3,879 results on '"A. L. Brooks"'
Search Results
2. Contextual Influences on the Adoption of Evidence-Based Instructional Practices by Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty
- Author
-
Amy L. Brooks, Prateek Shekhar, Jeffrey Knowles, Elliott Clement, and Shane A. Brown
- Abstract
Contribution: This study aimed to improve understanding of context-based affordances and barriers to adoption of evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs) among faculty in electrical and computer engineering (ECE). Context-based influences, including motives, constraints, and feedback mechanisms impacting EBIP adoption across six ECE faculty participants were documented using qualitative analysis. Background: Recent engineering education literature notes that the adoption of EBIPs by engineering faculty is lagging despite increased faculty awareness of EBIPs, belief in their effectiveness, and interest in integrating them. While researchers continue to investigate barriers to faculty adoption of EBIPs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education settings, few studies have dedicated examinations within a specific disciplinary context, particularly among ECE faculty members. Research Question: What context-based barriers and affordances influence adoption of EBIPs by ECE faculty members? Methodology: This study qualitatively analyzed data from in-depth interviews with six ECE faculty members from engineering programs throughout the United States. The study applied an iterative combination of case study and thematic analysis techniques to identify context-relevant and unique factors relevant to each individual participant and synthesize the process of decision making when incorporating EBIPs using a systems perspective. Findings: Overall, the approach identified drivers, constraints, and feedback mechanisms in regard to four emergent categories of EBIP adoption cases: (1) no use; (2) discontinued use; (3) in development; and (4) continued use. The study reports examples of context-based influences among the six participants in relation to their level of EBIP adoption, highlighting the substantial variation in faculty experiences with incorporating EBIPs.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. The influence of thermal and hypoxia induced habitat compression on walleye (Sander vitreus) movements in a temperate lake
- Author
-
J. L. Brooks, E. J. I. Lédée, S. M. Larocque, S. J. Cooke, E. Brown, and J. D. Midwood
- Subjects
Habitat compression ,Hypoxia ,Movement ,Abiotic habitat ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Abstract Background Globally, temperate lakes are experiencing increases in surface water temperatures, extended periods of summer stratification, and decreases of both surface and deep water dissolved oxygen (DO). The distribution of fish is influenced by a variety of factors, but water temperature and dissolved oxygen are known to be particularly constraining such that with climate change, fish will likely feel the “squeeze” from above and below. Methods This study used acoustic telemetry to explore the effects of both thermal stratification and the deoxygenation of the hypolimnion on walleye (Sander vitreus) movements in a coastal embayment in Lake Ontario. Using historical water quality monitoring data, we documented seasonal and annual fluctuations in availability of both ‘suitable’ (all temperatures, DO > 3 mg/L) and ‘optimum’ (temperatures 18–23 °C, DO > 5mg/L) abiotic habitat for walleye and determined how these changes influenced walleye movements over a three-year period. Results Hypoxia (
- Published
- 2025
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Short‐Term Effects of Attaching Animal‐Borne Devices on the Behavior of Juvenile Green Turtles
- Author
-
Nathan J. Robinson, Ruth Doñate‐Ordóñez, Damianos Chatzievangelou, Annabelle M. L. Brooks, Jack Cuffley, Candace Y. A. Fields, Sebastian Hoefer, Theodora Pinou, Alexander Smith, and Sophie Mills
- Subjects
animal‐borne cameras ,Chelonia mydas ,handling stress ,sea turtles ,telemetry ,unoccupied aerial vehicles ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Abstract
ABSTRACT The use of animal‐borne devices (= biologgers) has revolutionized the study of marine megafauna, yet there remains a paucity of data concerning the behavioral and physiological impacts of biologger attachment and retention. Here, we used animal‐borne cameras to characterize the behavior and dive duration of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in The Bahamas for up to 210 min after biologger deployment (n = 58). For a “control,” we used unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect comparable data from nonhandled green turtles (n = 25) in the same habitats. Animal‐borne footage revealed that immediately after release turtles spent 70%–80% of their time swimming with a mean dive duration of 45.3 ± 34.3 s (SD). Over time, the percentage of time spent swimming decreased alongside an increase in dive duration until reaching a plateau around 90 min. However, the “control” UAV data for time spent swimming and dive durations were more comparable to the behaviors observed immediately after biologger deployment than during the plateau. We observed no significant differences in dive durations based on body size, and differences in behaviors based on body size were also minimal. We conclude that the effects of handling stress and biologger attachment on the behavior and dive duration of juvenile green turtles are evident up to 90 min postdeployment. After that, it is possible that either: (1) the effects of biologger deployment and retention are negligible, but UAVs may produce biased data that overestimates the proportion of time turtles typically spend swimming or (2) longer durations (> 210 min) are necessary for turtle behaviors to return to nonhandled levels and UAVs accurately represent the proportion of time turtles typically spend swimming. Answering this question, alongside further research into the physiological and behavioral implications of handling stress and biologger attachment, is essential to improve ethical biologging guidelines for sea turtles.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Editorial: Single-domain antibodies—biology, engineering and emerging applications, volume II
- Author
-
Kevin A. Henry, Greg Hussack, Jan Gettemans, and Cory L. Brooks
- Subjects
single-domain antibody ,nanobody ,VHH ,VNAR ,antibody engineering ,antibody therapy ,Immunologic diseases. Allergy ,RC581-607 - Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. The Interview Quality Reflection Tool (IQRT): Honing the Craft of Experiential Interviews
- Author
-
James L. Huff and Amy L. Brooks
- Subjects
Social sciences (General) ,H1-99 - Abstract
Prior methodological literature on conducting interviews emphasizes the importance of skill development in conducting interviews. However, in contrast to qualitative data analysis, there are few systematic processes in place to guide the interviewer into reflexivity about their role in the interview situation. Here, we present the interview quality reflection tool (IQRT) as a process that we developed from conducting and mentoring semi-structured and unstructured interviews focused on personal lived experiences. The IQRT prompts the interviewer to transcribe each interview question and reflect on how the spoken question served to advance experiential quality in the interview. We illustrate the IQRT itself before demonstrating how we authors used the process to examine experiential quality in three cases conducted in our prior research. Finally, we consider how the IQRT enables researchers to examine the interview situation as a whole, by increasing the self-awareness of the interviewer, and the parts, by commenting on the mechanics of constructing useful questions.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Genome-matched treatments and patient outcomes in the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI)
- Author
-
Eric C. Anderson, John DiPalazzo, F. Lee Lucas, Michael J. Hall, Andrey Antov, Petra Helbig, Jennifer Bourne, Leah Graham, Lory Gaitor, Christine Lu-Emerson, Leslie S. Bradford, Roger Inhorn, Sarah J. Sinclair, Philip L. Brooks, Christian A. Thomas, Karen Rasmussen, Paul K. J. Han, Edison T. Liu, and Jens Rueter
- Subjects
Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,RC254-282 - Abstract
Abstract Genomic tumor testing (GTT) is an emerging technology aimed at identifying variants in tumors that can be targeted with genomically matched drugs. Due to limited resources, rural patients receiving care in community oncology settings may be less likely to benefit from GTT. We analyzed GTT results and observational clinical outcomes data from patients enrolled in the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI), which provided access to GTTs; clinician educational resources; and genomic tumor boards in community practices in a predominantly rural state. 1603 adult cancer patients completed enrollment; 1258 had at least one potentially actionable variant identified. 206 (16.4%) patients received a total of 240 genome matched treatments, of those treatments, 64% were FDA-approved in the tumor type, 27% FDA-approved in a different tumor type and 9% were given on a clinical trial. Using Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting to adjust for baseline characteristics, a Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that patients who received genome matched treatment were 31% less likely to die within 1 year compared to those who did not receive genome matched treatment (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.52–0.90; p-value: 0.006). Overall, GTT through this initiative resulted in levels of genome matched treatment that were similar to other initiatives, however, clinical trials represented a smaller share of treatments than previously reported, and "off-label" treatments represented a greater share. Although this was an observational study, we found evidence for a potential 1-year survival benefit for patients who received genome matched treatments. These findings suggest that when disseminated and implemented with a supportive infrastructure, GTT may benefit cancer patients in rural community oncology settings, with further work remaining on providing genome-matched clinical trials.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Exploring the Limits of the Generalized CHARMM and AMBER Force Fields through Predictions of Hydration Free Energy of Small Molecules.
- Author
-
Arghya Chakravorty, Azam Hussain, Luis F. Cervantes, Thanh T. Lai, and Charles L. Brooks III
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Investigating Polypharmacology through Targeting Known Human Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitors to Proteinase 3.
- Author
-
Parveen Gartan, Fahimeh Khorsand, Pushpak Mizar, Juha Ilmari Vahokovski, Luis F. Cervantes, Bengt Erik Haug, Ruth Brenk, Charles L. Brooks III, and Nathalie Reuter
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Response to Harding and Martinez
- Author
-
Dominique L. Brooks, Kiran Musunuru, and Xiao Wang
- Subjects
Genetics ,QH426-470 - Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Safety and adherence to medications and self-care advice in oncology (SAMSON): pilot randomised controlled trial protocol
- Author
-
Penelope Schofield, Marliese Alexander, Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Kate Burbury, Prem Prakash Jayaraman, Thu Ha Dang, Ashley Whitechurch, Steve Quinn, Gail Rowan, and Sally L Brooks
- Subjects
Medicine - Abstract
Introduction With the increasing use of oral anti-cancer medicines (OAMs), research demonstrating the magnitude of the medication non-adherence problem and its consequences on treatments’ efficacy and toxicity is drawing more attention. Mobile phone interventions may be a practical solution to support patients taking OAMs at home, yet evidence to inform the efficacy of these interventions is lacking. The safety and adherence to medications and self-care advice in oncology (SAMSON) pilot randomised control trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and potential efficacy of a novel digital solution to improve medication adherence (MA) among people with cancer.Methods and analysis This is a two-arm, 12-week, pilot RCT aiming to enrol 50 adults with haematological, lung or melanoma cancers at an Australian metropolitan specialised oncology hospital, who are taking oral anti-cancer medicines. Participants will be randomised (1:1 allocation ratio) to either the intervention group (SAMSON solution) or the control group (usual care). The primary outcomes are the acceptability and feasibility of SAMSON. The secondary outcomes are MA, toxicity self-management, anxiety and depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life, and parameters relating to optimal intervention strategy. Quantitative data will be analysed on a modified intention-to-treat basis.Summary While multicomponent interventions are increasingly introduced, SAMSON incorporates novel approaches to the solution. SAMSON provides a comprehensive, patient-centred, digital MA intervention solution with seamless integration of a mobile platform with clinical consultations that are evidence-based, theory-based, co-designed and rigorously tested. The pilot trial will determine whether this type of intervention is feasible and acceptable in oncology and will provide a foundation for a future full-scale RCT.Ethics and dissemination Primary ethics approvals were received from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Swinburne University of Technology Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC/95332/PMCC and 20237273–15836). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international and national conferences.Trial registration number The protocol has been prospectively registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry with trial registration number (ACTRN12623000472673).
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Toxic metal mixtures in private well water and increased risk for preterm birth in North Carolina
- Author
-
Lauren A. Eaves, Alexander P. Keil, Anne Marie Jukic, Radhika Dhingra, Jada L. Brooks, Tracy A. Manuck, Julia E. Rager, and Rebecca C. Fry
- Subjects
Metals ,Mixtures ,Preterm birth ,Drinking water ,Private well ,Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene ,RC963-969 ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Abstract Background Prenatal exposure to metals in private well water may increase the risk of preterm birth (PTB) (delivery 25% of tests exceeded the MCL for lead (aOR 1.10, 95%CI 1.02,1.18) or cadmium (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.00,1.23) had an increased odds of PTB. Conversely, those residing in areas with > 25% MCL for zinc (aOR 0.77 (95% CI: 0.56,1.02) and copper (aOR 0.53 (95% CI: 0.13,1.34)) had a reduced odds of PTB. A quartile increase in the concentrations of a mixture of lead, cadmium, and chromium was associated with a small increased odds for PTB (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01, 1.03). This metal mixture effect was most pronounced among American Indian individuals (aOR per quartile increase in all metals: 1.19 (95% CI 1.06,1.34)). Conclusions In a large study population of over one million births, lead and cadmium were found to increase the risk of PTB individually and in a mixture, with additional mixtures-related impacts estimated from co-exposure with chromium. This study highlights critical racial and ethnic health disparities in relation to private well water thereby emphasizing the urgent need for improved private well water quality to protect vulnerable populations.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Early Holocene ice on the Begguya plateau (Mt. Hunter, Alaska) revealed by ice core 14C age constraints
- Author
-
L. Fang, T. M. Jenk, D. Winski, K. Kreutz, H. L. Brooks, E. Erwin, E. Osterberg, S. Campbell, C. Wake, and M. Schwikowski
- Subjects
Environmental sciences ,GE1-350 ,Geology ,QE1-996.5 - Abstract
Investigating North Pacific climate variability during warm intervals prior to the Common Era can improve our understanding of the behavior of ocean–atmosphere teleconnections between low latitudes and the Arctic under future warming scenarios. However, most of the existing ice core records from the Alaskan and Yukon region only allow access to climate information covering the last few centuries. Here we present a surface-to-bedrock age scale for a 210 m long ice core recovered in 2013 from the summit plateau of Begguya (Mt. Hunter; Denali National Park, Central Alaska). Combining dating by annual layer counting with absolute dates from micro-radiocarbon dating, a continuous chronology for the entire ice core archive was established using an ice flow model. Calibrated 14C ages from the deepest section (209.1 m, 7.7 to 9.0 ka cal BP) indicate that basal ice on Begguya is at least of early Holocene origin. A series of samples from a shallower depth interval (199.8 to 206.6 m) were dated with near-uniform 14C ages (3 to 5 ka cal BP). Our results suggest this may be related to an increase in annual net snow accumulation rates over this period following the Northern Hemisphere Holocene Climate Optimum (around 8 to 5 kyr BP). With absolute dates constraining the timescale for the last >8 kyr BP, this paleo-archive will allow future investigations of Holocene climate and the regional evolution of spatial and temporal changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate in the North Pacific.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Homogenization of soil seed bank communities by fire and invasive species in the Mojave Desert
- Author
-
Steven Lee, Robert Klinger, Matthew L. Brooks, and Scott Ferrenberg
- Subjects
fire ,invasives ,seed banks ,species diversity ,desert ,drylands ,Evolution ,QH359-425 ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Abstract
Soil seed banks help maintain species diversity through temporal storage effects and function as germination pools that can optimize fitness across varying environmental conditions. These characteristics promote the persistence of native plant communities, yet disturbances such as fire and associated invasions by non-native species can disrupt these reserves, fundamentally altering successional trajectories. This may be particularly true in deserts, where native plant communities are less adapted to fire. While studies of fire effects on desert plant communities are not uncommon, information regarding the short- and long-term effects of fire on seed banks is less available. To better understand the influence of fire and invasive species on desert seed banks, we investigated soil seed bank biodiversity from 30 wildfires that burned between 1972 and 2010 across the Mojave Desert ecoregion of North America. We assessed how characteristics of fire regimes (frequency, time since fire, and burn severity) interacted with climate and invasive plants on measures of α-, β-, and γ-diversities. Because β-diversity is a direct measure of community variability and reveals important information about biodiversity loss, we further examined the nestedness and turnover components of β-diversity. Mean α- and γ-diversities were generally higher for burned locations than in unburned reference sites, however individual fire variables had little influence on patterns of seed bank diversity. Burned area seed banks tended to be dominated by non-native invasive species, primarily two grasses, (Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum), as well as an invasive forb (Erodium cicutarium). The most striking pattern we observed was a collective sharp decline in α-, β-, and γ-diversities with increased invasive species dominance, indicating the homogenization of seed bank communities with the colonization of invasive species after fire. Evidence of homogenization was further supported by reduced turnover and increased nestedness in burn areas compared to reference areas indicating potential biodiversity loss. Our findings highlight how biological processes such as plant invasions can combine with disturbance from fire to alter patterns of seed bank composition and diversity in desert ecosystems.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Alterations in cortical morphometry of the contralesional hemisphere in children, adolescents, and young adults with perinatal stroke
- Author
-
Karan Shinde, Brandon T. Craig, Jordan Hassett, Nomazulu Dlamini, Brian L. Brooks, Adam Kirton, and Helen L. Carlson
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Perinatal stroke causes most hemiparetic cerebral palsy and cognitive dysfunction may co-occur. Compensatory developmental changes in the intact contralesional hemisphere may mediate residual function and represent targets for neuromodulation. We used morphometry to explore cortical thickness, grey matter volume, gyrification, and sulcal depth of the contralesional hemisphere in children, adolescents, and young adults after perinatal stroke and explored associations with motor, attention, and executive function. Participants aged 6–20 years (N = 109, 63% male) with unilateral perinatal stroke underwent T1-weighted imaging. Participants had arterial ischemic stroke (AIS; n = 36), periventricular venous infarction (PVI; n = 37) or were controls (n = 36). Morphometry was performed using the Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12). Group differences and associations with motor and executive function (in a smaller subsample) were assessed. Group comparisons revealed areas of lower cortical thickness in contralesional hemispheres in both AIS and PVI and greater gyrification in AIS compared to controls. Areas of greater grey matter volume and sulcal depth were also seen for AIS. The PVI group showed lower grey matter volume in cingulate cortex and less volume in precuneus relative to controls. No associations were found between morphometry metrics, motor, attention, and executive function. Cortical structure of the intact contralesional hemisphere is altered after perinatal stroke. Alterations in contralesional cortical morphometry shown in perinatal stroke may be associated with different mechanisms of damage or timing of early injury. Further investigations with larger samples are required to more thoroughly explore associations with motor and cognitive function.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Rapid and definitive treatment of phenylketonuria in variant-humanized mice with corrective editing
- Author
-
Dominique L. Brooks, Manuel J. Carrasco, Ping Qu, William H. Peranteau, Rebecca C. Ahrens-Nicklas, Kiran Musunuru, Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, and Xiao Wang
- Subjects
Science - Abstract
Abstract Phenylketonuria (PKU), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene, results in the accumulation of blood phenylalanine (Phe) to neurotoxic levels. Current dietary and medical treatments are chronic and reduce, rather than normalize, blood Phe levels. Among the most frequently occurring PAH variants in PKU patients is the P281L (c.842C>T) variant. Using a CRISPR prime-edited hepatocyte cell line and a humanized PKU mouse model, we demonstrate efficient in vitro and in vivo correction of the P281L variant with adenine base editing. With the delivery of ABE8.8 mRNA and either of two guide RNAs in vivo using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in humanized PKU mice, we observe complete and durable normalization of blood Phe levels within 48 h of treatment, resulting from corrective PAH editing in the liver. These studies nominate a drug candidate for further development as a definitive treatment for a subset of PKU patients.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Perspectives of patients who inject drugs on a needle and syringe program at a large acute care hospital
- Author
-
Hannah L. Brooks, Kelsey A. Speed, Kathryn Dong, Ginetta Salvalaggio, Bernadette (Bernie) Pauly, Marliss Taylor, and Elaine Hyshka
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Published
- 2024
18. Menopause causes metabolic and cognitive impairments in a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia
- Author
-
Olivia J. Gannon, Janvie S. Naik, David Riccio, Febronia M. Mansour, Charly Abi-Ghanem, Abigail E. Salinero, Richard D. Kelly, Heddwen L. Brooks, and Kristen L. Zuloaga
- Subjects
Neuroscience ,Vascular ,Dementia ,Menopause ,Cognitive impairment ,Hypoperfusion ,Medicine ,Physiology ,QP1-981 - Abstract
Abstract Background The vast majority of women with dementia are post-menopausal. Despite clinical relevance, menopause is underrepresented in rodent models of dementia. Before menopause, women are less likely than men to experience strokes, obesity, and diabetes—known risk factors for vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). During menopause, ovarian estrogen production stops and the risk of developing these dementia risk factors spikes. Here, we aimed to determine if menopause worsens cognitive impairment in VCID. We hypothesized that menopause would cause metabolic dysfunction and increase cognitive impairment in a mouse model of VCID. Methods We performed a unilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery to produce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and model VCID in mice. We used 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide to induce accelerated ovarian failure and model menopause. We evaluated cognitive impairment using behavioral tests including novel object recognition, Barnes maze, and nest building. To assess metabolic changes, we measured weight, adiposity, and glucose tolerance. We explored multiple aspects of brain pathology including cerebral hypoperfusion and white matter changes (commonly observed in VCID) as well as changes to estrogen receptor expression (which may mediate altered sensitivity to VCID pathology post-menopause). Results Menopause increased weight gain, glucose intolerance, and visceral adiposity. VCID caused deficits in spatial memory regardless of menopausal status. Post-menopausal VCID specifically led to additional deficits in episodic-like memory and activities of daily living. Menopause did not alter resting cerebral blood flow on the cortical surface (assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging). In the white matter, menopause decreased myelin basic protein gene expression in the corpus callosum but did not lead to overt white matter damage (assessed by Luxol fast blue). Menopause did not significantly alter estrogen receptor expression (ERα, ERβ, or GPER1) in the cortex or hippocampus. Conclusions Overall, we have found that the accelerated ovarian failure model of menopause caused metabolic impairment and cognitive deficits in a mouse model of VCID. Further studies are needed to identify the underlying mechanism. Importantly, the post-menopausal brain still expressed estrogen receptors at normal (pre-menopausal) levels. This is encouraging for any future studies attempting to reverse the effects of estrogen loss by activating brain estrogen receptors.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. FASTDock: A Pipeline for Allosteric Drug Discovery.
- Author
-
Furyal Ahmed and Charles L. Brooks III
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. One size does not fit all: Understanding how faculty implement evidence-based instructional practices in their engineering courses.
- Author
-
Amy L. Brooks, Shane A. Brown, Prateek Shekhar, Kevin Heath, Heydi Dominguez, and Jeffrey Knowles
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Desert Ascetics of Egypt
- Author
-
Darlene L. Brooks Hedstrom
- Published
- 2023
22. Prevalence of dyslipidaemia among diabetic patients at the Namibia Institute of Pathology, Windhoek
- Author
-
Sylvia N. Alweendo, Dennis S. Arokoyo, Dibaba B. Gemechu, Nicole L. Brooks, and Yapo G. Aboua
- Subjects
Cholesterol ,Diabetes mellitus ,Dyslipidaemia ,Glucose ,Hyperglycaemia ,Lipoproteins ,Science - Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered as one of the deadly disorders of current times. Diabetes is associated with abnormalities in blood lipids and lipoprotein levels commonly referred to as dyslipidaemia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dyslipidaemia in diabetic patients in Windhoek, Namibia. The inherent danger and attendant paucity of information concerning the condition in the community motivated the study. Methods: This was a retrospective study using state diabetic patient records at the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) for the period between January 2016 and December 2018. Only patients with available records of Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profiles and aged above 18 years were considered. A total of 4,332 (1800 diabetic and 2532 non-diabetic control) cases were eventually reviewed and data was reported under 8 different age groups namely; 18–25, 26–30, 31–35, 36–40, 41–55, 56–60, 61–65 and above 65 years. 58.7% of participants were female while male participants constitute 41.3%. Results: The study revealed a prevalence of dyslipidaemia among diabetic patients with the older patients and females patients being more prone to the anomaly. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between abnormalities in lipid profile components and blood levels of glycosylated hemoglobin of diabetic patients in Windhoek. The age, gender and diabetes status of participants were statistically significant predictors for dyslipidaemia (P-values ˂ 0.05) and the odds for dyslipidaemia in diabetic patients is 1.51 times higher than the odds in non-diabetic control participant. Conclusions: It was concluded from the findings of this study that diabetic patients in Windhoek, especially the female and elderly ones have a high risk of developing dyslipidaemia. Improved awareness of this finding among health providers may be instrumental in improving the management of diabetes mellitus.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Sustainable waste management in anaesthesia and critical care
- Author
-
L. Brooks, C. Anderson, and E. Ward
- Subjects
Anesthesiology ,RD78.3-87.3 - Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Channel‐lobe transition zone development in tectonically active settings: Implications for hybrid bed development
- Author
-
Hannah L. Brooks, Makoto Ito, Valentin Zuchuat, Jeff Peakall, and David M. Hodgson
- Subjects
channel‐lobe transition zone (CLTZ) ,glacioeustasy ,hybrid beds ,Kazusa Group ,Pleistocene ,Geology ,QE1-996.5 - Abstract
Abstract Channel‐lobe transition zones are dynamic areas located between deepwater channels and lobes. Presented here is a rare example of an exhumed channel‐lobe transition zone from an active‐margin setting, in the Kazusa forearc Basin, Boso Peninsula, Japan. This Plio‐Pleistocene outcrop exposes a thick (tens of metres) channel‐lobe transition zone succession with excellent dating control, in contrast to existing poorly dated studies of thinner (metres) deposits in tectonically quiescent settings. This high‐resolution outcrop permits the roles of climate and associated relative sea‐level changes on stratigraphic architecture to be assessed. Three development stages are recognised with an overall coarsening‐upward then fining‐upwards trend. Each stage is interpreted to record one obliquity‐driven glacioeustatic sea‐level fall‐then‐rise cycle, based on comparison with published data. Deposition of the thickest and coarsest strata, Stage 2, is interpreted to record the end of a period of relative sea‐level fall. The thinner and finer strata of Stages 1 and 3 formed during interglacial periods where the stronger Kuroshio Oceanic Current, coupled to increased monsoonally driven tropical cyclone frequency and intensity, likely resulted in inhibited downslope sediment transfer. A key aspect of channel‐lobe transition zone deposits in this case is the presence of a diverse range of hybrid beds, in contrast to previous work where they have primarily been associated with lobe fringes. Here hybrid bed characteristics, and grain‐size variations, are used to assess the relative importance of longitudinal and vertical segregation processes, and compared to existing models. Compared to channel‐lobe transition zones in tectonically quiescent basin‐fills, this channel‐lobe transition zone shows less evidence of bypassing flows (i.e. thicker stratigraphy, more isolated scour‐fills, fewer bypass lags) and has significantly more hybrid beds. These features may be common in active basin channel‐lobe transition zones due to: high subsidence rates; high sedimentation rates; and disequilibrium of tectonically active slopes. This disequilibrium could rejuvenate erodible mud‐rich substrate, leading to mud‐rich flows arriving at the channel‐lobe transition zone, and decelerating rapidly, forming hybrid beds.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. ‘The Humility of the Desert’
- Author
-
Hedstrom, Darlene L. Brooks, primary
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Workshop: Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to Study Psychological Experience within Engineering Education.
- Author
-
James L. Huff and Amy L. Brooks
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Covalent docking in CDOCKER.
- Author
-
Yujin Wu and Charles L. Brooks III
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Alchemical Free Energy Methods Applied to Complexes of the First Bromodomain of BRD4.
- Author
-
Ellen E. Guest, Luis F. Cervantes, Stephen D. Pickett, Charles L. Brooks III, and Jonathan D. Hirst
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Optimizing Multisite λ-Dynamics Throughput with Charge Renormalization.
- Author
-
Jonah Z. Vilseck, Luis F. Cervantes, Ryan L. Hayes, and Charles L. Brooks III
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. 'I have such a hard time hitting myself, I thought it’d be easier': perspectives of hospitalized patients on injecting drugs into vascular access devices
- Author
-
Hannah L. Brooks, Ginetta Salvalaggio, Bernadette Pauly, Kathryn Dong, Tania Bubela, Marliss Taylor, and Elaine Hyshka
- Subjects
Vascular access devices ,Substance-related disorders ,Hospitalization ,Harm reduction ,Patient-centered care ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Abstract Background Hospital patients who use drugs may require prolonged parenteral antimicrobial therapy administered through a vascular access device (VAD). Clinicians’ concerns that patients may inject drugs into these devices are well documented. However, the perspectives of patients on VAD injecting are not well described, hindering the development of informed clinical guidance. This study was conducted to elicit inpatient perspectives on the practice of injecting drugs into VADs and to propose strategies to reduce associated harms. Methods Researchers conducted a focused ethnography and completed semi-structured interviews with 25 inpatients at a large tertiary hospital in Western Canada that experiences a high rate of drug-related presentations annually. Results A few participants reported injecting into their VAD at least once, and nearly all had heard of the practice. The primary reason for injecting into a VAD was easier venous access since many participants had experienced significant vein damage from injection drug use. Several participants recognized the risks associated with injecting into VADs, and either refrained from the practice or took steps to maintain their devices while using them to inject drugs. Others were uncertain how the devices functioned and were unaware of potential harms. Conclusions VADs are important for facilitating completion of parenteral antimicrobial therapy and for other medically necessary care. Prematurely discharging patients who inject into their VAD from hospital, or discontinuing or modifying therapy, results in inequitable access to health care for a structurally vulnerable patient population. Our findings demonstrate a need for healthcare provider education and non-stigmatizing clinical interventions to reduce potential harms associated with VAD injecting. Those interventions could include providing access to specialized pain and withdrawal management, opioid agonist treatment, and harm reduction services, including safer drug use education to reduce or prevent complications from injecting drugs into VADs.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Impact of health system engagement on the health and well-being of people who use drugs: a realist review protocol
- Author
-
Ginetta Salvalaggio, Lawrence Ferguson, Hannah L. Brooks, Sandra Campbell, Vanessa Gladue, Elaine Hyshka, Linda Lam, Heather Morris, Lara Nixon, and Jane Springett
- Subjects
Realist review ,Realist synthesis ,People who use drugs ,Community engagement ,Health system engagement ,Medicine - Abstract
Abstract Background Although community-level benefits of health system engagement (i.e., health service planning, delivery, and quality improvement, engaged research and evaluation, and collaborative advocacy) are well established, individual-level impacts on the health and well-being of community members are less explored, in particular for people who use or have used illegal drugs (PWUD). Capacity building, personal growth, reduced/safer drug use, and other positive outcomes may or may not be experienced by PWUD involved in engagement activities. Indeed, PWUD may also encounter stigma and harm when interacting with healthcare and academic structures. Our objective is to uncover why, how, and under what circumstances positive and negative health outcomes occur during health system engagement by PWUD. Methods We propose a realist review approach due to its explanatory lens. Through preliminary exploration of literature, lived experience input, and consideration of formal theories, an explanatory model was drafted. The model describes contexts, mechanisms, and health outcomes (e.g., mental health, stable/safer drug use) involved in health system engagement. The explanatory model will be tested against the literature and iteratively refined against formal theories. A participatory lens will also be used, wherein PWUD with lived experience of health system engagement will contribute throughout all stages of the review. Discussion We believe this is the first realist review to explore the contextual factors and underlying mechanisms of health outcomes for PWUD who participate in health system engagement. A thorough understanding of the relevant literature and theoretical underpinnings of this process will offer insights and recommendations to improve the engagement processes of PWUD.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Longitudinal changes in blood pressure are preceded by changes in albuminuria and accelerated by increasing dietary sodium intake
- Author
-
Isis Akemi Katayama, Yuefei Huang, Amanda E. Garza, Danielle L. Brooks, Jonathan S. Williams, Mariana M. Nascimento, Joel C. Heimann, and Luminita H. Pojoga
- Subjects
Dietary sodium ,Blood pressure ,Aging ,Albuminuria ,Medicine ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Background: Dietary sodium is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease; however, direct evidence of the longitudinal changes that occur with aging, and the influence of dietary sodium on the age-associated alterations are scarce. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were maintained for 13 months on a low (LS, 0.02 % Na+), normal (NS, 0.3 % Na+) or high (HS, 1.6 % Na+) salt diet. We assessed 1) the longitudinal trajectories for two markers of cardiovascular and renal dysfunction (blood pressure (BP) and albuminuria), as well as hormonal changes, and 2) end-of-study cardiac and renal parameters. Results: The effect of aging on BP and kidney damage did not reach significance levels in the LS group; however, relative to baseline, there were significant increases in these parameters for animals maintained on NS and HS diets, starting as early as month 7 and month 5, respectively. Furthermore, changes in albuminuria preceded the changes in BP relative to baseline, irrespective of the diet. Circulating aldosterone and plasma renin activity displayed the expected decreasing trends with age and dietary sodium loading. As compared to LS – higher dietary sodium consumption associated with increasing trends in left ventricular mass and volume indices, consistent with an eccentric dilated phenotype. Functional and molecular markers of kidney dysfunction displayed similar trends with increasing long-term sodium levels: higher renovascular resistance, increased glomerular volumes, as well as higher levels of renal angiotensin II type 1 and mineralocorticoid receptors, and lower renal Klotho levels. Conclusion: Our study provides a timeline for the development of cardiorenal dysfunction with aging, and documents that increasing dietary salt accelerates the age-induced phenotypes. In addition, we propose albuminuria as a prognostic biomarker for the future development of hypertension. Last, we identified functional and molecular markers of renal dysfunction that associate with long-term dietary salt loading,
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Revisiting the challenge: perspectives on Canada’s freshwater fisheries policies three decades after the Pearse Report
- Author
-
Morgan L. Piczak, Jill L. Brooks, Brittany Bard, Christian J. Bihun, Andrew Howarth, Amanda L. Jeanson, Luc LaRochelle, Joseph R. Bennett, Nicolas W. R. Lapointe, Nicholas E. Mandrak, and Steven J. Cooke
- Subjects
inland fisheries ,Beamish Report ,fisheries policy ,Canada ,recreational fisheries ,Indigenous fisheries ,Education ,Science - Abstract
A seminal report by Peter H. Pearse (1988; Rising to the Challenge: A New Policy for Canada’s Freshwater Fisheries, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ottawa) outlined 62 policy recommendations focused on the management of Canada’s inland fisheries. Over three decades later, freshwater ecosystems and inland fisheries in Canada are still facing similar challenges with many emerging ones that could not have been foreseen. Here, we reflect on the contemporary relevance of the Pearse Report and propose recommendations that policy makers should consider. Broadly, our recommendations are: (1) manage fishes, fisheries, and habitat using a holistic co-management framework, with clearly defined fishery jurisdictions and partnerships with Indigenous governments; (2) engage in transparent, inclusive, and agile research to support decision-making; (3) facilitate knowledge co-production, involving interdisciplinary projects with diverse groups of actors and sectors including Indigenous Peoples, anglers, policy makers, scientists/researchers, governments, and the public; (4) embrace technological advances to support freshwater fisheries stock assessment and management; and (5) align policy and management activities in Canada with global initiatives related to increasing the sustainability of inland fisheries. We advocate for an updated comprehensive report such as the Pearse Report to ensure that we embrace robust, inclusive, and sustainable management strategies and policies for Canada’s inland fisheries for the next 30 years. It is time to again rise to the challenge.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Automated Coastal Ice Mapping with SAR Can Inform Winter Fish Ecology in the Laurentian Great Lakes
- Author
-
James V. Marcaccio, Jesse Gardner Costa, Jill L. Brooks, Christine M. Boston, Steven J. Cooke, and Jonathan D. Midwood
- Subjects
Environmental sciences ,GE1-350 ,Technology - Abstract
Many freshwater lakes in the temperate zone undergo annual freeze-thaw cycles. Climate change has disrupted these patterns and altered habitat for many species including ecologically, economically, and culturally valuable fish species. To understand the relationship between ice cover and aquatic species, suitable data can be derived from remote sensing. We developed a novel ice classification method with minimal user input using freely available Sentinel-1 data and an adjacent and time-coincident validation dataset. Using image object segmentation and a random forest classifier, ice conditions were classified correctly with >85% overall accuracy. Our ice mapping efforts coincided with a telemetry dataset of tagged Walleye (Sander vitreus) and Northern Pike (Esox lucius) in Hamilton Harbor in western Lake Ontario. Between years with low and high ice covers (2017 and 2019, respectively), we found Walleye appeared to reduce their area of movement when the harbor was covered in ice. Our ice mapping tool can provide a quick and consistent method for agencies to adopt for freshwater resource management as well as provide ice cover information in coastal areas that are important overwintering habitat for many fishes.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States
- Author
-
Jessika D. Guay, Jill L. Brooks, Jacqueline M. Chapman, Hannah Medd, Steven J. Cooke, and Vivian M. Nguyen
- Subjects
human dimensions ,science communication ,recreational fisheries ,angler behavior ,angler perceptions ,shark fishing ,Communication. Mass media ,P87-96 - Abstract
IntroductionShore-based shark fishing in Florida is a relatively low-cost and easy-access fishery which attracts a wide variety of experienced and inexperienced anglers leading to concerns about proper handling methods of captured fish that are released either voluntarily or to comply with regulations. Proper handling methods can help reduce post-release mortality among sharks, many of which are threatened with extinction. Therefore, we considered proper handling methods as a pro-environmental behavior, which has been linked with the use of different information channels to increase conservation knowledge.MethodsWe used data from an online questionnaire to understand where anglers of this fishery obtain information about fishing skills with a particular focus on fish handling techniques and best practices for catch-and-release. Then we included their main information channels in a series of hierarchical regression models with perceived conservation knowledge and support for fishery management to explain pro-environmental behavior regarding shark conservation.ResultsWe found that most anglers learned about shore-based shark fishing through interpersonal communications with friends and family, but typically use the internet to learn more about fishing skills. While information channel use was not significantly associated with pro-environmental behavior, it was significantly associated with support for fisheries management, which in turn was associated with pro-environmental behavior among respondents.DiscussionThese findings can inform public educational outreach efforts to spread awareness of proper handling techniques and reduce instances of post-release mortality in sharks.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. ARTEFACTS, ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE ARCHAEOLOGIST
- Author
-
Hedstrom, Darlene L. Brooks, primary
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. A role for lakes in revealing the nature of animal movement using high dimensional telemetry systems
- Author
-
Robert J. Lennox, Samuel Westrelin, Allan T. Souza, Marek Šmejkal, Milan Říha, Marie Prchalová, Ran Nathan, Barbara Koeck, Shaun Killen, Ivan Jarić, Karl Gjelland, Jack Hollins, Gustav Hellstrom, Henry Hansen, Steven J. Cooke, David Boukal, Jill L. Brooks, Tomas Brodin, Henrik Baktoft, Timo Adam, and Robert Arlinghaus
- Subjects
Telemetry ,Sensor ,Biologging ,Movement ecology ,Fish ecology ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Abstract Movement ecology is increasingly relying on experimental approaches and hypothesis testing to reveal how, when, where, why, and which animals move. Movement of megafauna is inherently interesting but many of the fundamental questions of movement ecology can be efficiently tested in study systems with high degrees of control. Lakes can be seen as microcosms for studying ecological processes and the use of high-resolution positioning systems to triangulate exact coordinates of fish, along with sensors that relay information about depth, temperature, acceleration, predation, and more, can be used to answer some of movement ecology’s most pressing questions. We describe how key questions in animal movement have been approached and how experiments can be designed to gather information about movement processes to answer questions about the physiological, genetic, and environmental drivers of movement using lakes. We submit that whole lake telemetry studies have a key role to play not only in movement ecology but more broadly in biology as key scientific arenas for knowledge advancement. New hardware for tracking aquatic animals and statistical tools for understanding the processes underlying detection data will continue to advance the potential for revealing the paradigms that govern movement and biological phenomena not just within lakes but in other realms spanning lands and oceans.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Creation and implementation of an electronic health record note for quality improvement in pediatric epilepsy: Practical considerations and lessons learned
- Author
-
Jeffrey R. Buchhalter, Morris H. Scantlebury, Sabrina D’Alfonso, Juan Pablo Appendino, Luis Bello Espinosa, Brian L. Brooks, Curtis Claassen, Jane Corbeil, David Czank, Stafford Dean, Alice W. Ho, Julia Jacobs, Maarit Mackay, Joka McMahon, Aleksandra Mineyko, Jong M. Rho, Trina Roberts, Sonia Rothenmund, Gary Ruta, Tyson Sawchuk, Brett A. Simms, Kim Smyth, Tammy Still, and Nancy Thornton
- Subjects
electronic health record ,epilepsy ,EHR ,informatics ,QI ,quality improvement ,Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system ,RC346-429 - Abstract
Abstract Objective To describe the development of the Pediatric Epilepsy Outcome‐Informatics Project (PEOIP) at Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH), which was created to provide standardized, point‐of‐care data entry; near‐time data analysis; and availability of outcome dashboards as a baseline on which to pursue quality improvement. Methods Stakeholders involved in the PEOIP met weekly to determine the most important outcomes for patients diagnosed with epilepsy, create a standardized electronic note with defined fields (patient demographics, seizure and syndrome type and frequency and specific outcomes‐ seizure type and frequency, adverse effects, emergency department visits, hospitalization, and care pathways for clinical decision support. These were embedded in the electronic health record from which the fields were extracted into a data display platform that provided patient‐ and population‐level dashboards updated every 36 hours. Provider satisfaction and family experience surveys were performed to assess the impact of the standardized electronic note. Results In the last 5 years, 3,245 unique patients involving 13, 831 encounters had prospective, longitudinal, standardized epilepsy data accrued via point‐of‐care data entry into an electronic note as part of routine clinical care. A provider satisfaction survey of the small number of users involved indicated that the vast majority believed that the note makes documentation more efficient. A family experience survey indicated that being provided with the note was considered “valuable” or “really valuable” by 86% of respondents and facilitated communication with family members, school, and advocacy organizations. Significance The PEOIP serves as a proof of principle that information obtained as part of routine clinical care can be collected in a prospective, standardized, efficient manner and be used to construct filterable process/outcome dashboards, updated in near time (36 hours). This information will provide the necessary baseline data on which multiple of QI projects to improve meaningful outcomes for children with epilepsy will be based.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. VIPERdb v3.0: a structure-based data analytics platform for viral capsids.
- Author
-
Daniel Montiel-Garcia, Nelly Beatriz Santoyo-Rivera, Phuong Ho, Mauricio Carrillo-Tripp, Charles L. Brooks III, John E. Johnson, and Vijay S. Reddy
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Does multitasking computer self-efficacy mitigate the impact of social media affordances on overload and fatigue among professionals?
- Author
-
A. K. M. Najmul Islam, Eoin Whelan, and Stoney L. Brooks
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. A strategy for proline and glycine mutations to proteins with alchemical free energy calculations.
- Author
-
Ryan L. Hayes and Charles L. Brooks III
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Flexible CDOCKER: Hybrid Searching Algorithm and Scoring Function with Side Chain Conformational Entropy.
- Author
-
Yujin Wu and Charles L. Brooks III
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Curvature sensing amphipathic helix in the C-terminus of RTNLB13 is conserved in all endoplasmic reticulum shaping reticulons in Arabidopsis thaliana
- Author
-
Rhiannon L. Brooks, Chandni S. Mistry, and Ann M. Dixon
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The reticulon family of integral membrane proteins are conserved across all eukaryotes and typically localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where they are involved in generating highly-curved tubules. We recently demonstrated that Reticulon-like protein B13 (RTNLB13) from Arabidopsis thaliana contains a curvature-responsive amphipathic helix (APH) important for the proteins’ ability to induce curvature in the ER membrane, but incapable of generating curvature by itself. We suggested it acts as a feedback element, only folding/binding once a sufficient degree of curvature has been achieved, and stabilizes curvature without disrupting the bilayer. However, it remains unclear whether this is unique to RTNLB13 or is conserved across all reticulons—to date, experimental evidence has only been reported for two reticulons. Here we used biophysical methods to characterize a minimal library of putative APH peptides from across the 21 A. thaliana isoforms. We found that reticulons with the closest evolutionary relationship to RTNLB13 contain curvature-sensing APHs in the same location with sequence conservation. Our data reveal that a more distantly-related branch of reticulons developed a ~ 20-residue linker between the transmembrane domain and APH. This may facilitate functional flexibility as previous studies have linked these isoforms not only to ER remodeling but other cellular activities.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Editorial: Fire regimes in desert ecosystems: Drivers, impacts and changes
- Author
-
Eddie J. B. van Etten, Matthew L. Brooks, Aaron C. Greenville, and Glenda M. Wardle
- Subjects
wildfire ,climate change ,desert ,arid and semi-arid climate ,biodiversity ,invasive (exotic non-native) species ,Evolution ,QH359-425 ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Hallmarks of primary neurulation are conserved in the zebrafish forebrain
- Author
-
Jonathan M. Werner, Maraki Y. Negesse, Dominique L. Brooks, Allyson R. Caldwell, Jafira M. Johnson, and Rachel M. Brewster
- Subjects
Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Jonathan Werner, Maraki Negesse et al. visualize zebrafish neurulation during development to determine whether hallmarks of neural tube formation in other vertebrates also apply to zebrafish. They find that neural tube formation in the forebrain shares features such as hingepoints and neural folds with other vertebrates, demonstrating the strength of the zebrafish model for understanding human neurulation.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Cone beam computed tomography for dose calculation quality assurance for magnetic resonance-only radiotherapy
- Author
-
Jonathan J. Wyatt, Rachel A. Pearson, Christopher P. Walker, Rachel L. Brooks, Karen Pilling, and Hazel M. McCallum
- Subjects
MR-only radiotherapy planning ,Magnetic resonance imaging ,Radiotherapy ,Prostate cancer ,Cone beam computed tomography ,Image guided radiation therapy ,Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine ,R895-920 ,Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,RC254-282 - Abstract
Background and purpose: Magnetic Resonance (MR)-only prostate radiotherapy using synthetic Computed Tomography (sCT) algorithms with high dose accuracy has been clinically implemented. MR images can suffer from geometric distortions so Quality Assurance (QA) using an independent, geometrically accurate, image could be required. The first-fraction Cone Beam CT (CBCT) has demonstrated potential but has not been evaluated in a clinical MR-only pathway. This study evaluated the clinical use of CBCT for dose accuracy QA of MR-only radiotherapy. Materials and methods: A total of 49 patients treated with MR-only prostate radiotherapy were divided into two cohorts. Cohort 1 (20 patients) received a back-up CT, whilst Cohort 2 (29 patients) did not. All patients were planned using the sCT and received daily CBCT imaging with MR-CBCT soft-tissue matching. Each CBCT was calibrated using a patient-specific stepwise Hounsfield Units-to-mass density curve. The treatment plan was recalculated on the first-fraction CBCT using the clinically applied soft-tissue match and the doses compared. For Cohort 1 the sCT was rigidly registered to the back-up CT, the plan recalculated and doses compared. Results: Mean sCT-CBCT dose difference across both cohorts was -0.6±0.1% (standard error of the mean, range −2.3%,2.3%), with 47/49 patients within [-2%,1%]. The sCT-CBCT dose difference was systematically lower than the sCT-CT by -0.7±0.6% (±95% limits of agreement). The mean sCT-CBCT gamma pass rate (2%/2mm) was 96.1±0.4% (85.4%,99.7%). Conclusions: CBCT-based dose accuracy QA for MR-only radiotherapy appears clinically feasible. There was a small systematic sCT-CBCT dose difference implying asymmetric tolerances of [-2%,1%] would be appropriate.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Obesity: sex and sympathetics
- Author
-
Zhigang Shi, Jennifer Wong, and Virginia L. Brooks
- Subjects
Sympathetic nerve activity ,Hypertension ,Arcuate nucleus ,Neuropeptide Y ,Paraventricular nucleus ,Leptin ,Medicine ,Physiology ,QP1-981 - Abstract
Abstract Obesity increases sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in men, but not women. Here, we review current evidence suggesting that sexually dimorphic sympathoexcitatory responses to leptin and insulin may contribute. More specifically, while insulin increases SNA similarly in lean males and females, this response is markedly amplified in obese males, but is abolished in obese females. In lean female rats, leptin increases a subset of sympathetic nerves only during the high estrogen proestrus reproductive phase; thus, in obese females, because reproductive cycling can become impaired, the sporadic nature of leptin-induced sympathoexcitaton could minimize its action, despite elevated leptin levels. In contrast, in males, obesity preserves or enhances the central sympathoexcitatory response to leptin, and current evidence favors leptin’s contribution to the well-established increases in SNA induced by obesity in men. Leptin and insulin increase SNA via receptor binding in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and a neuropathway that includes arcuate neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) projections to the paraventricular nucleus. These metabolic hormones normally suppress sympathoinhibitory NPY neurons and activate sympathoexcitatory POMC neurons. However, obesity appears to alter the ongoing activity and responsiveness of arcuate NPY and POMC neurons in a sexually dimorphic way, such that SNA increases in males but not females. We propose hypotheses to explain these sex differences and suggest areas of future research.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Allostery in the dynamic coactivator domain KIX occurs through minor conformational micro-states.
- Author
-
Amanda L. Peiffer, Julie M. Garlick, Stephen T. Joy, Anna K. Mapp, and Charles L. Brooks III
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Grain-Size Analysis of Ancient Deep-Marine Sediments Using Laser Diffraction
- Author
-
Hannah L. Brooks, Elisabeth Steel, and Mikaela Moore
- Subjects
grain-size analyses ,hybrid event bed ,turbidites ,method ,laser-diffraction grain-sizing ,Science - Abstract
Grain-size analysis of siliciclastic sedimentary rocks provides critical information for interpreting flow dynamics and depositional environments in sedimentary systems and for analysing reservoir quality of sandstone. Methods such as sieving and thin-section analysis are time consuming and unsuited for large sample numbers. Laser diffraction particle analysis is quick and reliable for analysing 100s of samples, assuming successful disaggregation. Here, we evaluate this method utilizing samples from three siliciclastic formations in Northern Italy: the Miocene Castagnola and Marnoso-Arenacea Formations, and the Cretaceous to Palaeocene Gottero Formation, which vary in degree of lithification. We focus on: 1) methods of whole-rock disaggregation; 2) methods of subsampling sediment for laser diffraction analysis; and 3) comparison of thin-section analysis with laser-diffraction particle size analysis. Using an ultrasonic bath and a SELFRAG (high voltage selective fragmentation) as disaggregation tools, this study evaluates separation of whole, undamaged grains subsequently measured by laser diffraction analysis. We show that it is possible to disaggregate ancient, well cemented rocks using an ultrasonic bath. When disaggregating samples with the SELFRAG method, grain-size measurements become less accurate and less precise with increasing sample lithification and increased presence of cement. This is likely a combination of incomplete grain disaggregation in the SELFRAG and heterogeneity within samples. Following disaggregation, we compare sub-sampling methods using a stirrer plate versus a pipette. Both produce accurate analyses, but the stirrer method is the most reliable and replicable. A comparative small subsample method, run as one whole sample with no need for subdivision into aliquots, is found to be reliable and replicable but is more susceptible to heterogeneity within field samples. When comparing laser diffraction results to grain-size volume methods estimated from thin-section analysis, thin-section sand grains are overestimated, and clay/silt grains are inaccurate. These results provide a framework for understanding potential biases introduced through various sample preparation and measurement methods.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Dissolvable 3D printed PVA moulds for melt electrowriting tubular scaffolds with patient-specific geometry
- Author
-
Trent L. Brooks-Richards, Naomi C. Paxton, Mark C. Allenby, and Maria A. Woodruff
- Subjects
Melt electrowriting ,Tubular scaffold ,Polycaprolactone ,PVA ,FDM ,Moulds ,Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials ,TA401-492 - Abstract
Melt electrowriting (MEW) is an additive manufacturing technique capable of fabricating microfibre thermoplastic scaffolds that is growing in popularity for tissue engineering applications. MEW is able to produce micron-scale biocompatible constructs through electrodynamic jet deposition with a high level of control over fibre deposition. By depositing MEW fibres on a rotating cylindrical collector (mandrel), tubular constructs can be fabricated to mimic cylindrical anatomical tissues such as blood vessels. This proof-of-concept study leveraged the water solubility of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) moulds to support tubular MEW scaffold fabrication in complex and patient-specific geometries. The dissolution rate of 3D printed PVA moulds was measured in water under constant stirring for 2 h. MEW scaffolds were printed on then removed from either PVA or non-dissolvable PLA moulds, and the preservation of the MEW scaffold morphology was assessed. The non-dissolvable PLA moulds significantly damaged the MEW scaffolds while the PVA dissolvable moulds enabled the preservation the of scaffold geometry and could be separated from the mould with ease. This study demonstrated the capability for MEW to be leveraged as a technique for producing anatomically relevant tubular structures.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.