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In this investigation, we present an efficient electrochemical methodology to prepare nano-particulate TiO2 having a nano-crystalline composition of 40% Anatase and 60% Brookite, without need for subsequent thermal treatments (which are typically applied to alter the amount of amorphicity). This procedure for oxide synthesis is novel as it involves the galvanostatic dissolution of remelted Titanium Components, thus constituting a promising technological route for re-using Titanium-containing metallic pieces from the secondary metals industry to produce nano-crystalline TiO2 powders as a high value-added primary product. The experimental results presented showed that the faradaic efficiency of the TiO2 electro-synthesis, crystalline purity, and dispersion of the electro-generated TiO2 material was significant, despite the fact that the titanium content of the remelted titanium components was less than 80%. Keywords: Remelted titanium components, Re-use, Nano-crystalline TiO2 electro-synthesis, High faradaic efficiency

A high prevalence of epilepsy diagnoses and seizure events among students was identified at a large Midwestern school district. In partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN), a quality improvement project was conducted to provide education and resources to staff caring for school children with seizures. School nurses (N = 26) were trained as seizure management educators and instructed staff in 21 schools on seizure awareness and response. School nurses utilized new seizure management resources, a procedural guideline, and care plan updates. The majority of school nurses rated the resources and training interventions as "very helpful." School nurse confidence in managing students with seizures increased, seizure action plan use increased, and 88% of children's records with new seizure diagnoses had completed documentation. School nurses played vital roles in increasing seizure awareness as educators and care managers. EFMN is using this project as an exemplar for expanding its Seizure Smart Schools program.

Context: Neonatal resuscitation is a critical component of perinatal services in all settings. Purpose: To systematically describe preparedness of rural hospitals for neonatal resuscitation, and to determine whether delivery volume and level of perinatal care were associated with overall preparedness or its indicators. Methods: We developed the 15-point Hospital Neonatal Resuscitation Survey to examine institutional preparedness for neonatal resuscitation in 4 areas: policy and procedure, resuscitation team membership, continuing education, and connections with a wider system of perinatal care. All 58 rural hospitals with perinatal services in 2 upper Midwestern states (North Dakota and Minnesota) were asked to provide information describing preparedness for neonatal resuscitation. Nursing administrators responded to the survey. Findings: A total of 26 hospitals took part. Annual delivery volume ranged from 4 to 958. Preparedness scores ranged from 4 to 12. Hospitals with more than 125 deliveries each year reported significantly higher levels of preparedness than lower volume hospitals (9.50 vs 5.83, P less than 0.001). Overall preparedness was not associated with level of perinatal care. Most rural hospitals did not identify a formal collaborative relationship with a regional level III perinatal center. Conclusions: Substantial variation in hospital preparedness for neonatal resuscitation was identified. Preparedness was associated with delivery volume. Lack of collaborative agreements between rural hospitals and level III perinatal centers was pervasive. Additional research into the measurement of hospital preparedness for neonatal resuscitation as a component of quality rural perinatal care is needed to optimize outcomes for rural-born neonates.

A survey of 15 nurse practitioners initially prepared as clinical nurse specialists found that their post-master's training broadened knowledge and skills in patient data collection and increased role autonomy and clinical decision making. Results verified the practice domains in the curriculum guidelines of the National Association of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (SK)

Myelin is essential to neuronal health and CNS function, and oligodendrocytes (OLs) undergo a complex process of cytoskeletal remodeling to form compact myelin sheaths. We previously discovered that a formin protein, Dishevelled associated activator of morphogenesis 2 (Daam2), suppresses OL differentiation through Wnt signaling; however, its role in cytoskeletal control remains unknown. To investigate this, we used OL-specific Daam2 conditional knockout (Daam2 cKO) mice of either sex and found myelin decompaction during an active period of myelination in postnatal development and motor coordination deficits in adulthood. Using primary OL cultures, we found Daam2-depleted OLs showed morphologic dysregulation during differentiation, suggesting that Daam2 regulates the OL cytoskeleton. In vivo screening identified the actin regulators Rac1 and Gelsolin as possible effectors in Daam2-deficient OL cytoskeletal regulation. Using gain-of-function and loss-of-function (LOF) experiments in primary OLs, we found that Rac1 and Gelsolin operate downstream of Daam2 in OL differentiation, with Gelsolin and Daam2 promoting and inhibiting membrane spreading during late differentiation, respectively. In vivo experiments using Daam2 cKO mice revealed increased protein levels of Gelsolin in the developing white matter with no change in RNA levels, suggesting that Daam2 acts in a posttranslational manner to suppress Gelsolin levels. In vitro biochemical studies show Daam2 induces Gelsolin ubiquitination and degradation in OLs. Together, our studies show Daam2 is essential for formation of functional myelin through modulation of Gelsolin levels to regulate the OL cytoskeleton. These findings further demonstrate the critical role of cytoskeletal dynamics in myelination and reveal novel avenues for treatment of a variety of white matter diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We would like to present a simple decoloration procedure for (red) wine and the subsequent enzymatic method for the specific quantification of histamine. The test kit for sample preparation contains three solutions that are used to decolorate wine by two simple precipitation steps within 15 min. The enzymatic test kit consists of a microtiter plate coated with two substrates and ready to use reagents (buffer, calibrators and enzyme histamine dehydrogenase). The determination is performed within 15 min and the measurement wavelength is 450 nm which is the common wavelength for ELISA procedures. The linear range is from 1 to 20 mg/L in the extracted sample (corresponding to 2.4–48 mg/L in wine) and the recovery is >85% in red wines and more than 90% in white and rose wines. The limit of quantification is calculated to 1 mg/L. Wines at this low histamine levels showed CVs of less than 7%. The assay shows a high precision with a relative within-lab reproducibility standard deviation of less than 7%. A method comparison between HPLC and the new enzymatic system revealed a very high degree of agreement. The enzymatic procedure contains no dilution steps, no washing steps like for an ELISA, and a clear defined end-point of the enzymatic reaction.

Naldi, Gino J. 1995. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IN NAMIBIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS. Ndabeni, South Africa: Juta and Co. Dobell, Lauren. 1998. SWAPO'S STRUGGLE FOR NAMIBIA, 1960-1991: WAR [...]

• Long-term use of pentosan polysulfate (trade name Elmiron) can cause maculopathy. • Incidence is dose dependent with a 1,818 g median cumulative dosage in reported cases. • May result in prominent macular dysfunction, especially in cases with RPE atrophy. • Multimodal imaging including fundus autofluorescence is key in diagnosis. • Routine annual screening is suggested for all patients using PPS. Pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), a semisynthetic sulfated polysaccharide, is the only FDA-approved oral therapy for interstitial cystitis. Recent studies have described a progressive, vision-threatening macular condition associated with long-term PPS use. We reviewed all publications concerning PPS maculopathy to consolidate known clinical features and to evaluate the strength of this association. Current literature supports a strong dose-dependent association between PPS exposure and a progressive maculopathy impacting the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and RPE-photoreceptor interface that may worsen even after drug cessation. Initial symptoms may include prolonged dark adaptation and difficulty reading with relative visual acuity preservation. Fundus examination often shows macular pigment clumps corresponding to lesions of focal RPE thickening. Fundus autofluorescence most clearly depicts the condition, with a distinctive pattern of hypo- and hyperautofluorescent spots in the posterior pole that sometimes extends to the retinal periphery. Many cases also show a characteristic peripapillary hypoautofluorescent halo. Near infrared reflectance may aid in early detection. RPE atrophy, cystoid macular edema, and macular neovascularization may also occur, potentially resulting in loss of central acuity. This newly described association implies significant public health risk. Ophthalmologists should screen PPS users with multimodal retinal imaging, and prescribers should minimize dose and duration of PPS use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Namibia's widely praised transition to market and democratic practices since independence has recently come under more critical scrutiny. Coinciding with the second national elections in December 1994, which brought the [...]

Namibia's widely praised transition to market and democratic practices since independence has recently come under more critical scrutiny. Coinciding with the second national elections in December 1994, which brought the [...]

Namibia's widely praised transition to market and democratic practices since independence has recently come under more critical scrutiny. Coinciding with the second national elections in December 1994, which brought the [...]

Lionel Cliffe with Ray Bush, Jenny Lindsay, Brian Mokopakgosi, Donna Pankhurst, and Balefi Tsie, THE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE IN NAMIBIA (Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1994). David Lush, LAST […]

Introduction Recent scholarship on democracy in Africa has rightly criticized the overly statist and centralized orientation of African politics since the early days of independence. However, little notice has been […]