Analysis of the Discourse of Arabic Song: A Case Study--Umm Kulthoum's Song "AlAtlal"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hussein, Gameel Abdelmageed

2015-01-01

Arabic song has always played an important role in the life of Arabs. It reflects cultural attitudes and influences them. However, this major expressive discourse has been almost completely neglected in Arabic literary and critical studies. For this reason, this paper focuses on Arabic song, in the hope that my study will encourage other scholars…

The Relationship between Subsidized Free Day Secondary Education and Retention in Secondary Schools in Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

James, Asena Muganda; Simiyu, Aggrey Mukasa; Riechi, Andrew

2016-01-01

A workforce that can adapt to the fast changing global dynamics is critical for sustainable growth and development. Secondary level segment in the education cycle of a Kenyan plays a key role in the development of this workforce and is important since it de-links one from elementary (primary) learning, provides a chance for one to complete the…

ZNT7 binds to CD40 and influences CD154-triggered p38 MAPK activity in B lymphocytes-a possible regulatory mechanism for zinc in immune function

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Zinc deficiency impairs immune system leading to frequent infections. Although it is known that zinc plays critical roles in maintaining healthy immune function, the underlying molecular targets are largely unknown. In this study, we showed that zinc is important for the CD154-CD40-mediated activati...

A reciprocal regulatory interaction between megakaryocytes, bone cells, and hematopoietic stem cells.

PubMed

Kacena, Melissa A; Gundberg, Caren M; Horowitz, Mark C

2006-11-01

A growing body of evidence suggests that megakaryocytes (MK) or their growth factors play a role in skeletal homeostasis. MK have been shown to express and/or secrete several bone-related proteins including osteocalcin, osteonectin, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, bone morphogenetic proteins, and osteoprotegerin. In addition, at least 3 mouse models have been described in which MK number was significantly elevated with an accompanying marked increase in bone mineral density. Mice overexpressing thrombopoietin, the major MK growth factor, have an osteosclerotic bone phenotype. Mice deficient in transcription factors GATA-1 and NF-E2, which are required for the differentiation of MK, exhibited a strikingly increased bone mass. Importantly, recent studies have demonstrated that MK can stimulate osteoblast (OB) proliferation and differentiation in vitro and that they can also inhibit osteoclast (OC) formation in vitro. These findings suggest that MK play a dual role in skeletal homeostasis by stimulating formation while simultaneously inhibiting resorption. Conversely, cells of the osteoblast lineage support hematopoiesis, including megakaryopoiesis. Postnatal hematopoiesis occurs almost solely in the bone marrow (BM), close to or on endosteal surfaces. This finding, in conjunction with the observed contact of OB with hematopoietic cells, has lead investigators to explore the molecular and cellular interactions between hematopoietic cells and cells of the OB lineage. Importantly, it has been shown that many of the cytokines that are critical for normal hematopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis are produced by OB. Indeed, culturing osteoblasts with CD34+ BM cells significantly enhances hematopoietic cell number by both enhancing the proliferation of long-term culture initiating cells and the proliferation and differentiation of MK. These data are consistent with cells in the OB lineage playing a critical role in the hematopoietic niche. Overall, these observations demonstrate the importance of MK-bone cell interactions in both skeletal homeostasis and hematopoiesis.

Caveolins and caveolae in ocular physiology and pathophysiology.

PubMed

Gu, Xiaowu; Reagan, Alaina M; McClellan, Mark E; Elliott, Michael H

2017-01-01

Caveolae are specialized, invaginated plasma membrane domains that are defined morphologically and by the expression of signature proteins called, caveolins. Caveolae and caveolins are abundant in a variety of cell types including vascular endothelium, glia, and fibroblasts where they play critical roles in transcellular transport, endocytosis, mechanotransduction, cell proliferation, membrane lipid homeostasis, and signal transduction. Given these critical cellular functions, it is surprising that ablation of the caveolae organelle does not result in lethality suggesting instead that caveolae and caveolins play modulatory roles in cellular homeostasis. Caveolar components are also expressed in ocular cell types including retinal vascular cells, Müller glia, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), conventional aqueous humor outflow cells, the corneal epithelium and endothelium, and the lens epithelium. In the eye, studies of caveolae and other membrane microdomains (i.e., "lipid rafts") have lagged behind what is a substantial body of literature outside vision science. However, interest in caveolae and their molecular components has increased with accumulating evidence of important roles in vision-related functions such as blood-retinal barrier homeostasis, ocular inflammatory signaling, pathogen entry at the ocular surface, and aqueous humor drainage. The recent association of CAV1/2 gene loci with primary open angle glaucoma and intraocular pressure has further enhanced the need to better understand caveolar functions in the context of ocular physiology and disease. Herein, we provide the first comprehensive review of literature on caveolae, caveolins, and other membrane domains in the context of visual system function. This review highlights the importance of caveolae domains and their components in ocular physiology and pathophysiology and emphasizes the need to better understand these important modulators of cellular function. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Caveolins and caveolae in ocular physiology and pathophysiology

PubMed Central

Gu, Xiaowu; Reagan, Alaina M.; McClellan, Mark E.; Elliott, Michael H.

2016-01-01

Caveolae are specialized, invaginated plasma membrane domains that are defined morphologically and by the expression of signature proteins called, caveolins. Caveolae and caveolins are abundant in a variety of cell types including vascular endothelium, glia, and fibroblasts where they play critical roles in transcellular transport, endocytosis, mechanotransduction, cell proliferation, membrane lipid homeostasis, and signal transduction. Given these critical cellular functions, it is surprising that ablation of the caveolae organelle does not result in lethality suggesting instead that caveolae and caveolins play modulatory roles in cellular homeostasis. Caveolar components are also expressed in ocular cell types including retinal vascular cells, Müller glia, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), conventional aqueous humor outflow cells, the corneal epithelium and endothelium, and the lens epithelium. In the eye, studies of caveolae and other membrane microdomains (i.e., “lipid rafts”) have lagged behind what is a substantial body of literature outside vision science. However, interest in caveolae and their molecular components has increased with accumulating evidence of important roles in vision-related functions such as blood-retinal barrier homeostasis, ocular inflammatory signalling, pathogen entry at the ocular surface, and aqueous humor drainage. The recent association of CAV1/2 gene loci with primary open angle glaucoma and intraocular pressure has further enhanced the need to better understand caveolar functions in the context of ocular physiology and disease. Herein, we provide the first comprehensive review of literature on caveolae, caveolins, and other membrane domains in the context of visual system function. This review highlights the importance of caveolae domains and their components in ocular physiology and pathophysiology and emphasizes the need to better understand these important modulators of cellular function. PMID:27664379

Challenges for Product Roadmapping in Inter-company Collaboration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suomalainen, Tanja; Tihinen, Maarit; Parviainen, Päivi

Product roadmapping is a critical activity in product development, as it provides a link between business aspects and requirements engineering and thus helps to manage a high-level view of the company’s products. Nowadays, inter-company collaboration, such as outsourcing, is a common way of developing software products, as through collaboration, organisations gain advantages, such as flexibility with in-house resources, savings in product development costs and gain a physical presence in important markets. The role of product roadmapping becomes even more critical in collaborative settings, since different companies need to align strategies and work together to create products. In order to support companies in improving their own product roadmapping processes, this paper first gives an overview of product roadmapping and then discusses in detail an empirical study of the current practices in industry. The presented results particularly focus on the most challenging and important activities of product roadmapping in collaboration.

Characterization of biomaterials using FT-Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Söderholm, S.; Roos, Y. H.; Meinander, N.; Hotokka, M.

1998-06-01

Carbohydrates play an important role in the quality and preservation of pharmaceutical and food materials. The storage temperature and water content is very critical in storage and, therefore, it is very important to understand how the physical state of carbohydrates is affected by water. Carbohydrates in foods and pharmaceuticals are usually present in the amorphous form even if other substances present affect the physical properties of carbohydrates it is mainly temperature and water content that determine the physical state. Amorphous carbohydrates show a second order phase transition, the glass transition, that is critical for stability. When carbohydrates are stored above their glass transition temperature they loose stability. Crystallization above the glass transition temperature may result in loss of quality. Raman spectroscopy offers a useful tool in the characterization of phase transitions and effects of temperature and water content on material properties at a molecular level.

Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals as Dietary Intervention in Chronic Diseases; Novel Perspectives for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

PubMed

Adefegha, Stephen Adeniyi

2017-12-27

Functional foods describe the importance of foods in promoting health and preventing diseases aside their primary role of providing the body with the required amount of essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and oils needed for its healthy survival. This review explains the interaction of functional food bioactive compounds including polyphenols (phenolic acids [hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids], flavonoids [flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, isoflavones, proanthocyanidins], stilbenes, and lignans), terpenoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, among others with critical enzymes (α- amylase, α- glucosidase, angiotensin-I converting enzyme [ACE], acetylcholinesterase [AChE], and arginase) linked to some degenerative diseases (type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases [hypertension], neurodegenerative diseases [Alzheimer's disease] and erectile dysfunction). Different functional food bioactive compounds may synergistically/additively confer an overwhelming protection against these degenerative diseases by modulating/altering the activities of these critical enzymes of physiological importance.

Care erosion in hospitals: Problems in reflective nursing practice and the role of cognitive dissonance.

PubMed

de Vries, Jan; Timmins, Fiona

2016-03-01

Care erosion - gradual decline in care level - is an important problem in health care today. Unfortunately, the mechanism whereby it occurs is complex and poorly understood. This paper seeks to address this by emphasising problems in reflective nursing practice. Critical reflection on quality of care which should drive good care instead spawns justifications, denial, and trivialisation of deficient care. This perpetuates increasingly poor care levels. We argue that cognitive dissonance theory provides a highly effective understanding of this process and suggest for this approach to be incorporated in all efforts to address care erosion. The paper includes a detailed discussion of examples and implications for practice, in particular the need to restore critical reflection in nursing, the importance of embracing strong values and standards, and the need for increased awareness of signs of care erosion. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

GEP, a local growth factor, is critical for odontogenesis and amelogenesis.

PubMed

Cao, Zhengguo; Jiang, Baichun; Xie, Yixia; Liu, Chuan-ju; Feng, Jian Q

2010-11-25

Granulin epithelin precursor (GEP) is a new growth factor that functions in brain development, chondrogenesis, tissue regeneration, tumorigenesis, and inflammation. The goal of this study was to study whether GEP was critical for odontogenesis and amelogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. The in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry data showed that GEP was expressed in both odontoblast and ameloblast cells postnatally. Knockdown of GEP by crossing U6-ploxPneo-GEP and Sox2-Cre transgenic mice led to a reduction of dentin thickness, an increase in predentin thickness, and a reduction in mineral content in enamel. The in vitro application of recombinant GEP up-regulated molecular markers important for odontogenesis (DMP1, DSPP, and ALP) and amelogenesis (ameloblastin, amelogenin and enamelin). In conclusion, both the in vivo and the in vivo data support an important role of GEP in tooth formation during postnatal development.

GEP, a Local Growth Factor, is Critical for Odontogenesis and Amelogenesis

PubMed Central

Cao, Zhengguo; Jiang, Baichun; Xie, Yixia; Liu, Chuan-ju; Feng, Jian Q.

2010-01-01

Granulin epithelin precursor (GEP) is a new growth factor that functions in brain development, chondrogenesis, tissue regeneration, tumorigenesis, and inflammation. The goal of this study was to study whether GEP was critical for odontogenesis and amelogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. The in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry data showed that GEP was expressed in both odontoblast and ameloblast cells postnatally. Knockdown of GEP by crossing U6-ploxPneo-GEP and Sox2-Cre transgenic mice led to a reduction of dentin thickness, an increase in predentin thickness, and a reduction in mineral content in enamel. The in vitro application of recombinant GEP up-regulated molecular markers important for odontogenesis (DMP1, DSPP, and ALP) and amelogenesis (ameloblastin, amelogenin and enamelin). In conclusion, both the in vivo and the in vivo data support an important role of GEP in tooth formation during postnatal development. PMID:21152114

Alterations in Ca2+ Signalling via ER-Mitochondria Contact Site Remodelling in Cancer.

PubMed

Kerkhofs, Martijn; Giorgi, Carlotta; Marchi, Saverio; Seitaj, Bruno; Parys, Jan B; Pinton, Paolo; Bultynck, Geert; Bittremieux, Mart

2017-01-01

Inter-organellar contact sites establish microdomains for localised Ca 2+ -signalling events. One of these microdomains is established between the ER and the mitochondria. Importantly, the so-called mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) contain, besides structural proteins and proteins involved in lipid exchange, several Ca 2+ -transport systems, mediating efficient Ca 2+ transfer from the ER to the mitochondria. These Ca 2+ signals critically control several mitochondrial functions, thereby impacting cell metabolism, cell death and survival, proliferation and migration. Hence, the MAMs have emerged as critical signalling hubs in physiology, while their dysregulation is an important factor that drives or at least contributes to oncogenesis and tumour progression. In this book chapter, we will provide an overview of the role of the MAMs in cell function and how alterations in the MAM composition contribute to oncogenic features and behaviours.

The physiological functions of central nervous system pericytes and a potential role in pain

PubMed Central

Beazley-Long, Nicholas; Durrant, Alexandra M; Swift, Matthew N; Donaldson, Lucy F

2018-01-01

Central nervous system (CNS) pericytes regulate critical functions of the neurovascular unit in health and disease. CNS pericytes are an attractive pharmacological target for their position within the neurovasculature and for their role in neuroinflammation. Whether the function of CNS pericytes also affects pain states and nociceptive mechanisms is currently not understood. Could it be that pericytes hold the key to pain associated with CNS blood vessel dysfunction? This article reviews recent findings on the important physiological functions of CNS pericytes and highlights how these neurovascular functions could be linked to pain states. PMID:29623199

The Role of Worldviews in Health Disparities Education

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Worldviews are sets of beliefs and assumptions that express how cultures interpret and explain their experience. Worldview has been a useful explanatory construct in the social science literature, but has been used less often in the context of human health. Reducing and ultimately eliminating the negative role that health care providers play in producing health disparities will require a cultural change. Here I posit that “worldview” is a critically important concept for health disparities education that overtime will serve to transform the culture of health care professionals toward a more self-reflective, humble, and open-minded posture. PMID:20352515

[Impression management and self-presentation in occupational life].

PubMed

Stresemann, E

2013-06-01

Impression management serves self-preservation as part of self-experience. It is adapted to a given situation as an expression of understanding of the role it plays in striving for success. Impression management and self-presentation mutually influence each other throughout life. Clichés in the traditional self-presentation of men and woman in their gender-specific domain in occupation belong to the past. In employment, contentment as much as discontent are of prime importance for success or failure in the workplace. As role models attract mainly juveniles, they should be held up to critical scrutiny.

Macroscopic quantum states: Measures, fragility, and implementations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fröwis, Florian; Sekatski, Pavel; Dür, Wolfgang; Gisin, Nicolas; Sangouard, Nicolas

2018-04-01

Large-scale quantum effects have always played an important role in the foundations of quantum theory. With recent experimental progress and the aspiration for quantum enhanced applications, the interest in macroscopic quantum effects has been reinforced. In this review, measures aiming to quantify various aspects of macroscopic quantumness are critically analyzed and discussed. Recent results on the difficulties and prospects to create, maintain, and detect macroscopic quantum states are surveyed. The role of macroscopic quantum states in foundational questions as well as practical applications is outlined. Finally, past and ongoing experimental advances aiming to generate and observe macroscopic quantum states are presented.

Temporal Regulation of the Bacillus subtilis Acetylome and Evidence for a Role of MreB Acetylation in Cell Wall Growth

PubMed Central

Carabetta, Valerie J.; Greco, Todd M.; Tanner, Andrew W.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Nε-Lysine acetylation has been recognized as a ubiquitous regulatory posttranslational modification that influences a variety of important biological processes in eukaryotic cells. Recently, it has been realized that acetylation is also prevalent in bacteria. Bacteria contain hundreds of acetylated proteins, with functions affecting diverse cellular pathways. Still, little is known about the regulation or biological relevance of nearly all of these modifications. Here we characterize the cellular growth-associated regulation of the Bacillus subtilis acetylome. Using acetylation enrichment and quantitative mass spectrometry, we investigate the logarithmic and stationary growth phases, identifying over 2,300 unique acetylation sites on proteins that function in essential cellular pathways. We determine an acetylation motif, EK(ac)(D/Y/E), which resembles the eukaryotic mitochondrial acetylation signature, and a distinct stationary-phase-enriched motif. By comparing the changes in acetylation with protein abundances, we discover a subset of critical acetylation events that are temporally regulated during cell growth. We functionally characterize the stationary-phase-enriched acetylation on the essential shape-determining protein MreB. Using bioinformatics, mutational analysis, and fluorescence microscopy, we define a potential role for the temporal acetylation of MreB in restricting cell wall growth and cell diameter. IMPORTANCE The past decade highlighted Nε-lysine acetylation as a prevalent posttranslational modification in bacteria. However, knowledge regarding the physiological importance and temporal regulation of acetylation has remained limited. To uncover potential regulatory roles for acetylation, we analyzed how acetylation patterns and abundances change between growth phases in B. subtilis. To demonstrate that the identification of cell growth-dependent modifications can point to critical regulatory acetylation events, we further characterized MreB, the cell shape-determining protein. Our findings led us to propose a role for MreB acetylation in controlling cell width by restricting cell wall growth. PMID:27376153

Dysregulation of Corticostriatal Ascorbate Release and Glutamate Uptake in Transgenic Models of Huntington's Disease

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Abstract Significance: Dysregulation of cortical and striatal neuronal processing plays a critical role in Huntington's disease (HD), a dominantly inherited condition that includes a progressive deterioration of cognitive and motor control. Growing evidence indicates that ascorbate (AA), an antioxidant vitamin, is released into striatal extracellular fluid when glutamate is cleared after its release from cortical afferents. Both AA release and glutamate uptake are impaired in the striatum of transgenic mouse models of HD owing to a downregulation of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1), the protein primarily found on astrocytes and responsible for removing most extracellular glutamate. Improved understanding of an AA–glutamate interaction could lead to new therapeutic strategies for HD. Recent Advances: Increased expression of GLT1 following treatment with ceftriaxone, a beta-lactam antibiotic, increases striatal glutamate uptake and AA release and also improves the HD behavioral phenotype. In fact, treatment with AA alone restores striatal extracellular AA to wild-type levels in HD mice and not only improves behavior but also improves the firing pattern of neurons in HD striatum. Critical Issues: Although evidence is growing for an AA-glutamate interaction, several key issues require clarification: the site of action of AA on striatal neurons; the precise role of GLT1 in striatal AA release; and the mechanism by which HD interferes with this role. Future Directions: Further assessment of how the HD mutation alters corticostriatal signaling is an important next step. A critical focus is the role of astrocytes, which express GLT1 and may be the primary source of extracellular AA. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 19, 2115–2128. PMID:23642110

Hypocalcaemia-induced tetany secondary to total thyroidectomy: a nursing case review.

PubMed

Bakon, Shannon; Craft, Judy; Christensen, Martin

2017-07-05

Presentations to the emergency department with a diagnosis of hypocalcaemia-induced tetany secondary to total thyroidectomy are rare. A patient presented to the emergency department of a regional Australian hospital with hypocalcaemia-induced tetany. A case study was employed to reflect on the care provided and identify knowledge practice deficits within this unusual patient presentation. Calcium plays a central role within the nervous system and is vital for both cardiac and muscular contraction. The clinical manifestations of electrolyte disturbances such as hypocalcaemia can be life threatening, and therefore, appropriate assessment, monitoring and management are essential to ensure positive patient outcomes. Understanding the importance of calcium imbalance for the emergency and critical care nurse is paramount in preventing complications associated with cardiac conduction and muscle tone, especially the potential for airway compromise. Education is central to this and may include clinical case reviews, the application of pathophysiological presentations of electrolyte imbalance and a review of electrolyte administration guidelines. Understanding the role of calcium within the body will assist emergency and critical care nurses to assess, monitor and intervene appropriately, thereby preventing the life-threatening manifestations of hypocalcaemia. © 2017 British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Debating DSM-5: diagnosis and the sociology of critique.

PubMed

Pickersgill, Martyn D

2014-08-01

The development of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-the DSM-5-has reenergised and driven further forward critical discourse about the place and role of diagnosis in mental health. The DSM-5 has attracted considerable criticism, not least about its role in processes of medicalisation. This paper suggests the need for a sociology of psychiatric critique. Sociological analysis can help map fields of contention, and cast fresh light on the assumptions and nuances of debate around the DSM-5; it underscores the importance of diagnosis to the governance of social and clinical life, as well as the wider discourses critical commentaries connect with and are activated by. More normatively, a sociology of critique can indicate which interests and values are structuring the dialogues being articulated, and just how diverse clinical opinion regarding the DSM can actually be. This has implications for the considerations of health services and policy decision-makers who might look to such debates for guidance. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Long-term memory for temporal structure: evidence form the identification of well-known and novel songs.

PubMed

Schulkind, M D

1999-09-01

In three experiments, long-term memory for temporal structure was examined by having participants identify both well-known (e.g., "I've Been Working on the Railroad") and novel songs. The target songs were subjected to a number of rhythmic alterations, to assess the importance of four critical features of identification performance. The four critical features were meter, phrasing, rhythmic contour (ordinal scaling of note durations), and the ratio of successive durations. In contrast with previous work, the unaltered version of each song was identified significantly better than any altered version. This indicates that rhythm is stored in long-term memory. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that all four critical features play a role in the identification of songs. These results held for both well-known and novel tunes.

Australia's health care reform agenda: implications for the nurses' role in chronic heart failure management.

PubMed

Betihavas, Vasiliki; Newton, Phillip J; Du, Hui Yun; Macdonald, Peter S; Frost, Steven A; Stewart, Simon; Davidson, Patricia M

2011-08-01

The importance of the nursing role in chronic heart failure (CHF) management is increasingly recognised. With the recent release of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) report in Australia, a review of nursing roles in CHF management is timely and appropriate. This paper aims to discuss the implications of the NHHRC report and nursing roles in the context of CHF management in Australia. The electronic databases, Thomson Rheuters Web of Knowledge, Scopus and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), were searched using keywords including; "heart failure", "management", "Australia" and "nursing". In addition policy documents were reviewed including statements and reports from key professional organisations and Government Departments to identify issues impacting on nursing roles in CHF management. There is a growing need for the prevention and control of chronic conditions, such as CHF. This involves an increasing emphasis on specialist cardiovascular nurses in community based settings, both in outreach and inreach health service models. This review has highlighted the need to base nursing roles on evidence based principles and identify the importance of the nursing role in coordinating and managing CHF care in both independent and collaborative practice settings. The importance of the nursing role in early chronic disease symptom recognition and implementing strategies to prevent further deterioration of individuals is crucial to improving health outcomes. Consideration should be given to ensure that evidence based principles are adopted in models of nursing care. Copyright © 2010 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of oxidative stress in EBV lytic reactivation, radioresistance and the potential preventive and therapeutic implications.

PubMed

Hu, Jianmin; Li, Hongde; Luo, Xiangjian; Li, Yueshuo; Bode, Ann; Cao, Ya

2017-11-01

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important cancer causing virus. Cancer associated with EBV account for approximately 1.5% of all cancers, and represent 1.8% of all cancer deaths worldwide. EBV reactivation plays an important role in the development of EBV-related diseases and is closely related with patients' survival and clinical stages of EBV-related cancers. The therapy regarding to EBV-related cancers is very urgent, especially in endemic areas. Generating oxidative stress is a critical mechanism by which host cells defend against infection by virus. In addition, ROS-mediated oxidative stress plays a significant but paradoxical role acting as a "double-edged sword" to regulate cellular response to radiation, which is the main therapy strategy for EBV-related cancers, especially nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Therefore, in this review we primarily discuss the possible interplay among the oxidative stress, EBV lytic reactivation and radioresistance. Understanding the role of oxidative stress in EBV lytic reactivation and radioresistance will assist in the development of effective strategies for prevention and treatment of EBV-related cancers. © 2017 UICC.