Preparing Our Kids for Education, Work and Life: A Report of the Task Force on Youth Aging Out

Summarizes a study of Massachusetts youth transitioning out of foster care, and offers recommendations for policies, practices, and resource conditions, including "Five Core Resources" to prepare them for higher education, work, and adulthood

Characterization of cofilin and its potential role in the EphA4 pathway

EphA4 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is responsible for cellular adhesion and locomotion using repulsion signaling in early development of Xenopus laevis. EphA4 regulates cellular locomotion by controlling proteins within its signal transduction pathway, which may include the protein cofilin. Cofilin actively severs and removes actin monomers, thus altering the actin cytoskeleton, leading to the cessation of cellular crawl. During the gastrulation phase of embryonic development, individual cells are relocating to create the three primary germ layers of the organism. Failure of this process to occur results in attrition of the embryos, frequently by way of embryonic exogastrulation. In order to characterize the role of the cofilin gene in embryonic development, we generated mutations of this gene using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. We demonstrated that mutation of the cofilin gene in X. laevis embryos resulted in exogastrulation among the majority of embryos analyzed. Our finding coincides with results observed for EphA4 knockdown in Xenopus in previous studies. It was also discovered that there is maternal cofilin mRNA remaining in all embryos beyond gastrula stage. We also attempted a rescue experiment in which cofilin mutation using CRISPR-Cas9 was supplemented by injection of various concentrations of cofilin mRNA. Rescue was unsuccessful in every attempt, and when cofilin mRNA was injected alone, exogastrulation rates persisted at high levels, suggesting that cofilin activity levels need to be tightly regulated and within a specific range

Augmented control of hands free voice prostheses

Laryngectomy patients often use an electrolarynx to facilitate speech following a tracheotomy. Devices of this type provide the most intelligible means of communication for tracheotomy patients. However, the electro-larynx has inherent drawbacks such as the buzzing monotonic sound emitted, the need for a free hand to operate the device, and the difficulty experienced by many tracheotomy patients in adapting to use it. The most effective means of addressing the shortcomings of existing electro-larynges is to provide the user with a hands-free facility. This allows the user to perform other manual tasks whilst speaking, or simply to communicate more effectively through body language. Hands-free devices do exist but require a considerable amount of patient training as they involve the use of the shoulder muscles to control pitch. Furthermore, they are not suitable for all patients as the hands-free is suitable only for users with a certain type of tracheotomy. Goldstein et al in 2004 [1] produced a working prototype of a hands-free device that employed electromyographic signals to activate the device. However, it was quite cumbersome in design and failed to alleviate the monotonous sound produced. The goal of this research is to research the implementation of a hands-free electrolarynx, using various activation methods including electromyographic signals to vary parameters of the output signal. Once a satisfactory system of initiation has been devised and tested, a method of pitch variation shall be developed

Intelligibility of Electrolarynx Speech using a Novel Hands-Free Actuator

During voiced speech, the larynx provides quasi-periodic acoustic excitation of the vocal tract. In most electrolarynxes, mechanical vibrations are produced by a linear electromechanical actuator, the armature of which percusses against a metal or plastic plate at a frequency within the range of glottal excitation. In this paper, the intelligibility of speech produced using a novel hands-free actuator is compared to speech produced using a conventional electrolarynx. Two able-bodied speakers (one male, one female) performed a closed response test containing 28 monosyllabic words, once using a conventional electrolarynx and a second time using the novel design. The resulting audio recordings were randomized and replayed to ten listeners who recorded each word that they heard. The results show that the speech produced using the hands-free actuator was substantially more intelligible to the majority of listeners than that produced using the conventional electrolarynx. The new actuator has properties (size, weight, shape, cost) which lends itself as a suitable candidate for possible hands-free operation. This is one of the research ideals for the group and this test methodology presented as a means of testing intelligibility. This paper outlines the procedure for the possible testing of intelligibility of electrolarynx designs

We Made It Edition

Death of the Beat GenerationLois GibbsQuarter Mile HassleThree More Years... Then What

Augmented Control of a Hands-Free Electrolarynx

During voiced speech, the larynx acts as the sound source, providing a quasi-periodic excitation of the vocal tract. Following a total laryngectomy, some people speak using an electrolarynx which employs an electromechanical actuator to perform the excitatory function of the absent larynx. Drawbacks of conventional electrolarynx designs include the monotonic sound emitted, the need for a free-hand to operate the device, and the difficulty experienced by many laryngectomees in adapting to its use. One improvement to the electrolarynx, which clinicians and users frequently suggest, is the provision of a convenient hands-free control facility. This would allow more natural use of body language, as well as enabling the user to perform other manual tasks whilst speaking. An additional enhancement is the redevelopment of the devices\u27 actuator to remove the self-radiated buzzing sound which is emitted during operation. The overall goal of this research is to investigate the implementation of a more natural sounding, hands-free electrolarynx, with an activation method which uses accelerometers that are placed on the chest and abdomen to detect torso based breathing prior to the initiation of speech. Results illustrate from intelligibility tests carried out that the speech produced using our novel actuator is substantially more intelligible to all the listeners than that produced using the conventional electrolarynx. Also, the abrupt change in breathing pattern which occurs at the onset of speech is clearly observable in signals recorded by the accelerometers, facilitating a possible automatic activation of an electro-larynx which will be investigated further in user trials

Intelligibility of Electrolarynx Speech Using a Novel Actuator

During voiced speech, the larynx provides quasi-periodic acoustic excitation of the vocal tract. Following a laryngectomy, some people speak using an electrolarynx which replaces the excitatory function of the absent larynx. Drawbacks of conventional electrolarynx designs include the buzzing monotonic sound emitted, the need for a free hand to operate the device, and difficulty experienced by many laryngectomees in adapting to its use. Despite these shortcomings, it remains the preferred method of speech rehabilitation for a substantial minority of laryngectomees. In most electrolarynxes, mechanical vibrations are produced by a linear electromechanical actuator, the armature of which percusses against a metal or plastic plate at a frequency within the range of glottal phonation. As part of the ongoing development of a hands-free alternative to the conventional electrolarynx, the authors have developed a novel actuator which is based on a lightweight pager motor similar to those used to produce vibration in many mobile phones. In this paper, the intelligibility of speech produced using the novel actuator is compared to speech produced using a conventional electrolarynx. Three able-bodied speakers (two male, one female) performed a closed response test containing 48 monosyllabic words, once using a conventional electrolarynx and a second time using the novel actuator. The resulting audio recordings were randomized and replayed to four listeners who recorded each word that they heard. The results show that the speech produced using the novel actuator was substantially more intelligible to all listeners than that produced using the conventional electrolarynx. The new actuator has properties (size, weight, shape, cost) which lends itself as a suitable candidate for possible hands-free operation. This is one of the research ideals for the group and this test methodology presented as a means of testing intelligibility. Any further actuators which exhibit desirable characteristics are also to be examined for electrolaryngeal intelligibility using this test procedure

Nonoperative and Operative Soft-Tissue, Cartilage, and Bony Regeneration and Orthopaedic Biologics of the Shoulder: An Orthoregeneration Network (ON) Foundation Review.

Orthoregeneration is defined as a solution for orthopaedic conditions that harnesses the benefits of biology to improve healing, reduce pain, improve function, and optimally, provide an environment for tissue regeneration. Options include drugs, surgical intervention, scaffolds, biologics as a product of cells, and physical and electro-magnetic stimuli. The goal of regenerative medicine is to enhance the healing of tissue after musculoskeletal injuries as both isolated treatment and adjunct to surgical management, using novel therapies to improve recovery and outcomes. Various orthopaedic biologics (orthobiologics) have been investigated for the treatment of pathology involving the shoulder including the rotator cuff tendons, glenohumeral articular cartilage, glenoid labrum, the joint capsule, and bone. Promising and established treatment modalities include hyaluronic acid (HA); platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich concentrates (PRC); bone marrow aspirate (BMA) comprising mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs alternatively termed medicinal signaling cells and frequently, misleadingly labelled "mesenchymal stem cells"); MSC harvested from adipose, umbilical, or placental sources; factors including vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ), bone morphogenic protein (BMP), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); prolotherapy; pulsed electromagnetic field therapy; microfracture and other marrow-stimulation techniques; biologic resurfacing using acellular dermal allografts, allograft Achilles tendons, allograft lateral menisci, fascia lata autografts, and porcine xenografts; osteochondral autograft or allograft); and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Studies involving hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma, and medicinal signaling cells of various origin tissues have shown mixed results to-date as isolated treatments and as surgical adjuncts. Despite varied results thus far, there is great potential for improved efficacy with refinement of current techniques and translation of burgeoning preclinical work. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion

Preliminary assessment of the ability of detainment bunds to attenuate sediment and phosphorus transported by surface runoff in the Lake Rotorua catchment

Water-quality impairment due to excess nutrients entering Lake Rotorua has been recognised since the 1960s. So as to improve water-quality, the 2012 Lake Rotorua Nutrient Management Plan has set a target to reduce phosphorus (P) loads delivered to the lake by 10 t/year from a baseline of ~40 t P/year. Dissolved P and sediment-bound P loss from agriculture have been identified as significant sources of P entering the lake. Storm periods present significant opportunities to mitigate these losses. Detainment bunds (DBs) are a mitigation strategy that could potentially decrease P losses in storm events. A detainment bund is a low earthen dam constructed on productive pasture, which is capable of temporarily ponding large quantities of overland flow delivered by storm-generated ephemeral streams. Prior research on DBs and sedimentation basins serves as a proof of concept for the technology; however, there is no quantitative data available on the capacity of DBs to attenuate contaminants under New Zealand conditions. Quantification of DB performance is essential to the potential implementation of the technology at regional or national scales, and to the modelling of treatment efficacy in nutrient-management software such as OVERSEER®. The present study reports on preliminary data from a DB receiving surface runoff from 19.7 ha within the Lake Rotorua catchment during three contrasting storm events. The results indicated that retaining water in DBs resulted in discharges with decreased volumes of water and decreased concentrations of suspended sediments, dissolved reactive P and total P. Load attenuation related to event size and resulted in decreased loads of sediment (14–91%), dissolved reactive P (19–69%) and total P loads (18–67%) discharged downstream. These preliminary results indicated the potential of this mitigation strategy to decrease loads of sediment and P delivered to Lake Rotorua by surface runoff from pastoral agriculture.</jats:p