On the use of pseudo-spectral method in model reduction and simulation of active dendrites

Most of dendrites in the central nervous system are now known to have active channels. These active dendrites play important roles not only in signal summation but also in computation. For the simulation of these important active dendrites, the compartment model based on the finite volume or finite difference discretization was mainly adopted. In this paper, we employ the Chebychev pseudo-spectral method well developed in computational physics, and demonstrate that it can achieve a higher precision with the same number of equations than the compartment model. Moreover, it is also shown that the Chebychev pseudo-spectral method converges faster to attain a given precision. Hence, for the simulations of active dendrites, the Chebychev pseudo-spectral method can be an attractive alternative to the compartment model since it leads to a low order model with higher precision or converges faster for a given precision.     

Detection of contractions in adaptive transit time of the small bowel from wireless capsule endoscopy videos

Recognizing intestinal contractions from wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) image sequences provides a non-invasive method of measurement, and suggests a solution to the problems of traditional techniques for assessing intestinal motility. Based on the characteristics of contractile patterns and information on their frequencies, the contractions can be investigated using essential image features extracted from WCE videos. In this study, we proposed a coherent three-stage procedure using temporal and spatial features. The possible contractions are recognized by changes in the edge structure of the intestinal folds in Stage 1 and evaluating similarity features in consecutive frames in Stage 2. In order to take account of the properties of contraction frequency, we consider that the possible contractions are located within windows including consecutive frames. The size of these contraction windows is adjusted according to the passage of the WCE. These procedures aim to exclude as many non-contractions as possible. True contractions are determined through spatial analysis of directional information in Stage 3. Using the proposed method, 81% of true contractions are detected with a 37% false alarm rate for evaluations in the experiments. The overall performance of this method is better than that of previous methods, in terms of both the quality and quantity indices. The results suggest feasible data for further clinical applications.     

Physiologic and cardiac roles of β-arrestins

β-arrestin1 and β-arrestin2 were initially identified by sequence homology to visual arrestins and by their ability to bind to and inactivate signaling of the beta-2-adrenergic receptor in a process known as desensitization. While the role of β-arrestins in desensitization has been known for some time, more recent evidence has revealed that β-arrestins are multifunctional scaffolding proteins that are involved in numerous aspects of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Interestingly, exciting new data shows that β-arrestins can mediate signaling in their own right independent of classical second messenger mediated signaling, and that this β-arrestin-mediated signaling may be cardioprotective. Identifying novel ligands for GPCRs that can block G protein-mediated signaling while simultaneously promoting β-arrestin-mediated signaling could provide powerful new therapies for cardiac disease.     

Collaboration Between Perioperative Nurses and Sterile Processing Department Personnel

Ensuring patient safety requires collaboration between all members of the surgical team, which includes personnel in the sterile processing department. Because of the close working relationship between the OR and sterile processing department, it is important that employees in these departments work well together.Reducing errors and misunderstandings can contribute to improved relationships between personnel in these two departments. Strategies should include a focus on reducing instrument set errors, fostering teamwork and positive relationships, improving interdepartmental communication, and ensuring compliance with policies that are based on the most current evidence available.     

Improving Associate Degree Nursing Students' Perioperative Clinical Observation Experiences

For associate degree nursing students at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, the perioperative nursing clinical experience typically included a one-day observation of a surgical procedure, with students entering the OR suite after the surgery started and having to leave before the surgery was completed. An associate professor of nursing and a perioperative staff education coordinator partnered to address this lack of a complete perioperative experience for students and offer a more formal OR experience. The clinical experience was altered to provide relevant didactic perioperative nursing content in class before the clinical day, a group orientation, and observation in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative areas. Reactions of students and perioperative staff members to these changes were positive.     

Determining the State of Knowledge for Implementing the Universal Protocol Recommendations: An Integrative Review of the Literature

The purpose of this study was to determine the current state of knowledge concerning the implementation of the Joint Commission's Universal Protocol. We conducted an integrative review of the literature through a systematic search of the National Library of Medicine (ie, PubMed) database to identify empirical and theoretical documents that discussed the implementation process for the Universal Protocol. The current state of knowledge varies from facility to facility, and we noted significant trends, gaps, and areas of concern in the implementation process. Successful implementation of the Universal Protocol has the following elements: a multidisciplinary team approach, active staff/patient participation, supportive hospital administration/leadership, and active communication that promotes a healthy work environment.