Time course analysis of hypoxia, granulation tissue and blood vessel growth, and remodeling in healing rat cutaneous incisional primary intention wounds

Hypoxia and the development and remodeling of blood vessels and connective tissue in granulation tissue that forms in a wound gap following full-thickness skin incision in the rat were examined as a function of time. A 1.5 cm-long incisional wound was created in rat groin skin and the opposed edges sutured together. Wounds were harvested between 3 days and 16 weeks and hypoxia, percent vascular volume, cell proliferation and apoptosis, α-smooth muscle actin, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and transforming growth factor-β 1 expression in granulation tissue were then assessed. Hypoxia was evident between 3 and 7 days while maximal cell proliferation at 3 days (123.6 ± 22.2 cells/mm 2, p < 0.001 when compared with normal skin) preceded the peak percent vascular volume that occurred at 7 days (15.83 ± 1.10%, p < 0.001 when compared with normal skin). The peak in cell apoptosis occurred at 3 weeks (12.1 ± 1.3 cells/mm 2, p < 0.001 when compared with normal skin). Intense α-smooth muscle actin labeling in myofibroblasts was evident at 7 and 10 days. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A were detectable until 2 and 3 weeks, respectively, while transforming growth factor-β 1 protein was detectable in endothelial cells and myofibroblasts until 3-4 weeks and in the extracellular matrix for 16 weeks. Incisional wound granulation tissue largely developed within 3-7 days in the presence of hypoxia. Remodeling, marked by a decline in the percent vascular volume and increased cellular apoptosis, occurred largely in the absence of detectable hypoxia. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and transforming growth factor-β 1 is evident prior, during, and after the peak of vascular volume reflecting multiple roles for these factors during wound healing.

Everyone’s watching it : the role of hype in television engagement through social media

Social media is playing an ever-increasing role in both viewers engagement with television and in the television industries evaluation of programming, in Australia – which is the focus of our study - and beyond. Twitter hashtags and viewer comments are increasingly incorporated into broadcasts, while Facebook fan pages provide a means of marketing upcoming shows and television personalities directly into the social media feed of millions of users. Additionally, bespoke applications such as FanGo and ZeeBox, which interact with the mainstream social networks, are increasingly being utilized by broadcasters for interactive elements of programming (c.f. Harrington, Highfield and Bruns, 2012). However, both the academic and industry study of these platforms has focused on the measure of content during the specific broadcast of the show, or a period surrounding it (e.g. 3 hours before until 3 am the next day, in the case of 2013 Nielsen SocialGuide reports). In this paper, we argue that this focus ignores a significant period for both television producers and advertisers; the lead-up to the program. If, as we argue elsewhere (Bruns, Woodford, Highfield & Prowd, forthcoming), users are persuaded to engage with content both by advertising of the Twitter hash-tag or Facebook page and by observing their network connections engaging with such content, the period before and between shows may have a significant impact on a viewers likelihood to watch a show. The significance of this period for broadcasters is clearly highlighted by the efforts they afford to advertising forthcoming shows through several channels, including television and social media, but also more widely. Biltereyst (2004, p.123) has argued that reality television generates controversy to receive media attention, and our previous small-scale work on reality shows during 2013 and 2014 supports the theory that promoting controversial behavior is likely to lead to increased viewing (Woodford & Prowd, 2014a). It remains unclear, however, to what extent this applies to other television genres. Similarly, while networks use of social media has been increasing, best practices remain unclear. Thus, by applying our telemetrics, that is social media metrics for television based on sabermetric approaches (Woodford, Prowd & Bruns, forthcoming; c.f. Woodford & Prowd, 2014b), to the period between shows, we are able to better understand the period when key viewing decisions may be made, to establish the significance of observing discussions within your network during the period between shows, and identify best practice examples of promoting a show using social media.

Semiparametric estimation of count regression models

This paper develops a semiparametric estimation approach for mixed count regression models based on series expansion for the unknown density of the unobserved heterogeneity. We use the generalized Laguerre series expansion around a gamma baseline density to model unobserved heterogeneity in a Poisson mixture model. We establish the consistency of the estimator and present a computational strategy to implement the proposed estimation techniques in the standard count model as well as in truncated, censored, and zero-inflated count regression models. Monte Carlo evidence shows that the finite sample behavior of the estimator is quite good. The paper applies the method to a model of individual shopping behavior. © 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Common secure index for conjunctive keyword-based retrieval over encrypted data

We consider the following problem: users in a dynamic group store their encrypted documents on an untrusted server, and wish to retrieve documents containing some keywords without any loss of data confidentiality. In this paper, we investigate common secure indices which can make multi-users in a dynamic group to obtain securely the encrypted documents shared among the group members without re-encrypting them. We give a formal definition of common secure index for conjunctive keyword-based retrieval over encrypted data (CSI-CKR), define the security requirement for CSI-CKR, and construct a CSI-CKR based on dynamic accumulators, Paillier’s cryptosystem and blind signatures. The security of proposed scheme is proved under strong RSA and co-DDH assumptions.

Guided ionization waves : theory and experiments

This review focuses on one of the fundamental phenomena that occur upon application of sufficiently strong electric fields to gases, namely the formation and propagation of ionization waves-streamers. The dynamics of streamers is controlled by strongly nonlinear coupling, in localized streamer tip regions, between enhanced (due to charge separation) electric field and ionization and transport of charged species in the enhanced field. Streamers appear in nature (as initial stages of sparks and lightning, as huge structures-sprites above thunderclouds), and are also found in numerous technological applications of electrical discharges. Here we discuss the fundamental physics of the guided streamer-like structures-plasma bullets which are produced in cold atmospheric-pressure plasma jets. Plasma bullets are guided ionization waves moving in a thin column of a jet of plasma forming gases (e.g.,He or Ar) expanding into ambient air. In contrast to streamers in a free (unbounded) space that propagate in a stochastic manner and often branch, guided ionization waves are repetitive and highly-reproducible and propagate along the same path-the jet axis. This property of guided streamers, in comparison with streamers in a free space, enables many advanced time-resolved experimental studies of ionization waves with nanosecond precision. In particular, experimental studies on manipulation of streamers by external electric fields and streamer interactions are critically examined. This review also introduces the basic theories and recent advances on the experimental and computational studies of guided streamers, in particular related to the propagation dynamics of ionization waves and the various parameters of relevance to plasma streamers. This knowledge is very useful to optimize the efficacy of applications of plasma streamer discharges in various fields ranging from health care and medicine to materials science and nanotechnology.

Expression profile of endothelin 1 and its receptor endothelin receptor A in papillary thyroid carcinoma and their correlations with clinicopathologic characteristics

The endothelin axis is a group of signaling molecules and their receptors that have been implicated in vascularization of cancers, with their expression being observed to change in different cancer types. In this research, we examined the expression of endothelin 1 and endothelin receptor A at the protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in 123 papillary thyroid carcinomas and 40 matched lymph nodes with metastatic papillary thyroid carcinomas. We found altered endothelin axis mRNA expression in several clinicopathologic parameters with increased endothelin 1 expression in thyroid papillary carcinoma showing stromal calcification, cancers in men, and primary cancers with lymph node metastases. Increased endothelin receptor A mRNA expression was noted in the larger cancers. There is a significant correlation between expression of endothelin receptor A and endothelin 1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Both endothelin receptor A and endothelin 1 mRNA expressions were significantly higher in metastatic carcinoma in the lymph node than in primary thyroid cancer. The metastatic carcinoma in the lymph node had increased expression compared with matched primary thyroid carcinoma. Expressions of endothelin 1 and endothelin receptor A were also documented as being high at the protein level. Our results indicate that in thyroid cancer, endothelin 1 and endothelin receptor A are associated with growth in advanced stages and lymph node metastases, likely through known angiogenic linkages. Targeting the endothelin axis may be useful in planning angiogenesis therapy for thyroid cancer.

Co-regulatory potential of vascular endothelial growth factor–A and vascular endothelial growth factor–C in thyroid carcinoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes growth of blood or lymphatic vessels. The aim of the current study is to identify relationships between VEGF-A and VEGF-C, and their impact in angiogenesis and metastases in thyroid cancers. VEGF-A and VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression was investigated in 136 thyroid cancers (123 papillary thyroid carcinomas and 13 undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas) and 40 matched lymph node metastases with papillary thyroid carcinoma using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. VEGF-A and VEGF-C mRNA expression was significantly different between conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas (P = 1 x 10(-6) and 1 x 10(-5), respectively). In undifferentiated carcinoma, VEGF-A and VEGF-C protein overexpression was noted in all cases. VEGF-A and VEGF-C mRNA overexpression was noted in 51% (n = 62) and 27% (n = 33) of the papillary thyroid carcinomas, whereas VEGF-A and VEGF-C protein overexpression was also identified in 70% (n = 86) and 62% (n = 76) of the carcinomas. VEGF-A mRNA was significantly higher in cancers with lymph node metastases compared with nonmetastatic cancers (P = .001), whereas most metastatic cancers underexpressed VEGF-C (P = .0002), with a similar trend for protein. The expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-C correlated with each other at both mRNA and protein levels (P = .00004 and .003, respectively). In summary, VEGF-A and -C expressions correlate with the pathological parameters and metastatic status of thyroid carcinomas. The significant correlations between the expressions of these genes add weight to hypotheses concerning VEGF-A and -C interaction in cancer progression.

Toward understanding the (lack of?) significance of dialogue to the practice of public relations

The public relations literature has tended to present dialogue as an idealised concept, with a focus on how it should, could, or ought to be carried out in public relations practice. There is little in extant literature that considers the significance of dialogue to the actual practice of public relations. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study of public relations practitioners’ day-to-day work. It concludes that dialogue does not – and arguably, cannot – occur in public relations practice and instead articulates an empirically-based practitioner perspective on two-way communication, which displays pragmatic characteristics that significantly distinguish it from dialogue.

Literacy, poverty and schooling : what matters in young people's education?

This paper draws upon several decades of literacy research in schools in high poverty environments to explore what matters in young people’s education. In dialogue with themes from Kevin Marjoribanks’ work, such as student aspirations, family environments, and teacher expectations, key insights are summarised. Referring to longitudinal case studies and a current ethnographic project, the interplay between literacy, poverty and schooling, and, young people’s aspirations and education outcomes is explored. While the work of educators in high poverty communities continues to be highly demanding, there are some schools and teachers making a durable positive difference to learner dispositions and literate repertoires. Teacher expectations and discursive practices are crucial in this process.

Effectiveness of policy against illegal disposal of waste

Our objective is to analyze the effectiveness, against the illegal disposal of waste, of a licensing system that has been introduced in a waste management policy. We theoretically find enforcement leverage in the licensing system, and then examine the theoretical result empirically. The results suggest that extending liability to disposers, which forms the basis of the enforcement leverage, deters illegal disposal more effectively than increasing penalties for illegal disposal. We also obtain evidence of transboundary movement of illegal disposal, and find how the court determines penalties for illegal disposal.

Maintaining the ethic of service [Editorial]

This issue of Precedent is concerned with professional legal ethics. ln my view, professional ethics are rules about how you do your job, based on moral principles. By virtue of the nature of the work they do, the reputation of the institution through which they are admitted to practice (the court), and the consequences that can flow if they act inappropriately or incompetently, lawyers are under constant scrutiny in all aspects of their lives. Errors, omissions or misdeeds in both their professional and their personal lives have the potential to damage them, their clients, the profession itself and the court. We ought never to take for granted the trust the public places in us to preserve the integrity of the legal system itself, especially in times when that system may be under threat, either from without or from within.

Duty to the court and the administration of justice : some examples, implications and clarifications

No liberal democracy can survive without popular trust in its judicial system. The legal profession and the judiciary enjoy a level of independence and autonomy from the executive that makes them both powerful and privileged. A UNIQUE AND ORGANIC DUTY: So long as the courts are seen to fulfil their duty to guard against encroachments by the executive on the freedoms and rights of individual citizens with integrity and credibility, they maintain enough public support to retain their normative authority. But support for those with power and privilege is easily undermined. It is contingent upon trust. Lawyers who breach that trust in ways that go to the heart of the legal system ought to expect to be made examples of and to suffer severe penalties. The good news is that the sorts of breach discussed here should be neither difficult to anticipate nor to avoid – in theory. In practice, smart and honest lawyers sometimes fall foul of these duties for all sorts of understandable (if not condonable) reasons. Law does not get practised in a social or cultural vacuum. Lawyers are people, and people have weaknesses, failings and stresses...

Mediated politics in Australia : towards a qualitative evaluation

The debate about the democratic significance of these trends—a more aggressively inquisitorial media environment, greater public participation in political communication, a more accessible and transparent (at least in appearance) political class—continues, not least in Australia. This essay was written in the first half of 2013, a time of extreme political volatility in Australia, and in the run-up to a general election following three years of minority Labor government. By that stage in the political cycle, Prime Minister Julia Gillard had survived not one but two attempts at leadership “spills”, ministers had resigned or been sacked for disloyalty to the leader, major policy initiatives had been dumped, reversed or quietly dropped, and a Coalition opposition was confidently looking forward to a landslide majority in the election of September that year. Labor’s internal party turmoil, rather than the Coalition’s policy prospectus (which remained sketchy and vague right up to the eve of the election), were widely assumed to be the cause of the former’s poor standing in the opinion polls.

Social support, self-efficacy, trauma and well-being in emergency medical dispatchers

Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) respond to crisis calls for ambulance; they dispatch paramedics and provide emotional and medical assistance to callers. Despite the stressful nature and exposure to potentially traumatising events in this role, there has been no published research specifically investigating well-being or posttraumatic growth among EMDs. Extrapolating from research conducted among other emergency services workers (e. g., paramedics, police), literature attests to the importance of self efficacy and social support in promoting mental health in emergency service workers. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of self efficacy, and giving and receiving social support on psychological well-being, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sixty EMDs (50% response rate) completed an online questionnaire. Three hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to ascertain predictors of well-being, PTG and PTSD. Receiving social support emerged as a significant positive predictor of well-being and PTG, and a significant negative predictor of PTSD. Self efficacy was found to significantly and positively predict well-being, and shift-work was found to significantly and negatively predict PTSD. These results highlight that self efficacy and receiving social support are likely to be important for enhancing well-being within this population, and that receiving social support is also likely to facilitate positive post-trauma responses. Such findings have implications for the way emergency service personnel are educated with reference to aspects of mental health and how best to support personnel in order to achieve optimal mental health outcomes for all.