76 results on '"Quinn Brian"'
Search Results
2. Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease Adjustment for Risk Method II.
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Quinn, Brian P., Gunnelson, Lauren C., Kotin, Sarah G., Gauvreau, Kimberlee, Yeh, Mary J., Hasan, Babar, Lozier, John, Barry, Oliver M., Shahanavaz, Shabana, Batlivala, Sarosh P., Salavitabar, Arash, Foerster, Susan, Goldstein, Bryan, Divekar, Abhay, Holzer, Ralf, Nicholson, George T., O'Byrne, Michael L., Whiteside, Wendy, and Bergersen, Lisa
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current metrics used to adjust for case mix complexity in congenital cardiac catheterization are becoming outdated due to the introduction of novel procedures, innovative technologies, and expanding patient subgroups. This study aims to develop a risk adjustment methodology introducing a novel, clinically meaningful adverse event outcome and incorporating a modern understanding of risk. METHODS: Data from diagnostic only and interventional cases with defined case types were collected for patients =18 years of age and =2.5 kg at all Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes participating centers. The derivation data set consisted of cases performed from 2014 to 2017, and the validation data set consisted of cases performed from 2019 to 2020. Severity level 3 adverse events were stratified into 3 tiers by clinical impact (3a/b/c); the study outcome was clinically meaningful adverse events, severity level =3b (3bc/4/5). RESULTS: The derivation data set contained 15 224 cases, and the validation data set included 9462 cases. Clinically meaningful adverse event rates were 4.5% and 4.2% in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The final risk adjustment model included age <30 days, Procedural Risk in Congenital Cardiac Catheterization risk category, and hemodynamic vulnerability score (C statistic, 0.70; Hosmer-Lemeshow P value, 0.83; Brier score, 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: CHARM II (Congenital Heart Disease Adjustment for Risk Method II) risk adjustment methodology allows for equitable comparison of clinically meaningful adverse events among institutions and operators with varying patient populations and case mix complexity performing pediatric cardiac catheterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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3. Perception of Burnout and Its Impact on Academic Hospitalists During COVID-19 and Institutional Strategies to Combat Burnout and Improve Wellness.
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Vazirnia, Parsia, Luebke, Marie, Abdelrahim, Mohamed T., Khoja, Komal, Jethwa, Trisha, Bhandari, Sanjay, Muhammad, Hammad, Quinn, Brian, and Jha, Pinky
- Published
- 2023
4. Dual scaffold delivery of miR-210 mimic and miR-16 inhibitor enhances angiogenesis and osteogenesis to accelerate bone healing.
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Castaño, Irene Mencía, Raftery, Rosanne M., Chen, Gang, Cavanagh, Brenton, Quinn, Brian, Duffy, Garry P., Curtin, Caroline M., and O'Brien, Fergal J.
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BONE regeneration ,BONE growth ,HEALING ,NEOVASCULARIZATION inhibitors ,HUMAN stem cells ,MESENCHYMAL stem cells ,TISSUE engineering - Abstract
Angiogenesis is critical for successful bone repair, and interestingly, miR-210 and miR-16 possess counter-active targets involved in both angiogenesis and osteogenesis: miR-210 acts as an activator by silencing EFNA3 & AcvR1b, while miR-16 inhibits both pathways by silencing VEGF & Smad5. It was thus hypothesized that dual delivery of both a miR-210 mimic and a miR-16 inhibitor from a collagen-nanohydroxyapatite scaffold system may hold significant potential for bone repair. Therefore, this systems potential to rapidly accelerate bone repair by directing enhanced angiogenic-osteogenic coupling in host cells in a rat calvarial defect model at a very early 4 week timepoint was assessed. In vitro , the treatment significantly enhanced angiogenic-osteogenic coupling of human mesenchymal stem cells, with enhanced calcium deposition after just 10 days in 2D and 14 days on scaffolds. In vivo , these dual-miRNA loaded scaffolds showed more than double bone volume and vessel recruitment increased 2.3 fold over the miRNA-free scaffolds. Overall, this study demonstrates the successful development of a dual-miRNA mimic/inhibitor scaffold for enhanced in vivo bone repair for the first time, and the possibility of extending this 'off-the-shelf' platform system to applications beyond bone offers immense potential to impact a myriad of other tissue engineering areas. miRNAs have potential as a new class of bone healing therapeutics as they can enhance the regenerative capacity of bone-forming cells. However, angiogenic-osteogenic coupling is critical for successful bone repair. Therefore, this study harnesses the delivery of miR-210, known to be an activator of both angiogenesis and osteogenesis, and miR-16 inhibitor, as miR-16 is known to inhibit both pathways, from a collagen-nanohydroxyapatite scaffold system to rapidly enhance osteogenesis in vitro and bone repair in vivo in a rat calvarial defect model. Overall, it describes the successful development of the first dual-miRNA mimic/inhibitor scaffold for enhanced in vivo bone repair. This 'off-the-shelf' platform system offers immense potential to extend beyond bone applications and impact a myriad of other tissue engineering areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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5. Teprotumumab-Induced Encephalopathy: A Rare Side Effect of a Novel Therapeutic.
- Author
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Yee, Megan D., McCarthy, James, Quinn, Brian, and Surani, Asif
- Published
- 2023
6. Rapid bone repair with the recruitment of CD206+M2-like macrophages using non-viral scaffold-mediated miR-133a inhibition of host cells.
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Castaño, Irene Mencía, Raftery, Rosanne M., Chen, Gang, Cavanagh, Brenton, Quinn, Brian, Duffy, Garry P., O'Brien, Fergal J., and Curtin, Caroline M.
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BONES ,IMMUNOCOMPETENT cells ,NON-coding RNA ,ZOOGEOGRAPHY ,TISSUE scaffolds ,MACROPHAGES - Abstract
microRNAs offer vast therapeutic potential for multiple disciplines. From a bone perspective, inhibition of miR-133a may offer potential to enhance Runx2 activity and increase bone repair. This study aims to assess the therapeutic capability of antagomiR-133a delivery from collagen-nanohydroxyapatite (coll-nHA) scaffolds following cell-free implantation in rat calvarial defects (7 mm diameter). This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of successful in vivo antagomiR uptake in host cells of fully immunocompetent animals without distribution to other off-target tissues. Our results demonstrate the localized release of antagomiR-133a to the implant site at 1 week post-implantation with increased calcium deposits already evident in the antagomiR-133a loaded scaffolds at this early timepoint. This was followed by an approximate 2-fold increase in bone volume versus antagomiR-free scaffolds and a significant 10-fold increase over the empty defect controls, after just 4 weeks. An increase in host CD206
+ cells suggests an accelerated pro-remodeling response by M2-like macrophages accompanying bone repair with this treatment. Overall, this non-viral scaffold-mediated antagomiR-133a delivery platform demonstrates capability to accelerate bone repair in vivo – without the addition of exogenous cells – and underlines the role of M2 macrophage-like cells in directing accelerated bone repair. Expanding the repertoire of this platform to deliver alternative miRNAs offers exciting possibilities for a variety of therapeutic indications. microRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules involved in gene regulation, may have potential as a new class of bone healing therapeutics as they can enhance the regenerative capacity of bone-forming cells. We developed a collagen-nanohydroxyapatite-microRNA scaffold system to investigate whether miR133a inhibition can enhance osteogenesis in rat MSCs and ultimately accelerate endogenous bone repair by host cells in vivo without pre-seeding cells prior to implantation. Overall, this off-the-shelf, non-viral scaffold-mediated antagomiR-133a delivery platform demonstrates capability to accelerate bone repair in vivo – without the requirement of exogenous cells – and highlights the role of CD206+ M2 macrophage-like cells in guiding accelerated bone repair. Translating the repertoire of this platform to deliver alternative miRNAs offers exciting possibilities for a vast myriad of therapeutic indications. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2020
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7. Institutional Strategies to Combat Hospitalist Burnout and Improve Wellness.
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Khoja, Komal, Luebke, Marie, Abdelrahim, Mohamed, Vazirnia, Parsia, Quinn, Brian, Hammad, Muhammad, and Jha, Pinky
- Published
- 2023
8. Consistent microplastic ingestion by deep-sea invertebrates over the last four decades (1976–2015), a study from the North East Atlantic.
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Courtene-Jones, Winnie, Quinn, Brian, Ewins, Ciaran, Gary, Stefan F., and Narayanaswamy, Bhavani E.
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INVERTEBRATES ,PLASTIC marine debris ,UBIQUITINATION ,MARINE pollution ,MARINE resources conservation - Abstract
Abstract Although evidence suggests the ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment, our knowledge of its occurrence within remote habitats, such as the deep sea, is scarce. Furthermore, long term investigations of microplastic abundances are even more limited. Here we present a long-term study of the ingestion of microplastics by two deep-sea benthic invertebrates (Ophiomusium lymani and Hymenaster pellucidus) sampled over four decades. Specimens were collected between the years 1976–2015 from a repeat monitoring site >2000 m deep in the Rockall Trough, North East Atlantic. Microplastics were identified at a relatively consistent level throughout and therefore may have been present at this locality prior to 1976. Considering the mass production of plastics began in the 1940s - 50s our data suggest the relatively rapid occurrence of microplastics within the deep sea. Of the individuals examined (n = 153), 45% had ingested microplastics, of which fibres were most prevalent (95%). A total of eight different polymer types were isolated; polyamide and polyester were found in the highest concentrations and in the majority of years, while low-density polystyrene was only identified in 2015. This study provides an assessment of the historic occurrence of microplastics on the deep seafloor and presents a detailed quantification and characterisation of microplastics ingested by benthic species. Furthermore these data advance our knowledge on the long-term fate of microplastic in marine systems. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • First long-term study of microplastic pollution in the deep sea. • Ingested microplastic abundance remained relatively consistent 1976–2015. • Data indicate microplastics may have been present at this location prior to 1976. • No trends were observed in polymer type or overall abundance across years. • Eight polymers were identified of which polyamide and polyester dominated. This unique dataset reveals consistent levels of microplastics were ingested by deep-sea invertebrates since 1976, indicating the long-term occurrence of microplastic pollution in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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9. Ecotoxicity responses of the freshwater cnidarian Hydra attenuata to 11 rare earth elements.
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Blaise, Christian, Gagné, François, Harwood, Manon, Quinn, Brian, and Hanana, H.
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ENVIRONMENTAL toxicology ,FRESHWATER ecology ,CNIDARIA ,RARE earth metals ,HYDRA (Marine life) ,ANIMAL models in research - Abstract
Lanthanides are the major family of rare earth elements (REEs) owing to the essential properties these metallic species provide in diverse fields of today's world economy. They are now being mined and produced as never before. This raises new environmental concerns in terms of their expected future discharges notably to aquatic systems. Interspecies studies of their ecotoxicity are sparse and effects on aquatic life are still poorly understood. Absence of such information for cnidarians, an ecologically relevant freshwater community, thus prompted the present research on REEs toxicity using Hydra attenuata as our animal model. Lethal and sublethal ecotoxicity data generated with the 11 REEs displayed LC50 values ranging from 0.21 to 0.77 mg L −1 and EC50 values ranging from 0.02 to 0.27 mg L −1 , thereby confirming the inherent sensitivity of Hydra to REE exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations. Additionally, two properties of REEs were shown to modulate Hydra (sub)lethal toxicity (LC50 and EC50) which decreases with increasing atomic number and with decreasing ionic radius. Compared to studies carried out with different taxonomic groups, Hydra toxicity responses to REEs proved to be among the most sensitive, along with those of other invertebrate species (i.e., Daphnia magna , Ceriodaphnia dubia , Hyalella azteca ), suggesting that members of this community are likely more at risk to eventual REE discharges in aquatic environments. Demonstrated Hydra sensitivity to REE exposure strongly justifies their future use in toxicity testing battery approaches to evaluate liquid samples suspected of harbouring REEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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10. A Scalable Route for the Regio- and Enantioselective Preparation of a Tetrazole Prodrug: Application to the Multi-Gram-Scale Synthesis of a PCSK9 Inhibitor
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Akin, Anne, Barrila, Mark T., Brandt, Thomas A., Dechert-Schmitt, Anne-Marie R., Dube, Pascal, Ford, David D., Kamlet, Adam S., Limberakis, Chris, Pearsall, Andrew, Piotrowski, David W., Quinn, Brian, Rothstein, Sarah, Salan, Jerry, Wei, Liuqing, and Xiao, Jun
- Abstract
The synthesis of multigram quantities of small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor (R,S)-3is described. The route features a safe, multikilogram method to prepare 5-(4-iodo-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-2H-tetrazole (10). A three-component dynamic kinetic resolution between tetrazole 10, acetaldehyde, and isobutyric anhydride was catalyzed by a chiral DMAP catalyst to afford enantiomerically enriched hemiaminal ester (S)-12on multikilogram scale. Magnesiation, transmetalation, and Negishi coupling provided access to Boc-intermediate (R,S)-13, which was deprotected to provide (R,S)-3in multigram quantities.
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- 2024
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11. The effects of microplastic on freshwater Hydra attenuata feeding, morphology & reproduction.
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Murphy, Fionn and Quinn, Brian
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PLASTIC marine debris ,HYDRA (Marine life) ,FRESHWATER animals ,ANIMAL morphology ,AQUATIC animals ,REPRODUCTION - Abstract
Microplastic pollution has been a growing concern in the aquatic environment for several years. The abundance of microplastics in the environment has invariably led them to interact with a variety of different aquatic species. The small size of microplastics may make them bioavailable to a great range of species however, the impact this may have is not fully understood. Much of the research on microplastic pollution has focused on the marine environment and species with little research undertaken in freshwater. Here we examine the effect of microplastics on the freshwater cnidarian, Hydra attenuata . This study also describes the development and use of a bioassay to investigate the impact of microplastic on freshwater organisms. Hydra attenuata play a vital role in the planktonic make up of slow moving freshwater bodies which they inhabit and are sensitive environmental indicators. Hydra attenuata were exposed to polyethylene flakes (<400 ìm) extracted from facewash at different concentrations (Control, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 g mL −1 ). The ecologically relevant endpoint of feeding was measured by determining the amount of prey consumed ( Artemia salina ) after 30 and 60 min. The amount of microplastics ingested was also recorded at 30 min and 60 min. After which Hydra attenuata were transferred to clean media and observed after 3, 24, 48 & 96 h with changes in their morphology and reproduction (Hydranth numbers) recorded. The results of this study show that Hydra attenuata are capable of ingesting microplastics, with several individuals completely filling their gastric cavities. Significant reductions in feeding rates were observed after 30 min in 0.02 & 0.08 g mL −1 and after 60 min in 0.04 & 0.08 g mL −1 exposures. Exposure to the microplastics caused significant changes to the morphology of Hydra attenuata , however these changes were non-lethal. This study demonstrates that freshwater Hydra attenuata is capable of ingesting microplastics and that microplastic can significantly impact the feeding of freshwater organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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12. Patient-specific organ and effective dose estimates in pediatric oncology computed tomography.
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Gao, Yiming, Quinn, Brian, Pandit-Taskar, Neeta, Behr, Gerald, Mahmood, Usman, Long, Daniel, Xu, X. George, St. Germain, Jean, and Dauer, Lawrence T.
- Abstract
Purpose Estimate organ and effective doses from computed tomography scans of pediatric oncologic patients using patient-specific information. Materials and Methods With IRB approval patient-specific scan parameters and patient size obtained from DICOM images and vendor-provided dose monitoring application were obtained for a cross-sectional study of 1250 pediatric patients from 0 through 20 y-olds who underwent head, chest, abdomen-pelvis, or chest-abdomen-pelvis CT scans. Patients were categorized by age. Organ doses and effective doses were estimated using VirtualDose™ CT based on patient-specific information, tube current modulation (TCM), and age-specific realistic phantoms. CTDIvol, DLP, and dose results were compared with those reported in the literature. Results CTDIvol and DLP varied widely as patient size varied. The 75th percentiles of CTDIvol and DLP were no greater than in the literature with the exception of head scans of 16–20 y-olds and of abdomen-pelvis scans of larger patients. Eye lens dose from a head scan was up to 69 mGy. Mean organ doses agreed with other studies at maximal difference of 38% for chest and 41% for abdomen-pelvis scans. Mean effective dose was generally higher for older patients. The highest effective doses were estimated for the 16–20 y-olds as: head 3.3 mSv, chest 4.1 mSv, abdomen-pelvis 10.0 mSv, chest-abdomen-pelvis 14.0 mSv. Conclusion Patient-specific organ and effective doses have been estimated for pediatric oncologic patients from <1 through 20 y-olds. The effect of TCM was successfully accounted for in the estimates. Output parameters varied with patient size. CTDIvol and DLP results are useful for future protocol optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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13. A Scalable Route for the Regio- and Enantioselective Preparation of a Tetrazole Prodrug: Application to the Multi-Gram-Scale Synthesis of a PCSK9 Inhibitor.
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Akin, Anne, Barrila, Mark T., Brandt, Thomas A., Dechert-Schmitt, Anne-Marie R., Dube, Pascal, Ford, David D., Kamlet, Adam S., Limberakis, Chris, Pearsall, Andrew, Piotrowski, David W., Quinn, Brian, Rothstein, Sarah, Salan, Jerry, Liuqing Wei, and Jun Xiao
- Published
- 2017
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14. Microplastic pollution identified in deep-sea water and ingested by benthic invertebrates in the Rockall Trough, North Atlantic Ocean.
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Courtene-Jones, Winnie, Quinn, Brian, Gary, Stefan F., Mogg, Andrew O.M., and Narayanaswamy, Bhavani E.
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PLASTIC marine debris ,VERTICAL distribution (Aquatic biology) ,ECOLOGICAL risk assessment ,BENTHIC ecology - Abstract
Microplastics are widespread in the natural environment and present numerous ecological threats. While the ultimate fate of marine microplastics are not well known, it is hypothesized that the deep sea is the final sink for this anthropogenic contaminant. This study provides a quantification and characterisation of microplastic pollution ingested by benthic macroinvertebrates with different feeding modes ( Ophiomusium lymani , Hymenaster pellucidus and Colus jeffreysianus ) and in adjacent deep water > 2200 m, in the Rockall Trough, Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Despite the remote location, microplastic fibres were identified in deep-sea water at a concentration of 70.8 particles m −3 , comparable to that in surface waters. Of the invertebrates examined (n = 66), 48% ingested microplastics with quantities enumerated comparable to coastal species. The number of ingested microplastics differed significantly between species and generalized linear modelling identified that the number of microplastics ingested for a given tissue mass was related to species and not organism feeding mode or the length or overall weight of the individual. Deep-sea microplastics were visually highly degraded with surface areas more than double that of pristine particles. The identification of synthetic polymers with densities greater and less than seawater along with comparable quantities to the upper ocean indicates processes of vertical re-distribution. This study presents the first snapshot of deep ocean microplastics and the quantification of microplastic pollution in the Rockall Trough. Additional sampling throughout the deep-sea is required to assess levels of microplastic pollution, vertical transportation and sequestration, which have the potential to impact the largest global ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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15. The uptake of macroplastic & microplastic by demersal & pelagic fish in the Northeast Atlantic around Scotland.
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Murphy, Fionn, Russell, Marie, Ewins, Ciaran, and Quinn, Brian
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PLASTICS ,SEAWATER ,POLYSTYRENE panels ,POLYETHYLENE terephthalate ,FISHES - Abstract
This study reports plastic ingestion in various fish found from coastal and offshore sites in Scottish marine waters. Coastal samples consisted of three demersal flatfish species ( n = 128) collected from the East and West coasts of Scotland. Offshore samples consisted of 5 pelagic species and 4 demersal species ( n = 84) collected from the Northeast Atlantic. From the coastal fish sampled, 47.7% of the gastrointestinal tracts contained macroplastic and microplastic. Of the 84 pelagic and demersal offshore fish, only 2 (2.4%) individuals from different species had ingested plastic identified as a clear polystyrene fibre and a black polyamide fibre. The average number of plastic items found per fish from all locations that had ingested plastic was 1.8 (± 1.7) with polyamide (65.3%), polyethylene terephthalate (14.4%) and acrylic (14.4%) being the three most commonly found plastics. This study adds to the existing data on macroplastic and microplastic ingestion in fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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16. Infrastructures of utopia: Ruination and Regeneration of the African Future
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de Jong, Ferdinand and Valente-Quinn, Brian
- Abstract
Abstract:Ruination has recently received much attention as a defining aspect of the materiality of modernity. Less attention is given to the processes of regeneration that occur within sites of ruination. In this article, we examine how processes of ruination and regeneration are folded into each other, by looking at the materiality of a single site, a small village in the vicinity of Dakar, Senegal. By building the University of the African Future at Sébikotane, the Senegalese president has sought to rekindle the spirit of excellence that inspired education at the École normale William Ponty in a Pan-African spirit. As part of a larger plan for urban expansion, the site of Sébikotane has inspired hope for development. Examining how the different temporalities of utopian modernism and Afro-nostalgia intersect in the ruined site, this article reflects on the ruination of African futures on a site of ever renascent utopian infrastructures.Résumé:Si les ruines sont souvent décrites comme un élément clé de la modernité dans son aspect matériel, on prête moins attention aux processus de régénération qui peuvent avoir lieu sur leurs sites. Ici nous examinerons les processus de ruines et de régénération dans leurs entrelacements en nous penchant sur un site particulier : un petit village aux alentours de Dakar, au Sénégal. En construisant l'Université du Futur Africain à Sébikotane, le président sénégalais tentait de réanimer, dans une logique panafricaine, l'esprit d'excellence qui avait inspiré l'éducation fournie àl'École normale William Ponty. Dans le cadre d'un plan d'expansion urbaine plus étendu, le site de Sébikotane inspire aujourd'hui de nouveaux espoirs de développement. En examinant le croisement de diverses temporalités de modernisme utopique et d'Afro-nostalgie présentes sur ce lieu en ruines, nous porterons une réflexion sur les ruines des futurs africains, interposées entre des infrastructures utopiques toujours renaissantes.
- Published
- 2018
17. Infrastructures of utopia: ruination and regeneration of the African future
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de Jong, Ferdinand and Valente-Quinn, Brian
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AbstractRuination has recently received much attention as a defining aspect of the materiality of modernity. Less attention is given to the processes of regeneration that occur within sites of ruination. In this article, we examine how processes of ruination and regeneration are folded into each other, by looking at the materiality of a single site, a small village in the vicinity of Dakar, Senegal. By building the University of the African Future at Sébikotane, the Senegalese president has sought to rekindle the spirit of excellence that inspired education at the École normale William Ponty in a Pan-African spirit. As part of a larger plan for urban expansion, the site of Sébikotane has inspired hope for development. Examining how the different temporalities of utopian modernism and Afro-nostalgia intersect in the ruined site, this article reflects on the ruination of African futures on a site of ever renascent utopian infrastructures.
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- 2018
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18. EdgeRunner: a novel shape-based pipeline for tumours analysis and characterisation
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Yepes-Calderon, Fernando, Hwang, Darryl, Johnson, Rebecca, Bhushan, Desai, Gajawelli, Niharika, Yong, Steven, Quinn, Brian, Yap, Felix, Gill, Inderbir, Lepore, Natasha, and Duddalwar, Vinay
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AbstractCharacterisation of tumours on imaging is usually performed qualitatively by visual analysis by radiologists. However, incorporating quantitative imaging features would potentially increase diagnostic accuracy and would improve patient care and management. The goal is to eventually be able to distinguish certain quantifiable features, which along with qualitative ones could differentiate between benign and malignant tumours. This may obviate the need for invasive procedures such as a biopsy, and may also allow for earlier detection as well as better follow-up. The shape of a tumour is often qualitatively described to help differentiate between tumor types. A smooth round outline is generally thought to be indicative of a benign or slowly growing lesion. A malignant neoplasm, on the other hand, tends to have disorganised growth and has a lobulated or spiculated margin. In this manuscript, we introduce a new computed tomography-based pipeline for tumour analysis and characterisation. This method yields an easily interpretable histogram-based index of lobularity. The EdgeRunner Pipeline performs equally well in studies of individual subjects, or in population-based assessments. Importantly, the methods can be easily translated to clinical use.
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- 2018
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19. The Year in Law 2016-2017.
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Jacob, Gregory, Kilaru, Rakesh, Gallegos, Kristi, and Quinn, Brian
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- 2018
20. Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) as a Source of Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment.
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Murphy, Fionn, Ewins, Ciaran, Carbonnier, Frederic, and Quinn, Brian
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- 2016
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21. Shiʿi Cosmopolitanisms in Africa: Lebanese Migration and Religious Conversion in Senegal, written by Mara A. Leichtman
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Quinn, Brian
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- 2017
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22. Validation of density separation for the rapid recovery of microplastics from sediment
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Quinn, Brian, Murphy, Fionn, and Ewins, Ciaran
- Abstract
Several density separation techniques using numerous brine solutions have been developed for the separation of microplastics from sediment. The aim of this study was to validate the use of various brine solutions in a relatively rapid, reproducible, low cost single stage method that can deliver consistently high recoveries for different microplastic polymers <1 mm appropriate for monitoring programmes. The recovery of environmentally relevant microplastics (200–400 μm and 800–1000 μm) from post-consumer products was tested against tap water and brine solutions of varying density including sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium bromide (NaBr), sodium iodide (NaI) and zinc bromide (ZnBr2). As expected a general trend of increasing microplastic recovery with increasing solution density was observed, with NaI and ZnBr2having significantly (p≤ 0.001) higher rates of microplastic recovery. Microplastic size was found to influence recovery rates and needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a brine solution. From this work it is evident that density separation recovery tests are needed to validate the use of brine solutions for microplastic recovery and that ZnBr2is a novel and appropriate brine solution for microplastic extraction. This study represents the most in depth validation of brine solutions for the density separation of microplastic from sediments undertaken to date.
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- 2017
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23. Optimisation of enzymatic digestion and validation of specimen preservation methods for the analysis of ingested microplastics
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Courtene-Jones, Winnie, Quinn, Brian, Murphy, Fionn, Gary, Stefan F., and Narayanaswamy, Bhavani E.
- Abstract
Microplastics are considered to be a widespread environmental contaminant. Due to their small size microplastics have the potential to be ingested by a range of aquatic organisms which mistake them for a food source and can suffer adverse impacts as a result. Development of standardised methods is imperative to provide reliable and meaningful data when analysing microplastic ingestion by marine fauna. A range of proteolytic digestive enzymes (trypsin, papain and collagenase) were tested to establish optimum digestion efficacy of biological samples and assess the effects of enzymes on microplastics; additionally the applicability of freezing and formaldehyde followed by ethanol as specimen preservation techniques for microplastic research was investigated. Of the enzymes investigated, trypsin yielded the greatest digestive efficacy based on weight reduction (88% ± 2.52 S.D.) at the lowest concentration (0.3125%) with no observed impacts on microplastics. Enumeration of microplastics from wild collected Mytilus edulisrevealed mean numbers of 1.05 ± 0.66 S.D. (minimum) to 4.44 ± 3.03 S.D. (maximum) microplastic particles per g wet weight mussel tissue depending on location. There was no significant difference based on preservation method on the quantification of ingested microplastics and no detrimental impacts were observed on the microplastics directly. Enzymatic digestion using trypsin therefore provides a suitable, time and cost effective method to extract microplastics from M. edulis. Furthermore the preservation methods did not have detrimental effects on microplastics, serving to highlight the suitability of biological samples preserved either way for future inquiries into ingested microplastics.
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- 2017
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24. NEW YEAR, FRESH LOOK.
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BRADLEY, MARK PHILIP, ALVARENGA, MANUEL MARTINEZ, BOSWELL, MARLENA, BHATTACHARYA, ISTI, CRUZ-DÍAZ, MIGUEL, HAWKINS, JUSTIN, QUINN, BRIAN, and STEPHENS, THOMAS
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NEW Year ,FEDERAL trust funds ,ADULTERY ,CONJOINED twins ,ETHNIC relations ,DIASPORA - Published
- 2022
25. Abstract 15657: Risk Based Scheduling for Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization
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Quinn, Brian, Ibla, Juan, Slater, David, Thompson, James, Ramirez, Jessily, McAleney, Paige, Ramsey, Madison, Case, Alexandria, Liu, Haven, and Jenkins, Kathy J
- Abstract
Introduction:Machine learning techniques can predict operational capacity needs and improve understanding of procedural risk in heterogeneous patient populations. Our goal is to combine machine learning and computer simulation to design scheduling formats for pediatric cardiac catheterization maximizing patient safety and system efficiency.Methods:Data for 13,115 pediatric cardiac catheterizations from 2010-19 were used to develop a simulation model including 3 catheterization interventional laboratories. Data on case time, patient and procedural complexity, and adverse events were used to determine statistical distributions on patient, procedure, and system factors for key components of the catheterization lab process. The simulation model was used to evaluate scheduling plans implemented for historical and synthetic populations of patients, comparing both system efficiency and total lab time spent where the system risk of an adverse event is high.Results:A simple scheduling heuristic model was developed where one lab worked cases from lowest to highest risk and another lab worked from highest to lowest risk. This scheduling heuristic was applied to all cases in 2018 and compared against the original schedule. Using thresholds of 10% and 20% probability of an adverse event to separate low, medium- and high-risk times. Implementing the sorting schedule resulted in the reduction of minutes spent at high-risk equivalent to 11.57 days per year.Conclusions:This study demonstrates that predictive analytics and simulation using simple scheduling heuristics results in reduced time at increased risk. Future work includes improving the fidelity of the model to include specific providers, case cancellations, and other system complexities.
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- 2022
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26. Realtime emergency communication in virtual worlds
- Author
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Dethridge, Lisa and Quinn, Brian
- Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to examine how media play a role in community responses to disaster. The authors explore how communication technology may allow new relationships between community groups and emergency agencies. The authors examine the context within which warnings and risk communication are interpreted by media services. The authors observe how, in an emergency context, the thinking about media may change from that of a linear framework of information provision to one of shared resources. Design/methodology/approach: The authors focus on Second Life, a shared, online space which uses 3D graphic images to simulate a virtual environment. Second Life is posited as a media tool with clear advantages for the training of emergency services professionals and citizens in the community. The authors observe emergency training scenarios and advantages for training for critical thinking and decision-making. Findings: The authors observe then how virtual worlds such as Second Life provide an online forum in which participants can interact, communicate and simulate action in a complex 3D graphic environment. Second Life may be a useful medium for simulating and testing geo-physical and social manoeuvres using the modeling tools. This may allow for collaborative decision-making in simulations which can prepare or rehearse people for emergency conditions. It may be useful in an emergency with information streamed and coordinated at a single online site. A shared network like Second Life may be shared by many people co-synchronously or a-synchronously, despite their geographic distance. Second Life applications may also be useful in the aftermath of emergencies for design and rebuilding, for analytical and educational purposes. Research limitations/implications: It is clear that social networks like Second Life provide a valuable tool with which to learn about and share data and information about bushfires, community emergencies and safety precautions in a social setting. It can also provide, at the local level, a forum for community information and discussion, as well as for counselling and reconstruction in the aftermath. Practical implications: The authors suggest that the range and flexibility of tools and their excellent geographic visualization and social networking functions may in future allow for learning and decision-making among diverse and disparate groups who can come together in virtual space. It is especially useful in remote communities as a means of uniting people who are otherwise isolated by distance or trapped in emergency situations. Second Life is useful for sharing information, organizational and local knowledge about disaster and mitigation management. This media-rich platform is valuable to a community that is increasingly adept with shared, 3D graphic computer interfaces. Social implications: Applications like Second Life may provide a space where users can access a range of tools as a means of informing, educating, empowering and warning participants in emergency scenarios, both real and simulated. They are more than virtual spaces; they are also social spaces. A platform like Second Life may provide a virtual solution for such communication challenges especially where communities are too remote, too dispersed or even too many in number to be easily accessible in the field. Originality/value: This paper contains new and significant information about emerging communication systems and platforms that may be of use to those researching and planning around disaster management, mitigation and resilience. It addresses the use of new techniques which are the result of innovation in technology, software design and network design. It applies a discussion of these techniques to several hypothetical and real-life scenarios to explore the potential for virtual tools as a way of providing enriched information, mapping and communication tools across a range of disaster response scenarios.
- Published
- 2016
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27. WHEN THE BIRDS GO SILENT: In the December Issue of the American Historical Review.
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ALVARENGA, MANUEL MARTINEZ, BOSWELL, MARLENA, BHATTACHARYA, ISTI, CRUZ-DÍAZ, MIGUEL, HAWKINS, JUSTIN, QUINN, BRIAN, and STEPHENS, THOMAS
- Subjects
SCHOLARLY peer review ,ENVIRONMENTAL history ,DIGITAL humanities ,CONCEPTUAL history ,ANIMAL sounds - Published
- 2021
28. Case Study: Design May Influence Use of Seclusion and Restraint
- Author
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McCurdy, John M., Haliburton, James R., Yadav, Hardik C., Yoder, Allison M., Norton, Lindsey R., Froehlich, Josef A., Kaur, Harpreet, Kramer, Nicholas F., Silman, Ayesha, Quinn, Brian J., Pudlo, Sharon, Terrell, Christina Butler, and El-Mallakh, Rif S.
- Abstract
Objective: The psychiatric emergency room is a dynamic and sometimes volatile environment. Its design may be an important variable in patient care, but most design decisions are based on models of thought and treatment with a minimal evidence base.Background: The concept of open design, increasing access of patients to nursing staff, for inpatient psychiatric units has recently gained widespread acceptance, despite a dearth of empirical data.Methods: We examined rates of seclusion and restraint before and after a design change that reduced the openness of the unit in a dedicated emergency psychiatric service in a general university hospital. Quality assurance data regarding the census, occurrence of assaults, and the use of seclusion and restraint were queried. Two independent analyses utilizing a test of proportional data were performed to replicate the findings.Results: After placement of a door to restrict patients’ access to the waiting area of the unit, the rate of the use of seclusion and restraint went from 0.03 (44/777) to 0.0185 (27/1,514; z= 2.02, p< .04). Replication over a separate time period saw reduction from 0.029 (67/2,277) to 0.018 (44/2,431), z= 2.44, p< .02).Conclusion: A design change that reduced the openness of the unit resulted in the reduction of seclusion and restraint.
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- 2015
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29. Seasonal variations of biomarker responses in the marine blue mussel (Mytilus spp.).
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Schmidt, Wiebke, Power, Emma, and Quinn, Brian
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MARINE pollution ,BIOMARKERS ,MYTILUS ,ENVIRONMENTAL engineering ,MUSSELS - Abstract
Highlights: [•] Assessment of reference conditions using a range of biomarker responses. [•] Significant variability in the biochemical response between the seasons. [•] Study highlights the diversity of environmental stress factors for mussels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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30. ARBITRATION AND THE FUTURE OF DELAWARE'S CORPORATE LAW FRANCHISE.
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Quinn, Brian JM
- Subjects
ARBITRATION & award ,COMMERCIAL arbitration agreements ,CORPORATION law ,ADMINISTRATIVE procedure ,SOCIAL history - Abstract
The article focuses on the impact of adoption on new arbitration procedure by the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware on court cases related to arbitration agreements. It informs that the procedure arises competition for adjudications and two issues multi-forum litigations and increase in the popularity of commercial arbitration. It examines Chancery-sponsored arbitration procedure in context of corporate law.
- Published
- 2013
31. Septal nuclei enlargement in human temporal lobe epilepsy without mesial temporal sclerosis.
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Butler T, Zaborszky L, Wang X, McDonald CR, Blackmon K, Quinn BT, Dubois J, Carlson C, Barr WB, French J, Kuzniecky R, Halgren E, Devinsky O, Thesen T, Butler, Tracy, Zaborszky, Laszlo, Wang, Xiuyuan, McDonald, Carrie R, Blackmon, Karen, and Quinn, Brian T
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
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32. Septal nuclei enlargement in human temporal lobe epilepsy without mesial temporal sclerosis.
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Butler, Tracy, Zaborszky, Laszlo, Xiuyuan Wang, McDonald, Carrie R., Blackmon, Karen, Quinn, Brian T., DuBois, Jonathan, Carlson, Chad, Barr, William B., French, Jacqueline, Kuzniecky, Ruben, Halgren, Eric, Devinsky, Orrin, and Thesen, Thomas
- Published
- 2013
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33. PUTTING YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS: THE PERFORMANCE OF EARNOUTS IN CORPORATE ACQUISITIONS.
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Quinn, Brian J. M.
- Subjects
EARNOUT provisions ,MERGERS & acquisitions ,ADVERSE selection (Commerce) ,UNCERTAINTY ,CORPORATE profits - Abstract
The article discusses earnout mechanism, a contractual provision stating that the seller of a business is to obtain additional future compensation based on the business achieving certain future financial goals, used in corporate merger agreements. It describes the competing hypotheses including adverse selection and uncertainty to illustrate the reliance of parties on earnouts in merger agreements. It presents an interpretation of earnout provision in context of problem of adverse selection.
- Published
- 2012
34. Hydra, a model system for environmental studies.
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QUINN, BRIAN, GAGNÉ, FRANÇOIS, and BLAISE, CHRISTIAN
- Subjects
HYDRA (Marine life) ,POLLUTANTS ,ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis ,TOXINS ,FRESHWATER ecology ,TOXICOLOGY of water pollution ,BIOLOGICAL assay ,METAL content of water ,REGENERATION (Biology) - Abstract
Hydra have been extensively used for studying the teratogenic and toxic potential of numerous toxins throughout the years and are more recently growing in popularity to assess the impacts of environmental pollutants. Hydra are an appropriate bioindicator species for use in environmental assessment owing to their easily measurable physical (morphology), biochemical (xenobiotic biotransformation; oxidative stress), behavioural (feeding) and reproductive (sexual and asexual) endpoints. Hydra also possess an unparalleled ability to regenerate, allowing the assessment of teratogenic compounds and the impact of contaminants on stem cells. Importantly, Hydra are ubiquitous throughout freshwater environments and relatively easy to culture making them appropriate for use in small scale bioassay systems. Hydra have been used to assess the environmental impacts of numerous environmental pollutants including metals, organic toxicants (including pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds), nanomaterials and industrial and municipal effluents. They have been found to be among the most sensitive animals tested for metals and certain effluents, comparing favourably with more standardised toxicity tests. Despite their lack of use in formalised monitoring programmes, Hydra have been extensively used and are regarded as a model organism in aquatic toxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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35. Shareholder Lawsuits, Status Quo Bias, and Adoption of the Exclusive Forum Provision.
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Quinn, Brian J. M.
- Subjects
ACTIONS & defenses (Law) ,MULTIDISTRICT litigation ,CHARTERS ,FORUM shopping ,FORUM selection clause ,ENTERPRISE value - Abstract
The article focuses on the transaction related lawsuits and multi-district litigations by federal judicial panel in Delaware. It discusses exclusive forum provision in corporate charters for the effective response to the out-of-Delaware problem by reducing plaintiffs' counsel's incentive in forum shopping. It highlights the recommendations for empirical research with respect to the economic effects of forum selection provisions in corporate charters on firm value.
- Published
- 2011
36. Effects of the pharmaceuticals gemfibrozil and diclofenac on the marine mussel (Mytilus spp.) and their comparison with standardized toxicity tests.
- Author
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Schmidt, Wiebke, O’Rourke, Kathleen, Hernan, Robert, and Quinn, Brian
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TOXICITY testing ,ANTILIPEMIC agents ,DICLOFENAC ,MYTILIDAE ,BIOMARKERS ,MYTILUS edulis ,GLUTATHIONE ,METALLOTHIONEIN - Abstract
Abstract: Human pharmaceuticals, like the lipid lowering agent gemfibrozil and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac are causing environmental concern. In this study, the marine mussel (Mytilus spp.) was exposed by injection to environmentally relevant and elevated (1μg/L and 1000μg/L) concentrations of both compounds and biomarker expression was observed. Gemfibrozil exposure induced biomarkers of stress (glutathione S-transferase and metallothionein) at both concentrations 24h and 96h after exposure, respectively. Biomarkers of damage (lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage) were significantly affected, as well as the biomarker for reproduction, alkali-labile phosphate assay, indicating the potential oxidative stress and endocrine disrupting effect of gemfibrozil. Diclofenac significantly induced LPO after 96h indicating tissue damage. Additionally standard toxicity tests using the marine species Vibrio fischeri, Skeletonema costatum and Tisbe battagliai showed differences in sensitivity to both drugs in the mg/L range. Results indicate a suite of tests should be used to give accurate information for regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
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37. Ecotoxicological effects of a semi-submerged municipal dump (Castle harbour, Bermuda) on the Calico scallop Argopecten gibbus.
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Quinn, Brian, Gagné, Francois, Weber, Jean-Philippe, and Blaise, Christian
- Subjects
ATLANTIC calico scallop ,BIOMARKERS ,DNA ,MARINE pollution - Abstract
Abstract: A biomarker study was undertaken using the Calico scallop Argopecten gibbus to assess the ecotoxicological effects of a semi-submerged municipal dump on the adjacent patch reef lagoon ecosystem (Castle harbour, Bermuda). Caged scallops were deployed in situ for 2 months at various distances from the dump (50m, 900m and 2.7km) and at a reference site (14km). A suite of biomarkers comprising metallothionein (MT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), vitellin-like proteins (Vn), glutathione S-transferase (GST), DNA strand breaks and condition factor (CF) were investigated in various tissues of the scallop (gill, digestive gland and gonad). Levels of heavy metals were also measured in the whole scallop soft tissue. While there was some variation in response between tissues, in general the results indicated that the dump was negatively impacting scallops deployed in the adjacent marine environment: elevated levels of MT, DNA strand breaks, Vn and GST and reduced condition factor were found for scallops deployed nearest to the dump and at the site 1.5km from this point source of contamination (Tuckers town) in Castle harbour, with respect to the reference site, North Rock (although this exhibited some degree of metal contamination). The gills from scallops deployed at the dump site were the most responsive tissue, with the highest expression of MT, LPO and DNA damage. This study indicates the potential of the Calico scallop as a convenient bioindicator species in the marine tropical benthos. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2005
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38. Partially saturated soil causing significant variability in near surface seismic signals
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Taylor, Oliver‐Denzil S., McKenna, Mihan H., Quinn, Meghan C.L., and Quinn, Brian G.
- Abstract
The behaviour of dry, moist, and saturated soils has been studied for over a century without ade quately investigating the behaviour associated with transient saturation in the near surface, i.e. the upper 1 m of overburden, including the effects of rapid meteorological changes, dynamic fluid flow, and variability of saturation on shallow seismic sensors. This paper presents observational data wherein the geophysical instrumentation response was significantly influenced by near‐surface post‐precipitation saturation and additional laboratory experimentation on the effects of satu ration on shear wave velocity. The lack of partially‐saturated data is primarily because transient meteorological events have not been critically important to the types of long‐term deployments performed in the past, where sensors were situated in hard‐rock, collecting data under idealized conditions, as opposed to sedimentary settings. Shorter‐duration deployments and smaller system architectures, e.g. persistent monitoring, now necessitate detailed a priori knowledge of meteoro logical impacts to system design and performance. The purpose of this persistent monitoring geophysical instrumentation is to continually monitor the near surface and relate small perturbations to a specific source type(s) and distance(s) from the receiver. As such, the received signal is compared to known sources within a predetermined geo logical/meteorological condition. Presented herein is the calibration signal generated by a 3.63‐kg (8‐lb) sledgehammer prior to and post 36 hours of steady precipitation. The resulting subsurface seismic velocity time‐histories show a significant increase in signal amplitude, change in fre quency content and no change in duration. Thus, the amplification effects of near‐surface moisture variability combined with dynamic pore fluid could be interpreted as false positives of a specific source signature and/or instrument failure.
- Published
- 2014
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39. Septal nuclei enlargement in human temporal lobe epilepsy without mesial temporal sclerosis
- Author
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Butler, Tracy, Zaborszky, Laszlo, Wang, Xiuyuan, McDonald, Carrie R., Blackmon, Karen, Quinn, Brian T., DuBois, Jonathan, Carlson, Chad, Barr, William B., French, Jacqueline, Kuzniecky, Ruben, Halgren, Eric, Devinsky, Orrin, and Thesen, Thomas
- Abstract
To measure the volume of basal forebrain septal nuclei in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) as compared to patients with extratemporal epilepsy and controls. In animal models of TLE, septal lesions facilitate epileptogenesis, while septal stimulation is antiepileptic.
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. SHAREHOLDER LAWSUITS, STATUS QUO BIAS, AND ADOPTION OF THE EXCLUSIVE FORUM PROVISION.
- Author
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Quinn, Brian J. M.
- Subjects
STOCKHOLDERS ,ACTIONS & defenses (Law) ,BUSINESS enterprises ,LABOR incentives - Abstract
Observers note a trend of shareholder lawsuits migrating out of Delaware. This trend is a manifestation of a litigation strategy by plaintiffs' counsel to avoid Delaware's aggressive policing of agency costs in acquisition-related shareholder litigation and to gain control over such litigation by bringing these cases outside of Delaware. To the extent agency costs drive acquisition-related litigation, such litigation can be costly to shareholders without much by way of tangible benefits to them. In addition to being potentially wasteful for shareholders, a sustained outward migration of cases from Delaware to other venues may threaten Delaware's ability to maintain and develop its own corporate law. For these reasons, various stakeholders including shareholders, the judiciary, and policymakers, have an incentive to consider the implications of these multiforum litigation strategies and formulate a response. Some commentators have proposed that firms adopt forum selection provisions in their corporate charters and bylaws as a way of reducing incentives for shareholder plaintiffs to engage in wasteful lawsuits or forum shopping. Notwithstanding the fact that incorporators are free to contract around default rules and adopt innovative self-help provisions, few firms have taken that step. This Article argues that insights from behavioral economics can provide some understanding of why this may be the case. In particular, status quo bias in contracting reduces incentives for incorporators to pursue more creative approaches to drafting the corporate contract. However, status quo bias may be overcome through the use of opt-in menus, which have been useful in increasing contractual flexibility in other contexts in corporate law and may prove helpful in overcoming cognitive constraints to innovation. By increasing flexibility in corporate contracts, shareholders should be able to moderate the effects of status quo bias and develop charter terms more likely to reflect their true preferences. Properly structured exclusive forum provisions will reduce incentives to bring wasteful litigation while leaving open opportunities for shareholders to bring valuable lawsuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
41. Remaking Management, Work and Industrial Relations: British Commercial Television, c. 1979-2000
- Author
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McKinlay, Alan and Quinn, Brian
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Impact of Breast Milk on Intelligence Quotient, Brain Size, and White Matter Development
- Author
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ISAACS, ELIZABETH B., FISCHL, BRUCE R., QUINN, BRIAN T., CHONG, WUI K., GADIAN, DAVID G., and LUCAS, ALAN
- Abstract
Although observational findings linking breast milk to higher scores on cognitive tests may be confounded by factors associated with mothers' choice to breastfeed, it has been suggested that one or more constituents of breast milk facilitate cognitive development, particularly in preterms. Because cognitive scores are related to head size, we hypothesized that breast milk mediates cognitive effects by affecting brain growth. We used detailed data from a randomized feeding trial to calculate percentage of expressed maternal breast milk (%EBM) in the infant diet of 50 adolescents. MRI scans were obtained (mean age 15 y 9 mo), allowing volumes of total brain (TBV) and white and gray matter (WMV, GMV) to be calculated. In the total group, %EBM correlated significantly with verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ); in boys, with all IQ scores, TBV and WMV. VIQ was, in turn, correlated with WMV and, in boys only, additionally with TBV. No significant relationships were seen in girls or with gray matter. These data support the hypothesis that breast milk promotes brain development, particularly white matter growth. The selective effect in males accords with animal and human evidence regarding gender effects of early diet. Our data have important neurobiological and public health implications and identify areas for future mechanistic study.
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Impact of Breast Milk on Intelligence Quotient, Brain Size, and White Matter Development
- Author
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Isaacs, Elizabeth B, Fischl, Bruce R, Quinn, Brian T, Chong, Wui K, Gadian, David G, and Lucas, Alan
- Abstract
Although observational findings linking breast milk to higher scores on cognitive tests may be confounded by factors associated with mothers' choice to breastfeed, it has been suggested that one or more constituents of breast milk facilitate cognitive development, particularly in preterms. Because cognitive scores are related to head size, we hypothesized that breast milk mediates cognitive effects by affecting brain growth. We used detailed data from a randomized feeding trial to calculate percentage of expressed maternal breast milk (%EBM) in the infant diet of 50 adolescents. MRI scans were obtained (mean age = 15 y 9 mo), allowing volumes of total brain (TBV) and white and gray matter (WMV, GMV) to be calculated. In the total group, %EBM correlated significantly with verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ); in boys, with all IQ scores, TBV and WMV. VIQ was, in turn, correlated with WMV and, in boys only, additionally with TBV. No significant relationships were seen in girls or with gray matter. These data support the hypothesis that breast milk promotes brain development, particularly white matter growth. The selective effect in males accords with animal and human evidence regarding gender effects of early diet. Our data have important neurobiological and public health implications and identify areas for future mechanistic study.
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Aspects of Health Reform: Contributions from the Economic Research Initiative on the Uninsured. Aspects of Health Reform: Introduction
- Author
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McLaughlin, Catherine, Levy, Helen, and Quinn, Brian
- Abstract
From 2001 to 2008, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the Economic Research Initiative on the Uninsured (ERIU), housed at the University of Michigan. The goals of ERIU were to increase, diversify, and improve the quality and quantity of economics research on the uninsured, and to translate that research into the type of resources that are useful to policymakers, policy analysts, researchers, and members of the media.One of the primary objectives of ERIU was to fund research projects that explored economic issues about the uninsured in new, yet rigorous and interesting ways. ERIU began by commissioning six critical syntheses of the existing research. These syntheses were intended to inform researchers of what we know and what we don't know about the uninsured. In eight years, ERIU funded more than 50 new research projects on a variety of coverage topics aimed at addressing the gaps in knowledge highlighted in these syntheses. These projects, involving more than 100 researchers, resulted in over 70 conference and seminar presentations worldwide and approximately 40 articles published in peer-reviewed journals.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Volatile compounds from the integument of White Leghorn Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.): Candidate attractants of ornithophilic mosquito species*
- Author
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Bernier, Ulrich R., Allan, Sandra A., Quinn, Brian P., Kline, Daniel L., Barnard, Donald R., and Clark, Gary G.
- Abstract
Candidate kairomones of ornithophilic mosquito species are reported from GC/MS analysis of compounds from the skin on the back, the feet, and feathers from the back of White Leghorn chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Hexane and ether extracts of chicken feathers differ significantly in attractiveness of Culex spp. mosquitoes. The active (hexane) extracts contained an abundance of alcohols, ketones, and diones. The inactive (ether) extracts contained aldehydes, which also were in the hexane extracts. Analysis of hexane extracts from chicken feet, skin, and feathers demonstrated the qualitative similarity in the compounds collected with subtle differences observed in the quantitative amounts of these compounds. Aldehydes and carboxylic acids were detected in a concentrated ether extract of feathers in quantitatively similar ratios within each compound class for the corresponding series of C6–C9 aldehydes and acids.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. The Effect of Early Human Diet on Caudate Volumes and IQ
- Author
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ISAACS, ELIZABETH B., GADIAN, DAVID G., SABATINI, STUART, CHONG, WUI K., QUINN, BRIAN T., FISCHL, BRUCE R., and LUCAS, ALAN
- Abstract
Early nutrition in animals affects both behavior and brain structure. In humans, randomized trials show that early nutrition affects later cognition, notably in males. We hypothesized that early nutrition also influences brain structure, measurable using magnetic resonance imaging. Prior research suggested that the caudate nucleus may be especially vulnerable to early environment and that its size relates to IQ. To test the hypothesis that the caudate nucleus could be a neural substrate for cognitive effects of early nutrition, we compared two groups of adolescents, assigned a Standard- or High-nutrient diet in the postnatal weeks after preterm birth. Groups had similar birth status and neonatal course. Scans and IQ data were obtained from 76 adolescents and volumes of several subcortical structures were calculated. The High-nutrient group had significantly larger caudate volumes and higher Verbal IQ (VIQ). Caudate volumes correlated significantly with VIQ in the Standard-nutrient group only. Caudate volume was influenced by early nutrition and related selectively to VIQ in males, but not in females. Our findings may partly explain the effects of early diet on cognition and the predominant effects in males. They are among the first to show that human brain structure can be influenced by early nutrition.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. The Effect of Early Human Diet on Caudate Volumes and IQ
- Author
-
Isaacs, Elizabeth B, Gadian, David G, Sabatini, Stuart, Chong, Wui K, Quinn, Brian T, Fischl, Bruce R, and Lucas, Alan
- Abstract
Early nutrition in animals affects both behavior and brain structure. In humans, randomized trials show that early nutrition affects later cognition, notably in males. We hypothesized that early nutrition also influences brain structure, measurable using magnetic resonance imaging. Prior research suggested that the caudate nucleus may be especially vulnerable to early environment and that its size relates to IQ. To test the hypothesis that the caudate nucleus could be a neural substrate for cognitive effects of early nutrition, we compared two groups of adolescents, assigned a Standard- or High-nutrient diet in the postnatal weeks after preterm birth. Groups had similar birth status and neonatal course. Scans and IQ data were obtained from 76 adolescents and volumes of several subcortical structures were calculated. The High-nutrient group had significantly larger caudate volumes and higher Verbal IQ (VIQ). Caudate volumes correlated significantly with VIQ in the Standard-nutrient group only. Caudate volume was influenced by early nutrition and related selectively to VIQ in males, but not in females. Our findings may partly explain the effects of early diet on cognition and the predominant effects in males. They are among the first to show that human brain structure can be influenced by early nutrition.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Bactericidal activity and target preference of a piperazinyl-cross-linked ciprofloxacin dimer with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
- Author
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Zhao, Xilin, Quinn, Brian, Kerns, Robert, and Drlica, Karl
- Abstract
Background: Previous work showed that piperazinyl-cross-linked ciprofloxacin dimer exhibits good bacteriostatic activity with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus; lethal activity was not measured. Subsequently, the dimer failed to kill Mycobacterium smegmatis but blocked growth. Whether the compound is lethal with non-mycobacterial species is not known.Methods: Bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities were measured with wild-type cells and topoisomerase mutants of S. aureus and Escherichia coli for ciprofloxacin and a dimer of ciprofloxacin. Spontaneous resistance mutants were selected with S. aureus for both compounds, followed by target identification by nucleotide sequence determination of the quinolone-resistance-determining-region of gyrA (gyrase) and parC (topoisomerase IV).Results: The dimer was lethal, in some cases exhibiting more activity than ciprofloxacin (particularly with wild-type cells and a parC mutant of S. aureus). Dimerization affected target preference with S. aureus but not with E. coli. Resistance mutations in either gyrA or parC of S. aureus raised the MIC of the dimer, but only a parC mutation raised the MIC of ciprofloxacin. With S. aureus, the dimer selected spontaneous resistant gyrA mutants, whereas ciprofloxacin selected a parC mutant. With E. coli, a gyrA, but not a parC, mutation raised the MIC of both compounds.Conclusion: The dimer readily killed S. aureus and E. coli, representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In both cases the preferred target was DNA gyrase. The switch in target preference may be responsible for the greater lethality of the dimer seen with S. aureus.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Conditional expression of human acid {szligbeta}-glucosidase improves the visceral phenotype in a Gaucher disease mouse model
- Author
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Sun, Ying, Quinn, Brian, Xu, You-Hai, Leonova, Tatyana, Witte, David P., and Grabowski, Gregory A.
- Abstract
The reversibility and regression of histological and biochemical findings in a mouse model of Gaucher disease (4L/PS-NA) was evaluated using a liver-enriched activator protein promoter control of a tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activation-responsive human acid {szligbeta}-glucosidase (hGCase) transgenic system. 4L/PS-NA has the acid {szligbeta}-glucosidase (GCase) V394L/V394L (4L) point mutation combined with hypomorphic (∼6% wild-type) expression of the mouse prosaposin transgene (PS-NA). The hGCase/4L/PS-NA had exclusive liver expression of hGCase controlled by doxycycline (DOX). In the absence of DOX, hGCase was secreted from liver at levels of ∼120 µg/ml serum with only ∼8% of full activity, following exposure to pH 7.4 in serum. The hGCase activity and protein were detected in cells of the liver (massive), lung, and spleen, but not the brain. The visceral tissue storage cells and glucosylceramide (GC) accumulation in hGCase/4L/PS-NA were decreased from that in 4L/PS-NA mice. Turning off hGCase expression with dietary DOX led to reaccumulation of storage cells and of GC in liver, lung, and spleen, and macrophage activation in those tissues. This study demonstrates that conditionally expressed hGCase supplemented the existing mutant mouse GCase to control visceral substrate accumulation in vivo.
- Published
- 2006
50. Conditional expression of human acid β-glucosidase improves the visceral phenotype in a Gaucher disease mouse model
- Author
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Sun, Ying, Quinn, Brian, Xu, You-Hai, Leonova, Tatyana, Witte, David P., and Grabowski, Gregory A.
- Abstract
The reversibility and regression of histological and biochemical findings in a mouse model of Gaucher disease (4L/PS-NA) was evaluated using a liver-enriched activator protein promoter control of a tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activation-responsive human acid β-glucosidase (hGCase) transgenic system. 4L/PS-NA has the acid β-glucosidase (GCase) V394L/V394L (4L) point mutation combined with hypomorphic (∼6% wild-type) expression of the mouse prosaposin transgene (PS-NA). The hGCase/4L/PS-NA had exclusive liver expression of hGCase controlled by doxycycline (DOX). In the absence of DOX, hGCase was secreted from liver at levels of ∼120 μg/ml serum with only ∼8% of full activity, following exposure to pH 7.4 in serum. The hGCase activity and protein were detected in cells of the liver (massive), lung, and spleen, but not the brain. The visceral tissue storage cells and glucosylceramide (GC) accumulation in hGCase/4L/PS-NA were decreased from that in 4L/PS-NA mice. Turning off hGCase expression with dietary DOX led to reaccumulation of storage cells and of GC in liver, lung, and spleen, and macrophage activation in those tissues. This study demonstrates that conditionally expressed hGCase supplemented the existing mutant mouse GCase to control visceral substrate accumulation in vivo.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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