We describe a finite-element model of mast cell calcium dynamics that incorporates the endoplasmic reticulum's complex geometry. The model is built upon a three-dimensional reconstruction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) from an electron tomographic tilt series. Tetrahedral meshes provide volumetric representations of the ER lumen, ER membrane, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. The reaction-diffusion model simultaneously tracks changes in cytoplasmic and ER intraluminal calcium ...

The optimum management for recurrent glenohumeral instability with significant humeral head defects remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes and recurrence rates between patients who underwent osteochondral substitute grafting and patients who underwent remplissage to treat recurrent shoulder instability from an engaging Hill-Sachs defect with a Bankart lesion. Twenty consecutive patients who underwent remplissage and 19 consecutive patients who underwent ...

Whereas, most cancer research data come from high-profile academic centers, little is known about the outcomes of cancer care in rural communities. We summarize the experience of building a multi-institution partnership to develop a cancer outcomes research infrastructure in Southwest Georgia (SWGA), a primarily rural 33-county area with over 700,000 residents. The partnership includes eight institutions: the Emory University in Atlanta, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...

The divergence of sequence and expression pattern of duplicated genes provides a means for genetic innovation to occur without sacrificing an essential function. The cpx1 and cpx2 genes of maize are a singular example of duplicated genes that have diverged by deletion and creation of protein targeting information. The cpx genes encode coproporphyrinogen III oxidase ('coprogen oxidase'), which catalyzes a step in the synthesis of chlorophyll and heme. In plants, this enzyme has been found ...

Due to the recent drive to reduce CO₂ emissions, the turbocharged direct injection spark ignition (turbo DISI) gasoline engine has become increasingly popular. In addition, future turbo DISI engines could incorporate a form of charge dilution (e.g., lean operation or external EGR) to further increase fuel efficiency. Thus, the conditions experienced by the fuel before and during combustion are and will continue to be different from those experienced in naturally aspirated SI engines. ...

This paper explores the efficacy of reflective practice within the context of clinical supervision. It examines some potential limitations that reflective practice has within the context of clinical supervision drawing upon the literature and the early stages of the author's empirical work. It concludes that whilst there is considerable congruence in the use of reflective practice within clinical supervision sessions, there are potential disadvantages in making the assumption that ...

As building practices change, procedures that seemed indispensable at one point can be abandoned for others, one example of which is the bill of quantities (B/Q). Research into the extant literature attributes the declining use of B/Qs to a multitude of reasons, such as its complexity, the potentially long time required to produce it, the growth in popularity of non-traditional procurement systems, and the challenge of using the information within the document in a construction schedule. ...

Hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme (DME) induction complicates the development of new drugs owing to altered efficacy of concomitant treatments, reduction in exposure resulting from autoinduction, and potential generation of toxic metabolites. Risk assessment of DME induction during clinical evaluation is confounded by several uncertainties pertaining to hazard identification and dose response analysis. Hepatic DME induction rarely leads to clinical evidence of altered metabolism and ...

The purpose of this paper is to provide Lean Six Sigma deployment champions with a structured approach to identify and prioritize parts of their business that are conducive to the Lean Six Sigma methodology. A five‐step approach to Lean Six Sigma project identification is presented in this paper. The approach utilizes a clustering technique to group similar processes based on seven process characteristics. The clusters formed are then evaluated and prioritized for their compatibility to ...

Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) cause skin infections that are refractory to standard antibiotic regimens. Although typically associated with disseminated cutaneous or other systemic infections in immunocompromised patients, RGM sometimes cause localized cutaneous infections in immunocompetent hosts. These infections are almost always associated with precedent skin trauma and inoculation, and therefore have been implicated in outbreaks involving contaminated tattoo ink and ...

After 2 years in captivity, a flock of wild-caught Chilean flamingos successfully produced chicks in 1989 and in 1990. Pair fidelity between years was high. The majority of laying pairs in 1990 laid multiple clutches. Over 80% of the eggs laid in both years were broken or rolled off the nest. The role of aggressive interactions in egg loss was investigated. Birds on neighboring mounds were found to have the highest rates of aggression when compared to the rate of aggression between a ...

The use of video cameras in nurse education is reviewed and a small scale investigation into the usage of video cameras in one medium-sized college of nursing and midwifery is described. It was found that only 3% of staff had used a video camera more than six times a year. On these occasions the camera was used primarily to record student role play. Analysis and discussion of the respondents' use and suggested use of the video camera is included.

Ethanol can be converted into a 1:1:1 mixture of H2, CO, and CH4 at 300°C using a copper-nickel catalyst, a process known as “low-temperature ethanol reforming.” The hydrogen content of this mixture enables an engine to operate lean or with high levels of EGR, improving fuel economy and emissions. An onboard ethanol reformer- a catalyst module providing heat exchange with exhaust-was recently reported and shown to exhibit stable high conversion of ethanol driven by exhaust heat. This ...

The Haddon matrix is a research tool used by injury epidemiologists. Although this matrix has typically been used only in epidemiologic studies, it may serve as a framework to investigate the circumstances of traumatic deaths. This matrix consists of three rows representing time phases (before the injury incident, during the incident, and after the incident) and four columns representing the energy agent, characteristics of the deceased person, the environment, and the vehicle or vector ...