Next-generation MRI scanner designed for ultra-high-resolution human brain imaging at 7 Tesla.

To increase granularity in human neuroimaging science, we designed and built a next-generation 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner to reach ultra-high resolution by implementing several advances in hardware. To improve spatial encoding and increase the image signal-to-noise ratio, we developed a head-only asymmetric gradient coil (200 mT m, 900 T ms) with an additional third layer of windings. We integrated a 128-channel receiver system with 64- and 96-channel receiver coil arrays to boost signal in the cerebral cortex while reducing g-factor noise to enable higher accelerations.

Fast, automated, continuous energy scans for experimental phasing at the BioMAX beamline.

In X-ray macromolecular crystallography (MX), single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) and multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) techniques are commonly used for obtaining experimental phases. For an MX synchrotron beamline to support SAD and MAD techniques it is a prerequisite to have a reliable, fast and well automated energy scan routine. This work reports on a continuous energy scan procedure newly implemented at the BioMAX MX beamline at MAX IV Laboratory.

Design and performance of a dedicated coherent X-ray scanning diffraction instrument at beamline NanoMAX of MAX IV.

The diffraction endstation of the NanoMAX beamline is designed to provide high-flux coherent X-ray nano-beams for experiments requiring many degrees of freedom for sample and detector. The endstation is equipped with high-efficiency Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror focusing optics and a two-circle goniometer supporting a positioning and scanning device, designed to carry a compact sample environment. A robot is used as a detector arm.

NanoMAX: the hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory.

NanoMAX is the first hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the MAX IV laboratory. It utilizes the unique properties of the world's first operational multi-bend achromat storage ring to provide an intense and coherent focused beam for experiments with several methods. In this paper we present the beamline optics design in detail, show the performance figures, and give an overview of the surrounding infrastructure and the operational diffraction endstation.

Anthropogenic Noise Source and Intensity Effects on Mood and Relaxation in Simulated Park Environments.

Research on human caused sound has shown a wide range of effects in outdoor environments as well as laboratory simulations of those environments. Aircraft noise, ground traffic, and human voices have all been shown to lower scenic evaluation ratings and influence individual reports of affective state. However, previous research has relied entirely on pre-post measures of affect and psychological state rather than more momentary assessments.

Cultivating change: Engaging residents in research.

Background: The American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) guidelines for scholarly activities by family medicine residents require at least one activity per resident and encourage conference presentations. Meeting these guidelines has traditionally been challenging due to a multitude of factors from lack of time to limited administrative support. Studies have shown that resident participation in research was associated with higher levels of satisfaction with training.

E-Scripts and Cell Phones: A Blessing or Curse?

E-scripts have been used as part of computerized provider order entry implementation for several years now, particularly with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Meaningful Use, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, and other laws and regulations. This case study seeks to focus on 2 specific aspects of the effect of increasing electronic technology within health care: e-prescriptions and cell phones or smartphones.

Assessing the need for low secure care in Northern Ireland.

Aims And Method: To assess the need for the provision of low secure care in Northern Ireland. A survey of the providers of healthcare in Northern Ireland was conducted using a study tool based on Royal College of Psychiatrists Low Secure Network Standards admission criteria.

Results: A total of 105 patients were assessed as needing low secure care including 93 patients currently admitted to hospital in the region and 12 patients admitted to hospital outside of the region.

Drug Testing Incoming Residents and Medical Students in Family Medicine Training: A Survey of Program Policies and Practices.

Background: Despite well-established negative consequences, high rates of substance use and related disorders continue to be reported. Physicians in training are not immune from this, or the associated risks to their health and careers, while impaired physicians are a threat to patient safety.

Objective: We surveyed family medicine residency programs' practices relating to drug testing of medical students and incoming residents.

Striking design suits St Andrews skyline.

Creating a new hospital that proves itself to be sustainable on a greenfield site is quite a challenge. Paul Bell, director at Ryder Architecture, describes how the St Andrews Community Hospital and Health Centre has been delivered to achieve just that for NHS Fife.

Determination of problematic ICD-9-CM subcategories for further study of coding performance: Delphi method.

In this study, we report on a qualitative method known as the Delphi method, used in the first part of a research study for improving the accuracy and reliability of ICD-9-CM coding. A panel of independent coding experts interacted methodically to determine that the three criteria to identify a problematic ICD-9-CM subcategory for further study were cost, volume, and level of coding confusion caused. The Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) 2007 fiscal year data set as well as suggestions from the experts were used to identify coding subcategories based on cost and volume data.

Treatment of bipolar disorders and metabolic syndrome: implications for primary care.

Recognition of the prevalence of mood disorders and increased availability of medication options have led to calls for treating bipolar disorders in the primary care setting. Second-generation antipsychotic medications (SGAs) were initially lauded for treating bipolar disorders because of their efficacy and perceived safety relative to first-generation antipsychotic medications. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which may emerge when treating bipolar disorders with SGAs.

Examination of a psychoeducational intervention and a respite grant in relieving psychosocial stressors associated with being an Alzheimer's caregiver.

Alzheimer's disease can be particularly devastating to those who are caring for their loved one with the condition. There have been recent calls for the tailoring of caregiving interventions to examine outcome differences between groups of caregivers and the reporting of effectiveness via longitudinal and specific outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine 3 interventions (psychoeducational training, a respite voucher-type grant, or their combination) while looking for possible group differences.

Web 2.0: what a health care manager needs to know.

Web 2.0 is one of the latest buzzwords for an assortment of emerging technologies on the Web. Health care managers need to know the benefits and drawbacks of these technologies before integrating them into organizational operations.

Can factors related to self-regulated learning and epistemological beliefs predict learning achievement in undergraduate asynchronous Web-based courses?

This study examined the effects of self-regulated learning (SRL) and epistemological beliefs (EB) on individual learner levels of academic achievement in Web-based learning environments while holding constant the effect of computer self-efficacy, reason for taking an online course, and prior college academic achievement. The study constituents included 201 undergraduate students enrolled in a variety of asynchronous Web-based courses at a university in the southeastern United States. Data was collected via a Web-based questionnaire and subjected to the following analyses: separate exploratory factor analyses of the self-regulated learning and the epistemological beliefs question items, correlations between the independent variables and the dependent variable, and linear regression of final course grades with all the variables in the model.

Biophysical characterization of an integrin-targeted lipopolyplex gene delivery vector.

Nonviral gene delivery vectors now show good therapeutic potential: however, detailed characterization of the composition and macromolecular organization of such particles remains a challenge. This paper describes experiments to elucidate the structure of a ternary, targeted, lipopolyplex synthetic vector, the LID complex. This consists of a lipid component, Lipofectin (L) (1:1 DOTMA:DOPE), plasmid DNA (D), and a dual-function, cationic peptide component (I) containing DNA condensation and integrin-targeting sequences.

Attitudes, personal evaluations, cognitive evaluation and interpersonal attraction: on the direct, indirect and reverse-causal effects.

The authors hypothesized that (1) attraction toward a stranger based on attitudinal similarity is automatic, but cognitive evaluation of the stranger's quality before the measurement of attraction can make attraction nonautomatic or controlled; (2) personal evaluations from the stranger activate automatic attraction and cognitive evaluation; (3) controlled attraction from attitudes and automatic attraction and cognitive evaluation from personal evaluations engender reverse-causal effects (i.e. they mediate each other); and (4) attraction and cognitive evaluation are distinct constructs.

Rapid and conservative ablation and modification of enamel, dentin, and alveolar bone using a high repetition rate transverse excited atmospheric pressure CO2 laser operating at lambda=9.3 micro.

Transverse excited atmospheric pressure (TEA) CO(2) lasers tuned to the strong mineral absorption of hydroxyapatite near lambda=9 microm are well suited for the efficient ablation of dental hard tissues if the laser pulse is stretched to greater than 5 to 10 micros to avoid plasma shielding phenomena. Such CO(2) lasers are capable of operating at high repetition rates for the rapid removal of dental hard tissues. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that stretched lambda=9.

Examining the effectiveness of the Savvy Caregiver Program among rural Colorado residents.

Objective: Alzheimer's disease can be particularly devastating to those living in rural communities where caregivers are typically older and access to supportive services is more limited than in urban areas. The purpose of this study was to examine an ongoing intervention that targets the needs of rural dementia caregivers by providing appropriate education, training, and access to services.

Method: A total of 54 rural and 42 urban caregivers participated in the Savvy Caregiver Program in their local communities, with training of 1 week, 2 week, or 3 week sessions by staff of the Alzheimer's Association, Colorado Chapter.

Reanalysis and perspective in the heat--aggression debate.

B. J. Bushman, M.

Targeted gene delivery to human airway epithelial cells with synthetic vectors incorporating novel targeting peptides selected by phage display.

Human airway epithelial cell targeting peptides were identified by biopanning on 1HAEo-cells, a well characterised epithelial cell line. Bound phage were recovered after three rounds of binding, high stringency washing and elution, leading to the production of an enriched phage peptide population. DNA sequencing of 56 clones revealed 14 unique sequences.

Gemini surfactants: new synthetic vectors for gene transfection.

The superior surfactant properties of cationic gemini surfactants are applied to the complex problem of introducing genes into cells. Of almost 250 new compounds tested, of some 20 different structural types, a majority showed very good transfection activity in vitro. The surfactant is shown to bind and compact DNA efficiently, and structural studies and calculations provide a working picture of the "lipoplex" formed.

Transfection mediated by gemini surfactants: engineered escape from the endosomal compartment.

The structure of the lipoplex formed from DNA and the sugar-based cationic gemini surfactant 1, which exhibits excellent transfection efficiency, has been investigated in the pH range 8.8-3.0 utilizing small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-TEM).