The Drosophila F-box protein Fbxl7 binds to the protocadherin fat and regulates Dachs localization and Hippo signaling.

The Drosophila protocadherin Fat (Ft) regulates growth, planar cell polarity (PCP) and proximodistal patterning. A key downstream component of Ft signaling is the atypical myosin Dachs (D). Multiple regions of the intracellular domain of Ft have been implicated in regulating growth and PCP but how Ft regulates D is not known. Mutations in Fbxl7, which encodes an F-box protein, result in tissue overgrowth and abnormalities in proximodistal patterning that phenocopy deleting a specific portion of the intracellular domain (ICD) of Ft that regulates both growth and PCP. Fbxl7 binds to this same portion of the Ft ICD, co-localizes with Ft to the proximal edge of cells and regulates the levels and asymmetry of D at the apical membrane. Fbxl7 can also regulate the trafficking of proteins between the apical membrane and intracellular vesicles. Thus Fbxl7 functions in a subset of pathways downstream of Ft and links Ft to D localization

Socio-cultural, environmental and health challenges facing women and children living near the borders between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan (AIP region)

For hundreds of years, people in the AIP region (the Afghanistan-Iran-Pakistan borders) have been challenged by conflict and political and civil instability, mass displacement, human rights abuses, drought and famine. Given this sad history, it not surprising that in this region health and quality of life of vulnerable groups are among the worst in the world. In spite of national and international efforts to improve health status of vulnerable populations in this region, the key underlying socio-cultural determinants of health and disparities, i.e. gender, language, ethnicity, residential status, and socio-economic status (SES), have not been addressed or even systematically studied, nor have their relationship to environmental challenges. Overall, the health problems faced by this under-developed region can be categorized into those resulting from lack of essential supplies and services, as well as those stemming from the existing cultural practices in the area

Consolidación del estudio sobre la relación entre impactos ambientales de la floricultura, patrones de exposición y consecuencias en comunidades de la cuenca del Granobles (Sierra Norte, Ecuador): informe técnico final

El proyecto de consolidación se enfocó en completar y fortalecer las evidencias científicas de la primera fase de investigación realizada por el CEAS sobre los impactos de la agroindustria floricultora en la Cuenca del Río Granobles (Cayambe, Ecuador) en la salud y los ecosistemas

The gastrointestinal electrical mapping suite (GEMS): software for analyzing and visualizing high-resolution (multi-electrode) recordings in spatiotemporal detail

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal contractions are controlled by an underlying bioelectrical activity. High-resolution spatiotemporal electrical mapping has become an important advance for investigating gastrointestinal electrical behaviors in health and motility disorders. However, research progress has been constrained by the low efficiency of the data analysis tasks. This work introduces a new efficient software package: GEMS (Gastrointestinal Electrical Mapping Suite), for analyzing and visualizing high-resolution multi-electrode gastrointestinal mapping data in spatiotemporal detail. RESULTS: GEMS incorporates a number of new and previously validated automated analytical and visualization methods into a coherent framework coupled to an intuitive and user-friendly graphical user interface. GEMS is implemented using MATLAB®, which combines sophisticated mathematical operations and GUI compatibility. Recorded slow wave data can be filtered via a range of inbuilt techniques, efficiently analyzed via automated event-detection and cycle clustering algorithms, and high quality isochronal activation maps, velocity field maps, amplitude maps, frequency (time interval) maps and data animations can be rapidly generated. Normal and dysrhythmic activities can be analyzed, including initiation and conduction abnormalities. The software is distributed free to academics via a community user website and forum (http://sites.google.com/site/gimappingsuite). CONCLUSIONS: This software allows for the rapid analysis and generation of critical results from gastrointestinal high-resolution electrical mapping data, including quantitative analysis and graphical outputs for qualitative analysis. The software is designed to be used by non-experts in data and signal processing, and is intended to be used by clinical researchers as well as physiologists and bioengineers. The use and distribution of this software package will greatly accelerate efforts to improve the understanding of the causes and clinical consequences of gastrointestinal electrical disorders, through high-resolution electrical mapping

An experimental study of improvement of a micro hydro turbine performance

The thesis includes a literature survey of small hydraulic turbines, incorporating a historical review. The possible role of "micro hydros" in generating power in various parts of the world, and particularly in Iran, is discussed. The theory of turbo machinery, particularly with regard to axial flow turbines, is presented next. This is followed by some details on the design of guide vanes, runner blades and draft tube of axial flow turbines, these components being usually regarded as areas which have major impact on the performance of hydraulic turbines. The next chapter gives the details of the test circuit that was constructed. This could provide water volume flow rates of up to 0.15 m3/s at heads of up 25m. The two dynamometers that were used could adsorb pores to up to 25 kw and 50 kw respectively. An existing micro-turbine, the Agnew turbine, was selected for examination and possible improvement. The first possible improvement was the introduction of guide vanes upstream of the turbine runner (this inclusion necessitated a second support for the main shaft). It was found that this gave significant improvements - efficiency raised by over 20% in some cases. The domain of high efficiency working was considerably extended. It was observed that instability (with fall in power output) could occur after a period of running. This seemed to be associated with an accumulation of air bubbles at the highest point in the casing of the machine. Introduction of a vent from this point was found to relieve this problem and ensure stable operation

Considerations for preparing a randomized population health intervention trial: lessons from a South African–Canadian partnership to improve the health of health workers

Background: Community-based cluster-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being conducted to address pressing global health concerns. Preparations for clinical trials are well-described, as are the steps for multi-component health service trials. However, guidance is lacking for addressing the ethical and logistic challenges in (cluster) RCTs of population health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: We aimed to identify the factors that population health researchers must explicitly consider when planning RCTs within North–South partnerships. Design: We reviewed our experiences and identified key ethical and logistic issues encountered during the pre-trial phase of a recently implemented RCT. This trial aimed to improve tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention and care for health workers by enhancing workplace assessment capability, addressing concerns about confidentiality and stigma, and providing onsite counseling, testing, and treatment. An iterative framework was used to synthesize this analysis with lessons taken from other studies. Results: The checklist of critical factors was grouped into eight categories: 1) Building trust and shared ownership; 2) Conducting feasibility studies throughout the process; 3) Building capacity; 4) Creating an appropriate information system; 5) Conducting pilot studies; 6) Securing stakeholder support, with a view to scale-up; 7) Continuously refining methodological rigor; and 8) Explicitly addressing all ethical issues both at the start and continuously as they arise. Conclusion: Researchers should allow for the significant investment of time and resources required for successful implementation of population health RCTs within North–South collaborations, recognize the iterative nature of the process, and be prepared to revise protocols as challenges emerge