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This paper showcases the current stage of implementation of various selected digital transformation initiatives at the top five European airports in this regard. Applying a recent theoretical framework (technology adoption framework for airports [TAFA]), the overall current level of technology adoption projects in various stages of implementation at these airports is analysed. The study's approach is based on qualitative data which was collected through interviews with airport representatives and industry experts as well as from publicly available sources. The study shows that the targeted airports understand digital transformation as the process of enhancing their passenger experience and their cost base via improved service quality and operational efficiency. The findings reveal that Europe's top five airports currently share the characteristics of Airport 3.0 and that they are progressively beginning solutions based on Industry 4.0 technologies. The outlook on current trial and pre-trial technologies shows a common trend of transformation towards Airport 4.0. There is, however, no common approach applied to this that would be coordinated either by ACI, ICAO or even IATA, leaving a patchwork of isolated technology solutions with widely divergent user experiences to be expected. In the nearer future, airports are likely to remain technological islands with no common approach to a seamless integration between them and, ideally, also between airlines and other transport providers to improve travellers' physical and digital journey. The study can serve as a guideline for airport managers and will support their decision-making processes by providing information on the strategies taken by the top five European airports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycine conjugation is an important phase II reaction and represents a central detoxification pathway which is essential for the recycling of free coenzyme A. Only few sequence variants have been reported in the human GLYAT gene and only two studies have overexpressed the human protein in bacterial systems and partially characterized it. This has prompted us to study the wild-type enzyme and two sequence variants not only in the E. coli strain Origami 2(DE3), but also to overexpress GLYAT in HEK293 cells, a human-derived cell line. Following purification of the recombinant proteins from E. coli the wild-type GLYAT protein and sequence variants, p.(Gln61Leu) yielded decreased specific activity than the wild-type enzyme, while specific activity of p.(Asn156Ser) activity of the latter variant was somewhat increased. K M values were similar for the three forms of GLYAT overexpressed in bacteria and for the wild-type enzyme overexpressed in HEK293 cells. Localization studies demonstrated intramitochondrial localization of human wild-type GLYAT, conjugated with eGFP, in the HEK293 cells. As p.(Gln61Leu) does not only impair GLYAT activity in vitro , but is of high prevalence in a Caucasian Afrikaner cohort in South Africa, potential pharmacogenetic implications, warrant further studies of GLYAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, the number of state policies mandating recess in schools has rapidly increased over the past decade; however, few policies specify recess frequency. Informed by an ecological model of physical activity (PA) policy, this study examined and compared total amounts and intensity of PA expended during recess among children attending schools in compliance with Arizona recess policy ARS§ 15–118 mandating 2 + daily recess periods versus not. Methods: PA during recess was measured among grade three children (ages 8–10) in four randomly selected elementary schools (two complying averaging 30 daily recess minutes; two non-complying averaging 15 daily recess minutes) in Maricopa County, Arizona. Group-level PA was assessed by direct observation using the System for Observing Play and Leisure (137 observations). A subset of students (N = 134) from all schools wore ActiGraph GT3X + devices during recess to measure individual PA. General linear mixed effects models were used to analyze the impact of recess frequency on group and individual PA during recess. Results: Students attending complying schools spent significantly greater proportions of time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) based on direct observation (5%) and accelerometry (15%) and less time being sedentary based on accelerometry (14%) during recess. Across the school day, this would equate to 5.1 more MVPA minutes based on systematic direct observation and 9.5 more MVPA minutes based on accelerometry, and 4.1 less minutes being sedentary based on accelerometry if students received two daily 15-minute recess periods compared to one. Conclusions: Students attending elementary schools implementing 2 + recesses, in accordance with state policy, demonstrated greater MVPA and less sedentary time, providing preliminary evidence that recess frequency is associated with greater PA intensity among children during recess. Schools that adhere to state-level PA policies may provide a more supportive environment for PA, resulting in increased movement among students. Specifying recess frequency should be considered in statewide recess policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including constitutional law in the U.S., the creation of a pathological rights culture, and government regulation in the U.S.

Mobile-health applications are largely unregulated by the federal government. These applications have tremendous potential to reduce the costs of caring for chronic disease patients. This is particularly true in rural communities where mobile-health applications could increase patient engagement and improve the quality of care. While these applications can be helpful in transforming and improving patient care, unregulated applications may harm patients or unintentionally release protected health information. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asserted jurisdiction over some mobile-health applications as medical devices. FDA, however, lacks experience regulating the data security and interoperability of devices -- an area in which the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has substantial experience. This Note explores several frameworks for regulating mobile-health applications as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each framework. This Note concludes by proposing two separate regulatory frameworks for mobile-health applications with different agencies responsible for each framework. Ultimately, FDA should use its authority to regulate the clinical safety and effectiveness of mobile-health applications because of the substantial health risks that they pose to patients. While data security, and to a lesser extent interoperability, is an important consideration in safeguarding patients, private regulators operating under the supervision of ONC should have the ultimate responsibility for implementing protections in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which calculated ion charge state distributions of alloy-cathode vacuum arc plasmas. Generalized system of Saha equations; Experimental data; Simulation and discussion.

Formulates the requirements on the radiation source, the monochromator/mirror, the diffractometer and the crystal dispersive analyzer for an optimum instrumentation dedicated to high resolution resonant inelastic scattering experiments. Description of a provisional instrumentation at the HARWI-Compton beamline; Simulation of wrong and correct absorption corrections.

Presents a study examining the import of cytoplasmically synthesized precursor proteins into mitochondria occurs through a single structure spanning outer and inner membranes at constant sites. Display of independent translocation elements by the membranes; Generation of translocation intermediates.

Reports on the mapping of yeast karyopherin alpha's binding site for karyopherin beta and of karyopherin beta's binding site for karyopherin alpha and for Ran-GTP. N-terminal region of karyopherin alpha containing the binding site for karyopherin beta; Acidic clusters of karyopherin beta are binding determinants for karyopherin alpha.

Investigates the transport of vacuum arc plasmas through a 90 degrees curved magnetic macroparticle filter using a high-current pulsed arc source with a carbon cathode. Experimental equipment used to optimize the combination of a high-current arc discharge and a duct macroparticle filter; Results of the experiment; Discussion of the results; Conclusions.

Summarizes an optical and spectroscopical investigations of vacuum arc cathode spot behavior on different spatial and temporal scales in low-current dc arcs and high current pulsed arc discharges. Nature of arc spots; Conclusions.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) play an important role during embryo development. To date, the role of FGF and the respective receptors (FGFR) during the preimplantation phase in cattle are not fully characterized. We examined FGF1, FGF2, FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3 in cyclic and early pregnant heifers at Days 12, 15, and 18 after insemination (Day 0). Endometrial FGF1 mRNA transcript abundance in heifers varied significantly with respect to the day after insemination, the pregnancy status, and their interaction. The expression was higher in nonpregnant than in pregnant heifers at Day 18. The conceptus transcripts abundance of FGFR2 and FGFR3 were significantly lower at Day 15 than 18. In the endometrium, FGF1 protein abundance significantly decreased from Day 12 onwards and FGF2 protein abundance showed a minor, but a significant increase at Day 15 in comparison to Days 12 and 18. We concluded that the decrease in FGF1 mRNA expression in pregnant heifers at Day 18 points towards a potential contribution of FGF1 in the preimplantation process. Additionally, successful embryo elongation might require a spatiotemporal FGF2 protein increase in the endometrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy measurements on solid helium. Instrumentation; Difference spectra.

An introduction is presented to various reports within the issue from a 2013 symposium at Boston University School of Law on the concept of a utopia as a dystopia, focusing on the books "The Fallacies of States' Rights" by Sotirios A. Barber and "The Upside-Down Constitution" by Michael S. Greve.

BACKGROUND Immune alterations may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis. Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells that are highly involved in the initiation of the immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate DC populations in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis compared with controls. METHODS Hysterectomy samples were obtained from premenopausal women with (n = 33) and without (n = 28) endometriosis. In addition, paired peritoneal endometriotic lesions and uterine curettings were collected from 32 women with endometriosis. Specimen sections were stained immunohistochemically using antibodies for monoclonal mouse antibodies directed against human CD1a and CD83, which are specific for immature and mature DCs, respectively. RESULTS The mean density of endometrial CD1a DCs in the basal layer was significantly increased in women with endometriosis compared with controls during the proliferative phase only (P = 0.001). There was a highly significant decrease in the density of endometrial CD83 DCs in women with endometriosis compared with controls in both layers of the endometrium across all phases of the menstrual cycle (P = 0.001). The density of CD1a DCs was significantly increased in peritoneal endometriotic lesions (P = 0.003) and in the surrounding peritoneum (P = 0.001) compared with paired uterine curettings and peritoneum distant from the lesion. CONCLUSIONS Both CD1a and CD83 DC populations were altered in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis compared with controls. Alterations in these cells, which play a crucial role in the coordination of the immune response, may be involved in pain generation and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. The immune system provides a defence mechanism in response to foreign pathogens, and macrophages play important roles in this response. Activation of macrophages has been reported in peritoneal fluid and ectopic endometriotic lesions; however, controversy exists regarding the composition and function of macrophage populations in eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis. This study aimed to quantify macrophages in eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis, during the early, mid and late proliferative and menstrual phases of the cycle. METHODS Paraffin-embedded endometrial curettage blocks were selected from pathology archives. Seventy-six specimens from women with and without endometriosis were analysed using standard immunohistochemical techniques with CD68-PGM1 (phosphoglucomutase 1) clone antibody. Macrophages were counted according to their morphology over several fields of view. RESULTS A significant increase in macrophage cell numbers was shown in eutopic endometrium in women with endometriosis (mean ± SD, 182.7 ± 72.9/mm2) during all stages of the proliferative phase compared with normal controls (101.6 ± 53.4/mm2; P P CONCLUSIONS This study further supports an association between immune changes in eutopic endometrium and presence of endometriosis. However, it remains uncertain if eutopic immune changes are primary or secondary occurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen presenting cells that are highly involved in the stimulation and modulation of the immune response within mucosal surfaces, including the female reproductive tract. DCs have been poorly characterized in the non-pregnant endometrium. METHODS Hysterectomy specimens were obtained from premenopausal women (n = 49) with histoloigically normal endometrium. Endometrial sections were stained immunohistochemically using antibodies for monoclonal mouse anti-human CD1a and CD83, two markers which are specific for populations of immature and mature DCs, respectively. RESULTS There was a significantly higher density of endometrial CD1a+ DCs than CD83+ DCs throughout the menstrual cycle (P P = 0.004) and secretory phases (P = 0.001), whereas for CD1a+ DCs, the greater density in the basal layer was only observed in the secretory phase (P CONCLUSIONS The highly coordinated cyclical changes in DC populations during the normal menstrual cycle reported in this study may be important for local regulatory mechanisms relevant to menstruation and implantation; alterations in this normal profile may contribute to the development of disturbances of function, fertility and even benign gynaecological disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an abstract of a paper reviewing the application of medium-energy resolution inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy on problems of solid-state physics. Description of the fundamental information about electron density-density correlation; Electronic excitation; Experiments on graphite and graphite-based alkali-metal intercalation compounds.

Presents an abstract of a paper describing the requirements on the radiation source, the monochromator/mirror, the diffractometer, and the crystal dispersive analyzer for a spectrometer dedicated to high-resolution resonant inelastic-scattering experiments. Possibility for the application of dispersion compensation.

Objective: To investigate and compare seven different commercially available cryoprotectant media in terms of the DNA integrity of spermatozoa recovered after cryopreservation and separation using density gradient centrifugation (DGC).Design: A prospective clinical study.Setting: Tertiary care fertility clinic.Patient(s): Three hundred twenty men presenting for infertility investigations.Intervention(s): Each sample was randomly assigned to one of seven commercially available cryoprotectants or to no cryoprotectant.Main Outcome Measure(s): Percentage sperm DNA fragmentation after cryopreservation and preparation using DGC.Result(s): The mean percentage fragmentation was significantly higher post-thaw and post-DGC; however, some patients (26.3%) demonstrated a lower percentage fragmentation post-thaw. No single cryoprotectant was identified as the best at preserving DNA integrity. The difference in fragmentation after thawing and DGC was found to be highly dependent on the prefreeze fragmentation. Motility was also significantly correlated with the difference in fragmentation post-thaw (r = -0.161).Conclusion(s): Neither the presence nor type of cryoprotectant affects the DNA integrity of spermatozoa after cryopreservation and DGC. Individuals with lower prefreeze fragmentation in DGC-prepared spermatozoa have larger increases in fragmentation and are less likely to exhibit lower levels of fragmentation post-thaw. The reverse effect observed in those with higher prefreeze fragmentation gives rise to a possible novel method of reducing fragmentation in sperm used for assisted reproductive technology treatment cycles without the need for testicular sperm retrievals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Identify the extent to which hospital boards of trustees, CEOs, and CNOs are engaged in quality and safety at the leadership and governance level and how CNOs can support board engagement in quality and safety.Background: Although research is emerging, still relatively little is known about the impact and interface of hospital boards of trustees, CEOs, and nursing executives related to improving quality and patient safety.Methods: 73 telephone interviews were conducted with hospital board chairs, CEOs, and CNOs from a convenience sample of 63 U.S. hospitals. The interviews (22 of which were with CNOs) lasted 30 to 45 minutes and were supplemented by a focus group of five nursing executives.Results: There are significant differences in the perceptions of CNOs versus those of board chairs and CEOs. CNOs reported a greater familiarity of landmark reports on quality and patient safety than board chairs. CEOs and board chairs gave substantially higher ratings to integration of quality planning. Boards have limited comprehension of salient nursing quality issues.Conclusion: CNOs have a critical role as boardroom champions of patient safety and quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study which examines the leadership and governance of hospital boards of trustees, chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief nursing officers (CNOs) in relation to improving quality and patient safety in the U.S. 73 telephone interviews have been conducted with hospital board chairs, CEOs, and CNOs from a sample of 63 U.S. hospitals. It is found that CNOs play an important role as boardroom champions of patient safety and quality improvement.

Endometrial polyps are benign lesions frequently identified in women with infertility or abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive and postmenopausal phases We report the striking observation that the numbers of activated mast cells expressing tryptase are increased more than sevenfold throughout the cycle in endometrial polyps (n = 20) compared with normal endometrium. This novel finding has important implications for growth, development, and symptoms associated with polyps in many different tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) plays a critical angiogenic role in the endometrium of placentalia during preimplantation. The role of VEGFA and its receptors is not fully characterised in bovine reproduction. We analysed the mRNA expression of VEGFA isoforms 121, 165 and 189, and VEGF receptors 1 and 2 in three experimental settings (A, B and C). We compared intercaruncular endometrium of cyclic to pregnant heifers at Days 12, 15 and 18 post insemination (Day 0), and between Day 15 and Day 18 conceptuses (A). We further compared caruncular versus intercaruncular endometrium at Day 15 (B), and endometrium of heifers carrying embryos originating from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) versus in vitro fertilisation (IVF) at Day 18 (C). Endometrial VEGFA protein was localised and quantified. Pregnant heifers displayed lower intercaruncular endometrial mRNA expression of VEGFA-121 (p = 0.045) and VEGFA-189 (p = 0.009) as well as lower VEGFA protein abundance (p < 0.001) at Day 15. The VEGFA protein was localised in intercaruncular luminal, glandular epithelium and in tunica muscularis of blood vessels. At Day 15, caruncular endometrium displayed higher VEGFA mRNA expression than intercaruncular endometrium (p < 0.05). Intercaruncular endometrial VEGFA protein at Day 18 was higher in abundance in SCNT than in IVF (p = 0.038). Therefore, during preimplantation in cattle, there may be a need for timely physiological reduction in intercaruncular endometrial VEGFA expression in favour of the caruncular area to facilitate a gradient towards the implantation sites. A higher expression of VEGFA in SCNT may predispose for later placentation abnormalities frequently observed following SCNT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the forest restoration principles and criteria that were developed by a diverse group of forest activists and forest ecologists from around the United States. Importance of a well-compensated work force for restoration to meet high ecological standards; Approaches and related criteria that define the range of forest restoration methods used to restore ecological integrity.

A letter to the editor is presented on prolonged grief disorder (PGD) on the Next of Kin (NOK) of adult patients who died during or after admission to intensive care unit (ICU).