Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Blood play'

A Pact Sealed in Blood: The Creation of Blood Letters: An American Odyssey is a reflection on the project, writing, script and production phases of a student researched and written theatrical script, which debuted in the Shafer Street Playhouse on April 24, 2014 on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. This paper looks at the processes involved with the creation of that piece. The theatrical piece tells the tales of three men over the course of 150 years as each man goes through his own personal crucible. The first fights for his country and his family during the American Civil War. The second fights for his country and his love during World War Two. The third works for his country and searches for his family during bouts of political destruction, alcoholism, and lost love. The piece interweaves these three tales with a fourth, present day narrator, in an adaption of Homer’s The Odyssey. This paper looks at the research, development of the script, and the final product of that theatrical piece. It also delves into the author’s beliefs on the search for the human soul within writing and the importance of connection within that search. Finally, it is revealed that perhaps the greatest search lies within our own personal journey.

Exercise frequently results in exacerbation of symptoms following a sports-related concussion (SRC). However, the mechanism(s) behind this phenomenon has yet to be determined. It is possible that an inability to regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) may lead to over-perfusion, and thus cause the exacerbation of symptoms seen during exercise. It was hypothesized that: 1) CBF velocity during exercise will be greater in SRC. 2) Severity of symptoms will be correlated with CBF velocity during exercise and 3) day-to-day variability in CBF velocity will be greater in SRC compared to control subjects. Subjects refrained from caffeine, alcohol and exercise 24hrs prior to testing. Blood velocity was monitored using transcranial Doppler targeting both the middle and posterior cerebral artery (MCAv and PCAv). Exercise was performed on a stationary bike at 30% and 70% predicted heart rate reserve (HRR) for 2-3 minutes and changes in MCAv and PCAv were compared to baseline at rest. Symptoms were evaluated using SCAT2 pre and post-exercise. Subjects included 6 subjects (5 males and 1 female) diagnosed with sport-related concussion (mean ± standard deviation; age: 17.5±2 years, BMI: 24±1 kg/m²) and 6 healthy control-subjects (5 males and 1 female; age: 20±2 years, BMI: 22±2 kg/m²). Concussed subjects were tested at the same time of day on Day 4±1, Day 8±1, Day 17±3 and Day 29±1 following injury. Assessment of day-to-day variability also conducted using the test-retest method with the inclusion of a subgroup of control subjects (n=12). Results demonstrated that 1) there was no effect of concussion on resting MCAv or PCAv over the month post-injury. In addition, no effect of concussion was seen on the relative changes in MCAv or PCAv at either 30% or 70% HRR. 2) A linear regression revealed a relationship between the increase in both number and severity of symptoms and MCA velocity response to 70% HRR (R² = 0.37). 3) Concussion did not significantly change day-to-day variability over the course of testing. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SRC does not significantly impact CBF responses during mild to moderate exercise; however, MCAv response may play a role in symptom exacerbation during exercise.

Hypertension (HTN) is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease complications, disability, and mortality. Delayed detection of HTN increases the risk of the patient developing heart disease, renal failure, and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death in the US. Educating healthcare providers is, therefore, necessary to ensure accuracy when measuring blood pressure (BP) to improve the likelihood of early detection and commencement of treatment. The BP teaching project involved the development of an evidence-based teaching program to educate nurses at an East Coast Veterans' Administration Center on the guidelines of measuring BP. The practice-focused question addressed whether the literature would support a continuing education program in BP measurement to improve the nurses' knowledge and skills necessary to promote patients' quality of life related to HTN. The evidence-based literature supported education and provided the information used to develop the teaching modules. The frameworks guiding the project included practice modules grounded in quality improvement and, more specifically, the plan, do, study, and act cycles. The findings indicated a highly significant increase in nurses' knowledge of BP measurement after the educational session (p< 0.001). The implications for positive social change included improving the health outcomes of veterans and promoting HTN management in the East Coast VA primary care centers.

TESIS PARA OPTAR AL GRADO DE MAGÍSTER EN ADMINISTRACIÓN Luis Gabriel Gonzélez [Parte I], Gonzalo Iván Morales Quintana [Parte II]
El presente documento tiene por objetivo describir el plan de negocios para el desarrollo de un canal de venta minorista de flores para regalo “De Bloom”. El modelo de negocios se apunta a la venta de flores envasadas a través de una tienda virtual y tiendas físicas ubicadas en pasillos de malls. La industria de las flores en Chile se caracteriza por su gran tamaño (aproximadamente USD 70 millones), una gran cantidad de competidores poco profesionalizados y altamente fragmentados, productos poco diferenciados y con márgenes elevados (cercanos al 50%) y una estructura de clientes altamente atomizada, lo que permite vislumbrar la posibilidad de una reestructuración de la industria, por medio de fusiones o adquisiciones, o el crecimiento orgánico de alguno de los actores de la industria, a consecuencia de la profesionalización y creación de barreras de entrada. A lo largo de este documento se analiza el mercado, sus tendencias, preferencias de compra, y se identifica el segmento objetivo, “El Amoroso” (clientes que buscan flores para regalar a personas con quienes poseen un alto vínculo emocional), como el más atractivo en términos de negocio, tanto por su tamaño, disposición a pagar y la posibilidad de generar una propuesta de valor ad-hoc (“Nuestros productos son flores para regalo de excelente presentación, mayor duración, fáciles de adquirir y de entrega rápida”). El producto logra diferenciarse de la oferta existente por su mayor duración (debido a la incorporación de un pack de hidratación y por las características del envase), su presentación (sencilla, moderna y de gran atención a los detalles), y su servicio de entrega rápido y flexible, adicionalmente, la estrategia de puntos de venta facilita la compra del producto y entrega visibilidad a la marca. Como una forma de reducir riesgos, generar aprendizaje y desarrollar ventajas competitivas de forma gradual, el plan de crecimiento se estructura en 3 etapas: desarrollo del canal online, apertura de tiendas físicas en Santiago y el desarrollo de una red de distribuidores en regiones. Financieramente, el negocio se muestra atractivo con requerimiento financiero total de $45 MM, un VAN al 5º año de $83 MM, 45% de TIR y un payback de 1,7 años, pero con una alta sensibilidad al volumen de venta (Apalancamiento Operativo = 4).

In this thesis, I examine the functions and significance of the family in five English tragedies from the period 1607-30. Drawing on Renaissance texts in which the family is employed as the fundamental analogue of social and moral order, I argue that the prominence of the family in these plays attests to an enduring belief in the need for order and structure in society, which their sensationalist depictions of depravities such as adultery, incest, bastardy and murder should not be allowed to obscure. In doing so, I reject criticism which regards these plays' view of human nature and society as 'progressive', modern and pessimistic, arguing instead that their ethos is implicitly conservative and, if at times cynical, nostalgic.

El objetivo del presente informe es realizar un plan de comercialización para el dispositivo SIMBAS (Self-powered Integrated Microfluidic Blood Analysis System), el cual se encuentra en etapa de prueba y adquisición de patentes, en Reino Unido y Estados Unidos. Este dispositivo se asocia a la industria de las tecnologías Point of Care (POC). Los diagnósticos POC están orientadas al diagnóstico al lado del paciente, profesional o en cualquier sitio distinto del laboratorio clínico. La base es el diagnóstico rápido oportuno con resultados en tiempo real que permitan tomar decisiones clínicas en el momento adecuado. Es así como los productos POC suelen estar orientados a: médicos, pacientes, salas de emergencia, cuidado intensivo (UCI, UTI), unidades de neonatología, medicina del deporte, clínicas veterinarias, entre otros. Vale decir cualquier lugar donde se requiera un diagnóstico rápido elaborado de una forma sencilla. La principal ventaja de los diagnósticos POC es el tiempo de respuesta para exámenes críticos. La metodología aplicada se basó en una extensa recopilación de información tanto de fuentes de información secundaria (informes relacionados, estudios de mercado, reportes anuales de compañías de la industria, etc.) como también entrevistas con expertos en el tema tanto de Salud Pública como nuevas aplicaciones para tecnologías médicas. Con esta información se realizó un estudio de mercado con el cual se descubrió cuáles eran los segmentos donde SIMBAS podía entregar más valor. Tanto para las actividades de marketing como el análisis financiero se aplicaron todos los supuestos para comercializar una tecnología nueva, por ejemplo dar a conocer el producto a través de un plan piloto con soporte de profesionales e instituciones reconocidas como una universidad. Concluyendo, se tiene que la comercialización del dispositivo SIMBAS considera varios aspectos que son factores críticos para el éxito del proyecto. Entre éstos se cuentan, primero el cumplimiento de cada una de las cuatro etapas recomendadas para el proceso de introducción al mercado objetivo chileno, que es principalmente el Sistema de Salud Público y las consultas médicas privadas. Segundo, se debe transmitir adecuadamente las ventajas del uso de este dispositivo a través de la educación a los profesionales y pacientes en los temas relacionados con el diagnóstico rápido y autocontrol de las patologías relacionadas. Tercero, la generación de confianza en la empresa dependerá de los resultados positivos que se consigan durante el plan piloto de dos años que financiará la empresa, en donde debe quedar en evidencia la mejora en gestión del tiempo y ahorro de costos a través del uso de SIMBAS. Finalmente, la evaluación económica del proyecto indica que sería una inversión rentable, con un VAN de M$ 642.988 y una TIR de 56%, esto dentro de un horizonte de evaluación de 10 años y considerando una tasa de descuento de 30%.

The Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) is a relatively new method which utilizes the strength of both immunoassays and DNA detection. PLA has the capacity of high multiplexing due to the high specificity achieved with both dual protein-binding and dual primer binding during detection with Real-Time PCR. We developed a multiplexed PLA protocol that can measure 28 biomarkers in human EDTA plasma. The method was tested on 46 individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 48 age matched healthy controls. The results are very promising as we re-discover the most well-known biomarkers for colorectal cancer and also find some potential new markers (significance tested with students T-test with p<0.05). Further improvements of the protocol are needed to decrease the variation.

When Brian Friel’s play The Freedom of the City premiered in 1973, just a year after the events of Bloody Sunday, it was met with harsh criticism and called a work of propaganda. In the play, three peaceful protestors flee a civil rights demonstration turned violent and end up trapped inside the Guildhall in Derry, Northern Ireland. By the end of the play, they are shot dead. These three protestors, disoriented by violence as well as the aftereffects of life-long poverty, on the surface are not emblems of morality. However, this thesis employs Ami Harbin’s theorization of disorientation and moral action to challenge traditional virtue ethics and showcase that even in the midst of all-encompassing disorientation, moral action can easily emerge, even from the most unexpected person. Specifically, I look at the character Skinner, a flippant hooligan who leads the other trapped protestors through a series of games ultimately meant to encourage them to embrace their disorientation as he has. Within Friel’s drama, accepting and embracing disorientation as opposed to fighting it, I conclude, is what frees one from the bounds of disorientation, and in this case, allows a person to more fully perpetuate moral action.

O estudo envolveu dois experimentos com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de estratégias de alimentação sobre o estresse oxidativo, consumo, metabólitos sanguineos, a evolução da produção e composição do leite de vacas de diferentes composições raciais durante o período de transição. Estudo 1:Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com medidas repetidas no tempo e 24 vacas da raça Jersey foram distribuídas nos tratamentos controle - sem a adição de extratos vegetais (CON), adição de 10 gramas/dia de extrato de orégano (EO) e adição de 5,0 g/dia de extrato de chá verde (ECV).O fornecimento de extrato de orégano melhorou a eficiência alimentare a produção de leite em relação ao extrato de chá verde. A adição de extratos vegetais na dieta reduziu o radical livre(ROS) DCFE, contribuindo para redução do estresse oxidativo. Estudo 2:Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2x2 (duas composições raciais e dois planos nutricionais no pré parto) com seis repetiçõese medidas repetidas no tempo. Durante 21 dias pré parto, novilhas Girolando F1 (½ Holandês ½ Gir) e Holandês receberam a mesma dieta total misturada (TMR), variando somente a quantidade ofertada (plano nutricional): 1,69 ou1,89% do peso corporal(PC) de matéria seca No pós parto, os animais receberam dietas semelhantes formuladas conforme as recomendações do NRC (prevista para raça Holandês). O plano nutricional de 1,89% do PC aumentou a concentração de ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE) no pré parto,a concentração de glicose no pós parto e o estresse oxidativo durante todo o período experimental em relação ao plano nutricional 1,69% do PC. Os animais da raça Girolando F1apresentaram os maior ECC durante todo o período experimental, menor ingestão de matéria seca no pré e pós parto e menor consumo de energia metabólica no pós parto;aumento da concentração de creatinina e AGNE no pré parto e maior concentração de glicose no pós parto; menor produção de leite, menor concentração de lactose em relação a animais Holandês.Diferenças metabólicas como as concentrações de AGNE, creatinina e glicose entre as composições raciais podem ter influenciado as variáveis indicativas de estresse oxidativo. O plano nutricional 1,89% do PC durante o período seconão deve ser oferecido, independentemente da composição racial. Animais Girolando F1 devem ser manejados de forma distinta de animais Holandês durante o período de transição, pois apresentam diferenças de consumo e metabolismo.
The study was performed based on two trialsand aimed of evaluating the effect of feeding strategies on oxidative stress, consumption, blood metabolites, milk production and milk composition of cows of different racial compositions during the transition period. Trial 1: we used a completely randomized design, with repeated measures along the time, where 24 Jersey cows were distributed in two diets: control - without the addition of plant extracts (CON), addition of 10 grams per day of oregano extract (OE) and addition of 5.0 grams per day of green tea extract (GTE). The supply of OE improvedfeed conversion during the postpartum period and milk production compared to GTE. The addition of plant extracts in the diet reduces the free radical (ROS) DCFE, contributing to the reduction of oxidative stress. Trial 2: A completely randomized experiment design was used, in a 2x2 factorial arrangement (two racial compositions and two nutritional plans in prepartum), with time-repeated measures (during days), with four treatments and six repetitions (heifers) in each treatment. For 21 day before of prepartum, nuluparous females Girolando F1 (½ Holstein ½ Gir) and Holstein received the same total mixed diet (TMR), varying only the amount offered (nutritional plan): 1.69 and 1.89% of (BW) of dry matter. In the postpartum the animals received the same basal diet formulated according to the recommendations of the NRC (predicted for Holstein) The nutritional plane of 1.89% showed a higher concentration of calcium and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the prepartum, higher concentration of glucose in the postpartum period and greater oxidative stress throughout the experimental period in relation to the nutritional plane 1,69% of the PC. The animals Girolando F1 had the highest ECC during the experimental period, lower intake of dry matter in the pre and postpartum, and lower metabolic energy consumption in the postpartum period; increased creatinine concentration and NEFA in prepartum and higher postpartum glucose concentration; lower milk yield, lower lactose concentration in relation to Hostein animals. Metabolic differences such as the concentrations of NEFA, creatinine and glucose among racial compositions may have influenced the variables indicative of oxidative stress. The nutritional plan 1.89%CP supply during the dry period should not be indicated. Girolando F1 animals should be handled differently from Holstein animals during the transition period, as they exhibit differences in intake and metabolism.

L’environnement logistique s’appuie sur des systèmes de pilotage centralisés qui atteignent aujourd’hui leurs limites face à un réseau logistique et des envois de plus en plus complexes et fragmentés. Des initiatives de rupture comme l’Internet Physique orientent les développements futurs vers un pilotage décentralisé, ouvert et collaboratif. Nous inscrivant pleinement dans cette dynamique, le travail de recherche présenté dans ce manuscrit a pour but de questionner la pertinence d’un pilotage décentralisé de colis intelligents et opportunistes. Nous définissons un ensemble d’indicateurs de pilotage permettant à chaque colis de prendre ses propres décisions pour se router sur le réseau logistique. Ils peuvent alors évaluer la performance d’opportunités de transport qui se présentent. Puis, nous confrontons cette approche avec différents types de transport afin d’évaluer sa pertinence. Un plan d’expériences, déployé sur un moteur de simulation à événements discrets, nous permet alors de tester plusieurs scénarios. Enfin, dans une quatrième partie, nous étendons notre étude sur une proportion du réseau logistique de l’Établissement Français du Sang pour comparer une organisation actuelle avec une organisation cible et conclure sur la pertinence de notre modèle
Centralised transport logistics systems reach their limits, facing with fragmented shipments and complex logistics networks. Breakthrough innovations, as the Physical Internet initiative, steer research works to decentralised, open and collaborative monitoring approaches. The research work in this thesis aims to query the relevance of decentralised monitoring applied on intelligent and opportunistic parcels. Thus, we define key performance indicators allowing each parcel to make its own decisions and direct itself on the logistics network. These indicators allow parcels to evaluate each transportation opportunity. In the third part, we evaluate the relevance of our model, testing these indicators with different transportation types. We use a design of experiments with Discrete-Event Simulation models to test several transportation scenarios. Finally, in the fourth part, we applied our experiments on a French Blood Establishment Supply Chain part. It aims to compare the current organisation with the expected one and conclude on the relevance of our proposition

This thesis explores the various meanings and implications of transparency in architecture and in learning environments in particular. Architectural transparency, achieved through choice of materials and principles of formal composition, creates a diversity of relationships and can facilitate visual, conceptual, and functional clarity as well as offering simultaneous perception of different spaces. It offers a range of phenomenological qualities and so provides an opportunity to explore and complicate such dichotomies as translucency and opacity, openness and closure, and public space and private space. While celebrated throughout modern and contemporary architecture, transparency raises issues of privacy and safety even as it breaks down hierarchies and social boundaries. The research-based design of transparency in a school building necessitates careful planning to achieve a balance between the access to views, natural light, fresh air, and social interaction that transparency may bring and the continuing obligation to provide a safe, secure environment for schoolchildren.

碩士
國立中正大學
運動與休閒教育所
94
Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of blood lipid and blood glucose level during the period of amateur and student golf player in a single round of golf exercise. Methods: A prospective study was conducted. Twelve volunteer golf players were included in our study, and were divided into two groups. Five were in the amateur group with age of 36.20 ± 2.89 years, height of 174.60 ± 3.36 cm, and body weigh of 79.20 ± 8.76 kg; another seven were in the student group with age of 24.86 ± 4.45 years, height of 176.29 ± 5.74 cm, and body weigh of 74.29 ± 10.05 kg. A two-day-golf course was arranged: the golf player performed one round of 18-hole exercise in one day, and took a rest in another day. 5 ml blood sample of each player was acupunctured from the brachial vein by experienced nurse staff before and after golf exercise, blood sample was also collected in the same time when the player was rest. Two-squared analysis was done to evaluate the significant difference between each variant. Results: The total cholesterol level of before and after golf exercise was 221.40±28.66 mg/dl and 197.60±27.75 mg/dl respectively in amateur group; and 203.14±31.83 mg/dl and 213.00±36.37 mg/dl respectively in student group. The triglyceride level of before and after golf exercise was 179.60±81.06 mg/dl and 132.40±45.13mg/dl mg/dl respectively in amateur group; and 96.57±28.08 mg/dl and 103.57±32.42 mg/dl respectively in student group. There were significant differences in the total cholesterol level and he triglyceride level between before and after golf exercise in these two groups. Conversely, there were no significant differences in the high-density cholesterol level, the low-density cholesterol level, and the blood sugar level between before and after golf exercise in these two groups. Conclusion: In the both groups, there were significant differences in the total cholesterol level and he triglyceride level between before and after golf exercise. Furthermore, the effect in amateur group was far more than that in student group, and the blood lipid and blood glucose level in amature group were crossing the normal range. In our study, we strongly predicted that single round of golf exercise is effective to promote the health of amateur group.

碩士
國立臺灣師範大學
資訊教育研究所
102
The purpose of this study was to develop a digital learning game for seventh grade students’ learning of blood circulatory system concepts, and to know students’ attitude toward the game-supported learning of blood circulation. Quasi-experiment design was implemented. The participants were two classes of seventh grade of 64 students in Taipei. A class with 34 students was assigned as the group using digital learning game (game group), and the other class with 31 students was assigned as the group using animation materials (animation group). Digital learning games and animations materials had same learning content. Their difference is that game allows students to manipulate, but an animation only allows students to read (watch). Both groups have the experimental treatment for 110 minutes. After the experiment teachers and some students were interviewed. The results indicated that the posttest score of animation group is higher than the posttest score of game group. The differences between the pretest and the posttest scores (within group differences) in both groups are significant, which means that students can learn blood circulation concepts via digital learning games or animation materials. Interview data showed that students were generally more accustomed to teacher-lectured learning. This might be the cause why animation group has a higher achievement score than the game group. Both groups of students were holding a positive attitude toward the learning of blood circulation. And the game group has a positive reaction toward game-supported learning.

Yes
Highly oriented poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) composites were fabricated through solid hot drawing technology in an effort to improve the mechanical properties and blood biocompatibility of PLA as blood-contacting medical devices. It was found that proper MWNTs content and drawing orientation can improve the tensile strength and modulus of PLA dramatically. With the increase in draw ratio, the cold crystallization peak became smaller, and the glass transition and the melting peak of PLA moved to high temperature, while the crystallinity increased, and the grain size decreased, indicating the stress-induced crystallization of PLA during drawing. MWNTs showed a nucleation effect on PLA, leading to the rise in the melting temperature, increase in crystallinity and reduction of spherulite size for the composites. Moreover, the intensity of (002) diffraction of MWNTs increased with draw ratio, indicating that MWNTs were preferentially aligned and oriented during drawing. Microstructure observation demonstrated that PLA matrix had an ordered fibrillar bundle structure, and MWNTs in the composite tended to align parallel to the drawing direction. In addition, the dispersion of MWNTs in PLA was also improved by orientation. Introduction of MWNTs and drawing orientation could significantly enhance the blood compatibility of PLA by prolonging kinetic clotting time, reducing hemolysis ratio and platelet activation.

博士
國立臺灣大學
生命科學系
102
Bves is widely observed in the cell junction of epithelium in the skin, epicardium, intestine, and cornea of developmental embryos and mature adults. However, it is not clear how Bves confers its role in intercellular adhesion. Because LacZ-knockin Bves-null mice are not observed with any overt phenotypes and fish has the advantage of aquatic environment to investigate epithelial adhesion, we choose zebrafish as animal model in this thesis. First, we identify the zebrafish bves gene and protein structure, and find it remarkable appears in the heart, eyes, skin, and brain. Furthermore, we use MOs to interfere with Bves protein expression in zebrafish. The epidermal barrier function is disrupted after knockdown of Bves, and these zBves morphants are sensitive to osmotic stress. Therefore, the first part of this thesis is to explore the Bves function by study of zebrafish epidermis. Immunofluorescent studies demonstrate that the Claudin protein expression and the aPKC aggregation around the cell junctions are disintegrated in zBves morphants. The results of rescue experiment not only show tjp-2 and aPKC mRNA could rescue the mortality and defect rates in zBves morphants but imply the regulatory relationship between Bves, aPKC, and tight junction. However, the expression and assembly of zBves are not influenced by aPKC-MO. Therefore, immunoprecipitation experiments are performed to examine their relation and show the association between zBves and aPKC. Taken together, these results in this part of thesis indicate the loss of zBves affects the location of aPKC in epidermis and both of them are indispensable to claudin expression. The second part of this thesis is to examine the role of zBves in eye development, because cell polarity during eye development determines the normal retinal lamination and differentiation of photoreceptor cells in the retina. We generate a transgenic zebrafish line- Tg(zbves:EGFP)- to investigate the expression pattern of Bves in the retina. Immunostaining with different specific antibodies from retinal cells and transmission electron microscopy analyses are used to identify the morphological defects in normal and Bves knockdown zebrafish. These results show that zBves is located at the apical junctions of embryonic retinal neuroepithelia during retinogenesis; later, it is strongly expressed around inner plexiform layer and retinal pigment epithelium. The loss of normal retinal lamination and cellular polarity is found with undifferentiational photoreceptor cells in Bves knockdown zebrafish. In this part of thesis, our results indicate that disruption of Bves will result in a loss of normal retinal lamination.

Yes
Highly-oriented poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with bionic fibrillar structure and micro-grooves was fabricated through solid hot drawing technology for further improving the mechanical properties and blood biocompatibility of PLA as blood-contacting medical devices. In order to enhance the melt strength and thus obtain high orientation degree, PLA was first chain branched with pentaerythritol polyglycidyl ether (PGE). The branching degree as high as 12.69 mol% can be obtained at 0.5 wt% PGE content. The complex viscosity, elastic and viscous modulus for chain branched PLA were improved resulting from the enhancement of molecular entanglement, and consequently higher draw ratio can be achieved during the subsequent hot stretching. The stress-induced crystallization of PLA occurred during stretching, and the crystal structure of the oriented PLA can be attributed to the α′ crystalline form. The tensile strength and modulus of PLA were improved dramatically by drawing. Chain branching and orientation could significantly enhance the blood compatibility of PLA by prolonging clotting time and decreasing hemolysis ratio, protein adsorption and platelet activation. Fibrous structure as well as micro-grooves can be observed for the oriented PLA which were similar to intimal layer of blood vessel, and this bionic structure was considered to be beneficial to decrease the activation and/or adhesion of platelets.

Red blood cells are a scarce resource whose demand often exceeds its supply. Intraoperative red cell salvage has proven to be a highly effective blood conservation strategy, as it can reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. However, the use of cell saver alone is not sufficient. Without specific blood ordering guidelines, the amount of allogeneic blood product requested and cross–matched is often much greater than the real level of consumption. Efficient blood ordering guidelines have been developed in the past, and have succeeded in providing a more accurate prediction of actual need for intraoperative blood transfusion and minimizing waste. Few studies attempted to examine the blood ordering and utilization pattern with an emphasis on surgical cases that involve the use of intraoperative cell salvage. With the use of intraoperative cell salvage devices to reduce the amount of blood bank products required during surgery, considerable change in the practice of ordering cross–matched blood should be made. We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of one Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan (SCAMP) in improving the efficiency of blood utilization and reducing waste. This SCAMP was introduced at our Boston Children's Hospital in July 2012 as a blood ordering guideline for all pediatric orthopedic patients who are scheduled for intraoperative cell salvage. We retrospectively compared demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and blood utilization patterns of patients who underwent orthopedic procedure and received cell saver blood during the 17 months prior to the introduction of SCAMP (n = 455) and those who underwent similar procedures during the 15 months after the introduction of SCAMP (n = 487). Results suggested that demographic variables including age, weight, and sex were similar between the pre–SCAMP and post–SCAMP groups. It also demonstrated that after the introduction of SCAMP, the mean percentage utilization of blood (number of units used/number of units ordered x 100%) increased by 24.4% (p < 0.001), while the difference between the number of units ordered and number of units used reduced by 0.5 units (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the introduction of a SCAMP for blood product ordering has led to an increase in the efficiency of blood utilization and a reduction in blood waste. However, further evaluation and modification of the SCAMP need to be made in order to better predict actual level of utilization of blood products.

Hypertension is an important public-health challenge worldwide, as during the past decade it has been escalating rapidly and affecting both male and female populations of all ages from developed to developing countries. Over the last century in India, numerous studies on hypertension have been conducted and the results have been remarkable. In India, hypertension was once known as the affluent / rich person’s disease, however today it is a common ailment among the rural population and even among the poor. Presently in India, the only methods for detecting and monitoring hypertension are through the conventional in-clinic or home self-monitoring devices. Both these methods utilize either the auscultatory and/or oscillometric technique for providing one-off measurements. Prevention, detection, treatment, and control of hypertension and its consequent complications should receive the utmost priority. This is a business plan for Durapid Medical to design, test, accredit and supply an innovative 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) device in India. Durapid Medical predicts this project to be a good investment with a positive Net Present Value (NPV) and is certain that the innovative 24-hour ABPM will be the preferred choice among doctors, physicians and hospitals for monitoring blood pressure in India.
A hipertensão arterial é um importante desafio no domínio da saúde pública, uma vez que na última década tem vindo a desenvolver-se rapidamente e a afectar a população masculina e feminina de todas as idades, em países desenvolvidos e em vias de desenvolvimento. Ao longo do último século, têm sido conduzidos inúmeros estudos sobre hipertensão arterial na Índia, sendo os seus resultados notáveis. Na Índia, a hipertensão foi em tempos conhecida como uma doença dos ricos, porém, é hoje uma debilidade comum na população rural e mesmo entre os pobres. Actualmente, as únicas formas disponíveis na Índia para detectar e monitorar a hipertensão são os aparelhos convencionais de medição em casa ou em ambulatório. Ambos utilizam os métodos oscilométrico ou auscultatório para fornecer medidas pontuais. A prevenção, a detecção, o tratamento e o controlo da hipertensão e das suas subsequentes complicações devem receber a mais alta prioridade. Este projecto é um plano de negócios para a Durapid Medical desenhar, testar, acreditar e fornecer na Índia um aparelho inovador de monitorização ambulatória da pressão arterial (MAPA) em 24 horas. A Durapid Medical prevê que este projecto seja um bom investimento, com um Valor Actual Líquido positivo e está convicta de que o aparelho inovador de MAPA em 24 horas será o instrumento de eleição de médicos e hospitais para monitorar a pressão arterial na Índia.

Yes
Highly-oriented poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with bionic micro-grooves was fabricated through solid hot drawing technology for further improving the mechanical properties and blood biocompatibility of PLA. In order to enhance the melt strength and thus obtain high orientation degree, long chain branched PLA (LCB-PLA) was prepared at first through a two-step ring-opening reaction during processing. Linear viscoelasticity combined with branch-on-branch (BOB) model was used to predict probable compositions and chain topologies of the products, and it was found that the molecular weight of PLA increased and topological structures with star like chain with three arms and tree-like chain with two generations formed during reactive processing, and consequently draw ratio as high as1200% can be achieved during the subsequent hot stretching. With the increase of draw ratio, the tensile strength and orientation degree of PLA increased dramatically. Long chain branching and orientation could significantly enhance the blood compatibility of PLA by prolonging clotting time and decreasing platelet activation. Micro-grooves can be observed on the surface of the oriented PLA which were similar to the intimal layer of blood vessel, and such bionic structure resulted from the formation of the oriented shish kebab-like crystals along the draw direction.

Yes
Highly oriented poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends were fabricated through solid hot stretching technology in an effort to improve the mechanical properties and blood biocompatibility of PLA as blood-contacting medical devices. It was found that the tensile strength and modulus of the blends can be improved dramatically by stretching. With the increase of draw ratio, the cold crystallization peak became smaller, and the glass transition and the melting peak moved to high temperature, while the crystallinity increased, and the grain size of PLA decreased, indicating of the stress-induced crystallization during drawing. The oriented blends exhibited structures with longitudinal striations which indicate the presence of micro-fibers. TPU phase was finely and homogeneously dispersed in the PLA, and after drawing, TPU domains were elongated to ellipsoid. The introduction of TPU and orientation could enhance the blood compatibility of PLA by prolonging kinetic clotting time, and decreasing hemolysis ratio and platelet activation.

Les traitements et l’imagerie des tumeurs cérébrales malignes se sont avérés jusqu’à présent très peu efficaces, en raison de la présence de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE) qui freine le passage des molécules thérapeutiques mais aussi diagnostiques vers les tissus du système nerveux central (SNC). Le développement de vecteurs nanométriques chargés en agents thérapeutiques et capables de traverser la BHE pourrait être une alternative pour améliorer la bio-distribution de principes actifs et d’agent d’imagerie au cerveau. Parmi les différents types de vecteurs proposés, les nanoparticules polymériques (NP) constituées de polymères dibloc comportant un bloc de poly (éthylène glycol) (PEG) pourrait présenter une solution prometteuse pour transporter des actifs à travers la BHE. La PEGylation de la surface des NPs améliore la stabilité colloïdale des NPs. De plus, elle diminue l'adsorption non spécifique des protéines à la surface de NPs (appelée aussi opsonisation). La vitesse de clairance des NPs est ainsi ralentie et les NPs circulent plus longtemps dans le sang. Malgré l’effet bénéfique de la couche de PEG à la surface des NPs, le rôle exact des propriétés de surface liées à la longueur de la chaîne PEG sur l'interaction des NPs avec les cellules endothéliales vasculaires est mal compris. Dans une première partie de ce travail, le rôle de la longueur de PEG sur l'endocytose et la transcytose des NPs a été étudié sur des monocouches de cellules bEnd.3, un modèle in vitro de BHE. Les mécanismes de transport des NPs ont été évalués en utilisant différents inhibiteurs de l'endocytose. La quantification du taux d'endocytose et de transcytose a révélé que l'endocytose et la transcytose des NPs augmentaient avec la longueur de la chaîne de PEG. Les taux d'endocytose et de transcytose les plus élevés ont été observés pour les NPs de PLA-PEG5000 et de PLA-PEG10000. Les résultats de l’étude mécanistique démontrent que la longueur de la chaîne de PEG influence la voie d'endocytose empruntée par les NPs PEGylées à travers un modèle in vitro de BHE. Dans une seconde partie de ce travail, l'effet de la longueur du PEG sur la toxicité des NPs et les processus inflammatoires a été étudié sur deux modèles de monocouche de cellules endothéliales vasculaires, soit les cellules bEnd.3 et HUVEC. L'effet de la longueur des chaînes de PEG sur l'expression des gènes impliqués dans la réponse inflammatoire aux NPs PEGylées a été évalué par qPCR. De plus, le potentiel de génération de dérivés réactifs de l'oxygène (DRO ou ROS) par les NPs a été évalué en utilisant le test cellulaire basé sur l'oxydation de la DCFH-DA. Les résultats démontrent que les NPs PEGylées induisent une augmentation légère et transitoire de l’expression des gènes des cytokines et des chimiokines inflammatoires. Cependant, la longueur des chaînes de PEG ne présente pas un effet significatif sur l'expression des gènes des cytokines et des chimiokines. De plus, nos résultats ne montrent pas l’induction de la génération de ROS par les NPs PEGylées. En résumé, la longueur de chaine de PEG influence le taux d’endocytose et de transcytose. La voie d’endocytose impliquée dans l’internalisation et la transcytose est influencée par la longueur des chaines de PEG. En revanche, les différences de longueur des chaines de PEG ne modulent pas significativement l’expression des cytokines et de chimiokines inflammatoires. Ces résultats devraient contribuer à développer des nanoformulations qui traversent plus efficacement la BHE, tout en minimisant les effets toxiques, notamment inflammatoires sur les cellules endothéliales vasculaires de la BHE. Ces perspectives devront toutefois être confirmées sur des modèles in vivo.
To date, imaging and treatment of brain tumors are proved to be very inefficient due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The (BBB) is a semipermeable barrier which prevents or restrains most therapeutic and diagnostic molecules reach the central nervous system (CNS). Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded by therapeutics molecules and diagnostic agents could represent a promising solution to help active ingredients to cross the BBB and as a consequence, their biodistribution to the brain could be improved. Polymeric NPs composed of di-block copolymers, such as poly (ethylene glycol) blocks (PEG) that bind to polyester hydrophobic chains, are considered one of the most versatile nanocarriers for transporting therapeutic molecules across the BBB. PEG on the surface of NPs improves the NPs colloidal stability. Furthermore, PEG surface coating decreases the non-specific adsorption of proteins on the surface of NPs (also called opsonization); therefore, the clearance rate of the NPs is slowed down and NPs circulation times in blood is extended. Despite the beneficial effect of the PEG coating on the surface of NPs, the exact role of the surface properties related to the PEG chain length on NPs interactions with the vascular endothelial cells is poorly understood. In first article, the role of PEG chain length on brain vascular endothelial cells endocytosis and transcytosis is investigated on monolayers of bend.3 cells as an in vitro BBB model. The NPs transport mechanisms were then investigated by using different endocytosis inhibitory processes. Our results revealed that NPs endocytosis and transcytosis rates increased with PEG chain length. Higher endocytosis and transcytosis rates were observed for PLA-PEG5000 and PLA-PEG10000 NPs. Moreover, the mechanistic studies demonstrated that the PEG chain length influenced the endocytosis pathway taken by PEGylated NPs through an in vitro model of BBB. In second article, the effect of PEG length on NPs cytotoxicity and inflammatory processes has been investigated in two vascular endothelial cell lines (bEnd.3 and HUVEC). The effect of PEG chain length coating on gene expression that are involved in the inflammation response was investigated by qPCR. Moreover, the potential Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation was evaluated with DCFH-DA probe. The results showed that PEGylated NPs induce a mild and transient activation of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes. However, the length of the PEG chains did not modulate significantly gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, our results showed that PEGylated NPs did not induce ROS generation. In summary, the chain length of PEG influences the endocytosis and transcytosis rate. The pathway of endocytosis involved in internalization and transcytosis is influenced by the length of PEG chains. In contrast, differences in the length of PEG chains did not significantly modulate the expression of cytokines and inflammatory chemokines. These results contribute to develop nanoformulations that cross the BBB more efficiently while keeping the toxic and inflammatory effects minimal, particularly on the vascular endothelial cells of the BBB. Nevertheless, these perspectives have to be confirmed on in vivo models.

This qualitative study uses narrative inquiry (Connelly & Clandinin, 1988, 1990, 2001) and self-study to investigate ways to further understand and facilitate the integration of holistic philosophies of education with media literacy pedagogies. As founder and director of the Youth Media Literacy Project and a self-titled Imagitator (one who agitates imagination), I have spent over 10 years teaching media literacy in various high schools, universities, and community centres across North America. This study will focus on my own personal practical knowledge (Connelly & Clandinin, 1982) as a culture jammer, educator and cancer survivor to illustrate my original vision of a ‘holistic media literacy pedagogy’. This research reflects on the emergence and impact of holistic media literacy in my personal and professional life and also draws from relevant interdisciplinary literature to challenge and synthesize current insights and theories of media literacy, holistic education and culture jamming.