Special investigation of the Iowa Department of Economic Development Film Office and the Film, Television and Video Production Promotion Program for the period May 17, 2007 through September 21, 2009

Special investigation of the Iowa Department of Economic Development Film Office and the Film, Television and Video Production Promotion Program for the period May 17, 2007 through September 21, 2009

Iowa Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2010 Report of Savings by Using Video Conferencing Through Iowa Communications Network to the Iowa General Assembly Pursuant to Iowa Code § II 84 Acts and Joint Resolutions Enacted at the 1994 Regular Session of the 75th General Assembly of the State of Iowa

Introduction and summary Iowa Code § 8D.10 requires certain state agencies to prepare an annual report to the General Assembly certifying the identified savings associated with that state agency’s use of the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). This report covers estimated cost savings related to video conferencing via ICN for the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). In FY 2010, the DOT did not conduct any sessions utilizing ICN’s video conferencing system. Therefore, no cost savings were calculated for this report.

Elaboración de un video sobre calidad, seguridad y medio ambiente en la Unidad de Laboratorios Docentes (ULD) de la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Barcelona

La Unidad de Laboratorios Docentes (ULD) de la Facultad de Farmacia (UB) ha implantado un sistema de gestión de la calidad (SGC) que permite transmitir al estudiante una formación adicional con el objetivo de mejorar sus competencias transversales (siguiendo las directrices del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, EEES). Además, en el curso académico 06-07, se instauraron las Buenas Prácticas Ambientales (BPAL) para disponer de un sistema de gestión que incorporase los criterios de calidad, medioambiente y seguridad (sistema de gestión integrada, SGI). Durante el presente curso académico se ha procedido a la grabación y edición de un video sobre calidad, seguridad y medioambiente en la ULD con el objetivo de mejorar la formación transversal de los estudiantes facilitando la integración de los conocimientos y habilidades profesionales. De esta forma, al salir del entorno universitario, los licenciados y graduados de la Facultad de Farmacia dispondrán de un valor añadido en su formación, mejorando así sus competencias para el desarrollo de su futura profesión. En el video se muestra la manera de trabajar correctamente según las normas de calidad, seguridad y medioambiente recogidas además en un tríptico que se entrega a los estudiantes al acceder por primera vez a un laboratorio de prácticas. El video se difundirá a través de la página web de la ULD, de la videoteca de la UB, del canal You Tube Canal UB, así como de las asignaturas que lo soliciten (sirviendo de soporte para el personal docente).

Ocular antisense oligonucleotide delivery by cationic nanoemulsion for improved treatment of ocular neovascularization: an in-vivo study in rats and mice.

The efficacy of an antisense oligonucleotide (ODN17) cationic nanoemulsion directed at VEGF-R2 to reduce neovascularization was evaluated using rat corneal neovascularization and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) mouse models. Application of saline solution or scrambled ODN17 solution on eyes of rats led to the highest extent of corneal neovascularization. The groups treated with blank nanoemulsion or scrambled ODN17 nanoemulsion showed moderate inhibition in corneal neovascularization with no significant difference with the saline and scrambled ODN17 control solution groups, while the groups treated with ODN17 solution or Avastin® (positive ODN17 control) clearly elicited marked significant inhibition in corneal neovascularization confirming the results reported in the literature. The highest significant corneal neovascularization inhibition efficiency was noted in the groups treated with ODN17 nanoemulsion (topical and subconjunctivally). However, in the ROP mouse model, the ODN17 in PBS induced a 34% inhibition of retinal neovascularization when compared to the aqueous-vehicle-injected eyes. A significantly higher inhibition of vitreal neovascularization (64%) was observed in the group of eyes treated with ODN17 nanoemulsion. No difference in extent of neovascularization was observed between blank nanoemulsion, scrambled ODN17 nanoemulsion, vehicle or non-treated eyes. The overall results indicate that cationic nanoemulsion can be considered a promising potential ocular delivery system and an effective therapeutic tool of high clinical significance in the prevention and forthcoming treatment of ocular neovascular diseases.

Systemic in vivo lentiviral delivery of miR-15a/16 reduces malignancy in the NZB de novo mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Similar to human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the de novo New Zealand Black (NZB) mouse model has a genetically determined age-associated increase in malignant B-1 clones and decreased expression of microRNAs miR-15a and miR-16 in B-1 cells. In the present study, lentiviral vectors were employed in vivo to restore miR-15a/16, and both the short-term single injection and long-term multiple injection effects of this delivery were observed in NZB. Control lentivirus without the mir-15a/16 sequence was used for comparison. We found that in vivo lentiviral delivery of mir-15a/16 increased miR-15a/16 expression in cells that were transduced (detected by GFP expression) and in sera when compared with control lentivirus treatment. More importantly, mice treated with the miR-expressing lentivirus had decreased disease. The lentivirus had little systemic toxicity while preferentially targeting B-1 cells. Short-term effects on B-1 cells were direct effects, and only malignant B-1 cells transduced with miR-15a/16 lentivirus had decreased viability. In contrast, long-term studies suggested both direct and indirect effects resulting from miR-15a/16 lentivirus treatment. A decrease in B-1 cells was found in both the transduced and non-transduced populations. Our data support the potential use of systemic lentiviral delivery of miR-15a/16 to ameliorate disease manifestations of CLL.

Effect of physical activity during pregnancy on mode of delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of structured physical exercise programs during pregnancy on the course of labor and delivery. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis using the following data sources: Medline and The Cochrane Library. In our study, we used randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the effects of exercise programs during pregnancy on labor and delivery. The results are summarized as relative risks. RESULTS: In the 16 RCTs that were included there were 3359 women. Women in exercise groups had a significantly lower risk of cesarean delivery (relative risk, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.99). Birthweight was not significantly reduced in exercise groups. The risk of instrumental delivery was similar among groups (relative risk, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.82-1.22). Data on Apgar score, episiotomy, epidural anesthesia, perineal tear, length of labor, and induction of labor were insufficient to draw conclusions. With the use of data from 11 studies (1668 women), our analysis showed that women in the exercise groups gained significantly less weight than women in control groups (mean difference, -1.13 kg; 95% CI, -1.49 to -0.78). CONCLUSION: Structured physical exercise during pregnancy reduces the risk of cesarean delivery. This is an important finding to convince women to be active during their pregnancy and should lead the physician to recommend physical exercise to pregnant women, when this is not contraindicated.

Iowa Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2011 Report of Savings by Using Video Conferencing Through Iowa Communications Network to the Iowa General Assembly

Iowa Code section 8D.10 requires certain state agencies prepare an annual report to the General Assembly certifying the identified savings associated with that state agency’s use of the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). This report covers estimated cost savings related to video conferencing via ICN for the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). In fiscal year 2011, the Iowa DOT did not conduct any sessions utilizing ICN’s video conferencing system, therefore, no cost savings were calculated for this report.

Task-shifting in the delivery of hormonal contraceptive methods: Validation of a questionnaire and preliminary results.

Guilbert ER, Morin D, Guilbert AC, Gagnon H, Robitaille J, Richardson M. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 315-321 Task-shifting in the delivery of hormonal contraceptive methods: Validation of a questionnaire and preliminary results In order to palliate the access problem to effective contraceptive methods in Quebec, Canada, as well as to legitimate nurses' practices in family planning, a collaborative agreement was developed that allow nurses, in conjunction with pharmacists, to give hormonal contraceptives to healthy women of reproductive age for a 6 month period. Training in hormonal contraception was offered to targeted nurses before they could begin this practice. A questionnaire, based on Rogers's theory of diffusion of innovations, was elaborated and validated to specifically evaluate this phenomenon. Preliminary results show that the translation of training into practice might be suboptimal. The validated questionnaire can now be used to fully understand the set of factors influencing this new practice.

Orthopedic implant used as drug delivery system: clinical situation and state of the research.

A partial review is proposed on the existing literature for the research performed in orthopedic implant used as drug delivery system. In the first part, an evaluation is given on the clinical need to deliver a drug in the surrounding of an implant. Secondly, a review of the clinical situation is developed for implants already used as drug delivery system. Experimental works performed for local delivery are reported. In particular, a description is given on the in vitro and in vivo studies where the implant is coated with different proteins or drugs. Finally, a conclusion is proposed on the next step in the development of orthopedic implant as drug delivery system mentioning also the industrial situation.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a small pulmonary nodule after computed tomography-guided localization with a hook-wire system. Experience in 45 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: This study is a single-institution validation of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) resection of a small solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) previously localized by a CT-guided hook-wire system in a consecutive series of 45 patients. METHODS: The records of all patients undergoing VATS resection for SPN preoperatively localized by CT-guided a hook-wire system from January 2002 to December 2004 were assessed with respect to failure to localize the lesion by the hook-wire system, conversion thoracotomy rate, duration of operation, postoperative complications, and histology of SPN. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent 49 VATS resections, with simultaneous bilateral SPN resection performed in 4. Preoperative CT-guided hook-wire localization failed in two patients (4%). Conversion thoracotomy was necessary in two patients (4%) because it was not possible to resect the lesion by a VATS approach. The average operative time was 50 min. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients (6%), one hemothorax and two pneumonia. The mean hospital stay was 5 days (range: 2-18 days). Histological assessment revealed inflammatory disease in 17 patients (38%), metastasis in 17 (38%), non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 4 (9%), lymphoma in 3 (6%), interstitial fibrosis in 2 (4%), histiocytoma in one (2%), and hamartoma in one (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Histological analysis of resected SPN revealed unexpected malignant disease in more than 50% of the patients indicating that histological clarification of SPN seems warranted. Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of SPN previously localized by a CT-guided hook-wire system is related to a low conversion thoracotomy rate, a short operation time, and few postoperative complications, and it is well suited for the clarification of SPN.

Gas-filled microbubble-mediated delivery of antigen and the induction of immune responses.

The use of well characterized recombinant or purified protein antigens (Ag) for vaccination is of interest for safety reasons and in the case where inactivated pathogens are not available (cancer, allergy). However it requires the addition of adjuvants such as Ag carrier or immune stimulators to potentiate their immunogenicity. In this study, we demonstrated that gas-filled microbubbles (MB) can serve as an efficient Ag delivery system to promote phagocytosis of the model Ag ovalbumin (OVA) without the need of ultrasound application. Once internalized by DC, OVA was processed and presented to both CD4 and CD8 T cells in vitro; such observations were coupled with the capacity of MB to activate DC. In vivo administration of MB-associated OVA in naïve wild-type Balb/c mice resulted in the induction of OVA-specific antibody and T cell responses. Detailed characterization of the generated immune response demonstrated the production of both IgG1 and IgG2a serum antibodies, as well as the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-10 by splenocytes. Interestingly, similar results were obtained with human DC in regards of Ag delivery and cell activation. Therefore, the data presented here settle the proof of principle for the further evaluation of MB-based immunomodulation studies.

Budgeting rockfall and modeling sedimentary delivery in torrent systems

This thesis is a compilation of projects to study sediment processes recharging debris flow channels. These works, conducted during my stay at the University of Lausanne, focus in the geological and morphological implications of torrent catchments to characterize debris supply, a fundamental element to predict debris flows. Other aspects of sediment dynamics are considered, e.g. the coupling headwaters - torrent, as well as the development of a modeling software that simulates sediment transfer in torrent systems. The sediment activity at Manival, an active torrent system of the northern French Alps, was investigated using terrestrial laser scanning and supplemented with geostructural investigations and a survey of sediment transferred in the main torrent. A full year of sediment flux could be observed, which coincided with two debris flows and several bedload transport events. This study revealed that both debris flows generated in the torrent and were preceded in time by recharge of material from the headwaters. Debris production occurred mostly during winter - early spring time and was caused by large slope failures. Sediment transfers were more puzzling, occurring almost exclusively in early spring subordinated to runoffconditions and in autumn during long rainfall. Intense rainstorms in summer did not affect debris storage that seems to rely on the stability of debris deposits. The morpho-geological implication in debris supply was evaluated using DEM and field surveys. A slope angle-based classification of topography could characterize the mode of debris production and transfer. A slope stability analysis derived from the structures in rock mass could assess susceptibility to failure. The modeled rockfall source areas included more than 97% of the recorded events and the sediment budgets appeared to be correlated to the density of potential slope failure. This work showed that the analysis of process-related terrain morphology and of susceptibility to slope failure document the sediment dynamics to quantitatively assess erosion zones leading to debris flow activity. The development of erosional landforms was evaluated by analyzing their geometry with the orientations of potential rock slope failure and with the direction of the maximum joint frequency. Structure in rock mass, but in particular wedge failure and the dominant discontinuities, appear as a first-order control of erosional mechanisms affecting bedrock- dominated catchment. They represent some weaknesses that are exploited primarily by mass wasting processes and erosion, promoting not only the initiation of rock couloirs and gullies, but also their propagation. Incorporating the geological control in geomorphic processes contributes to better understand the landscape evolution of active catchments. A sediment flux algorithm was implemented in a sediment cascade model that discretizes the torrent catchment in channel reaches and individual process-response systems. Each conceptual element includes in simple manner geomorphological and sediment flux information derived from GIS complemented with field mapping. This tool enables to simulate sediment transfers in channels considering evolving debris supply and conveyance, and helps reducing the uncertainty inherent to sediment budget prediction in torrent systems. Cette thèse est un recueil de projets d'études des processus de recharges sédimentaires des chenaux torrentiels. Ces travaux, réalisés lorsque j'étais employé à l'Université de Lausanne, se concentrent sur les implications géologiques et morphologiques des bassins dans l'apport de sédiments, élément fondamental dans la prédiction de laves torrentielles. D'autres aspects de dynamique sédimentaire ont été abordés, p. ex. le couplage torrent - bassin, ainsi qu'un modèle de simulation du transfert sédimentaire en milieu torrentiel. L'activité sédimentaire du Manival, un système torrentiel actif des Alpes françaises, a été étudiée par relevés au laser scanner terrestre et complétée par une étude géostructurale ainsi qu'un suivi du transfert en sédiments du torrent. Une année de flux sédimentaire a pu être observée, coïncidant avec deux laves torrentielles et plusieurs phénomènes de charriages. Cette étude a révélé que les laves s'étaient générées dans le torrent et étaient précédées par une recharge de débris depuis les versants. La production de débris s'est passée principalement en l'hiver - début du printemps, causée par de grandes ruptures de pentes. Le transfert était plus étrange, se produisant presque exclusivement au début du printemps subordonné aux conditions d'écoulement et en automne lors de longues pluies. Les orages d'été n'affectèrent guère les dépôts, qui semblent dépendre de leur stabilité. Les implications morpho-géologiques dans l'apport sédimentaire ont été évaluées à l'aide de MNT et études de terrain. Une classification de la topographie basée sur la pente a permis de charactériser le mode de production et transfert. Une analyse de stabilité de pente à partir des structures de roches a permis d'estimer la susceptibilité à la rupture. Les zones sources modélisées comprennent plus de 97% des chutes de blocs observées et les bilans sédimentaires sont corrélés à la densité de ruptures potentielles. Ce travail d'analyses des morphologies du terrain et de susceptibilité à la rupture documente la dynamique sédimentaire pour l'estimation quantitative des zones érosives induisant l'activité torrentielle. Le développement des formes d'érosion a été évalué par l'analyse de leur géométrie avec celle des ruptures potentielles et avec la direction de la fréquence maximale des joints. Les structures de roches, mais en particulier les dièdres et les discontinuités dominantes, semblent être très influents dans les mécanismes d'érosion affectant les bassins rocheux. Ils représentent des zones de faiblesse exploitées en priorité par les processus de démantèlement et d'érosion, encourageant l'initiation de ravines et couloirs, mais aussi leur propagation. L'incorporation du control géologique dans les processus de surface contribue à une meilleure compréhension de l'évolution topographique de bassins actifs. Un algorithme de flux sédimentaire a été implémenté dans un modèle en cascade, lequel divise le bassin en biefs et en systèmes individuels répondant aux processus. Chaque unité inclut de façon simple les informations géomorpologiques et celles du flux sédimentaire dérivées à partir de SIG et de cartographie de terrain. Cet outil permet la simulation des transferts de masse dans les chenaux, considérants la variabilité de l'apport et son transport, et aide à réduire l'incertitude liée à la prédiction de bilans sédimentaires torrentiels. Ce travail vise très humblement d'éclairer quelques aspects de la dynamique sédimentaire en milieu torrentiel.