Direct observation of voids in the vacancy excess region of ion bombarded silicon

The results reported in this letter indicate that the spatial separation of the vacancy and interstitial excesses which result from ion bombardment gives rise to stable voids upon annealing at 850 °C even for implants where the projected ion range is only of the order of a few thousand Ångstrom. Such voids have been observed directly by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, in cases where both voids and interstitial-based defects are present at different depths, it is found that Au has a strong preference for decorating void surfaces and hence Au can, indeed, be used as a selective detector of open volume defects in Si.One of the authors ~J.W.-L.! acknowledges the Australian Research Council for financial support

Expression and function of ATP-dependent potassium channels in zebrafish islet β-cells

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP) channels) are critical nutrient sensors in many mammalian tissues. In the pancreas, K(ATP) channels are essential for coupling glucose metabolism to insulin secretion. While orthologous genes for many components of metabolism–secretion coupling in mammals are present in lower vertebrates, their expression, functionality and ultimate impact on body glucose homeostasis are unclear. In this paper, we demonstrate that zebrafish islet β-cells express functional K(ATP) channels of similar subunit composition, structure and metabolic sensitivity to their mammalian counterparts. We further show that pharmacological activation of native zebrafish K(ATP) using diazoxide, a specific K(ATP) channel opener, is sufficient to disturb glucose tolerance in adult zebrafish. That β-cell K(ATP) channel expression and function are conserved between zebrafish and mammals illustrates the evolutionary conservation of islet metabolic sensing from fish to humans, and lends relevance to the use of zebrafish to model islet glucose sensing and diseases of membrane excitability such as neonatal diabetes

Exploring and Promoting School Belonging Through Youth Participatory Action Research: Children as Co-Researchers and Agents of Change in Primary School Settings

The construct of belonging refers to humanity’s fundamental need to connect to others, places, and experiences. Research indicates that feeling a strong sense of school belonging correlates with academic success, attendance and a range of outcomes throughout life. Due to its perceived benefits, researchers, school staff and Educational Psychologists are keen to identify ways in which pupils’ feelings of belonging can be improved in schools. To support this, this study aims to explore school belonging in two primary school settings using a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach. The project adopts a multi-level case study design. In stage one, children in Year 5 participate as pupil researchers. They conduct their own research around factors which impact school belonging using YPAR and create a plan for change based on this. Their findings indicate that a range of factors impact children’s feelings of belonging in school. Stage two evaluates both the YPAR approach and its findings to determine the opportunities and challenges of carrying out research in this way. The findings suggest that YPAR provides valuable insights into the factors which influence school belonging for pupils, can support schools to create change and leads to benefits for the pupil researchers. However, it further suggests that the successfulness of the approach is influenced by logistical challenges, difficulties with engagement and issues related to power. This study contributes to the field of Educational Psychology by demonstrating the transformative potential of YPAR in understanding and addressing the needs of primary school students. It provides a framework for educators, Educational Psychologists and policymakers to create more supportive and inclusive school communities, ultimately enhancing students' academic and social outcomes, through the promotion of school belonging and through engaging youth voices

Descriptive Epidemiology of Orofacial Clefts in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of birth defects including orofacial clefts (OFC) in Ethiopia is not known and there is no established birth defects registration system. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and incidence of OFC in Ethiopia. DESIGN: Retrospective hospital based descriptive study. METHODS: We obtained data from the Smile Train database on Ethiopian patients with OFC who underwent surgical treatment from June 2007 - December 2013 at 31 hospitals distributed throughout the country. Data related to live births in Ethiopia during the mentioned period was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health database for estimates of the incidence and prevalence rates. RESULTS: The total number of life births during the study period was 18,811,316. During this same period, 18,073 cleft patients approximately ranging from 1 to 75 years old were examined and treated at the hospitals mentioned above. The incidence rate estimated from the total number of affected children during the study period (N=8232) is 0.44/1000 live births. The prevalence rate is 0.20/1000 and this was estimated using the number of total population in 2013 (N= 88,703,914). There is a significant difference in frequency between bilateral CLP (26.9%) versus unilateral CLP (73.1%) (P<0.0001). There is also a significant difference in frequency between bilateral cleft lips only (15.4%) versus unilateral cleft lip only (84.6%) P<0001. CONCLUSION: It is obvious that the findings in this study cannot be representative of the true picture but provides a previously unavailable national estimate of incidence and prevalence of orofacial clefts in Ethiopia. It can also be used as comparison for future community based studies

Challenges with sensitized recipients in pediatric heart transplantation

The sensitization of patients to human leukocyte antigens prior to heart transplantation is increasingly being recognized as an important challenge both before and after the transplant, and the effects of sensitization on clinical outcomes are just beginning to be understood. Many patients are listed with the requirement of a negative prospective or virtual crossmatch prior to accepting a donor organ. This strategy has been associated with both longer waitlist times and higher waitlist mortality. An alternative approach is to transplant across a potentially positive crossmatch while utilizing strategies to decrease the significance of the human leukocyte antigen antibodies. This review will examine the challenges and the impact of sensitization on pediatric patients prior to and following heart transplantation