Search

Objectives Informing research participants of the results of studies in which they took part is viewed as an ethical imperative. However, there is little guidance in the literature about how to do this. The Fluoxetine Or Control Under Supervision trial randomised 3127 patients with a recent acute stroke to 6 months of fluoxetine or placebo and was published in the Lancet on 5 December 2018. The trial team decided to inform the participants of the results at exactly the same time as the Lancet publication, and also whether they had been allocated fluoxetine or placebo. In this report, we describe how we informed participants of the results.Design In the 6-month and 12-month follow-up questionnaires, we invited participants to provide an email address if they wished to be informed of the results of the trial. We re-opened our trial telephone helpline between 5 December 2018 and 31 March 2019.Setting UK stroke services.Participants 3127 participants were randomised. 2847 returned 6-month follow-up forms and 2703 returned 12-month follow-up forms; the remaining participants had died (380), withdrawn consent or did not respond.Results Of those returning follow-up questionnaires, a total of 1845 email addresses were provided and a further 50 people requested results to be sent by post. Results were sent to all email and postal addresses provided; 309 emails were returned unrecognised. Seventeen people replied, of whom three called the helpline and the rest responded by email.Conclusion It is feasible to disseminate results of large trials to research participants, though only around 60% of those randomised wanted to receive the results. The system we developed was efficient and required very little resource, and could be replicated by trialists in the future.Trial registration number ISRCTN83290762; Post-results.

Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common benign tumor of the major salivary glands. Other rare sites for the occurrence of pleomorphic adenoma have been described in the larynx, pharynx, nasal cavity, lacrimal glands and trachea. We report here a case of intranasal pleomorphic adenoma arising from the nasal septum causing nasal obstruction which was clinically diagnosed as papilloma. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma.

A 23-year-old female with a known case of partial mole and under hCG follow up presented with acute abdominal pain and signs of hemoperitoneum. Emergency laparotomy revealed a molar pregnancy perforating through the uterine fundus, resulting in massive haemoperitoneum of 4 litres. Total abdominal hysterectomy was done. The serum β-hCG level regressed following hysterectomy. Keywords: molar pregnancy, invasive mole, haemoperitoneum.

Over the last few decades, a wide range of works have featured studies documenting successful pedagogic collaborations in the form of university-industry partnerships in engineering education. In light of this, we conducted a systematic literature review of these studies centred around five key research questions: (a) purposes of university-industry collaborations, (b) theories used to guide such work, (c) types of methods employed, (d) evidence-based best practices identified and (e) areas of future work to be explored. Publications were selected for inclusion by screening and appraising results obtained from databases and keywords refined through a scoping study. We conclude from our findings that future studies would benefit from better alignment with literature or theoretical frameworks and specific robust methods. Additionally, early and middle years of undergraduate engineering programs offer underutilised opportunities for partnership, in line with designing a more futures-focused educational curriculum.

This study empirically tested a model examining the effect of four e-learning quality dimensions, i.e., information quality, system quality, service quality, and instructor quality as well as students' self-efficacy on e-learning behaviour--satisfaction and continued intentions that further affect students' academic performance. The research model is examined for e-learning systems at higher education institutions (HEIs). Data were collected from four cities of Gujarat, India, i.e., Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot. The sample size consists of 832 students and information was collected using a self-administered online survey. Data is analysed through structured equation modelling in SPSS AMOS (v.23). The findings offer direction for HEIs to enhance students' satisfaction, continued intentions thereby strengthening their academic performance, using e-learning system. This research contributes to the literature by empirically examining a research model, revealing students' e-learning behaviour and academic performance at HEIs.

Static compressive stress can influence the matrix, which subsequently affects cell behaviour and the cell’s ability to further transform the matrix. This study aimed to assess response to static compressive stress at different stages of osteoblast differentiation and assess the cell cytoskeleton’s role as a conduit of matrix-derived stimuli. Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (D1 ORL UVA), osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) and post-osteoblast/pre-osteocyte-like cells (MLO-A5) were seeded in hydrated and compressed collagen gels. Contraction was quantified macroscopically, and cell morphology, survival, differentiation and mineralisation assessed using confocal microscopy, alamarBlue® assay, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and histological stains, respectively. Confocal microscopy demonstrated cell shape changes and favourable microfilament organisation with static compressive stress of the collagen matrix; furthermore, cell survival was greater compared to the hydrated gels. The stage of osteoblast differentiation determined the degree of matrix contraction, with MSCs demonstrating the greatest amount. Introduction of microfilament disrupting inhibitors confirmed that pre-stress and tensegrity forces were under the influence of gel density, and there was increased survival and differentiation of the cells within the compressed collagen compared to the hydrated collagen. There was also relative stiffening and differentiation with time of the compressed cell-seeded collagen, allowing for greater manipulation. In conclusion, the combined collagen chemistry and increased density of the microenvironment can promote upregulation of osteogenic genes and mineralisation; MSCs can facilitate matrix contraction to form an engineered membrane with the potential to serve as a ‘pseudo-periosteum’ in the regeneration of bone defects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tibia fracture is one of the most common long bone fractures in body and primary treatment of open fracture always worries surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of open tibia fractures by flexible medullary nailing.METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 44 patients suffering from open tibial fractures treated with flexible medullary nails in Shahid Beheshti and Yahyanejad hospitals from 1998-2001. In this study with limited incision, fixation of open fractures (gustilo type I to type IIIA) was done by 2-3 nails (3mm or 3.5mm). Demographic information associated with variables such as infection, for 1.5 years followed up in patients and data was analyzed by ANOVA test. FINDINGS: Mean age of patients was 29.8 years and 37(84.1%) patients were male. The average time of :::union::: was 6.1 months. There were 2(4.5%) patients with deep infection and 7(15.9%) with superfacial infection. Delayed :::union::: was seen in 4(9.1%) patients and mal:::union::: was seen in 1(2.3%) patient and there was not non-:::union:::. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that flexible medullary nailing is a reliable method for treatment of open tibia fractures.

Barley seeds (Hordeum Vulgare) were germinated after soaking in different alkaline solutions of varied concentrations and pH, at room temperature of 25ºC. The rate of germination after 48 hours of soaking of the seeds in distilled water was found to be 35% and the rate for the seeds soaked in the solutions of Ca (OH)2 , KOH and Mg(OH)2 was observed as 60, 66 and 62% respectively. Where-as the rate of germination for the solutions of NaOH and NaHCO3 remained the same as that of the water. The influence in length of rootlets was also examined as a function of the nature of the soaking solutions. Sharp increase in the length was observed in case of Mg (OH)2 and KOH while in NaOH, Ca(OH)2 and NaHCO3 increase in rootlets length was found insignificant . Variation of starch and soluble protein contents in soaked solutions were also examined. Starch and soluble protein contents were found to be the highest in NaOH soaked seeds as 57.7 and 5.95% respectively, compared to 45.07 and 2.50 % for the seeds soaked in water

Relativistic laser plasmas have been shown to provide a robust platform for the generation of bright attosecond pulses via the relativistically oscillating mirror and coherent wake emission mechanisms. Theoretical work, however, has shown an alternative method for achieving this goal: dense nanobunch formation and acceleration on timescales of less than an optical laser cycle (∼10 ^−15 s) during relativistic laser–plasma interactions. This opens up the exciting potential for developing a new bright ultrafast extreme ultraviolet XUV/x-ray source. Here we demonstrate, using a previously unexplored geometry, coherent synchrotron emission generated during relativistically intense laser–ultrathin foil interactions which extends to ∼1 keV photon energies. Particle-in-cell code simulations reveal how periodic sub-laser cycle acceleration of dense nanobunches of electrons formed during normal incidence interactions result in bursts of bright attosecond radiation in transmission and how these pulses relate to plasma density scalelength. This work shows clear potential for a novel, intense source of attosecond XUV (∼10 ^−18 s) radiation. Experimentally, high order ( n ) harmonic spectra ( I ( n )) are characterized by a slow decay ( n ^−1.62 ) before a rapid efficiency rollover. Such a microscopic coherent synchrotron source (

Experimental data on laser-driven carbon C ^6+ ion acceleration with a peak intensity of 5 × 10 ^20 W cm ^−2 are presented and compared for opaque target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) and relativistically transparent laser–plasma interactions. Particle numbers, peak ion energy and conversion efficiency have been investigated for target thicknesses from 50 nm to 25 μ m using unprecedented full spectral beam profile line-out measurements made using a novel high-resolution ion wide-angle spectrometer. For thicknesses of about 200 nm, particle numbers and peak energy increase to 5 × 10 ^11 carbon C ^6+ particles between 33 and 700 MeV (60 MeV u ^−1 ), which is a factor of five higher in particle number than that observed for targets with micron thickness. For 200 nm thick targets, we find that the peak conversion efficiency is 6% and that up to 55% of the target under the laser focal spot is accelerated to energies above 33 MeV. This contrasts with the results for targets with micron thickness, where surface acceleration with TNSA is dominant. The experimental findings are consistent with two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations.

Ion acceleration from relativistic laser solid interactions has been of particular interest over the last decade. While beam profiles have been studied for target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA), such profiles have yet to be described for other mechanisms. Here, experimental data is presented, investigating ion beam profiles from acceleration governed by relativistic transparent laser plasma interaction. The beam shape of carbon C ^6+ ions and protons has been measured simultaneously with a wide angle spectrometer. It was found that ion beams deviate from the typical Gaussian-like shape found with TNSA and that the profile is governed by electron dynamics in the volumetric laser–plasma interaction with a relativistically transparent plasma; due to the ponderomotive force electrons are depleted from the center of the laser axis and form lobes affecting the ion beam structure. The results are in good agreement with high resolution three-dimensional-VPIC simulations and can be used as a new tool to experimentally distinguish between different acceleration mechanisms.

Here we present experimental results on laser-driven ion acceleration from relativistically transparent, overdense plasmas in the break-out afterburner (BOA) regime. Experiments were preformed at the Trident ultra-high contrast laser facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and at the Texas Petawatt laser facility, located in the University of Texas at Austin. It is shown that when the target becomes relativistically transparent to the laser, an epoch of dramatic acceleration of ions occurs that lasts until the electron density in the expanding target reduces to the critical density in the non-relativistic limit. For given laser parameters, the optimal target thickness yielding the highest maximum ion energy is one in which this time window for ion acceleration overlaps with the intensity peak of the laser pulse. A simple analytic model of relativistically induced transparency is presented for plasma expansion at the time-evolving sound speed, from which these times may be estimated. The maximum ion energy attainable is controlled by the finite acceleration volume and time over which the BOA acts.

A group of 14 adult male rhesus monkeys was maintained on a low cholesterol–high fat diet. Periodically, animals were fasted and blood samples were taken for characterization of the plasma lipoproteins. Complete separation of individual plasma lipoprotein classes was not achieved by traditional sequential ultracentrifugation techniques. Rather, initial separation of lipoprotein classes according to size was effected and density centrifugation was used subsequently for further separation. At least six lipoprotein fractions were identified, each of which was unique as defined by the properties of size, density (d), and electrophoretic mobility. These lipoprotein fractions were characterized by determination of chemical compositions and apoprotein patterns. The lipoproteins present in highest concentration in these monkeys were designated as region IV lipoproteins. This fraction had α-migration on agarose electrophoresis, 1.063 < d < 1.225, and the size, composition, and apoprotein pattern characteristic of HDL. No fewer than three fractions were identified with densities that overlapped the 1.019 < d < 1.063 range. Of these, the fraction designated as region III lipoproteins was present in highest concentration, had β-migration by agarose electrophoresis, a predominant B apoprotein, and a chemical composition and size characteristic of LDL. Two larger subfractions, identified as region II lipoproteins, were separated from each other at a density of 1.050 g/ml. Agarose electrophoresis showed that the fraction with d < 1.050 had a migration intermediate between β and pre-β. The chemical composition and apoprotein pattern were consistent with the possibility that these lipoproteins were remnants of VLDL catabolism. The fraction with d > 1.050, had pre-β mobility and a size and composition similar to the Lp(a) lipoprotein in plasma of human beings. At least two VLDL subfractions, identified as region I and IIA lipoproteins, were found although both were present in very low concentrations. Region I lipoproteins were larger and contained relatively more cholesteryl ester and more of the apoproteins that migrated with the mobility of apo-B and arg-rich apoprotein in SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some of the region I lipoproteins were β-migrating by agarose electrophoresis. These results suggested the possibility that a β-migrating VLDL was present in these normal animals.

Hypercholesterolemia was induced in adult male rhesus monkeys with a high-fat diet containing an elevated cholesterol level (0.5%). Plasma lipoproteins were chromatographically separated into four size populations (regions) that were subdivided by density until fractions with single electrophoretic mobilities were obtained. The region III lipoproteins (LDL) contained 80% of plasma cholesterol and were present in the highest concentration of all fractions. Their molecular weight was increased over that of controls so that each particle averaged 1.8 times the number of cholesteryl ester molecules as did control LDL. Region II lipoproteins, a heterogeneous group, were present in next highest concentration. Most were cholesteryl ester-rich, beta-migrating lipoproteins that overlapped the VLDL and LDL density ranges; apoB was the predominant apoprotein. One region II subfraction had pre beta 2 migration and the density range. 1.050 less than d less than 1.10. Another subfraction, cholesteryl ester-rich VLDL including only about 1% of plasma cholesterol, had pre beta 1 migration and apoB and apoC as the predominant apoproteins with no apoprotein E. Region I lipoproteins were larger sized, slow beta-migrating cholesteryl ester-rich VLDL that included 5% of plasma cholesterol. ApoB and apoE were the predominant apoproteins. Region IV lipoproteins (HDL) contained 4% of the plasma cholesterol; their concentration was decreased to about 1/3 of the control level. Atherogenic features of the diet-induced dyslipoproteinemia included the increased plasma concentrations and cholesteryl ester contents of the region I, II, and III lipoproteins in addition to the decreased HDL concentration.

Bioethanol has now become a big industry and this industry seems to become much bigger in the near future. People regard bioethanol as renewable and sustainable new energy source, although some contraversies such as the rivalry of bioethanol for human food widely exist. Actually, bioethanol can also be a good source of basic raw materials. In early days, ethylene, the most important organic chemical raw material, was produced from dehydration of ethanol. Later, things reversed as petrochemical industry well developed after World War II, when industrial ethanol was mostly produced mainly via hydration of ethylene. Now that bioethanol has already become an important fuel blender, we should well expect that bioethanol should also be new resources for basic organic raw materials, as well as other more valuable fine and specialty chemicals, instead of merely a fuel blender. Nowadays, countless new bioethanol companies are setting up every day. It should lead to more research on bioethanol also as a starting raw chemical material.