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Laminin, fibronectin, and collagen IV are pivotal extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The ECM environment governs the fundamental properties of tumors, including proliferation, vascularization, and invasion. Given the critical role of cell-matrix adhesion in malignant tumor progression, we hypothesize that the concentrations of these proteins may be altered in the plasma of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This study aimed to evaluate the serum, urine, and tissue levels of laminin-5, collagen IV, and fibronectin among a control group and ccRCC patients, with the latter divided into stages T1–T2 and T3–T4 according to the TNM classification. We included 60 patients with histopathologically confirmed ccRCC and 26 patients diagnosed with chronic cystitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Collagen IV, laminin-5, and fibronectin were detected using Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging biosensors. Significant differences were observed between the control group and ccRCC patients, as well as between the T1–T2 and T3–T4 subgroups. Levels were generally higher in plasma and tissue for fibronectin and collagen IV in ccRCC patients and lower for laminin. The ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) analysis yielded satisfactory results for differentiating between ccRCC patients and controls (AUC 0.84–0.93), with statistical significance for both fibronectin and laminin in plasma and urine. Analysis between the T1–T2 and T3–T4 groups revealed interesting findings for all examined substances in plasma (AUC 0.8–0.95). The results suggest a positive correlation between fibronectin and collagen levels and ccRCC staging, while laminin shows a negative correlation, implying a potential protective role. The relationship between plasma and urine concentrations of these biomarkers may be instrumental for tumor detection and staging, thereby streamlining therapeutic decision-making.

Thirty years after the last APSA-sponsored recommendations on the structure of the undergraduate political science major, new efforts at curriculum reform are under way. As a prelude to how the profession might respond, this article examines how political science departments made undergraduate curriculum changes during the 2010s. Based on a survey of department chairs in 2019-2020 (prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.), one-half of political science programs changed major requirements in the previous five years and 70% made revisions during the decade. Most changes involved adding courses or tracks and modifying course sequences within the prevailing model of subfield distribution. Assuming departments are rational actors seeking to improve student learning and respond effectively to the educational marketplace, various explanations of curriculum change were tested. Structural variables (institutional type and departmental factors) had no significant effects. Nevertheless, the survey revealed learning-based (acquiring disciplinary knowledge, developing intellectual skills) and market-based (concern about enrollments) motivations for change, as well as institutional constraints. Among curricular alternatives to the distribution model, evidence indicated greater support for promoting liberal learning outcomes. Moreover, the civic engagement movement influenced departmental decision-making. However, few programs made curriculum changes related to diversity, equity, or social justice, notable concerns among students and within the discipline.

BACKGROUND: Bloodborne pathogens pose a major safety risk in transfusion medicine. To mitigate the risk of bacterial contamination in platelet units, FDA issues updated guidance materials on various bacterial risk control strategies (BRCS). This analysis presents results of a budget impact model updated to include 5- and 7-day pathogen reduced (PR) and large volumed delayed sampling (LVDS) BRCS. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Model base-case parameter inputs were based on scientific literature, a survey distributed to 27 US hospitals, and transfusion experts opinion. The outputs include hospital budget and shelf-life impacts for 5- and 7-day LVDS, and 5- and 7-day PR units under three different scenarios: (1) 100% LVDS, (2) 100% PR, and (3) mix of 50% LVDS - and 50% PR. RESULTS: Total annual costs from the hospital perspective were highest for 100% LVDS platelets (US$2.325M) and lowest for 100% PR-7 units (US$2.170M). Net budget impact after offsetting annual costs by outpatient reimbursements was 5.5% lower for 5-day PR platelets as compared to 5-day LVDS (US$1.663 vs. US$1.760M). A mix of 7-day LVDS and 5-day PR platelets had net annual costs that were 1.3% lower than for 100% 7-day LVDS, but 1.3% higher than for 100% 5-day PR. 7-day PR platelets had the longest shelf life (4.63 days), while 5-day LVDS had the shortest (2.00 days). DISCUSSION: The model identifies opportunities to minimize transfusion center costs for 5- and 7-day platelets. Budget impact models such as this are important for understanding the financial implications of evolving FDA guidance and new platelet technologies.

A third of the 2- and 4-year undergraduates beginning college in 2011-2012 changed their major in the first 3 years of enrollment. Yet, few studies have examined the effects of major switching on student outcomes, particularly in community colleges. Major switching can delay or impede college completion through excess credit accumulation, or it can increase the probability of completion due to a better academic match. Using state administrative data and propensity score matching, we find that major switching increases certificate completion rates but moderately decreases the probability of bachelor's degree completion in community colleges for students who started with a declared major. We suggest that instead of discouraging major switching, institutions should integrate switching into program planning. Policies like common course-sequencing, cross-discipline introductory courses and flexible application of credits can allow students to revise their interests and goals without losing much time, credits, or tuition dollars.

BackgroundFollowing transfusion, donor white blood cells (WBCs) can persist long-term in the recipient, a phenomenon termed transfusion-associated microchimerism (TA-MC). Prior studies suggest TA-MC is limited to transfusion following traumatic injury, and is not prevented by leukoreduction.Study design and methodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study at a major trauma center to evaluate TA-MC following injury. Index samples were collected upon arrival, prior to transfusion. Follow-up samples were collected at intervals up to one year, and beyond for those testing positive for TA-MC. TA-MC was detected by real-time quantitative allele-specific polymerase chain reaction assays at the HLA-DR locus and several polymorphic insertion deletion sites screening for non-recipient alleles.ResultsA total of 378 trauma patients were enrolled (324 transfused cases and 54 non-transfused controls). Mean age was 42 ± 18 years, 74% were male, and 80% were injured by blunt mechanism. Mean Injury Severity Score was 20 ± 12. Among transfused patients, the median (interquartile range) number of red cell units transfused was 6 (3,12), and median time to first transfusion was 9 (0.8,45) hours. Only one case of long-term TA-MC was confirmed in our cohort. We detected short-term TA-MC in 6.5% of transfused subjects and 5.6% on non-transfused controls.ConclusionsIn contrast to earlier studies, persistent TA-MC was not observed in our cohort of trauma subjects. Short-term TA-MC was detected, but at a lower frequency than previously observed, and rates were not significantly different than what was observed in non-transfused controls. The reduction in TA-MC occurrence may be attributable to changes in leukoreduction or other blood processing methods.

Part of a broader movement to promote student engagement in educational activities, high-impact practices (HIPs) are purported to deepen learning through such activities as first-year seminars, internships, community-based learning, capstone experiences, study abroad, and research with faculty. Within political science, HIPs are key to efforts to increase civic and political engagement. The discipline is heavily invested in HIPs as vehicles for research, professional development, curriculum, instruction, and student involvement. Addressing disputes among scholars over the efficacy of HIPs, this study examined the effects of upper-year HIPs on student engagement, learning, and satisfaction at a small, private college in the Northeast, measured by responses from seniors to the National Survey of Student Engagement in 2008-2017. Consistent with the literature, the analysis found that community-based learning and research with faculty related positively with: (1) higher-order, reflective, and integrative learning behaviors; (2) personal and general education competencies; and (3) faculty-student interaction. However, community-based learning had the largest impact on arts and sciences majors. Research with faculty, followed by study abroad and capstone experiences, influenced professional studies majors the most. In addition, capstone experiences and study abroad connected positively to satisfaction with the overall educational experience. Depending on their curriculum goals and program mix, political science departments should consider which kinds of HIPs best fit the undergraduate major.

This article presents a case study analyzing the relationship between the Socratic method and feminist pedagogy in a team-taught undergraduate classroom in the United States. Specifically, we analyze the feedback provided by our students to determine the ways in which the Socratic method conflicted with, but also complemented, feminist pedagogy. Data were collected through two online surveys and an in-class open-ended response. The results suggest that the Socratic method is compatible with feminist pedagogy as it improved critical thinking and consideration of diverse points of view. On the other hand, the results suggest that students felt discomfort when analyzing and discussing their own views, as opposed to the views of others. This discomfort potentially undermines the benefits of a feminist pedagogical approach to classroom discussion. We suggest several ways to improve compatibility of these techniques in undergraduate courses and suggest avenues for future research to better understand the relationship between these pedagogical approaches.

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammation resulting in the involvement of all the structures constituting a joint. We determined the type and severity of foot deformities, determined the impact of the degree of disturbances of foot statics and the disease activity on the duration of the particular phases of gait, determined the impact of the maximum foot load and the percentage distribution of loads between the forefoot and hindfoot on the duration of the particular phases of gait, and established the link between observed disorders and the stage of rheumatoid arthritis. Material and methods The control group consisted of 41 healthy women. Rheumatoid arthritis patients, whose disease had been diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of 56 women, Group II of 28 patients in the first and second stage of RA, Group III of 28 patients in the third and fourth stage of the disease. We calculated the disease activity score (DAS28 index) and body mass index, and we conducted a pedobarographic examination. Results The results obtained in our study revealed the disturbances of the parameters of foot statics in RA patients. We also detected a prolongation of gait phases, resulting from the disturbances of statics and the displacement of the maximum foot load both in static and dynamic conditions. Increased activity of the disease constituted an additional factor affecting the prolongation of gait phases. Conclusions Our results confirm the usefulness of baropodometric examination as an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the locomotor system of RA patients.

We investigated an outbreak of listeriosis detected by whole-genome multilocus sequence typing and associated with packaged leafy green salads. Nineteen cases were identified in the United States during July 5, 2015–January 31, 2016; isolates from case-patients were closely related (median difference 3 alleles, range 0–16 alleles). Of 16 case-patients interviewed, all reported salad consumption. Of 9 case-patients who recalled brand information, all reported brands processed at a common US facility. The Public Health Agency of Canada simultaneously investigated 14 cases of listeriosis associated with this outbreak. Isolates from the processing facility, packaged leafy green salads, and 9 case-patients from Canada were closely related to US clinical isolates (median difference 3 alleles, range 0–16 alleles). This investigation led to a recall of packaged leafy green salads made at the processing facility. Additional research is needed to identify best practices and effective policies to reduce the likelihood of Listeria monocytogenes contamination of fresh produce.

In an investigation of a listeriosis outbreak in Ontario, Canada, during November 2015–June 2016, pasteurized chocolate milk was identified as the source. Because listeriosis outbreaks associated with pasteurized milk are rare in North America, these findings highlight that dairy products can be contaminated after pasteurization.

Undergraduate public law courses often attract students with competing expectations. Some students enroll in these courses to prepare for law school, while others enroll in the courses to gain a broader understanding of courts in the American system of government. These differing student constituencies can create a dilemma for instructors. A course designed to cater to students with a general interest in the judiciary may not afford prelaw students with an appreciation for the demands of the legal profession. Conversely, a course narrowly tailored toward prelaw students risks alienating the majority of students for whom this class may be their only look at the judiciary. As a means to promote pedagogical balance and to appeal to varied student constituencies, we profile five public law simulations in this article that engage students in active learning and promote a greater understanding of law and courts.

ABSTRACT The persistence of herbicides in the soil is extremely important for controlling weeds during the critical period of weed interference, and for determining which substitute crops might be sown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of metsulfuron-methyl when applied at different times in relation to sowing soybean, seeking to determine a safe interval between its application and sowing the legume under different conditions of soil and climate. Two experiments were conducted, one in the district of Campo Mourão in the state of Paraná (PR) (2014/15 crop) and the other in Curitibanos in the state of Santa Catarina (SC) (2015/16 crop). Both experiments were carried out in a randomised block design with four replications. The treatments were arranged in a 2 x 6 + 1 factorial scheme, where factor A represented two doses of metsulfuron-methyl (1.98 and 3.96 g ha-1), and factor B six different intervals between applying the metsulfuron-methyl and sowing the soybean (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after application - DAA), in addition to a control without the application of herbicide, to serve as a standard for comparison. The following were evaluated: percentage phytotoxicity, plant height, stand, number of pods per plant, 100-grain weight and productivity. A difference was seen in the persistence of metsulfuron-methyl for the experiments in Campo Mourão PR, and Curitibanos SC, and was greater for Campo Mourão. The safe interval between applying the metsulfuron-methyl and sowing the soybean was 17 days for the experiment in Curitibanos and 40 days for Campo Mourão. Precipitation volume, pH and organic matter are the main factors to possibly have influenced this interval.

Chronic wounds: Gel encourages healing and reduces scarring A promising, recently developed topical treatment prevents detrimental enzyme activity in burn wounds, accelerates healing and reduces scarring. Chronic wounds that do not heal fully and require ongoing medical attention are common in the elderly, obese, and/or diabetic populations, resulting in enormous costs to healthcare services. Recent research indicates that an enzyme called granzyme. (GzmB) accumulates in chronically inflamed wounds, impairing collagen organization and disrupting tissue remodeling. David Granville at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, and co-workers trialed a topical gel designed to inhibit GzmB activity in burn injuries in diabetic mice. When applied to the wounds for 30 days, the gel improved wound closure and remodeling while reducing scarring. The gel targeted wounds directly with no effect on surrounding tissues, and no adverse effects were observed during treatment.

Using data on over 41,000 students in one state who entered community college before transferring to a 4-year institution, this study examines the following question: Are community college students who earn an associate degree before transferring to a 4-year college more likely to earn a bachelor's degree? Due to the causal nature surrounding this question we employ several strategies to minimize selection bias, including the use of propensity score matching. Analysis reveals large, positive apparent impacts of earning the transfer-oriented associate degrees (i.e., Associate in Arts and Associate in Science) on the probability of earning a bachelor's degree within 6 years. We do not find any apparent impacts associated with earning one of the workforce-oriented degrees (i.e., Associate in Applied Science) that are awarded by programs typically designed for direct labor market entry. This is an important distinction, as all associate degrees are not equal in their potential impacts on future baccalaureate completion.

Since the late 1990s, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) has convened expert meetings and consultations to address the microbiological risk assessment (MRA). These meetings are held to provide scientific advice in response to requests for from Codex Alimentarius, the international food standard-setting body. Individuals participate in the FAO/WHO joint expert meetings on the microbiological risk assessment (JEMRA) in their personal capacity, as technical experts, yet bring diverse regional and national perspectives that contribute to practical applications, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Over 370 experts from around the globe have contributed to the meeting outcomes that have been published in nearly 40 monographs in the FAO/WHO microbial risk assessment (MRA) series, addressing particular food commodities with microbial hazard(s) combinations or a methodological aspect of microbial risk assessment. FAO/WHO MRA series inform Codex decision-making for the development of international standards for safe food and faire trade in food products; are consulted by risk managers such as food safety authorities and food business operators to make science-based decisions; and are used by academics to advance food safety research and educate the next generation of food safety professionals.

It is recommended to have a vapor-proof barrier on the internal side of heat insulation system in multi-layer building enclosing parts in order to ensure protection of a heat-insulation layer against humidification because relative humidity of internal air is generally higher than external one and diffusion of water steam is directed from premises outside. While having a barrier with high vapor permeability a part of moisture can be accumulated in the structure and heat insulation core and difference of actual and maximum possible partial pressures leads to condensate formation. In order to improve thermal properties of enclosing parts the necessity arises to create a vapor-proof protection screen. It complies with the design of a panel with a vapor-proof screen in the form of non-perforated aluminium foil. The given screen located at internal panel layer prevents penetration of water vapor from premises into enclosing part and heat insulation layer. In such a case condensation zones and, consequently, their moistening can occur in some layers of enclosing parts according to their thermal and physical characteristics. The paper contains a calculation of thermal and moisture regime of the enclosing parts with vapor-proof layer (non-perforated aluminium foil) located in enclosing part core between various layers. An analysis of thermal and moisture regime diagrams for multi-layer external enclosing part demonstrates that the part of non-perforated screen (aluminium foil) located between internal concrete layer and perforated heat insulation layer is considered the most rational one. At the same time other screens between separate layers are perforated.

The article analyses variants of the heat insulating layers disposition in relation to the cladding load-carrying structures and demonstrates prime advantages and drawbacks of the three variants. The authors notice that from the heat-engineering viewpoint the variant with exterior side winterization is the most favourable. However, utilizing micromodules as heat-insulating layers screened with leafing aluminum makes it necessary to account for the screens reflecting power. It allows reducing the irradiating component in the combined value of thermal transport through the enclosure and consequently raises the structure thermal resistance or, with parity of these values, leads to lower thickness of the heat-insulating layer. The known data applied for calculating the total heat transmission helps demonstrate reduction of the general heat flux value by 1.4 times, and the heat transmission resistance by 1.76 m2 deg./W. This allows reducing thickness of the heat-insulating layer (with regard of two screens) by 0.07 m. Computations illustrate the fact that account for the radiant reflectance of screening enables lowering the rated heat flux passing through the enclosure. Which again allows decreasing the structure thermal resistance and its general thickness (by 70 mm) at the expense of small thickness of the heat insulation of micromodules. The humidity regime calculations establish good acceptability of the enclosure service conditions in winter. The period will see no real water vapour condensation. The plotted diagrams of the cladding heat-and-humidity conditions demonstrate that condensation zones do not affect the layer of thermal insulation (micromodules). And the condensation zone with reduction of the heat-insulating layer appears only during ‘severe’ outside temperature conditions of a cold month. Reduced to 230 mm thickness of the wall construction allows utilizing ‘old’ stock of forms with prefabricated panels in parallel with energy saving during thermal treatment.

This article analyzes the strategic allocation of presidential campaign visits in 2016. In particular, we test whether each campaign disproportionately targeted its presidential versus vice presidential candidates’ visits toward voters with whom they shared a salient demographic or political characteristic. Our purpose in doing so is to discern whether—and, if so, among which groups—the campaigns perceived the candidates as having a strategic advantage in appealing to affiliated voters. To this end, we analyze an original database of 2016 campaign visits that includes local population characteristics for each host site. Our results indicate that each ticket’s visits were highly coordinated across states, but frequently divergent within states. At the substate level, we find several systematic differences in the populations visited by presidential versus vice presidential candidates—in some cases aligning with a candidate’s personal characteristics. We discuss these findings’ implications with respect to campaign strategy and vice presidential selection.

Fil V., Kopko I., Zukow W. Evaluation rate of aging person based on determination of biological age. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(1):125-132. ISSN 2391-8306. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14140 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%281%29%3A125-132 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/529973 http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14140 Formerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011 – 2014 http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja. Specyfika i zawartość merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie. Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., że w roku 2014 nie będzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktów co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r. The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014). © The Author (s) 2015; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Radom University in Radom, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 15.09.2014. Revised 18.01.2015. Accepted: 21.01.2015. EVALUATION RATE OF AGING PERSON BASED ON DETERMINATION OF BIOLOGICAL AGE 1V. Fil, 1I. Kopko, 2W. Zukow 1Drogobych State Pedagogical University named after Ivan Franko, Drogobych, Ukraine 2Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland Abstract The article considers the value of biological and passport age of student youth. In experiment participated 140 students aged 17-19 years. Calculated their biological age. Reviewed pace of aging of the body of students. Detected indexes that have the strongest relationship with indicators of biological age. The results compared with researchers of other regions of Ukraine. Keywords: chronological (passport) age, biological age, appropriate biological age, pulse blood pressure, rate of aging, static balancing, self-reported level of health.

The Statewide Data Collection System for Parent Education Programs is an online tool for collecting statewide data on Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) parenting education programs. The process of the development and use of this data collection tool are provided as a guide to Extension systems. Results for data entered between March 2009 and July 2010 from participants in CCE parent education programs indicate significant improvements on eight out of 10 measures of parenting attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge, and highlight the value of this online tool for assessing the impact of parent education programs in New York State.

This study uses individual- and couple-level analyses to examine the influence of work-family demands and community resources on marital and family satisfaction within a sample of dual-earner parents with dependent children (N = 260 couples, 520 individuals). Total couple work hours were strongly negatively associated with marital satisfaction for both fathers and mothers. Work hours may be best studied as a couple-level demand, and working shorter combined hours, if possible, may be a central component of a broader adaptive strategy. Negative work-to-family spillover was negatively associated with parents' family satisfaction, but for mothers this relationship was mediated by negative affect and (marginally) by couple disagreements. Finally, fathers' neighborhood friends emerged as an important resource for both fathers and mothers, suggesting gender differences in the role of community in the work-family interface and highlighting the need for further research of community-level resources. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)

The paper presents an analysis of requirements to existing heat-insulation layers in enclosure structures of wall panels has been carried out, a general principles on development of thermal insulation systems, substantiation on the necessity to develop a new wall panel design with improved thermal characteristics. The proposed design of the wall panel differs from the existing one in the fact that its external layer is made of protective sheets being perforated in their top and bottom parts with perforated aluminum foil layer placed on them. Air layer performs function of one of thermal insulation layers, and the second layer is made up in the form of several micro-modular sub-layers which are divided by perforated aluminum foil and a grid. An inner concrete layer is also separated from micro-modular layers by aluminum foil. Protective sheets and the grid can be made of aluminum or polyethylene.The arrangement of hollow micro-modular cells in the zone of negative temperatures prevents condensate accumulation. The arrangement of the perforated aluminum foil layers between micro- modular layers leads to increase in thermal resistance of the panel due to decrease of a radiant component in presence of several screens and does not interfere with a vapor permeability of thermal insulation layers from micro-modules. At the same time placement of a non-perforated foil layer on an inside panel layer interferes with penetration of water vapor from rooms in micro-modular thermal insulation layers.Technological principles lie in the arrangement of perforation slots in the top and bottom zones of protective sheets that allows to delete excess moisture from thermal insulation layers and air layer and also leads to improvement of thermo-technical characteristics, durability and reliability in construction operation as a whole. The executed calculations of heat and humidity fields in external enclosure structures confirm advantages of the presented technical solution.

The paper proposes utilization of discharged heat of gas-piston engine (GPE) or contact steam-gas plants (SGP) with the purpose to heat up gas at gas-distribution stations (GDS) of combined power plants with turbine and gas-expansion units. Calculations prove significant economic efficiency of the proposed variant in comparison with the application of ordinary gas- turbine units. Technical and economic calculation is used to determine gas-piston engine or contact steam-gas plant power for specific operational conditions of gas-distribution stations and utilization rate of discharged heat.

The paper considers a combined power installation being a part of gas expansion set and thermal engine for gas distribution stations. It is shown that in the case when a steam turbine condensing power plant serves as a substitution station increased heating of gas prior to GES without its cooling after the set is more profitable.