Preliminary report of the first season work of the International Pluridisciplinary Archaeological Expedition to Bactria 2008

This year the development of our project can be divided into two main clearly different parts, on one hand the laboratory work, where the sampled ceramic individuals has been prepared and analyzed and the elaboration of the data obtained during the excavation of 2007 has been finished and, on the other hand, the field work developed at the archaeological site during this specific year (2008).In the mark of the analytical work a significant number of ceramic individuals (144) from the different stratigraphical units from various areas of the excavation of Termez and Tchinguiz Tepe sampled duringthe new and previous field works has been archaeometrically characterized. This specific material includedindividuals dated into the Hellenistic and Sassanian period, which has been confirmed by C14dating upon organic samples.At the same time, in the mark of the field work of 2008 the archaeological record, already started tobe under study during the excavation of 2007, has been completed and two new archaeological recordshave been registered on of which is located in the area of Tchinguiz Tepe. For the archeological studythe information of the previous geophysical prospecting has been indisputably taken into considerationand the same methodology has been applied to crosscheck the latter archaeological results.

Preliminary Report of the work of the International Pluridisciplinary Archaeological Expedition to Bactria (2009)

Institute of Archaeology & Institute of Fine Arts. Academy of Science of the Republic of Uzbekistan- Universitat de Barcelona- Ministerio de Cultura (Gobierno de España)- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Gobierno de España)

The work of Spanish men. A quantitative analysis based on census data, 1900-1970

This paper presents a historical examination of employment in old age in Spain, in order to characterize this labour segment and identify and analyse its specific problems. One of these problems is the life-cycle deskilling process, already shown for certain national cases. This study explores whether this hypothesis also holds in Spain. The perspective used is essentially quantitative, as our analysis is based on the age-profession tables in Spanish population censuses from 1900 to 1970.

The use of the vac in complex wounds - does it work and how?

Background: Complex wounds pose a major challenge in reconstructive and trauma surgery. Several approaches to increase the healing process have been proposed in the last decades. In this study we study the mechanism of action of the Vacuum Assisted Closure device in diabetic wounds. Methods: Full-thickness wounds were excised in diabetic mice and treated with the VAC device or its isolated components: an occlusive dressing (OD) alone, subathmospheric pressure at 125 mm Hg (Suction), and a polyurethane foam without (Foam) and with (Foamc) downward compression of approximately 125 mm Hg. The last goups were treated with either the complete VAC device (VAC) or with a silicne interface that alows fluid removel (Mepithel-VAC). The effects of the treatment modes on the wound surface were quantified by a two-dimensional immunohistochemical staging system based on vasculature, as defined by blood vessel density (CD31) and cell proliferation (defined by ki67 positivity), 7 days post wounding. Finite element modelling was used to predict wound surface deformation under dressing modes and cross sections of in situ fixed tissues were used to measure actual microstrain. Results: The foam-wound interface of the Vacuum Assisted Closure device causes significant wound stains (60%) causing a deformation of the single cell level leading to a profound upregulation of cell proliferation (4-fold) and angiogenisis (2.2-fold) compared to OD treated wounds. Polyurethane foam exposure itself causes a frather unspecific angiogenic response (Foamc, 2 - fold, Foam, 2.2 - fold) without changes of the cell proliferation rate of the wound bed. Suction alone without a specific interface does not have an effect on meassured parameters, showing similar results to untreated wounds. A perforated silicone interface caused a significant lower microdeforamtion of the wound bed correlating to changes of the wound tissues. Conclusion: The Vacuum Assisted Closure device induce significanttissue growth in diabetic wounds. The wound foam interface under suction causes profound macrodeformation that stimulates tissue growth by angiogenesis and cell proliferation. It needs to be taken in consideration that in the clinical setting different wound types may profit from different elements of this suction device.

Genome-wide arrays in routine diagnostics of hematological malignancies.

Over the last three decades, cytogenetic analysis of malignancies has become an integral part of disease evaluation and prediction of prognosis or responsiveness to therapy. In most diagnostic laboratories, conventional karyotyping, in conjunction with targeted fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, is routinely performed to detect recurrent aberrations with prognostic implications. However, the genetic complexity of cancer cells requires a sensitive genome-wide analysis, enabling the detection of small genomic changes in a mixed cell population, as well as of regions of homozygosity. The advent of comprehensive high-resolution genomic tools, such as molecular karyotyping using comparative genomic hybridization or single-nucleotide polymorphism microarrays, has overcome many of the limitations of traditional cytogenetic techniques and has been used to study complex genomic lesions in, for example, leukemia. The clinical impact of the genomic copy-number and copy-neutral alterations identified by microarray technologies is growing rapidly and genome-wide array analysis is evolving into a diagnostic tool, to better identify high-risk patients and predict patients' outcomes from their genomic profiles. Here, we review the added clinical value of an array-based genome-wide screen in leukemia, and discuss the technical challenges and an interpretation workflow in applying arrays in the acquired cytogenetic diagnostic setting.

Welfare Work in Iowa, 1921.

This book, by Marcus L. Hansen, supplements a previously written book by him called Welfare Campaigns in Iowa. It details accounts of particular groups or organizations in Iowa that were active in welfare campaigns or work during World War I.

Routine therapeutic drug monitoring in patients treated with 10-360 mg/day citalopram

From data collected during routine TDM, plasma concentrations of citalopram (CIT) and its metabolites demethylcitalopram (DCIT) and didemethylcitalopram (DDCIT) were measured in 345 plasma samples collected in steady-state conditions. They were from 258 patients treated with usual doses (20-60 mg/d) and from patients medicated with 80-360 mg/d CIT. Most patients had one or several comedications, including other antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium, anticonvulsants, psychostimulants and somatic medications. Dose-corrected CIT plasma concentrations (C/D ratio) were 2.51 +/- 2.25 ng mL-1 mg-1 (n = 258; mean +/- SD). Patients >65 years had significantly higher dose-corrected CIT plasma concentrations (n = 56; 3.08 +/- 1.35 ng mL-1 mg-1) than younger patients (n = 195; 2.35 +/- 2.46 ng mL-1 mg-1) (P = 0.03). CIT plasma concentrations in the generally recommended dose range were [mean +/- SD, (median)]: 57 +/- 64 (45) ng/mL (10-20 mg/d; n = 64), 117 +/- 95 (91) ng/mL (21-60 mg/d; n = 96). At higher than usual doses, the following concentrations of CIT were measured: 61-120 mg/d CIT, 211 +/- 103 (190) ng/mL (n = 93); 121-200 mg/d: 339 +/- 143 (322) ng/mL (n = 70); 201-280 mg/d: 700 +/- 408 (565) ng/mL (n = 18); 281-360 mg/d: 888 +/- 620 (616) ng/mL (n = 4). When only one sample per patient (at the highest daily dose if repeated dosages) is considered, there is a linear and significant correlation (n = 48, r = 0.730; P < 0.001) between daily dose (10-200 mg/d) and CIT plasma concentrations. In experiments with dogs, DDCIT was reported to affect the QT interval when present at concentrations >300 ng/mL. In this study, DDCIT concentration reached 100 ng/mL in a patient treated with 280 mg/d CIT. Twelve other patients treated with 140-320 mg/d CIT had plasma concentrations of DDCIT within the range 52-73 ng/mL. In a subgroup comprised of patients treated with > or =160 mg/d CIT and with CIT plasma concentrations < or =300 ng/mL, and patients treated with < or =200 mg/d CIT and CIT plasma concentrations > or = 600 ng/mL, the enantiomers of CIT and DCIT were also analyzed. The highest S-CIT concentration measured in this subgroup was 327 ng/mL in a patient treated with 140 mg/d CIT, but the highest S-CIT concentration (632 ng/mL) was measured in patient treated with 360 mg/d CIT. In conclusion, there is a highly linear correlation between CIT plasma concentrations and CIT doses, well above the usual dose range.

Application de nanoparticules luminescentes pour la detection de traces papillaires

Après avoir situé le contexte de la recherche et défini les enjeux principaux du travail, différents types de nanoparticules, ainsi que leurs principales caractéristiques, sont parcourues. L'élaboration de critères de sélection ayant permis de déterminer les types de nanoparticules potentiellement adaptés à !a détection de traces papillaires, l'étude s'est alors focalisée sur deux familles de composés: les quantum dots et les nanoparticules d'oxyde de silicium. Deux types de quantum dots ont été synthétisés : le tellurure de cadmium et le sulfure de zinc). Ils n'ont toutefois pas permis la détection de traces papillaires réalistes. En effet, seules des traces fraîches et enrichies en sécrétions ont pu être mises en évidence. Toutefois, des résultats ont été obtenus avec les deux types de quantum dots pour la détection de traces papillaires sanglantes. Après optimisation, les techniques rivalisent avec les méthodes couramment appliquées en routine. Cependant, l'interaction se produisant entre les traces et les nanoparticules n'a pas pu être déterminé. Les nanoparticules d'oxyde de silicium ont dès lors été appliquées dans le but de comprendre plus en détails les interactions avec les traces papillaires. Ces nanoparticules ont l'avantage d'offrir un très bon contrôle de surface, permettant ainsi une étude détaillée des phénomènes en jeu. Des propriétés de surface variables ont dès lors été obtenues en greffant diverses molécules à la surface des nanoparticules d'oxyde de silicium. Après avoir exploré différentes hypothèses d'interaction, il a pu être déterminé qu'une réaction chimique se produit lors qu'un groupement de type carboxyle est présent à la surface des particules. Ce groupement réagit avec les fonctions amines primaires des sécrétions. L'interaction chimique a ensuite pu être renforcée par l'utilisation d'un catalyseur, permettant d'accélérer la réaction. Dans la dernière partie du travail, les nanoparticules d'oxyde de silicium ont été comparées à une technique utilisée en routine, la fumigation de cyanoacrylate. Bien que des études plus approfondies soient nécessaires, il s'avère que l'application de nanoparticules d'oxyde de silicium permet une détection de très bonne qualité, moins dépendante du donneur que les techniques courantes. Ces résultats sont prometteurs en vue du développement d'une technique possédant une sensibilité et une sélectivité accrue. - Having situated the background of research and identified key issues of work, different types of nanoparticles and their main features are reviewed. The development of selection criteria lead to the identification of nanoparticles types potentially suitable for fingermarks detection. The study focused then On two families of compounds: quantum dots and silicon oxide nanoparticles. Two types of quantum dots were synthesized and characterised: cadmium telluride and zinc sulphide. Unfortunally, they did not allow the detection realistic fingermarks. Indeed, only fresh and groomed fingermarks have been detected. However, results have been obtained with both types of quantum dots for the detection of fingermarks in blood. After optimization procedures, the quantum dots based teshniques compete with the methods currently used in routine. However, the interaction occurring between fingermarks and nanoparticles could not be determined. Silicon oxide nanoparticles have therefore been applied in order to understand in detail the interactions With fingermarks. These nanoparticles have the advantage of providing a very good surface control, allowing am in-depth study of the phenomena involved. Versatile surface properties were therefore obtained by grafting various molecules on the surface of silicon oxide nanoparticles. Different hypotheses were investigated and it was determined that a chemical reaction occurred between the surface functionalised nanoparticles and the fingermark residues. The carboxyl groups on the surface of the particles react with primary amines of the secretions. Therefore, this interaction was improved by the use of a catalyst. In the last part of the work, silicon oxide nanoparticles were compared to a routinely used technique: cyanocrylate fuming. Although further studies are still needed, it appears that the application of silicon oxide nanoparticles allows fingermark detection of very good quality, with a lowered donor dependency. These results are promising for the development of techniques with greater sensitivity and selectivity.

Self perceptions as predictors for return to work 2 years after rehabilitation in orthopedic trauma inpatients.

Purpose This study aimed to identify self-perception variables which may predict return to work (RTW) in orthopedic trauma patients 2 years after rehabilitation. Methods A prospective cohort investigated 1,207 orthopedic trauma inpatients, hospitalised in rehabilitation, clinics at admission, discharge, and 2 years after discharge. Information on potential predictors was obtained from self administered questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression models were applied. Results In the final model, a higher likelihood of RTW was predicted by: better general health and lower pain at admission; health and pain improvements during hospitalisation; lower impact of event (IES-R) avoidance behaviour score; higher IES-R hyperarousal score, higher SF-36 mental score and low perceived severity of the injury. Conclusion RTW is not only predicted by perceived health, pain and severity of the accident at the beginning of a rehabilitation program, but also by the changes in pain and health perceptions observed during hospitalisation.

Examining Driver Behavior in Response to Work Zone Interventions: A Driving Simulator Study, 2010

Construction zones pose a significant threat to both workers and drivers causing numerous injuries and deaths each year. Innovations in work zone safety could reduce these numbers. However, implementing work zone interventions before they are validated can undermine rather than enhance safety. The objective of this research is to demonstrate how driving simulators can be used to evaluate the effect of various work zone interventions on driver performance.

Application of Visualization and Simulation Program to Improve Work Zone Safety and Mobility, January 2010

A previous study sponsored by the Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative, “Feasibility of Visualization and Simulation Applications to Improve Work Zone Safety and Mobility,” demonstrated the feasibility of combining readily available, inexpensive software programs, such as SketchUp and Google Earth, with standard two-dimensional civil engineering design programs, such as MicroStation, to create animations of construction work zones. The animations reflect changes in work zone configurations as the project progresses, representing an opportunity to visually present complex information to drivers, construction workers, agency personnel, and the general public. The purpose of this study is to continue the work from the previous study to determine the added value and resource demands created by including more complex data, specifically traffic volume, movement, and vehicle type. This report describes the changes that were made to the simulation, including incorporating additional data and converting the simulation from a desktop application to a web application.

Driving Retirement Planning and making it work, August 2, 2007

The value of driving We as Americans - and especially as Iowans - value the independence of getting around in our own vehicles and staying connected with our families and communities. The majority of older Iowans enjoy a more active, healthy and longer life than previous generations. Freedom of mobility shapes our quality of life. With aging, driving becomes an increasing concern for older Iowans and their families. How we deal with changes in our driving ability and, eventually, choose when and how to retire from driving, will affect our safety and our quality of life.