αβ T‐cell lines specific for sulfatide, an abundant myelin glycosphingolipid presented by various CD1 molecules, have been previously derived from PBMCs of patients with demyelinating diseases such ...as multiple sclerosis (MS) but also from healthy subjects. Using an unbiased tetramer‐based MACS enrichment method to enrich for rare antigen‐specific cells, we confirmed the presence of CD1d‐sulfatide‐specific T cells in all healthy individuals examined. Surprisingly, the great majority of fresh sulfatide‐specific T cells belonged to the γδ lineage. Furthermore, these cells used the Vδ1 TCR variable segment, which is uncommon in the blood but predominates in tissues such as the gut and specifically accumulates in MS lesions. Recombinant Vδ1 TCRs from different individuals were shown to bind recombinant CD1d‐sulfatide complexes in a sulfatide‐specific manner. These results provide the first direct demonstration of MHC‐like‐restricted, antigen‐specific recognition by γδ TCRs. Together with previous reports, they support the notion that human Vδ1 T cells are enriched in CD1‐specific T cells and suggest that the Vδ1 T‐cell population that accumulates in MS lesions might be enriched in CD1‐sulfatide‐specific cells.
With the rapid growth of the aviation industry, there is a need for a large number of flight crew. How to select suitable prospective pilots in a cost-efficient manner has become an important ...research question. In the current study, 23 pilots were recruited from China Eastern Airlines, and 23 novices were from the community of Tsinghua University. A novel approach incorporating machine learning and virtual reality technology was applied to distinguish features between these participants with different flight skills. Results indicate that SVM with the MIC feature selection method consistently achieved the highest prediction performance on all metrics with an accuracy of 0.93, an AUC of 0.96, and an F1 of 0.93, which outperforms four other classifier algorithms and two other feature selection methods. From the perspective of feature selection methods, the MIC method can select features with a nonlinear relationship to sampling labels instead of a simple filter-out. Our new implementation of the SVM + MIC algorithm outperforms all existing pilot selection algorithms and perhaps provides the first implementation based on eye tracking and flight dynamics data. This study’s VR simulation platforms and algorithms can be used for pilot selection, training, and personnel selection in other fields (e.g., astronauts).
Biofouling of ship hulls form a vector for the introduction of non-indigenous organisms worldwide. Through increasing friction, the organisms attached to ships' hulls increase the fuel consumption, ...leading to both higher fuel costs and air emissions. At the same time, ship biofouling management causes both ecological risks and monetary costs. All these aspects should be considered case-specifically in the search of sustainable management strategies. Applying Bayesian networks, we developed a multi-criteria decision analysis model to compare biofouling management strategies in the Baltic Sea, given the characteristics of a ship, its operating profile and operational environment, considering the comprehensive environmental impact and the monetary costs. The model is demonstrated for three scenarios (SC1-3) and sub-scenarios (A-C), comparing the alternative biofouling management strategies in relation to NIS (non-indigenous species) introduction risk, eco-toxicological risk due to biocidal coating, carbon dioxide emissions and costs related to fuel consumption, in-water cleaning and hull coating. The scenarios demonstrate that by the careful consideration of the hull fouling management strategy, both money and environment can be saved.
We suggest biocidal-free coating with a regular in-water cleaning using a capture system is generally the lowest-risk option. The best biocidal-free coating type and the optimal in-water cleaning interval should be evaluated case-specifically, though. In some cases, however, biocidal coating remains a justifiable option.
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•A multi-criteria decision analysis model to compare biofouling management strategies.•Several environmental and economic aspects considered jointly.•The first Bayesian network application in the field of ship biofouling management.•Increasing holistic understanding can support the harmonization of the regulation.•Biocidal-free coating with a regular in-water cleaning is a promising alternative.
Objectives. Titanium cranioplasty (TC), the operative repair of a skull defect with an ergonomically manufactured plate to restore cosmesis, cranial function and reduce complications is a common ...neurosurgical procedure. It is technically simple but has high complication rates. This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of complications following TC. Design. Retrospective review. Subjects. All patients undergoing TC over a 42-month period in our institution. Methods. Data was collected from the hospital database and case-notes. 3D CT reconstructions accurately measured defect size and location. Statistical analysis included correlation, independent variable analysis and descriptive methods. Results. A total of 95 TCs were analysed in 92 patients (3 cases of bifrontal cranioplasty). The commonest indications for TC were bony defect following removal of infected bone flap (n = 20), acute subdural haematoma (n = 18) and post-malignant infarction (n = 11). The commonest site was frontotemporoparietal (n = 61) and the overall complication rate was 30.4%. The commonest complication was infection and the overall removal rate was 8.4%. The mean cranioplasty area was 73.26 cm2 (range 12.78-178.26 cm2). There was a significant relationship between area and length of post-operative hospital stay (p = 0.008, Pearson Rank). There was no significant relationship between area and complications, removal rates or infections. There was no relationship between age and total complications, post-operative hospital stay and infections. There was a non-significant trend for older patients to have their cranioplasty removed. Conclusions. TC size is predictive of postoperative length of stay. However, the TC size is not predictive of complications or removal rate. Also, there was no association between interval since primary operation and complications. There was a non-significant trend for greater rates of TC removal in the elderly. There were no predictors of complications identified but they are common and patients should be consented accordingly.
Loneliness has potentially adverse effects on health and is often connected with depression, while maternal depression has been shown to have a harmful effect on many indicators of children's ...socioemotional outcomes. The prevalence of loneliness among first-time mothers and its associations with depressive symptoms, background factors, and child outcomes in middle childhood and adolescence were investigated in this longitudinal study. A sample of 122 mother-child dyads was collected from maternal health clinics in Tampere, Finland. The mothers reported their feelings of loneliness at three time points: during pregnancy and when their firstborn child was 8-9 and 16-17 years old. Maternal depressive symptoms were screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at the same time points. The children's internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self Report (YSR) questionnaires. Some 34-38% of the mothers reported loneliness at the different study points. Maternal loneliness showed associations with dissatisfaction with life and the pair relationship, and with the presence of depressive symptoms. The mother's prenatal loneliness predicted the child's internalizing problems in adolescence. Interventions aimed at relieving loneliness should be provided for mothers at all stages of motherhood.
It has been proposed that bioaccumulated concentrations of toxic metals in tolerant biomonitors be used as indicators of metal bioavailability that could be calibrated against the ecological response ...to metals of sensitive biotic assemblages. Our hypothesis was that metal concentrations in caddisfly larvae Hydropsyche siltalai and Plectrocnemia conspersa, as tolerant biomonitors, indicate metal bioavailability in contaminated streams, and can be calibrated against metal-specific ecological responses of mayflies. Bioaccumulated concentrations of Cu, As, Zn and Pb in H. siltalai from SW English streams were related to the mayfly assemblage. Mayflies were always sparse where bioavailabilities were high and were abundant and diverse where bioavailabilities of all metals were low, a pattern particularly evident when the combined abundance of heptageniid and ephemerellid mayflies was the response variable. The results offer promise that bioaccumulated concentrations of metals in tolerant biomonitors can be used to diagnose ecological impacts on stream benthos from metal stressors.
► Metal concentrations in caddisfly larvae can be calibrated against mayfly ecological responses. ► Cu, As, Zn and Pb concentrations in Hydropsyche siltalai were related to stream mayfly assemblages. ► Mayflies were sparse in high metal bioavailabilities, and abundant in low bioavailabilities. ► Joint heptageniid and ephemerellid mayfly abundance was the most sensitive response variable. ► Copper, arsenic and, in one catchment, lead were the primary stressors limiting mayfly abundance.
Accumulated metal concentrations in tolerant biomonitors can be used to detect and diagnose ecological impacts on freshwater stream benthos from metal stressors.
Large-scale oil accidents can inflict substantial costs to the society, as they typically result in expensive oil combating and waste treatment operations and have negative impacts on recreational ...and environmental values. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) offers a way to assess the economic efficiency of management measures capable of mitigating the adverse effects. However, the irregular occurrence of spills combined with uncertainties related to the possible effects makes the analysis a challenging task. We develop a probabilistic modeling approach for a CBA of oil spill management and apply it in the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea. The model has a causal structure, and it covers a large number of factors relevant to the realistic description of oil spills, as well as the costs of oil combating operations at open sea, shoreline clean-up, and waste treatment activities. Further, to describe the effects on environmental benefits, we use data from a contingent valuation survey. The results encourage seeking for cost-effective preventive measures, and emphasize the importance of the inclusion of the costs related to waste treatment and environmental values in the analysis. Although the model is developed for a specific area, the methodology is applicable also to other areas facing the risk of oil spills as well as to other fields that need to cope with the challenging combination of low probabilities, high losses and major uncertainties.
•We develop a model for a cost-benefit analysis of oil spill management.•Uncertainty is explicitly taken into account in the model.•Both preventive and post-spill management measures are included in the analysis.•The benefits result from decreases in oil combating costs and environmental damages.•The results encourage seeking for cost-effective preventive measures.
Based on a hypothesis that interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity is associated with low back pain (LBP), we investigated relationships between previously described functional IL-1 gene polymorphisms and LBP. ...The subjects were a subgroup of a Finnish study cohort. The IL-1alpha(C(889)-T), IL-1beta(C(3954)-T) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN)(G(1812)-A, G(1887)-C and T(11100)-C) polymorphisms were genotyped in 131 middle-aged men from three occupational groups (machine drivers, carpenters and office workers). A questionnaire inquired about individual and lifestyle characteristics and the occurrence of LBP, the number of days with pain and days with limitation of daily activities because of pain, and pain intensity, during the past 12 months. Lumbar disc degeneration was determined with magnetic resonance imaging. Carriers of the IL-1RNA(1812) allele had an increased risk of LBP (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-6.0) and carriers of this allele in combination with the IL-1alphaT(889) or IL-1betaT(3954) allele had a higher risk of and more days with LBP than non-carriers. Pain intensity was associated with the simultaneous carriage of the IL-1alphaT(889) and IL-1RNA(1812) alleles (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2-11.9). Multiple regression analyses allowing for occupation and disc degeneration showed that carriage of the IL-1RNA(1812) allele was associated with the occurrence of pain, the number of days with pain and days with limitations of daily activities. Carriage of the IL-1betaT(3954) allele was associated with the number of days with pain. The results suggest a possible contribution of the IL-1 gene locus polymorphisms to the pathogenesis of LBP. The possibility of chance findings cannot be excluded due to the small sample size.
American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines require that all psychologists be trained to integrate science and practice in their work. The majority of psychologists have been trained in a ...scientist-practitioner model to both utilize and produce scientific research. However, the day-to-day integration of research and clinical practice is rare for most psychologists. Changes in the health care system, increased emphasis on evidence-based practices, diminished funding for psychosocial research, and decreases in tenure track faculty positions mean that new models are needed for both clinical practice and research productivity. Although this rapidly changing professional landscape poses significant challenges, these changes may also create new opportunities to fulfill the ideal of an integrated psychological science. Some fee-for-service settings could be restructured based on social business models to promote research productivity among clinicians, improve clinical outcomes, and provide a new home for psychological researchers who would like their work to be more connected to the applied aspects of their science. In this paper, we outline some of the reasons why, to this point, psychosocial research has never occurred in a robust fashion in private fee-for-service settings. We then outline some potential ways of overcoming barriers to conducting research outside of academia, including how to carve out and fund dedicated research time within a clinical practice setting. Finally, we provide a case example of a new business model to support this research, called the clinical-research social business model, in which profits from the income-generating activities of the business serve as a stable, internal funding source for in-house research endeavors.
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