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Because educator licensure is gained by passing licensure examinations in most states, scores on high stakes tests are determining factors as to who will be teaching in America’s classrooms. Due to a focus on program graduation rates, state funding cuts, and production of quality teachers, it is vital that teacher preparation programs produce the quality and quantity of teachers needed to fill the educator deficit. The purpose of the study was to analyze various performance variables of pre-service teachers enrolled in a teacher preparation to identify predictors of performance on required licensure examinations. Findings of the study revealed there is a relationship between Praxis I: Reading scores and Praxis II scores, Praxis I: Writing scores and Praxis II scores, Praxis I: Mathematics scores and Praxis II scores, GPA and Praxis II scores, and CBASE scores and Praxis II scores. The strongest relationships that exist between variables and Praxis II scores are initial Praxis I: Reading scores and overall CBASE scores.

Acute brain injury (ABI) consists of any acquired insult to the brain and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately 20% to 30% of patients with ABI develop a lung injury called neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE), and its development often results in poor outcomes. This article provides a narrative review of the evidence regarding proposed mechanisms of injury, diagnosis, and treatment of NPE in the critical care setting. PubMed and Ovid databases were searched for observational or prospective studies relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of NPE. Overall, studies showed that although the specific mechanisms responsible for NPE remain uncertain, putative mechanisms include vaso- and venoconstriction, catecholamine release with resultant pulmonary vasoconstriction called the "blast injury theory," increased vagal tone, and increased capillary permeability. Diagnosis involves identifying signs of pulmonary edema in patients who experienced a neurologic insult. Management strategies aim to address both brain and lung injury, and treatment modalities appear to work best when balanced toward maintaining a normal physiologic state. In summary, NPE is an often underdiagnosed but important sequela of ABI, which may result in additional long-term morbidity. It is therefore an important entity for providers to recognize and tailor their clinical approach toward.

Central Asian caves with Palaeolithic deposits are few, but they provide a rich record of human fossils and cultural assemblages that has been used to model Late Pleistocene hominin dispersals. However, previous research has not yet systematically evaluated the formation processes that influence the frequency of Palaeolithic cave sites in the region. To address this deficiency, we combined field survey and micromorphological analyses in the piedmont zone of south Kazakhstan. Here, we present our preliminary results focusing on selected sites of the Qaratau mountains. Sediment cover varies among the surveyed caves, and loess‐like sediments dominate the cave sequences. The preservation of cave deposits is influenced by reworking of cave sediments within the caves but also by the broader erosional processes that shape semiarid landscapes. Ultimately, deposits of potentially Pleistocene age are scarce. Our study provides new data in the geoarchaeologically neglected region of Central Asia and demonstrates that micromorphology has great analytical potential even within the limitations of rigorous survey projects. We outline some of the processes that influence the formation and preservation of cave deposits in Kazakhstan, as well as broader implications for the distribution of Palaeolithic cave sites in Central Asia and other semiarid environments., H2020 European Research Council http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010663

ZusammenfassungDer Begriff der statistischen Signifikanz geht oft mit Missverständnissen einher. Dies liegt u. a. daran, dass sich mit den theoretischen Konzepten und Kenngrößen, die hinter dem Signifikanztesten liegen, zu wenig auseinandergesetzt wird. Hierzu gehört beispielsweise der p-Wert, der aussagt, mit welcher Wahrscheinlichkeit der beobachtete oder ein extremerer Effekt gefunden würde, wenn dieser Effekt in Wirklichkeit gar nicht existieren würde. Anhand des Beispiels eines Münzwurfs soll das Konzept des Nullhypothesensignifikanztestens erläutert werden, um ein besseres Verständnis für die Interpretation von wissenschaftlichen Ergebnissen zu erzeugen.

This study examines the mechanical properties of lithic raw materials from the Upper Palaeolithic sites in Kazakhstan and offers insight into their quality.

Monkeypox is a zoonosis caused by a double-stranded DNA virus. The virus was isolated in monkeys in 1958. The first human case was detected in Africa in 1970. It is endemic in western and central Africa. The infection has worried public health authorities around the world since May 2022 with the emergence of thousands of cases in non-African countries.We discuss the neurological manifestations associated with monkeypox infection.Although in the current outbreak, the disease appears to be self-limiting, with predominance of focal skin lesions, complications may occur, mainly in children and immunosuppressed patients. Neurological manifestations such as encephalitis, convulsion, dizziness, pain, fatigue, visual alteration, photophobia, headache and myalgia were previously reported. Encephalitis may be due to viral invasion of the central nervous system or an immune-mediated process. In both situations, rapid recognition is extremely important with the investigation of the cerebrospinal fluid exam, which can demonstrate the local inflammatory reaction, specific IgM and, possibly viral detection, in addition to the imaging study.We emphasize that health professionals should be alert to the emergence of neurological disorders associated with monkeypox infection in order to avoid sequelae and better characterize the current disease.

Only a handful of stratified sites are known in loess, spring, and river contexts in the northern piedmonts of the Tian Shan, and the majority are dated to the Upper Palaeolithic. These sites have been studied from a geoarchaeological perspective, however, lithic procurement activities remain unknown. To address this deficiency, we present the results of the extensive field surveys aimed at locating prehistoric raw material sources in the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor of Kazakhstan. We also provide a detailed petrographic description of the lithologies exploited during the Palaeolithic of Kazakhstan. Based on the field survey results, combined with petrographic data, we conclude that the direct procurement strategy was the most common at the stratified sites. However, evidence of both direct and embedded procurement is found in the northern piedmonts of the Ili Alatau range at the site of Maibulaq. Additionally, we highlight the variation of chert lithologies within the larger Qaratau region, laying a foundation for future provenance studies.

Study Objectives Sleep is an important dimension in the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but its relevance to exacerbations is unclear. We wanted to assess whether sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is associated with an increased risk of COPD exacerbations and does this differ by socio-environmental exposures. Methods We included 1647 current and former smokers with spirometrically confirmed COPD from the SPIROMICS cohort. We assessed incidence rate ratios for exacerbation using zero-inflated negative binomial regression adjusting for demographics, medical comorbidities, and multiple metrics of disease severity, including respiratory medications, airflow obstruction, and symptom burden. Our final model adjusted for socio-environmental exposures using the Area Deprivation Index, a composite measure of contemporary neighborhood quality, and Adversity–Opportunity Index, a composite measure of individual-level historic and current socioeconomic indicators. We used a pre-determined threshold of 20% missingness to undertake multiple imputation by chained equations. As sensitivity analyses, we repeated models in those with complete data and after controlling for prior exacerbations. As an exploratory analysis, we considered an interaction between socio-environmental condition and sleep quality. Results After adjustment for all co-variates, increasing PSQI scores (range 0–21) were associated with a 5% increased risk for exacerbation per point (p = .001) in the imputed dataset. Sensitivity analyses using complete cases and after controlling for prior exacerbation history were similar. Exploratory analysis suggested less effect among those who lived in poor-quality neighborhoods (p-for-interaction = .035). Conclusions Poor sleep quality may contribute to future exacerbations among patients with COPD. This represents one target for improving disease control. Clinical Trial Registration Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier# NCT01969344. Registry URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/.

O principal objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar as concentrações de poluentes em duas estações de monitoramento contínuo de poluentes localizadas na Baixada Fluminense, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, durante o período de greve dos caminhoneiros, entre os dias 21 e 30 de maio de 2018. As duas estações - Jardim Primavera e Jardim Guandu - podem ser consideradas rotas de entrada/saída do município do Rio de Janeiro. Foram analisadas as concentrações dos seguintes poluentes: dióxido de enxofre, monóxido de carbono, ozônio, material particulado (PM10) e dióxido de nitrogênio. Os dados abrangeram o período de 7 de maio a 13 de junho de 2018, sendo divididos em dois diferentes grupos: período de greve e período fora da greve. Uma das ferramentas utilizadas para análise foi o diagrama de caixa, apresentando, para o período analisado, a concentração diária de cada poluente e seu respectivo comportamento. Para comparar o comportamento dos poluentes durante a greve dos caminhoneiros e suas proximidades, efetuou-se um teste de homogeneidade entre os dois grupos, sendo aplicado o teste de variâncias iguais. Para as situações que indicaram a hipótese de não homogeneidade entre os dois grupos foi acrescentado o teste t student, visando avaliar se havia diferença significativa entre as médias dos diferentes períodos. Comparando-se o período de greve e o período não greve, o dióxido de enxofre foi o único poluente que não apresentou diferença de comportamento em ambas as estações. O monóxido de carbono apresentou diminuição de concentração média nas duas estações durante o período da greve, o que pode ser resultado do efeito da paralisação dos veículos automotores nesse período. O dióxido de nitrogênio também apresentou menor concentração durante o período de greve em ambas as estações, tendo o ozônio apresentado comportamento inverso, efeito da relação entre os Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis e os Óxidos de Nitrogênio. O material particulado apresentou redução das concentrações em Jardim Primavera durante a greve, mas com elevação em Jardim Guandu no mesmo período. Hipótese para essa elevação seria o uso das vias próximas a Jardim Guandu como alternativa de rota de fuga dos caminhoneiros. Acredita-se que o presente trabalho possa contribuir para a identificação dos impactos, em termos de poluição atmosférica, causados pela opção preferencial dada aos caminhões para o transporte das cargas no Brasil.

Introduction: Parry-Romberg syndrome is also known as progressive hemifacial atrophy. It, which is characterized by a unilateral atrophy of the skin, soft tissue, muscles, and/or bones of the face, is a variant of linear morphea or an independent disorder. It has sporadic neurocutaneous involvement, occasionally it can even involve the central nervous system (CNS). In this condition, facial atrophy may be accompanied by classic linear morphea lesions on the face or elsewhere. Parry-Romberg syndrome is an uncommon disorder, more common in females, usually manifested in the first decade of life, but its etiology remains unknown. Case Report: A woman with 49 years old, seeking neurological care due to epileptic seizures that started 21 years ago. The crises described were mostly focal, with compromised consciousness, symptomatology related to the temporal lobe with automatisms and sensory hallucinations. Physical examination: right hemifacial atrophy was observed with hemilingual atrophy and right enophthalmos. Conclusion: The patient was diagnosed with Parry-Romberg syndrome after semiological evaluation of the neurology and investigation of the patient’s clinical history. The electroencephalogram showed marked signs of right temporal cortico-subcortical dysfunction with 2–4 Hz waves, slow wave bursts. The conduct is clinical and the prognosis restricted to each patient.

Background Pathogen reduction technology and enhanced bacterial culture screening promise to significantly reduce the risk of transfusion-associated septic reactions due to contaminated platelets. Recent reports suggest that these interventions lack efficacy for post-collection and processing contamination with environmental organisms if the storage bag integrity is compromised. Case report We report a fatal septic transfusion reaction in a 63-year-old patient with chronic kidney and liver disease who received a pathogen reduced platelet transfusion in anticipation of surgery. Methods The residual platelet concentrate was cultured, with the detected microorganisms undergoing 16S genotype sequencing. Separate pathogen reduction studies were performed on the recovered bacteria, including assessment for amotosalen photoproducts. The storage container was subjected to pressure testing and microscopic examination. Environmental culture screening was performed at the hospital. Results Gram negative rods were detected in the platelet unit and cultures of both platelet component and the patient's blood grew Acinetobacter baumannii complex, Leclercia adecarboxylata and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. These strains were effectively inactivated with >7.2, 7.7, and >7.1 log10 kill, respectively. The platelet storage container revealed a leak visible only on pressure testing. Hospital environmental cultures were negative and the contamination source is unknown. A. baumannii complex and S. saprophyticus 16S genotyping sequences were identical to those implicated in a previously reported septic reaction. Conclusion Findings are compatible with post-processing environmental contamination of a pathogen reduced platelet concentrate via a non-visible, acquired storage container leak. Efforts are warranted to actively prevent damage to, and detect defects in, platelet storage containers, and to store and transport components in clean environments.

ZusammenfassungWeltweit ist körperliche Inaktivität weit verbreitet. Das diesbezügliche Ziel der Weltgesundheitsorganisation ist eine deutliche Reduktion, wofür Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung von umwelt- und systembezogenen Bedingungen ebenso benötigt werden, wie eine Stärkung des individuellen Verhaltenspotenzials. Die gesundheitsbezogene Bewegungsförderung hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren einer zunehmenden Kompetenzorientierung angenommen, welche sich zum Beispiel in dem Bezug zu bewegungsbezogener Gesundheitskompetenz (BGK) ausdrückt. Dieses Modell nimmt an, dass das Vorliegen von Bewegungs-, Steuerungs- und Selbstregulationskompetenz eine Voraussetzung für die Aufrechterhaltung eines körperlich aktiven Lebensstils darstellt. Diese Arbeit berichtet zunächst von der Gründung eines Netzwerks mit Akteurinnen und Akteuren aus dem deutschsprachigen Raum, die sich gegenwärtig mit dem BGK-Modell oder dem verwandten Physical-Literacy-Ansatz befassen. Im Anschluss rücken zwei Auftaktveranstaltungen in den Vordergrund, bei welchen zukünftige Herausforderungen für den kompetenzorientierten Gesundheitssport in Forschung und Praxis identifiziert wurden. Dabei wurden für die Zukunft drei wichtige Themenfelder identifiziert: „Herausforderungen auf begrifflich-konzeptioneller Ebene“, „Herausforderungen auf dem Gebiet von Messverfahren“ und „Interventionelle und vermittlungsbezogene Aspekte“.

The sensitivity of fluorescence imaging is limited by the high optical scattering of tissue. One approach to improve sensitivity to small signals is to use a contrast agent with a signal that can be externally modulated. In this work, we present a new phase-changing perfluorocarbon nanodroplet contrast agent loaded with DiR dye. The nanodroplets undergo a liquid-to-gas phase transition when exposed to an externally applied laser pulse. This results in the unquenching of the encapsulated dye, thus increasing the fluorescent signal, a phenomenon that can be characterized by an ON/OFF ratio between the fluorescence of activated and nonactivated nanodroplets, respectively. We investigate and optimize the quenching/unquenching of DiR upon nanodroplets’ vaporization in suspension, tissue-mimicking phantoms and a subcutaneous injection mouse model. We also demonstrate that the vaporized nanodroplets produce ultrasound contrast, enabling multimodal imaging. This work shows that these nanodroplets could be applied to imaging applications where high sensitivity is required.

The contribution of circulating verses tissue resident memory T cells (TRM) to clinical neuropathology is an enduring question due to a lack of mechanistic insights. The prevailing view is TRM cells are protective against pathogens in the brain. However, the extent antigen-specific TRM cells can induce neuropathology upon reactivation has not been determined. Using the described phenotype of TRMs, we found that brains of naïve mice harbor populations of CD69+ CD103− T cells. Notably, numbers of CD69+ CD103− TRM cells rapidly increase following neurological insults of physical, cancerous, or viral origins. This TRM expansion precedes infiltration of virus specific CD8 T cells and is due to proliferation of T cells within the brain. In contrast, the CD69+ CD103+ TRMs in the brain are generated after the initial expansion of CD69+ CD103− cells following injury and are antigen-specific. We next evaluated the capacity of antigen-specific TRMs in the brain to induce significant neuroinflammation post virus clearance, including infiltration of inflammatory monocytes, activation of T cells in the brain, and significant blood brain barrier disruption. These neuroinflammatory events were induced by TRMs, as depletion of peripheral T cells or blocking T cell trafficking using FTY720 did not change the neuroinflammatory course. Reactivation of antigen-specific TRMs in the brain also induced profound lymphopenia within the blood compartment. We have therefore determined that antigen-specific TRMs can induce significant neuroinflammation, neuropathology, and peripheral immune suppression. Importantly, understanding functions of brain TRMs is crucial in investigating their role in neurodegenerative disorders, CNS cancers, and long-term complications associated with viral infections including COVID-19.Graphical AbstractHealthy brain harbors populations of resident memory T cells (TRM). These TRM cells rapidly proliferate in response to CNS insults of various origins. Following clearance of the insult, populations of TRM cells in the brain decline, but an antigen-specific TRM subset remains within the brain. Antigen-specific reactivation of brain TRMs mediates neuroinflammatory sequalae involving activation and blasting of resident T cells, infiltration of inflammatory monocytes and blood brain barrier disruption. Severe neuroinflammation within the brain following antigen-specific TRM reactivation is concurrent with profound lymphopenia within the blood compartment.

La asimetría contractual que en muchas ocasiones está latente en las relaciones de consumo, ha originado la necesidad de los Estados de proferir normas que protejan los intereses de los consumidores. A su vez, en aras de hacer efectivas esas garantías, muchos de ellos han posibilitado que los conflictos suscitados en razón a las relaciones de consumo sean conocidos a través del arbitraje. En este escrito, se estudia someramente la experiencia española en torno al arbitraje de consumo, con el fin de adecuarla al marco normativo colombiano. Most relationships between consumers and companies are asymmetric. This has captured the attention of multiple states by enacting laws seeking to protect consumers in those relationships. At the same time, some of these states allows consumers to resolve their disputes through arbitration. This paper studies briefly the Spanish approach regarding consumer arbitration and an attempt to adjust it under Colombian regulatory framework.