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Publication from the Healthy Soils project outlining soils research through the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) funded Strategic Research Programme. The Soil Sentinel will be published very 4 months throughout the project duration, 2022-2027.

The article offers information on the utilising of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) fort used conventional breaths (CMV) on HFJV either to reverse atelectasis or for initial lung recruitment. It mentions the recommendation for CMV breaths to help determine optimal PEEP settings;and also focuses on the ability of HFJV to overcome airway resistance and the double-helical bidirectional flow characteristics.

Primary age-related tauopathy (PART) is a neurodegenerative tauopathy with features distinct from but also overlapping with Alzheimer disease (AD). While both exhibit Alzheimer-type temporal lobe neurofibrillary degeneration alongside amnestic cognitive impairment, PART develops independently of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in plaques. The pathogenesis of PART is unknown, but evidence suggests it is associated with genes that promote tau pathology as well as others that protect from Aβ toxicity. Here, we performed a genetic association study in an autopsy cohort of individuals with PART (n=647) using Braak neurofibrillary tangle stage as a quantitative trait adjusting for sex, age, genotyping platform, and principal components. We found significant associations with some candidate loci associated with AD and progressive supranuclear palsy, a primary tauopathy (SLC24A4, MS4A6A, HS3ST1, MAPT and EIF2AK3). Genome-wide association analysis revealed a novel significant association with a single nucleotide polymorphism on chromosome 4 (rs56405341) in a locus containing three genes, including JADE1 which was significantly upregulated in tangle-bearing neurons by single-soma RNA-seq. Immunohistochemical studies using antisera targeting JADE1 protein revealed localization within tau aggregates in autopsy brain from tauopathies containing isoforms with four microtubule-binding domain repeats (4R) and mixed 3R/4R, but not with 3R exclusively. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed a direct and specific binding of JADE1 protein to tau containing four (4R) and no N-terminal inserts (0N4R) in post-mortem human PART brain tissue. Finally, knockdown of the Drosophila JADE1 homolog rhinoceros (rno) enhanced tau-induced toxicity and apoptosis in vivo in a humanized 0N4R mutant tau knock-in model as quantified by rough eye phenotype and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) in the fly brain. Together, these findings indicate that PART has a genetic architecture that partially overlaps with AD and other tauopathies and suggests a novel role for JADE1 as a mediator of neurofibrillary degeneration.

SummaryThe main inhibitory synaptic currents, gated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), are mediated by Cl--conducting channels1–3, and are therefore sensitive to changes in the chloride electrochemical gradient. GABAergic activity dictates the neuronal firing range4,5 and timing6–9, which in turn influences the rhythms of the brain, synaptic plasticity, and flow of information in neuronal networks7,10–12. The intracellular chloride concentration [Cl-]i is, therefore, ideally placed to be a regulator of neuronal activity. Chloride levels have been thought to be stable in adult cortical networks, except when associated with pathological activation13–16. Here, we used 2-photon LSSmClopHensor imaging, in anaesthetized young adult mice13, to show that [Cl-] inside pyramidal cells shows a physiological diurnal rhythm, with an approximately 1.8-fold range, equating to an ~15mV positive shift in ECl at times when mice are typically awake (midnight), relative to when they are usually asleep (midday). This change of [Cl-]i alters the stability of cortical networks, as demonstrated by a greater than 3-fold longer latency to seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine at midday, compared to midnight. Importantly, both [Cl-]i and latency to seizure, in night-time experiments, were shifted in line with day-time measures, by inhibition of NKCC1. The redistribution of [Cl-]i reflects diurnal changes in surface expression and phosphorylation states of the cation-chloride-co-transporters, KCC2 and NKCC1, leading to a greatly reduced chloride-extrusion capacity at night (awake period). Our data demonstrate a means by which changes in the biochemical state of neurons are transduced into altered brain states.

Introduction We describe how techniques traditionally used in the manufacturing industry (lean management, the theory of constraints and production planning) can be applied to planning radiology services to reduce the impact of constraints such as limited radiologist hours, and to subsequently reduce delays in accessing imaging and in report turnaround. Methods Targets for imaging and reporting were set aligned with clinical needs. Capacity was quantified for each modality and for radiologists and recorded in activity lists. Demand was quantified and forecasting commenced based on historical referral rates. To try and mitigate the impact of radiologists as a constraint, lean management processes were applied to radiologist workflows. A production planning process was implemented. Results Outpatient waiting times to access imaging steadily decreased. Report turnaround times improved with the percentage of overnight/on-call reports completed by a 1030 target time increased from approximately 30% to 80 to 90%. The percentage of emergency and inpatient reports completed within one hour increased from approximately 15% to approximately 50% with 80 to 90% available within 4 hours. The number of unreported cases on the radiologist work-list at the end of the working day reduced. The average weekly accuracy for demand forecasts for emergency and inpatient CT, MRI and plain film imaging was 91%, 83% and 92% respectively. For outpatient CT, MRI and plain film imaging the accuracy was 60%, 55% and 77% respectively. Reliable routine weekly and medium to longer term service planning is now possible. Conclusions Tools from industry can be successfully applied to diagnostic imaging services to improve performance. They allow an accurate understanding of the demands on a service, capacity, and can reliably predict the impact of changes in demand or capacity on service delivery.

Chapter 3 provides a review of the unique methodology and the methods that were employed for this investigation. As well, details of the procedures and process, as related to the data-collection and data-analysis phase of the research, are outlined. This chapter also highlights my desire to model the professional use of technology within my research practices in a bid to establish a higher level of relatability and credibility with the research participants. As well, it offers some sense of the democratization of the research process that was strived for throughout the investigation. Furthermore, this chapter highlights some key terms that were borne out of the investigation and offers a distinctive take on qualitative-research practice. Most notably, active-immersive participant observation, digital-analogue reorientation process, and coding coaching are explained in the context of this work.

Chapter 1 reveals the genesis of this book and provides the reader with necessary context to better understand how, why, and where the insights and research contained within it were imagined and directed. This chapter highlights the need for a spotlight on resilient professional practices related to technology integration in education and uses my past and current professional practices in the field of technology and education to pose a key question: Have we really come that far in terms of technology integration in schools?

Since the year 2000 the Waikato Institute of Technology has been reviewing the list of “Notable and Historic” trees of New Zealand first published by the Forest Service in 1974. Since that time 29.7% of those trees have been lost – 53% of those losses due to development, 29% to natural causes such as storms and disease, and a further 18% that could not be located. Despite this tree loss New Zealand has an impressive list of trees of international significance, many of which are regarded as the largest of their species in the world.

Accurate and transparent measurement and monitoring of radiologist workload is highly desirable for management of daily workflow in a radiology department, and for informing decisions on department staffing needs. It offers the potential for benchmarking between departments and assessing future national workforce and training requirements. We describe a technique for quantifying, with minimum subjectivity, all the work carried out by radiologists in a tertiary department.Six broad categories of clinical activities contributing to radiologist workload were identified: reporting, procedures, trainee supervision, clinical conferences and teaching, informal case discussions, and administration related to referral forms. Time required for reporting was measured using data from the radiology information system. Other activities were measured by observation and timing by observers, and based on these results and extensive consultation, the time requirements and frequency of each activity was agreed on. An activity list was created to record this information and to calculate the total clinical hours required to meet the demand for radiologist services.Diagnostic reporting accounted for approximately 35% of radiologist clinical time; procedures, 23%; trainee supervision, 15%; conferences and tutorials, 14%; informal case discussions, 10%; and referral-related administration, 3%. The derived data have been proven reliable for workload planning over the past 3 years.A transparent and robust method of measuring radiologists' workload has been developed, with subjective assessments kept to a minimum. The technique has value for daily workload and longer term planning. It could be adapted for widespread use.

We describe how techniques traditionally used in the manufacturing industry (lean management, the theory of constraints and production planning) can be applied to planning radiology services to reduce the impact of constraints such as limited radiologist hours, and to subsequently reduce delays in accessing imaging and in report turnaround.Targets for imaging and reporting were set aligned with clinical needs. Capacity was quantified for each modality and for radiologists and recorded in activity lists. Demand was quantified and forecasting commenced based on historical referral rates. To try and mitigate the impact of radiologists as a constraint, lean management processes were applied to radiologist workflows. A production planning process was implemented.Outpatient waiting times to access imaging steadily decreased. Report turnaround times improved with the percentage of overnight/on-call reports completed by a 1030 target time increased from approximately 30% to 80 to 90%. The percentage of emergency and inpatient reports completed within one hour increased from approximately 15% to approximately 50% with 80 to 90% available within 4 hours. The number of unreported cases on the radiologist work-list at the end of the working day reduced. The average weekly accuracy for demand forecasts for emergency and inpatient CT, MRI and plain film imaging was 91%, 83% and 92% respectively. For outpatient CT, MRI and plain film imaging the accuracy was 60%, 55% and 77% respectively. Reliable routine weekly and medium to longer term service planning is now possible.Tools from industry can be successfully applied to diagnostic imaging services to improve performance. They allow an accurate understanding of the demands on a service, capacity, and can reliably predict the impact of changes in demand or capacity on service delivery.