Is case-specificity content-specificity? An analysis of data from extended-matching questions.

PubMed

Dory, Valerie; Gagnon, Robert; Charlin, Bernard

2010-03-01

Case-specificity, i.e., variability of a subject's performance across cases, has been a consistent finding in medical education. It has important implications for assessment validity and reliability. Its root causes remain a matter of discussion. One hypothesis, content-specificity, links variability of performance to variable levels of relevant knowledge. Extended-matching items (EMIs) are an ideal format to test this hypothesis as items are grouped by topic. If differences pertaining to content knowledge are the main cause of case-specificity, variability across topics should be high and variability across items within the same topic low. We used generalisability analysis on results of a written test composed of 159 EMIs sat by two cohorts of general practice trainees at one university. Two hundred and twenty-seven trainees took part. The variance component attributed to subjects was small. Variance attributed to topics was smaller than variance attributed to items. The main source of error was interaction between subjects and items, accounting for two-thirds of error. The generalisability D study revealed that for the same total number of items, increasing the number of topics results in a higher G coefficient than increasing the number of items per topic. Topical knowledge does not seem to explain case-specificity observed in our data. Structure of knowledge and reasoning strategy may be more important, in particular pattern-recognition which EMIs were designed to elicit. The causal explanations of case-specificity may be dependent on test format. Increasing the number of topics with fewer items each would increase reliability but also testing time.

Use of a Latent Topic Model for Characteristic Extraction from Health Checkup Questionnaire Data.

PubMed

Hatakeyama, Y; Miyano, I; Kataoka, H; Nakajima, N; Watabe, T; Yasuda, N; Okuhara, Y

2015-01-01

When patients complete questionnaires during health checkups, many of their responses are subjective, making topic extraction difficult. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a model capable of extracting appropriate topics from subjective data in questionnaires conducted during health checkups. We employed a latent topic model to group the lifestyle habits of the study participants and represented their responses to items on health checkup questionnaires as a probability model. For the probability model, we used latent Dirichlet allocation to extract 30 topics from the questionnaires. According to the model parameters, a total of 4381 study participants were then divided into groups based on these topics. Results from laboratory tests, including blood glucose level, triglycerides, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, were compared between each group, and these results were then compared with those obtained by hierarchical clustering. If a significant (p < 0.05) difference was observed in any of the laboratory measurements between groups, it was considered to indicate a questionnaire response pattern corresponding to the value of the test result. A comparison between the latent topic model and hierarchical clustering grouping revealed that, in the latent topic model method, a small group of participants who reported having subjective signs of urinary disorder were allocated to a single group. The latent topic model is useful for extracting characteristics from a small number of groups from questionnaires with a large number of items. These results show that, in addition to chief complaints and history of past illness, questionnaire data obtained during medical checkups can serve as useful judgment criteria for assessing the conditions of patients.

Global health ethics: an introduction to prominent theories and relevant topics

PubMed Central

Stapleton, Greg; Schröder-Bäck, Peter; Laaser, Ulrich; Meershoek, Agnes; Popa, Daniela

2014-01-01

Global health ethics is a relatively new term that is used to conceptualize the process of applying moral value to health issues that are typically characterized by a global level effect or require action coordinated at a global level. It is important to acknowledge that this account of global health ethics takes a predominantly geographic approach and may infer that the subject relates primarily to macro-level health phenomena. However, global health ethics could alternatively be thought of as another branch of health ethics. It may then relate to specific topics in themselves, which might also include micro-level health phenomena. In its broadest sense, global health ethics is a normative project that is best characterized by the challenge of developing common values and universal norms for responding to global health threats. Consequently, many subjects fall within its scope. Whilst several accounts of global health ethics have been conceptualized in the literature, a concise demarcation of the paradigm is still needed. Through means of a literature review, this paper presents a two-part introduction to global health ethics. First, the framework of ‘borrowed’ ethics that currently form the core of global health ethics is discussed in relation to two essential ethical considerations: 1) what is the moral significance of health and 2) what is the moral significance of boundaries? Second, a selection of exemplar ethical topics is presented to illustrate the range of topics within global health ethics. PMID:24560262

Global health ethics: an introduction to prominent theories and relevant topics.

PubMed

Stapleton, Greg; Schröder-Bäck, Peter; Laaser, Ulrich; Meershoek, Agnes; Popa, Daniela

2014-01-01

Global health ethics is a relatively new term that is used to conceptualize the process of applying moral value to health issues that are typically characterized by a global level effect or require action coordinated at a global level. It is important to acknowledge that this account of global health ethics takes a predominantly geographic approach and may infer that the subject relates primarily to macro-level health phenomena. However, global health ethics could alternatively be thought of as another branch of health ethics. It may then relate to specific topics in themselves, which might also include micro-level health phenomena. In its broadest sense, global health ethics is a normative project that is best characterized by the challenge of developing common values and universal norms for responding to global health threats. Consequently, many subjects fall within its scope. Whilst several accounts of global health ethics have been conceptualized in the literature, a concise demarcation of the paradigm is still needed. Through means of a literature review, this paper presents a two-part introduction to global health ethics. First, the framework of 'borrowed' ethics that currently form the core of global health ethics is discussed in relation to two essential ethical considerations: 1) what is the moral significance of health and 2) what is the moral significance of boundaries? Second, a selection of exemplar ethical topics is presented to illustrate the range of topics within global health ethics.

Enhancing conversation skills in patients with Alzheimer's disease using a prosthetic memory aid.

PubMed

Bourgeois, M S

1990-01-01

The effectiveness of teaching Alzheimer's disease subjects to use a prosthetic memory aid when conversing with familiar partners was evaluated. Effects of the training of three topics by caregivers was assessed in daily probes with the experimenter and twice weekly probes with a familiar conversational partner. All 3 subjects learned to use the memory aid with both conversational partners and improved the quality of their conversational content. Subjects made significantly more statements of fact and fewer ambiguous utterances after training on each topic according to a multiple baseline design. All subjects also generated novel, untrained statements in conversations with both partners. Treatment effects were maintained at high levels throughout training and at 3- and 6-week follow-up sessions. Naive judges rated baseline and posttreatment conversational samples as significantly improved on all eight conversational dimensions.

Government Policy Resources for Science and Technology Topics: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prescod, Janette; Leach, Sandra; Mack, Thura

2011-01-01

Research librarians should be literate in locating government resources at both federal and state levels. Although assistance with policy research may not be as frequently requested as other subjects, librarians need to be knowledgeable in this subject area. Policy resources produced by federal and state legislative and executive agencies can be…

MicroSIFT Courseware Evaluations (199-222). Set 10. Including Subject and Title Indexes Covering Sets 1-10.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Northwest Regional Educational Lab., Portland, OR.

This document consists of 24 microcomputer software package evaluations prepared by the MicroSIFT (Microcomputer Software and Information for Teachers) Clearinghouse at the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Each software review lists source, cost, ability level, subject, topic, medium of transfer, required hardware, required software,…

Teaching Digital Libraries in Spain: Context and Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garcia-Marco, Francisco-Javier

2009-01-01

The situation of digital libraries teaching and learning in Spain up to 2008 is examined. A detailed analysis of the different curricula and subjects is provided both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Digital libraries have been mostly a postgraduate topic in Spain, but they should become mainstream, with special subjects devoted to them,…

Air on the Move.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

NatureScope, 1985

1985-01-01

Provides (1) background information on global winds, air masses, fronts, and pressure systems; (2) five activities on this topic; and (3) a ready-to-copy coloring page and worksheet. Each activity includes an objective, list of materials needed, recommended age level(s), subject area(s), and instructional strategies. (JN)

The Sky as a Topic in Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galili, Igal; Weizman, Ayelet; Cohen, Ariel

2004-01-01

The concepts of sky and visibility distance, as perceived by different learners, are investigated for the first time as a subject of a science education research. Mental models of students with regard to the subject were elicited. They were interpreted in terms of two-level hierarchy: schemes and facets-of-knowledge (defined in the paper). Our…

The Development of Anaphora Resolution at the Syntax-Discourse Interface: Pronominal Subjects in Greek Learners of Spanish

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lozano, Cristóbal

2018-01-01

This study explores the development of anaphora resolution (AR) in late sequential bilinguals, namely, adult Greek learners of Spanish at three proficiency levels (intermediate, lower advanced, upper advanced). The use of an overt/null pronominal subject anaphor is investigated in three discourse contexts: topic-continuity (a single antecedent…

Mining Adverse Events of Dietary Supplements from Product Labels by Topic Modeling.

PubMed

Wang, Yefeng; Gunashekar, Divya R; Adam, Terrence J; Zhang, Rui

2017-01-01

The adverse events of the dietary supplements should be subject to scrutiny due to their growing clinical application and consumption among U.S. adults. An effective method for mining and grouping the adverse events of the dietary supplements is to evaluate product labeling for the rapidly increasing number of new products available in the market. In this study, the adverse events information was extracted from the product labels stored in the Dietary Supplement Label Data-base (DSLD) and analyzed by topic modeling techniques, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). Among the 50 topics generated by LDA, eight topics were manually evaluated, with topic relatedness ranging from 58.8% to 100% on the product level, and 57.1% to 100% on the ingredient level. Five out of these eight topics were coherent groupings of the dietary supplements based on their adverse events. The results demonstrated that LDA is able to group supplements with similar adverse events based on the dietary supplement labels. Such information can be potentially used by consumers to more safely use dietary supplements.

Mining Adverse Events of Dietary Supplements from Product Labels by Topic Modeling

PubMed Central

Wang, Yefeng; Gunashekar, Divya R.; Adam, Terrence J.; Zhang, Rui

2018-01-01

The adverse events of the dietary supplements should be subject to scrutiny due to their growing clinical application and consumption among U.S. adults. An effective method for mining and grouping the adverse events of the dietary supplements is to evaluate product labeling for the rapidly increasing number of new products available in the market. In this study, the adverse events information was extracted from the product labels stored in the Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) and analyzed by topic modeling techniques, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). Among the 50 topics generated by LDA, eight topics were manually evaluated, with topic relatedness ranging from 58.8% to 100% on the product level, and 57.1% to 100% on the ingredient level. Five out of these eight topics were coherent groupings of the dietary supplements based on their adverse events. The results demonstrated that LDA is able to group supplements with similar adverse events based on the dietary supplement labels. Such information can be potentially used by consumers to more safely use dietary supplements. PMID:29295169

Introductory Level Problems Illustrating Concepts in Pharmaceutical Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIver, Keith; Whitaker, Kathryn; De Delva, Vladimir; Farrell, Stephanie; Savelski, Mariano J.; Slater, C. Stewart

2012-01-01

Textbook style problems including detailed solutions introducing pharmaceutical topics at the level of an introductory chemical engineering course have been created. The problems illustrate and teach subjects which students would learn if they were to pursue a career in pharmaceutical engineering, including the unique terminology of the field,…

An Interview with Lawrence M. Lieberman.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Academic Therapy, 1986

1986-01-01

An interview with L. Lieberman, a teacher educator and author, touches on such topics as departmentalization at the secondary and elementary level, the use of triple level tests to allow students to stay in mainstreamed settings, and the importance of emphasizing skill development rather than subject matter instruction in secondary resource rooms.…

What Makes the Weather?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

NatureScope, 1985

1985-01-01

Provides (1) background information showing how the sun, earth, air, and water work together to create weather; (2) six activities on this topic; and (3) a ready-to-copy coloring page on the water cycle. Each activity includes an objective, list of materials needed, recommended age level(s), subject area(s), and instructional strategies. (JN)

People and Forests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

NatureScope, 1986

1986-01-01

Provides: (1) background information on how forests are managed and some of the problems facing forests around the world; (2) three activities dealing with these topics; and (3) three ready-to-copy pages for student use. Activities include an objective, recommended age level(s), recommended subject area(s), list of materials needed, and…

The role of vitamin C in pushing back the boundaries of skin aging: an ultrasonographic approach.

PubMed

Crisan, Diana; Roman, Iulia; Crisan, Maria; Scharffetter-Kochanek, Karin; Badea, Radu

2015-01-01

Imagistic methods stand as modern, non-invasive, and objective means of assessing the impact of topical cutaneous therapies. This study focuses on the evaluation, by high-frequency ultrasound, of the cutaneous changes induced by topical use of a vitamin C complex at facial level. A vitamin C-based solution/Placebo moisturizer cream was applied at facial level of 60 healthy female subjects according to a predetermined protocol. Ultrasonographic images (Dermascan C, 20 MHz) were taken from zygomatic level initially, at 40 and 60 days after therapy. The following parameters were assessed for every subject: thickness of the epidermis and dermis (mm), the number of low (LEP), medium (MEP), high echogenic pixels (HEP), and the number of LEP in the upper dermis/lower dermis (LEPs/LEPi). LEP decreased significantly in all age categories during and after therapy, but especially in the first 2 age intervals, up to the age of 50 (P=0.0001). MEP and HEP, pixel categories that quantify protein synthesis also had an age-dependent evolution in the study, increasing significantly in all age categories but most of all in the first age interval (P=0.002). Our ultrasonographic data suggest that collagen synthesis increased significantly after topical vitamin C therapy, and is responsible for the increase in MEP and HEP and consequent decrease of the LEP. Our study shows that topically applied vitamin C is highly efficient as a rejuvenation therapy, inducing significant collagen synthesis in all age groups with minimal side effects.

Is topical anesthesia useful in noninvasive skin tightening using radiofrequency?

PubMed

Kushikata, Nobuharu; Negishi, Kei; Tezuka, Yukiko; Takeuchi, Kaori; Wakamatsu, Shingo

2005-05-01

The radiofrequency (RF) system has been applied to Asian skin for noninvasive skin tightening. The only drawback is the pain during the treatment. The relationships between the effectiveness of a topical anesthetic at various RF levels and the respective treatment results were compared and assessed after 3 months. Eighty-four females, ranging in age from 30 to 60 years, were divided into three groups of 28 subjects each. In all groups, the entire bilateral cheeks were treated. Group A underwent RF treatment (ThermaCool TC, Thermage, Hayward, CA, USA) with topical anesthesia and group B without anesthesia, and in group C, half of the face was treated with anesthesia and the other half was not. The degree of pain was recorded. Digital photographs of the patients pre- and post-treatment were objectively assessed by double-blinded physicians. Subjective assessment was performed with questionnaires. The average treatment levels for groups A and B were 14.13 and 14.02, respectively. Although anesthesia was useful for pain reduction, it did not allow a significant energy upgrade. In group C, 8 (28.6%) patients showed a statistically insignificant difference in the treatment levels, but not in the results, between the anesthetized and the unanesthetized sides. The use of anesthesia did not affect the final efficacy of the treatment compared with no anesthesia.

An Analysis of the Most Commonly Tested Topics and Their Taxonomy From Recent Self-Assessment Examinations.

PubMed

Krueger, Chad A; Moroze, Sean; Murtha, Andrew S; Rivera, Jessica C

The purpose of this study is to determine the most commonly tested topics and the question taxonomy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Self-Assessment Examinations (SAE) from 2009 through 2014. All SAEs were analyzed from 2009 through 2014. The SAEs were separated by subject and the questions of each SAE were analyzed for topic, taxonomic classification, and question type. A total of 2107 questions were reviewed from 10 different subjects. In all, 6 of the 9 subjects had roughly 1/3 of their questions composed of the 3 most commonly tested topics. Each subject had at least 1 trauma-related question within its top 5 most commonly tested topics. Almost half (47%) of all questions were of taxonomy 1 classification and 29% were taxonomy 3. The Basic Science SAEs had the greatest percentage of taxonomy 1 questions of any subject (83%) whereas Trauma contained the highest percentage of taxonomy 3 questions (47%). Certain topics within each subject are consistently tested more often than other topics. In general, the 3 most commonly tested topics comprise about one-third of total questions and orthopedic surgeons should be very familiar with these topics in order to best prepare for standardized examinations. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Montana Rural Education Curriculum Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kroon, Ralph, Comp.

The material in this K-8 curriculum guide is designed to provide classroom professionals in rural Montana schools with some guidance as to when to introduce and develop concepts in each subject area. It is intended to be a guide, not a rule book or complete course of study. For each subject area and for each grade level, topics are coded as I…

Percutaneous absorption of [3H]tretinoin and systemic exposure to mequinol after dermal application of 2% mequinol/0.01% [3H]tretinoin (Solagé) solution in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Everett, D W; Franz, T J; Chando, T J; Gale, P J; Lehman, P A; Schwarzel, E H; Parab, P V; D'Arienzo, C J; Kripalani, K J

1999-09-01

Solagé is a combination product composed of 2% mequinol (4-hydroxyanisole) and 0.01% tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) in an ethanolic solution, which is being studied for its safety and efficacy as a topical treatment for disorders of skin hyperpigmentation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of percutaneous absorption of [3H]tretinoin and to estimate the systemic exposure to mequinol from this combination product when topically applied to the backs of healthy subjects. Eight subjects received bid topical applications of nonradiolabelled 2% mequinol/0.01% tretinoin solution on a 400 cm2 area of the back for 14 days. The subjects then received a single topical application of 2% mequinol/0.01% [3H]tretinoin solution. After 12 h, the radiolabelled dose was removed and bid treatment with nonradiolabelled 2% mequinol/0.01% tretinoin solution was continued for 7 days. Plasma, urine and faecal samples were analysed for total radioactivity and plasma was analysed for both mequinol and tretinoin by GC/MS procedure. Mean percutaneous absorption of [3H]tretinoin based on the cumulative recoveries of radioactivity in the urine and faeces was about 4.5% (median 2.18%). Tretinoin concentrations in plasma did not increase above endogenous levels. This was consistent with the concentrations of radioactivity in plasma, which showed an average Cmax of 91 pg-eq/mL (median 26 ng/mL). Average Cmax and AUC(0-12 h) values for mequinol were 10 ng/mL and 33 ng h/mL, respectively. Based on the results of this study, systemic toxicity from topical application of tretinoin in this formulation is unlikely, because percutaneous absorption of tretinoin is minimal and because endogenous levels of tretinoin are not increased following bid dosing with this combination formulation. The safety of mequinol in this combination formulation is supported by the low systemic exposures of the subjects in this study compared with the systemic exposures at the highest doses in the dermal toxicity studies in mice (16.6-fold) and rats (34.6-fold).

Interest in biology. Part I: A multidimensional construct

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardner, Paul L.; Tamir, Pinchas

Interest in a school subject (e.g., biology) is conceptualized in terms of three components: topics, activities, and motives, each of which has several dimensions. In this study, seven instruments were developed and administered to grade-10 biology students in Israel. Factor analysis provided support for the conceptualization which underlies the development of the instruments. Topic dimensions included biochemical processes, nonhuman organisms, human biology, personal hygiene, and practical applications; the activity dimensions were experiential learning, reception learning, writing/summarizing and group discussion; motives included environmental issues, moral issues, examination success, personal independence, problem solving, and four career dimensions (research, high-status professions, lower-status careers, woodsy-birdsy careers). In an analysis described in Part II of this paper, the students were classified into four groups on the basis of their grade-11 subject enrollment intentions: H (high-level biology), L (low-level biology), P (physical science), and N (no science). Zero-order and multiple correlations were found between interest and other variables and membership/nonmembership of the four groups. Students in Group H were characterized by higher achievement in year-10 biology, higher levels of enjoyment of biology, career orientations towards research or high-status biology-based professions, greater interest in various biology topics, especially reproduction/cell division/genetics, and a greater tendency to regard the Bagrut (grade-12) examination as interesting. Students in Group N displayed lower levels of interest in various topics (especially the microscope, plants, and reproduction), were less motivated to solve problems, had poorer grades in biology (and chemistry), were less likely to perceive biology as useful, were less likely to regard the Bagrut examination as fair, and were less likely to be interested in social modes of learning. There were few associations between interest variables and membership in Groups L or P.

K-Means Subject Matter Expert Refined Topic Model Methodology

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

Refined Topic Model Methodology Topic Model Estimation via K-Means U.S. Army TRADOC Analysis Center-Monterey 700 Dyer Road...January 2017 K-means Subject Matter Expert Refined Topic Model Methodology Topic Model Estimation via K-Means Theodore T. Allen, Ph.D. Zhenhuan...Matter Expert Refined Topic Model Methodology Topic Model Estimation via K-means 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER W9124N-15-P-0022 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c

Internet Usage by Low-Literacy Adults Seeking Health Information: An Observational Analysis

PubMed Central

Birru, Mehret S; Monaco, Valerie M; Charles, Lonelyss; Drew, Hadiya; Njie, Valerie; Bierria, Timothy; Detlefsen, Ellen

2004-01-01

Background Adults with low literacy may encounter informational obstacles on the Internet when searching for health information, in part because most health Web sites require at least a high-school reading proficiency for optimal access. Objective The purpose of this study was to 1) determine how low-literacy adults independently access and evaluate health information on the Internet, 2) identify challenges and areas of proficiency in the Internet-searching skills of low-literacy adults. Methods Subjects (n=8) were enrolled in a reading assistance program at Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh, PA, and read at a 3rd to 8th grade level. Subjects conducted self-directed Internet searches for designated health topics while utilizing a think-aloud protocol. Subjects' keystrokes and comments were recorded using Camtasia Studio screen-capture software. The search terms used to find health information, the amount of time spent on each Web site, the number of Web sites accessed, the reading level of Web sites accessed, and the responses of subjects to questionnaires were assessed. Results Subjects collectively answered 8 out of 24 questions correctly. Seven out of 8 subjects selected "sponsored sites"-paid Web advertisements-over search engine-generated links when answering health questions. On average, subjects accessed health Web sites written at or above a 10th grade reading level. Standard methodologies used for measuring health literacy and for promoting subjects to verbalize responses to Web-site form and content had limited utility in this population. Conclusion This study demonstrates that Web health information requires a reading level that prohibits optimal access by some low-literacy adults. These results highlight the low-literacy adult population as a potential audience for Web health information, and indicate some areas of difficulty that these individuals face when using the Internet and health Web sites to find information on specific health topics. PMID:15471751

Did the Vikings Really Have Helmets with Horns? Sources and Narrative Content in Swedish Upper Primary School History Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stolare, Martin

2017-01-01

The topic of this article is history education in upper primary school. Traditionally, the history subject has had a narrative orientation at this school level in Sweden, but it is also pattern that is discernible internationally. The recent Swedish upper primary school syllabus places more emphasis on the procedural aspects of the subject. In…

The role of vitamin C in pushing back the boundaries of skin aging: an ultrasonographic approach

PubMed Central

Crisan, Diana; Roman, Iulia; Crisan, Maria; Scharffetter-Kochanek, Karin; Badea, Radu

2015-01-01

Background Imagistic methods stand as modern, non-invasive, and objective means of assessing the impact of topical cutaneous therapies. Objective This study focuses on the evaluation, by high-frequency ultrasound, of the cutaneous changes induced by topical use of a vitamin C complex at facial level. Methods A vitamin C-based solution/Placebo moisturizer cream was applied at facial level of 60 healthy female subjects according to a predetermined protocol. Ultrasonographic images (Dermascan C, 20 MHz) were taken from zygomatic level initially, at 40 and 60 days after therapy. The following parameters were assessed for every subject: thickness of the epidermis and dermis (mm), the number of low (LEP), medium (MEP), high echogenic pixels (HEP), and the number of LEP in the upper dermis/lower dermis (LEPs/LEPi). Results LEP decreased significantly in all age categories during and after therapy, but especially in the first 2 age intervals, up to the age of 50 (P=0.0001). MEP and HEP, pixel categories that quantify protein synthesis also had an age-dependent evolution in the study, increasing significantly in all age categories but most of all in the first age interval (P=0.002). Our ultrasonographic data suggest that collagen synthesis increased significantly after topical vitamin C therapy, and is responsible for the increase in MEP and HEP and consequent decrease of the LEP. Conclusion Our study shows that topically applied vitamin C is highly efficient as a rejuvenation therapy, inducing significant collagen synthesis in all age groups with minimal side effects. PMID:26366101

Sharing health information online in South Korea: motives, topics, and antecedents.

PubMed

Kye, S Y; Shim, M; Kim, Y C; Park, K

2017-10-11

This study aimed to examine the motives, topics and antecedents for sharing health information online among Korean Internet users. Eight hundred adults completed a web-based survey exploring the motives; topics; physical, cognitive, affective and environmental factors; and experiences relating to sharing health information online. The motives for not sharing information included information absence and inappropriateness. The most preferred topic was disease. Good subjective health was significantly associated with frequent information sharing while individuals with a history of disease involving themselves or family members were more likely to share health information than were those without such a history. Further, a higher level of depressed mood was related to a higher level of sharing. Internet-related self-efficacy and trust in information delivery channels were positively related to sharing. Future research could extend the factors related to information sharing to include the evaluation of shared information. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Using Asynchronous Online Discussion to Learn Introductory Programming: An Exploratory Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kay, Robin

2006-01-01

Previous research on online discussions has focused on university students learning higher level subjects. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether online discussions could be used effectively by secondary school students attempting to learn introductory level topics. Forty-­five male students, ranging in age from 13 to 15 years…

A Thousand Frames in Just a Few Words: Lingual Description of Videos through Latent Topics and Sparse Object Stitching (Open Access)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-03

the Stanford NLP Suite∗ to create an- notated dictionaries based on word morphologies ; the human descriptions provide the input. The predicted...keywords from the low level topic models are labeled through these dictionaries. For more than two POS for the same morphology , we prefer verbs, but other...redundancy particularly retaining subjects like “man,” “woman” etc. and verb morphologies (which otherwise stem to the same prefix) as proxies for ten

Teacher knowledge and discourse control: Quantitative evidence from novice biology teachers' classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlsen, William S.

This article describes the effects of science teacher subject-matter knowledge on classroom discourse at the level of individual utterances. It details one of three parallel analyses conducted in a year-long study of language in the classrooms of four new biology teachers. The conceptual framework of the study predicts that when teaching unfamiliar subject matter, teachers use a variety of discourse strategies to constrain student talk to a narrowly circumscribed topic domain. This article includes the results of an utterance-by-utterance analysis of teacher and student talk in a 30-lesson sample of science instruction. Data are broken down by classroom activity (e.g., lecture, laboratory, group work) for several measures, including mean duration of utterances, domination of the speaking floor by the teacher, frequency of teacher questioning, cognitive level of teacher questions, and student verbal participation. When teaching unfamiliar topics, the four teachers in this study tended to talk more often and for longer periods of time, ask questions frequently, and rely heavily on low cognitive level questions. The rate of student questions to the teacher varied with classroom activity. In common classroom communicative settings, student questions were less common when the teacher was teaching unfamiliar subject matter. The implications of these findings include a suggestion that teacher knowledge may be an important unconsidered variable in research on the cognitive level of questions and teacher wait-time.

Quantitative comparison of topical aluminum salt solution efficacy for management of sweating: a randomized, controlled trial.

PubMed

Swary, Jillian H; West, Dennis P; Kakar, Rohit; Ortiz, Sara; Schaeffer, Matthew R; Veledar, Emir; Alam, Murad

2015-12-01

There is a lack of studies objectively comparing the efficacy of topical antiperspirants in reducing sweat. To objectively and quantitatively compare the efficacy of two aluminum salt solutions for the reduction of induced sweating. A subject, rater, and statistician-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Nineteen subjects were exposed to a standardized heat challenge for 3 h. Topical agent A (20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate) was randomized to either axilla, and topical agent B (1% aluminum acetate) assigned to the contralateral side. A sauna suit induced sweating during three 30-min heat intervals: (1) with no study agents (pre); (2) with both study agents, one on each side; and (3) after the agents were washed off (post). Sweat levels were measured by securing Whatman(®) filter paper to each axilla and measuring the paper weight after each heat interval. The difference in paper weight following each heat interval between Study Agent A and Study Agent B was measured by a gravimetric scale. Topical agent A had a significantly greater effect at reducing axillary sweating than B (P = 0.0002). In a sweating simulation, 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate quantitatively and objectively appeared to reduce sweat more effectively than 1% aluminum acetate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mathematics Underground

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luther, Kenneth H.

2012-01-01

Mathematical modeling of groundwater flow is a topic at the intersection of mathematics and geohydrology and is rarely encountered in undergraduate mathematics. However, this subject is full of interesting and meaningful examples of truly "applied" mathematics accessible to undergraduates, from the pre-calculus to advanced mathematics levels. This…

Strategies Unlimited.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blaga, Jeff; And Others

Designed primarily for teachers of students in grades 7-12, the document presents over 60 social studies teaching strategies and lesson plans. Each lesson includes an overview, grade level information, suggested course/subject matter uses, objectives, suggested materials, student materials, and an instructional plan. Lesson topics fall into the…

A comparison of the efficacy of topical tretinoin and low-dose oral isotretinoin in rosacea.

PubMed

Ertl, G A; Levine, N; Kligman, A M

1994-03-01

Twenty-two patients with severe or recalcitrant rosacea were divided into three treatment groups in a randomized, double-blind trial that compared low-dose oral isotretinoin (10 mg/d), topically applied tretinoin (0.025% cream), and the combined use of both isotretinoin and tretinoin. For the first 16 weeks of the trial, subjects received one of these three trial regimens. For the final 16 weeks, isotretinoin was withheld while tretinoin cream or a placebo cream was continued. Twenty subjects completed the trial. Each treatment produced therapeutic benefits with regard to the number of papules and pustules and erythema. Treatment with oral isotretinoin appeared to give a more rapid onset of improvement, but there were no differences between the groups after 16 weeks. This level of improvement continued during the succeeding 16 weeks of observation whether the subjects used the tretinoin or the placebo cream. Adverse events were minimal and well tolerated in all groups. Low-dose oral isotretinoin and topical tretinoin cream therapy appear to be beneficial in the treatment of severe or recalcitrant rosacea. No additive benefit is noted with the combined use of these two modalities.

Lidocaine gel versus combined topical anesthesia using bupivacaine, oxybuprocaine and diclofenac eyedrops in cataract surgery.

PubMed

Thill, Michelle; Zeitz, Oliver; Richard, Ines; Richard, Gisbert

2005-01-01

To assess the safety and efficacy of two topical anesthesia regimes for cataract surgery. 21 patients received a combination of 4 times bupivacaine 0.5, oxybuprocaine and diclofenac eyedrops, 18 patients were given a single topical application of lidocaine gel 2%. A single intracameral injection of lidocaine 1% was administered to all subjects. The extent to which the surgeon was bothered by patient motility was graded as low in about two thirds of all procedures. Patients reported lower intraoperative pain levels with a single application of lidocaine gel supplemented with intracameral lidocaine than with a fourfold application of the combination topical anesthesia plus intracameral anesthesia. A single application of lidocaine gel 2% combined with intracameral anesthesia provides at least as good analgesia than multiple administration of combined topical anesthesia supplemented with intracameral anesthesia and is equally safe.

The Effect of Using Concept Maps on Student Achievement in Selected Topics in Chemistry at Tertiary Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Singh, Indra Sen; Moono, Karren

2015-01-01

The performance in chemistry at tertiary level in Zambia has not been as expected. It has therefore been a matter of concern. There has been a continuous focus on exploring new teaching strategies to improve the understanding of this difficult subject. This study investigated the effectiveness of composite use of concept maps and traditional…

The Collaborative Course: Innovative Teaching and Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anthes, Susan H.; Crowe, Lawson

1991-01-01

Describes and compares freshman/sophomore level courses offered collaboratively by a professor and a librarian at the University of Colorado, Boulder: "The Human Encounter with Alcohol" and "Bioethics." Considers course rationale, topics, and assignments; methods used to integrate subject matter with bibliographic research strategies; and…

Science Grades 3-4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New York City Board of Education, Brooklyn, NY. Bureau of Curriculum Development.

This handbook provides the elementary school teacher with specific suggestions regarding use of materials and organization of effective learning experiences in science at this level. The book contains three sections: An introduction emphasizes both science knowledge and process while the other two sections deal with subject matter topics for…

The Topic Analysis of Hospice Care Research Using Co-word Analysis and GHSOM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yu-Hsiang; Bhikshu, Huimin; Tsaih, Rua-Huan

The purpose of this study was to propose a multi-layer topic map analysis of palliative care research using co-word analysis of informetrics with Growing Hierarchical Self-Organizing Map (GHSOM). The topic map illustrated the delicate intertwining of subject areas and provided a more explicit illustration of the concepts within each subject area. We applied GHSOM, a text-mining Neural Networks tool, to obtain a hierarchical topic map. The result of the topic map may indicate that the subject area of health care science and service played an importance role in multidiscipline within the research related to palliative care.

Information Literacy in Biology Education: An Example from an Advanced Cell Biology Course

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

Information literacy skills are critically important for the undergraduate biology student. The ability to find, understand, evaluate, and use information, whether from the scientific literature or from Web resources, is essential for a good understanding of a topic and for the conduct of research. A project in which students receive information literacy instruction and then proceed to select, update, and write about a current research topic in an upper-level cell biology course is described. Students research the chosen topic using paper and electronic resources, generate a list of relevant articles, prepare abstracts based on papers read, and, finally, prepare a “state-of-the-art” paper on the topic. This approach, which extends over most of one semester, has resulted in a number of well-researched and well-written papers that incorporate some of the latest research in cell biology. The steps in this project have also led to students who are prepared to address future projects on new and complex topics. The project is part of an undergraduate course in cell biology, but parts of the assignments can be modified to fit a variety of subject areas and levels. PMID:16341261

A comparison of patient pain and visual outcome using topical anesthesia versus regional anesthesia during cataract surgery.

PubMed

Hosoda, Yoshikatsu; Kuriyama, Shoji; Jingami, Yoko; Hattori, Hidetsugu; Hayashi, Hisako; Matsumoto, Miho

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the level of patient pain during the phacoemulsification and implantation of foldable intraocular lenses while under topical, intracameral, or sub-Tenon lidocaine. This was a retrospective study. Three hundred and one eyes subjected to cataract surgery were included in this study. All eyes underwent phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation using topical, sub-Tenon, or intracameral anesthesia. The topical group received 4% lidocaine drops, and the intracameral group received a 0.1-0.2 cc infusion of 1% preservative-free lidocaine into the anterior chamber through the side port combined with topical drops of lidocaine. The sub-Tenon group received 2% lidocaine. Best-corrected visual acuity, corneal endothelial cell loss, and intraoperative pain level were evaluated. Pain level was assessed on a visual analog scale (range 0-2). There were no significant differences in visual outcome and corneal endothelial cell loss between the three groups. The mean pain score in the sub-Tenon group was significantly lower than that in the topical and intracameral groups (P=0.0009 and P=0.0055, respectively). In 250 eyes without high myopia (< -6D), there were no significant differences in mean pain score between the sub-Tenon and intracameral groups (P=0.1417). No additional anesthesia was required in all groups. Intracameral lidocaine provides sufficient pain suppressive effects in eyes without high myopia, while sub-Tenon anesthesia is better for cataract surgery in eyes with high myopia.

Handbook of Supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Athem Alsabti, Abdul

2015-08-01

Since the discovery of pulsars in 1967, few celestial phenomena have fascinated amateur and professional astronomers, and the public, more than supernovae - dying stars that explode spectacularly and, in so doing, may outshine a whole galaxy. Thousands of research papers, reviews, monographs and books have been published on this subject. These publications are often written either for a highly specific level of expertise or education, or with respect to a particular aspect of supernovae research. However, the study of supernovae is a very broad topic involving many integral yet connected aspects, including physics, mathematics, computation, history, theoretical studies and observation. More specifically, areas of study include historical supernovae, the different types and light curves, nucleosynthesis, explosion mechanisms, formation of black holes, neutron stars, cosmic rays, neutrinos and gravitational waves. Related questions include how supernovae remnants interact with interstellar matter nearby and how do these events affect the formation of new stars or planetary systems? Could they affect existing planetary systems? Closer to home, did any supernovae affect life on earth in the past or could they do so in the future? And on the larger scale, how did supernovae observations help measure the size and expansion of the universe? All these topics, and more, are to be covered in a new reference work, consisting of more than 100 articles and more than 1700 pages. It is intended to cover all the main facets of current supernovae research. It will be pitched at or above the level of a new postgraduate student, who will have successfully studied physics (or a similar scientific subject) to Bachelor degree level. It will be available in both print and electronic (updatable) formats, with the exception of the first section, which will consist of a review of all the topics of the handbook at a level that allows anyone with basic scientific knowledge to grasp the subject. This work is contracted with Springer to be published by end of 2016.

Grandparent-grandchild relationships: from families in contexts to families as contexts.

PubMed

Davey, Adam; Savla, Jyoti; Janke, Megan; Anderson, Shayne

2009-01-01

Relationships between grandparents and grandchildren provide an excellent framework for integrating family theory and family methodology. Systematic differences as a function of age, gender, life expectancy, and health as played out through generations suggest some topics are best studied by disentangling variability between and within families. Using data from 1,345 grandchildren (52% girls, mean age 13.69 years, range 9 to 20) reporting on 3,664 grandparents, we compare results obtained from studying grandparent-grandchild relationships individually and at the family level. Results suggest important predictors of relationship quality at the within-subject and between-subject levels. Future research should more carefully integrate each level into theory and design.

Development of a Nanomaterials One-Week Intersession Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walters, Keith A.; Bullen, Heather A.

2008-01-01

A novel one-week intersession lecture-lab hybrid course on nanomaterials is presented. The course provided a combination of background theory and hands-on laboratory experiments to educate students about nanomaterials and nanotechnology. The design of the course, subject matter, and laboratory experiments are discussed. Topics and level were…

Energy Conservation Activities for the Classroom K-12.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kentucky Dept. of Energy, Frankfort.

After a brief introduction entitled "Where Does the Energy We Use Come From," this unit presents 86 activities. Each activity gives the title, concept, objectives, subject area, level, time involved, materials needed, procedures, and related career activities. Topics cover everything from housing insulation to alternate sources of energy to energy…

Teaching Building Science with Simulations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hatherly, Amanda

2017-01-01

Teaching building science to community college students can be challenging given both the macro (houses change subject to varying seasons) and the micro (heat transfer, moisture movement) level of the topics taught. Simulations and games can provide a way of learning material that can otherwise be difficult for students to understand. In this…

Integrating Anthropology in Elementary Social Studies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zachlod, Michelle

2000-01-01

Discusses how anthropology can be integrated into the social studies classroom focusing on second and fifth grade levels. Demonstrates how different subject areas can be integrated with anthropology, such as history, geography, science, mathematics, and art. Covers topics such as foods, American Indian folklore, moonsticks, and myths and legends.…

Experiments with Helium-Filled Balloons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zable, Anthony C.

2010-01-01

The concepts of Newtonian mechanics, fluids, and ideal gas law physics are often treated as separate and isolated topics in the typical introductory college-level physics course, especially in the laboratory setting. To bridge these subjects, a simple experiment was developed that utilizes computer-based data acquisition sensors and a digital gram…

Ecology of Missouri Forests. Instructional Unit. Conservation Education Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Jim

This unit is designed to help science, social studies, vocational agriculture, and other teachers incorporate forest ecology concepts into their subject matter. The unit includes: (1) topic outline; (2) unit objectives; (3) background information on climate and soils, levels of a deciduous forest, age classes, food and energy relationships, forest…

Agreement with Subjects in Lubukusu

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diercks, Michael J. K.

2010-01-01

This dissertation examines three topics in the morphosyntax of Lubukusu (Bantu, Kenya), all of which are concerned with agreement with subjects: locative inversion, complementizer agreement, and alternative agreement effects in subject extraction. Each topic reports novel Lubukusu data which are both typologically interesting and theoretically…

A Single-Dose Crossover Pharmacokinetic Comparison Study of Oral, Rectal and Topical Quetiapine in Healthy Adults.

PubMed

Leung, Jonathan G; Nelson, Sarah; Cunningham, Julie L; Thompson, Virginia H; Bobo, William V; Kung, Simon; Dierkhising, Ross A; Plevak, Matthew F; Lapid, Maria I

2016-08-01

Quetiapine is an oral atypical antipsychotic drug commonly used to treat a large number of neuropsychiatric disorders and conditions. However, a substantial number of patients who may benefit from treatment with quetiapine are unable to ingest quetiapine or other medications by mouth and thus require alternative routes of administration. There are currently no studies evaluating non-oral compounded dosage forms of quetiapine. We conducted a single-dose open-label crossover pharmacokinetic study in 10 healthy adults to determine whether quetiapine compounded as a rectal suppository or a topical cream achieved absorption similar to that achieved by a commercially available oral formulation. Rectal quetiapine produced an area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC∞) approximately 90 % greater than that produced by an equal (milligram per milligram) dose of oral quetiapine (15,333 ng/mL versus 8118.8 ng/mL, p = 0.005). However, only two of ten subjects who received topical quetiapine had detectable serum levels. When detected, serum levels achieved with topical quetiapine were delayed and low in comparison with those produced by the oral and rectal dosage forms. Our results suggest that rectal, but not topical, quetiapine may be useful in clinical settings. Clinical outcome studies of rectal quetiapine are needed.

Discrete Mathematics and the Secondary Mathematics Curriculum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dossey, John

Discrete mathematics, the mathematics of decision making for finite settings, is a topic of great interest in mathematics education at all levels. Attention is being focused on resolving the diversity of opinion concerning the exact nature of the subject, what content the curriculum should contain, who should study that material, and how that…

Handbook of Games and Simulation Exercises.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gibbs, G. I., Ed.

Nearly 2,000 games and simulations are listed along with details of their content, suppliers, and audience. The games range in level from those designed to teach young children to read, to those intended for postgraduate study of political decision-making. The subject range is equally wide. Management topics convered include: industrial relations,…

Aerospace Curriculum Resource Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Packard, John W.; Haggett, Hiram R.

This resource guide is intended for teachers of all subjects at all grade levels. It is a compilation of space related information designed to parallel and reinforce the topics and concepts normally taught. Each of the nine chapters concerns the use of this information in a specific area of education such as language arts, fine arts, industrial…

An Elementary Model of the Earth's Magnetic Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watt, Jeanie I.; Roth, Bradley J.

2007-01-01

This article is intended as a guide for teaching geomagnetism in a high school or university introductory physics class. Many students find this subject fascinating. Instructors, however, often have a difficult time introducing this topic at an elementary level. Suggestions will be made on how to accomplish this using three electricity and…

Research-Based Unit and Lesson Planning: Maximizing Student Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pagliaro, Marie

2012-01-01

By integrating the best of current research and practice in curriculum planning this book presents that comprehensive topic in a manageable form. Examples throughout are representative of different grade levels and subjects areas. It should be understood at the outset that the content offered for curriculum planning is not a rigid prescriptive…

An Assessment of Educational Interests of Women over 60.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Jong, Shirley

Educational interests of women aged 60 and over were studied, and a correlation between the respondents' ages, educational levels, marital status, as well as the number and types of educational topics they chose was investigated. The subjects' preferences as to selected program design questions were also identified. One hundred current members of…

Youth Violence and the Language Arts: A Topic for the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carey-Webb, Allen

1995-01-01

Suggests that by reading relevant literature, examining films, essays, and music lyrics, and listening closely to students themselves, both teachers and students can come to better understand violence. Reviews specific works of literature and subject areas covered in a lower-level college literature course and a high school English class. Includes…

Do melanoidins induced by topical 9% dihydroxyacetone sunless tanning spray inhibit vitamin d production? A pilot study.

PubMed

Armas, Laura A G; Fusaro, Ramon M; Sayre, Robert M; Huerter, Christopher J; Heaney, Robert P

2009-01-01

We report here preliminary pilot study data of the effect of sunless tanning spray with 9% [Correction added after online publication (August 24th, 2009): The concentration of Dihydroxyacetone used in the study was 9% and not 3% as previously stated] dihydroxyacetone (DHA) on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum levels in subjects exposed to controlled amounts of UV-B radiation during April/May in Omaha, NE, 41 degrees N latitude. We found that DHA-induced melanoidins in skin act as a topical sunscreen attenuating the formation of 25(OH)D.

Increasing the understanding of chemical concepts: The effectiveness of multiple exposures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bius, Janet H.

Chemistry is difficult because it has multilevels of knowledge with each level presenting challenges in vocabulary, abstract thinking, and symbolic language. Students have to be able to transfer between levels to understand the concepts and the theoretical models of chemistry. The cognitive theories of constructivism and cognitive-load theory are used to explain the difficulties novice learners have with the subject of chemistry and methods to increase success for students. The relationship between external representations, misconceptions and topics on the success of students are addressed. If students do not know the formalisms associated with chemical diagrams and graphs, the representations will decrease student success. Misconceptions can be formed when new information is interpreted based on pre-existing knowledge that is faulty. Topics with large amount of interacting elements that must be processed simultaneously are considered difficult to understand. New variables were created to measure the number of times a student is exposed to a chemical concept. Each variable was coded according to topic and learning environment, which are the lecture and laboratory components of the course, homework assignments and textbook examples. The exposure variables are used to measure the success rate of students on similar exam questions. Question difficulty scales were adapted for this project from those found in the chemical education literature. The exposure variables were tested on each level of the difficulty scales to determine their effect at decreasing the cognitive demand of these questions. The subjects of this study were freshmen science majors at a large Midwest university. The effects of the difficulty scales and exposure variables were measured for those students whose exam scores were in the upper one-fourth percentile, for students whose test scores were in the middle one-half percentile, and the lower one-fourth percentile are those students that scored the lowest on the exam. The most difficult for all three percentiles were the topics of acid/base equilibria and aqueous equilibria. The exposure variables of recall and algorithmic homework increased student success for all percentiles. Students perform better on exam questions when they understand the terminology and symbolic representations of a topic.

Novel topical BoNTA (CosmeTox, toxin type A) cream used to treat hyperfunctional wrinkles of the face, mouth, and neck.

PubMed

Chajchir, I; Modi, P; Chajchir, A

2008-09-01

This study aimed to compare the effect of the stabilized novel topical botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNTA) cream (CosmeTox) and a placebo cream on subjects, to compare clinician-reported outcomes, and to assess the safety and utility of the novel topical BoNTA cream for treating the entire upper face, chin, and neck areas. This study randomized 40 female subjects to receive either topical BoNTA (CosmeTox) cream (2 U/ml) or an identical placebo cream (without BoNTA) on the face, chin, and neck areas. The subjects were followed for 12 weeks. The main outcome measures were the Facial Line Outcomes questionnaire scores and results from the Self-Perception of Age instrument, which assesses age of appearance relative to actual age. The BoNTA topical cream (CosmeTox) treatment produced significant improvements in the Facial Lines Outcome scores, which were maintained throughout the study period and lasted more than 3 months. The BoNTA topical cream treatment also reduced the age of appearance for a majority of subjects. The placebo had no effect on any measure. No serious adverse events occurred during the entire study period. Topical treatment with the stabilized BoNTA cream (CosmeTox) to the entire upper facial lines resulted in significantly improved facial features and age appearance, as measured by the subjects and clinicians. The BoNTA cream (CosmeTox) resulted in a significantly younger, more satisfying, relaxed appearance.

Simulations for Teaching Chemical Equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huddle, Penelope A.; White, Margaret Dawn; Rogers, Fiona

2000-07-01

This paper outlines a systematic approach to teaching chemical equilibrium using simulation experiments that address most known alternate conceptions in the topic. Graphs drawn using the data from the simulations are identical to those obtained using real experimental data for reactions that go to equilibrium. This allows easy mapping of the analogy to the target. The requirements for the simulations are simple and inexpensive, making them accessible to even the poorest schools. The simulations can be adapted for all levels, from pupils who are first encountering equilibrium through students in tertiary education to qualified teachers who have experienced difficulty in teaching the topic. The simulations were piloted on four very different audiences. Minor modifications were then made before the Equilibrium Games as reported in this paper were tested on three groups of subjects: a Grade 12 class, college students, and university Chemistry I students. Marked improvements in understanding of the concept were shown in two of the three sets of subjects.

Adult attachment interview, thematic analysis, and communicative style in families with substance use disorder.

PubMed

Anolli, Luigi; Balconi, Michela

2002-02-01

The paper examined the Adult Attachment Interview with special reference to thematic and semantic analysis in line with the discourse study (van Dijk, 1997). The hypothesis was that correspondence between the communicative organization of speech and the mental representations of the attachment experiences would be substantial. Eight Adult Attachment Interview transcripts of fathers with a heroin addicted young son were analyzed at two levels, (a) thematic analysis to individuate the topics of their talk applying the structural and semantic study of discourse and (b) enunciative analysis of speech to define their linguistic patterns utilizing a set of linguistic micro- and macro-units. Results showed nine main topics in the Adult Attachment Interview, each of which was characterized by a distinctive linguistic profile. In this perspective this device seems to be effective not only for discriminating attachment styles between subjects but also to identify differences within subjects belonging to the same attachment pattern.

IP Internal Movement and Topicalization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuo, Pei-Jung

2009-01-01

In this dissertation, I investigate the phenomenon of internal topicalization cross-linguistically, using Chinese as a starting point. Internal topicalization refers to constructions in which a topic phrase is placed between the subject and the verb (in contrast to external topicalization, which involves a topic in the CP domain). I argue that…

Assessing the readability of thirty-nine behavior-modification training manuals and primers

PubMed Central

Andrasik, Frank; Murphy, William D.

1977-01-01

Thirty-nine behavior-modification training manuals and primers, sampling various topical areas, were subjected to a readability analysis. Reading-ease scores were computed by the formula developed by Flesch. The texts sampled ranged from very difficult (appropriate for college graduates) to fairly easy (appropriate for readers at the seventh-grade level). PMID:16795559

Teaching the Physics of a String-Coupled Pendulum Oscillator: Not Just for Seniors Anymore

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cho, Young-Ki

2012-01-01

Coupled oscillators are an example of resonant energy exchange that is an interesting topic for many students in various majors, such as physics, chemistry, and electrical and mechanical engineering. However, this subject matter is considered too advanced for freshmen and sophomores, usually because of the level of mathematics involved.…

University Students' English Language Improvements through a Content-Based Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gómez Flórez, Erica; Jiménez Díaz, Jhon Jaime; Lopera, Sergio Alonso

2011-01-01

Content-Based Instruction (CBI) may result in improved proficiency in language skills due to the meaningful combination of subject matter and foreign language as a means of communication. This paper shows how university students improved their level of English by means of a content methodology as they attended a course called Topics in Molecular…

Diagnostic Appraisal of Grade 12 Students' Understanding of Reaction Kinetics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yan, Yaw Kai; Subramaniam, R.

2016-01-01

The study explored grade 12 students' understanding of reaction kinetics, a topic which has not been extensively explored in the chemistry education literature at this level. A 3-tier diagnostic instrument with 11 questions was developed--this format is of very recent origin and has been the subject of only a handful of studies. The findings…

Geographic Variation of District-Level Gender Achievement Gaps within the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reardon, Sean; Fahle, Erin; Kalogrides, Demetra; Podolsky, Anne; Zarate, Rosalia

2016-01-01

Gender achievement gaps on national and state assessments have been a popular research topic over the last few decades. Many prior studies examine these gaps in different subjects (e.g., mathematics, reading, and science) and grades (typically kindergarten through eighth grade) for students living in various regions (typically states or countries)…

Additive enhancement of wound healing in diabetic mice by low level light and topical CoQ10.

PubMed

Mao, Zhigang; Wu, Jeffrey H; Dong, Tingting; Wu, Mei X

2016-02-02

Diabetes, a highly prevalent disease that affects 9.3% of Americans, often leads to severe complications and slow wound healing. Preclinical studies have suggested that low level light therapy (LLLT) can accelerate wound healing in diabetic subjects, but significant improvements must be made to overcome the absence of persuasive evidence for its clinical use. We demonstrate here that LLLT can be combined with topical Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to heal wounds in diabetic mice significantly faster than LLLT alone, CoQ10 alone, or controls. LLLT followed by topical CoQ10 enhanced wound healing by 68~103% in diabetic mice in the first week and more than 24% in the second week compared with untreated controls. All wounds were fully healed in two weeks following the dual treatment, in contrast to only 50% wounds or a fewer being fully healed for single or sham treatment. The accelerated healing was corroborated by at least 50% higher hydroxyproline levels, and tripling cell proliferation rates in LLLT and CoQ10 treated wounds over controls. The beneficial effects on wound healing were probably attributed to additive enhancement of ATP production by LLLT and CoQ10 treatment. The combination of LLLT and topical CoQ10 is safe and convenient, and merits further clinical study.

Additive enhancement of wound healing in diabetic mice by low level light and topical CoQ10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Zhigang; Wu, Jeffrey H.; Dong, Tingting; Wu, Mei X.

2016-02-01

Diabetes, a highly prevalent disease that affects 9.3% of Americans, often leads to severe complications and slow wound healing. Preclinical studies have suggested that low level light therapy (LLLT) can accelerate wound healing in diabetic subjects, but significant improvements must be made to overcome the absence of persuasive evidence for its clinical use. We demonstrate here that LLLT can be combined with topical Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to heal wounds in diabetic mice significantly faster than LLLT alone, CoQ10 alone, or controls. LLLT followed by topical CoQ10 enhanced wound healing by 68~103% in diabetic mice in the first week and more than 24% in the second week compared with untreated controls. All wounds were fully healed in two weeks following the dual treatment, in contrast to only 50% wounds or a fewer being fully healed for single or sham treatment. The accelerated healing was corroborated by at least 50% higher hydroxyproline levels, and tripling cell proliferation rates in LLLT and CoQ10 treated wounds over controls. The beneficial effects on wound healing were probably attributed to additive enhancement of ATP production by LLLT and CoQ10 treatment. The combination of LLLT and topical CoQ10 is safe and convenient, and merits further clinical study.

Additive enhancement of wound healing in diabetic mice by low level light and topical CoQ10

PubMed Central

Mao, Zhigang; Wu, Jeffrey H.; Dong, Tingting; Wu, Mei X.

2016-01-01

Diabetes, a highly prevalent disease that affects 9.3% of Americans, often leads to severe complications and slow wound healing. Preclinical studies have suggested that low level light therapy (LLLT) can accelerate wound healing in diabetic subjects, but significant improvements must be made to overcome the absence of persuasive evidence for its clinical use. We demonstrate here that LLLT can be combined with topical Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to heal wounds in diabetic mice significantly faster than LLLT alone, CoQ10 alone, or controls. LLLT followed by topical CoQ10 enhanced wound healing by 68~103% in diabetic mice in the first week and more than 24% in the second week compared with untreated controls. All wounds were fully healed in two weeks following the dual treatment, in contrast to only 50% wounds or a fewer being fully healed for single or sham treatment. The accelerated healing was corroborated by at least 50% higher hydroxyproline levels, and tripling cell proliferation rates in LLLT and CoQ10 treated wounds over controls. The beneficial effects on wound healing were probably attributed to additive enhancement of ATP production by LLLT and CoQ10 treatment. The combination of LLLT and topical CoQ10 is safe and convenient, and merits further clinical study. PMID:26830658

Environmental Concerns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alma, Peter

1995-04-01

This series of A-level social biology topic books responds to the changing demands of social biology syllabuses, with each text dealing with a particular area of interest. Although the series is primarily intended for students of A-level social biology, the books will appeal to students studying a wide range of biological subjects at A-level. Environmental Concerns covers topics common to several A-level human and social biology syllabuses. It is particularly relevant to the human ecology and conservation options. The text focuses on the social and economic implications of current ecological issues as well as the basic biological concepts involved. It deals with the causes, effects and prevention of atmospheric and water pollution as well as with the disruption of ecosystems by changes in land use. The conflict of interests between conservation and exploitation is discussed, along with management techniques including the controversial method of culling to maintain diversity. The moral and aesthetic aspects of conservation and management are emphasised throughout, in addition to the scientific background of these techniques.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a topical sialogogue spray containing malic acid 1% in elderly people with xerostomia: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Gómez-Moreno, Gerardo; Cabrera-Ayala, Maribel; Aguilar-Salvatierra, Antonio; Guardia, Javier; Ramírez-Fernández, María Piedad; González-Jaranay, Maximino; Calvo-Guirado, José Luis

2014-12-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a topical sialogogue spray containing 1% malic acid for elderly people affected by xerostomia. This research took the form of a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Forty-one individuals (mean age: 78.7 years) with xerostomia were divided into two groups: for the first 'intervention group' (21 subjects) a topical sialogogue spray (1% malic acid) was applied, while for the second 'control group' (20 subjects), a placebo spray was applied; for both groups, the sprays were applied on demand during 2 weeks. The Xerostomia Inventory (XI) was used to evaluate xerostomia levels before and after product/placebo application. Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flows rates, before and after spray application, were measured. XI scores decreased significantly (clinically meaningful) from 36.4 ± 7.3 points to 29.1 ± 7.1 (p < 0.05) with an XI difference of 7.2 ± 6.1, after the combination among 1% malic acid with xylitol and fluoride application. After 2 weeks of 1% malic acid application, unstimulated and stimulated salivary flows rates increased significantly (p < 0.05). A topical sialogogue spray containing 1% malic acid improved xerostomia in an elderly population and increased unstimulated and stimulated salivary flows rates. © 2013 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Risk assessment of bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) exposure to topical antiparasitics used in livestock within an ecotoxicovigilance framework.

PubMed

Mateo, Rafael; Sánchez-Barbudo, Inés S; Camarero, Pablo R; Martínez, José M

2015-12-01

Between 2004 and 2013, 486 suspected scavenger poisoning cases, including 24 bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus), were investigated in the Pyrenees and surrounding areas in Spain as part of a monitoring programme regarding accidental and intentional poisoning of wildlife. Poisoning was confirmed in 36% of all analysed cases where scavenger species were found dead within the distribution range of bearded vultures. Organophosphates and carbamates were the most frequently detected poisons. Four of the bearded vulture cases were positive for the presence of topical antiparasitics (3 with diazinon and 1 with permethrin). These likely represented accidental exposure due to the legal use of these veterinary pharmaceuticals. In order to confirm the risk of exposure to topical antiparasitics in bearded vultures, pig feet (n=24) and lamb feet (n=24) were analysed as these are one of the main food resources provided to bearded vultures at supplementary feeding stations. Pig feet had no detectable residues of topical antiparasitics. In contrast, 71.4% of lamb feet showed residues of antiparasitics including diazinon (64.3%), pirimiphos-methyl (25.4%), chlorpyrifos (7.1%), fenthion (1.6%), permethrin (0.8%) and cypermethrin (27.8%). Washing the feet with water significantly reduced levels of these topical antiparasitics, as such, this should be a recommended practice for lamb feet supplied at feeding stations for bearded vultures. Although the detected levels of antiparasitics were relatively low (≤1 μg/g), a risk assessment suggests that observed diazinon levels may affect brain acetylcholinesterase and thermoregulation in bearded vultures subject to chronic exposure. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new topical formulation enhances relative diclofenac bioavailability in healthy male subjects

PubMed Central

Brunner, Martin; Davies, David; Martin, Wolfgang; Leuratti, Chiara; Lackner, Edith; Müller, Markus

2011-01-01

AIMS To evaluate the relative plasma and tissue availability of diclofenac after repeated topical administration of a novel diclofenac acid-based delivery system under development (DCF100C). METHODS This was a single-centre, open-label, three-period, crossover clinical trial of five discrete diclofenac formulations. Test preparations comprised two concentrations (1.0% and 2.5%) of DCF100C, with and without menthol and eucalyptus oil (total daily doses of 5 mg and 12.5 mg). Voltaren® Emulgel® gel (1.0%) was the commercially available comparator (total daily dose of 40 mg). Topical application was performed onto the thigh of 20 male healthy subjects for 3 days. Applying a Youden square design, each drug was evaluated in 12 subjects, with each subject receiving three test preparations. Blood sampling and in vivo microdialysis in subcutaneous adipose and skeletal muscle tissues were performed for 10 h after additional final doses on the morning of day 4. RESULTS All four DCF100C formulations demonstrated a three- to fivefold, dose-dependent increase in systemic diclofenac availability compared with Voltaren® Emulgel® and were approximately 30–40 times more effective at facilitating diclofenac penetration through the skin, taking different dose levels into account. Tissue concentrations were low and highly variable. The 2.5% DCF100C formulation without sensory excipients reached the highest tissue concentrations. AUC(0,10 h) was 2.71 times greater than for Voltaren® Emulgel® (90% CI 99.27, 737.46%). Mild erythema at the application site was the most frequent adverse event associated with DCF100C. There were no local symptoms after treatment with the reference formulation. CONCLUSION DCF100C formulations were safe and facilitated greater diclofenac penetration through the skin compared with the commercial comparator. DCF100C represents a promising alternative to oral and topical diclofenac treatments that warrants further development. PMID:21241352

Stimulating effect of aromatherapy massage with jasmine oil.

PubMed

Hongratanaworakit, Tapanee

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage with jasmine oil (Jasminum sambac L., Oleaceae) on humans. Human autonomic parameters, i.e. blood pressure, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, and skin temperature, were recorded as indicators of the arousal level of the autonomic nervous system. In addition, subjects had to rate their emotional condition in terms of relaxation, vigor, calmness, attentiveness, mood, and alertness in order to assess subjective behavioral arousal. Forty healthy volunteers participated in the experiments. Jasmine oil was applied topically to the skin of the abdomen of each subject. Compared with placebo, jasmine oil caused significant increases of breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which indicated an increase of autonomic arousal. At the emotional level, subjects in the jasmine oil group rated themselves as more alert, more vigorous and less relaxed than subjects in the control group. This finding suggests an increase of subjective behavioral arousal. In conclusion, our results demonstrated the stimulating/activating effect of jasmine oil and provide evidence for its use in aromatherapy for the relief of depression and uplifting mood in humans.

NASA Scope and Subject Category Guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2011-01-01

This guide provides a simple, effective tool to assist aerospace information analysts and database builders in the high-level subject classification of technical materials. Each of the 76 subject categories comprising the classification scheme is presented with a description of category scope, a listing of subtopics, cross references, and an indication of particular areas of NASA interest. The guide also includes an index of nearly 3,000 specific research topics cross referenced to the subject categories. The portable document format (PDF) version of the guide contains links in the index from each input subject to its corresponding categories. In addition to subject classification, the guide can serve as an aid to searching databases that use the classification scheme, and is also an excellent selection guide for those involved in the acquisition of aerospace literature. The CD-ROM contains both HTML and PDF versions.

Topical delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and aqueous dynamics in glaucoma.

PubMed

Merritt, J C; Perry, D D; Russell, D N; Jones, B F

1981-01-01

Systemic delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), administered either by smoking marihuana or as synthetic THC in soft gelatin capsules, lowers ocular tension in various glaucomas, but at the expense of significant decreases in systolic blood pressure. Topical THC in light mineral oil vehicles, though effective in laboratory animals, was not shown effective in 0.05 and 0.1% topical solutions when administered to six subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma in a randomized, balanced, double-masked protocol. Light mineral oil, which has an affinity for corneal epithelium, is an optimum vehicle for administering drugs whose mechanisms of action are systemic rather than local within the eye. Further glaucoma research should therefore proceed with marihuanas containing insignificant levels of THC (less than 0.4%) and with various local delivery systems of the ocular-active cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa.

Dental Continuing Education Preference Survey

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-06-01

Subjects Clinical Dentistry Dx/Tx TMJ Problems Equilibration Discolored Teeth Facial Pain Health/Nutrition Orofacial Infect. Endo. Failures Perio-Endo...Diagnosis/Treatment of Orofacial Infections. Of these six subjects, Medical Emergencies was ranked as a topic most needed by slightly over 36% of the...Treatment of TMJ Problems, and Diagnosis/Treatment of Orofacial Infections among the top six topics. A "high need" for Oral Surgery topics was perceived by

Minoxidil dose response study in female pattern hair loss patients determined to be non-responders to 5% topical minoxidil.

PubMed

McCoy, J; Goren, A; Kovacevic, M; Shapiro, J

2016-01-01

Topical minoxidil is the only US FDA approved drug for the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). 5% minoxidil foam is only effective at re-growing hair in a minority of women (approximately 40%). Thus, the majority of FPHL patients remain untreated. Previously, we demonstrated that nonresponders to 5% minoxidil have low metabolism of minoxidil in hair follicles. As such, we hypothesized that increasing the dosage of topical minoxidil to low metabolizers would increase the number of responders without increasing the incidence of adverse events. In this study, we recruited FPHL subjects that were identified as non-responders to 5% topical minoxidil utilizing the previously validated assay for minoxidil response. Subjects were treated for 12 weeks with a novel 15% topical minoxidil solution. At 12 weeks, 60% of subjects achieved a clinically significant response based on target area hair counts (>13.7% from baseline), as well as significant improvement in global photographic assessment. None of the subjects experienced significant hemodynamic changes or any other adverse events. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the potentially beneficial effect of a higher dosage of minoxidil in FPHL subjects who fail to respond to 5% minoxidil.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of imiquimod 5% cream in the treatment of actinic keratoses of the face, scalp, or hands and arms.

PubMed

Harrison, Lester I; Skinner, Shari L; Marbury, Thomas C; Owens, Mary L; Kurup, Sarala; McKane, Scott; Greene, Robert J

2004-06-01

The safety and efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream is being evaluated for the treatment of dysplastic lesions of the epidermis (actinic keratoses, AK). The objective of this clinical study was to describe the pharmacokinetics and safety of topical imiquimod during multiple dosing of AK subjects. A total of 58 adult subjects with 5 to 20 AK lesions at the treatment site applied imiquimod cream three times per week for up to 16 weeks as follows: 12 males and 11 females applied 12.5 mg imiquimod to the face; 11 males applied 25 mg to the entire balding area of the scalp; and 12 males and 12 females applied 75 mg to both hands and forearms. Pharmacokinetics and safety were assessed after the first and last doses, as well as biweekly. Imiquimod and its metabolites were measured in the serum and urine using sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods. Less than 0.6% of the applied doses was recovered in the urine of all subjects. Serum imiquimod levels were low, reflecting minimal dermal absorption, and increased with dose, although not proportionally. Peak levels at the end of dosing were 0.1, 0.2, and 1.6 ng/ml for the face, scalp, and hands/arms groups, respectively. A two- to fourfold accumulation was seen at the end of dosing. Local application site reactions were the most common adverse event, reported by approximately 50% of the subjects in each treatment group. The small number of systemic adverse events, including 'flu-like symptoms, were mostly mild and did not show a dose response. Thus, minimal systemic absorption and good safety margins for topical imiquimod were seen in AK subjects with doses as high as 75 mg three times per week for 16 weeks.

Topical hyperbaric oxygen and electrical stimulation: exploring potential synergy.

PubMed

Edsberg, Laura E; Brogan, Michael S; Jaynes, C David; Fries, Kristin

2002-11-01

Treatment of chronic wounds involves interventions ranging from dressings to surgery. Modalities gaining popularity in clinical settings include topical hyperbaric oxygen and electrical stimulation. A prospective, uncontrolled study was conducted to obtain preliminary observations and data about the effects of topical hyperbaric oxygen therapy and topical hyperbaric oxygen used with electrical stimulation on the healing of chronic wounds. All subjects were geriatric residents of long-term care facilities with Stage III or Stage IV pressure ulcers. Topical hyperbaric oxygen was applied daily to the wounds of eight subjects; three also received electrical stimulation. Initial wound size ranged from 87.75 cm2 to 7.04 cm2 with an average size of 30.1 +/- 28.5 (mean +/- sd) cm2. Healing times ranged from 8 to 49 weeks. After 4 weeks of treatment with topical hyperbaric oxygen, wound size decreased an average of 34.4% +/- 22.9%. Incidentally, the wounds of five of the eight subjects decreased more than 20%, for an average of 51.8% +/- 17.9%. No significant differences in healing were observed between patients receiving topical hyperbaric oxygen alone and those receiving topical hyperbaric oxygen/electrical stimulation. Preliminary data indicate that topical hyperbaric oxygen facilitates wound healing and full closure for pressure ulcers in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study is currently under way.

"Students Enjoyed and Talked about the Classes in the Corridors": Pedagogical Framework Promoting Interest in Algebra

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prendergast, Mark; O'Donoghue, John

2014-01-01

Research suggests that there are two major reasons for the low numbers taking Higher Level mathematics in Ireland: namely, ineffective teaching and a subsequent lack of student interest in the subject. Traditional styles of teaching make it difficult for students to take an interest in a confusing topic in which they can see no immediate…

Impacts of an Inquiry Teaching Method on Earth Science Students' Learning Outcomes and Attitudes at the Secondary School Level.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mao, Song-Ling; Chang, Chun-Yen

This paper summarizes two companion studies that were designed to investigate the impacts of an inquiry teaching method on Earth science students' achievement and attitudes towards Earth science in secondary schools. Subjects were 557 students (9th grade) enrolled in 14 Earth science classes. Two Earth science units, including topics of astronomy…

Drawings and Ideas of Physics Teacher Candidates Relating to the Superposition Principle on a Continuous Rope

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sengoren, Serap Kaya; Tanel, Rabia; Kavcar, Nevzat

2006-01-01

The superposition principle is used to explain many phenomena in physics. Incomplete knowledge about this topic at a basic level leads to physics students having problems in the future. As long as prospective physics teachers have difficulties in the subject, it is inevitable that high school students will have the same difficulties. The aim of…

Differential Patterns of Information Acquisition from the Mass Media: The Effects of Interest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Genova, B.K.L.

The purpose of this study was to compare subjects' degree of interest with educational level to determine the better predictor of knowledge acquired from the mass media. Interest in and knowledge about two topics (impeachment and the National Football League strike) were determined from a 1974 survey of 253 adults. Knowledge was measured in terms…

Effects of topical brinzolamide on infantile nystagmus syndrome waveforms: eyedrops for nystagmus.

PubMed

Dell'osso, Louis F; Hertle, Richard W; Leigh, R John; Jacobs, Jonathan B; King, Susan; Yaniglos, Stacia

2011-09-01

Recent advances in infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) surgery have uncovered the therapeutic importance of proprioception. In this report, we test the hypothesis that the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) brinzolamide (Azopt) has beneficial effects on measures of nystagmus foveation quality in a subject with INS. Eye movement data were taken, using a high-speed digital video recording system, before and after 3 days of the application of topical brinzolamide 3 times daily in each eye. Nystagmus waveforms were analyzed by applying the eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) at different gaze angles and determining the longest foveation domain (LFD) and compared to previously published data from the same subject after the use of a systemic CAI, contact lenses, and convergence and to other subjects before and after eye muscle surgery for INS. Topical brinzolamide improved foveation by both a 51.9% increase in the peak value of the NAFX function (from 0.395 to 0.600) and a 50% broadening of the NAFX vs Gaze Angle curve (the LFD increased from 20° to 30°). The improvements in NAFX after topical brinzolamide were equivalent to systemic acetazolamide or eye muscle surgery and were intermediate between those of soft contact lenses or convergence. Topical brinzolamide and contact lenses had equivalent LFD improvements and were less effective than convergence. In this subject with INS, topical brinzolamide resulted in improved-foveation INS waveforms over a broadened range of gaze angles. Its therapeutic effects were equivalent to systemic CAI. Although a prospective clinical trial is needed to prove efficacy or effectiveness in other subjects, an eyedrops-based therapy for INS may emerge as a viable addition to optical, surgical, behavioral, and systemic drug therapies.

How Discourses of Biology Textbooks Work to Constitute Subjectivity: From the Ethical to the Colonial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bazzul, Jesse

This thesis examines how discourses of biology textbooks can work to constitute various kinds of subjectivities. Using a Foucauldian archaeological approach to discourse analysis I examine how four Ontario secondary school biology textbooks discursively delimit what can be thought and acted upon, and in the process work to partially constitute students/teachers as sex/gendered; neocolonial; neoliberal (and a subject of work), and ethical subjects and subjectivities. This thesis engages the topic of how discourse can constitute subjectivity in science in three basic ways: First, on a theoretical level, in terms of working out an understanding of subject constitution/interpellation that would also be useful when engaging with other sociopolitical and ethical questions in science education. Secondly, in terms of an empirically based critical discourse analysis that examines how various statements within these four textbooks could set limits on what is possible for students to think and act upon in relation to themselves, science, and the world. Thirdly, this thesis represents a narrative of scholarly development that moves from an engagement of my personal experiences in science education and current science education literature towards the general politico-philosophical topic of subjectivity and biopolitics. This thesis begins with a discussion of my experiences as a science teacher, a review of relevant science education literature, and considerations of subjectivity that relate specifically ii to the specific methodological approach I employ when examining these textbooks. After this I present five chapters, each of which can be thought of as a somewhat separate analysis concerning how the discourses of these textbooks can work to constitute specific subjectivities (each involving different theoretical/methodological considerations). I conclude with a reflection/synthesis chapter and a call to see science education as a site for biopolitical struggle.

Calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris on the body: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial.

PubMed

Menter, Alan; Gold, Linda Stein; Bukhalo, Michael; Grekin, Steven; Kempers, Steven; Boyce, Brent M; Ganslandt, Cecilia; Villumsen, John; Lebwohl, Mark

2013-01-01

A combination topical suspension/gel containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate has been developed as a safe and effective treatment for patients with psoriasis vulgaris of the scalp. This same preparation has the potential to be a convenient, effective, and cosmetically appealing formulation for psoriasis on the body. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of a topical suspension containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate compared with its constituent components and topical suspension vehicle in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis on the trunk and limbs. This was a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 4-arm trial in 1,152 subjects. The co-primary efficacy end points were the proportion of subjects achieving controlled disease based on the Investigators' Global Assessment of disease severity at weeks 4 and 8. Adverse events, vital signs, and clinical laboratory measurements were also assessed. At week 4, a greater proportion of subjects in the calcipotriene plus betamethasone group achieved controlled disease compared with subjects in the calcipotriene-only and vehicle-only treatment groups. At week 8, a statistically significantly (P<.01) greater proportion of subjects in the calcipotriene plus betamethasone group achieved controlled disease compared with subjects in the 3 other treatment groups. Adverse events and other safety assessments were similar between the groups. The topical suspension containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate traditionally used for scalp psoriasis is also a safe and effective once-daily treatment for psoriasis vulgaris on the body.

Treatment of Palmar Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE) with Topical Sildenafil: A Pilot Study

PubMed Central

Meadows, Kellen L.; Rushing, Christel; Honeycutt, Wanda; Latta, Kenneth; Howard, Leigh; Arrowood, Christy A.; Niedzwiecki, Donna; Hurwitz, Herbert I.

2016-01-01

Purpose Palmar-plantar erythrodysethesia (PPE) is a common chemotherapy and anti-VEGF multi-kinase inhibitor class-related toxicity that often results in debilitating skin changes and often limits the use of active anti-cancer regimens. Mechanistic and anecdotal clinical evidence suggested that topical application of sildenafil cream may help reduce the severity of PPE. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of topical sildenafil cream for the treatment of PPE. Methods Eligible subjects were required to have grade 1–3 PPE associated with either capecitabine or sunitinib. Subjects were randomized to receive 1% topical sildenafil cream to the left extremities or right extremities and placebo cream on the opposite extremity. 0.5 mL of cream was applied to each affected hand/foot two times per day. The primary endpoint was improvement in PPE grading at any point on study. Clinical assessments were evaluated by NCI-CTC 4.0 grading and patient self-reported pain. Results Ten subjects were enrolled; 9 were evaluable for safety and efficacy. Five of nine subjects reported some improvement in foot pain and 3 of 8 subjects for hand pain improvement. One of these subjects noted specific improvement in tactile function. No treatment-related toxicities were observed. Conclusions In this limited, single center study, topical cream containing 1% sildenafil is feasible to administer, is well-tolerated, and may mitigate PPE-related symptoms due to anti-cancer therapeutic agents. Further validation is necessary. PMID:25341548

[Subjective Level of Information and Information Needs of Patients with an Approved Rehabilitation Application and Patients at the End of Rehabilitation Results of a Written Survey].

PubMed

Walther, Anna Lena; Schreiber, Dora; Falk, Johannes; Deck, Ruth

2017-08-01

Aim The aim of the study was to identify the subjective level of information and information needs of patients with an approved rehabilitation application and patients at the end of rehabilitation with regard to preferred subjects and kind of information transfer. Method Written survey with N=283 patients with approved rehabilitation application and N=388 patients at the end of rehabilitation. Results Both groups reported high information needs particularly regarding treatments during rehabilitation, rehabilitation aftercare and rehabilitation aims. A conversation with their physician, a brochure and a website are the preferred information pathways. Conclusion Taking into account the topics for which both groups require information and the preference regarding the kind of information transfer can make a valuable contribution for the development of needs-oriented information material. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

No-anesthesia clear corneal phacoemulsification versus topical and topical plus intracameral anesthesia. Randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Pandey, S K; Werner, L; Apple, D J; Agarwal, A; Agarwal, A; Agarwal, S

2001-10-01

To compare the intraoperative pain scores during clear corneal phacoemulsification under no anesthesia, topical anesthesia, and topical plus intracameral anesthesia. Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital and Eye Research Center, Chennai, India. Seventy-five patients were randomized to have phacoemulsification under no anesthesia, topical anesthesia, or topical plus intracameral anesthesia. Uncooperative or illiterate patients and those with hard cataract, a shallow anterior chamber, or small pupils were excluded. A protocol was established for supplemental anesthesia in case of breakthrough pain during the surgery. Each patient was asked to grade the overall severity of intraoperative pain immediately after surgery on a 10-point visual analog scale. Also evaluated were the general discomfort during surgery, discomfort from the microscope lights, surgeon stress during surgery, and total surgical time. Comparison among the 3 groups was performed using an analysis of variance. No supplemental anesthesia was required in any group. No significant difference was noted in the mean scores of the subjective sensation of pain with or without topical anesthesia (P =.610). The mean scores of patient discomfort from the microscope lights and surgical time were also statistically insignificant. Patient discomfort and surgeon stress during surgery were significantly greater in the no-anesthesia group than in the topical and topical plus intracameral groups (P =.0235 and P = 0.0206, respectively). No-anesthesia clear corneal phacoemulsification was performed by a highly experienced, skilled surgeon without causing an unacceptable level of pain. However, this technique is not suitable for every cataract surgeon or patient.

A psychophysiological evaluation of the perceived urgency of auditory warning signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burt, J. L.; Bartolome, D. S.; Burdette, D. W.; Comstock, J. R. Jr

1995-01-01

One significant concern that pilots have about cockpit auditory warnings is that the signals presently used lack a sense of priority. The relationship between auditory warning sound parameters and perceived urgency is, therefore, an important topic of enquiry in aviation psychology. The present investigation examined the relationship among subjective assessments of urgency, reaction time, and brainwave activity with three auditory warning signals. Subjects performed a tracking task involving automated and manual conditions, and were presented with auditory warnings having various levels of perceived and situational urgency. Subjective assessments revealed that subjects were able to rank warnings on an urgency scale, but rankings were altered after warnings were mapped to a situational urgency scale. Reaction times differed between automated and manual tracking task conditions, and physiological data showed attentional differences in response to perceived and situational warning urgency levels. This study shows that the use of physiological measures sensitive to attention and arousal, in conjunction with behavioural and subjective measures, may lead to the design of auditory warnings that produce a sense of urgency in an operator that matches the urgency of the situation.

The relationship between fear and pain levels during needle procedures in children from the parents' perspective.

PubMed

Hedén, L; von Essen, L; Ljungman, G

2016-02-01

The primary objective was to determine the levels of and potential relationships between procedure-related fear and pain in children. Secondary objectives were to determine if there are associations between the child's age and sex, diagnostic group, time since diagnosis, time since last needle insertion, cortisol levels and the parent's fear level in relation to fear and pain. The child's level of pain and fear was reported by parents on 0-100 mm visual analogue scales (VAS). One hundred and fifty-one children were included consecutively when undergoing routine needle insertion into a subcutaneously implanted intravenous port. All children were subjected to one needle insertion following topical anaesthesia (EMLA) application. The effect of the child's age and sex, diagnostic group, time since diagnosis, time since last needle insertion, cortisol change levels and the parent's fear level, on fear and pain levels was investigated with multiple regression analysis. The needle-related fear level (VAS mean 28 mm) was higher than the needle-related pain level (VAS mean 17 mm) when topical anaesthesia is used according to parents' reports (n = 151, p < 0.001). With fear as the dependent variable, age and pain were significantly associated and explained 33% of the variance, and with pain as the dependent variable, fear, parents' fear and change in cortisol level were significantly associated and explained 38% of the variance. According to parents, children experienced more fear than pain during needle insertion when topical anaesthesia is used. Therefore, in addition to pain management, an extended focus on fear-reducing interventions is suggested for needle procedures. © 2015 European Pain Federation - EFIC®

Topics in landing gear dynamics research at NASA Langley

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccomb, H. G., Jr.; Tanner, J. A.

1986-01-01

Four topics in landing gear dynamics are discussed. Three of these topics are subjects of recent research: tilt steering phenomenon, water spray ingestion on flooded runways, and actively controlled landing gear. The fourth topic is a description of a major facility recently enhanced in capability.

Clinical Comparison: Fast-Acting and Traditional Topical Dental Anesthetic

PubMed Central

DiMarco, Arthur C.; Wetmore, Ann O'Kelley

2016-01-01

A randomized, nonblinded clinical trial compared the effectiveness of an application method of a fast-acting refrigerant topical agent to a 20% benzocaine gel topical. In a split-mouth design, right and left anterior middle superior alveolar injections (N = 30) were administered with a 27-gauge needle at least 24 hours apart with preinjection topicals. Using a cotton-tipped applicator, a refrigerant topical was applied for 5 seconds and 20% benzocaine gel for 2 minutes on opposite sides at 2 separate appointments. Subjects self-reported pain perception after each injection using a visual analog scale (VAS). The mean VAS ratings demonstrated no significant difference between the 5-second application of the refrigerant (M = 16.2, SD = 17.7) and the 2-minute application of 20% benzocaine topical gel anesthetic (M = 17.9, SD = 18.2). Fifty-seven percent of the subjects reported greater pain reduction with the refrigerant, 33% reported greater pain reduction with 20% benzocaine, and 10% reported no difference. Results suggest the described method of application of a refrigerant as an oral topical anesthetic has a faster onset and provides similar benefit in pain reduction compared with 20% benzocaine gel. The refrigerant was easy to accomplish and well received by subjects, indicating potential for routine use in dentistry. PMID:27269661

Clinical Comparison: Fast-Acting and Traditional Topical Dental Anesthetic.

PubMed

DiMarco, Arthur C; Wetmore, Ann O'Kelley

2016-01-01

A randomized, nonblinded clinical trial compared the effectiveness of an application method of a fast-acting refrigerant topical agent to a 20% benzocaine gel topical. In a split-mouth design, right and left anterior middle superior alveolar injections (N = 30) were administered with a 27-gauge needle at least 24 hours apart with preinjection topicals. Using a cotton-tipped applicator, a refrigerant topical was applied for 5 seconds and 20% benzocaine gel for 2 minutes on opposite sides at 2 separate appointments. Subjects self-reported pain perception after each injection using a visual analog scale (VAS). The mean VAS ratings demonstrated no significant difference between the 5-second application of the refrigerant (M = 16.2, SD = 17.7) and the 2-minute application of 20% benzocaine topical gel anesthetic (M = 17.9, SD = 18.2). Fifty-seven percent of the subjects reported greater pain reduction with the refrigerant, 33% reported greater pain reduction with 20% benzocaine, and 10% reported no difference. Results suggest the described method of application of a refrigerant as an oral topical anesthetic has a faster onset and provides similar benefit in pain reduction compared with 20% benzocaine gel. The refrigerant was easy to accomplish and well received by subjects, indicating potential for routine use in dentistry.

Triglycerides Revisited to the Serial.

PubMed

Viecili, Paulo Ricardo Nazário; da Silva, Brenda; Hirsch, Gabriela E; Porto, Fernando G; Parisi, Mariana M; Castanho, Alison R; Wender, Michele; Klafke, Jonatas Z

This review discusses the role of triglycerides (TGs) in the normal cardiovascular system as well as in the development and clinical manifestation of cardiovascular diseases. Regulation of TGs at the enzymatic and genetic level, in addition to their possible relevance as preclinical and clinical biomarkers, is discussed, culminating with a description of available and emerging treatments. Due to the high complexity of the subject and the vast amount of material in the literature, the objective of this review was not to exhaust the subject, but rather to compile the information to facilitate and improve the understanding of those interested in this topic. The main publications on the topic were sought out, especially those from the last 5 years. The data in the literature still give reason to believe that there is room for doubt regarding the use of TG as disease biomarkers; however, there is increasing evidence for the role of hypertriglyceridemia on the atherosclerotic inflammatory process, cardiovascular outcomes, and mortality. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Secure Computer System: Unified Exposition and Multics Interpretation

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

prearranged code to semaphore critical information to an undercleared subject/process. Neither of these topics is directly addressed by the mathematical...FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS. RULES OF OPERATION FOR A SECURE MULTICS Kernel primitives for a secure Multics will be derived from a higher level user...the Multics architecture as little as possible; this will account to a large extent for radical differences in form between actual kernel primitives

Knowledge and Interaction in On-Line Discussions in Spanish by Advanced Language Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCabe, Anne

2017-01-01

This article provides results of analysis of data collected from online Spanish-medium subject courses taught in Spanish by the same teacher to students whose first language is English. The students are at a high-intermediate to advanced level (B2-C1), and are enrolled at an American university in Madrid in courses centring on topics of Spanish…

A Nutrition Education Bibliography for Teachers of All Subjects and Grade Levels. Revised Edition, 1978. Developed through an ESEA Title IVC Project in Nutrition Education for Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, Kingston, PA.

This bibliography lists a library collection of educational resources on topics in nutrition which are available to elementary and secondary teachers who need information and instructional aids to help them implement nutrition education into the existing curriculum. Two hundred seven entries of nutrition education resources comprise this…

Expertise in Mathematics Instruction: Subject Matter Knowledge.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leinhardt, Gaea; Smith, Donald

The relationship between expert teachers' classroom behavior and their subject matter knowledge is an area of research that has not been examined extensively. To begin that study, one topic, fraction knowledge, was explored in depth as it occurred in natural teaching settings. Fractions are one of the more difficult topics in elementary…

Dentinal hypersensitivity following scaling and root planing: comparison of low-level laser and topical fluoride treatment.

PubMed

Pesevska, Snezana; Nakova, Marija; Ivanovski, Kiro; Angelov, Nikola; Kesic, Ljiljana; Obradovic, Radmila; Mindova, Sonja; Nares, Salvador

2010-09-01

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of low-level laser irradiation to traditional topical fluoride treatment for treatment choices of dentinal hypersensitivity following scaling and root planing. The experimental group (15 patients) was treated with low-energy-level diode laser at each site of dentinal hypersensitivity following scaling and root planning. The control group (15 patients) received topical fluoride treatment (protective varnish for desensitization). All the patients were treated at baseline visit, and then at day 2 and 4 after the initial treatment; the pain was subjectively assessed by the patients as strong, medium, medium low, low, or no pain. Total absence of the dental hypersensitivity was reported in 26.66% of the examined group even after the second visit, compared to the control group where complete resolution of the hypersensitivity was not present after the second visit in any of the treated cases. Complete absence of pain was achieved in 86.6% of patients treated with laser and only in 26.6% in the fluoride treated group, after the third visit. Based on our findings, we conclude that low-energy biostimulative laser treatment can be successfully used for treatment of dental hypersensitivity following scaling and root planing.

The clinical effect of JetpPeel-assisted topical minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A randomized pilot study.

PubMed

Gong, Lin; Bao, Linlin; Tian, Tian; Li, Yuanhong

2018-02-01

We used JetPeel, combined with topical minoxidil to treat patients with AGA, in order to observe whether the JetPeel can accelerate the recovery of the disease and find a new method for AGA treatment. Thirty patients who met the standard were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group was treated with JetPeel-assisted topical minoxidil. The second group received topical minoxidil monotherapy. The third group was not given any treatment. We used objective evaluation (amount and diameter of hair, oil secretion level) and subjective evaluation (hair growth score marked by dermatologist and patient) to evaluate the hair growth condition before treatment and every other month. The calculated p values of less than 0.05 were accepted as significant. All of the 30 patients finished the study. There was no difference in age, sex, and duration and severity of the disease among groups prior to treatment (p > 0.05). And there was greater improvement in scores of hair growth in the first group compared to the second and third group, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Compared with topical minoxidil monotherapy, JetPeel-assisted topical minoxidil is more effective during the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Xerostomia and Salivary Gland Hypofunction in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus Before and After Treatment with Topical Corticosteroids.

PubMed

Al-Janaby, Hala; El-Sakka, Haytham; Masood, Manal; Ashani W Mendis, Walimuni; M Slack-Smith, Linda; Parsons, Richard; M Frydrych, Agnieszka

2017-01-01

Oral lichen planus and mouth dryness are common pathoses, yet not entirely understood. These two conditions may be associated, with a few studies investigating the relationship between mouth dryness and oral lichen planus providing conflicting results. None of the studies have explored the specific impact of disease treatment on mouth dryness. The purpose of this observational before and after comparison study was to examine the effect of treatment of oral lichen planus with topical corticosteroids on mouth dryness. Nineteen subjects with oral lichen planus were evaluated for the severity of xerostomia using a xerostomia inventory and a visual analogue scale. Stimulated and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates, unstimulated salivary pH and buffering capacity were also measured. All subjects were evaluated before and after treatment with topical corticosteroids. All subjects reported xerostomia before treatment with topical corticosteroids, with 79% reporting a significant improvement ( P = 0.03) after treatment. Topical corticosteroid treatment was not associated with statistically significant differences in stimulated or unstimulated salivary flow rates, unstimulated salivary pH or buffering capacity. The results of this study suggest that treatment of oral lichen planus with topical corticosteroids may decrease the severity of dry mouth symptoms.

Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Face Study Evaluating Fractional Ablative Erbium:YAG Laser-Mediated Trans-Epidermal Delivery of Cosmetic Actives and a Novel Acoustic Pressure Wave Ultrasound Technology for the Treatment of Skin Aging, Melasma, and Acne Scars.

PubMed

Alexiades, Macrene

2015-11-01

Fractional laser resurfacing enhances trans-epidermal delivery (TED), however laser penetration depths >250- μm fail to substantively increase drug delivery. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel acoustic pressure wave ultrasound device following fractional ablative Er:YAG 2940-nm laser (FELR) and topical agents for rhytids, melasma, and acne scars. Randomized, blinded, parallel group split-face side-by-side, controlled study evaluating FELR and topical anti-aging and anti-pigment agents to entire face succeeded by ultrasound to randomized side. Fifteen subjects were enrolled to three treatment arms:rhytids, melasma, and acne scars. Two monthly treatments were administered with 1, 3, and 6 month follow-up. Efficacy was assessed by Comprehensive Grading Scale of Rhytids, Laxity, and Photoaging by Investigator and two blinded physician evaluators. Subject assessments, digital photographs, and reflectance spectroscopic analyses were obtained. Rhytid severity was reduced from a mean of 3.25 to 2.60 on the 4-point grading scale. Spectrophotometric analysis demonstrated increases in lightness (L*) and reductions in redness (a*) and pigment (b*), with greater improvements on the ultrasound side as compared to FELR and topicals alone. Moderate erythema post-treatment resolved in 7 days and no serious adverse events were observed. In this randomized, paired split-face clinical study, FELR-facilitated TED of topical anti-aging actives with ultrasound treatment is safe and effective with improvement in rhytids, melasma, and acne scars. Statistically significant greater improvement in pigment levels was observed on the ultrasound side as compared to FELR-TED and topical agents alone.

Consumer Health. Bibliographies on Educational Topics No. 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ERIC Clearinghouse on Teacher Education, Washington, DC.

This document is the fifth in the series, BIBLIOGRAPHIES ON EDUCATIONAL TOPICS (BETS), providing topical searches of ERIC literature in the scope areas of teacher education and health education, physical education, and recreation education. Here, the subject of consumer health is treated bibliographically. Included are topics dealing with the wise…

Curriculum coherence: A comparative analysis of elementary science content standards in People's Republic of China and the USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Fang

This study examines elementary science content standards curriculum coherence between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America. Three aspects of curriculum coherence are examined in this study: topic inclusion, topic duration, and curriculum structure. Specifically this study centers on the following research questions: (1) What science knowledge is intended for elementary students in each country? (2) How long each topic stays in the curriculum? (3) How these topics sequence and connect with each other? (4) And finally, what is the implication for elementary science curriculum development? Four intended science curriculum frameworks were selected respectively for each country. A technique of General Topic Trace Mapping (GTTM) was applied to generate the composite science content standards out of the selected curriculum for each country. In comparison, the composite USA and Chinese elementary science content standards form a stark contrast: a bunch of broad topics vs. a focus on a set of key topics at each grade; an average of 3.4 year topic duration vs. an average of 1.68 year topic duration; a stress on connections among related ideas vs. a discrete disposition of related ideas; laundry list topic organization vs. hierarchical organization of science topics. In analyzing the interrelationships among these characteristics, this study reached implications for developing coherent science content standards: First, for the overall curriculum, the topic inclusion should reflect the logical and sequential nature of knowledge in science. Second, for each grade level, less, rather than more science topics should be focused. Third, however, it should be clarified that a balance should be made between curriculum breadth and depth by considering student needs, subject matter, and child development. Fourth, the topic duration should not be too long. The lengthy topic duration tends to undermine links among ideas as well as lead to superficial treatment of topics.

Diquafosol Tetrasodium Increases the Concentration of Mucin-like Substances in Tears of Healthy Human Subjects.

PubMed

Shigeyasu, Chika; Hirano, Shinichiro; Akune, Yoko; Yamada, Masakazu

2015-09-01

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of topical application of diquafosol tetrasodium on proteins and mucin-like substances from tears of clinically healthy subjects. Tears were collected from both the eyes of 10 healthy volunteers. Diquafosol tetrasodium solution (3%) was applied once to the right eye and 0.9% sodium chloride solution (saline) once to the left eye. Tear samples were collected by Schirmer test strips before application and 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after application. Sialic acid, a marker of mucin-like substances, and major tear proteins including secretory IgA, lactoferrin, lipocalin-1, and lysozyme were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Levels of total protein, sIgA and lysozyme were transiently decreased in both groups but returned to baseline levels within 15 min after application. The concentration of lactoferrin and lipocalin-1 did not change significantly in both groups. Sialic acid in tears was significantly decreased 5 min after saline application, but significantly increased 5 min after diquafosol application. No significant difference in sialic acid was seen after 15 min in both groups. Topical application of saline and diquafosol resulted in transient decrease of tear proteins possibly due to wash out or dilution effects. In contrast, diquafosol application significantly increased sialic acid, although the effect was transient. This suggests diquafosol stimulates the secretion of mucins from ocular tissues of healthy human subjects.

Naftifine Hydrochloride Gel 2%: An Effective Topical Treatment for Moccasin-Type Tinea Pedis.

PubMed

Stein Gold, Linda F; Vlahovic, Tracey; Verma, Amit; Olayinka, Babajide; Fleischer, Alan B

2015-10-01

Naftifine hydrochloride (naftifine) is a topical antifungal of the allylamine class, displaying fungicidal and fungistatic activity. Naftifine is generally used to treat interdigital tinea pedis; however, systemic therapy is often prescribed by healthcare providers for moccasin tinea pedis. Well-controlled clinical data on topical antifungal therapy for moccasin tinea pedis is limited. The objective of this analysis is to present data from two pooled randomized, vehicle-controlled studies that evaluated efficacy of once daily topical naftifine gel 2% and vehicle at end of treatment (week 2) and at 4 weeks post-treatment in subjects with moccasin tinea pedis. At visit 1, subjects were randomized to naftifine gel 2% or vehicle groups and subjects underwent baseline mycology culture, KOH, and symptom (erythema, scaling, and pruritus) severity grading. Naftifine gel 2% and vehicle treatment were applied once daily for 2 weeks and the subjects returned at weeks 2 and 6 for efficacy evaluation (mycology culture and grading of symptom severity). A total of 1174 subjects were enrolled with interdigital tinea pedis with or without moccasin infection. Of these subjects, 674 subjects had interdigital presentation while 500 subjects had moccasin infection in addition to the interdigital presentation. All 1174 subjects with interdigital presentation satisfied the inclusion criteria of a minimum of moderate erythema and scaling, and mild pruritus. Of the 500 subjects who had moccasin presentation, 380 satisfied the same inclusion criteria as mentioned above. Since data was analyzed as observed cases, between 337 and 349 subjects had data available for analysis of efficacy. Mycologic cure is defined as a negative dermatophyte culture and KOH, treatment effectiveness is defined as mycologic cure and symptom severity scores of 0 or 1, and complete cure is defined as mycologic cure and symptoms severity scores of 0. At week 6, the cure rates in the naftifine arm vs. the vehicle were statistically higher (P < 0.0001) for mycological cure rate (65.8% vs. 7.8%), treatment effectiveness (51.4% vs 4.4%), and complete cure rate (19.2% vs 0.9%). Two weeks application of topical naftifine gel 2% is an effective monotherapy treatment for moccasin tinea pedis.

Patients' preferences for different corticosteroid vehicles are highly variable.

PubMed

Felix, Kayla; Unrue, Emily; Inyang, Meyene; Cardwell, Leah A; Oussedik, Elias; Richardson, Irma; Feldman, Steven R

2018-05-17

Topical corticosteroids, available in an array of vehicles are used to control a variety of inflammatory skin diseases. Patients' preferences for different vehicles may affect their willingness to use treatment. We assess corticosteroid vehicle preference and potential impact of topical characteristics on adherence and quality of life in patients with psoriasis. Subjects with psoriasis were recruited from Wake Forest University Dermatology Clinic. Subjects sampled desoximetasone 0.25% spray, betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream, triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment, fluocinonide 0.05% gel, betamethasone valerate 0.1% lotion, clobetasol propionate 0.05% foam, and fluocinonide 0.05% solution in a predetermined randomized order. Subjects completed a Vehicle Preference Measure, Determinants of Adherence Measure and a Determinants of Quality of Life Measure. Patients preferences for the various products were highly variable. Regarding determinants of adherence, patients' perception of absorption of the medication was ranked as 'quite important/extremely important' by 85% of total subjects. A majority of patients rated medication side effects as 'quite important/extremely important' when asked to consider topical characteristics' effect on quality of life. There was wide variation in patient preference for topical medication vehicles used for treating psoriasis. Several vehicle characteristics were considered important to adherence. Given the marked variation in vehicle preference, topical treatment should be individualized according to patients' preferences.

Additional Degree Required? Advanced Subject Knowledge and Academic Librarianship

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ferguson, Jennifer

2016-01-01

Since the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) first published its terminal degree statement in 1975, the topic of librarians and advanced subject degrees has been controversial, and research on the topic has remained limited. Based on data gathered from two major online job sites as well as library and information science programs…

How Can We Enhance Girls' Interest in Scientific Topics?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kerger, Sylvie; Martin, Romain; Brunner, Martin

2011-01-01

Background: Girls are considerably less interested in scientific subjects than boys. One reason may be that scientific subjects are considered to be genuinely masculine. Thus, being interested in science may threaten the self-perception of girls as well as the femininity of their self-image. Aims: If scientific topics that are considered to be…

Do Students Who Get Low Grades Only in Research Methods Need the Same Help as Students Who Get Low Grades in All Topics in Psychology?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barry, John A.

2012-01-01

Some psychology students achieve high grades in all classes except for research methods (RM). Previous research has usually treated low levels of achievement in RM as a unitary phenomenon, without reference to the grades the student is achieving in other subjects. The present internet survey explored preferences for learning RM in 140 psychology…

Teachers' Guide for Aviation Education. For Use in Grades Two through Six. Communication Arts, Science, Social Studies, Health, Career Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Federal Aviation Administration (DOT), Washington, DC.

Provided in this guide is an array of supplementary activities centered around the topic of aviation. Although the activities are designed for students in grades 2 to 6, teachers are encouraged to adapt them to other grade levels or to the individual abilities of students. The activities are presented in five parts by subject area and within these…

Facilitating Navigation Through Large Archives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelton, Robert O.; Smith, Stephanie L.; Troung, Dat; Hodgson, Terry R.

2005-01-01

Automated Visual Access (AVA) is a computer program that effectively makes a large collection of information visible in a manner that enables a user to quickly and efficiently locate information resources, with minimal need for conventional keyword searches and perusal of complex hierarchical directory systems. AVA includes three key components: (1) a taxonomy that comprises a collection of words and phrases, clustered according to meaning, that are used to classify information resources; (2) a statistical indexing and scoring engine; and (3) a component that generates a graphical user interface that uses the scoring data to generate a visual map of resources and topics. The top level of an AVA display is a pictorial representation of an information archive. The user enters the depicted archive by either clicking on a depiction of subject area cluster, selecting a topic from a list, or entering a query into a text box. The resulting display enables the user to view candidate information entities at various levels of detail. Resources are grouped spatially by topic with greatest generality at the top layer and increasing detail with depth. The user can zoom in or out of specific sites or into greater or lesser content detail.

Pharmacokinetics of EMLA cream 5% application to oral mucosa.

PubMed Central

Vickers, E. R.; Marzbani, N.; Gerzina, T. M.; McLean, C.; Punnia-Moorthy, A.; Mather, L.

1997-01-01

Plasma concentrations of lidocaine and prilocaine were measured following the application of a 5% eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) topical anesthetic cream to the oral mucosa of twelve subjects. For each subject, a total of 8 g of EMLA was occluded to 18 cm2 of buccal mucosa for 30 min. Analysis was carried out by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and results showed peak concentrations at 40 min for lidocaine and prilocaine. The maximum concentration measured in any subject was 418 ng/ml for lidocaine and 223 ng/ml for prilocaine, well below known toxic levels. No adverse local effects were observed from a 30-min application of EMLA. A follow-up pilot study assessing the clinical efficacy of EMLA for achieving sufficient analgesia for restorative procedures showed that the cream was successful in 75% of subjects tested. PMID:9481979

Analysis of individual risk belief structures

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

Tonn, B.E.; Travis, C.B.; Arrowood, L.

An interactive computer program developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is presented as a methodology to model individualized belief structures. The logic and general strategy of the model is presented for two risk topics: AIDs and toxic waste. Subjects identified desirable and undesirable consequences for each topic and formulated an associative rule linking topic and consequence in either a causal or correlational framework. Likelihood estimates, generated by subjects in several formats (probability, odds statements, etc.), constituted one outcome measure. Additionally, source of belief (personal experience, news media, etc.) and perceived personal and societal impact are reviewed. Briefly, subjects believe thatmore » AIDs causes significant emotional problems, and to a lesser degree, physical health problems whereas toxic waste causes significant environmental problems.« less

Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK) in Redox and Electrochemistry of Experienced Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Brien, Stephanie

2017-01-01

Topic specific pedagogical content knowledge (TSPCK) is the basis by which knowledge of subject matter of a particular topic is conveyed to students. This includes students' prior knowledge, curricular saliency, what makes a topic easy or difficult to teach, representations, and teaching strategies. The goal of this study is to assess the…

Assessing the Scope and Feasibility of First-Year Students' Research Paper Topics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rinto, Erin; Bowles-Terry, Melissa; Santos, Ariel J.

2016-01-01

This study applied a content analysis methodology in two ways to evaluate first-year students' research topics: a rubric to examine proposed topics in terms of scope, development, and the "researchability" of the topic, as well as textual analysis, using ATLAS.ti, to provide an overview of the types of subjects students select for a…

Subject-level differences in reported locations of cutaneous tactile and nociceptive stimuli

PubMed Central

Steenbergen, Peter; Buitenweg, Jan R.; Trojan, Jörg; Klaassen, Bart; Veltink, Peter H.

2012-01-01

Recent theoretical advances on the topic of body representations have raised the question whether spatial perception of touch and nociception involve the same representations. Various authors have established that subjective localizations of touch and nociception are displaced in a systematic manner. The relation between veridical stimulus locations and localizations can be described in the form of a perceptual map; these maps differ between subjects. Recently, evidence was found for a common set of body representations to underlie spatial perception of touch and slow and fast pain, which receive information from modality specific primary representations. There are neurophysiological clues that the various cutaneous senses may not share the same primary representation. If this is the case, then differences in primary representations between touch and nociception may cause subject-dependent differences in perceptual maps of these modalities. We studied localization of tactile and nociceptive sensations on the forearm using electrocutaneous stimulation. The perceptual maps of these modalities differed at the group level. When assessed for individual subjects, the differences localization varied in nature between subjects. The agreement of perceptual maps of the two modalities was moderate. These findings are consistent with a common internal body representation underlying spatial perception of touch and nociception. The subject level differences suggest that in addition to these representations other aspects, possibly differences in primary representation and/or the influence of stimulus parameters, lead to differences in perceptual maps in individuals. PMID:23226126

Topic model-based mass spectrometric data analysis in cancer biomarker discovery studies.

PubMed

Wang, Minkun; Tsai, Tsung-Heng; Di Poto, Cristina; Ferrarini, Alessia; Yu, Guoqiang; Ressom, Habtom W

2016-08-18

A fundamental challenge in quantitation of biomolecules for cancer biomarker discovery is owing to the heterogeneous nature of human biospecimens. Although this issue has been a subject of discussion in cancer genomic studies, it has not yet been rigorously investigated in mass spectrometry based proteomic and metabolomic studies. Purification of mass spectometric data is highly desired prior to subsequent analysis, e.g., quantitative comparison of the abundance of biomolecules in biological samples. We investigated topic models to computationally analyze mass spectrometric data considering both integrated peak intensities and scan-level features, i.e., extracted ion chromatograms (EICs). Probabilistic generative models enable flexible representation in data structure and infer sample-specific pure resources. Scan-level modeling helps alleviate information loss during data preprocessing. We evaluated the capability of the proposed models in capturing mixture proportions of contaminants and cancer profiles on LC-MS based serum proteomic and GC-MS based tissue metabolomic datasets acquired from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis as well as synthetic data we generated based on the serum proteomic data. The results we obtained by analysis of the synthetic data demonstrated that both intensity-level and scan-level purification models can accurately infer the mixture proportions and the underlying true cancerous sources with small average error ratios (<7 %) between estimation and ground truth. By applying the topic model-based purification to mass spectrometric data, we found more proteins and metabolites with significant changes between HCC cases and cirrhotic controls. Candidate biomarkers selected after purification yielded biologically meaningful pathway analysis results and improved disease discrimination power in terms of the area under ROC curve compared to the results found prior to purification. We investigated topic model-based inference methods to computationally address the heterogeneity issue in samples analyzed by LC/GC-MS. We observed that incorporation of scan-level features have the potential to lead to more accurate purification results by alleviating the loss in information as a result of integrating peaks. We believe cancer biomarker discovery studies that use mass spectrometric analysis of human biospecimens can greatly benefit from topic model-based purification of the data prior to statistical and pathway analyses.

Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults.

PubMed

Grove, Rachel; Hoekstra, Rosa A; Wierda, Marlies; Begeer, Sander

2018-05-01

Special interests form part of the core features of autism. However, to date there has been limited research focusing on the role of special interests in the lives of autistic adults. This study surveyed autistic adults on their special interest topics, intensity, and motivation. It also assessed the relationship between special interests and a range of quality of life measures including subjective wellbeing and domain specific life satisfaction. About two thirds of the sample reported having a special interest, with relatively more males reporting a special interest than females. Special interest topics included computers, autism, music, nature and gardening. Most autistic adults engaged in more than one special interest, highlighting that these interests may not be as narrow as previously described. There were no differences in subjective wellbeing between autistic adults with and without special interests. However, for autistic adults who did have special interests, motivation for engaging in special interests was associated with increased subjective wellbeing. This indicates that motivation may play an important role in our understanding of special interests in autism. Special interests had a positive impact on autistic adults and were associated with higher subjective wellbeing and satisfaction across specific life domains including social contact and leisure. However, a very high intensity of engagement with special interests was negatively related to wellbeing. Combined, these findings have important implications for the role of special interests in the lives of autistic adults. Autism Res 2018, 11: 766-775. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Autistic adults reported having special interests in a range of topics, including computers, music, autism, nature and gardening. Special interests were associated with a number of positive outcomes for autistic adults. They were also related to subjective wellbeing and satisfaction across specific life domains including social contact and leisure. Very high intensity of engagement with special interests was related to lower levels of wellbeing. This highlights the important role that special interests play in the lives of autistic adults. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Two Practicing Adjuncts'' Perspective on Flight Mechanics Education

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Field, E. J.; Schroeder, J. A.; Rutkowski, Michael (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

In this paper, the authors provide their personal view of how flight mechanics is taught at universities. Their viewpoint is taken from a government and industry research and development bias, but it is tempered by their experience at teaching the subject at both an undergraduate and graduate level. First, the organizations' respective needs and their expectations of graduating students am presented both in general and with specific examples From this disposition, the question "is there a problem or not in present teaching methods or subject coverage?" is then considered. A review of previous positions on the topic is also covered. The paper concludes with suggested improvements based on the authors' experience.

Radiative Transfer in Stellar Atmospheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutten, Robert J.

2003-05-01

The main topic treated in these graduate course notes is the classical theory of radiative transfer for explaining stellar spectra. It needs relatively much attention to be mastered. Radiative transfer in gaseous media that are neither optically thin nor fully opaque and scatter to boot is a key part of astrophysics but not a transparent subject. These course notes represent a middle road between Mihalas' "Stellar Atmospheres" (graduate level and up) and the books by Novotny and Boehm-Vitense (undergraduate level). They are at about the level of Gray's "The observation and analysis of stellar photospheres" but emphasize NLTE radiative transfer rather than observational techniques and data interpretation.

Managing Formaldehyde indoor pollution in anatomy pathology departments.

PubMed

d'Ettorre, Gabriele; Criscuolo, Mario; Mazzotta, Mauro

2017-01-01

Nearly eleven years have passed since the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified Formaldehyde (FA) as a known human carcinogen (group 1), yet the safety of anatomy pathology workers who are currently exposed to FA is still a matter of concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the literature to discover which topics have been focused on and what the latest developments are in managing FA indoor pollution in anatomy pathology departments. which topics have been focused on and what the latest developments in managing FA indoor pollution in anatomy pathology departments. For the purpose of this review, we searched for publications in PubMed and Web of Science using selected keywords. The articles were reviewed and categorized into one or more of the following three categories based on subject matter: exposure levels exposure controls and alternatives. Our search resulted in a total of 31 publications that matched our inclusion criteria. The topics discussed, in order of frequency (from highest to lowest), were: "exposure controls", "exposure levels" and "alternatives". The most frequently suggested intervention was to improve local exhaust ventilation systems to minimize FA levels in gross anatomy laboratories. We found a lack of evidence-based improvement interventions that aimed to control exposure to FA. According to this finding, and pending a valid chemical substitute for FA, we suggest the need for more in-depth studies targeting measures to minimize exposures to FA in pathology departments.

Perspectives in Fluid Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Batchelor, G. K.; Moffatt, H. K.; Worster, M. G.

2002-12-01

With applications ranging from modelling the environment to automotive design and physiology to astrophysics, conventional textbooks cannot hope to give students much information on what topics in fluid dynamics are currently being researched, or how to choose between them. This book rectifies matters. It consists of eleven chapters that introduce and review different branches of the subject for graduate-level courses, or for specialists seeking introductions to other areas. Hb ISBN (2001): 0-521-78061-6

La Capacitacion de Docentes Como Prioridad de los Sistemas Educativos de America Latino y al Caribe (In-Service Teacher Training as a Priority of Latin American and Caribbean Educational Systems).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Valle, Victor M.

Whenever top-level officials in Latin American and Caribbean educational systems are approached, the topic of inservice teacher training is presented as a major priority. This paper outlines some ideas about the subject of inservice teacher training as a priority of educational systems in Latin American and Caribbean countries. The most frequent…

Predicting Reports of a Personal Event. Technical Report No. 387.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tenney, Yvette J.

Focusing on how people select topics to mention when reporting on a personal event, a study investigated the hypotheses that people would be more likely to mention topics (1) of high prior concern than topics of low concern and (2) with an unusually good or bad outcome than topics with an ordinary outcome. Subjects, 12 couples expecting babies,…

Modeling Reality - How Computers Mirror Life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bialynicki-Birula, Iwo; Bialynicka-Birula, Iwona

2005-01-01

The bookModeling Reality covers a wide range of fascinating subjects, accessible to anyone who wants to learn about the use of computer modeling to solve a diverse range of problems, but who does not possess a specialized training in mathematics or computer science. The material presented is pitched at the level of high-school graduates, even though it covers some advanced topics (cellular automata, Shannon's measure of information, deterministic chaos, fractals, game theory, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and Turing machines). These advanced topics are explained in terms of well known simple concepts: Cellular automata - Game of Life, Shannon's formula - Game of twenty questions, Game theory - Television quiz, etc. The book is unique in explaining in a straightforward, yet complete, fashion many important ideas, related to various models of reality and their applications. Twenty-five programs, written especially for this book, are provided on an accompanying CD. They greatly enhance its pedagogical value and make learning of even the more complex topics an enjoyable pleasure.

Topic Prominence in Chinese EFL Learners' Interlanguage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Shaopeng; Yang, Lianrui

2014-01-01

The present study aims to investigate the general characteristics of topicprominent typological interlanguage development of Chinese learners of English in terms of acquiring subject-prominent English structures from a discourse perspective. Topic structures mainly appear in Chinese discourse in the form of topic chains (Wang, 2002; 2004). The…

Topical 0.25% desoximetasone spray efficacy for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Saleem, Mohammed D; Negus, Deborah; Feldman, Steven R

2018-02-01

Traditionally, ointments were the vehicle of choice for psoriasis. Poor adherence of traditional vehicles limits the use of topical corticosteroids. Alternative formulations have gained popularity due to their ease of application, improved adherence and efficacy. To evaluate the efficacy of topical desoximetasone 0.25% spray formulation in extensive psoriasis. This multicenter, double-blinded, randomized trial compared twice daily topical 0.25% desoximetasone spray to placebo in subjects ≥18 with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Primary outcome of the study was the proportion of subjects in each group that achieved clinical success (Physician Global Assessment [PGA] of 0 or 1) and/or treatment success at (target lesion score of 0 or 1) day 28. One-hundred-and-twenty subjects were enrolled. At baseline, 75.0% and 73.3% of the treatment and placebo group had at least moderate PGA, respectively. Clinical success in the intended-to treat and placebo group was 30% and 5% (p = .0003), respectively; treatment success was 39% and 7% (p < .0001), respectively. The lack of standardized outcomes for topical psoriasis treatments limits the ability to compare the results to other treatments. Topical desoximetasone spray provides rapid control of moderate to severe psoriasis lesions and may be considered for patients awaiting approval of biologicals. Clinical Trial was registered at clinicaltrial.gov: NCT01206387.

Hand preferences in captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus).

PubMed

O'malley, Robert C; McGrew, W C

2006-07-01

The strength of the evidence for population-level handedness in the great apes is a topic of considerable debate, yet there have been few studies of handedness in orangutans. We conducted a study of manual lateralization in a captive group of eight orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) ranking the degrees of manual preference according to a defined framework. We analyzed five behavioral patterns: eat (one- and two-handed), make/modify tool, oral tool-use, and manual tool-use. Although some individuals showed significant manual preferences for one or more tasks, at the group-level both one-handed and two-handed eating, oral tool-use, and make/modify tool were ranked at level 1 (unlateralized). Manual tool-use was ranked at level 2, with four subjects demonstrating significant hand preferences, but no group-level bias to the right or left. Four subjects also showed hand specialization to the right or left across several tasks. These results are consistent with most previous studies of manual preference in orangutans. The emergence of manual lateralization in orangutans may relate to more complex manipulative tasks. We hypothesize that more challenging manual tasks elicit stronger hand preferences.

A Thousand Topics for Composition: Revised.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Illinois English Bulletin, 1971

1971-01-01

For use by junior and senior high school English teachers and students in search of appropriate subjects for written compositions, this publication contains 1,237 topics compiled from a questionnaire sent to about 250 teachers. The topics are divided into categories: personal reminiscences, personal reactions, the familiar essay, description,…

DOE Research and Development Accomplishments Frequently Asked Questions

Science.gov Websites

Accomplishments contain? What is the date range of the content? What is an accomplishment? What are the topics in Featured Scientists/Topics pick list, which is at the top of the page. What is the date range of the are the topics in DOE R&D Accomplishments? Topics are wide-ranging and include subjects such as

An investigation comparing traditional recitation instruction to computer tutorials which combine three-dimensional animation with varying levels of visual complexity, including digital video in teaching various chemistry topics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graves, A. Palmer

This study examines the effect of increasing the visual complexity used in computer assisted instruction in general chemistry. Traditional recitation instruction was used as a control for the experiment. One tutorial presented a chemistry topic using 3-D animation showing molecular activity and symbolic representation of the macroscopic view of a chemical phenomenon. A second tutorial presented the same topic but simultaneously presented students with a digital video movie showing the phenomena and 3-D animation showing the molecular view of the phenomena. This experimental set-up was used in two different experiments during the first semester of college level general chemistry course. The topics covered were the molecular effect of heating water through the solid-liquid phase change and the kinetic molecular theory used in explaining pressure changes. The subjects used in the experiment were 236 college students enrolled in a freshman chemistry course at a large university. The data indicated that the simultaneous presentation of digital video, showing the solid to liquid phase change of water, with a molecular animation, showing the molecular behavior during the phase change, had a significant effect on student particulate understanding when compared to traditional recitation. Although the effect of the KMT tutorial was not statistically significant, there was a positive effect on student particulate understanding. The use of computer tutorial also had a significant effect on student attitude toward their comprehension of the lesson.

Topical azithromycin and oral doxycycline therapy of meibomian gland dysfunction: a comparative clinical and spectroscopic pilot study.

PubMed

Foulks, Gary N; Borchman, Douglas; Yappert, Marta; Kakar, Shelley

2013-01-01

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common clinical problem that is often associated with evaporative dry eye disease. Alterations of the lipids of the meibomian glands have been identified in several studies of MGD. This prospective, observational, open-label clinical trial documents the improvement in both clinical signs and symptoms of disease as well as spectroscopic characteristics of the meibomian gland lipids after therapy with topical azithromycin ophthalmic solution and oral doxycycline treatment. Subjects with symptomatic MGD were recruited. Signs of MGD were evaluated with a slit lamp. Symptoms of MGD were measured by the response of subjects to a questionnaire. Meibum lipid-lipid interaction strength, conformation, and phase transition parameters, and meibum protein content were measured using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and principal component analysis. Terpenoids, short-chain CH3 moieties, lipid oxidation, wax, cholesterylesters and glycerides were measured with a proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) spectrometer. Topical therapy with azithromycin and oral therapy with doxycycline relieved signs and symptoms and restored the lipid properties of the meibomian gland secretion toward normal. Compared with 4 weeks of azithromycin treatment reported in our previous study, oral doxycycline treatment was slightly less effective in improving foreign body sensation and the signs of plugging and secretion. In subjects with clinical evidence of MGD, changes in ordering of the lipids and phase transition temperature were brought closer to normal with azithromycin treatment than doxycycline treatment. Treatment with doxycycline but not azithromycin restored the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-principal component analysis scores and relative area of the H-NMR resonance at 1.26 ppm. Both doxycycline and azithromycin treatment restored the levels of the relative areas of the H-NMR resonance at 5.2 and 7.9 ppm to normal levels. The levels of meibum protein and meibum lipid oxidation were not influenced by azithromycin or doxycycline treatment. The mechanism of action of doxycycline may be different from that of azithromycin in therapy of MGD. It is notable that when carotenoids in meibum are low, as in MGD, the tear film is unstable and patients have the signs and symptoms of dry eyes. When carotenoids are restored with azithromycin and doxycycline treatment, tear film stability is restored and patients no longer have the signs and symptoms of dry eyes.

Topic segmentation via community detection in complex networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Arruda, Henrique F.; Costa, Luciano da F.; Amancio, Diego R.

2016-06-01

Many real systems have been modeled in terms of network concepts, and written texts are a particular example of information networks. In recent years, the use of network methods to analyze language has allowed the discovery of several interesting effects, including the proposition of novel models to explain the emergence of fundamental universal patterns. While syntactical networks, one of the most prevalent networked models of written texts, display both scale-free and small-world properties, such a representation fails in capturing other textual features, such as the organization in topics or subjects. We propose a novel network representation whose main purpose is to capture the semantical relationships of words in a simple way. To do so, we link all words co-occurring in the same semantic context, which is defined in a threefold way. We show that the proposed representations favor the emergence of communities of semantically related words, and this feature may be used to identify relevant topics. The proposed methodology to detect topics was applied to segment selected Wikipedia articles. We found that, in general, our methods outperform traditional bag-of-words representations, which suggests that a high-level textual representation may be useful to study the semantical features of texts.

Analysis of Students’ Incorrect Answers on the Topic of Roman Numerals in The Fourth-Grade of Primary School

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selvianiresa, D.; Jupri, Al

2017-02-01

Mathematics has an important role in solving problems related to mathematical symbols. Mathematics topics are related to the daily life of students, as well as mathematics in the primary school level. In this paper, we report the results of research that aims to understand the difficulties of primary school students towards mathematics, especially on the topic of Roman numerals. The subject of this research included 38 students of fourth grade students from a primary school in the city of Bandung. The results showed that the teacher is more likely do the learning to deliver topic directly to students, rather than having to relatethe learning with a real context. In addition, after the teacher gave some exercises to students, we observed that there are some students’ answers that are unpredictable and made errors. Unexpected answers are caused by student’s unconscientious, misunderstanding, or inability to memorize in seven Roman numeral in general. The results of this analysis can be used to develop teacher competence in the teaching and learning process in the future. In this way, we expect the teacher can prepare various student responses to the given problems in the learning process.

Topic segmentation via community detection in complex networks.

PubMed

de Arruda, Henrique F; Costa, Luciano da F; Amancio, Diego R

2016-06-01

Many real systems have been modeled in terms of network concepts, and written texts are a particular example of information networks. In recent years, the use of network methods to analyze language has allowed the discovery of several interesting effects, including the proposition of novel models to explain the emergence of fundamental universal patterns. While syntactical networks, one of the most prevalent networked models of written texts, display both scale-free and small-world properties, such a representation fails in capturing other textual features, such as the organization in topics or subjects. We propose a novel network representation whose main purpose is to capture the semantical relationships of words in a simple way. To do so, we link all words co-occurring in the same semantic context, which is defined in a threefold way. We show that the proposed representations favor the emergence of communities of semantically related words, and this feature may be used to identify relevant topics. The proposed methodology to detect topics was applied to segment selected Wikipedia articles. We found that, in general, our methods outperform traditional bag-of-words representations, which suggests that a high-level textual representation may be useful to study the semantical features of texts.

Topical minoxidil: cardiac effects in bald man.

PubMed Central

Leenen, F H; Smith, D L; Unger, W P

1988-01-01

Systemic cardiovascular effects during chronic treatment with topical minoxidil vs placebo were evaluated using a double-blind, randomized design for two parallel groups (n = 20 for minoxidil, n = 15 for placebo). During 6 months of follow-up, blood pressure did not change, whereas minoxidil increased heart rate by 3-5 beats min-1. Compared with placebo, topical minoxidil caused significant increases in LV end-diastolic volume, in cardiac output (by 0.751 min-1) and in LV mass (by 5 g m-2). We conclude that in healthy subjects short-term use of topical minoxidil is likely not to be detrimental. However, safety needs to be established regarding ischaemic symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease as well as for the possible development of LV hypertrophy in healthy subjects during years of therapy. PMID:3191000

The effects of topical sodium cromoglicate on itch and flare in human skin induced by intradermal histamine: a randomised double-blind vehicle controlled intra-subject design trial

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Itch is a prominent feature of many skin diseases, particularly atopic dermatitis and cutaneous mastocytosis. Sodium cromoglicate (SCG), a chromone developed for the treatment of allergic disease has been shown to reduce the severity of itch when applied topically to subjects with atopic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether topical sodium cromoglicate can reduce the severity of itch induced by intradermal histamine. Methods SCG was introduced into the skin of healthy volunteers both by iontophoresis and by topical application using a new 4% cutaneous emulsion (Altoderm™). The skin was then challenged with intradermal histamine. Measurements were made of severity of itch, size of wheal and flare and change in blood flux Results SCG significantly reduced the severity of itch (P = 0.0045) and flare (P = 0.0143) when delivered by iontophoresis. SCG 4% cutaneous emulsion significantly reduced severity of itch (P = 0.024) and flare (P = 0.015) in atopic subjects. Trend analysis showed increasing effect on itch with increased concentrations of SCG, which was significant (P = 0.046). There were no effects on wheal or blood flux. Conclusions Topically applied SCG, administered in a new cutaneous emulsion base, significantly reduced the itch and flare caused by intradermal histamine. The effect was greatest in atopic subjects and increased with the concentration of SCG in the emulsion. Trial registration ISRCTN35671014 PMID:21385340

Randomized clinical trial comparing 5% and 1% topical minoxidil for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in Japanese men.

PubMed

Tsuboi, Ryoji; Arano, Osamu; Nishikawa, Tooru; Yamada, Hidekazu; Katsuoka, Kensei

2009-08-01

Minoxidil is efficacious in inducing hair growth in patients with androgenetic alopecia by inducing hair follicles to undergo transition from the early to late anagen phase. Although the efficacy of 1% topical minoxidil has been confirmed in Japan, no controlled study of 5% topical minoxidil has been conducted using male Japanese subjects. The objective of this trial was to verify the superiority in clinical efficacy of 5% topical minoxidil to 1% topical minoxidil in a double-blind controlled study with male, Japanese androgenetic alopecia patients as the subjects. The trial included 300 Japanese male patients aged 20 years or older with androgenetic alopecia who were administered either 5% topical minoxidil (n = 150) or 1% topical minoxidil (n = 150) for 24 weeks. The mean change from the baseline in non-vellus hair/cm(2), the primary efficacy variable, was 26.4 (n = 142) in the 5% topical minoxidil group and 21.2 (n = 144) in the 1% topical minoxidil group at 16 weeks, the main time point for the evaluation. The difference between the groups was significant (P = 0.020). The incidence of adverse events was 8.7% (13/150) in the 5% group and 5.3% (8/150) in the 1% group, with no significant difference between the groups (chi(2)-test: P = 0.258). Our findings confirmed the superiority of 5% topical minoxidil to 1% topical minoxidil in treating Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia.

The effect of a lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic on pain and discomfort associated with orthodontic elastomeric separator placement.

PubMed

Al-Melh, M Abu; Andersson, L

2017-12-01

The initial placement of orthodontic elastomeric separators can be uncomfortable and painful. Therefore, it is important to relieve this disturbing sensation to create a discomfort or pain-free orthodontic visit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic on pain and discomfort associated with the placement of orthodontic elastomeric separators. Fifty subjects aging between 20-35 years were included in this study. In the maxillary arch, a lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic was placed around the ginigval margins of the premolar and molar on side. On the other side, a placebo agent was placed around the ginigval margins of the premolar and molar. After two minutes, an elastomeric separator was placed between the premolar and molar on both sides. The subjects were then asked to report their findings on a Verbal Scale and a Visual Analogue Scale every second minute for a period of 10 min. The subjects were also given a questionnaire to evaluate the overall impression on the topical anesthetic use. The overall mean discomfort/pain score was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.001) with the topical anesthetic than with the placebo. Repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction determined that mean pain scores were statistically significantly low with the 10-min time duration (F (1.54,42.2)  = 40.7, p = 0.001), with an estimated grand mean (8.37, 95% CI 6.75-9.98). The questionnaire responses revealed that 87% of the subjects reported an overall satisfaction and agreement with the topical anesthetic than with the placebo or no difference (13%) after the initial separator placement. The discomfort and pain resulting from the initial placement of orthodontic elastomeric separators can be significantly reduced with the lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic.

For an alliance between science, ethics and politics in promoting paediatric trials. Commentary.

PubMed

Petrini, Carlo; Rana, Ippolita; Alleva, Enrico

2016-01-01

After several decades during which children tended to be excluded from clinical trials, provisions to encourage trials with children have been in place for some years both at international level and in individual countries. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has published a broad-ranging report on the subject, which makes concrete proposals for decision-makers and comes at a crucial moment in the definition of European Union regulations on this topic.

Vocational Safety Guide to Generalized Safety Provisions as They Apply to: Agricultural Education, Business and Office Education, Health Occupations Education, Home Economics Education, Industrial Arts Education, Marketing and Distributive Education, Trade and Technical Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dyrenfurth, Michael J.; Linhardt, Richard E.

This vocational safety guide is designed to help Missouri school practitioners at all levels in providing for the safe instruction and work associated with practical arts and vocational and technical subjects. Covered in the individual sections of the guide are the following topics: Missouri legislation and regulations pertaining to school safety;…

Influence of cellulose derivative and ethylene glycol on optimization of lornoxicam transdermal formulation.

PubMed

Shahzad, Yasser; Khan, Qalandar; Hussain, Talib; Shah, Syed Nisar Hussain

2013-10-01

Lornoxicam containing topically applied lotions were formulated and optimized with the aim to deliver it transdermally. The formulated lotions were evaluated for pH, viscosity and in vitro permeation studies through silicone membrane using Franz diffusion cells. Data were fitted to linear, quadratic and cubic models and best fit model was selected to investigate the influence of variables, namely hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and ethylene glycol (EG) on permeation of lornoxicam from topically applied lotion formulations. The best fit quadratic model revealed that low level of HPMC and intermediate level of EG in the formulation was optimum for enhancing the drug flux across silicone membrane. FT-IR analysis confirmed absence of drug-polymer interactions. Selected optimized lotion formulation was then subjected to accelerated stability testing, sensatory perception testing and in vitro permeation across rabbit skin. The drug flux from the optimized lotion across rabbit skin was significantly better that that from the control formulation. Furthermore, sensatory perception test rated a higher acceptability while lotion was stable over stability testing period. Therefore, use of Box-Wilson statistical design successfully elaborated the influence of formulation variables on permeation of lornoxicam form topical formulations, thus, helped in optimization of the lotion formulation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Classification of iRBD and Parkinson's disease patients based on eye movements during sleep.

PubMed

Christensen, Julie A E; Koch, Henriette; Frandsen, Rune; Kempfner, Jacob; Arvastson, Lars; Christensen, Soren R; Sorensen, Helge B D; Jennum, Poul

2013-01-01

Patients suffering from the sleep disorder idiopathic rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) have been observed to be in high risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). This makes it essential to analyze them in the search for PD biomarkers. This study aims at classifying patients suffering from iRBD or PD based on features reflecting eye movements (EMs) during sleep. A Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model was developed based on features extracted from two electrooculographic (EOG) signals measured as parts in full night polysomnographic (PSG) recordings from ten control subjects. The trained model was tested on ten other control subjects, ten iRBD patients and ten PD patients, obtaining a EM topic mixture diagram for each subject in the test dataset. Three features were extracted from the topic mixture diagrams, reflecting "certainty", "fragmentation" and "stability" in the timely distribution of the EM topics. Using a Naive Bayes (NB) classifier and the features "certainty" and "stability" yielded the best classification result and the subjects were classified with a sensitivity of 95 %, a specificity of 80% and an accuracy of 90 %. This study demonstrates in a data-driven approach, that iRBD and PD patients may exhibit abnorm form and/or timely distribution of EMs during sleep.

Impact of suggestion on the human experimental model of cold hyperalgesia after topical application of high-concentration menthol [40%].

PubMed

Helfert, S; Reimer, M; Barnscheid, L; Hüllemann, P; Rengelshausen, J; Keller, T; Baron, R; Binder, A

2018-05-14

Human experimental pain models in healthy subjects offer unique possibilities to study mechanisms of pain within a defined setting of expected pain symptoms, signs and mechanisms. Previous trials in healthy subjects demonstrated that topical application of 40% menthol is suitable to induce cold hyperalgesia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of suggestion on this experimental human pain model. The study was performed within a single-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, two-period crossover trial in a cohort of 16 healthy subjects. Subjects were tested twice after topical menthol application (40% dissolved in ethanol) and twice after ethanol (as placebo) application. In the style of a balanced placebo trial design, the subjects received during half of the testing the correct information about the applied substance (topical menthol or ethanol) and during half of the testing the incorrect information, leading to four tested conditions (treatment conditions: menthol-told-menthol and menthol-told-ethanol; placebo conditions: ethanol-told-menthol and ethanol-told-ethanol). Cold but not mechanical hyperalgesia was reliably induced by the model. The cold pain threshold decreased in both treatment conditions regardless whether true or false information was given. Minor suggestion effects were found in subjects with prior ethanol application. The menthol model is a reliable, nonsuggestible model to induce cold hyperalgesia. Mechanical hyperalgesia is not as reliable to induce. Cold hyperalgesia may be investigated under unbiased and suggestion-free conditions using the menthol model of pain. © 2018 European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

Reduction of serum TARC levels in atopic dermatitis by topical anti-inflammatory treatments.

PubMed

Yasukochi, Yumi; Nakahara, Takeshi; Abe, Takeru; Kido-Nakahara, Makiko; Kohda, Futoshi; Takeuchi, Satoshi; Hagihara, Akihito; Furue, Masutaka

2014-09-01

Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels are associated with the disease activity of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and sensitively reflect short-term changes in skin conditions. The main treatment for AD is topical agent application. This study investigated the relationship between serum TARC levels and the dosage of topical agents, including corticosteroids and/or tacrolimus, in patients with AD. The serum TARC levels of 56 AD patients and the amounts of topical agents prescribed to them were investigated retrospectively. The weekly reduction in serum TARC levels and weekly dosage of topical agents among AD patients were compared and their associations were evaluated. The dosage of topical agents was closely related to serum TARC levels. One gram of strong rank steroid or the equivalent amount of steroid/tacrolimus is required to reduce serum TARC levels by 9.94 pg/mL weekly in moderate to severe AD patients. Higher initial TARC levels require more topical agent, which results in a more rapid decrease in TARC levels. The serum TARC levels and eosinophil numbers in peripheral blood are significantly correlated. Serum TARC level improvement and topical agent dosage are strongly correlated. TARC and eosinophil numbers are significantly correlated, but the wider range of TARC levels seems to be clinically more useful for monitoring AD severity. The serum TARC level is a very sensitive biomarker for monitoring the severity and treatment response in AD.

Bioequivalence of diclofenac sodium 2% and 1.5% topical solutions relative to oral diclofenac sodium in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Holt, Robert J; Taiwo, Tolu; Kent, Jeffrey D

2015-08-01

Topical formulations of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally considered to be safer alternatives to oral NSAIDs due to lower systemic absorption. We conducted randomized, crossover studies that compared the pharmacokinetics (PK), bioequivalence and safety of topical diclofenac sodium 2% twice daily (BID), diclofenac sodium 1.5% four times daily (QID) and oral diclofenac sodium in healthy subjects. The results of three bioequivalence studies are reviewed. Healthy adult subjects (n = 76) applied topical diclofenac sodium 2% solution (40.4 mg/2 mL) BID; or 1.5% solution (19.3 mg/40 drops) QID to each knee for 7.5 consecutive days separated by a washout period. Subjects (n = 22) in one study also received oral diclofenac sodium 75 mg BID for 7.5 days. Plasma diclofenac concentrations were determined from serial blood samples collected on Days 1 and 8 (steady state), and diclofenac PK parameters were estimated by noncompartmental methods. The studies demonstrated comparable bioequivalence between the 2% and 1.5% topical solutions as well as lower systemic exposure compared to oral dosing (approximately 93% less). Daily systemic exposure was comparable between the two formulations with only a 12% difference in the AUCss(0-24) (p = 0.140). Furthermore, both topical solutions demonstrated delayed elimination with a t(1/2) of 4- to 6-fold longer, as compared to oral diclofenac. The 2% solution provided more consistent dosing relative to the 1.5% solution when comparing AUCss(0-24) and Cmaxss across studies. Mild application site reactions were the most common treatment-emergent adverse event reported with topical diclofenac. The steady-state PK profile of topical diclofenac 2% solution administered BID is similar to that of the 1.5% solution administered QID. Systemic exposure to diclofenac is substantially lower after topical application as compared to oral administration. (Study 2 was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01202799; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=01202799&Search=Search).

Astronomy Explained

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

North, Gerald

Every year large numbers of people take up the study of astronomy, mostly at amateur level. There are plenty of elementary books on the market, full of colourful photographs, but lacking in proper explanations of how and why things are as they are. Many people eventually wish to go beyond the 'coffee-table book' stage and study this fascinating subject in greater depth. This book is written for them. In addition, many people sit for public examinations in this subject each year and this book is also intended to be of use to them. All the topics from the GCSE syllabus are covered here, with sample questions at the end of each chapter. Astronomy Explained provides a comprehensive treatment of the subject in more depth than is usually found in elementary works, and will be of interest to both amateur astronomers and students of astronomy.

Evidence-based medicine in obstetrics: can levels B and C recommendations be elevated to level A recommendations?

PubMed Central

Chauhan, Suneet P; Chang, Eugene; Brost, Brian; Assel, Barbara; Baxter, Jason; Smith, James A; Grobman, Robert; Berghella, Vincenzo; Scardo, James A; Magann, Everett F; Morrison, John C

2009-01-01

In this study, 65% (132/195) of level B/C obstetric recommendations are amenable to randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and seven were identified as most needed. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate levels B and C recommendations in obstetric practice bulletins (PBs) regarding the feasibility of performing RCT to elevate each subject to level A evidence. Eleven geographically dispersed physicians with experience in research reviewed levels B and C recommendations for the ethical and logistical feasibility of performing an RCT. In the 35 obstetric PBs, 195 level B/C recommendations were reviewed. The majority considered 47 (24%) topics unethical for an RCT and thought 16 (11%) did not need an RCT, thus leaving 132 (67%) levels B and C recommendations available for an RCT. Two-thirds of levels B and C recommendations in obstetric PB are amenable to RCTs and potentially becoming level A evidence. PMID:27582813

Reduction of oxidative-nitrosative stress underlies anticataract effect of topically applied tocotrienol in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

PubMed Central

Abdul Nasir, Nurul Alimah; Agarwal, Renu; Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Siti Hamimah; Vasudevan, Sushil; Tripathy, Minaketan; Iezhitsa, Igor; Mohammad Daher, Aqil; Ibrahim, Mohd Ikraam; Mohd Ismail, Nafeeza

2017-01-01

Cataract, a leading cause of blindness, is of special concern in diabetics as it occurs at earlier onset. Polyol accumulation and increased oxidative-nitrosative stress in cataractogenesis are associated with NFκB activation, iNOS expression, ATP depletion, loss of ATPase functions, calpain activation and proteolysis of soluble to insoluble proteins. Tocotrienol was previously shown to reduce lens oxidative stress and inhibit cataractogenesis in galactose-fed rats. In current study, we investigated anticataract effects of topical tocotrienol and possible mechanisms involved in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with vehicle (DV) or tocotrienol (DT). A third group consists of normal, non-diabetic rats were treated with vehicle (NV). All treatments were given topically, bilaterally, twice daily for 8 weeks with weekly slit lamp monitoring. Subsequently, rats were euthanized and lenses were subjected to estimation of polyol accumulation, oxidative-nitrosative stress, NFκB activation, iNOS expression, ATP levels, ATPase activities, calpain activity and total protein levels. Cataract progression was delayed from the fifth week onwards in DT with lower mean of cataract stages compared to DV group (p<0.01) despite persistent hyperglycemia. Reduced cataractogenesis in DT group was accompanied with lower aldose reductase activity and sorbitol level compared to DV group (p<0.01). DT group also showed reduced NFκB activation, lower iNOS expression and reduced oxidative-nitrosative stress compared to DV group. Lenticular ATP and ATPase and calpain 2 activities in DT group were restored to normal. Consequently, soluble to insoluble protein ratio in DT group was higher compared to DV (p<0.05). In conclusion, preventive effect of topical tocotrienol on development of cataract in STZ-induced diabetic rats could be attributed to reduced lens aldose reductase activity, polyol levels and oxidative-nitrosative stress. These effects of tocotrienol invlove reduced NFκB activation, lower iNOS expression, restoration of ATP level, ATPase activities, calpain activity and lens protein levels. PMID:28350848

Reduction of oxidative-nitrosative stress underlies anticataract effect of topically applied tocotrienol in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

PubMed

Abdul Nasir, Nurul Alimah; Agarwal, Renu; Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Siti Hamimah; Vasudevan, Sushil; Tripathy, Minaketan; Iezhitsa, Igor; Mohammad Daher, Aqil; Ibrahim, Mohd Ikraam; Mohd Ismail, Nafeeza

2017-01-01

Cataract, a leading cause of blindness, is of special concern in diabetics as it occurs at earlier onset. Polyol accumulation and increased oxidative-nitrosative stress in cataractogenesis are associated with NFκB activation, iNOS expression, ATP depletion, loss of ATPase functions, calpain activation and proteolysis of soluble to insoluble proteins. Tocotrienol was previously shown to reduce lens oxidative stress and inhibit cataractogenesis in galactose-fed rats. In current study, we investigated anticataract effects of topical tocotrienol and possible mechanisms involved in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with vehicle (DV) or tocotrienol (DT). A third group consists of normal, non-diabetic rats were treated with vehicle (NV). All treatments were given topically, bilaterally, twice daily for 8 weeks with weekly slit lamp monitoring. Subsequently, rats were euthanized and lenses were subjected to estimation of polyol accumulation, oxidative-nitrosative stress, NFκB activation, iNOS expression, ATP levels, ATPase activities, calpain activity and total protein levels. Cataract progression was delayed from the fifth week onwards in DT with lower mean of cataract stages compared to DV group (p<0.01) despite persistent hyperglycemia. Reduced cataractogenesis in DT group was accompanied with lower aldose reductase activity and sorbitol level compared to DV group (p<0.01). DT group also showed reduced NFκB activation, lower iNOS expression and reduced oxidative-nitrosative stress compared to DV group. Lenticular ATP and ATPase and calpain 2 activities in DT group were restored to normal. Consequently, soluble to insoluble protein ratio in DT group was higher compared to DV (p<0.05). In conclusion, preventive effect of topical tocotrienol on development of cataract in STZ-induced diabetic rats could be attributed to reduced lens aldose reductase activity, polyol levels and oxidative-nitrosative stress. These effects of tocotrienol invlove reduced NFκB activation, lower iNOS expression, restoration of ATP level, ATPase activities, calpain activity and lens protein levels.

Comparison of the tolerability and efficacy of unit-dose, preservative-free topical ocular anaesthetics.

PubMed

Lawrenson, J G; Edgar, D F; Tanna, G K; Gudgeon, A C

1998-09-01

Several topical ocular local anaesthetics are available in preservative-free unit-dose applicators. There is little comparative data as to the efficacy and tolerability of these drugs. The purpose of this study was to compare the tolerability, and the depth and duration of corneal anaesthesia following instillation of one drop of 0.4% oxybuprocaine (benoxinate), 0.5% amethocaine, or 0.5% proxymetacaine. The tolerability of each anaesthetic was assessed using a linear ten point arbitrary comfort scale. A group of 14 healthy male subjects, with a wide variation in iris pigment levels, participated in the study (mean age 26.6 years, range 18-40 years). Corneal sensitivity was measured using a slit-lamp mounted Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer prior to instillation, and at 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after instillation, and continued if necessary until corneal sensitivity had returned to pre-instillation levels. For each anaesthetic, complete anaesthesia occurred within 1 min of instillation and a return to baseline sensitivity levels occurred by 45 min. No significant difference in anaesthesia was found between the drugs at each time point. Tolerability profiles indicated that proxymetacaine was significantly better tolerated than either amethocaine (p < 0.01) or oxybuprocaine (benoxinate) (p < 0.001). There was considerable inter-subject variability in the duration of anaesthesia, and practitioners should be alert to this when allowing patients to leave the practice following the production of corneal anaesthesia. There seems little to choose clinically between the three active agents as regards clinical effectiveness. Proxymetacaine was significantly better tolerated than either amethocaine or oxybuprocaine.

A Topical Anti-inflammatory Healing Regimen Utilizing Conjugated Linolenic Acid for Use Post-ablative Laser Resurfacing of the Face: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Goldman, Mitchel P.

2017-01-01

Background: Fractionated, ablative lasers are usually associated with post-treatment erythema, edema, and crusting, which can last from 5 to 14 days. Conjugated linolenic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid, has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been shown to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal regeneration. By modulating the early inflammatory milieu and directly affecting skin structure and function, conjugated linolenic acid might therefore shorten downtime following fractionated ablative laser resurfacing of the face. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and subject satisfaction of a topical regimen containing conjugated linolenic acid derived from pomegranate seed extract in accelerating wound healing and improving skin quality following fractionated ablative laser resurfacing of the face. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four subjects were enrolled and received fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing. Subjects were randomized to use the test healing regimen (n=24) or 1% dimethicone ointment (n=10) post-procedure. The primary endpoint was the degree of erythema, edema, crusting, and exudation evaluated by a blinded clinician at post-treatment Days 1,3,7,10, 14, and 30. Secondary endpoints included a blinded evaluator assessment of the degree of wrinkling and elastosis using the Fitzpatrick-Goldman Wrinkle and Elastosis Scale; subject-assessed degree of pain, itching, tightness, oozing, and crusting; and subject overall satisfaction. Results: Subjects who applied the topical conjugated linolenic acid healing regimen experienced significantly reduced edema on post-procedure Day 3 (p=0.04), and itching on Days 1 and 3 (p=0.03 and p=0.04). Both regimens produced significant improvements in wrinkling and elastosis at Days 14 and 30 post-treatment, with conjugated linolenic acid outperforming placebo in improvements in wrinkling at Day 14. Both regimens were well tolerated with no statistical differences in adverse events or subject satisfaction. Conclusion: The topical conjugated linolenic acid formulation outperformed placebo by decreasing acute pruritus and edema, and enabling a faster positive outcome in wrinkle improvement. Additionally, topical conjugated linolenic acid does not raise any safety or tolerability issues as compared to current standard of care. PMID:29344315

A Topical Anti-inflammatory Healing Regimen Utilizing Conjugated Linolenic Acid for Use Post-ablative Laser Resurfacing of the Face: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Wu, Douglas C; Goldman, Mitchel P

2017-10-01

Background: Fractionated, ablative lasers are usually associated with post-treatment erythema, edema, and crusting, which can last from 5 to 14 days. Conjugated linolenic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid, has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been shown to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal regeneration. By modulating the early inflammatory milieu and directly affecting skin structure and function, conjugated linolenic acid might therefore shorten downtime following fractionated ablative laser resurfacing of the face. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and subject satisfaction of a topical regimen containing conjugated linolenic acid derived from pomegranate seed extract in accelerating wound healing and improving skin quality following fractionated ablative laser resurfacing of the face. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four subjects were enrolled and received fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing. Subjects were randomized to use the test healing regimen (n=24) or 1% dimethicone ointment (n=10) post-procedure. The primary endpoint was the degree of erythema, edema, crusting, and exudation evaluated by a blinded clinician at post-treatment Days 1,3,7,10, 14, and 30. Secondary endpoints included a blinded evaluator assessment of the degree of wrinkling and elastosis using the Fitzpatrick-Goldman Wrinkle and Elastosis Scale; subject-assessed degree of pain, itching, tightness, oozing, and crusting; and subject overall satisfaction. Results: Subjects who applied the topical conjugated linolenic acid healing regimen experienced significantly reduced edema on post-procedure Day 3 ( p =0.04), and itching on Days 1 and 3 ( p =0.03 and p =0.04). Both regimens produced significant improvements in wrinkling and elastosis at Days 14 and 30 post-treatment, with conjugated linolenic acid outperforming placebo in improvements in wrinkling at Day 14. Both regimens were well tolerated with no statistical differences in adverse events or subject satisfaction. Conclusion: The topical conjugated linolenic acid formulation outperformed placebo by decreasing acute pruritus and edema, and enabling a faster positive outcome in wrinkle improvement. Additionally, topical conjugated linolenic acid does not raise any safety or tolerability issues as compared to current standard of care.

Effects of Subject-Matter Knowledge in the Teaching of Biology and Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hashweh, Maher Z.

An analysis of science teacher's knowledge of specific biology and physics topics and the effects of this knowledge on their planning for instruction and on simulated teaching are discussed in this report. Six experienced secondary school teachers participated in the study. Each teacher's knowledge of a biology topic and a physics topic was…

Topical, Yes, but It Dives beneath the Surface

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tyler, Paul

2017-01-01

Topical science is about developing an awareness of science issues in the news and the importance of science stories that affect pupils' lives and the world around them. It is about making science relevant for pupils and engaging them in the subject. The author explores how children can be engaged and inspired through topical science. The idea of…

Methods for studying sensitive family topics.

PubMed

Gelles, Richard J

1978-07-01

Researchers on sensitive topics in family relations face a number of obstacles, due to the private nature of the family and to ethical constraints on the study of humans. Difficulties in locating subjects, engaging their cooperation, and obtaining valid and reliable data are discussed, and methods are proposed for pursuing research on these important but frequently taboo topics.

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

Pinto, F. T.; Iglesias, G.; Santos, P. R.

Marine renewable energy (MRE) is generates from waves, currents, tides, and thermal resources in the ocean. MRE has been identified as a potential commercial-scale source of renewable energy. This special topic presents a compilation of works selected from the 3rd IAHR Europe Congress, held in Porto, Portugal, in 2014. It covers different subjects relevant to MRE, including resource assessment, marine energy sector policies, energy source comparisons based on levelized cost, proof-of-concept and new-technology development for wave and tidal energy exploitation, and assessment of possible inference between wave energy converters (WEC).

Thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings in Maceio, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djamila, Harimi

2017-11-01

This article presents the results from thermal comfort survey carried out in classrooms over two different seasons in Maceio, Brazil. The secondary data were collected from thermal comfort field study conducted in naturally ventilated classrooms. Objective and subjective parameters were explored to evaluate thermal comfort conditions. The potential effect of air movement on subjects' vote under neutrality was evaluated. Overall, the indoor climate of the surveyed location was classified warm and humid. Conflicting results were depicted when analyzing the effect of air movements on subjects' vote. The mean air temperature for subjects feeling hot was found to be lower than those feeling warm. A reasonable approach to tackle these two unpredictable results was suggested. Correlation matrix between selected thermal comfort variables was developed. Globe temperature recorded the highest correlation with subjects' response on ASHRAE seven-point scale. The correlation was significant at the 0.01 level. On the other hand, the correlation between air movement and subjects' response on ASHRAE seven-point scale was weak but significant. Further field studies on the current topic were recommended.

Students’ mental model in electric current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pramesti, Y. S.; Setyowidodo, I.

2018-05-01

Electricity is one of essential topic in learning physics. This topic was studied in elementary until university level. Although electricity was related to our daily activities, but it doesn’t ensure that students have the correct concept. The aim of this research was to investigate and then categorized the students’ mental model. Subject consisted of 59 students of mechanical engineering that studied Physics for Engineering. This study was used a qualitative approach that used in this research is phenomenology. Data were analyzed qualitatively by using pre-test, post-test, and investigation for discovering further information. Three models were reported, showing a pattern which related to individual way of thinking about electric current. The mental model that was discovered in this research are: 1) electric current as a flow; 2) electric current as a source of energy, 3) electric current as a moving charge.

Topical Botulinum Toxin Type A Liposomal Cream for Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Split-Site, Vehicle-Controlled Study.

PubMed

Lueangarun, Suparuj; Sermsilp, Chairat; Tempark, Therdpong

2018-04-13

Despite its effectiveness in treating primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH), topical botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is highly resistant to transdermal absorption. Topical BTX-A liposomal cream is recommended as a novel, noninvasive modality to enhance skin penetration. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical BTX-A liposomal cream in comparison with liposomal vehicle cream alone in the treatment of PAH. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, split-site study was conducted in 20 subjects, aged 18 to 50 years, all of whom had symmetrical axillary sweating with Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale scores between 2 to 4. All subjects were double-blinded to treatment regimens and randomly given 2 bottles, one containing topical BTX-A liposomal cream and one containing the vehicle cream without BTX-A, to be applied consistently to the same axilla nightly for 7 consecutive days. Clinical improvement and adverse reactions were evaluated at every follow-up visit. Axillary skin treated with topical BTX-A demonstrated superior sweat reduction and patient satisfaction to vehicle cream-treated axillary skin, with clinical and statistical significance, at baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 of follow-up, without adverse effects. Topical BTX-A liposomal cream pharmaceutically enhances drug delivery, is painless, cost-effective, and overall an innovative treatment of PAH.

Weather, Ocean and Climate topics in Geosciences, a new subject in Norwegian upper secondary education.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, P. J. K.

2009-09-01

Weather, Ocean and Climate topics in Geosciences, a new subject in Norwegian upper secondary education. Pål J. Kirkeby Hansen Faculty of Education and International Studies, Oslo University College (PalKirkeby.Hansen@lui.hio.no) The Knowledge Promotion is the latest curriculum reform in Norwegian compulsory and upper secondary education implemented autumn 2006. The greenhouse effect, the increased greenhouse effect and the importance of the ozone layer are topics in Natural Science upper secondary year 1, but only in Programme for General Studies, chosen by less than 50% of the students. In Geography the same cohort learns about ocean and air currents and their impact on climate, and in particular conditions influencing the weather and climate in Norway. If the students during year 1 get interested in further education in weather, ocean, climate or other geosciences topics, they could continue their education on Programme for Specialization in General Studies and choose the new science subject Geosciences at years 2 and/or 3. Among many geo-topics, Geosciences contains: climate, weather, water circulation, glaciers, atmospheric currents, weather forecasts, variations in the ozone layer, climatic development from the latest Ice Age, climate change - causes, effects and challenges, surface and deep-sea currents in oceans - causes and consequences for the climate, el Niño and la Niña - causes and influence on the climate. The students are supposed to make extensive investigations of different geosciences-parameters on their own in an outdoor field using different tools of geosciences, and on the Internet and other media, and present the results. One serious problem introducing a new subject in upper secondary education is who are able to teach this subject. We who developed the curriculum on mission of the education ministry, had first of all teachers with a degree in natural geography in mind. To empower other interested teachers, for instance with degree in meteorology, oceanography, hydrology, geology or physics, we have given extensive in-service training and should during 2009 be able to offer further education from ½ to 1 year. The school year 2007/2008 was the first with Geosciences as an optional choice. Ca.80 schools of max. 300 were able to give GX a 3 hours/week course, and/or G1 a 5 h/w course. In 2008/2009 it is 92 schools, and the advanced level 5 h/w course G2 has been introduced in many schools. G2 is open to all, but chosen almost only by students with G1. X1 students accomplished the ever first national written exam in G2 in May 2009. Geosciences were introduced as an idea from the education minister, not as result of pressure from the grassroot. She wanted students to have more science subjects to choose among in upper secondary education. She hoped that Geosciences should be a vehicle for introducing new groups of students to science, and perhaps bring them to science studies on higher levels later on. We, who developed the curriculum and are also responsible for the national exam in G2. We are of course very curious about both responses from the schools on the curriculum and the exam, and on the students' attitudes, work and learning outcome. That's why we are setting up a science education research programme from spring 2009. The further education and research programmes are made possible because of a sponsorship (EUR 1.2mill.) to our Geo-Programme 2008-2013 from the Norwegian oil and gas company StatoilHydro. 1 Unknown till May 2009

Sending our child to college. Heilongjiang province.

PubMed

Zhang, W

1994-03-01

An educational program for female farmers in Keshan County, Heilongjiang Province, originally limited to the topics of women's health care and family planning has not only improved health status, but has also helped increase income level among the participants. Keshan County is one of China's grain bases composed of seventeen townships with a total population of 460,000. The education program resulted from the health check-up for women conducted in 1985 which found 62.1% of local women with gynecological diseases, largely ignorant of health care, and too shy to visit doctors. A textbook was subsequently compiled on women's health care and family planning, and lectures were commenced on the topics. Lectures were soon expanded to cover health care for teenagers, newlyweds, pregnant women, young mothers, and middle-aged and elderly people. It was also found after some time that farmers wanted to be wealthier, to secure good educations for their children, and enjoy good health and longevity. Education topics were again expanded to include subjects relevant to farmers' income-production desires. These education sessions are now being replicated in most rural areas countrywide.

Comparison of topical anesthetics (EMLA/Oraqix vs. benzocaine) on pain experienced during palatal needle injection.

PubMed

Al-Melh, Manal Abu; Andersson, Lars

2007-05-01

The aim of this study was to compare the topical anesthetic effect of 20% benzocaine gel with 2.5% lidocaine/2.5% prilocaine (L/P) cream and gel on the pain experienced during palatal anesthetic infiltration. Two groups were studied, each containing 20 subjects. Two types of L/P mixtures were tested, an anesthetic cream (EMLA) and a thermosetting gel (Oraqix), and benzocaine was used as control. The topical agents were applied on the palatal mucosa at the canine region. A needle prick was given on each side every 2 minutes during a period of 10 minutes. The subjects recorded their findings using verbal and VAS scales. Pain scores were significantly less (P < .05) with EMLA and Oraqix than with benzocaine. Topical application of EMLA and Oraqix before palatal anesthetic infiltration is associated with less pain than with benzocaine gel.

Epidemiologic research topics in Germany: a keyword network analysis of 2014 DGEpi conference presentations.

PubMed

Peter, Raphael Simon; Brehme, Torben; Völzke, Henry; Muche, Rainer; Rothenbacher, Dietrich; Büchele, Gisela

2016-06-01

Knowledge of epidemiologic research topics as well as trends is useful for scientific societies, researchers and funding agencies. In recent years researchers recognized the usefulness of keyword network analysis for visualizing and analyzing scientific research topics. Therefore, we applied keyword network analysis to present an overview of current epidemiologic research topics in Germany. Accepted submissions to the 9th annual congress of the German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi) in 2014 were used as data source. Submitters had to choose one of 19 subject areas, and were ask to provide a title, structured abstract, names of authors along with their affiliations, and a list of freely selectable keywords. Keywords had been provided for 262 (82 %) submissions, 1030 keywords in total. Overall the most common keywords were: "migration" (18 times), "prevention" (15 times), followed by "children", "cohort study", "physical activity", and "secondary data analysis" (11 times each). Some keywords showed a certain concentration under one specific subject area, e.g. "migration" with 8 of 18 in social epidemiology or "breast cancer" with 4 of 7 in cancer epidemiology. While others like "physical activity" were equally distributed over multiple subject areas (cardiovascular & metabolic diseases, ageing, methods, paediatrics, prevention & health service research). This keyword network analysis demonstrated the high diversity of epidemiologic research topics with a large number of distinct keywords as presented at the annual conference of the DGEpi.

The Development of the Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey Minimum DataSet (TOPICS-MDS): A Large-Scale Data Sharing Initiative

PubMed Central

Lutomski, Jennifer E.; Baars, Maria A. E.; Schalk, Bianca W. M.; Boter, Han; Buurman, Bianca M.; den Elzen, Wendy P. J.; Jansen, Aaltje P. D.; Kempen, Gertrudis I. J. M.; Steunenberg, Bas; Steyerberg, Ewout W.; Olde Rikkert, Marcel G. M.; Melis, René J. F.

2013-01-01

Introduction In 2008, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport commissioned the National Care for the Elderly Programme. While numerous research projects in older persons’ health care were to be conducted under this national agenda, the Programme further advocated the development of The Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey Minimum DataSet (TOPICS-MDS) which would be integrated into all funded research protocols. In this context, we describe TOPICS data sharing initiative (www.topics-mds.eu). Materials and Methods A working group drafted TOPICS-MDS prototype, which was subsequently approved by a multidisciplinary panel. Using instruments validated for older populations, information was collected on demographics, morbidity, quality of life, functional limitations, mental health, social functioning and health service utilisation. For informal caregivers, information was collected on demographics, hours of informal care and quality of life (including subjective care-related burden). Results Between 2010 and 2013, a total of 41 research projects contributed data to TOPICS-MDS, resulting in preliminary data available for 32,310 older persons and 3,940 informal caregivers. The majority of studies sampled were from primary care settings and inclusion criteria differed across studies. Discussion TOPICS-MDS is a public data repository which contains essential data to better understand health challenges experienced by older persons and informal caregivers. Such findings are relevant for countries where increasing health-related expenditure has necessitated the evaluation of contemporary health care delivery. Although open sharing of data can be difficult to achieve in practice, proactively addressing issues of data protection, conflicting data analysis requests and funding limitations during TOPICS-MDS developmental phase has fostered a data sharing culture. To date, TOPICS-MDS has been successfully incorporated into 41 research projects, thus supporting the feasibility of constructing a large (>30,000 observations), standardised dataset pooled from various study protocols with different sampling frameworks. This unique implementation strategy improves efficiency and facilitates individual-level data meta-analysis. PMID:24324716

The effects of an anchovy (stolephorus insularis) substrate application on the level of fluor intrusion on Sprague Dawley rat teeth (in vivo)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakinah, N. R.; Gunawan, H. A.; Puspitawati, R.

2017-08-01

Fluoride intrusion is one of the efficacy parameters of fluoridation. Anchovy (Stolephorus insularis), which contains a high fluoride concentration in the CaF2compound, can be used as a fluoridative agent which is affordable and easily obtained. The aim of this study is to prove the effectiveness of the application of an anchovy substrate (Stolephorus insularis), either by a feeding method or a topical method, for tooth fluoridation based on the depth of fluoride intrusion on the enamel. An in vivo experimental laboratory method was used. The subjects were 14 Sprague Dawley rats divided into five groups. The groups included a baseline control, a feeding negative control, a topical negative control, an anchovy feeding method, and a topical solution anchovy method. After 15 days of treatment, the teeth were cut transversely with a 0.5 mm thickness then processed to test for fluoride intrusion using fluorescence microscopy. There was increased fluor intrusion on the enamel of the experimental groups compared to the negative control groups (p<0.05).Fluoride intrusion using the topical fluoride method is higher than with the feeding method (p <0.05). Thus, the application of an anchovy substrate, either by chewing or smearing, increases fluoride intrusion on the enamel.

Was breaking the taboo on research on climate engineering via albedo modification a moral hazard, or a moral imperative?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawrence, Mark G.; Crutzen, Paul J.

2017-02-01

The topic of increasing the reflectivity of the Earth as a measure to counteract global warming has been the subject of high-level discussions and preliminary research since several decades, though prior to the early 2000s there was only very limited research on the topic. This changed in the mid-2000s, particularly following the publication of a special section of Climatic Change with a lead paper by Crutzen [2006], which posited the idea of stratospheric aerosol injections as a possible solution to a policy dilemma. The discussions around the publication of Crutzen [2006] demonstrated how contentious the topic was at that time. The special section of Climatic Change contributed to breaking the "taboo" on albedo modification research that was perceived at that time, and scientific publications on the topic have since proliferated, including the development of several large national and international projects, and the publication of several assessment reports over the last decade. Here we reflect on the background and main conclusions of the publications in 2006, the developments since then, and on some of the main developments over the next decade that we anticipate for research and dialogue in support of decision-making and policy development processes.

Study Results on Knowledge Requirements for Entry-Level Airport Operations and Management Personnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quilty, Stephen M.

2005-01-01

This paper identifies important topical knowledge areas required of individuals employed in airport operations and management positions. A total of 116 airport managers and airfield operations personnel responded to a survey that sought to identify the importance of various subject matter for entry level airport operations personnel. The results from this study add to the body of research on aviation management curriculum development and can be used to better develop university curriculum and supplemental training focused on airport management and operations. Recommendations are made for specialized airport courses within aviation management programs. Further, this study identifies for job seekers or individuals employed in entry level positions those knowledge requirements deemed important by airport managers and operations personnel at different sized airports.

Treatment of Signs and Symptoms (Pruritus) of Interdigital Tinea Pedis With Econazole Nitrate Foam, 1.

PubMed

Hoffman, Lauren K; Raymond, Isabelle; Kircik, Leon

2018-02-01

Tinea pedis is the most common dermatophyte infection. Treatment is critical to alleviate pruritic symptoms, to reduce the risk for secondary bacterial infection, and to limit the spread of infection to other body sites or other individuals. The objective of this study was to compare the abilities of econazole nitrate topical foam, 1% and ketoconazole cream (2%) to reduce pruritus, thus improving quality of life, and to determine patient preference for the foam product versus the cream product in patients with interdigital tinea pedis. A single-center, investigator-blinded, observational pilot study was conducted to compare econazole nitrate topical foam (1%) to ketoconazole cream (2%). In this split-body study, 20 subjects received both econazole nitrate topical foam and ketoconazole cream and applied the medications daily to either the right or left foot for 14 days. Improvements in patient quality of life (pruritus) and patient preference were measured using the pruritus visual analog scale (VAS), Skindex-16, and patient preference questionnaires. Nineteen subjects completed the study and one subject was lost to follow-up. Reductions in VAS scores of econazole nitrate topical foam were significantly greater than those of ketoconazole cream, indicating the superiority of the econazole nitrate foam in reducing pruritus. Skindex-16 data showed significant reductions in total scores and individual domains, including patient symptom, emotional, and functional domains, by the final visit. Since each subject received both medications the questionnaire was not medication-specific. Responses to patient preference questionnaires showed that econazole nitrate topical foam,1% was rated as "good" or "excellent" in all measures assessed. One adverse event was noted. In patients with interdigital tinea pedis, application of econazole nitrate topical foam 1% twice daily for two weeks was clinically effective and significantly superior to ketoconazole cream 2% in reducing pruritus. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(2):229-232.

[The social security system as a topic in medical education. Own experiences and description of student's contribution].

PubMed

Seidel, H J; Schochat, T

2001-07-01

The special subject "sociomedicine", as defined for medical students in "items to which the written examination in the second part of the medical examination can relate" has been taught by this department for 25 years as part of the course on medical ecology. There are 4 lectures (structure of the health care system; preventive care by doctors in the community and at the place of work; introduction to health economy; introduction to epidemiology) and the following seminars in small groups: social security systems; health insurance; excursion to a rehabilitation hospital; health reporting; epidemiology. The topics are presented and taught with emphasis on didactically useful and local examples. To ensure student participation "personal data" were introduced: Students give short reports on topics presented to them or they have to formulate questions to the topic of the seminar, questions or subjects to be dealt with. The questions concerning "social security systems" and "health insurance", collected over a 6 year period, were analyzed. Initially, the subject "sociomedicine" is not much appreciated by the students. The analysis shows what students think when they are challenged. The spectrum of questions mainly reflects the discussion in the media: Finance and benefits predominate, also budget and misuse, especially with reference to old-age pension and health insurance. Questions related to specific medical functions as e. g. medical expert opinion, are less often raised. However, topics such as "expansion of preventive measures", "chip card and utilisation" and "unconventional methods" are often addressed. A special demand for personal advice is seen during small talk discussions in intermissions (health insurance). The topics "medical expert opinion" and "comparison of public and private health insurance" have become positive knowledge required for the examination and for practising the medical profession. With these subjects as a starting point it appears easier for us to describe the relevant institutions and structures and the general principles of solidarity.

Reducing pain from palatal needle stick by topical anesthetics: a comparative study between two lidocaine/prilocaine substances.

PubMed

Al-Melh, Manal Abu; Andersson, Lars

2008-01-01

The aims of this study were to compare the topical anesthetic effect of two different preparations of lidocaine/prilocaine, cream versus thermosetting gel, on the reduction of pain from needle stick in the palate. The study also compared the subjects' preferences with regard to the substances. Two preparations of 2.5% lidocaine/2.5% prilocaine topical anesthetic agents were applied on the palatal mucosa in the canine region bilaterally and blindly to forty subjects. In the same visit, the cream (EMLA) was applied on one side and the thermosetting gel (Oraqix) on the other side, simultaneously. After that, a needle stick was given on each side using a 27-gauge needle inserted to bone contact through the palatal mucosa every second minute during a ten-minute period. Immediately after the needle stick, the subjects started recording their findings using a verbal scale, a visual analogue scale, and a questionnaire form. Significant differences were set at p < 0.05. Both substances reduced or eliminated pain from needle stick in the palate. Significant differences in pain reduction were observed between the two substances. EMLA reduced pain significantly better than Oraqix. With regard to comfort, taste, anesthetic effect, personal preference, and recommendation, the majority of the subjects favored the EMLA cream to the thermosetting gel. No adverse effects were reported by the subjects. Although both topical anesthetic agents are similar in content, the cream seemed to be preferred by the patients and reduced pain from needle stick in the palate significantly better than the thermosetting gel.

Current Topics and Trends in Military Dental Research: A Tri-Service Panel Discussion

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-09

59 MDW/SGVU SUBJECT: Professional Presentation Approval 9MAY2016 1. Your paper, entitled Current Topics and Trends in Military Dental Research: A...submitted for review and approval.) NIA 6. TITLE OF MATERIAL TO BE PUBLISHED OR PRESENTED: CURRENT TOPICS AND TRENDS IN MJLITA RY DENTAL RESEARCH: A...Excellence 2 \\.J •:• Overview U.S. AIR FORCE • Current topics and trends in military dental research: A tri-service panel discussion • US Army/DTRD

Stable Scalp EEG Spatiospectral Patterns Across Paradigms Estimated by Group ICA.

PubMed

Labounek, René; Bridwell, David A; Mareček, Radek; Lamoš, Martin; Mikl, Michal; Slavíček, Tomáš; Bednařík, Petr; Baštinec, Jaromír; Hluštík, Petr; Brázdil, Milan; Jan, Jiří

2018-01-01

Electroencephalography (EEG) oscillations reflect the superposition of different cortical sources with potentially different frequencies. Various blind source separation (BSS) approaches have been developed and implemented in order to decompose these oscillations, and a subset of approaches have been developed for decomposition of multi-subject data. Group independent component analysis (Group ICA) is one such approach, revealing spatiospectral maps at the group level with distinct frequency and spatial characteristics. The reproducibility of these distinct maps across subjects and paradigms is relatively unexplored domain, and the topic of the present study. To address this, we conducted separate group ICA decompositions of EEG spatiospectral patterns on data collected during three different paradigms or tasks (resting-state, semantic decision task and visual oddball task). K-means clustering analysis of back-reconstructed individual subject maps demonstrates that fourteen different independent spatiospectral maps are present across the different paradigms/tasks, i.e. they are generally stable.

"Do octopuses have a brain?" Knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards neuroscience at school.

PubMed

Sperduti, Alessandra; Crivellaro, Federica; Rossi, Paola Francesca; Bondioli, Luca

2012-01-01

The present study contributes to the question of school literacy about the brain, with an original survey conducted on Italian students from the 3(rd) to 10(th) grades (n=508). The main goal was to test student's knowledge, attitudes, and interests about neuroscience, to assess needs, prospects, and difficulties in teaching about the brain from elementary to high school. A written questionnaire, maintaining anonymity, asked 12 close-ended multiple choice questions on topics related to human and animal brains, plus one facultative open-ended question about interests and curiosities on brain topics. The results show that respondents have a fragmentary level of basic knowledge about the brain, with aspects related to brain functions and consciousness the most challenging. As expected, degrees of performance improve with school level; elementary school students answered correctly an average number of 5.3 questions, middle school 6.5, and high school 7.4. Overall, students show great interest in the brain, as shown by the large number of questions gathered through the open-ended question (n=384). Other topics are addressed, mostly related to brain structure/functions and the role of the brain in the everyday life. The survey indicates the need of more thorough school programs on this subject, reinforced by interdisciplinary teaching where comparative anatomy and evolutionary aspects of brain development are covered.

Assessment of an introductory cervicocerebral catheter angiography learning program: a pilot study.

PubMed

Lui, Y W; Farinhas, J M; Basalely, A M; Hsu, K A; Freeman, K; Bello, J A

2012-06-01

There is no standardized curriculum currently available at most institutions for establishing procedural competency in trainees performing cervicocerebral angiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a simple learning program to supplement the teaching of basic cervicocerebral angiography. An 11-session interactive curriculum was implemented covering anatomic, clinical, and radiographic topics for the novice cervicocerebral angiographer. The target learner was the neuroradiology fellow. Data were gathered regarding fellow comfort level on topics relating to cervicocerebral angiography by using a 5-point Likert scale. Improvement in scores on knowledge-based questions after completion of the curriculum was calculated (McNemar test). Trainee-perceived utility of the program was also recorded by using a 5-point Likert scale. Focus sessions were held at the completion of the curriculum to gather feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the program from participants. Ten subjects were enrolled in this pilot study for 3 years. Topics where participants reported a poor initial comfort level (4 or higher) included selection of injection rates and volumes and reformation of reverse-curve catheters. Trainees demonstrated a statistically significant change in the distribution of scores of 29.3% (49.4%-78.7% correct response rate, P < .0001). The average perceived utility was 1.5 (1 = most useful, 5 = least useful). This simple learning program was a useful adjunct to the training of fellows in diagnostic cervicocerebral angiography, resulting in quantitative improvements in knowledge.

Electronic Materials Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irene, Eugene A.

2005-02-01

A thorough introduction to fundamental principles and applications From its beginnings in metallurgy and ceramics, materials science now encompasses such high- tech fields as microelectronics, polymers, biomaterials, and nanotechnology. Electronic Materials Science presents the fundamentals of the subject in a detailed fashion for a multidisciplinary audience. Offering a higher-level treatment than an undergraduate textbook provides, this text benefits students and practitioners not only in electronics and optical materials science, but also in additional cutting-edge fields like polymers and biomaterials. Readers with a basic understanding of physical chemistry or physics will appreciate the text's sophisticated presentation of today's materials science. Instructive derivations of important formulae, usually omitted in an introductory text, are included here. This feature offers a useful glimpse into the foundations of how the discipline understands such topics as defects, phase equilibria, and mechanical properties. Additionally, concepts such as reciprocal space, electron energy band theory, and thermodynamics enter the discussion earlier and in a more robust fashion than in other texts. Electronic Materials Science also features: An orientation towards industry and academia drawn from the author's experience in both arenas Information on applications in semiconductors, optoelectronics, photocells, and nanoelectronics Problem sets and important references throughout Flexibility for various pedagogical needs Treating the subject with more depth than any other introductory text, Electronic Materials Science prepares graduate and upper-level undergraduate students for advanced topics in the discipline and gives scientists in associated disciplines a clear review of the field and its leading technologies.

Effects of curcumin on crevicular levels of IL-1β and CCL28 in experimental gingivitis.

PubMed

Pulikkotil, S J; Nath, S

2015-09-01

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to compare interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 28 (CCL28) levels following a topical application of curcumin (CRM), chlorhexidine (CHX) and chlorhexidine-metronidazole (CHX-MTZ) in an experimental gingivitis human model. Sixty systemically healthy selected subjects were randomly assigned to one of three topical antigingivitis gels. Each gel was applied twice daily for 10 minutes as the sole method of oral hygiene for 29 days on the test quadrant only. Modified gingival index (MGI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing depth (PD) were assessed at baseline, 29 days and 60 days. Estimation of IL-1β and CCL28 levels in gingival crevicular fluid was done at baseline and at 29 days. The increase of IL-1β in the CRM (14.52 ± 16.6 pg/ml) and CHX-MTZ (31.63 ± 15.96) groups was significantly less than that of the CHX group (70.55 ± 38.81). Similar results were also observed for CCL28 (CRM: 8.12 ± 8.78 pg/ml; CHX-MTZ: 12.81 ± 18.68; CHX: 41.15 ± 22.82). All groups had a significant increase in MGI, PI and BOP at 29 days. The anti-inflammatory potential of topical curcumin was similar to CHX-MTZ but superior to CHX in affecting IL-1β and CCL28 levels. © 2015 Australian Dental Association.

Fifth-Graders' Ideas about the Westward Expansion of the United States Prior to the Civil War, Expressed before and after Studying the Topic within a U.S. History Course. Elementary Subjects Center Series No. 82.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brophy, Jere; And Others

The study that is the subject of this document focused on how fifth-graders' knowledge and thinking about the westward expansion of the pre-Civil War United States was affected by students' participation in a curriculum unit on the topic. A stratified sample of 10 students was interviewed before and after they participated in the unit to…

Effects of Reading Ability, Prior Knowledge, Topic Interest, and Locus of Control on At-Risk College Students' Use of Graphic Organizers and Summarizing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balajthy, Ernest; Weisberg, Renee

A study investigated the influence of key factors (general comprehension ability, prior knowledge of passage topic, interest in passage topic, and locus of control) on training at-risk college students in the use of graphic organizers as a cognitive learning strategy. Subjects, 60 college freshmen required to take a developmental reading/study…

Preamputation evaluation of lower-limb skeletal muscle perfusion with H(2) (15)O positron emission tomography.

PubMed

Scremin, Oscar U; Figoni, Stephen F; Norman, Keith; Scremin, A M Erika; Kunkel, Charles F; Opava-Rutter, Dorene; Schmitter, Eric D; Bert, Alberto; Mandelkern, Mark

2010-06-01

To establish whether muscle blood flow (MBF) measurements with O-water positron emission tomography could reliably identify patients with critical limb ischemia and detect and quantify a distal deficit in skeletal MBF in these cases. O-water positron emission tomography scans were performed at rest or during unloaded ankle plantar and dorsiflexion exercise of the diseased leg in 17 subjects with leg ischemia or on a randomly selected leg of 18 age-matched healthy control subjects. TcPO2 was evaluated with Novametrix monitors and perfusion of skin topically heated to 44 degrees C and adjacent nonheated areas with a Moor Instruments laser Doppler imaging scanner. The enhancement of MBF induced by exercise was significantly lower in ischemic than in normal legs, and the sensitivity and specificity of this phenomenon were similar to those of laser Doppler imaging or TcPO2 in identifying ischemia subjects. In addition, the exercise MBF deficit was predominant at the distal-leg levels, indicating the ability of the technique to help determine the correct level of amputation. Skeletal MBF of legs with severe ischemia can be detected accurately with O-water positron emission tomography and could add valuable information about viability of skeletal muscle in the residual limb when deciding the level of an amputation.

Influence of professional preparation and class structure on sexuality topics taught in middle and high schools.

PubMed

Rhodes, Darson L; Kirchofer, Gregg; Hammig, Bart J; Ogletree, Roberta J

2013-05-01

This study examined the impact of professional preparation and class structure on sexuality topics taught and use of practice-based instructional strategies in US middle and high school health classes. Data from the classroom-level file of the 2006 School Health Policies and Programs were used. A series of multivariable logistic regression models were employed to determine if sexuality content taught was dependent on professional preparation and /or class structure (HE only versus HE/another subject combined). Additional multivariable logistic regression models were employed to determine if use of practice-based instructional strategies was dependent upon professional preparation and/or class structure. Years of teaching health topics and size of the school district were included as covariates in the multivariable logistic regression models. Findings indicated professionally prepared health educators were significantly more likely to teach 7 of the 13 sexuality topics as compared to nonprofessionally prepared health educators. There was no statistically significant difference in the instructional strategies used by professionally prepared and nonprofessionally prepared health educators. Exclusively health education classes versus combined classes were significantly more likely to have included 6 of the 13 topics and to have incorporated practice-based instructional strategies in the curricula. This study indicated professional preparation and class structure impacted sexuality content taught. Class structure also impacted whether opportunities for students to practice skills were made available. Results support the need for continued advocacy for professionally prepared health educators and health only courses. © 2013, American School Health Association.

Improving our application of the health education code of ethics.

PubMed

Marks, Ray; Shive, Steven E

2006-01-01

The Health Education Code of Ethics was designed to provide a framework of shared values within which health education might be practiced. However, an informal survey conducted on a limited sample in November 2004 indicated that ethics and how to apply the code are topics not readily taught formally within all health education programs. There is, however, an expressed interest among health educators in understanding the code and its application. Because of the immense import of ethics, affecting responsible professional conduct at all levels, this article is designed to introduce the topic to health education practitioners who have had little formal exposure to ethics curricula, as well as to faculty who would like to teach this subject. The authors specifically review several resources that might be especially helpful in fostering a better understanding of this essential but often underestimated aspect of health education practice and research, namely, its ethical application.

Knowing Who Knows: Laypersons' Capabilities to Judge Experts' Pertinence for Science Topics.

PubMed

Bromme, Rainer; Thomm, Eva

2016-01-01

Because modern societies are built on elaborate divisions of cognitive labor, individuals remain laypersons in most knowledge domains. Hence, they have to rely on others' expertise when deciding on many science-related issues in private and public life. Even children already locate and discern expertise in the minds of others (e.g., Danovitch & Keil, 2004). This study examines how far university students accurately judge experts' pertinence for science topics even when they lack proficient knowledge of the domain. Participants judged the pertinence of experts from diverse disciplines based on the experts' assumed contributions to texts adapted from original articles from Science and Nature. Subjective pertinence judgments were calibrated by comparing them with bibliometrics of the original articles. Furthermore, participants' general science knowledge was controlled. Results showed that participants made well-calibrated pertinence judgments regardless of their level of general science knowledge. Copyright © 2015 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

The Ninth National Conference on Rural Public Transportation - Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1990-09-01

This report consists of transcriptions from the sessions of the subject conference, held in October 1989 in San Antonio, Texas. This biennial conference is one of the premier technical sessions held on the topic, and covered the full range of topics ...

Ocular Surface Disease in Glaucoma: Effect of Polypharmacy and Preservatives.

PubMed

Ramli, Norlina; Supramaniam, Gowri; Samsudin, Amir; Juana, Azida; Zahari, Mimiwati; Choo, May May

2015-09-01

To evaluate the prevalence of ocular surface disease (OSD) in glaucoma and nonglaucoma subjects using different clinical tests and to determine the effect of number of antiglaucoma medications and preservatives on OSD. This is a cross-sectional, case-comparison study at the Eye Clinic of the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia, between June 2012 and January 2013. Glaucoma subjects (n = 105) using topical antiglaucoma medications were compared with control subjects (n = 102) who were not on any topical medications. The presence of OSD was assessed using the tear film breakup time (TBUT) test, corneal staining, Schirmer test, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire grading. The prevalence of OSD varied from 37 to 91% in the glaucoma group, depending on the type of clinical test. More subjects in the glaucoma group had corneal staining (63% vs. 36%, p = 0.004), abnormal Schirmer tests (39% vs. 25%, p = 0.049), and moderate OSDI symptoms (17% vs. 7%, p = 0.028). The percentage with abnormal TBUT increased with higher numbers of topical medications and was high with both benzalkonium chloride-containing and preservative-free eye drops (90% and 94%, respectively, both p < 0.001). Benzalkonium chloride was associated with a nearly three times higher odds ratio of showing abnormal OSDI. Ocular surface disease is common in those using topical antiglaucoma medications. Abnormal TBUT is associated with increasing number of eye drops and benzalkonium chloride-containing eye drops, although this also occurs with the use of preservative-free eye drops.

Computer Security Awareness Guide for Department of Energy Laboratories, Government Agencies, and others for use with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory`s (LLNL): Computer security short subjects videos

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

Not Available

Lonnie Moore, the Computer Security Manager, CSSM/CPPM at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Gale Warshawsky, the Coordinator for Computer Security Education & Awareness at LLNL, wanted to share topics such as computer ethics, software piracy, privacy issues, and protecting information in a format that would capture and hold an audience`s attention. Four Computer Security Short Subject videos were produced which ranged from 1-3 minutes each. These videos are very effective education and awareness tools that can be used to generate discussions about computer security concerns and good computing practices. Leaders may incorporate the Short Subjects into presentations. After talkingmore » about a subject area, one of the Short Subjects may be shown to highlight that subject matter. Another method for sharing them could be to show a Short Subject first and then lead a discussion about its topic. The cast of characters and a bit of information about their personalities in the LLNL Computer Security Short Subjects is included in this report.« less

Preliminary stop of the TOPical Imiquimod treatment of high-grade Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (TOPIC) trial.

PubMed

Koeneman, M M; Kruse, A J; Kooreman, L F S; Zur Hausen, A; Hopman, A H N; Sep, S J S; Van Gorp, T; Slangen, B F M; van Beekhuizen, H J; van de Sande, A J M; Gerestein, C G; Nijman, H W; Kruitwagen, R F P M

2017-02-07

The "TOPical Imiquimod treatment of high-grade Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia" (TOPIC) trial was stopped preliminary, due to lagging inclusions. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment efficacy and clinical applicability of imiquimod 5% cream in high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The lagging inclusions were mainly due to a strong patient preference for either of the two treatment modalities. This prompted us to initiate a new study on the same subject, with a non-randomized, open-label design: the 'TOPical Imiquimod treatment of high-grade Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (TOPIC)-3' study. Original TOPIC-trial: Medical Ethics Committee approval number METC13231; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02329171, 22 December 2014. TOPIC-3 study: Medical Ethics Committee approval number METC162025; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02917746, 16 September 2016.

HbA1c and Risks of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Death in Subjects without Known Diabetes: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

PubMed Central

Zhong, Guo-Chao; Ye, Ming-Xin; Cheng, Jia-Hao; Zhao, Yong; Gong, Jian-Ping

2016-01-01

Whether HbA1c levels are associated with mortality in subjects without known diabetes remains controversial. Moreover, the shape of the dose–response relationship on this topic is unclear. Therefore, a dose–response meta-analysis was conducted. PubMed and EMBASE were searched. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Twelve studies were included. The summary HR per 1% increase in HbA1c level was 1.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.04] for all-cause mortality, 1.05 [95% CI = 1.02–1.07) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and 1.02 (95% CI = 0.99–1.07) for cancer mortality. After excluding subjects with undiagnosed diabetes, the aforementioned associations remained significant for CVD mortality only. After further excluding subjects with prediabetes, all aforementioned associations presented non-significance. Evidence of a non-linear association between HbA1c and mortality from all causes, CVD and cancer was found (all Pnon-linearity < 0.05). The dose–response curves were relatively flat for HbA1c less than around 5.7%, and rose steeply thereafter. In conclusion, higher HbA1c level is associated with increased mortality from all causes and CVD among subjects without known diabetes. However, this association is driven by those with undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes. The results regarding cancer mortality should be treated with caution due to limited studies. PMID:27045572

Complementary clinical effects of topical tightening treatment in conjunction with a radiofrequency procedure.

PubMed

Goldberg, David J; Yatskayer, Margarita; Raab, Susana; Chen, Nannan; Krol, Yevgeniy; Oresajo, Christian

2014-10-01

Abstract Background: Skin laxity and cellulite on the buttocks and thighs are two common cosmetic concerns. Skin tightening with radiofrequency (RF) devices has become increasingly popular. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a topical skin laxity tightening agent when used in combination with an RF device. A double-blinded, randomized clinical trial enrolled twenty females with mild-to-moderate skin laxity on the posterior thighs/buttocks. Each subject underwent two monthly treatments with an RF source (Alma Accent) to both legs. Subjects were then randomized to apply a topical agent (Skinceuticals Body Tightening Concentrate) twice daily to only one designated thigh/buttock throughout the eight-week duration of the study. All subjects were evaluated for improvement in lifting, skin tone, radiance, firmness/tightness, skin texture, and overall appearance based on photographic evaluation by blinded investigators at 12 weeks following the final RF treatment. A statistically significant improvement was found in the overall appearance on both sides treated with the RF device when compared to baseline. However, the area treated with the topical agent showed a statistically significantly greater degree of improvement than the side where no topical agent was applied. No adverse effects were reported. The use of a novel skin tightening agent used after RF procedures is both safe and effective for treatment of skin laxity on the buttocks and thighs. Combined therapy leads to a better result.

Inocoterone and acne. The effect of a topical antiandrogen: results of a multicenter clinical trial.

PubMed

Lookingbill, D P; Abrams, B B; Ellis, C N; Jegasothy, B V; Lucky, A W; Ortiz-Ferrer, L C; Savin, R C; Shupack, J L; Stiller, M J; Zone, J J

1992-09-01

Because acne is androgen dependent, antiandrogen therapy might improve the condition. Inocoterone acetate (RU 882) is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen that binds to the androgen receptor and has antiandrogenic activity in animal models. To test its topical effect on acne, 126 male subjects with facial acne completed a 16-week, multi-center, double-blind study in which the twice-daily application of a 10% solution of inocoterone was compared with vehicle solution. Baseline and monthly examinations included acne lesion counts and general and endocrine laboratory tests. Inflammatory papules and pustules showed greater reduction in the inocoterone-treated subjects than in the subjects treated with vehicle. This difference achieved statistical significance by week 12 (24% reduction vs 10%) and week 16 (26% reduction vs 13%) and, with longitudinal analysis, throughout the course of the study. Global assessments and changes in comedo counts and sebum excretion rates were not significantly different between the groups. No serious adverse reactions were encountered. In this double-blind study of 126 male subjects with acne, a topical solution of the antiandrogen inocoterone, compared with vehicle, produced a modest but statistically significant reduction in the number of inflammatory acne lesions.

Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-2-0153 TITLE: Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti - Inflammatory Agents...Sep 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction Through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti - Inflammatory Agents 5a. CONTRACT...applied anti - inflammatory drugs that will reduce recipient site inflammation and skin graft contraction. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Graft contraction, anti

BOOK REVIEW: Solitons, Instantons, and Twistors Solitons, Instantons, and Twistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witt, Donald M.

2011-04-01

Solitons and instantons play important roles both in pure and applied mathematics as well as in theoretical physics where they are related to the topological structure of the vacuum. Twistors are a useful tool for solving nonlinear differential equations and are useful for the study of the antiself-dual Yang-Mills equations and the Einstein equations. Many books and more advanced monographs have been written on these topics. However, this new book by Maciej Dunajski is a complete first introduction to all of the topics in the title. Moreover, it covers them in a very unique way, through integrable systems. The approach taken in this book is that of mathematical physics à la field theory. The book starts by giving an introduction to integrable systems of ordinary and partial differential equations and proceeds from there. Gauge theories are not covered until chapter 6 which means the reader learning the material for the first time can build up confidence with simpler models of solitons and instantons before encountering them in gauge theories. The book also has an extremely clear introduction to twistor theory useful to both mathematicians and physicists. In particular, the twistor theory presentation may be of interest to string theorists wanting understand twistors. There are many useful connections to research into general relativity. Chapter 9 on gravitational instantons is great treatment useful to anyone doing research in classical or quantum gravity. There is also a nice discussion of Kaluza-Klein monopoles. The three appendices A-C cover the necessary background material of basic differential geometry, complex manifolds, and partial differential equations needed to fully understand the subject. The reader who has some level of expertise in any of the topics covered can jump right into that material without necessarily reading all of the earlier chapters because of the extremely clear writing style of the author. This makes the book an excellent reference on instantons, solitons and twistors. However, I found it useful to read the whole book because the author has a beautiful perspective on and presentation of the material. Maciej Dunajski developed the book out of notes from a series of lecture courses he taught on these subjects over a five year period at Cambridge University. This fact makes the book an excellent choice for a textbook on the subject with each of the 10 chapters containing nice problems and exercises. Additionally, the wealth of information contained in the book makes it a great reference book for any theoretical physicist or mathematician to own. As an introduction to an exciting area of research, this book is excellent because it is not only accessible but self contained. A wonderful feature of the book is the clear and informative explanation of the topics and the wealth of examples. The presentation style of the book means that it is accessible to readers ranging from advanced undergraduates doing research to experts. It would be an excellent textbook for a course at the advanced undergraduate level or graduate level in either mathematics or physics. This book will become a standard on the subject. The typesetting of the book is very clean, with nicely sized fonts and clean uniform notation. It includes 35 illustrations which helpfully illustrated text. It is my pleasure to highly recommend it to anyone from an advanced undergraduate to a researcher in the fields covered.

Automatic sleep classification using a data-driven topic model reveals latent sleep states.

PubMed

Koch, Henriette; Christensen, Julie A E; Frandsen, Rune; Zoetmulder, Marielle; Arvastson, Lars; Christensen, Soren R; Jennum, Poul; Sorensen, Helge B D

2014-09-30

The golden standard for sleep classification uses manual scoring of polysomnography despite points of criticism such as oversimplification, low inter-rater reliability and the standard being designed on young and healthy subjects. To meet the criticism and reveal the latent sleep states, this study developed a general and automatic sleep classifier using a data-driven approach. Spectral EEG and EOG measures and eye correlation in 1s windows were calculated and each sleep epoch was expressed as a mixture of probabilities of latent sleep states by using the topic model Latent Dirichlet Allocation. Model application was tested on control subjects and patients with periodic leg movements (PLM) representing a non-neurodegenerative group, and patients with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) representing a neurodegenerative group. The model was optimized using 50 subjects and validated on 76 subjects. The optimized sleep model used six topics, and the topic probabilities changed smoothly during transitions. According to the manual scorings, the model scored an overall subject-specific accuracy of 68.3 ± 7.44 (% μ ± σ) and group specific accuracies of 69.0 ± 4.62 (control), 70.1 ± 5.10 (PLM), 67.2 ± 8.30 (iRBD) and 67.7 ± 9.07 (PD). Statistics of the latent sleep state content showed accordances to the sleep stages defined in the golden standard. However, this study indicates that sleep contains six diverse latent sleep states and that state transitions are continuous processes. The model is generally applicable and may contribute to the research in neurodegenerative diseases and sleep disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PUMAS: The On-line journal of Math and Science Examples for Pre-College Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trainer, Melissa G.; Kahn, Ralph A.

2015-11-01

PUMAS - “Practical Uses of Math And Science” - is an on-line collection of brief examples showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes can be used in interesting settings, including every day life. The examples are written primarily by scientists, engineers, and other content experts having practical experience with the material. They are aimed mainly at classroom teachers to enrich their presentation of math and science topics. The goal of PUMAS is to capture, for the benefit of pre-college education, the flavor of the vast experience that working scientists have with interesting and practical uses of math and science. There are currently over 80 examples in the PUMAS collection, and they are organized by curriculum topics and tagged with relevant grade levels and curriculum topic benchmarks. The published examples cover a wide range of subject matter: from demonstrating why summer is hot, to describing the fluid dynamics of a lava lamp, to calculating the best age to collect Social Security Benefits. The examples are available to all interested parties via the PUMAS web site: http://pumas.nasa.gov/.We invite the community to participate in the PUMAS collection. We seek scientists and scientific thinkers to provide innovative examples of practical uses for teachers to use to enrich the classroom experience, and content experts to participate in peer-review. We also seek teachers to review examples for originality, accuracy of content, clarity of presentation, and grade-level appropriateness. Finally, we encourage teachers to mine this rich repository for real-world examples to demonstrate the value of math in science in everyday life.

[Non adherence and topical steroids].

PubMed

Aubert, H; Barbarot, S

2012-01-01

Compliance raises very specific questions in dermatology related to the frequent use of local treatments: creams or ointments, including topical corticosteroids. The adherence in dermatology is a complex issue. It is difficult to quantify objectively because of the patient subjectivity, the constant adaptation to changes in the course of the disease, and due to the lack of adapted device. Moreover poor compliance may be related to topical corticosteroid phobia, defined as a fear vis-à-vis the topical corticosteroids, rational or not. The topical corticosteroid phobia is very common in the management of chronic inflammatory skin diseases especially in atopic dermatitis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Recreation Research Publications. Bibliography 1961-1982.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Echelberger, Herbert E., Comp.; And Others

This bibliography identifies, by author and subject matter, recreational research publications, by Forest Service scientists, that have been published from 1961 through 1982. Publications are classified under six major topic areas: (1) management of areas and facilities (including such topics as wilderness/backcountry resources and use of…

Attitude Similarity, Topic Importance, and Psychotherapeutic Attraction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheney, Thomas

1975-01-01

The effect of attitude similarity and topic importance on attraction was studied by exposing 75 prison inmates, incarcerated for public intoxication, to varying attitudes of a psychotherapist. Subjects were more attracted to the therapist after receiving alcohol items regardless of degree of similarity expressed. (Author)

Context updating during sentence comprehension: the effect of aboutness topic.

PubMed

Burmester, Juliane; Spalek, Katharina; Wartenburger, Isabell

2014-10-01

To communicate efficiently, speakers typically link their utterances to the discourse environment and adapt their utterances to the listener's discourse representation. Information structure describes how linguistic information is packaged within a discourse to optimize information transfer. The present study investigates the nature and time course of context integration (i.e., aboutness topic vs. neutral context) on the comprehension of German declarative sentences with either subject-before-object (SO) or object-before-subject (OS) word order using offline comprehensibility judgments and online event-related potentials (ERPs). Comprehensibility judgments revealed that the topic context selectively facilitated comprehension of stories containing OS (i.e., non-canonical) sentences. In the ERPs, the topic context effect was reflected in a less pronounced late positivity at the sentence-initial object. In line with the Syntax-Discourse Model, we argue that these context-induced effects are attributable to reduced processing costs for updating the current discourse model. The results support recent approaches of neurocognitive models of discourse processing. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Topical Anesthetics for Radiofrequency Ablation of Achrocordons: Eutectic Mixture of Lignocaine/Prilocaine versus Lidocaine/Tetracaine

PubMed Central

Mishra, Nitin; Chauhan, Sandhya; Rastogi, Madhur Kant

2014-01-01

Introduction. Topical application of local anesthetics is currently considered to be the easiest, most effective, and convenient way for treatment of patients who may be undergoing superficial dermatosurgical procedures. Materials and Methods. This study compares the anesthetic potential of 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine topical cream with 7% lignocaine and 7% tetracaine combination cream for radio ablative dermatosurgery when applied, under occlusion, for 30 minutes. 40 subjects of achrocordons were enrolled in this split-side randomized trial. Result. The pain severity experienced by subjects in terms of visual analogue scale score was significantly lesser for lignocaine/tetracaine combination cream as compared to lidocaine/prilocaine combination. Conclusion. This small study proves the efficacy of lidocaine/tetracaine combination as a topical anesthetic cream when applied for a short time interval of 30 minutes. This will help a dermatosurgeon to perform various dermatological procedures in a better and efficient manner with a shorter waiting period for analgesia to set in. PMID:24600520

Increased Topical Generic Prices by Manufacturers: An Isolated Trend or Worrisome Future?

PubMed

Bhatt, Mehul D; Bhatt, Birju D; Dorrian, James T; McLellan, Beth N

2018-03-12

There is limited data regarding generic medication prices. Recent studies have shown price changes at the retail level, but much is not known about the pharmaceutical supply chain or price changes at the manufacturer level. We sought to examine the extent of price changes for topical generic medications. A comprehensive review of average wholesale prices (AWP) and manufacturers of topical generics and available corresponding branded medications was conducted for 2005 and 2016. A total of 51 topical chemical entities were examined. Between 2005 and 2016, the AWP of topical generics increased by 273% and the AWP of topical branded increased by 379%. The topical generic with the most price change increased by 2529%. Eight of the top twenty topical generics with the highest increase in AWP also had an increase in the number of manufacturers. These findings are not generalizable to medications used in other areas of medicine CONCLUSIONS: Topical generic prices are rapidly increasing at the manufacturer level. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Topical Treatment With Liposomal Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin Complex in Subjects With Facial Redness and Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea: Case Studies.

PubMed

Vasily, David B

2015-10-01

Physicians are often presented with patients complaining of facial redness and difficult to control rosacea. The water soluble sodium copper chlorophyllin complex has been shown to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial activities in vitro and anti-redness, pore reduction, and anti-acne activities in pilot clinical studies. In these case studies, the safety and efficacy of a topical gel containing a liposomal suspension of sodium copper chlorophyllin complex was assessed in subjects with facial redness and erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

Comparative trial of benzoyl peroxide versus benzoyl peroxide with urea in inflammatory acne.

PubMed

Prince, R A; Harris, J M; Maroc, J A

1982-06-01

Improvement in vehicle design may improve the delivery of drugs to the target site. A clinical trial was performed to evaluate an improved vehicle for topical benzoyl peroxide. Thirty-nine subjects participated in a split-face, double-blind trial of topical benzoyl peroxide 5 percent versus benzoyl peroxide 5 percent in 8 percent urea. All subjects had grade II or III acne as described by Pillsbury. Study solutions were randomly assigned to a selected side of the subject's face and applied twice a day to the appropriate side of the face for eight weeks. Total and inflammatory lesion counts were performed by the same investigator during the eight weeks of study at biweekly intervals. No overall differences in the response to the study preparations were observed when assessed objectively and subjectively.

An Open-Label, Multi-Center, Multiple-Application Pharmacokinetic Study of Naftifine HCl Gel 2% in Pediatric Subjects With Tinea Pedis.

PubMed

Verma, Amit; Olayinka, Babajide; Fleischer, Alan B

2015-07-01

Tinea pedis is the most common superficial fungal infection. Naftifine hydrochloride is a topical antifungal of the allylamine class, displaying fungicidal activity and clinically significant anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical data on topical antifungal therapy using naftifine for tinea pedis in a pediatric population is limited. To assess trends in efficacy, tolerability, safety, and to quantify the pharmacokinetics (PK) of topical naftifine hydrochloride gel 2% in pediatric subjects with tinea pedis. Twenty-eight subjects (22 pediatric and 6 adult controls) were enrolled and treated in the study. Approximately 2 grams of naftifine hydrochloride gel 2% was applied to each foot (4 grams total) for subjects with tinea pedis. Pharmacokinetic blood and urine samples were collected at various time points throughout the study. Efficacy was assessed based on potassium hydroxide, dermatophyte culture, and signs and symptom results at days 7, 14, and 28. Adverse event information was collected routinely.
The rate and extent of systemic exposure among the pediatric and adult control subjects was low. Adverse events were minimal and were not related to treatment. Positive results were observed as early as day 7; however the proportion of subjects achieving success generally increased over time through day 28 in both treatment groups. Naftifine hydrochloride gel 2% was found to be well tolerated and safe. Trends in clinical benefit were observed throughout the treatment period; however, continued improvement in efficacy rates were observed during the post-treatment period.

Localized reduction of gingival inflammation using site-specific therapy with a topical gingival patch.

PubMed

Samuels, Noah; Saffer, Aron; Wexler, Isaiah D; Oberbaum, Menachem

2012-01-01

Sites of inflammation were identified on subjects with moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis, and were allocated to either patch placement or untreated controls, both for 24 hours. Conventional treatment with scaling and root planing was postponed during the study period. Inflammation was evaluated measuring neutrophilic activity using gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) beta-glucuronidase (b-glu) levels, and clinical response was evaluated using the gingival index (GI). A total of 26 patients were recruited and 36 sites examined, with 22 sites on which the patch was placed and 14 controls. GCF b-glu levels at 24 hours were reduced following patch placement, significantly more so than with controls (17/22 vs. 3/14 sites, respectively; p = 0.002). The patch placement resulted in a significant reduction in mean b-glu levels (-2.52 +/- 1.62), with a reduction from baseline of 29.7%. This compared to untreated controls, for whom the mean b-glu levels and percent change from baseline increased (2.14 +/- 0.89 and 33%, respectively). At 24 hours, GI response rate for treated sites was better than for control sites (18/21 vs. 7/14; p = 0.053). No adverse events were reported in either group. This pilot study indicates that a topical gingival patch promotes reduction of gingival inflammation. Further clinical testing of this novel treatment of gingival inflammation is warranted.

GREENHOUSE WORKER, TEACHERS COPY.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

FITTS, JAMES; JOHNSON, JOHNNY

DESIGNED FOR VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE STUDENTS IN A COOPERATIVE PART-TIME TRAINING PROGRAM, THIS GUIDE WAS DEVELOPED BY TWO VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE TEACHERS WITH INTEREST, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE IN HORTICULTURE AND WAS COORDINATED AND EDITED BY A SUBJECT MATTER SPECIALIST. INCLUDED ARE TEN UNITS, EACH DIVIDED INTO TOPICS. EACH TOPIC INCLUDES A…

Topical Conference on the Origin of the Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

The abstracts are presented on the topic of the origin of the Earth. The subject of planetary evolution from inner solar system plantesimals through the formation and composition of the Earth's atmosphere and the physical structure of the Earth and the Moon is explored in great variety.

Communication and Sexuality: An Annotated Bibliography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buley, Jerry, Comp.; And Others

The entries in this annotated bibliography represent books, educational journals, dissertations, popular magazines, and research studies that deal with the topic of communication and sexuality. Arranged alphabetically by author and also indexed according to subject matter, the titles span a variety of topics, including the following: sex and…

Topical Application of Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss During Complex Combat Related Spine Trauma Surgery

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-2-0177 TITLE: Topical Application of Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss During Complex Combat-Related Spine Trauma...COVERED (From - To) 30 Sep 2014 - 29 Sep 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Topical Application of Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss During Complex...application will be submitted shortly and successfully. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Spine; Tranexamic Acid ; Perioperative blood loss; Trauma; Antifibrinolytic

[Use of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in an urban health center. Comparison with the current evidence].

PubMed

Yagüe-Sebastián, M M; Coscollar-Escartín, I; Muñoz-Albadalejo, P; López-Canales, M C; Villaverde-Royo, M V; Gutiérrez-Moreno, F

2013-09-01

To describe the prescribing of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in an urban health center (Zaragoza, Spain). A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on subjects who belonged to an urban center and were studied during the year 2010. The sample size with a confidence level of 95%, was calculated, a total of 843 prescriptions were analyzed. The sample was single random, and 150 cases were selected. The prevalence and confidence intervals were calculated. The statistical package STATA 9.1 was used for the calculations. The most used drug was diclofenac, in 27.33% (95% CI: 20.65-34.88). NSAIDs were most used in females. In 18% of the cases the area of application was the knee, followed by the 15% in the lower back area (95% CI: 10,22-21,78). There were no adverse reactions. Frequent use is made of topical NSAIDs in a basic health area. Current recommendations support the use in the knee and in the hand, but not in the back, where its use is common. The use of topical NSAIDs decreases side effects and drug interactions, therefore their use is recommended in patients on multiple drug therapy and in the elderly. Copyright © 2012 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

[CANNABIS AND GLAUCOMA: AN ANCIENT LEGEND OR A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC HORIZON?].

PubMed

Mathalone, Nurit; Wolf, Alvit; Geyer, Orna

2015-06-01

Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve and compromises the visual field. The main risk factor of the disease is the level of the intra-ocular pressure. Therapeutic options include medical and surgical treatment, aimed to lower the intra-ocular pressure. Consumption of the cannabis plant (Cannabis Satival has been known since ancient times. It can be consumed orally, topically, intra-venous or by inhalation. The main active ingredient of cannabis is THC (Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol). One of THC's reported effects is the reduction of intra-ocular pressure. Several studies have demonstrated temporary intra-ocular pressure decrease in both healthy subjects and glaucoma patients following topical application or systemic consumption. The effect was a short term one. It was followed by the development of resistance to the drug after prolonged intake and it was also accompanied by topical and systemic side effects. Cannabis may be considered as a therapeutic option in glaucoma. Its limited effect, development of resistance, acquired side effects and the accompanying psycho-active influence limit its advantage and cause its efficacy to be dubious. Therefore, cannabis treatment for glaucoma currently seems impractical and is not recommended by either the Israeli or the American glaucoma societies.

Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials for Biomedical Fluorescence Detection

PubMed Central

Hahm, Jong-in

2014-01-01

One-dimensional zinc oxide nanomaterials have been recently developed into novel, extremely effective, optical signal-enhancing bioplatforms. Their usefulness has been demonstrated in various biomedical fluorescence assays. Fluorescence is extensively used in biology and medicine as a sensitive and noninvasive detection method for tracking and analyzing biological molecules. Achieving high sensitivity via improving signal-to-noise ratio is of paramount importance in fluorescence-based, trace-level detection. Recent advances in the development of optically superior one-dimensional materials have contributed to this important biomedical area of detection. This review article will discuss major research developments that have so far been made in this emerging and exciting topical field. The discussion will cover a broad range of subjects including synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs), various properties differentiating them as suitable optical biodetection platforms, their demonstrated applicability in DNA and protein detection, and the nanomaterial characteristics relevant for biomolecular fluorescence enhancement. This review will then summarize the current status of ZnO NR-based biodetection and further elaborate future utility of ZnO NR platforms for advanced biomedical assays, based on their proven advantages. Lastly, present challenges experienced in this topical area will be identified and focal subject areas for future research will be suggested as well. PMID:24730276

Randomized trial of electrodynamic microneedle combined with 5% minoxidil topical solution for the treatment of Chinese male Androgenetic alopecia.

PubMed

Bao, Linlin; Gong, Lin; Guo, Menger; Liu, Taoming; Shi, Anyu; Zong, Haifeng; Xu, Xuegang; Chen, Hongduo; Gao, Xinghua; Li, Yuanhong

2017-10-13

In treating androgenetic alopecia, 5% minoxidil is a commonly used topical drug. By using electrodynamic microneedle at the same time may increase absorption of minoxidil and further stimulate hair growth. A 24-week, randomized, evaluator blinded, comparative study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of treating Chinese male androgenetic alopecia using microneedle combined with 5% minoxidil topical solution. Randomized subjects received topical 5% minoxidil (group 1, n = 20), local electrodynamic microneedle treatments (group 2, n = 20), or local electrodynamic microneedle treatments plus topical 5% minoxidil (group 3, n = 20). A total of 12 microneedle treatments were performed every 2 weeks with 2ml 5% minoxidil delivery in group 3 during each microneedle treatment. Patient receiving topical 5% minoxidil applied 1 ml of the solution twice daily over the course of the study. A total of 60 Chinese male subjects with Norwood-Hamilton type III-VI androgenetic alopecia were treated. The mean improvement in total hair density from baseline to 24 weeks was 18.8/cm 2 in group 1, 23.4/cm 2 in group 2, and 38.3/cm 2 in group 3. The hair growth in the 3 groups was significantly different (P = 0.002), but there were no significant differences in toxicity found between the 3 groups. Treatment with microneedle plus topical 5% minoxidil was associated with the best hair growth.

Subject Specific Databases: A Powerful Research Tool

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Terrence E., Jr.

2004-01-01

Subject specific databases, or vortals (vertical portals), are databases that provide highly detailed research information on a particular topic. They are the smallest, most focused search tools on the Internet and, in recent years, they've been on the rise. Currently, more of the so-called "mainstream" search engines, subject directories, and…

Poverty-Related Topics Found in Dissertations: A Bibliography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Neill, Mara, Comp.; And Others

Arranged alphabetically by main topic, this bibliography cites 322 doctoral dissertations, written between 1970 and 1974, pertaining to various aspects of poverty. Where possible, annotations have been written to present the kernel idea of the work. Im many instances, additional subject headings which reflect important secondary thrusts are also…

Research Needs: Career and Technical Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kosloski, Michael F., Jr.; Ritz, John M.

2016-01-01

Research is an important component of each professional field. This study sought to determine topics that needed further research in the school subjects known as career and technical education. It determined topics that needed to be researched related to high school career and technical education (CTE) and the preparation for teaching CTE in…

Secondary Social Studies: Alaska Curriculum Guide. Second Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alaska State Dept. of Education, Juneau. Office of Curriculum Services.

A secondary social studies model curriculum guide for Alaska is presented. The body of the guide lists topics/concepts, learning outcomes/objectives, and sample learning activities in a 3 column format. The first column, topics/concepts, describes the content area, defining the subject broadly and listing subconcepts or associated vocabulary. The…

Dental Hygienists' Perceptions of Preparation and Importance of Curriculum Topics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perry, Dorothy A.; Gerbert, Barbara

1995-01-01

A mail survey investigated dental hygiene graduates' perceptions of their preparation for practice with respect to certain curriculum areas, the importance of those topics to practice, and demographic characteristics. Subjects were 64 graduates of the San Francisco University (California) dental school from 1985-89. Results are analyzed and…

Trend Monitoring and Forecasting

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-11

including breaking news, meme , and commemorative day, on the context patterns. Table 2 shows the example pattern of classifying context pattern feature...used the following rule to find the ‘ meme ’. If the trending topic contains ‘#’ AND ‘subject+verb’, then trending topic is ‘ Meme ’. Table 2 Context

The Infusion of Socio-Humanistic Concepts into Engineering Courses via Horizontal Integration of Subject Matter.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huckaba, Charles E.; Griffin, Ann

1983-01-01

Describes development of an interdisciplinary engineering course called "Social Aspects of the Technical Decision Process." Course content includes such interdisciplinary topics as alternative energy, ecology, and urban planning, which represent traditional engineering concepts. However, social and historical dimensions are built into topics.…

Colorful Accounting

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warrick, C. Shane

2006-01-01

As instructors of accounting, we should take an abstract topic (at least to most students) and connect it to content known by students to help increase the effectiveness of our instruction. In a recent semester, ordinary items such as colors, a basketball, and baseball were used to relate the subject of accounting. The accounting topics of account…

Topic Outlines in Microbiology: An Instructor's Guide for Junior and Community Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC.

This resource guide presents subject matter organized in outline form for four topical areas: introductory microbiology; medical microbiology; microbial genetics; and microbial physiology. The first two units comprise the two most frequently taught microbiology courses in community and junior colleges. The outlines for microbial genetics and…

Primary Student Teachers' Ideas about Teaching a Physics Topic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahtee, Maija; Johnston, Jane

2006-01-01

This study examines Finnish and English primary student teachers' ideas when planning to teach a physics topic during their science education studies. Many primary student teachers lack sufficient subject knowledge, which prevents them from constructing the scientific pedagogical content knowledge that enables them to concentrate on pupils'…

Math Activities for Teaching about Aging.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doyle, Roberta E.; Pappas, Anthony A.

By participating in these class activities, students will acquire mathematical skills and at the same time learn about aging. Topics related to aging are often quantitative, and therefore, subject to mathematical analysis and procedures. The activities, which contain teacher suggestions and all student handouts, deal with seven topics. In the…

76 FR 53888 - Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Idaho National Laboratory

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-30

...) Contract Extension. EM Organizational Changes. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Status. Public... are subject to change; please contact the Federal Coordinator (below) for confirmation of times prior... Topics (agenda topics may change up to the day of the meeting; please contact Robert L. Pence for the...

Indirect Memory Measures in Spontaneous Discourse in Normal and Amnesic Subjects.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Cathy; Kirsner, Kim

2000-01-01

This study confirmed the following: Fowler's (1989) finding that duration is reduced for repeated words that involve Given information; evidence that Given repetitions are restricted to intra-topic discourse; evidence that duration is increased for new repetitions under intra-topic conditions; and evidence for shortening and lengthening are…

Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration.

PubMed

Altaei, D Tagreed

2012-02-01

To determine the laboratory and clinical efficacy of lavender oil in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU). This was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study performed firstly to treat the induced ulcers by different methods in experimental animals (rabbits) treated with lavender oil or placebo. Clinical and histological healing was established by measuring the area of the ulcer and inflammation levels in each test group. Secondly, safety/toxicity; the median lethal dose (LD50) was studied in albino mice, and dermal irritation test was performed by primary irritation to the skin and measured by a patch-test technique on the intact skin of the albino rabbit. Thirdly, antibacterial effect; lavender oil was screened against bacteria obtained from swab specimen of human subjects' RAU using disc diffusion method. Fourthly, clinical study; 115 subjects (mean age 38 years, mean weight 75 kg) were divided into two groups of subjects topically treated with lavender oil or placebo. The clinical efficacy was assessed by inflammation level, erythema, edema, ulcer duration, ulcer size, mean area under the curve of ulcer area, healing time, and associated pain intensity and reduction. Animals treated with lavender oil showed a significant ulcer size reduction, increased rate of mucosal repair, and healing within 3 days of treatment compared to baseline and placebo groups [2-3 days (90%), 4 days (10%)] (P=0.001). The intraperitoneal LD50 value in mice was 6.5 gm/kg; clinical dermal irritation test showed no sign of irritation in the tested products. Lavender oil showed a broad antibacterial activity against all tested strains; it exhibited significant inhibition on tested bacteria where the value of zone of inhibition ranged from 14.5-24 mm vs Streptomycin (25 microg/disc) 12-22 +/- 0.5 mm; MIC was > 6.4-36 mg/ml. RAU patients treated with lavender oil showed a significant reduction in inflammation level, ulcer size, healing time, from 2-4 days [2 days (40%), 3 days (50%), 4 days (10%)], and pain relief mostly from the first dose, compared to baseline and placebo. No side effects were reported.

Mind Over Magma: The Story of Igneous Petrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snyder, Don

2004-01-01

In the centuries that enquiring minds have studied and theorized about igneous rocks, much progress has been made, both in accumulating observations and in developing theories. Yet, writing a history of this progress is a daunting undertaking. The volume of the literature is vast and in multiple languages; the various lines of inquiry are diverse and complex; and the nomenclature is sometimes abstruse. On top of these challenges, many of its principal issues have yet to find a definitive consensus. With the exception of a few topical studies, historians of science have virtually avoided the subject. In Mind Over Magma: The Story of Igneous Petrology, Davis Young has taken on the challenge of writing a comprehensive survey of the study of igneous rocks, and the result has been a remarkable book of meticulous scholarship. Igneous petrology is a vast subject, and it is not obvious how best to organize its history. Young takes a topical approach, generally grouping together various studies by either the problem being investigated or the method of attack. These topics span the earliest times to the present, with an emphasis on recurring themes, such as the causes of magmatic diversity and the origins of the granitic rocks. The range of topics includes most of the subjects central to the field over its history. As much as is practical, topics are discussed in chronological order, and along the way, the reader is treated to biographical sketches of many of the key contributors. This organization proves effective in dealing with the multitude of concepts.

Use of consensus development to establish national research priorities in critical care

PubMed Central

Vella, Keryn; Goldfrad, Caroline; Rowan, Kathy; Bion, Julian; Black, Nick

2000-01-01

Objectives To test the feasibility of using a nominal group technique to establish clinical and health services research priorities in critical care and to test the representativeness of the group's views. Design Generation of topics by means of a national survey; a nominal group technique to establish the level of consensus; a survey to test the representativeness of the results. Setting United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Subjects Nominal group composed of 10 doctors (8 consultants, 2 trainees) and 2 nurses. Main outcome measure Level of support (median) and level of agreement (mean absolute deviation from the median) derived from a 9 point Likert scale. Results Of the 325 intensive care units approached, 187 (58%) responded, providing about 1000 suggestions for research. Of the 106 most frequently suggested topics considered by the nominal group, 37 attracted strong support, 48 moderate support and 21 weak support. There was more agreement after the group had met—overall mean of the mean absolute deviations from the median fell from 1.41 to 1.26. The group's views represented the views of the wider community of critical care staff (r=0.73, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the views of staff from teaching or from non-teaching hospitals. Of the 37 topics that attracted the strongest support, 24 were concerned with organisational aspects of critical care and only 13 with technology assessment or clinical research. Conclusions A nominal group technique is feasible and reliable for determining research priorities among clinicians. This approach is more democratic and transparent than the traditional methods used by research funding bodies. The results suggest that clinicians perceive research into the best ways of delivering and organising services as a high priority. PMID:10753149

Improvement in likelihood to donate blood after being offered a topical anesthetic.

PubMed

Watanabe, Kyle M; Jay, Jeffrey; Alicto, Christopher; Yamamoto, Loren G

2011-02-01

While there are many reasons people choose not to donate blood, pain sustained during the venipuncture portion of the blood donation process is likely one deterrent to volunteer donation. The purpose of this study was to survey the improvement in likelihood of donation if participants were given the option of a topical anesthetic cream prior to venipuncture. Over a three month period 316 adults (convenience sample) completed a one page survey consisting of twelve questions pertaining to blood donation. Participants were asked about their likelihood of donating blood in the near future (No Possibility, Possible, Likely, Certain). They were then informed of the possibility of using a topical anesthetic cream prior to donation. Subsequently, their likelihood of donating blood was reassessed. Fifty (16%) subjects reported an increased likelihood of donating blood if offered a topical anesthetic (p〈0.0001). Of these respondents reporting an increase in donation likelihood, eleven improved by 2 or more likelihood categories. Amongst the 169 participants who never donated blood, 34 (20%) reported an increased likelihood of donation after being told about the topical anesthetic cream, compared to 16 (10%) of the 147 subjects who had previously donated blood (p=0.02). The findings of this study suggest that providing a topical anesthetic had a positive effect on the study participants' likelihood of donating blood. This improvement was greater amongst those who have never donated blood. Hawaii Medical Journal Copyright 2011.

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Split-face Clinical Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Two Topical Human Growth Factors for the Rejuvenation of the Aging Face

PubMed Central

Goldman, Mitchel P.

2017-01-01

Background: Cosmeceutical products represent an increasingly important therapeutic option for anti-aging and rejuvenation, either used alone or in combination with dermatologic surgical procedures. Among this group of products, topical growth factors have demonstrated efficacy in randomized, controlled clinical trials. However, comparisons between different products remain uncommon. Objective: The objective of this randomized, double-blind, split-face clinical trial was to compare two different topical growth factor formulations derived from either human fibroblasts or human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells. Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved, randomized, double-blind, split-face clinical trial involving 20 healthy subjects with moderate-to-severe facial wrinkling secondary to photodamage. One half of the face was randomized to receive topical human fibroblast growth factors and the other topical human mesenchymal stem cell growth factors. Treatment was continued for three months, and evaluations were performed in a double-blind fashion. Results: Both growth factor formulations achieved significant improvement in facial wrinkling. Blinded investigator and subject evaluations did not detect any significant differences between the two formulations in terms of efficacy, safety, or tolerability. Conclusion: Both human fibroblast growth factors and human mesenchymal stem cell growth factors are effective at facial rejuvenation. Topical growth factors represent a useful therapeutic modality. PMID:28670356

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Split-face Clinical Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Two Topical Human Growth Factors for the Rejuvenation of the Aging Face.

PubMed

Wu, Douglas C; Goldman, Mitchel P

2017-05-01

Background: Cosmeceutical products represent an increasingly important therapeutic option for anti-aging and rejuvenation, either used alone or in combination with dermatologic surgical procedures. Among this group of products, topical growth factors have demonstrated efficacy in randomized, controlled clinical trials. However, comparisons between different products remain uncommon. Objective: The objective of this randomized, double-blind, split-face clinical trial was to compare two different topical growth factor formulations derived from either human fibroblasts or human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells. Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved, randomized, double-blind, split-face clinical trial involving 20 healthy subjects with moderate-to-severe facial wrinkling secondary to photodamage. One half of the face was randomized to receive topical human fibroblast growth factors and the other topical human mesenchymal stem cell growth factors. Treatment was continued for three months, and evaluations were performed in a double-blind fashion. Results: Both growth factor formulations achieved significant improvement in facial wrinkling. Blinded investigator and subject evaluations did not detect any significant differences between the two formulations in terms of efficacy, safety, or tolerability. Conclusion: Both human fibroblast growth factors and human mesenchymal stem cell growth factors are effective at facial rejuvenation. Topical growth factors represent a useful therapeutic modality.

Medical concepts related to individual risk are better explained with "plausibility" rather than "probability".

PubMed

Grossi, Enzo

2005-09-27

The concept of risk has pervaded medical literature in the last decades and has become a familiar topic, and the concept of probability, linked to binary logic approach, is commonly applied in epidemiology and clinical medicine. The application of probability theory to groups of individuals is quite straightforward but can pose communication challenges at individual level. Few articles by the way have tried to focus the concept of "risk" at the individual subject level rather than at population level. The author has reviewed the conceptual framework which has led to the use of probability theory in the medical field in a time when the principal causes of death were represented by acute disease often of infective origin. In the present scenario, in which chronic degenerative disease dominate and there are smooth transitions between health and disease the use of fuzzy logic rather than binary logic would be more appropriate. The use of fuzzy logic in which more than two possible truth-value assignments are allowed overcomes the trap of probability theory when dealing with uncertain outcomes, thereby making the meaning of a certain prognostic statement easier to understand by the patient. At individual subject level the recourse to the term plausibility, related to fuzzy logic, would help the physician to communicate to the patient more efficiently in comparison with the term probability, related to binary logic. This would represent an evident advantage for the transfer of medical evidences to individual subjects.

Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a novel phosphodiesterase inhibitor, E6005 ointment, in healthy volunteers and in patients with atopic dermatitis.

PubMed

Ohba, Fuminori; Nomoto, Maiko; Hojo, Seiichiro; Akama, Hideto

2016-01-01

The purpose of the present studies was to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of topical application of a novel phosphodiesterase inhibitor, E6005, in healthy volunteers and in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In two randomized, investigator-blind, vehicle-controlled studies, we evaluated the topical application of E6005 ointment at concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.2% in healthy volunteers (Study 001) and in patients with AD (Study 101). Thirty-six subjects were enrolled in Study 001 and 40 in Study 101. Neither skin irritation nor photosensitization was observed with application of E6005 in Study 001. Four subjects receiving E6005 in Study 001 experienced a treatment-emergent adverse event (application site edema, increased alanine aminotransferase or erythema); three of these subjects discontinued the study. Two subjects receiving E6005 in Study 101 experienced an adverse event (gout or enterocolitis); one discontinued the study. Plasma concentrations of E6005 were below the limit of quantification (1 ng/ml) in both studies. E6005 ointment exhibited acceptable safety and tolerability. Topical application of E6005 ointment resulted in very low systemic exposure to E6005 in healthy volunteers and in patients with AD.

How well are you teaching one of the most important biological concepts for humankind? A call to action

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bonar, Scott A.; Fife, Deanna A.; Bonar, John S.

2016-01-01

We represent several generations of biology educators – with teaching experiences beginning in the 1940s and continuing to the present, from elementary school to graduate-level programs. We find the vast array of subjects that biology teachers can now cover both thrilling and mind-boggling. Depending on the grade level, units exist that focus on neurobiology, forensics, DNA analysis, biotechnology, marine biology, and a host of other topics.Although science teachers cover a potpourri of advanced topics, we must ask ourselves – no matter our biology-teaching responsibilities – how well we are teaching carrying capacity, one of the most fundamental biological concepts for our society, knowledge of which becomes more important every day. As biology teachers, most of you know that carrying capacity is defined as the maximum population an environment can sustain, given the amounts of food, habitat, and other resources available. Every environment – from your goldfish bowl to the local forest to planet Earth – can only sustain a set number (weight) of a particular species, based on available resources and space. Currently, most science classes teach …

Hyperhidrosis plantaris - a randomized, half-side trial for efficacy and safety of an antiperspirant containing different concentrations of aluminium chloride.

PubMed

Streker, Meike; Reuther, Tilmann; Hagen, Linda; Kerscher, Martina

2012-02-01

Primary focal hyperhidrosis plantaris can cause impairment in social, physical, leisure and occupational activities. Topical treatment with aluminium chloride is the first-line treatment. The aim of this trial was to evaluate efficacy and safety of two different concentrations of aluminium chloride hexa-hydrate (12.5%, 30%) for 6 weeks. 20 volunteers with hyperhidrosis plantaris were included. Efficacy was evaluated using a clinical rating scale of the hyperhidrosis level and qualitative assessments including Minor's (iodine-starch) test and a standardized sniff test. Furthermore a patient questionnaire and measurements of skin surface pH were done to evaluate the subjective assessments and side effects. The hyperhidrosis level significantly decreased in both concentrations. There were no differences in tolerability regarding the skin surface pH and the patient questionnaires. In addition the hidrotic areas decreased after application of both products and the sniff test improved. Topical application of an antiperspirant containing aluminium chloride reduced sweat production in plantar hyperhidrosis significantly. As both 12.5% and 30% were efficacious and safe, we would recommend 12.5% for outpatient treatment. © The Author • Journal compilation © Blackwell Verlag GmbH, Berlin.

Fundamentals of Geophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lowrie, William

1997-10-01

This unique textbook presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of geophysics. Unlike most geophysics textbooks, it combines both the applied and theoretical aspects to the subject. The author explains complex geophysical concepts using abundant diagrams, a simplified mathematical treatment, and easy-to-follow equations. After placing the Earth in the context of the solar system, he describes each major branch of geophysics: gravitation, seismology, dating, thermal and electrical properties, geomagnetism, paleomagnetism and geodynamics. Each chapter begins with a summary of the basic physical principles, and a brief account of each topic's historical evolution. The book will satisfy the needs of intermediate-level earth science students from a variety of backgrounds, while at the same time preparing geophysics majors for continued study at a higher level.

Weight status and the perception of body image in men

PubMed Central

Gardner, Rick M

2014-01-01

Understanding the role of body size in relation to the accuracy of body image perception in men is an important topic because of the implications for avoiding and treating obesity, and it may serve as a potential diagnostic criterion for eating disorders. The early research on this topic produced mixed findings. About one-half of the early studies showed that obese men overestimated their body size, with the remaining half providing accurate estimates. Later, improvements in research technology and methodology provided a clearer indication of the role of weight status in body image perception. Research in our laboratory has also produced diverse findings, including that obese subjects sometimes overestimate their body size. However, when examining our findings across several studies, obese subjects had about the same level of accuracy in estimating their body size as normal-weight subjects. Studies in our laboratory also permitted the separation of sensory and nonsensory factors in body image perception. In all but one instance, no differences were found overall between the ability of obese and normal-weight subjects to detect overall changes in body size. Importantly, however, obese subjects are better at detecting changes in their body size when the image is distorted to be too thin as compared to too wide. Both obese and normal-weight men require about a 3%–7% change in the width of their body size in order to detect the change reliably. Correlations between a range of body mass index values and body size estimation accuracy indicated no relationship between these variables. Numerous studies in other laboratories asked men to place their body size into discrete categorizes, ranging from thin to obese. Researchers found that overweight and obese men underestimate their weight status, and that men are less accurate in their categorizations than are women. Cultural influences have been found to be important, with body size underestimations occurring in cultures where a larger body is found to be desirable. Methodological issues are reviewed with recommendations for future studies. PMID:25114606

Incorporating Environmental and Sustainability Issues into the Curriculum in a Mineralogy Class

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cook, G. W.

2013-12-01

A traditional curriculum in mineralogy addresses classic subject matter such as crystal chemistry, crystallography, systematic mineralogy and optical mineralogy. This is entirely reasonable and appropriate, as these time-honored aspects of mineralogy are fundamental to students' understanding of Earth Materials; they are also important building blocks for an understanding of other geologic disciplines such as petrology, structural geology, and sedimentology. Due to the impressive breadth and amount of subject material that is covered in most mineralogy courses, time constraints do not allow instructors to branch out into more contemporary subjects. In our increasingly technologically-advanced (and crowded) modern society, issues pertaining to the environment and sustainability are at the forefront of scientific thought. In many introductory physical geoscience courses these issues are addressed and incorporated into the curriculum, thereby giving students valuable scientific background in modern environmental issues. However, in upper division classes (such as mineralogy) there is little time or motivation for instructors to add new content or to connect the course content with current environmental or societal concerns, even though there may be significant and meaningful opportunities to do so throughout the quarter or semester. Consequently, many students' understanding of environmental issues remains at an introductory or cursory level. In my mineralogy class at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), I teach a traditional curriculum with a modern approach that uses dynamic lectures, makes use of multimedia, and also utilizes current best teaching practices. As a department, we have recently made an increased effort to educate our students about environmental issues. Accordingly, I have integrated environmental and sustainability topics (when they are pertinent) into the curriculum as a regular component of the course. These topics typically relate to how minerals (and other Earth materials) affect society, human health, and the environment. I cover a variety of topics including (but not limited to) conflict minerals, the role of minerals as vital natural and energy resources, sustainability issues associated with the use of minerals as natural resources, environmental problems associated with the extraction and use of minerals, and human health concerns as they relate to minerals (asbestos, radioactivity/radon, water supply contamination, etc.). These new topics have successfully formed the basis for several new homework and lab assignments and are now an integral component in lectures. Students have communicated (both in end-of-quarter course reviews and in conversation) that they greatly appreciate the added instruction in these topics as we are able to go into far greater detail than would ordinarily be possible in an introductory class. Many also report that they appreciate learning about the societal relevance of minerals and that they are more motivated in the learning process. My experience has been that real world connections stimulate student interest and motivation in their studies, and the incorporation of environmental and sustainability as topics in our mineralogy class at UCSD has made a significant positive impact on student's learning. This is evident in student evaluations of the course.

Comparative Study of Professional vs Mass Market Topical Products for Treatment of Facial Photodamage.

PubMed

Reich, Hilary; Wallander, Irmina; Schulte, Lacie; Goodier, Molly; Zelickson, Brian

2016-01-01

Many over the counter topical products claim to reverse the signs of cutaneous photo-damage. To date, the two most studied ingredients for improving the texture, tone, and pigmentation of the skin are topical retinoids and hydroquinone. This split face study compares a mass market skincare regimen with a prescription skin care regimen for improvement in photo damaged skin. Twenty-seven subjects with moderate photo damaged facial skin were enrolled. Each subject was consented and assigned with the mass market anti-aging system (Treatment A) to one side of the face and the prescription anti-aging system (Treatment B or Treatment C) to the other side of the face. Treatment B contained 13 subjects whom did not use 0.025% Retinol cream. Treatment C contained 14 subjects who used a 0.025% Retinol Cream. Subjects had 4 visits over 12 weeks for digital photography and surveys. Photographs were evaluated by blinded physicians. Physician objective analysis showed all three systems to have a statistically significant clinical improvement in photoaged skin seen in as little as 4 weeks of use. Participant's surveys rated the mass market system higher than both of the professional systems for visible skin changes, ease of use, and likelihood to recommend to a friend. Twelve of twenty-seven subjects preferred the mass market system for overall improvement while twelve thought each system gave the same improvement. This study demonstrates that a mass marketed skin care system can give similar clinical improvements in photo-aged skin as a professionally dispensed prescription system and the majority of participants preferred the mass-marketed system.

Labour Market Effects of Employment Protection. IAB Labour Market Research Topics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walwei, Ulrich

The labor market effects of employment protection were examined in a study of Germany's employment protection regulations and their impact on employment practices and patterns. The following topics were considered: (1) the question of whether Germany's labor market problems are a result of regulations; (2) employment security as a subject of labor…

Exploring Sensitive Subjects with Adolescents: Using Media and Technology to Teach about Genocide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sardone, Nancy B.; Devlin-Scherer, Roberta

2015-01-01

This paper discusses potential strategies and sources for approaching uncomfortable topics and reviews the challenges facing teachers who choose to do so with the topic of genocide as an example. Using a variety of techniques, including graphic organizers, political cartoons, comic books and graphic novels, films, children's and young adult…

AP Geography, Environmental Science Thrive

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robelen, Erik W.

2012-01-01

Geography may not be particularly known as a hot topic among today's students--even some advocates suggest it suffers from an image problem--but by at least one measure, the subject is starting to come into its own. Across more than 30 topics covered in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, participation in geography is rising faster than any…

National Head Start Bulletin, 1993-1995.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Head Start Bulletin, 1995

1995-01-01

This document consists of the 15 issues of the "National Head Start Bulletin" published during the three-year period 1993-1995. The bulletin is devoted to subjects of concern to Head Start teachers and administrators; each issue focuses on one topic. A main article and several smaller articles discuss various aspects of the topic for…

Resources for Topics in Nursing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riordan, Dale B.

This guide is intended to help the user become familiar with a selected group of reference tools and resources which are useful in nursing education and practice. It is important for students to use the correct medical or scientific terminology, understand the scope of a topic, and then utilize the tools necessary to research subjects of interest.…

Teaching and Learning Development Economics: Retrospect and Prospect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Edward K. Y.

2005-01-01

The author has chosen three major topics in development economics for a discussion on how to teach the subject: the concepts and measurement of development, models of growth and development, and the international aspects of economic development. For the concepts of development, it is important to emphasize the coherence of the topics to be…

"Divisio" as Em-/De-Powering Topic: A Basis for Argument in Rhetoric and Composition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porter, James E.

1990-01-01

Argues that "divisio," an Aristotelian topic which entails partitioning a subject into components, is neglected by rhetoricians. Suggests that divisio empowers by creating knowledge and naming things but de-powers by creating absences and blocking creative alternatives. Notes that rhetoric strives for a balance between divisio and its…

Norms of Descriptive Adjective Responses to Common Nouns.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robbins, Janet L.

This paper gives the results of a controlled experiment on word association. The purpose was to establish norms of commonality of primary descriptive adjective responses to common nouns. The stimuli consisted of 203 common nouns selected from 10 everyday topics of conversation, approximately 20 from each topic. There were 350 subjects, 50% male,…

Cancer: Mitosis Run Amok

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Science Scope, 2005

2005-01-01

Virtually every student knows someone who has battled cancer. It is a topic that is of great interest to many students because of their personal connection to the subject. Mitosis is an important topic in a middle school unit on cells and cell processes (National Science Standards, Grades 5?8: Life Sciences: Content Standard C). Studying cancer…

Using Play Behavior to Describe Young Children's Conversational Abilities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shulman, Brian B.

The effects of three play contexts on young children's turn taking, topic maintenance, and topic change skills were investigated. Participants were 40 normally-developing, English-speaking Caucasian children of middle-income parents; they ranged in age from approximately 4 years to 6 and one half years. Subjects were subdivided into younger and…

Papers presented to the Conference on Luna 24. [lunar soil studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Topics covered include: the regional geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of Mare Crisium and the Luna 24 landing site; the petrology, mineral chemistry, and cooling histories of lithic fragments, the chemistry, isotopic studies, and geochronology of Luna 24 samples; and regolith studies of soil samples. Subject and topical indexes are provided.

Functional Sentence Perspective and Composition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vande Kopple, William J.

Functional Sentence Perspective (FSP) is a theory that predicts how units of information should be distributed in a sentence and how sentences should be related in a discourse. A binary topic-comment structure is assigned to each FSP sentence. For most English sentences, the topic is associated with the subject or the left-most noun phrase, and…

A Healthy Delivery

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eastwood, Elizabeth J.

2008-01-01

Books on the topic of pregnancy abound; in fact, publishers are more attentive to the subject than ever. According to R.R. Bowker's "Books in Print," 226 nonfiction pregnancy titles were published in 2006, a 30 percent increase over the decade before. Add to this glut all the magazines, DVDs, web sites, and TV programs available on the topic, and…

Impact Processes in the Solar System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahrens, Thomas J.

2004-01-01

The three main topics of this program as described initially in our May 2003 proposal are: 1) Shock-induced damage and attenuation in planetary materials. 2 ) Shock-induced melting and phase changes. 3) Impact-induced volatilization and vapor speciation of planetary materials Topic 4 has been the subject of a continuing investigation since approximately 1990. On Topic 5, we have a paper in preparation and have submitted a proposal to Astrobiology. 4) Responses of planetary atmospheres to giant impact, 5) Effects of impact-induced shock waves on microbial life

Making predictions skill level analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katarína, Krišková; Marián, Kireš

2017-01-01

The current trend in the education is focused on skills that are cross-subject and have a great importance for the pupil future life. Pupils should acquire different types of skills during their education to be prepared for future careers and life in the 21st century. Physics as a subject offers many opportunities for pupils' skills development. One of the skills that are expected to be developed in physics and also in other sciences is making predictions. The prediction, in the meaning of the argument about what may happen in the future, is an integral part of the empirical cognition, in which students confront existing knowledge and experience with new, hitherto unknown and surprising phenomena. The extent of the skill is the formulation of hypotheses, which is required in the upper secondary physics education. In the contribution, the prediction skill is specified and its eventual levels are classified. Authors focus on the tools for skill level determination based on the analysis of pupils` worksheets. Worksheets are the part of the educational activities conducted within the Inquiry Science Laboratory Steelpark. Based on the formulation of pupils' prediction the pupils thinking can be seen and their understanding of the topic, as well as preconceptions and misconceptions.

Reflective topical autobiography: an under utilised interpretive research method in nursing.

PubMed

Johnstone, M J

1999-01-01

Reflective topical autobiography (an autobiographical method) belongs to the genre of testimonial research and is located within the postpositivist interpretive research paradigm. Despite the (reflective) topical autobiographical method enjoying a 'rebirth' in recent years and being utilised by a range of researchers in the human and literary disciplines, it remains largely unknown and under utilised in nursing research domains. In this article it is proposed that reflective topical autobiography is an important research method in its own right, and one which promises to make a substantive contribution to the overall project of advancing nursing inquiry and knowledge. This is particularly so where nursing research shares in the affirming projects of interpretive research generally and the relatively new sociology of the emotions in particular apropos: (i) increasing understanding of subjectivity and making subjective experiences more visible and intelligible, (ii) the search for meaning and increasing understanding of the commonality of existential human experience, and (iii) decentring the detached observer and his/her privileging the objectivist illusion in the hierarchy of research discourses, paving the way for the admission of multiple realities and interpretations of lived experience. In this article, a coherent reflective topical autobiographical research method is advanced for use in nursing education and research contexts.

Safety and efficacy of topical E6005, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, in Japanese adult patients with atopic dermatitis: results of a randomized, vehicle-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

PubMed

Furue, Masutaka; Kitahara, Yasumi; Akama, Hideto; Hojo, Seiichiro; Hayashi, Nobukazu; Nakagawa, Hidemi

2014-07-01

The safety and efficacy of topical E6005, a novel phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, in Japanese adults with atopic dermatitis were evaluated. A total of 78 patients were randomized to receive either the 0.2% E6005 ointment or vehicle control (without E6005) at an allocation ratio of 2:1. The randomization phase of 4 weeks was followed by an extension phase of 8 weeks. In the extension phase, all 67 subjects who completed the randomization phase were treated with 0.2% E6005 ointment. The 4-week application of topical E6005 twice daily was safe and well tolerated. The safety profile for up to 12 weeks was similar to that for the first 4 weeks. No deaths or other serious adverse effects were observed during the entire study period of 12 weeks. Plasma E6005 was undetectable in all subjects at all sampling points while very low plasma concentrations of an E6005 metabolite were detected in 47% of subjects receiving E6005 treatment. At the end of week 4, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Severity Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD)-objective, SCORAD-C (visual analog scales for pruritus and sleep loss), itch Behavioral Rating Scale, and the severity of the targeted eczematous lesions in the topical E6005 group showed trends toward improvement compared with those in the vehicle group (not statistically significant). However, the group receiving topical E6005 for 12 weeks showed significant score reductions from baselines for EASI (P = 0.030), SCORAD-objective (P < 0.001) and SCORAD-C (P = 0.038). These results further support the development of topical E6005 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. © 2014 Japanese Dermatological Association.

Peripheral Female Genital Arousal as Assessed by Thermography Following Topical Genital Application of Alprostadil vs Placebo Arousal Gel: A Proof-of-Principle Study Without Visual Sexual Stimulation.

PubMed

Goldstein, Sue W; Gonzalez, Joshua R; Gagnon, Catherine; Goldstein, Irwin

2016-09-01

Female sexual arousal disorder is a pathophysiologic state characterized clinically by persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain an adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement until completion of sexual activity. Prior clinical experience with alprostadil products for men with erectile dysfunction supports its use in women with female sexual arousal disorder. To compare the effect of topical alprostadil with over-the-counter (OTC) lubricant on female genital arousal in the absence of visual sexual stimuli. Healthy premenopausal women without sexual dysfunction were recruited from the community to participate in the study. Of 17 women who consented, 10 were enrolled and completed the trial. The mean age of subjects was 32 years (range = 27-43). Study drug or placebo was applied topically to the genitals. Continuous temperature monitoring was performed. Participants completed questionnaires assessing genital sensation, effect, intensity, and duration. Change in temperature from baseline in vestibule, clitoris and vulva. In all 10 subjects, topical alprostadil induced a statistically significant increase in temperature of the vestibule, clitoris, and vulva compared with the OTC lubricant. The most rapid difference in genital temperature between placebo and alprostadil was seen on the vulva, which demonstrated a significant difference at approximately 9 minutes. There was a significant difference in temperature seen for the vestibule and clitoris at 11 and 19 minutes, respectively. Sixty percent of women reported being aware or conscious of genital sensations with topical alprostadil, but not with OTC lubricant. Discordance was noted in 30% of subjects who reported being aware or conscious of genital sensations with the two treatments and 10% who reported not being aware or conscious of genital sensations with either treatment. Topical alprostadil administered to healthy premenopausal women induced statistically significant, sustained increases in genital temperatures of the vestibule, clitoris, and vulva within 20 minutes compared with OTC lubricant. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Changes in mechanical, chemical, and thermal sensitivity of the cornea after topical application of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

PubMed

Acosta, M Carmen; Berenguer-Ruiz, Leticia; García-Gálvez, Alberto; Perea-Tortosa, David; Gallar, Juana; Belmonte, Carlos

2005-01-01

In addition to their well-known anti-inflammatory actions, some of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appear to have an analgesic effect. In human subjects, the changes in threshold and intensity of sensations evoked by mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimulation of the cornea induced by topical administration of two commercial NSAIDs, diclofenac sodium (Voltaren; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) and flurbiprofen (Ocuflur; Allergan, Irvine, CA), were studied. Corneal sensitivity was measured in 10 young, healthy subjects with a gas esthesiometer. Chemical (10%-70% CO2 in air), mechanical (0-264 mL/min), and thermal (corneal temperature changes between -4.5 degrees C and +3 degrees C around the normal value) stimuli were applied to the center of the cornea. The intensity and perceived magnitude of the psychophysical attributes of the evoked sensation were scored at the end of the pulse in a 10-cm, continuous visual analog scale (VAS). The threshold was expressed as the stimulus intensity that evoked a VAS score >0.5. Sensitivity was measured in both eyes of each subject on two separate days, one without treatment and the other 30 minutes after topical application of 0.03% flurbiprofen (seven subjects) or 0.1% diclofenac sodium (six subjects). Diclofenac attenuated significantly all the sensation parameters evoked by high-intensity mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli. Flurbiprofen produced a slight reduction of the sensations evoked by mechanical and chemical stimulation that became significant only for the irritation caused by chemical stimuli of maximum intensity (70% CO2). None of the drugs modified significantly the detection threshold of the different stimuli. Flurbiprofen had a very limited effect on sensations evoked by corneal stimulation, whereas diclofenac reduced the intensity of sensations evoked by stimuli of different modality, suggesting a mild local anesthetic effect of this drug on all types of corneal sensory fibers. Such anesthetic action could explain the analgesic effect that has been reported after topical application of diclofenac in inflamed human eyes.

Efficacy and safety of topical SR-T100 gel in treating actinic keratosis in Taiwan: A Phase III randomized double-blind vehicle-controlled parallel trial.

PubMed

Yang, Chao-Chun; Wong, Tak-Wah; Lee, Chih-Hung; Hong, Chien-Hui; Chang, Chung-Hsing; Lai, Feng-Jie; Lin, Shang-Hung; Chi, Ching-Chi; Lin, Tzu-Kai; Yen, Hsi; Wu, Chin-Han; Sheu, Hamm-Ming; Lan, Cheng-Che E

2018-06-01

Currently available topical treatments for actinic keratosis (AK) are associated with substantial side-effects. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical SR-T100 gel in treating AK. A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded phase III trial was conducted. Patients with at least two clinically visible AK were enrolled and a punch biopsy was performed on one of the AK to confirm the diagnosis. This study consisted of up to 16-week treatment and 8-week post-treatment periods. Medication was applied daily with occlusive dressing. 123 subjects were recruited and 113 were randomized. 76 subjects were in the SR-T100 and 37 in the vehicle arms. In SR-T100 and vehicle groups, 32.39% and 17.14% of subjects achieved complete clearance, respectively. For 75% partial clearance of lesions, 71.83% and 37.1% of subjects achieved this goal in SR-T100 and vehicle group, respectively. When comparing SR-T100 to vehicle, the odds ratio of complete clearance was 2.14 (p = 0.111), and odds ratio of partial clearance was 4.36 (p < 0.001). Severe local reactions were reported by only one subject using SR-T100. The imitation of the study was that not all the treated AK lesions were confirmed by histopathology. The diagnostic uncertainty may contribute to the high partial clearance rate in the vehicle group since the clinical-diagnosed AK showed higher clearance rate compared to histopathology-confirmed AK. The use of occlusive dressing was another possible explanation for high placebo effects. The results suggested that topical SR-T100 gel may be an effective and safe treatment for field therapy of AK. Copyright © 2018 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Outer Space: A Multi-Age, Integrated Subjects Curriculum Unit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, William D.

This multi-age integrated teaching unit on outer space was developed by 19 rural teachers (grades K-8) from 12 Gallatin County (Montana) districts to associate all school subjects with a common theme, promote teaching efficiency by focusing on more than one subject at the same time, and increase student excitement. Topics explored by each grade…

Handy Key to Your "National Geographics": Subject and Picture Locator. 15th Edition, 1915-1981.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Underhill, Charles S., Comp.

This classified subject index provides access to articles and illustrations appearing in the National Geographic Magazine over a period of 67 years. Detailed topics are grouped under broader alphabetical headings, and people are listed only as featured subjects of articles. See and see also references are included. The introduction explains the…

Examining the Relations between Subjective Social Class, Academics, and Well-Being in First-Generation College Student Veterans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colbow, Alexander James

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the relations between aspects of subjective social class, academic performance, and subjective wellbeing in first-generation and veteran students. In recent years, both student veterans and first-generation students have become topics of interest for universities, counselors, and researchers, as they are…

Internal and External Factors Shaping Educational Beliefs of High School Teachers of "Sacred" Subjects to Girls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iluz, Shira; Rich, Yisrael

2009-01-01

This research investigated pedagogical beliefs of teachers of "sacred" school subjects, curricular topics that the school community deems culturally valued, unassailable and inviolate. Two hundred and fifty-five teachers of girls only who taught sacred or secular subjects in Jewish modern religious high schools responded to questionnaires focusing…

Formal and Informal Experiential Realms in German as a Foreign Language: A Preliminary Investigation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moyer, Alene

2005-01-01

In this study of German as a foreign language, formal classroom experience is compared with informal use of German outside the classroom focusing on three syntactic features: main clause word order (subject-verb-object, or SVO), topicalization (subject-verb inversion), and subordinate word order (subject-object-verb, or SOV). T tests and…

A Bibliometric Analysis on China Sport Science(2001-2010)Based on CSSCI Literature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xianliang, Lei; Hongying, Yu

The past 30-year history of China Sport Science (CSS for short) is also the rise and development history of the subject of physical education in China. Based on the bibliography source from CSSCI (2001 - 2010), this paper does some research about the journal in terms of their authors and topics, as a review and forecast for this journal.SPSS17.0 and ROST CM are used. The result shows that: there is a decline trend about the quantity of published articles on the journal after 2005.The rate of CSS papers sponsored by fund is far more than that of similar journals; It has a stable high-level authors. What's more, an article published on the journal often has more than one author, they may come from the same agencies or different agencies, and the number is more or less. "sports training", "animal experiments", "sports medicine", "sports economy" and "physical education" are the most hot topics of the journal.

High-precision piezo-ejection ocular microdosing: Phase II study on local and systemic effects of topical phenylephrine.

PubMed

Ianchulev, Tsontcho; Weinreb, Robert; Tsai, James C; Lin, Shan; Pasquale, Louis R

2018-01-01

Conventional eyedropper-delivered volumes (25-50 µl) exceed the eye's usual tear-film volume (7 µl) and precorneal reservoir capacity, risking overflow and ocular/systemic complications. Piezoelectric high-precision microdosing may circumvent these limitations. Results & methodology: In this masked, nonrandomized, cross-over study, subjects (n = 12) underwent pupil dilation with topical phenylephrine (PE) administered by 32-µl eyedropper (2.5% or 10% formulation) and 8-µl electronic microdosing (10% formulation). Microdosing with PE-10% achieved comparable peak dilation as 10% eyedropper-delivery and superior dilation to 2.5% eyedropper-delivery (p = 0.009) at 75 min. Microdosing significantly reduced 20-min plasma PE levels versus PE10% eyedropper; neither treatment altered heart rate/blood pressure. Eye irritation occurred significantly less frequently with microdosing than PE10% eyedrops. Piezo-ejection PE microdosing achieves comparable biological effect as eyedropper dosing; reduced systemic absorption may decrease risk of systemic side effects.

Probability workshop to be better in probability topic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asmat, Aszila; Ujang, Suriyati; Wahid, Sharifah Norhuda Syed

2015-02-01

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether statistics anxiety and attitudes towards probability topic among students in higher education level have an effect on their performance. 62 fourth semester science students were given statistics anxiety questionnaires about their perception towards probability topic. Result indicated that students' performance in probability topic is not related to anxiety level, which means that the higher level in statistics anxiety will not cause lower score in probability topic performance. The study also revealed that motivated students gained from probability workshop ensure that their performance in probability topic shows a positive improvement compared before the workshop. In addition there exists a significance difference in students' performance between genders with better achievement among female students compared to male students. Thus, more initiatives in learning programs with different teaching approaches is needed to provide useful information in improving student learning outcome in higher learning institution.

Hard-to-Teach Topics: Using ICT Part 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tanner, Ruth

2009-01-01

In November 2007 a joint ATM/MA team began working together to consider how ICT can be used to support the teaching and learning of topics that are considered to be "hard to teach" in secondary mathematics, within a project that complements that of the Secondary National Strategy. In the best subject association spirit, it was decided to…

Use of Knowledge Bases in Education of Database Management

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radványi, Tibor; Kovács, Emod

2008-01-01

In this article we present a segment of Sulinet Digital Knowledgebase curriculum system in which you can find the sections of subject-matter which aid educating the database management. You can follow the order of the course from the beginning when some topics appearance and raise in elementary school, through the topics accomplish in secondary…

Does Topic Familiarity Affect Assessed Difficulty and Actual Performance on Reading Comprehension Tests in LSP?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peretz, Arna S.; Shoham, Miriam

A study investigated the hypothesis that topic familiarity and assessed difficulty of a second language text correlated positively with performance on reading comprehension tests in languages for special purposes (LSP). Subjects were 177 advanced students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at Ben Gurion University (Israel). Faculty from the…

Problem Solving Processes and Video Games: The Sim City Creator Case

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monjelat, Natalia; Mendez-Zaballos, Laura; Lacasa, Pilar

2012-01-01

Introduction: Video games have proven to be a valuable resource to work different school subjects and topics. Beyond specific content, they could help to develop different abilities, like problem solving. However, not much has been studied on this topic, or many of the studies followed a perspective not entirely compatible with an educational…

State Law Challenges to School Discipline: An Outline of Claims and Case Summaries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pressman, Robert

This publication presents topic headings that may be used as a checklist of state law grounds for challenging a disciplinary action. Topics include: (1) illegality in rule adoption; (2) inadequate notice that conduct is subject to discipline; (3) existence of a protected interest; (4) inadequate notice of hearing; (5) inadequate hearing…

A Forced but Passionate Marriage: The Changing Relationship between Past and Present in Dutch History Education 1945-1979

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albicher, Alexander

2012-01-01

Although the history of history education is an under-researched topic worldwide, the international literature about history education contains a clear image of the historical development of the school subject. This image basically consists of a sharp dichotomy between traditional history education, which was largely insensitive to topical affairs…

Understanding Optical Trapping Phenomena: A Simulation for Undergraduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mas, J.; Farre, A.; Cuadros, J.; Juvells, I.; Carnicer, A.

2011-01-01

Optical trapping is an attractive and multidisciplinary topic that has become the center of attention to a large number of researchers. Moreover, it is a suitable subject for advanced students that requires a knowledge of a wide range of topics. As a result, it has been incorporated into some syllabuses of both undergraduate and graduate programs.…

The Effectiveness of Web-Based Multimedia Applications Simulation in Teaching and Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ziden, Azidah Abu; Rahman, Muhammad Faizal Abdul

2013-01-01

This study focuses on the effectiveness of using multimedia virtual simulation in Islamic Studies in Malaysia. Virtual simulation methods embedded in Microsoft PowerPoint was used in this study to determine the effectiveness of these modes to motivate students on the topic of pilgrimage in the Islamic Studies subject. Pilgrimage topic has been…

Sample size determination for disease prevalence studies with partially validated data.

PubMed

Qiu, Shi-Fang; Poon, Wai-Yin; Tang, Man-Lai

2016-02-01

Disease prevalence is an important topic in medical research, and its study is based on data that are obtained by classifying subjects according to whether a disease has been contracted. Classification can be conducted with high-cost gold standard tests or low-cost screening tests, but the latter are subject to the misclassification of subjects. As a compromise between the two, many research studies use partially validated datasets in which all data points are classified by fallible tests, and some of the data points are validated in the sense that they are also classified by the completely accurate gold-standard test. In this article, we investigate the determination of sample sizes for disease prevalence studies with partially validated data. We use two approaches. The first is to find sample sizes that can achieve a pre-specified power of a statistical test at a chosen significance level, and the second is to find sample sizes that can control the width of a confidence interval with a pre-specified confidence level. Empirical studies have been conducted to demonstrate the performance of various testing procedures with the proposed sample sizes. The applicability of the proposed methods are illustrated by a real-data example. © The Author(s) 2012.

[Study of stutter originating from the frustrated clinging instinct and its relation to anxiety and self-esteem].

PubMed

Nagy, Beáta Erika; Józsa, Tamás

2016-05-22

The analytic and family therapeutic theories connected to the topic of stutter have to be actualized. The aim of this work was to point out connections which originate from the instinct of frustrated clinging, however, these can be interpretated in new ways these days. Two questionnaires in 48 subjects suffering from stutter were used; Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale measured the children's self representation, while the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children measured the degree of their anxiety. At first the subjects had to anwser the questions as themselves, for the second time they had to anwser as an ordinary person without a speech disorder. The hypothesis of the authors was verified: stutterers attributed a significant role to the speech disorder of the subjects in connection with their self-esteem. According to this a significant amount of their anxiety is based on their deficit. An unexpected result was that girls and boys estimated ordinary people's level of anxiety similarly. There was no significant difference between boys and girls regarding the level of other's self-esteem. Based on the thesis of evolutionary psychology, the adequate use of speech is more important to women who have a connecting role in the family. This results that they see stutter as a major problem.

CosmoAcademy Training and Certification for Scientists and Engineers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noel-Storr, Jacob; Buxner, Sanlyn; Grier, Jennifer A.; Gay, Pamela L.; CosmoQuest Team

2016-10-01

CosmoQuest is a virtual research facility bringing together scientists, citizens, and learners of all ages. CosmoQuest offers classes, training, and learning opportunities online through CosmoAcademy, offering opportunities for all kinds of learners to become more connected to the science of the Universe. In this poster we describe CosmoAcademy opportunities for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), scientists and engineers who are interested in broadening their impact of their work by providing learning opportunities for those outside of the scientific community. CosmoAcademy offers SME programs at a variety of levels and across a variety of topics in formal and informal education and outreach -- ranging from sharing the results of your work on social media, through delivering an online class series, to partnering with teachers and schools. SMEs may combine sequences of training to earn certification at various levels for their participation in the CosmoAcademy programs. SMEs who have been trained may also apply to teach CosmoAcademy classes for the community on subjects of their expertise to build a rich and engaging learning resource for members of society who wish to understand more about the Universe.

Changes in crevicular cytokines after application of melatonin in patients with periodontal disease

PubMed Central

Montero, Javier; López-Valverde, Nansi; Ferrera, María-José

2017-01-01

Background A clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effects of topical application of melatonin on the crevicular fluid levels of interleukins and prostaglandins and to evaluate changes in clinical parameters. Material and Methods A consecutive sample of 90 patients were recruited from the Health Centre of Pinos Puente in Granada, Spain and divided into 3 groups: 30 patients with diabetes and periodontal disease, who were given melatonin; 30 patients with diabetes and periodontal disease, who were given a placebo, and 30 healthy individuals with no history of systemic disease or clinical signs of periodontal disease, who were also given a placebo. The 30 patients with diabetes and periodontitis were treated with topical application of melatonin (1% orabase cream formula) for 20 days by. The rest of the patients with diabetes and periodontitis and healthy subjects were treated with a placebo of orabase cream. We measured the gingival index by exploring the percentage of standing teeth bleeding on probing. The periodontogram was performed with a Florida Probe. Results In the diabetic patients who were given topical melatonin, there was a statistically significant decrease in the two clinical parameters. By contrast, in diabetic patients who were given the topical placebo, there was no statistically significant variation. Conclusions In patients with diabetes and periodontal disease, treatment with topical melatonin was associated with a significant improvement in the gingival index and in pocket depth, and a statistically significant reduction in concentrations of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 in gingival crevicular fluid. Key words:Melatonin, periodontal disease, diabetes mellitus, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2. PMID:29075409

Effects of two weeks of topical budesonide treatment on microvascular exudative responsiveness in healthy human nasal airways.

PubMed

Greiff, L; Andersson, M; Svensson, C; Akerlund, A; Alkner, U; Persson, C G

1997-04-01

Extravasation and luminal entry of plasma (mucosal exudation) is not only a key feature of airway inflammation in rhinitis and asthma but also a major first-line respiratory defence mechanism. Topical steroids are effective antiexudative agents in disease but, so far, little is known about the direct effects of these drugs on the responsiveness of the microcirculation in human airways. In this study, the effects of prolonged budesonide treatment on histamine-induced mucosal exudation of plasma was examined in 42 healthy subjects. Placebo and budesonide (100 microg per nasal cavity b.i.d.) were given for 2 weeks in a double-blind and placebo-controlled parallel-group protocol. Using a nasal pool technique, nasal challenges with isotonic saline and histamine (40 and 400 microg x mL(-1)) were carried out before and late in the treatment periods. The lavage fluid levels of alpha2-macroglobulin were measured as an index of mucosal exudation of bulk plasma. Histamine produced concentration-dependent mucosal exudation of plasma before as well as after treatment with either placebo or budesonide. The topical steroid treatment only marginally (1.8 fold) decreased the response to the low concentration histamine (40 microg x mL(-1)) and, although it was significantly (2.8 fold) reduced, histamine 400 microg x mL(-1) still produced significant mucosal exudation of plasma in the budesonide group. If the present observations are extrapolated to inflammatory conditions, the antiexudative effects of topical steroids in rhinitis (and asthma) may reflect only a small degree of microvascular antipermeability effects. We suggest that topical steroid treatment may not impede mucosal exudation responses when called for in acute human airway defence reactions.

Interplay between consensus and coherence in a model of interacting opinions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battiston, Federico; Cairoli, Andrea; Nicosia, Vincenzo; Baule, Adrian; Latora, Vito

2016-06-01

The formation of agents' opinions in a social system is the result of an intricate equilibrium among several driving forces. On the one hand, the social pressure exerted by peers favors the emergence of local consensus. On the other hand, the concurrent participation of agents to discussions on different topics induces each agent to develop a coherent set of opinions across all the topics in which he/she is active. Moreover, the pervasive action of external stimuli, such as mass media, pulls the entire population towards a specific configuration of opinions on different topics. Here we propose a model in which agents with interrelated opinions, interacting on several layers representing different topics, tend to spread their own ideas to their neighborhood, strive to maintain internal coherence, due to the fact that each agent identifies meaningful relationships among its opinions on the different topics, and are at the same time subject to external fields, resembling the pressure of mass media. We show that the presence of heterogeneity in the internal coupling assigned by agents to their different opinions allows to obtain states with mixed levels of consensus, still ensuring that all the agents attain a coherent set of opinions. Furthermore, we show that all the observed features of the model are preserved in the presence of thermal noise up to a critical temperature, after which global consensus is no longer attainable. This suggests the relevance of our results for real social systems, where noise is inevitably present in the form of information uncertainty and misunderstandings. The model also demonstrates how mass media can be effectively used to favor the propagation of a chosen set of opinions, thus polarizing the consensus of an entire population.

Application of a topical vapocoolant spray decreases pain at the site of initial intradermal anaesthetic injection during ultrasound-guided breast needle biopsy.

PubMed

Collado-Mesa, F; Net, J M; Arheart, K; Klevos, G A; Yepes, M M

2015-09-01

To assess whether the application of a topical vapocoolant spray immediately prior to initial intradermal anaesthetic injection during ultrasound-guided breast biopsy decreases pain at the site of the initial injection. In this institutional review board-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant study, 50 women aged 49.1 ± 1.6 years (mean ± standard error) were recruited and provided written informed consent. Participants served as their own controls and were blinded as to whether a topical vapocoolant spray or a placebo was used immediately prior to the initial local anaesthetic injection at two separate biopsy sites. With the exception of the application of vapocoolant or placebo, the entire ultrasound-guided procedure was performed according to a routine protocol. Participants recorded pain at initial injection site on a visual analogue scale. General linear mixed models for repeated measures analysis of variance and a 0.05 significance level were used. Application of topical vapocoolant spray was shown to significantly decrease pain at the site of initial intradermal anaesthetic injection as compared to placebo (p<0.001). Treatment effect was independent of age of the subject, race/ethnicity, operator, type of biopsy device, and histopathology result. No complications from vapocoolant spray use were reported. Application of a topical vapocoolant spray immediately prior to initial intradermal anaesthetic injection during ultrasound-guided breast biopsy significantly decreases pain at the site of the initial injection and could contribute to improve the patient's overall procedural experience. Copyright © 2015 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Religious content of hallucinations in paranoid schizophrenia.

PubMed

Krzystanek, Marek; Krysta, Krzysztof; Klasik, Adam; Krupka-Matuszczyk, Irena

2012-09-01

Different environmental factors are thought to be responsible for 15-20% of schizophrenia pathogenesis. Religion has long been considered a major force in human life, regardless of economic, social or political affiliation. How the perception of religion has changed over time, especially in the context of mental illness, was the focal point of this long-term comparative study. A random selection of 100 case histories from the years 1932, 1952, 1972 and 1992 was selected. By reviewing the subject history and medical notes, information on the presence of religious hallucinations and/or delusions were collected and grouped. Religious topics were demonstrated in 46.8% of the test population. Whereas there was a clear diversity of religious-themed delusions, "God", "Christ", "Mary", "Satan/devil" and "hell" all figured prominently across all reviewed years. There is a progressive decrease in the number of religious topics in paranoid schizophrenia. The transfer of holiness from historical saints onto a subject was observed. Evil dominates over good in productive symptoms in paranoid schizophrenia. The phenomenon of apocalyptic subjects in paranoid hallucinations and delusions increased after the Second World War. Religious topics of hallucinations and delusions change over time and relate to objective historical events and reflect changes in religiosity in society.

Understanding neurophobia: Reasons behind impaired understanding and learning of neuroanatomy in cross-disciplinary healthcare students.

PubMed

Javaid, Muhammad Asim; Chakraborty, Shelly; Cryan, John F; Schellekens, Harriët; Toulouse, André

2018-01-01

Recent studies have highlighted a fear or difficulty with the study and understanding of neuroanatomy among medical and healthcare students. This has been linked with a diminished confidence of clinical practitioners and students to manage patients with neurological conditions. The underlying reasons for this difficulty have been queried among a broad cohort of medical, dental, occupational therapy, and speech and language sciences students. Direct evidence of the students' perception regarding specific difficulties associated with learning neuroanatomy has been provided and some of the measures required to address these issues have been identified. Neuroanatomy is perceived as a more difficult subject compared to other anatomy topics (e.g., reproductive/pelvic anatomy) and not all components of the neuroanatomy curriculum are viewed as equally challenging. The difficulty in understanding neuroanatomical concepts is linked to intrinsic factors such as the inherent complex nature of the topic rather than outside influences (e.g., lecture duration). Participants reporting high levels of interest in the subject reported higher levels of knowledge, suggesting that teaching tools aimed at increasing interest, such as case-based scenarios, could facilitate acquisition of knowledge. Newer pedagogies, including web-resources and computer assisted learning (CAL) are considered important tools to improve neuroanatomy learning, whereas traditional tools such as lecture slides and notes were considered less important. In conclusion, it is suggested that understanding of neuroanatomy could be enhanced and neurophobia be decreased by purposefully designed CAL resources. This data could help curricular designers to refocus attention and guide educators to develop improved neuroanatomy web-resources in future. Anat Sci Educ 11: 81-93. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.

Topic maps for exploring nosological, lexical, semantic and HL7 structures for clinical data.

PubMed

Paterson, Grace I; Grant, Andrew M; Soroka, Steven D

2008-12-01

A topic map is implemented for learning about clinical data associated with a hospital stay for patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, diabetes and hypertension. The question posed is: how might a topic map help bridge perspectival differences among communities of practice and help make commensurable the different classifications they use? The knowledge layer of the topic map was generated from existing ontological relationships in nosological, lexical, semantic and HL7 boundary objects. Discharge summaries, patient charts and clinical data warehouse entries rectified the clinical knowledge used in practice. These clinical data were normalized to HL7 Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) markup standard and stored in the Clinical Document Repository. Each CDA entry was given a subject identifier and linked with the topic map. The ability of topic maps to function as the infostructure ;glue' is assessed using dimensions of semantic interoperability and commensurability.

Time is up: increasing shadow price of time in primary-care office visits.

PubMed

Tai-Seale, Ming; McGuire, Thomas

2012-04-01

A physician's own time is a scarce resource in primary care, and the physician must constantly evaluate the gain from spending more time with the current patient against moving to address the health-care needs of the next. We formulate and test two alternative hypotheses. The first hypothesis is based on the premise that with time so scarce, physicians equalize the marginal value of time across patients. The second, alternative hypothesis states that physicians allocate the same time to each patient, regardless of how much the patient benefits from the time at the margin. For our empirical work, we examine the presence of a sharply increasing subjective shadow price of time around the 'target' time using video recordings of 385 visits by elderly patients to their primary care physician. We structure the data at the 'topic' level and find evidence consistent with the alternative hypothesis. Specifically, time elapsed within a visit is a very strong determinant of the current topic being the 'last topic'. This finding implies the physician's shadow price of time is rising during the course of a visit. We consider whether dislodging a target-time mentality from physicians (and patients) might contribute to more productive primary care practice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Topically applied connective tissue growth factor/CCN2 improves diabetic preclinical cutaneous wound healing: potential role for CTGF in human diabetic foot ulcer healing.

PubMed

Henshaw, F R; Boughton, P; Lo, L; McLennan, S V; Twigg, S M

2015-01-01

Topical application of CTGF/CCN2 to rodent diabetic and control wounds was examined. In parallel research, correlation of CTGF wound fluid levels with healing rate in human diabetic foot ulcers was undertaken. Full thickness cutaneous wounds in diabetic and nondiabetic control rats were treated topically with 1 μg rhCTGF or vehicle alone, on 2 consecutive days. Wound healing rate was observed on day 14 and wound sites were examined for breaking strength and granulation tissue. In the human study across 32 subjects, serial CTGF regulation was analyzed longitudinally in postdebridement diabetic wound fluid. CTGF treated diabetic wounds had an accelerated closure rate compared with vehicle treated diabetic wounds. Healed skin withstood more strain before breaking in CTGF treated rat wounds. Granulation tissue from CTGF treatment in diabetic wounds showed collagen IV accumulation compared with nondiabetic animals. Wound α-smooth muscle actin was increased in CTGF treated diabetic wounds compared with untreated diabetic wounds, as was macrophage infiltration. Endogenous wound fluid CTGF protein rate of increase in human diabetic foot ulcers correlated positively with foot ulcer healing rate (r = 0.406; P < 0.001). These data collectively increasingly substantiate a functional role for CTGF in human diabetic foot ulcers.

Impact of drugs on the environment: state of play, risks, evaluation, communication.

PubMed

Defarges, Thierry Moreau; Guerbet, Michel; Massol, Jacques

2011-01-01

The aim of this Round Table was to perform an initial assessment of the state of play of the impact of drugs on the environment. Demographic growth throughout the world and drug consumption which is constantly on the increase result in an ever increasing presence of medicinal substances in the various compartments (air, water, soil) with potential repercussions on the environment and on health. For the first time, the Giens pharmacology workshop have scheduled this topic outside the conventional sphere of action of Giens. A very high level of interest in this topic came forward both from the members of the round table and the listeners and it is certain that the round table opens the door to new initiatives for a subject about which there is still little knowledge. The following issues were therefore successively addressed: the fragmentation of the knowledge about the subject and its deficiencies concerning the impact on health, both of the wastes as a whole and that of specific drugs, the performances of the water treatment methods, the sources of pollution, the environmental impact, the lines of regulatory development, the impact on the environment and health and the training programmes to be set up among all protagonists, both professional and in the general public. © 2011 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

Grammatical Role Parallelism Influences Ambiguous Pronoun Resolution in German

PubMed Central

Sauermann, Antje; Gagarina, Natalia

2017-01-01

Previous research on pronoun resolution in German revealed that personal pronouns in German tend to refer to the subject or topic antecedents, however, these results are based on studies involving subject personal pronouns. We report a visual world eye-tracking study that investigated the impact of the word order and grammatical role parallelism on the online comprehension of pronouns in German-speaking adults. Word order of the antecedents and parallelism by the grammatical role of the anaphor was modified in the study. The results show that parallelism of the grammatical role had an early and strong effect on the processing of the pronoun, with subject anaphors being resolved to subject antecedents and object anaphors to object antecedents, regardless of the word order (information status) of the antecedents. Our results demonstrate that personal pronouns may not in general be associated with the subject or topic of a sentence but that their resolution is modulated by additional factors such as the grammatical role. Further studies are required to investigate whether parallelism also affects offline antecedent choices. PMID:28790940

Optical coherence tomography demonstrates differential epidermal thinning of human forearm volar skin after 2 weeks application of a topical corticosteroid vs a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory alternative

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Zenghai; Boadi, Joseph; Danby, Simon; Cork, Michael; Matcher, Stephen J.

2013-03-01

The effects on skin of two commercially available topical creams for the treatment of eczema are quantitatively studied using optical coherence tomography. An archetypal corticosteroid (Betamethasone valerate) is compared with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Tacrolimus monohydrate) via left/right comparisons of the epidermal thickness of volar forearm skin on selected volunteers, at baseline and after 14 days of treatment. In 3 of 4 subjects we confirmed previous observations that corticosteroids produce pronounced physical thinning of the epidermis over timescales of a few weeks. In 3 of 4 subjects we further found that Tacrolimus produced no change in epidermal thickness. In one of 4 subjects we found evidence that the epidermis was actually thickened following treatment using Tacrolimus.

BOOK REVIEW: Fundamentals of Plasma Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cargill, P. J.

2007-02-01

The widespread importance of plasmas in many areas of contemporary physics makes good textbooks in the field that are both introductory and comprehensive invaluable. This new book by Paul Bellen from CalTech by and large meets these goals. It covers the traditional textbook topics such as particle orbits, the derivation of the MHD equations from Vlasov theory, cold and warm plasma waves, Landau damping, as well as in the later chapters less common subjects such as magnetic helicity, nonlinear processes and dusty plasmas. The book is clearly written, neatly presented, and each chapter has a number of exercises or problems at their end. The author has also thankfully steered clear of the pitfall of filling the book with his own research results. The preface notes that the book is designed to provide an introduction to plasma physics for final year undergraduate and post-graduate students. However, it is difficult to see many physics undergraduates now at UK universities getting to grips with much of the content since their mathematics is not of a high enough standard. Students in Applied Mathematics departments would certainly fare better. An additional problem for the beginner is that some of the chapters do not lead the reader gently into a subject, but begin with quite advanced concepts. Being a multi-disciplinary subject, beginners tend to find plasma physics quite hard enough even when done simply. For postgraduate students these criticisms fade away and this book provides an excellent introduction. More senior researchers should also enjoy the book, especially Chapters 11-17 where more advanced topics are discussed. I found myself continually comparing the book with my favourite text for many years, `The Physics of Plasmas' by T J M Boyd and J J Sanderson, reissued by Cambridge University Press in 2003. Researchers would want both books on their shelves, both for the different ways basic plasma physics is covered, and the diversity of more advanced topics. For the undergraduate level, I would find it easier to construct an introductory course from Boyd and Sanderson.

Effective and responsible teaching of climate change in Earth Science-related disciplines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, Z. P.; Greenhough, B. J.

2009-04-01

Climate change is a core topic within Earth Science-related courses. This vast topic covers a wide array of different aspects that could be covered, from past climatic change across a vast range of scales to environmental (and social and economic) impacts of future climatic change and strategies for reducing anthropogenic climate change. The Earth Science disciplines play a crucial role in our understanding of past, present and future climate change and the Earth system in addition to understanding leading to development of strategies and technological solutions to achieve sustainability. However, an increased knowledge of the occurrence and causes of past (natural) climate changes can lead to a lessened concern and sense of urgency and responsibility amongst students in relation to anthropogenic causes of climatic change. Two concepts integral to the teaching of climate change are those of scientific uncertainty and complexity, yet an emphasis on these concepts can lead to scepticism about future predictions and a further loss of sense of urgency. The requirement to understand the nature of scientific uncertainty and think and move between different scales in particular relating an increased knowledge of longer timescale climatic change to recent (industrialised) climate change, are clearly areas of troublesome knowledge that affect students' sense of responsibility towards their role in achieving a sustainable society. Study of the attitudes of university students in a UK HE institution on a range of Earth Science-related programmes highlights a range of different attitudes in the student body towards the subject of climate change. Students express varied amounts of ‘climate change saturation' resulting from both media and curriculum coverage, a range of views relating to the significance of humans to the global climate and a range of opinions about the relevance of environmental citizenship to their degree programme. Climate change is therefore a challenging topic to cover within the Earth Science-related curricula due to wide-ranging, and sometimes polarised, existing attitudes of students and levels of existing partial and sometimes flawed knowledge in addition to the troublesome concepts that need to be grasped. These issues highlight the responsibility and challenge inherent in teaching the subject of climate change and the importance of consideration of integrating sustainability issues with the core science of climate change. The talk will include a discussion of strategies and resources for the effective teaching of climate change topics for a range of levels and discipline backgrounds.

A half-truth is a whole lie: on the necessity of investigating sex influences on the brain.

PubMed

Cahill, Larry

2012-06-01

Sex influences are proving to be extremely widespread on brain function, including the human brain. Ample evidence now proves that the sex of subjects can influence, ever reverse, findings, hence conclusions, at all levels of brain science, down to the molecular level, often in completely unanticipated ways. Thus the still-prominent assumption that sex influences may be safely ignored by neurobiologists is invalid and must be abandoned. The failure to properly consider the issue fills the literature with conclusions tenuous at best, false at worst. The continuing, widespread resistance to investigating sex influences among brain scientists, a resistance largely rooted in deeply entrenched biases against the topic, is becoming increasingly scientifically indefensible and strongly retards progress in our field.

Proceedings of the First Greek-Austrian Workshop on Extrasolar Planetary Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maindl, T. I.; Varvoglis, H.; Dvorak, R.

2017-03-01

Along the subject line of this workshop, the common topic of the submissions is the field of extrasolar planetary systems with its multitude of facets ? from orbital dynamics to mutually destructive collisions, from binary star systems to Trojan planets to exocomets, from captured free-floating objects to artificial satellites. Despite the comparatively small number of participants ? ranging from graduate student to senior professor level ? we are proud of the submitted papers covering this wide range of aspects. In order to work towards a consistent quality-level, each of the manuscripts went through an independent review process before being accepted as a paper contribution to this volume. We would like to cordially thank the referees for their timely response-cycles, which helped tremendously in keeping our ambitious schedule.

Laser therapy may be better than topical desensitizing agents for treating dentin hypersensitivity.

PubMed

Blatz, Markus B

2012-09-01

Two independent reviewers screened the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of ControlledTrials, the National Research Register, and the Cochrane Oral HealthGroup'sTrials Register for articles written in English between 1977 and January1, 2010. The inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the application of laser desensitizing procedures and topical desensitizing agents in patients with at least 2 or more hypersensitive teeth confirmed by evaporative stimulus or tactile hypersensitivity assessment. Trial groups needed to receive laser therapy, whereas the control groups received topical desensitizing agents, such as fluoride varnish, dentin bonding agents, or others. Outcomes had to be measured by clinical performance (decrease of hypersensitivity) and/or patients' self-assessment. Studies with loss in follow-up greater than 20% or with confusing data/probable errors were excluded. A total of 176 potential relevant titles, abstracts, and articles were found, 28 of which were screened for further evaluation. Out of these, 8 trials met all inclusion criteria, involving a total of 234 patients. The quality of these trials was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Accordingly, only 1 study was classified as A level, 5 as B level, and 2 as C level. A meta-analysis was not performed because of the heterogeneity of the studies. Studies that assess the application of laser desensitizing procedures in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. The primary outcome was reduction of tooth sensitivity following treatment with either a laser or a topical desensitizing agent. Evaluations were made at varying intervals up to 6 months after treatment. Eight trials reporting on a total of 234 patients were included based on the specified criteria and 20 articles were excluded. Sample size in each of the included studies varied from 20 to 70 patients with differing follow-up intervals of up to 6 months. Most studies used Visual Analog Scale scores or other subjective tools to assess sensitivity. All 8 studies compared one kind of laser versus one kind of topical desensitizingagent. However, types of lasers as well as types of desensitizing agents differed among the reviewed studies. Half of the studies compared gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) lasers with various topical desensitizing agents; however, findings were conflicting. Two moderate-quality trials indicated that GaAlAs laser and the control desensitizing agents preformed similarly. Another moderate-quality trial demonstrated that the application of a bonding agent was significantly better than a GaAlAs laser in the reduction of hypersensitivity. The only reviewed study that was classified as an A-level study revealed a significantly greater immediate and long-term desensitizing effect than the control. The remaining studies involved Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, and CO(2) lasers, all of them reporting a slightly greater decrease in sensitivity as compared with topical desensitizing agents. Five of 8s tudies reported on the safety of laser application and did not find any detrimental pulpal effects, allergic reactions, or clinically detectable complications during follow-up. The authors concluded that the results obtained from the 8 studies included in this systematic review were conflicting but indicated a slight clinical advantage of laser therapy over topical medicaments in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. It was further concluded that application of lasers under controlled parameters for this indication may not lead to adverse effects. Copyright © 2012. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Six decades of atomic collisions in solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sigmund, Peter

2017-09-01

In response to an invitation by the organizers of the 27th international conference on atomic collisions in solids, a brief survey is presented, starting from the roots of the field in the 1950s and 1960s, of some major discoveries, longstanding problems, surprising findings and memorable controversies in topics covered by the conference. Considering the breadth of the field, the selection of topics is necessarily subjective, but with the emphasis on channeling, stopping and sputtering, three topical areas are discussed which have been active from the early 1960s until now.

Self-Regulated Learning Microanalysis as a Tool to Inform Professional Development Delivery in Real-Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peters-Burton, Erin E.; Botov, Ivan S.

2017-01-01

Elementary teachers in the United States are tasked with teaching all core subject matter and have training that involves many topics, which may limit the depth of their subject matter knowledge. Since they have low content knowledge, they often feel less confident about teaching technical subject matter, such as science (Bleicher "Journal of…

Youth Homelessness and Individualised Subjectivity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farrugia, David

2011-01-01

This article aims to contribute to understandings of youth homelessness and subjectivity by analysing identity construction in terms of young people's negotiation of the structural and institutional environment of youth homelessness. I suggest that while existing literature on this topic concentrates mainly on micro-social encounters, the…

Aroma-therapeutic effects of massage blended essential oils on humans.

PubMed

Hongratanaworakit, Tapanee

2011-08-01

Although blended essential oils are increasingly being used for the improvement of the quality of life and for the relief of various symptoms in patients, the scientific evaluation of the aroma-therapeutic effects of blended essential oils in humans is rather scarce. In this study, we hypothesized that applying blended essential oil would provide a synergistic effect that would have a chance for success in treating depression or anxiety. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the blended essential oil on autonomic parameters and on emotional responses in humans following transdermal absorption. The blended essential oil consisted of lavender and bergamot oils. Human autonomic parameters, i.e. blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate, and skin temperature, were recorded as indicators of the arousal level of the autonomic nervous system. In addition, subjects had to rate their emotional condition in terms of relaxation, vigor, calmness, attentiveness, mood, and alertness in order to assess subjective behavioral arousal. Forty healthy volunteers participated in the experiments. Blended essential oil was applied topically to the skin of the abdomen of each subject. Compared with placebo, blended essential oil caused significant decreases of pulse rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which indicated a decrease of autonomic arousal. At the emotional level, subjects in the blended essential oil group rated themselves as 'more calm' and 'more relaxed' than subjects in the control group. This finding suggests a decrease of subjective behavioral arousal. In conclusion, our investigation demonstrates the relaxing effect of a mixture of lavender and bergamot oils. This synergistic blend provides evidence for its use in medicine for treating depression or anxiety in humans.

Psychosexual characteristics of female university students in Brazil.

PubMed

Leite, R M; Buoncompagno, E M; Leite, A C; Mergulhao, E A; Battistoni, M M

1994-01-01

Freshmen women (N = 240) at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil responded to a questionnaire concerning several aspects of their sexuality from the beginning of adolescence. Topics such as body changes during puberty, menarche, menstruation, masturbation, sexual identity, virginity, sexual relations, maternity, contraceptives, abortion, and attitudes toward AIDS were investigated, as well as the level and sources of information about sex and the quality of the subjects' relationships with their parents. The majority of the subjects revealed satisfactory development in most of the aspects surveyed, as well as in their relationships with their parents except where sexual issues were concerned. Nevertheless, most of the students reported menstrual disturbances, and a significant number of the sexually active reported inappropriate behavior in relation to contraception and AIDS prevention. The results of the research are analyzed using psychodynamic theories of sexual development.

A case of cooperation in the European OR education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miranda, João; Nagy, Mariana

2011-12-01

European cooperation is a relevant subject that contributes to building a competitive network of high education institutions. A case of teacher mobility on behalf of the Erasmus programme is presented: it considers some Operations Research topics and the development of the Lego on My Decision module. The module considers eight lecture hours in four sessions: (i) the introductory session, to focus on the basics of computational linear algebra, linear programming, integer programming, with computational support (Excel®); (ii) the interim session, to address modelling subjects in a drop by-session; (iii) the advanced session, on the sequence of (i), to consider uncertainty and also how to use multi-criteria decision-making methods; (iv) the final session, to perform the evaluation of learning outcomes. This cooperation at European level is further exploited, including curricula normalisation and adjustments, cultural exchanges and research lines sharing in the idea of promoting the mobility of students and faculty.

The design and evaluation of an activity monitoring user interface for people with stroke.

PubMed

Hart, Phil; Bierwirth, Rebekah; Fulk, George; Sazonov, Edward

2014-01-01

Usability is an important topic in the field of telerehabilitation research. Older users with disabilities in particular, present age-related and disability-related challenges that should be accommodated for in the design of a user interface for a telerehabilitation system. This paper describes the design, implementation, and assessment of a telerehabilitation system user interface that tries to maximize usability for an elderly user who has experienced a stroke. An Internet-connected Nintendo(®) Wii™ gaming system is selected as a hardware platform, and a server and website are implemented to process and display the feedback information. The usability of the interface is assessed with a trial consisting of 18 subjects: 10 healthy Doctor of Physical Therapy students and 8 people with a stroke. Results show similar levels of usability and high satisfaction with the gaming system interface from both groups of subjects.

Effect of Topical Steroids on Skin Prick Test: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Ebbesen, Anne R; Riis, Lene A; Gradman, Josefine

2018-05-04

Topically applied corticosteroids on the skin can significantly inhibit the wheal response to allergens in skin prick test (SPT). The duration of this effect is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the duration of the inhibitory effect of topical corticosteroids on SPT. Twenty-two healthy subjects were included in a single-blinded randomized study. All subjects were skin prick tested using a standard inhalant allergen panel. The subjects were randomized to treat either the left or right forearm with Betnovat ® cream (group III steroid) once a day for 10 days. Subsequently, the subjects were skin prick tested the following 5 days and at day 8 on both forearms. At baseline, the 22 individuals had positive SPT for a total of 72 allergens. Compared with the untreated arm, the mean size of the wheals was significantly reduced on day 1 (12 h after end of treatment) by 0.56 mm (95 % confidence interval (CI) [0.06; 1.06], p = 0.03) for allergens and 0.70 mm [0.32; 1.09] (p = 0.001) for histamine. On day 2 (36 h after end of treatment), the mean difference between treated and untreated arm was 0.47 mm [-0.08; 0.85] (p = 0.02) for allergen-induced wheals and 0.22 mm [-0.21; 0.64] (p = 0.31) for histamine-induced wheal. On day 3, 4, 5, and 8, there was no significant difference. Treatment with topical steroid significantly inhibited the response to SPT for 36 h but for less than 3 days. In addition, we demonstrated that topical applied corticosteroids inhibit the mean wheal size of the positive histamine control for a shorter time than for the allergens. Consequently, positive response to histamine control is not a valid marker for reliable skin prick test in steroid-treated patients. Plain language summary available for this article.

Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK) in Redox and Electrochemistry of Experienced Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, Stephanie

Topic specific pedagogical content knowledge (TSPCK) is the basis by which knowledge of subject matter of a particular topic is conveyed to students. This includes students' prior knowledge, curricular saliency, what makes a topic easy or difficult to teach, representations, and teaching strategies. The goal of this study is to assess the pedagogical content knowledge of chemistry teachers in a professional learning community in the areas of redox and electrochemistry, as this has been regarded in previous literature as conceptually challenging for students to learn. By acquiring information regarding the PCK development of experienced chemistry teachers, the education and practice of all science teachers can be advanced. This study builds upon previous research that developed validated instruments to evaluate TSPCK. The research questions sought to determine which components of TSPCK were evidenced by the instructional design decisions teachers made, what shared patterns and trends were evident, and how TSPCK related to student learning outcomes. To answer the research questions subjects completed a background questionnaire, a TSPCK assessment, and interview tasks to elicit information about pedagogical decision making and processes that influenced student learning in their classrooms. The TSPCK exam and interview responses were coded to align with thematic constructs. To determine the effect of TSPCK on student learning gains, pre/post-assessment data on redox and electrochemistry were compared to teachers' TSPCK. The chemistry teachers displayed varying levels of TSPCK in redox and electrochemistry, as evidenced by their knowledge of student learning obstacles, curricular saliency, and teaching methodologies. There was evidence of experienced teachers lacking in certain areas of TSPCK, such as the ability to identify student misconceptions, suggesting the need for programmatic improvements in pre-service and in-service training to address the needs of current and future chemistry teachers. While the current educational system requires teachers to complete separate exams in pedagogy and content, this research provides a rationale for changing the means by which teachers are evaluated through the completion of TSPCK assessments. In-service teacher TSPCK training is limited yet desired by the teachers. To facilitate TSPCK development, new methods need to be explored to connect chemistry education research to practice.

Physical Pendulum Experiments to Enhance the Understanding of Moments of Inertia and Simple Harmonic Motion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richardson, Tim H.; Brittle, Stuart A.

2012-01-01

This paper describes a set of experiments aimed at overcoming some of the difficulties experienced by students learning about the topics of moments of inertia and simple harmonic motion, both of which are often perceived to be complex topics amongst students during their first-year university courses. By combining both subjects in a discussion…

Concept Maps as Expressions of Teachers' Meaning-Making While Beginning to Teach Semiconductors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rollnick, Marissa; Mundalamo, Fhatuwani; Booth, Shirley

2013-01-01

The challenge of teaching new subject matter is a familiar one for most teachers. This paper investigates the content knowledge gains made by seven teachers as they learn to teach the topic of semiconductors through a process of self-study. "Semiconductors" is a new topic in the curriculum which looks at the sub-microscopic properties of…

Emerging Trends on the Topic of Information Technology in the Field of Educational Sciences: A Bibliometric Exploration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

González-Valiente, Carlos Luis

2015-01-01

The paper presents a bibliometric analysis on the topic of Information Technology (IT) in the field of Educational Sciences, aimed at envisioning the research emerging trends. The ERIC database is used as a consultation source; the results were subjected to productivity by authors, journals, and term co-occurrence analysis indicators for the…

Library Instruction Workbook. A Self-Directed Course in the Use of the NDSU Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hollenhorst, Kathryn A.

This workbook in library skills is designed to acquaint students with the facilities and resources of the North Dakota State University Library. Each chapter includes a brief discussion of the topic and a worksheet. The following topics are covered: (1) library tour; (2) the online catalog; (3) term and subject searches using the online catalog;…

A Culturally Relevant Teacher Professional Development for Teaching Climate Change to Native American Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kern, Anne Liu; Honwad, Sameer; McLain, Ed

2017-01-01

The science of climate change is a complex subject to teach. Teachers find climate change a challenging topic to teach due to a myriad of reasons. Gayford, 2010 describes some of the challenges teachers face while teaching climate change science as "first, the controversial nature of the topic; second, it does not relate well to the normal…

Sex Role and Topic Management Strategies in Interpersonal Communication.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schneider, Michael J.; Bradac, James J.

Thirty male and twenty female students were used to investigate the strategies of topic management. In pairs, they were told that the male (or female) would like to become friends with the female (or male), and were assigned a dialogue which created a positive or a negative context. Then the subject assigned as the initiator was given one of three…

Efficacy and safety of 5% minoxidil topical foam in male pattern hair loss treatment and patient satisfaction.

PubMed

Hasanzadeh, Hournaz; Nasrollahi, Saman Ahmad; Halavati, Nader; Saberi, Maryam; Firooz, Alireza

2016-09-01

Male pattern hair loss is widespread around the world. Its prevalence indicates the importance of finding the best treatment modalities. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of minoxidil 5% topical foam in male pattern hair loss treatment and patient satisfaction. This study was a before-and-after trial on 17 male patients with male pattern hair loss. Subjects were instructed to apply one capful (1 ml) of minoxidil 5% topical foam on the scalp daily for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed through hair counts, subject assessment, and global photographic review. Seventeen male volunteers were recruited, and three volunteers were withdrawn; 14 participated in the trial for 16 weeks, and 12 continued up to 24 weeks. The average hair count with a camera at week 16 (181.87 ± 52.42) and week 24 (194.58 ± 62.82) and with an eye count at week 16 (62.57 ± 15.28) and week 24 (69.91 ± 15.61) increased significantly compared to the baseline after intervention. This study confirmed that minoxidil 5% topical foam is a safe and effective treatment for MPHL. The effect of it is evident after 24 weeks of use.

Effects of topical oxygen therapy on ischemic wound healing.

PubMed

Rao, Congqiang; Xiao, Liling; Liu, Hongwei; Li, Shenghong; Lu, Jinqiang; Li, Jiangxuan; Gu, Shixing

2016-01-01

[Purpose] This study evaluated the effects of topical oxygen therapy on the hind limb wounds of rats under ischemic conditions. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve injured rats were treated with topical oxygen on skin wounds located on the hind limb and compared with twelve injured control rats. Indexes including gross morphology of the wound, wound healing time, wound healing rate, and histological and immunohistochemical staining of sections of wound tissue were examined at different time points after intervention. [Results] The wound healing time was shorter in the topical oxygen therapy group than the control group. The wound healing rate and granulation tissue formation in the topical oxygen therapy group showed significant improvement on days 3, 7, and 14. Through van Gieson staining, the accumulation of collagen fiber in the topical oxygen therapy group was found to have improved when compared with the control group on day 7. Through semiquantitative immunohistochemical staining, many more new vessels were found in the topical oxygen therapy group compared with the model control group on day 7. [Conclusion] The results of the experiment showed that topical oxygen therapy improved ischemic wound healing.

Lab-in-a-box @ school: Exiting hands-on experiments in soft matter physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobs, Karin; Brinkmann, Martin; Müller, Frank

2015-03-01

Soft materials like liquids and polymers are part of everyday life, yet at school, this topic is rarely touched. Within the priority program SPP 1064 'Nano- and Microfluidics' of the German Science Foundation, we designed an outreach project that allows pupils (age 14 to 18) to perform hands-on experiments (www.labinabox.de). The experiments allow them e.g. to feel viscosity and viscoelasticity, experience surface tension or see structure formation. We call the modus operandi 'subjective experiments' to contrast them with the scientifically objective experiments, which pupils often describe as being boring. Over a dozen different experiments under the topic 'physics of fluids' are collected in a big box that travels to the school. Three other topics of boxes are available, 'physics of light, 'physics of liquid crystals', and 'physics of adhesion and friction'. Each experiment can be performed by 1-3 pupils within 10 - 20 min. That way, each scholar can perform 6 to 8 different small experiments within one topic. 'Subjective experiments' especially catch the attention of girls without disadvantaging boys. Both are fascinated by the hands-on physics experience and are therefore eager to perform also 'boring' objective experiments. Morover, before/after polls reveal that their interest in physics has greatly advanced. The project can easily be taken over and/or adapted to other topics in the natural sciences. Financial support of the German Science Foundation DFG is acknowledged.

4-Day evaluation of the irritation potential of topical desoximetasone 0.25% and 0.05% spray on light-exposed skin.

PubMed

Patel, Nupur U; Grammenos, Alexandra; Gowda, Asha; Onikoyi, Omobola; Feldman, Steven R

2018-06-01

The safety and potential side effects of desoximetasone 0.25% and 0.05% sprays have not previously been studied. The primary objective of this study was to determine the irritation potential of desoximetasone 0.25%, 0.05% and vehicle sprays in response to irradiation. Thirty-four subjects were enrolled in the study, each with three study treatments (desoximetasone 0.25%, 0.05% topical sprays and vehicle) were applied to two sites each on the back of every subject, with half of the sites irradiated with filtered UV light. Dermal reactions at the test sites were evaluated using a visual scale with corresponding numerical scores that rated the degree of erythema and oedema. Desoximetasone 0.25%, 0.05%, and vehicle caused no detectable signs of phototoxicity when examined on days 3 and 4. Mean scores of desoximetasone 0.25%, 0.05% and vehicle to non-irradiated treatment areas showed no signs of irritation. Our results suggest that regular application of desoximetasone 0.25% and 0.05% topical sprays do not induce photosensitization or photoirritation. The safety of this topical spray may help with clinical management of patients using topical corticosteroids while also receiving therapeutic UV light exposure. Thus, patients can use desoximetasone sprays without concerns of side effects due to therapeutic light or sun exposure.

Structural, Linguistic and Topic Variables in Verbal and Computational Problems in Elementary Mathematics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beardslee, Edward C.; Jerman, Max E.

Five structural, four linguistic and twelve topic variables are used in regression analyses on results of a 50-item achievement test. The test items are related to 12 topics from the third-grade mathematics curriculum. The items reflect one of two cases of the structural variable, cognitive level; the two levels are characterized, inductive…

Topical methotrexate pretreatment enhances the therapeutic effect of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy on hamster buccal pouch precancers.

PubMed

Yang, Deng-Fu; Lee, Jeng-Woei; Chen, Hsin-Ming; Hsu, Yih-Chih

2014-09-01

Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is effective for treatment of human oral precancerous lesions. This animal study aimed to assess whether topical methotrexate (MTX) pretreatment could enhance the therapeutic effect of topical ALA-PDT on hamster buccal pouch precancerous lesions. Twenty hamster buccal pouch precancerous lesions were treated with either topical ALA-PDT with topical MTX pretreatment (topical MTX-ALA-PDT group, n = 10) or topical ALA-PDT alone (topical ALA-PDT group, n = 10). The intracellular protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) level in another 12 precancerous lesions (n = 6 for either the topical MTX-ALA or topical ALA group) was monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy. The intracellular PpIX reached its peak level in precancerous lesions 6.5 hours and 2.5 hours after topical ALA application for the topical MTX-ALA group (5.63-fold higher in the lesion than in the normal mucosa) and topical ALA group (2.42-fold higher in the lesion than in the normal mucosa), respectively. The complete response rate of precancerous lesions was 80% for the topical MTX-ALA-PDT group and 70% for the topical ALA-PDT group. In addition, the topical MTX-ALA-PDT group required a significantly lower mean treatment number (2.1 ± 0.6) to achieve complete response than the topical ALA-PDT group (4.4 ± 1.3, p < 0.001)). Moreover, the topical MTX-ALA-PDT group had a lower recurrence rate (12.5%) than the topical ALA-PDT group (28.6%). We conclude that topical MTX-pretreatment can increase intracellular PpIX production in hamster buccal pouch precancerous lesions and significantly improves the outcomes of the precancerous lesions treated with topical ALA-PDT. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Obese subjects involvement in a population-based survey: the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to avoid stigmatization.

PubMed

Pétré, Benoit; Donneau, Anne-Françoise; Crutze, Céline; Husson, Eddy; Scheen, André; Guillaume, Michèle

2015-05-01

Epidemiological and health promotion studies in obese subjects are hampered by the difficulty of obtaining a representative sample from the community. The enrollment process can be at high risk of stigmatization. The purpose of this study is to describe an original information and communication technologies (ICT) strategy to get around these ethical and methodological difficulties. A multimedia campaign of communication was organized on the topic of overweight and quality of life (QoL). A specific website was developed to collect via a questionnaire QoL data as well as information related to patient's needs and health perception from participants. To promote the website, multiple information supports were largely diffused. Primary care professionals were solicited to enhance the enrollment. The campaign started with a press conference covered by the main television channels. The ICT-based approach allowed the participation of 4,155 subjects homogeneously distributed with respect to body mass index, age, gender and socioeconomic level. A high percentage of subjects fully completed the web-based questionnaire. The press conference allowed reaching a quarter of the total sample within 5 days. Overweight remains a major public health problem. This survey showed that a holistic approach supported by ICT is a promising way to recruit obese subjects without stigmatizing the disorder.

Adolescent Sexuality Special Subject Bibliography, 1988-1990.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., New York, NY.

This document consists of three annual issues of a special subject bibliography combining adolescent sexuality, for the years 1988, 1989, and 1990, respectively. Citations for books, journal articles, and reports concerned with adolescent sexuality are grouped under such topics as: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency…

The Internet Compendium: Subject Guides to Humanities Resources.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenfeld, Louis; And Others

This guide describes and evaluates the Internet's humanities resources by subject. It offers information on a multitude of listservs; Usenet newsgroups; forums; electronic journals; topical mailing lists; text archives; Freenets; bulletin boards; FAQs; newsletters; real-time chats; databases; and library catalogs. Internet users can draw upon…

Efficacy and tolerability of nitric-zinc complex in the treatment of external genital warts and "difficult-to-treat" warts: a "proof of concept", prospective, multicentre, open study.

PubMed

Cusini, M; Micali, G; Lacarrubba, F; Puviani, M; Barcella, A; Milani, M

2015-12-01

Treatment of plantar and periungueal warts (so called "difficult-to-treat" warts, DTW) and external genital warts (EGW) remains unsatisfactory. Medical or invasive procedures are partially effective and/or painful. Furthermore recurrences rates after treatments are still a relevant problem for all the available therapies. Nitric-zinc complex is a solution for topical application containing nitric acid, zinc, copper and organic acids able to induce a caustic effect of the wart trough mummification and proteins denaturation/coagulation action. Nitric-zinc complex has been shown to be an effective and well tolerated treatment of common warts. We evaluated in a prospective open label 4-centre trial, the efficacy and local tolerability of nitric-zinc complex in the treatment of EGW and DTW. A total of 37 immunocompetent subjects (20 men and 17 women; mean age: 45 years) with single or multiple lesions, were enrolled, after their informed consent. A total of 30 subjects had EGW, 2 subjects had plantar warts, 2 warts of the hand and 3 periungueal lesions. Nitric-zinc aqueous solution was applied topically using a 30 mL capillary tube over the lesions until a whitening/yellowish reaction appeared. A second (or more, if needed) application was performed at two-week interval until a complete clinical cure rate was observed. Primary outcome of the study was the clinical evaluation with picture documentation of the evolution of lesions classified as total cure, partial disappearance or no effect. Topical tolerability was evaluated through patient's reported adverse events. All subjects completed the study. A complete cure of lesions was observed in 31 subjects (90%) after one and up to four applications. Three patients with EGW (8%) showed a partial disappearance of lesions and one (2%) subject was no responder to four nitric-zinc complex applications. The product was well tolerated. No serious adverse events were observed or recorded. Nitric-zinc complex topical solution has shown to be an effective and well tolerated treatment of EGW and "difficult-to-treat" warts with a 90% of subjects with a total cure after one or up to four applications. A total or partial response was observed in 99% of the subjects. Nitric-zinc complex could be considered an easy-to-use effective treatment strategy of "difficult-to-treat" warts and external genital warts. Additional studies comparing nitric-zinc complex to other strategies are warranted.

Comparative analysis of salivary zinc level in recurrent herpes labialis

PubMed Central

Khozeimeh, Faezeh; Jafari, Nasim; Attar, Ahmad Movahedian; Jafari, Shahram; Ataie, Masoud

2012-01-01

Background: Recurrent Herpes Labialis (RHL) is one of most common infective vesiculoulcerative lesions. According to some studies administration of topical and/or systemic zinc compositions has been effective in treatment and prevention. This article aims to comparison of zinc level in healthy subjects and RHL patients in acute and convalescent phases. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case – control study, carried on 80 individuals (40 normal and 40 RHL patients) mean age=34.5 and 34.4, respectively. Saliva samples were taken in patients in acute phase once and after healing of lesions in convalescent phase (averagely 21 days later) and in normal individuals. Salivary zinc level concentration was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer by dry digestion method. The results were statistically analyzed with SPSS software by t-test (α=0.05). Results: Results showed that salivary zinc level in case group in acute and convalescent phases were 160.8 ngr/mland 205.7 ngr/ml respectivly and significant differences between them were existed (P <0.05). Also significant differences were existed between zinc concentration in healthy subjects and patient groups (in both phases) (P=.001 and .002 for acute and convalescent phases respectively). Conclusion: According to the results, zinc level is significantly lower in acute phase than in convalescent phase and significantly lower in both phases compared to healthy individuals,so determination of serum zinc level and prescribing zinc complement in low serum status has both treatmental and preventive effects in RHL patients. PMID:22363358

[Adolescents' knowledge and behavior on sexuality, infectious transmitted diseases, and human papillomavirus vaccination: results of a survey in a French high school].

PubMed

Grondin, C; Duron, S; Robin, F; Verret, C; Imbert, P

2013-08-01

Teenager sexuality is a public health issue. In teenagers attending a high school, we assessed their knowledge and behavior on sexuality, infectious transmitted diseases, human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, and cervical cancer. Then in girls, we estimated the anti-HPV vaccination coverage and focused on factors associated with poor knowledge of these topics. This was a knowledge, attitudes, and practices cross-sectional study conducted at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year in the Saint-Cyr military high school, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Among 669 adolescents (M/F sex-ratio, 2.3; mean age, 17 years [IC 95%, 15-20]), 40% had already had sex and 92% had used contraception. Boys and girls had a poor level of knowledge on infectious transmitted diseases. Regarding knowledge on HPV and cervical cancer, a better level was significantly associated with female gender (P=10(-4)). In multivariate analysis, male gender, age under 18 years, lack of dialogue with parents on these subjects, low socioeconomic status of parents, and absence of health education were significantly associated with poor knowledge on these topics. These data should help healthcare providers better target access and content of sexual health education training. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Promoting student engagement in science: Interaction rituals and the pursuit of a community of practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olitsky, Stacy

2007-01-01

This study explores the relationship between interaction rituals, student engagement with science, and learning environments modeled on communities of practice based on an ethnographic study of an eighth grade urban magnet school classroom. It compares three interactional events in order to examine the classroom conditions and teacher practices that can foster successful interaction rituals (IRs), which are characterized by high levels of emotional energy, feelings of group membership, and sustained interest in the subject. Classroom conditions surrounding the emergence of successful IRs included mutual focus, familiar symbols and activity structures, the permissibility of some side-talk, and opportunities for physical and emotional entrainment. Sustained interest in the topic beyond the duration of the IR and an increase in students' helping each other learn occurred more frequently when the mutual focus consisted of science-related symbols, when there were low levels of risk for participants, when activities involved sufficient challenge and time, and when students were positioned as knowledgeable and competent in science. The results suggest that successful interaction rituals can foster student engagement with topics that may not have previously held interest and can contribute to students' support of peers' learning, thereby moving the classroom toward a community-of-practice model.

Penetration of topical, oral, and combined administered ofloxacin into the subretinal fluid

PubMed Central

Cekic, O.; Batman, C.; Yasar, U.; Totan, Y.; Basci, N.; Bozkurt, A.; Zilelioglu, O.; Kayaalp, S

1999-01-01

AIMS—To assess the subretinal fluid (SRF) levels of ofloxacin following topical, oral or combined administration.
METHODS—31 patients undergoing conventional retinal reattachment surgery were randomly assigned to three groups. Nine patients received topical ofloxacin, 11 patients received oral ofloxacin, and the other 11 patients received combined administration. Collected SRF samples were analysed for drug level by using high performance liquid chromatography.
RESULTS—SRF drug levels after oral and combined administration were significantly higher than that after topical administration (p=0.0002 and p=0.0002, respectively) while there was no significant difference between oral and combined administration (p=0.0844).
CONCLUSIONS—Ocular bioavailability of ofloxacin in SRF after oral and combined administration is equivalent. The addition of oral ofloxacin to topical therapy increased drug SRF penetration sixfold.

 PMID:10502583

Comparison of intravenous versus topical tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized study.

PubMed

Patel, Jay N; Spanyer, Jonathon M; Smith, Langan S; Huang, Jiapeng; Yakkanti, Madhusudhan R; Malkani, Arthur L

2014-08-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of topical Tranexamic Acid (TXA) versus Intravenous (IV) Tranexamic Acid for reduction of blood loss following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This prospective randomized study involved 89 patients comparing topical administration of 2.0g TXA, versus IV administration of 10mg/kg. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to patient demographics or perioperative function. The primary outcome measure, perioperative change in hemoglobin level, showed a decrease of 3.06 ± 1.02 in the IV group and 3.42 ± 1.07 in the topical group (P = 0.108). There were no statistical differences between the groups in preoperative hemoglobin level, lowest postoperative hemoglobin level, or total drain output. One patient in the topical group required blood transfusion (P = 0.342). Based on our study, topical Tranexamic Acid has similar efficacy to IV Tranexamic Acid for TKA patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Change of Oral to Topical Corticosteroid Therapy Exacerbated Glucose Tolerance in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis.

PubMed

Hongo, Yui; Ashida, Kenji; Ohe, Kenji; Enjoji, Munechika; Yamaguchi, Miyuki; Kurata, Tsuyoshi; Emoto, Akiko; Yamanouchi, Hiroko; Takagi, Satoko; Mori, Hitoe; Kawata, Nozomi; Hisata, Yoshio; Sakanishi, Yuta; Izumi, Kenichi; Sugioka, Takashi; Anzai, Keizo

2017-11-13

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is known as the most frequent disease treated by long-term topical steroids. It is also known that patients with thick, chronic plaques require the highest potency topical steroids. However, the treatment is limited to up to four weeks due to risk of systemic absorption. CASE REPORT An 80-year-old man was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 16 years before, and was being administered insulin combined with alpha glucosidase inhibitor. He was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis and his oral steroid treatment was switched to topical steroid treatment due to lack of improvement and poorly controlled blood glucose level. The hypoglycemic events improved after the psoriatic lesions improved. CONCLUSIONS Control of blood glucose level is difficult at the very beginning of topical steroid treatment for psoriasis especially if a patient is receiving insulin treatment. Intense monitoring of blood glucose level during initiation of topical steroid treatment is necessary to prevent unfavorable complications.

[History and paradigms in Collective Health: record of a teaching experience].

PubMed

Nunes, Everardo Duarte

2011-04-01

The paper describes a pedagogical experience at graduate level on the topic of History and Paradigms of Knowledge in Health. The experience originated in the first two courses at the Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) (19921993) and later at the School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (Unicamp) (19942006). The article highlights the contents of the two courses and presents some considerations about the relevance of the subjects that deal with the historical character of the areas of knowledge and provides feedback for reflection on the field of knowledge as a whole and its specific aspects.

A risk assessment of topical tretinoin as a potential human developmental toxin based on animal and comparative human data.

PubMed

Johnson, E M

1997-03-01

Although topically applied all-trans-retinoic acid (tretinoin) undergoes minimal absorption and adds negligibly to normal endogenous levels, its safety in humans is occasionally questioned because oral ingestion of retinoids at therapeutic levels is known to entail teratogenic risks. To assess the actual potential for developmental toxicity from treatment with topical tretinoin. Risk assessments were conducted on four known human developmental toxicants (valproic acid, methotrexate, thalidomide, and isotretinoin) and a potential developmental toxicant (acetylsalicylic acid). The margin of safety for each chemical was calculated from the ratio of animal no-observed adverse effect levels to human lowest-observed adverse effect levels or estimated exposure doses. The derived safety margin of more than 100 for topical tretinoin (with 2% absorption) contrasted sharply with the near unity values for valproic acid, methotrexate, thalidomide, and isotretinoin and was larger than that for acetylsalicylic acid. These data support other epidemiologic and animal data that topical tretinoin is not a potential human developmental toxicant.

Intermediate and advanced topics in multilevel logistic regression analysis

PubMed Central

Merlo, Juan

2017-01-01

Multilevel data occur frequently in health services, population and public health, and epidemiologic research. In such research, binary outcomes are common. Multilevel logistic regression models allow one to account for the clustering of subjects within clusters of higher‐level units when estimating the effect of subject and cluster characteristics on subject outcomes. A search of the PubMed database demonstrated that the use of multilevel or hierarchical regression models is increasing rapidly. However, our impression is that many analysts simply use multilevel regression models to account for the nuisance of within‐cluster homogeneity that is induced by clustering. In this article, we describe a suite of analyses that can complement the fitting of multilevel logistic regression models. These ancillary analyses permit analysts to estimate the marginal or population‐average effect of covariates measured at the subject and cluster level, in contrast to the within‐cluster or cluster‐specific effects arising from the original multilevel logistic regression model. We describe the interval odds ratio and the proportion of opposed odds ratios, which are summary measures of effect for cluster‐level covariates. We describe the variance partition coefficient and the median odds ratio which are measures of components of variance and heterogeneity in outcomes. These measures allow one to quantify the magnitude of the general contextual effect. We describe an R 2 measure that allows analysts to quantify the proportion of variation explained by different multilevel logistic regression models. We illustrate the application and interpretation of these measures by analyzing mortality in patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. © 2017 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. PMID:28543517

Intermediate and advanced topics in multilevel logistic regression analysis.

PubMed

Austin, Peter C; Merlo, Juan

2017-09-10

Multilevel data occur frequently in health services, population and public health, and epidemiologic research. In such research, binary outcomes are common. Multilevel logistic regression models allow one to account for the clustering of subjects within clusters of higher-level units when estimating the effect of subject and cluster characteristics on subject outcomes. A search of the PubMed database demonstrated that the use of multilevel or hierarchical regression models is increasing rapidly. However, our impression is that many analysts simply use multilevel regression models to account for the nuisance of within-cluster homogeneity that is induced by clustering. In this article, we describe a suite of analyses that can complement the fitting of multilevel logistic regression models. These ancillary analyses permit analysts to estimate the marginal or population-average effect of covariates measured at the subject and cluster level, in contrast to the within-cluster or cluster-specific effects arising from the original multilevel logistic regression model. We describe the interval odds ratio and the proportion of opposed odds ratios, which are summary measures of effect for cluster-level covariates. We describe the variance partition coefficient and the median odds ratio which are measures of components of variance and heterogeneity in outcomes. These measures allow one to quantify the magnitude of the general contextual effect. We describe an R 2 measure that allows analysts to quantify the proportion of variation explained by different multilevel logistic regression models. We illustrate the application and interpretation of these measures by analyzing mortality in patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. © 2017 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. © 2017 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Data-driven modeling of sleep EEG and EOG reveals characteristics indicative of pre-Parkinson's and Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Christensen, Julie A E; Zoetmulder, Marielle; Koch, Henriette; Frandsen, Rune; Arvastson, Lars; Christensen, Søren R; Jennum, Poul; Sorensen, Helge B D

2014-09-30

Manual scoring of sleep relies on identifying certain characteristics in polysomnograph (PSG) signals. However, these characteristics are disrupted in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This study evaluates sleep using a topic modeling and unsupervised learning approach to identify sleep topics directly from electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG). PSG data from control subjects were used to develop an EOG and an EEG topic model. The models were applied to PSG data from 23 control subjects, 25 patients with periodic leg movements (PLMs), 31 patients with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and 36 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The data were divided into training and validation datasets and features reflecting EEG and EOG characteristics based on topics were computed. The most discriminative feature subset for separating iRBD/PD and PLM/controls was estimated using a Lasso-regularized regression model. The features with highest discriminability were the number and stability of EEG topics linked to REM and N3, respectively. Validation of the model indicated a sensitivity of 91.4% and a specificity of 68.8% when classifying iRBD/PD patients. The topics showed visual accordance with the manually scored sleep stages, and the features revealed sleep characteristics containing information indicative of neurodegeneration. This study suggests that the amount of N3 and the ability to maintain NREM and REM sleep have potential as early PD biomarkers. Data-driven analysis of sleep may contribute to the evaluation of neurodegenerative patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Visualization of e-Health Research Topics and Current Trends Using Social Network Analysis.

PubMed

Son, Youn-Jung; Jeong, Senator; Kang, Byeong-Gwon; Kim, Sun-Hyung; Lee, Soo-Kyoung

2015-05-01

E-health has been grown rapidly with significant impact on quality and safety of healthcare. However, there is a large gap between the postulated and empirically demonstrated benefits of e-health technologies and a need for a clearer mapping of its conceptual domains. Therefore, this study aimed to critically review the main research topics and trends of international e-health through social network analysis. Medical subject heading terms were used to retrieve 3,023 research articles published from 1979 through 2014 in the PubMed database. We extracted n-grams from the corpus using a text analysis program, generated co-occurrence networks, and then analyzed and visualized the networks using Pajek software. The hub and authority measures identified the most important research topics in e-health. Newly emerging topics by 4-year period units were identified as research trends. The most important research topics in e-health are personal health records (PHR), health information technology, primary care, mobile health, clinical decision support systems (CDSS), and so on. The eight groups obtained through ego network analysis can be divided into four semantically different areas, as follows: information technology, infrastructure, services, and subjects. Also, four historical trends in e-health research are identified: the first focusing on e-health and telemedicine; the second, PHR and monitoring; the third, CDSS and alert; and the fourth, mobile health and health literacy. This study promotes a systematic understanding of e-health by identifying topic networks, thereby contributing to the future direction of e-health research and education.

Increased cutaneous oxygen availability by topical application of hydrogen peroxide cream enhances the photodynamic reaction to topical 5-aminolevulinic acid-methyl ester.

PubMed

Manifold, R N; Anderson, C D

2011-05-01

Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) of skin lesions is an accepted treatment for skin tumours but success rates need improvement. The effectiveness of PDT is influenced by availability of oxygen. The aim of this study was to demonstrate, in normal skin, whether a decrease in skin oxygen tension reduces the photodynamic reaction (PDR); and whether the addition of topical hydrogen peroxide can reverse the effect. Topical MAL and red light were administered to the inner forearms of 40 healthy volunteers. Skin oxygen availability was lowered during the illumination phase of the PDT, by applying blanching pressure with a plastic slide. Topical hydrogen peroxide was applied under the pressure slide, immediately prior to illumination, to reverse the effect. Erythema was assessed by naked eye and laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), at baseline and at 1, 5, 24 and 48 h following illumination. Decreasing oxygen availability by pressure altered the PDR with a larger number of subjects (17.5%) not demonstrating any visible erythema at any time point after plastic slide pressure compared to a PDR Control site (7.5%). The addition of topical hydrogen peroxide during pressure application, restored the number of subjects showing no visible erythema compared to that of PDR Control. LDPI data showed that there was a decrease in mean perfusion after plastic slide pressure when comparing the change from baseline to 24 h (P < 0.05) with the PDR Control. The addition of hydrogen peroxide not only restored but also increased the mean perfusion compared to that of PDR Control when comparing the change from baseline to 5 h and the change from baseline to 24 h (P < 0.001). Increasing oxygen availability increased the PDR in normal skin. The possibility that addition of topical hydrogen peroxide to PDT protocols for non-melanoma skin cancer may increase reactivity and, thus, be relevant for outcomes warrants further study.

Choosing Content and Methods: Focus Group Interviews with Faculty Teachers in Norwegian Pre-Service Subject Teacher Education in Design, Art, and Crafts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gulliksen, Marte S.; Hjardemaal, Finn R.

2016-01-01

The study is aimed at generating knowledge on how faculty teachers reflect and justify their choice of subject content logic in teacher education, exemplified by a concurrent pre-service Subject Teacher Education in design, art, and crafts. Focus-group interviews generated data. Three topics were discussed: too many choices, different logics, and…

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effect of a High-Potency Topical Corticosteroid After Sclerotherapy for Reticular and Telangiectatic Veins of the Lower Extremities.

PubMed

Friedmann, Daniel P; Liolios, Ana M; Wu, Douglas C; Goldman, Mitchel P; Eimpunth, Sasima

2015-10-01

Although typically mild, transient, and expected, most adverse events (AEs) postsclerotherapy are inflammatory in nature. To evaluate the effects of a high-potency topical corticosteroid (TC) applied immediately postsclerotherapy. Subjects undergoing bilateral lower extremity sclerotherapy with polidocanol had extremities randomized to a single application of betamethasone dipropionate and placebo saline solutions immediately post-treatment in a double-blind manner. Adverse events were assessed for each extremity by subjects at t = 0 (preapplication) and t = 15 (15 minutes postapplication) and by an investigator at t = 0 and t = 15, and at Days 14 and 60. Subjects and investigator evaluated efficacy with a quartile improvement scale. Sixteen female subjects completed the study. Subjects reported no statistically significant differences in AEs between TC and placebo at either t = 0 or t = 15. Investigator scores for erythema and swelling/urtication were not significantly different between groups at the same time points. Although most subjects demonstrated 26% to 75% improvement at Day 60, results were not significantly different between extremities on subject and investigator evaluation. High-potency TC application immediately postsclerotherapy produced no statistically significant differences in subject- and investigator-assessed AEs and clearance rates compared with placebo. Foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol is safe and effective for the treatment of lower extremity reticular veins.

Not strange but not true: self-reported interest in a topic increases false memory.

PubMed

O'Connell, Anthony; Greene, Ciara M

2017-09-01

People are more likely to recall both true and false information that is consistent with their pre-existing stereotypes, schemata and desires. In addition, experts in a particular field are more likely to experience false memory in relation to their area of expertise. Here, we investigate whether level of interest, as distinct from level of knowledge, and in the absence of self-professed expertise, is associated with increased false memory. 489 participants were asked to rank 7 topics from most to least interesting. They were then asked if they remembered the events described in four news items related to the topic they selected as the most interesting and four items related to the topic selected as least interesting. In each case, three of the events depicted had really happened and one was fictional. A high level of interest in a topic increased true memories for the topic and doubled the frequency of false memories, even after controlling for level of knowledge. We interpret the results in the context of the source-monitoring framework and suggest that false memories arise as a result of interference from existing information stored in domain-related schemata.

Nasal retention of budesonide and fluticasone in man: Formation of airway mucosal budesonide-esters in vivo

PubMed Central

Petersen, Hannes; Kullberg, Annika; Edsbäcker, Staffan; Greiff, Lennart

2001-01-01

Aims The efficacy of topical glucocorticosteroids in rhinitis and asthma is likely to depend on drug retention in the airway mucosa. With fluticasone propionate, retention may be achieved exclusively by lipophilicity, whereas for budesonide an additional possibility may be provided by its ability to form fatty acid esters in the airway mucosa that release the active drug. The aim of the present study was to determine the nasal mucosal retention of budesonide and fluticasone propionate, and the occurrence of budesonide-esters (budesonide-oleate, budesonide-palmitate) in the nasal mucosa. Methods In the present study, involving 24 healthy subjects, we have examined nasal mucosal drug retention of single doses of topical budesonide (256 µg) and fluticasone propionate (200 µg). Treatments were given consecutively and the administration sequence was randomised. Subjects were randomised into four parallel groups and two nasal biopsies were taken from each subject, i.e. before and at 2 h, at 2 and 6 h, at 6 and 24 h, or before and at 24 h after drug administration, resulting in 12 biopsies/time point. The measurement of unesterified budesonide, budesonide-oleate, budesonide-palmitate, and fluticasone propionate was based on microwave extraction procedures combined with liquid-chromatography/tandem mass-spectrometry. Results Neither of the analytes was detected in samples taken before glucocorticosteroid administration. After administration, unesterified budesonide, budesonide-esters, and fluticasone propionate were detected in the tissue from 23, 20, and 19 subjects, respectively. The mean tissue levels of budesonide at 2 and 6 h were 1051 and 176 pmol g−1; the mean levels of fluticasone propionate at these time points were 237 and 10 pmol g−1. The dose-corrected budesonide/fluticasone propionate tissue concentration ratios were 3.5 (P = 0.07) and 13.7 (P < 0.0002), respectively. At 24 h, budesonide and fluticasone propionate were detected in 8/12 and 3/12 of the biopsies, respectively. Conclusions The present study demonstrates the formation of budesonide-esters in the human nasal mucosa in vivo, and that budesonide is retained in the nasal mucosa to a greater extent than fluticasone propionate. It is suggested that the formation of budesonide-esters and their subsequent release of budesonide contributes to an extended retention of budesonide in the airway mucosa. PMID:11259988

Adjunctive use of a facial moisturizer SPF 30 containing ceramide precursor improves tolerability of topical tretinoin 0.05%: a randomized, investigator-blinded, split-face study.

PubMed

Schorr, Ethlynn S; Sidou, Farzi; Kerrouche, Nabil

2012-09-01

To assess the benefit of adjunctive use of a SPF 30 moisturizing lotion in reducing local side effects associated with atopical tretinoin cream. This was a randomized, investigator/evaluator-blinded, split-face comparison in subjects with healthy skin. Subjects applied tretinoin cream 0.05% once daily to the whole face and Cetaphil 174; Dermacontrol Moisturizer (CDM) once daily to one side of the face based on randomization. Tolerability, perference and skin hydration were evaluated at each week, and a cosmetic acceptability questionnaire regarding CDM was completed at the end of the study. The majority (about 83% to 86%) of subjects experienced skin irritations on both sides of their face, though predominantly mild for the CDM + tretinoin treated side. Tolerability preferences favored the CDM+tretinoin sides. Adjunctive use of CDM with a topical tretinoin cream improves tolerance of the treatment.

And the dish ran away with the spoon: a hodgepodge of reflections, as rigorous as they are rambling, on the true subject.

PubMed

Mogenson, Greg

2018-02-01

In this article, the topic of 'the true subject' is explored in terms of a dialectical mode thinking which is in keeping with Jung's great insight concerning psychology's lack of an Archimedean vantage-point distinct from its topics and subject matters. Evocative and expository, the emphasis is upon the performative poetics of such thinking within the sphere of our soul-making. The interpretative mode of practice presented in the article is richly illustrated with examples from Biblical texts, literary images, and proverbial sayings, as well as from the sur-real of nursery rhyme and the genre of the murder mystery. Essential insights of Jung's concerning the infinite and the finite as dimensions of self are revisited in terms of that contemporary trend of Jungian thought known as psychology as the discipline of interiority. © 2018, The Society of Analytical Psychology.

Implementation of Subjective Cognitive Decline criteria in research studies

PubMed Central

Molinuevo, José L; Rabin, Laura A.; Amariglio, Rebecca; Buckley, Rachel; Dubois, Bruno; Ellis, Kathryn A.; Ewers, Michael; Hampel, Harald; Klöppel, Stefan; Rami, Lorena; Reisberg, Barry; Saykin, Andrew J.; Sikkes, Sietske; Smart, Colette M.; Snitz, Beth E.; Sperling, Reisa; van der Flier, Wiesje M.; Wagner, Michael; Jessen, Frank

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) manifesting prior to clinical impairment could serve as a target population for early intervention trials in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A working group, the Subjective Cognitive Decline Initiative (SCD-I), published SCD research criteria in the context of preclinical AD. To successfully apply them, a number of issues regarding assessment and implementation of SCD needed to be addressed. METHODS Members of the SCD-I met to identify and agree upon topics relevant to SCD criteria operationalization in research settings. Initial ideas and recommendations were discussed with other SCD-I working group members and modified accordingly. RESULTS Topics included SCD inclusion and exclusion criteria, together with the informant’s role in defining SCD presence and the impact of demographic factors. DISCUSSION Recommendations for the operationalization of SCD in differing research settings, with the aim of harmonization of SCD measurement across studies are proposed, to enhance comparability and generalizability across studies. PMID:27825022

Motivation and appraisal in perception of poorly specified speech.

PubMed

Lidestam, Björn; Beskow, Jonas

2006-04-01

Normal-hearing students (n = 72) performed sentence, consonant, and word identification in either A (auditory), V (visual), or AV (audiovisual) modality. The auditory signal had difficult speech-to-noise relations. Talker (human vs. synthetic), topic (no cue vs. cue-words), and emotion (no cue vs. facially displayed vs. cue-words) were varied within groups. After the first block, effects of modality, face, topic, and emotion on initial appraisal and motivation were assessed. After the entire session, effects of modality on longer-term appraisal and motivation were assessed. The results from both assessments showed that V identification was more positively appraised than A identification. Correlations were tentatively interpreted such that evaluation of self-rated performance possibly depends on subjective standard and is reflected on motivation (if below subjective standard, AV group), or on appraisal (if above subjective standard, A group). Suggestions for further research are presented.

Safety of topical minoxidil solution: a one-year, prospective, observational study.

PubMed

Shapiro, Jerry

2003-01-01

Topical minoxidil solution (TMS) is widely used for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and this is the first report of a large safety trial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety profile of TMS by comparing hospitalization and death rates among subjects using TMS with controls. Cardiovascular safety and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated, and usage patterns were described. All subjects were followed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Usage patterns, pregnancy status, overnight hospital stays, and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. Subjects rated effectiveness of TMS in the treatment of AGA. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine if TMS was associated with an increased risk of death or hospitalization. TMS is a safe and effective treatment for AGA. There were no increases in cardiovascular events and no apparent increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This large, prospective study demonstrated the overall safety of TMS in the treatment of AGA.

Beneficial effect of a moisturizing cream as adjunctive treatment to oral isotretinoin or topical tretinoin in the management of acne.

PubMed

Laquieze, Sabine; Czernielewski, Janusz; Rueda, Marie-José

2006-01-01

Despite their beneficial effects on the treatment of acne vulgaris, topical and oral retinoids may cause severe local irritation (retinoid dermatitis) due to their mechanism of action, thereby jeopardizing patient adherence, and thus compromising treatment efficacy. Alleviating dryness and improving skin comfort by using a moisturizer concomitantly to retinoids could enhance efficacy. In the present study, 30 subjects receiving either oral isotretinoin for at least 2 months or topical tretinoin for at least one month applied a moisturizing cream (Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream) twice daily for 15 days on one half of the face while the other side remained untreated. Clinical assessments, confirmed by biophysical measurements, showed that the moisturizer provided a significant improvement in skin dryness, roughness, and desquamation. Skin properties and skin discomfort were also greatly improved and subjects were very satisfied with the product. Retinoid-induced skin irritation can be relieved by the regular use of a gentle moisturizing cream as an adjunctive treatment.

Teaching surgery, radiology and anatomy together: the mix enhances motivation and comprehension.

PubMed

Dettmer, Sabine; Tschernig, Thomas; Galanski, Michael; Pabst, Reinhard; Rieck, Bernd

2010-10-01

Preclinical and clinical topics are often separated in medical education. For example, surgery and radiology are often taught much later than anatomy. The aim of this study was to establish and to evaluate an interdisciplinary course combining these closely related subjects to enhance medical comprehension. Two tutorials each lasting one term were offered to second year medical students, in which clinical topics were implemented linking anatomy to surgical and radiological knowledge. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the success of this approach. The motivation of the students was above average and the practical work was done accurately. The students confirmed that the course improved anatomical comprehension (>95%) and that the learned matters were relevant for their future (90%). Furthermore, interest in the subjects was higher after the course (>85%). Critical suggestions were to extend the course and to include more topics. A mix of surgery, radiology and anatomy is a teaching concept, which leads to high acceptance and interest in medical students.

Computer Applications in Instruction: A Teacher's Guide to Selection and Use.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Judith B.; And Others

Intended for upper elementary and secondary teachers in all subject areas, this guide provides practical advice on determining the appropriate application of computer technology and on the selection of specific, subject-related computer-based instruction units. Under the heading of hardware and software, topics discussed include communicating with…

[Secondary Career Education Activities: Social Studies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radford City Schools, VA.

The guide is one of a series developed in a pilot project to integrate career education concepts with subject matter in secondary grades. The units are designed to reveal career orientation aspects of traditional topics within five major subject areas: English, social studies, mathematics, science, and health and physical education. The lesson…

The Internet Compendium: Subject Guides to Health and Science Resources.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenfeld, Louis; And Others

This guide describes and evaluates the Internet's health and science resources by subject. It offers information on a multitude of listservs; Usenet newsgroups; forums; electronic journals; topical mailing lists; text archives; Freenets; bulletin boards; FAQs; newsletters; real-time chats; databases; and library catalogs. From alternative medicine…

[Secondary Career Education Activities: Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radford City Schools, VA.

The guide is one of a series developed in a pilot project to integrate career education concepts with subject matter in secondary grades. The units are designed to reveal career orientation aspects of traditional topics within five major subject areas: English, social studies, mathematics, science, and health and physical education. The lesson…

A Unified Syntactic Account of Mandarin Subject Nominals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yi-Hsien

2013-01-01

This dissertation investigates the Mandarin Chinese nominals [Numeral-Classifier-("de")-Noun] and their functions as preverbal and post-verbal subjects and topics. It starts with a close analysis of the internal structure of the Chinese nominals. I propose a set of syntactic structures that capture the behaviors and distinctions between…

Single-Subject Research in Gifted Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simonsen, Brandi; Little, Catherine A.

2011-01-01

Single-subject research (SSR) is an experimental research tradition that is well established in other fields (e.g., special education, behavior analysis) but has rarely been applied to topics in gifted education. In this Methodological Brief, Brandi Simonsen and Catherine A. Little from the University of Connecticut highlight the key features of…

Teaching a Geographical Component in World History Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kachina, Olga A.

2011-01-01

This article is devoted to the topic of teaching a geographical component in World History curriculum in American public high schools. Despite the fact that the federal legislation entitled "No Child Left Behind" (2001) declared geography as a "core" academic subject, geography was the only subject dropped from federal funding.…

Information Technology: The Revolution Continues. Proceedings of the Annual College and University Computer Users Conference (38th, San Antonio, Texas, May 9-12, 1993).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College and Univ. Computer Users Association, Columbia, SC.

The 36 papers contained in this collection from the College and University Computer Users Conference (CUMREC '93) are grouped under six topic areas. The main subject areas and examples of the topics covered are: (1) computer-based student support systems, including telecounseling and recruiting, a student advising system, the assignment of…

Selected Topics in the Teaching of Mathematics. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Yearbook 3 [1928].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, John R., Ed.; Reeve, W. D., Ed.

This yearbook is a collection of 14 articles covering a wide range of topics. The first argues that arithmetic is "a general mode of thinking," not a "tool subject." The need and use of mathematics for the average citizen is the basis for the second chapter, and the following chapter continues in this vein by attempting to show…

Patterns and Communication Barriers between Teenagers and Parents about Sex-Related Topics: A Survey of Teenagers in Sex Education Classes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonnell, Karen H.; Caillouet, Larry M.

A survey examined students' attitudes about communication with their parents and others on sex-related topics, with particular emphasis given to the barriers to parent-teenager communication identified by the teenagers themselves and to suggestions for improving openness in communication. Subjects, 105 male and 142 female students aged 14 to 19…

Effect of topical 3% diquafosol sodium on eyes with dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction.

PubMed

Amano, Shiro; Inoue, Kenji

2017-01-01

To prospectively evaluate the effect of topical diquafosol sodium on eyes with dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The subjects were consecutive patients diagnosed with both DED and MGD at Inouye Eye Hospital between March and September of 2016. The subjects were administered topical 3% diquafosol sodium ophthalmic solution six times a day for 3 months. At each study visit, subjects underwent slit-lamp examination and completed MGD symptoms and dry eye-related quality of life score (DEQS) questionnaires. Meibum quality (meibum score) and meibomian gland loss (meiboscore) were evaluated. Tear lipid layer thickness was measured in both eyes with an ocular surface interferometer immediately after clinic arrival and 20 minutes after instillation of one drop of topical diquafosol. Thirteen patients (3 men, 10 women) with a mean age of 69.5±8.3 years completed the 3-month study. The number of telangiectasia and plugged meibomian gland orifices significantly decreased from baseline after 1 month of diquafosol use. The meibum score and the meiboscore significantly decreased from baseline at 3 months. Also, the lipid layer thickness was greater after diquafosol administration than before administration at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 months by 12.2, 11.5, 9.5, and 17.0 nm, respectively, but this difference was only significant at 3 months ( p =0.039). The DEQS ocular symptom ( p =0.065) and MGD questionnaire ( p =0.081) scores tended to be lower than baseline at 3 months. Diquafosol sodium ophthalmic solution improves DED- and MGD-related signs in eyes with MGD.

Developing and Evaluating Medical Humanities Problem-Based Learning Classes Facilitated by the Teaching Assistants Majored in the Liberal Arts: A Longitudinal Crossover Study.

PubMed

Tseng, Fen-Yu; Shieh, Jeng-Yi; Kao, Tze-Wah; Wu, Chau-Chung; Chu, Tzong-Shinn; Chen, Yen-Yuan

2016-02-01

Although medical humanities courses taught by teachers from nonmedical backgrounds are not unusual now, few studies have compared the outcome of medical humanities courses facilitated by physicians to that by teaching assistants majored in the liberal arts. The objectives of this study were to (1) analyze the satisfaction of medical students with medical humanities problem-based learning (PBL) classes facilitated by nonmedical teaching assistants (TAF) majored in the liberal arts, and those facilitated by the attending physicians (APF) and (2) examine the satisfaction of medical students with clinical medicine-related and clinical medicine-unrelated medical humanities PBL classes.A total of 123 medical students, randomly assigned to 16 groups, participated in this study. There were 16 classes in the course: 8 of them were TAF classes; and the others were APF classes. Each week, each group rotated from 1 subject of the 16 subjects of PBL to another subject. All of the 16 groups went through all the 16 subjects in the 2013 spring semester. We examined the medical students' satisfaction with each class, based on a rating score collected after each class was completed, using a scale from 0 (the lowest satisfaction) to 100 (the highest satisfaction). We also conducted multivariate linear regression analysis to examine the association between the independent variables and the students' satisfaction.Medical students were more satisfied with the TAF (91.35 ± 7.75) medical humanities PBL classes than APF (90.40 ± 8.42) medical humanities PBL classes (P = 0.01). Moreover, medical students were more satisfied with the clinical medicine-unrelated topics (92.00 ± 7.10) than the clinical medicine-related topics (90.36 ± 7.99) in the medical humanities PBL course (P = 0.01).This medical humanities PBL course, including nonmedical subjects and topics, and nonmedical teaching assistants from the liberal arts as class facilitators, was satisfactory. This pedagogical approach of student-centered, nonmedical topics, nonmedical facilitators, and small groups, which is associated with a deep approach to learning medical humanities, should be highly encouraged.

Developing and Evaluating Medical Humanities Problem-Based Learning Classes Facilitated by the Teaching Assistants Majored in the Liberal Arts

PubMed Central

Tseng, Fen-Yu; Shieh, Jeng-Yi; Kao, Tze-Wah; Wu, Chau-Chung; Chu, Tzong-Shinn; Chen, Yen-Yuan

2016-01-01

Abstract Although medical humanities courses taught by teachers from nonmedical backgrounds are not unusual now, few studies have compared the outcome of medical humanities courses facilitated by physicians to that by teaching assistants majored in the liberal arts. The objectives of this study were to (1) analyze the satisfaction of medical students with medical humanities problem-based learning (PBL) classes facilitated by nonmedical teaching assistants (TAF) majored in the liberal arts, and those facilitated by the attending physicians (APF) and (2) examine the satisfaction of medical students with clinical medicine-related and clinical medicine-unrelated medical humanities PBL classes. A total of 123 medical students, randomly assigned to 16 groups, participated in this study. There were 16 classes in the course: 8 of them were TAF classes; and the others were APF classes. Each week, each group rotated from 1 subject of the 16 subjects of PBL to another subject. All of the 16 groups went through all the 16 subjects in the 2013 spring semester. We examined the medical students’ satisfaction with each class, based on a rating score collected after each class was completed, using a scale from 0 (the lowest satisfaction) to 100 (the highest satisfaction). We also conducted multivariate linear regression analysis to examine the association between the independent variables and the students’ satisfaction. Medical students were more satisfied with the TAF (91.35 ± 7.75) medical humanities PBL classes than APF (90.40 ± 8.42) medical humanities PBL classes (P = 0.01). Moreover, medical students were more satisfied with the clinical medicine-unrelated topics (92.00 ± 7.10) than the clinical medicine-related topics (90.36 ± 7.99) in the medical humanities PBL course (P = 0.01). This medical humanities PBL course, including nonmedical subjects and topics, and nonmedical teaching assistants from the liberal arts as class facilitators, was satisfactory. This pedagogical approach of student-centered, nonmedical topics, nonmedical facilitators, and small groups, which is associated with a deep approach to learning medical humanities, should be highly encouraged. PMID:26871828

NASA Space Engineering Research Center for Utilization of Local Planetary Resources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramohalli, Kumar; Lewis, John S.

1991-01-01

In the processing of propellants, volatiles, and metals subject area, the following topics are discussed: reduction of lunar regolith; reduction of carbon dioxide; and reduction of carbonaceous materials. Other areas addressed include: (1) production of structural and refractory materials; (2) resource discovery and characterization; (3) system automation and optimization; and (4) database development. The majority of these topics are discussed with respect to the development of lunar and mars bases. Some main topics of interest include: asteroid resources, lunar resources, mars resources, materials processing, construction materials, propellant production, oxygen production, and space-based oxygen production plants.

Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Once-Daily Topical Minocycline Foam 4% vs Oral Minocycline for Moderate-to-Severe Acne.

PubMed

Jones, Terry M; Ellman, Herman; deVries, Tina

2017-10-01

To characterize minocycline pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability following multiple-dose topical administration of minocycline hydrochloride (HCl) foam 4% (FMX101 4%) as compared with single-dose oral administration of minocycline HCl extended-release tablets (Solodyn®) in subjects with moderate-to-severe acne. A Phase 1, single-center, nonrandomized, open-label, active-controlled, 2-period, 2-treatment crossover clinical study. The study included 30 healthy adults (mean age, 22.6 years; 90% white, and 60% females) who had moderate-to-severe acne. Subjects were assigned to first receive a single oral dose of a minocycline HCl extended-release tablet (approximately 1 mg/kg). At 10 days after the oral minocycline dose, topical minocycline foam 4% was applied, once daily for 21 days. Serial blood samples were obtained before and after administration of oral minocycline and each topical application of minocycline foam 4% on days 1, 12, and 21. Following oral administration of minocycline (approximately 1 mg/kg), plasma minocycline concentration increased until 3 hours, followed by a log-linear decrease over the remainder of the 96-hour sampling period. Following topical application of a 4-g maximal-use dose of minocycline foam 4% for 21 days, plasma minocycline concentration was very low, with geometric mean Cmax values ranging from 1.1 ng/mL to 1.5 ng/mL. Steady state was achieved by day 6. Overall, minocycline exposure with topical minocycline foam 4% was 730 to 765 times lower than that with oral minocycline. There was no evidence of minocycline accumulation over the 21 days of topical application of minocycline foam 4%. Topical minocycline foam 4% appeared to be safe and well tolerated, with no serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), treatment-related TEAEs, or TEAEs that led to treatment discontinuation. Once-daily topical application of minocycline foam 4% did not lead to significant systemic exposure to minocycline. It appears to be a well-tolerated treatment option for individuals with moderate-to-severe acne.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(10):1022-1028.

Topical effectiveness of a cosmetic skincare treatment for acne-prone skin: a clinical study.

PubMed

Bartenjev, Igor; Oremović, Lenka; Rogl Butina, Mirjam; Sjerobabski Masnec, Ines; Bouloc, Anne; Voda, Karmen; Šitum, Mirna

2011-06-01

Physiological acne is a milder form of clinical acne and is very frequent in adult women (18 years of age and older). Acne therapy is usually unnecessary in such cases, and so appropriate cosmetic treatments are sought. To determine the effectiveness of a topical cosmetic hydrating skincare treatment for adult acne-prone skin (Normaderm, Vichy, France) against the clinical signs of physiological acne: few inflammatory and retentional lesions, uneven (grainy) skin relief, dilated pores, and occasional and/or local hyperseborrhea. Within the study, the tested product's keratolytic, antimicrobial, and antiseborrheic properties, and its overall ability to improve the clinical signs of physiological acne present in adult subjects were evaluated through objective and clinical evaluation methods by the investigators and through self-evaluation questionnaires by the subjects themselves. The study group was composed of 50 adult women between 18 and 35 years of age with combination or oily acne-prone skin, who were chosen according to previously defined inclusion criteria. They applied the product tested twice daily on thoroughly cleansed skin for a period of 2 months. The results were evaluated after 30 (±2) and 60 (±2) days. The number of inflammatory and retentional lesions on the forehead, cheeks, and chin decreased after 60 days of use (an average of 30.7% and 70.7%, respectively). The level of sebum secretion on the forehead decreased by 33.4% and the level of skin scaling decreased by 38.5% after 60 days of use. The moisture content in the horny layer on the forehead, cheeks, and chin increased by an average 39.7%. The decrease in pore size and content after 60 days of use was very noticeable. The subjects evaluated all the studied characteristics of the product tested very positively, with results already showing after 30 days of use. The results of the study confirm that the product tested is suitable for the cosmetic care of adult acne-prone skin, either as an independent cosmetic hydrating skincare treatment, as a complementary cosmetic part of acne therapy, or as a subsequent cosmetic regimen to sustain the results of the acne therapy for a longer period of time.

Analgesic efficacy of equimolar 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen gas premix (Kalinox®) as compared with a 5% eutectic mixture of lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA®) in chronic leg ulcer debridement.

PubMed

Traber, Juerg; Held, Ulrike; Signer, Maria; Huebner, Tobias; Arndt, Stefan; Neff, Thomas A

2017-08-01

Chronic foot and leg ulcers are a common health problem worldwide. A mainstay of chronic ulcer therapy is sharp mechanical wound debridement requiring potent analgesia. In this prospective, controlled, single-centre, crossover design study, patients were assigned to either the administration of topical analgesia with 5% lidocaine/prilocaine cream or the inhalation of an analgesic 50% N 2 O/O 2 gas premix. Primary outcome parameter was level of pain at maximum wound depth during debridement as measured by a visual analogue scale. Secondary outcomes included level of pain after debridement, overall duration of treatment session, duration and completeness of debridement, and the patient's subjective perception of analgesic quality during debridement. Pain level increased from 0·60/0·94 (first/second debridement; baseline) to 1·76/2·50 (debridement) with 5% lidocaine/prilocaine and from 1·00/1·35 (baseline) to 3·95/3·29 (debridement) with 50% N 2 O/O 2 gas premix. Patient satisfaction was 90·48%/94·44% (first/second debridement) with topical 5% lidocaine/prilocaine analgesia and 90·48%/76·47% with the inhalation of 50% N 2 O/O 2 gas premix. Debridement was completed in a significantly higher percentage of 85·71%/88·89% (first/second debridement) with 5% lidocaine/prilocaine than with 50% N 2 O/O 2 gas premix (42·86%/58·82%) (odds ratio 6·7; P = 0·001). This study provides sound evidence that analgesia with topically administered 5% lidocaine/prilocaine cream is superior to the use of inhaled 50% N 2 O/O 2 gas premix in chronic leg ulcer debridement. © 2016 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Topicality and impact in social media: diverse messages, focused messengers.

PubMed

Weng, Lilian; Menczer, Filippo

2015-01-01

We have a limited understanding of the factors that make people influential and topics popular in social media. Are users who comment on a variety of matters more likely to achieve high influence than those who stay focused? Do general subjects tend to be more popular than specific ones? Questions like these demand a way to detect the topics hidden behind messages associated with an individual or a keyword, and a gauge of similarity among these topics. Here we develop such an approach to identify clusters of similar hashtags in Twitter by detecting communities in the hashtag co-occurrence network. Then the topical diversity of a user's interests is quantified by the entropy of her hashtags across different topic clusters. A similar measure is applied to hashtags, based on co-occurring tags. We find that high topical diversity of early adopters or co-occurring tags implies high future popularity of hashtags. In contrast, low diversity helps an individual accumulate social influence. In short, diverse messages and focused messengers are more likely to gain impact.

Topicality and Impact in Social Media: Diverse Messages, Focused Messengers

PubMed Central

Weng, Lilian; Menczer, Filippo

2015-01-01

We have a limited understanding of the factors that make people influential and topics popular in social media. Are users who comment on a variety of matters more likely to achieve high influence than those who stay focused? Do general subjects tend to be more popular than specific ones? Questions like these demand a way to detect the topics hidden behind messages associated with an individual or a keyword, and a gauge of similarity among these topics. Here we develop such an approach to identify clusters of similar hashtags in Twitter by detecting communities in the hashtag co-occurrence network. Then the topical diversity of a user’s interests is quantified by the entropy of her hashtags across different topic clusters. A similar measure is applied to hashtags, based on co-occurring tags. We find that high topical diversity of early adopters or co-occurring tags implies high future popularity of hashtags. In contrast, low diversity helps an individual accumulate social influence. In short, diverse messages and focused messengers are more likely to gain impact. PMID:25710685

NASA aerospace database subject scope: An overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Outlined here is the subject scope of the NASA Aerospace Database, a publicly available subset of the NASA Scientific and Technical (STI) Database. Topics of interest to NASA are outlined and placed within the framework of the following broad aerospace subject categories: aeronautics, astronautics, chemistry and materials, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, physics, social sciences, space sciences, and general. A brief discussion of the subject scope is given for each broad area, followed by a similar explanation of each of the narrower subject fields that follow. The subject category code is listed for each entry.

Energy poverty in healthcare facilities: a "silent barrier" to improved healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.

PubMed

Ouedraogo, Nadia S; Schimanski, Caroline

2018-06-27

This paper addresses an important topic, energy poverty in healthcare facilities. We try to provide an interesting perspective on bringing together two SDGs. The SDG 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, is interlinked with Goal 3 on Health. The literature studies as well as data on the subject are sparse. Nevertheless, a systematic documentation of the levels and variation in access to energy at the health-facility level is important for designing effective policies to improve the quality of healthcare and the ultimate health of the population. Using the 2012-2013 Senegal Service Provision Assessment (SCSPA), we assessed energy access in health facilities and health systems' performance. Data were also geocoded using ArcGIS 10.3 to give a snapshot of the situation.

[Postdonation information: the French fourth hemovigilance sub-process].

PubMed

Py, J-Y; Sandid, I; Jbilou, S; Dupuis, M; Adda, R; Narbey, D; Djoudi, R

2014-11-01

Postdonation information is the knowledge of information about the donor or his donation, occurring after it, which challenges quality or safety of the blood products stemming from this or other donations. Classical hemovigilance sub-processes concerning donors or recipients adverse events do not cover this topic. France is just about to make it official as a fourth sub-process. Less formal management of postdonation information is already set up for more than ten years. French data of the year 2013 are presented, including the regional notification level and the national reporting one. A significant level of heterogeneity is observed as for other hemovigilance sub-processes. It is mainly due to subjective rather than objective differences in risk appreciation. A real consensual work is expected about it in the future. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The Relationships between Students' Attitudes towards Social Studies and Their Perceptions of Democracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ciftci, Sabahattin

2013-01-01

Social studies is one of the foundation subjects that takes place in curricula of 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. This subject aims to train good citizens. The concept of democracy is an essential topic for the students to comprehend so as to achieve this aim through this subject. Therefore, it is aimed, in this study, to determine the relationship…

Efficacy and Safety of Minoxidil 2% Solution in Combination With a Botanical Hair Solution in Women With Female Pattern Hair Loss/Androgenic Alopecia.

PubMed

McMichael, Amy; Pham, Hanh; von Grote, Erika; Meckfessel, Matthew H

2016-04-01

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), also known as female androgenic alopecia, affects over 21 million women in the United States with devastating effects on self-esteem and psychosocial functioning. Topical minoxidil 2% and 5% formulations are the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for FPHL. The length of time it typically takes to observe the benefits is a challenge for many patients, and may affect adherence to treatment. Herbal extracts, which are also believed to promote healthier-looking hair, have a long history of use in hair care formulations. The safety and efficacy of a twice-daily regimen of 2% minoxidil solution used in combination with the botanical hair solution for 12 weeks in 54 subjects was evaluated in a multicenter, single-arm, open-label study. Assessments included investigator and subject ratings of improvement and subject satisfaction. Investigator ratings indicated significant improvement in hair growth and overall treatment benefits in as early as 6 weeks (P<.001). Subject self-ratings indicated significant satisfaction with hair volume and quality improvement at week 6 (P<.001). Subjects also indicated an increase in self-confidence and attractiveness at week 12 (P<.001). The investigator and subject-assessed efficacy and subject satisfaction with this regimen provides clinicians with an effective treatment option for FPHL that also provides a high level of patient acceptance, which ultimately may help promote minoxidil treatment adherence.

Topical therapies in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: an evidence-based review with recommendations.

PubMed

Rudmik, Luke; Hoy, Monica; Schlosser, Rodney J; Harvey, Richard J; Welch, Kevin C; Lund, Valerie; Smith, Timothy L

2013-04-01

Topical therapies have become an integral component in the management plan for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Several topical therapy strategies have been evaluated, but a formal comprehensive evaluation of the evidence has never been performed. The purpose of this article is to provide an evidence-based approach for the utilization of topical therapies in the management of CRS. A systematic review of the literature was performed and the guidelines for development of an evidence-based review with recommendations were followed. Study inclusion criteria were: adult population >18 years old; chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on published diagnostic criteria; and clearly defined primary clinical end-point. We focused on reporting higher-quality studies (level 2b or higher), but reported on lower-level studies if the topic contained insufficient evidence. We excluded drug-eluting spacer and stent therapy from this review. This review identified and evaluated the literature on 5 topical therapy strategies for CRS: saline irrigation, topical steroid, topical antibiotic, topical antifungal, and topical alternatives (surfactant, manuka honey, and xylitol irrigations). Based on the available evidence, sinonasal saline irrigation and standard topical nasal steroid therapy are recommended in the topical treatment of CRS. Nonstandard (off-label) topical sinonasal steroid therapies can be an option for managing CRS. The evidence recommends against the use of topical antifungal therapy and topical antibiotic therapy delivered using nebulized and spray techniques in routine cases of CRS. There is insufficient clinical research to provide recommendations for alternative therapies or topical antibiotic therapy delivered using other delivery methods (eg, irrigations). © 2013 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Dermal carotenoid level and kinetics after topical and systemic administration of antioxidants: enrichment strategies in a controlled in vivo study.

PubMed

Darvin, Maxim E; Fluhr, Joachim W; Schanzer, Sabine; Richter, Heike; Patzelt, Alexa; Meinke, Martina C; Zastrow, Leonhard; Golz, Karin; Doucet, Olivier; Sterry, Wolfram; Lademann, Juergen

2011-10-01

High doses of sun-emitted UV-radiation induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as major pro-oxidants thus inducing premature skin aging. The best prevention of the destructive action of free radicals in human skin is textile coverings, topical sunscreens and the development of a high antioxidative protective network. The effects of topical, systemic and combined application of antioxidants (AO) were investigated on human skin in vivo. Topical application of creams and systemic incorporation of tablets both containing AO was investigated in vivo by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Topical, systemic and combined AO-treatments induced a statistically significant increase of AO levels in human skin while placebo did not show any changes. The highest accumulation was induced by the combination of topical and systemic AO. Carotenoid-tablets combined with placebo-cream induced less carotenoid accumulation than carotenoid-tablets alone. Carotenoid levelling after the end of treatment lasted for around 2 weeks following the topical application of AOs, and up to 5 weeks after systemic administration, depending on the BMI of volunteers. Topically applied AO are stored in the SC for a short time only due to the rapid AO-depletion by desquamation, textile contact, washing and environmental stress. In contrast to topical application, the systemically applied carotenoids are stored in the body fat tissue and slowly released onto the skin surface with sweat and sebum. The combined topical and systemic application of AO represents an optimal form of protection of the AO-network. Copyright © 2011 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topic Modeling of Smoking- and Cessation-Related Posts to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivor Network (CSN): Implications for Cessation Treatment for Cancer Survivors Who Smoke.

PubMed

Westmaas, J Lee; McDonald, Bennett R; Portier, Kenneth M

2017-08-01

Smoking is a risk factor in at least 18 cancers, and approximately two-thirds of cancer survivors continue smoking following diagnosis. Text mining of survivors' online posts related to smoking and quitting could inform strategies to reduce smoking in this vulnerable population. We identified posts containing smoking/cessation-related keywords from the Cancer Survivors Network (CSN), an online cancer survivor community of 166 000 members and over 468 000 posts since inception. Unsupervised topic model analysis of posts since 2000 using Latent Dirichlet Allocation extracted 70 latent topics which two subject experts inspected for themes based on representative terms. Posterior analysis assessed the distribution of topics within posts, and the range of themes discussed across posts. Less than 1% of posts (n = 3998) contained smoking/cessation-related terms, and covered topics related to cancer diagnoses, treatments, and coping. The most frequent smoking-related topics were quit smoking methods (5.4% of posts), and the environment for quitters (2.9% of posts), such as the stigma associated with being a smoker diagnosed with cancer and lack of empathy experienced compared to nonsmokers. Smoking as a risk factor for one's diagnosis was a primary topic in only 1.7% of smoking/cessation-related posts. The low frequency of smoking/cessation-related posts may be due to expected criticism/stigma for smoking but may also suggests a need for health care providers to address smoking and assist with quitting in the diagnostic and treatment process. Topic model analysis revealed potential barriers that should be addressed in devising clinical or population-level interventions for cancer survivors who smoke. Although smoking is a major risk factor for cancer, little is known about cancer patients' or survivors' views or concerns about smoking and quitting. This study used text mining of posts to an online community of cancer patients and survivors to investigate contexts in which smoking or quitting is discussed. Results indicated that smoking and quitting discussions were relatively rare, but nevertheless provide insight into barriers that may need to be addressed in cessation interventions for survivors. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A Lack of Systemic Absorption Following the Repeated Application of Topical Quetiapine in Healthy Adults.

PubMed

Kayhart, Bryce; Lapid, Maria I; Nelson, Sarah; Cunningham, Julie L; Thompson, Virginia H; Leung, Jonathan G

2018-01-01

In the absence of suitable oral or intravenous access for medication administration and when the intramuscular medications are undesirable, alternative routes for drug delivery may be considered. Antipsychotics administered via an inhaled, intranasal, rectal, or topical route have been described in the literature. Topically administered antipsychotics have been previously reported to produce negligible systemic absorption despite being used in clinical practice for nausea and behavioral symptoms associated with dementia. Additionally, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine recommends against the use of topical medications that lack supporting literature. Three studies have assessed the systemic absorption of different antipsychotics after administration of only a single, topically applied dose. To evaluate whether the repeated administration of a topically applied antipsychotic may result in detectable serum levels in an accumulating fashion, a pharmacokinetic study was conducted. Five healthy, adult participants consented to receive extemporaneously prepared topical quetiapine in Lipoderm every 4 hours for a total of 5 doses. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and hours 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24, and serum quetiapine concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Quetiapine was undetectable in every sample from 3 participants. Two participants had minimally detectable serum quetiapine levels no sooner than hour 12 of the study period. Extemporaneously prepared quetiapine in Lipoderm resulted in nonexistent or minimal serum level following repeated topical administration. The use of topically applied quetiapine should still be questioned.

Quality of Subjective Experience in a Summer Science Program for Academically Talented Adolescents.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tuss, Paul

This study utilized the flow theory of intrinsic motivation to evaluate the subjective experience of 78 academically talented high school sophomores participating in an 8-day summer research apprenticeship program in materials and nuclear science. The program involved morning lectures on such topics as physics of electromagnetic radiation, energy…

"Wrighting" the Self: New Technologies and Textual Subjectivities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sakr, Mona

2012-01-01

The expression of the self through multimodal texts is a central theme in education. While it has been suggested that new technologies act as important mediators in the relationship between texts and subjectivity, the mechanisms underlying such mediation has been a neglected topic of research. This paper considers the theoretical assumptions upon…

INDEX TO 35MM EDUCATIONAL FILMSTRIPS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

University of Southern California, Los Angeles. School of Performing Arts.

THE FIRST OF THE THREE PRINCIPAL SECTIONS OF THIS REFERENCE WORK IS A CROSS-REFERENCED SUBJECT MATTER SECTION SERVING AS A GUIDE TO SPECIFIC FILMSTRIPS THROUGH EITHER A GENERAL SUBJECT (E.G., BIOGRAPHY, FINE ARTS, SOCIOLOGY) OR A TERM OR TOPIC (E.G., CIVIL WAR, MITOSIS, TIDES). THE MIDDLE SECTION IS AN ALPHABETICAL TITLE-DESCRIPTIVE SECTION IN…

[Secondary Career Education Activities: Health and Physical Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radford City Schools, VA.

The guide is one of a series developed in a pilot project to integrate career education concepts with subject matter in secondary grades. The units are designed to reveal career orientation aspects of traditional topics within five major subject areas: English, social studies, mathematics, science, and health and physical education. The lesson…

The Repeated Name Penalty, the Overt Pronoun Penalty, and Topic in Japanese

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shoji, Shinichi; Dubinsky, Stanley; Almor, Amit

2017-01-01

When reading sentences with an anaphoric reference to a subject antecedent, repeated-name anaphors result in slower reading times relative to pronouns (the Repeated Name Penalty: RNP), and overt pronouns are read slower than null pronouns (the Overt Pronoun Penalty: OPP). Because in most languages previously tested, the grammatical subject is…

Examination of Capital Murder Jurors' Deliberations: Methods and Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Price, Keith; Coleman, Susan; Byrd, Gary R.

2014-01-01

The study of capital juries remains a subject of critical interest for the public and for legislative and judicial policy makers as well as legal scholars and social scientists. Cowan, Thompson, and Ellsworth established one of the standard methodologies for examination of this topic in their 1984 seminal study by observing the subjects' debate…

Art Therapy, Men and the Expressivity Gap

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trombetta, Robert

2007-01-01

Men as a discrete subject group and the gender-based nuances of their visual expression is a relatively unexplored art therapy research topic. The author describes a study designed to investigate the lived experience of a male subject in communicating about an episode of major depression, through both verbal communication and associations to…

Primary Art Resource Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newton Unified School District 373, KS.

GRADES OR AGES: Primary Grades. SUBJECT MATTER: Art. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The guide begins with a list of topics for art expression. The main body of the guide contains 15 color-coded sections on the following subjects: 1) mobiles and folded paper; 2) collage and photo montage; 3) square paper and mosaics; 4) wax paper and…

A Comparison of Keyword Subject Searching on Six British University OPACs Online Public Access Catalogs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aanonson, John

1987-01-01

Compares features of online public access catalogs (OPACs) at six British universities: (1) Cambridge; (2) Hull; (3) Newcastle; (4) Surrey; (5) Sussex; and (6) York. Results of keyword subject searches on two topics performed on each of the OPACs are reported and compared. Six references are listed. (MES)

GeoGebra in a Geography Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herceg, Ðorde; Herceg-Mandic, Vera

2013-01-01

Certain secondary school subjects, such as geography, contain topics which are based on mathematical concepts. However, some geography teachers either fail to recognize this connection or choose to ignore it when they teach. Instead, they present the subject matter as a collection of facts, which need to be memorized and reproduced by the pupils.…

Marvels of Math: Fascinating Reads and Awesome Activities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haven, Kendall F.

Any topic, math included, becomes more accessible and understandable when human stories are related about the development of the subject. Stories make subjects real and purposeful. They provide a foundation from which students can understand and appreciate mathematics rather than merely memorize a series of rote exercises. This book presents 16…

Self-Evaluative Reactions: The Role of Personal Valuation of the Activity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simon, Karen M.

The differential activation of self-evaluative reactions to performance attainments on tasks varying on their relevance for subjects' sense of personal adequacy was investigated. All subjects (N=97) spoke extemporaneously on prescribed topics and received the same random sequence of performance scores. The same task was designated as assessing…

A Study of the Subject Headings Practices of Fifteen Small Liberal Arts College Libraries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kissel, Laura J.

This research was conducted in order to examine whether libraries are maintaining consistent and complete subject authority control and creating syndetic reference structure for popular topics. A descriptive study of 15 private liberal arts college libraries was conducted to determine whether the Library of Congress (LC) prescribed "see"…

The Main Topics at the Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Course and Expert Panel.

PubMed

Emiroğlu, Mustafa; Kuru, Bekir; Gülçelik, Mehmet Ali; Atahan, M Kemal; Sezer, Atakan Y; Karaali, Cem; Güllüoğlu, Bahadır

2017-01-01

The Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery course was held in Izmir by the Izmir Breast Diseases Federation in collaboration with the Breast Diseases Federation of Turkey. The techniques of oncoplasty, the application details and experience in this subject were shared. In this text, the main topics and outcomes are briefly summarised. These evaluations can be considered highly valuable on both local and regional scales.

The effectiveness of resources created by students as partners in explaining the relevance of mathematics in engineering education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dunn, Michelle; Loch, Birgit; Scott, Wendy

2018-01-01

First-year engineering students often struggle to see the relevance of theoretical mathematical concepts for their future studies and professional careers. This is an issue, as students who do not see relevance in fundamental parts of their studies may disengage from these parts and focus their efforts on other subjects they think will be more useful to them. In this study, we surveyed engineering students enrolled in a first-year mathematics subject on their perceptions of the relevance of the individual mathematical topics taught. Surveys were administered at the start of semester when some of these topics were unknown to them, and again at the end of semester when students had not only studied all these topics but also watched a set of animated videos. These videos had been produced by higher-year students to explain where they had seen applications of the mathematical concepts presented in the first year. We notice differences between the perceived relevance of topics for future study and for professional careers, with relevance to study rated higher than relevance to careers. We also find that the animations are seen as helpful in understanding the relevance of first-year mathematics. The majority of students indicated that lecturers with students as partners should work collaboratively to produce future videos.

Fifteenth symposium on biotechnology for fuels and chemicals: Program and abstracts

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

Not Available

1993-07-01

This collection contains 173 abstracts from presented papers and poster sessions. The five sessions of the conference were on the subjects of: (1) Thermal, Chemical, and Biological Processing, (2) Applied Biological Research, (3) Bioprocessing Research (4), Process Economics and Commercialization, and (5) Environmental Biotechnology. Examples of specific topics in the first session include the kinetics of ripening cheese, microbial liquefaction of lignite, and wheat as a feedstock for fuel ethanol. Typical topics in the second session were synergism studies of bacterial and fungal celluloses, conversion of inulin from jerusalem artichokes to sorbitol and ethanol by saccharomyces cerevisiae, and microbial conversionmore » of high rank coals to methane. The third session entertained topics such as hydrodynamic modeling of a liquid fluidized bed bioreactor for coal biosolubilization, aqueous biphasic systems for biological particle partitioning, and arabinose utilization by xylose-fermenting yeast and fungi. The fourth session included such topics as silage processing of forage biomass to alcohol fuels, economics of molasses to ethanol in India, and production of lactic acid from renewable resources. the final session contained papers on such subjects as bioluminescent detection of contaminants in soils, characterization of petroleum contaminated soils in coral atolls in the south Pacific, and landfill management for methane generation and emission control.« less

A Proposal For The Development of Materials Of Instruction For A General Mathematics Curriculum In Grade Nine. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rogler, Paul V.

The purpose of this project was the development of a program that would provide for teaching important ideas of general mathematics in a spiral development, that is, a great variety of topics should be included at each level, with each higher level including more advanced stages of the development of each topic. Topics to be considered are…

Clinico-epidemiological study of tinea incognito with microbiological correlation.

PubMed

Dutta, Bornali; Rasul, Elmy Samsul; Boro, Bobita

2017-01-01

Tinea incognito is a dermatophytic infection with a clinical presentation that is modified due to previous treatment with topical or systemic steroids, as well as topical immunomodulators. It tends to mimic other dermatological conditions. To evaluate the various clinical manifestations, sites, predisposing factors and causative agents of tinea incognito. A prospective observational study was done on one hundred clinically suspected cases of tinea incognito, with a history of topical or systemic steroid use for a period of at least six weeks. They were subject to direct microscopy and fungal culture, and re-evaluated at the end of the third and sixth week. Eczema-like conditions were the most common clinical manifestation, followed by inflammatory, autoimmune and infective conditions. The face was the most commonly affected site. Direct microscopy was positive in 85% of cases, and fungal culture was positive in 63% of cases. Trichophyton rubrum was the most common species isolated. Pharmacists were responsible for 78% of tinea incognito cases, and betamethasone dipropionate was the most common drug used. As this was a hospital outpatient-based study, cases with severe systemic problems could have attended other departments. Cases involving the hair and nails were negligible. Tinea incognito is a commonly encountered, yet poorly reported entity in the study population. An increased level of awareness and vigilance on the sale of steroid containing compounds will help control this dermatological condition.

A literature review exploring the preparation of mental health nurses for working with people with learning disability and mental illness.

PubMed

Adshead, Stephanie; Collier, Elizabeth; Kennedy, Sarah

2015-03-01

The aim of this literature review is to explore whether mental health nurses are being appropriately prepared to care for learning disabled patients who also suffer from mental ill health. A systematic approach was adopted in order to identify relevant literature for review on the topic. Five electronic databases were searched; CINAHL, Medline, ERIC, PubMed and Scopus. Searches were limited to the years 2001-2013. A total of 13 articles were identified as relevant to the topic area for review. Three main themes were identified relating to (a) attitudes (b) practice and (c) education. There appears to be a lack of research that directly addresses this issue and the existing literature suggests that there are considerable deficits in the ability of mental health nurses to be able to provide appropriate care for those with both a learning disability and mental ill health. The findings of this review would suggest that this topic area is in urgent need of further investigation and research. Further research into this area of practice could possibly help to inform education regarding this subject at pre-registration and post qualifying levels, which could therefore in turn, improve the delivery of mental health nursing care to this particular client group. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topical anesthesia for rubber dam clamp placement in sealant placement: comparison of lidocaine/prilocaine gel and benzocaine.

PubMed

Yoon, Richard K; Chussid, Steven

2009-01-01

The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy of Oraqix to benzocaine while placing a rubber dam clamp during sealant placement on children. A sample size of 45 7- to 12-year-old patients who presented for bilateral sealants on permanent first molars participated in this study. A split-mouth design was implemented with Oraqix applied to one side and 20 percent benzocaine gel applied to the other. After placing the topical anesthetic and the rubber dam clamp, patients completed a Feces Pain Scale (FPS) to rate the level of discomfort after clamp placement. Twenty-seven subjects (60%) were female and 18 subjects (40%) were mole; 15 (33%) were younger than 9 years old and 30 (67%) were at least 9 years old. The overall difference in mean FPS ratings was not statistically significant (P = .27). Regarding gender, there was no statistically significant difference in males (P = .65) or females (P = .26). There was also no difference in mean FPS ratings when looking at age groups younger than 9 years old with P=.77 In the 9 years and older age groups, however there was a statistically significant difference, with P = .04. Application of Oraqix did not reduce discomfort when compared to benzocaine in this small sample size. Oraqix was more effective than benzocaine in the age group 9 and older. A larger sample size is needed to determine its efficacy in children younger than 9years old.

Satisfaction level with topical versus peribulbar anesthesia experienced by same patient for phacoemulsification.

PubMed

Ahmad, Nauman; Zahoor, Abdul; Motowa, Saeed A; Jastaneiah, Saba; Riad, Waleed

2012-01-01

Various studies have assessed patient satisfaction with topical versus peribulbar anesthesia with conflicting results. Aim of study was to determine satisfaction level in same patient who gets topical anesthesia in one eye and peribulbar block in another eye. We propose that evaluation of various indicators of patient satisfaction will enable better selection of cases for topical anesthesia in the future. Eighty patients scheduled for phacoemulsification were enrolled in prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Each patient scheduled twice for one eye under topical anesthesia and other in peribulbar block. Pain, discomfort and pressure during application of local anesthetic, during phacoemulsification and at 2 hours after procedure were assessed on standard scales. Before discharge patient satisfaction level was checked with Iowa satisfaction with anesthesia scale (ISAS). The Student's t-test was used to determine the significance of IOWA score in both groups. P<0.05 was considered significant. Feeling of pain, pressure and discomfort scores during administration of topical anesthesia were all significantly lower compared to peribulbar anesthesia (P=0.004, 0.000, 0.002, respectively). In contrast, intraoperative scores were significantly higher in the topical anesthesia group compared to peribulbar anesthesia (P=0.022, 0.000, 0.000, respectively). Patient satisfaction measured with ISAS shows that peribulbar anesthesia with P=0.000 is strongly significant. Peribulbar anesthesia provided significantly better patient satisfaction in comparison with topical anesthesia when used for cataract surgery.

Adjuvant treatment or primary topical monotherapy for ocular surface squamous neoplasia: a systematic review.

PubMed

Viani, Gustavo Arruda; Fendi, Ligia Issa de

2017-01-01

In this systematic review, we evaluated studies involving adjuvant and primary topical treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). The findings were: (i) adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) reduces the risk of relapse after surgical excision with mild side effects [level Ib, grade of recommendation (GR) A]. (ii) Primary topical mitomycin (MMC) produces a high rate of complete response, low recurrence rate, and mild side effects (level Ib, GR A). (iii) Primary chemotherapy versus adjuvant chemotherapy produce similar rates of recurrence, with no significant difference (level IIb, GR B). (iv) Adjuvant 5-FU versus MMC showed no significant differences, with mild side effects in both groups and a better toxicity profile for MMC (level III, GR C). (v) Primary topical 5-FU versus MMC versus interferon (IFN) showed similar rates of tumor recurrence, mild side effects for all drugs, and more severe side effects in the 5-FU arm, followed successively by MMC and IFN (level III, GR C).

Lactoferrin Levels in Tears are Increased by the Topical Application of Diadenosine Tetraphosphate.

PubMed

Loma, Patricia; Guzman-Aranguez, Ana; Perez de Lara, Maria J; Pintor, Jesus

2016-09-01

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of the topical application of diadenosine tetraphosphate on lactoferrin levels in rabbit tears. Diadenosine tetraphosphate was topically instilled in a single-dose, tear samples were collected by micropipette and lactoferrin was measured by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). The concentration of lactoferrin in rabbit tears was significantly increased 1 h after diadenosine tetraphosphate application, remaining elevated for 3 h more. This effect was blocked by P2 receptors antagonists. Topical application of diadenosine tetraphosphate stimulates the secretion of lactoferrin in rabbit tears through P2 receptor activation.

Tangeritin inhibits adipogenesis by down-regulating C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and PPARγ expression in 3T3-L1 fat cells.

PubMed

He, Y F; Liu, F Y; Zhang, W X

2015-10-29

The treatment of obese patients is a topic investigated by an increasing number of researchers. This study aimed to elucidate the possible inhibitory effect of tangeritin on the development and function of fat cells. 3T3-L1 fat cells were grown to confluence and subjected to different concentrations of tangeritin. The most effective tangeritin inhibition concentration was determined by the MTT assay. The treated cells were subjected to real-time reverse transcriptase PCR and western blot analysis, to detect changes in the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α, C/EBPβ, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)γ expression levels. The MTT assay revealed that the fat cell growth was inhibited at a 20 ng/mL concentration of tangeritin. The results of real-time PCR revealed a significant decrease in the expression of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and PPARγ mRNA, following the treatment with tangeritin. Western blot analysis also presented similar results at a protein level. Therefore, we concluded that tangeritin inhibits adipogenesis via the down-regulation of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and PPARγ mRNA and protein expression in 3T3-L1 cells.

Corporate compliance plans in health care organizations: a top-down perspective.

PubMed

Forgione, D A

1998-01-01

Recently, at an all-day professional meeting that was targeted at about 100 junior-level health care financial professionals, we covered a whole spectrum of subjects. We covered topics ranging from the Hill-Burton Act to Medicare managed care organizations (MCOs) and capitation; the Stark rules on physician self-referral; the financial incentives within various payment systems for physicians, hospitals, and other providers; Medicare fraud and abuse rules; and the need for well-designed corporate compliance plans. After responding to a number of the participants' questions, I could not help but be reminded of the students every semester who ask me, "Will this be on the test?" In other words, if there are no real teeth in the subject, then they have too many other urgent priorities demanding their attention to give the issue serious consideration. Perhaps this highlights the need for taking corporate compliance planning seriously--starting at the top levels of the organization. It is well documented that leadership attitudes filter downward in any organization. If change for the better is going to take place in the area of corporate compliance, it needs to begin with each of us as individuals, from the top down.

Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin.

PubMed

Schrader, A; Siefken, W; Kueper, T; Breitenbach, U; Gatermann, C; Sperling, G; Biernoth, T; Scherner, C; Stäb, F; Wenck, H; Wittern, K-P; Blatt, T

2012-01-01

Aquaporins (AQPs) present in the epidermis are essential hydration-regulating elements controlling cellular water and glycerol transport. In this study, the potential of glyceryl glucoside [GG; alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-alpha-(1->2)-glycerol], an enhanced glycerol derivative, to increase the expression of AQP3 in vitro and ex vivo was evaluated. In vitro studies with real-time RT-PCR and FACS measurements were performed to test the induction by GG (3% w/v) of AQP3 mRNA and protein in cultured human keratinocytes. GG-containing formulations were applied topically to volunteer subjects and suction blister biopsies were analyzed to assess whether GG (5%) could penetrate the epidermis of intact skin, and subsequently upregulate AQP3 mRNA expression and improve barrier function. AQP3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in cultured human keratinocytes. In the studies on volunteer subjects, GG significantly increased AQP3 mRNA levels in the skin and reduced transepidermal water loss compared with vehicle-controlled areas. GG promotes AQP3 mRNA and protein upregulation and improves skin barrier function, and may thus offer an effective treatment option for dehydrated skin. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Some letters on Jewish Medical Ethics.

PubMed

Jakobovits, I

1983-08-01

Specializing in Jewish Medical Ethics--a term, I believe, first used as the title of my doctor's thesis (1955) subsequently condensed and revised in book form (1959)--I frequently receive inquiries from individuals and organizations seeking guidance on the Jewish attitude to moral issues in medicine. After a review of my voluminous correspondence on many phases of this subject, I have made a small selection on a variety of topics. The correspondence on the last of the four topics, 'Medical Experimentation on Animals', is the longest, because it contains an element of polemics. Since this might make it of special interest to the Journal's readers, and since this subject is infrequently discussed in the literature of Medical Ethics, I decided to include it in this brief selection.

Mental health education in occupational therapy professional preparation programs: Alignment between clinician priorities and coverage in university curricula.

PubMed

Scanlan, Justin Newton; Meredith, Pamela J; Haracz, Kirsti; Ennals, Priscilla; Pépin, Geneviève; Webster, Jayne S; Arblaster, Karen; Wright, Shelley

2017-12-01

Occupational therapy programs must prepare graduates for work in mental health. However, this area of practice is complex and rapidly changing. This study explored the alignment between educational priorities identified by occupational therapists practising in mental health and level of coverage of these topics in occupational therapy programs in Australia and New Zealand. Surveys were distributed to heads of all occupational therapy programs across Australia and New Zealand. The survey included educational priorities identified by occupational therapists in mental health from a previous study. Respondents were requested to identify the level of coverage given to each of these priorities within their curriculum. These data were analysed to determine a ranking of educational topics in terms of level of coverage in university programs. Responses were received for 19 programs from 16 universities. Thirty-four topics were given 'High-level coverage' in university programs, and these were compared against the 29 topics classified as 'Essential priorities' by clinicians. Twenty topics were included in both the 'Essential priorities' and 'High-level coverage' categories. Topics considered to be 'Essential priorities' by clinicians which were not given 'High-level coverage' in university programs included the following: mental health fieldwork experiences; risk assessment and management; professional self-care resilience and sensory approaches. While there appears to be overall good alignment between mental health curricula and priorities identified by practising occupational therapists, there are some discrepancies. These discrepancies are described and establish a strong foundation for further discussion between clinicians, academics and university administration to support curriculum review and revision. © 2017 Occupational Therapy Australia.

A randomised placebo-controlled trial of oral and topical antibiotics for children with clinically infected eczema in the community: the ChildRen with Eczema, Antibiotic Management (CREAM) study.

PubMed

Francis, Nick A; Ridd, Matthew J; Thomas-Jones, Emma; Shepherd, Victoria; Butler, Christopher C; Hood, Kerenza; Huang, Chao; Addison, Katy; Longo, Mirella; Marwick, Charis; Wootton, Mandy; Howe, Robin; Roberts, Amanda; Haq, Mohammed Inaam-ul; Madhok, Vishnu; Sullivan, Frank

2016-03-01

Secondary skin infection is common during eczema exacerbations and many children are treated with antibiotics when this is suspected, although there is little high-quality evidence to justify this practice. To determine the clinical effectiveness of oral and topical antibiotics, in addition to standard treatment with emollients and topical corticosteroids, in children with clinically infected eczema. Multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. General practices and dermatology clinics in England, Wales and Scotland. Children (aged 3 months to < 8 years) with a diagnosis of eczema (according to U.K. Working Party definition) and clinical suspicion of infection. (1) Oral flucloxacillin and topical placebo; (2) topical fusidic acid (Fucidin(®), Leo Laboratories Limited) and oral placebo; and (3) oral and topical placebos, all for 1 week. Patient-Orientated Eczema Measure (POEM) at 2 weeks (assessing subjective severity in the week following treatment). We randomised 113 children (36 to oral antibiotic, 37 to topical antibiotic and 40 to placebo), which was fewer than our revised target sample size of 282. A total of 103 (92.0%) children had one or more clinical features suggestive of infection and 78 (69.6%) children had Staphylococcus aureus cultured from a skin swab. Oral and topical antibiotics resulted in a 1.52 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.35 to 4.40] and 1.49 (95% CI -1.55 to 4.53) increase (worse subjective severity) in POEM score at 2 weeks, relative to placebo and controlling for baseline POEM score. Eczema Area and Severity Index (objective severity) scores were also higher (worse) in the intervention groups, at 0.20 (95% CI -0.12 to 0.52) and 0.42 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.75) for oral and topical antibiotics, respectively, at 2 weeks. Analyses of impact on the family, quality of life, daily symptom scores, and longer-term outcomes were all consistent with the finding of no or limited difference and a trend towards worse outcomes in the intervention groups. Sensitivity analyses, including adjusting for compliance and imputation for missing data, were consistent with the main findings. Our data suggest that oral and topical antibiotics have no effect, or a harmful effect, on subjective eczema severity in children with clinically infected eczema in the community. The CIs around our estimates exclude a meaningful beneficial effect (published minimal clinically important difference for POEM is 3.4). Although most patients in this trial had features suggestive of infection and S. aureus on their skin, participants primarily had mild-moderate eczema and those with signs of more severe infection were often excluded. Clinicians should consider avoiding oral and topical antibiotic use in children with suspected infected eczema in the community who do not have signs of 'severe infection'. Further research should seek to understand how best to encourage the use of topical steroids and limit use of antibiotics in those with eczema flares without signs of severe infection, as well as developing tools to better phenotype eczema flares, in order to better define a population that may benefit from antibiotic treatment. European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT) number 2011-003591-37 and Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN96705420. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Type of Evidence Behind Point-of-Care Clinical Information Products: A Bibliometric Analysis

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Point-of-care (POC) products are widely used as information reference tools in the clinical setting. Although usability, scope of coverage, ability to answer clinical questions, and impact on health outcomes have been studied, no comparative analysis of the characteristics of the references, the evidence for the content, in POC products is available. Objective The objective of this study was to compare the type of evidence behind five POC clinical information products. Methods This study is a comparative bibliometric analysis of references cited in monographs in POC products. Five commonly used products served as subjects for the study: ACP PIER, Clinical Evidence, DynaMed, FirstCONSULT, and UpToDate. The four clinical topics examined to identify content in the products were asthma, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Four indicators were measured: distribution of citations, type of evidence, product currency, and citation overlap. The type of evidence was determined based primarily on the publication type found in the MEDLINE bibliographic record, as well as the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), both assigned by the US National Library of Medicine. MeSH is the controlled vocabulary used for indexing articles in MEDLINE/PubMed. Results FirstCONSULT had the greatest proportion of references with higher levels of evidence publication types such as systematic review and randomized controlled trial (137/153, 89.5%), although it contained the lowest total number of references (153/2330, 6.6%). DynaMed had the largest total number of references (1131/2330, 48.5%) and the largest proportion of current (2007-2009) references (170/1131, 15%). The distribution of references cited for each topic varied between products. For example, asthma had the most references listed in DynaMed, Clinical Evidence, and FirstCONSULT, while hypertension had the most references in UpToDate and ACP PIER. An unexpected finding was that the rate of citation overlap was less than 1% for each topic across all five products. Conclusions Differences between POC products are revealed by examining the references cited in the monographs themselves. Citation analysis extended to include key content indicators can be used to compare the evidence levels of the literature supporting the content found in POC products. PMID:21335319

Constructing post-surgical discharge instructions through a Delphi consensus methodology.

PubMed

Scott, Aaron R; Sanderson, Cody J; Rush, Augustus J; Alore, Elizabeth A; Naik, Aanand D; Berger, David H; Suliburk, James W

2018-05-01

Patient education materials are a crucial part of physician-patient communication. We hypothesize that available discharge instructions are difficult to read and fail to address necessary topics. Our objective is to evaluate readability and content of surgical discharge instructions using thyroidectomy to develop standardized discharge materials. Thyroidectomy discharge materials were analyzed for readability and assessed for content. Fifteen endocrine surgeons participated in a modified Delphi consensus panel to select necessary topics. Using readability best practices, we created standardized discharge instructions which included all selected topics. The panel evaluated 40 topics, selected 23, deemed 4 inappropriate, consolidated 5, and did not reach consensus on 8 topics after 4 rounds. The evaluated instructions' reading levels ranged from grade 6.5 to 13.2; none contained all consensus topics. Current post surgical thyroidectomy discharge instructions are more difficult to read than recommended by literacy standards and omit consensus warning signs of major complications. Our easy-to-read discharge instructions cover pertinent topics and may enhance patient education. Delphi methodology is useful for developing post-surgical instructions. Patient education materials need appropriate readability levels and content. We recommend the Delphi method to select content using consensus expert opinion whenever higher level data is lacking. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lead poison prevention: a comparative review of brochures.

PubMed

Endres, Jeannette; Montgomery, Joe; Welch, Patricia

2002-01-01

Although eliminating lead from the environment is the most effective way to prevent lead poisoning, outreach and education also must be addressed. This study reports a consensus summary of lead-poisoning prevention topics and reading levels derived from state brochures. This information may be useful in the evaluation and design of future lead prevention brochures. A point system was used to assess the readability and topic content of 20 brochures from 11 states. Only half of the brochures were written at the targeted grade level. Frequently covered topics were wash hands and face, provide foods that contain good sources of key nutrients, and use damp cleaning methods when dusting and mopping. The findings about topics and reading levels can be used throughout the development of lead-hazard prevention brochures.

Accelerated resolution of laser-induced bruising with topical 20% arnica: a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Leu, S; Havey, J; White, L E; Martin, N; Yoo, S S; Rademaker, A W; Alam, M

2010-09-01

Dermatological procedures can result in disfiguring bruises that resolve slowly. To assess the comparative utility of topical formulations in hastening the resolution of skin bruising. Healthy volunteers, age range 21-65 years, were enrolled for this double (patient and rater) blinded randomized controlled trial. For each subject, four standard bruises of 7 mm diameter each were created on the bilateral upper inner arms, 5 cm apart, two per arm, using a 595-nm pulsed-dye laser (Vbeam; Candela Corp., Wayland, MA, U.S.A.). Randomization was used to assign one topical agent (5% vitamin K, 1% vitamin K and 0·3% retinol, 20% arnica, or white petrolatum) to exactly one bruise per subject, which was then treated under occlusion twice a day for 2 weeks. A dermatologist not involved with subject assignment rated bruises [visual analogue scale, 0 (least)-10 (most)] in standardized photographs immediately after bruise creation and at week 2. There was significant difference in the change in the rater bruising score associated with the four treatments (anova, P=0·016). Pairwise comparisons indicated that the mean improvement associated with 20% arnica was greater than with white petrolatum (P=0·003), and the improvement with arnica was greater than with the mixture of 1% vitamin K and 0·3% retinol (P=0·01). Improvement with arnica was not greater than with 5% vitamin K cream, however. Topical 20% arnica ointment may be able to reduce bruising more effectively than placebo and more effectively than low-concentration vitamin K formulations, such as 1% vitamin K with 0·3% retinol. © 2010 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2010 British Association of Dermatologists.

Subretinal fluid levels of topical, oral, and combined administered ciprofloxacin in humans

PubMed Central

Cekic, O.; Batman, C.; Yasar, U.; Basci, N.; Zilelioglu, O.; Bozkurt, A.

2000-01-01

AIMS—To investigate the subretinal fluid (SRF) penetration of ciprofloxacin following topical, oral, and combined administration.
METHODS—34 patients undergoing conventional retinal reattachment surgery were randomly assigned to three groups. Twelve patients received topical ciprofloxacin, 11 patients received oral ciprofloxacin, and the other 11 patients received combined drug administration. SRF drug level was measured by using high performance liquid chromatography method.
RESULTS—The highest drug concentrations of all tested modes were attained following combined administration and lowest following topical administration (p <0.001). The SRF drug concentration following oral administration was also significantly higher than that of topical administration (p <0.001). Concentrations after oral and combined administration did not differ significantly (p = 0.217).
CONCLUSIONS—Topical ciprofloxacin can penetrate SRF. Ocular bioavailability of ciprofloxacin in SRF after oral and combined administration is equivalent.

 PMID:10966968

Comparative study of topical vs. intravenous tranexamic acid regarding blood loss in total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Zekcer, Ari; Priori, Ricardo Del; Tieppo, Clauber; Silva, Ricardo Soares da; Severino, Nilson Roberto

2017-01-01

To compare topical vs. intravenous tranexamic acid (TA) in total knee arthroplasty regarding blood loss and transfusion. Ninety patients were randomized to receive TA intravenously (20 mg/kg in 100 mL of saline; group IV), topically (1.5 g in 50 mL of saline, sprayed over the operated site, before release of the tourniquet; topical group), or intravenous saline (100 mL with anesthesia; control group). The volume of drained blood in 48 h, the amount of transfused blood, and the serum levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit before and after surgery were evaluated. The groups were similar for gender, age, weight, laterality, and preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels ( p  > 0.2). The hemoglobin level dropped in all groups when comparing the preoperative and the 48-h evaluations: the control group decreased 3.8 mg/dL on average, while the IV group had a decrease of 3.0, and the topical group, of 3.2 ( p  = 0.019). The difference between the control and IV groups was confirmed by Bonferroni test ( p  = 0.020). The difference between the control group and the topical group was not significant ( p  = 0.130), although there was less reduction in hemoglobin in the topical group; the comparison between the IV group and the topical group was also not significant ( p  = 1.000). Using topic and IV tranexamic acid decreased blood loss and the need for transfusion in total knee arthroplasty. Topical application showed results similar to IV use regarding the need for blood transfusion, but without the possible side effects of IV administration.

A Qualitative Study Examining the Exclusive Use of Primary Literature in a Special Topics Biology Course: Improving Conceptions about the Nature of Science and Boosting Confidence in Approaching Original Scientific Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, B. Elijah; Wiles, Jason R.

2017-01-01

This qualitative study explores the experiences of six students enrolled in a special topics biology class that exclusively used primary literature as course material. Nature of science (NOS) conceptions have been linked to students' attitudes toward scientific subjects, but there has been little research specifically exploring the effects of…

Adherence to oral and topical medication in 445 patients with tinea pedis as assessed by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8.

PubMed

Tsunemi, Yuichiro; Abe, Shinya; Kobayashi, Miwa; Kitami, Yuki; Onozuka, Daisuke; Hagihara, Akihito; Takeuchi, Satoshi; Murota, Hiroyuki; Sugaya, Makoto; Masuda, Koji; Hiragun, Takaaki; Kaneko, Sakae; Saeki, Hidehisa; Shintani, Yoichi; Tanioka, Miki; Imafuku, Shinichi; Abe, Masatoshi; Inomata, Naoko; Morisky, Donald E; Furue, Masutaka; Katoh, Norito

2015-01-01

Adherence is defined as the extent to which a person's behavior corresponds with recommendations from health care providers. Adherence to treatment is an important factor for a good therapeutic outcome. This study aimed to examine the adherence of patients with tinea pedis and to clarify the factors related to it. We assessed medication adherence for oral and topical drugs using a translated version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) together with other background factors in 445 Japanese patients with tinea pedis, using a questionnaire in a web-based monitoring system. Overall, high, medium and low adherence rates as assessed by MMAS-8 were 8.7%, 31.7% and 59.6% for oral medication, and 8.6%, 17.4% and 74.0% for topical medication, respectively. The adherence level was significantly higher for oral medication than for topical medication. Subgroup analyses showed that the adherence level for topical medication was significantly higher when topical and oral medications were used in combination than when topical medication was used alone. A low adherence level was shown in employed patients, those for whom their oral medication had not been effective and those with topical medication who had visited their hospital less often than once every six months. Patient adherence to therapy can be effectively improved by selecting highly effective medication while considering the prescription of topical and oral antifungal medications concomitantly, by carefully selecting a therapy plan for employed patients and by encouraging patients to visit their doctor regularly.

Meaningful Statistics in Professional Practices as a Bridge between Mathematics and Science: An Evaluation of a Design Research Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dierdorp, Adri; Bakker, Arthur; van Maanen, Jan A.; Eijkelhof, Harrie M. C.

2014-01-01

Background: Creating coherence between school subjects mathematics and science and making these school subjects meaningful are still topical challenges. This study investigates how students make meaningful connections between mathematics, statistics, science and applications when they engage in a specially developed unit that is based on…

Effects of Home Literacy on Children's Recall. Technical Report No. 420.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greer, Eunice Ann; Mason, Jana M.

A study assessed the impact of the home literacy environment on kindergartners' recall of topically familiar and unfamiliar information. Subjects, 32 kindergarten students (16 from a public school and 16 in a gifted program in a private school), were selected from a mid-sized, mid-western community. All subjects recalled two of four…

Preparation of Staff of Tourism-Recreational Sphere in Russia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oborin, M. S.; Gvarliani, T. E.; Nagoeva, T. A.; Ponomareva, M. A.

2017-01-01

Subject: The domestic system of a professional training for tourist-recreational activity and resort business is considered in the article. The topic of the research can be considered actual due to the growing interest of the subjects of the tourist market to the development of the country's activities, the success of which depends on the…

The Relationship of Ego-Involvement to Message Perception and Retention.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ambler, Robert Steven

Prior attitudes and personal involvement with the subject of a message do not necessarily affect a listener's recollection of the speech or his assessment of the speaker's position. This is the conclusion of a study in which subjects listened to messages presenting positions for, against, and neutral on the topic of legalizing the use of…

On the Importance of Subject Matter in Mathematics Education: A Conversation with Erich Christian Wittmann

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akinwunmi, Kathrin; Höveler, Karina; Schnell, Susanne

2014-01-01

Erich Christian Wittmann is one of the primary founders of mathematics education research as an autonomous field of work and research in Germany. The interview presented here reflects on his role in promoting mathematics education as a design science. The interview addresses the following topics: (1) The importance of subject matter in…

Otolaryngology Education: Recent Trends in Publication.

PubMed

Cass, Nathan D; Okland, Tyler S; Rodriguez, Kenny; Mann, Scott E

2017-06-01

Objectives (1) Evaluate peer-reviewed publications regarding education in otolaryngology since 2000. (2) Analyze publication trends as compared with overall otolaryngology publications. Study Design Bibliometric analysis. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods A search for articles regarding education in otolaryngology from 2000 to 2015 was performed with MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, yielding 1220 articles; 362 relevant publications were categorized by topic, subspecialty, subject, article type, and funding source. Impact factors for each journal by year were obtained, and trends of each category over time were analyzed. These were then compared with publication numbers and impact factors for all otolaryngology journals. Results From 2000 to 2015, publications in otolaryngology education increased more rapidly than the field of otolaryngology overall. The most published topics included operative skills training, surgical simulation, and professionalism/career development. Recently there has been a decline in publications related to residency administration and duty hours relative to other topics. Only 12.2% of publications reported a funding source, and only 12.2% of studies were controlled. Conclusion Recent trends in otolaryngology literature reflect an increasing focus on education; however, this work is underfunded and often lacks high-quality evidence.

The Case for Multiple Texts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cummins, Sunday

2017-01-01

Reading just one text on any topic, Cummins argues, isn't enough if we expect students to learn at deep levels about the topic, synthesize various sources of information, and gain the knowledge they need to write and speak seriously about the topic. Reading a second or third text expands a reader's knowledge on any topic or story--and the why…

Efficacy and Safety of Minoxidil 5% Foam in Combination With a Botanical Hair Solution in Men With Androgenic Alopecia.

PubMed

Keaney, Terrence C; Pham, Hanh; von Grote, Erika; Meckfessel, Matthew H

2016-04-01

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in men, characterized by hair miniaturization, hairline recession, and vertex balding. It affects approximately 50% of men, negatively affecting self-esteem and sociability. Topical minoxidil formulations are approved up to a 5% concentration for men, but patient adherence to treatment is challenged by gradual results that may be perceived as a lack of initial benefit. Herbal extracts, which are also believed to promote healthier-looking hair, have a long history of use in hair care formulations. The safety and efficacy of a twice-daily regimen of 5% minoxidil foam used in combination with a novel botanical hair solution was evaluated in a 12-week, multicenter, single-arm, open label study in 56 subjects with mild to moderate AGA. Assessments included investigator ratings of improvement and subject self-ratings of satisfaction. Investigator ratings indicated significant improvement in scalp hair coverage and perception of overall treatment benefit in as early as 4 weeks (P<.001). Subject self-ratings were significant for improved hair growth and hair appearance in as few as 4 weeks (P<.05). The regimen was well tolerated, and subjects indicated a high degree of satisfaction. Investigator and subject-assessed efficacy and subject satisfaction with this novel regimen provide clinicians with an effective treatment option for AGA that also provides a high level of patient satisfaction, which may help promote patient adherence to long-term treatment.

Essential oil from waste leaves of Curcuma longa L. alleviates skin inflammation.

PubMed

Kumar, Anant; Agarwal, Karishma; Singh, Monika; Saxena, Archana; Yadav, Pankaj; Maurya, Anil Kumar; Yadav, Anju; Tandon, Sudeep; Chanda, Debabrata; Bawankule, Dnyaneshwar U

2018-02-10

Curcuma longa L. is an important industrial crop used by medicinal and cosmetic industries in the world. Its leaves are a waste material after harvesting rhizomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical and pharmacological profile of essential oil from waste leaves of Curcuma longa (EOCl) against skin inflammation. EOCl was subjected to gas chromatography (GC) analysis for identification of essential oil constituents and its anti-inflammatory evaluation through in vitro and in vivo models. Chemical fingerprinting using GC and GC-MS analysis of EOCl revealed the presence of 11 compounds, representing 90.29% of the oil, in which terpinolene (52.88%) and α-phellandrene (21.13%) are the major components. In the in vitro testing EOCl inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation in the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Topical application of EOCl produced anti-inflammatory effects by reducing ear thickness, ear weight and ameliorating the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) at protein and mRNA levels as well as regulating the overproduction of oxidative markers and restoring the histopathological damage in a TPA-induced mouse model of inflammation. These findings of topical anti-inflammatory properties of EOCl provide a scientific basis for medicinal use of this plant material against inflammatory disorders.

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi ( Aroeira) leaves oil attenuates inflammatory responses in cutaneous wound healing in mice 1.

PubMed

Estevão, Lígia Reis Moura; Simões, Ricardo Santos; Cassini-Vieira, Puebla; Canesso, Maria Cecilia Campos; Barcelos, Lucíola da Silva; Rachid, Milene Alvarenga; Câmara, Cláudio Augusto Gomes da; Evêncio-Neto, Joaquim

2017-09-01

To investigated the inflammatory, angiogenic and fibrogenic activities of the Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi leaves oil (STRO) on wound healing. The excisional wound healing model was used to evaluate the effects of STRO. The mice were divided into two groups: Control, subjected to vehicle solution (ointment lanolin/vaseline base), or STRO- treated group, administered topically once a day for 3, 7 and 14 days post-excision. We evaluated the macroscopic wound closure rate; the inflammation was evaluated by leukocytes accumulation and cytokine levels in the wounds. The accumulation of neutrophil and macrophages in the wounds were determined by assaying myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activities. The levels of TNF-α, CXCL-1 and CCL-2 in wound were evaluated by ELISA assay. Angiogenesis and collagen fibers deposition were evaluated histologically. We observed that macroscopic wound closure rate was improved in wounds from STRO-group than Control-group. The wounds treated with STRO promoted a reduction in leucocyte accumulation and in pro-inflammatory cytokine. Moreover, STRO treatment increased significantly the number of blood vessels and collagen fibers deposition, as compared to control group. Topical application of STRO display anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects, as well as improvement in collagen replacement, suggesting a putative use of this herb for the development of phytomedicines to treat inflammatory diseases, including wound healing.

Notes on Earth Atmospheric Entry for Mars Sample Return Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rivell, Thomas

2006-01-01

The entry of sample return vehicles (SRVs) into the Earth's atmosphere is the subject of this document. The Earth entry environment for vehicles, or capsules, returning from the planet Mars is discussed along with the subjects of dynamics, aerodynamics, and heat transfer. The material presented is intended for engineers and scientists who do not have strong backgrounds in aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics and flight mechanics. The document is not intended to be comprehensive and some important topics are omitted. The topics considered in this document include basic principles of physics (fluid mechanics, dynamics and heat transfer), chemistry and engineering mechanics. These subjects include: a) fluid mechanics (aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, compressible fluids, shock waves, boundary layers, and flow regimes from subsonic to hypervelocity; b) the Earth s atmosphere and gravity; c) thermal protection system design considerations; d) heat and mass transfer (convection, radiation, and ablation); e) flight mechanics (basic rigid body dynamics and stability); and f) flight- and ground-test requirements; and g) trajectory and flow simulation methods.

Corneal biomechanical parameters and intraocular pressure: the effect of topical anesthesia

PubMed Central

Ogbuehi, Kelechi C

2012-01-01

Background The intraocular pressures and biomechanical parameters measured by the ocular response analyzer make the analyzer a useful tool for the diagnosis and management of anterior segment disease. This observational study was designed to investigate the effect of topical anesthesia on the parameters measured by the ocular response analyzer: corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc). Methods Two sets of measurements were made for 78 eyes of 39 subjects, approximately 1 week apart. In session 1, each eye of each subject was randomized into one of three groups: polyvinyl alcohol (0.5%), tetracaine hydrochloride (0.5%), or oxybuprocaine hydrochloride (0.4%). In session 2, eyes that were in the polyvinyl alcohol group in session 1 were assigned to the tetracaine group, those in the tetracaine group in session 1 were assigned to oxybuprocaine group, and those in the oxybuprocaine group in session 1 were assigned to the polyvinyl alcohol group. For both sessions, each subject first had his or her central corneal thickness assessed with a specular microscope, followed by measurements of intraocular pressure and corneal biomechanical parameters with the Ocular Response Analyzer. All measurements were repeated for 2 minutes and 5 minutes following the instillation of either polyvinyl alcohol, tetracaine, or oxybuprocaine. The level of statistical significance was 0.05. Results Polyvinyl alcohol, tetracaine hydrochloride, and oxybuprocaine hydrochloride had no statistically significant (P > 0.05) effect on any of the biomechanical parameters of the cornea. There was no statistically significant effect on either IOPg (P > 0.05) or IOPcc (P > 0.05) 2 minutes after the eye drops were instilled in either session. Five minutes after the eye drops were instilled, polyvinyl alcohol showed no statistically significant effect on either IOPg (P > 0.05) or IOPcc (P > 0.05) in either session. Oxybuprocaine and tetracaine caused statistically significant (P < 0.05) reductions in IOPg in session 1, but only tetracaine had a significant (P < 0.05) effect in session 2. Tetracaine also caused a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in IOPcc in session 1. Conclusion The statistically significant effect of topical anesthesia on IOPg varies with the anesthetic used, and while this effect was statistically significant in this study, the small effect is probably not clinically relevant. There was no effect on any of the biomechanical parameters of the cornea. PMID:22791966

Corneal biomechanical parameters and intraocular pressure: the effect of topical anesthesia.

PubMed

Ogbuehi, Kelechi C

2012-01-01

The intraocular pressures and biomechanical parameters measured by the ocular response analyzer make the analyzer a useful tool for the diagnosis and management of anterior segment disease. This observational study was designed to investigate the effect of topical anesthesia on the parameters measured by the ocular response analyzer: corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc). Two sets of measurements were made for 78 eyes of 39 subjects, approximately 1 week apart. In session 1, each eye of each subject was randomized into one of three groups: polyvinyl alcohol (0.5%), tetracaine hydrochloride (0.5%), or oxybuprocaine hydrochloride (0.4%). In session 2, eyes that were in the polyvinyl alcohol group in session 1 were assigned to the tetracaine group, those in the tetracaine group in session 1 were assigned to oxybuprocaine group, and those in the oxybuprocaine group in session 1 were assigned to the polyvinyl alcohol group. For both sessions, each subject first had his or her central corneal thickness assessed with a specular microscope, followed by measurements of intraocular pressure and corneal biomechanical parameters with the Ocular Response Analyzer. All measurements were repeated for 2 minutes and 5 minutes following the instillation of either polyvinyl alcohol, tetracaine, or oxybuprocaine. The level of statistical significance was 0.05. Polyvinyl alcohol, tetracaine hydrochloride, and oxybuprocaine hydrochloride had no statistically significant (P > 0.05) effect on any of the biomechanical parameters of the cornea. There was no statistically significant effect on either IOPg (P > 0.05) or IOPcc (P > 0.05) 2 minutes after the eye drops were instilled in either session. Five minutes after the eye drops were instilled, polyvinyl alcohol showed no statistically significant effect on either IOPg (P > 0.05) or IOPcc (P > 0.05) in either session. Oxybuprocaine and tetracaine caused statistically significant (P < 0.05) reductions in IOPg in session 1, but only tetracaine had a significant (P < 0.05) effect in session 2. Tetracaine also caused a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in IOPcc in session 1. The statistically significant effect of topical anesthesia on IOPg varies with the anesthetic used, and while this effect was statistically significant in this study, the small effect is probably not clinically relevant. There was no effect on any of the biomechanical parameters of the cornea.

Emerging State-Level Themes: Strengths and Stressors in Educational Accountability Reform. Topical Review 4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nagle, Katherine

2005-01-01

The purpose of this topical review is to present Educational Policy Reform Research Institute's (EPRRI's) state-level qualitative findings collected during in depth interviews in the four core study states of California, Maryland, New York, and Texas. The data presented reflect the perspectives of state-level personnel who were involved with the…

Gastroparesis

MedlinePlus

... hours the contractile responses while the subject is fasting and eating are observed and recorded. The manometry ... Hepatitis C Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome Obesity Digestive Health Topics Abdominal Pain Syndrome Belching, Bloating, ...

Teachers' Views of Moral Education Topics - Taiwan and the USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Huey-Ya; Davidman, Patricia; Petersen, George; Thomas, R. Murray

1998-01-01

In a questionnaire survey, 94 teachers in Taiwan and 140 in the United States judged which topics among 20 moral issues would be appropriate subjects of study in grade six of the primary school and in the first year of the university. The issues related to religion, ethnicity, gender, health care, crime, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, guns, government corruption, birth control, caring for the elderly, and television programming. The results revealed great diversity of opinion within each group of respondents. No single topic was approved by all teachers in either group, nor was any topic rejected by all. Among the 234 teachers, no two offered precisely the same configuration of answers over the 20 topics. Nevertheless, some group trends could be identified for individual topics. For example, in both countries the great majority of respondents would teach about industrial pollution, whereas very few would approve of trying to identify the best religion. In the rationales teachers offered in support of their choices, the four reasons that figured most prominently in both countries were that a topic would contribute to the nation's welfare, would help students to make wise decisions, would be interesting for students, and would represent a peaceful way to face social problems.

Preventive and therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects of systemic and topical thalidomide on endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats.

PubMed

Rodrigues, Gustavo Büchele; Passos, Giselle Fazzioni; Di Giunta, Gabriella; Figueiredo, Cláudia Pinto; Rodrigues, Eduardo Büchele; Grumman, Astor; Medeiros, Rodrigo; Calixto, João B

2007-03-01

The present study examined the outcomes of systemic or topical treatment with thalidomide, a compound that possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic properties, in rats subjected to endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). The effects of thalidomide were evaluated on endotoxin-induced leucocyte and protein infiltration and also on the production of interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in rat aqueous humour (AqH). Moreover, the actions of thalidomide were assessed on the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in retinal tissue. EIU was produced by a hindpaw injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in male Wistar rats. Thalidomide (5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) was administered orally 1 h before LPS injection. In another set of experiments, to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, 5% thalidomide was applied topically to both eyes at 6, 12 and 18 h after LPS administration. The oral pre-treatment with thalidomide decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, the number of inflammatory cells, the protein concentration, and the levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the AqH. Similar results were found in the AqH of rats that received a topical application of thalidomide. Furthermore, oral (50 mg/kg) and local (5%) thalidomide treatment also reduced expression of the pro-inflammatory proteins COX-2 and iNOS in the posterior segment of the eye. Thalidomide exhibited marked preventive and curative ocular effects in EIU in rats, a property that might be associated with its ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of COX-2 and iNOS. This assembly of data provides additional molecular and functional insights into beneficial effects of thalidomide as an agent for the management of ocular inflammation.

Core courses in public health laboratory science and practice: findings from 2006 and 2011 surveys.

PubMed

DeBoy, John M; Beck, Angela J; Boulton, Matthew L; Kim, Deborah H; Wichman, Michael D; Luedtke, Patrick F

2013-01-01

We identified academic training courses or topics most important to the careers of U.S. public health, environmental, and agricultural laboratory (PHEAL) scientist-managers and directors, and determined what portions of the national PHEAL workforce completed these courses. We conducted electronic national surveys in 2006 and 2011, and analyzed data using numerical ranking, Chi-square tests comparing rates, and Spearman's formula measuring rank correlation. In 2006, 40 of 50 PHEAL directors identified 56 course topics as either important, useful, or not needed for someone in their position. These course topics were then ranked to provide a list of 31 core courses. In 2011, 1,659 of approximately 5,555 PHEAL scientific and technical staff, using a subset of 25 core courses, evidenced higher core course completion rates associated with higher-level job classification, advanced academic degree, and age. The 2011 survey showed that 287 PHEAL scientist-managers and directors, on average, completed 37.7% (n=5/13) of leadership/managerial core courses and 51.7% (n=6/12) of scientific core courses. For 1,659 laboratorians in all scientific and technical classifications, core-subject completion rates were higher in local laboratories (42.8%, n=11/25) than in state (36.0%, n=9/25), federal (34.4%, n=9/25), and university (31.2%, n=8/25) laboratories. There is a definable range of scientific, leadership, and managerial core courses needed by PHEAL scientist-managers and directors to function effectively in their positions. Potential PHEAL scientist-managers and directors need greater and continuing access to these courses, and academic and practice entities supporting development of this workforce should adopt curricula and core competencies aligned with these course topics.

Core Courses in Public Health Laboratory Science and Practice: Findings from 2006 and 2011 Surveys

PubMed Central

Beck, Angela J.; Boulton, Matthew L.; Kim, Deborah H.; Wichman, Michael D.; Luedtke, Patrick F.

2013-01-01

Objectives We identified academic training courses or topics most important to the careers of U.S. public health, environmental, and agricultural laboratory (PHEAL) scientist-managers and directors, and determined what portions of the national PHEAL workforce completed these courses. Methods We conducted electronic national surveys in 2006 and 2011, and analyzed data using numerical ranking, Chi-square tests comparing rates, and Spearman's formula measuring rank correlation. Results In 2006, 40 of 50 PHEAL directors identified 56 course topics as either important, useful, or not needed for someone in their position. These course topics were then ranked to provide a list of 31 core courses. In 2011, 1,659 of approximately 5,555 PHEAL scientific and technical staff, using a subset of 25 core courses, evidenced higher core course completion rates associated with higher-level job classification, advanced academic degree, and age. The 2011 survey showed that 287 PHEAL scientist-managers and directors, on average, completed 37.7% (n=5/13) of leadership/managerial core courses and 51.7% (n=6/12) of scientific core courses. For 1,659 laboratorians in all scientific and technical classifications, core-subject completion rates were higher in local laboratories (42.8%, n=11/25) than in state (36.0%, n=9/25), federal (34.4%, n=9/25), and university (31.2%, n=8/25) laboratories. Conclusions There is a definable range of scientific, leadership, and managerial core courses needed by PHEAL scientist-managers and directors to function effectively in their positions. Potential PHEAL scientist-managers and directors need greater and continuing access to these courses, and academic and practice entities supporting development of this workforce should adopt curricula and core competencies aligned with these course topics. PMID:23997310

Topical Application of Aloe vera Accelerated Wound Healing, Modeling, and Remodeling: An Experimental Study.

PubMed

Oryan, Ahmad; Mohammadalipour, Adel; Moshiri, Ali; Tabandeh, Mohammad Reza

2016-01-01

Treatment of large wounds is technically demanding and several attempts have been taken to improve wound healing. Aloe vera has been shown to have some beneficial roles on wound healing but its mechanism on various stages of the healing process is not clear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of topical application of A. vera on cutaneous wound healing in rats. A rectangular 2 × 2-cm cutaneous wound was created in the dorsum back of rats. The animals were randomly divided into 3 groups of control (n = 20), low-dose (n = 20), and high-dose (n = 20) A. vera. The control and treated animals were treated daily with topical application of saline, low-dose (25 mg/mL), and high-dose (50 mg/mL) A. vera gel, up to 10 days, respectively. The wound surface, wound contraction, and epithelialization were monitored. In each group, the animals were euthanized at 10 (n = 5), 20 (n = 5), and 30 (n = 10) days post injury (DPI). At 10, 20, and 30 DPI, the skin samples were used for histopathological and biochemical investigations; and at 30 DPI, the skin samples were also subjected for biomechanical studies. Aloe vera modulated the inflammation, increased wound contraction and epithelialization, decreased scar tissue size, and increased alignment and organization of the regenerated scar tissue. A dose-dependent increase in the tissue level of dry matter, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans' content was seen in the treated lesions, compared to the controls. The treated lesions also demonstrated greater maximum load, ultimate strength, and modulus of elasticity compared to the control ones (P < 0.05). Topical application of A. vera improved the biochemical, morphological, and biomechanical characteristics of the healing cutaneous wounds in rats. This treatment option may be valuable in clinical practice.

Trends in biomedical informatics: automated topic analysis of JAMIA articles

PubMed Central

Wang, Shuang; Jiang, Chao; Jiang, Xiaoqian; Kim, Hyeon-Eui; Sun, Jimeng; Ohno-Machado, Lucila

2015-01-01

Biomedical Informatics is a growing interdisciplinary field in which research topics and citation trends have been evolving rapidly in recent years. To analyze these data in a fast, reproducible manner, automation of certain processes is needed. JAMIA is a “generalist” journal for biomedical informatics. Its articles reflect the wide range of topics in informatics. In this study, we retrieved Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and citations of JAMIA articles published between 2009 and 2014. We use tensors (i.e., multidimensional arrays) to represent the interaction among topics, time and citations, and applied tensor decomposition to automate the analysis. The trends represented by tensors were then carefully interpreted and the results were compared with previous findings based on manual topic analysis. A list of most cited JAMIA articles, their topics, and publication trends over recent years is presented. The analyses confirmed previous studies and showed that, from 2012 to 2014, the number of articles related to MeSH terms Methods, Organization & Administration, and Algorithms increased significantly both in number of publications and citations. Citation trends varied widely by topic, with Natural Language Processing having a large number of citations in particular years, and Medical Record Systems, Computerized remaining a very popular topic in all years. PMID:26555018

Topical versus peribulbar anaesthesia for cataract surgery.

PubMed

Sauder, Gangolf; Jonas, Jost B

2003-12-01

To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of topical versus peribulbar anaesthesia in patients undergoing routine cataract surgery. The unicentre, prospective, randomized, clinical interventional trial included 140 consecutive patients undergoing routine cataract surgery performed by one of two surgeons. The patients were randomly distributed to either peribulbar anaesthesia or topical anaesthesia. To assess intraoperative pain, each patient was asked immediately after surgery to quantitate his/her pain using a 10-point pain rating scale. The study groups did not differ significantly in pain score (p=0.54), duration of surgery (p=0.52), anaesthesia-related intraoperative difficulties (p=0.17), postoperative visual acuity (p=0.94), overall intraoperative surgical complication rate, blood pressure rise (p=0.16) or blood oxygen saturation (p=0.74) Patient comfort and surgery-related complications did not differ between topical anaesthesia and peribulbar anaesthesia. As there are no significant differences between the two techniques in terms of subjective pain experienced by patients, intraoperative complications and postoperative visual outcome, and in view of the minimally invasive character of topical anaesthesia compared to peribulbar anaesthesia, the present study suggests the use of topical anaesthesia for routine cataract surgery.

[The effect of magnetotherapy on the immunobiochemical indices of subjects with diseases of the periodontal tissues and joints].

PubMed

Samoĭlovich, V A

1999-01-01

Kept under medical surveillance in a health resort setting were 52 patients with disorders of the parodontium and large joints. All patients were given a complex therapy involving dietotherapy, therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, mud-treatment. Those patients having parodontium diseases were also prescribed topical treatment (chloride-sodium mouth baths and mud applications to the gingiva area). The main group subjects were also exposed to VMF using the unit for low-frequency therapy "Gradient-1". Laboratory means were also made use of, as a complex of biochemical tests characterizing changes in lipid metabolism. The level of the natural bodily resistance was determined by nitroblue tetrazolium test (NBT-test). The condition of the parodontium was evaluated by the Loë-Silness index. Adaptive reactions were studied by the lymphocytes-to-segmented neutrophils ratio. Adoption of therapy involving physiobalneofactors in patients with afflictions of the parodontium tissues and large joints makes for development of favourable in prognostic respect adaptive reactions.

Computer supported collaborative learning in a clerkship: an exploratory study on the relation of discussion activity and revision of critical appraisal papers.

PubMed

Koops, Willem J M; van der Vleuten, Cees P M; de Leng, Bas A; Snoeckx, Luc H E H

2012-08-20

Medical students in clerkship are continuously confronted with real and relevant patient problems. To support clinical problem solving skills, students perform a Critical Appraisal of a Topic (CAT) task, often resulting in a paper. Because such a paper may contain errors, students could profit from discussion with peers, leading to paper revision. Active peer discussion by a Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) environment show positive medical students perceptions on subjective knowledge improvement. High students' activity during discussions in a CSCL environment demonstrated higher task-focussed discussion reflecting higher levels of knowledge construction. However, it remains unclear whether high discussion activity influences students' decisions revise their CAT paper. The aim of this research is to examine whether students who revise their critical appraisal papers after discussion in a CSCL environment show more task-focussed activity and discuss more intensively on critical appraisal topics than students who do not revise their papers. Forty-seven medical students, stratified in subgroups, participated in a structured asynchronous online discussion of individual written CAT papers on self-selected clinical problems. The discussion was structured by three critical appraisal topics. After the discussion, the students could revise their paper. For analysis purposes, all students' postings were blinded and analysed by the investigator, unaware of students characteristics and whether or not the paper was revised. Postings were counted and analysed by an independent rater, Postings were assigned into outside activity, non-task-focussed activity or task-focussed activity. Additionally, postings were assigned to one of the three critical appraisal topics. Analysis results were compared by revised and unrevised papers. Twenty-four papers (51.6%) were revised after the online discussion. The discussions of the revised papers showed significantly higher numbers of postings, more task-focussed activities, and more postings about the two critical appraisal topics: "appraisal of the selected article(s)", and "relevant conclusion regarding the clinical problem". A CSCL environment can support medical students in the execution and critical appraisal of authentic tasks in the clinical workplace. Revision of CAT papers appears to be related to discussions activity, more specifically reflecting high task-focussed activity of critical appraisal topics.

Cheating in OSCEs: The Impact of Simulated Security Breaches on OSCE Performance.

PubMed

Gotzmann, Andrea; De Champlain, André; Homayra, Fahmida; Fotheringham, Alexa; de Vries, Ingrid; Forgie, Melissa; Pugh, Debra

2017-01-01

Construct: Valid score interpretation is important for constructs in performance assessments such as objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). An OSCE is a type of performance assessment in which a series of standardized patients interact with the student or candidate who is scored by either the standardized patient or a physician examiner. In high-stakes examinations, test security is an important issue. Students accessing unauthorized test materials can create an unfair advantage and lead to examination scores that do not reflect students' true ability level. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of various simulated security breaches on OSCE scores. Seventy-six 3rd-year medical students participated in an 8-station OSCE and were randomized to either a control group or to 1 of 2 experimental conditions simulating test security breaches: station topic (i.e., providing a list of station topics prior to the examination) or egregious security breach (i.e., providing detailed content information prior to the examination). Overall total scores were compared for the 3 groups using both a one-way between-subjects analysis of variance and a repeated measure analysis of variance to compare the checklist, rating scales, and oral question subscores across the three conditions. Overall total scores were highest for the egregious security breach condition (81.8%), followed by the station topic condition (73.6%), and they were lowest for the control group (67.4%). This trend was also found with checklist subscores only (79.1%, 64.9%, and 60.3%, respectively for the security breach, station topic, and control conditions). Rating scale subscores were higher for both the station topic and egregious security breach conditions compared to the control group (82.6%, 83.1%, and 77.6%, respectively). Oral question subscores were significantly higher for the egregious security breach condition (88.8%) followed by the station topic condition (64.3%), and they were the lowest for the control group (48.6%). This simulation of different OSCE security breaches demonstrated that student performance is greatly advantaged by having prior access to test materials. This has important implications for medical educators as they develop policies and procedures regarding the safeguarding and reuse of test content.

Long-term use of a new topical formulation containing piroxicam 0.8% and sunscreen: efficacy and tolerability on actinic keratosis. A proof of concept study.

PubMed

Babino, Graziella; Diluvio, Laura; Bianchi, Luca; Orlandi, Augusto; Di Prete, Monia; Chimenti, Sergio; Milani, Massimo; Campione, Elena

2016-08-01

Cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2 enzyme up-regulation is involved in the pathogenetic process of actinic keratosis (A.K.) and non-melanoma skin cancers. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (N.S.A.I.D.) drug, is used as topical treatment of A.K. Piroxicam is a N.S.A.I.D. characterized by a high COX-1 inhibition activity. We conducted an 18 month exploratory open-label study on A.K., to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a new topical formulation of piroxicam and sunscreen in A.K. Enrolled subjects applied a galenic formulation of piroxicam 0.8%, vehiculated in a topical product containing sun filters with high (50+) and broad spectrum (UVA) actions, twice a day for 6 months. Subjects were then followed up for additional 12 months. Thirty-eight subjects with a total of 69 A.K. lesions participated in the trial. The primary outcome was the evolution of the Actinic Keratosis Erythema Scale Atrophy (A.K.E.S.A) score assessing erythema, scale, and atrophy of a target A.K. lesion. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of treated lesions with complete (100%) or partial (≥75%) clearance and the evaluation skin tolerability. A.K.E.S.A. mean (S.D.) score at baseline was 7.5 (1.2). After 6 months of treatment, A.K.E.S.A. score decreased to 0.9 (1.1), a -88% reduction versus baseline. At the end of follow-up, A.K.E.S.A. score was 0.8 (1.2). A complete response was achieved in 38 of the 69 lesions (55%, 95% C.I.: 43% to 66%) and clearance was maintained 1 year post-treatment. A partial clearance was observed in 57 of 69 treated lesions (83%, 95% C.I.: 73% to 91%). Adverse events were limited to mild local irritation. Our experience suggests that 6 month topical piroxicam 0.8% is efficacious and well tolerated in A.K. Clinical efficacy is maintained 1 year post-treatment. The main limitation of our study is that it was an open label non-controlled trial. Future controlled trials are warranted in order to compare the efficacy and tolerability of this topical piroxicam preparation with standard treatments in the management of A.K.

The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics.

PubMed

Alqareer, Athbi; Alyahya, Asma; Andersson, Lars

2006-11-01

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the natural herb clove can replace benzocaine as a topical anesthetic. Topical agents were applied to the maxillary canine buccal mucosa of 73 adult volunteers. Four substances were tested in the study: (1) homemade clove gel, (2) benzocaine 20% gel, (3) placebo that resembles clove and (4) a placebo that resembled benzocaine. After 5 min of material application in a randomized, subject-blinded manner, each participant received two needle sticks. Pain response was registered using a 100 mm visual analogue pain scale. Both clove and benzocaine gels had significantly lower mean pain scores than placebos (p=0.005). No significant difference was observed between clove and benzocaine regarding pain scores. Clove gel might possess a potential to replace benzocaine as a topical agent before needle insertion.

Two-Year ET Programs: Essential Topics and Levels of Proficiency.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gourley, Frank A., Jr.

1990-01-01

Reports the results of a survey of graduates, employers, and instructors of engineering technology programs for the essential topics in mechanical engineering technology, mechanical drafting/design technology, manufacturing engineering technology, and industrial engineering technology. Identifies the proficiency level suggested for classwork and…

Mental Mechanisms for Topics Identification

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Topics identification (TI) is the process that consists in determining the main themes present in natural language documents. The current TI modeling paradigm aims at acquiring semantic information from statistic properties of large text datasets. We investigate the mental mechanisms responsible for the identification of topics in a single document given existing knowledge. Our main hypothesis is that topics are the result of accumulated neural activation of loosely organized information stored in long-term memory (LTM). We experimentally tested our hypothesis with a computational model that simulates LTM activation. The model assumes activation decay as an unavoidable phenomenon originating from the bioelectric nature of neural systems. Since decay should negatively affect the quality of topics, the model predicts the presence of short-term memory (STM) to keep the focus of attention on a few words, with the expected outcome of restoring quality to a baseline level. Our experiments measured topics quality of over 300 documents with various decay rates and STM capacity. Our results showed that accumulated activation of loosely organized information was an effective mental computational commodity to identify topics. It was furthermore confirmed that rapid decay is detrimental to topics quality but that limited capacity STM restores quality to a baseline level, even exceeding it slightly. PMID:24744775

Evaluation of Ocular Surface Disease in Patients with Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Mathews, Priya M.; Ramulu, Pradeep Y.; Friedman, David S.; Utine, Canan A.; Akpek, Esen K.

2013-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the subjective and objective measures of ocular surface disease in patients with glaucoma. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Sixty-four glaucoma subjects with bilateral visual field (VF) loss and 59 glaucoma suspects with normal VFs. Methods Consecutive patients were recruited prospectively from the Wilmer Eye Institute Glaucoma Clinic. Main Outcome Measures Tear film breakup time (TBUT), corneal staining score (0–15), and Schirmer’s test results were included as objective metrics, whereas the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to assess symptoms. Total OSDI score, vision-related subscore (derived from questions about vision and task performance), and discomfort-related subscore (derived from questions about ocular surface discomfort) were calculated for each subject. Results Seventy-five percent (48/64) of glaucoma subjects and 41% (24/59) of glaucoma suspects were receiving topical medications. The corneal staining grade was greater in glaucoma subjects than in glaucoma suspects (6.4 vs. 4.1; P<0.001), but groups did not differ with regard to TBUT or Schirmer’s results (P>0.20 for both). Multivariate regression models showed that topical glaucoma therapy burden was associated with a significantly higher total corneal staining grade (β, +0.9 for each additional glaucoma drop; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5–1.3; P<0.001), but not with TBUT or Schirmer’s results (P>0.20 for both). Glaucoma subjects had significantly higher total OSDI scores than glaucoma suspects (16.7 vs. 7.9; P<0.001). This largely was the result of higher vision-related subscores in the glaucoma group (11.1 vs. 3.3; P<0.001). Ocular discomfort–related subscores, however, were similar in both groups (5.7 vs. 4.6; P = 0.30). In multivariate analyses, each 5-decibel decrement in better-eye VF mean deviation was associated with a 4.7-point increase in total OSDI score (95% CI, 1.9–7.5; P = 0.001) and a 3.7-point increase in the vision-related subscore (95% CI, 1.7–5.6; P<0.001) but did not predict a higher discomfort-related subscore (β, 1.1 point; P = 0.07). Topical glaucoma therapy burden was not associated with higher total OSDI score or vision- or discomfort-related subscore (P>0.20 for all). Conclusions Glaucoma is associated with significant ocular surface disease, and topical glaucoma therapy burden seems predictive of corneal staining severity. However, OSDI is a poor metric for capturing ocular surface disease in glaucoma because symptoms seem to be related largely to VF loss. PMID:23714318

An analysis of the effectiveness of two topical anesthetics.

PubMed Central

Rosivack, R. G.; Koenigsberg, S. R.; Maxwell, K. C.

1990-01-01

This study compared the effectiveness of topical benzocaine 20%, lidocaine 5%, and a placebo in reducing the pain caused by needle insertion when the medicament was placed in the mucobuccal fold above the maxillary canine eminence. Both topical anesthetics and the placebo were randomly tested against each other bilaterally. For uniformity the agents were left in place for three minutes before needle insertion. A 27 gauge short needle mounted on an aspirating syringe was then inserted just past the bevel. Each subject rated the degree of pain on a visual analogue scale 100 mm in length. A pulse oximeter was used to record the heart rate. The results indicate that both topical anesthetics are significantly better than the placebo in reducing pain caused by needle insertion, although no statistically significant differences were found between the two topical anesthetics. Statistically significant differences in heart rate were seen, but these differences were not clinically significant. It is concluded that benzocaine 20% and lidocaine 5% significantly reduce the pain during needle insertion. PMID:2097909

Key Topics in Education in Europe, Volume 3. The Teaching Profession in Europe: Profile, Trends and Concerns. Report IV: Keeping Teaching Attractive for the 21st Century--General Lower Secondary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coghlan, Misia; Forsthuber, Bernadette; Minguez, Maria Luisa Garcia; Sabadie, Jesus Alquezar; Delhaxhe, Arlette

2004-01-01

The study by Eurydice on the teaching profession, which has been the subject of four reports published in the "Key topics in education in Europe" series, examines the position of teachers in lower secondary education in 30 countries. The first report considered how the initial training of teachers prepared them for their occupation along…

78 FR 23223 - Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-18

... agenda is subject to change. The meeting is convened to hear presentations and discuss policies and guidance on the following topics: Fisheries certification and sustainability, Endangered Species Act and...

A LEGO Mindstorms NXT Approach for Teaching at Data Acquisition, Control Systems Engineering and Real-Time Systems Undergraduate Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cruz-Martin, A.; Fernandez-Madrigal, J. A.; Galindo, C.; Gonzalez-Jimenez, J.; Stockmans-Daou, C.; Blanco-Claraco, J. L.

2012-01-01

LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots are being increasingly used in undergraduate courses, mostly in robotics-related subjects. But other engineering topics, like the ones found in data acquisition, control and real-time subjects, also have difficult concepts that can be well understood only with good lab exercises. Such exercises require physical…

Using ICT to Teach "Hard to Teach" Topics in Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oakes, Malcolm

2009-01-01

Science is a wonderful subject to teach. Often characterised as "hard", it is a subject that has evolved constantly over the years by adopting new practices. In recent years, these have included many aspects of ICT, which was the starting point for the author and his team's project. The basic principles of the project were that: (1) subject…

Bringing Our Communities to the Research Table: The Liberatory Potential of Collaborative Methodological Practices Alongside LGBTQ Participants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jourian, T. J.; Nicolazzo, Z.

2017-01-01

Research on and about queer people and topics in higher education continues to evolve, expand, and push boundaries on identity, policy, and programming, increasingly informed by our narratives and experiences. Thus far, this work has done little to dismantle the imposed binary of researcher and subject(s), relegating queer research and practice as…

Developing Multimedia Enhanced Content to Upgrade Subject Content Knowledge of Secondary School Teachers in Tanzania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mtebe, Joel S.; Kibga, Elia Y.; Mwambela, Alfred A.; Kissaka, Mussa M.

2015-01-01

The failure rates and lack of interest amongst students in science and mathematics in secondary schools in Tanzania is a serious problem. The Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) implemented a project to enhance and upgrade the pedagogical knowledge and subject content knowledge of teachers in selected difficult topics in science…

The Effect of Sex and Topic upon Judgements of Competence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weissbach, Theodore A.; And Others

The focus of this study was on the conditions which might affect ratings of task competence: (1) the sex of the person performing the task; (2) the sex-typed appropriateness of the task; and (3) subject attitudes towards traditional sex-roles. The subjects were 64 volunteer students (32 women and 32 men) who listened, in groups of eight, to one of…

Colloquium on Foreign Languages in the Elementary School Curriculum. Proceedings (New York, New York, September 1991).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenbusch, Marcia, Ed.; Kremer, Douglas, Ed.

A colloquium convened at the Deutsches Haus in New York is summarized that brought together experts to discuss (1) the significance foreign languages have for other elementary school subjects, and (2) what function the other subjects serve for early foreign language learning. The following six topics, guided by session leaders, provided the…

Factors Influencing Students' Achievement in Form 5 Islamic Studies Subject

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

bin Che Noh, Mohd Aderi; Omar, Noraini binti; bin Kasan, Hasnan

2013-01-01

This study is aimed at analyzing the factors influencing the achievements of students in the subject of Islamic Studies for Form 5 SPM (KBSM) in schools in the area of Samarahan, Sarawak. The factors analysed is attitude and interest. This is a survey based study and data was compiled from the survey forms which had the topic "Factors…

Comprehension of Three Word Orders in Kuwaiti Arabic Child Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aljenaie, Khawla; Farghal, Mohammad

2009-01-01

The present project is a case study of 68 Kuwaiti children (aged between 4 and 8) who acted out their interpretation of verbal stimuli involving three word orders in Kuwaiti Arabic Subject Verb Object (SVO), Verb Subject Object (VSO) and Topic-Comment (T-C) by using a set of props. The purpose is to investigate the way Kuwaiti children comprehend…

Guidelines for Biomedical and Pharmacological Research Procedures and the Protection of Human Subjects in Residential Facilities for Mentally Retarded Persons.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Association for Retarded Citizens, Arlington, TX. Research and Demonstration Inst.

Guidelines are presented which were developed to aid federal, state, and local agencies prepare regulations concerning the use of mentally retarded subjects in biomedical and pharmacological research projects. Guidelines are set forth for the following topic areas (sample subtopics in parentheses): the formation of a Professional Review Committee…

An Exploratory Study on Cognitive Skills and Topics Focused in Learning Objectives of Finance Modules: A UK Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lakshmi, Geeta

2013-01-01

Finance is an important subject in many undergraduate programmes. In the UK, the technical competencies in this area are covered by the QAA benchmark in finance (2007). However, the benchmark does not rigidly circumscribe the curriculum and expected competencies. As a result, universities are free to teach the subject from a variety of…

Employment Law, Negotiation, and the Business Environment: A Cooperative Collective Bargaining Negotiation of the National Hockey League Lockout of 2004

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ciocchetti, Corey A.

2008-01-01

Employment law is a "must-cover" subject in business environment courses. Comparing the plethora of topics requiring coverage with the limited time devoted to employment law during a typical academic term, other important employment subjects--such as negotiation and collective bargaining--commonly receive short shrift. This article offers a…

The What, Why, When, and How of Teaching the Science of Subjective Well-Being

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diener, Ed; Scollon, Christie Napa

2014-01-01

The field of subjective well-being (SWB), or happiness, has become a thriving area of science, with over 10,000 publications per year on the topic in recent years. Discoveries about the causes and processes involved in SWB range widely, from culture to biology to circumstances, providing instructors an opportunity to draw broadly on concepts from…

Psychiatry outpatient visits by atopic dermatitis patients varying in the complexity of their prescriptions

PubMed Central

Shin, Jaeyong; Choi, Young; Park, Eun-Cheol; Lee, Kwang Hoon; Hwang, Seo Young; Oh, Sang Ho; Lee, Sang Gyu

2016-01-01

Abstract The uncomfortable symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) often trigger psychological stress. We investigated the association between AD severity and outpatient visits to psychiatrists using Korean National Health Insurance claims data from 2004 to 2013. This was a retrospective cohort analysis; we estimated hazard ratios (HRs). Of the 266,182 subjects, 18,290 (6.9%) had a history of visiting a psychiatrist, and 25,419 (9.5%) were diagnosed with AD. Compared with the subjects without AD, subjects with AD had a higher HR for visiting a psychiatrist (3.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]:48 3.43–3.98), and this significantly increased as the complexity of the AD medications increased. Subjects who received topical treatments plus a systematic steroid (HR: 4.88, 95% CI: 4.51–5.27) and those who received topical treatments plus a systematic steroid plus a systematic calcineurin inhibitor (HR: 9.56, 95% CI: 4.29–21.28) had higher HRs compared with those without AD. Severe AD patients exhibited greater psychological stress than those without AD or with mild AD symptoms. Moreover, medication diversity may represent an efficient and low-cost method by which to identify a vulnerable population. PMID:27930517

Exploring supervised and unsupervised methods to detect topics in biomedical text

PubMed Central

Lee, Minsuk; Wang, Weiqing; Yu, Hong

2006-01-01

Background Topic detection is a task that automatically identifies topics (e.g., "biochemistry" and "protein structure") in scientific articles based on information content. Topic detection will benefit many other natural language processing tasks including information retrieval, text summarization and question answering; and is a necessary step towards the building of an information system that provides an efficient way for biologists to seek information from an ocean of literature. Results We have explored the methods of Topic Spotting, a task of text categorization that applies the supervised machine-learning technique naïve Bayes to assign automatically a document into one or more predefined topics; and Topic Clustering, which apply unsupervised hierarchical clustering algorithms to aggregate documents into clusters such that each cluster represents a topic. We have applied our methods to detect topics of more than fifteen thousand of articles that represent over sixteen thousand entries in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. We have explored bag of words as the features. Additionally, we have explored semantic features; namely, the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) that are assigned to the MEDLINE records, and the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) semantic types that correspond to the MeSH terms, in addition to bag of words, to facilitate the tasks of topic detection. Our results indicate that incorporating the MeSH terms and the UMLS semantic types as additional features enhances the performance of topic detection and the naïve Bayes has the highest accuracy, 66.4%, for predicting the topic of an OMIM article as one of the total twenty-five topics. Conclusion Our results indicate that the supervised topic spotting methods outperformed the unsupervised topic clustering; on the other hand, the unsupervised topic clustering methods have the advantages of being robust and applicable in real world settings. PMID:16539745

Space station human productivity study. Volume 4: Issues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

The 305 Issues contained represent topics recommended for study in order to develop requirements in support of space station crew performance/productivity. The overall subject matter, space station elements affecting crew productivity, was organized into a coded subelement listing, which is included for the reader's reference. Each issue is numbered according to the 5-digit topical coding scheme. The requirements column on each Issue page shows a cross-reference to the unresolved requirement statement(s). Because topical overlaps were frequently encountered, many initial Issues were consolidated. Apparent gaps, therefore, may be accounted for by an Issue described within a related subelement. A glossary of abbreviations used throughout the study documentation is also included.

UHMS position statement: topical oxygen for chronic wounds.

PubMed

Feldmeier, J J; Hopf, H W; Warriner, R A; Fife, C E; Gesell, L B; Bennett, M

2005-01-01

A small body of literature has been published reporting the application of topical oxygen for chronic non-healing wounds . Frequently, and erroneously, this form of oxygen administration has been referred to as "topical hyperbaric oxygen therapy" or even more erroneously "hyperbaric oxygen therapy." The advocates of topical oxygen claim several advantages over systemic hyperbaric oxygen including decreased cost, increased safety, decreased complications and putative physiologic effects including decreased free radical formation and more efficient delivery of oxygen to the wound surface. With topical oxygen an airtight chamber or polyethylene bag is sealed around a limb or the trunk by either a constriction/tourniquet device or by tape and high flow (usually 10 liters per minute) oxygen is introduced into the bag and over the wound. Pressures just over 1.0 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) (typically 1.004 to 1.013 atm abs) are recommended because higher pressures could decrease arterial/capillary inflow. The premise for topical oxygen, the diffusion of oxygen into the wound adequate to enhance healing, is attractive (though not proven) and its delivery is certainly less complex and expensive than hyperbaric oxygen. When discussing the physiology of topical oxygen, its proponents frequently reference studies of systemic hyperbaric oxygen suggesting that mechanisms are equally applicable to both topical and systemic high pressure oxygen delivery. In fact, however, the two are very different. To date, mechanisms of action whereby topical oxygen might be effective have not been defined or substantiated. Conversely, cellular toxicities due to extended courses of topical oxygen have been reported, although, again these data are not conclusive, and no mechanism for toxicity has been examined scientifically. Generally, collagen production and fibroblast proliferation are considered evidence of improved healing, and these are both enhanced by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Paradoxically, claims of decreased collagen production and fibroblast inhibition in wounds subjected to topical oxygen have been reported in studies of topical oxygen as a benefit of topical oxygen therapy. The literature on topical oxygen is mostly small case series or small controlled but not randomized trials. Moreover, the studies generally are not aimed at specific ulcer types, but rather at "chronic wounds." This non-specific approach is recognized as a major design flaw in any study of therapies designed to improve impaired wound healing. The only randomized trial for topical oxygen in diabetic foot ulcers actually showed a tendency toward impaired wound healing in the topical oxygen group. Contentions that topical oxygen is superior to hyperbaric oxygen are not proven. There are potentially plausible mechanisms that support both possibly beneficial and detrimental effects of topical oxygen therapy, and thus well designed and executed basic science research and clinical trials are clearly needed. There is some ongoing research in regard to the role of topical oxygen at established wound laboratories. Neither CMS nor other third party payors recognize or reimburse for topical oxygen. Therefore, the policy of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society in regard to topical oxygen is stated as follows: 1. Topical oxygen should not be termed hyperbaric oxygen since doing so either intentionally or unintentionally suggests that topical oxygen treatment is equivalent or even identical to hyperbaric oxygen. Published documents reporting experience with topical oxygen should clearly state that topical oxygen not hyperbaric oxygen is being employed. 2. Mechanisms of action or clinical study results for hyperbaric oxygen cannot and should not be co-opted to support topical oxygen since hyperbaric oxygen therapy and topical oxygen have different routes and probably efficiencies of entry into the wound and their physiology and biochemistry are necessarily different. 3. The application of topical oxygen cannot be recommended outside of a clinical trial at this time based on the volume and quality of scientific supporting evidence available, nor does the Society recommend third party payor reimbursement. 4. Before topical oxygen can be recommended as therapy for non-healing wounds, its application should be subjected to the same intense scientific scrutiny to which systemic hyperbaric oxygen has been held.

An evaluation of the effect of a topical product containing salicin on the visible signs of human skin aging.

PubMed

Gopaul, Remona; Knaggs, Helen E; Lephart, Janet F; Holley, Kara C; Gibson, Erica M

2010-09-01

There are many different visible signs of skin aging. These include wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, lack of firmness, poor texture, enlarged pores, and dryness. While there are many topical agents that claim to deliver wide-spectrum anti-aging benefits, few target all of the signs of skin aging to the same extent. Salicin, an extract from white willow bark, has been researched as a potent anti-inflammatory agent when taken orally. Based on unpublished in-house comprehensive consumer clinical studies, it is believed salicin may have anti-aging capabilities when applied topically to human skin. This research evaluated the effect of a topical serum formulation containing salicin at 0.5% on the visible signs of skin aging. This single-center study enrolled 30 female subjects, showing mild to moderate signs of aging, between the ages of 35 and 70 having Fitzpatrick skin types ranging between I and IV. Subjects used the study serum product containing 0.5% salicin on their face twice daily for 12 weeks. Ordinal grading on a nine-point scale (0 = none, 1-3 = mild, 4-6 = moderate, 7-9 = severe) of facial fine lines, molted pigmentation, uneven skin tone, tactile roughness, global firmness appearance, jaw-line contour, radiance, and overall appearance was performed by investigator at baseline, week 1, week 4, week 8, and week 12. Digital photography, ultrasound, cutometry, and corneometry measurements were also performed at each time point. Twenty-nine of 30 subjects successfully completed the study. No tolerability issues were reported. The clinical investigator found statistically significant improvements in wrinkles, tactile roughness, pore size, radiance, and overall appearance at week 1 time point (P ≤ 0.05) against baseline and statistically significant improvements in mottled pigmentation, global firmness, and jaw-line contour at week 4 time point (P ≤ 0.05) against baseline. Cutometry, corneometry, and ultrasound measurements showed significant improvements at week 12 time point (P ≤ 0.05) against baseline. Based on the findings from this study, it can be concluded that salicin has the ability to reduce the visible signs of skin aging when applied topically. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Contrasting Complement Control, Temporal Adjunct Control and Controlled Verbal Gerund Subjects in ASD: The Role of Contextual Cues in Reference Assignment.

PubMed

Janke, Vikki; Perovic, Alexandra

2017-01-01

This study examines two complex syntactic dependencies (complement control and sentence-final temporal adjunct control) and one pragmatic dependency (controlled verbal gerund subjects) in children with ASD. Sixteen high-functioning (HFA) children (aged 6-16) with a diagnosis of autism and no language impairment, matched on age, gender and non-verbal MA to one TD control group, and on age, gender and verbal MA to another TD control group, undertook three picture-selection tasks. Task 1 measured their base-line interpretations of the empty categories ( ec ). Task 2 preceded these sentence sets with a weakly established topic cueing an alternative referent and Task 3 with a strongly established topic cueing an alternative referent. In complement control (Ron persuaded Hermione ec to kick the ball) and sentence-final temporal adjunct control (Harry tapped Luna while ec feeding the owl), the reference of the ec is argued to be related obligatorily to the object and subject respectively. In controlled verbal-gerund subjects (VGS) ( ec Rowing the boat clumsily made Luna seasick), the ec 's reference is resolved pragmatically. Referent choices across the three tasks were compared. TD children chose the object uniformly in complement control across all tasks but in adjunct control, preferences shifted toward the object in Task 3. In controlled VGSs, they exhibited a strong preference for an internal-referent interpretation in Task 1, which shifted in the direction of the cues in Tasks 2 and 3. HFA children gave a mixed performance. They patterned with their TD counterparts on complement control and controlled VGSs but performed marginally differently on adjunct control: no TD groups were influenced by the weakly established topic in Task 2 but all groups were influenced by the strongly established topic in Task 3. HFA children were less influenced than the TD children, resulting in their making fewer object choices overall but revealing parallel patterns of performance. In this first study of three sub-types of control in ASD, we demonstrate that HFA children consult the same pragmatic cues to the same degree as TD children, in spite of the diverse pragmatic deficits reported for this population.

Contrasting Complement Control, Temporal Adjunct Control and Controlled Verbal Gerund Subjects in ASD: The Role of Contextual Cues in Reference Assignment

PubMed Central

Janke, Vikki; Perovic, Alexandra

2017-01-01

This study examines two complex syntactic dependencies (complement control and sentence-final temporal adjunct control) and one pragmatic dependency (controlled verbal gerund subjects) in children with ASD. Sixteen high-functioning (HFA) children (aged 6–16) with a diagnosis of autism and no language impairment, matched on age, gender and non-verbal MA to one TD control group, and on age, gender and verbal MA to another TD control group, undertook three picture-selection tasks. Task 1 measured their base-line interpretations of the empty categories (ec). Task 2 preceded these sentence sets with a weakly established topic cueing an alternative referent and Task 3 with a strongly established topic cueing an alternative referent. In complement control (Ron persuaded Hermione ec to kick the ball) and sentence-final temporal adjunct control (Harry tapped Luna while ec feeding the owl), the reference of the ec is argued to be related obligatorily to the object and subject respectively. In controlled verbal-gerund subjects (VGS) (ec Rowing the boat clumsily made Luna seasick), the ec's reference is resolved pragmatically. Referent choices across the three tasks were compared. TD children chose the object uniformly in complement control across all tasks but in adjunct control, preferences shifted toward the object in Task 3. In controlled VGSs, they exhibited a strong preference for an internal-referent interpretation in Task 1, which shifted in the direction of the cues in Tasks 2 and 3. HFA children gave a mixed performance. They patterned with their TD counterparts on complement control and controlled VGSs but performed marginally differently on adjunct control: no TD groups were influenced by the weakly established topic in Task 2 but all groups were influenced by the strongly established topic in Task 3. HFA children were less influenced than the TD children, resulting in their making fewer object choices overall but revealing parallel patterns of performance. In this first study of three sub-types of control in ASD, we demonstrate that HFA children consult the same pragmatic cues to the same degree as TD children, in spite of the diverse pragmatic deficits reported for this population. PMID:28400743

Gentamicin pharmacokinetics in the chicken inner ear.

PubMed

Bunting, Eric C; Park, Debra L; Durham, Dianne; Girod, Douglas A

2004-06-01

Avians have the unique ability to regenerate cochlear hair cells that are lost due to ototoxins or excessive noise. Many methodological techniques are available to damage the hair cells for subsequent scientific study. A recent method utilizes topical application of an ototoxic drug to the round window membrane. The current study examines the pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in the inner ear of chickens following topical application to the round window membrane or a single systemic high dose given intraperitoneally. Chickens were given gentamicin topically or systemically and survived for 1, 4, 12, 24, or 120 h (controls at 4 and 120 h). Serum and perilymph samples were obtained prior to sacrifice and measured for gentamicin levels. Results revealed higher levels of gentamicin in the perilymph of topically treated chickens than systemically treated chickens, with significant amounts of gentamicin still present in both at the latest survival time of 5 days. As expected, systemically treated chickens had much higher levels of gentamicin in the serum than topically treated chickens. Advantages and disadvantages to each method of drug administration are discussed.

A pilot single centre, double blind, placebo controlled, randomized, parallel study of Calmagen® dermaceutical cream and lotion for the topical treatment of tinea and onychomycosis.

PubMed

Parekh, Manoj; Ramaiah, Girisha; Pashilkar, Prachi; Ramanujam, Ranjani; Johnston, Peter; Ilag, Leodevico L

2017-09-18

Most of the current anti-fungal treatments are chemical-based, fungistatic, have low efficacy in the treatment of tinea and toxicity concerns, while onychomycosis remains recalcitrant to most antifungal therapies. The study aimed to establish the fungicidal, efficacy and safety profile of Calmagen® dermaceutical cream and lotion containing AMYCOT® as a topical treatment in patients with severe to very severe presentations of fungal skin (tinea) and nail infections (onychomycosis). A randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, parallel, single centre study was conducted on 28 subjects with severe to very severe tinea or onychomycosis. All patients were randomized in a ratio of 1:1 for treatment or placebo group. Subjects in the treatment arm received Calmagen® cream or lotion, while subjects in the placebo arm received a similar inert topical preparation. Tinea subjects were treated with cream for four weeks, while onychomycosis subjects were treated with lotion for 12 weeks. Mycological cure, the primary endpoint, was assessed by three parameters: KOH (potassium hydroxide) smear, fungal culture and live spore count. Clinical cure was defined as Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) response of 'cleared' or 'excellent'. All three parameters constituting mycological cure were confirmed in 92.8% (13/14) of subjects in the treatment arm, while all 14 subjects in the placebo arm remained positive for KOH smear. Calmagen® cream and lotion treatment showed a significant improvement in all three parameters: KOH smear, (95% CI (Calmagen): 79.4, 100.0; 95% CI (placebo): 0.0, 0.0; p < 0.0001); fungal culture (95% CI (Calmagen); 100.0, 100.0; 95% CI (Placebo): 17.0, 100.0; p < 0.0019); and live spore count (95% CI (Calmagen): 100.0, 100.0; 95% CI (Placebo): 17.0, 100.0; p < 0.0019). Clinical cure was achieved in all subjects in the treatment arm while none in the placebo arm were clinically cured. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed in either group. The Calmagen® cream and lotion containing AMYCOT® represent a potentially safe and efficacious natural alternative in the treatment of Tinea and onychomycosis. This trial has been registered with the clinical trial registry-India (CTRI; registration number: CTRI/2012/03/002522 ).

A drop in pediatric subject examination scores after curriculum changes that emphasize general pediatric topics.

PubMed

Potts, M J; Phelan, K W

1997-09-01

To determine whether emphasizing a limited number of general pediatric objectives and using a test based on them would improve student knowledge of the topic areas. Before-after trial. Community-based medical school. Third-year medical students on a required clerkship in pediatrics. Six core objectives: recognizing the seriously ill child, stabilizing such a child, fluid and electrolyte requirements and therapy, newborn care, well child care, and variability of normal vital signs in children based on their age were defined and a modified essay examination was constructed. The test was given to pediatric students close to the end of their clerkship. In study year 1, no warning was given about the examination and results did not affect student grades. In study year 2, passing all items was a requirement and failure required remedial oral examination of any missed items. All students completed the National Board of Medical Examiners pediatric subject examination. For 7 of 8 essay items, significant increases in numbers of students passing were seen in study year 2, but students scored 51 points lower on the National Board of Medical Examiners pediatric subject examination (P=.002). The decrease in scores was not seen in any other clerkship or among pediatric students from a different campus of the medical school. Emphasis on core objectives and an essay examination significantly improved students' knowledge of the defined topics but decreased the scores on the National Board of Medical Examiners subject examination. This may be attributable to a difference in content between the 2 tests. Faculty proposing new curriculum guidelines need to review student assessment methods to avoid such unexpected changes in scores.

Topical brinzolamide (Azopt) versus placebo in the treatment of infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS).

PubMed

Hertle, Richard W; Yang, Dongsheng; Adkinson, Tonia; Reed, Michael

2015-04-01

To test the hypothesis that the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor brinzolamide (Azopt) has beneficial effects versus placebo on measures of nystagmus and visual acuity in adult subjects with infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS). Prospective, cross-over, double masked clinical trial. Single centre. Five subjects ≥18 years old with typical INS and best-binocular visual acuity in their primary position null zone ETDRS 55 letters to 85 letters (20/200 to 20/50) and had no previous treatment for nystagmus. In a randomised order, each subject received one drop of Azopt or placebo in both eyes three times a day separated by a washout period of at least a week followed by Azopt or placebo in both eyes three times a day; thus each subject got the drug and placebo, each acting as his or her own control. The nystagmus acuity function and INS waveforms obtained from eye movement recordings, binocular optotype visual acuity, using the ETDRS protocol analysed individually and as a group before and after Azopt and placebo. Versus placebo and baseline measures, topical Azopt significantly improved; INS waveform characteristics in the primary position null zone, group mean values of the nystagmus acuity function across gaze (p<0.01) and group mean ETDRS binocular letter visual acuity (p<0.05). There was a predictable decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) without any systemic or ocular adverse events. Although a prospective large-scale clinical trial is needed to prove effectiveness, an eye-drop-based therapy for INS may emerge as a viable addition to optical, surgical, behavioural and systemic drug therapies for INS. NCT01312402. 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.

Psychosomatic Medicine for Non-Psychiatric Residents: Video Education and Incorporation of Technology.

PubMed

Saunders, J; Gopalan, P; Puri, N; Azzam, P N; Zhou, L; Ghinassi, F; Jain, A; Travis, M; Ryan, N D

2015-12-01

Psychiatric education for non-psychiatric residents varies between training programs, and may affect resident comfort with psychiatric topics. This study's goals were to identify non-psychiatric residents' comfort with psychiatric topics and to test the effectiveness of a video intervention. Residents in various departments were given a survey. They were asked to rank their comfort level with multiple psychiatric topics, answer questions about medical decision making capacity (MDMC), watch a 15-min video about MDMC, and answer a post-test section. In total, 91 Internal Medicine, General Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology residents responded to the study. Of the 91 residents, 55 completed the pre- and post-test assessments. There was no significant difference in correct responses. Residents' comfort levels were assessed, and a significant improvement in comfort level with MDMC was found. This study highlights potential opportunities for psychiatric education, and suggests brief video interventions can increase resident physicians' comfort with a psychiatric topic.

Rapid identification of anonymous subjects in large criminal databases: problems and solutions in IAFIS III/FBI subject searches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kutzleb, C. D.

1997-02-01

The high incidence of recidivism (repeat offenders) in the criminal population makes the use of the IAFIS III/FBI criminal database an important tool in law enforcement. The problems and solutions employed by IAFIS III/FBI criminal subject searches are discussed for the following topics: (1) subject search selectivity and reliability; (2) the difficulty and limitations of identifying subjects whose anonymity may be a prime objective; (3) database size, search workload, and search response time; (4) techniques and advantages of normalizing the variability in an individual's name and identifying features into identifiable and discrete categories; and (5) the use of database demographics to estimate the likelihood of a match between a search subject and database subjects.

The Efficacy and Safety of Topical Dapsone Gel, 5% for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris in Adult Females With Skin of Color.

PubMed

Alexis, Andrew F; Burgess, Cheryl; Callender, Valerie D; Herzog, Jo L; Roberts, Wendy E; Schweiger, Eric S; Stockton, Toni C; Gallagher, Conor J

2016-02-01

Topical dapsone gel, 5% is approved for treatment of acne vulgaris but has not been studied specifically in women with skin of color (SOC; Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V, or VI). Evaluate safety and efficacy of dapsone gel, 5% applied topically twice daily for 12 weeks in women with SOC. Females with SOC aged 18 years and older with facial acne participated in a multicenter, open-label, single-group, 12-week pilot study of twice-daily monotherapy with dapsone gel, 5%. The investigator-rated 5-point Global Acne Assessment Score (GAAS) was used to assess efficacy. The impact of acne on subjects was assessed using the validated Acne Symptom and Impact Scale (ASIS). The study enrolled and treated 68 women with SOC and facial acne. GAAS decreased significantly from baseline to week 12 (mean, -1.2 [95% CI, -1.4, -1.0]; P<.001), a 39.0% improvement. Overall, 42.9% of subjects were responders based on a GAAS of 0 or 1 at week 12. Subjects also experienced significant reductions in mean total lesions (52% decrease), inflammatory lesions (65%), and comedo counts (41%; all P<.001). Dapsone gel, 5% monotherapy was associated with significant improvement in subject-assessed acne signs (P<.001) and impact on quality of life (QOL; P<.001), based on ASIS. Dapsone gel, 5% used twice daily was well tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse events. The local dermal tolerability scores tended to remain stable or decrease from baseline to week 12. Monotherapy with dapsone gel, 5% administered twice daily was safe and effective for treatment of facial acne in women with SOC. Significant improvement in overall acne severity and both inflammatory lesions and comedones was observed. Further, study subjects reported considerable improvement in both acne signs and impact on QOL.

Metallurgical characterization of orthodontic brackets produced by Metal Injection Molding (MIM).

PubMed

Zinelis, Spiros; Annousaki, Olga; Makou, Margarita; Eliades, Theodore

2005-11-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the bonding base surface morphology, alloy type, microstructure, and hardness of four types of orthodontic brackets produced by Metal Injection Molding technology (Discovery, Extremo, Freedom, and Topic). The bonding base morphology of the brackets was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Brackets from each manufacturer were embedded in epoxy resin, and after metallographic grinding, polishing and coating were analyzed by x-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) microanalysis to assess their elemental composition. Then, the brackets were subjected to metallographic etching to reveal their metallurgical structure. The same specimen surfaces were repolished and used for Vickers microhardness measurements. The results were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings of SEM observations showed a great variability in the base morphology design among the brackets tested. The x-ray EDS analysis demonstrated that each bracket was manufactured from different ferrous or Co-based alloys. Metallographic analysis showed the presence of a large grain size for the Discovery, Freedom, and Topic brackets and a much finer grain size for the Extremo bracket. Vickers hardness showed great variations among the brackets (Topic: 287 +/- 16, Freedom: 248 +/- 13, Discovery: 214 +/- 12, and Extremo: 154 +/- 9). The results of this study showed that there are significant differences in the base morphology, composition, microstructure, and microhardness among the brackets tested, which may anticipate significant clinical implications.

Ethical Considerations in Tissue Engineering Research: Case Studies in Translation

PubMed Central

Baker, Hannah B.; McQuilling, John P.

2016-01-01

Tissue engineering research is a complex process that requires investigators to focus on the relationship between their research and anticipated gains in both knowledge and treatment improvements. The ethical considerations arising from tissue engineering research are similarly complex when addressing the translational progression from bench to bedside, and investigators in the field of tissue engineering act as moral agents at each step of their research along the translational pathway, from early benchwork and preclinical studies to clinical research. This review highlights the ethical considerations and challenges at each stage of research, by comparing issues surrounding two translational tissue engineering technologies: the bioartificial pancreas and a tissue engineered skeletal muscle construct. We present relevant ethical issues and questions to consider at each step along the translational pathway, from the basic science bench to preclinical research to first-in-human clinical trials. Topics at the bench level include maintaining data integrity, appropriate reporting and dissemination of results, and ensuring that studies are designed to yield results suitable for advancing research. Topics in preclinical research include the principle of “modest translational distance” and appropriate animal models. Topics in clinical research include key issues that arise in early-stage clinical trials, including selection of patient-subjects, disclosure of uncertainty, and defining success. The comparison of these two technologies and their ethical issues brings to light many challenges for translational tissue engineering research and provides guidance for investigators engaged in development of any tissue engineering technology. PMID:26282436

Ethical considerations in tissue engineering research: Case studies in translation.

PubMed

Baker, Hannah B; McQuilling, John P; King, Nancy M P

2016-04-15

Tissue engineering research is a complex process that requires investigators to focus on the relationship between their research and anticipated gains in both knowledge and treatment improvements. The ethical considerations arising from tissue engineering research are similarly complex when addressing the translational progression from bench to bedside, and investigators in the field of tissue engineering act as moral agents at each step of their research along the translational pathway, from early benchwork and preclinical studies to clinical research. This review highlights the ethical considerations and challenges at each stage of research, by comparing issues surrounding two translational tissue engineering technologies: the bioartificial pancreas and a tissue engineered skeletal muscle construct. We present relevant ethical issues and questions to consider at each step along the translational pathway, from the basic science bench to preclinical research to first-in-human clinical trials. Topics at the bench level include maintaining data integrity, appropriate reporting and dissemination of results, and ensuring that studies are designed to yield results suitable for advancing research. Topics in preclinical research include the principle of "modest translational distance" and appropriate animal models. Topics in clinical research include key issues that arise in early-stage clinical trials, including selection of patient-subjects, disclosure of uncertainty, and defining success. The comparison of these two technologies and their ethical issues brings to light many challenges for translational tissue engineering research and provides guidance for investigators engaged in development of any tissue engineering technology. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Wilson, Andrew T.; Robinson, David Gerald

Most topic modeling algorithms that address the evolution of documents over time use the same number of topics at all times. This obscures the common occurrence in the data where new subjects arise and old ones diminish or disappear entirely. We propose an algorithm to model the birth and death of topics within an LDA-like framework. The user selects an initial number of topics, after which new topics are created and retired without further supervision. Our approach also accommodates many of the acceleration and parallelization schemes developed in recent years for standard LDA. In recent years, topic modeling algorithms suchmore » as latent semantic analysis (LSA)[17], latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA)[10] and their descendants have offered a powerful way to explore and interrogate corpora far too large for any human to grasp without assistance. Using such algorithms we are able to search for similar documents, model and track the volume of topics over time, search for correlated topics or model them with a hierarchy. Most of these algorithms are intended for use with static corpora where the number of documents and the size of the vocabulary are known in advance. Moreover, almost all current topic modeling algorithms fix the number of topics as one of the input parameters and keep it fixed across the entire corpus. While this is appropriate for static corpora, it becomes a serious handicap when analyzing time-varying data sets where topics come and go as a matter of course. This is doubly true for online algorithms that may not have the option of revising earlier results in light of new data. To be sure, these algorithms will account for changing data one way or another, but without the ability to adapt to structural changes such as entirely new topics they may do so in counterintuitive ways.« less

Transportation Consumer Education for Adults: Mini-Units and Learning Activities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finn, Peter; And Others

One of a series of eleven curriculum manuals which cover the four transportation topics of public transportation, transportation and the environment, transportation safety, and bicycles for elementary, secondary, and adult levels, this manual covers all four topics at the adult level. Materials in four chapters comprising seventeen mini-units…