Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 696
Filter
1.
Phys Rev Lett ; 132(15): 155102, 2024 Apr 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38683000

ABSTRACT

We present the first experimental study of plasmoid formation in a magnetic reconnection layer undergoing rapid radiative cooling, a regime relevant to extreme astrophysical plasmas. Two exploding aluminum wire arrays, driven by the Z machine, generate a reconnection layer (S_{L}≈120) in which the cooling rate far exceeds the hydrodynamic transit rate (τ_{hydro}/τ_{cool}>100). The reconnection layer generates a transient burst of >1 keV x-ray emission, consistent with the formation and subsequent rapid cooling of the layer. Time-gated x-ray images show fast-moving (up to 50 km s^{-1}) hotspots in the layer, consistent with the presence of plasmoids in 3D resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations. X-ray spectroscopy shows that these hotspots generate the majority of Al K-shell emission (around 1.6 keV) prior to the onset of cooling, and exhibit temperatures (170 eV) much greater than that of the plasma inflows and the rest of the reconnection layer, thus providing insight into the generation of high-energy radiation in radiatively cooled reconnection events.

2.
J Psychosom Res ; 167: 111197, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36805454

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Extensive psychological burden is associated with the experience of living with endometriosis, including negative changes to body image and sexual functioning. Emerging evidence suggests that potential protective factors such as body appreciation and self-compassion may help mitigate these adverse impacts of endometriosis. This study aimed to investigate the association of body image, both positive (body appreciation) and negative (body image disturbance) dimensions, with sexual distress and the potential buffering effect of self-compassion on the body image-sexual distress link. METHODS: Data were collected via an online cross-sectional survey (N = 471) assessing body image disturbance, body appreciation, self-compassion and sexual distress in individuals with endometriosis. A series of hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between key variables. RESULTS: >80% of the sample reported clinically significant sexual distress and high levels of body image disturbance. Regression analyses indicated a moderate positive effect of body image disturbance with sexual distress, and a weaker inverse effect of self-compassion with sexual distress. Body appreciation was not associated with sexual distress, and no moderating effects of self-compassion were evident. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of sexual distress identified in this sample, along with the finding that body image disturbance was strongly associated with sexual distress, suggest that psychosocial interventions addressing body image may help ameliorate sexual distress in individuals with endometriosis.


Subject(s)
Body Image , Endometriosis , Female , Humans , Body Image/psychology , Self Concept , Self-Compassion , Cross-Sectional Studies , Empathy
3.
Rev Sci Instrum ; 93(9): 093528, 2022 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36182482

ABSTRACT

A time domain algorithm has been developed to remove the vacuum pickup generated by both coil current (DC) and induced vessel current (AC) in real time from three dimensional (3D) magnetic diagnostic signals in the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) and DIII-D tokamaks. The possibility of detecting 3D plasma perturbations in real time is essential in modern and future tokamaks to avoid and control MHD instabilities. The presence of vacuum field pickup, due to toroidally asymmetric (3D) coils or to misalignment between sensors and axisymmetric (2D) coils, pollutes the measured plasma 3D field, making the detection of the magnetic field produced by the plasma challenging. Although the DC coupling between coils and sensors can be easily calculated and removed, the AC part is more difficult. An algorithm based on a layered low-pass filter approach for the AC compensation and its application for DIII-D and NSTX-U data is presented, showing that this method reduces the vacuum pickup to the noise level. Comparison of plasma response measurements with and without vacuum compensation shows that accurate mode locking detection and plasma response identification require precise AC and DC compensations.

4.
Hum Reprod ; 36(8): 2170-2180, 2021 07 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34166496

ABSTRACT

STUDY QUESTION: What is the relationship between specific quality of life domains and depression, anxiety and stress in the endometriosis population? SUMMARY ANSWER: Psychosocial domains of quality of life, such as a perception of social support and self-image, are more strongly associated with depression, anxiety and stress than pain and medical factors. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Prior research indicates a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in individuals with endometriosis. Pain is thought to be critical in the development of psychological distress, however prior research has investigated this association without consideration of psychosocial quality of life domains such as social functioning, perceived social support and self-image. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected in a longitudinal study exploring psychological distress in endometriosis (n = 584). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Individuals living with endometriosis participated in this study and were recruited via online platforms of community organizations and support groups. Demographic and medical information concerning endometriosis treatment and diagnosis was self-reported. Psychological distress and quality of life was measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) and the Short Form Survey (SF-36v2). A series of linear regression analyses explored the relationship between specific quality of life domains and the primary outcomes of depression, anxiety and stress. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Approximately half of the participants in this sample reported moderate to severe anxiety, depression and stress. Quality of life domains, particularly perceived social support, social functioning and self-image, were more strongly associated with psychological distress than medical or demographic factors. Pain was associated with anxiety, but not depression or stress. A greater number of endometriosis symptoms was only associated with depression. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: These data are cross-sectional and, therefore, causality cannot be inferred from this analysis. Information about endometriosis diagnosis and treatment was self-reported, and not verified against medical records. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study indicates that psychosocial factors may be more salient factors underlying depression, anxiety and stress in the endometriosis population than pain and medical factors. There is a need for interventions that target psychological distress in this population with a focus on the broader impact of endometriosis beyond pain and physical symptomatology. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This research was supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship awarded to C.S.M. by Macquarie University. The remaining authors have nothing to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12619001508167.


Subject(s)
Endometriosis , Psychological Distress , Anxiety/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/etiology , Endometriosis/complications , Endometriosis/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Quality of Life , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology
5.
Phys Rev Lett ; 125(15): 155002, 2020 Oct 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33095639

ABSTRACT

We present experimental results from the first systematic study of performance scaling with drive parameters for a magnetoinertial fusion concept. In magnetized liner inertial fusion experiments, the burn-averaged ion temperature doubles to 3.1 keV and the primary deuterium-deuterium neutron yield increases by more than an order of magnitude to 1.1×10^{13} (2 kJ deuterium-tritium equivalent) through a simultaneous increase in the applied magnetic field (from 10.4 to 15.9 T), laser preheat energy (from 0.46 to 1.2 kJ), and current coupling (from 16 to 20 MA). Individual parametric scans of the initial magnetic field and laser preheat energy show the expected trends, demonstrating the importance of magnetic insulation and the impact of the Nernst effect for this concept. A drive-current scan shows that present experiments operate close to the point where implosion stability is a limiting factor in performance, demonstrating the need to raise fuel pressure as drive current is increased. Simulations that capture these experimental trends indicate that another order of magnitude increase in yield on the Z facility is possible with additional increases of input parameters.

6.
Polit Behav ; 42(2): 557-580, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32367900

ABSTRACT

Proponents of public deliberation suggest that engaging in deliberation increases deliberators' subsequent participation in other forms of politics. We evaluate this "deliberative participation hypothesis" using data drawn from a deliberative field experiment in which members of medically underserved communities in Michigan deliberated in small groups about the design of that state's Medicaid program. Participants were randomly assigned to deliberate about the program in a group or to think about the decision individually, and then completed a post-survey that included measures of willingness to engage in a variety of political acts. We measured willingness to engage in common forms of political participation, as well as willingness to participate in particularistic resistance to adverse decisions by insurance bureaucracies. Contrary to the claims of much of the existing literature, we find no impact of deliberation on willingness to engage in political participation. These results suggest that the ability of public deliberation to increase broader political engagement may be limited or may only occur in particularly intensive, directly empowered forms of public deliberation.

7.
Rev Sci Instrum ; 91(4): 043508, 2020 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32357683

ABSTRACT

A line VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector) has been designed and commissioned at the Sandia National Laboratory's Z-machine. The instrument consists of an F/2 collection system, beam transport, and an interferometer table that contains two Mach-Zehnder type interferometers and an eight channel Gated Optical Imaging (GOI) system. The VISAR probe laser operates at the 532 nm wavelength, and the GOI bandpass is 540-600 nm. The output of each interferometer is passed to an optical streak camera with four selectable sweep speeds. The system is designed with three interchangeable optics modules to select a full field of view of 1 mm, 2 mm, or 4 mm. The optical beam transport system connects the target image plane to the interferometers and the gated optical imagers. The target is integrated into a sacrificial final optics assembly that is integral to the transport beamline.

8.
J Health Polit Policy Law ; 45(3): 373-418, 2020 06 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32084263

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Medicaid plays a critical role in low-income, minority, and medically underserved communities, particularly in states that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Yet, the voices of underresourced communities are often unheard in decisions about how to allocate Medicaid's scarce resources, and traditional methods of public engagement are poorly suited to gathering such input. We argue that deliberative public engagement can be a useful tool for involving communities in setting Medicaid priorities. METHOD: We engaged 209 residents of low-income, medically underserved Michigan communities in discussions about Medicaid spending priorities using an exercise in informed deliberation: CHAT (CHoosing All Together). Participants learned about Medicaid, deliberated in small groups, and set priorities both individually and collectively. FINDINGS: Participants prioritized broad eligibility consistent with the ACA expansion, accepted some cost sharing, and prioritized spending in areas-including mental health-that are historically underfunded. Participants allocated less funding beyond benefit coverage, such as spending on healthy communities. Participants perceived the deliberative process as fair and informative, and they supported using it in the policy-making process. CONCLUSION: The choices of participants from low-income, medically underserved communities reflect a unique set of priorities and suggest that engaging low-income communities more deeply in Medicaid policy making might result in different prioritization decisions.


Subject(s)
Medicaid , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , Eligibility Determination , Humans , Policy Making , Poverty , United States
9.
Health Expect ; 22(4): 772-784, 2019 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31251446

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Engaging underrepresented communities in health research priority setting could make the scientific agenda more equitable and more responsive to their needs. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate democratic deliberations engaging minority and underserved communities in setting health research priorities. METHODS: Participants from underrepresented communities throughout Michigan (47 groups, n = 519) engaged in structured deliberations about health research priorities in professionally facilitated groups. We evaluated some aspects of the structure, process, and outcomes of deliberations, including representation, equality of participation, participants' views of deliberations, and the impact of group deliberations on individual participants' knowledge, attitudes, and points of view. Follow-up interviews elicited richer descriptions of these and also explored later effects on deliberators. RESULTS: Deliberators (age 18-88 years) overrepresented minority groups. Participation in discussions was well distributed. Deliberators improved their knowledge about disparities, but not about health research. Participants, on average, supported using their group's decision to inform decision makers and would trust a process like this to inform funding decisions. Views of deliberations were the strongest predictor of these outcomes. Follow-up interviews revealed deliberators were particularly struck by their experience hearing and understanding other points of view, sometimes surprised at the group's ability to reach agreement, and occasionally activated to volunteer or advocate. CONCLUSIONS: Deliberations using a structured group exercise to engage minority and underserved community members in setting health research priorities met some important criteria for a fair, credible process that could inform policy. Deliberations appeared to change some opinions, improved some knowledge, and were judged by participants worth using to inform policymakers.


Subject(s)
Community Participation/methods , Health Status Disparities , Medically Underserved Area , Minority Groups/psychology , Research/organization & administration , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Group Processes , Healthcare Disparities/organization & administration , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Michigan , Middle Aged , Young Adult
10.
Anxiety Stress Coping ; 32(5): 477-483, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31179738

ABSTRACT

Background/Objective: Coping styles play a role in how individuals respond to stress and therapy. One aspect of coping which has been linked to adverse outcomes including anxiety disorders and PTSD is avoidance. However, a tendency to avoid may affect the accuracy of paper and pencil inventories used to identify avoidant temperaments. Previously, we showed that a computer-based task in which an on-screen "avatar" is guided through a series of onscreen events could predict avoidance including behavioral inhibition, harm avoidance, and self-reported PTSD symptoms. Since some coping styles involve avoidance, we extended this work to determine whether scores on the avatar task would also differentiate avoidant and non-avoidant coping styles as measured by the Brief COPE. Methods: One hundred and fifty undergraduates voluntarily completed the avatar task and the Brief COPE. Results: Scores on the avatar task had a significant positive relationship with an aggregate score for the five avoidant coping styles and a significant negative relationship with an aggregate score for the nine non-avoidant coping styles. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the avatar task to differentiate coping styles based on avoidance further validates this task and also shows selectivity to avoidant coping styles as opposed to other non-avoidant coping styles.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Avoidance Learning , Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
11.
Andrology ; 7(5): 603-609, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30663236

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated the normal mouse epididymal lumen contains a non-pathological amyloid matrix that surrounds spermatozoa and plays important roles in sperm maturation and protection. OBJECTIVE: The objective herein was to present a review of this work, including studies showing the amyloid structures of four members of the CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) subgroup are integral and essential components of the amyloid matrix. METHODS: We used conformation-dependent reagents that recognize the cross-ß-sheet structure characteristic of amyloid, including thioflavin S (ThS), thioflavin T (ThT), anti-amyloid antibodies, and X-ray diffraction, as well as negative-stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to visualize amyloid structures in the epididymal lumen. Antibodies that specifically detect each CRES subgroup family member were also used in indirect immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The epididymal lumen contains an amyloid matrix that surrounds maturing spermatozoa and represents a functional amyloid. Alterations in the structure of the amyloid matrix by the loss of the CRES subgroup members or the overexpression of cystatin C result in epididymal pathologies, including infertility. Preliminary data suggest the epididymal amyloid matrix is structurally and functionally similar to bacterial biofilms. CONCLUSION: Together, these results suggest the amyloid matrix serves important roles in epididymal function including sperm maturation and protection.


Subject(s)
Amyloid/metabolism , Epididymis/physiology , Extracellular Matrix/physiology , Sperm Maturation/physiology , Spermatozoa/cytology , Animals , Benzothiazoles , Cystatin C/metabolism , Epididymis/cytology , Male , Mice
12.
Milbank Q ; 96(4): 675-705, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30537366

ABSTRACT

Policy Points Engaging and involving underrepresented communities when setting research priorities could make the scientific research agenda more equitable, more just, and more responsive to their needs and values. Groups and individuals from minority and underserved communities strongly prioritized child health and mental health research, often choosing to invest at the highest possible level. Groups consisting of predominantly Native American or Arab American participants invested in culture and beliefs research at the highest level, while many groups did not select it at all. The priority given to culture and beliefs research by these groups illustrates the importance of paying special attention to unique preferences, and not just commonly held views, when getting public input on spending priorities for research. CONTEXT: A major contributor to health disparities is the relative lack of resources-including resources for science-allocated to address the health problems of those with disproportionately greater needs. Engaging and involving underrepresented communities in setting research priorities could make the scientific research agenda more equitable, more just, and more responsive to their needs and values. We engaged minority and underserved communities in informed deliberations and report here their priorities for health research. METHODS: Academic-community partnerships adapted the simulation exercise CHAT for setting health research priorities. We had participants from minority and medically underserved communities (47 groups, n = 519) throughout Michigan deliberate about health research priorities, and we used surveys and CHAT software to collect the demographic characteristics and priorities selected by individuals and groups. FINDINGS: The participants ranged in age (18 to 88), included more women than men, and were overrepresented by minority groups. Nearly all the deliberating groups selected child health and mental health research (93.6% and 95.7%), and most invested at the highest level. Aging, access, promote health, healthy environment, and what causes disease were also prioritized by groups. Research on mental health and child health were high priorities for individuals both before and after group deliberations. Access was the only category more likely to be selected by individuals after group deliberation (77.0 vs 84.0%, OR = 1.63, p = .005), while improve research, health policy, and culture and beliefs were less likely to be selected after group deliberations (all, p < .001). However, the level of investment in many categories changed after the group deliberations. Participants identifying as Black/African American were less likely to prioritize mental health research, and those of Other race were more likely to prioritize culture and beliefs research. CONCLUSIONS: Minority and medically underserved communities overwhelmingly prioritized mental health and child health research in informed deliberations about spending priorities.


Subject(s)
Biomedical Research/methods , Health Policy , Health Priorities , Minority Groups , Patient Selection , Vulnerable Populations , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Research Design , United States , Young Adult
13.
Int J Obstet Anesth ; 36: 17-27, 2018 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30392650

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Post-dural puncture headache following trauma to the dural membrane during neuraxial anaesthesia occurs in 0.13-6.5% of pregnant patients. Identifying factors beyond individual performance that contribute to this adverse event is crucial to developing improvement strategies. METHODS: We used a root cause analysis framework, in a nested case-control study, to identify associated factors. Cases were all patients who had a post-dural puncture headache requiring an epidural blood patch. These patients were matched to a random group of control patients without post-dural puncture headache or known dural injury. Mixed logistic modelling was used. RESULTS: Within a dataset of 35 763 patients, we selected all 154 patients with post-dural puncture headache and compared them with 616 controls. Migraine (odds ratio [OR] 10.60, 95% CI 2.74 to 41.05), obstetric and perinatal pathology (OR 10.85, 95% CI 4.29 to 21.42), and multiple insertion attempts (OR 11.48, 95% CI 6.29 to 20.94), increased the risk of post-dural puncture headache. In contrast, training >3 years (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.76) and a nurse anaesthetist present during the procedure (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.29) decreased the risk. The anaesthetist's identity, the size of the labour room, the timing of the procedure or workload did not modify the risk. CONCLUSION: Post-dural puncture headache in this setting is not the result of the individual anaesthetist's characteristics alone. Additional factors including team composition, the presence of obstetrical perinatal pathology, and associated patient's conditions, are also associated with this event. Improvement strategies should consider all these factors.


Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Epidural/adverse effects , Anesthesia, Obstetrical/adverse effects , Anesthesia, Spinal/adverse effects , Post-Dural Puncture Headache/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Root Cause Analysis/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Blood Patch, Epidural , Case-Control Studies , Comorbidity , Dura Mater , Female , Humans , Migraine Disorders/epidemiology , Post-Dural Puncture Headache/therapy , Pregnancy , Risk Factors , Root Cause Analysis/methods , Switzerland/epidemiology
14.
Nanoscale ; 10(44): 20628-20639, 2018 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30387797

ABSTRACT

Recent developments in ultrafast electron microscopy have shown that spatial and temporal information can be collected simultaneously on very small and fast scales. In the present work, an instrumental design study with application to nanoscale dynamics, we optimize the conditions for a femtosecond transmission electron microscope (fs-TEM). The fs-TEM numerically studied employs a metallic nanotip source, electrostatic acceleration, magnetic lenses, a condenser-objective around the sample and a temporal compressor, and considers space-charge effects during propagation. We find a spatial resolution of the order of 1 nm and a temporal resolution of below 10 fs will be feasible for pulses comprised of on average 20 electrons. The influence of a transverse electric field at the sample plane is modelled, indicating 1 V µm-1 can be resolved, corresponding to a surface charge density of 10e per µm2, comparable to fields generated in light-driven electronics and ultrafast nanoplasmonics. The realisation of such an instrument is anticipated to facilitate unprecedented elucidation of laser-initiated physical, chemical and biological structural dynamics on atomic time- and length-scales.

15.
Behav Brain Res ; 338: 101-108, 2018 02 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29054591

ABSTRACT

Studies of partial reinforcement in eyeblink conditioning have typically shown slower learning of a CS-US association when paired CS-US trials are interleaved with CS-alone trials. However, recent work has shown that CS-US learning is not slowed by interleaved US-alone trials. This discrepancy is surprising since both partial reinforcement protocols reduce the total number of paired CS-US trials. Previously, Kimble et al. (1955) reported that inserting a block of US-alone trials during CS-US training did not disrupt eyeblink acquisition. Here, we sought to replicate and extend these findings by comparing interleaved vs. blocked US-alone trials during CS-US paired training. Ninety-seven undergraduates volunteered for this experiment for research credit. Participants received 60 acquisition trials, consisting of either 100% CS-US paired trials, 50% US-alone trials intermixed with CS-US paired trials, or a block of 20 US-alone trials inserted between blocks of 20 CS-US trials. We also utilized a previously published computational model of hippocampal and cerebellar learning to test the effects of these US-alone protocols. Both empirical and computational results supported the finding that US-alone trials, either intermixed or inserted as a block of trials, do not disrupt acquisition of conditioned eyeblinks. Possible neural substrates of these US-alone effects are discussed.


Subject(s)
Conditioning, Classical/physiology , Conditioning, Eyelid/physiology , Models, Neurological , Adolescent , Adult , Cerebellum/physiology , Female , Hippocampus/physiology , Humans , Male , Young Adult
16.
S. Afr. j. child health (Online) ; 12(3): 127-131, 2018. ilus
Article in English | AIM (Africa) | ID: biblio-1270335

ABSTRACT

Background. The clinical outcomes of paediatric patients requiring resuscitation depend on physicians with specialised knowledge,equipment and resources owing to their unique anatomy, physiology and pathology. Khayelitsha Hospital (KH) is a government hospital located near Cape Town, South Africa, that sees ~44 000 casualty unit patients per year and regularly functions at more than 130% of the bed occupancy. Many of these patients are children requiring resuscitation.Objectives. We sought to describe characteristics of children under the age of 12 who required resuscitation upon presentation to KH,determine predictors of mortality, and compare paediatric volume to specialist physician presence in the unit.Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients younger than 12 years who were treated in the resuscitation area of KH during the six-month period from 1 November 2014 to 30 April 2015.Results. A total 317 patients were enrolled in the study with a median age of 14 months. The top 5 diagnoses were: pneumonia (n=58/317);neonatal sepsis (n=40/317); seizures (n=37/317); polytrauma (n=32/317); and acute gastroenteritis complicated by septic shock (n=28/317). Overall mortality was 7% (n=21/317) and mortality in children less than 1 month of age was 12% (n=5/42). Premature birth was associated with a mortality odds ratio of 8.44 (p=0.002). More than two-thirds (73%; n=231/317) of paediatric resuscitations occurred when specialist physicians were not physically present in the unit.Conclusion. The study findings indicate that children under one month of age with a history of prematurity are at high risk and may benefit most from paediatric-specific expertise and rapid transfer to a higher level of care


Subject(s)
Child Mortality , Demography , Resuscitation , South Africa
17.
Clin Neuroradiol ; 27(1): 61-69, 2017 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26104273

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics of the cervical spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were compared to those measured in healthy volunteers, using tract-specific region of interests (ROIs) across all cervical intervertebral disc levels. METHODS: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the cervical spinal cord was performed in four patients with CSM and in five healthy volunteers on a 3-T MR scanner. Region-specific fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated on axial imaging with ROI placement in the anterior, lateral, and posterior regions of the spinal cord. FA and MD were also calculated on sagittal acquisitions. Nonparametric statistical tests were used to compare controls and patients before and after surgery. RESULTS: FA values were significantly lower (p = 0.050) and MD values were significantly higher (p = 0.014) in CSM patients measured at level of maximal compression before surgery than in healthy controls in lateral and posterior ROIs, respectively. In posterior ROIs, MD values were significantly higher in patients before surgery compared to controls at all levels except C7-T1. CONCLUSION: Patients with CSM may demonstrate region-specific changes in DTI metrics when compared to healthy controls. Changes in DTI metrics may also occur at levels remote from site of compression.


Subject(s)
Decompression, Surgical/methods , Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods , Spinal Cord Compression/diagnostic imaging , Spinal Cord Compression/prevention & control , Spondylosis/diagnostic imaging , Spondylosis/surgery , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neurosurgical Procedures/methods , Pilot Projects , Prognosis , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spinal Cord Compression/etiology , Spondylosis/complications , Treatment Outcome
18.
Health Serv Res ; 52(2): 599-615, 2017 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27206519

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To learn how minority and underserved communities would set priorities for patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR). DATA SOURCES: Sixteen groups (n = 183) from minority and underserved communities in two states deliberated about PCOR priorities using the simulation exercise CHoosing All Together (CHAT). Most participants were minority, one-third reported income <$10,000, and one-fourth reported fair/poor health. DESIGN: Academic-community partnerships adapted CHAT for PCOR priority setting using existing research agendas and interviews with community leaders, clinicians, and key informants. DATA COLLECTION: Tablet-based CHAT collected demographic information, individual priorities before and after group deliberation, and groups' priorities. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Individuals and groups prioritized research on Quality of Life, Patient-Doctor, Access, Special Needs, and (by total resources spent) Compare Approaches. Those with less than a high school education were less likely to prioritize New Approaches, Patient-Doctor, Quality of Life, and Families/Caregivers. Blacks were less likely to prioritize research on Causes of Disease, New Approaches, and Compare Approaches than whites. Compare Approaches, Special Needs, Access, and Families/Caregivers were significantly more likely to be selected by individuals after compared to before deliberation. CONCLUSIONS: Members of underserved communities, in informed deliberations, prioritized research on Quality of Life, Patient-Doctor, Special Needs, Access, and Compare Approaches.


Subject(s)
Health Services Research , Minority Groups , Patient-Centered Care , Vulnerable Populations , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Attitude to Health , Female , Focus Groups , Health Services Accessibility , Health Services Needs and Demand , Health Services Research/organization & administration , Health Services Research/standards , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome Assessment, Health Care/organization & administration , Outcome Assessment, Health Care/standards , Patient-Centered Care/organization & administration , Patient-Centered Care/standards , Physician-Patient Relations , Quality of Life , Research , Young Adult
19.
Prog Brain Res ; 226: 35-60, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27323938

ABSTRACT

The epileptic encephalopathies (EEs) are a group of epilepsy syndromes characterized by multiple seizure types, abundant epileptiform activity, and developmental delay or regression. Advances in genomic technologies over the past decade have accelerated our understanding of the genetic etiology of EE, which is largely due to de novo mutations. Chromosome microarrays to detect copy number variants identify a genomic cause in at least 5-10% of cases. Next-generation sequencing in the form of gene panels or whole exome sequencing have highlighted the role of de novo sequence changes and revealed extensive genetic heterogeneity. The novel gene discoveries in EE implicate diverse cellular pathways including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, and mTOR regulation in the etiology of epilepsy, highlighting new targets for potential therapeutic intervention. In this chapter, we discuss the rapid pace of gene discovery in EE facilitated by genomic technologies and highlight several novel genes and potential therapies.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Genetic Testing , Mutation/genetics , Brain Diseases/complications , Brain Diseases/genetics , Epilepsy/etiology , Genomics , Humans
20.
Struct Dyn ; 3(2): 023612, 2016 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27158637

ABSTRACT

Femtosecond electron microscopy produces real-space images of matter in a series of ultrafast snapshots. Pulses of electrons self-disperse under space-charge broadening, so without compression, the ideal operation mode is a single electron per pulse. Here, we demonstrate femtosecond single-electron point projection microscopy (fs-ePPM) in a laser-pump fs-e-probe configuration. The electrons have an energy of only 150 eV and take tens of picoseconds to propagate to the object under study. Nonetheless, we achieve a temporal resolution with a standard deviation of 114 fs (equivalent to a full-width at half-maximum of 269 ± 40 fs) combined with a spatial resolution of 100 nm, applied to a localized region of charge at the apex of a nanoscale metal tip induced by 30 fs 800 nm laser pulses at 50 kHz. These observations demonstrate real-space imaging of reversible processes, such as tracking charge distributions, is feasible whilst maintaining femtosecond resolution. Our findings could find application as a characterization method, which, depending on geometry, could resolve tens of femtoseconds and tens of nanometres. Dynamically imaging electric and magnetic fields and charge distributions on sub-micron length scales opens new avenues of ultrafast dynamics. Furthermore, through the use of active compression, such pulses are an ideal seed for few-femtosecond to attosecond imaging applications which will access sub-optical cycle processes in nanoplasmonics.

SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...